—————༻☂︎︎༺—————
༻ Y/N'S  POV ༺

The air in the academy's living room was heavy with tension, the kind that seeped into every corner of the space. I sat quietly in a single chair, watching the Hargreeves family unravel as they debated the unsettling footage displayed on the small TV perched on the bar table. On the screen, Grace stood over their father, Sir Reginald Hargreeves, in what appeared to be his final moments.

"I mean, do you really think Mom would hurt Dad?" Vanya asked, her voice uncertain.

Luther, standing tall with his arms crossed, glanced at her. "You haven't been home in a long time, Vanya. Maybe you don't know Grace anymore."

Diego leaned closer to the TV, rewinding the tape with a focused expression. "If he was poisoned, it would've shown in the coroner's report."

"Well, I don't need a report to tell me what I can see with my own eyes," Luther shot back, his tone defensive.

Diego smirked. "Maybe all that low gravity in space messed with your vision."

Ignoring the jab, Luther gestured toward the screen. "Look closer," Diego said, rewinding again. "Dad had his monocle. Mom stands up, and the monocle's gone."

Klaus chuckled from his spot. "Oh yeah.

Diego ignored him, his tone turning sharp.

"Then where is it?" Luther shook his head. "I've searched the house. Every room. Including all of Mom's things. She doesn't have it."

"That's because I took it from her," Diego said suddenly.

The room fell silent.

"What?" Allison's voice broke the tension, her expression a mix of disbelief and anger. "You've had the monocle this whole time? What the hell, Diego!"

Diego shrugged as if it were no big deal.

"Give it to me," Luther demanded, his hand outstretched.

"I threw it away," Diego admitted nonchalantly.

"What?" Luther's voice rose, incredulous.

Allison scoffed.

Diego remained calm, explaining, "I knew if you found it on Mom, you'd lose your shit. Just like you're doing right now."

"Diego, you son of a—" Luther started, his voice low with anger as he stepped closer.

Before he could act, Diego raised a fist, and I immediately sensed danger toward Luther. Without hesitation, I stood abruptly, ready to intervene.

"Hey, no! Let's all just calm down," Vanya interjected, her voice pleading.

Allison placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, pushing me back into the chair. "It's okay, Y/N. Stay out of this one."

I hesitated but complied, settling back into my seat.

Vanya glanced around, her voice softer now. "Look, I know Dad wasn't exactly an open book. But I do remember one thing he said—Mom was designed to be a caretaker, but also a protector."

"What does that mean?" Allison asked, leaning forward.

Vanya frowned, clearly grappling with the implication. "It means she was programmed to intervene if someone's life was in jeopardy."

Luther's face hardened. "Well, if her hardware is degrading, then we need to turn her off."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait a second." Diego held up a hand. "She's not just some vacuum cleaner you can throw in a closet. She feels things. I've seen it!"

"She just stood there, Diego, and watched our father die," Luther countered.

"I'm with Luther," Allison said firmly.

Diego glared at her. "Surprise, surprise."

"Shut up," she snapped.

All eyes turned to Vanya, who looked trapped under their collective gaze. "I—I don't—" she stammered.

"Yeah. She doesn't get a vote," Diego said dismissively.

Vanya squared her shoulders. "I was going to say that I agree with you."

Diego raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Okay. She should get a vote."

He turned to Klaus, pointing dramatically. "What about you, stoner boy? What do you got?"

"Oh, now you need my help? 'Get out of the van, Klaus!' Well, welcome back to the van," Klaus retorted, grinning smugly.

"What van?" Allison asked, clearly confused.

Luther groaned. "What's it gonna be, Klaus?"

Klaus smirked, his decision made. "I'm with Diego because screw you!" He jabbed a finger at Luther before adding theatrically, "And if Ben were here, he'd agree with me." He punctuated the statement by hissing at the wall.

"So that's three?" Diego said, already counting the votes.

"Vote's not done yet," Allison reminded him.

"What?" Diego turned to her, frustration mounting.

"Five's not here," she pointed out. "The whole family has to vote. We owe each other that."

Luther nodded in agreement. "Right."

Diego's eyes landed on me, narrowing slightly. "Fine. Then let her vote for Five."

"She doesn't listen to you, Diego," Luther said smugly.

Diego rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry," he said mockingly. "She won't do what I want because she only listens to her primary users. Bullshit. I get it."

"She listens to me and Five," Luther clarified.

"And me," Klaus interjected.

The room turned to him in unison.

