Hello everyone! The attention this story is getting is amazing and I love it. You guys are awesome.
This is (kind of) a flashback chapter that shows how Klaus is changing the future by meddling in the past. I hope you guys like it! Chapter four should be up within the week (hopefully).
I realized that I didn't put any scene breaks in the last chapter, so I went back and did that. Sorry about that!
I started writing this story right after Elena found out she was sired to Damon, so I'm not going to delve into the Katherine-becomes-the-cure-and-Silas-eventually-kills-her bit. As far as this story is concerned canon-wise, that hadn't and will not be happening. The next chapter will have a teeny scene from the 'past' and then will start up in the present. The next two chapters will be pretty Elena heavy, but then we're on the Klaroline train. Woo woo!
Thank you so much for reading. Leave a review telling me what you think.
Love always,
Skye
"Chapter 3"
Mystic Falls, 1864.
Katerina Petrova had long since died after she escaped with Elijah. She lived as a human for another week before she grew weary of the fear of being hunted and demanded that he turn her. And, because he was in love with the Petrova doppelgänger, he quickly obliged.
Vampires hardly believed in marriage the way humans did, but Katerina had always dreamt of marriage. So instead of continuing their nomadic journey, Elijah placed her in Mystic Falls, Virginia, while he set off to find the most glorious ring that was worthy of the goddess he had created. He was going to give her as many human experiences as he possibly could, if that would make her happy.
As soon as he kissed her goodbye and sped away from Mystic Falls, Katherine Pierce smiled. She smiled with the sense of freedom she thought was lost in the last few months of her humanity. She smiled at the prospect of a new, long life. She smiled at the wonder of what lay ahead, of the journey on which she would embark. She smiled at the eternity at her feet, prepared to take the reins of her new life by storm. Though she knew her time in Mystic Falls would be brief, she welcomed the plethora of opportunity that awaited her.
But while she smiled at the future of her immortality, it seemed that her Original beloved could not share her sentiments. And how could he? He had roamed the earth for nearly 900 years. He'd grown content. While he did not live like a human, she felt he had forgotten how to truly live like a vampire. In the beginning, his power enticed her; it drew her to him. Now that he rarely used it, now that he never showcased the magnitude of his essence, the Original who was so madly in love with her had become a bore. His love for her became a routine thing, and she grew wary of it. There was no longer excitement or wonder in his touch. His passion for her had sizzled away to benign compassion.
Maybe it was because she didn't love him that life with Elijah had changed. He was just her safe haven, her escape from death. He tried his best to please her and she put on a marvelous show, but she felt empty. In the end, there were a limited number of people that Katerina Petrova could ever say she loved, and there were none for Katherine Pierce.
"And here I thought I would never see you again," a familiar voice called out. Katherine turned around quickly, her dark curls bouncing in the cool breeze. A wide smile exploded on her face and she squeaked in excitement. She hiked up her skirts and jogged over to meet Pearl, a friend she had assumed had died. She hugged her friend tightly, laughing at her own disbelief.
"What are you doing here?" Katherine inquired when she broke their embrace.
Pearl smiled. "I have set up my home here," she announced as she grabbed Katherine's hand and led her through the trees. "I wanted a more permanent place to stay with my daughter." Once free of the trees, she stopped in front of a magnificent mansion that glowed in the setting sun. Rose bushes surrounded the perimeter with dozens of orchid trees scattered across the land. The house look freshly painted, and it looked like Katherine's dream. She would ask Elijah for a house like that once he returned.
"This is amazing," Katherine muttered in awe. She turned to her friend. "How long have you been here?"
Pearl smiled in accomplishment. "Annabelle and I have lived here for a year so far," she announced, "And we intend to stay many more. You are more than welcome to stay here if you like, whether it be permanent or just passing through."
Katherine grinned. "Thank you for your kind offer. I am not entirely sure how long I shall be here. I am mainly here, waiting until my fiancé should return." Her face fell and she looked back at the glorious house. "We are to marry as soon as he comes back to me."
Pearl gasped excitedly. "This is wonderful!" she exclaimed. She placed her hands on Katherine's out of worry. "Why are you not excited?"
Katherine sighed and looked to Pearl with sad eyes. "I have come to realize that I do not love him," she answered truthfully. "But I owe him my life, and he says he is in love with me."
"I take it he is older than you," Pearl assumed.
Katherine nodded. "You did not have the chance to meet the last time we spoke," she stated, "But if you were to see him, you would know him." She sighed again. "I am betrothed to an Original Vampire, on the run from another."
