chapter fifty-five: the end of the universe

Five led the trio back to the lobby. There they encountered the rest of the Umbrella Academy along with the two remaining Sparrows, Ben and Sloane. As soon as the others caught sight of Five they began to whoop and holler. They were congratulating him on his big speech from the night before. Although both Five and Nova couldn't actually remember what he had said during the speech.

"Woo! Five! Yeah!" Klaus exclaimed as he clapped his hands and the others cheered around him.

"Here he is!" Luther chuckled as Lila and Diego moved to give the boy a standing ovation.

"That speech last night! Wow!" Diego cheered. Nova couldn't help but notice Ben and Allison weren't in the same cheerful mood as everyone else. Honestly, she couldn't blame them. The world was ending. They had a right to feel any way they wanted and if moody and brooding was what they chose to feel so be it.

"Brought me to tears, you big softy," Lila chimed in.

"I especially liked when you referred to us as a family bound by destiny and love," Viktor added.

"It was the booze talking," Five attempted to defend himself, "In the light of day, you're all still deplorable."

"And your day is about to get worse," Reginald jumped in and Nova couldn't help but roll her eyes at the old man.

Five settled down on the empty armchair and pulled Nova down into his lap. As they got situated Reginald continued by telling some story about how the universe could be saved by eight of them. Honestly, Nova wasn't actually paying much attention to what Sir Reginald Hargreeves was saying. She may have agreed to come to this meeting but she never said that she would actually pay attention.

"Reggie?" Lila asked as she raised her hand after Reginald had finished his story. "Can we get a little less Brothers Grimm and more: What the hell does this have to do with us?"

"There is a truth to these myths. None of you can deny what's going on around us. All of existence will be gone by the end of the day, but whoever or whatever wove together space and time left a way to put things back together if the universe ever faced total annihilation. There is a portal in the universe," Reginald explained. At this Nova's ears did perk up a little bit. She would never admit it to anyone but she was slightly intrigued by Reginald's words.

"A portal? Dad, what are you even talking about?" Manuella spoke up in confusion.

"Yes, a portal. I built this hotel around it and on the other side is the answer," Reginald finished dramatically.

"Well, that's not cryptic at all," Nova said sarcastically.

"So, we're supposed to do what? Just stroll in there, ring some bells, and fix this shit?" Luther added.

"Sarcasm aside," Reginald began as he sent dirty looks toward both Luther and Nova before continuing, "You are mostly right. Except for the Guardian."

"What kind of guardian?" Viktor asked after Reginald paused dramatically.

"The kind of guardian that does this," Diego said before holding up his bandaged hand. Nova's eyes widened when she noticed that her friend was missing a few fingers.

"Holy shit, Diego! What happened to your hand?" Nova gasped in shock.

"He had a sword," Diego shrugged.

"It is a force to be reckoned with," Reginald nodded.

"Wait, so, Diego, you've already gone through this portal, correct?" Manuella asked as she turned to face the man who nodded slowly. "And you encountered this guardian in the other dimension and he chopped off your fingers?"

"Yeah, that about sums it up," Diego confirmed while nodding.

"See, yeah, this is where you lose me," Luther chimed in.

"This is where he loses you? I checked out at the sacred cave," Lila interrupted.

"At least you made it that far, Lila. I checked out as soon as he opened his mouth," Nova added with a bored shrug.

"Okay, but why would the builders of this backdoor need to have a guardian?" Viktor asked as he put air quotes around the words "back door".

"Ah! To protect it from people who want to use it for nefarious means," Sloane quickly guessed excitedly.

"That is correct, Sloane," Reginald nodded.

"So, I guess, it's going to take all of us to defeat the thing protecting the bells," Allison pointed out.

"You're actually buying his crap?" Five scoffed at his sister's remark.

"How is a guardian and bells crazier than time-traveling briefcases and assassins with cartoon masks?" Allison challenged.

"Actually, she's got you there," Luther commented.

Silence filled the room momentarily. Nova mulled over everything that Reginald was proposing to the group. She did like the idea of saving the universe. If they succeeded then she could finally get her second chance at life. But there was still that tiny voice in the back of her head that told her not to trust Sir Reginald Hargreeves. Nova knew this wasn't the same man she knew back in her original timeline. But the Reginald she knew was cold, heartless, deceitful, and so much more. This was the man who had taunted her back in 1963. This was the man whose children drugged him for years because they couldn't deal with his shit. This was a man that Nova had no plan on ever trusting.

"I'm in," Ben said after he rose from his seat and moved to stand next to his father proudly.

"Me too!" Diego chimed in as he stood up abruptly causing Lila to fall back onto the couch. "But I think some of us should stay back. Like...Lila."

"Uh...or you can stay, and I can go," Lila said with annoyance, lacing her tone as she too stood up.

"One of you guys can go for me. I think Imma sit this one out," Nova said lazily before she saluted her friends in a mocking gesture.

"No, this is much bigger than all of us. Nobody can stay back," Allison said pointedly.