"Yeah, she saved me from getting hit by a cab earlier," Klaus said, his voice tinged with pride. "That makes me a user too."

"Wow, Klaus, that's great," Diego said sarcastically. "Since you can do so much, make her vote for Five."

"Diego, no," Allison snapped. "You're not going to manipulate her like that. We'll wait for Five."

"He's right. It's only fair if we wait," Luther said, backing her up.

Vanya nodded. "Agreed."

Everyone else gradually left the room except for Diego and Vanya. Their eyes turned to me as I rose quietly, avoiding their scrutiny. Without a word, I made my way upstairs, retreating from the tension below.

—————༻☂︎︎༺—————

The academy was quiet, the kind of silence that felt louder than any noise. The hallways were bathed in soft shadows as night crept in. Five hadn't returned yet from his search for information about the mysterious eye, and I knew it would take time. We both knew that.

I decided to explore the academy while I waited, wandering its familiar yet unfamiliar halls. The place was steeped in memories—their memories. Family portraits and posters from years gone by lined the walls, like artifacts in a museum dedicated to a fractured family. I found myself in the bedrooms hallway, gazing at a series of fighting stance posters hung in a neat line along the walls. Each was meticulous and rigid, a testament to their father's obsessive training. My eyes scanned over them, lost in thought.

"Hey!"

The sharp voice cut through the silence, pulling me back. At the end of the hallway, Diego stood, arms crossed and a whistle dangling from his fingers. He began walking toward me, his expression impatient.

"I need you to get Five back here. Now," he said, his tone clipped as he looked down at me.

I stayed silent, watching him without responding.

He frowned, then scoffed. "Not gonna respond back, huh? Great. Another useless one in the house," he muttered, turning to walk away.

"I can respond," I said finally, my voice calm but firm, "but given the history of our interactions, I'm not to."

Diego froze mid-step, then turned back to me, his brow furrowed.

"And even if I wanted to bring Five back here, I wouldn't be able to," I added evenly.

He looked at me, incredulous. "What? So you can't track Five anymore?"

I shook my head. "No. I can only track within a few meters of my range. Locating Five is impossible in this current state of me and you."

Diego laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "Great. Guess I'll just tell Klaus to order you to leave and find him yourself. You're not wanted here. Your 'primary care' doesn't matter to us."

I watched him as he turned to walk away, the tension in his shoulders betraying the bitterness in his voice.

"Just because your emotional state is tied up in your family's vote doesn't mean you need to push me away," I said, my voice steady. "I'm here because Luther said I was welcome."

Diego stopped in his tracks, his back still to me. Slowly, he turned around, his face a mask of anger.

"I can see it," I continued. "In your body language, your voice, your eyes. You're scared. Scared that your family might destroy the one person who's always cared for you."

His fists clenched at his sides as he took a step toward me, his jaw tightening. "You don't know what the hell you're talking about," he snapped, his voice rising.

I tilted my head, unflinching under his glare. "Don't I?"

His anger faltered for a moment, and I pressed on.

"You're scared, Diego. It's written all over you. You think I can't see it? I understand you better than you realize." My voice softened, but my words struck like a blade. "You're afraid of losing someone who means everything to you. Grace has been your mother for thirty years. She was designed to protect and care for you—just like I was designed to protect and serve Five."

Diego stared at me, his bravado cracking under the weight of my words.

"I've been Five's partner, his protector, for forty-seven years," I said. "And after all this time, he still hasn't let me go. Just like you can't let Grace go."

His gaze wavered, the anger in his expression giving way to something more vulnerable.

"You're terrified of what it'll mean if Grace is gone," I continued. "Because she's more than just a machine to you—she's your family. You're scared of what you'll lose." I paused, holding his gaze. "Just like Five would be scared of losing me if I were ever damaged beyond repair. We're not so different, Diego."

He exhaled sharply, his shoulders slumping as the weight of my words settled over him. He looked at me for a long moment, his disbelief slowly replaced by something deeper—understanding, maybe even guilt.

For the first time, Diego didn't have a retort. He simply stood there, his usual sharp edges dulled by the truth hanging between us.

The sound of a gun cocking broke the tense silence like a thunderclap. Diego and I both turned sharply toward the end of the hallway. Standing there, weapons raised and faces cold as stone, were two figures I recognized immediately—Hazel and Cha-Cha.

They'd found me.

Diego squinted at them, his jaw tightening. "Who the hell are these freaks?" he muttered under his breath.

