A/N: I decided to continue writing. There will be another chapter and then the story will continue when Season 5 of the Vampire Diaries resumes in a continuation story that will keep up with the development of the season more or less.

The continuation's working title is – The Power of Magic.

The premise is: Qetsyiah created the veil – the other side and thus death – this horcrux gave Silas his immortality. But armed with Morana's advice Elena sets on a journey to the center of magical power to find the Stone of Destiny and undo Qetsyiah and Silas' spell once and for all thus restoring the natural balance.


Disclaimer: The characters of the Vampire Diaries' universe belong to CW network but the words are mine.

The Day of the Witch

AU/VD: Set after 'All my children', Elena Gilbert disappears. Trouble soon arrives and gets the originals very worried. The town discovers they have bigger problems than ever before. Elena returns as the heir of the most powerful sorceress ever and has plans of her own for the vampire community.


Chapter 12

Sacrifice

Previously:

Elena was atop the hill overlooking Mystic Falls. She waited for someone to come that's why she left Bonnie drop the veil. She looked forward to seeing Jeremy, Isobel, John and Aunt Jenny again too. They were to come as well. For now however her focus was elsewhere.

"I am here at last, Child."

A voice broke her thoughts and she turned around.

"Morana,"

And now:

"Yes, and we have much work to do and not much time."

"What do you mean?" Elena asked.

"The veil won't stay open forever. We have two three days then it must close."

"But you will go back?"

"I know, child, but it is way it should be."

"Will everyone come?"

"No," Morana shook head. "Qetsyiah for one will not come. She moved on in deference to someone else we know."

"You came to help me get rid of him."

"No, I came to make sure he doesn't become like you."

"I don't understand."

"Silas is truly immortal, Elena. If he dies nature will balance and…"

"Doppelganger!" Elena exclaimed finally understanding. "You know I can't see him?"

"No, but you can sense him. He doesn't need to know that part."

"Is there no way, no way at all?"

"I don't know. Qetsyiah would know but she is not here." Morana said. Seeing Elena's growing desperation she added. "Don't worry child. There are other forces in this world and some of them may know."

Elena's face lit up.

"But first we have certain things to do. Let the immortal enjoy his day today. It won't last much, with luck."


At ground zero, the school of Mystic Falls, Bonnie focused her power. She wanted Jeremy resurrected. This is why she agreed to drop the veil. Her grandmother appeared.

"Bonnie, no!" She begged realizing what Bonnie was about to do.

"I can do it."

"No, Bonnie, you can't."

"I can." Bonnie said raising her voice. "I have the spirits with me." And the torches burst into flames. "I have expression." The air tensed up. Dark veins appeared all over her face. She struggled but the effort of the spell took its toll and she fell on the ground unconscious.

"Bonnie, no," Her grandmother exclaimed silently but it was already too late. Her granddaughter had grown strong but there are certain limits to what anyone can do. Qetsyiah made the other side but she was one of the most powerful sorceresses of all times. And only an equally powerful sorceress could undo it. She sat near her and waited.

Somewhere outside the Grill, Cole one of the originals, recently killed stared at the place. It was vengeance time. He just waited for the sacrificed hybrids to come and the witches. They soon came one by one and they ventured inside. Screams and mayhem followed.


Back in the school several levels above Bonnie, Damon Salvatore just entered the lockers' corridor and froze. Before him stood that nasty Hunter that did not lose anytime and attacked him. Damon was poorly prepared and the Hunter struck. Hopefully, he missed nevertheless Damon had a stake stuck in his belly.

The Hunter moved back and took out another stick. "It is time to die Vampire."

"Speak for yourself," Another voice interrupted. The Hunter turned around and came face to face with Rick.

"Who are you?"

"I guess you will learn." Rick said and swiftly snapped the Hunter's neck. "Are you alright, Damon?" He bent down and removed the stake.

Damon staggered backwards and raising his hands defensively.

"What's wrong?"

"Well, you could be Silas."

"I'm not him."

"That's exactly what he would say."

