The living room of the Umbrella Academy feels unusually formal. Which usually means Sir Reginald Hargreeves is about to announce something nobody asked for.
Above the fireplace hangs the painted face of Five staring down at them, frozen in the smug half-smile he wore the day he vanished. No one talks about it anymore.
Near the center of the room stands Luther, posture straight, hands clasped behind his back. On the couch, Allison flips through a magazine she clearly isn’t reading.
Across the room, Diego leans against the wall with his arms crossed, watching the door with suspicion. Sprawled in an armchair, one leg hanging over the side, Klaus flips through a comic book.
Near the window sits Vanya, violin case resting beside her chair, quiet as always. Perched on the staircase railing-visible only to Klaus- the ghost of Ben watches the room with mild curiosity. Diego glances at the clock.
“What’s the holdup?”
Klaus doesn’t bother looking up from his comic.
“Probably another lecture about discipline.”
Ben rolls his eyes.
“He’s going to extend training hours again.”
“Oh good,” Klaus mutters to the spectator, everyone else unsurprised at his madness, seemingly talking to himself.
“My favorite hobby.”
The front doors open. Instant silence falls across the room. Sir Reginald Hargreeves steps inside, behind him— a teenager. Klaus slowly lowers his comic.
“…Oh.”
Reginald walks to the center of the room and stops.
“Children.”
Everyone straightens. Some automatically. Others reluctantly. Reginald gestures toward the newcomer.
“This individual will be joining the Umbrella Academy effective immediately.”
Allison frowns.
“Joining?”
Diego pushes off the wall.
“You mean like another recruit?”
Reginald’s expression remains neutral.
“This is Number Eight.”
Klaus sits upright immediately.
“Wait—what?”
Diego stares.
“You said there were seven of us.”
Luther looks confused.
“Father… you told us you adopted as many of the children as possible.”
Reginald nods once.
“I did.”
He glances briefly toward the newcomer.
“I attempted to acquire this one as well.”
Allison tilts her head.
“And?”
“The parents declined my offer.”
Klaus raises his eyebrows.
“Well, that’s the healthiest parenting decision I’ve ever heard.”
Ben smirks faintly from the railing. Diego narrows his eyes.
“So why are they here now?”
Reginald pauses only a moment.
“Earlier this week, the parents contacted my office.”
His cane taps once against the floor.
“They have accepted the arrangement.”
Allison blinks.
“Years later?”
“Yes.”
He responds like it explained everything. Klaus studies the newcomer.
“Wow.”
He sits up straighter.
“Your parents waited until your teenage years to sell you to a monocled billionaire with a child army.”
Ben scoffs.
“You’re not helping.”
“I’m being informative.”
He retorted.
Across the room, Vanya watches quietly. Her gaze isn’t suspicious like the others. Just thoughtful. She understands better than anyone what it feels like to not belong somewhere. Diego crosses his arms again.
“So what’s their deal?”
Reginald answers without hesitation.
“Number Eight possesses abilities that will prove valuable to the academy.”
He turns toward Luther.
“Number One, you will integrate them into the training rotation.”
Luther nods immediately.
“Yes, Father.”
Klaus stands and wanders closer, circling the newcomer slowly like some strange new exhibit.
“Well,” he says casually.
“Welcome to the Umbrella Academy.”
Ben floats down from the railing behind him, folding his arms.
“They’re going to think you’re insane.”
“They’re already here,” Klaus replies.
“Too late.”
Allison stands and approaches a little more gently.
“So,” she says.
“Do you have a name?”
Diego leans against the wall again.
“Because around here,” he adds, “the numbers tend to stick.”
Five visible siblings turn their attention to the newest member of the academy, and one unseen ghost with quiet curiosity. Five’s portrait watches silently. Reginald taps his cane once more.
“Number Eight,” he says.
“Introduce yourself to your siblings.”