"You, my children, are all that stands between us and oblivion," Reginald implored the group, "Are we ready to go?"

"Uh, I'd just like to point out once again, that I am not your child," Nova said forcefully, "I am a Perez, not a Hargreevs."

"Yes, Genova, we know," Klaus sighed dramatically, "But you may as well be his daughter-in-law which would kind of make you his child-in-law."

"Well, I say we vote on it," Viktor chimed in before a full-blown argument could break out between Klaus and Nova.

"This isn't a democracy," Ben spat. "Dad's calling the shots."

"I'm with Viktor," Five spoke up, "We vote."

"Hold on, are we seriously about to vote on whether or not we should take a different vote?" Manuella asked in confusion.

"This is actually more organized and civil compared to how we usually make decisions in the Umbrella Academy," Nova pointed out.

"How do you guys normally make decisions?" Manuella asked. Although the woman wasn't really sure if she actually wanted to know the answer.

"Usually there is some sort of fight. Could be verbal or physical. Sometimes Luther locks us in cages against our wills..." Nova began to explain when Luther suddenly interrupted her.

"Will you get over that already, Nova? It was a mistake and Viktor's already forgotten about it," Luther huffed while glaring in the girl's direction.

"Dude, Viktor had amnesia of course he forgot about it," Nova deadpanned.

"The world is ending and you are wasting our time with nonsensical bickering and counting hands?" Reginald asked, appalled.

"You're asking us to risk our lives. I think it's only fair you give us time to discuss it," Luther said. Reginald scoffed in disbelief as he glanced around the room quickly. It was like he was looking for someone to back him up but instead, he was met with silence. "Privately."

"I agree with Luther," Manuela piped up before glancing at her father hesitantly. "Dad, I think you should leave."

"Unbelievable!" Reginald scoffed under his breath before he stomped away with a huff. They were all silent until the sounds of Reginald's muttering and complaints faded out of earshot.

"Why don't we meet back here in an hour?" Luther suggested and the others agreed.

When the group went their own separate ways Nova took a short walk alone in hopes of organizing her thoughts. But sadly that didn't seem to work so instead Nova made her way toward the kitchen in hopes of finding a snack. That is where she encountered Manuella who was making quesadillas at the stove.

"Hey, you know a lot about time travel and this world-ending apocalypse stuff right?" Manuela asked when she saw the girl enter the kitchen.

"I mean, it was my job to become an expert in that field," Nova shrugged.

"Alright, I'm going to choose to ignore that sarcasm," Manuela said as she playfully jabbed her spatula in the girl's direction. "But, tell me. Honestly, how long do you think we have left?"

"Honestly?" Nova asked before glancing out the window quickly. Manuella nodded so the girl continued, "Probably only a couple more hours. Could be more. Could be less. It's hard to pinpoint an exact time that the Kugelblitz will swallow the rest of this universe. But I do know that there won't be a tomorrow. That's for sure."

"Well, in that case, can I make you a quesadilla?" Manuella asked and the girl shrugged. "You know, Sloane's raiding the wine cellar for our end-of-the-world party. I know Luther's in."

"So, I'm guessing you three know how you're going to vote later?" Nova asked and this time it was Manuella's turn to shrug.

"I'm actually still kind of on the fence about it," Manuela confided to the girl. "There are only three of us Sparrows left and I feel like whichever way I vote I'll be betraying one of my siblings."

"You need to vote for yourself, Manu. Not because you are trying to please somebody," Nova said.

"But who am I really? I'm not really my own being, am I? I'm just a copy of you, Nova. I shouldn't even exist. I only exist because you and your team messed up the timeline. Who's to say that I am free to make my own decisions?" Manuella asked in exasperation.

"I hate to break it to you but I'm not the original Nova," Nova began to explain when the other woman gave her a confused look she continued, "Recently it has come to my attention that I myself am also a variant. There are probably an infinitesimal number of variations of us spread out across the timelines. We are not imposters or mistakes. We are our own people. Even if we do look the same it doesn't mean we think the same. It really explores the theory of nature vs. nurture when you really think about it. Yes, genetically we are the exact same person but we had drastically different life experiences and that makes us completely different people."

"I still don't know how I'm going to vote tonight," Manuela said quietly as she cast her eyes downwards and plated Nova's quesadilla.

"Take some time to think about it and trust your instincts," Nova suggested as she accepted the food.

"And what are your instincts telling you?" Manuella questioned.

"My instincts are telling me that Hargreeves has never had any of our best interests at heart. They're telling me that this very well could be a trap. Now the question I need to figure out is whether or not I am stupid enough to fall for it," Nova explained and the woman nodded slowly. The girl took this as her queue to exit. She quickly thanked Manuela for the food before making her swift departure.

Nova leaned against her boyfriend in the lobby as the rest of the group presented their cases. Allison, Lila, Klaus, Ben, and Manuela voted to go fight the guardian and save the universe. Diego, Viktor, Luther, Sloane, and Five voted to stay and accept their imminent doom. The vote was five to five. The line had been drawn in the sand. Now everyone looked to Nova as the deciding vote.