Pearl gasped. "Why could you not tell me earlier?" she asked, frightened. "There must be something you can do." Her face lit up with an idea. "I know a witch!"
"A witch?"
"Yes, a witch. She is very powerful, and I am certain she could help you with your problem."
"But I have heard witches despise vampires… that they conspire to destroy them."
"This is true, but if you were to put her in the same position you are in with your Original, she would have no choice but to do whatever she could to help you and be free of her debts."
Katherine rolled her eyes. "And how am I supposed to save the life of a witch?" she asked begrudgingly. She turned to enter Pearl's enormous house when she heard thick shoes crunching over gravel.
"Good evening, Miss Pearl," came the charming voice of Damon Salvatore. His voice shocked Katherine, sending a shiver down her spine and a jolt of electricity through her veins. His voice resonated in her ears and washed over her, sparking her interest in the human boy.
And when she turned to look at him, her interest sky rocketed.
He looked like a god. His hair was filled with dark waves that cascaded slightly past his ears. From the distance she stood from him, she could see his striking blue eyes that made her legs feel weak. The curve of his lips as he smiled warmly enticed her. She wanted to rip off his military uniform as well as the god awful corset she wore and take him out in the open for all to see, but she knew that would not be ladylike.
"What a pleasure, Damon," Pearl spoke as she crossed the distance to embrace the Salvatore. "Have you come to wish me goodbye before you head off?"
He nodded with a casual smirk. "I leave in the morning," he told her, "But I wanted to make sure I had said goodbye to my friends while I still had the chance."
"You should not say such negative things," Katherine advised. She quickly covered her mouth, terrified that she had spoken to him. This gorgeous man before her was going off to war, with the idea that he may not make it out alive. She didn't want him to go! She wanted to play with him, to see what made this handsome man tick.
He bowed to her. "Pardon me, Madam," he said. "It would seem that I have been so rude as to not inquire the name of such a beautiful maiden."
She blushed slightly, though only Pearl would have the eyes to see, and turned her head, her fingers brushing the smile forming on her lips. "It would be impossible for you to see my face at this time of night," she stated. "But, my name is Katherine." She kept her eyes on Pearl's porch swing, willing herself not to steal another glance at him. She gave a small curtsy and resumed her shy position.
She heard gravel crunching as he walked over to her. He grabbed her free hand and bowed once more. The feel of his touch shocked and enticed her even more, for men never touched a woman without her permission. And here this beautiful man was, touching her hand and complimenting her. "That is a lovely name, Miss Katherine," he stated. "I hope you enjoy your stay in Mystic Falls."
Katherine turned to him with a raised brow. "How did you know I am only visiting?" she questioned. Her eyes caught his and there was a certain power in them that seemed to hold her. She never wanted to look away.
"Mystic Falls is a small town, Miss Katherine," he informed her. "And I would remember such an angelic face."
She fought to repress her smirk. She would have fun with this one.
"Damon," Pearl called. She stood by Katherine and unlinked their hands. "You have other people you should say goodbye to, correct?"
Damon stood and nodded. "Good day, Miss Pearl," he said. He nodded his head to Katherine. "Good day, Miss Katherine. I do so hope we have the chance to meet again." He flashed her a flirting smirk before turning on his heels and walked away.
Once he had reached the trees, Pearl roughly grabbed Katherine's arm. "What is the matter with you?" she hissed with a dark glare. "You are betrothed to a vampire that would stop at nothing to acquire what he pleases, and now you are flirting with a Salvatore boy!"
Katherine snatched her arm from her friend. "Bite your tongue," she spat. "He flirted with me first. If you keep your mouth shut, no one will ever know."
Pearl grimaced. "Word travels quickly."
Katherine had her eye on the local Bennett witch, Emily. The witch was an orphan, so no one would miss her if a scheming vampire decided to take her.
She stood behind a large oak tree, watching Emily from a distance as she walked through the dark woods. She had compelled Thomas Fell, the town drunk, to attack Emily; then she would kill him as soon as Emily was on the brink of death. Katherine knew that witches valued mortal lives, so she knew that Emily would never use her powers against one, even if it was going to kill her.
Alone, Emily Bennett made her way to the river, carrying tattered clothes in her arms. She hardly made a sound as she washed her clothes in the river and didn't even hear Thomas Fell stumbling up to her.
