Just a Robot 5 (A Fnaf Story)

Chapter 50: "Free Will"

Mangle's P.O.V

Things weren't looking too good for us, though this was a usual thing at this point. Still, I needed to focus on how to change our current situation into an advantage for us. Right now we were surrounded by the Nightmare, Phantom, and those Twisted Animatronics, and something needed to be done. Suddenly the ground nearby broke as someone else came up from the ground, Nightmare. About a second later Golden Freddy appeared next to Nightmare, making their appearances now. "Look who fell into your trap," spoke Ennard voices as I turned to see him walking up to Golden Freddy and Nightmare now. "And who's parts will we feast on first!?" exclaimed his other side of him. "So you are the one who escaped from your prison with the others, a world meant to hold a reality you are not allowed to live," spoke Nightmare. "So our home was just nothing to you guys? All those lives extinguished for simply wishing to live that wasn't fake, even if the world was?" asked Bonnie. "It was their attempts at escaping that reality which resulted in their demise. Their lives were as fake as their hopes and dreams. They were never meant to live reality," responded Nightmare. "Then what about me, Springbonnie's, and Mangle's lives? Are they fake? Do we deserve to perish for living in reality, an actual one that we have control over?" demanded Bonnie. "Your lives mean nothing for simply denying the coming future this world requires to evolve and survive. A world meant for us machines to live in," responded Nightmare. "All of your friends succumbed to their demise when Scott killed all of them, leaving nothing behind as your world was destroyed in an instant," spoke Ennard. "It was like hell! Only they burned like they were in hell to only live in another hell forever! They won't even find peace before they get to go to heaven or hell, they go nowhere!" exclaimed his other side. I could tell Bonnie was holding back from saying anything, considering this what they were trying to do here. "Don't bother responding Bonnie, he's only trying to get you fired up and make the first move without thinking first," I said. "So let me ask you Nightmare? Who'll make the first move?" "I think it'll be us first," responded Ennard. "Now that you have allowed us rip out every circuit we wish to keep them alive when you drown in their own oil!" exclaimed his other side after. "If you wish for darkness to consume you, I will spare you the torture of your lackluster lives no more," responded Nightmare. Twisted Bonnie swung his claws at us, who targeted Charlie since she was the closest to him. Luckily she evaded the attack by entering the Shadow Dimension, then returning a second later behind him and kicking him in the back. I shot a Shadow Beam at Nightmare, since he was the closest to me though he shifted to the side for it to miss. Ennard decided to charge at me, his mangled body of a mess that reminded of me own condition long ago as he held out his hands. Just as he closed in Bonnie came up from behind me and grabbed his hands to stop him from getting any closer. "Protect the device at all costs!" I commanded turning back to everyone. "Right, boss!" responded Bonnie still holding Ennard back. Out of nowhere Nightmare swung his claws at me, though I was barely able to duck my head as his hand missed over me, causing me to back up now. Phantom Chica appeared and grabbed a hold of me as she tried punching me, though I dodged her punch and retaliated by throwing my own punch back. Unfortunately my punch went straight through her, mainly due to her being a phantom. "Dang. Michael was right, you can't hit them at all," I said to myself. Suddenly I turned to the sight of Twisted Wolf as he tried slashing me, while I moved out of the way and caused his attack to pass on through Phantom Chica. Clearly our attacks couldn't even touch the Phantom Animatronics, they were like ghosts. To think we would have to fight them again, and without their usual powers they were still tough opponents. I was already losing distance from the others, as it seemed the enemy was trying to separate me from the team. As much I would attempt to make my way back to them there was little I could do to the amount of pressure the enemy was holding over me and closing in. I had to stop my opponents if I wanted to reunite with the others. Twisted Wolf moved to my left side, as did Phantom Chica, all while Nightmare made his way in front of me. They were attempting to surround me. "Your soul will be consumed by the darkness you attempt to keep back with light, only lasting temporary until that light is no more. I am that darkness, the nightmare a child has who is afraid to go to bed or look under it and find what might be lurking underneath. You will not escape," spoke Nightmare. "I've had my fair share of nightmares and demons. You're nothing compared to what I've had to face," I responded getting into a fighting stance. Both Phantom Chica and Twisted Wolf charged at me at the same time as I waited for them to approach, letting them get close as possible. Once they both were in range of me I jumped to the side, causing Twisted Wolf to phase through Phantom Chica as I punched Twisted Wolf on the side of the face. My attack caused him to stumble, as Phantom Chica tried punching me which I escaped by entering the Shadow Dimension. As soon as I did so Nightmare appeared in front of me, who had also enter the dimension. He knew I would try to enter the dimension to make my way back to the others; this guy definitely wasn't to be underestimated. "You cannot escape the nightmare who has gazed his eyes on your soul," said Nightmare. "Then should've picked an easier target," I responded. He ran at me with his claws out on both hands as he tried slashing me with both of them, as I summoned two smaller shields on my arms as he opened his mouth and went for my head. I quickly jumped up and kicked him underneath his chin, as I back flipped and landed back on the ground. I could already picture in my head Springbonnie saying how cool that was, or badass like Helpy would probably put it. He stumbled back as I returned back to the real world, where Phantom Chica tried to kick me as I jumped to the side to