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riahlynn101 · 18 days

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"What Awaits Him" (1/2).

Summary: (Spoilers for chapters 416-417 of the manga!!) It's in Izuku's nature to reach out no matter the cost. The fact that the person he wants so desperately to reach out to has caused so much death and destruction is irrelevant in Izuku's eyes.

Once again, spoilers for the most recent chapters of the manga! The first half is a retelling of chapter 417, so somethings might be out of order or dialogue might be wrong/missing. I also wrote this before the leaks for chapter 418 came out, so no spoilers for that.

Trigger warnings: if you're familiar with the manga/anime this won't be a surprise, but animal death (RIP Mon), blood, child death, and child neglect/abuse.

Chapter One:

The world trembles, Izuku’s body aches, and his chance of saving Shigaraki narrows to one good punch.

He pulls his arm back. One for All consolidates into his arm down into his fist. The familiar energy thrums like electricity waiting to explode at just the right moment. His predecessors look on, some with a faint sense of horror brought on by flashbacks of their first death, or maybe even the deaths of their comrades. Others with that same unyielding, undying sense of determination that only comes from wanting this all to end. For the future to be better.

Izuku’s fist collides with Shigaraki’s chest, One for All bursts like a supernova.

His body aches. His lungs burn. And his fist continues forward, like there’s nothing there to stop it. No body. No skin, or blood, or muscle, or bone. Nothing.

For a second, he feels like he’s flying. Not at all like Nana’s quirk. Less of a weightless, free feeling, and more like he’s tumbling down a very large, very long staircase.

The air whistles through his dust and blood coated hair, as Izuku is forced forward and more forward still. It doesn’t escape his notice how the darkness of nothingness turns back into something. An upper class-looking suburbia (if the nice house in front of him is anything to go by).

And then, he lands. Gravity comes back full force. The something fills his vision, making it all he can see and feel. The air tastes less bitter now, and his body aches a little less.

Izuku stares at the ground for a moment, uncomprehending. The dew coated grass coats his uniform slacks, and when he picks himself up, the knees are stained a dirty green. He steps off the grass and into what looks like a road.

“Izuku!” Nana shouts. Her voice is enough to startle him out of his shock-induced trance. He looks over his shoulder.

Honk! Honk!

Just in time to see a truck barreling towards him. It’s only because of his training that he’s able to throw himself out of the way in time.

“Sorry, Izuku,” Nana murmurs. She floats behind him. Her anxious energy is almost contagious. “Shigaraki rebuffed me when I tried to transfer. This is his vestige realm, which means you are able to interact with the world around you. So, you have to be careful.”

Izuku doesn’t have time to respond. He’s here against the will of Shigaraki, and every second he remains within his subconscious, is another second that can be used as ammo for Shigaraki’s hatred. He runs to the house in front of him, hand extended to ring the doorbell.

This house must be the one Shigaraki lived in before something happened and All for One got to him. The one that he still hates so much that he wants to destroy it again and again even over a decade later.

“What are you planning on doing?” A voice asks from behind him. Out of curiosity, he glances back. A shadowy version of himself greets him. Glowing white eyes glare at him. “Do you honestly think seeing the past will change anything?” The voice echoes, like it’s speaking in a large, empty room. But even still, Izuku instantly recognizes Shigaraki’s voice.

“I don’t know,” he answers, clutching the straps of his backpack. “But I have to try! Letting this end without finding out wouldn’t sit right with me!”

“How about you die instead,” The shadowy figure says.

“Sorry for the intrusion.”

In between one blink of his eyes and the next, the shadowy figure disappears. Izuku sighs, turning back towards the house. Only to come face-to-face with Stain (of all people). He’s thrown to the ground, and two swords are held to his neck, digging into the flesh of his shoulder. “What do you want to do? What are you planning?” Fake-Stain asks. The manic gleam in his eyes is wild and child-like. He almost looks like-

Izuku pushes Stain off him, and surprisingly it works. The man stumbles back. His nose lengthens into a different person. One that he doesn’t recognize, so these must be people that Shigaraki knows then.

This one has a long nose and a receding hairline. Izuku tries to brush past him, but he grabs at his arms. “Do you think you can change anything?”

Izuku doesn’t dignify that with a response. Mostly because he isn’t sure what the right one is. What if Shigaraki’s right and everything stays the same?

No! He can’t think like that.

He finally wrenches his wrist free of the person’s grasp.

The man’s face morphs into one of the few people that Izuku can full-heartedly say he dislikes with a passion . Overhaul.

“Stop! What are you planning?”

Izuku evades his hands, not even stopping to look at the man. “I don’t know!” He shouts angrily. For a brief moment, all he can think about is what he did to Eri. That poor, sweet little girl that only recently learned how to smile again.

Fake-overhaul must disappear too, because nothing else is said.

“We need to destroy the source of Shigaraki’s misery,” Nana says.

“Right!” Izuku throws the door open. His time is dwindling fast, so he hopes that Shigaraki’s vestige world versions of his family will forgive him for forgoing societal niceties. The door swings open to reveal an enlarged photo of what looks like Nana and her son. It’s held in two small hands.

“Our grandma was a hero!” A small voice cheers.

Another gasps, surprised but happy.

He stumbles through the door, and right into the backyard of the Shimura residence. Nana floats behind him, ghostly and intangible as he’s always known her.

The sight that greets them is nothing short of horrific. A man rears back, ready to hit a shadowy figure in the shape of a child. Nana suddenly becomes much more real, solid and heavy with an emotion that Izuku can’t place.

The tiny figure cries out, and that’s all Izuku needs to push onwards. A barrier stops him from moving closer. He bangs on it with his fists, yelling with all his might.

Someone needs my help. Is all Izuku can think, pushing and clawing at the barrier.

A small dog barks at the man but it remains too small to do anything else. The shadowy figure (Shigaraki, Izuku realizes) braces for the incoming slap.

“That wasn’t your grandmother in the picture! That was a monster who abandoned her child!”

Behind him, Nana breaks down. He wants to comfort her, but the shadowy figure of a much younger Shigaraki has his full attention. Izuku presses his full weight against the barrier. Please, Shigaraki, he silently begs. Let me in. Let me save you.

The man’s (Kotaro, if Izuku remembers correctly) hand starts to go forward, and they have no more time to waste. “Shimura! Now!”

Izuku uses all his borrowed strength to push against the barrier. While Nana pushes forward too.

And it works.

For a second, everything stops.

The world narrows to the child in front of him and nothing else. Izuku dives forward, arms extended and ready to protect that child. His hand makes contact with the figure. Inky blackness melts away, revealing big gray eyes and wavy black hair.

Izuku gasps, feeling the last of the familiar energy leave his body. Zapping somewhere far away that he cannot touch. The world shifts, and suddenly the scene changes again.

“Y’know Mon, I just can’t take it!”

Izuku's heart drops into the pit of his stomach. The tinier version of Shigaraki sniffles, hands clutching at the one living thing that actively wanted to comfort him in his time of need. The sight is normal, innocent even. It’s nice to see that someone sought to comfort him (even if it’s a dog).

No, what worries Izuku is that the dog’s soft fur is quickly becoming gray and cracked, like old, broken cement. Its eyes glaze over, and its tongue - which pokes out of its mouth - also takes on the same gray, cracked look.

Before he can even think to move, the dog (Mon, he corrects himself. It’s important to get names right. Everyone here was someone that Shigaraki loved) falls to bloody pieces. The child version of Shigaraki looks down, eyes filled with tears. A gasp of horror escapes him, and he scrambles away from the terrible sight. Chunks of bloodied fur and flesh stain the grass, his clothes, and hands.

Izuku reaches out, ready to reassure Shigaraki that none of this is his fault. A girl - similar in looks to Nana and only slightly older than the trembling little boy off to Izuku’s left - walks over. She fidgets with her hands.

“Tenko,” she says, voice sweet. “I’m sorry for lying earlier. When daddy found out-” Her eyes landed on what remains of their dog. She screams. Her summer dress puffing out a little from the motion of spinning around so fast.

There is no time to think, though Izuku does mentally jot down Shigaraki’s birth name. Tenko claws at his sister, stumbling towards her. His big eyes begging for help. For care. For reassurance. The only sounds from his mouth are pained wheezes.

Tiny hands grasp the back of the little girl’s (Tenko’s sister if context clues are anything to go on) dress. Instantly, just like Mon, decay starts to spread over her dress and everywhere else.

“No!” Izuku shouts, breaking through his shock. But it’s too late, the little girl turns to dust. “Tenko!” He yells, trying to get the little boy’s attention. It’s not enough though. The memory continues to play uninterrupted.

More family members wander out the sliding glass door, unaware of the sight awaiting them. A woman that shares a lot of Shigaraki’s characteristics among them (that must be his mom).

Tenko’s sobbing now, nails digging into his skin. His lips seem to form the words ‘mommy’ before the woman, too, much like the other two, turns to dust. Her arms extend out, ready and willing to comfort her son even at the cost of her life.

Izuku tries to wave the elderly couple away. “Leave! Hurry!” But they don’t seem to hear him. He waves his arms. “Go! Now! Get help!”

Tenko crawls over to them. One hand on his throat, clutching his windpipe, as if he can’t breathe. And the other reaches out for them.

“Tenko?” The older woman asks, seconds before being reduced to dust. The man follows not long after, staring down at what remains of the older woman.

Izuku hurries over. He starts to reach out. His fingers brush Tenko’s shirt collar. Just then, the man from earlier opens the sliding door.

His eyes take in the scene before him. In confusion or perhaps shock he steps closer.

Tenko finally manages to speak. “Dad- daddy! Help me!”

The man's eyes widened. “Tenko, what did you do!?”

Tenko shakes his head. He gasps for air, but he removes his one hand from his neck in favor of reaching out for his father with both.

“No, Tenko! Stay away!”

But the crying, traumatized, little boy just wants to be held. So, he comes closer. Izuku moves to push the man out of the way. Maybe if he’s out of Tenko’s path of unintentional destruction, he’ll live. But the moment he tries to move closer, Izuku is knocked backwards.

He lands on his butt, and when he looks down at his legs, Izuku is greeted with blue shorts and stubby, little legs. Shorts he hasn’t seen since….

The man, Nana’s son and Shigaraki’s father, falls to pieces as well. Tenko’s hands are pressed to his face. He’s smiling, but there’s no joy in that smile. Relief, maybe, but no joy.

Once his father is gone, Tenko stumbles towards the house. Which, too, falls to his hands. Decay spreads across the lawn, and it takes Izuku a second too long to process what is happening.

Izuku scrambles backwards. His back eventually hits something solid. A fence or a shed, he doesn’t know. His eyes are locked on the decay slowly but surely coming right for him.

He shuts his eyes.

“So, I said that…” A woman’s voice says, passing him by.

A breeze hits his face, but it’s not enough to offset the heat. Izuku opens his eyes. Instead of a backyard and a family home being reduced to rubble, he’s in the middle of a busy street. Everyone looks so much bigger than him.

Tenko! I have to find Tenko!

Izuku turns. He has no idea where in the vestige world he is, but that won’t stop him from finding Tenko.

He runs right into a figure about the same size as him, if not a little taller. “Tenko?” His voice is younger sounding, and only the immediate circumstances keep Izuku from freaking out.

The boy looks at him, or more accurately, looks right through him .

“I’m here to help you.”

Tenko opens and closes his mouth. “He-lp…?” He takes a tentative step forward. Hands, dirty with blood and grime, start to reach out for Izuku. A look of fear crosses the other boy’s face. He shakes his head, tucking his hands close to him. His lips form words but he says nothing.

People continue to pass them by. Either not seeing them, or simply uncaring that there’s a young child that needs medical attention.

Izuku holds a hand out. “It’s alright. I’m here to help you.”

“Nuh, uh,” Tenko finally manages to get out. “Huh…hur-t…”

“You don’t have to worry about me.” No one should have to worry about me . Especially now. Weak. Useless. Worthless. Deku . “Let’s get you off the street. I don’t know where we are, but maybe we could find a police station?”

Tenko shakes his head again, eyes wide, frightened. He mumbles to himself.

“Please,” Izuku pleads. “We don’t even have to be close together. Just…” he breathes, “just let me help you.”

Tenko says nothing for a minute, but eventually he seems to come to some sort of an agreement with himself. He stumbles closer.

But before Izuku can count it as a win, the scene changes again.

This time, he’s under a bridge. Piles of trash surround him. The warm air is made worse by the smell of rotting fish, urine, and stale beer.

His eyes are instantly drawn to Tenko, who somehow looks even worse than the last memory. Blood still sticks to him like a second skin, but his skin has taken on a pale hue - despite Tenko being outside for (days? Weeks?) a long time. And the circles around his eyes have sunken in just a little.

“Tenko!” Izuku shouts. “Tenko! I’m here!” He runs for the boy, arms extended. Decay be damned. There’s someone that needs reassurance. If he can’t spare parts of himself, then how can he call himself a hero?

Tenko stares blankly. Big eyes that were once gray but are now a blood red, are wide open, almost unseeing.

Izuku doesn’t stop to think about the implications of this. There’s no time. Every second counts. He stops short in front of Tenko.

Carefully, he kneels down. “Tenko…?” Tiny hands gently touch the other boy’s shoulders. The brief contact seems to rouse Tenko a little bit.

“I-Izu-ku?” He winces from the force of saying something after so long.

“Hey…hey, you don’t have to speak. I know it hurts.” Izuku reaches a hand out. “Let’s get you somewhere safe. I don’t know where we are…again….but if we can find a payphone then I can call an ambulance.”

Tenko’s eyes are starting to fill with tears. A hand - tiny just like his own - reaches out. Their fingers brush-

Suddenly, Izuku’s world is turned horizontally. He cries out. “What? Put me down!” He yells, wriggling.

“Thank you, Shimura-kun,” a painfully familiar voice says. “But I’ll take over now.”

“All for One,” Izuku growls, trying and failing to claw at the man.

A pleased hum is all the answer that Izuku receives. The world starts to shift again, but between the something of Tenko’s vestige world and the nothingness of whatever awaits him, Izuku locks eyes with the one person he wanted to save above all else. But those eyes stare back, a burning fury like the pits of hell.

“I’m sorry,” Izuku murmurs, eyes filling with tears.

Useless.

Worthless.

Deku.

#cross posted on ao3 #mha fanfiction #mha au #izuku and tomura #poor tomura #poor izuku #tw childhood trauma #tw blood #mha afo

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riahlynn101 · 18 days

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"....For Now...."

Summary: All for One - busy trying to form his perfect vessel - created his clone with the sole purpose of 'taking care' of the last of the Shimura lineage. Apparently, he should have chosen his words more carefully.