The drunk crept up behind her carrying a large glass bottle and quickly smashed it across the back of her head. Emily cried out, and her clothes fell into the river as she hunched over in pain. Thomas grabbed her by the back of her neck and pushed her face into the river. She struggled under his hand, so he climbed on top of her, pressing his weight down on her back.
Emily continued to thrash her arms in the water and on the ground, and Katherine could hear her heartbeat racing frantically. As Thomas continued to hold Emily's face down into the water, her blood began trickle into the river. Thomas took this opportunity to jam his dirty nails into the gash beneath her hair. Her muffled screams made bubbles in the water, and the witch began to feel lightheaded.
Katherine continued to listen to Emily's heart from behind the tree and smirked when the beat began to slow. She leaned out from behind the tree as the witch started to go limp beneath the town drunk. In a split second, she darted from behind the tree and snapped Thomas Fell's neck before he could react. Then she pulled Emily out of the river and forced her wrist into the witch's mouth after tearing open a gash with her teeth.
Unconscious, Emily could only let the blood trickle into her mouth. When she had swallowed enough of it, she began to cough up water, mixing it with Katherine's blood. The vampire listened as the witch's heartrate returned to normal. Once healed, Emily stared up at Katherine in shock.
"Y-you saved me," she stammered in her mousy voice. "Why?"
"You could have been killed," Katherine pointed out, reaching her hand down to pull the young witch upright. "I happened by in the nick of time, it seems."
After straightening out her dress, Emily bowed. "Thank you, Miss—"
"Katherine," she smiled.
Emily nodded with a stern face. "Thank you, Miss Katherine," she breathed. "My name is Emily, and I offer you my service to repay you for saving my life."
"There is no need," Katherine gushed with a seemingly warm smile. "I have heard that, even when provoked, witches do not harm humans."
"This is true," Emily acknowledged, "But it is also true that a witch owes her life to whomever may save her. If I were to fail in doing so, my ancestors would punish me in the next life. Until I repay my debt to you, Miss Katherine, I live to serve you."
Katherine faked an uneasy frown and gently touched her face in deliberation. "I promise not to trouble you," she finally promised with a wide grin.
Emily smiled softly at her, feeding into the vampire's seemingly kind disposure.
If she were good for anything, Katherine Pierce was undoubtedly exceptional at playing anyone she met like a fiddle. The world was her oyster, and she could take whatever she wanted with her golden, forked tongue. Her only downfalls were her insurmountable greed and her skewed sense of invulnerability.
Her first tryst through time had been somewhat successful for her. She formed an allegiance with Emily who did whatever she could to please the vampire. She fell in love with two devilishly handsome men and planned to run away with the one she loved the most. She created her own army of vampires in the small town of Mystic Falls, all of which idolized her power. After the witch had discovered a way to end her Original problems, she betrayed the witch by alerting the founding families of her magic. She even convinced George Lockwood, Mystic Falls' first werewolf, to rescue her from a burning church and help her fake her death. She went on to live several lifetimes filled with happiness, unfathomable joy, and nearly everything she could ever ask for.
Unfortunately for Katherine, Klaus' new presence drastically altered her timeline.
George Lockwood lifted Katherine's unconscious body off the ground and prepared to disappear into the night with her when a stern hand gripped his shoulder. He looked over his shoulder, his face falling in confusion as he stared at the Original. "May I help you?" he asked in a quiet voice.
Klaus smirked. "You have something I want," he answered simply, his eyes falling to the vampire in the werewolf's arms. "Or shall I say, someone?"
George sneered. "I have an obligation to fulfill," he announced. "I, too, want something, and I will not have it if you take her."
Klaus chuckled lightly as the sound of rioting citizens rose from the distance. "Perhaps you have not heard of me, young werewolf."
George narrowed his eyes. "Sir," he began with authority in his voice, "I apologize, but I have neither seen nor heard of you before in my life. For whatever reason you desire Miss Katherine, you may have her once she awakens and I receive my payment." He backed away into the cover of the trees, keeping his eyes locked on Klaus as he crossed his arms. "Tell me," he continued, "Who are you? …I suppose, however, the question should be: what are you? The existence of werewolves in this town is not common knowledge."
Klaus matched his every move, his stare undoubtedly intimidating. As they reached the trees, he placed his hands on George's shoulders as if he were a child being disciplined. He pressed his body against Katherine, minimizing the space between him and George while keeping her securely in place. "I am a vampire," he stated. "Older than any you have ever known. I am also the last you will ever know."
The werewolf opened his mouth in protest, but Klaus's hands quickly dug into his cheeks and ripped his head from his neck. Klaus replaced George's grasp on Katherine as his decapitated corpse collapsed onto the ground.
