There is a possibility you have heard of the infinite universe theory, or the multiverse theory. In case you haven't, the theory states that for every single possible outcome, change or decision possible in this world, a new alternate timeline is created for it. For example, if you wake up one morning, and try to decide if you want cereal or oatmeal, you have just created two new timelines — one where you choose oatmeal, and another with cereal.
Well, more such universes exist — including ones with the Baudelaires. In this universe, the Baudelaires were met at the Hotel Denouement by a certain series of triplets.
It was exactly four minutes past three pm, when the Baudelaires all arrived in the lobby. Things were looking confusing — two Denouement twins in three places, a harpoon gun, birdpaper, and a special lock. They tried to make sense of this before the trial on Thursday.
The Baudelaires were considering all this when they heard three familiar voices. The three of them looked up to see three children, around Klaus or Violet's age, running towards them.
Those three were the Quagmire Triplets, reunited with the Baudelaires at last.
The two sets of friends, once out of reach, hugged and held each other close. Klaus and Isadora were curled on the sofa, Quigley was holding up Sunny, hugging her, and Violet and Duncan didn't even opt to sit down, holding each other tight.
"H-how are you here?" Violet finally asked. The three seperated from the others, and explained how the self sustaining hot air mobile home had been attacked by eagles from the V.F.D., sending the craft downwards. The Quagmires, somewhat ruefully, that they could not save Hector, and they had no clue if Kit Snicket was alive or dead.
The six started catching up on old times, recapping the events of Heimlich Hospital, the Caligari Carnival — the death of Olivia Caliban was disconcerting, a word which here means 'made Isadora and Duncan mourn the fateful librarian' — the events at the Mortmain Mountains, in the Gorgonian Grotto, and now here, at Hotel Denouement.
The sextet — a word here meaning "the six children" — laughed and cried and comforted each other into the wee hours of the morning.
They all went to bed, together, in the Hotel Denouement, in room 832, able to sleep, relax, and await the trial.
The next morning, Sunny was the first to wake. It was about forty five minutes later, but then Violet, Isadora, Klaus, Duncan, and Quigley all woke up, in that order, to Sunny giving them breakfast.
"Brekast." Sunny said, which meant something like 'breakfast is served'. The Baudelaires and Quagmires enjoyed, somewhat at ease. It had been a while since they had a true, healthy meal.
The Quagmires were briefed by the Baudelaires on the assignment at Hotel Denouement, so as the bell rang, they started to wander the Hotel Denouement, undercover, wanting only to live and learn something for the trial, convict Olaf, and live happy until the end will ring. I am glad to say that they will be happy, just not without one more unfortunate event.
Now, as the Baudelaires did, the Quagmore triplets will engage in assignments with them, as three different rooms ring.
Klaus and Isadora, Violet and Duncan, and Sunny and Quigley all went in pairs, and it is now that you learn you do not need to read the next three chapters in order.
Perhaps you will read about Klaus and Isadora's visit to room 098 in chapter two, involving a horrible theft from the vice president in charge of orphan affairs and a book of important evidence.
Perhaps you will read about Violet and Duncan going to room 529 in chapter three, and repairing the pivotal clock of the Hotel Denouement, a clock that was the stuff of legend, a phrase you already know means 'very famous for being very loud'.
Or perhaps you will go to room 954 with Quigley and Sunny in chapter four, where Count Olaf is in disguise of Jacques Snicket, and a violent murder is attempted with a pot of curry.
Or perhaps to will skip all of these to go to chapter five, where the six talk about their findings. Or perhaps to chapter six, where the trial takes place. Or perhaps chapter seven, where the titular aftermath occurs. Or perhaps you will close Archive of Our Own in its entirety and shutdown your mechanical device, finding a book with real paper to read instead, or perhaps doing your math homework that you decided to skip in favor of this story.
I highly advise the last one, but I won't force you. But it has been advised.