A/N: Okay here is the next chapter, I must warn you that this hasn't been beta'd or proof read.

I apologize in advance for any spelling and grammar mistakes, I didn't want you to wait any longer for an update.

The Auction

Chapter 7 - Choices and Paths

"It's dark outside and they still aren't back, can we go look for them now" Caroline had been pacing around the window, hoping that her best friend would magically appear and all the worrying was for nothing.

"Alright love, but I'm sure they are fine. The dopp...Elena..is with Elijah, an original. He can't be killed." Klaus said tiredly.

"I know that but why haven't they returned! Something could of happened and were just standing here! If you won't look for them, then I'm sure Bonnie will help me look." Caroline glared at the blue eyed original hybrid, seeing if he would cave.

"Fine, we will go look. I can't have you wandering the quarter on your own, vampires around here are much stronger." Klaus grabbed his jacket while taking Caroline's hand, they headed out the living room and went to search for his other siblings.

They found Bonnie and Kol in the kitchen having some human food, clearly Kol had heard there conversation because he automatically looked at his older brother and held his hand up. "We're coming with you, Bonnie has tried to do a locator spell but nothing and I've tried both their phones, we can't reach them. Something is wrong."

Klaus nodded, it seemed as though the girls worries hadn't been over nothing. It meant someone was messing with his family, and whoever it was would have to pay.

Stefan walked in the room with Rebekah and Damon, only hearing part of the conversation didn't stop the younger Salvatore from wanting to join the search party. "I'll look with you, Elijah can't be killed but Elena can, we have to find them."

Rebekah's response just sounded like a scoff, she ignored the dirty looks from Bonnie and Caroline. Everything was all about the doppelgänger in her eyes, she was always in danger or being a martyr and everybody would risk their lives for her. Rebekah just didn't understand the hold she had over everyone. She wasn't that special, apart from the properties that her blood use to hold.

"Elijah will be fine and he wouldn't let a fly hurt precious Elena" Rebekah said the girls name with disgust, she couldn't let go of the fact that a dagger had been shoved into her back, no way was she trusting her again, not for a long time.

"She didn't want to dagger you Rebekah, she didn't have a choice. We didn't give her a choice. You should be angry with me and Damon, we had to get a human to do our dirty work. If the human aspect of the dagger wasn't needed, it would have been one of us driving that dagger through your heart."

Stefan was looking at the blonde original with sincerity, but the glare that was returned indicated that she wasn't very accepting of his words. Rebekah left the room and headed to her room. Stefan sighed and rubbed his forehead, right now he couldn't worry about Rebekah, they needed to find Elena and Elijah.

"Great! Baby bro just pissed off Original Barbie when we need to be looking for Elena!" Damon paced around the room, slightly raising his voice when it came to using the doppelgangers name.

"She had a right to know Damon! It has been over 5 years and Rebekah still holds a grudge. With Elena getting more involved with Elijah, it would be good if his sister didn't have the urge to kill her all the time." Stefan raised his voice and glared directly at Damon.

Damon was protective of Elena and he always would be but that's where the disadvantages came, instead of looking at the long term Damon focus on right now. Elena was 'supposedly' missing and all his focus was on that.

"Can we get back to the problem of my best friend is missing please! Stefan you could of waited until after we found them and Damon...Stefan's right. So let's move on!" Caroline folded her arms over her chest, she tapped her right foot waiting for the Salvatore's to acknowledge her words and agree.

She glanced at both brothers and found that they slowly nodded in agreement. Caroline gave one solid nod and turned to Klaus to find out what the plan was.

"Okay well we will cover more ground if we split up. Kol you take Bonnie and Damon with you" Damon scoffed when Klaus mentioned who he was to be grouped with.

"Caroline and Stefan will come with me. If you find anything call us." Klaus had just finished his instructions, when a voice came from the doorway.

"I may hate Elena but Elijah is missing, I'm coming with you" Rebekah said firmly, giving no room for anyone to argue with her. "Fine, you're with us then" Klaus replied to his sister.

"Great...couldn't get one mature vampire in my group" Bonnie muttered to herself, even though everyone in the room heard anyway.

"Aww, don't worry Salvatore, she didn't mean it" Kol teased, ignoring the fact that he was included in her statement.

"She included you as well Kol. Are your vampire abilities faulty? Maybe old age does affect vampires after all." Damon joked while smirking. He watched Kol's smile disappear as he made his retort.

"Oh god! Were here to find our friends, so will you both shut your mouths before I do it myself magically!" Bonnie raised her voice glancing at both Damon and Kol. Once her message had got through, she shot a smile to the others and decided to discuss locations.

They had planned a few locations for them to search, they couldn't have gone too far, at least they hoped not. It was better to go in groups because if Elijah and Elena were taken then whoever was to blame were strong, strong enough to overpower an original and a strong baby vampire.

