DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Umbrella Academy, or the characters.
CHAPTER 1: THE BEGINNING.
"On the 12th hour of the first day of October 1989, 43 women around the world gave birth. This was unusual in the fact that none of these women had been pregnant when the day first began. Sir Reginald Hargreeves, eccentric billionaire and adventurer, resolved to locate and adopt as many of the children as possible. He got eight of them."
It just so happened that seven of these miracle children possessed unusual gifts. Sir Hargreeves, in accordance with his morally questionable 'eccentricity' , named them from Numbers One through to Number Eight. Number One, possessed super strength, Number Two could manipulate the trajectory of any object in motion. Number Three could get anyone to do anything she wanted. Number Four could commune with the dead, although generally he chose not to. Number Five could teleport, but disappeared 17 years ago. Number Six could summon monstrous tentacles through his stomach, but passed away tragically young. Number Seven had no powers at all. Finally, Number Eight's hormones prevented anyone from causing her physical harm, and had calmative properties. Sir Reginald Hargreeves, after 'adopting' them, decided to train them to become modern day 'superheroes' that he believed the world needed.
I had a complicated relationship with my father. With my whole family, really. And now that he was dead I couldn't tell whether I was happy, sad, or just relieved.
I walked through the front doors of the mansion, into the foyer, for the first time in about 11 years. I sighed. When I first got the invite to Luther's funeral for Dad, I didn't think I would go. My phone dinged, it was Josh 'Hey babe, I hope today goes well, see you back here by seven.' I rubbed my temples, and put my phone back in my pocket. I had no idea how I was going to get through the shit-show that today would be, although I imagined alcohol would probably be involved.
"Juliette? Is that you?" Called a voice from behind me, I turned around.
"Vanya! Hey," I replied.
"Umm…wow, I don't think I can remember the last time I saw you. How are you?" Vanya questions, tentatively walking forward.
"Yeah, I know right it's been ages, I'm alright thanks, you?"
"I'm good you know, all things considered…" she gestures around.
"Vanya? Juliette? You guys actually came." Allison appears at the top of the stairs.
"Hey, Allison," Vanya greets her.
"Hey, guys," Allison replies, coming towards us, first giving Vanya a hug than me.
"You look amazing, as usual, " I tell her.
"Thanks Juliette, you look…the same." Allison states. I look exactly the same as I did when I left this place, for some reason, I had managed to retain a shockingly youthful appearance over the years. Dad and Pogo hypothesized that it might be to do with my powers. Something about people being more unwilling to harm me the younger I looked? Personally, I thought (hoped) that it just might be down to really good genes. Who knows, right?
"Hey, I saw you in that movie you were in recently, ahh…what was it called? The one where you played the President? You were really great" I say, trying to keep the conversation going.
"Ah, yes, that one. Thank you, I was really proud of that one, it's not a role I normally get." Allison replies, smiling.
"What is she doing here? You don't belong here. Not after what you did." Diego storms through the foyer, looking pointedly at Vanya. "You're seriously gonna do this today?…Way to dress for the occasion, by the way." Allison calls out after him.
"At least I'm wearing black. Meanwhile, tiny little Number Eight here could not be dressed brighter." He jeers back, gesturing at me. Rude.
"Screw you too!" I call after Diego, giving him the middle finger behind his back as he walks up the stairs. I look at the girls "I thought I looked nice?"
"You do, your dress is really pretty," Vanya replies.
"Thank you, it has pockets!" I exclaim, and shove my hands into the pockets to demonstrate.
"Very nice," Allison replies.
Vanya sighs, "You know what? I—Maybe he's right. I shouldn't…"
"Forget about him. Me and Juliette are glad you're here," Allison replies, I nod in agreement.
"Well, I think I'm gonna go explore the house, it's been a while since I was last here, ya know." I state, hoping to escape the awkward silence.
"Sure of course, see you later," Allison replies. I wander off, making my way towards dad's study. I always wanted to know what was in there, and now that he was dead it wasn't like he could stop me.
As I make my way towards the study, I run into Klaus, "Hey, sweetie pie, if it isn't my cute tiny sister? Where are you off to?" He questions.
"Hi Klaus, I am currently escaping to Dad's study."
"Oooh, can I join? I always wanted to know what little secrets he had stashed away in there,"
"Sure, I could use the company," Together we make our way through the house and into dad's study, "Jesus, I could use a drink," I mutter, looking around.
"You and me both, darling," Klaus replies, he rummages around in his pockets and pulls out two little pills, offering one over to me "Here, this will help take the edge off,".
I take it and swallow it down dry and head over to dad's desk, lying down on top of it, waiting for whatever Klaus gave me to take effect. Klaus starts rummaging through dad's belongings, taking some of the more expensive looking items and shoving them into his pockets. He glances over at me, holding his finger up to his lips, I raise my eyebrows and shrug back at him, a wave of tiredness washes over me and I close my eyes as I hear Klaus rummaging around.