TW: All for One being himself and mentions of childbirth (but it's all offscreen).

Based on this nifty theory from marunalu (warning for those that haven't read the most recent leaked chapter. Not the clone part, that, as far as I'm aware, isn't a plot point at the moment....yet): https://www.tumblr.com/marunalu/746843305233530880/it-also-could-work-if-hisashi-is-the-afo-clone

Implied spoilers from 419! Nothing is explicitly said, but they're there.

From the moment of Hisashi’s creation (not conception. Conception is a word for other people. People not like him. People like him are made in labs with quirks and are forced to be an exact copy of someone better) he was given a single task.

His better, the originator of his DNA code, All for One, handed him a file.

Hisashi gripped the manilla folder. The movement still felt weird, new, he supposes in retrospect. Being confined to a lab, mostly in a tube or laid on a table, will do that to a person.

“Inko Shimura,” All for One said, tone even, almost smug. “I need you to take care of her.”

Hisashi looked up at him. His mind - which had only seen the inside of a mad scientist’s laboratory - latched onto this seemingly easy task. The doctor - Garaki, if he recalled correctly - made him do endless amounts of lessons in language.

All for One smiled at him, and he smiled back.

“Understand?” His better asked, hovering over Hisashi who continued to hold onto the file.

He did. “Perfectly.”

-x-x-x-

Creating a clone had been the doctor’s plan. He, the doctor, had one. And with his idol worship of All for One, it was the logical next step.

All for One, though, hadn’t seen the use in having one. Outside of distracting heroes, the idea of having another one of him (literally) running around made All for One feel uneasy. He didn’t need another one of him. There only needed to be one him (just like there had only been one Yoichi).

But the doctor was persistent, and with All Might growing closer and closer, he finally gave in.

He gave up a vial of blood, and the doctor worked his magic. From nothing came something. And from that something, All for One eventually gained an extra set of hands. Which was especially helpful, given what needed to be done with the Shimura lineage. Or what remained of them anyway.

All for One already had Nana’s son, Kotaro, and his family cornered. But it’s hard to keep an eye on and meddle in the affairs of her daughter - the one she tried so laughably hard to keep from him. Even abandoning her with no name in some hospital in the middle of nowhere.

Inko Akatani was a nobody. Doomed to a lifetime of being ordinary and loveless. If All for One wasn’t so committed to being the most evil, he might feel a bit bad for her. The young woman had certainly never done anything to him, having not even been born when her biological father died.

But he had a plan in mind. And his plans were absolute, at least when it comes to this. The slightest divergence could result in the whole outcome raining down on him like a house of cards.

So, it should have been reasonable that he handed Inko Akatani’s file over to his clone.

His clone that held the exact same memories as him, without the feelings attached to them, stared up at him. “Understand?” He asked. The poor foolish thing nodded, smiling.

“Perfectly.”

And All for One didn’t think about Inko Akatani again ... until he did.

-x-x-x-

It’s a hot day in the middle of July.

The Shimura family has whittled down to one. Well, it was supposed to be one.

He stands outside the hospital room. All for One would rather not blow his cover on something as silly as an inferior not following orders. A group of nurses pass him. They don’t spare him a single glance, likely already having been briefed by Garaki.

All for One thinks about calling the buffoon again, but the last ten have all gone to voicemail. He has much better things to do instead of standing here. The only thing keeping All for One from bursting in is the uncertainty of the situation.

He knows this is the labor and delivery floor.

He knows that his clone is on the other side of the door with that Shimura woman.

And he knows that she’s giving birth.

Everything else is left up in the air.

In hindsight, maybe leaving his clone to his own devices was a bad idea.

There’s another scream. Loud and obnoxious, just as the last several have been. But there’s something different about them this time. Louder perhaps, or more concentrated instead of spread out.

And then, it’s completely silent.

Almost eerily so.

The lights overhead buzz, flickering. And a phone rings somewhere near the nurse’s station down the hall.

All for One starts to pull his cellphone out. Maybe now he can call-

A cry pierces the quiet. It’s shrill and high-pitch, like babies' cries tend to be.

He stiffens. The noise is familiar - he’s heard infants cry aplenty - but something about it makes him a bit weak. And what scares him more is the fact that he can’t decipher in which way.

All for One pushes past his moment of weakness to knock on the door loudly.

A nurse answers the door, a scowl on her face. The moment she sees All for One her eyes widened. She wordlessly motions him inside.

The room is filled with the sounds of a brand-new infant’s screams. Nurses huddle around the baby, blocking All for One’s view. He ignores it for now, turning to his real target.

“Congrats, Akatani-san,” he says, walking over to the hospital bed. They look at him. Akatani-san’s hair is plastered to her forehead, and she’s a bit pale. She looks up at his clone.

“Hisashi,” she murmurs. “Who is this?”

His clone looks between him and the last remaining Shimura pest (well, outside of Tenko, and now, the baby). He can almost hear him thinking from here, which is a shame because if he put a single thought into any of this in the first place, then none of this would be occurring.

“A friend from work,” his clone says, pressing a kiss to Akatani-san’s temple in assurance. “I’ll be right back, okay?”

“O-okay.”

He follows All for One back into the hallway.

The minute the door is shut, All for One’s jabbing his finger into his clone’s chest. “You,” he spits, “had one job.”

“I know,” he says. “But I-”

“But nothing. I gave you a task. Not ten, not three, not two. One. The only reason you exist is to make my life easier, and how do you repay me?”

His clone narrows his eyes. “You told me to ‘take care’ of Inko Akatani, did you not?”

All for One blinks, confused. “Yes, and?”

“And I did.” His clone speaks as if it should be obvious. “I thought it would be hard and that I would have to fake it, but I was surprised how easy it was once I got to know her.” He clasps his hands together, swooning. “Inko is something special. Really she is.”

All for One tilts his head to the side. “What?”

“The hardest part was trying to befriend her without suspicion. But after that, we hit it off.” His clone furrows his eyebrows, looking at the ground. His next words are mumbled. “Maybe a little too well.”

Again, All for One can only reply with, “what?”

“Admittedly, it was a series of foolish decisions, but Inko got pregnant after only a few months of us dating. Which was quite a shock to the system, but I think we’re handling it pretty well.”

All for One finally processes what his clone is saying to him. “You….you had a child?” He can’t even summon the energy to be upset - the anger will come later, he’s sure of it. Right now he’s in shock.

There’s a faint pink hue to his clone’s cheeks, as if he’s embarrassed. “Like I said, I know it was foolish on our behalf. But the baby and Inko are healthy and that’s all that matters.” His eyes sparkle with fatherly pride.

The weak feeling returns, and All for One has to lean against a nearby wall. His clone gasps, laying a hand on his shoulder.

“I want to hold it,” he says once the feeling has passed. “And that isn’t a request. Let me hold it, or there will be consequences far beyond your comprehension.”

“Don’t hurt my baby,” his clone pleads, sensing his anger. “I did everything right. I took care of her.”

“You fool,” All for One snaps. “When I said ‘take care of her’ I meant kill her. Not wine and dine and have a baby with her.”

“I don’t care. I won’t let you hurt them,” he says, without missing a beat. His voice is dripping with determination All for One’s only heard from dying One for All users. It brings his slowly brewing anger to the surface.

“Now!” He hits the wall, denting it.

His clone remains steadfast. “Promise you won’t hurt them.”

All for One grits his teeth. The weak feeling returns with a vengeance, but he’ll be damned if he shows that side of himself again. “Fine. Now, let me hold the baby.”

-x-x-x-

His clone passes him the baby. The tiny pathetic thing that shouldn’t exist. An abomination. The metaphorical wrench in his plans.

All for One’s held lots of babies. Little Tenko being the most recent. But it always surprises him how small they are. And this one somehow feels even smaller.

The white hair on its tiny head almost has a wave to it, and if it’s anything like his, he knows it will one day become untameable curls. His little hands are curled into tiny fists, and when All for One unballs one of them for a closer look, his heart drops into his stomach.

Because there, in the center of this little abomination’s palm, is a bottomless hole. Just like….

He swallows, putting the thought out of his mind.

It coos, tiny body curling closer to All for One’s chest. Its tiny head lays right over his heart, as if listening for his heartbeat.

He stares down at the tiny pathetic thing, and it chooses right then, as he stares at it, to open its eyes.

Green. They’re green. The exact same shade as Yoichi’s!

All for One continues to stare. And in the little being’s eyes he sees everything that could have been. All the suffering and needless chasing of someone that never truly wanted to be his. He sees a life that could have been his, if only he gave up on One for All.

He sees the innocence in those eyes. An innocence that he was never afforded, but instead of his usual thought of wanting to snuff it out. All he can think of is wanting to protect it for as long as humanly possible.

This tiny, pathetic being, an abomination, the wrench in his plans, is suddenly the most important person in the world to All for One. To him, this child is beyond perfection. Perfectly imperfect.

His brother used to say his power, All for One, could have been the kindest in the world. The fool had a heart of gold and a head full of air, but maybe Yoichi had been right about this one thing. Maybe with the right guidance and morals, the little one could show the world how not evil All for One as a quirk is.

And then, he remembers that the HPSC exists and all thoughts of heroics are thrown out the window. It’s through that thought that he remembers who he is. Evil through and through.

(Then why does his heart feel so heavy all of a sudden?)

Still, the little one’s green eyes blink up at him. A lazy, barely-there smile on its face. He makes a decision right then, placing a palm on the infant’s downy head.

“No!” His clone shouts, arms outstretched as he runs straight at All for One. “Don’t!”

He sidesteps the man easily, removing his hand from the infant’s forehead. His clone rips the baby from his arms, backing away.

The clone roves the baby over for any outward injuries.

“What did you do?” He hisses, eyes wild and wide. He holds the baby protectively to his chest. It doesn’t react, seemingly exhausted from having his quirk factor blocked.

“I gave him a chance at a normal life.”

“That….that doesn’t answer my question.”

All for One sighs. “I used a combination of…..” he trails off. For once, the allure of monologuing about quirks doesn’t excite him. “It doesn’t matter.”

His clone glares at him. “It does matter. What the hell did you do to my son!?”

Oh, so it’s a boy. Another thing the baby shares with Yoichi.

“I gave him a chance.” I made him good. I made him, in society’s eyes, better. “The effects won’t be evident for about a year, but after that it will be like he never had All for One.”

“You- you took his quirk!?” The man looks two seconds from pummeling All for One to the ground. His arms seem to shield the tiny bundle from view. A father’s protective rage driven almost to the brink.

Even with a weak appearance-altering quirk to help his clone blend in (making him shorter and giving him softer facial features), All for One feels somewhat threatened. Of course, clone of him or not, the pathetic copy of himself won’t stand a chance. All the so-called powerful quirks were withheld just in case.

“No,” All for One drawls, annoyed. “I blocked it. Oh, don’t look at me like that. You know society won’t accept him.”

“Because of you.”

He smirks, relishing in the way his clone squirms. “I’ll let you think that.”

The baby cries, and All for One has to fight the urge to reach out for him. His clone shushes the infant, bouncing him. “Shh, it’s okay, Izuku.”

Izuku , he thinks to himself. What a perfect name for such a perfect being.

The weak feeling returns. He watches the scene with a sense of longing. His fingers twitch at his sides. “I can hold him-”

“No,” his clone snaps at once.

All for One stands down, though he quickly grows impatient. He has much better things to do, especially if his clone can’t even calm a crying baby (Izuku. His name is Izuku. I will remember that name from now until the end of time. My child. My baby. My Izuku).

“Well, I should be going,” All for One says, turning on his heels. He stuffs his hands in his pockets to prevent himself from trying to steal the baby away.

“Wait, that’s it?” His clone asks, dumbfounded.

All for One pauses, his back to the inferior version of himself. “For now.”

He doesn’t stop walking until he gets outside. All thoughts of murdering his clone for his betrayal put aside for happier ones of his (by proxy) son’s cute little face.

#mha au #mha fanfiction #cross posted on ao3 #dad for one #baby izuku #mha afo #afo clone theory

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riahlynn101 · 18 days

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"[You] Should Know Better Than That" (2).

Chapter 2

Jane’s nephew had always been a weird one. Temperamental and moody were labels put on him by his parents - her brother and sister-in-law - but there had always been more to it than that.

Sure, Mike’s temper tantrums were a sight to behold. Her eardrums still haven't recovered from the one he threw when he was five. And her nephew’s moods change on a dime (thankfully, less outwardly destructive now that he’s older). But to say he’s temperamental is missing a fundamental piece of what makes Mike, well, Mike.

She hates that she knows this. Hates that she understands him more than he does himself. And Jane refuses to understand anyone at all.

Not anymore.

“And his mood swings,” she warbles, pretending to wipe her eyes.

Abby’s teacher - what’s-her-face - tilts her head. A look of blatant disbelief on her face. Jane isn’t bothered though. It’s not about making the teacher believe it, she just needs her words to end up on the record. And someday, when her nephew inevitably ends up going off the deep end, the court can look over her words, and find that Mike - as she has always proclaimed - is not a suitable guardian.

Mike rolls his eyes. This, too, she ignores. It’s not the first time he can’t contain himself in a professional setting. Speaking of which….

She sniffs. “And that poor man.”

Another head tilt. Another eye roll.

Her nephew doesn’t speak up to defend himself. Not that he ever does, because what could he possibly say?

‘I didn’t mean it?’ ‘It was an accident?’

Oh, please.

She motions to her lawyer - some guy she hired off of craigslist, Doug, if she remembers correctly - to hand her the necessary papers. The real reason she came here this morning.

Eyes glazed over and with the tremor of a baby deer taking its first few steps, Doug hands her the adoption papers.

“I want custody of Abby,” she says. Partly for the money, partly because I can’t trust my nephew to keep her safe. Jane leaves that part unsaid, but she’s sure her nephew can fill in the gaps.

Mike shifts in the seat, sitting up a little. His frown deepens. “And if I say no?” There’s something in his tone, like he’s secretly begging Jane not to take his little sister away. A small child asking their caregiver not to turn the lights out because they’re scared of what’s lurking in the dark.

But she’s not that nice.

“Then, I’ll have to escalate it further, and if the court decides to remove her from your custody, you’ll never see her again.” And that’s not a threat. A threat is petty and unproven. Jane doesn’t make threats. It’s a promise.

Mike deflates. Without her wanting to, in his place is a younger version of Mike. Cuter, with big brown eyes, and dark (almost black) curls to match. (“When are mommy and daddy coming back?”)

She shakes her head. The past version of her nephew disappears. The current one stares at her with concern, or maybe that’s fear for her mental state. At least now he knows how she feels.

The school bell rings.

“Well, until next week,” the teacher says.