The two groups headed into the night. Both searching and hunting, those who took them would be punished and they had enough force to do just that. It hadn't even been confirmed that they were missing, but everything pointed towards that conclusion.

Elena was looking at the area where the dust disappeared, she felt as though time had suddenly vanished. It all felt similar to Déjà vu, Elena had the feeling that she had been here before but all she could remember before seeing the empty place was the occult shop.

She didn't know where Elijah was, only that he took notice of the object in her hand and then everything went black. Looking around she found Elijah missing and nothing but a blank path. She continued to move forward until she noticed that her surroundings began to gain in colour.

As she took a look around Elena felt a memory come forward, and it wasn't pleasant. She started to walk around the open area of Steven's Quarry. This place unsettled her, not only did she die here but she also lost someone she cared about.

Jenna, her aunt who took on two teenagers in a time of need. She took on the responsibility as their legal guardian while she was still studying. Klaus had used her aunt to remove the curse, and Elena had to watch as her aunt took her last breath.

In an attempt to save her own life, Katherine offered up Jenna for her own cause. Klaus always came prepared and when Damon saved Caroline and Tyler from the sacrifice he had immediately replaced them with back-ups.

As she walked around aimlessly, reliving the nightmare of that night, she swore to herself that a familiar voice kept speaking to her. Every few minutes in this place, she believed she could hear the taunting voice of Klaus Mikaelson. If seeing the place caused emotional turmoil, hearing her aunts killer made it even worse.

What she couldn't understand was why she felt like that. It had been years since that dreadful day and more things had happened. Not long ago had Elena said she had moved on and she was tired of hating him. Why would it change? What was this place doing to her.

"I killed her, I killed your aunt and I enjoyed it" whispered a voice that mimicked Klaus.

Elena shivered at the cold words, she tried to ignore the anger building up and avoided the voice in her head that tried to coax a reaction out of her.

"It's a shame really, she would of made a great vampire" the voice continued to taunt Elena but no reaction was given.

Elena couldn't fight an opponent she couldn't see. She had changed over the years, actions that used to send fear through her body, now provided her with bravery and courage. She wasn't young and naive, she had seen the horrors of the world, more so than others and yet she was still standing.

It had taken a while but she had forgiven Klaus, but she would never forget. In the time that she had roamed this earth as a vampire, she had come to terms with a lot of things. Her words to Caroline when first arriving in New Orleans were true, she wanted Caroline to be happy and she would put her feelings aside for her best friend, and also her blooming relationship with Elijah.

The scenery began to change as she now noticed her new surroundings. Wickery Bridge, the irony of this bridge was she should have died with her parents that fateful night. It was only because of supernatural interference that she had somehow escaped death.

Instead of dying with her parents, she lived a few more years until she actually died on the same bridge. She was yet again saved from permanent death because of vampire blood coursing through her veins.

She looked over the side of the bridge, watching the water reflect the night sky. She turned around to see Matt's car in the distance, driving to get her out of there. The plan was going well apart from the Blonde Original standing in the middle of the road.

Elena was destined to die, but in a cruel and twisted way, magic kept her firmly on this earth.

It was because of Stefan that she survived the car crash with her parents. It was magic that used the life of John Gilbert to save her, and then in another twist when she was drowning in the cold water, she took form of another supernatural being, a vampire. Three times death had tried to claim her and failed, that's not including all the attempts on her life where people never quite got that far.

It was like being part of a movie, watching the vehicle move towards her on the bridge. She was standing to the side as she watched her human life disappear as the car fell deep into the riverbed. A tear escaped while watching the scene play out from an outside perspective.

She wanted to hate the Blonde Original but she couldn't, Elena had come to terms with her life. Being a vampire wasn't terrible, she could still protect her friends, she didn't kill any humans and the world was now within reach, no restrictions because she had forever.

Rebekah had made Elena pay the price, after watching her brother Klaus die in his coffin, she had found Elijah for consoling. She took it upon herself to make sure that no other sibling would be lost at the hands of Alaric, another original vampire hunter.

Elena understood why Rebekah acted in such a way, even if part of the reason was because of a grudge. The possibility of losing another brother swayed the options and left Elena lifeless in a morgue.

Forgiveness had already been granted to Rebekah, even if it wasn't returned. Rebekah's actions spoke volumes and if Jeremy were still alive she would of done the same thing if the roles had been reversed.

The original had seen many horrors in her life and she didn't deserve all the hate she was given, her life was taken from her and she was forced to live this life before anyone else. She only had her siblings and Elena understood that kind of love.

The scene once again changed, she looked around as she began to take in the familiar place. It was the Mikaelson Mansion. As people filled the area it brought back memories of the night this all could have been different.

