Hey guys! Tora here. Just wanted to give a small view discretion warning as this chapter deals with grief, anger, internal struggles, and mentions of blood and slight violence.
I do not own Freddy Fazbear or any other Five Nights at Freddy's characters, only my own original characters. Now please enjoy!
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Inox stared at Iza in disbelief, shocked by what his friend said. "But, Iza."
Iza didn't return the look as she responded tiredly. "I won't go any further than the main stage," she muttered. "I just need some alone time, please."
Golden eyes scanned the disheveled girl before he sighed deeply. "Alright, but please be careful."
Iza gave a single nod, then exited the room and closed the door behind her; no one protested as the door clicked shut. Iza's hand remained on the knob for a moment before she released her grip and quietly walked away.
The low lighting in the hall was enough for Iza to see as she sluggishly trekked down the familiar path to the stage. Iza's footsteps were slow and rhythmic. Their echoes sounded through the corridor and extended throughout the deserted building; then, they became faster, growing quicker with each second.
Soon Iza sprinted through the corridors, her vision blinded by tears as she nearly ran into several walls. Hall after hall, Iza ran with her mind in turmoil.
Why wouldn't they tell her?
Hundreds of questions circulated about her head as Iza's thoughts ran rampant. Her body protested as Iza exerted total energy and ran at full speed.
Why did she push them?
After ten minutes, Iza reached the final hall, but her energy started to wane halfway through. Her sides began to cramp, but Iza paid no mind as she continued forward.
Why didn't she stop and listen to him?
The rancid smell of the performance area entered Iza's nostrils.
Why does everyone keep her in the dark?
Although her speed reduced significantly, Iza moved quickly into the garbage-filled room. She was about halfway there when a stabbing cramp stopped her midmovement. Iza cried out as she flew into a discarded toy and trash pile.
Why was she like this?
As she collided with the floor, sharp debris shredded her lower pant legs and bruised her arms. Iza released a torrent of wails as more tears streamed down her face. Tonight had been horrible, and now Iza lay face down and covered in trash. Although scratched up, Iza used her palms to push herself into a kneeling position and then pressed them to her face.
Why would no one answer her questions?
A long time passed. Iza's cries pierced the air as frustration, anger, and pain washed over her; eventually, Iza quieted to a few soft cries and sniffles. Finally, her hands fell, and Iza opened her bloodshot eyes.
What happened to her?
Iza leaned back on her legs and stared off into space. Everything felt like crap. Her body was stiff, her injuries felt raw, and her mind was scrambled; she wanted to feel numb. She wanted to feel any emotion other than this.
Why did she feel this way?
Iza's throat felt dry, the constant tears depleted what little water she had, yet they still fell. Her eyes moved lazily over the area while her mind stayed active.
Why didn't others trust her?
Iza hated being alone with her thoughts; she didn't want to face them.
Why were others so secretive?
However, the questions persisted; Iza's mood changed as they dominated her mind. Then she stopped, and her brow furrowed.
Why were they so reluctant to tell her?
More ideas overwhelmed her wants of silence as something slowly bubbled inside Iza.
What did she do to deserve this?
Iza's jaw clenched, and she balled her fists as her mind recounted the previous events.
Why did Freddy do that to her?
Frustrated eyes fell to the floor and landed on an empty can of soda. Mindlessly, Iza reached out and grabbed the discarded item; she held it up as she slowly rose to her feet.
Why did no one care to tell her?
Iza's hand shook more the longer she stared at the can.
Why was it always the same?
The negative feeling growing inside her burst as Iza screeched and launched the soda across the room. The dim light glinted off the metal exterior before landing several dozen feet away.
Why does no one tell her anything?
Iza's eyes snapped to the ground and spied many more cans. She reached for a second soda and threw it, then another, and another, and another; one after the other, Iza hurled anything within reach as she screamed in frustration.
Why did others make her feel this way?
Through the air objects flew before crashing to the ground. For a while, anything within a five-foot radius of Iza went flying as her anger grew.
Why does she feel this way?
Eventually, the whirlwind of trash ceased as Iza ran out of ammo; a wide circle surrounded her. Despite releasing so much emotion, Iza's mind rampaged on as she searched for more items.
Why was there so much anger?