"They're here for me," I replied, my voice low.

Hazel and Cha-Cha moved in unison, their guns beginning to rise. The air in the hallway felt electric, tense, and my internal systems flared to life with alarming urgency.

PROTECTIVE PROTOCOL ENGAGED.
NEW THREAT IDENTIFIED: HOSTILE TARGETS.
INITIATING DEFENSE MEASURES.

My vision pulsed red as the override surged through me. Time seemed to slow as my sensors locked onto Hazel and Cha-Cha, mapping every detail of their posture, weapon trajectory, and distance. But something else triggered within me, a deeper layer of programming:

PROTECTION PARAMETERS: NEW PRIMARY USER DETECTED. USER: DIEGO HARGREEVES.

Diego and I ducked behind the wall just as a hail of gunfire erupted, the sharp cracks of bullets ricocheting off the surface around us. I grabbed Diego's arm, pulling him roughly to cover. His breathing was quick, his adrenaline high, but he kept his composure, already drawing two knives from his belt.

"Stay put," he hissed.

Before I could reply, Diego shifted, snapping his arm out in a precise motion. The knives flew from his hand, spinning with deadly accuracy toward Hazel and Cha-Cha. Both assassins staggered slightly, their movements interrupted, but they quickly adjusted, retreating behind their own cover.

The rapid clatter of their boots against the floor echoed ominously as they moved closer. Hazel's voice broke through the noise, gruff and annoyed.

"Enough games. Let's finish this."

I turned to Diego, already preparing to step out. He grabbed my arm, his face a mixture of frustration and concern.

"What are you doing? They'll kill you," he said, keeping his voice low.

"They're here for me," I said firmly, pulling free from his grip. "You need to run, hide, and warn the others."

"No way—"

"Now," I interrupted, my tone leaving no room for argument.

Hazel's bulky frame appeared around the corner, gun raised and eyes locked on me. I didn't hesitate. I shot out from behind the wall, aiming a swift kick that sent his weapon flying high into the air. As it spun, I leapt, landing on his shoulder and driving a punch into his face. He staggered backward, trying to throw me off.

"Cha-Cha, shoot her!" Hazel shouted, but before she could line up her shot, a booted foot came out of nowhere, connecting with Hazel's chest and sending him crashing back into the wall. I fell away from him, but before I could regain my footing, Diego's strong hand gripped mine.

"Come on!" he shouted as we bolted toward the railing on the second floor. The sound of gunfire erupted behind us, Cha-Cha's voice barking orders as she took aim. I released Diego's hand just in time, grabbing his shirt and propelling him over the railing. He hit the living room couch below with a thud, quickly rolling off and taking cover behind a table.

"What the hell!" Diego shouted, his voice edged with panic. I looked up and saw Hazel and Cha-Cha staring back at me, their eyes cold and calculating. Without thinking, I vaulted off the railing, landing with a solid thud on my feet. I charged forward, sliding under the wall they were behind just as they opened fire. Bullets tore into the space where I had been moments before, splintering the walls and sending dust swirling through the air.

I hit the living room floor with a roll and darted behind the nearest cover, eyes flicking to Diego as he crouched low, protecting himself behind a table. I couldn't let him face this alone.

"Diego, go!" I yelled, pushing myself to my feet.

He looked up, his expression a mix of defiance and fear. But before he could move, Hazel grabbed my arm and threw me across the room. I crashed into the wall, my vision blurring from the impact. My body crumpled to the floor next to Diego, who stared at me, eyes wide with concern.

I glanced up at Hazel and Cha-Cha as they raised their weapons, preparing to fire. The room felt too small, the air too heavy. Just then, Luther barreled into the room, taking Cha-Cha by the neck and hurling her down the hallway like a ragdoll. She crashed against the wall, a sound like bone meeting wood reverberating through the space.

Allison came in from the side, swiping Hazel's gun out of the way as he aimed at Luther. The two of them grappled.

"Let her go!" Diego shouted, pushing himself up with the strength of desperation.

Luther glared at Diego, then grabbed Hazel and sent him hurtling across the room. The assassin screamed as he collided with the floor, hitting with a sickening thud. I flinched as he scrambled to his feet, a look of pure rage on his face.

"Diego," I said, grabbing his arm and pulling him up. My fingers dug into his skin, a silent plea to get us both out of here.

Diego met my eyes, fear and realization dawning on him. "You threw me over the railing," he muttered, a mix of disbelief and gratitude in his voice.

