A bend in space-time (Season 3) - The Umbrella Academy

Chapter 1: Feeling Good

Chronological markers: this scene fits in as a deleted scene from The Umbrella Academy, season 3, episode 1, just when we left the characters at the end of season 2.

Suggested soundtrack: this chapter is intended to be read while listening to Feeling Good, by Nina Simone.
TW: references to drug use.

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« There is in all things a pattern that is part of our universe. It has symmetry, elegance, and grace (...). Yet, it is possible to see peril in the finding of ultimate perfection. It is clear that the ultimate pattern contains its own fixity. In such perfection, all things move towards death. »
Frank Herbert, Dune
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April 2 2019, 11:11am

'Dad, who the hell are these assholes?'

Those words have been echoing in my head ever since I teleported out of Hargreeves Mansion. Ever since I began to run along the sidewalk of Rigel Street, in the midst of the impassive late-morning crowd. As I became visible again under the dull skies of The City, which I hadn't seen in years, I hurried along the sidewalk, pushing myself to the point of breathlessness.

'This, is the ~Sparrow~ Academy'

There were six of them. Or seven, my hazy mind couldn't tell. I could only notice their deep red uniforms edged in blue, sewn with a azure and tawny coat of arms, encompassing the sparrow, the swords, the tears and the lock. In another era, Five would have explained its heraldic symbolism to me, but we were too flabbergasted.

'~My children~'.

Could I have imagined that such a few words from Reginald Hargreeves would shatter my hopes? That we'd probably all had? But after all, who are we to have dared to hope that we'd managed to defy the omens? What are we, apart from shiny particles - helpless - tossed about in the unfathomable swirls of space-time?

I accidentally bump into a businessman heading out for lunch. And rather than apologize, I hurriedly teleport into the passing bus, its car radio humming bossa nova.

Ben wasn't 'our Ben', Klaus realized it at his painful expense, when he smashed him in the face for trying to hug him. A very much alive but alternative Ben, who sent him tumbling across half the room, just before an all-out brawl broke out, causing the most inconceivable chaos. Even worse than an ordinary quarrel between my regular Hargreeves. A firework display of adrenalin, misplaced egos and eclectic powers.

Holy crap. Did the number of dysfunctional Reginald offspring I'm going to have to deal with double, in just a heartbeat?

And ~it~ was there.

That cube I don't know the origin of, filled with pure energy, that spotted me immediately, even though I was invisible. It probed me as I probed it, like looking into a mirror. Both alike and different, in a way that oddly unsettled me, to the point of precipitating my departure - even more than the tremendous scrum of punches, kicks, rumors, sound waves and other stupid cawing crows that took over Hargreeves Mansion's beautiful Moorish balconies.

If Ben is another Ben, if the Academy is another Academy, then we're not back in our own reality. And if we're still somewhere else than 'home', then...

"Granny..."

This question is the only one left in my mind now, as I use my power to make the bus engine whirr, startling its driver as he maneuvers to avoid a taxi. I don't care if he gets nabbed for speeding down the avenues leading away from Rainshade Square. I want to get to Argyle West as soon as possible.

I need to know if she's okay.

On the outskirts of the business district's modern buildings, perpetually under construction, the traffic densifies, and the bus slows down. Through my marigolds - as I still call them - I can feel each of their engines getting just as annoyed as my heart, at not being able to move forward.