It's just after six in the morning. Everyone should be asleep, the only real exception being William, depending on how late he's decided to stay up last night. But either way, it doesn't matter. Springtrap just needs to be sure no one will catch him as he sneaks through the house.

He has two jobs to complete before he can return to the garage. The first is to hopefully weaken William before they make it to Freddy's and the second is to destroy the sound disc in Evan's room. He's suffered through it for five nights now and any more would be cruel, not that it wasn't already.

Springtrap tries to walk carefully, but when he can barely walk at all, it ends up making some noise regardless. It's fine. He doesn't worry too much about it as he makes it into the living room. The television is on and Julia is asleep on the couch. She's curled up in several blankets. Springtrap watches for a long moment, his gaze fixed on her messy hair and peaceful expression. He remembers this part of their relationship. She originally left after Evan's death, shouting and screaming that she couldn't take it anymore. Couldn't handle a cruel husband who cares for no one but his animatronics and Henry. He shouted back, of course, even though she was right.

Springtrap just wishes she had taken the children with her.

He dares to get closer, letting the telly's white noise cover his movements. He stops in front of her and kneels down, getting a better look at her. They were older when the two of them got married. She was in her early thirties and he can see the age lines, but they feel different now. He doesn't see them as flaws, but as signs of her personality. She has lines on her forehead due to the worrying she did while pregnant with Elizabeth. It was the worst pregnancy she had and they almost didn't have Evan because of it.

Julia has smile lines too, though. He remembers how she used to smile so brightly, especially when they were all together. She loved the outdoors, something William never shared with her. She wanted to go on hikes and have picnics. It's the only reason they have flowers growing in the backyard. Flowers Springtrap plans to use against her husband.

He feels a pang of guilt, but only for a moment. She'll be better off without him. They all will. He isn't kind to her, not ever since he got busy. And maybe once William's gone, Julia can find someone who truly loves her. Someone that will care for the children and tell her how beautiful she is. She deserves someone like that.

Springtrap can't help himself as he reaches out and touches her face. He can't really feel it, but he remembers. He knows her skin is soft, despite the wrinkles. He knows, even though it's been years.

With a smooth motion, Springtrap tucks her hair behind her ear. She always referred her hair shorter when they were dating, but she stopped cutting it when he shared his own preference. He was wrong about that too. She really does look better with shorter hair.

"I'm...sorry." He whispers, meaning it more deeply than he ever had before.

Springtrap leaves her, then. He isn't human and if she were to wake up, she would be terrified. So, he lets her sleep as much as she wants. She'll need it for later.

He makes his way to the kitchen easily. His metal feet are louder on the tiles, but it's not too bad. Julia doesn't stir and everyone else is further away. He locates the right cabinet on the first try and pulls out the box of tea bags William always uses. There are three left, so Springtrap takes out two and throws them away. Now, he takes out the last and holds it in the hand with the Oleander flowers he got from outside. The poison shouldn't make him too sick to go to work, especially if he's running late, but it will weaken him. It'll give Springtrap the advantage, something he needs desperately. And if the poison does end up killing William, then it makes his job all the easier.

After he's rubbed the flowers over the bag, he makes a small cut with a loose wire -the only time they have come in handy- and stuffs some inside as well. He needs this to be potent.

From there, he sets the tea bag back inside of the box and returns it to it's rightful place, like no one touched it at all.

Springtrap turns and hallway now. He's beyond grateful that they used the upstairs bedroom as a study. There is no way he would be able to make it up and down those stairs without falling.

The first bedroom is Michael's and Springtrap stops at his door for a moment. There are stickers littered on the outside, all of them demanding others to keep out. He remembers wanting to rip them down and demand Michael let them in whenever they want, but he can see why they're up now. He can see how badly Michael needs his privacy, not only as a struggling child, but a teenager as well. He deserves alone time in his room with the door closed. He deserves a safe place away from the rest of his family. Away from William.

The next door is open and Springtrap treads more carefully. He stops when he hears a voice, his entire body frozen.

"You look beautiful, Lizzy!" Elizabeth whispers, her voice deeper than usual. Springtrap dares to get closer, to just barely peek inside. She shouldn't be awake this early in the morning.

Springtrap can see Elizabeth as she sits in the middle of her room, a Barbie and a rabbit stuffed animal in either hand. She looks like she's playing, but it still doesn't explain why she would be up so early. Either way, Springtrap is stuck watching until he can safely cross the hall. Perhaps he could-

"Thank you, Father! I really do love this dress." Elizabeth speaks in her natural tone this time, the Barbie moving in a bowing motion. "Say, could you help me put on my hat? I want to look my best for the grand ball tonight."

"Of course, Elizabeth!" The girl struggles to make the rabbit put a hat on the other toy, but she manages it. The outfit looks a little silly, with the Barbie now wearing a princess dress with a top hat, but Springtrap can't deny that it's adorable. Slowly, he kneels to the floor, fully watching the game play out.