"I had to," I said, my voice softer now but still tinged with urgency. "You were in danger. I had to protect my user."

The word hung between us, raw and piercing. Diego's eyes widened, the meaning sinking in. "User," he whispered, the disbelief apparent in his tone.

The moment was shattered by the sharp sound of gunfire.

"Get out of here now!" Luther roared, pushing Allison and Diego down the hallway. I grabbed Diego's arm, feeling the panic in his muscles as we ran.

We charged into the kitchen, the sharp scent of burnt oil and sweat mingling in the air. Allison was already there, clashing with Cha-Cha in a flurry of strikes and kicks. Cha-Cha's face was a mask of rage as she lunged forward, aiming a punch at Allison's stomach. Allison dodged, retaliating with a low kick that sent Cha-Cha stumbling back. The room was spinning with movement, the chaotic symphony of violence playing out in rapid succession.

Diego called out to Cha-Cha, his whistle.

Cha-Cha's eyes narrowed, and in a flash, she lunged at him. Her fists were a blur, and Diego fought back with a mix of desperation and skill, dodging, blocking, and striking whenever he could. I saw Allison's momentary stumble, and I took action. I grabbed a broken pool stick from the corner, running towards Cha-Cha as she lunged for Diego.

I swung it at her, connecting with her side and forcing her back. She spun, rage flaring in her eyes as she grabbed for the stick. I pushed her off, managing to send her crashing into the wall. For a moment, there was silence, the room filled with our heavy breathing. But then, with a snarl, she grabbed a knife from the counter and turned back toward us.

I clenched my jaw, my fingers tightening around the pool stick as I prepared for the next round. But Allison had already leaped into action, lunging at Cha-Cha with a high kick that connected with her face, sending her staggering back. I didn't waste a moment. I lunged forward and grabbed the screwdriver Allison had been wielding earlier, hurling it with precise aim at Cha-Cha's arm. The metal struck her, causing her to let out a grunt of pain before she staggered and dropped the weapon.

"Get Y/N. Let's go!" Allison shouted, her voice raw.

Diego grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the hallway as chaos erupted behind us. We ran, the sound of our feet pounding against the floor like a heartbeat. We passed Luther, who was gasping for breath, but he nodded at us, determination flashing in his eyes.

"Come on, Luther!" Diego shouted.

We helped Luther to his feet, but before we could catch our breath, Cha Cha appeared above us on the railing. She raised the screwdriver and slammed it into the chandelier chain. The chandelier swayed violently, its massive frame teetering.

"Get out of the way!" Luther shouted.

In a single powerful motion, he shoved all of us to safety just as the chandelier came crashing down. The impact shook the room, sending up a cloud of dust and debris. I scrambled to my feet, coughing as the dust settled. Through the haze, I saw the massive chandelier beginning to shift. Beneath it, Luther stirred.

"Is he still breathing?" I asked, scanning him for life signs.

"Holy shit," Diego muttered as Luther began to rise, the chandelier creaking as he pushed it off.

The dust cleared, revealing Luther standing in the middle of the wreckage, his shirt torn. His body was fully exposed—broad, muscular, and unmistakably simian. I scanned him, confirming his injuries were superficial despite the fall. But this form... It was unlike anything I'd seen in him before.

Luther looked at us, then down at himself. His expression turned to one of shame and shock. Without a word, he bolted past me and Diego, heading upstairs.

"Luther, wait!" Diego called out, but Luther didn't stop.

I turned to Diego. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. You?" He glanced at me briefly, his tone softened.

"I'm functional." I looked myself over for any critical damage.

Suddenly, faint humming echoed from upstairs. Diego stiffened, his face paling.

"Shit. Mom," he muttered, immediately running toward the sound.

I stayed behind and turned to Allison, who had just entered the room with Vanya. They both looked shaken.

"Are you both alright?" I asked, scanning them for injuries.

"I... I think so," Vanya replied, though her voice trembled slightly.

I noticed blood trailing from a small cut on her forehead. "You're bleeding, Vanya. You must treat the wound immediately to avoid complications."

She touched her forehead and winced slightly. "It's not that bad."

"I'll get a damp cloth." I turned to Allison. "Can you help her sit down?"

Allison nodded, guiding Vanya to the couch. I headed to the kitchen, found a clean towel, and wet it under the faucet. Returning to the living room, I knelt beside Vanya and handed her the damp towel.

"Here. Press this gently to the wound," I said.