Rick shook head and walked to a locker. He tapped it open. "Would he know about this?" And he took a bottle of fine scotch.

"I guess not." Damon said. "It is good to see you again."

"Same here," Rick said and after a brief embrace they parted. "See you got in trouble again."

"You don't know the half of it."

"Well, we know – Elena."

"Sorry, I forget you can see us."

"It is alright buddy."

"Yeah, Elena, she is a witch and she banished Klaus and the rest of family."

"Yeah, we saw. She has a powerful support."

"Who? Is it anyone we know?"

"No, her name though is Morana. She is, as far I heard, the most powerful sorceress. She is even more powerful than Qetsyiah."

"Right, more trouble, that's what we need." Damon exclaimed. "I need a drink."

"Let's go."


Silas, the immortal, found Bonnie. He was not pleased she was dead. Now there was no one to drop the veil completely. He did see Bonnie's grandmother standing over her body. Hope returned to Silas. Bonnie's shadow self can do what he needed done.

But he did not wait so he left. He needed to see who else has returned. He knew for certain Qetsyiah will not come. That was a blessing as she could ruin everything. He reached the Grill just in time to witness the mayhem. A smile appeared on his face.

Cole, one of the dead originals, responsible for leading Bonnie and her friends to him, was on a rampage. Poor little original, if he only knew who is truly responsible for his death. But whether he knew or not was irrelevant. The originals could not stop him. Silas was untouchable.

Still there was something that bothered him and it was Elena. She has become a sorceress and was able to see him or sense him somehow. This was not part of his plans. He sensed other forces at play here. It was time he found her and dealt with her. But how to approach her remained the question. He had to use someone else.

Seeing Cole he smiled. Yes, he would do. Silas entered in the Grill. Everyone inside the Grill was no more. Cole relished in the blood of the others.

"Finn?" He exclaimed stunned to see his brother.

"Hey Cole." Silas greeted.

"What are you doing here?" Cole eyed him a bit suspiciously.

"Mother sends me. We need to find and neutralize Elena Gilbert."

"The human doppelganger – piece of cake,"

"Let's go." Silas said cheerfully.

He and Cole left the Grill. The trouble was no one had seen her lately. They combed the entire town but found nothing. At some point they separated. Silas went to see if Bonnie is awake. Sadly she was nowhere near the place he last saw her. The only person present there was her grandmother.

"Where is she?" Silas asked sharply.

"I don't know."

"Answer me!"

"Even if I did know, Silas, I would not tell you."

"You will pay for your insolence witch!" Silas was angry. He sought Bonnie's body but it was not there anymore. He exhaled frustrated. This day was not his. Elena was nowhere and so was now Bonnie and the full moon was just around the corner – tonight. He still had time to deal with the grandmother but he did not bother as he had more pressing matters to attend to.


Stefan was at home and this is where Lexie found him. He turned around and almost squealed with joy, and was fast in her embrace.

"I wondered when you would seem." He said letting go of her.

"Oh, come on, I'm always around. You just don't see me."

"It is so good to see you again."

"I know." Lexie smiled. "Is there something to drink in here?"

"Sure," Stefan got to pour two glasses of amber liquid commonly known as whiskey. "Here you go."

"Thank you," Lexie took a sip and sat on the sofa fully enjoying its softness. "Where is your delinquent brother?"

"Ground zero,"

"Ah, the school,"

"He mentioned Rick."

"So he is having fun too," Lexie said and took another sip. "Where is Elena?"

Stefan's features went dark. "Elena. I don't think anyone knows. As you may know she got a few surprises."

"Yeah, I heard – witchy stuff."

"She commands now the hybrid armies. Klaus and the other originals were booted out. She cursed them or something."

"Do you ever wonder how is she doing it?"

"Often, and though she told us something I don't think that is it."

"Ever so complicated are things here at Mystic Falls."

"Yeah, tell me about it." Stefan sighed deeply and took a large sip from his glass. "Let's forget our trouble for now and just enjoy."

"I can't agree more." Lexie said smiling big.


