The conclusion is right around the corner folks. So don't go anywhere.

Chasing An Outcome

Chapter 10: Final Battle! Lucien vs Marcel

She could feel someone nudging her and a voice followed soon after.

"...Davina, hey wake up."

"Nathan?" She grumbled as she adjusted her eyes to the darkened atmosphere. It took only moments to find her bearings. "These trips are really beginning to bug me."

He chuckled softly. "Yeah, me too; it'll be over soon."

"So this is what this place looks like..."

The all too familiar voice caused Davina to whip her head towards it. "Marcel? Wow it worked!"

"Like a charm," He said smoothly. "You three really pulled through. It wouldn't have been made possible otherwise."

"I won't lie, I'm almost drained. That took a hell of my energy to do. Although I am flattered." Nathan replied.

"Mines as well," Vincent added. "We need to remain silent so as to avoid any altercations. For as long as we can at least."

"Nathan knows this place well; he kept me safe while I was here. I think it'd be best if we let him take the lead." Davina suggested, earning a smile from Nathan at the fact that she trusted him to take charge.

Seeing no protests Nathan motioned for them to follow him. "Leave it to me; I'll get the job done. Keep your eyes peeled everyone. Marcel you'll serve as our best patrol with your hearing. We lay low and become completely incognito."

"Come to think of it we really didn't think this through the first time around," Davina exclaimed. "It was only me and Nathan here trying to end this. Until Kol and Freya showed up. Not that it helped much though."

"He's probably coming again you know," Nathan said, making sure not to speak so loudly. "Gotta admit your boyfriend sure is persistent."

Davina blushed. "Don't call him my boyfriend. It feels weird calling him that. But uh... yeah we're sort of together. To be fair I suspected you knew about us already. Sorry for not telling you earlier though."

He laughed. "It's fine. I knew you were together the second I saw him. I told you a dad just knows these kinds of things." His attention shifted towards the only vampire with them. "Parental nature aside is there any other reason you don't like him Marcel?"

He narrowed his eyes. "It was him who killed Davina."

Nathan immediately stopped in his tracks. "He what?"

"Don't go saying it like that," Davina hissed, glaring at her makeshift guardian. "You know full well it wasn't his fault. The ancestors cursed him and made him do it. He wasn't himself."

"The madness has been with him for as long as I've known him Davina. I'm certain it didn't take much for the ancestors to bring that side of him back out. As a matter of fact you hardly know him. There are so many things you were lucky to not see. Now I'm no saint but damn it he was something else. If it were up to me I'd never allow him anywhere near you. That entire family has been poison to us."

"Perhaps," She muttered. Of course she knew how Kol was before meeting her. He killed for fun, did as he pleased without any regard for the consequences.

Even so...

"...But I didn't have you. And you're worth being good for. I promise you can trust me."

"But I trust him." She stated defiantly. "And I'd never blame him for what happened or look at him any differently. Same way I don't do any of that to you. Thing is, had I died, it wouldn't just be you who'd be in pain Marcel. Kol would be suffering so much right now. He'd be blaming himself, resenting himself even. I know he would hate his family for all eternity; that wouldn't be fair to Hayley, Klaus, or to Rebekah."

Marcel wondered if he heard her right, ironic given his heightened hearing. "How could you possibly even care about them?"

"It's not so much that I care about them, it's more on how Kol's never really had any sort of happiness. He was thrown into being a vampire due to his mother. After that he has always felt like an outcast around his family."

Marcel thought back to his younger days with the Mikaelsons, all those years ago. It was true about Kol believing he never really fit in with his family. At the time Marcel was a naive kid; he didn't grasp how that type of neglect could ruin someone. Hell, look at how Lucien turned out. Not knowing how to respond he allowed Davina to continue.

"Being with me is the closest he's been to some sense of peace. You're right that I don't know who Kol was then, but I know who he is now. I don't want him to return to that darkness or the isolation ever again. If he'd killed Freya that's exactly where he'd be. I never want to see him in pain anymore; I never want him to feel alone." She averted her gaze to think hard on what she was was about to say. This was something she had never openly admitted to anyone, not even herself. "I can't explain my feelings for Kol simply with words; because it's... it's just something I've never felt before."

The depth of her feelings for Kol Mikaelson was never spoken to Marcel like this. Sure he knew that she liked him but this went beyond just liking someone.

"He's come a long way; I don't want Kol to lose what he's gained. If that means Freya and Elijah live on then so be it."

