Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light
You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say goodbye
You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say goodbye

"Let's never do that again". Viktor said once everyone exited and entered the new room.

"What? Narrowly escape the apocalypse?"  Five asked.

"It's kind of our thing, isn't it?" Diego asked.

Esme let out a snort.

"There's something very wrong about that". Allison gestured to the back of the buffalo where Ben was reaching out his hand to touch it, hitting the tail.

"Same suite, just ass-backward".  Lila spoke.

"No hyperbole there".  Five said.

"It reminds me of Alice in Wonderland". Esme told them.

"Yeah, and it gets weirder".  Diego looked to the others who haven't been here.

Hargreeves ran in, slamming the portrait door once he was out.  "Finally, the other side".

"Where's Klaus?"  Esme looked at him, eyes wide.

"Children, I'm sorry but your brother...I did all I could but he didn't make it through in time.  The Kugleblitz took its last victim". Hargreeves told them.

"But, he was right behind me when I entered the tunnel".  Five looked at Hargreeves, not understanding.

"Yeah".  Thomas backed Five up.  "The Kuleblitz didn't even hit the room yet when I went through the tunnel".  Thomas didn't believe Hargreeves.

"We need to go back and grab him".  Esme said.  She couldn't lose another brother.

"There's nothing to go back to".  Hargreeves was quick to say.  "Children, there will be time for tears later, right now we have to keep moving".  Hargreeves exited the room.

"Wait, Luther and Klaus?"  Viktor asked.

Esme looked at the ground, wrapping her arms around herself. "This can't be happening".

~~~

"It's magnificent". Hargreeves said as they walked into the backwards hotel.

"You guys should've stayed here. This place is way nicer". Ben told Diego as he was the closest to him.

"Esme, Lila, and I barely got out alive last time. Remember?" Diego looked over to him.

"But, I'm here this time, and the numbers are in our favor". Ben said cockily.

"Well, whatever it was, was strong, fast, and super pissed". Lila joined in on the conversation.

The group walked around the front counter and Diego gestured to the bell that was sitting there. "Alright, so, whatever you do, do not ring this bell.  Unless you want to lose a finger or tentacle". 

Esme let out a small laugh and the others looked over to her.  She looked at them with a smile.  "It's funny because Diego rang it and lost his fingers".  Her smile dropped.  "Not funny actually.  Sorry".  She apologized the last part to Diego.

Diego only shrugged. Not caring.

"I'll take my chances". Sloane took a few steps forward towards the bell.

"Don't". Lila stood in front of her.

"Get out of my way". Sloane ordered.

"Our chances to take out this thing, we need to be in the right state of mind". Lila looked at some of the others.

"State of mind, do you mean if I'm angry?" Lila asked.

"Can we go ten minutes without arguing?" Esme asked herself as she started to rub her temples.

"I want to kill whatever killed Luther!" Sloane almost shouted.

"Luther isn't the only one that's gone". Viktor spoke calmly. "I'm angry okay. We all are". Viktor looked at her. "We have to be smart about this".

Esme didn't hear what Lila said as Esme looked at Five who walked away for a moment then slowly came back.

"Does anyone know what that bell says?"

"Yeah, it means 'do not ring that bell'". Once again, Diego warned them.

"We get it Diego, bell bad". Five spoke.

"What do we do? Reggie? Reggie?" Allison asked as the man walked a somewhat away from the group and was flipping through something.

"I'm hungry. Anyone fancy a unagi roll?" Lila asked.

"How could you possibly eat at a time like this?"  Ben followed after her.

Lila stopped, turning to him.  "I don't know.  How can you be a dick at a time like this?" 

Esme gave Lila a questioning look.  Ben is not being a dick.

"Oh, you'll-"

"Hey!"  Diego joined the two, giving Ben a look.  "She's eating for-"

"Strength".  Lila said loudly, cutting Diego off.

"Everyone's acting so weird".  Esme whispered to Thomas who stood beside her.

"Diego, can you come with me for a second?"  Lila grabbed his arm and pulled him to the food station.

"So are-oh.  Everyone's spreading out again".  Thomas looked in a few directions.  Seeing Hargreeves walk further away, Five in another, and Esme walking over to sit on a chair.

"Hey".  Thomas said once he stood in front of her, looking down at her from where she sat.  "You okay?"

Esme shook her head.

"I'm sorry about your brothers".  Thomas looked at her sadly.

"Me too".  Esme whispered under her breath.  "I don't know how to feel.  I'm not really...mad?  More shocked?"  She seemed to question what she was feeling.  She didn't know.  Everything happened so fast and it was right after one another.  She then looked to Five who was talking to Viktor.

Thomas followed her gaze.  Esme soon looked away, looking at the ground while Five looked up, meeting Five's gaze.  Five then flickered his eyes real quick to another direction, Thomas looking, seeing Hargreeves walking up the stairs.

Thomas narrowed his eyes and looked back to Five who gave him a knowing look. 

Thomas understood and Five knew Thomas did.

They were both on the same page;

Hargreeves killed Klaus.

