[61] on to the next one

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chapter sixty-one: on to the next one

The elevator bell chimed and the doors slid open. Nova wasn't sure how she ended up in said elevator but it really didn't matter. The color had returned to Five's face and his arm was back securely around her waist. Having him alive and by her side was all she could ask for. However, the elevator was cramped and the girl was starting to feel slightly claustrophobic.

Five was one of the first to step into the strange courtyard. Nova was still tucked tightly to his side. They had been through enough recently. The couple was done taking chances. The courtyard reminded her of the one at the Umbrella Academy but if it was combined with her favorite greenhouse. In the center was a bust of Sir Reginald Hargreeves presented on a pedestal with six pathways extending in different directions. Lush green trees were planted in between.

"Obsidian Memorial Park, graciously donated by Sir Reginald Hargreeves this first day of October 1989," Nova read the plack beneath the bust with a scoff. "Hey, Five, can you believe this shit?"

"Luther?" Viktor gasped before Five could respond to his girlfriend's remark. "Luther!"

They all turned and were surprised to see their formerly deceased friend standing before them. But the fact that he was standing and breathing wasn't the biggest shock that the group was met with. It seemed Luther had returned to his normal body. He looked exactly the same as they all remembered him, that is before Hargreeves had spliced his DNA with that of an ape's.

"Oh shit, you can see me?" Luther asked excitedly as he took in all of the flabbergasted faces.

"Yes! Yes!" Viktor confirmed before jumping into his brother's arms excitedly for a hug.

"I'm alive! I'm alive!" Luther exclaimed.

"Wooo, Luther's alive! Yeah!" Klaus cheered while applauding the man's return.

"Oh, my God!" Lila laughed.

"That's not all, big guy," Viktor grinned as he took in Luther's physique. When Luther glanced down at himself his eyes nearly bugged out of his skull.

"Whoa! Oh shit, my body!" Luther chuckled as he examined his torso and his arms, "Damn, I look amazing."

"Luther's all svelte now," Klaus commented.

As Nova watched she felt Five wrap both arms around her and pull her into his chest. Confused she furrowed her eyebrows and glanced down at the arms that were holding her. A laugh of disbelief and surprise bubbled past her lips when she realized her hand rested above both of Five's.

"What's wrong?" Five asked when he noticed Nova's mood shift.

"You've got your arm back, amor, and you didn't even realize it," Nova laughed as she grabbed his new hand and brought it up to her lips. More giggles of happiness came out of her as she watched starstruck while she pressed her lips to the back of his new hand.

"Holy shit, my arm is back!" The boy exclaimed happily. His eyes were alight and he quickly used both of his arms to lift Nova. Pure laughter bubbled past her lips following her squeal of surprise when he spun her around.

"W-wait, where's Sloane?" Luther asked in confusion glancing around the group. With a frown, Five placed Nova back on her feet and both of their eyes searched for the missing woman.

"Oh, she was, uh...She was right behind me..." Klaus trailed off in confusion.

"When Allison hit the bloody button," Lila finished for the man.

"Allison's gone too," Diego interjected.

"And Manuela," Nova chimed in.

"You know, I don't know about you guys, but I have not felt this good in years," Klaus commented as the group began to slowly look around once more.

"Does anyone know where the hell we are?" Ben asked in exasperation.

"The hotel or at least this is where it used to be," Lila noted.

"No fucking way," Nova gasped suddenly and all eyes turned to her, "I think that bastard did it."

"Did what exactly?" Viktor asked.

"I think he reset the universe," Five explained in surprise. Luther had been calling out for his wife but suddenly stopped after Five finished his comment. Suddenly Luther had shoved Nova aside and was gripping tightly to Five's jacket.

"Hey, I don't care about any resets, all right? I want my wife back. Where is she, Five?" Luther growled down at the boy.

"I'm glad you're alive but please take your hand off of me," Five requested politely but instead Luther grabbed his jacket with his other hand.

"Not until you give me an answer," Luther snarled eliciting an eye roll from his brother.

"Okay, screw this," Five snapped before moving as if he were about to blink out of Luther's grip. Except to everyone's surprise, the boy didn't go anywhere. Nova was once again furrowing her eyebrows in confusion when Five looked at her and said, "Something's wrong."

"That's right, you're about to get your ass kicked," Luther threatened while Nova held her palms face up in front of her body and searched for any life forces. Confusion filled her once more when she couldn't feel the normal tingling sensation dancing across her hands and the back of her mind.

"Yeah, kick his ass," Diego encouraged.

"No, you idiot. It's his powers," Nova interrupted and everyone turned to look at the girl but she was watching her boyfriend carefully. "He can't blink and I can't feel any of your life forces."

"Yeah, right," Diego scoffed before pulling out one of his knives and twirling it between his fingers. To his surprise the blade fell cutting the side of his hand, "That's not good."

"Don't believe me?" Nova asked as she walked over and pressed Diego's hand between her palms. The girl focused on the energy inside of her but she couldn't find the well that she normally drew her powers. When she removed her hands some of Diego's blood stuck to her skin but his wound still pulsed steadily. "My powers aren't working either. I can't heal him."

"Shit, does this mean I'm mortal again?" Klaus whined as everyone attempted to use their powers around the courtyard. "Aw, man."

"We'll just have to actually be careful from now on, Klaus," Nova shrugged.

"Wait! Wait! How do we get 'em back, you idiots?" Ben growled in annoyance but no one had an answer for him.

"I-i gotta go find my wife," Luther stuttered before stumbling down one of the pathways.

"No! Luther, you can't go," Klaus called after his brother, "You were dead five minutes ago. You're fragile! I gotta go after him."

"No. No! Wa– Klaus, wait!" Diego exclaimed when Klaus chased after Luther.

"I'm out bitches!" Ben spit before turning to leave in another direction.

"Oh guys, come on! We should stick together and figure this out..." Viktor began but Diego interrupted him.

"Well, what are we supposed to do?" Diego demanded.

"Live our lives?" Lila shrugged and he nodded. Nova watched the two of them disappear down another path before turning towards her boyfriend.

"You know, that whole living life thing sounds kinda nice," Nova drawled out as she closed the distance between her and Five. Once she was close enough the girl reached her hand out for his.

"You don't have to tell me twice," Five chuckled and a genuine smile spread across his face as he locked his arm around hers. As they walked down a fresh path of their own leaving the park and Viktor behind Five asked, "So, where do we go from here?"

"I'm not sure, but we'll take it one problem at a time like we always do. We're in this together like always, right mi amorcito?" Nova asked as her steps began to slow. She wanted to enjoy this moment here with him. She had said these same words to him once before but their lives were so different from the first time she had uttered those words. They were both different.

"Together like always, darling," He said softly before sealing his promise with a kiss.

"Good," Nova grinned as she pulled away and looped their arms once again, "Now, for our first order of business I suggest we go find a decent cup of coffee. We have a long life ahead of us and I want to spend every moment of it with you."

"Anything you want as long as you're by my side," Five promised and Nova couldn't help but kiss him once more. This one was slow and tender and filled with the promise of many future kisses. Both of their hearts were full and they couldn't have been happier. When they finally broke apart to catch their breaths Five said, "Lead the way, darling. I promise to follow you anywhere."