Caroline readied for the big evening – Prom. It was their night and she hoped nothing would impede their time. It was their senior prom. Bonnie came and both prepared chatting all the time. Only Elena was not here but as luck had it Katherine showed up instead.

"You are not welcomed here." Caroline blurted out.

"Oh, boo-hoo, little Forbes," Katherine said. "I never had prom and besides Elena will not attend. She has more pressing needs."

"Like what?"

"I don't know and even if I did – sorry."

"Right,"

"Anyway," Katherine said circling both. "She asked me to go in her stead."

"Yeah right,"

"She did."

"Elena never would."

Caroline's cellular rang. She picked it up. "Elena," Bonnie looked apprehensive. Elena and she had not spoken much since she returned to Mystic Falls. "What? You can't be serious."

"What is she saying?" Bonnie asked.

"Just what the little devil here said." Caroline replied.

"Give me that." Bonnie said and took the phone. "Elena…uh uh, are you sure? Alright, we will do."

"What?"

"Well she said someone had to take her photo so why not let the little devil be present."

"Right," Caroline grunted. "But it won't say Katherine."

"I can live with that." Katherine said.

"Whatever," Caroline pursed her lips.


The prom ceremony came quickly. They were all in their robes and lined up. Bonnie's father began announcing them one by one.

"Caroline Forbes," He called and there was a loud applause.

"Bonnie Bennett," Another round of applauses,

"Elena Gilbert," Another round of applauses,

"Stefan Salvatore," Cheering erupted.

"Matt Donovan,"

And so and so forth, everyone soon passed.


Despite everything bad between them, Bonnie had to admit she had never seen Katherine this cheerful or happy. Perhaps the little devil was a person after all beneath the cold mask. Sadly their time grew shorter. She had to close the veil and before Silas could intervene. Speaking of him, she wondered where he was.

There was one more she had not seen yet and that was Jeremy. She hoped he would come though not to the ceremony. He was dead after all. She decided to go to his grave and there he was.

"Jeremy," And she was in his embrace. Their lips connected. "I'm so glad to see you."

"Me too, Bonnie, me too,"

They stood in each other's embrace for a long time before Bonnie had to pull away. It was time she closed the veil.

"Is it time?" Jeremy asked.

"Yes," Bonnie nodded.

Hand in hand they walked to ground zero's catacombs. There they found Bonnie's grandmother tied up.

"Grams," Bonnie exclaimed and hurried to untie her.

"Bonnie, look out," The grandmother exclaimed but it was too late.

Bonnie turned around and saw Finn holding Jeremy. "Finn?"

"No," Silas replied with a dark glow in his eyes. "Wrong answer,"

"Silas?" Bonnie exclaimed. "But how is this possible? I'm the only one that can see your true form."

"I wanted you to think that way."

Bonnie realized she did not know how he looked. He manipulated her from the get go. "Release him."

"Not before you drop the veil completely," Silas replied. "And then you can be with your beloved forever."

"Bonnie, what is he talking about?"

Bonnie bowed down her head. She had not told him yet. She did not want to. But first she had to get rid of Silas. She focused her powers on him.


Silas screeched in pain. The little witch used her skills well. His blood started to turn into stone. He knew she could support that spell unless she's alive but still it hurt a lot.

"Stop!" He said with hoarser voice.

"Jeremy, move away from him." Bonnie said though it was not necessary. Jeremy was smart enough to do so.

And then another voice spoke but in her head. "Stop or you will make him even more powerful."

"Who is this?" Bonnie asked in her head.

"Irrelevant," The voice continued. "If you do not stop he will inherit the doppelgänger curse."

Bonnie released Silas from her spell that started to reverse its effects on him.

"Just close the veil," The voice ordered. "Quickly now,"

But it was then when Bonnie screeched in pain as well. The voice in her head realized they were too late. The doppelgänger curse had already taken hold. The voice belonged to Morana and she cursed under breath. She was too late.

"Enjoy your victory while you can, Silas." She whispered in the air. Silas' body crumbled to little pieces so he did not hear her.