~~~

"Gather up chicken, now that we had a chance to catch our breath, the real work can begin".  Hargeeves made his way down the stairs.  The siblings soon coming back to one another.

"Eh.  The myth of the nine bells, eh?"  Five asked.

"Exactly, somebody's been paying attention".

"Okay.  So, we find the bells, then what?"  Diego asked with his arms crossed over his chest.

"No, no, no.  The bells are just a metaphor for this".  Hargreeves held out the book, showing them.

"Sigil".  Five spoke.

"Correct, again Number Five".

"The sigil is the key to the nine bells".  Hargeeves explained.  "Once we find this symbol, we're one step closer to resetting the universe".  Hargeeves told them.

"What do we do when we find it?"  Esme asked.

Hargreeves looked to her.  "I don't know".

"Aren't we here since you have a plan?"  Thomas then asked.

"I do, up to a point".

Lila snickered.  "Great, so we'll just stay in the hotel forever?  Staring at the walls-no offense Esme".  Lila looked at the woman who was staring at a wall.  "And eating sushi?"  Lila continued.

"Finding the sigil is our only way out of here".  Allison spoke.   "And best chance at resetting the universe".

"Funny, how you and Dad are on the same page again".  Five commented.

"Okay? Where do we start?"  Viktor changed topics.

"We'll split into groups.  I will go with Allison and Sloane.  Ben, Five, Viktor, and Thomas-"

"No, we want Allison".  Viktor jumped in.

"Ben, for Allison".  Five looked at Hargreeves.  "We trashed together so it makes more sense to take Allison". 

"Yeah, no thanks".  Allison scoffed.

"Why not?"  Viktor questioned.

Esme looked between the three, trying to figure out what was going on.  Allison was agreeing with Dad a lot.  Hopefully it wasn't some plan she had up her sleeve.

"Splendid idea. Allison you go with the Umbrellas.  Sparrows stick together".  Hargreeves agreed.

"Everyone split up.  We must find that sigil". 

Everyone started to move but Esme, Diego, and Lila.

"What about us?"  Diego asked.

"We're a group!"  Esme beamed.

"Correct, Number 0.  You seem to not mind their endless bickering.  Spread out.  Meet back here in 30 minutes".  Hargreeves ordered.

Esme waved goodbye to Thomas before turning to the two with a small smile.  She was about to say something but the two were going back down the hall.

She turned back slightly and then where they were moving.

"Esme!  Come on!"  Diego called to her.

"But the-"

"We don't have time".  Diego said again.

"Okay".  Esme shrugged.

She already knew where the sigil was, but she thought to give the others a chance of finding it too.  So, she just followed along.

Esme followed the two down one of the floors.

"We're gonna make it out of this mess, all right?"  Diego turned to Lila.  "The three of us are gonna be fine". 

"And then what?"  Lila asked.

"And then we'll be a happy family".

"Can I be called Auntie Esme?"  Esme suddenly asked.

Diego and Lila stopped and turned to her.

"You said she wouldn't be listening".  Lila hissed at him.

"She can keep a secret.  Right Esme?"  Diego looked to his sister with a pleading look.

"Only if I get to be called Auntie Esme". 

"Yes.  Okay.  Auntie Esme".  Diego nodded.

Esme smiled then made the zipping gesture across her lips.

Esme trailed behind once more and her eyes flickered back and forth as the two continued to talk. This was definitely a conversation for just the two of them. Esme pursued her lips and then smiled before she did a twirl to another part of the floor's hallway, leaving the two be.

Probably wasn't the best decision but, Esme felt bad for intruding on their conversation.

Esme didn't even realize she was going in circles. She hummed softly to herself, not even knowing that Diego and Lila were calling out, trying to find her.

Esme came to a stop when a ringing noise sounded and the lights from above started to sway along with the room. Her eyes widened. "Who rang the bell?" She asked out loud.

The shaking soon stopped and Esme continued to walk but was on alert now.  Suddenly, one of the guardians with a sword barged through a wall as she was walking by, grabbing her and throwing her into the other wall. 

