See, she should have expected something unexpectable, she should have been used to crazy shit by now. Turns out they still managed to surprise her. When exploring with Gregory they had found strange unfinished construction under Roxy's Raceway, and Lacie knew what she was looking for was most likely there. They found a lift, in a severely bad state, but after a quick check of the cables she could see upwards, she wouldn't have much trouble climbing back from them if need be. As long as they didn't section too far off the ground that way. Gregory was also adamant to go down despite Freddy's concern, she loved this kid's guts but she was worried for him sometimes. She clasped her lamp torch and axe to her side and got in the lift with them; the distorted elevator music that should have been the Pizzaplex's main theme was just another sign of how fucked their situation was.

They safely arrived on ground, or rather underground; she wondered how they had managed to build an elevator in the middle of the rock. No rather, she knew exactly that this elevator wasn't the first one to be there, it was a replacement. Seeing how this was their only mean of getting away, she asked Gregory to help her, and took him on her shoulders so he could unscrew the grid on the roof of the lift. A quick glance at Freddy told her he couldn't fit through it as it was, but she brushed it off; they could always use Monty's claws to pry him out as well. The grid clattered on the ground and Gregory jumped off as well, running out of the lift. His robot friend was following close behind, but Lacie preferred staying close ither way, she couldn't allow them to get hurt.

As if it was a game, the kid was turning on every generator that they could find on the way down, not even knowing what they would power up. She hoped it wouldn't be anything too bad for them. Lacie started coughing as she went through some steam, this wasn't a good thing to have in such a closed-up space. When she managed to calm herself down, she looked up. At the same time Gregory was letting out a "wow" of awe, her eyes widened and her jaw clenched so hard she almost hurt herself. She would recognize the welcome sign anywhere, it was the last pizzeria she and Michael had investigated, the very place she was looking for. She knew it was somewhere around the Pizzaplex, but she had never imagined it would be right under it. The lift felt weird, because it was the one she and her friend had taken years ago.

She was shaken off her thoughts as Freddy put his metallic paw against her shoulder

"Are you alright?"

"I'm good. Juts didn't think I'd find this place again"

"You know this place?"

The woman stayed silent, drilling holes into the still light up placard. That was so unfair.

She went for the child, still waiting at the entrance for them. Giving him a small pat on the head she pushed the double red doors open and headed in. The place was trashed, but not burnt like it should have been. She scoffed a bit when she recognized a few things she and Michael had put together during the day time job, some of the decorations were still half hanging. That was so unfair. She spotted a recharge station in the corner, was it there before? Whatever, really, it could have been put there by the staff that came down to investigate, and that would explain why electricity was still running. Another thing that wasn't there last time: the giant pit right in the middle. Gregory was already peeking in so she hurried er business. To her surprise all the doors were firmly shut, impossible to open any single one of them. That wasn't normal, but she didn't have time to wonder more that she noticed Freddy going down.

She groaned and sprinted to jump right after them, she couldn't let them out of sight for a second or they would get into trouble.

"I know what this is. I have been here before. She brought me here. I found myself for the first time when I cleared the path. I did not want to, but I had no choice. Now I have a choice. I have changed. My friends are here. They are so angry...confused...but I can protect you. I am not me."

She shuddered when she heard Freddy speak. That wasn't his usual tone, he sounded angry, determined. Juts like Gregory, she chose to stay quiet, but she could try and piece things together. It couldn't be Gabriel, the boy had been freed years ago by now, so who else. Who else could have been trapped down there and possess and random animatronic only for it to be Freddy? Who...?

Before she could really think it through, the ground gave out under them; and she swore she saw the mass of black cables and unidentified matter move to look toward them. Then she crashed hardly on the floor.

Everything went black for a second, before her vision filled with white dots sparkling everywhere. She hadn't felt pain like that since her ear had to be removed; and she was sure it wasn't worse partly to the vest she wore under her uniform absorbing most of the choc. Before she knew it Gregory was there, helping her up to her knees. She winced but she seemed to be overall in one piece.

"Are you okay? You crashed down so hard I..."

"I'm fine kid, I don't think I even have a single broken rib." She smiled and ruffled his hair. "I'm very sturdy, don't worry. You good?"

"Yes, I was inside Freddy so..."

She just nodded, happy to know he wasn't injured. If a single other kid under her wing had gotten the smallest injury, she would have never forgiven herself. Just as she was about to take in the layout of the room they were in, Freddy started screaming.

"What's wrong ??" Gregory panicked

"He's trying to take control... I can't fight him off too long!"

