"You know what I just realized?" Dusk glanced over to Dahlia who was gathering the folded plates and crumpled-up napkins. "What is it?" The blonde questioned. "At nearly every family function, it's always been Luther or Diego stirring up trouble," Dusk pointed out. "Mmm, if Ben wasn't locked up, I'd say he'd stir up trouble too. But yeah, I do see it," Dahlia nodded. "Although, since Diego's kids were born, I'd say he's changed quite a bit,"

"Really?" Dusk inquired. "How so?" Dahlia aggressively shook a white garbage bag open, trying to recall the first time she met them all back at the Sparrow Academy. "At first, I thought he was a selfish prick with knives. And now... I'd say he's just a stubborn prick," The brown blonde did her best to hold back her laughter, but it was no use. Though she rarely agreed with her rival, Dahlia did have a point. "What are you two laughing about?" Dusk and Dahlia grew silent as Diego approached them. "Oh, nothing," Dusk lied. "Just... family," the Sparrow shrugged. "Well, if you see Luther before you go, tell him the only thing he's getting from me for Christmas is coal," Diego whispered.

"Okay?" Dusk blinked. "I'm serious," the former Kraken shifted his gaze between the two. "My night shift starts in thirty, so you think you guys and Klaus can get the rest of this taken care of?" He asked. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Klaus with his face mask on, tidying up the ball pit, disinfecting the railings, and starting work on the inside. "Well knowing him, he won't leave until not a speck of crumbs remain," Dusk chuckled.

"Thanks, Dusk," Diego picked up the boxes of what remained of the leftover juice boxes. But just as he was about to walk out the door, he turned back to where Dusk and Dahlia were resuming their cleaning. For the briefest of moments, she and him made eye contact, and with a small smile, he whispered, "Nice seeing you again," Dusk nodded back, mouthing, "You too," as he turned around and left.

With every passing year, Dusk began to notice the changes within her brother; how he'd always be so energetic and eager to catch the next criminal in the act and pummel their face in. But over the last six years, he became a shell of who he used to be. The only thing fueling his existence being his marriage and children. She couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Maybe one day, he'd find his new purpose. Something to fill the gaping void. 

One by one, the siblings said their goodbyes and started to leave; Luther and Ben heading back to Luther's place, Dahlia telling them she'd be over soon to check on Ben. Her boyfriend scoffed and claimed she wasn't his babysitter. "You're right, she's not. But I am," Luther grabbed Ben's sleeve, and Ben looked up at him and squinted, but didn't say a word. Geez, he's moodier than I remember. Dusk inhaled sharply as she watched as Ben dragged his feet to the entrance. "Diego left you on cleaning duty?" Victoria questioned. "You know it. But there's not much left to do, so the sooner we get out of here, the better," Dusk nodded. "You heading back to the house?"

"No. Five and I've got to take care of some things," Victoria answered. Ever since Five and Victoria started working for the CIA, that had become the code word for their late-night assignments. With CIA confidentiality, it was a bit of a task for Victoria to not spill the tea to her bestie. But that code word was all Dusk needed to know. "We'll be back by 10," The brown blonde nodded, saying she'd leave the porch light on for them. And with a warming hug and a glare in Dahlia's direction, the redhead and her lover followed Luther and Ben into the snowy night.

"Nice to know Victoria still hates my guts," Dahlia spoke softly as she peeled off the tape keeping the streamers hanging off the sides of the table. "Well, you weren't exactly the nicest person when she first met you. Not to mention, you threatened to end me and my family," Dusk pointed out. "I only did that because I thought you were a threat to the Sparrows! It's not every day someone randomly enters your home and claims it's theirs!" Dahlia countered. Dusk had to agree with that, if she were in Dahlia's shoes, she'd probably consider them a threat too.

"If I'm being honest, your little friend was pretty badass back at the grocery store. I wasn't expecting her to pull out a staff! Throwing stars? Maybe! But, not that," Dahlia admitted. Dusk's ears perked up at that. Had someone changed Dahlia's batteries? Was she just hearing things? Surely, she couldn't have heard Dahlia actually complimenting Victoria! "Wow..." Dusk whispered. "I know. Never thought I'd be saying that out loud, but it's true," Dahlia slightly smiled.

"Okay, who are you and what have you done to Dahlia?" Dusk questioned. "She's still here. But I guess, six years of reflecting really changes a person," The former Sparrow answered. "But don't get it twisted, I may not have my powers anymore, but I won't hesitate to sucker punch someone!" And... there she is! Dusk smirked. "We had a pretty good run, didn't we? Throwing each other around, trying to kill the other?" Dusk reflected, remembering that fateful brawl like it was yesterday.

