March 28, 2019

How far would one go to save the world? To save their family? Within history the answer meant ultimate sacrifice. But then the question changed to this, who made the sacrifice? And while a lot of people want to say they would do anything to protect their world, coming face to face with the choice was a lot harder than people think. If one person's death meant another would become the hero, would it be okay to sacrifice the innocent one?

Hearing that Meritech burnt down made Cielo realize that she wasn't like Five. She didn't have the 'ambition' to do whatever it takes to save everything. Saving the world sounded fun in theory. Now her workplace was burnt to a crisp with an assassin claiming that she was someone she wasn't.

Her thoughts kept coming up with how stupid she was. Letting a stranger into her house without any restraints. Telling him that she would help him out. She didn't want to think that Five was the cause of the fire but she didn't have a lot to boost a positive image. She just didn't want to see him with this fear that his unpredictable actions could hurt her.

Cielo sat absentmindedly on the bus to Meritech. She wanted to see the building's damage first person but didn't have the usual energy to walk the distance. Honestly she didn't even know what she wanted at this point. Save the world? Help Five? Go back to her clueless, boring life? Things would be so much easier if she never gave her umbrella to him.

"I hate this." In the seat across the aisle from her, an elderly person dropped part of their newspaper as the bus came to a stop. She fully turned in their direction to attempt helping them when a blue flash blinded her vision.

Blinking a few times, she had to process that Klaus had appeared out of thin air. Glancing around, now one even noticed his pop in. "How did you-"

She stopped herself seeing the tears welling up in his eyes. Man looked like shit hit the fan hard. Covered in dirt, smelled like hadn't showered in days, clothes ripped, and blood covered wrists holding the briefcase on his lap. She started piecing together what he experienced from that item alone. Though she couldn't begin to imagine what was going on in his head.

The bus pulled up to their next stop. Klaus weakly stumbling out causing her to follow. All she could do was watch him lose his head over whatever torture he went through. With each hit of the briefcase on the bench he became more unstable. Screaming with all his power before throwing it away. Fully bursting into flames. Not that Klaus cared as he fell to his knees. Clawing at the ground to escape whatever he was running from. Crying out in pain that she's never heard before.

Cielo crouched next to him sobbing in a fetal position. Carefully she placed a hand under his head to protect him from a concussion. He completely froze. Slowly turning his head to face her.

"Hey there. I keep catching you at bad times." She softly spoke. Klaus roughly grabbed her hands, holding them tightly. She remained silent.

There was a list of typical comforting phrases that came to mind. She's dealt with grieving patients, people in pain, she always fed the standard answer that many are conditioned to say on reaction. She meant those words every time. 'Things will get better. You're a strong person. Life is fucked up.' This time, the only thing that felt right was being here. Watching over him silently without any interference. It wasn't her place to say anything more.

Klaus was strong. She had no doubt that a kind soul like him would get rewarded in the future. Life truly was just an asshole towards him and everyone else that has ever been blessed enough to cry for another. But for now, he deserved to express everything he felt.


Eventually Klaus dragged his own body back up. With Cielo helping carry some weight, they made it back to the Umbrella Academy. The last place either of them wanted to be but somehow made it to.

The whole place made her uncomfortable. It was bigger than any house she's ever been in. And minus the fallen chandelier on the ground, it was a grand mansion that had expensive items covering the place. From all that she knew about the family, none of this was surprising. Not even the lack of another human presence. How could anyone think of raising a family in this kind of environment?

"Take a look around. I'm going to take a bath." She nodded as Klaus pushed himself up the stairs. Out of fear of him being alone, she stuck around. Slowly exploring the lonely home.

An outsider surrounded by the shiny and perfect was one way to describe the pressure looming over her. She supposed this was near how Vanya felt living here. It's been a while since they spoke. Not that they spoke often in the first place. She probably interacted with her siblings more than she ever did with her.

In her younger years she admired all of them from a distance. Meeting them, she was happier living in ignorance, imagining they were heroic kids that only represented the best of people.

There was a portrait of Five hanging in the living room. Hard to miss it. She scowled at the fact that she didn't go a single day without running into him again. The portrait was meant to pay respect to the missing boy. Must have boosted the already annoying ego. "Not even smiling in a portrait meant for you."