Esme groaned and then screamed in pain when she felt something sharp enter her left abdomen.  Esme looked down, seeing the sword there and then get ripped out, blood coating her green shirt.

"Rude".  Esme huffed and rolled away before the guardian could hit her again.  The sword, enters the wall, buying her time.

Esme hissed in pain as she felt blood start to coat her hand that was pressing down on her wound.  Esme looked back, seeing the guardian stalking after her. 

"I take it back.  Being in a horror movie would not be fun".  She cried as she tried to go faster.  Esme then screamed, hoping someone was nearby.

Five, Sloane, and Ben were in the hallway when they heard a scream.  Their heads turning down the hallway as Esme emerged.  She was struggling and blood fell onto the floor.

"It's right behind me!"  Esme shouted to them.

"What is she talking about?"  Ben asked.

"Who rang that stupid bell!"  Esme then shouted.

The guardian rounded the corner, making the other three look at it instead of Esme.

"Really, a samurai?"  Ben asked.

When Esme was close enough, Five grabbed Esme, pulling her behind him.  Sloane let out a cry before charging after the guardian.

"Good thing I found you guys".  Esme breathed out as she leaned against the wall.

"Revenge looks good on her".  Ben told Five, looking at Sloane.

"Would you just shut up and help us kill this thing?"  Five asked him, grabbing an ax on the wall and flashing to help Sloane.

"You're just going to watch?"  Esme asked Ben.

"I don't see you doing anything".  Ben turned to her.

Esme's mouth hung open.  "I'm bleeding out here!"  She growled at him.

"It's not that bad".  Ben waved her off, looking back towards the fight.

Esme didn't say anything as her vision started to blur and then she fell to the ground.

Ben, hearing the 'thump' turned around, seeing her on the ground.  "Okay.  Maybe it is bad".  Ben took back what he said earlier, grabbing a rag from the maids cart before kneeling down and applying pressure to Esme's abdomen.

"Ow!"  Esme cried out, not preparing for him to do that.

"Stop being a baby".  Ben rolled his eyes at her.

"A little heads up would've been nice".  Esme gritted her teeth.

Ben let out an annoyed laugh.  "I could always just let you bleed out".  He threatened, glaring at her.

Esme looked back at him, a warm smile making its way on her face.  "We both know you wouldn't". 

The two stared at one another and Ben broke the gaze first, shaking his head.  "Shut up".

"We need to move!"  Five then shouted, him and Sloane running back towards the two.

"Up".  Ben kept the rag pushed on Esme's wound, wrapping another arm around her as he pulled her back to her feet.  Esme gritted her teeth in pain as Ben helped her follow after Five and Sloane.

The four moved down the hallway and went into the laundry room.  "Down here".  Five gestured to get down and hide on the other side of the washers.

Esme breathed out heavily as Ben set her down on the ground.  She looked down seeing the rag was slowly turning red.  Ben kept his grip on it as he turned to Five who was on the other side of him, Sloane was a few feet away, hiding behind another washer.

"You've hit him with your ax five times, he should be dead by now". Ben told Five.

"It's the armor.  It's like hitting cement".  Five said to Ben.

"There's a space, between the backplates".  Sloane explained.

"We need to get behind him".  Five looked to the guardian slightly.

"Let's kill this thing".  Sloane started to get up.

"Wait, Sloane-"  Five tried to stop her but she was already heading out.

"Hey, asshole!"  Sloane called to it and Five flashed to go as well.

Esme heard Sloane groan and then something falling.  Esme looked at Ben who seemed to be debating what to do.

"Go".  Esme told him.

Ben looked at her.

"Help them".  She pleaded, grabbing his hand and pushing it away from her abdomen and replacing the pressure with her hand.

Ben breathed out before he stood up, using his power to help Sloane and Five.  Esme heard him get on top of the washers and then him shouting.  A slicing noise was heard and then Ben cried out.

It was silent for a moment but Five stood up, grabbing his ax and hitting the guardian in the back.  A loud smack was heard.

"What happened?"  Esme asked.

"It's dead!"  Sloane answered.

Esme heard some shuffling and talking but was too out of it to ask anymore questions.  She then felt a sting to her cheek.

Someone hit her.

"What did you do that for?"  Esme asked, her eyes opening again. 

"Don't fall asleep".  Ben gave her a look and then looked down, seeing the rag was completely red.  Ben's hard look turned to one of worry as he looked to Five and Sloane.