Marcel was at a loss for words.

Nathan was also glancing at her, scrutinizing her almost.

"We're close," Vincent cut in. "Well done leading us Nathan. We're getting closer and closer."

"Sweet," He cheered. "My feet are killing like crazy. Amazingly we haven't encountered anyone. Last time we hardly made it this far. This is—"

"Sssh," Marcel whispered. "I hear movement. Doesn't look like Lucien's with this bunch or no doubt he'd have heard us. Nathan, we need another road."

"I've got just the detour, follow me."

Nathan led them passed a few stores and through a secluded road. They'd walked almost three quarters of the way without a hitch. Unfortunately that was as far as they got like that.

Marcel frowned. "We've got contact. It's him."

"Plan starts now guys, let's go." Vincent ordered.

Lucien cut in front of the group, unaware of the vampire lurking. "Going somewhere?"

Without wasting a beat Marcel zoomed forward and connected a fist to Lucien's face, thrusting him backwards.

"Shit I've been wanting to do that. Sure as hell never loses its satisfaction." He grinned. Quickly he turned to address the team. "Go I'll hold him off!"

Davina hesitated only a second to give him a final look; he sent her a reassuring nod in return. With a push in the opposite direction she sped up to catch up with her friends.

"Will he be alright?" Nathan said when she'd caught up.

"He's pretty tough. It'll take a lot more than Lucien to stop him." Vincent exclaimed. "And knowing him I'm sure he's been antsy to have a round two fight." But he knew that it was ensuring Davina survived all this that was what pushed Marcel to fight.

"Marcel won't die." Davina added. "I know I'll see him when this is over. We've been through a lot so I know we'll get through this as well. The two of us always make it through whatever this tough world throws at us. Nothing can separate us."

"You really believe in him." Nathan murmured. He couldn't help but feel a bit left out in her life. But it was overshadowed by the pride he felt at seeing how strong his daughter was to endure these hardships. She was showing great maturity. And her love for Kol was genuine. Davina really wished for his happiness and wanted what was best for him. Even going as far as to refrain him from killing the ones who caused her to almost be sacrificed, so that he may hold on to his humanity.

He smiled. "Davina, can I tell you something? And I don't want you to get upset."

"Huh?" Davina turned to him, surprised by the sudden sincerity in his tone.

At her nod he continued. "You're not really as tough as you like to think you are, kind of like me. But that's why you're able to empathize with others. And you're much more mature than people may think. Some might fail to see it but you are more than capable of understanding any situation you stumble upon, even when they aren't easy."

Her eyes widened slightly in awe.

"You're able to find what needs to be done at difficult times. And you're prepared to do whatever it takes, fight any odds, to protect the people you care about. The truth is I really... I really like the way you are."

Davina was partly speechless. "Wow Nathan... I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything." Nathan replied with a gentle smile. "I just wanted you to know how I feel."

She returned his smile and took his hand. It was as if Nathan had been by her side all those years, bearing the pain and loneliness with her. "Thank you Nathan."

Vincent smiled softly to himself at the scene.

... ... …. …. ... ... ... …. …. ... ... ... ….

Marcel focused on the figure reemerging from the debris.

"How the hell are you here!?"

He smirked, infuriating Lucien even more. "Amazing what you can do with three strong witches on your side."

"I'm not interested in you. Get lost if you know what's good for you."

"I think we both know it's too late for that."

"Why did you involve yourselves in this? My problem is with the Mikaelsons not with you. Yet you've gone and involved yourselves in something that has nothing to do with you."

"Before today I was a man on the sidelines. I let you and the Mikaelsons do whatever it was you wanted because I couldn't do anything about it. I didn't care much then." His hands balled into fists. "But you went and targeted Davina. That was when my whole outlook of the situation changed. That was when I became involved. Now I'm putting an end to this."

"Turd, you will not get away with meddling. I'm going to kill that girl of yours one way or another."

Instantly Marcel's defenses went up. "You are not going to lay one finger on her." Bright red covered his pupils and his fangs bared. "Last time your dogs were the only reason you got the upper hand, sadly for you I don't see them anywhere."

"Don't flatter yourself. I don't need help to deal with an insect like you." Lucien chuckled mockingly. "Last I checked Klaus accepted you into his family as his own, did he not? I'll have to kill you simply on principle."

"Let's make one thing clear before I kill you," Marcel warned him. "Don't associate me with them. I am not their family."

