Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries; only my original characters Violetta and Eiji

Edited by Mione Boleyn

11

There were of course many questions for Violetta following the strange turn of events that had killed one original vampire, the original witch and an annoying vampire. There were other reasons for the lingering curiosity and annoyance. One being what Violetta had done to the originals – what had she freed them from – and two, what has she done with Bonnie's powers. She had seemingly disappeared leaving the Salvatore house alive with shouted questions and accusations.

To start, after much annoyance and calls of attention the room was quiet enough for the people before them to talk. Klaus, Elijah and Rebekah had left shortly after leaving the rest of the group acting like headless chickens. The two women that had been revealed decided that Jenna better go first as the faces of Elena, Jeremy and Alaric didn't look like they'd withstand much more.

'I know a lot of you are angry at me, and feel I have betrayed you all for not telling you I was alive, but there was a greater need for secrecy. As your parents were part of the council I was part of a different secret order. Violetta approached me when I was rather young because she recognised the gift I had for persuading others. She needed my help and I needed somewhere to belong. I knew my sacrifice was necessary even though it was painful, I knew it wasn't my end. Violetta revived me several weeks after my supposed "death",' she paused.

'But you can come home now,' said Elena in tears.

Jenna looked at her sympathetically. 'I was declared legally dead in Mystic Falls, even if I could come back I wouldn't. The danger would have been too great. I work with Violetta, I cannot leave her unprotected.'

'So she's keeping you captive!' shouted Elena angrily.

'No,' said Jenna coldly. 'I know you're angry, but you have to understand that the cause Violetta works towards is what's saving the human race from total destruction. Ever wonder what allows you to live as you are?'

'We're vampires, it's a curse,' said Stefan.

'Werewolf – also a curse,' said Tyler.

'Witch – born with powers,' said bonnie bitterly (for she currently had no powers).

'Human, I think,' said Elena.

Jenna rolled her eyes. 'Three of you are unnatural phenomenons, something that disrupts the course that Mother Nature planned. Without Violetta that line would be even more disrupted and you might well find yourself falling for the darker side of life,' said Jenna.

They looked at her blankly each confused, except for Damon who already believed he was on the darker side of life.

'I think I'll take over from here,' said Lexi.

Jenna nodded taking a seat and giving Lexi the floor.

'Hello everyone, Damon,' she began. 'Always knew I'd get daggered by one of the Salvatore brothers but I never worked out which one,' she said. 'Sorry Stefan,' she added.

'Violetta found me fifty years after I changed and I immediately felt a pull to her – and no, not in the romantic way! She showed me a new way of life and I thanked her for it because I was tottering on the edge of falling into darkness. She saved me from that. She didn't ask anything from me in return but I wanted to help her. I joined her cause and soon after it was initiated. You may not like Violetta because she keeps secrets but didn't you ever think there was a reason why she withheld information?' Lexi paused.

'She came to Mystic Falls to right a wrong. Once a woman came to her begging for a spell to save the lives of her children and seeing the love and desperateness of the woman, she agreed. The spell was simple and would ensure the safety of the children. However, the Mother didn't trust Violetta that much and wanted her children to have more than just safety. She wanted them to have power as well, so she changed the wording of the spell and added the sacrifice. By the time she had carried out the task it was too late for Violetta to intervene, a series of events had started and vampires had been born.'

'Why are you telling us all this history?' asked Elena.

'It is essential,' replied Jenna.

'Flash forward hundreds of years, Violetta has been lying low. She's stayed close with two originals and helped where she can but when they ask her to end their torment – she can't. Fate brings her back to Mystic Falls and the fate of two brothers. She can't afford to become too involved even though she yearns for it, so she sends someone to watch over them for her. Katherine.'

'She gave Katherine strict instructions, keep them safe, don't mess with them, don't kill them and don't turn them,' Lexi sighed.

'You can tell Katherine broke all those rules,' said Jenna sarcastically.

Lexi rolled her eyes. 'Katherine might have been scared of Klaus but she was running from Violetta. Katherine had broken every instruction set before her and Violetta doesn't take too kindly to betrayal of any kind. That's why Katherine was running, she knew if Violetta ever found her she'd be judged and ended,' said Lexi.

'What do you mean judged and ended?' asked Elena.

'Violetta stands by the belief that she has no real power but she has the ability to read the soul of a person and act accordingly. For example, I know many of you wonder why Klaus is still alive. Here's why, unlike Katherine, Klaus feels remorse and guilt, that's what has allowed him to live while Katherine was condemned to death,' said Lexi.