"He? WHAT IS THAT THING"

Gregory was in a full panic, but all Lacie could do was stare at the screen in front of her as she held her torso, breath still short. A bunny animatronic. So tattered down she could barely make out its features. But there could only be one of these here. Gregory suddenly slammed his hand on a button next to them, flames quickly appearing on the monitor. For a moment Freddy seemed to calm down, but the rabbit seemed still very much alive, barely bothered by the fire.

She had to make a choice. Because now was the last time. Lacie took a deep breath in, closed her eyes for a second, only to open them with more determination than ever. She had to protect Gregory right now. She bent down next to him, he was terrified and shaking. She put her hand on his shoulder, making him look at her.

"As long as he's here, there'll be trouble. I need to go take him down. Can you stay there and protect yourself with Freddy?"

He looked at her like she was absolutely insane for a second, before gulping and nodding, eyebrows frowned. He was still very much scared, but it wasn't his first fright of the night. She almost got back on her feet but hesitated for a second before gently kissing his forehead

"I'll be as quick as possible. Just hang on and we'll get out of there. All three of us."

She didn't wait for his answer, leaving the central room to go down one of the corridors. Just as she was about to stop at the door, it opened to let Chica through. Although she hated to do that, she grabbed at ger and threw her out before the door closed between them. Gregory had his flashing toy; he could stop her easily. She thought of Susie, of all the kids for that matter. Tonight, she ended all of it, for the better or the worse.

The last door was just as worn down as the rest of the pizzeria, but it still took a weight on her shoulder as she barged in, throwing it almost on the floor. And there he was. The lighting was terrible, but she still saw enough. A tattered bunny suit, that had to have been a bright golden color once before, decades ago at this point. The endo skeleton was apparent, pieces of rotting flesh fused wit what was left of the external shell. A jaw fused with the helmet, very much in sight. Aside from the flesh, who could barely be considered as such anymore with how mangled and twisted it was, the only human thing she could see, were the bright purple eyes now looking at her. Eyes too similar to hers.

"It's been a while dad."

The way he looked at her made her shiver, there was something about him that was so unnatural and viscerally wrong, even her could feel it. He seems to decide and ignore her, putting his hand back on the monitor. She heard Freddy screaming again. She had to act quick.

Grabbing her axe, she ran at him and swung, throwing his arm off the tv. She didn't want to break him further, she just needed to keep him away from controlling Freddy. She gritted her teeth. Not hurt him? And how was she supposed to stop him without destroying him entirely, he had been so resilient, survived two fires, death itself. He had been through so much but he was still here. She didn't want to be the one ending him, not like this.

He charged at her, an inhuman scream resonating in the small room. Without much thinking she slashed at his shoulder and kicked him in the chest, sending him barreling against the recharge station in the corner. He spasmed on the floor, clearly still functioning, but struggling; she had managed to somewhat dislocate his left shoulder.

Lacie felt something, like a weight that had become too heavy for her to carry anymore. Her mouth opened, and she started to speak, words coming out endlessly in an uneven flow.

"You know, I worked so hard. I got two degrees, engineering and robotics, I even studied business even if I didn't get a diploma for that one. I rebuilt the company, it's not that big yet but we're getting better, we're slowly becoming important on the market again; I couldn't let what you build go to waste could I...? I helped fix your mess, I... I managed to create bodies for the souls of the kids, still not sure how I did that, but I wanted to make one for you too. I looked for you, for 20 years I searched for you, all the time, everywhere. I went through every single place I thought you could have been at, even the old sister location one, can you believe? I just wanted to be with you again, I knew it wasn't you that did all this, I know there's something more to this. Michael was there too, he helped me sneak in the pizzerias, he was looking for you too, but not for the same reasons... I guess we can expect what Henry's side would want to get you for huh.... But now he's missing too, I don't know where he is, he should have been there, I should have found him too. I just...wanted to go home with you, I wanted everything to be back to normal. But that was just selfish wasn't it. I missed my chance in the old one, should have let Michael burn the place down for good, shouldn't I? Because now, it's getting worse, other people are getting involved in this stupid business, kids are disappearing again, what even is Vanny, things are getting out of hand, because of you! I lied to myself thinking you still were my father, the dad I loved so dearly as a kid!! But you're not him anymore, are you? Now you're really the terrible killer everyone was so adamant about, aren't you?! Do you know how hard it was? Having to live being told I was the child of a monster, when I KNEW that wasn't the case, when I SCREAMED about your innocence!! No one ever believed me, and now I should face it, right?! THEY WERE RIGHT, WEREN'T THEY!!!"