"I'm sorry, but I can't keep doing this whole save the universe thing anymore," Nova began slowly as she pondered her options. She had been mulling over this issue for a while and she finally had come to her conclusion. "I've already died countless times. Death doesn't scare me. I'm ready to see what comes after the Void. That's why I have to vote to stay. Like Five said, it's time we accept our fate."

"You're all pathetic," Allison growled as she broke the intense silence that had blanketed the group. They watched as the woman stormed off.

"Why can't we go in there, just the four of us?" Ben asked his father in a low voice.

"That would mean certain failure. There must be eight," Reginald sighed before turning to address the group, "Children, I can't say I'm happy with this. But I see now the blame falls on me. I failed you when you were young, and I have failed you now. And in doing so, I have doomed the entire universe. If anyone needs me, I'll be in the courtyard...awaiting the end."

"Idiots," Ben scoffed before he stormed off following his father.

"Was that a real apology?" Viktor asked skeptically.

"The man has never apologized for anything in his life," Luther shrugged.

"I actually feel bad for him," Diego sighed.

"Don't worry. It'll pass," Five responded nonchalantly and Klaus let out a deep sigh as he too left the room.

"So, what do we do now?" Sloane asked as Nova stepped away from her boyfriend's arms. The girl reached for Five's hand before beginning to drag him up the stairs.

"We wait for the end," Five shrugged as he let himself be pulled away.

"See you all around. It's been nice knowing ya," Nova waved.

It was driving Five mad that he couldn't remember who Reginald had been talking to the night before. Now he was retracing his steps hoping to get some sort of clarity. His girlfriend, who had nothing else to do, trailed behind him with an immensely bored expression on her face. She honestly didn't care if Five remembered anything. At this point, nothing really mattered to her. Nova made her peace with the unknown and she didn't feel like spending her last few hours anxiously trying to figure out what Reginald was hiding.

"What are you guys doing?" Viktor asked with confusion as he walked up to his brother and Nova in the hallway.

"Eating cereal. Retracing my steps," Five shrugged.

"I'm watching him eat cereal and retrace his steps," Nova shrugged.

"Why?" Viktor asked because their responses didn't clear up much.

"The old man is hiding something," Five elaborated before he turned and continued on his way.

"Yeah, feels like there's a lot of that going around," Viktor sighed and Five paused before turning back to the others. Nova hadn't moved yet but she had to admit that Viktor also had her intrigued.

"What are you talking about?" Nova asked.

"Allison apologized to me," Viktor said slowly and the couple shared a look. The look was something only they understood. They both thought Viktor was wasting their time. But Five decided to entertain the conversation anyway.

"Okay, and that's suspicious, how?" Five asked.

"Last night she was ready to go ten rounds with me at the wedding, and this morning it's all family and Dad and love. I don't know. Something must've happened last night, but I don't know what," Viktor continued to explain and Nova's eyes widened as Five unceremoniously dropped his cereal on the ground.

"You don't think..." Nova began as she looked toward her boyfriend but he wasn't looking at her. His eyes were wide as they darted around the room.

"It's Allison!" Five suddenly exclaimed.

"What is?" Viktor asked.

Before either of them could respond Sloane's piercing scream of anguish sliced through the air. The trio glanced at each other momentarily before taking off down the hall. A gasp escaped Nova's lips when they entered the White Buffalo Suite. Her dark eyes widened as they landed on Luther's unmoving body and Sloane's sobbing figure hunched over him. Quickly Nova's hand found her boyfriend's seeking some sort of comfort. Without missing a beat, Five squeezed his girlfriend's hand tightly letting her know he was there.

"Oh my God, Luther," Viktor gasped.

"W-what happened?" Five stuttered out.

"H-he went to go get ice. I couldn't... He didn't come back," Sloane managed to get out through her sobs. Another sharp gasp cut through the air as Manuela ran into the room. When Sloane's eyes landed on her sister and Nova more tears filled her eyes, "Please do something. Either of you. Can't you do anything?"

"I-i..." Manuela began to stutter her eyes seeking Nova hoping for answers that she herself couldn't answer.

The girl let go of her boyfriend's hand while she took a few steps forward. She crouched down and put a hand on Luther's chest. Nova searched deep within the well of her power allowing it to search for Luther's soul. If he was still somewhere in there she could help him. But as her dark eyes slid shut it wasn't in concentration but more like despair.

"I'm so sorry, Sloane," Nova said quietly as she tried not to let her own voice crack with raw emotion. Another sob of anguish ripped its way out of Sloane's throat as the girl stepped away from her friend's body.

"His soul. It's moved on," Klaus whispered and Nova's head snapped up. This is the first time she had noticed that he was even in the room. Looking around Nova realized that almost everyone else was now in the room as well.

"It must have been the Guardian," Lila pointed out.

"She's right. Whatever did this had a long curved blade," Diego said as he crouched down to get a better look at Luther's wound.

"How can you be sure?" Viktor asked.

"I-I don't know