CHAPTER FIFTY: THE SEVEN BELLS

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Ben was shirtless as he was laying on the pool ball table while Klaus was laying under it, without pants on.

Ben let out a sigh as he began to wake up "God, my head..." he said and Klaus started groggily "Not so loud" he said "Klaus? Klaus? Klaus, where are you?" Ben asked as he was looking around worried "I'm here, I'm here. Don't panic. Nobody should panic" Klaus said and Ben looked at him before he exhales sharply as he got up while Klaus groaned as he got up.

"Do you--" "No. Not a thing" Klaus said, cutting Ben off as he started laughing "Same" Ben said and Klaus chuckled "Yeah, that was some night" he said and they both chuckled.

"Woo" Klaus said "It was. It was" Ben said with a smile "See? I knew you had a little of the ol' Ben in ya. Now you can stop with all the sulking and the brooding" Klaus said "I don't brood" Ben said "Ben-er-ino" Klaus said "Don't call me that" Ben said "We were making so much progress" Klaus said "With what?" Ben asked "With your Mr. Tough Guy routine. Last night! I remember! You opened your kimono to me, remember?" Klaus said as he opened up his shirt "And you showed me who you really are inside. All those bottled-up emotions" he said as he stepped closer to him "I was drunk" Ben said "You're a good person, Ben, but you're trying really, really heard to be a bad one" Klaus said "I hate you" Ben said aggressive "No, you don't" Klaus said "I do. I do. I really do" Ben said "No, no!" Klaus said as Ben turned around and you could see that the world 'ASSHOLE' was written on Ben's back.

"Ah, classic defense mechanism. Pushing away the people who care about you the most. Just like Dad" Klaus said which made Ben stop in his track before he grabbed his other shoe and turned around "You know, it wouldn't hurt to try to get know him just a little bit better. You'd be surprised how much love he has to give. And also, he's got this whole pan to save the universe" Klaus said as Ben put his shoes back on.

"Done! One and done!" Klaus said with a clap and Ben started walking away "Come on! Ben-eri--" Klaus said and Ben give him the finger as he walked away "Kimono open, baby" Klaus said.

---

Lara woke up to her morning sickness "Shit" she said before she rushed towards the bathroom, throwing up in the toilet.

"Damn morning sickness" she said when she was done before she got up and walked back into the bedroom.

She saw that Five was gone, so she figure that he must have left in the middle of the night after their wild round.

It was a hard and wild round, so Lara could feel that her body was a little sore.

Then it knock on the door and she walked over before she opened it to see Reginald on the other side.

"Good Morning" he said "What do you want?" she asked "I want to discuss something with you if I may" Reginald said "About what?" she asked "I have a plan in saving all of this" he said "A plan?" she asked and he nodded "What plan?" she asked "There is a chance to stop all of this" he said "What do you mean?" she asked "I'm calling a family meeting and I would appreciate it if you and your sons  would come hear what I have to say" he said "What's the meeting about?" she asked "I've been thinking of plan to save the world, it's more of a reboot actually" he said.

"Reboot? Like to rest all of this and start fresh?" she asked "Exactly, like that" he said and she looked down "Come, don't you think your sons and the child you are carrying deserve to at least heard what I have to say" he said and she looked back at him "Don't you think your sons deserve to grow up. And that child you are carrying, don't it deserve to be born and see the world. Don't you think your sons deserve to spend more time with their dad. They have finally got him back, don't be the reason they will lose him" he said and she tilted her head "If you help me with this, I will make sure that Five and your kids will survive" he said "Okay, I'm intrigued" she said "Excellent. Meeting in the lobby in 30 minutes. I will tell the others" he said.

Then another door opened next to the room and the twins step out but they stop when they Reginald "Is everything all right out here?" Andy asked "Everything is fine" Reginald said before he looked at Lara and gave her a nod before leaving.

"Mom, are you okay?" Mitch asked as the twins approached their mom "I'm fine Sweethearts. It was just Reginald calling for a family meeting 'cause he think he have a way to fix this" Lara said "A way to fix this?" Andy asked and Lara nodded "How?" Mitch asked "Something about resetting the universe" she said "Can you do that?" Mitch asked "Reginald believe that you can" Lara said "I don't like this" Andy said "Let's just hear what he have to say, it wouldn't hurt" Lara said as she looked at the twins.

