Finally got this chapter done and semi on time! YAY!
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Please remember to review at the end! :)
For the inhabitants of the castle, the following day came with a dark cloud.
A red sun was on the horizon and, to them, spelled death.
Elizabeth had called the family to the gardens before the sun broke and informed them of the plan. A plan her and Mari had agreed to with reluctance on the latter's part.
"You are going to seal Klaus and Caroline in the castle with HIM?!" Bonnie shrilled, fear and anger radiating through her body.
"Yes, it is the only way. You all must hold down the line while Klaus and Caroline fulfill their destiny in defeating Mikael."
Rebekah shook her head. "We can't leave them alone with him."
"You must if you do not, then everything will be for nothing. Trust me," she paused, lowering her eyes. "I hate this just as much as you all, but there is no other way."
Elijah, hating not being able to help his brother, acquiesced to the order. "What must we do?"
Elizabeth nodded and glanced over the twelve and smiled. "Hold the line and conquer at all costs."
With morose and uncertainty, they all nodded.
Just before an arrow whizzed above them, towards the tower.
~XXX~
Klaus sensed the disturbance before Caroline. Fastening the belt around his pants, he whirled and dived before an arrow could hit her.
She yelped and grasped his arms. "What?"
He silenced her and glanced towards the window while other arrows began flying through the window, landing on the furniture around them, barely missing them. "It's begun, love. We must hurry."
No other words needed to be spoken as they clamored up and raced out the door only for Caroline to stop and her eyes widened.
"Mother, why?"
Klaus stopped, grasping her arms. "Love?"
Her eyes widened and her mouth opened and closed before she gasped. "She's sealed us in."
His features transformed from shock to anger. "The others?"
"They are outside," she answered, her eyes becoming distant. "Mother," she gasped, reaching for Klaus, staggering.
"Caroline," he demanded, lightly, his eyes full of worry.
She focused on him and her next words chilled him to the core. "He's here. He's in the castle with us."
~XXX~
"What the hell?" Mikael lowered his sword and glared at his surroundings. Dark and musky with damp walls. He couldn't figure it out. One moment, he was outside the barrier, watching his young recruits attack, seeing Davina lash towards Bonnie, only to be blown to the ground, and the next he was…here.
Inhaling, he stiffened. The scent. He recognized the scent. "Boy," he snarled, heading for the stone stairs a few feet from his position.
~XXX~
Bonnie groaned, slamming her hands forward. A massive gust of wind wrapped around her and she staggered back when the wind slammed at Davina, knocking her to the ground.
"Lass!"
She nodded, pushing her hands to the side, letting fire expand around them. "I'm fine!"
"Oh, you are far from it, witch."
She gasped for only a moment, catching Davina in a hold when the young vampire wrapped her hand around Bonnie's throat, only to have Bonnie smash her hand against Davina's chest. She twirled and jabbed her elbow on Davina's nose.
Davina yelped and staggered back from the force, which was unusual for a witch. "How?"
Bonnie smirked and her hair pushed back to reveal a star and jagged lines, resembling fire, marked on her neck. "Thank Kol."
"Why you…!" Davina screamed, lashing towards her.
Bonnie huffed, pushing and finally recited an incantation which allowed her hand into Davina's chest. "This is for the pain you caused," Bonnie uttered, jabbing her hand further in and jerked it out, holding a still-beating heart.
Davina gasped, until her eyes became lifeless for the last time, and fell to the ground.
Bonnie sighed, dropping the heart and focused her attention on the fire, which had started as a spark and had blossomed into a wildfire, which engulfed the area around them, carefully contained.
~XXX~
Klaus moved in front of Caroline, holding onto her right hand. "Why would your mother do this?"
She pressed closer to his body, hoping her answer would not be taken wrong. "I am not sure," she answered, carefully.
He stopped, glancing over his shoulder at her. "Caroline," he demanded, firmly.
