Chapter 7: Names

A Few Days after the Eiffel Tower Attack, Reginald's Note on everyone: 

0.01: Immense physical strength and durability. Excels at everything he tries, displaying ruthless leadership. The only issue is his inability to control number 8; otherwise, he is my favorite.

0.02: A reckless idiot with the seemingly useless ability to hold his breath indefinitely, though his skill in trajectory manipulation is a saving grace. Exceptional with knives, but a stuttering problem persists. New training method under development due to 8's words

0.03: An insufferable narcissist, yet undeniably useful. Her abilities provide a safety net, despite her unbearable personality. 

0.04: Spiritual abilities are still in question, largely underdeveloped due to his fears and weak mentality. A disappointment which can be rectified

0.05: Missing for days. No great loss—his absence is hardly noticeable. 

0.06: Possesses a fascinating but grotesque ability. His naive and innocent nature makes him easily manipulated. To know more of said abilities requires suppressing nausea. Skin is a portal for eldritch beings

0.07: Has no valuable skills. Mediocre at music, and otherwise completely useless.

0.08: The most insolent of them all and by far my least favorite. His disobedience is a constant issue, and there's far too much to note down. Despite my dislike, I cannot ignore the reality: he is the strongest among his siblings, with no limits to his psychic abilities. The most frightening aspect of him is his limitless potential, second only to the beast dormant within him. His only weakness is his attachment to his siblings which can be used against him. 

*****

[Third Person's PoV] 

As the siblings gathered in the study, excitement bubbled in the air after Grace, their caretaker and mother figure, suggested that it was time for them to choose their own names. For as long as they could remember, they'd been referred to by numbers, so the idea of having real names felt both thrilling and strange.

Grace smiled warmly at them all. "We will be picking names that call out to you, that you feel most comfortable with. If you need help, I'd be more than willing to assist."

The room was soon filled with chatter as everyone began brainstorming ideas. Meanwhile, Number 8 sat cross-legged on his chair, closing his eyes in concentration.

*"What do you think I should be named in this life?"* 8 asked the Phoenix within him.

*"How the hell should I know? Just use the same name from your previous life,"* Phoenix replied with a mental shrug.

*"No, this is a new life—a gift from God. Spencer is long dead… He died during that car crash with his adopted grandparents."*

*"Just so we're clear, I think the way you died was bullshit,"* Phoenix grumbled. *"You finally get adopted at 16 by a couple who wanted a grandchild, and then bam, you go and die. You're seriously unlucky."*

*"Or lucky, since I was reborn—"*

*"No, kid, unlucky, since you were bought off by that bastard."*

*"I can't be that unlucky; I've got you in my life, don't I?"*

*"Heh, you sure know how to sweet-talk someone, don't you, brat?"*

*"Hey, I have an idea. Why don't you name me?"*

*"Are you sure?"* Phoenix asked skeptically.

*"As long as you don't name me Jean, then we're good,"* 8 replied with a grin.

Phoenix squawked with amusement. *"Very well… Hm… What should I name you…? Hey kid, didn't you say this was a God-given gift?"*

Just then, Grace's voice broke through his thoughts. "Have you all picked out your names?" she asked, and 8 opened his eyes. His green eyes lit up as he let out a small sigh.

*"You are so unoriginal,"* 8 muttered under his breath to the Phoenix.

Grace, seeing everyone nodding eagerly, smiled. "Let's go by numerical order. 1, you're up first. What name do you want to be called?"

Number 1 stood up proudly, puffing out his chest. "From now on, I am Luther Hargreeves, The Umbrella Academy's Number 1," Luther declared.

Grace clapped her hands in approval. "It's nice to meet you, Luther," she said warmly.

Luther smiled and puffed out his chest with pride, but 8 couldn't resist a quip. "I'm surprised you didn't name yourself Reggie Jr."

The room erupted in laughter, except for Luther, who narrowed his eyes at 8. 

"No making fun of the names, 8," Grace chided gently.

"I wasn't making fun. Luther is a good name for him. I'm just saying, I'm surprised, that's all," 8 replied with a smirk and a shrug.

Grace shook her head with a smile and turned to Number 2. He looked a bit self-conscious but, encouraged by Grace's nod, steeled his resolve.

"I am Diego Hargreeves, The Umbrella Academy's Number 2!" Diego said loudly, trying to suppress his nervousness.

"It's nice to meet you, Diego Hargreeves," Grace said, her tone full of grace and warmth.

Diego smiled, "T-Thank you, Mom."

"Number 3, you're up," Grace prompted.

Number 3 stood confidently, flipping her hair back. "From now on, I am Allison Hargreeves, Number 3 of The Umbrella Academy."

"Allison is a very beautiful name, it fits you wonderfully," Grace complimented.

Allison smirked, "I know, that's why I picked it."

Then, all eyes turned to Number 4, who cleared his throat and stood up proudly. "My name is King Emperor!" he announced with a grand gesture.

Everyone stared at him in disbelief before bursting into laughter.

"That way, when you're referring to me, you may call me King! Or use my second name, Emperor! I will not respond otherwise!" 4 added with a serious expression.