"I'm afraid that was Sir Reginald's idea." Cielo visibly jumped away from the new voice. Her surprise changed to fascination at Pogo walking over to her.

"H-hello Mister chimpanzee... My apologies- I- Wow I read that Monocle perfected anthropomorphic, sentient chimpanzees. Seeing you stand and even be fully clothed is absolutely amazing. I must compliment such fashion as well. Elegance that has slowly gotten less popular over time that I admire it. Sorry I don't mean to gawk. Just- you know not everyday I get this kind of surprise."

"Thank you for your comments. I understand that this may be a strange occurrence to you. As strange as it is for I to see you, a complete stranger, in this household."

"Ah! Right! I'm Cielo. I found Seance on the street and thought it would be best to bring him back home. Oh but this isn't the first time we've met! I'm not entirely a stranger. Still very much a stranger though. I'm not making myself look good. I- I should leave now, shouldn't I?"

"Nothing of the sort. Master Klaus has a tendency to run amok. Thank you for bringing him back."

"It's my pleasure to be of assistance." She turned to the portrait. "Have you been here since they were young?"

"Indeed. Have you met the others?"

"Most of them, yeah. I actually met Seance through Five and I'm Violinist's neighbour before all of this nonsense. Five has... enlisted my help in trying to find someone. Sort of. He thinks it's me who he's looking for, I don't, it's a lot. I don't know. Um I can ask, how-what were they like as kids?"

"Them? Or are you particularly interested in Master Five?" She couldn't resist laughing at herself being so obvious.

"I'm just trying to determine if he's who I think he is."

"And how's that going Miss Cielo?" She continued to stare at his portrait. He truly hadn't aged a day.

"He's... very confusing. One second he could be incredibly intelligent that it's an insult to anyone that dares to think in his presence. The next he passed out due to not knowing his alcohol limit. Crying silent tears to himself when he pushed everyone away in the first place. He's also unpredictable. Desperate. I guess what bothers me the most about him is that I don't think he knows what the word limit means. That scares me because between the two of us, I will always lose. Even if we're on the same side."

Pogo hummed in agreement. "That all sounds like him. Though I do have to add on one thing. Master Five has a shrewd way of viewing things but one thing he will never do is involve innocent people. As a kid, he always was popping civilians out of situations even without instructions. Finding ways to keep the collateral damage to a minimum. Feeling guilty over those that got affected. Watching over his siblings to get them out of the first sight of danger. I promise you that he is a good kid. All of them are. Letting them become this broken is my fault."

"I think the blame should hardly go on you. Not when you love them so dearly. Despite all their faults, you still remain here for them to return to. You believed in them when their father did the opposite. I applaud your dedication."

"You speak beautifully. A bit verbose if I can comment. I'm glad that they have someone outside of the family to rely on."

"I'm not sure that's going to be me. Five and that cranky Kraken brother made it very clear that I am not welcome to come any closer than I already have. Hopefully the last sister I have yet to meet is nicer than those two. Spaceboy, Violinist and Seance were very open to me I'll say that. Though I think most of it may just be curtsy to not impose on strangers."

He stroked his chin. "Those names you call them were their old codenames. Why use them?"

She embarrassingly rubbed the back of her neck. "Oh I'm not that good with names unless it's for work which I have to really have to drill into my head. It's easier to refer to them based on characteristics. Somehow they still align with them to this day. Take Spaceboy. His name eventually became true with him being a real astronaut. Almost like that was Monocle's plan to send him there in the first place."

"So you do it with everyone you encounter?"

"For the most part. I guess Five is the easiest to remember out of the bunch because it's more of a noun than a name in my head. I do acknowledge that it is a peculiar way of addressing others. Oh I didn't mean it as an insult if it's considered rude to call you Mister Chimpanzee. I haven't even asked your pronouns or your real name yet."

"My name is Pogo. You can address me how you feel, I understand. I object to any reference that I'm a monkey though."