"Mhmm! We pretty much obliterated that store!" Dahlia chuckled. "I bet you they caught the whole thing on camera!" "No doubt! It's not every day you see a battle between fire and ice in aisle six!" Dusk choked back a laugh as she swallowed the last of her drink. Their combined laughter filled the playplace, making Klaus look up from his work to watch them. Who would've thought Songbird and Snowflower would finally make up? He smiled behind his mask. Suddenly, an excited scream popped out from the ball pit, making Klaus stumble and nearly fall in. "BOO!" A little boy, around the age of six or seven, grinned at him. But rather than laugh or try and scare the kid back, Klaus reached for his spray, squirting the bottle just above the kid's head, and he quickly scooted away.

"I'm not trying to make this a competition, but I think I won that battle!" Dusk smirked. "Oh really? What makes you think that?" Dahlia challenged. "Because fire is stronger than ice! I melted every last one of your ice shards back at the academy!" Dahlia shook her head insistently. "Uh-uh! I pinned you against the wall, remember? You barely made it out!" They could argue over which element was more powerful than the other till the cows came home, but then Dusk remembered something else, something that might place her at the top.

She rolled up her long sleeve, showing off her arm. Dahlia's eyes nearly bulged out of her head as she caught a glimpse of the scars running down the former phoenix's arm. "Yeah, remember when you threw me towards the fridges?" Dusk recalled. "H-Holy... I did that?" Dahlia stuttered. "Mhmm! That's what thirty pieces of glass looks like!" While it was surprising to see just how much damage Dahlia had inflicted on her rival, that shock soon settled back into a smirk as she rolled up her pant leg. "Well, take a look at this!" Dahlia pointed. "Approximately thirty-five pieces of glass from upper thigh to knee!"

"How'd you get that? I don't remember throwing you into glass," Dusk looked confused. "Guess it was the blowback from our powers? Regardless, that's five more than yours!" Dahlia answered. Dusk rolled her eyes as she leaned back in her seat, back pressed against the end of the table. The silence between them was growing more awkward by the second. The most time they've ever had a conversation was a minute, maybe even a minute and a half. But their competitiveness had carried on for nearly half an hour. "Is it bad to say I miss this? The bickering?" Dusk asked, turning her head towards Dahlia.

"Nah, I missed it too. And trust me, this is WAY better than arguing with Ben," Dahlia smiled. "So... what exactly does that make us? Rivals? Acquaintances?" Dahlia sputtered upon hearing that last label, claiming that it made them sound like business partners. "I'd say we're... frenemies," She finally answered just as the awkward silence was about to take over again.

