"God, my head".  Ben groaned from laying on top of the pool table.

"Not so loud".  Klaus begged from laying splat out halfway under the pool table.

"Klaus?  Klaus?"  Ben looked around briefly from where he laid.  "Klaus, where are you?"

"I'm here.  I'm here".  Klaus reassured him. "Nobody should panic".

Ben looked over the pool table he was on, down to Klaus. Thomas who groaned from where he laid close by looked at his wrist that was duct taped tot he pool table.

"Come on". Thomas groaned.

Esme who was silently there, cleaning the mess, sweeper the broom. She stopped for a moment as her eyes widened, looking at Ben's back. In sharpie someone wrote;

ASSHOLE

She decided not to say anything.

The two groaned, standing up, Thomas yanked his wrist away before trudging away, needing a must needed shower.

"Do you?" Ben pointed to Klaus.

"Not a thing". Klaus finished.

Again. Esme decided not to say anything.

"Same".

The two laughed.

"That was some night". Klaus snapped, dancing a bit.

"Klaus, please put on clothes". Esme looked over to her brother.

"Hey, how are you all up and good?" Ben questioned.

"I downed water and ate bread. I also have a few bruises from when I jumped off the table and onto Diego." Esme showed them her bruised up arm and elbow and then lifted her shirt slightly. "I learned my lesson".

Klaus hummed and nodded then snapped to Ben. "See, I knew you had a bit of ol' Ben in ya. Now you can stop with all the sulking and brooding". Klaus told Ben.

"I don't brood". Ben told Klaus.

Esme went back to sweeping, her eyes widening a bit at Ben's denial.

"Ben-er-ino"

"Don't call me that"

"Ugh. We were making such great progress". Klaus sighed in defeat.

"With what?"

"With your Mr. Tough Guy routine". Klaus gestured to Ben. Last night! I remember!  You opened your kimono to me, remember?  You showed me who you really are inside.  All those bottled up emotions".  Klaus was stepping closer to Ben.

"I was drunk".  Ben looked at Klaus.

Esme who was still sweeping tilted her head slightly as she was hearing their conversation.  "Drunk words are sober thoughts".  Esme spoke to him.

Ben turned around, pointing to her but only grumbled.  He felt the two ganging up on him, but that wasn't the case.

"You're a good person, Ben".  Klaus smiled, Ben turning back to him.  "But you're trying really, really hard to be a bad one".

"I hate you".  Ben hissed at him.

"No, you don't". 

"I do".

"No, no".

"I do.  I do.  I really do".  Ben turned around, starting to walk away.

"Classic defense mechanism".  Klaus called to him.  "Pushing away the people who care about you the most, just like dad". 

Ben stopped, grabbing his shoe.

"You know, it wouldn't hurt to try to get to know him a little better.  You'd be surprised how much love he has to give.  And also, he has this whole plan to save the universe".  Klaus held his arms up.

"Klaus, please.  Pants".  Esme pleaded, shaking her head as she leaned on the broom.

Ben started to walk away again, towards Esme.

"Come on, Ben-er-".

Be. Flipped him off.

"Your brother is crazy".  Ben said to Esme as he walked by her.

Esme sighed.  "Yup".  She mumbled.