"Guys!  She's not doing so good". 

~~~

"If I knew all I had to do was start to die to make you soften up, I would've done it from day one".  Esme smiled into Ben's shoulder as he was carrying her.

Ben told himself that he just didn't want more people to die because it could mess up getting him out of this stupid hotel of what he was feeling. 

But, truth was.  That he would never admit was he didn't want her to die.  There was something about Esme.  Yeah, she said odd shit and annoyed him half the time.  But, she didn't judge him and her presence felt...warm.

Even in her time of dying, she was joking.

"Stop talking.  You need to save your energy".  Ben murmured to her as they made their way back to the front of the hotel.

"The sigil".  Esme whispered.  "I know where it is". 

Five stopped, turning around.  "You knew where it was this whole time?"  He was mad.

Esme frowned at his tone of voice and the look he gave her.  "I thought you all wanted a chance to find it".  Esme said quietly.

"Esme!  We didn't have time for this!"  Five shouted at her.

"I'm sorry".  Esme was on the verge of crying.  She didn't like to be yelled at. 

The last time she remembered Five truly yelling at her was when they were kids.  She was messing around before a mission and he yelled at her.  Diego heard him and came to Esme's rescue, yelling back to Five, telling him to never yell at her.

"Oh, my god.  Esme".  Thomas rushed over, seeing the situation.

"Sigil".  Esme looked up at Ben, as she pointed her shaky arm towards the front of the hotel.

Thomas took Esme from Ben's arms and held her close to him.  "What happened?"  He asked.

"She was stabbed by one of those things".  Sloane looked to Thomas nervously as he started to walk away.

"Esme!"  Diego's voice then sounded.

"This whole time-"

"Don't yell at her".  Ben almost growled at Five.

Five gave Ben a look, scoffing.  "Since when do you care?"  Five glared at him before walking off.

"Where did you go?  How bad is it?"  Diego was asking a million questions.

"We need to stop the bleeding".  Thomas looked at Diego.

Esme moved her gaze and her eyes widened.  "Oh, my snickerdoodle.  I'm dead".  She cried out, looking at Klaus.

"No, no, no.  You're not dead.  I'm alive!"  Klaus instantly turned to her, grabbing her hand.

"You're alive?"  Esme asked slowly.

"What you guys need to know right now, is that Dad killed Luther".  Klaus told the group.

"And he locked me out of the tunnel, and he rang that stupid bell!"  Klaus gestured over to the bell.

"Stupid bell".  Esme murmured.

"Diego, help me.  I have an idea".  Thomas looked over to Diego.

Diego followed after Thomas as they walked towards the kitchen area of the sushi ring.  Thomas placed her on the counter before going over and grabbing something.

"Hold her down.  I need to stop the bleeding".  Thomas held up a torch.

Diego looked at Thomas.  "Are you crazy!"  Diego shouted.  "That's not going to-"

"We don't have time to do professional surgery here.  Stopping the bleeding is what we need to do, now!"  Thomas wasn't asking.  He was telling Diego.

"Christ".  Diego mumured, before hovering over Esme and pushing her shoulders down.

"What are you doing?"  She asked.

"You'll be f-fine".  Diego stuttered slightly and shook his head.  "I'm getting De-ja-vu for some reason".  Diego told them.

Thomas looked away from him and Esme didn't make a comment.

"Weird".  Was all Thomas said.

Esme felt someone hold down her hips and she groaned, seeing who it was.  "Lucifer joined the party". 

Lucifer gave her a wink.

"I see.  I'm going to do this quickly".  He told Esme.

"Don't fuck up".  Lucifer glared at Thomas.

Thomas lit the torch again and placed it on her bleeding wound.  Esme squeezed her eyes shut as she let out a silent scream, trying to get out of Diego and Lucifer's grip.

"You mother-ducker.  I'm going to throw you on bubble wrap and push you down a mountain of ice cream!"  Esme cussed out.

Esme breathed out heavily once Thomas took the torch away.  "I'm going to pass out".  She warned them.  "I'm going to-"

And she was out.

"Sigil!"  Esme gasped as she sat up, Thomas was holding onto her.  Esme was pointing to the ground.

"She's right.  It's there".  Five muttered, holding onto his missing arm.

"What did I miss?"  She asked Thomas.

Thomas only breathed out, shaking his head.  "I'll tell you later".

"Nine points?  Nine of us?  We're the bells?"  Viktor asked.

Thomas helped walk Esme on one point as he went and stood on another.  Esme looked down from where she stood, hearing a noise.

The guardian stood back up, placing its mask back on. 

"Hurry, it's the only way to stop him!"  Hargreeves rushed them.  "Number Five, quickly!"

Five flashed on the center point and as soon as he did, a blue electricity shot through them all, zapping the guardian down.  Once the guardian was down the electricity stopped

A whirling and clicking noise sounded from above as the hotel was changing into something golden.  Esme groaned as she looked at the bright light above, trying to speak but couldn't. She didn't know how long she was there for but she then fell to the ground.

"Allison, don't touch that button, we don't know what it does". Five called over to her.

"Allison, stop!" Viktor shouted.

Esme groaned, turning on her hands and knees, trying to gain her strength. "Thomas?" Esme asked, almost in a shout.

"I'm good" Thomas innately groaned after, laying on his side.

"Don't make me do this!" Viktor told Allison.

Esme turned around along with the others.

"Do you trust me?" Allison asked Viktor. Viktor stopped using his power.

"Viktor, what are you doing? Stop her." Five told him.

"Allison stop!" Esme shouted.

Everyone started to yell, telling Allison not to push the button but her hand was reaching closer and closer until she finally hit it.

