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Michael leaned his head back in the seat. This was it.
The job he was working in was going to burn. He knew was going to die. He didn't mind however. Not at all. It's been almost 30 years since the death of all the people he loved. His siblings killed by monsters made by his Father. Charlie killed in cold blood. His mother and Charlie's missing. His best friends gone.
The Missing Children never getting avenged for anything.
Henry had addressed him in the message, like he expected him to be the one to take the job. To Lure these monsters made by The Devil himself to their doom. It was almost humorous. It was too good to be true. It really was. No wonder he was smiling. Smiling as the heat of the fire started to engulf everything. The memory of everything tragic; Murders, Blood, Screams and Endings unneeded. Michael knew Henry was crazy. He always knew.
''You and your tricks.'' Michael said, removing the mask that covered his face, rotting skin reflecting in the screen of his monitor. He didn't recognize who he was anymore. He wasn't Michalis Andrews Afton. He was a mess, a monster. Just like his father. The mirror never lied they said. And How those words rang true. He just kept the smile. Looking at himself like he became the very man he's hated forever. He knew he was bound to get someone to recognize him as such. Recognize him as a killer. Because he was..
His little brother, bleeding in his arms as he screamed in agony at what he had done. A Harmless prank he didn't think through. How stupid. How so.
He chuckled a bit, looking towards the ceiling. The fire was rising, as the screams of the animatronics filled the building. Soon, very soon everything was going to collapse. And everything was going to be forgotten forever. No more Pain. No more suffering.
No more Aftons.
He closed his eyes. The feeling of pride swelling in his chest, hotter than the fires to soon feast on what remains of him. He didn't stop smiling. He couldn't. He'll be dead soon. Soon enough.
-
Michael felt something tug at the hem of his shirt. He sat up, blinking. He must've been out for a bit. The room was engulfed, orange, yellow and scorching reds filled every corner. He looked down, and his heart leapt. Elizabeth and Chris. Looking up at him. Chris held his plush while Elizabeth was bouncing on her feet, like she was eager to say something to him. ''Hey kiddos.'' He said, getting from his chair and kneeling before them. He raised his hands-- and to his surprise--the flesh was intact. Pale like he was teen all over again. He lowered his hands to his siblings head, rubbing them. He was so happy to see them, even if the whole building was collapsing around them.
''Mama said it's time to go!'' Elizabeth said, tugging Chris' sleeve as she pointed to the back of the room. ''Mama? But She's been dad for--'' Michael looked up, and his words dried in his throat. His mother stood at the door to the office. She didn't look dead, in fact, she was the most alive Michael had seen her in decades. Michael stood up, and hastily rushed to her. Elenora opened her arms as Michael crashed into her. Tears stung his vision as he held her as close as he could. ''I'm here, I'm here.'' Elenora said, slowly brushing Michael's head to calm him. It felt so real. So, So real.
Michael looked up at her, then down to his siblings. The room no longer felt on fire. He knew the building was still burning like hellfire, but he didn't care. He bent down, and embraced his siblings. ''I was such an asshole to you two. I-- I don't deserve you.'' He said. The two were silent, but Chris hugged him either way. Elizabeth started crying a bit, arms around Michael's neck the best a 6 year old could do. Michael's smile returned as Elizabeth was picked up into Elenora's arms. Michael stood up, taking Chris' hand as the doors opened to the hall.
A bright light was past the doors, and Michael had to squint his eyes when the doors opened. But once they adjusted, he saw so many familiar faces. Henry, Andrea, The missing kids, and his old friends. Marcus seemingly was the first to notice him, and rushed down the hall towards him. He swallowed Michael in a hug, almost knocking him over. ''Michalis!'' he shouted with glee in his tone. Michael laughed as he stumbled into the wall. Marcus stepped back and smiled from ear to ear. Michael's heart was racing. ''Marcus!'' he replied, grabbing Marcus' face with his hands and placing their foreheads together. The boys laughed, something Michael missed about the boy he loved so much. Oscar and Carlos marched up to them, Carlos slinging his arm over Michael's shoulder as Oscar pulled the two under his arms into some weird hug. Michael swore he was about to cry.
