AETHER ~ UMBRELLA ACADEMY

2.10

The End of Something

2006

The whole Academy– well Lillith couldn't say that. Not when two of them weren't there. 

They were all dressed in their uniforms, each of them holding an umbrella, Klaus and Lillith struggling to even stand with the weight of the grief currently on their shoulders.

But they couldn't cry, they remembered what happened to them the last time. How Hargreeves reacted to even a slight glazing of the eyes after Ben had died in front of them.

So they walked in an orderly line, over to the casket, all of them forming a circle around it in silence. 

Lillith struggled to even look, struggled to look the photo of her brother in the eye. She just couldn't. Not after she failed. Not after the Academy had failed.

Pogo walked over, looking all of them in the eyes, “Your father is ready to give the eulogy, children.”

The man walked over, barely giving them any time before starting, “The world is full of injustice. Good people die along with the bad. This cosmic equation will never change unless evil itself is wiped from existence. Thankfully, there are powerful forces pushing back against the wicked and iniquitous, individuals who have the strength to pull together against insurmountable odds to face adversity with unblinking courage and not to hesitate to sacrifice themselves for another.”

Lillith could feel Hargreeves’ glare in her direction but she could look up. She couldn't do anything.

“Unfortunately, none of you are such people. Despite years of training and weeks of preparation, you allowed Number Six to die on this mission.”

Lillith gasped in offence, already feeling the heartache from it all coming back again– she’d heard it all before just after he had died, yet it hurt every time.

“How dare you!” Lillith shouted at him, but Diego placed his hand on her shoulder.

“It wasn't our fault,” Allison added.

“Excuses?” Reginald waved off. “I will not hear them. The Umbrella Academy has failed one of their own,  the consequences of which are dire. Hold onto this feeling, children. Let it fester into your hearts so there is never a next time. Training will be cancelled today out of respect for your brother. We resume tomorrow at six a.m.”

Lillith couldn't move, none of the Academy could.

Tears flowed down Lillith’s face but she didn't have the energy to wipe her tears, she just let them fall. 

“It wasn't anyone's fault,” Vanya told the group.

“How would you know, Vanya? You weren't even on the mission,” Diego retorted.

They were all there, but they had all scattered over the scene, Lillith watched as it happened.

She watched as he  risked his life, and the girl would have done anything to save him if she had the chance but it was too late.

Vanya gasped, before walking off and sobbing.

“Nice going, asshole.”

“What?” Diego asked, “We were all thinking it.”

“Oh, so you're thinking, Diego?” Allison said sarcastically. “That’s a first.”

“Screw you!” Diego yelled at her.