She sighed, caressing his arm. "I suspect because we are the only ones who can defeat him. She gave us an advantage."
He lowered his eyes, his hand gripping her, tightly. "Not too much of an advantage."
"It's enough, my love," she whispered, pressing her forehead against his cheek.
He shifted only slightly to brush his lips over her forehead. He never spoke the words, but she knew he believed her, and he trusted her.
He trusted her to have his back as he would have hers. "Remember to hold on to our love," he heard in his mind.
Pulling back, he saw her eyes sparkle with so much love, he was humbled. "Let's end this, love."
"Let's," she countered with a curt nod of her head.
~XXX~
Katherine jerked her hands around, snapping a witch's neck beyond normal. She sighed as the body fell to the ground and turned just in time to see Elijah pinned down with two of the Five circling him.
"No!" She rushed towards him. Slamming her body against one of the hunters, she collapsed on top of him. Her hand rammed into the body, pulling not the heart, but the lungs, and huffed as blood splattered over her body.
She staggered back, just in time to see Elijah rip the head off the other. Her body jerked, letting the lungs fall to the ground. She caught Elijah's eyes and began to smile before a stabbing pain entered her side, pulling up her chest.
"Katerina!"
~XXX~
Kol whipped around, pushing another witch away from him, grateful he could still move. His arm ached and bled from a close arrow. Vervain pumped through his veins. He needed nourishment.
He needed his witch. Calling out to her in his mind, strength began to course through him.
"Hurts, doesn't it?"
He stiffened, his eyes hardening as he turned. "What does?" he asked, keeping a cold front.
Enzo smirked, moving closer with a dagger twirling in his hand. "Knowing you will never see her again."
Kol smiled, devilishly. "Actually, it doesn't hurt because no matter what, she will always be mine, and we will always be together. Something you will never know."
"Oh, I don't know about that," Enzo remarked, his eyes flashing with anger. "When you are finally gone, she will be mine once again."
Kol shook his head. "Bonnie will never be yours because I am her true mate."
Enzo growled, lowly in his chest. "You lie."
Kol's head turned, showing the mark, and smiled with satisfaction. "I don't think so."
"You'll pay for that!"
~XXX~
"Klaus," Caroline whispered, freezing in the hall.
Following her eyes, he clutched her hand, tighter. "Mikael."
"Well, well, if it isn't boy and his whore," Mikael called from the shadows. "I thought I had been misdirected, but I see I was guided to the right place."
Klaus blocked Caroline's body with his. Her power surged around them, tickling the air, aching to be released. "I wouldn't say you were guided."
"Oh, then what would you call it, boy?"
Klaus' jaw clenched. "You won't make it out of here," he remarked instead with Caroline holding her breath.
"Oh, that's where you are wrong," Mikael stated, stepping further into the light, holding up his sword, which glistened grey. "You won't make it out of here, and for the first time in a thousand years I will have what is mine."
Caroline tensed, waiting for the signal. With a tug on her hand, she breathed out.
"Run!"
~XXX~
"Damon!"
Damon ducked just as a dagger flew at a vertical angle, nearly touching his neck. He glanced and nodded at Grace, who smiled in return. Diving, he rolled coming up to the one of the Five and caught the hand before taking his own dagger and slicing the arm off.
A scream from his victim cut through the sky just as the body caught on fire. Damon slammed his foot in the chest and the body fell backwards into the flames.
He turned, dropping the arm, wiping the blood from his dagger, and staggered as a body hit his.
Grace separated their bodies and nodded before rushing off to help the other witches. "I couldn't…" she began before becoming involved in another battle.
Damon watched her go with a curious stance and held his tongue. She couldn't what? He wondered as the battle surged around them.
~XXX~
"That will not hold him for long," Caroline panted, leaning against the door, inside the Great Hall.
Klaus nodded. "I know, but it would give us time to figure out what is the next step."
"I'm all ears."
He smiled, glancing around. "I was hoping you would have something, love."