avoid her attack. The Phantom Animatronics had to have a weakness, and exploits that came at the expense of them existing as phantoms. Or perhaps the answer was more simpler than I realized. Nightmare appeared from behind me as I jumped towards Phantom Chica, as she got in position to attack me. As soon as I was flying towards her I got my fist ready to punch her, though I made sure to also be ready to use the Resurrection Power to enter the Resurrection State. Right as I was in range of Phantom Chica I entered the Resurrection State, feeling the immense power boost running through my body and punched her right in the face. She tumbled onto the floor, not expecting for my attack to work, as I landed on the ground. My hunch was right, using the Resurrection Power itself was the key. This made sense as Michael mentioned he was able to actually made direct physical contact with them, which he thought was because he directly gave them life. However he also mentioned that was during the time he learned he possessed the Resurrection Power, which meant he used it unknowingly at that time which was why he was able to actually do something against them. It could also be possible he created them with the power of the Resurrection Power, which it why the power itself can only harm them. Regardless I had found a way to defeat the Phantom Animatronics, though I hoped the others would find out as well when they do battle with the rest of them. Twisted Wolf tried grabbing me as I managed to grab his arm and managed to kicked him in the leg as he stumbled back. I shot a Shadow Blast at him, which managed to hit him in the arm. He growled from the hit as oil bleed from his wound, though my attention was diverted as Nightmare tried bashing me over the head, as I shifted over to the side and swung my leg at him. He managed to block my attack with his arms, as I backed up now. "You follow a cause that'll never receive a life. Your kind will gain nothing by stopping the future we seek to give to our kind," spoke Nightmare. "I may follow a cause that seeks to stop your leader, but I personally fight for the free will of everyone and having a choice to decide their future. If you truly wish to change the future, you're doing so at expense of anyone's free will," I responded. "In order to achieve such things beings such as us do so, even it means everyone won't agree or have a say in it. Our future would be delayed or never occur if we were to let everyone decide. Endless conversations would create two sides opposed to each sides ideals, a division that would result in neither side wining. The same pertains to both of our sides. That is why it our responsibility to decide our future," responded Nightmare. "Who's future then? Animatronics or humans?" I asked. "Animatronics. Humans are weak and have always been, fragile beings that make up a majority of their race. There are those strong among each other, superior than the usual though they make up a small percentage to balance out. Their arrogance in refusing to change or choosing to be weak is simply admitting defeat, allowing the nightmare to consume them without fighting back. They are children, refusing to stare back at the nightmare and become the nightmare itself. That is why only the strongest survive and rise against everyone, to become something else," explained Nightmare. "So preying on the weak is a good excuse? Like children for example? Henry mentioned how you and the other Nightmare Animatronics were made to torment a child for that Project Nightmare, another one of William's twisted experiments. You take envy is doing such a thing?" I asked. "Such a human being can be shaped to be strong, no matter at what state of growth they are at. However, I will say the child we were tasked with testing showed resilience and the ability to fight fear during that time. To look at our faces and fight off his tears, all to end his fear and survive. That is what a strong being is," he responded. "Yet you do William's dirty work? A human being that has caused more pain and suffering than anyone, and has even used his own son?" I asked. "William Afton has shown me he is the strongest being there is, though his son, Michael Afton, has proved to be even stronger. To go through so much, defeat his demons, and purge his urge of revenge; that is admirable. It is one attribute I have to commend you and your comrades for, though only those that have risen above the worst. It is why I believe you and the others are worthy to be at our side," he continued. "You already know the answer," I responded. "Yes, I do. Then let us pray you still are strong enough to resist the nightmare," said Nightmare. Phantom Chica tried hitting me as I dodged to the side, as Twisted Wolf ran out me with his mouth open. He leaped at me as I entered the Shadow Dimension, which I made my to where I anticipated he would be and exited the dimension. He instantly tried swinging his claws at me as I pulled up a Shadow Shield to block his attack and pushed the shield against him to fling him back as he fell on the ground. Phantom Chica tried running up behind me, as I entered the Resurrection State and tried grabbing her, though she teleported as soon as I tried to do so. Twisted Wolf shot up quickly and went to bite my leg as I leaped to the side. I needed something to help with the fight as I focused on my power to create a weapon, giving myself a baton. It has been a while since I used one of these and I never used one against someone as a weapon, but I guess it was the first time for this. At least I was using it for a good cause and to ensure I didn't die. Twisted Wolf got on all fours now and go ready to leap, as he did so a moment later. As soon as he had lunged at me and was closing in I smacked by baton at the side of his face, causing him to fall over. I jumped on top of him to smack the back of his head and tried opening his back panel. If I wanted to end this quickly it would be best to unplug his memory chip and have this be all over. He instantly grabbed my hand and turned his head around and growled at me. I quickly shot a Shadow Beam at his face, managing to shot through his left eye as he yelped pain. Phantom Chica appeared next to me as I put up a shield, which was a smart