"Father!" Elizabeth suddenly says, making Springtrap tense. She didn't see him, did she? No, she's still looking at the toys. And she wouldn't see William in him anyway. She would see a monster. "The grand ball is right now, but I still don't know how to dance! Please teach me!"

Springtrap feels his throat tighten. "Of course, my daughter." And with that, Elizabeth stands, her nightgown flowing around her as she holds the little rabbit in her arms. She struggles to get it's limp paws in the right position, but eventually, she seems satisfied. Springtrap stands without thinking and he raises his arms in the air, as if he were holding her. As if he were the one in her arms instead of the plush.

Elizabeth starts turning in circles, a wide smile on her face as she does. Her nightgown twirls around her so elegantly. Springtrap tries to mimic the action, even with his clumsy steps. He nearly falls, but recovers quickly, then goes back to his own dancing. But as Elizabeth spins faster, a hummed song flooding the room, Springtrap stops. He can't spin anymore and it hurts. Not just physically, but inside as well.

He wants to dance with his daughter. He wants to hold her hands and let her stand on his feet as they twirl and twirl around. He wants to see her smile looking at him. She could wear her favorite Sunday dress, the one she always calls a princess dress. He wants to spin her around and lift her into the air. He wants it all so badly, but he can't.

Elizabeth stops eventually, her eyes now sad as she stares at the rabbit. "Why won't you play with me?" She asks in a heartbreaking tone and Springtrap can't watch anymore. He forces himself to continue down the hall, to leave his daughter alone in her sorrow. It's unfair and cruel at he can't hold her anymore, now that he wants to. It hurts so much worse than anything Cassidy did, worse than those endless loops because this is his fault. He should've loved her the first time, when he was human. He should've cared for her and watched her. He should've kept her from seeing Baby, but he didn't and now this is his punishment.

The last door is shut as well, but this one doesn't have a lock, unlike Michael's. Springtrap has to be careful how he does this. Evan should be asleep, but he's still sensitive to things creeping in the night. Out of everyone, Evan is the most likely to catch him.

He's trained himself for this, after all.

Springtrap pushes the door open gently. He peeks into the dark room and curses the fact that he can't see anything. What good was sitting in a dark room for thirty years if he didn't gain night vision or something?

He can't hear any sounds, so Springtrap takes a step inside. He continues like this, even though it's agonizingly slow. Listen, step, listen, step.

The closet door isn't far and he slide it open carefully. The Foxy plush is inside, that much he knows already. If he can find that, then he can find the disc as well. Springtrap reaches inside, his hand running along the carpet clumsily until it hits the plush. He grabs the plush and feels along it, easily finding the opening in the back. From there, he blindly feels for something hard and takes out the disc. He can't hear the sound it emits, but he knows it's likely there. Without another thought, he crushes it in his hand and sets the plush back in the closet.

The nightmare is over now. Evan's free from William's horrible device.

Slowly, Springtrap stands, but he hesitates as he turns. The sun is starting to rise, but it's just barely enough to make things barely visible. He can see the lump in the bed. Evan's so close, just within reach.

He gives into the temptation and stumbles toward the side of the bed. Alarms ring in his mind, telling him that it's a bad idea, that the boy could wake up; but once Springtrap is finally, there, he sees that Evan has completely passed out. The poor boy has dark bags under his eyes and his face is still covered with sweat, but he's sleeping soundly now, the Fredbear plush laying beside him. He's alive, thanks to the plan yesterday and he'll stay like that. He'll be at peace.

A rotten hand reaches out and gently brushes Evan's face, just like he had to Julia. He still has fat on his cheeks and he probably won't lose it until he's older. There are tear tracks on his face as well and they've seemed permanent lately. He remembers being nervous that Evan's school teachers would get worried, would call home asking questions. They should've, honestly. Someone should've called earlier, but they didn't. How could they know what William was doing?

No, it's not the teacher's fault, it's Williams. He shouldn't have put that disc in Evan's closet. He should've gotten his own lazy ass out of bed and comforted his son. He should've been there when the bite originally happened, but he wasn't, because he didn't care. He never cared.

But he does now. Springtrap cares so deeply and it's more painful than his physical body is. He's so full of regret and guilt and realization that he feels he could burst. Fur covered fingers run through Evan's hair, the touch only barely registering on Springtrap's fingertips.

He's running out of time to get back to the garage, to follow William to work, so he retracts his hand but hesitates to leave. Instead, Springtrap tucks the plush into Evan's arm and pulls the blanket up to his chin, making sure that he stays warm. Then, he leans down and rubs the mask's stuffed nose on the boy's forehead, hoping it can give all of the love he wants it to. He stands up again and stares for a second, trying to stain the image of Evan's peace into his mind. "Good night...my son." He whispers, then leaves the room.

It's just Michael, Elizabeth and William this time. Julia's decided to stay at home with Evan -a decision Springtrap is very proud of her for making. He was worried they'd leave the poor boy all alone.