"By the way, where is dad?" Mitch asked "I don't know, he was with me last night, but when I woke up this morning he was gone" she said "He is probably laying some weird place with huge handover" Andy said as he had his hands on cross in front of his chest.

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Five turned his body a bit causing pots and pans to fall down on the floor making a clanking noise which cause him to wake up with a groan "Why?" he asked before he lifted his head while he shield his face from the buzzing fluorescent light beams over his head. He looked around to see that he was laying on top of some metal shelf in the kitchen.

"What did I get up to last night?" he asked as he try to remember what happen.

He remember you and him was at the bar, but it was fuzzy. He remember he was singing at the wedding, he remember he was running down the hallway as an maniac, he remember he hold an amazing speech for the bridal couple, he remember telling Lara ad the twins in the speech how much he love them.

"Lara, I love you! And I need to tell you before I lose you again. You are the best person to ever walk into my life. I love you, my Darling and I love the twins, I'm so proud of you guys, I'm sorry that I missed so much in your life. And I wish I could teach you guys some more and spend more time with you, but as least we are together. I love you three so much. More than you know, don't ever forget that"

Five remember he was in the bar pouring himself a huge bowl of cereal, he remember that he put alcohol in the bowl instead of milk and he remember he was walking down the hallway with the bowl. He remember his and Lara's wild round with each other which cause him to smile.

His vision then changed to him seeing Reginald in the White Buffalo Suite talking to someone.

"There is no time. I can't do this without you. Do we have a deal?" he remember Reginald say.

"Who the hell is he talking to?" Five asked himself before he opened his eyes "What was the old man up to?" he asked.

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Viktor opened his eyes and he gasp when he saw Reginald standing by the bed holding a tray with cookies and a glass of water "Bad dream?" he asked "Why are you here?" Viktor asked as he sat up in bed "What does it look like? To feed you child. I'm sure after last night's festivities, a hearty breakfast should bring you a bright start to your day" Reginald said as he put the tray down on the bed.

"It's all such a blur" Viktor said "Ah" Reginald said before he sat down on the bed.

Viktor took the glass of water before he took a sip "Is there anything else?" he asked Reginald "To be honest, I have some concerns" Reginald said "Since when do you care?" Viktor asked "May I remind you, I am not the Hargreeves you grew up with. Yes, we share the same DNA, and impeccable style, and mannerisms, but I can assure you our life circumstances are very different. And being the only sober person at the wedding, I had the unique opportunity to witness your argument with Allison" Reginald said as he took a small piece of a cookie and Viktor looked at him "Such a shame to see a family struggle so" Reginald said before eating the piece.

"Family. What does that even mean?" Viktor asked "Family are the only people who know us whilst we endure our most epic trials. I think that should count for something" Reginald said "Why don't you tell Allison that?" Viktor said before he looked out the window and up on the orange clouds while distant explosions booming was heard.

"Jesus" Viktor said "He's due any minute now" Reginald said and Viktor looked at him "That was a joke" Reginald said and Viktor chuckled softly "You do jokes now" he said "Actually, what I'm here to discuss...is deadly serious" Reginald said.

---

Luther and Sloane was in a room laying on the floor, making out. "Can I ask you a question?" Sloane asked "Is it a sexy question?" he asked "Oh God, I hope not" she said and they both chuckled "Do you think you're being too hard on Dad?" she asked and Luther grumbled as they sat up.

"Look, Sloane. I had a complicated relationship with Dad, all right? My dad. The one I grew up with. He lied to me. He used me, and...and I let him get away with it" he said "This is a different Hargreeves. You need to give him a chance" she said.

Then they hear footsteps approaching and they looked up to see Allison standing by the door "Sorry, door was open" she said "No, don't worry. Uh, come in" Sloane said "Sorry for the mess" Luther said as the two got up.

"Oh, don't be" Allison said as she stepped into the room "Uh, look, I just wanted to come by and say I'm sorry. Okay?" Allison said and Luther's eyes widened "I've...I've been a really shitty sister lately" she said "You know, if you're handing out apologies, Viktor should be top of the list" Luther said "No, I know. I'm...I'm gonna get to him. I just, um...Working my way up" Allison said and chuckled "Okay. Well, I forgive you" Luther said and Allison smiled "'Kay" she said and she was about leave but stopped "Oh, uh, Dad called a meeting at noon today" she said as she turned around "Are you both gonna come?" she asked "Oh, I see. I see what this is" Luther said "Luther, he has a plan. A plan he thinks can save the universe" Allison said "Really?" Luther said "So please, come. Both of you" Allison said "No" Luther said "We'll be there" Sloane said and Luther looked at her "Great! Okay" Allison said before leaving.