"Understandably. I will stick to Mister Chimpanzee until you tell me otherwise. Pogo?" She giggled. "Sounds like you originated from the Congos. Along with code names and numbers. Something tells me that Monocle wasn't that good at naming as I am remembering. It's almost amusing."

"Have you ever met Sir Reginald in person?" The question took her off guard. His warm voice leaving the conversation ever so slightly. She took it as a sign that he was loyal to him and that she was essentially being rude.

"I don't believe that I have. I'm pretty sure I would remember meeting someone as eccentric as he was. Why?"

"You... remind me a lot of him."

"I don't know whether or not to take that as a compliment. Monocle did a lot of questionable actions. Forming the Umbrella Academy being one of them. Despite how his children turned out, I don't doubt him regretting his decision to create this place and would do it again."

They both turned at the sound of heavy objects falling on the floor above them. Klaus. "While I would love to continue our conversation, I think I should check up on Seance."

"I'll leave that to you then. It was... refreshing talking to you Miss Cielo. I hope we meet again."

"Likewise." Another crash sent Cielo running across the house. Leaving Pogo behind to wonder if leaving her with the Academy kids was going to turn out alright.

Primate of the Congo. Sir Reginald truly did have an odd naming sense. In all of Pogo's years with Reginald, he always thought that he was one of a kind. A being that spoke in riddles for his own benefit. Now came a stranger in their house that read them all like a book. He didn't have any evidence against her. The children liked her. Even his own instincts saying that she was a good person.

The kids were adults now. He had to let them make their own choices. Whoever this Cielo fellow was, it was not up to him to push her away.

Rushing up the stairs Cielo almost ran into Klaus leaving his room. "Wait- S-Seance where are you going?"

"Cielo?" She froze hearing a familiar voice. "What are you doing here?"

Five, completely sobered, stood in Klaus's room. His confusion matching her's. "I was helping Seance get home. What are you doing here? You were supposed to be at Kraken's."

"This is still my home. And why am I not surprised you found Klaus after he time travels?"

"So he did time travel. I figured that was the briefcase you told me about. And I ran into him by coincidence. He was too distraught after whatever he went through that I couldn't leave him there. Same with you. I see you've recovered well from last night. You may not remember but I was the one to find you and return you to the safety of your brothers."

He remembered everything last night. That's why he was uncomfortable seeing her right now. Her words were too strong for her light tone. He hated that she saw his weak side. More than 40 years he built these walls to make sure no one got close without his permission. Yet he knew that he couldn't blame his drunk mind on the fact that he fell asleep near her. Cry in front of her. She made him weak.

"I don't need to be taken care of. Thanks for the files; I have more pressing matters to deal with." He grabbed some papers off a table to start his message to Hazel and Cha-Cha.

"Five I need to tell you something." He stopped moving. "Meritech... it burnt down."

"I know." This was the moment of truth. What he answers next would change it all.

"Did you-" she took a deep breath, "did you have anything to do with it?"

Five had to think about how he should respond. She was looking for the culprit. Testing if he was trustworthy or not. If he told the truth, there was a chance she would understand. Continue working with him. But if he told a lie, say that he did it, she would leave. Return to her normal life without him.

Cielo wasn't meant to be here. This was a doppelganger. He had to accept that for her sake. She had no purpose here. Besides, Five's own desire that is. She was only here because of him. It was his choice to keep her here.

"I did it. I burned Meritech. Cut out the middle man. Before the eye is produced it is better to remove the potential." He didn't miss her tightening her hold on her arm.

"I got you the files as requested. I didn't once go against you. You didn't have to go this far. The amount of people that lost their jobs from this. Their form of income. Our clients' prosthetics that take months to make. The prosthetic that gives many the chance to continue their routine. Someone could have been killed in that fire! You can't even ensure that this will solve the issue!" His back still facing her didn't need to turn to see her seething.

"I don't need to. I told you that I was willing to do anything. You're the one that fell for the delusion that I was going to work with someone that destroys the world."

He heard her trying to pace behind him. Taking deep breaths to calm herself down. It was better this way. The Commission was on his ass more than before. The deadline to doomsday was too close. She knew too much about him but too little to help. She was going to die in 4 days anyways. Just like the rest of the world, he shouldn't be bothered by her anymore. He had his goal.

