Within the realm of Five Nights at Freddy’s, a plethora of antagonists emerge, yet one individual consistently emerges as the catalyst for all the chaos and terror within the franchise - William Afton. Despite assuming various forms throughout the series, his presence remains constant, as epitomized by his ominous mantra, "I always come back."
Debates among fans question whether William was inherently monstrous or if the tragic events in his life propelled him towards madness. However, unequivocally, by the time of the games, he stands as a merciless murderer, securing his rank as the most nefarious and hazardous antagonist in the series.
8 Disregarded His Offspring
Afton's Indifference to His Progeny
Prior to his descent into murder, William led the life of a family man with three children, as depicted in Five Nights At Freddy's 4 and Five Nights At Freddy's: Sister Location. Nevertheless, in-game mini-games reveal William's lack of concern for his offspring.
In Five Nights At Freddy's 4, players witness the conflict between William's younger son and elder brother, with the latter tormenting the former relentlessly. William, when glimpsed in the game, appears indifferent to his distraught son. Similarly, in Sister Location, his inattentiveness leads to his daughter's tragic encounter with Circus Baby, resulting in her demise.
7 Ruined Henry Emily's Existence
A Vengeful Vendetta Against His Former Ally
Initially close friends, William Afton and Henry Emily shared a passion for animatronics and entertaining children when they launched their first restaurant. However, a personal rift or Afton's spiraling madness led him to resent his former comrade, attributing his own misfortunes to Henry.
Since then, William's unfounded animosity towards Henry led him to snatch away his friend's child and business, plunging Henry into despair and prompting drastic actions, culminating in Henry's willingness to sacrifice himself in the Pizzeria Simulator.
6 Terrorized His Own Offspring
William's Pursuit of Mike
The reasons behind William's animosity towards Mike remain unclear - stemming from either Mike's accidental harm to his younger sibling or his defiance against his murderous father. Regardless, a sinister conflict unfolds between father and son across multiple entries in the Five Nights At Freddy's series, escalating to a deadly showdown as William ruthlessly targets his own kin.
This familial feud unfolds in Five Nights At Freddy's 3 and Pizzeria Simulator, where William, embodying the main antagonist Springtrap, relentlessly hunts Mike. As an adversary to Mike and, consequently, the player, this conflict reaches a chilling crescendo throughout the game.
5 Became a Host for a Malicious Program
William's Transformation into an Indestructible Entity
Despite the sacrifices made by Henry and Mike to halt William's reign of terror and end his blood-drenched legacy, they failed to eradicate him entirely, as evidenced in Help Wanted. The game introduces a malevolent virus, Glitchtrap, gradually corrupting players' experiences and eventually seizing control of their minds.
A prevalent theory suggests that Glitchtrap, through its form and conduct, embodies a reincarnation of William's spirit, managing to evade the purgatory imposed by a vengeful entity. Even in incorporeal form, William inflicts chaos and devastation, inflicting anguish upon others.
4 Experimented With Remnant
His Quest for Immortality Through Unethical Means
Initially motivated by jealousy or a thirst for vengeance, William's fixation on defying death and attaining unparalleled power led him to delve into animatronic bodies and remnants - enigmatic sources of energy sculpted by thoughts and emotions.
These remnants, most potent during moments of excruciating agony preceding death, became tools for William to lure unsuspecting children into his snares, mercilessly ending their lives to harvest more remnants. This callous exploitation underscores William's ruthless and self-serving nature.
3 Commenced His Killing Spree With Charlie
The Genesis of William's Homicidal Journey
Believed to be William's inaugural murder, the killing of Charlie Emily, his friend's daughter, transpired devoid of remnant-related knowledge, driven solely by malice and a thirst for retribution. This heinous act marked the inception of William's infamous spree, staining his legacy.
The callous execution of the murder, where Charlie was lured outside the restaurant and swiftly dispatched by William, epitomized his brutality, culminating in the disposal of her remains amidst the refuse.
2 Engineered Funtime Animatronics:
Architect of Controlled Malevolence
William's catalogue of atrocities extends beyond direct perpetration, often employing animatronics as instruments of his malevolence. Not only did he reprogram existing animatronics, but he also crafted a specialized line of machines - the Funtime Animatronics - designed for ensnaring children.
Originally intended for private gatherings, these machines featured diversionary mechanisms and claws capable of swiftly abducting children, exemplified by the tragic fate of Elizabeth Afton. The victims of these abductions became subjects for William's further macabre experiments.
1 The Infamous Missing Children Incident
Systematic Slaughter of Innocents
William's most notorious transgression, recurring across all timelines - be it games, novels, or films - remains the missing children incident. Utilizing the Spring Bonnie costume as bait, he lured five children into a secluded room where he callously executed them, concealing their remains within animatronics to mask their disappearance.
This abhorrent act not only snuffed out the lives of five innocents but also condemned their spirits to eternal unrest, tethered to their animatronic vessels, doomed to wander the pizzeria in a perpetual state of captivity.