On the 12th hour of the first day of October 1989, 43 women around the world gave birth. This was unusual, only in the fact that none of these women had been pregnant when the day first began. Sir Reginald Hargreeves, eccentric billionaire and adventurer, resolved to locate and adopt as many of the children as possible.

He got eight of them.

The setting sun's light filled the Academy as Grace set out the dinner plates and homecooked dinner on the table. She may have been a robot, but that didn't stop her from being a loving mother to the children she helped raise to become Umbrellas. If anything, she was a better parent than Reginald. To put it simply, he was more of an angry and stern professor who'd yell at you if you dropped a pencil on the floor. Like Grace, Pogo the chimpanzee was also a better role model. He had his moments where he had to be stern in front of the old man. But the children could come to him about anything, and he'd try and give the best advice.

Just as Grace finished ringing the dinner bell, she started the record player, and an older voice talked through the speakers as the children bounced down the stairs and walked to their seats. Reginald stood behind his chair, instructing the children to sit. Luther, their leader and Number One, dug into his chicken as he glanced across the table to Allison, Number Three. Though no words were spoken, the teens couldn't deny the two of them were blushing and smiling before returning to their plates. 

Diego, Number Two, was secretly writing in his notebook while Klaus, Number Four, was rolling a blunt of weed under the table, much to his brother Ben's annoyance. Vanya, Number Seven, sat at the other end of the table, trying to enjoy her meal. But the one person who hadn't even taken a bite out of their food was Five. True to his name, he was the fifth Umbrella, and he wore a scowl as he locked eyes directly at the old man. Y/n, the number eight of the group, followed his gaze and could instantly feel a knot form in her stomach. At any moment, Five was going to explode.

Reginald drank from his glass, not even acknowledging his adopted son's anger. And this only made Five shake his head in disgust before grabbing his steak knife and plunging it into the table. "Number Five?" Reginald finally acknowledged. "I have a question," Five spoke up. "Knowledge is an admirable goal, but you know the rules. No talking during mealtimes. You are interrupting Herr Carlson," Reginald spoke gruffly as the record continued playing in the background. Five pushed his plate towards where Y/n was sitting and refocused his gaze on the old man.

"I want to time travel," Five spoke lowly. "No," Reginald shook his head. "But I'm ready. I've been practicing my spatial jumps, just like you said," Five insisted before blinking to Reginald's chair. "See?" But Reginald shook his head in disappointment before cutting into his food. "A spatial jump is trivial when compared with the unknowns of time travel. One is like sliding along the ice. The other is akin to descending blindly into the depths of the freezing water and reappearing as an acorn,"

"Well, I don't get it," Five replied. "Hence the reason you're not ready," Five bit back a loud sigh, looking over to where Y/n and Vanya were sitting, both shaking their heads. The looks in their eyes pleaded with Five to let it go. "I'm not afraid," Five stated. "Fear isn't the issue. The effects it might have on your body; even on your mind, are far too unpredictable," Reginald spoke. "Now, I forbid you to talk about this anymore," The old man squinted. "Sit down!" Y/n mouthed to Five, but even from a distance, she could see the raging storm forming within him. The slight shaking of his head, his hands rummaging through his empty pockets as they balled into fists.

Five dashed out of the room, his hurried footsteps making everyone stop eating and turn their heads toward the entrance hall. "Number Five, you haven't been excused!" Reginald called. Y/n's heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and fear. Where is he going? And as the front doors slammed shut, it all registered in her mind. Fuck it, I'm going after him!  The wooden legs of her chair rubbed against the tiled floor, making the most irritating sound, almost like nails on a chalkboard. "NUMBER EIGHT!" Reginald yelled.

But Y/n ignored him as she ran onto the busy sidewalk, looking for Five. "Hey! Watch it, buddy!" A frustrated passerby grumbled. And for a split second, Y/n could see Five running down the block. A boost of adrenaline coursed through her veins as she ran towards him, going as far as her feet would carry her. "Five, wait!" she called, now three feet away from reaching him. "Go away!" He scowled, looking over his shoulder. "Five!" Y/n repeated, finally grabbing him by the wrist.

"Let go!" Five tried pulling away, but it did no good. Her grip was too strong. "No!" Y/n persisted. "Y/n, I'm warning you!" Five continued to struggle. Unbeknownst to the two teenagers, the constant back-and-forth ignited something within Five. His hands began to glow a dark blue. By the time either of them had the chance to register what was happening, they started jumping through time. One second, it was summer, the next it was winter. And just as it began, it suddenly stopped. "What the..." Y/n glanced around, realizing the rest of the block looked very different.

Ash and cinder covered the sidewalk, the thick smell of smoke nearly choking them. Five turned around, all the buildings surrounding them had crumbled, and the small percentage that were still standing, had multiple fires burning. "Wh-what happened here?" Y/n stammered. But Five remained silent, still in shock by the carnage. Slowly, the teens looked back down the block back towards the Academy. And without another word, they ran back, hoping to find their father and siblings alive and well.

But as they reached the front gates, their worst fears were confirmed. All that remained of the Umbrella Academy was charred rubble. "Vanya! Ben!" Five called.  "Dad?! Anyone?!" Y/n shouted. No response, no muffled cries, no signs of life whatsoever. "Is there any way we can get back?" Y/n asked. Five patted his shoulder, signaling her to grab on. But as Five tried to push forward and back to the present, nothing happened. He tried again, tightly closing his eyes and pushing forward once more. But no matter how hard he tried to concentrate, it was no use. His powers flickered in and out like a dying candle.

"Come on!" Five clenched his teeth, trying even harder to focus. "Shit..." Y/n muttered, feeling a heavier weight crash onto her shoulders. How could this have happened? What caused this? Five fell to his knees as he looked out at the remains of their home. One moment, the world was in one piece. The next... destroyed. "Dad..." Five called out again. With each unanswered call, his voice filled with more sorrow. And as Y/n sat down next to him, wrapping her arm over his shoulders, it finally dawned on them. Out of everyone on earth...

They were the only two survivors left.