Chapter Text
Old Man Consequences dug his hand into the bucket and threw the ground bait into the water with a laid-back flick. There aren't any true fish here, but Old Man Consequences liked the act of fishing. Enjoyed the patience it took. The waiting for the right moment for a fish to catch the trap laid out for it. He lets them go in the end anyway, it is not him that decides anyone's fate.
There is a shuffle of feet and a soft sniffle. A boy sits next to him, his knees drawn close to his body and tears shed onto the boy's arms. The child, Old Man Consequences knows well, has faux bandages wrapped around his head. To hold his skull together more than any semblance of healing. The red blood isn't noticeable in Old Man Consequences' domain, the red sky blending it into the boy's hair. Old Man Consequences notices anyway but he does not mention it.
"Dave," Old Man Consequences greets gently, leaning back in his chair.
"I don't know what to do anymore, Conny." Dave sniffles more, rubbing his face into the crook of his elbow.
"You did your best, child." Old Man Consequences spoke lightly. Once upon a time the sight of Old Man Consequences' teeth gleaming as he spoke would have sent Dave into a frightened fit of shrieks and tears, but Dave's been dead for a long long time now. He's seen things much more scary than the crocodile. He has become something scarier than sharp teeth.
"In the end," Old Man Consequences continues, "It is not you who has to let go. You've already done more than that."
"I just want everyone to be okay again." Dave whispers, "Cass, Lizzy, Mikey, Charlie, Mum-" He breathed a shaky breath, "Even-Even Dad. We're all gone now. But they're all still so angry. Cass is still upset. I can't watch her- Dad he- Again and again-"
"They will not listen to you." Old Man Consequences sighed.
"I'm-I'm tired of feeling so angry." Dave's voice glitched, deepening into something mechanical. "I want to rest, Conny. "
Something in Old Man Consequences softens. It always does when he's faced with children. It's not often that they stumble upon his domain but that demon had taken so many young lives, accidentally and purposefully. And now Old Man Consequences has to watch these little souls persist in their vengeance, to suffer more than they deserve too. It's enough to make him want to do something.
"Death has twisted them, child. I fear the peace you want is far coming. Your friend will not heed my words and you cannot bear to leave her. Not like this."
"I won't let Cass be alone in there." Dave whispers, the Like I was left unsaid.
"I cannot change your fate." Old Man Consequences said sadly. "But there is a version of you that has not experienced these tragedies yet. Whose family has not been twisted by loss and madness. And whose friend is alive and happy. Their fate has not been set yet."
Dave sniffles, "Why are you telling me this?" He said curling tighter into himself. It felt almost cruel to be reminded of the time of the Before. Before Lizzy went missing. Before Mum died. Before the nightmares started. Before Mikey killed him. He wants his Mum, wants to rest his head on her lap while Dad tells him stories. Wants to play dolls with Lizzy and wants Mikey to finish teaching him how to draw. He wants to lean his head towards Cass's as she tells him how stupid his bullies are and not to worry because she'll protect him. He wants to breathe again, to feel the world around him. To move a body that isn't three times bigger than he was used to and legs that work.
"I did not tell you this to be cruel." Old Man Consequences said, gently ruffling Dave's hair. "I cannot save you. You are already dead. But I can save that version of you. You would not remember this, not directly. But I could show your family as to what has become of them now. Show them the tragedy you and the others have endured. It might change things for the better. It might make things worse. Only you can decide if it's worth it."
Dave looked down, fighting another sob at the feeling of touch. It's the closest he has had to sensation in years. He stares at the blood red pond in front of him. He looks down at his hands, forever slick with his own blood. He's forgiven Mikey. He has. But sometimes Dave's head aches so bad that Cass has to take control for the both of them. Sometimes he cries blood instead of tears. Sometimes he can't even look at his reflection, long forgotten what he used to look like but knowing it wasn't like this. To be honest, Dave was scared. He's always been scared. Death hadn't even been able to fully rid him of being a crybaby. He ducks behind Cass and rarely ever leaves their tomb like the other kids had. Too scared to roam without the morbid protection of metal. But Dave wants to be strong. To be better. If not for himself then for Cass. For his family.