"Thanks, Y/N," Vanya murmured as she dabbed her forehead.

"Of course."

"Who were those people?" she asked after a moment, her voice shaking.

"We don't know," Allison replied, sitting on the coffee table across from us. "But we're lucky to be alive."

Allison leaned forward, her concern evident. "Are you sure you're okay?" she asked Vanya.

Vanya nodded hesitantly.

Just then, Diego stormed back into the room, his breathing uneven. His expression was grim, his jaw tight.

"Diego?" Allison asked, turning toward him.

Diego's eyes landed on Vanya. His frustration bubbled to the surface.

"What are you still doing here?" he demanded, his tone sharp.

"I'm just trying to help," Vanya said softly, her voice tinged with hurt.

"No," Diego snapped, stepping closer. "You could've been killed. Worse, you could've gotten any of us killed."

"Diego, stop," I interjected, but he ignored me, his frustration taking over.

"She's a liability," he said, pointing at Vanya before walking toward the doorway.

"Diego!" Allison called, but he didn't stop.

Vanya's eyes darted to Allison, pleading for support. "Allison?"

Allison hesitated, glancing down. "I think what he's trying to say is that this kind of thing... it's dangerous. You're just—"

"Not like you," Vanya finished, her voice trembling.

Allison's silence was deafening. Vanya nodded slowly, her shoulders slumping as she stood to leave.

"No, that's not what I—" Allison started, but Vanya didn't turn back.

"Vanya, wait," Allison called after her.

"Let her go," Diego said from the doorway. "It's for the best."

Allison stopped, her hands balling into fists. She sighed heavily and left the room, following Vanya.

Diego stood in the doorway, tension radiating off him. I scanned him carefully, noting his slightly elevated heart rate.

The room was quiet now, save for the faint hum of static in my circuits. I looked around at the aftermath of the chaos—the shattered chandelier, the bloodied and bruised faces of my companions, and the lingering tension that hung in the air.

I glanced at Diego one last time as he left the living room, his steps heavy with frustration. The tension between us all was palpable, but my primary focus now was repair. Scanning the room, I assessed the damage—shattered glass, bullet-ridden walls, and overturned furniture. My systems flagged the scene as unstable.

I stood, feeling a faint glitch in my left leg servo, and ascended the stairs. My energy levels were depleting rapidly, each step an effort as my systems recalibrated to compensate for the damage sustained during the fight. I needed to recharge.

When I reached Five's bedroom door, I hesitated briefly, my hand lingering on the handle. The faint hum of the house's electricity was the only sound around me. Pushing open the door, I stepped inside and shut it behind me, the latch clicking softly.

The room was dimly lit, Five's peculiar mix of tidiness and chaos evident. His absence had left it untouched, a snapshot frozen in time. I scanned the space for signs of him but confirmed what I already knew—he hadn't returned. My mission directive pinged softly in the back of my mind.

Locate Five. Status update required.

But that task could wait. My immediate need was repair. Crossing the room, I moved toward his chair and lowered myself into it. The moment my body hit the surface, my posture sagged. The tension in my circuits eased, but only marginally.

System warnings flashed across my internal HUD:

I glanced around Five's room, my systems flagging minor glitches from the fight. The flicker in my vision was getting worse, and faint static crackled in my auditory sensors. I crossed the room, each step feeling heavier, until I reached his chair. Sitting down, I let my body relax, sinking into the quiet.

The lights dimmed slightly as I shifted focus inward.

[SYSTEM NOTICE: LOW POWER MODE RECOMMENDED]
[INITIATE RECHARGE SEQUENCE? Y/N]

"Begin recharge," I murmured softly, my voice steady despite the strain in my circuits.

[RECHARGE SEQUENCE INITIATED]
[AUTOMATIC REPAIR SYSTEMS ENGAGED]

I leaned back, my arms resting at my sides as panels along my wrists and chest subtly clicked shut, sealing the damage within. My vision dimmed as my HUD displayed the progress bar of the recharge process.

[SHUTDOWN IN 10 SECONDS...]

The countdown ticked by. My head tilted slightly as my systems began powering down, the hum of my core softening. My thoughts slowed, my body stilled, and the glitches faded into silence.

[3... 2... 1...]

With a faint flicker of light in my chest, my body shut off completely, resting in quiet stasis for the night.

—————༻☂︎︎༺—————

Y/n has added Diego to her team of User Programmers, leaving just two more to complete the list. Who will be next—Allison or Viktor?"

WORDS WRITTEN:
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