This is the simplest universe alteration I've ever had. Begin!

Note: In this story there is no "there might be a survivor of the fire," you'll soon see why that's important.

~Normal POV

"Which path should we take?"

"This one I suppose," Violet replied, "But I'm not sure which one Olaf would take."

"At least he doesn't know we're alive," Klaus noted, "That gives us the element of surprise to get Sunny back."

The two elder Baudelaires went further up the mountain trail in hopes of finding their kidnapped baby sister. They had been told by Olivia that the V.F.D. headquarters was hidden somewhere inside these mountains. However, without her map, they were at a loss as to how to reach it.

"Do you hear something," Violet asked.

After a short silence, the two heard a loud buzzing sound and looked up to see a swarm of the infamous Mortmain Mountain snow gnats coming right for them. Violet and Klaus hurried up the trail as the nasty bugs circled them. After several minutes of walking, they reached a cave on the side of the trail and the bugs quickly retreated from the entrance.

"What made them go away so easily," Klaus asked as they walked into the cave.

"Hey cakesniffers!"

Violet groaned, "I think I can guess..."

Inside the cave was a group of about 20 children and one adult all sitting around a campfire. Almost all the children were wearing white Snow Scout uniforms. The only exception appeared to be two kids wearing black winter coats over their clothes and jeans; and had backpacks on. The two out-of-place children were also wearing fencing masks over their faces. After a lengthy explanation by the adult, Bruce, about what the Snow Scouts were; Violet and Klaus were given some winter clothes and masks to wear by the two masked scouts.

After many minutes of the Snow Scouts telling stories, one of the masked scouts spoke up, "I think we should let our new traveler friends tell a story. They might have a lot of interesting tales." The scout's voice indicated he was male.

"Oh, yes," The female masked scout spoke up, "I'd love to hear a Very Fascinating Drama."

Violet and Klaus glanced at each other under their masks. These two were supposedly volunteers. Carmelita then started whining for them to start a story.

"I'm sorry for the delay," Violet said carefully, "We haven't had a Very Fun Day. So it's difficult to think of a good story."

"I didn't realize this was a sad occasion," The male mystery scout replied.

"Oh, yes, we've had nothing to eat all day except some Vinegar-Flavored Doughnuts," Klaus said.

"And then there were the snow gnats, they behaved like Violent Frozen Dragonflies."

"When they form an arrow, they're more like a Voracious Fierce Dragon."

"Or a Vain Fat Dictator I imagine," The female mystery scout replied. The two nodded slowly to show that they had received the message.

Violet and Klaus now knew that they couldn't leave the cave until they were able to speak to the two scouts alone. Carmelita got frustrated over their story and began telling one about herself. Several hours of Snow Scout story time later, it was now dark out and time for bed. The Baudelaires were given blankets to sleep on and the campfire was put out. Once it seemed like everyone else was out for the night, the two mystery scouts approached them.

"We know a shortcut to the headquarters," The boy whispered.

He held out his hand to help Violet up. She couldn't help feeling that there was something familiar about the way his warm hand felt in hers. The girl helped Klaus up, and he was internally grateful that she couldn't see his face since his cheeks burned at the contact of holding a girl's hand. The two led them over to the back of the cave and the girl pulled out a spyglass. She pointed it at a chimney like opening in the ceiling.

"This is a Vertical Flame Diversion," The boy explained, "It's where the smoke was being let out from. It's also a secret passageway to the headquarters. The masks will filter most of the smoke but it'll probably be hard to breathe. It'll echo too so be very quiet."

The boy started climbing and the girl followed shortly after.

Klaus leaned over to Violet and whispered, "How can we trust them?"

Violet was smiling under her mask, "Trust me; they're fine. Let's just follow them."

Klaus seemed to accept this answer and began following his sister up the diversion. Hours of climbing later they finally reached a curved hallway of sorts at the top. The two strangers helped them up and led them down the hallway. After several moments they reached a slightly open door. They all froze in mild panic.

"What's wrong," Klaus asked.

"The door isn't supposed to be open," The boy answered.