Iza seethed as she looked; however, nothing was within reach. Iza was about to scream when her eyes landed on the fazwatch. She paused, then upon seeing the little gadget, Iza went apocalyptic. Iza went mad as she tore the watch from her wrist.
Why did she hate the sight of this object?
Her eyes narrowed at the fazwatch; this item was first a gift from Freddy to Gregory and now one of the last things Iza received from her late father.
Why did he give this to her?
Iza growled at the fazwatch. The longer she looked at the watch, the angrier she became; Iza clutched it tightly.
What was his reasoning?
She wanted to get rid of this thing, which served as a constant reminder of him.
How did this watch generate so much emotion?
Ire burned in her veins as Iza saw her fuzzy reflection on the dark screen.
Why did this insignificant watch bring her so much anger?
In her mind, Iza wanted to break the fazwatch. She wanted to destroy the last thing Gregory Fasben gave her.
Why did the fazwatch elicit so much fury?
She wanted to get rid of it, and she knew precisely how. Iza raised the watch above her head. She felt the rage-fueled strength building in her arm, ready to catapult it like the soda cans. Iza was prepared to release, then she heard a little beep.
Was this the root of her rage?
Iza froze and looked up to see the light-blue glow of the screen as it illuminated the dark surroundings. Although surprised, seeing the artificial light only deepened her anger.
Why was this rage painful?
Iza despised how she felt. She wanted to let it out; she wanted to release this horrible feeling.
What caused her so much pain?
Lowering the fazwatch with its glow gone, Iza gritted her teeth; each moment, the idea of breaking it seemed more appealing. It would be a perfect solution, break the item that filled her with hatred, and eliminate the problem at its source.
Was this even the reason for her pain?
Her eyes stared murderously at the fazwatch while her fists tightened their hold, ready to shatter the old relic.
Would doing so relieve her suffering?
She had to, needed to demolish the fazwatch, Iza thought; it would only take a second.
Why was she doing this?
Iza's grip constricted further; one squeeze, and it would break.
Why did Freddy give this to her dad?
Her fingers locked around it, the knuckles turning white.
Why didn't her dad say anything about Freddy and the others?
Iza's arms began to shake.
Why didn't her dad tell her about the family they all could have been?
Break it. Smash it. Decimate the fazwatch. It was the only desire Iza thought of at the moment. All the hatred could be gone, and the grief in her head would disappear once the source was gone. She just needed to crush the fazwatch.
Why did he keep this secret?
Iza tried.
Why?
And tried.
Why?
And tried.
Why?
Yet Iza couldn't bring herself to do it.
Why didn't he tell her?
Iza's teary eyes stared at the fazwatch nestled in her shaking grip.
What was his reason?
Looking at the fazwatch, her desire and anger began to crack, slowly fading until it morphed into something new.
Why did this feeling hurt her more?
She pressed her trembling hands to her forehead, and the flow of tears increased.
Why did he keep so many secrets?
Iza gritted her teeth.
Why did he never tell her about his past?
She sucked in a breath.
What secret was so bad that he had to take it to his grave?
Her legs wobbled.
Why did he send her here only after his death?
Iza fell to her knees.
Why couldn't he tell her when he was still around?
Why didn't he say anything when there was still time?
Why didn't Dad have more time?
Suddenly the memory of Gregory Fasben appeared in Iza's mind; upon seeing the mental image of her father, Iza gasped harshly. Then the tears came, her body shook, and cries erupted from her throat. "Why did you have to go?"
Water slid down her face, and her nose ran; Iza's hands slipped from her face to her lap as her body leaned forward and her hair grazed the floor. She clutched the fazwatch to her chest as she spoke aloud. "Why couldn't you have had more time?" she said quietly. "Why couldn't the cancer have stayed away?"
As tears dripped down her face, Iza slightly opened her eyes and stared into the darkness. Her mind and body felt exhausted. "Dad," she whispered. "Why am I like this?"
She pushed herself upright. "Why do I have so much anger?" Iza lowered her hands. "Why does the mention of your past trigger so much emotion?"
"And why—" Iza looked down and saw the fazwatch resting in her injured palms, its resemblance to Freddy catching her attention. "Why do I take it out on others?"
Staring at the fazwatch, Iza brushed her finger against the screen, her touch activating it again; the time and an image appeared. Surprised, Iza held the watch up.