-x-x-x-

“So,” Mike starts, picking at the bowl of cereal he originally poured for Abby, but since she decided at the last second she didn’t want it, it’s his now. His sister colors at their dining room table. A rare sight, as she usually prefers hiding away in her room. “How was school?”

Nothing. The sounds of crayon on paper continue.

He purses his lips. “Your teacher told me, you guys are learning about animals. What’s that about?”

Nothing.

Mike sighs. “Okay.” He knew it was useless trying to reach her. Her teacher was clearly wrong. Center of Abby’s pictures or not, she doesn’t care if he’s here with her or not. “You can go if you want.”

Instantly, his sister is rushing to her room, art supplies clutched in her arms. A moment later she emerges, arms free, and heads straight for their television.

That’s right, he remembers. It’s Thursday, which means a new episode of Ab’s favorite show.

Mike quietly laughs to himself. He used to rush to the TV on Friday nights to see reruns of Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless, though back then he had to fight against two parents who wanted the living room to themselves, and a….

He swallows, looking sideways into the kitchen. The calendar on the wall is a couple months off. He’ll have to change that….eventually.

As soon as he hears the telltale jingle of My Little Pony, Mike digs into his pocket. The card he shoved in there earlier is creased but thankfully not ripped.

He stares at the number for a solid minute, before building up the courage to call Mr. Raglan up. He taps his teeth together, twisting in his seat from side to side. The phone rings, once, twice. Mike thinks of hanging up, but the thought of not paying rent for a second month in a row stops him. It’s halfway through the third ring when the phone’s finally picked up.

“Hello? Hello, hello?”

“Hi, it’s Mike Schmidt.”

Steve Raglan laughs, the sound crackly due to the poor connection. He wonders how many other poor souls had to grit their teeth and bear the humiliation of asking for help from someone so callous and unconcerned. Or maybe everyone else is smart enough to just take the job offer right off the bat. Smarter than Mike at least, not that that’s anything new.

“Mister I’m too good for anything,” Mr. Raglan jokes.

Against his will, Mike’s eye twitches. He forces a laugh. “Yeah, um…I was actually wondering if that job was still open?”

“Yes, of course. When can you start?”

“As soon as possible would be good.”

Another laugh. Mike somehow manages to not groan.

“That’s what I like to hear. Now, get a piece of paper and a pen. I’ll give you directions to the restaurant.”

-x-x-x-

Mike meets Max at the front door. Her hair and clothes are slightly damp from the rain. “Hey, Max.” He hands her a towel to dry off with.

“Hi, Mike,” she murmurs. A messenger bag slung over her shoulder. Likely her college textbooks. “Have fun.” The smile she sends him is downright mischievous.

“Oh, so much fun.” He pulls his jacket on. “Uh…we don’t have a lot in the cupboards, but you can help yourself. I should be home by 6:30, but if I’m not here by then or you have any concerns-”

“Call you,” Max finishes. “I know, I know. Now, go. Otherwise you’ll be late. I heard the east bound is starting to flood a little, and we both know your car can barely handle an unflooded road.”

Mike nods. “Right. Thanks again, Max. I couldn’t do it without you.” And he really couldn’t. The only other person that he trusts to watch Abby is his aunt, and she’d use every second he’s gone to interrogate his sister or go through their (read: his) belongings. And even then, she’d expect to be paid.

He winces sympathetically. “Max, I can’t pay you tonight.”

Max, who has settled on her usual spot on the couch, dismisses him with a wave. “I’ll put it on your tab.”

Mike smiles at the ground. “Right.”

-x-x-x-

Vanessa watches the restaurant from across the street. The unemployment office is ironically a perfect cover for her. Enough drug deals have been made in this parking lot to warrant a police officer being stationed here.

The rain makes it a little difficult to see out her windshield, especially because she turned her car off to blend in more.

Her phone vibrates with texts every so often. She knows who they belong to, and she doesn’t want to look.

A car eventually pulls into the parking lot. It’s rundown, which is to be expected. The people he goes after aren’t usually part of a higher tax bracket.

Vanessa waits for a little while. Let the new guy settle in for the night. Otherwise it might look like she was waiting for him, and wouldn’t that be crazy?

She pulls into Freddy’s parking lot a few minutes after midnight. A wave of nostalgia crashes over her as she looks at the building. So many memories here….

Her phone vibrates again, so she opts to leave it in the car. It’s not like he ever says anything important.

Vanessa rings the doorbell. Most of the time, the new security hire answers the door immediately upon seeing that she’s a police officer. Apparently, the new guy is not like most people, because it takes him, not one, not two, but five rings of the buzzer for him to open the door.

He cracks the door open a little, eyes narrow. “Can I help you…officer?” His voice is groggy, like he just woke up from a nap. But that’s impossible. He just got here twenty minutes ago.

“Mhm. You must be the new security hire.”

The guy continues to stare at her, seemingly unable to find words. Maybe he’s on drugs? It wouldn’t be the first hire to be on something.

Vanessa catches a glimpse of something dripping from the new hire’s arm. Red. “You’re bleeding,” she says.

“Oh, It’s nothing. I’m sure I can patch it up.”

Definitely drugs. He seems shaky, but that could be because of the blood loss. The wound doesn’t look deep, but it wouldn’t hurt to patch it up.

Seeing an opening, Vanessa slides into the restaurant. “I know where they keep the first-aid kit. C’mon.”

It never gets easier, being here. It feels like every time she’s forced to do this, dust gathers another layer and the place falls apart just a little bit more.

Still, this is Freddy’s. So, she can’t help but feel the tiniest bit excited.

She hands the kit off to him. “Bloodshot eyes, racing heart,” she observes, looking over him. The new hire seems to tuck into himself, as if hiding from her analytic stare. “Could only be Freddy’s.”

“Wh-what?”

“This place tends to get to people,” she explains, taking over bandaging his arm. “Which is exactly why you won’t last.” Vanessa extends a hand, done with fixing his arm up. “Vanessa Shelly.”

The new hire looks between her outstretched hand and her face. He takes her hand. His grip is sweaty and loose. “Mike Schmidt.”

She notes the bags under his big brown eyes, the sickly pale tint to his skin, and his worn clothes. He looks - and she feels bad thinking it - pathetic. Pathetic and sad and very, very lost.

“So, Mike. How about a tour?”

Without waiting for him, Vanessa heads out the door. If he’s smart, he’ll follow. Which isn’t saying much, because he took this job.

He probably didn’t have a choice. A voice whispers in her head. None of them do.

She argues back. They have more of a choice than the children did.

The voice says nothing to that.

-x-x-x-

Mike follows Vanessa into the main lobby. She stops in front of the stage. The one he passed on his way into the office. A thick curtain hangs in front, blocking their view of what sits behind it.

“What is this?” He asks, crossing his arms. Something about this - a police officer showing him around - doesn’t sit right with Mike. He knows that she’s likely just trying to be nice. Maybe it’s even procedure. There is a lot of dangerous machinery here. But still…

“I want to introduce you to the band.” She hits a large button on the wall. The curtain slides open dramatically. “Freddy,” Vanessa gestures to a bear-esque animatronic in front. “Chica.” A chicken off to the side of Freddy; she holds a cupcake on a platter. “And Bonnie.” A bunny standing on the other side of Freddy, a guitar in his paws.

Music starts playing. The song is familiar. Really, really familiar. Mike furrows his eyebrows. He glances at Vanessa who is watching the performance with stars in her eyes. She leans closer to him, still focused on the show in front of them.

When she speaks, there’s a note of childish excitement in her voice. “Wanna dance?” The question catches Mike off guard. He looks at her, head cocked to the side. Did she really, actually want to dance with him of all people? They just met.

Thankfully, he’s saved from the humiliation of answering. The music abruptly cuts off, and there’s a very obvious spark of electricity.

“Whoa,” he mutters under his breath, jolting. This building must be older than he thought.

Vanessa frowns, seemingly disappointed. “Maybe next time.”

Next time?

He watches her head back to the office.

There’s going to be a next time?

-x-x-x-

“Your brother is hopeless.”

“Yeah…well…uh…your sister is weird.”

“Better than hopeless.”

#cross posted on ao3 #fnaf fanfic #fnaf vanessa #fnaf #fnaf au #vanessa x mike #mike schmidt #schmelly #aunt jane #mike and jane #max fnaf

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riahlynn101 · 25 days

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MHA volume 40 spoilers!!

It finally makes sense why it looks like Yoichi’s reading his little comics in a house (chapter 333). Even though, we now know that AFO and Yoichi grew up on the streets.

Season 7 Trailer screen shot. Ch. 333.

And volume 40

How long do you guys think they stayed in that place? Because judging by other volume 40 panels (and that the panel below is about three years in the future from the flashback) they were there for while. And if all they had were those comics, it makes sense why AFO (and probably Yoichi too) were so attached to particular characters in those books. (This is without getting into AFO’s trauma stemming from chronic rejection and abandonment issues that he decided to become a villain like the demon king so he wouldn’t be so lonely/unloved). Those comic books were likely the only things they had, besides the clothes on their backs and each other.

#mha yoichi #mha afo #mha spoilers #mha shigaraki brothers #mha volume 40 #mha 333

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riahlynn101 · 25 days

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"[You] Should Know Better Than That" (1).

Prologue

Here's the first part (of 30ish) of the slow burn Schmelly fic I promised back in November.

Summary: Two people - different in every single way - have their fates intertwined by the whims of a mad man. Broken, lonely, and trying to get by, they'll have to work together to make sense of their pasts.....otherwise be consumed by what they're trying so hard to avoid....

Vanessa hugs her knees. Someone runs past, causing the tablecloth to float up a little. Loud music blares through the restaurant and, mixed with the hyperactivity of sugar-high children, it’s hard to focus.

She trembles, squeezing her eyes shut. If she stays here….if she stays hidden…then-

Her thoughts come to an abrupt stop. Footsteps - heavier than the other children’s - thump down the hall. Vanessa can see the opening of the hallway from where she sits, curled up on the cold tiled floor.

“Please, please, please,” she whispers, her nails digging into her powder blue pants. The ones that her dad picked out for her. He didn’t often buy her things, but he had been in a good mood lately.

She should have known better than to get her hopes up.

Vanessa rocks back and forth. The footsteps get louder, closer , and she can’t suppress the shudder that runs up and down her spine.

“No, no, no,” she mutters. Her face feels wet and sticky. Vanessa absently wipes her face on her shoulder, refusing to look towards the hallway.

The footsteps stop. She closes her eyes, burying her head in her knees.

If she doesn’t look then he’s not there.

The table cloth rustles, and there’s the sound of metal clinking together. “Vanessa, sweetheart.”

A hand touches her arm, but she just jerks away. “Go away! Go away! Leave! No! No!” Panic overtakes her. She lifts her head just to scream at him, but their eyes lock, and suddenly, she feels weak. Her voice fails her, mouth dry and unable to form the simplest words. “G-ah…”

“Vanessa Elizabeth Afton,” he scolds, though his tone betrays slight amusement. “You’re acting like a child.”

She hiccups, wiping at her eyes. “Le-leeeave,” she begs. “Please, daddy. You-you’re scaring me.”

Her father shakes his head. It strikes her as odd that he doesn’t have the head on. Usually he strives to make the mascots feel lifelike. She suddenly remembers something but it’s too horrible to fully recall, so she does her best to bury it for later (or never at all).

“No, princess. I’m staying right here.” His voice is soft. Gentle in a way that reminds her of when he used to tuck her into bed, a storybook of fairy tales in hand. His strong arms, encased in the springlock suit, pull her in. And Vanessa, with no strength left (did she ever have any?), is forced into a hug.

He holds her close, the metal endoskeleton making clicking noises as he moves around. She tries not to look at the drying reddish-brown spot on the yellow suit.

It makes her feel sick.

Vanessa rests her head on her dad’s shoulder. She feels weak. She feels stupid. She just wants to be held.

“Don’t worry,” her dad murmurs into her hair. “I’m not going anywhere. ”

-x-x-x-

As is normal every morning, Mike wakes up disappointed. He glares at the sign above. The large blocky letters taunt him. He groans, forcing himself out of bed and into his daily routine.

The morning is quiet, though they normally are.

Besides throwing a stuffed animal at him and whining about going to school (something that Mike can relate to), Abby doesn’t seem willing to talk to him. And even if she wanted to, he isn’t sure what they would talk about. The weather?

He drops her off at school, the backseat door opening and slamming shut before Mike can so much as open his mouth.

“Love you, too,” he mutters to himself.

Work - once he arrives - is a lot slower than normal. The mall isn’t as packed as it usually is, or at least, not as hectic. Which he is immensely grateful for, especially after breaking up a series of fights between bored, agitated highschoolers on their spring break all last week.

Jeremiah smiles at him, always so happy and cheerful. He’s almost envious of his coworker’s seemingly endless good mood and high spirits. And on anyone else, it would annoy the hell out of Mike, but on him….

He quirks a corner of his mouth up, giving Jeremiah the barest hint of a smile. One that he accepts with an even bigger grin.

“Dream theory, huh?” He looks over the novel, flipping through the pages.

Mike hums, tapping the table with his pointer finger.

”What’s it about?”

Something sparks in Mike’s brain. He suppresses the urge to ramble about dream theory and everything that comes with it, because as nice as his coworker is, Mike has learned through trial and error that even nice people aren’t immune to telling him to shut up.

So, he sticks to the bare minimum. Jeremiah makes a small quib about using it to go back in time to fix a minor wrong. He then asks to borrow the book, but Mike needs it. Has needed it since the day he found himself all alone with Abby.

No mom.

No dad.

Just his baby sister and him and enough trauma to fill several suitcases between them.

Perhaps it’s because of that, that his tone comes off a little meaner than intended. “No.”

Jeremiah frowns a little.

“Uh,” Mike falters, not wanting to be the cause of his coworker being upset. “Do you want me to buy you your favorite ice cream?” If it works with Abby then-

The smile returns full force. He nods. “That sounds great. Thanks, Mike.”

He sighs inwardly. Phew, mission successful!

-x-x-x-

Mike’s brain is filled with fog. He almost feels like he’s floating. Body light.

“Mike.” His boss snaps his fingers in Mike’s face. The weightless feeling disappears, leaving him in soaking wet clothes and with sore knuckles.

“How…how did I get here?” He asks.

“Really, Mike?” His boss says, annoyed. “ That’s the excuse you’re going with?”

He tries to remember. All the steps that he took to get here. “I don’t….what happened?”

He went to get ice cream.

His boss laughs, shaking his head. “You’re lucky the man didn’t press charges, Mike. When I hired you I-”

There was a….little boy. All alone. No one was watching him.

Just like Garrett.

His boss continues to lecture him, but Mike is too far in his own thoughts. Bits and pieces of the memory coming together.