"I want to give them a chance." Dave said, looking up into Old Man Consequences' eyes. "I want to try. They hurt me but I love them. Please, Conny. Please help us."
Old Man Consequences' fishing rod jerked and without looking away from Dave, he reeled the fish out. The fish wiggled as it hung in the air and Old Man Consequences gestured for Dave to take the fish off the hook. Dave held the fish, the red scales glistening wetly. Its eye was milky and bloodshot. It's not alive, Dave can tell. Not truly. But Dave isn't either. Dave glances at Old Man Consequences but the crocodile has not moved, he just watches Dave with the same patient gaze.
Dave raises the fish to his mouth and bites.
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William Afton wakes up slowly as if every one of his senses needs to be manually booted up. There is a boneless feeling in his body as if all his responsibilities and stress had no hold on him here. That, more than anything, jolts him into sitting up the moment he is fully awake. There is a distinct sense of wrongness, not in the presence of the feeling but the lack of it. There is a feeling of safety here that is entirely foreign and causes William to stand up quickly. He is in his office suit, more muted than the one he wears while performing in Spring Bonnie. It's wrinkled from him being asleep? Passed out? On the floor. He does not recognize the room but he rushes immediately to Clara's side when he spots her.
"Clara? Clara, wake up." He mutters into her ear as he shakes her shoulder. He keeps his voice level and soft, he does not want her to jolt awake and make too much noise. It's clear William hadn't come here willingly and knowingly. He would have never let his wife lay on the floor if he had, and there were very few business deals he even deemed worthy enough to take her to.
"Will, honey?" Clara blinks slowly awake.
"Keep quiet, dear. I don't know who could be here and hear us." William said calmly, squeezing her shoulder lightly in warning. Clara pales at the implication that something is wrong and William allows her to squeeze his hand for comfort. William tries to remember the last memory he has before whatever brought him here but Clara is faster.
" The children, Will? Are they here? I remember putting them to bed last." Clara whispered, panic lacing her tone.
William jolts, not having thought to check for them. He had remembered working in the garage on some blueprints but he hadn't followed the thought that someone would have had to gone into his house to kidnap them. That they could have taken his children as well. Who dares-
"Will, focus." Clara said, rubbing her thumb over his hand. William breathes once, twice, before he unclenches his jaw. He takes the moment to check his surroundings. They're in a room with a large couch in the middle. On the wall the couch is facing is a large screen fit for a Movie Theater, taking up most of the wall. Behind William is two doors. There is one window and William walks towards it and yanks the curtains open.
William's stomach drops and his face pales. He doesn't even realize he took a few steps back until he nearly stumbles. The window has bars on but shows that the sky is blood red. His mouth is dry. There is no grass on the ground, just tar black dirt. The trees he can see are bright red and they sway in the wind. He blinks as he sees a tree glitch like a bad computer.
"Clara" He breathes out, a touch bit desperate to know he wasn't seeing things. That this wasn't what he thought it was. He was breathing. He could taste his dry mouth. He had to be alive.
"I see it, Honey." Clara said unable to hide her own fear and confusion. "Will, focus on me okay. We can deal with that later. We have to find the kids alright? Get the kids and figure out who is playing this trick on us."
Her words bring him back down from his rising panic (I can't die, I can't die, I can't be in hell No No No No No). Clara was right. It had to be some sick joke someone was trying to play on him. William had been very careful with who he told of his fear. Only Clara knew. He can't give whoever had taken them here anymore control. He'd rather strangle them with his bare hands than give them anything more than what they had taken.
There is a faint sound of voices approaching that causes both Clara and William to tense. But then the childish shout of Mum and Dad causes them to rush to the door.
"Kids!" Clara calls out to them before William can even stop her.
Elizabeth runs to jump onto William and he barely catches her, still shaken from earlier. Clara looks over Dave and Michael, Dave clutching tightly onto his Golden Fredbear plush. He's already crying softly. Michael looked uncomfortable with her fussing but also relieved to see the both of them. Elizabeth clings to William but she seems relatively unfazed by the situation compared to her brothers, a bright smile on her young face. There is a black haired girl that stands towards the side, about Dave's age. She watches Dave intently and William narrows his eyes at her, trying to remember if he knows her.
