𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 ~ 𝗞𝗹𝗮𝘂𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀

~ Chapter One Hundred Eight ~

"S-Sloane?" Luther's jaw nearly fell to the floor. There's no way... this can't be real! Sloane's alive?! The wind caught in Dusk's throat. When Sloane first went missing, she held onto hope that one day one of them would find her, aimlessly lost in the crowd, looking for her family. However as time passed, and they all grew occupied with their lives, they slowly concluded she was the last victim of the Kugelblitz timeline. Of course, Luther refused to believe she was gone, as did Dahlia, still feeling Sloane's presence deep within her heart.

And now, there she was. Just across the room from them, looking as radiant as ever.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Sloane's eyes flickered to each member of the group. Luther and Dahlia stood up from the couch and ran over, wrapping their arms around her. "You're alive! You're really alive!" Luther sighed with relief. "I've missed you so much, Slo!" Dahlia sobbed. But rather than hugging them back, Sloane tensed up and pried their hands off her. "Who are you?" She looked bewildered, like a deer caught in headlights. "Sloane, you have to remember me. I'm Dahlia, your sister! We grew up together in the Sparrow Academy," Dahlia reminded.

Sloane's eyes squinted, trying to pinpoint Dahlia's face in a sea of fuzzy and faded images. "I'm sorry... I don't remember you," Sloane's voice grew quiet. Dahlia stepped to the side as Luther tried to help refresh her memory. "It's me, Luther, your husband. You've been gone for a long time, but we're here now, together," Luther cracked a small smile, the bittersweet memories of their clandestine meetings and shotgun end-of-the-world wedding. But Sloane shook her head, continuing to claim she didn't remember him, or any of the other siblings.

"No, no, no! You have to remember me!" Luther pleaded; his eyes filled with desperation as he gripped both of her shoulders. "Luther..." Viktor warned, realizing just how dire of a situation this was. "Get off of me!" Sloane shouted. "Sloane, please you have to remember!" Viktor and Dusk dashed over to Luther, the pair trying to convince Luther to sit back down. "I-I'm so sorry... I didn't mean..." He stammered, watching as Rosalie stood next to Sloane, and his long-lost love gripped onto her for comfort. "It's okay, Sloane. It's okay," Rosalie whispered. "How is any of this okay? She doesn't remember me! She doesn't remember Luther! She doesn't remember any of us!" Dahlia's voice wavered on the verge of tears.

"Rosie, why don't you escort Sloane back to her room? I can take things from here," Abigail instructed. "Yes, mother," Rosalie nodded, wrapping a hand around Sloane's back as they walked up the staircase. "What did that son of a bitch do to her?" Dahlia growled. "Reggie didn't do anything," Abigail's voice remained calm and composed. "Then how did she lose her memory?" Dusk questioned. But just as Abigail was about to respond, the front doors burst open, and Reginald and three more of his bodyguards stormed into the room.

"My chief of security informs me that the tiny hamlet of New Grumpson, Maine is still smoldering in the wake of your colossal epitiude," The old man grumbled. "Reggie, darling, please," Abigail sighed, as Reggie leaned in, planting a quick peck on her cheek. "Tell me everything I want to know or suffer the consequences!" Reginald threatened. "You first!" Viktor challenged, the wind and orange whipped around him, the presence of his father rekindling the fires of his anger. "I'd like to see you try, old timer!" Dusk's eyes grew darker, her wings started to poke out from behind her back.

"Hey, hey," Allison grabbed Viktor's wrist, while Klaus placed a hand on his wife's shoulder. "Easy, doll," He whispered. "Ah, I see it's true. I suspected you couldn't have done all the damage au naturel. But how?" Reginald cocked his head questioningly. "Reggie, enough!" Abigail commanded. "Is this how you treat your guests? Threats and interrogations? What type of example are you setting for Rosie?" Reginald turned around just as Rosalie reentered the room and sat back in her chair. "I... uh," Reginald stammered, for the first time in his life in front of the siblings. He always had a rapid comeback, but with his wife and daughter present, he was speechless.