He was watching that little boy, when a man forcefully took Garrett him. No one seemed bothered by the interaction just like that day. And it was up to Mike to save Garrett the boy.

More pieces click together.

He ran as fast as he could, pushing past people.

And then, he-

Mike groans, slumping in the chair. Out of the corner of his eye, he watches his boss shake his head. Much like a disappointed parent, or a teacher pushed too far.

Somehow, even though he avoided being thrown in jail, Mike knows that his time here - while longer than his plethora of other odd jobs - is over.

-x-x-x-

Vanessa takes a large drink of her coffee. The bitter taste makes her lips curl, but it’s the only kind that wakes her up.

Her coworkers mill around each others’ desks. It’s a part of the morning routine before calls start coming in and people start leaving on patrol. She doesn’t understand it, or she does . But it’s so much easier to hide away at her desk, tucked into the furthest most corner. Everyone seems to forget she’s there, and that works for her.

Her desk is covered in papers. Cases that still need paperwork filed.

It’s been a relatively peaceful morning, which doesn’t bode well for the afternoon. She sighs, starting on the stack of papers.

-x-x-x-

Mike taps his foot. He’s never been much of a patient person. His mom once - while she was lucid enough to share stories - told him that he was five weeks early because he couldn’t wait to see the world.

Look at me now….

“Number twenty-seven?” A social worker announces. Her tired eyes scan the room. “Twenty-seven?”

It takes Mike a solid five seconds to register that it’s his number she’s calling. He raises his hand. “Here. Right here.”

Her lips purse into a thin smile, tense, because she’s seen him here before.

“This way,” she says, instead of whatever she actually wants to.

But Mike is used to being looked at that way. It doesn’t hurt anymore.

His newest social worker is a little odd. The old one apparently went on maternity leave. Not that Mike was particularly attached to her, but it would have saved him from being pinned under Mr. Raglan’s eyes.

Those eyes make him squirm. The intensity of them burning into his forehead. The man smiles, humming under his breath. Mike vaguely recognizes the tune. He thinks his dad might have hummed it once or twice.

Mr. Raglan digs into him. Keeping an even tone the whole time. A condescending smirk on his lips, and a knowing tilt to his head as he looks through Mike’s work history. It’s the same exact look that his guidance counselor gave him when Mike asked how he, now solely responsible for a mentally ill mother, and a baby sister, was going to pay for trade school.

The one that seemed to say:

If only you tried a little harder….

He balls his hands into fists, staring at the bookcase behind Mr. Raglan.

“What’s your deal…Mister Michael Sch-” His eyes seem to bulge out of his head. Suddenly, he swivels around in his chair and stands up. He coughs, going over to the coffee machine.

“Coffee?” He asks.

The abruptness of the interaction unsettles Mike to his core. The atmosphere of the room seemed to change at the drop of a hat. All because Mr. Raglan read his name? Does he know him?

Maybe he knows about Garrett? The whole town, at one point, did.

“Wh-what?”

“Uh…coffee…do you want some coffee?”

Mike shakes his head. “No.”

The rest of their interaction leaves Mike just as shaken and eager to escape the confines of the man’s office. Whether the change in his demeanor was coincidental or not, it still put him on edge.

“If you need a job…” Mr. Raglan’s words bounce around his head.

He stuffs the card into his jacket. As if.

-x-x-x-

Vanessa groans, twisting in her office chair side to side. The paperwork had taken a lot longer than she anticipated, and because her partner is an ass, she had twice as much than usual.

The computer on her desk is off, reflecting her face on the dark screen. Her eyes dart to a photo on her desk. It’s of her as a little girl, still relatively happy, and standing in front of her friends. Bonnie, Chica, and Freddy.

She swallows, a heavy feeling in her heart.

Her phone buzzes, and that heavy feeling gets worse. Only two people have her number.

Her place of work.

And… him .

She stares at it, not wanting to read the message. But it buzzes again and again, prompting her to flip it open.

435-xxx-xxxx: There’s another one.

Sent: 5:05 pm

435-xxx-xxxx: Refused the offer, but should be coming around shortly.

Sent: 5:05 pm

435-xxx-xxxx: Just in case, swing by the restaurant tonight. Make sure our new friend is acquainted with everything.

Sent: 5:06 pm

435-xxx-xxxx: Vanessa?

Sent: 5:06 pm

It’s no use ignoring him. She’s tried before.

Me: Ok.

Read

It’s not long after that he texts her again.

435-xxx-xxxx: Got him.

Sent: 6:00 pm

Her blood runs cold. A headache forms in her temples.

Please, not another one. Please no.

Vanessa should know better by now than to get her hopes up….

#cross posted on ao3 #fnaf fanfic #fnaf vanessa #fnaf au #schmelly #mike schmidt #vanessa x mike #slow burn

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riahlynn101 · 26 days

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I had this idea in my mind, what could happen in the next chapter of mha and I had to create it. xdd

All for one grabs Izuku and starts showing him memories before throwing him back into the real world...

I found the pictures on pinterest.

#this is so cool!!#mha afo #DFO

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riahlynn101 · 1 month

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You know, this covers could very well represent Tomura receiving OFA and Izuku awakening AFO

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riahlynn101 · 1 month

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First off I’m sorry if none of this makes sense, I somehow misunderstood something in the manga/anime, or if someone else has already touched on this.

Secondly, MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE MANGA!!! (Up to the current chapter 417!)

–

I have one very important question:

If Izuku is quirkless now, given that all eight of the vestiges have been “transferred”, then how is he still in the vestige realm?

There are only three possible reasons for this:

Izuku has made OFA his quirk. Maybe by using it in such a unique way, some part of OFA will always remain within Izuku.

My personal gripes with this theory:

Kind of boring, as we’ve already seen it with All Might.

It ignores the fact that it was Izuku that unlocked all eight(?) quirks.

Izuku, unlike All Might, hasn’t been reduced to a wispy state like vestige!Might.

I don’t have definitive proof for this, as OFA is mostly likely not gone-gone. But there’s no one left in OFA, at least on Izuku’s side. None of the predecessors. Not even Yoichi as an anchor quirk.

Since AFO-OFA are “resonating” , Izuku (and Tomura) are immune to regular vestige/quirk rules. For example, being reduced to a being like vestige!Might.

My personal gripes with this theory:

All the same ones as above.

Although, this is a little less boring.

If Hori uses this reasoning to delve more into Tomura and Izuku’s connection (OFA-AFO connection), then I wouldn’t hate it.

It still ignores Izuku’s inherent connection to OFA (unlocking all the quirks, and seeing vestiges without any medical procedures like Tomura).

My favorite theory that’s come out of the DFO fandom: Izuku has had a quirk all along!

This one makes the most sense.

I won’t go into all the specifics, but if you’re interested Marunalu has gone over the theory several times on their Tumblr.

It answers everything.

Why Izuku was able to unlock the quirks.

Why Izuku could see the vestiges.

Why Izuku is still in Tomura’s vestige realm despite being “quirkless” now.

And why Izuku is able to handle several quirks at a time without becoming braindead.

*All the other ones could maybe be disproven (maybe), but the last point can’t. No amount of quirk singularity can fix how much brainspace a person has. Tomura had to get major surgery to be able to handle AFO (which while different from OFA, both have more than one quirk). Meanwhile, Izuku unlocks his predecessors’ quirks like he’s beating a video game (heh).

*One other reason that I just thought of while typing this: maybe there’s a AFO vestige in the vault. I’ve seen this theory tossed around for a while now, but I feel like there would have been more proof outside of that one chapter. Alternatively, if there is an AFO vestige kicking around OFA, that could be AFO’s final play. By being the only one left in OFA, there’s no one to protect Izuku from being taken over, or possessed by the AFO quirk. I really hope it isn’t this one, but it would make an excellent fanfic. Especially if combined with DFO and/or Tomura having to be the one to save Izuku.

Or maybe it’s none of these, and Hori will surprise us. He certainly has before, and I’m 100% sure he will again :D!!

#mha spoilers #mha chapter 417 #mha theory #dfo theory #mha dfo #dad for one #vestige realm #tomura and Izuku #OFA theory #izuku has a quirk

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riahlynn101 · 1 month

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reblog if fanfic writing has been a source of happiness for you and has helped with your mental health

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riahlynn101 · 1 month

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Memories from the past.

#ohhhh beautiful!!#shimura tenko #midoriya izuku #wonderful art

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riahlynn101 · 2 months

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Announcing VanWeek2024!

EDIT 1: You CAN make something in advance and then release it on the proper day. In fact I encourage this so that you don't feel pressured to try and make something on the day it should be submitted!

I was inspired by the recent ggyweek created by @puhpandas and with their permission have decided to make my own character week for Vanessa/Vanny!

It is going to run from April 28th to May 5th!

The rules for this week are practically identical to ggyweek for the most part. There are 2 different prompts everyday, but you DO NOT have to do them both.

In fact, you DO NOT have to try and do a prompt everyday if you do not want to. If you want to make something for just 1 day, that is perfectly fine. Feel free to do whatever you would like with the prompts. The only thing each story needs to have is Vanessa/Vanny!

This week is meant to be a fun experience for all involved, which means that works should try not to include anything considered taboo. If your work includes any phobias or extreme gore, PLEASE be sure to tag appropriately.

You are also not restricted to doing just art or writing, other mediums are allowed.

When you do make something, be sure to include the day it is for as well as whether it's for the WORD or THEME in the tags or description. This will make archival and future viewing of these works easier.

Be sure to tag your work (if possible) with "VanWeek2024" and tag this account @vanweek2024

Also try not to release whatever you've made until the respective "day" (ie release a story made for day 4 on day 4, no later, no earlier)

Any work released on AO3 will be archived on this collection as well .

However, the most important thing of all is to...

HAVE FUN!!! This whole event, like GGYWEEK, is meant to be a relaxed and enjoyable experience for everyone!

#fnafvanessa #vanweek2024

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riahlynn101 · 2 months

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riahlynn101 · 2 months

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Horikoshi-sensei probably said :

"Look, i know I'm not gonna be the one who draw what you guys make, so i need you guys to either make AFO and Izuku act similarly, or look similarly, you can be as subtle as you can, though"

To any party involved in making BNHA adaptation or spin offs

#dfo

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riahlynn101 · 2 months

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Summary:

All for One is just a child before he becomes a monster. Unsure of why he is still alive or even why he still even bothering with the voices in his head screaming for his death. As no one around them even cares for their existence the only reason he is trying to survive is because of his little brother.

Is there anything else he can do?

The Completed and FULL version of Hated by Life Itself Song fic. If you liked that rough draft/concept this is basically like triple that size apparently. Still a one shot and enjoy some sad Shigaraki brothers!

@kstbj @tengoku-izumi

#fic rec #mha afo #character study

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riahlynn101 · 2 months

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Birthday Burrow

This story was again not written by me, it was written by the amazing EclipsingJelly036. Please check out his amazing youtube channel to see some more of his amazing works of art!

https://www.youtube.com/@eclipsingjelly9572

TW: Nightmare and panic attack. If you would like to skip these parts, stop reading where the "XXX" appears and scroll down to where it appears again

Read on AO3!

The Pizzaplex’s Atrium was decorated with a horde of balloons canopying the ceiling, as the room’s wave of lights shone like lasers, piercing darkness midair. The floors were coated in confetti, upbeat music playing in the background. Vanessa strolled through the center holding a parcel in her hands, looking for the nearest route to the party room.

She passed a few mop bots cleaning outside the Atrium. Holograms of the star animatronics formed into shape on the show stage, as Vanessa exited the room. As she entered the lobby, her eyes gazed at how empty the place was, just like she had planned. Tonight was a special night. It had to be perfect.

Vanessa looked at her watch with concern, reminding herself that she was early. The party room’s door handle was soon in her reach. Shrugging off any hints of waiting, she entered, noticing a young boy in a party hat.

He was playing on his Fazwatch, too busy to notice Vanessa coming in. Typical. Vanessa smiled, thinking of something quick to say, as the young boy’s eyes narrowed on his watch’s screen. Vanessa took a deep breath and proceeded.

“Happy Birthday Gregory!” Vanessa put on the biggest smile you could ever see. This strength of joy captured Gregory the instant her voice reached his ears. He jolted up, half surprised and yet a smile broke on his face.

“Vanessa! You came!” The young birthday kid ran over and hugged Vanessa tightly, clearly happy to see her. Vanessa handed him the parcel after he finally let go. Gregory placed his present on the table, right next to the cake. Vanessa’s hand flew to her back pocket, remembering her cue.

Gregory planted ten candles into his delicious cake. The frosting cream thickness rests on the chocolate layers of goodness. Vanessa noticed two cherries plucked and placed beside the cake’s plate. Oh right, he hated those. Vanessa laughed in her head, finding this amusing.

But nothing could take her attention away by how overjoyed and excited Gregory was feeling. His eyes flexed on Vanessa with a mirroring smile. Vanessa was living in her moment. Gregory had trusted her after all that had happened, and now she was here, on his most important day.

She flicked her lighter on, and set the candles alight. The candles calmly spread into sparks.

“Whoa….” Gregory’s jaw dropped. He had been quite the brains with tech, but this was new to him. He had seen tons of kids get their birthdays celebrated like this, but these candles were something that felt fresh, perfect for his big day.

Vanessa lowered the lights of the room by placing her finger on a switch panel until the area was dark enough for the candles to appear like small fireworks. The blue and green neon lighting still showed, but it would have to do. Vanessa looked at the boy with caring eyes, and she started to sing Happy Birthday. Such a simple song that everyone knew by instinct, and yet, she could tell Gregory really treasured this moment. It had been so long, if not forever, since he last remembered a similar event such as this.

As Vanessa finished singing, she noticed the young boy giving her the same meaningful look when he watched the animatronics performing on stage. You did it! You’re his star! Vanessa cheered in her head.

“Make a wish, my little knight” Vanessa said tenderly, her voice reaching into the boy’s heart.

Gregory stared at the candles happily. I wonder, new fazwatch? An arcade machine? Butters? Vanessa giggled in her mind as she wondered where she got that last thought from. Gregory proceeded to say his wish.

“I wish…” Gregory’s pursed lips neared the candles as his eyes closed. “That this party would last forever.”

He blew the candles, Vanessa completely moved by his birthday wish. The room was now darkened. But Vanessa could still see the cake and the knife. She carefully reached for the knife and walked to the light's control switch. She flickered the brightness back on, but as she did, she felt an anchor’s weight in her head.

She could feel her head bent forward in a split second. As if something had snapped within.

“Mom, are you ok?” Greg had noticed something was off.