"Kimono open, baby".

~~~

Five and Hargreeves entered back in the hotel and everyone minus Ben and Allison started to cheer and clap for Five. Diego started to whistle.

"Whoo! Five! Yeah!" Klaus smiled widely.

"Here he is". Luther clapped.

"That speech last night. Wow!" Diego smiled.

"Brought me, to tears you big softie". Lila held her hands to her chest.

"I especially liked when you referred to us as a family bound by destiny and love". Viktor told Five from where he sat.

"Yes, that was great".

"Okay. Enough". Five walked over and looked at them. "It was the booze talking. In the light of day, you're all still deplorable". Five told them seriously.

"Wait for it". Diego said in a low voice with his index finger pointed in the air.

"Except for Esme. She's bearable". Five finished.

"There it is". Diego nodded.

Esme smiled widely to five before looking at Hargreeves who began to talk.  "And your days about to get worse"

As Hargreeves began to speak, Esme leaned into Thomas more.  "He is speaking in riddles".  She whispered and Thomas smiled.

Esme looked at Hargreeves as he started to explain everything.  She nodded her head, but truth was she was in her own little world.  He started to explain the Guardian when Diego spoke up;

"He has a sword".  Diego explained.

"Like mine?"  Thomas asked. 

"Better than yours".  Diego looked at Thomas.

"This is where you lose me".  Luther said.

"This is where he loses you?  I checked out at the sacred cave".  Lila looked over to Luther.

"I started thinking of making lemon cake when he first started talking".  Esme smiled innocently.

Five ran his hand over his face.  "I could so go for Esme's lemon cake".  Five muttered to himself.

Esme went back to thinking about making lemon cake.  She wondered if they had the ingredients there.  Meanwhile, Thomas and Diego were whispering about whose sword was better.  Thomas stood by his decision of his sword while Diego denied and explained Guardians sword, also telling Thomas; "you're not an expert like me when it comes to sharp weapons".

"I'm in".  Ben said, standing beside Hargreeves.

"Oh, snickerdoodle.  What did I miss?"  Esme straightened up from where she sat.  "I'm in to!"  Esme immediately said, wanting to follow Ben's decision.

"Woah.  Esme".  Thomas looked at her.

"You weren't even paying attention".  Five groaned.

"For once, she has made a good decision". Ben smirked, gesturing to her.

"Was that not correct?"  Esme asked, looking to Diego.

Diego shook his head, pointing to Esme with his good hand.  "She takes it back".

"I take it back!"  Esme quickly said right after Diego.

"I'm in". Diego suddenly stood up, making Lila fall on the couch.

"You tricked me." Esme pointed at Diego.

"But, I think some of us should stay back". Diego looked to Esme and she gaped at him. Now she knew why he did that. He didn't want her to go back in there. "Like Esme and Lila".

"Uhhhh". Lila stood up next to Diego. "Or you could stay and I can go".

"I'm going. I'm back in". Esme swung her arm happily, standing up.

"No. This is much bigger than all of us. Nobody can stay back". Allison spoke from her spot.

"You, my children, are all that stands between us and oblivion".  Hargreeves told them.  "Are we ready to go?" 

"Well, I say we vote".  Viktor said.

"This isn't a democracy".  Ben looked over to him.  "Dad's calling the shots".

"I'm with Viktor.  We vote".  Five, finally spoke up from where he was seated.

"The world is ending and you want to count hands?"  Hargreeves asked.

"You're asking us to risk our lives". Luther said.  "I think it's fair you only give us time to discuss it.  Privately".

Hargreeves looked around and then scoffed, putting his hand on Ben's shoulder for a moment before leaving.

"Why don't we meet back here in an hour?"

"Agreed"

~~~

"We've all been through a lot" Allison started. "We've all lost people". She looked over to Five. "Mannequins".

"Mannequins?" Thomas looked to Esme.

Esme only smiled softly, patting his chest lightly. "Way back when. Nothing big". Esme said nonchalant.

"But their deaths have to mean something. Which is why I'll be going with dad". Allison gave her vote.

Lila walked down some steps, over to Diego. "What she said". And then walked over to Allison. "Let's go save the bloody universe!" Lila put her hand up in the air.

"Whoo-hoo!" Klaus cheered.

"Alright. Well, since she said yes". Diego walked up the steps where the remaining siblings sat plus Thomas.

"I vote stay". Diego looked at Lila.

Lila scoffed.

"How's that for nice?" Diego asked her.

"You're not being serious". Lila looked at him in disbelief.

Diego only smiled in a reply.

"It's his vote, Lila". Allison told her. "Klaus?"

"I am with father". Klaus gestured to Hargreeves.

"Okay. That's four to one". Allison nodded. "Viktor?"

Viktor sighed on the steps. "Look, I want to believe, okay? I really do. I just can't shake the feeling we don't know what we're getting ourselves into". Viktor explained.

Allison crossed her arms over her chest. "No, but we know what we're not if we don't. We have to go into this together. Viktor, a family". Allison tried to persuade Viktor.

"We can't just keep throwing the word "family" around. It isn't enough. I vote stay". Viktor voted.

Allison turned to Luther. "Luther?"

"Ummm. Sloane and I talked, and, well. We're out". Luther said with his hands on Sloane's arms. "Look, we want to spend whatever time we have left, together and not fighting some guy with a sword and ringing bells and stuff.  So..."  Luther looked away from Allison.

Allison clenched her jaw slightly, turning to Esme.  "Esme?"

Esme gave Allison an apologetic smile.  "You know, I don't vote".

Allison sighed and looked to Thomas.

"I'm with Esme on this one".  Thomas gestured to Esme in a low voice.

"Well.  Dead even.  Four in.  Four out.  2 non votes".  Viktor spoke up.

"That leaves you, Number 5". Hargreeves told Five.

Five looked at him.  "I saw the future and it told me to sit this one out.  I vote stay.  It's time we accept our fate".

There was a silence between all of them now.  Allison uncrossed her arms.  "You're all pathetic" and left.

"Why can't we just go in the four of us?"  Ben asked Hargreeves.

"That would mean certain failure.  There must be 9. Children, I can't say I'm happy with this. But I see now the blame falls on me. I failed you when you were young and I have failed you now. And in doing so I have doomed the entire universe. If anyone needs me, I'll be in the courtyard...awaiting the end". Hargreeves gave them one last look before leaving as well.

"Idiots". Ben muttered, following after him.