The four of them quickly walked through the door to find that the once beautiful V.F.D. headquarters was in ruins. It was a devastating sight as they looked around the broken remains of what appeared to be a kitchen. Klaus' eyes were immediately drawn to the sight of a side area with a large archway that said V.F.D. Library. There was barely any books left untouched and most of them were far too damaged to read. The girl quietly grabbed Klaus' hand for comfort. She seemed to feel the imagery affecting him.

"It must have been beautiful," The boy whispered.

"I'm sure it was," Violet said, "Now are you two going to take off those stupid disguises?"

"Violet what are you-" Klaus was interrupted as the two scouts removed their masks to reveal they were Duncan and Isadora the whole time.

Violet and Klaus removed their own masks and hugged the two triplets as Violet asked, "What are you doing here? We sent you up in the hot air mobile home with Hector!"

Duncan chuckled, "We asked him to drop us off here with some supplies. We've been surviving inside the cave on our own until the Snow Scouts arrived yesterday."

"Where's Sunny," Isadora asked.

"She's been taken by Olaf. We were hoping to get help from volunteers at the headquarters but it looks like the place might have been abandoned for a while," Violet said looking around.

"And Olaf thinks we fell off the mountain trail to our deaths in a runaway caravan," Klaus added, "So we know she's safe for now if he thinks he needs her alive for the fortune."

~...

The four orphans noticed a plume of green smoke atop Mount Fraught. Hopeful that it might be Sunny, Violet created a climbing invention to use to scale the frozen waterfall.

"Violet, are you sure this is a good idea," Klaus asked worriedly.

"It's our only chance. If Sunny is up there one of us has to check. The rest of you can stay here and search the library for any useful information."

"What if it was two of us," Duncan offered with a small smile, "I'll go with you."

Violet returned his smile, "Thank you for volunteering, Duncan."

Duncan put on the climbing invention and was about to follow Violet over to the waterfall, but Isadora stopped him.

"Listen, please be careful. I don't want to lose another brother..."

Duncan smiled at her, "I'll be fine, I'll be with Violet. Enjoy your quality alone time with Klaus. Just make sure you stay focused ok, little sister?"

Isadora blushed and turned to join Klaus in the library while Violet and Duncan prepared themselves for their waterfall climb.

"Are you ready?"

"No. But my mother used to say that if you wait until you're ready, you'll be waiting for the rest of your life."

"Then let's do this."

The two began their daunting climb up the waterfall. They climbed for a long time before finally reaching a sturdy ledge about halfway up. They sat down to rest for a while.

Duncan reached into his backpack and handed her a small bag of carrots, "I know you probably don't care much for carrot sticks but most of the food Hector left us with was crunchy stuff."

Violet smiled and took one, "I don't mind; we need to regain our energy anyway."

The two ate their snacks quietly for a few moments before Violet spoke again, "Do you think Sunny is really up there?"

"Of course I do! Your sister is one determined kid. She'd find a way to signal for help."

There was another comfortable silence. Violet always felt comfortable around Duncan. He was her dear friend, but in her heart she knew she wanted so much more than friendship from him. With that thought in mind, since they were finally alone together, she felt it was time to bring up something she hadn't stopped thinking about since she saw it.

"Duncan, I know that now might not be the best time, but since we're finally alone I have to tell you something. I did see something inside that red herring statue. I'm sorry for lying to you, but I wanted to get us somewhere safe first."

Duncan blushed and started fidgeting, "Oh... uh... I forgive you. What did you see?"

"A little carving that looked like it said D.Q+V.B."

"Um... and how do you feel about that," He asked nervously.

She grabbed his hand, "I like you too Duncan; I always have."

He grinned and moved to sit closer to her. She rested her head on his shoulder as the two gazed out at the beautiful view of the Mortmain Mountains; keeping each other comfortably warm in the cold mountain air.

The two young volunteers later resumed their climb, and did eventually reach the top to find Sunny. And as they climbed they shared small secret smiles with each other that only they understood.

And when they got back down from their waterfall climb after ensuring Sunny was safe, they also didn't mind teasing Klaus and Isadora for having caught the two of them kissing while they were waiting for their siblings to return. Despite the headquarters being in ruin, and them not knowing the location of the last safe place indicated by the Verbal Fridge Dialogue message, they didn't mind as much because they at least had each other. And they were going to make sure it stayed that way.

~The End!

Got nothing to add here; this is another idea I wish had happened in the books. Bye!