If Elena hadn't told Elijah of Esther's plan the vampire race as we know it would be extinguished.

In a dream it would be great but this was real life, and realization hit at who would be missing. Her best friend was a vampire and many other vampires who were much like Caroline would be condemned to death. Elena couldn't live with that on her conscience.

As she gracefully followed herself through the building she spotted the other young Mikaelson, Kol. She hadn't seen much of him, but judging from Matt's introduction of him she wasn't pleased.

He had tried to use his vampire strength to crush Matt's hand, probably in hopes for a subtle meal later. Kol was as bad as Klaus, childish like Rebekah and resembled Elijah. It was incredible to see how much of his siblings resided in the making of Kol.

She had a few meetings with Kol, he had been the one to connect a bat with Damon's body in Denver. Toying with everyone when he had found Scary Mary. Befriending Jeremy as leverage towards Elena, Kol was doing Klaus's dirty work and that made it worse. He couldn't be trusted as his loyalties lied with his brother.

Although Elena didn't much like Kol, she hadn't experienced anything compared to what Klaus had done.

Again, this family proved that they stuck together, as Elijah had once wrote to her 'Always and Forever'. It was a promise and whether they were in boxes most their lives or running from their father, they protected each other. It was twisted but after a thousand years together, what do you expect...

Kol may of been childish and immature but he seemed to have changed since their last encounter. Taking on more of a mature vampire, not acting on impulse and no killing, that wasn't all he had apparently won the affection her other best friend, Bonnie Bennett.

Bonnie was the most guarded witch when it came to vampires, and for her to let Kol in, suggested that she saw something good in him. Elena would always support her friends, they were all she had now and this was another hill she climbed to be happy for them, accepting the people they liked and admitting that she too had fallen for a Mikaelson.

Overall she soon realized that the Mikaelson's weren't so bad, she had forgiven Klaus and Rebekah for their actions and she was moving on. She couldn't waste her eternal like hating people, not anymore. People change and so had she, it was her time to take a step and set her troubles free. IF not for herself then for those that she loved.

Elijah turned around in every direction but still couldn't see any hint of life. A life of a thousand year old vampire was lonely, he had his siblings but they weren't always together. Right now he worried for Elena, he hadn't seen her and he needed to know that she was okay.

As Elijah tried to settle his worries he took a deep breath and closed his eyes, clearing his mind of Elena and his emotions, when he re-opened them he was surprised to look upon a tall hedge.

It was a wall that looked endless as he glanced left and right, only one entrance which was in front of him. The greenery was everywhere and he suspected that his only choice was to enter. He sighed in resignation and stepped in between two hedges that created the entrance.

Elijah took another look around and was gifted with nothing but more greenery, it dawned on him that this wasn't a garden or just high hedges, it was a maze. It was lucky for him that he could use his enhanced speed to get around, meeting many dead ends along the way.

He was beginning to think there was no middle, he thought that he had taken every path he could, there was nothing too distinguish one place from another. For all he knew was that he had walked by the same entryway many times before.

His patience was truly being tested and he wasn't giving up, entering this maze took away his memories of the deal made to the unknown entity. Now Elijah had to go through this puzzle based on instinct and not a hero complex. His actions spoke louder when a life wasn't at stake.

As Elijah approached another dead end, he turned around to notice that the opposite end looked different. The left side of the wall seemed strange in colour compared to the rest, he walked slowly to take a good look.

When Elijah got to the odd coloured wall he noticed that it wasn't like the rest. He grazed his fingers over it to move the leaves that covered it, his hand reaching a solid wall Elijah on instinct pushed. A large noise sounded as the wall began to shift at Elijah's strength.

As Elijah finally looked up he noticed three woman standing at different path ways. He took in a breath as he glanced at each woman's appearance.

Ahead of him were three paths, it looked like a fork from above. A brunette stood at the entrance of each path and looked the same. The reason they seemed so familiar was because these three women were the Petrova Doppelgangers.

Elijah wasn't fooled, he knew that they weren't just one person but all three of them. He had been involved with all three now, and he hoped that he had gotten to know them enough to distinguish who was who.

They didn't speak, only followed his pacing movement and smile when he looked their way. It was as though they were taunting him to pick one, when in actual fact it was a choice for him to pick where his heart truly resided.

Tatia was his first love, but she shared affection for his brother also. He couldn't deny that she had once captured his heart, then there was Katherine or Katerina. She was now a cold hearted, selfish and manipulative woman, everything he had fallen for as a human had disappeared when she took her own life.

Katerina as he once knew her was kind and made him believe in love, though those feelings soon changed when she betrayed him and was forced to go on the run ever since.

