A/N Thank you all for reviewing!
"Oh, look who's woken up."
"Found your way to the group, have you?"Rebekah gave a mischievous smirk, glancing at Stefan's bloody and torn shirt with a giggle."Thought you were going to miss all the fun."
Stefan loured at Rebekah but remained quiet as he remembered Damon's predicament, passing the female Original with a shoulder bump. Stefan lingered as he passed Maria who still held Elena to her, bitterly sneering at the female wolf before he turned his attention to the hybrid.
"Klaus."
"Come to save your damsel, mate?"Klaus drawled, tongue skimming his teeth as a silent threat concerning his fangs, nodding over to Elena before Damon."Or your brother?"
Stefan swallowed as he looked at his brother, jaw clenching as Damon struggled despite it being useless against an Original. Aa flicker of warmth glimmered in his eyes before he shook his head, his blank expression returning. Damon shook his head as Stefan ventured further into the gym, looking to Elena then his brother, silently telling Stefan to grab the doppelgänger then leave.
"S-Stef-"Damon choked out, only to cry out when Klaus' free hand grabbed his arm and snapped his bones, his yell making both Elena and Stefan flinch."Damn it!"
"Which is it?"Klaus asked through Damon's painful yells, raising his eyebrows."Your sweetheart or your blood?"
Bonnie, Matt, Tyler and Elena watched cautiously as Stefan looked between his brother and his estranged girlfriend before he shook his head.
"Neither."
Gasps echoed throughout the gym as Stefan turned from Elena and Damon.
"Then what, pray tell, gives you the audacity to come to me?"
"I came to ask for your forgiveness."The Salvatore responded with absolute somber, proving just how much he didn't want to speak the words he voiced, raising his hands in surrender."And pledge my loyalty."
Both Originals glanced at each-other before they started to laugh, Rebekah's melody like giggles echoing throughout the gym, followed by Klaus' dark yet euphony chuckles. Their group of somewhat hostages looked on in trepidation, Tyler and Matt standing in front of the women in a protective stance. Elena whimpered against Maria's hand, eyes glassed over as Stefan pleaded with Klaus.
Maria shook her head, glowering at Stefan, pressing her hand tighter against Elena's mouth."I don't think they believe you."
"It's true, every word."Stefan angrily looked at Maria, narrowing his eyes when Elena gave a muffled plea, swallowing before he looked back to Klaus."I came to pledge my loyalty."
"Well, you broke that pledge once already. Quite a few times, actually."The Original replied in a harsh tone, grip tightening on Damon's neck, making the younger male choke."The first was when you failed to mention the doppelgänger still lives, the second was when you tried to walk my girl into certain death, and the third was all the lies you constantly told me."
Klaus snarled angrily, eyes flashing amber as he pulled his arm back and threw Damon across the gym. The Salvatore brother attempted to hold his hands out to brace himself, but his still broken bones made it even more difficult. Klaus gave an almost manic smile when Damon slammed into the wall, dropping limply to the ground, the sound making Stefan wince.
"I don't respond well to liars, old friend; i'm a stickler for honesty."
Maria and Rebekah shared a look, a witty remark in mind but they remained quiet. Rebekah's eyes sought out Elena and she arched an eyebrow, giving the doppelgänger a once over with a click of her tongue.
"So this is the latest doppelgänger Stefan is faffing around with..."Rebekah drawled, a wolfish smile growing as Elena's eyes widened when the Original's nail grazed her throat before she took Elena's chin in hand."Hm, the original one was much prettier. Importunate and arrogant, something you as Katerina seem to have inherited but prettier."
Rebekah feigned a sweet smile before letting Elena go, making sure to scratch Elena's skin as she did. The Original smiled to herself before turning back to her brother.
"Elena means nothing to me anymore, and I realize my mistakes."Stefan firmly said, slowly making his way to the group, gaze skimming over Bonnie, Tyler, Matt and, finally, Elena."Whatever you ask of me, I will do."
Rebekah and Klaus shared a look, silently conversing before the hybrid laughed, clapping his hands together. The female Original straightened, shoving Stefan forward in the direction of her brother, glaring at his back.
"Fair enough. Let's drink on it."
The hybrid took a step back gesturing to Dana and Chad with a flourish, his wolfish smirk making their eyes widen in alarm.