"Frenemies it is then,"

~~~~~~~~~

The car mirror glowed softly against Victoria's skin as she adjusted the braid in her wig, brushing her fingers through the small tangles. Five sat in the driver's seat, dressed in his disguise; he couldn't help but steal a glance at her as she finished getting ready. They were supposed to meet the group leader at 7:30 sharp; despite the orders to drop their pursuit on the Keeper Files, they just couldn't stop. Not when there was more info dangling right in front of them. Only a fool would miss the opportunity.

"How do I look?" Victoria turned to look at him. Even in the pale light, Victoria looked just as gorgeous since the day they first met. "You've got a little something, right here," He gestured to her cheek. Victoria turned back to the mirror, thinking maybe she smudged her makeup, but she saw nothing. "I don't see-" But before she could finish her sentence, Five leaned into the passenger's seat, his lips brushing against hers. "You cheeky bastard!" Victoria playfully punched him in the arm as they pulled apart. "Ow!" Five rolled his shoulder before settling back into his seat. But even as they were meant to be playing this part seriously, Five couldn't stop the smile that was forming on his lips.

He never thought he'd experience love like this, never thought he was capable of loving someone as much. But the moment Victoria stepped into his life, everything changed. He didn't know who was responsible for bringing them back together, whether it was fate or something bigger, but he was grateful for this second chance. As it approached 7:30, Five and Victoria pulled up to the building where the 'real' meeting was located. And just as they walked into the entrance hall, the group leader was waiting at the end of the staircase.

"Glad you two could make it," He greeted them. "Glad to be here," Morticia acknowledged him. The group leader led them up the staircase, the meeting was supposed to take place on the fourth floor. "Just be cool, if anyone asks, you two are with me," The leader instructed. The three of them walked through a set of double doors, and upon walking in, the Keepers were all drinking and socializing, while waiting for the real fun to begin. "These are the real Keepers. The best of the best," The leader whispered. 

Morticia and Jerome's eyes scanned the crowded room, trying to pinpoint any familiar faces, but off in one corner of the room, a woman dressed in a bright red evening gown held a glass of champagne in one hand, her dark hair curled, and two strands of pearl wrapped around her neck. No way... Lila? Five's eyes were not deceiving him, he could see right through her disguise, and so could Victoria. But to all the other Keepers, they just knew her as Nancy. "Excuse me, Larry," Jerome patted his shoulder, and he and Morticia walked through the lines of metal chairs over to where "Nancy" was socializing with the group.

"So this is 'book club?" Victoria whispered as she and Five walked past. They approached a table that had sticky name tags and Sharpies laid out just right behind Lila. She chuckled and excused herself from the group, and as Five and Victoria were writing out their fake names, they could Lila's breath running down their necks. "If you two blow my cover, I'll rip your balls off," She threatened. "Joke's on you, I don't have any!" Victoria retorted. "You're gonna blow our cover," Five's reply directed at the both of them.

"Nice mustache, by the way. What are you supposed to be? A Greek serial killer?" Lila squinted. Five chuckled at her snide remark. "I'll have you know this is top-of-the-line horsehair," He corrected. "The real question is, what are you doing here, 'Nancy?" Victoria questioned. Lila leaned in closer, slightly turning her head to make sure no one else was listening in. "Let's just say the transition from full-time assassin to full-time caregiver of three small children and one chunky husband is no picnic. I needed to get outside the house. So, I saw a sign, and took a chance," Lila answered. "It's cheaper than therapy,"

Lila swiped the name tags from Five and Victoria's hands, sticking them onto the front of their clothes. "But you know, these losers might be onto something," Before either Five or Victoria could respond, the lights in the room dimmed, and someone loudly cleared their throat. "If everyone could take their seats, the presentation's about to begin," A man dressed in a black suit stood at the entrance. Five, Lila, and Victoria followed each other through the small crowd, taking their seats in the very last row. The tall man moved away from the door, and in walked an older couple, arm in arm. Both wore glasses and matching outfits. The woman wore her hair in two ponytails, while the man had his graying hair tied back, his bushy mustache nearly covering his mouth.

"Who are they?" Victoria whispered. "You've never heard of Gene and Jean? Are you sure you're part of the right CIA?" Lila smirked. Victoria put a finger to Lila's lips, hoping to god that nobody heard that. "Just spit it out," Five's patience was wearing thin. "Gene and Jean started the first chapter in Clovis, New Mexico. Since then, the movement has been everywhere," Lila answered. As Gene and Jean walked up to the front of the room, another light shut off, leaving the room in nearly complete darkness. 

"Wow. Wowie! I mean, holy shit! Pardon my French but look at all these beautiful shining faces. It is too much!" Jean gushed. "Thank you for being here! We have a big night planned, because tonight, we will be discussing..." The projector lit up and an image appeared on the board. "...The Umbrella Effect, and how I believe we can return to a restored and correct timeline," Jean continued. The Umbrella Effect? Five and Victoria looked at each other, both equally confused. But Lila turned back to the screen with a look of glee.

"Now, what do we mean when we talk about the Umbrella Effect?" Jean questioned, as the screen flashed to an image of a comic book, showing the animated versions of Five and the rest of his siblings. "Well, some people refer to it as 'Timeless sickness.' These artifacts from other timelines look like the shared memories so many of us have experienced, huh?" The image changed again, flashing from the Academy action figures to a small set of toy soldiers. 

The Keepers nodded in agreement, clearly brainwashed by everything that was being said. "Memories the powers that be would have you believe are just figments of our imaginations," Jean nodded to her husband, who took the lead as more images flashed before the crowd. "A dapper dandy holding an umbrella, standing on the grassy knoll. An obscure sex cult called 'Destiny's Children.' A litter of child superheroes in short pants, from which we derive the name of this phenomenon, The Umbrella Effect," Gene spoke.

"The question is, who benefits from covering this up?" Jean posed the question. Whispers erupted through the crowd as Keepers's all came to one mutual conclusion. "The elites, of course!" Gene answered. A photo of Reginald and his wife flashed on-screen, stirring the Keepers distaste towards the Hargreeves. But to Five and Victoria, something was off about the photo. It was just Reginald and Abigail in this photo. Standing right behind them were what appeared to be two women. But as they tried to get a closer look, the projector blurred, just as it flipped to a new image, just showing Reginald and his wife walking down the sidewalk.

"The ruling class has always been threatened by the truth. But they cannot stop the truth, now can they?" The Keepers shook their heads and murmurs of "No" and "Nope!" filled the room. "No, I didn't think so!" Gene finished, letting his wife have the floor once more. "These artifacts are proof that we're living in the wrong timelines. And they're the key to bringing about The Cleanse," "What the hell is The Cleanse?" Victoria whispered to Lila. "No idea but shut your mouth. Your whisper is very high-pitched," Lila responded. "Don't blow our covers,"

Sure enough, Lila and Victoria's whispers got the attention of Gene and Jean. Gene squinted into the darkness, trying to identify what was going on in the back. "Is there a problem back there?" He questioned. The two women quieted down, hoping the couple would just brush it off and get back to the Umbrella Effect, but it was too late. "I'm sorry, could you little Chatty Cathys stand up, please? I can't see your pretty little faces," Jean requested. Reluctantly and nervously, Lila, Victoria, and Five stood up and past the bright light of the projector, the founders finally met their gazes.

"Oh Papa, it's Nancy," Jean chuckled. "Hi everyone," 'Nancy' greeted everyone, trying to keep her fake accent from being shaky. "And who are your little friends? I don't believe we've met," Jean inquired. "I'm Morticia, and this is my husband," Victoria put her hand on Five's shoulder, silently urging him to speak up. "Jerome. We're from the Orlando branch," he finally answered. "Mmm, Jerome and Morticia, from the Orlando branch," Jean nodded, almost as if she had a hard time believing them. "Looks like your suntans could use a little work there, Jerome and Morticia," Gene chuckled.

Five and Victoria stood there in silence, waiting for them to carry on. But the couple wasn't quite done yet. "Maybe there's something we could help clarify, Jerome and Morticia from the Orlando branch," Jean offered. "No, so, um, sorry-" Lila stammered, but Five cut her off. "We were hoping maybe you could elaborate on the concept of The Cleanse," He answered. Gene looked over to his wife, who continued to look at three of them with suspicious eyes. "Some believe it's the end-" As Gene was about to walk closer, Jean stopped him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"...But others believe it's a great restoration," Gene finished. "What do you believe?" Five asked. "Well, you're in luck! Because we are preparing a very special lecture on just this topic," Jean sourly smiled. "Aren't we, darling?" "That's right, darling," Gene nodded in agreement. "If you're interested, why don't you give us your information? Address, phone number, and we'll be sure to send you an invitation. The three of you," While it was difficult to see through the projector light, the smiles on Gene and Jean's faces were enough to send shivers down your spine if you looked for too long. It certainly did for Lila, and Victoria could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand at attention.

"Thank you," Five nodded as he and Victoria sat back in their seats. "So sorry about that," Lila apologized. 