Once they all get out of the car and head to Freddy's, Springtrap makes sure he has his weapon with him before leaving the trunk. He goes to the back door, gets in the same way he did before, and waits. He holds the knife close to his chest, his eyes peeking out at William. He drank the tea, that much is obvious with how he holds his head. No one's noticed yet, but Henry will soon. It's impossible for him to ignore the fever William has.

It's before opening and the two business partners are setting up the main four animatronics. They do so with care, making sure all four are set up correctly. They can't let another accident happen, not like what nearly took place yesterday.

Springtrap keeps an eye on the three children, though, Henry does help with that, unintentionally. Ever since Charlie got locked outside, he's been protective of her and it's obvious when he looks back at her ever few minutes.

It's an hour before opening, plenty of time for William to get dizzy and weak. Plenty of time for Springtrap to do what he needs before more people are forced to watch. It's bad enough that there are children here, but maybe it will go smoothly. Maybe there won't be so much violence.

He can only hope.

It takes some time, but eventually, it happens. William reaches up to put the Chica mask onto the endo, but just as he does, he starts to stumble back. Springtrap sees his eyes roll and he hopes this does it, that this kills him.

It doesn't. "Will!" Henry shouts and he catches his partner before any damage can be done. His entire being radiates worry and the children startle, their eyes watching William as well. "Are you alright? What was that?"

"I'm fine! Let go of me!" William snaps and when Henry does, he dusts himself off. "I miss stepped. That's all." He lies and it's so painfully obvious with how he sways slightly.

Henry puts a hand on his shoulder, his face kind. "Why don't you sit for a moment? I can finish up here, alright?"

William must really be feeling ill, because he takes the offer and steps off of the stage. Henry watches as the man sits at a part table -the one closest to Springtrap. Then, the room goes back to work. The girls start playing again and Henry works to connect the costume to the endo.

Springtrap isn't watching them, though. He's watching William. His eyes are set on his back, making sure that he's vulnerable. Then, with a glance toward Henry, Springtrap begins to move.

He holds the knife tightly, the metal fused bone creaking with the pressure. He takes a step forward, then another. William doesn't hear him until he's already close enough. The man turns, his eyes half open and his movements slow. They don't even widen as they lock eyes and Springtrap pushes forward. He grabs William's head with one hand and cuts across his throat with the other, going deep enough to kill him instantly.

There's no remnant to bring him back and William goes still where he's fallen to the floor.

"Burn in...hell!" Springtrap snaps. He's done. The children are safe now. He's prevented every death.

"William!" Henry shouts and there's a blur of motion before Springtrap is pushed to the floor. There's pain and he can barely watch as Henry picks up his friend's body. He doesn't want to see the agony or her the mourning. It's for the best, he knows. Henry would agree with him if he knew what would've happened.

Henry's the one who doomed him to that hell in the first place. He would understand.

"Father!" There's another shout and Springtrap regrets not getting the children out first. What was he thinking? Everyone's going to see this and even if they hate their father, they'll still be horrified.

He remembers Michael's face back in Fazbear Frights. How he stared in horror at what's become of his father.

The room dissolves into chaos. People are screaming, running. Springtrap can't capture most of it. He just sees flashes of movement, sees people's legs going here and there. Then, something hits him hard and he lets out a shout. The springlocks tighten from the impact and there would be blood, if he had any left.

"How dare you!" Someone shouts above him. He looks just in time to see Michael hit him with the battered piñata stick. Springtrap's too slow to block it and he's hit in the head. Everything rattles and he chokes with the tightening sensation that slowly rips him further apart.

"No!" Charlie's voice comes up in the chaos but it's ignored.

"Michael, hand me that!" Henry's voice is closer and moments, later, Springtrap is hit again, but harder. He feels the sharp end and it's worse. Whatever weapon they found is cracking into his casing. Into the suit itself.

"What-"

"Get the girls out of here! Now!" Henry shouts, his eyes filled with tears as he looks down. They make eye contact. "We need to destroy it before it hurts anyone else."

"N-"

Henry swings an axe down and it lands right along Springtrap's neck. His body rattles and he can feel the bone snap. Another wing, and it cuts through metal as well. He's not going to survive this.

As Springtrap looks across the room, unable to do anything else in his own defense, he meets Michael's scared eyes. Out of all of his children, Michael deserves an apology most, he thinks. Not only did he send the boy to his death, he doomed Michael to the same life he's living now. The poor boy was rotted and discolored. Dead, but forced to stay alive because of his father's actions. He was forced to fight him in Fazbear Frights, and then in Henry's maze.

"Mi-kke." He can't get's the whole name out, not when Henry's cutting away at him. "I l-" Another hit and Springtrap chokes on the words. But he needs to get them out. He needs Michael to know that he's sorry. Not just for this, but for everything. For all of it.

Michael's eyes widen. He hears it, Springtrap knows he does. He just needs to finish.

Another hit and his arm is gone.

"I lo-ove you."

The last hit lands and Springtrap goes still. His head rolls away from the rest of the body, a corpse that will finally rot.

Now, he's free.

Did it hurt? Good. I'll give my full thoughts next chapter, which will be the last! It'll probably be a lot shorter, too.