Vanessa pulled herself together, trying to forget the surge of what she just felt. Somehow Gregory’s words were trying to stay as the only reasoning on her mind. She slowly turned around. Gregory’s smile had been replaced by a curious, concerned expression. Vanessa sighed in relief, it was probably nothing. She took one step to the table. Her foot caused a split second blackout as it hit the floor. The lights went back on instantly. Vanessa nervously froze, slowly looking around. She could have sworn she saw it happen. Gregory didn’t seem to notice. The kid’s eyes fixated on Vanessa.

Come on, just cut the cake. Don’t mess this up! Vanessa blinked in her thoughts. She took another step. Nothing happened. She took two more steps. Still nothing.

“Is everything ok?” Gregory started to look worried.

Great, now look at what you did. Vanessa made it to the table to continue the party. “Yes Gregory, nothing could be better.”

As she held the knife just over the cake, she caught the glance of herself in the mirror wall of the party room. Everything looked normal. Gregory was still waiting for her to slice the cake.

“Here goes,” Vanessa resumed her joyful smile.

“Wait,” Gregory paused. Vanessa stood still. The birthday kid smirked and moved her knife over to where the cake had the most cream. “That’s better,” he grinned, licking his lips with delight.

Vanessa giggled. She sunk the knife deep into the cake. A wave of shock struck her head, as she stepped back in a rapid jolt. The feeling was so sudden, she nearly had struck herself with the knife. Her fingers were clutching on the knife as though her life depended on it. Her nerves clicked at the sudden emotional surge. Vanessa swore she could hear screaming in her head. A loud, sharp, piercing scream. Her hands held to the sides of her head as she tried to bear with the noise, the knife dangerously close to her cheek.

The screaming stopped. Vanessa flinched and shivered. What is going on?! Her nose caught the scent of a strong odor. Wait is that- The strong stench of blood was present. Vanessa noticed the knife she held had vanished from her grasp. Her fingers were drenched in what could only be fresh blood. Her uniform was also stained with crimson splats. Vanessa was horrified at the sudden change of the room. The balloons popped, the floors trashed, and the table was making her vision blur. The cake stood on the table perfectly, the knife already buried in. But wait, what was that red liquid dripping from the utensil’s handle?

Vanessa touched the handle, the same horrible smell reaching her nose again. The cake started to shift and warp. The illusion continued to unfold, as Vanessa gazed in fear. She was too afraid to blink or scream. The warping of the cake vanished. The delightful treat had been warped out of existence, with the real result now in view. The knife was still plunged in something. A child’s lifeless body!

Nothing prepared Vanessa for this sight. She let out a terrified scream, seeing Gregory face-planted on the table, blood leaking into a pool below. His party hat was still intact with the knife buried deep into his back.

A whisper among the scene grew into an evil undertone of a familiar voice. Vanessa could feel it crawling into her ears.

“Now his happy day can be forever——“ the voice of Vanny mocked her. “You did excellent!” Vanny said, her voice curling into a glitchy roar.

————————————————————-/

Vanessa shot straight out of bed, her eyes widened as she gasped. The view of everything she saw faded. The Pizzaplex, the blood, Gregory. All faded away in a flash of a second. She felt like she had been snatched from an awful reality and tossed back into her home. The screams were replaced by the cries of her alarm tab ringing.

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! 6AM

Vaness dropped her heavy hand on the snooze option. She leaned back on her pillow and sighed. Her eyelids caved in, trying to relax her mind with blindness. Her hand rested on her forehead, as she slowly turned to face her alarm clock. She caught the blurry sight of a photo frame next to it. Vanessa yawned as her breathing resumed to normal. The picture grew sharper and clearer to make out. Vanessa paused, noticing it showed Gregory and her playing at an ice cream shack.

Vanessa let out a tired sigh of relief. “Just a dream…” She gazed at her blank white ceiling. It was time to start the day.

She slowly got up and went to the bathroom sink. The water tap ran as she lazily brushed her teeth, giving her reflection the rather bored stare. The mirror stared back as expected. Vanessa took a gulp from her rinse glass and spat into the sink. With a soft yawn, she stretched her hands in the air and walked slowly as if she was carrying a bag of bricks.

She reached the kitchen and turned on the stove. She got out two bowls, poured some cereal. Vanessa propped open the fridge door, sounding a clink of glass as it shook the whole containment. Her hands grabbed a few eggs, some bacon, and a jug of cold milk. Her head turned to see Gregory’s room door still closed. The dining table was littered with crayon drawings. Vanessa remembered last night that she and Gregory had played Pictionary. He eventually fell asleep and Vanessa had to be the one to carry him and place him in bed.

The popping sound of fried eggs threw Vanessa out of her thoughts, making her focus more on cooking rather than her daydreams. She quickly packed his lunch with a tupperware box, before wrapping it in a paper bag. Gregory was asleep longer than usual. Vanessa turned off the stove and walked back to her room to check the time. Hopefully she wouldn’t have to wake him up herself.

6:39pm. It read. I’ll give him five minutes. She told herself. Vanessa scrolled through her phone as she returned to the kitchen. She checked her messages. Nothing from Luis yet. You talked to him last evening, give him a break girl. She chuckled to herself, texting a “good morning”. Vanessa moved on to her phone’s calendar. There was a notice showing up.

Vanessa smiled as she checked it. “Oh! Gregory’s birthday is in a week” she told herself. She tipped the jug of milk into the two bowls. They grow up so fast. It felt like it was only days since she had taken the responsibility as his legal guard-

“Wait a minute…” Vanessa then came to a conclusion with her thoughts. Her arm felt stuck like stone, still pouring the milk. Gregory’s birthday is in a week! She checked her phone again. The calendar wasn’t lying. It really was a week! Oh no! I haven’t gotten him a gift! Vanessa’s eyes fell on her hand’s posture. She quickly lifted up the jug, the cereal bowl nearly overflowing with milk.

She felt the urge to double check her wardrobe, despite already knowing there was nothing in it for Gregory. Her instincts had simply taken over in response to the panic consuming her excitement. Gregory’s door flew open. Vanessa’s foot tripped at this instant, catching herself before she could fall by the kitchen counter.

“Good morning,” Gregory looked at her tiredly. Already dressed in his uniform, Gregory walked to the kitchen table, completely oblivious to Vanessa’s stammered position. Thinking fast, Vanessa slid the bowl closer to Gregory. “I made you breakfast.”

Instead, the young boy took the bowl that had less milk. Vanessa didn’t blame him. FazCrunch cereal always tasted better the more dry it was, at least that’s what Greg said. “Thanks mom,” Gregory chimed. He was starting to notice something about Vanessa. She looked like she was thinking hard. Gregory ate a spoonful of cereal before he spotted her holding her phone.

“Don’t tell me,” he guessed, munching his cereal. “You’re nervous because Luis hasn’t replied yet.”

"Uh…yeah…” Vanessa pulled herself together. It was part of the reason, though it wasn't completely right.

“Mom?” Gregory called out. Vanessa clicked back out of her thoughts. She really needed to stop doing that. “Yes yes, it’s hard to text him sometimes.” She sighed, continuing off topic. “Like, it feels like forever when he doesn’t text back.”

Gregory laughed as he shook his head. “He’ll reply I’m sure,” The kid finished his cereal. What was it with lovers always being so nervous around each other? Gregory just didn’t get it. Why be so afraid to even text if you already are close to that person?

Vanessa could hear the bus arriving outside. Before she could say a word, Gregory had already grabbed his backpack and tied his shoelaces. He was outside in seconds. Vanessa suddenly darted after him, he had forgotten his packed lunch.

Outside, Vanessa called out. “Wait Gregory! You forgot your lunch!” The bright yellow school vehicle had halted with an air’s hiss.

The bus doors swung open, Gregory had just enough time to look back and see Vanessa unzip his backpack and place his lunch inside.

“Almost forgot your lunch, sweetie,” Vanessa reassured as she zipped the bag up. A few kids on the bus planted their faces at the windows, amused at Gregory.

“Mom, you’re embarrassing me…” Gregory’s face turned a tint reddish. She definitely wasn’t gonna hug him now, she knew better than to do that in front of his friends.

“Have a great day at school Greg,” Vanessa gave him a rather awkward pat on the shoulder, trying not to shoot the kids on the bus a serious stare. Gregory returned her smile and waved goodbye as he boarded the bus.

The vehicle started to move as the doors closed. As the bus drove into the distance, Vanessa stood by the porch and waved. She was left to watch Gregory drift further and further away, until she couldn’t see him. Gregory was her son by heart. I need to get him a present. He’s counting on me. This will be the best birthday ever! Vanessa vowed in her warm heart.

A quick buzz in her hand drew her eyes back to her phone. A text reply from Luis had arrived at last. Her face beamed brightly. She tapped on her phone as she made her way back inside, excited and nervous as ever. For Gregory and Luis. This week was gonna be fun, she hoped.

——————————————————-

Vanessa sat on the couch with a clouded head. Her thumbs tapped a reply to Luis as she went on her usual routine of asking how he was. The replies she received were taking awhile, Luis was working on something at this time.

As she waited, her eyes dipped down, thinking what she could get him. It had to be special. It had to be something she hadn’t already given him. But what could that be?

The ideas that would usually pool out in Vanessa’s head had turned into a blank canvas. No matter how hard she thought, she wasn’t getting anywhere besides the casual gifts that anyone would get as a regular treat. Gregory’s birthday was more than that to her. He deserved the best, and only the best.

Her eyes fell on the crayon drawings Gregory had left behind again. This time she picked one of them up and inspected it closely. She felt like she was running around a maze with no prize. She needed a lead. A clue. Something that would point the way to help her decide.

The drawing was mainly scribbles adding up to the overall abstracted picture: A giant spaghetti of wires and metal having the head of a metalic bear fighting a space cadet. The next drawing showed him and Freddy on what appeared to be a rocket-shaped coaster. Vanessa looked in awe at the boy’s creativity. She took the next drawing, halting in her search. This last drawing had herself in it! She recognised the blonde hair and security uniform she wore. She was embracing Gregory in the drawing.

“Oh my…” Vanessa felt the warmth in her heart. She felt so touched by how Gregory saw her. She was his mom, sure. But this said it all the more with a deeper meaning. These drawings were a part of his life. And Gregory had placed her in it. Vanessa got up and folded the drawing. Somehow she felt she would need it to find the perfect present.

The door to Gregory’s room was wide open. She calmly walked inside, seeing the child’s decorative room. Most of the things here were space themed. Glowing stars on the walls, a rocket shaped bed, alien figures and space toy guns. There were also a ton of plushies from the Pizzaplex. Expired coupons, drawing notepads, Faz action figurines. “So he likes space and adventure,” Vanessa noted.

She finally caught the Pizzaplex poster hanging behind the door. Glamrock Freddy was shown handing out balloons and presents. This sparked an idea. The animatronics had spent around enough time with Gregory as she did. He visited them three times a week to hangout while she worked. They may have an idea of what to get him right?

She sat back on her couch and flipped her phone to the side. She was gonna do a video call. She had contacts with each of the animatronics personally. They all had devices in their personal rooms. She scrolled through her list of options. She tried reaching Glamrock Freddy. If anyone knew Gregory like the back of their hand, it was Freddy.

The call rang repeatedly. There was no answer. “Freddy must be on his routine shift,” Vanessa reasoned. She tried asking someone else. The screen flashed a green loading screen. Her call was answered. She heard a noise of wreckage as the screen came to show an alligator’s jaw with a smug voice answering. “Yo, wassup?” Monty answered, his claws pulling down his shades as he focussed on Vanessa.

“Hello Monty, “ Vanessa replied. “I was just checking to see if you had planned anything special for the weekend.”

“Heh, ain’t much going on for this punk,” Monty flexed his biceps, showing off his strength. His fists clenched with spiked knuckles.

Monty’s head turned around to peak as if he was making sure he was alone in the room. Vanessa looked in confusion. “Except for that lil guy’s birthday.” He muttered quietly.

“You knew?” Vanessa chirped, keeping her voice low as his. Monty rolled his eyes. “Of course, that lil guy had to enter his details to get the VIP Pass here in the Pizzaplex. Unfortunately, the others picked up on this too. It was my idea to get him a gift,” Monty bragged about his knowledge.

“Roxanne thinks she can get him a cooler gift than me,” He gritted his teeth, and laughed out loud. “She’s gonna lose big time!”

Monty flexed his muscles and grabbed a large present from off screen, placing it down for Vanessa to see. “Nothin gonna beat this!” He huffed, whatever that thing was, it made him exhaust his joints just to bring it into view. “A chainsaw always crashes down the party,” He bragged again.

Vanessa’s eyes widened. “A chainsaw?!”

Monty suddenly gulped, remembering who he was talking to. His tough voice now replaced with a defensive tone. Vanessa frowned. “It’s not what you think, I mean uh,” Monty grudged as he scratched his chin.

“He’s just a kid Monty!” Vanessa told with a worried voice, her face painted with concern.

“I know, I know,” Monty heaved his hands as he backed off. “I was just kidding,” he chuckled. “Like I would actually give him something twice his weight,” Monty’s tail jumped up and down, landing on the package. The hardware machine inside turned on and shredded the wrapping to bits. The chain saw halted with a sharp jolt as it dug into his tail.

“Whoops,” Monty’s glasses swapped up as Vanessa raised an eyebrow. “Hehe new plan.”

“Nothing sharp alright?” Vanessa frowned.

“You’re no fun,” Monty joked while giving her a rock and roll pose with his fingers. “But alright. I’m still gonna beat Roxanne anyways!” Monty roared in confidence.

“I heard that!” Yelled a female groan from outside Monty’s room.

Monty gulped again. “Gotta go bye!” He punched the end call button literally, and his voice disconnected. Vanessa was left at a static screen. She sighed and tried to dial Freddy again. But there was still no answer, much to her avail. She dialed the next contact on her list.

Her call was answered. “Oh hey Vanessa,” A wolf in a red crop top appeared on-screen, folding her arms and smirking. “Finally figured out it was your boy’s birthday?”

Vanessa nodded, feeling a little heavy. “I just can’t believe I didn’t notice until today. Would you be able to help suggest a gift I could get Gregory?”

Roxanne peeked at the cam, reading Vanessa’s face. She tapped her curled claws and pulled out a wrapped red gift. “I’ve hosted many VIP birthdays before, and all presents share one thing in common.”

Vanessa was about to ask before Roxanne continued. “They all have to be something the child can relate to. Something familiar but also something new. But the best presents always mean something special to both the giver and the receiver.”

“But-“ Vanessa was about to ask. Roxanne smirked. “If I told you exactly what gift you should get him, then it wouldn’t be “your” gift to him.”

“I guess you’re right…” Vanessa admitted, not feeling any better.

“You’ll figure it out I’m sure,” Roxanne smiled, hoping to see Vanessa’s face brighten. “Thanks Roxanne,” She replied.