"Kill them."Klaus demanded with a small smile, shaking his head when Stefan looked to Elena, and he spoke once more, voice more demanding."What are you waiting for? Kill them."
Elena shook her head, struggling against Maria who rolled her eyes and let the doppelgänger go, sure that she was unable to run off. Hands on hips, Maria watched as Elena held out a hand as Stefan stared at the humans with a hungry look, ready to do anything to gain Klaus' trust once more.
"No! Stefan, don't."
Klaus gave an annoyed sigh, turning and looking at Elena, utterly infuriated.
"It's best if you remain quiet, sweetheart, before I let my sister silence you."Klaus' eyes darkened warningly, his tone anything but benevolent as he held out a hand, stopping Elena in her tracks and nodding over at his sister."And she is is anything but fond of doppelgängers."
Elena didn't adhere to Klaus' demand, and she took a small step forward, standing in front of Dana and Chad. Rebekah and Maria's smiles fell as Klaus' eyes flashed amber, his eyes almost black when he realized that didn't Elena obey his order.
Maria warily eyed Klaus watched Elena, and the young wolf shook her head."Shut up, shut up, shut up..."
"He's not going to hurt me."Elena carried on, offering Stefan a small, warm smile as she attempted to reach the humane part of him."He already said..."
"Elena!"Damon, who was snapping his bones back into place, staggered as he got to his feet."Elena, no!"
A growl reverberated around the gym, a growl that shook everyone to the core, as Klaus turned in Elena's direction. The Original backhanded Elena so hard that even Stefan flinched as he heard the sound. The doppelgänger was struck so forcefully that she lost her footing and fell to the ground, her startled scream making Stefan's hard expression break.
"Elena!"
Bonnie and Matt rushed to Elena's side, the witch brushing her dark locks back to reveal a red mark that would soon become a bruise. Damon glared at his brother as Elena sniffed in pain, his eyes shifting to Rebekah who was grinning as she watched Elena. Scowling angrily, his blue orbs darkened, and Damon looked over to Tyler, calling for him.
"Lockwolf!"Damon hissed, earning Tyler's attention and the Salvatore brother nodded to Rebekah as he passed the wolf."Make yourself useful for once."
"Oh, that is going to bruise."Rebekah drawled with a small laugh, shaking her head with a tut."It won't matter, love; you'll have no friends to come visit you while you're being used as a bloodbag."
Tyler's eyes flashed amber and, nodding to Damon; he turned to Rebekah who continued to laugh. As Tyler rushed toward the Original, Damon tackled Maria to the ground, the pair rolling away to the side.
The wolf growled at the Original before he lunged at her, pushing Rebekah back, only for her to easily overpower him. He cried out as she grabbed his arm, brought her leg up and broke his bones, turning him around and pulling him against her.
"Now, now, don't pout."Rebekah whispered when Tyler snarled at her, her forearm pressing against his throat."It's not becoming of the first of a hybrid army. You're first task might be to kill them all, so it is best if you separate your emotions."
Across the gym, Maria and Damon jumped to their feet, both raising their fists as they circled one another. Maria rolled back her shoulders, her anger her primary focus because the was what made a wolf stronger and, going by how Damon was a Salvatore, it meant he was old enough to kick her ass.
"You're a dick."
"And, to repeat what I said to you last time you called me that, I know."Damon shrugged, mouth downturned as he held out his arms before pointing to Maria in an accusing manner."You were supposed to distract him, wolf girl, not become the Bonnie to his Clyde. It's called an ex-boyfriend for a reason."
It was Maria's time to shrug."It's called survival."
"It's called Stockholm Syndrome."Damon replied in a mocking tone, smirking when the wolf glared at him."Why else would you feel mushy for the guy that ruined your life? I don't think mommy would like that, would she?"
Maria lunged for Damon with an enraged yell, kicking him square in the chest, punching him in the face before she headbutted him. The two exchanged blows for a moment, Damon throwing Maria back against a wall before she punched him again.
Damon quickly recovered from the punch long enough to backhand Maria like Klaus had Elena before he grabbed the wolf by the throat. He wrenched the wolf up against him, grinning to himself when she gasped for air.
"Now, I don't give a damn to know much about wolves."Damon hissed as he choked Maria, free hand pressing against where her heart was, smiling to himself as he heard it racing."Other than the obvious..."