''C'mon, we don't have all night.'' A voice called out. Michael looked down to see Cassidy looking at them. She didn't seem so-- angry. Chris stood by her side, hand in hers'. ''Yeah yeah. C'mon you two.'' Michael said, dislodging himself from Carlos and Oscar as the boys rushed back to the group ahead. Chris turned around and ran after the boys with Cassidy in tow. Marcus stood behind with Michael, hand in his. ''You left this behind at mine a few years ago.''
''Hmm?'' Michael looked to see his old Foxy Mask. ''Oh-- holy crap.'' He looked at Marcus with wide eyes, but furrowed eyes. ''I think it suits you better than a cap.'' Marcus said. Michael looked back at the mask, then handed it back to Marcus, ''I can't-- I don't-''
''Then don't. I just remembered it, and thought you'd want to give it one last goodbye.'' Marcus said, taking the mask back. ''But in case you do want it again, I have it.'' Michael exhaled softly and nodded. Something falls back in the office. Michael turns to see the floor has collapsed. A Rift to Hell. Fit for the Devil to hall into.
''Let's go.'' Marcus said, taking Michael's hand and walking forward.
Michael took a step forward, but something grabbed his foot. He looked down, to see gnarly and burnt hand on his ankle. ''Michael!'' A disgruntled voice calls out. A body is able to pull itself from the fallen floor, and Michael feel his stomach sink. Scraptrap-- No-- William was looking at him. Right into the soul.
''You aren't leaving me.'' He says, he tugs on Michael's leg and causes him to fall. Michael yells as William starts to pull on him. Marcus falls with him and barely is able to process what was happening before Michael grabs his Other hand. ''Help!'' Marcus starts tugging on Michael's arms as he and William try to bring him to hell with him. ''You're going nowhere Michael! if I'm going.. You're coming with me.''
Michael kicked at William's head, trying to knock him down a peg. Fires from below the building were rising, and they were rising fast. William's grip was only getting stronger it seemed, as Michael slipped from Marcus' grip and was dragged further into the collapsed floor. And the others must've caught on, because Henry, Elenora and Andrea were grabbing a hold Michael to get him back up. Michael tried again with the kicking at William's head. His grip loosened around Michael's ankle and gave the four a chance to pull Michael up and away from William. But William was stubborn. Michael got to his feet, quickly grabbing Marcus' hand and darting for the light at the end of the tunnel.
''Get back here!'' Michael turned back-- and bad idea. William was now fully crawling his way out of the hole. He was coming right for them. He left Marcus' hand go. He hated doing that, but he quickly shoved him right for Oscar and Carlos. The trio stumbled towards The missing kids, who could only watch in horror. Michael stumbled back, watching William try everything to catch up. He was slower now, and slower was better. He turned back to see his mother and Andrea grabbing Chris and Elizabeth as they passed through the light, embracing the after life. The doors to the end were closing on both sides. ''Michael!'' Marcus shouts, looking out towards his friend. Michael kept slowly walking backwards, eyes locked back on his father.
''You're coming with me, You're going to hell with me boy.'' William's ragged voice rang through the darkening hall. Marcus tried to rush after Michael, but was stopped by Carlos and Henry as they stepped into the light. ''You're coming to hell-- You don't get a say. You and that brat Charlotte.'' Michael quickly turned around, seeing Charlie still standing by the doors that lead to freedom. She was just looking at him.
There wasn't going to be much time for him and her to get through the narrow doors before William finally caught up. But he knew he had to do something. He rushed towards Charlie, and picked her up into his arms. ''This is my mess. I need to end this.'' He says, hugging the little girl. Charlie could only blink, staring right at William as he limped closer and closer.. ''Don't leave..'' She said solemnly, eyes watering. Michael gave her one last big brother hug, before he handed her towards Andrea's arms through the door. ''Mike!'' Charlie reached out for him, eyes wide and glossing over. Michael could only wave slowly as she faded into the light.