He wouldn't be found until morning.
As the Original made his way deeper into the woods, the doppelganger began to stir in his arms. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open and she gasped upon seeing him. Like lightening, she jumped out of his arms, but Klaus—who had predicted her moves—grabbed her tightly by the waist, pinning her back to his chest.
"Hello again, Katerina," he breathed in her ear, the cold, terror of his words billowing down her neck. "Oh, how I have missed you."
"Please let me go," she begged in a hushed whisper.
He chuckled lightly in her ear, wrapping his arms tighter around her. "Now, why would I do that?" he questioned. "You have something of mine, Katerina, and I intend to have it back."
"Let me live and I shall return it," she bargained, struggling under his strength.
He jerked his arms even tighter, knocking the breath from her lungs. Though she didn't need the air, it proved to be a reflex from the days of her humanity. "You are in no position to bargain with me," he growled lowly. "Give me the moonstone, and I will make your unavoidable death painless."
"I do not like that deal," she huffed, thrashing in his arms. "Let me go this instant!"
Snarling loudly, he bore his fangs and dug down into the side of her neck. She screamed out in pain as he began to rip at her skin. While her blood was still laced with vervain, it was only a small dose barely enough to make him shudder. She continued to cry out, but her pleas for help quickly faded as her blood trickled down his chin.
When she fell limp in his arms, he let her body fall to the ground with a soft thud. He smiled devilishly to himself as the moonstone fell from her bosom and skid across the gravel. He looked from her heaving chest to the moonstone just as pale, brown fingers grabbed it.
Emily Bennett stood in front of a towering willow tree, holding the precious stone in both hands and looking at it solemnly. She looked to Klaus with curious eyes. "You are not from here," she stated.
"Give that to me," he demanded. "And I will let you live."
She smirked with glum eyes. "Even if your word was true," she began softly, "This town is already searching to burn me at the stake." She looked down at the stone for a moment, running her thumb across its smooth surface. "You carry an aura around you that says you have lived this life before," she continued, "But you want to change things." She looked to him with an accusatory stare. "You are a time walker."
The Original froze, trying to keep his poker face. Despite the tension in the air, only Katherine's slow wheezing could be heard.
How could this witch know that about him? What would she be able to do to him if she knew that much? He could tell she wasn't afraid of him. Would she be able to fend him off if he attacked her?
"Give me the moonstone and I will ensure that you are not burned at the stake and you live to see your children grow old," he offered, overcoming his discomfort. "I will ensure your safety, young witch."
She pursed her lips. "Who am I to trust you, another vampire?" she questioned. "I trusted Katherine and she betrayed me. Who is to say you will not do the same?"
"I have no quarrel with you, Witch," Klaus spat. "You have something of mine and I am willing to give you something you want in return." His eyes darted down to Katherine as she writhed on the ground, struggling for air. In one swift motion, he fell to his knee and ran his fist through her chest, gripping her heart firmly. He looked up to Emily with cold eyes. "She is reckless; she acts for her own enjoyment. You were a pawn to her, only in her life to give her what she desired. If she betrayed you, then she no longer required your services."
Squeezing tightly, he ripped Katherine's heart out of her chest. The young vampire gave one last, startling gasp before death overcame her, discoloring her skin a grotesque grey as the veins protruded over her face and any exposed flesh. He stood, clenching the bloody heart in his fingers. "I have no need nor desire to rid myself of you should you give me the stone," he announced, "And my word is my bond."
Emily chuckled slightly, still wary of the Original. "Your blood is older than any vampire," she professed, "Older still with the passage back through the ages. My only question: do you even understand the concept of time?"
"You move forward effortlessly," he answered as if it were a childish question. "You use a witch to move backward."
"While this is true," the witch acknowledged, "Time, however, is fated; what is meant to happen will happen, whether you want it to or not. And it may not occur in the same manner as before. Though you travel through time, the only thing that will change is your knowledge of the future. You will have to work harder to achieve what you desire because you will never have the same chance twice. Whatever you have come back for, you will not have it; if it has not happened yet, it probably is not meant to be. What you search for will never be a reality."
"You know nothing," he snarled. "You are still a child."
She sighed and held the moonstone out to the vampire. "My ancestors can see all," she confessed, "What has come and what will be. I tell you these things for your own good, even if you do not believe me. Take this and continue on your journey. But be warned, Niklaus Mikaelson, you are on a path to self-destruction."