“As for Monty, well-,” Roxanne placed her red present aside, and sprayed perfume on it to give an extra scent. “He's gonna lose ha!”

Roxanne placed her hands on the sides of hips and threw her hair back in the pose, saying her iconic line. “I’m the best!”

“Tell me that when you eat hot peppers when I win!” Monty yelled from afar.

“Shut up Monty!” Roxanne barked in a growl. Vanessa was confused but laughed a bit, it was just that amusing. She said bye to Roxanne and ended the call.

Freddy still wasn’t picking up. “Leave a message Superstar.” Vanessa looked blankly at her phone. Glamrock Chica’s name appeared as the final option. Vanessa was in such a mood she completely forgot about the animatronic that had the best ties with her. She dialed without another thought.

Glamrock Chica’s room was littered. Empty pizza boxes everywhere. Torn parcel wraps, popped balloons, splats of cheese stained the floor. It looked like the leftovers of 30 birthday parties. Vanessa heard a cluck, Chica’s head coming into view. She squawked as she was trying to stuff something inside a box. “Pizza!” She yelled.

“Um hey Chica?” Vanessa cracked a smile and waved. Glamrock Chica cocked her head, before springing up out of her squat.

“Vanessa! Hi bestie!!” Chica left behind whatever she was doing and raced to the front screen. “Sorry I didn’t notice you earlier. I was erm…busy,” Chica chuckled, wiping off her littered beak as she did a peace sign with her fingers.

“I just wanted to check if you could help me with something. You see, it’s Gregory’s birthday and-“ Chica cut her off. “You forgot?!”

Vanessa winced but nodded. Chica shook her head. “Haven’t you learned anything from the times we hung out?”

“Always eat pizza?” Vanessa quoted. Glamrock Chica shot back an annoyed yet admitting look. “Aside from that,” Chica chuckled, folding her arms. “I may not be the brightest, but I always remember the birthdays of everyone that’s close to me.”

Just then, a staff bot came in, holding a tray of fresh pizza. Chica’s jaw hung as her primitive instincts kicked in. “Pizza!!!!” She yelled, having her arms outstretched with grabby fingers. The staff bot dropped the tray and ran, leaving Chica to get her reward. Her beak pulled the food apart as Vanessa waited the right time to ask. “I still don’t know what to get him…”

“Get him pizza,” chirped Glamrock Chica, biting into her food again. Vanessa raised her eyebrow again, still unable to tell if she was joking after all these months. “You can’t be serious.”

“What?” Chica pecked and wiped her mouth. “No birthday is complete without food! A party needs a cake!”

“A cake?! Oh I didn’t think of that!” Vanessa added that to her list. Everyone was so focused on getting a gift that no one even brought up cake.

“Duh, sometimes I wonder how you got that security guard role,” Chica playfully joked around, tearing open a wrapped box and gobbled whatever was inside.

“Thanks Chica!” Vanessa said, cheering a bit, happy she had a clear goal for one of the things needed for the party.

Chica suddenly gulped, realizing she had cheese all over her beak as she held torn wrappers. “Oh no I did it again,” Chica squawked at herself with laughter.

Vanessa was about to ask what gift she should get. But she paused, perhaps remembering what Roxanne said. This was for her as Gregory’s mom to figure out. It wouldn't be special if Chica just gave her the answer.

The doors burst open, a jolly yet panicked figure stepped in. He wore jester boots, jingly bells, and a gold and red striped outfit. His face resembled the Sun. “Chica there you are!! The main stage is madness! Freddy needs your help to join him on his encore right this instant!” The Daycare Attendant brought the news.

Chica yawned and stuffed her face with another pizza. “Do I really have to?”

“You must hurry! Some of the kids started throwing pizza at-“ Sun the Daycare Attendant tried to explain.

“PIZZA!!!!” Chica flung out the door instantly, completely forgetting about the call and Sun. Pizza! Pizza! Pizza! Those words rung in her head in a loop.

Sun then noticed the room. “Oh no no!” He grabbed a broom and looked around the whole place. “What a mess! Clean up, clean up!”

Vanessa felt like saying hi, as Sun didn’t even notice the call was still streaming her face. But the constant stressed look in Sun’s face just told her now was not the time. She gave a silent wave at Sun, wishing him luck. The call ended.

Ok so we need a birthday cake, but…I still need to think of a gift……

She looked back at her text messages. She had missed a few replies from Luis. He was free now, asking if she wanted to go out somewhere. Vanessa wondered at her phone, but chose that it was now or never. She dialed Luis.

“Yo Ness, how are you?” answered Luis’ gentle tone.

“Luis oh thank God!” Vanessa sighed in relief. “I’m not doing too well. I just realized Gregory’s birthday is in a week. But I haven’t gotten the cake or a gift ready for him. I really need help to pick a present for him…”

“I see, maybe we could go to the mall this afternoon?,” Luis offered, hearing Vanessa’s sensitive voice. She needed him the most right now. How could he refuse? “I could pick you up around your house in half an hour!”

Vanessa felt her heavy breath speak tenderly. She always somehow did that by instinct everytime she felt bad. “That would be nice… but I don’t want to interrupt your plans.” Vanessa expressed her concerns, wanting to make sure she wasn’t bothering him.

“You don't need to worry about interrupting anything, Ness,” Luis confirmed with a caring smirk. “I’m not doing anything, so I'm free all day.” Luis heard Vanessa sigh happily on the other end of the phone. It made him happy whenever he could help his girlfriend. “I’ll be right over there.” Luis said.

——————————————————

Vanessa got what she needed ready, her wallet was packed in her handbag. She banded up her hair in a knot, checking her phone repeatedly. As she was dressed for the mall, topped in a leather jacket, she exited the door. A gust of fresh wind greeted her face. Luis’s car had pulled over by the walkway, sounding a friendly horn.

Vanessa reached her side of the car door and got in. She gave Luis a quick kiss on the cheek before putting on her seatbelt. Luis’ eyes beamed at his girlfriend, thinking just how lucky he was to have her.

“How was work?” Vanessa asked.

“Work was-good,” Luis nearly forgot everything that happened prior. Same response every time she kisses you. Luis’ admitted to himself. Why couldn’t he be more engaging, he wondered sometimes.

“Did you have lunch yet?” Luis continued, noticing there was something about Vanessa’s face that he wasn’t too sure. Her smile felt forced. Just a mask that hid her true emotions. He was on the money about that.

“Oh uh..” Vanessa had no time to think about lunch. She had been so preoccupied, it felt like time was flying faster than she could cooperate. “I had breakfast,” she replied in a folded tone.

“You must be hungry Ness,” Luis looked at her sweetly. Her eyes didn’t seem to hold that sparkle he was familiar with. She looked tired, beat up, thinking so hard on what to do next.

“I’ll be fine,” she said flatly. She was clearly upset about something. Maybe she didn’t get much good sleep? Luis decided to ask.

Touching his foot on the pedal, the car drove off towards the mall. At least he still remembered how to drive, Luis chuckled in his head.

“How was your morning?” He asked.

“Terrible…” Vanessa sunk into her chair.

“That bad, really?” Luis looked at her for a moment as he drove onwards.

“Everyone remembered to get him a gift. Everyone except me….” Vanessa hummed. “Like, I’m supposed to be the one responsible for Gregory. I’m his mom, and yet-“ Vanessa closed her eyes and sighed. “I should have remembered. All this is making me question myself if I’m just not good enough to be his caretaker.” Vanessa felt her eyes water, but she held back the tears.

“Oh Ness….” Luis let the brakes slow down the ride so he could talk to her without much distractions. It was a narrow straight road through the hillside to the mall. It wasn’t too busy on the streets. “It could happen to anyone. The best of us,” Luis tried.

“Even Chica remembered. Chica of all people!” Vanessa commented. This was just a low point that she felt was the deepest she could go.

Luis opened his mouth to object but then closed it, recalling Chica’s primitive mentality . “Ok yeah that’s really bad but … .you remembered now right? Isn’t this why we are here, driving to the mall? It’s one thing to forget, sure, but you didn’t just give up back then. The instant you found out, what did you do?”

“I…well,” Vanessa thought back to earlier. “I tried finding out what he may like, and I contacted his Glamrock friends for help.”

“That’s already more than determined of you,” Luis complimented. “That shows you want to make sure that Gregory will have a great birthday.”

Vanessa’s face lit up a bit as Luis continued. “And you still are making the effort, we are shopping for his cake and gift.” Luis added hope. “A week is longer than it sounds Ness-“

Luis slowed down the car and reversed parked into a corner. The mall peaked over them like a mountain, bright as glitter, and stairs leading to its wondrous entrance. It wasn’t the Pizzaplex, but it will have to do. Luis placed his hand on Vanessa’s. “And I’ll help you find the perfect gift, whatever it takes.”

Vanessa threw a hug to Luis, embracing him tightly. “Thank you Luis,” she whispered.

The couple got out of the car. Vanessa felt lighter. Talking to Luis in the long run always lifted the anchor off her shoulders. He was a good listener, and Vanessa loved that about him. The mall’s entrance doors spun like a carousel, lights flashing to lure curious eyes to its warm welcome. Any kid would drag their parents to enter such a marvelous location where it seemed it had everything.

“Ready to do some shopping?” Luis spoke in an excited tone, offering Vanessa his hand, as they stepped through the rotating doors.

“Let’s do this.” Vanessa nodded, now feeling confidence quench her dread. She took Luis’ hand and walked with him. I’ll make this the best birthday for you Greg. She promised.

The store was lit and packed with hundreds of people. Kids ran around excitedly, running to the hottest toy displays. Vanessa noticed there were quite a variety of families wherever she looked. It felt warm to see how happy everyone was, if this wasn’t a surprise, she would have brought Gregory too. That’s what Gregory felt like to her, he was part of her family.

Vanessa and Luis stopped by the bakery. The cakes on display made her tummy rumble. So sweet and tasty they looked, she could spend hours imagining herself eating everything.

“Does Gregory have a favorite flavor?” Luis asked.

“Hmm…” Vanessa recalled back as she hummed. She had mostly bought Gregory ice-cream popsicles of either caramel and chocolate. But which one did he say was his favorite?

“Strawberry?” Luis guessed, partly trying to spark something in Vanessa that might help her remember.

“That’s your favorite flavor,” Vanessa teased, nudging Luis with her elbow playfully. He laughed and nodded.

“Ah chocolate,” Vanessa remembered. “He loves chocolate a lot.”

She selected a cake that had suddenly arrived on scene. It was a milk chocolate layered cake with a hardened Freddy head chocolate shell on the top. It still had some decorations to make it suited for a party, but Vanessa felt like this was fate. This was the perfect cake right before her. She noted the additions she wanted.

“Would it be able to fit in your fridge?” Luis raised a question.

“I don’t think so,” Vanessa turned to Luis. “Gregory might also take a peak in the fridge if he gets hungry at night.”

Luis thought about it. “Hey Ness?”

“Ya?” Vanessa wondered what he would suggest next.

“I could take the cake to my house?” Luis offered. “Y’know keep it ready until the big day?”

“Oh Luis, that's a wonderful idea!” Vanessa lit, before she folded her arms playfully. “No sneaking bites from it, k?” She toyed in her cop voice.

“Would I get arrested?” Luis flirted back.

“I’ll shoot you,” Vanessa smirked jokingly.

“No promises,” Luis continued, receiving a sharp glare from his girlfriend. “I mean yes ‘officer’.” He gleefully replied, they both laughed. The cake’s decorations would be ready in half an hour. Vanessa had made sure she picked the extra frosting and lettering on the cake, followed by the spark candles. This left plenty of time to search for his gift.

The two continued deeper into the mall’s wide array of stores. Luis started to see coloured eggs and Lily flowers scaling the walls and floors of scenery. Kids were getting their faces painted, wearing bunny headbands and shaking egg-shaped maracas.

“I didn’t even know Easter was around the corner,” Luis commented.

Vanessa looked where he was looking. The theme really stuck to her mind. Easter was just days away. This mall was prepped up ahead of schedule, not wanting to miss out on the Easter Spirit. Vanessa was mixed in this instance, she felt joyed to see everyone having a good time, but there was uncertainty she felt within. Unease. But why?

“I never asked much about how things are between you and Gregory,” came Luis' voice. “How would you say you both get with each other? He’s not a handful right?”

“Well,” Vanessa thought back and smiled. “He’s the sweetest boy. He’s so smart too. Always planning his weekend. Gregory often draws me in his cute art pictures with Glamrock Freddy.”

“Aw that’s nice. So he’s used to you being his parent?” Luis implied.

“You could say that. He also dreams of joining me at work. Gregory wants to be just like me. He loves tech and games, so it’s not surprising why he admires my work as a fun job.” Vanessa flashed back.

“He sounds like he’ll have fun beta testing like you. Silver Parasol could always have talented gamers like him around,” Luis pointed out, putting his arm around Vanessa.

She leaned on his shoulder. “I wished they’d let us work the same work shifts…”

“Aw Ness, I wish that too,” Luis tried to think what it could be like. “We both would distract each other though,” He grinned sarcastically.

“Shut up,” Vanessa giggled, giving a friendly punch to Luis’ arm.

“Ow! Ness-“ Luis frowned tightly.

“Oh sorry! I didn’t mean-“ Vanessa swore she didn’t throw a hard punch. Luis was hurt?! How could she? Her terrified shock was suddenly cut off by Luis laughing at her. “Gotcha!” he said. Vanessa flushed her cheeks red at his antics.

“Luis, don't scare me like that!” She punched his shoulder again, harder this time. Luis shuffled and rubbed his arm. “Ok that one hurt a lil,” he chuckled. She rolled her eyes. “But would it really be good if he joined us at work when he grows up?”

“You said it yourself right? He’s good at games and enjoys it. Being good at something and loving it as your life makes it the dream job,” Luis paraphrased.

“It’s just, well,” Vanessa held her hands behind her back as she stretched, she often did this when she felt stressed about something. “I’m not too keen on letting him tryout for a job there..”

“Oh why not?” Luis asked. “The pay’s good too. The hours eh, manageable.”

“Whenever someone is doing good at their job there, they often get promoted to test the latest games. Gregory might do too well… and it won’t be long before they start to use him to test VR games as part of his work.” Vanessa explained in a voice that was growing softer, her arm holding her opposite elbow.

“What’s wrong with-“ Luis’ cut off his voice before he could finish, noticing Vanessa having herself in a stressful position. “Oh…right… you don’t want him around those types of games do you?”

“No…not after what happened to me,” Vanessa’s tone was hushed but audible enough to nearly sound pitiful. “I haven’t touched a VR game since the day I was freed.”