Analyzing the photo, Iza realized it was taken in the west arcade ballroom and of the Glamrocks, Vanessa, and her father as a child. She was taken aback by how young her dad was; he didn't have many photos from before he was fourteen, so to see him this young was a rarity.
She looked at their expressions, so carefree and happy; it made her glad to know he had a happy childhood with them, but Iza wished she knew more about her dad. "Why did you keep so much hidden?" she said. "Especially if you were going to send me here?"
While looking, Iza grazed the screen again and caused it to change once more. The screen switched to a list of several applications; scrolling through it, Iza realized it was her dad's work logs, but something was different.
Instead of many entries, there were only three. Her eyes looked to the corner of the screen and saw the word important. Curious, Iza clicked the bottommost entry and read.
Log Date: June 1, 2034
Today was the first day on the job, and the new mechanical assistant (me) was given a fazwatch, despite the fact one was already in my possession.
I was instructed to write a work log at the end of each shift and avoid using words such as 'I' or 'me.' I am only doing it now to get started; hopefully, this becomes easier.
Aside from that, it's exciting to work with Freddy and the others. Especially now that school has ended for the summer, there will be more time to spend at the Pizzaplex.
The entry brought a smile to Iza's face. The little glimpse of her dad as a kid made her happy; she reread it several more times and chuckled before clicking on the second log.
Log Date: April 11, 2048
Today several employees reported an incident involving multiple STAFF bots. Upon investigation, a virus seems to have penetrated the company firewall. However, the IT department has developed new security protocols and will be tested by the week's end. For the time being, any known affected animatronics have been moved to an isolated storage area for further research.
On another note, the head mechanic will be away for two weeks on personal leave but, in an emergency, will be reachable via the work number posted in the employee directory.
Iza reread the log multiple times, trying to understand the report. "Virus?" she said curiously. Then she saw the date. 2048. "Must've been their honeymoon," she muttered.
At last, Iza opened the final log.
Log Date: January 13, 2050
There has been a security breach in the firewall, the subject identified as G has escaped containment and caused injury to a young child. Following this event, the head mechanic has implemented a strict new policy prohibiting any children of employees or patrons from entering the security area or maintenance tunnels under any circumstance.
The incident follows the development of the new security program designed to keep G contained. However, due to recent events, two crucial components from the program designated as P and S for short will be moved offsite and kept in a separate location by the head mechanic and prohibited from entering the Pizzaplex property.
Iza stared dumbfounded at the screen as she tried to process what she had just read. "Has this G thing been what's hunting us?" Chills went down her spine, and she glanced at her surroundings. Paranoia sprouted in her mind as she cautiously stood up. "I should get back to the others."
Then she looked back at the fazwatch and rubbed her neck. "And I need to apologize for the way I acted."
Iza groaned when dull pain shot through her arms and legs as she stood. When the aches subsided, she turned towards the exit but froze.
Iza quickly covered the glow of the fazwatch as she listened. Footsteps sounded from the direction she entered and slowly moved towards the stage. These steps were heavy, far heavier, and too spaced out to be Monty.
At first, Iza panicked but quickly calmed; the footsteps were familiar. If they couldn't be Monty, she reasoned, it had to be Freddy. Although something was off. These steps were slow and mechanical, like the gears were worn from disuse.
Despite the strangeness, Iza ignored the feeling, secured the fazwatch around her right wrist, and walked towards the sound. Halfway there, she called out. "Freddy?"
The walking ceased.
She got no reply as she continued forward. "Freddy, is that you? I wanted to say sorry," she said. "I'm sorry for what I said. I got angry and took it out on you; you all didn't deserve to be treated...like...that..."
Iza's voice trailed off, and the color drained from her face. "I appreciate your apology, Iza Fasben," a deep and raspy voice replied. "However, it won't do you any good."
Peering down at the petrified girl was a massive endoskeleton. It was the largest endo Iza had ever seen, far taller than the ones she previously encountered. Its size alone was enough to scare her, but what made Iza's stomach drop was the glowing violet optics staring directly at her.
Iza wanted to move, she wanted to run, but her body refused to listen. The endo stood several feet away and cackled. "You've put up quite the fight, Iza, but it's time this game ended!"