"Was that a real apology?" Viktor asked.

"That man's never apologized for anything in his entire life". Luther said.

"I actually feel bad for him". Diego said.

"I should give him a hug". Esme sighed.

"Don't worry, it'll pass". Five told the two.

"So, not what?" Sloane asked.

"We wait for the end". Five answered.

"Shouldn't we all be together?" Esme asked, watching as Klaus and Lila started to walk away. She then looked to Five and then up to Diego. "Siblings should stay together. Family should stay together in the end".

Five sighed. "Not our family, Esme". He looked to the others. "See you around, it's been interesting".  Five told them, walking away.

Thomas wrapped his arm Esme's waist, pulling her closer.  Esme rested her head on his shoulder.  They stayed like this for awhile.

Diego was the next to leave.  He told Esme that he had to talk to Lila and that he would be back soon.  Then it was Luther and Sloane.  And lastly, Viktor;

Viktor stood up, putting his hands in his pockets as he looked down to Esme and Thomas.  "See you two around".  Viktor said with an awkward smile.

Esme took her head away from Thomas and smiled up at him.  "I'm glad I was able to have another brother, Viktor".  Esme said softly.

Viktor nodded, his smile growing a little wider.  "Thanks Esme.  I'm glad I had you as a sister".

Esme hummed happily.  Thomas and Viktor exchanged a smile with a nod and Viktor parted ways at last.

"What do you want to do, Essie?"  Thomas asked her as she rested her head on his shoulder once more.

Esme looked out at the empty hallway of the hotel.  "I think I'll just like to stay here for a while, with you.  Let time pass".  She answered.

Thomas tilted his head so it was leaning on hers.  "Whatever you want, Essie". 

"I'm sorry we never made it to the beach".  Esme whispered to him sadly.

"That's alright.  I'm with you.  That's all I care about".  Thomas sighed happily.

They stayed there, leaning on one another as they talked and laughed.  They planned on staying this way till the end.  But it didn't last.  A scream broke out through the hotel.  The two were quick to jump to their feet.  Thomas put his hand on the edge of his sword.

"How are we supposed to know where that came from?"  Thomas asked, looking around.

"Chastity!"  Esme called out.  "Chastity".

The sound of a little girls laugh echoed their ears and then the sound of running came after.  Esme saw Chastity hiding behind a pillar. 

"Where Chastity?"  Esme asked.

The little girl-demon poked her head out with a creepy smile.  "Buffalo room".  She answered.

"Buffalo room?"  Thomas asked in confusion.

Esmes eyes widened.  "Follow me".  She told Thomas and ran down the stairs and down the hallway.

Thomas followed Esme in the elevator and down the hall of a floor before they entered the open room.  Esme gasped as she covered her mouth with her hand at the sight.  Thomas eyes widened.

There was Luther's dead body and Sloane was holding onto him.

"I...I don't know".  Sloane sobbed.

"It must of been him.  The guardian".  Lila spoke.

"She's right".  Diego kneeled down.  "Whatever did this must of had a long, curved blade"

"My blades not curved".  Thomas immediately defended himself.

"No ones blaming you.  You were with me the whole time".  Esme rubbed his arm soothingly.

"How can you be sure?"  Viktor asked.

"I may not know much...but I know knives".  Diego answered.

"Children, what's going on?"  Hargreeves came into the room with a gasp.  "Oh, god.  Luther".

"If we attacked first, he would still be alive".  Ben spoke from where he sat.

The hotel then started to shake, an explosion going off.  Esme stumbled but Thomas grabbed onto her.

Ben quickly went to look out into the hallway.  "G-guys!  Hey, guys!"  He came back in as Five went to look.

"What are we going to do with Luther?"  Sloane asked.

"Okay!  We're out of time.  The Kuleblitz is here".  Five said as Diego grabbed a sword from the wall.

"Into the passage, it's the only way!"  Hargreeves ran over to the secret passage.

"You agreed to stay".  Viktor went up to Diego who was ready to go in.

"They killed Luther, alright?"  Diego told him.

"Come on children.  Hurry!"  Hargreeves spoke.

"We can't leave him".  Sloane sobbed.

Esme pulled away from Thomas and kneeled down, grabbing onto Sloane's arm.  "I'm sorry, he's gone.  We have to go".  Esme looked at her.

Sloane shook her head, tears still falling.

"We have to go or we're all going to die".  Allison then said to Sloane.

Sloane cried again, grabbing onto Luther's face as she kissed him.

"Children, hurry".  Hargreeves spoke, standing next to the open passage.

Esme pulled onto Sloane who shakily stood up, pushing Sloane to go first as she ran into the passage way then followed by Allison.  Esme followed suit.  Thomas looked back, seeing Five and Klaus still.

"Let's go".  He told them, following after Esme, running through the tunnel.