After seeing that Five would not say anymore, Cielo huffed out. "Fine. Be that way. I didn't want to work with someone that saw the possibility of the worst in me."

Up until she heard his answer she couldn't tell whether to trust him or not. Now she knew she couldn't. He was a crazy man that only cared about doomsday. He didn't care what he had to do. Even if it meant pushing Cielo away when he needed it. He was alone again.

"I hope I do end the world. Maybe then you'll actually have a reason for being such a dick." She turned away.

If Dolores were here she would nag at him for this. Cielo had a right to know the truth and decide for herself if she should continue helping. She was still a potential cause of the apocalypse. He was letting her go because of his personal feelings of guilt. It was illogical and stupid but he didn't want to keep her around in this field.

Heading back downstairs, she ran into Diego. His suspicions obviously rose seeing her in his home. Taking a knife into hand that barely phased her. "You! I knew it! What are you after?"

"I brought Seance back home after finding him on the street. I'm taking my leave now."

"Oh no you're not leaving my sights."

"I don't want to be here." She was done being polite to him. He was too similar to his technically older brother. Hating on everyone without any proper reason. Brash actions that love to drag others in.

"Great. Because we're going on a hunt for your friends." She rolled her eyes. Holding back any comments when she saw Klaus coming back.

"Ah great you're both here. Let's head out!" He linked their arms, taking them out to the car. Her taking the backseat while the brothers sat in the front. Not missing the frequent glances in the rear-view mirror.

They expected Klaus to be the main connector. He was happy go lucky a few moments ago. Now they were driving in silence as he only stared out the window. Occasionally sipping vodka straight from the bottle. And after the conversation she had with Five, Cielo wasn't in the mood to be creating a conversation either.

"You okay?" The downing mood eventually got to Diego. "Wow, this is a first. My brother Klaus is silent. Last time this happened, we were 12. Ran down the stairs wearing Grace's heels, tripped over and broke your jaw. How long was it wired shut again?"

"8 weeks."

"8 weeks glorious weeks of bliss." The conversation quickly ended. "And what about you in the backseat? How do you know Klaus?"

"Five used him as an acting father and caused some trouble at my workplace."

"So it goes back to Five. I can barely tell what that kid is thinking nowadays. Since he got back, he's been a bigger prick than when we were kids. I swear I will strangle him if he pushes me any further."

"You say that but you still took care of him yesterday. And give Seance a drive because he can't. Your tough guy act doesn't apply to your siblings I see." He saw in the mirror that she wasn't looking at him. Those were just the first things on her mind. No motive behind them.

"Hey, just drop me off here." Klaus suddenly interrupted. His eyes on a veteran bar. Diego silently questioned if all his brother wanted was to go to a bar in broad daylight.

"You sure you okay, man?" There was no response.

The two watched as he stumbled his way out of the car and into the bar. Diego wanted to leave but he couldn't. This wasn't normal for his brother. He thought he would like a quiet Klaus. Instead it just made him worried.

"Are you really going to leave him here? Alone?" Cielo pitched in from the back after noticing they weren't leaving.

"He's a big boy. He can take care of himself." She raised an eyebrow. "Okay maybe not but it's Klaus. You don't know the way his brain works. He just wants to get drunk. We've been trying for years to get him off that shit. He won't listen."

"He drank because he wanted to ignore his powers and pressure from your crazy adoptive father. This time it's different. He has dog tags. Ones that he didn't find randomly on the street. I don't know how much you know about the whole time travelling business, quite frankly I know nothing too, but I saw it this morning. Your brother, the one trying to poison himself right now, is in pain. Ignore it if you want but don't make it seem like nothing."

Diego put his hand over the gear shift. Hesitating, knowing that her words were right. So instead of reversing out of the parking lot, he parked the car. Storming in after his brother.

"Big softie." She quickly followed after him.

With Klaus and Diego's entrances drawing all attention to them, no one looked Cielo's way. She was grateful for that seeing that the room was filled with burly men twice the size of her. The smell of cigarettes and alcohol hitting her already. She didn't need physical punches her way.