~~~

The elevator dinged, the door opening as the group stepped out. Cars going by and honking sounded in the distance.

Esme felt different. She didn't know what it was but it felt good. She heard Lila laugh as she looked around the area they were at.

"Cool". Lila smiled.

"Luther?" Viktor questioned.

Esme turned around and saw Luther standing by the elevator.

"Luther?"

"Oh, shit". Luther slowly smiled.

"You can see me?" He asked.

"Yes!" Esme immediately beamed, being the closest as he held his arms out, Esme didn't hesitate to hug him. Luther's smile widened as he hugged Esme back, picking her up as he did so.

"I'm alive! I'm alive!" He shouted happily.

"Yes!"

"Luther's alive!" Klaus cheered.

Luther placed Esme down as the others greeted Luther back. Viktor hugged Luther and then looked at him.

"That's not all, big guy". Viktor spoke.

"Yeah, you look smaller". Thomas observed.

Esme looked at Thomas and her head tilted a bit. "Thomas". She spoke as he looked to her.

Esme gestured to under her eyes. "They're gone." She told him.

"What?" Thomas asked.

"Your scars". She said.

Thomas immediately touched his face and felt nothing. The scars under his eyes weren't there. He didn't feel anything, it was smooth.

"I gotta show Sloane". Luther said.

"I got my arm back". Five then spoke.

"Wait. Where's Sloane?" Luther asked.

"Oh, she was uh-right behind me". Klaus answered.

"When Allison hit the button-" Lila started.

"She's done now". Diego finished.

"You know, I don't know about you guys but I haven't felt this good in years". Klaus told them.

Esme lifted her shirt, seeing there was no wound there. No burn, no blood. Nothing. "Yeah, Klaus and I'm not saying that just because I magically healed". Esme looked over at him, putting her shirt down.

"Does anyone know where the hell we are?" Ben asked.

"The hotel". Lila answered and Esme gave her a look.

"Okay, even I wouldn't of said that". Esme pointed to her.

"Or at least where it used to be". Lila corrected.

"The old man did it. I think he reset the universe". Five told them.

"You got your fingers back". Lila excitedly told Diego.

"Oh, thank god". Esme said out loud and Diego looked over to her. "It creeped me out". She told him honestly.

"Sloane? Sloane!" Luther shouted.

"Something's wrong". Five told his siblings.

"That's right. Something's wrong, you're about to get your ass kicked". Luther threatened, holding onto Fives collar.

"Luther, let go". Esme shook her head.

"Yeah, kick his ass". Diego agreed.

"No, my power. I can't blink". Five told Luther.

"Yeah, right". Luther scoffed, slowly letting go.

Diego grabbed one of his blades, twirling it but it fell out of his hand and onto the ground. "That's not good".

"Okay, come on...alakazam ghosties! This means I'm mortal again? Ah, man". Klaus whined.

"How do we get them back, you idiots?" Ben asked.

"I gotta find my wife". Luther didn't let anyone say anything as he rushed off into a random direction.

"No, Luther". Klaus called. "You can't go. You were dead five minutes ago. You're fragile!" Klaus walked slowly and turned to the others. "I have to go after him".

"Wait-no Klaus!". Diego yelled.

"I'm out bitches". Ben was next to leave.

"No, guys we should stick together and figure this out". Viktor watched Ben leave.

"What are we supposed to do?" Diego asked.

"Live our lives?" Lila asked.

Esme slowly stepped forward, raising her hand slightly. "I for one like that idea. This is the first time in...forever...where I feel light". Esme gave the others a smile before she grabbed Thomas' hand and the two took a random pathway.

Esme swung their arms back and forth lightly as they walked, her smile growing even more. "This is going to be so much fun".