He rushed forward but Lucien had transformed as well, easily dodging the attack. Lucien then swiftly swung his left arm, connecting a painful punch and knocking him a few feet back.

Quickly he jumped back to his feet and charged again, but Lucien was dodging whatever he threw. A hard kick this time connected with Marcel's ribs before another punch landed in his stomach, causing him to drop down.

Bastard's fast, Marcel thought, grunting while he stood up. If speed was what Lucien wanted than that's what he'd get. Activating his vampire speed he attempted getting behind Lucien for a quick hit.

However Lucien anticipated the assault and took a step back just as he'd appeared behind him. He then kneed Marcel making him double down in pain before tossing his body against a brick wall.

A ringing pain ran along Marcel's body as he clutched his ribs. The healing may be fast but it didn't mean it didn't hurt like crazy. His will was something that was not easily shattered though, so on his feet he went.

Lucien casually crossed his arms. "Still insist on wanting to be her hero and fight don't you?"

"I told you that I'm ending this!" Marcel shouted, refusing to stay down.

Lucien caught his fist before it'd made any contact, enjoying the shocked look on Marcel. "You still aren't fully aware of the power you've gotten. Such a waste for the rest of it to have fallen onto a pitiful thing like yourself."

Marcel gritted his teeth and fired his other hand for a blow. "Don't mock me!"

Lucien caught it as well. "Why is it you fight? Look at the state of you. You're like Camille, fighting a pointless fight. And oh does she take the cake for pitiful. It's futile to think you change anything. I am much stronger than you are."

What's with this guy, Marcel wondered furiously as he struggled to break free from his grasp. Why is he so strong? We should be equals! I won't let him talk about Cami that way!

"Now I'm putting an end to this," Lucien repeated his words with a laugh. "That's what you told me isn't it? How true do those words seem now? No matter how long you hold me off here it won't make a difference. By now the ancestors have surely caught up with the rest of your ragtag team. Soon this place will be your tomb."

"The' hell it will!" Marcel tried pulling free again but the grip on his hands only tightened.

Lucien sighed in boredom. "Don't kid yourself. You may have become, or rather, attempted to become like me, but the truth is you're nothing but a failure. Only reason you stood your ground during our initial encounter was because I was a bit stunned. Same way you caught me off guard earlier. It had nothing to do with you being my equal. I'm years older than you and have devoted lifetimes into being the man I am now. You're merely the result of a whim."

Those particular words sparked something inside of Marcel.

"Your motivation for becoming strong in comparison to mine is utterly laughable. To put it simple, I'm much more special than you."

With a combination of his enhanced speed and power he slammed his forehead against Lucien's. This broke the grip and caused Lucien to shout in pain. Clearly he wasn't expecting that.

"Son of a bitch!" Lucien shouted, a hand rubbing his forehead where the gash had begun healing.

Marcel eyed him in hatred. "You get on my nerves so much that I can't even express it. I don't expect a guy like you to even begin to understand why I fight, let alone my feelings for Davina. Someone who was tossed aside by everyone can never understand what it's like to have family and friends!"

"Look at the nonsense you spew! It's a carbon copy of what your nuisance of a pretend daughter spat!" He retorted. "I've fully lost my patience with your dribble about bonds and family!"

"Yeah, Davina told me what you said to her," Marcel replied. "You deem we're weak for caring about the people we lost; for mourning, but you couldn't be more wrong. Losing Cami didn't break us. In fact it made us all stronger, Davina included. You wouldn't know a thing about that though, would you? Because you're all alone. You matter to nobody." He finished with a glare.

Lucien disappeared in a flash.

Concentrate, concentrate, Marcel closed his eyes for about half a second; it was all the time he needed for his ears to pick up where Lucien was attacking from. Sidestepping first before lifting his arm he managed to cause Lucien to impact with it; at such a fast speed it made him somersault in the air before crashing to the floor.

"You're not so special are you?" Marcel smirked. "I say the real fight begins now."

"The magic words," Lucien growled, tossing his suit jacket on the ground. "I am going to put you in so much pain you'll be wishing I had killed you."

"Heh, do your worst!"

"Rebekah, wake up Rebekah!"

Was that Nik?

Rebekah woke up to see familiar faces hovering over her. Carefully she sat up. "What? What happened? Am I back?"