"William?"
"Henry? You're here too?" William hides his surprise and looks at his friend.
"I'm here too, Uncle Willy." Charlie pipes up. William nods at her, suppressing his irritation at the interruption. He lets it slide because of the situation.
"Do you have any idea what happened or who brought us here?" William asked. Everyone, except for the little girl, is someone William holds affection for. To have them all here in this unknown place makes rage bubble beneath his skin. Someone had broken into his house. His friend's house. Had taken them when they were supposed to be safely sleeping. Had to have changed their clothes because he sees that none of his children are in their pajamas like they should have been. He grinds his teeth.
"No, Daddy. Mike just woke us up here. I don't remember anything but Mummy tucking me in." Elizabeth cheerily said.
"We checked all the rooms we crossed before here. The house is empty but it has bedrooms that have our names on it." Henry said with a troubled expression on his face. He looked as unnerved as William felt at that revelation.
"Our-Our names?" Clara said, looking at William with confusion and fear.
"Yes, Mummy! My room also has all my favorite toys! Dave found Goldie in his too. Mike didn't like that his Foxy mask was here too." Elizabeth explained which made the pit in William's stomach grow.
"The last door is just another bathroom." Michael said and William looked at his eldest that was exploring the room like William had done earlier.
Henry slumped. "No exit then, we couldn't find the front door. Just the bedrooms, a kitchen stocked with different types of fish and a few bathrooms. And... This room? But no windows and no doors to the outside."
"There is one window here." William doesn't grimace but it's a near thing. He gestures to it and finds a perverse pleasure as Henry too looked frightened to the core at the unnatural sight.
"Woah it looks so cool, Daddy! Like a video game, hehe" Elizabeth squeals, wiggling out of his arms and running to the window to press up against the glass. Charlie and Michael share a look at each other agreeing with the statement but also realizing something is incredibly wrong with that fact. It's the girl and Dave's reaction that William hones in on. Dave's eyes widened and he stepped back and close to the girl. He whispered something into her ear and she looked shocked and pale.
"And who might you be, little girl?" William asked. He knows his youngest son was far too sensitive and a loner. It made him suspicious that he was willingly seeking comfort from someone that wasn't Clara or William. Especially since William knows his boy doesn't have friends.
" Cassidy, Mr. Afton." The girl said, looking him straight in the eye.
"Apparently, she is little Dave's friend." Michael adds, tone exaggerating his disbelief if the mocking glint in his eyes were any indication.
"Michael." Clara scolded while Charlie elbowed him and Cassidy glared.
"I am Dave's friend. I'm proud to be his friend." William and Clara both stopped short at the anger in Cassidy's tone.
"Cass, it's okay." Dave muttered, tugging on Cassidy's sleeve.
"It is not! I won't let them doubt-"
There is a sound like the rippling of water and everyone turns to where the screen is. It's hard to describe the collective shock that freezes everyone in place at what was in front of them. A real genuine anthropomorphic crocodile stands in front of them. There is a lone wheat stalk caught between the crocodile's teeth and he wears an outfit that reminds everyone of a ragged old fisherman.
"Who-"
"Woah-"
"What is that!?"
"Silence." The crocodile speaks and William would have been fascinated if he wasn't cold with rage. Whatever this... Thing was, it had trapped them here. If he knew a little more he would have tried attacking it, but the way its wide black eyes pass over him inexplicably pins him in place.
"My name is Old Man Consequences." The crocodile, now named, said ominously. Such a name made William swallow even if he kept his calm mask in place. He could see the others were also unsettled, even little Elizabeth clutched at William's shirt a little tighter.
" Why have you brought us here, Old Man?" Michael asked bluntly and William felt the urge to smack the boy because of his recklessness.
"Michael" William hissed but then Old Man Consequences laughed lightly. It irritated William even more.