William had stood up again, but he was looking right at her, not animosity apparent. She stood her ground, whipping tears off her eyes with the back of her left hand, her grip on the axe had become looser. He took a step or two toward her, but she put herself in front of the monitor; despite her little fit, she hadn't forgotten what she was there for. He kept waling toward her, limping, had she also injured his legs? She was ready to strike again if needed, but all fighting spirit left when she heard one word out of his mouth, as a hand reached forward

"Lacie..."

Hearing her name was too much. It wasn't his voice anymore; it was so broken she could have never guessed if she didn't know it was him. She almost took a step away from the tv, but a sharp pain flooded her upper abdomen. She felt blood poor into her mouth, it felt like a million needles were piercing her flesh. He had stabbed her with his claws, straight between the ribs.

"Don't get. In. my. Way."

So that's how it was. That was how it ended. Very well then.

She grabbed at his only able arm with her left hand, the old tattered metal folding under the ridiculous strength of her fist.

"Sorry dad. I'm stupidly stubborn. Think I got that from you."

She brought the axe between them, her grip almost splintering the wooden handle, and she swung.

As the metallic body hit the floor, so did the head, banging against the tiles a little bit behind. With a grunt she dislodged the claws off herself, putting pressure with her own hand instead. Her jacket was already wet with blood, this wasn't good. She looked at the monitor, she could see Gregory and Freddy, still there, looking at their own screen. She waved, catching her breath. Looking around she found some pipes, and used what was left of her strength to rip one open. Thankfully gas started coming out. Before heading out, she gave one last glance at what should have been her father.

"You know, I really wanted to go home with you..."

She walked as fast as she could, out into the corridors and into the main room. Gregory looked so relieved she almost smiled

"See, we handled it well champ."

She ruffled his hair and looked at Freddy

"The place is going to be very unsteady, you guys run up into the pizzeria, I'll follow you, don't worry."

The bear nodded, it seemed like he knew, somehow, that something else had happened. Gregory on the other hand was about to protest, but Freddy took him and started to climb. Lacie waited for them to be out of sight before letting herself down on her knees; the pain was getting worse.

"Thank god for that stupid padding vest huh, would have probably got a lung ripped open otherwise..."

She waited a moment, catching her breath, until she started smelling the gas. She groaned and got to her feet. Now it was time to finish it. Whether she made it to the top or not, she hoped the kid managed to escape. With Michael.

She pressed the button next to the monitors, and without looking back, sprinted and started to frantically climbing through the opening. She felt her wound rip open even more and bit her lips so hard under the effort more blood poured into her mouth. But she made it out. Climbing the construction was easier but still hurt. She couldn't see the other two, so she walked fast to the elevator; if she ran, she would just spill her guts. She heard the explosions under her, ground shaking so violently it almost made her stumble. She could see the doors, just a bit more effort...

But then everything turned black and she felt herself falling. She had no strength left, blood was just gushing out at this point, and it was hard to breath. She should have fought to get out, but in a way, it was better to stay here. Searching for William had been her only motivation for all those years, nothing else awaited her out there now that she had gotten rid of him. The kids would be adopted without doubts, the company would struggle a bit but they would manage. She really didn't need to worry. It would all be fine.

Even though she already couldn't see anything anymore, she closed her eyes. Maybe she was not that sturdy after all.

She hadn't expected to open her eyes ever again, and not in a hospital. Her whole body felt in pain and she wondered if moving was going to be worth it. She didn't have to too much, she could see brown hair right next to her face, and considering the blue polo she could see, it was Gregory. He seemed to be sleeping soundly, and she didn't want to wake him up, poor thing must have been exhausted. It was bright outside, probably around noon. She noticed she had an IV plucked into her arm, and a blood pocket hanging next to the bed. Seems like she must have lost quite the amount because it was not as full as it should have been.

Lacie had so many questions right now, the first one being how did she even escape the Pizzaplex. But it could wait, she'd ask Gregory when he'd wake up. She felt fine, she could probably get discharged from the hospital quickly enough. Then she'd go home, reassure the kids, probably adopt Gregory properly, she couldn't leave him in the streets could she.

It would be hard now; she didn't have much to look forward to anymore. Her little detective work was over, she had lost Michael and supposedly stopped William for good. She felt Gregory gently move next to her and smiled a bit. She remembered Vanny, and about this weird thing called Glitchtrap she had heard about from Michael. She let her head rest against the kid's.

Maybe she wasn't so done after all. She just needed more rest right now. She deserved it.