Teddy put his hand on Adriana's shoulder. "Just let him go. It's his choice too."

Bradley conceded. "I-It... wouldn't be right if everybody died."

"I'm not moving." Adriana protested.

Teddy grabbed her by the arms, holding her tightly. She shouted and fought back at him, squirming to get out.

"Y-You monster!"

"You think I want this?!" Teddy screamed.

Slowly, Bradley stepped inside. He was trying to put on a brave face as best he could, but it was clear he was terrified of what was about to happen.

"Br-Bradley..." It was clear Ghost was sobbing heavily beneath her suit. "I'm so sorry I couldn't help you."

Emma closed her eyes. "I didn't want this either. As much as you might hate me, I always felt there was a way we could save the future without killing you. I won't give up on that...I still won't."

Bradley looked at Emma with nothing but contempt. The same look was in his eyes when he stared at Ghost, but with a sad feeling of betrayal as well. Slowly, his eyes turned to Violet. She was standing next to Teddy, crying over the decision she had just made.

"I-It's fine, Violet." Bradley smiled. "If I'm really supposed to grow up to be that Zero... then this was the only right choice to make."

Teddy looked like he was about to cry as he held Adriana. "I'm sorry, Bradley. You're in here because of me and now..." He couldn't finish his sentence but it was clear he was aware of the enormity of his consequences.

The doors didn't even close. The sound of a cable snapping could be heard--like the crack of a whip. And then suddenly the image of Bradley just flashed by the shaft as the elevator rocketed downwards.

CRASH

It was a horrific sound of metal smashing and bending and then the most eerie silence. Nobody said a word. Violet fell down and began to sob violently as Teddy attempted to comfort her. Ghost went over to the shaft and peered down it, right before collapsing to her knees. Einstein went next to Ghost, also peering down the shaft. His tail didn't wag as it usually did and he paced around in discomfort.

"What now?" Teddy directed his question at Emma, glaring daggers at her.

"Killing Bradley wouldn't have done anything before--not with the issues regarding Mr. Tesla. But considering what his chances in the election are, and that we removed his data from Adriana... I think it's safe to say we succeeded." She said the last word with no enthusiasm, and with clear doubt. "Blight-Y won't be released."

"Don't pretend you succeeded at anything other than killing an innocent child." Adriana growled.

Emma stared at her, guilt in her eyes. "When I knew Bradley would kill billions, I didn't accept that as a solution. I felt there had to be another way. And the way we stand right now, after 98 attempts, and feeling no closer to a solution... I may have been wrong. There was no 'solution' to saving the world as long as Bradley was still alive. Even when I knew he was incurable, I thought I could find a way. I guess that was just hubris."

Emma walked over to Midge and placed the box she was carrying on the ground. She injected one of them into herself. Slowly, the others who were infected gathered around and did the same.

"Mr. Blaketon, I'll be giving you a video shortly with my findings. Shortly after, I'll be going to prison so...I trust you'll know what to do with it."

"Wait!" Midge interrupted, looking between Emma and Albert. "You're not seriously going to do this again?! You know that the time machine causes nothing but trouble."

Albert sighed. "I-I have to... I never settled things with Ice. I can't let him die like that." He looked over to the shaft. "And if the information Emma found can save Bradley in another time... so be it."

The eight of them stared at the shaft where Bradley had perished. Violet approached it one last time, offering a pained apology through sobs.

Ghost just sat in front of it. She still hadn't said a word or moved the whole time. It was as if she had already died. Slowly, Teddy bent down and draped Ghost's arm over his shoulders.

Then they all turned away. It was time to go.

END

"...I'll do it." Violet stiffened. She said the words with a very apparent lack of conviction.

"Violet, you don't have to." Bradley said, tearing up. "Y-You don't even do anything. It's o-only because of m-me-me that-"

Violet just pulled Bradley into a tight hug. She had tears in her eyes that were now running down the back of Bradley's clothes. She said nothing for a while, nor did he. Eventually, she let go.

"It should be me, Bradley. I've seen plenty of the world outside. It wouldn't be fair." She turned away from him, walking towards the group. "A-Adriana... can I see your notebook? I want to write a note to my brothers."

Adriana closed her eyes. It almost seemed like she would refuse, not willing to accept that this was the answer. But then slowly, she reached into her purse and handed Violet the notebook. "Y-You're very brave." She said softly. "Braver than all of them. I'll make sure your brothers get it."

Violet spent some time writing in the notebook. She handed it to Teddy, who then wrote something of his own before handing it back to Adriana.

"I... have to go." Violet was looking at the floor while speaking to Teddy. "I love you Daddy... I'm sorry I couldn't keep our promise."

Teddy hugged her tightly. Tears and snot were rolling down his face as he held her tighter. "Don't apologize for anything. Ok? Promise me that."

Eventually, she pulled herself away. Teddy just sat on his knees and watched. Watched as Violet slowly got in the elevator.

And then he stood up, running towards the door. Before anybody even realized he'd gotten up, he was in the elevator.

"D-Dad, don't-!"

Teddy just held her tightly in his arms again. Violet couldn't even finish her sentence the breath taken out of her. She began to cry again.

"Don't worry." Teddy insisted. He grabbed her face gently so she'd be looking right in his eyes. "Just look at me, okay? I'm not going to leave you."

The sound of the cable snapping was sudden. Violet and Teddy didn't scream as it rocketed downwards, leaving the remaining seven to just stare at the back of the elevator shaft.

CRASH

... and that was that. Everybody in the room was left with nothing but silence. Violet and Teddy were... gone.

Bradley's sobs were the first one to break the silence. They quickly turned enraged as he smashed his fists into Ghost's suit over and over again. "Y-You killed her!" He screamed. "Y-You're a monster! She didn't do anything and you killed her!"

Ghost was stumbling through her words, trying to find something to say to defend herself. But she couldn't, and just silently took Bradley's blows.

"And for what?!" Bradley screamed. "You didn't solve anything!"

Emma looked at the ground. "... we should be fine. The Butterfly Effect from this moment forward... I believe the future we're heading towards won't be a bleak one. Ghost and I came to the same conclusion."

"Won't be bleak." Albert repeated the words in a completely monotone voice. "You just fucking killed a child?! And you say it won't be bleak?!"

"...we should cure everyone at the moment." Emma said, changning the subject. "And for now, Bradley needs to remain here."

Ghost nodded. "I will stay then..."

"No." Bradley shook his head. "I-I'll stay... I won't leave. I'll die here if I have to because... I won't have Violet die for nothing." He looked at Ghost, eyes filled with hatred. "I don't want to see you again. I mean it this time."

Ghost didn't respond again. Only the sound of quiet, shaking sobs in her suit could be heard. The vaccines were silently distributed amongst everyone and then taken.

"... is that it then?" Helios asked. He turned to Emma. "The future is 'saved' and Bradley is alive... but I hardly see the upside here."

Emma frowned, "It seems Ghost was right about this trial's outcome... but that doesn't mean I feel good about it. Most of all... I'm relieved that it's over."

Everyone looked back at the elevator shaft.

It's over, huh? Then...we won. Right?

...

...

...

END