"I have been given the opportunity to help change your fate." Old Man Consequences began, "Every single one of you dies a most gruesome death, unable to move on. Unable to find peace. I can show you what led to that fate in your near future."
"You can't possibly mean-" Henry started, adjusting his glasses in shock. "The future?"
"Like a sci-fi movie? You have got to be kidding me." Charlie groans as Michael elbows her with a grin.
"Are we meant to believe you're just showing us the future? That it's even possible to see the future? With no ulterior motive? How can we even agree that anything you're telling us is the truth?" William spat out, squeezing Elizabeth in warning when it looked like she was going to try saying something too. It's ridiculous that it's Dave that is the only one understanding that this was an adult only conversation.
" I do not have any desire to earn your confidence, Afton" Old Man Consequences said and William clenched his jaw at the hostility that he could read in the crocodile's tone. " I am not giving you this chance. You do not deserve it."
"What could you possibly mean by that?" Clara said, frowning. There is a sense of fire slipping into her tone. "You've kidnapped us to this place in the dead of night. You placed some sort of screen to play the forest outside the window. You have my children here. And now you claim we do not deserve some sort of assurance this isn't just a trick to harm us? What are you? Gruesome deaths?"
"I will never harm children." Old Man Consequences said gravely, "It is because of your children that I am giving you this opportunity. The future is not kind to them. You can trust me or not. It is not my fate that is being written, but yours. Walk into your own demise, I will greet you in the end regardless."
William and Clara looked at each other, for once both unable to think of anything to say. He does not like the uncertainty in his wife's eyes, and he hates the fear he can feel creeping into his. Death was something William didn't like to think about, didn't want to. It sent ice into his veins, a lump in his throat. He needed to pull himself together. He wasn't weak. William couldn't let that beast think he was getting underneath his skin. (Somehow, William feels like Old Man Consequences already knows.)
"You said you "got this opportunity". What do you mean by that? I-er- don't know the logistics of future showing but why us? " Henry asked, pale and shaky.
" You are right, Emily." Old Man Consequences said, "No, I do not normally mess with the destiny of others. Your lives lead to many deaths but you're hardly the first people to do so." Old Man Consequences sighed. "A child cried for help and that's all there is to it. Do not waste his sacrifice."
"Will we get a choice or are we forced to entertain this ludicrous idea?" William couldn't help but say. He's normally more charming than that but William's patience was frayed from the situation.
"You do not." Old Man Consequences said. "But I will give the children a chance to decide. They are important in the future but they had very little say to be a part of those events. The least I can do is give them a say now."
"What will happen if they say they want to leave?" Clara asked, suspicious.
"They cannot leave now without you." Old Man Consequences said, for the first time sounding regretful. "But they will be safely put unconscious in the rooms provided until you are done watching the future. They will wake up unharmed and unchanged by the experience."
William clenched his jaw, pinching the bridge of his nose. So really it mattered little if the children disagreed or not, they'd be forced to stay here regardless. Except for the possibility of leaving them vulnerable to the beast with whatever means it had to keep them asleep. It was obviously not a choice at all. As if William, Clara or Henry would let any of the children out of their sight in this strange place.
"No way! I'm not missing out on watching the future" Michael said.
"Even if we see our own... deaths?" Charlie frowned, fiddling with her green bracelet.
"I think that's even more of a reason to watch, don't you think? Maybe we can prevent it and stuff?" Michael carded his hand through his hair. "I mean, isn't that why this Old Man is showing it to us?"
"That's if you actually believe what it will be showing us." William couldn't help but interrupt even if Clara squeezed his forearm to calm him down.
"I want to watch, Daddy! Maybe I can see what you'll get me for my birthday." Elizabeth whined and William let out a frustrated breath.
"I-" Dave started but hunched slightly when everyone turned to him. "I don't think Mr. Conny would hurt us."
"Conny...?" William repeated aghast and Dave flinched.
"You may call me Conny, child." Old Man Consequences interrupted. "It is no harm. Old Man Consequences is a long name."
"Do not." William hissed in warning and thankfully Dave nodded quickly.