Maria's eyes widened, and she inhaled a sharp breath as Damon punched her so hard that she doubled over. The vampire pretended to caressingly hush her, hand shifting from her throat to her head fingers tangling in her hair as he pressed her harder against him to keep her quiet.
"But, i'm pretty sure if I do this..."Damon mumbled into her ear as he punched through her chest, hand taking hold of her still beating heart."You don't have as long as a vampire would. You heal but not as quick as me, right? I say you got a few minutes before you, uh...die. That is if your friend or your boyfriend gives you blood to heal you before I rip your heart out."
The vampire raised an eyebrow when he heard Maria muffle something incoherent against his shoulder. Damon laughed to himself, pulling back and straightening Maria so that he could meet her gaze.
He tapped her cheek, humming in amusement when he noticed her amber eyes.
"What was that?"
Maria growled at Damon, glancing down at the arm sticking out of her chest.
"I'm gonna hunt you down and kill you."
Damon chuckled, gaze flicking over her now pale face and glassy eyes.
"Oh, you're plucky!"Damon smirked, noticing that the wolf, while not as quick as a vampire, had started to heal and he squeezed her heart before adding."I see why he likes you."
"Elena..."
Stefan watched Elena shuffle to Matt for comfort, eyes glassy and something flickered in his eyes before his vampire features came forward. He flashed over to Klaus, a vicious snarl ripping from his throat as he attempted to choke the Original. Klaus knocked his arm to the side, easily dodging Stefan's punch and grabbed the vampire by the throat.
"She means nothing to you?"Klaus shouted, his dangerous tone making Stefan's human features come forward."Your lies just keep piling up."
"Let her go!"Stefan pleaded, trying to pull Klaus' hand from his throat."I'll do whatever you want; you have my word!"
"Your word doesn't mean much."Klaus angrily replied, fingers pressing against Stefan's windpipe and he tilted his head up as Stefan gasped for air."I lived by your word all summer, during which time I never had to resort to this..."
Klaus faintly heard scuffling before Damon's voice followed."Hey, hybrid dick!"
"Not now, mate, perhaps i'll grant you a swift death considering you risked your life for your brother."Klaus called back without looking away from Stefan, ready to compel him."All I wanted from you was your allegiance, n-"
A sharp, painful gasp cut the Original off and, without noticing it, Klaus let out a low growl. A series of harrowing sounds followed, and Klaus frowned in almost confusion. He heard the sound of choking coming from behind him, and he looked over Stefan's shoulder to see Rebekah's eyes widen.
"K-Klaus..."
Maria.
The hybrid rapidly blinked at the whisper, and his eyes flashed amber at the gut-wrenching sound. He unconsciously tightened his grip around Stefan's throat as he processed the voice, the voice that he utterly hated being interlaced with anything other than delight. A far too complacent laugh came from Damon when more painful whimpers reached his ears.
"Oh, Klausy?"
The Original narrowed his eyes as he turned around on his heels, still gripping Stefan by the throat. And what he saw made him drew in a long breath, and the Original shook his head as if he refused to accept it.
Damon stood beside Maria, hand nowhere to be seen because it was clutching her heart and Maria, face now far too pale because of the blood loss and the pain, looked like she was slowing losing the ability to remain on her feet. The female wolf coughed, gasping for air as she clutched at Damon's shoulder, trying to pull his hand from her chest.
Klaus' eyes flashed amber once more as Maria lurched forward, spitting out blood, red staining her lips and teeth when she ground her teeth together in an attempt to stop more whimpers.
"Let her go."
"What was that?"Damon raised his voice, cocking his head as he feigned being unable to hear the Original and cupped his free hand over his ear."Tear her heart out? If you're su-"
Klaus let out a ferocious growl, flashing forward before his body could connect to his mind, set on freeing Maria from Damon's arms. As soon as Klaus let him go, Stefan attempted to flash away, but Rebekah was quick to stop him, hand reaching out and grabbing hold of him, still holding Tyler with his other.
"You won't thinking of abandoning us, were you, lover?"Rebekah drawled to Stefan, clicking her tongue and shaking her head."Don't you want to watch the doppelgänger harlot die?"