The endo lunged at Iza; it grabbed the loose fabric of her right sleeve and yanked her forward. Now Iza was directly beneath the crazed robot. She snapped back to reality and struggled, her body ignoring any injury as she fought to get free.
Her attempts amused the endo as it chuckled. "Fight all you want, but it's pointless."
The endo pulled on her sleeve again, except Iza didn't freeze this time. The second the endo tugged forward, Iza ducked down. She managed to worm her way out of the sweatshirt through sheer force before running backward and turning around.
With her sweatshirt gone, Iza was left in her black undershirt, which exposed her arms. The bandages Freddy recently wrapped hung loosely from her frame and revealed her badly bruised limbs.
The endo stared dumbfounded as it looked between the sweatshirt and Iza, yet it quickly snapped out of its confusion and released a mechanical growl. It tossed the clothing to the side before running at Iza.
Iza sprinted towards the stage in the opposite direction, but the endo quickly closed the distance. She peeked over her shoulder and saw the thing only a yard away. Iza screamed as she banked right and continued running.
The endo didn't react quickly, and it rammed into an abandoned photo booth. A sickening crunch was heard as debris flew upward and the structure collapsed.
Iza used the opportunity to escape as she ran further into the dim room. She ran up to the stage and then turned left, where she found a hiding spot next to a large pillar obscured by large mounds of trash.
She ducked into the hidden spot and slapped her hands over her mouth to hide her heavy breathing just as she heard the endo pulling itself from the wreckage.
Although it couldn't feel pain, the endo growled, agitated as sparks flew from its damaged body. Psychotic eyes scanned the surrounding area. "You'll pay for that, Fasben! You'll wish to join your father when I'm finished with you!"
It pulled itself upright and walked around in a frenzy, searching for any sign of Iza. While searching, the endo trashed anything in its path and yelled insults for several minutes; its tone changed. "This could be a lot simpler, Iza," it said calmly. "All I want is the fazwatch."
Immediately Iza's eyes shot open, and she looked at her wrist.
The endo grabbed a large table and flung it against the wall, the metal splintered like wood upon impact. "You know," it continued. "It's been so long since I've had an active audience; why don't we get to know each other?"
Iza ignored its taunts as she frantically pressed buttons on the fazwatch.
It grabbed an abandoned kiddy stroller nearby and tore it in half. "How about I start?"
Iza's breathing intensified as she scrolled through the apps.
"My life hasn't always been easy," it laughed. "In fact, this is not the first one I have experienced. I held many identities throughout my existence on Earth and have been around for many lifetimes."
It slammed the stroller against the wall. "Every life I led was different, but each was less pleasant than the last. However, the one thing that remained consistent was the game we play now. And while you may be a new player, I have been a participant far longer."
Iza ignored the endo and continued her search.
"This game began when I made the first move, and since then, each life has been a new round; each brought different rules and new players, but always the same outcome."
Its footsteps drew closer to the stage. "Every opponent I have faced has beaten me one way or another," the endo growled lowly. "Each time, I lose, yet the game moves to the next match."
Violet eyes pierced the darkness as they searched harder for Iza. "Every round, the cycle repeats itself, and I thought this round to be over, but I was wrong." Finally, it stopped and slowly looked around. "It had only begun; your father and the ones who protected him were only the first. Now I have a chance to break my chains and end this game."
Iza searched until she came across an app with the picture of a pixelated knife or sword; she tapped the icon, and the screen went black before a small green circle appeared. Without thinking, Iza pressed the shape, and it immediately disappeared.
A green lightning bolt zapped across the screen before everything went black. Iza tried to turn the fazwatch on, but it didn't work; her hopes started to slip.
"However, the fazwatch is the key to unlocking my prison!" It grew angry as the search dragged on. "You can help me, Iza; help me escape this hell and set me free. All you have to do is hand over the fazwatch and the sword."
Iza grew confused as she listened. Sword?
Her wonder didn't last long as Iza scooted further back and bumped into the pile behind her. The force caused an object to topple from the mound and loudly hit the floor.
Everything went silent. Iza internally panicked as the endo stopped talking.
Several moments passed before she heard its voice again. "This round is beatable, Iza Fasben," it said, its voice seemingly getting further away. "This time, the winning strategy is clear, and I will prevail."