"I agree with Dave." Cassidy pipes up. "I think if Mr Conny was going to eat us he would have done it already."
"I prefer fish, not humans." Old Man Consequences agreed.
"You're the reason for food in the kitchen, I presume." Henry muttered.
"Enough dawdling." William said fed up. "The children agreed to partake. I hope we reserve the right to let them look away if we actually see our-" William paused for a second too long, "... Deaths. You can't expect children to watch that if you really cared about not harming them." William said. He wanted to catch the beast in its lie.
Old Man Consequences paused, tilting his head." You are right, however it is important for them to watch as much as they can. If I gave you that right then they would be better off not watching at all. I can give you an alternative option, however."
"Alternative option?" Clara said, suspicious.
"Yes. I can show the future in all its violent and bloody detail for you to watch or..." Old Man Consequences moved the stalk of wheat in his mouth. "I can have some scenes be more metaphorical or censored in song. It wouldn't be everything because then you will not get all the context you require to make a difference in your lives but it will soften the more gory parts for the children."
"You mean you've made our future into a musical?" Charlie blurted out in disbelief.
"We get to sing!" Elizabeth cheered, wiggling in William's grip.
"Ha! I bet Charlie would sing all squeaky like." Michael teased, laughing.
"I would not!" Charlie shoved him. "I'm not the one whose voice still cracks."
"It does not!" Michael screeched, offended.
"Do you think I will get a song, Cass?" Dave fiddled with his Golden Freddy plush with barely suppressed excitement.
"Maybe we'll get to sing one together." Cassidy grinned at him, excited because Dave was excited.
"Are you truly showing us the future?" Henry couldn't help but question again. "You must understand how... ridiculous this sounds. Er- more ridiculous than a talking red crocodile- You are a crocodile right?"
"Yes, I do resemble a crocodile." Old Man Consequences nodded patiently but it made Henry grimace at the non-answer. "I think, Henry Emily, that you will find that the truth can be stranger than fiction. Your lives are not simple ones. You would not be here if they were. And you are not ordinary people either. In the end, all I am here to do is prevent your families from complete ruin. But it is not me that gets to decide that but you. Whether you walk out of this situation taking in the information I provide you in whatever form I give it matters little to me. I have seen countless ends like yours and will see countless more. This was a favor but I promise nothing of your salvation. Just a chance to forge it yourself."
"Enough. Thank you for giving us this opportunity." William said through clenched teeth. He scraped his composure enough that it didn't sound like it killed him to say but given Old Man Consequences' head tilt, William thinks he suspects anyway. How humiliating." We'll take you up on the offer to have some of the events in... song. But I must demand some proof of your credibility. You must see it from our perspective. If you're showing us the future, we have no guarantee that it isn't fabricated in order to get us to react in a certain way. How do we know it is truly our future?"
" My husband is right, Old Man Consequences." Clara said, rubbing William's hand to help him untense." We would be more at ease if you could validate that the future you will show is true. Especially since you're already offering to tamper with it. I very much doubt we would be singing in those circumstances you described normally."
Old Man Consequences sighed." Alright, I see your hesitation. Would you believe me if I showed you a scene each of you knew you were alone for that has already happened. It is not ideal but since you are already here it would not be too difficult to do."
Clara looked at William and Henry before sighing." Yes, we will appreciate that." She grimaced.
Old Man Consequences gestured to the couch." Then please all take a seat. It will take a while to prepare those memories in such a short notice so give me a few minutes. Make yourself comfortable while you wait." The ground beneath Old Man Consequences' feet rippled like water and he sunk into it as if it was liquid.
William cautiously walked to the spot Old Man Consequences sunk into but when he touched it with the tip of his shoe, it was completely solid again. He pinched the bridge of his nose. How theatrical, he thought a little hypocritically. He held Elizabeth a little closer before making his way to sit with his wife and Michael. Dave sat next to Clara with the Cassidy girl. Elizabeth settled on William's lap. Charlie sat next to Michael and Henry. William squeezed Michael's shoulder as acknowledgement and made space for Clara to lean against him for support. He was not looking forward to this.
Nor were any of them truly prepared for it.