Rebekah tutted, turning Stefan around in her arm, hand gripping the back of his neck. But, just as a smile grew on her face, she heard her brother give a shout of pain. Her smile faded as Klaus suddenly froze, his eyes rolling to the back of his head and he started to shake.
"ARGH!"Klaus cried out in more anger than pain as he fell to his knees, clutching his head as he suddenly felt as if someone had drilled into his temple."Bloody hell."
"Nik!"Rebekah, despite knowing her brother was anything but seriously hurt, called for him in a worried voice, nails digging into Stefan's arm so harshly that she cut into his skin."Get up, brother. We have no time for dawdling."
The Original hybrid spat out blood as soon as he felt the crimson on his lips, wiping more than came from his nose. He scowled, looking up to see Bonnie, who still clutched Elena in her arms, standing a few meters from him, hand held out and a furious look on her face.
"You little-"Klaus drew in a sharp breath, attempting to lunge for the witch only to be tossed back across the gym but he steadied himself before he hit the wall. He sneered at Bonnie, blood on his teeth and his fangs threatening to extract."Witch!"
The Original fought the spell despite his body attempting to otherwise and got onto his knees, double fangs finally extracting and his eyes remaining amber. His gaze zeroed in on Elena, eyes glancing to Tyler for a moment before the doppelgänger again. He gave a wolfish smirk, eyes shifting to Elena's throat.
"He's getting up! Stop him."
"We have to go. Now. I can't..."Bonnie shook her head, walking backwards with Elena in her grasp, sweat already coating her forehead."I can't hold him for much longer."
"I don't give a damn. I kill her; I die anyway. Distraction an' all."Damon called from across the gym, angrily tightening his hold on Maria."The least you can do is make his head explode."
"She'll die, mate. No witch can hold that much power; they'll exhaust themselves dead."Klaus let out a sinister laugh as he straightened, smugly adding. Especially against something imperishable as my sister and i."
Bonnie's eyes widened, and she clenched her fist, making Klaus' head tip back, and he gave an enraged growl. He, once more, fought against the pain and finally got to his feet. Klaus' eyes remained on Elena and Bonnie, and he took a step forward, baring his fangs and growling once more. He could smell the fear radiating from Elena, the hatred from Bonnie and it made Klaus almost smile.
Klaus took a step forward, tongue skimming along his bloody teeth and he snarled. He beckoned Elena to him as if he expected her to bend to his will and looked at the doppelgänger with nothing but annoyance.
"It's time to complete the this, love, once and for all."
The Original gave a bitter smile, ready to attack the pair but, just as his foot was in mid-air, a breathy, pain filled voice stopped him once more.
"Klaus, p-please."
Klaus instantly turned his head in the direction of the voice. His gaze sought out Maria and she almost instantly became his primary focus. He shook his head as a sob fell from her lips and she mouthed a silent plea. Maria watery stared back at him, her eyes wide and glassed over, they were no longer full of spirit, instead, she looked crestfallen.
"M-Make it...Maria murmured as quietly as she could, pausing between each word to inhale a long breath because they were limited and she coughed as more blood came up."Make him stop."
She stared at him in expectancy. She knew that, despite everything—her resentment, the distress, the betrayal—he wouldn't let her die, particularly at the hands of another.
Klaus almost smiled. Almost.
"I won't tell you again. Let her go."
"Don't think so."Damon replied with a click of his tongue, shaking his head."Leverage and all."
"I will tear you, limb from limb."Klaus bitterly drawled, turning on his heel with a flourish so that he now faced Damon."And only then, when you're a riving mass of blood and flesh, will I rip your heart from your chest."
"Think you can do that before I tear her heart out?"Damon held out his free hand, beckoning Klaus with bloody fingers."C'mon. Come and get it."
The Original was already rushing forward before Damon had finished, gaze focused on the hand holding Maria's heart. His angry growl echoed throughout the gym, images of what he had planned for Damon in flashing in his mind.
"Kla-"
But, before he reached them, he heard a gust of wind soar through the air and, a second later, Maria slumped forward. Her legs had given out, her cheeks were wet, and her eyes showed no sign of life. Instead of either cursing him or cursing Damon like he'd expected, Maria gave no fight as she fell to the ground.
Klaus felt his heart lurch, arms already held out to catch her.
Time seemed to slow down as his eyes widened and his face went pale, eyes glassy.
"NO!"
Thank you for reading!
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