yapping about how cassidyvictim is relevant lmao
FNaF is an iterative narrative franchise. The story was not planned from the beginning, however that is not a flaw. The lore isn't definitively solvable, because this is an ongoing story. “So, while it's true the story has developed new details over time that may not have been planned from the beginning, that doesn't mean that the pieces don't fit together as a whole. There is a lot of information crammed into these games, and there will always be details that I don't convey 100% as intended. I try to clear up those items, but I am certainly not retconning things at will. I have more respect for the community than that.”
That in mind, to really understand the overall plot of FNaF, we have to back away from the echo chamber of popular theories and interpretations within the fandom.
The first FNaF game can be considered standalone for the time when it first came out, so things have to be reframed around the current understanding of the lore. We are introduced to Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy. As well as a special recolored yellow freddy model, who we refer to as Golden Freddy. It establishes 5 missing kids connected to Freddy’s. It is commonly known as the MCI within the fandom. But here's the important part, the newspapers say 2 kids are “reportedly lured”. It's only assumed that all five kids belong to that same first reporting, but the methods aren't specified for all of the kids. This can be read as unreliable narration in-universe, and not how it happened. It's only what the public understood at the time. Knowing what we know now about William Afton, he had power as the co-owner of Fazbear Ent. so it is highly likely he would cover up any details that would implicate him. It's a common misconception that he is anything but a psychopathic killer. He's a calculated businessman who wants control.
Things really start getting explained in FNaF 2. Most of the fandom forgets that this is a prequel to the first game. This is also when Scott starts thinking of the story of future games. This location was open in 1987. We find out the location of FNaF 1 was not the location the original murders took place. The very first Freddy Fazbear's Pizza was open in 1983. We do not know the exact year the murders took place in the game. We are introduced to the Puppet, who is established as another kid killed at Freddy’s. This reframes the count of the kids connected to Freddy’s. 4 kids stuffed into suits + the Puppet/Charlotte. FNaF 2 reframes Freddy’s as a site with multiple incidents. Once Charlotte is introduced as a separate death, the assumed ‘five missing children’ no longer maps cleanly onto five possessed suits. But where does that leave Golden Freddy?
Enter FNaF 4. This is the game where we are pulled away from sitting behind the desk of a security guard and put into the perspective of a child. The Crying Child. We are shown the nightmares he experienced as well as the week leading to his death. This switches the focus of FNaFs story away from the murders and hauntings. We are shown Fredbears Family Diner, a location name dropped back in FNaF 2, and referenced in the FNaF 3 Stage 01 minigame section. Fredbear has visual similarities to Golden Freddy. It gives meaning to Golden Freddy’s yellow color, other than it just being a recolored reused Freddy model. Golden Freddy is Fredbear. So why is he significant? He is an anchor tied to the origin of fear, memory, and perspective.
In the secret room of Sister Location, we are given a callback to FNaF 4. With the Fredbear plush and the monitors of the bedroom. Dittophobia introduces the idea of fear conditioning. Which reframes CC’s terror as an induced response rather than a weakness, recontextualizing his nightmares. The question still remains, how could CC be Golden Freddy if he doesn't possess a suit, only the memory of Fredbear?
He’s unfinished. Acting through unresolved fear and fractured identity not rage or vengeance. This is the reason why Golden Freddy acts differently to the others as a non-physical manifestation. This also explains FNaF 4’s ending quote: “You are broken. I will put you back together.” As well as giving light to FNaF World's purpose as memory reconstruction, and UCN’s looping punishment as a mind stuck replaying.
Given Cassidy as a name tied to Golden Freddy, the most likely reading is that Cassidy is CC’s name.
“But the logbook proves that they are separate.” Which is only true if you begin with the assumption that there are two separate entities to begin with. This is only a common interpretation. Going back to my point the logbook reads as disjointed communication, overlapping styles, and questions and answers that do not follow a linear conversational structure. It reflects as a single consciousness processing memory, trauma, and identity non-linearly, again mirroring FNaF World’s memory reconstruction and UCNs looping. Even more importantly, the logbook is a meta text designed to invite interpretation. It is not a document to establish canon events outright.
As for the other books, Scott has repeatedly stated that any material outside of the mainline games are meant to explore ideas and themes. Scott also reuses names all the time. So a character named Cassidy appearing in the books does not mean it’s the same role in the games
“But William didn’t kill CC so he can’t be TOYSHK.” Yes, while it is true William did not physically kill CC, but direct violence is not the only way harm can be caused. William is negligent, complicit, and controlling. That negligence is what breaks CC. William allowed his death to happen, hence ‘the one you shouldn't have killed’.
Scott is not trying to appeal to any certain fan theory, it's his story to tell and respect should be had for it. He doesn't owe anyone an explanation for every detail. He said, in part: “Very few people will likely ever feel completely satisfied, as there are just too many headcanons out there and so many great ideas on where the story could go, but I think there are good things to be found for people who are looking. All I can do is say that some questions will be answered; even if it may not be the answer you wanted.”
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