At that moment, Allison enters the room, "Klaus? Juliette? What are you guys doing here?" Klaus immediately stops rummaging through the drawers, seeing as how Allison probably wouldn't approve. "I could ask you the same question," I reply, not moving from my position on the desk, stretching my arms out above me, I stare up at my hands, turning them over, inspecting the lines on my palms. "Oh, Allison? Wow, is that you? Hey, come here. Long time. Too long." Klaus moves over to embrace Allison, "Hey, I was hoping to see you, actually, because I wanted to get your autograph. Add it to my collection!". I snort…sure his collection is what he wants it for.
"Just out of rehab?" Allison questions.
"No, no. No, no, no, no. No. I'm done with all that. I just came down here to prove to myself that the old man was really gone. And he is! He's dead. Yeah! You know how I know? Because if he were alive, not one of us would be allowed to set foot in this room. He was always in here, our whole childhood, plotting his next torment, right? Remember how he used to look at us? That scowl? Thank Christ he's not our real father so we couldn't inherit those cold, dead eyes!"
"Amen to that," I add, pointing at Klaus. Klaus sits down in dad's chair and starts imitating dad, "Number Three!", he says in a ratchet impression of our dear old father, pointing at Allison.
"Get out of his chair, and off the desk Juliette" demands Luther, walking into the study. I scowl and get up.
"Oh, wow, Luther! Wow, you've really - uh. You really filled out over the years, huh?" Klaus states, commenting on his physique that seems to have almost tripled since the last time I saw him.
"Klaus." Luther states warningly
"Save the lecture. I was already leaving. You guys can talk amongst yourselves," Klaus goes to make for the door. "Drop it." Luther states
"Ex-squeeze me?"
"Do it. Now."
"All right. All right." Klaus starts pulling numerous objects out of his pocket, dropping them on the floor, "it's just an advance on our inheritance! No need to get your little panties in a bunch," he exclaims. I can't help but laugh at Klaus's antics. Klaus stops at the door, looking back at me, "Juliette? My dear lady, are you coming? I cannot bare to be in this house without your most beautiful and illuminating presence" He calls out.
"Oh, my lord! How could I possibly resist when you flatter me so!" I get up and start heading out with Klaus. As I'm approaching the door, Luther grabs my arm.
"You know, Juliette, you really shouldn't be encouraging him, that makes you almost as bad as him," Luther lectures me.
"Jeez, Luther, it's nice to see you too," I retorted, Luther lets go of my arm, and I head out the door following Klaus, leaving Luther and Allison to their reunion.
As soon as we're out of the study Klaus reaches behind him, and pulls out an ornate box out of the back of his trousers, and hugs it to his chest. "How did you manage to fit that down there?" I question. "A man never reveals his secrets, my dear sister, now…" Klaus laughs "now I…am going to go see a man about a box" he waves the ornate box in front of my face, "I will be seeing you later." With that, Klaus walks off.
Not knowing what to do with myself now I end up in the living room, staring up at Five's portrait, him staring condescendingly down back at me. I tilt my head, I always hated this painting, Dad commissioned me to paint it quite a few years back. Frankly, the only reason I agreed to do it was the money, but looking at it gave me the creeps. I wonder what it would be like if he never disappeared, or if he's still out there somewhere, maybe he chose to run away and never come back. I couldn't blame him if he did. I sigh, and turn my back on the painting. I head over to the couch, and curl up on it, I close my eyes and quickly fall asleep.
I'm woken up later by the sound of Luther, stomping across the room. "Ah, Juliette, good you're awake," Luther states.
"Well, I am now," I replied grumpily. I push myself up, and looking around I can see I'm joined by all my lovely siblings. Vanya comes and sits down next to me. I yawn, stretching my hands over my head.
"What's going on?" I question.
"I figured we could have a sort of memorial service in the courtyard at sundown. Say a few words, just at Dad's favourite spot?" Luther says.
"Dad had a favourite spot?" Allison questions.
"Yeah, you know under the oak tree. We used to sit out there all the time. None of you ever did that?"
"Well, obviously not all of us were Dad's favourite, Luther," I reply.
Klaus walks over from the bar and squidges himself into the space between me and Vanya, handing me a drink. "Pour moi, monsieur?" I ask.
"Oui, pour toi, mademoiselle"
"Merci, merci, c'est pourquoi tu es mon frère préféré."
"Can you two please be serious about this, he was our Dad, we should at least commemorate him in someway," Luther interjects.
"Will there be refreshments? Tea? Scones? Cucumber sandwiches are always a winner." Klaus asks
"Oooh, I could really go for those…, uh, you know, those little finger food things with like salmon on it. Ugh, god I'm hungry!" I reply.
"What? No, no finger foods. And put that out Klaus, Dad didn't allow smoking in here." Luther states.
"Is that my skirt?" Allison squints at Klaus,
"What? Oh, yeah, this. I found it in your room. It's a little dated, I know, but it's very breathy on the bits."
"Listen up. Still some important things that we need to discuss all right?" Luther states
"Like what?" Diego questions.
"Like the way he died."
"And here we go." Diego says sarcastically
"I don't understand. I thought they said it was a heart attack." Vanya states.