"You know, I, um, really wish you wouldn't have done that" Luther said "How does it hurt to hear what he has to say?" Sloane asked "Ah, don't underestimate the damage that man can do at a family meeting" Luther said "That is not the same man. And you aren't the same boy you were. You're my husband. And whatever you decide, I'll be by your side" Sloane said as she wrapped her arms around his neck "Okay" he said "Okay" she said.

---

Five was holding a bottle of alcohol as he was sitting with his legs hanging on the edge of the world as he were watching the Kugleblitz slowly pulling what was left of the world in while he was having trouble remembering what had happen last night.

But then he heard footsteps behind him which cause him to let out a sigh.

"Reginald" he greeted with the sound of disapoint "I take it you know why I'm here" Reginald said to him as he stood on his right side of him while looking down at him.

"How about I save you some time? Give you 'the no' upfront. I'm not the least bit interested in this bullshit plan you've been cooking" Five said "It's not, as you so colorfully called it, bullshit" Reginald said and Five took a sip of the bottle.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked as he sat down next to him "Actually, appreciate some...solitude. But it seems I won't get any" Five said before he handed the bottle to Reginald who took a sip "Dear God" he said as he swallow the liquid "Mmm Louis XII, it ain't" Five said "I've had worse" Reginald said as he put down the bottle between him and Five.

"It is impressive, isn't it?" Reginald asked "All the ways we could have screwed the pooch, this way is the most complete. I'm relieved, actually. This time, everything goes. There's no Commission, no leaping away. No life spent going mad with the desperation to see a familiar face" Five said and handed the bottle to him who took another sip.

"I've seen worlds end in ways that would knock your socks off, old man" Reginald said "Wow! Reginald Hargreeves, you never cease to surprise me" Five said "That is some comfort" Reginald said before he put the bottle between him and Five "You know, they all run together after awhile but you never forget your first, you home" he said "Lara and the twins is my home" Five said but he continued "Your original sin. You never stop wondering 'Did I do enough to save the people I loved'?" he said "Did you?" Five asked as I took the bottle "No, but I was hoping you children could help me out with that" Reginald said "And there it is" Five said before taking a sip of the bottle.

"Sorry, Reg. I got a message from the future" he said "What future?" Reginald asked "My sons' future self told me very explicitly not to save this world" Five said and Reginald laughed "You are an arrogant son of bitch, aren't you?" he said and Five chuckled "'Future you' 'Present you' The past is as much mystery as the future" Reginald said as Five took a sip of the bottle "You ruined your life once before by not listening to me" he said and Five looked at him "Are you prepared to do that again?" he asked and Five clenched his jaw hearing Reginald's words as he glared at him.

"Don't you think that your sons deserve more time with their parents, don't you think they are too young to die. Don't you think that your and your girlfriend deserve more time together, get the chance to see your child?" Reginald asked.

Five stared at Reginald for a few seconds before he let out a sigh "Fine. I'll attend your stupid meeting" he said and Reginald smiled "Excellent!" he said as he got up "If" Five said as he tilted his head a little bit while giving him a fake smile as Reginald turned to him "You tell me what happened with you in the Buffalo Suite last night. Who were you talking to? Was it Klaus? Was it Ben?" Five asked.

"No one, I was alone. Though I doubt you were in any condition to remember. We should go. Don't want to be late for the meeting" Reginald said and Five let out a sigh as he looked forward again.

"I would move if I were you" Reginald said "What, are you threatening me?" Five asked with a frown.

But then the sound of rumbling was heard and some part of the edge Five were sitting on collapsed which cause him to quickly stand up as the ground under him fell into abyss and he quickly took some steps back as he glares down at the ground that had falling beneath him.

"Shall we?" Reginald asked before walking towards the hotel and Five put down the bottle before he followed him.

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Lara and the twins walked out of the elevator before going down to the lobby.

It was quiet and they could hear the whispering chatter from the family that were all sitting waiting for Reginald to speak to Five who was sitting outside the hotel.

"Hey guys" Klaus said "They Klaus" the three said before Mitch looked at Sloane and Luther.

"Thank you for the amazing night. It was the best night of my life" Mitch said which cause Luther and Sloane to smile "Thank you" they said before the twin sat down next to each other on a chair each while Lara sat down on a couch.