"No one is calling you that, 4!" they all shouted in unison.

"Who is this 4 you speak of!? Refer to me as your king! Or as your emperor!"

Ignoring his protests, they began ripping pieces of paper from their notebooks and throwing them at him. "Boo! Pick a different name!" Diego shouted.

"Can't you pick anything normal?" 6 joined in, while 7 softly threw a paper ball too, smiling shyly.

With an exaggerated groan, 4 rolled his eyes. "Fine! I guess I'll use the last name on the list—the name our gracious mother helped bestow upon me. From now on, I shall be known as Klaus!"

Everyone cheered and clapped, finally satisfied with the name choice. Klaus bowed theatrically as if finishing a performance.

Grace then turned toward Number 6, about to speak, but before she could, Number 7 interjected, "What about 5? Should we come up with a name for him?"

The room fell silent for a moment, the previous joyous mood dimming. "Way to suck the fun out of things, 7. So original of you," Allison scoffed.

7 looked down sadly, fearing she had ruined the atmosphere.

"What was wrong with what she asked?" 8 defended 7, his tone sharp.

"We don't need a reminder that 5 is gone," Allison retorted, her voice tight with frustration.

"But he *is* gone. All 7 wants to know is if we should honor our brother by naming him ourselves or wait however many years it will take for him to come back and pick a name for himself. Right?" 8 asked, looking at 7 with a supportive smile.

7 nodded, grateful for 8's defense. "I think we should put it to a vote: those who think we should name him, and those who think we should wait," she suggested, her voice hesitant but determined.

"I vote we name him ourselves and come up with a ridiculous name! Like 'Glasses!'" Klaus chimed in, grinning.

"Why the hell would we call him 'Glasses?'" 6 asked, staring at Klaus in confusion.

"So that when he comes back and we call him 'Glasses,' he'd have no idea what we're talking about. It'll be even funnier since he doesn't wear any! Hahaha!" Klaus laughed, clapping his hands in amusement.

Everyone just looked at Klaus with straight expressions before sighing and shaking their heads.

Luther then intervened, "I think it would be best if we left 5's name as it is. When he returns, if he wants to change it, he can decide for himself."

They all nodded in agreement, raising their hands to vote on the suggestion. "Since 5's matter is settled, that leaves 6," Grace said, turning toward 6 with a curious look.

"I'm going to be called Ben, short for Benjamin Hargreeves, Number 6 of the Umbrella Academy," he announced confidently.

"Really? Ben? I would've thought you'd go for something Chinese?" Klaus said, looking at 6 with a puzzled expression.

"Klaus, be nice to your brother," Grace reprimanded gently.

"I'm not Chinese, you racist dumbass," Ben glared at Klaus, his tone cutting.

"Please don't use profanities," Grace admonished.

Ben sighed and shook his head, mumbling an apology, but still annoyed by Klaus's comment.

The attention then shifted to 7, who blushed as she realized everyone was now focused on her.

"Number 7, what name have you chosen for yourself?" Grace asked warmly.

7 stood up, smiling shyly. "The name I've chosen for myself is Vanya Hargreeves… Number 7 of the Umbrella Academy."

"Can you even call yourself a member? You don't even do anything," Allison scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"She might not do much, but at least she isn't a bitch," 8 shot back, his eyes narrowing at Allison.

"What did you just call me!?" Allison stood up, glaring daggers at 8.

"I never said your name. You just assumed I was talking about you," 8 replied with a smirk, shrugging nonchalantly. "As they say, if the shoe fits…"

Allison's expression darkened, and she smiled coldly. "I heard a rumor… that I sat down and couldn't speak until told otherwise."

Allison immediately sat down, her mouth shutting as she lost the ability to speak. Everyone looked at her in confusion, then turned their gazes toward 8, who was leaning back in his seat, his eyes glowing with psychic power.

"Whoa! Did you really use your powers against her?" Klaus said in awe. "Now that's a first if I've ever seen it."

"8, return her to normal," Luther ordered sternly.

"But look at her. She looks so quiet and peaceful. Isn't it beautiful?" 8 said with a serene expression, though his tone was laced with sarcasm.

They all saw Allison's eyes fill with tears, her expression contorting with anger.

"Please release her," Vanya pleaded, looking at 8 with concern.

8 rolled his eyes. "Fine," he said, snapping his fingers.

As soon as he did, Allison grabbed her things and began hurling them at 8 in anger, but each object stopped midair, floating harmlessly.

"Don't take control of my mind!!" Allison screeched, her voice filled with fury.

"Then don't ever try to rumor me like that again. With that, we're even," 8 glared back, his tone icy.

"That's enough, you two," Luther said in an authoritative tone, stepping in to diffuse the tension.

8 and Allison both clicked their tongues in annoyance but backed down, reluctantly turning away from each other.

Grace then turned to 8. "It's your turn now. Do you have your name ready?"

8 smiled as he stood up confidently. "I do, My name… is Nathaniel Hargreeves, and I'm Number 8 of the Umbrella Academy."