"Yeah, according to the coroner," Luther says. I take a sip from my drink, ooh fruity.
"Well, wouldn't they know?" Vanya questions.
"Theoretically." Luther replies.
"Theoretically?" Allison buts in.
"I'm just saying, at the very least, something happened. The last time that I talked to Dad, he sounded strange." Luther says.
"Oh, quelle surprise!" Klaus exclaims, gurgling his drink.
"Strange how?" Allison questions.
"He sounded on edge. Told me I should be careful who to trust." Luther says.
"Luther, he was a paranoid, bitter old man who was starting to lose what was left of his marbles." Diego says.
"Even if there was some kind of 'foul play' involved in dad's death,…like,…do we care? It wasn't like he was about to win father of the year award anytime soon." I but in, confused by this whole conservation.
"He was still our dad, Juliette. Look Klaus, I know you don't like to do it, but I need you to talk to Dad," Luther says. Allison scoffs.
"I can't just call dad in the afterlife and be like, 'Dad, could you just…stop playing tennis with Hitler for a moment and take a quick call?'" Klaus states. I snort, struggling to hold back the laughter.
"Since when? That's your thing." Luther questions.
"I'm not in the right…frame of mind." Klaus winks at me, I giggle.
"You're high?" Allison asks.
"Yeah! Yeah! I mean, how are you not listening to this nonsense? Am I right Jules?" Klaus nudges me with his shoulder. I have to put a hand over my mouth to stifle the laughter now.
"Seriously, Juliette, you too? Well, sober up, this is important." Diego says.
"Then there's the issue of the missing monocle." Luther states
"Who gives a shit about a stupid monocle?" Diego asks.
"Exactly. It's worthless. So whoever took it, I think it was personal. Someone close to him. Someone with a grudge."
"Where are you going with this?" Klaus questions
"Oh, isn't it obvious, Klaus? He thinks one of us killed Dad." Diego states.
"You do?"
"How could you think that?" Exclaims Vanya.
"Great job, Luther. Way to lead." Diego states, as he gets up and leaves the room.
"That's not what I'm saying."
"You're crazy, man, You're crazy. Crazy." Klaus also gets up and starts walking out of the room, Vanya close behind him. "I've not finished!"
"Ok. Sorry, I'm just gonna go murder Mom. Be right back." Klaus says sarcastically, before heading out.
"That's not what I was saying. I didn't -" Luther cuts off. Allison starts to leave as well, "Allison. Jeez…" Soon the only people who are left are me and Luther, awkwaarrd.
"So… how's the moon?" I ask. Luther sighs and leaves as well.
Well, that was rude.
Somehow I end up outside, I think it was because I was feeling a little queasy, and decided fresh air was the answer. Who knows? I'm here now anyway. I plonk down on the ground, tilting my head back and watch the clouds go by. My phone starts ringing, it's Josh calling me, sighing I reject his call, and tuck my phone back into my pocket.
I can start to hear music coming out of the house. Standing up, I raise my arms out to the sides, spinning around in circles, and softly singing along with the lyrics.
Running just as fast as we can
Holding on to one another's hand
Trying to get away into the night
And then you put your arms around me
And we tumble to the ground and then you say…
I continue to dance and spin and sing to the song until I start to feel dizzy and breathless. I pause, bending over and placing my hands on my knees to breathe for a sec. The wind suddenly picks up, and whips my hair around me. I think I can hear thunder, but there's no rain. A blue light appears in the sky above me, it grows and grows just hanging there ethereally. My siblings come outside, looking up at the light.
"What is is?" Vanya questions, calling over the wind.
"Don't get too close!" Allison warns.
"Yeah, no shit," Diego exclaims.
"It looks like some sort of temporal anomaly. Either that or a miniature black hole. One of the two." Luther explains.
"Pretty big difference there, Paul Bunyan." Diego replies.
I walk a little bit more towards the light, it looks like there's something beyond it. "Guys, I think I see something in it, buildings or something," I call out.
"Don't get any closer, Juliette. It could be dangerous," Luther shouts over to me.
"Out of the way!" Klaus shouts, running out of the house, carrying a fire extinguisher.
"What are you—" Luther questions, just as Klaus throws the fire extinguisher into the blue light, narrowly missing my head. The fire extinguisher disappears.
"What is that gonna do?" Allison calls out
"I don't know. Do you have a better idea?" The light crackles dangerously.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Everybody get behind me. Juliette get back here now!" Luther calls out.
"Yeah, get behind us." Diego echoes, stepping forward quickly for a second, he grabs my arm and pulls me behind them.
"I vote for running, c'mon!" Klaus shouts out.
I stare at the blue light, transfixed. An old man appears in the sky, pushing out through the light, he falls to the ground. Just like that everything returns to normal. The man stands up, although now he's a child, wearing a suit several sizes too big for him, and weirdly resembling our long lost brother.
"Does anyone else see little number Five, or is that just me?" Klaus questions.
"Shit" Number Five exclaims.
END OF CHAPTER 1.