“What did it feel like…y’know, being controlled and all that?” Luis spoke calmly as he placed his hand on her shoulder, trying to piece together a part of her past that she didn’t talk much about in detail.

“It felt like I was locked in a box. Trapped in a room without a key…a burrow with no light. I felt lost and scared….” Vanessa’s face grew saddened. “I can’t go back to playing VR…I can’t let that happen to me or Gregory.”

Vanessa continued. “Whenever he asks me if he could play a VR game, I tell him no. I feel terrible whenever I do. I mean It’s not like he did anything wrong… ” She turned to Luis, looking him in the eyes. “That’s more to the reason why I have to make it up to him with this birthday present.”

Luis said nothing at first, taking in the amount of emotion Vanessa was putting into her whole plan for Gregory. Dammit Luis, you just had to ask her that…look now she’s clearly upset.. “Gregory is very lucky to have a caring mother like you. Never forget that,” Luis very much wanted to hug Vanessa. But he didn’t know if now was the right time.

“Do you think there could be a gift that Gregory would be happy with that isn’t a VR game?” She sniffed as she singled out those words.

“Hey, don’t give up hope,” Luis spoke in a warm voice. “This mall is huge, we just need to keep looking. Now you said Gregory liked games , right?”

Vanessa nodded. Luis followed up. “Then that’s where we should start searching. It doesn’t have to be a VR game. I just happen to know the best gaming stores around here. The mall doesn’t close until ten.”

Vanessa breathed and nodded again as she lifted her head. “You’re right. There’s still time.”

“More than enough,” Luis offered her his hand again. “We can circle back here to pick up the cake once we buy a gift.”

Vanessa’s face curved into a small smile, taking Luis’ hand.

——————————————————-

The games store had its neon lights on with the stock spread wide across the giant display cases and shelves stored inside. It wasn’t too busy as Luis remembered, but that would just make it easier to find what they were looking for. Whatever it was. Vanessa looked at the store’s name from outside. “This has to be the right place.” She whispered to herself.

“Damn it,” Luis nudged her, getting her attention to a promotion sign. 30% off all products. Final offer before closing today until next month! “Seems today is the last day this store’s gonna be open.”

Vanessa looked at her watch. “They close at 9pm. That leaves us 3 hours. Let’s split up. I’ll search from this aisle. You start searching from that side.” Vanessa pointed towards the opposite end. “We’ll cover more of the store faster this way.”

“On it,” Luis agreed.

Vanessa checked out the console aisle. Loads of controllers hung on display. Some were as old as the retro arcades while others seem to be crafted from a sci-fi world. A mix of old and new devices. This store had everything it seemed. She stepped into the first row that featured playable games. Gregory did have a console at home.

She looked under the Adventure and Space section. Her mind had to work harder to recall what games Gregory already had. He collected so many over the months that she started to worry if she accidentally got something he already had.

Freddy in Space VII, Carnival Quest, Into Madness, Help Wanted 2, Revenge of the Blob.

“He’s beaten all of these games…” Vanessa’s heart sank. There’s nothing new for his favorite theme. But maybe I could search other categories, I mean, he could love something new?

Vanessa strolled past the Space themed shelf, noticing the abundance of games under Fazbear Ent’s name. There were also Silver Parasol brands, but they were the needles in a haystack when it came to attention grabbing to the likes of Fazbear’s.

Vanessa reached the Collectibles category. Not surprisingly, she found that most of them had already been played by Gregory. Vanessa continued walking onwards. There was always something new in the world of gaming. She just needed to look in the right place.

She approached the Latest! aisle. This category was flashy, with marked prices at every turn. This was supposed to be the hottest sales in town, and the store was capitalizing on its promotions. Vanessa’s eyes lit and she smiled widely for the first time in this store. Gregory didn’t own a single game in this whole shelf.

Fnaf World The Return, Fruity Maze 3D, Playhunt, Terisma, Roxy Racers, Pizza Fest, Spend The Night-

Vanessa’s excitement disappeared with a crushing wave of realization. Just as rapidly as her hopes had soared, they plummeted faster than anticipated. All of these games…they were exclusive to the VR platforms…

Vanessa felt acid in her stomach. Why…why did it have to be like this…? Her hand reached out to one of the games, picking it up for a closer look. A fun experience for all families to enjoy! Her eyes folded in despair, remembering all those times she kept Gregory from playing VR. All of this to keep him safe. But who was she really keeping safe with this? Gregory or herself?

Vanessa could feel tears beginning to form from behind her sockets. She put back the game and walked away, wandering into the next category of games. She felt completely distraught.

The Joy of Creation, Cherophobia, Bunny Call360, CASE, Jnr’s, The Hare, Plushtrap Chaser, Eclipse Hunt, Nightmare Circus-

Vanessa blinked. She had wandered into the Horror category. She had never been a fan of it, but she never really feared it. But she couldn’t help but feel that something was making her uneasy. She continued to walk, trying to narrow her vision away from the parting shelves as she strolled. Her sight felt claustrophobic, the appearances of bunny mascot horror themed games coming into view the further down the aisle she walked. It made sense, Easter was only around the corner, so of course they would make horror games based around the holiday…

Vanessa halted in her tracks, some of the covers starting to take the shape of something familiar. Something she had burrowed in long ago. She was hallucinating, feeling ill. She wanted to walk away, but the further she went, the more Easter themed horror she came across. It felt like the eyes of the covers were staring at her. Why was she seeing red eyes?

Vanessa grimaced and sped up to reach the end of this “rabbit hole.” It felt twisted, a shoved reminder of something she wanted to forget. I need to breathe. Vanessa headed for the exit. She needed fresh air.

Vanessa made it out, feeling her vision grow heavy. It was at that moment she saw it.

Not too far across the lit hall, danced an animal mascot. Its white fluffy ears flopped and flipped as the figure took a bow and skidded to the nearest child. It held a basket of wrapped chocolate eggs, passing over one of the treats to a young boy. Another child noticed the mascot and ran towards it. The bunny suit waved flamboyantly, doing a few bendy movements. The choreography made it seem like the mascot had no bones, fluently synced like water. It handed a young girl another one of its eggs. Vanessa could only stare in horror as she imagined the bunny’s face staring straight back at her.

She was beginning to hallucinate again. Red eyes. Red glowing eyes pierced her heart as though they were daggers. It’s mouth now a toothy grin as it pulled its arm towards its mouth to a shushing gesture. Blood flashes.

Are you having fun yet?!

Vanessa couldn’t take it any longer. The weight of her exploding guilt now made her head feel heavy. A tear snaked down her cheek as she collapsed on the ground. The fall didn’t hurt as much as her thoughts. Her legs felt numb like jelly. She couldn’t muster the strength to help herself.

“Vanessa?” Luis called from afar, noticing her leave as the lobby door closed. Something was not right. She wouldn’t just leave like that.

Luis stacked whatever he had gathered behind and went after her. Hang on Vanessa. Whatever it is, I'm coming! Luis rushed, feeling he had to know what was up. He noticed merely the mascot smiling at him and waving flamboyantly. Oh no…I think I know what might have startled her!

“Vanessa,” Luis assisted his girlfriend by supporting her arm around his neck. “Are you hurt?” Vanessa remained silent, her face upset and wrecked with tears. A few people were starting to notice both of them on the floor. Luis quickly helped her up. “Vanessa, let's talk somewhere quieter, away from everyone.” Luis whispered.

The pair slowly got up and walked to the lobby doors, leaving the commotion they made a mystery to onlookers.

Luis and Vanessa found a quiet corner by the back stairway. The trail led on to the underground parking lot. Vanessa leaned against the rails as they stopped walking. Luis was more worried as she sobbed, her sleeves soaked with tears. “Vanessa, what’s making you feel like this?” Luis approached, taking out his handkerchief.

Vanessa shook her head and sniffed. Leaning further back with a loose grip on the rails. “It was that mascot wasn’t it,” Luis slowly put his words together. Vanessa responded with a brief nod. Luis had known she was never happy about what she did in the past. But he didn’t realize it broke her this badly. Until now.

As he tried to wipe her cheeks, Vanessa wrapped her arms around him tightly and cried again, Luis could feel his shoulder drenched. Her cheeks, which were usually warm, were just cold. “Vanessa…”

“I’m sorry Luis…” She spoke in a fragile voice. She loosened her hug on him, hearing Luis gasp very quietly in relief. “I just can’t leave it behind…”

“Leave what behind?” Luis placed his hand on her back to comfort her. Vanessa clinged onto his arm. She had a tough grip that felt like iron. Luis simply didn’t back down. Now wasn’t the time for him to act weak. He needed to help her, not make her panic more. He couldn’t imagine what was going through her mind.

Vanessa went back to her mutual silence. “Vanessa, whatever it is that’s hurting you….we can solve it….together…like we always have…”

She continued to remain silent for the time being. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Vanessa slowly looked up as the minute went by. “I feel like I shouldn’t involve you in this…” She told Luis blankly, the emptiness in her voice siphoning her dread. She had bottled this feeling up that she could no longer hide it again.

“Everyone is doing perfect without me. I just can’t seem to forget what happened all those months back. I’ve always tried to act like it’s been ok, but nothing really feels like that.” Vanessa sipped in another breath of air as she proceeded. “Thinking about you and Gregory helped me out many times before. But I keep circling back to the past. Our very own relationship somehow keeps making me think about the past.”

Luis held a thought about what she said. Vanessa wasn’t finished just yet. “Gregory was able to move on. He doesn’t see me as the monster I was. Even you didn’t hold on to that fact. But I did. And I feel like I’m holding both of you down from moving forward. It’s all my fault…” Vanessa’s eyes pooled out salty tears.

“But you didn’t kill those kids. It was that glitch. You told me yourself-“ Luis objected.

“I still was the vessel. I’m not a murderer, but that doesn’t mean I deserved what I have right now either. I feel like I don’t fit in, “ Vanessa cried, her blonde hair messed in shambles. “I feel there’s always something wrong with myself. When I was Gregory’s age, I never was brought up in a good family. I never had a proper childhood..and now it’s making me ask myself if I’m always the problem. Everything feels like it’s my fault.”

“But Ness,” Luis comforted, “It was you who started this little family. It was all you. After you were freed, you accepted my idea to get some coffee together, remember?”

“And?” Vanessa sniffed, wondering where Luis was going with this.

“And that only was possible because you said yes. You opened up to me about what happened to you. And then you felt you wanted to make it up to Gregory and adopted him. You, Ness, are the core of this family. You’ll always have a place in our hearts.” Luis spoke warmly. “You don’t have to feel bad about the past…”

“But it’s my past that made me like this…” Vanessa pointed out. “Now I realized why it was so hard for me to pick a gift for Gregory. It wasn’t because I couldn’t find what he wanted. It’s because I knew what he wanted deep down. But I buried that idea because I was afraid. I was afraid of his wish that reminded me of something from my past. I’ve been so selfish…”

“These things take time to heal Ness,” Luis gave her the biggest, warmest hug as he said this. “Tell me, before all this. Before the glitch and fear. What were you like?”

“Well…” Vanessa flashed back, trying to recall further past her dreaded experience. “I was all alone. No one to look after me. I was just out for number one.” The thought of Luis meeting her for the first time came to the picture in her head. “I don’t think I cared much about my colleagues back then…I had nothing to share with”

Vanessa sobbed. “I’m sorry…”

“Ness, don’t you feel like you’ve come a long way? Your past may have not been your proudest pet of your life, but, would you say you’ve changed?”

“I…well..I guess…” Vanessa replied halfheartedly, unsure what he was going to state next.

“You’re a mom to Gregory. Despite the stress the responsibility of his care would bring, you felt like he needed it. You put aside your goals and shared a life with him. And with me…” Luis brought it up. “You gave me a chance and allowed me to be part of your family. And how do we make you feel in return?”

“You make me feel…” Vanessa held her tongue before she spoke. She could only think of one answer. It was so obvious to her, that it came out smoothly. “Happy…you both make me feel happy..”

“And you deserve to be happy.” Luis boldly reminded Vanessa. “There’s nothing to be scared of. I’m here for you in your life. And so will Gregory. No matter how long it takes, we won’t leave you behind. That’s what makes us your family.”

Vanessa shed another tear along her cheek. But this wasn’t a tear of regret or sadness. She could feel that hint of hopeful joy sprout back up from inside. It was like Luis’ words had made her realize the very thing she was missing the whole time. Everyone knew the real her. Her true self would care for her family and would be loved by those she cherished. Somehow Vanessa no longer felt like the threat. Luis made his point clear. None of the good things she had right now would have happened had it not been for her selfless actions. Why be afraid of the past if her future was so much more?

Vanessa looked Luis in the eyes. “Thank you Luis..for reminding me.”

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The pair had a long evening. Luis and Vanessa were strapped in seat belts as he drove her home. Vanessa held Gregory’s gift in her arms, all nicely wrapped up. The cake was in the back, steadily secured.

I won’t be afraid of the past anymore. Vanessa thought as she stared out the car window. The woodland trees running by as the moon poked its face to join the clouds in the starry sky. Gregory, I love you my son. And I want you to be happy as you have made me. Vanessa’s fingers patted the wrapped gift. And I believe that you’re gonna love what we have for you. I know I’ve said many things about this before. But now it’s time for the future. You’re my future Gregory. And I want to be there with you every step of the way. I never got the wish to be happy in my childhood. So let me make yours come true…

Vanessa thought about how everything had unfolded as Luis drove into her neighborhood. Her worries had completely faded as of now. The excitement was all that was left in her heart.

Her house appeared in the view as Luis’ car slowed down. Her doorstep faced the driveway as she unbuckled her seatbelt. “I’ll take the cake to my house until the party as we agreed, right?” Luis double checked.

Vanessa nodded and smiled. She felt her hand reach out to grasp Luis’ arm. “Hey also..”

“Yeah?” Luis realized his eyes were locked deeply at his girlfriend’s line of sight. Something else was happening. Vanessa’s face was getting closer, Luis felt himself freeze. It took him completely by surprise. He felt Vanessa’s soft lips brush against his. The pair closed their eyes as they shared the kiss.

Vanessa slowly pulled away after a while. Her cheeks were gushing pink. There was nothing more to say. Words weren’t enough to beat the compassion she had just been shown. She slowly got out of the car, present tucked in her arm. Luis still felt speechless. No way! That was… wow! Was I dreaming?

Vanessa mirrored Luis’s gleeful smile and waved. Luis waved back, eventually driving off. He glanced back using his side mirror to see Vanessa enter her house. It’d been a long night.

Tomorrow is another day…

“I’ll see you again Ness,” Luis replied to himself as he safely drove home.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The alarm rang.

Vanessa slowly peaked at the greeting sunlight as her head sunk deeper into her pillow. She pressed the snooze button and slowly sloughed up. Today’s the big day!