The door wasn't fully closed, but the floor beneath William was collapsing and it was doing so quickly. Soon enough, either one or both of them would burn in the inferno of hell and torment forever. ''Michalis.. Come to your father.'' Michael flinched at the words. He didn't want too, but he had to do something. He turned his back to the fading light. He glared his father down, eyes narrowing.
He was just a teen when the problems began, and soon the ending would happen in his final form in death. He stomped towards William, who could only laugh as Michael's fist clenched. ''You pathetic boy. You really must want to atone for everything you've done? Then burn with me-''
Michael's fist collided with William's face, and the killer stumbled on his feet. The weakened floor from the fire started cracking. Michael swung another fist and connected with William's chest. William yelped in pain as Michael stepped back so he had nothing to grab. And then he fell. He fell far into the fire. The floor swallowed the man as he tried to reach out. The fires had consumed the Last of William Afton, a terrible father and an even worse killer.
Michael huffed as the floor seamlessly fused itself back together as the cries of the Killer faded into the depths below. Michael turned around, and saw there really wasn't much left for him now. Can he reach the door, as there was just barely a sliver before it was closed and he was stuck in the restaurant forever. He inhaled, closed his eyes, and bolted. He put all power to his legs, rushing as far as he could-- reaching for the door. The sliver closing by the second. He had no time.. And yet... he had it all.
He reached out, the door almost fully closed, and the light fading.
''Take me home.. I beg..''
Then the door opened..
Michael fell forward, landing on his side with a loud 'Oof!' He huffed as the doors behind him slammed shut. He was dizzy and exhausted. Today was the worst day ever, and he wanted a nap. He also wanted to cry. It was all over.
He was grabbed under the arms and dragged into a hug. He wrapped his arms around Marcus, who was shouting at him, ''You stupid moron!'' He said, eyes watering despite his smile. Michael could only let out an exhausted chuckle. ''I'm sorry.. but he's gone. For good..'' Michael's voice was raspy. Maybe it was inhaling all the damn smoke. Maybe it was something else. Marcus just held him close as they laid on the grass, pure light surrounding them in bliss. ''I missed you-- you idiot.''
''I was gone for 3 minutes.'' Michael retorts in a mocking manner-- but the realization caught up as he shook his head, and them let it droop off Marcus' shoulder. ''And I missed you more. I was pissed when They found you body--'' Michael exhaled and stopped talking. He slowly pushed himself up and looked at Marcus. Despite nearly 20 years having passed since William killed him, Marcus didn't look a day older from their teenage years. Michael missed him so much.
''Michael!'' Two voices rang out and towards the duo. Michael looked over Marcus' shoulder to see his sibling running towards them. Michael scrambled to get up and caught up to brother and sister. He scooped them into his arms, holding onto them closely before he toppled over into the grass. Marcus rushed to their side, looking at the trio as they laughed, ''Careful!'' he said, as Michael sat up, still holding onto the duo. From the light in the distance, came everyone else. Oscar and Marcus came rushing over, falling next to Michael and Marcus.
Andrea and Henry walked together where as Elenora walked with the missing children. Cassidy looked at the group, and not frowning at them. For once she smiled seeing Michael laughing. She grabbed Gabriel's hand and dragged him towards the laughter. Susie took Jeremy and Fritz's hands. The kids all ran to join the laughter now being free for the first time in forever. Andrea leaned her head onto Henry's shoulder, looking down at the tried Charlie. ''We won.'' She said, patting her child's back.
Henry nodded as he head leaned on his wife's. Elenora glanced at the two, smiling softly. Despite her wanting to love William, she couldn't after everything. He wasn't the William she knew from College. She only saw a monster, and was forever grateful they separated after everything. She was free from him and no longer needed to worry about his sins crawling after her. It was a breath of fresh air she never knew she needed.
And with all coming to an end, The afterlife and it's light welcomed lost souls with Open arms.
It's all everyone of William's victims could've ever wanted. Freedom at long, long last.