Finally there was Elena, she was everything he wished he could be. She showed true compassion, she loved fiercely and would go to the ends of earth to protect those she loved, even if it meant her own life. He admired her for those reasons , even as a vampire her values hadn't changed, and even now when she had no remaining family left, her compassion remain intact.

As Elijah looked in the eyes of each brunette, he was drawn to the woman on the left. Something called to him as he looked in those brown doe eyes. It was as though an invisible force drew him closer to this particular woman. He kept eye contact and felt as though the woman had shown her soul to him, Elena.

"Elena" Elijah whispered

Drawing closer to the woman, he knew it was her. Every part of his body was on fire, he had made his choice and took the path that he hoped would lead to Elena.

Elena once again was left to her thoughts as the movie act had disappeared, her surroundings had returned to the dull pavement as before. She stood in silence thinking about those she had lost, her eyes were closed as she recalled memories of her family when they were all together and happy. She unknowingly smiled but the smile was soon gone when she heard a voice.

As Elena opened her eyes she saw an unfamiliar face, she didn't know who it was and guessed that he was the creator of this place.

"Looks like I underestimated you, I was sure you would pick Niklaus or Rebekah." The voice said slowly. He carefully watched Elena as confusion spread over her face. He continued speaking, hoping to bring understanding to her.

"Your thoughts were clear, you have forgiven both Niklaus and Rebekah for their actions against you and your family. You remained loyal to your friends, I can see if given the choice, you would have chosen yourself than those who bring happiness to your friends."

Elena looked shocked at what she heard. Was she really willing to die for Klaus and Rebekah? Probably...they made her friends happy, even if she had her reservations about them. She wouldn't be the one to take that away from them.

"That was a test? What if I had chosen one of them?" Elena asked worriedly.

"Yes, the test was simple. You had a decision on whether to punish someone who has terrorized you for years. The loyalty towards your friends was a big part of your decision. What is more interesting...is Elijah was the major factor in your choice." The unnamed man spoke softly, suddenly showing a hint of understanding.

"Elijah's my friend, well I guess you could call it boyfriend, though that hasn't exactly been discussed yet." Elena was twisting her hands and shifting her weight from one foot to the other, displaying nervousness at the current conversation.

"As for your other question; you would have failed and the person you chose would take your place. Though they wouldn't have a deal to leave, unlike you" The man smirked as his words sunk in.

"Why?" Elena asked curiously, she was glad that no one would have to put up with this empty place and constant changes. Though she did wonder why she has an opportunity to leave and others wouldn't

"Someone sent you here, and I was...bored. If you swapped places with someone, it wouldn't be fair for them to do the same and bring you back now, would it." He sensed her nervousness heighten as he mentioned that her being here was planned.

He didn't wait for a response, he didn't really fancy answering anymore questions, so he turned around and faded away. Elena was left shouting after him, wanting answer to who would send her to this deserted place, and why.

"Wait!" Elena shouted as the man turned his back to her.

"Uh" I don't even know his name" Elena mumbled to herself as she watched she figure disappear

It wasn't long after asking that she received her answer. "Adrian" It was only in whispers but at least she could put a name to the face now. If that really was his real face.

Elijah walked toward the woman on the left, he truly believe that this was his Elena. Her eyes spoke to him in ways he couldn't describe. He slowly approached the doppelganger, she held out her hand for him to take. Without hesitation Elijah took the offered hand, concluding his choice and happily walked the path that veered to the left.

It wasn't long before there was a bright light, the hand that he once held was gone and before him stood a man. The unknown man was standing with his hands behind his back and a emotionless face.

Elijah thought that he had mastered the art of being unreadable but this man in front of him could teach him a few things. He quickly changed his thoughts to the matter at hand, why was he here and what did the man want.

"Interesting...you passed" Adrian looked at the original gauging his reaction.

"I don't understand the conditions that allowed me to pass" Elijah politely asked in the most elegant voice he could.

"You have met all three Doppelgangers, it would be easy to mistaken them for the other. However, you were able to distinguish each one without any problems. You chose the woman you trusted most, displaying loyalty to one particular even when the faces are identical."

"Elena is unmatched to Katerina and Tatia, I will always be able to tell them apart." Elijah responded quickly. He knew he loved Elena, and he was sure that the pull he felt, was because he was in love with her and that helped him identify who she was.

"You have two more tests to complete, if you pass those...Elena will be free" Elijah listened as he spoke of his loves freedom, his first task didn't seem too difficult, but he wouldn't be surprised if it only got harder from now on.

Elijah smiled a little at the thought of Elena being close to freedom, he really hoped that she was safe. He did not worry for his own freedom, only hers. Lost in his thoughts he never noticed that the man had taken the opportunity to leave. Upon realizing he was alone, he closed his eyes and looked up to he grey sky, thoughts of Elena flooded his mind and eased the loneliness he felt in this abyss.