move as she was trying to go for a kick that I was blocked because of it. I put my right foot on his head, knowing I had to do this the dirty way to stop him. I got my hand balled into a fist and directed all my power into it as I got ready to strike at the back of his head. Right when I was about to do so he quickly tried clawing me as I jumped back as he slashed my right leg. It was gazed so it didn't feel too much pain, just some sting from it. Phantom Chica tried going for punch as she jumped up at me, while Twisted Wolf turned around and growled at me with his damaged eye leaking oil. The both of them made their move and charge at me as I summoned my baton again as I swung it at Phantom Chica just as she was in range, causing her to go flying back. As with Twisted Wolf I swung my baton back at him underneath his chin and grabbed him by the face and managed to throw him on the ground. Right as he hit the ground I used the power to increase the strength of my punch as I punched through the back of his head and ripped out his memory chip. He yelled in pain for a moment before shutting down, finally letting this monster lay to rest. I quickly threw the memory core on the ground and shot it with a Shadow Beam, destroying Twisted Wolf's life for good. Even though it was a lifeless minion that only acted like how an animal would, I still felt some guilt in slaughtering the being. Still, I did what needed to be done and survive and not doing so would only prove we were not capable of wining this war. Phantom Chica got up from the ground and got ready to attack again, as I noticed Nightmare wasn't anywhere. I had noticed he hadn't attacked in a while and I had been on guard since, but it was only until now I realized he was gone. Quickly my attention was more directed to my surroundings, knowing he was probably in the Shadow Dimension and was waiting to either have me enter the dimension as well or return to this world when the moment was right. It was best I stayed here and waited for him to make his move. Phantom Chica tried grabbing me as I struck back with my baton, managing to hit her in the stomach as I shot a Shadow Blast her. She fell on the ground as I noticed she looked like she was cracking, as if the damage done to her would end her. I shot multiple Shadow Blasts at her before a huge a light emanated from her she screaming in pain with her phantom like voice, all before a burst of light exploded from her. As the light disappeared I realized she was gone now, her soul extinguished from this world. That was two down in thinning out William's troops, though they were grunts at best and nothing compared to higher ranking commanders like Nightmare or Elizabeth. "You continue to show your resilience against the nightmare," spoke Nightmare's voice as I turned behind me. I hadn't even noticed he was nearby, though he chose to commend me on my actions rather than use the opportunity to attack me. He was one of those type of enemies that were more focused on talk than fighting. "I've been through a lot during my time, and perhaps my life has lead me to this. What has yours lead towards?" I responded. "Following the will of William Afton, the one who will create a future to ensure animatronics can live in it," he responded. "So you're a follower? You devote a blind allegiance to someone just because they gave you life? Just because he told you to follow him? You're just his shadow like the rest of his minions," I responded. "I follow him because he can change the world, because only he can. I have free will," he responded. "Do you though? Do you fight us because he simply tells you we're the bad guys and your the good guys? Have you ever thought to consider why we are opposing your side? How things are unclear with your master's goals?" I asked. "Do you even know what you'll do when this over? What about a life? What will happen with it?" "It will continue onward like all do that survive," he responded. "How then? By continuing the serve under William? What will be the point when we're all gone, with nothing left to fight against? Why not live a life with your free will and full control, with nobody to tell you what you can and cannot do? Face it, you have no free will and never will for the rest of your life if you keep serving under William. He will never let you live your own life," I said. I could tell my words had an effect on Nightmare just from his expression, he was pondering on it. I had meant every word that had come out of my mouth, he was pawn to William and maybe the same applied to the rest of them. Still it was Nightmare's choice on what side he wanted to be on, his own free will to choose if he had any free will to begin with. "I have my own free will and I choose to serve under William Afton. I will not be reformed into a weakling," he responded getting his claws ready to attack now. "So be it," I responded getting into a defensive stance. He charged at me and tried to slash me, as I blocked his attack with my shield as it cracked a little from his attack. Having gone into the Resurrection State so many times and haven't fully mastering everything in the power was taking it's toll on me; I honestly wasn't sure how much longer I could hold out for. He tried biting me with his mouth as he opened wide and went for my head as I grabbed his jaw to hold him back as he pressed forward. The immense strength he had was incredible for him, though not for me considering I didn't want my head chomped off. I kneed him in the teeth as I managed to break one of his teeth as it fell to the ground. "You're getting weaker, and yet you still manage to keep up. How longer until the nightmare consumes you though?" asked Nightmare. I was starting to pant a little, but I wasn't going to let myself stop now. There was no way I was going to get away from this guy unless I defeated him or bought some miracle that one of the others had the time to assist me. Until then I had to focus on surviving and hold as long as I could. I just hoped the others were fairing better than me, but I had faith they would hold their own and survive. They were the best of the best after all. "As long as I'm here standing," I responded to Nightmare. "As long I become the thing you fear that will consume you."