~~~~~~~~

Nearly two hours went by with Gene and Jean explaining their bizarre theories about The Umbrella Effect and the incoming Cleanse, still something that Five and Victoria had a hard time figuring out what it was. Was this a code word for the Keepers planning an uprising? Maybe something greater than them? Shortly after the meeting ended, the couple returned to their car, barely saying anything as they processed all this new information. As they were driving through the night, their stomachs started to grumble with hunger, and while still in their disguises, they sat down in a tiny but cozy cafe at the corner of Main Street, trying to piece the puzzle together.

"If these artifacts are from different timelines, and they're showing up, it's possible that the old man's reset didn't take," Five theorized. "But what does that even mean? How can all these random objects just show up here? Wait, here's a better question, how did they even manage to get their hands on these items in the first place?" the redhead questioned. "I have no idea," Five sighed. "Whatever this is, don't say anything to the family just yet. Not even Dusk,"

"I guess so, but the last time I kept a secret from her, it didn't end well," Victoria's face fell. "What happened between you and her? Back in Dallas? You still haven't told me," Five asked. Victoria never thought she'd have to tell him, considering this was something just between her and her best friend. But as she met Five's reassuring gaze, she took a deep breath and steadied herself. "I never told her about me working with the Commission, why Lila and I were there," Victoria explained. "Why?" He questioned. "Cause one, I don't trust many people. You know this! Secondly, how awkward would it be if some girl you barely knew suddenly started opening up about her dark past? And then says, 'Hey, by the way, I'm part of the group that's trying to kill you and your family?"

Five was about to open his mouth and answer, but Victoria shushed him. "Don't answer, that's purely rhetorical. And then, when I started to get to know her more, I felt guilty. It felt unfair. I knew so much about her, but she barely knew anything about me," The redhead could still feel the sting of her words from that day, no matter how many times she tried to block it out, it still haunted her from time to time. "And when she found out the truth, that's when it hurt the most. I guess it's true what they say. You don't know how good you have it until someone's gone,"

Five slowly nodded, he felt the same way after realizing he was trapped in the apocalypse. He may not have been buddy-buddy with his siblings, and yeah, they annoyed the hell out of him most of the time, but he still loved them. "The second we find out what exactly the Cleanse is, we'll tell them. But I don't want to want them to panic for no reason," Five assured, reaching across the table to take her hand. Slowly, Victoria smiled as their fingers interlocked, and Five's thumb brushed against her knuckles. "Deal," Victoria agreed.