Sam's world spun as he slowly came to. His head was pounding, and his eyes felt heavy. When he finally managed to pry his eyelids open, he found himself staring up at a cold, metallic ceiling. He was not in his room. He was not at home. He was... somewhere else.

His senses surged back in a rush, and he felt a stab of panic as he realized he couldn't move. He was trapped! Strapped to a table. He turned his head, desperately trying to take in his surroundings. It was then that he saw him; a familiar face, but not the one he had expected. It was Moondrop.

The animatronic's glowing eyes were filled with a sorrowful expression. He asked in his soft, mechanical voice, “How do you feel, Sam?” Hearing his name, memories rushed back to Sam, jarring him back to the harsh reality.

A day at the PizzaPlex, intended to be fun, had turned into a nightmare. He had hoped to find his missing brother, Mat. Instead, he discovered a horrifying truth; Mat was no longer human. Thanks to Vanny, Mat, along with four others, had been turned into animatronics.

Mat was now Moondrop. The kindest, most protective animatronic, desperately trying to shield his little brother from harm. But it had all been in vain. The realisation hit Sam like a sledgehammer. His heart pounded as he looked down at himself.

He was no longer a boy. His body was tall, lanky, his skin was a shiny yellow – he was not Sam anymore. He was Sundrop. The shock was too great, and for a moment, he thought he might pass out. He was not in his own body anymore. He was an animatronic, just like his brother.

Moondrop seemed to crumble before his very eyes, letting out mechanical sobs. He blamed himself, calling himself the worst big brother. The sight tore at Sundrop’s heart, but he could not move to comfort his brother.

"It's not your fault," he wanted to say, but his voice was stuck. All he could do was watch his brother mourn, his own sadness building up inside him. But he was not going to let it consume him. He had to stay strong – for Mat.

Struggling against his bindings, Sundrop finally managed to free one hand. It was odd, seeing a mechanical hand move at his command, but he pushed the thought aside. There were more pressing matters to deal with.

He reached out, touching Moondrop’s shoulder lightly. "It's okay, Mat," Sundrop managed to say. His voice came out strange, metallic and hollow. But it was enough.

Moondrop looked up, his tear-filled eyes meeting Sundrop’s. "Sam?" he asked, his voice a shaky whisper. "Is that...you?" His gaze was full of hope, of uncertainty. It was a sight that would remain with Sundrop for a long time.

"It's me, Mat. It's Sam," Sundrop reassured him, managing a weak smile. Relief washed over Moondrop's features, but it was followed quickly by a fresh wave of guilt. But before he could wallow, Sundrop reached out, squeezing his shoulder.

"Don't you dare blame yourself, Mat. This is not your fault," Sundrop said firmly. He continued, despite the lump in his throat, “We’re together, that’s what matters. We’ll figure this out...together."

It took a moment, but finally, Moondrop nodded. He wiped at his eyes, managing a shaky smile. Together, they would face whatever lay ahead. Despite the uncertainty that filled them, they knew they were not alone. $$PARAGRAPH_START_14$$ $$PARAGRAPH_START_15$$ For now, they had to focus on the present, to figure out what had happened to them. To learn about their new forms. To devise a plan. And so, under the cold, metallic roof, the two brothers began their new life, together as Sundrop and Moondrop.