"Sister," Klaus murmured in relief, pulling her into his embrace. "Yes, you're back." Her skin was pale and she looked weary. There was a pained expression still lingering on her face but there was no doubt about it. This was his favorite sibling in his arms. He vowed to himself that nobody would take her away from him ever again. This prophecy be damned! Although it felt as if it had already been destroyed, or at least, was in the process of being destroyed. No doubt due to Davina Claire and her disregard for things like destiny.

Hayley handed Rebekah a blood bag and smiled when the Original had locked eyes with her. "Here, I think you could use it."

"Cheers," Rebekah said and greedily dug into the bag, the red liquid filling the nagging thirst in the back of her throat. "Not that I'm not beyond grateful to be out of that hell hole but, care to fill me in?"

The room became tense.

This didn't escape her. "If you ask me it appears as if you're the ones who just woke up from a bad sleep."

Hayley broke the silence. "Marcel's Strix were the ones who found a cure to reverse the curse..."

Rebekah stiffened a bit. "Marcel? Wasn't that lot Elijah's property? Does this mean Aya's dead? And what of Nik's awful ex and her even nastier brother?"

"They have all been taken care of." Klaus answered.

"I see." Rebekah peered over Klaus' shoulder. "Elijah? Why are you so quiet?" She paused as the memory of him daggering her emerged. Her focus fell back onto Klaus. "Nik... did Elijah tell you? Don't blame him! It was me who told him to do it. So please—"

"It's fine sister," Klaus calmed her with a gentle hand on her arm. "I'm not upset about that."

"Are we done here?" Kol impatiently cut in. "Clearly she's back nice and well, marvelous. Now I believe Freya owes me a damn favor."

Finally Rebekah noticed Kol who was distanced from the circle of people. Beside him -looking terribly exhausted- was Freya. It must've been her who'd cast the spell to awaken her. On instinct she was going to reprimand him on his lack of regard for Freya's state when it dawned on her.

Her breath hitched.

Kol was standing before her.

Her troublemaker of an older brother was here. The brother who was taken from her so cruelly. The brother she swore to bring back was right here, alive.

A gasp escaped her.

Everything, including the pain, flew from her mind as she pushed off the couch to swing her arms around him; the force of it pushing him backwards a bit. Her body began trembling, not due to the cold the sleep had left her in, no, her brother's welcoming warmth quelled that, it was due to the tears pooling in the corner of her eyes.

Kol went rigid, arms frozen in the air and eyes wide in shock. His mouth parted but no words came out. He didn't know what to say. His sister -the one whom he secretly held a soft spot for- was crying, crying for him. Time stilled for a moment. Ancient memories of running along fields as a boy attempting to impress her danced in his head; fond memories of teasing her appeared, a teasing she eventually aimed at him when he began seeing Davina.

Being in a haunting slumber (how he despised being daggered) meant she was unaware of the events that had occurred. She was faultless.

But... she's one of them.

And he was through with them. His mind was set.

But Rebekah had fought for him.

Excluding Davina she was the only one who'd prioritized him over everything else. She'd chosen to remain in Eva Sinclair's body to perfect her magic; to continue searching. She became bloody cursed in the process! All this for him, her lousy older brother.

But she's with them!

His eyes clenched shut. It felt like a knife was digging into the core of his heart, twisting and turning for good measure. His hands gripped her hips and he buried his face in her shoulder. He felt Rebekah's arms tighten and a whisper of his name tingled his ears before he pulled away.

"No," He shook his head. "No."

Rebekah felt a newfound pain at his rejection. Their close distance allowed her to take in his appearance more thoroughly; and it wasn't pretty. It appeared as if he hadn't slept in a long while. His eyes resembled that of a lost boy, a boy who'd endure too much. She wanted to pull him back to her arms and rip whatever was hurting her older brother to shreds. This made her wonder what exactly had happened to put him in such a devastated position.

Come to think of it...

Upon closer inspection everyone's expression looked off. The tension was thicker then ever. Everything had gone eerily quiet now, which was unprecedented for a vampire. But this left her thoughts to bombard her like a rock concert.

Why was everyone so defeated? Why were broken tables on the ground? Why in the world was there a giant hole in the wall? Whose blood was that on the floor? Was she still asleep? Was this part of the curse?

"What the hell is going on?" Rebekah said unable to mask or contain her desperation.

Author's Notes

And so the plot thickens. Well, thickens more but you guys get my drift. Now you folks go on doing what you've always been doing at the end of every chapter. :D