It felt funny, to pretend like it was an ordinary morning when Gregory awoke. Same schedule as usual. He got ready for school and boarded the bus. Not suspecting anything. He doesn’t know- Vanessa giggled to herself, proud of how everything was coming together. She spent the whole afternoon texting Luis, making sure everything was in place. This feels new. There wasn’t a feeling of stress present. She no longer had a drive to achieve perfection. She knew that she was enough. No, more than enough. Gregory was going to enjoy this.

Soon enough as school ended, Luis picked up both Vanessa and Gregory. The child’s bored out face suddenly glowed with a cheered smile as he noticed that Luis was driving towards the Pizzaplex.

“Oh, are we gonna hang around the arcade?” Gregory asked, peaking his face at the window.

“Mhm, I think you deserve a well-earned treat for studying so hard.” Vanessa said with a merry voice. Gregory shot his arm in the air with energy. “Alright! Let’s go!” He exclaimed blissfully.

As Luis parked, Vanessa and Greg hopped out with Luis behind. Luis was about to open the trunk before his hand came to an abrupt stop. He turned to Vanessa, realizing Gregory was watching him.

Vanessa’s instincts clicked, she nudged Gregory playfully and took off. “Race you to the entrance!”

“Hey no fair!” Gregory raced after her. “Last one’s a lazy mop bot!”

Luis laughed softly and slowly popped the trunk open, taking the cake and gift with him. Now that he’s distracted, that’s my cue.

Gregory and Vanessa burst through the doors at full speed. Everyone else had already gathered at the lobby. Roxxanne and Monty continuously shot stares at each other, before they saw Gregory had entered the scene. He raced straight into a hug of Glamrock Freddy. “Back for more fun superstar?”

“I sure am!” Gregory punched the air again, clicking his heels. He caught a glimpse of Glamrock Chica wiping her stained beak as she yelled “Pizza!” repeatedly. The Daycare Attendant was following her lead, cleaning up torn wrapping paper and cheese stains after her. Sun cocked his head towards Gregory, reacting as fast as he could to dump the trash in the nearest bin. He awkwardly skipped to waving at Gregory, who waved back without suspicion.

“So which game are we gonna play first?” Gregory called out eagerly.

Roxanne was about to suggest something before Monty pushed her aside to interrupt. “Gator Creek!” He roared with pride.

“Gator Creek is for toddlers,” Roxanne mockingly objected. “Howl Mayhem is a good one if you want to show you’re the best,” she shrugged her hair and flexed her arm.

“How about we let Gregory pick?” Freddy suggested, pointing his finger as the idea sprung up his circuits. Gregory tapped his finger in his chin, wondering how he was gonna choose out of the hundreds of arcade games. Chica stumbled right back on the scene, fumbling as she squawked “Pizza!” again.

“Good idea,” Gregory remembered. “Let’s head to the Pizzam machine!” Gregory sprinted, leaving Roxanne and Monty speechless at Chica. “HOW?!!” They both asked, wondering why everyone listens to Chica.

It didn’t take long for Monty and Roxanne to go after Gregory. They didn’t want to miss competing again. Vanessa walked to Chica, noticing that she was in a dizzy stance.

“Pizza!” She squealed, almost as if she was resisting a powerful urge within her.

“Chica what happened?” Vanessa inspected her bestie, looking very worried. Chica’s eyes twitched heavily, her beak hung open and snapped shut.

“Chica couldn’t find much of a gift to get for Gregory,” Freddy explained. “So she tried wrapping the one she liked that she knew she could give him.”

“Pizza…” Chica interrupted weakly, placing her hand on Vanessa’s arm, resting on the floor as her eyes jiggled in her sockets.

“Unfortunately she kept ripping open her gifts of pizza due to her having quite an appetite. So she tried hiding tons of wrapped pizza from herself all around the Pizzaplex and attempted to stay on…diet,” Glamrock Freddy shook his head pitifully.

“Oh my, you must be starving,” Vanessa helped Chica up. She really was fighting off her instincts to not eat. But she could easily have snapped into full hungry mode at any moment. Vanessa walked her to the party room. “Freddy, help me keep Gregory occupied. Me and Chica will set up the surprise with Luis.”

“You can count on me Vanessa,” Freddy flashed a “rock and roll” hand gesture, before going after Gregory.

Chica weakly pointed towards a ticket booth. “I’ve hidden….. my last gift in there…. I need to stay away from it until the time is right…”

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” Vanessa hummed. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you fixed.”

“Wait for me! I want to help too!” Sun danced after them in an altered state.

“I have an idea,” Vanessa looked at Sun in relief.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The Pizzam Machine spat out a stream of tickets as the bright words of “New Best'' flashed at the draw-dropped faces of Roxy and Monty. Gregory jumped up and down energetically. He basked in his victory as the name GGY took the top spot of the high score leaderboard.

“We uh,” Roxanne and Monty looked at the floor, swallowing their pride ever so bluntly. “We went easy on you,” they both commented in sync.

“Sure you did,” Gregory blew his hair and collected his winnings. “Now should we chill at the VIP Party Room?”

“NO!!!!” Roxy and Monty exclaimed, taking Gregory by surprise.

“Uh what I mean is-“ Roxy thought hard, scratching her paw against her chin.

“There’s so much else to do!” Monty raised his finger, nudging Roxanne.

“Right right,” Roxanne nudged back, giving an annoyed yet silent stare at Monty. “Freddy, what’s the latest addition to the Pizzaplex’s arcade?”

Glamrock Freddy stared blankly as his system searched for the latest intel. He then robotically stood tall and pointed his finger up before explaining. “The Fazer Blast has received numerous updates in the past week from-“ Freddy went on to ramble about every specific detail. Closing his eyes fashionably as he explained with a glamorous smile.

Gosh this is turning into a lecture….. Monty listened boredly to Freddy’s tutorial guide, realizing Roxy is already racing Gregory to the Fazer Blast. “Hey wait up!” Monty Gator took off.

“-coin consumables each sold separately , if you have a VIP voucher you may play modes like Zombie Mode and Frenzy, discounts apply-“ Freddy opened his eyes, finally realizing he was talking to no one. “Oh-“

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Luis stacked all the gifts by the other Glamrocks on the side table. The cake sat in the center. He noticed a scuffling voice as Glamrock Chica was helping herself to an endless supply of slushie in the next room. Sun was multitasking between hanging the decorations and mopping up excess slush leaks coming from the other room. He looked exhausted but determined to keep up with the max process.

Vanessa took another deep breath and blew the last balloon, tying its knot. Luis hung up a Happy Birthday banner and strung it to the corner poles of the room.

“Ok let’s see….balloons?” Vanessa eyed her list.

“Check,” Luis presented.

“Cake and presents?” She called out.

“Done.” Luis replied

“Food?” She asked, looking worried.

Both Luis and Ness turned to see the table of snacks and delicacies unspoiled and untouched, causing the pair to sigh in relief. Sun scrambled back to Glamrock Chica’s room as his jester heels clicked, causing him to fall over. Before Vanessa could react, Sun shot his hands straight in front of him to counter his fall, his palms cushioned the floor, tipping his entire body into a forward somersault. He spun flamboyantly in an almost similar fashion to a looney tune cartoon. Sun landed right back on his feet and proceeded to grab the mop before the mess would grow.

Glamrock Chica sat there under the slush machine, her beak widened to intake more fizzy liquids, causing it to spill on her room floor. Her eyes suggested she was lost in another world. Sun shook his head, once the machine runs out, it’s gonna be hopeless. Sun looked at the food table nervously as he mopped.

Vanessa heard her phone buzzing. She answered her call. “Freddy?” She could hear laser beam sound effects in the background.

“Gregory is about to head back once we finish this round. Is everything ready?” Freddy’s voice beeped in.

“Yes yes, the party is set,” Vanessa hushed in an affirming voice. “No more stalling. Thank you Freddy.”

The call ended quickly. Vanessa looked at the Daycare Attended working hard to clean up Chica’s leftover spillings. “Sun, are you able to keep this up until Gregory arrives?”

Sun spun and rotated his head like a wheel before nodding, keeping his ever stained smile. “Just a lil longer,” Luis encouraged, “You’re doing great!”

Vanessa shut the binders on the window panels to make sure no one could see what they were up to from outside. She and Luis prepped up confetti blasters and faced the doubled doors. Any moment right now, Gregory would be in for the big surprise!

Seconds ticked by, they could hear the slightest footsteps of a child sprint across the carpeted hall followed by multiple metallic foot stomps parading after.

“I win!” Gregory shouted at the top of his lungs as he burst through the double doors as sudden as a Jack-in-a-Box. He felt alive, springing forward as the champion of the race. His victory call was instantly interrupted.

Gregory was frozen with shock as his jaw started to hang open. The surprise wasted no time. Confetti shot out and fired at Gregory, flailing ribbons and puffs of coloured paper shards at his entrance. The balloons kissed the ceilings and dangled their tails over the tables. The cake was lit and sparkling with its candles.

“SURPRISE!” Everyone chanted.

“Whoa what?!” Gregory stood back at the sudden exclamation of the party. His eyes started to water as his smile grew. This scene he witnessed, there was something speaking to his heart. He felt just right at home and was touched emotionally. “You all planned this just for me?”

Vanessa started to clap in sync. The Glamrocks arrived behind. Sun recognised his cue and lowered the lights, making the candles more ambient. Chica kept herself from asking about eating some cake. Vanessa took a deep breath as did everyone. “Happy Birthday to you….”

Gregory felt his hand reach his heart. The others chimed in as they sang this lovely song. Gregory had never looked so happy. This felt new to his eyes, it promised him that his friends cared about him.

As the song ended, Vanessa softly placed a party hat on Gregory. “Make a wish,” she whispered.

Gregory sipped in the air and blew out the candles. “You are all my wish,” he replied sweetly. Everyone cheered in response.

Roxanne and Monty got into their cues, holding their gifts forwards. Chica stumbled out from the other room, holding her crumbled gift. The Daycare Attendant dusted her beak with a hope of polish before grabbing his own gift as he turned back on the lights. That was a close one… he thought to himself.

Freddy got his gift and Vanessa took her place in line behind him. Luis got out his camera and started taking pictures. Roxanne flushed her hair to sway from the side and knelt in front of Gregory. “Happy Birthday.”

Gregory opened her red parcel wrapped in purple ribbons. He pulled a hand mirror and some appliances for styling his hair. “With this you might even look cool as me,” Roxy joked playfully.

Gregory chuckled. “Thanks Roxy.”

Roxy smiled as she let out her most humble line. “You’re the best.”

Next, Monty stepped ahead and placed a large green box topped with a yellow bow. “Are you ready for this kid?”

“You bet!” Gregory pumped, unwrapping the gift to find two gator themed dumbbells. He picked one up and slowly lifted it.

“Remember kid, if you wanna be like me, take care of em biceps,” Monty flexed.

“Thanks I will,” Gregory flexed back, also putting down the dumbbell. It was heavier than it looked! Next came Sun, holding a very small dark blue parcel. Gregory unwrapped it to reveal a Moon shaped night light.

“Aw,” Vanessa warmly admired.

“To help you sleep better when the night turns the lights off,” Sun presented humbly.

“Thank you Sun,” Gregory appreciated, “I’ll be using this a lot!”

Chica shook as her turn came. Her beak twitched open. “Oh my, Chica what happened?” Gregory asked, looking worried.

“Nothin-“ Chica’s voice cut as she presented her gift in Gregory’s arms. “I got something for you.”

Gregory could smell something baked and delicious underneath. He opened his crumpled pink parcel to see a mass of cheese, tomato sauce, and crispy dough. “Lasagna?”

“P-pizza!” Chica chirped assuringly. “Do you like it?”

Gregory smiled back at Chica, seeing the effort she went through. “I love it,” Gregory patted Chica. “You know, it is more fun to share,” he handed her the box. Are you hungry?“

Chica nodded in delight, as Gregory let her devour the pizza mass as he watched in satisfaction. “Thanks Chica.”

Now it was Glamrock Freddy’s turn. It was smaller than the others. No larger than Greg’s doubled fist. It was bright orange, tied off neatly with a cyan bow. Gregory’s eyes fell on Freedy, who smiled in return. “Happy Birthday Superstar.”

Gregory lifted off the lid of the gift. Inside was a brand new faz watch. “Oh wow!”

Freddy pointed his finger up and explained the qualities of the watch as he slid his eyes closed in a humble fashion. “The faz watch is an upgraded version of the one you have. Aside from apps like games and learning tools, the faz watch is also connected to our systems. Which means you can finally contact us whenever you like.”

“Wait, really??! Anytime?” Gregory’s mouth spun into a gleeful smile. Freddy’s eyes shot open as he remembered. “Well except for school hours,” he let out a mechanical chuckle, scratching his ear with a tweak. Freddy felt something suddenly wrap around him. He looked down to see the young birthday boy giving him a big bear hug. Freddy calmly patted his mopped hair. “I promise I’ll call you guys everyday!” Gregory cheered.

Finally it was time for Vanessa’s present. She stood strong and firm, but remembered to smile as she gracefully approached Gregory. The parcel was pinkish white with red ribbons and a bow. As Gregory examined the parcel, he could feel its weight. Books?

Vanessa could see that Gregory was confused a bit. But as he slowly unwrapped, Gregory’s draw dropped hard. “Oh my-“

This present was the largest. But Gregory could never have predicted what he just got.

“A VR headset!!” Gregory exclaimed at the top of his lungs. “Wait, but didn’t you say-“

Vanessa nodded. “My fears kept me from letting us have fun. I always wanted to protect you from anything. It took me a while to see that.” Vanessa turned to Luis for a moment. “But I know now that no matter what happens, as long as we are together, nothing can hurt us. That’s why-“ Vanessa motioned Gregory to unwrap the present further, revealing that there were three headsets in that box. “I wanted us to play together. I knew you always wanted a VR headset. We can spend time on everything as a family.” Vanessa finished her words warmly.

Gregory started to wipe his eyes, he felt so touched by her words. Tears, but tears of joy, ran along his cheeks as he gave Vanessa the biggest hug ever. “Happy Birthday Gregory.”

“Thank you-“ Gregory sniffed and hugged harder. “Mom.” He finished.

“Aw.” Everyone smiled in awe. Vanessa could feel a release in her heart that she hadn’t felt for so long. She felt this was her new beginning. Luis, Gregory, and everyone present. This was her family now. And she would treasure them to her core. With only joy erupting out of her, the future had never been so bright as a lit torch, guiding her through her brand new life.

“So who wants cake?” Chica wiped her mouth. Everyone laughed in response, celebrating.

The End.

#fnaf #fnaf fanfic #fanfic rec

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