Chapter 1: Damon
Before Prologue
Year: 1890
Damon was tired of his brother. He was tired of cleaning up his brothers messes. And, he was mad at himself. He wasn't quite sure why he was mad at himself, though he had no trouble expressing the anger. To get away from his brother and his feelings, he set off for the little explored Northwest. There were tales of adventure and adventure was his middle name.
The romantic in him wished to settle down; however, he was sure in this state it was a wish he should throw away. Feeling was becoming a problem for him. His mentor had shown him how to turn off his emotions, something the vampire was strongly considering. The further west he headed, in his animal form, the more he contemplated turning off his emotions. What harm could it really do? It was more of a defense mechanism really. So, wouldn't it be a good thing if he could no longer feel the hurt?
His thoughts on turning off his emotions came to a brief end as he landed in Washington on the Pacific Coast. The cliffs here are hauntingly captivating, but he can't get his mind off his brother and Katherine. Knowing she is stuck in the tomb hurts. The one he loves is locked up while he remains free. His brother forcing him to drink on that fateful day boils his blood every time he thinks about it. What right did his brother have to force him into this life? And now his brother ignores him, becoming a ripper. No, a vacation away from all the hurt and pain is due. Of course, he could always turn off his emotions, but he knows it would be difficult to turn them back on if he ever needed to. He walks along the beaches while contemplating these emotions before he comes to a stop, facing a woman. Her smell floated to him on the ocean breeze, a mix of freesias and sea salt.
"You smell delicious darling."
"You said the same thing the first time we met."
Her statement confused him. Met? He had never seen, or smelt, this woman in his life. A scent so enticing, he was sure he never would have forgotten.
"I apologize, I don't believe we've met."
"Yes, we have, Damon Salvatore. In the future, you meet me outside The Grill in Mystic Falls. You tell me I smell delicious and then try to compel me, which doesn't work."
She raises the lantern, he presumes so she can see. Looking into her eyes he tries to compel her, saying, "You will tell me everything before I drain you dry."
"You won't drain me, but nice try."
"Damn, you really can't be compelled. How did you get here if you're from the future? How did you know about compelling, and do you know what I am?"
"The witches, Bonnie and her mother, sent me back. I know about compelling because, you told me, after searching me for Vervain which, I don't have on me. And, you are a vampire. I know this because I use to be in love with a Cold-One. You and your brother Stefan told me about Originals and your type of vampire. Plus, I was friends with shape shifters here in La Push, before moving to Mystic Falls."
"Shape shifter, Vampires, ad Witch's, oh my!"
She giggled, "Yes, my life has been quite an adventure."
"And here you are. Why are you here again?"
"I was sent to keep you from turning your emotions off. My time here is short before I must return to my timeline. There are two possible futures. One, you turn your emotions off. You kill more people than your brother, the Reaper, and the future for everyone is dark and bleak.
"In the second future, you and I have met; you keep your emotions turned on, even after I leave. We have a bright, happy future for a long time."
"Does a long time mean eternity?"
"A long time can be whatever we want it to be."
His raises his hand and caresses her face. "I think I like future two."
"Me too," she replies with a smile.
Standing on her tiptoes, having placed the lantern on the ground, her arms wrap around his neck and she begins earnestly kissing him. He wraps his arms around her waist and lifts her to his level. Off in the distance wolves howl, announcing the coming of a bright future for many species.
She begins to fade in his arms. Before she fully dims she whispers, "Find me in the future Damon. Don't turn your emotions off." With a gentle pass of the wind, her figure disappears. His promise is carried away by the sea breeze. Out of the woods step three wolves. The bronze coated one steps forward, shimmering into a copper-toned man.
"Your choice will herald in a new dawn. You and your companion will be the world's saviors. Tread carefully Original, your choices from here on out affect everyone alive and those yet to be born, including your Swan."