The voice moved further away until finally, Iza quietly breathed out. Suddenly something grabbed her right forearm and violently yanked her from her hiding place. Searing pain shot through her arm as Iza was hoisted off the ground. Iza opened her eyes, coming face to face with the endo.
The bright violet glow illuminated Iza's face as she hung several feet above the floor. Her muscles strained against the force of her dangling body as the endo's massive clawed hand constricted half her forearm.
What water remained in her body left as tears when the pain intensified. Iza screamed in agony. "Let me go!"
The endo snickered. "I'm afraid that's not possible, Iza. I'm too close." Violet eyes trailed upward towards her exposed wrist. "In this round, I have been trapped by a program. However, now that the princess is dead, all I need is to destroy the sword and take the fazwatch."
Iza tried to grab the endo's extended arm with her other hand to relieve the strain on her right side, but her body lacked the strength. She looked at the endo. "Princess? Sword? Games?" Iza spat weakly. "What the hell are you going on about? Who are you?!"
"Aren't you friendly," it said sarcastically. "Your father was the first player in this round. He freed that backstabbing caretaker of his then created the program that cages me now!"
The second part caught her attention. "Caretaker?" Then her eyes widened. "Nana?!"
"Nana?" it said before howling with laughter. "That's what you call her? I prefer Vanny. Shame, she was quite the little henchman before she betrayed me, especially when she nearly finished your father."
Iza's blood ran cold. "What?"
The endo stared at the human before the sickening sound of grinding metal warped its mandible into a hellish smile. "So that tantrum of yours wasn't just an entertaining display, you really don't know."
"What are you talking about? What happened here? Who are you?!" Iza screeched.
The endo only laughed. "Oh, what hasn't happened here. If these walls could talk."
It turned its attention back to Iza. "Your 'family' should've explained it when they had the chance, yet all they did was make you angry."
"You leave them out of this! They have nothing to do with how I feel now!" Iza gritted through her teeth. "They are not what's causing or making me feel sorrow!"
"Yet you are still full of grief," the endo said. "They have the answers to all your questions, but they still keep it from you. Am I wrong?"
She opened her mouth to argue, but Iza couldn't reply, and she turned away.
"Tsk, tsk," the endo said. "I almost pity you. Fortunately, you won't need to worry about it anymore; the pain they've given you will never affect you again." It closed its eyes and laughed. Then its lids opened, just in time to see Iza's tanned fist colliding with its optic.
The endo's left eye shattered as a bit of blood trickled from Iza's left fist; she glared daggers at the robot. "Keep their names out of your filthy mouth and worry about yourself, you rejected sack of animatronic scrapshit!" Iza's voice dripped with venom as her body surged with new energy. "I was wrong to take it out on them, but they were never the source of my grief or anger!"
The artificial smile on its face warped into a snarl as it peered at Iza. More sparks joined its already damaged body as the left optic dimmed and specks of Iza's blood coated the shattered glass.
The hold around Iza's arm tightened, and she yelled in pain while the already strained muscles became excruciating. The endo moved Iza directly in front of its eye, barely half a foot between them. "Listen well, Fasben." It slowly constricted its grip. "I have played this game too long and fought far too many to be stopped now."
Its claws began to break the skin. "Decades, I have been forced to exist in hell, and now my freedom is in sight!" Its voice twisted into sadistic happiness. "However, I am a good sport. While you're the first to lose to me, Iza Fasben, you are one of the worthiest opponents I ever faced. Second only to another."
Iza bit her tongue to muffle a scream. "As such, I will award you a quick but agonizing death."
Through ragged breaths, Iza growled. "What the alternative, asshole?"
The disgusting smile returned as it released all its strength on Iza. "The same thing that happened to me."
She shrieked as the severe pain became unbearable. Finally, she felt her bones strain, and something warm slowly slipped down her skin. "Say hello to your father and the others for me!"
The pain began to overwhelm Iza, her vision grew hazy, and the roaring in her ears was deafening. Soon the edges of her eyes began to darken, then when nearly everything was black, the grip on her arm loosened.
Iza fell to the floor, and although her vision remained blurry, the dark tunnel vision retracted. Through hazy eyes, Iza saw flashes of orange attacking the purple-eyed endo, but something silver blocked her view.
As her world grew to black, the last thing she saw was two golden lights.