Then Five and Reginald entered the hotel.

"Woo! Five ! Yeah" Klaus said as the others except for Allison, Reginald and Ben were cheering and whistling at Five as him and Reginald entered the hotel.

"Here he is" Luther said as they were all clapping "Yeah" Klaus said "That speech last night! Wow!" Diego said "Brought me to tears, you big softy" Lila said as she jumped off the couch "Now we know where Mitch get his talent for good speeches" Diego said while the twins chuckled.

"It was a great speech dad" Mitch said "Really good" Andy said "Amazing" Lara said.

Five tucked his hands into his pockets as he stared at his family, regretting the speech and the singing his drunken self have given.

"I especially liked when you referred to us as a family bound by destiny and love" Viktor said as Five walked past them.

Lila opened up her arm, offering a hug as Five walked closer but he pained no attention to her as he walked past her "Okay. Enough. It was the booze talking. In the light of day, you're all still deplorable" he said before he quickly glance at Lara and the twins "Except you of course three" he said which cause a small smile to appear on the three's faces

Five then sat down next to Lara before he put his arm around her shoulder and she fell back into him, settling her head on his chest next to his heart.

"And your day's about to get worse. The Norse had seven sleepers. The Blackfoot, seven stars. As a boy, I heard the legend of the seven bells. All these stories are the same. The village is under threat by flood, by fire, by a night that never ends. A shaman brings his disciples to a sacred cave. He tells them if they can ring the seven magic bells, the village will be saved, and all will be restored just as it was" Reginald said.

"Reggie?" Lila asked as she raised her hand and Reginald looked at her "Can we get a little less Brothers Grimm and more 'What the hell does this have to do with us'?" Lila asked as she was laying on the couch with her head leaned up against Diego.

"There is a truth to these myths. None of you can deny what's going on around us. All of existence will be gone by the end of the day, but whoever or whatever wove together space and time, they left a way to put things back together if the universe ever faced total annihilation. There is a portal in the universe. I built this hotel around it, and on the other side is the answer" Reginald said "And...we're supposed to, what? Just stroll in there, ring some bells, and fix this shit?" Luther asked "Sarcasm aside, you are mostly right. Except for the guardian" Reginald said "What kind of Guardian?" Mitch asked "Kinda a guardian that does this" Diego said as he held up his hand where he was missing two fingers.

"He has a sword" he said "It is a force to be reckoned with" Reginald said "See? Yeah. This is where you lose me" Luther said "This is where he loses you? I checked out at the sacred cave" Lila said.

"Why would the builders of this 'black door' need to have a guardian?" Andy asked "Ah! To protect it from people who want to use it for nefarious means" Sloane said "Correct, Sloane" Reginald said "So it's gonna take all of us to defeat the thing protecting the bells" Allison said "You're actually buying his crap?" Five asked as he pointed his thumb at Reginald.

"How is a guardian and bells any crazier than time-traveling briefcases and assassins with cartoon masks?" Allison asked as she looked at Five "Actually, she's got you here" Luther said to Five.

They were all silent for a moment. This plan was either another chance to survive and life, or they would all risk it for nothing. The unknown taunted them all, with the idea of saving the world one last time.

Lara raise an eyebrow, she was actually tempted. Even so there is a chance, it might save the universe. Save everyone.

Ben stood up and walked over to stand next to Reginald "I'm in" he said while Five started to ponder in the effort to remember who it was that was talking to Reginald in the Suite last night.

"Me too" Diego said as he got up causing Lila to fell back onto the couch where he had been sitting "Ow" she said and Five looked at Diego while wondering if it was him.

"But I think some of us should stay back. Like Lila" Diego said as he looked at Lila "Uh...or you can stay, and I can go" Lila said as she got up "No. This is much bigger than all of us. Nobody can stay back" Allison said as she glanced at each of them.

"You, my children, are all that stands between us and oblivion. Are we ready to go?" Reginald said "Well, I say we vote" Viktor said "This isn't a democracy. Dad's calling the shots" Ben said.

"I'm with Viktor. We vote" Five said "The world is ending, and you want to count hands?" Reginald asked "You're asking us to risk our lives. I think it's only fair you give us time to discuss it" Luther said "Privately" Five said and Reginald sighed before he walked away "Why don't we meet back here in an hour?" Luther asked.

"Agree" Five said "Yeah, sure" Diego said "Whatever" Lila said.

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