'Why are we important to Violetta?' asked Stefan.

'That I cannot tell you for she has not told me,' said Lexi.

'How can you tell us so much, but still make it sound like we've learnt nothing?' asked Damon.

'It's just the way it is, we apologise for the confusion,' she paused and Jenna coughed. 'We must go, we'll be back soon'.

'No, you can't leave!' cried Elena desperately.

'We have to,' replied Jenna.

'Why?' demanded Elena.

'Are you really that short sighted? Who left us in the clearing? Who is not here to inform you?' asked Jenna angrily.

Elena looked around. 'Violetta,' she whispered.

'She gave us time to explain our stories, but we need to leave now,' said Lexi.

'I thought you said she didn't own you,' persisted Elena.

'She doesn't but she needs us,' said Jenna.

'She used a lot of energy,' said Lexi.

'So don't be a whining child,' added Jenna.

'And let us go,' said Lexi.

Elena nodded and in a flash they were both gone.

KLAUS & BEKAH

'Klaus?'

'Yes?'

'Do you feel any different?' she asked.

'Lighter,' he replied. 'Like all my past actions have been stripped from my body'.

'I feel the same,' replied Bekah. 'Can you believe this had really happened?' she asked.

'That we have been set free? I can hardly believe it to be true. I was trapped in the darkness for so long, obsessed with a desire not to be alone, hunting and killing became my life though deep down I knew something was wrong. It was like there were two halves to my personality. I don't feel at war with myself anymore, it is as if the meaner side of me has been banished.'

'I hope you aren't about to go all soppy on me,' mocked Bekah.

Klaus barked with laughter. 'I may have lost the darkness and the obsessions but I am still the same Klaus within'.

'It is nice to have you back brother. Do you feel it?' she asked.

'Feel what?' he responded.

'The thirst, it's gone,' she replied.

Klaus nodded in wonder, his sister was right, the thirst had indeed gone.

'What are we wearing?' he asked.

Bekah looked down and realised she was dressed in a Grecian style dress coloured in a deep violet. Klaus's clothes were the same colour but he was wearing a loose shirt and pants instead.

'It is the signature uniform for members of the court of fourteen,' said Violetta as she walked into view.

'The court of fourteen? Sounds intriguing, how come I've never heard of it?' asked Klaus.

Violetta smiled. 'You could not have heard of it for it has not been completed yet. It is the court that serves me and my cause. It is the court that stands over all creatures and helps me with ruling all'.

'Are you a god?' asked Bekah suddenly.

'Like the Greeks and Romans worshipped? No, though I suspect I was the reason behind their sudden interest in worshipping. I am something much older than that, but that story is for another day. Do not dwell on who I am now, for is it not time for you to celebrate the end of your torment?' she asked.

'I would like to know how it is we both survived. When we found out it would be you who would end our torment, we assumed that you would be sending us to our graves. Not that we aren't thankful but I especially have done so many wrong things, how have I atoned for them?' asked Klaus.

'It is not how you have atoned it is how you will atone that has saved you. You are not a bad person Klaus, indeed many humans rival the acts you have committed. When you were a mere human you were most angry at the world, but your heart was in the right place and you loved your family unconditionally. When you found out your true parentage, you feared that your family would reject you the way your father – and by extension, your mother –had done. It was your fear of rejection and abandonment that sealed darkness within your heart when you changed. There wasn't much, just as spark of something small that reminded you through it all that your actions were wrong and that one day you would take responsibility for them. Even when you were at your height of evil doings, your interactions with Caroline proved that there was some good inside you. You have a clean slate now and you both have the choice of two options. You can either walk away or you can join the court of fourteen. Know that if you join, though the road will be dangerous, your future will be great.'

'I could not walk away from you after all you have done for us,' said Bekah. 'Working alongside you would help me to come to terms with my second life, it would be like a way to repair all the damage I have previously done,' said Bekah.

Violetta nodded.

'What must we do to become part of the court of fourteen?' asked Klaus.

'There is a small initiation process, nothing life threatening and nothing long winded, that is all,' said Violetta.

'What of our brother Elijah?' asked Klaus. 'I see he is not here with us'.

'Your brother has his own path to follow. He will take longer to decide his path,' replied Violetta.

Klaus pondered this new information. 'Then I too consent to joining the court of fourteen'.

ELIJAH

Elijah woke in the dark forest, everyone else had left him. He felt different, less powerful. He damned the day that Violetta walked into his life, he had never trusted her and had good reason for it, and he'd known all along that the spell that turned them had originally been hers. It didn't matter that the wording had been changed; it would forever be his fault.