Sticking close to the wall, she watched the scene unfold. Of course, it didn't take long for them to get into a fight with the patrons. And as mentioned before, Cielo has no physical advantage over any of them to think about joining in. It didn't make her any more comfortable knowing that everyone here was combat trained. Except her.

She took advantage of the chaos to sneak over to what Klaus was crying at. On the wall was a collection of photos and badges from the Vietnam war. Each person in the photo smiled brightly as they held their spot proudly. One skinny man standing out to her.

She sighed, turning to see him nearly getting punched in the head. Though whatever they threw at him, he kept going. Screaming like a mad man. Which anyone would after the pain he went through. His movement was getting sloppy and weaker with each person that came his way. Tripping over his own feet was what knocked him down. Go figure.

Between the two of them, time created more wounds than healed.

A high pitched scream broke through the commotion. Momentarily pausing all the fighting. Cielo stomped her way between Klaus and the main ring leader. No one stopped her from pushing the much larger man. Though her strength barely made him budge from his spot.

"I can't whistle but this method works. With all of your attention now, I shall put a stop to this fighting at once. I will politely ask that you step down."

He scoffed, leaning down to her height. "Who's gonna make me? Puny woman like you?"

She was unamused. After dealing with Five, this random thug was the least daunting thing right now. He was lucky she wasn't taking her anger out on him. All she did was glance down at his leg.

"A war veteran. Let me guess, you served over 30 years ago. Marine? That leg of yours sounds like it needs a tune up. Though veteran pay is hardly anything to cover the costs. Trust me, I know that. Spending at a bar is probably not helping." She once again pushed them back. This time applying more pressure on his fake foot causing him to stumble a bit. "Your leg wasn't designed to match your rage. I would very much recommend leaving these two alone. I won't say it again."

Her way of fighting was different from Five's. It was done mentally. No, not of smarts but of wit. She targeted points of weakness. A lot of veterans had prosthetics or a missing limb. Walking in she spotted 3 already. Even hidden under clothing, she could see the tell signs. This man only hid his weakness under brute strength and anger. The moment she pointed this out, they lost.

"Whatever. Hope you're happy to pick on those who served to defend this country." She didn't respond as he went back to the bar. The other veterans followed. Holding back her snide comments was the best call to end things early.

"Are you okay Seance?" She gave him a hand off the floor.

"I'm okay, I guess. You couldn't let him punch me a few times?"

"Unfortunately not. I care about your wellbeing too much for anything serious to happen to you." The two were in a bad mood. Fighting random strangers was what they both wanted to take their anger out at. In the end, it drained them more than talking it out. Not really an option in their clouded minds.

He gave her a weak chuckle getting back on his feet. "Glad to hear someone cares about me when I feel like shit."

"Your family cares for you. I promise you this."

"Yeah, what she said." Diego placed a hand on his brother's arm. "Let's get going."

"But I'm still sober!" He complained.

"That's good. I like you sober more. Come on, time to leave." They each grabbed an arm to drag Klaus out of the bar.

Diego didn't say anything but he was grateful she came along. Watching as she genuinely tried to help his brother out. Making small talk to Klaus' pleads to leave him alone. Same with Five, he was only suspicious of her because she was a stranger acting purely out of the kindness of her heart. Something that they weren't exposed to that often.

Throwing Klaus into the car first, let the two catch their breath. "I hate to tell you I told you so but I told you so. Your brother needs you now more than ever. All of you need to stick together."

"Yeah I get it." He roughly readjusted his vest. He wasn't used to sappy, touching moments. Talking about emotions wasn't in his forte. "Hey um sorry about dragging you along. You can go home like you wanted. I kinda want to talk to him alone."

She only smiled. "I'm glad that I was of help. Please take care of him."

Truthfully she didn't want to go home now. Dealing with Klaus let her focus on something not apocalyptic related. Not like she had work to do too anyways. While she would love to take the last few days on Earth to be spent relaxing, catching up with friends, trying to complete a last minute made bucket list, none of it was right. She was just supposed to go about her life like she didn't have this knowledge?

Cielo didn't argue. She will not save the world. She may know more than the general public, but not enough. She was better off listening to them and leaving them all alone.