"Bonnie, are you alright?" Jeremy helped her up. There were tears in her eyes. He did not understand why until he felt her no more. "Bonnie, what's going on?"

"I'm sorry, Jeremy." She replied in between the sobs. "But this was the plan all along."

"No," Jeremy shook head. He did not want to accept this. "You can't…"

"You are alive now, Jer." Bonnie said. "Take good care of your sister. You can still see me."

"What am I to tell the others?"

"Tell them I went to see my mother."

"They will find out eventually."

"Maybe but I can't put them through this again. They suffered enough. Promise me Jeremy."

"I promise." Jeremy said. "Where would you go?"

"I will be with my grandmother and the others witches. I will be alright. I will come to visit from time to time."

"You'd better."

They let go off each other. Bonnie and her grandmother disappeared and Jeremy stood alone.


Katherine left the school. She had the time of her life. She meant it. She had never had prom but now she did. There was something no one of them knew. She was human now and for now this was enough. Elena wanted her to live a normal life without looking over her shoulder constantly. She gave her a necklace that would protect her from the supernatural. It was like Jeremy's ring.

She met with Elena outside of town in a small inn as they had agreed.

"Elena,"

"Katherine," Elena said and sat opposite her. "How's life as a human again?"

"I guess I will get used to it again." Katherine shared. "Being a vampire has its perks."

"True," Elena smiled. "But for now, stay human. My hybrids will keep the heat away from you. I suppose like guardian angels."

"Demons, you mean?"

"Yeah, kind of,"

"What are you going to do with Silas?"

"When the time comes I will rid the world of him."

"Can you?"

"Yes, there is a way though it is difficult but not impossible."

"I'm glad to hear it. Can I come then?"

"Sure, I will send for you." Elena said.

"You know…I…um…thought about that doppelgänger stuff a lot."

"You are not the only one, Katherine. I know how you feel. If there is a way to stop it, I will find it and make things right again."

Katherine did not say anything but did hope. Of all the witches and sorceresses Elena was the most unusual and the most gifted. She believed she can do anything she sets her mind to. This quality was part of their family.

"Don't get this the wrong way, Elena, but I hope not to see before that time."

"Enjoy your life as a human, Katherine, and thank you for everything."

"My pleasure," Katherine said and looked down. As she looked up, Elena had gone. It brought a smile to Katherine's face. She paid and left as well.


Stefan Salvatore had stopped near the lake. He spoke there with Lexie until the time she disappeared. He had the time of his life. She enjoyed his talk with his oldest friend. He wished only he knew what Elena's choice would be.

She had seen both of them before this began but said nothing. Stefan thought she did want to say something but expected something else. Whatever it was probably came during the full moon tonight.

Jeremy just gave him the bad news. Silas escaped. Will they ever be rid of that monster?

"You can only wish." A voice interrupted his thoughts.

And so Stefan turned around. "Elena,"

"Wrong,"

"Silas,"

"You see the spell only works if the witch is alive."

"What?" Stefan's eyebrows flew high. "What do you mean?"

"It doesn't matter now. I have become just like her."

A wrinkle appeared on Stefan's face as he connected the dots. "You are a doppelgänger now."

"Clever boy,"

"Is this what you look now?"

"Oh, no," Silas smiled and turned into him. Stefan stood rooted. Silas moved so quickly Stefan did not have the time to react. He struck him with a stake and Stefan bent in two.

"See if you enjoy starvation for the next two millennia." Silas added. He went to the trunk of the car and took out a large safe. They had intended to shove him in there when Bonnie turns him into stone but it did not work. Well, now it was to be Stefan's tomb. Silas placed Stefan inside and pushed the safe off the cliff.

Stefan banged the hard surface with little success. Water rose up quickly and soon he drowned.

Silas stayed a bit longer. The safe disappeared under water. Silas got inside the car and drove away. He will take now on Stefan's life and even Elena will not be able to sense him now. He will have his revenge. The little witch will be powerless against him. He smiled satisfied and drove away.


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