He'd fought so long to find his family and he'd just seen two die before his eyes, now it was just him, Klaus and Bekah left and he felt bitter about it. It was foolish for him to think that life could go on the same way as it had before. He didn't feel the burning thirst that he once had, and he couldn't feel his face veining up. He'd changed and he knew he wouldn't be the same again.

There was nothing to do but there was someone to blame…Violetta.

4 DAYS LATER

Violetta walked into the Salvatore Boarding House with four people following her. She'd allowed herself a few days rest and relaxation, before she returned to reality and the cause she was championing. She'd called a meeting and the Salvatore house was the biggest place to congregate. Everyone was there except for Elijah, who was still blaming Violetta for the way things had turned out.

Violetta had arrived with Lexi, Jenna, Klaus and Bekah. Each of the latter wearing Violetta's signature Court of Fourteen robes. These robes weren't for everyday attire; they were only worn on special occasions. Klaus and Bekah had been initiated two days before; it was a secret process that could not be talked about. There was mixed feeling in the room about seeing Klaus and Bekah standing before them. Though they had been judged and survived, there were still some thoughts that believed they should have died.

As Violetta sat down she winked at Damon, she smirked at his shocked face before he slid his own trademark smirk in place.

'I trust you have not been over thinking things these last few days,' said Violetta conversationally.

Suddenly all hell broke loose as everyone tried to talk at once.

Violetta laughed loudly at the anger to be heard within the room. They quietened immediately.

'I cannot hear you if you all talk at once,' she said.

She looked at Lexi and Jenna. 'What did you tell them exactly?' she asked.

'The basics,' replied Lexi.

Violetta rolled her eyes. 'No wonder they all fight to talk'.

Violetta looked around the room slowly. 'Damon,' she said, her eyes landing on him, 'you have the floor'.

'But I wasn't asking a question,' he replied smoothly.

'Exactly, meaning I can trust you when you speak,' she replied.

He nodded slightly. 'Let me get straight what tweedledum and tweedledee said,' Jenna and Lexi hissed as he said this. 'You created a spell and gave it to Esther, who changed the wording, which in turn made her children into vampires instead of what they would have been had she followed your spell. You then spend many years travelling the world and popping in on the originals. You had a falling out with Elijah and didn't like Kol's advances towards you. Whenever you stopped by Klaus and Rebekah they asked you to end their torment and you replied 'not yet'. Then you take an interest in my brother and me, so you send Katherine to look after us, that all goes tits up and she runs. Then you bide your time until you return to Mystic Falls, immerse yourself into the community and wait for the right moment to come. Then you lead us all into the forest; make us watch as you lead a merry dance with your words and kill Ester, Kol and Katherine. Then you disappear leaving Jenna and Lexi to reveal themselves and explain everything to us. Have I said everything?' he asked.

'Nope, that's everything in a nutshell,' replied Violetta nodding.

'That's not everything though is it, or you wouldn't still be here. Why is it you have such an interest in Stefan and I?' asked Damon.

Violetta smirked. 'You really don't remember me, do you,' she said, cocking her head to the side. 'I rather like my secrets though; perhaps I'll wait for you to work this one out'.

Damon looked frustrated but Violetta refused to make it easy for him.

'So what are your plans?' asked Elena.

'No longer angry at me,' questioned Violetta, knowing Elena's tantrum at learning Jenna was alive.

'No,' she replied curtly.

'I'm still here because trouble is still looming,' said Violetta.

'And you intend to drag us into it?!' said Bonnie bitterly.

Violetta glared at her. 'You lost your powers because of your own decisions. It is up to you to win them back, do not blame me for your own failings,' said Violetta sternly. 'And I do not intend to drag anyone into the trouble coming. I search for members of my court and once formed to its total number the world has a better chance to surviving,' said Violetta.

'See now there you go confusing things again, stop speaking in code and tell us what's happening,' growled Damon.

'Darkness is coming and hidden within it is an evil more than you could ever imagine. He is my oldest enemy but he is not just my enemy he is the enemy of the world, if he succeeds in his plans the world could be placed into eternal darkness,' said Violetta gravely.

'Why, who is he?' asked Alaric.

'I suppose you would call him the devil but he was never an angel. He stands for everything I am against. He would love to lord over me the mistake made when vampires were created,' she scoffed.

'What's his name?' asked Elena.

'Eiji,' replied Violetta.