"Oh, great, our lives are in the balance, and you make jokes."
He caressed her face, brushing her blonde hair from her face. "I'm just trying to help."
She leaned forward, brushing her lips over his and sighed. Silence surrounded them, giving them a breather, waiting to see where Mikael would come from. "We need to get him in the open."
"I know," he concurred, pulling back. "Are you up for it?"
"I have to be, Klaus," she paused, her eyes wary. "Mari."
He stiffened. "She was in her room, wasn't she?"
Caroline nodded. "She was," her voice distant before a scream could be heard. "Oh, Klaus," she whispered, tears trailing down her cheeks.
He held her without asking what had happened.
Mari had given her life to protect them.
~XXX~
The witches on the ground cried in anguish as the life of the young witch was felt, even those who fought on Mikael's side shivered and cried.
The earth shook and they all fell to their knees.
~XXX~
Kol snapped back, blocking the advance from Enzo. He pushed the arms back, circling around to wrap his arms around Enzo's neck.
He gasped, feeling a sharp pain resonating in his side.
"Did you…think…I would…fall for that?" Enzo panted, pulling the dagger out, and whirling it in his hand.
Kol hid the pain and gritted his teeth.
"No! Kol!"
~XXX~
Caroline's eyes flashed, standing in the center of the large hall. Her power surged and she knew this was it.
The door dropped to the floor with a loud crash. She held back a growl when Mikael appeared in the doorway, blood dripping from his hand.
"I hate betrayal," he uttered, shaking his head. "It always has consequences."
"That is no excuse to kill," she spat out.
Mikael scoffed, entering the room, scanning every corner. "Where is that bastard son of mine?"
"His name is Klaus," she stated, defensively. "And he is the King."
"He may think he is, but that title belongs to someone more worthy than that weakling."
It was her turn to scoff, folding her arms over her chest. "Let me guess, you?"
"Who else, darling?"
She shivered in disgust, curbing her temper. She had to give Klaus time to gain the upper hand. "You will never rule the people. They stand behind Klaus. They will never stand behind you!"
He chuckled in the silence, shaking his head, approaching her with stealth of a predator. "Oh, they will, when I claim the flower for my own."
She backed a step and glared at him with a cold stare. "You're insane."
"Insane or ambitious."
She pursed her lips together and tilted her head to the side. "I would go with insane."
"That's what those darling ladies said just before I slit their throats."
Caroline's blood iced in her veins. "Those women were my family," she ground out, her eyes flashing a golden hue.
"They were in the way," he remarked, nonchalantly.
"They were innocent!"
"They raised you, to me that is not so innocent."
A fire burned in her soul. Anger simmered through her body. The air burned like a furnace around them, as her hair lifted with the wind.
"You will pay for your crimes."
He clicked his tongue, his eyes flashing. "No, I think you will pay for yours."
Caroline screamed as the sword from his hand flew in the air, aimed for her stomach. She blocked, but not before another embedded itself in her chest, just inches from her heart.
She staggered back, her eyes widening before she fell backward. "What is…?"
He smirked, bending over to catch her eyes. "Just a little something I conjured, thanks to my wife," he answered, confidently.
Caroline's eyes blinked as she tried to catch her breath. "Klaus…"
~XXX~
Elizabeth closed her eyes in pain. She knew it was dangerous, but it was the only way. She turned her attention to the witches and focused on Cleo, who sensed the distress.
Nodding her head, she gave her permission. "It's time."
~XXX~
Bonnie raced towards Kol only to freeze mid-way. Her body shook with anger and her eyes flashed with fire. The fire raged around them, causing the soot and ash to attach to their skins. They were ragged and covered in dirt, but the dirt and ash did not stop her.
No, it was the ashen expression on Kol's face. He couldn't be. He couldn't be. She chanted over and over again in her mind.
She reached him, falling on her knees and glared at Enzo, who was smiling triumphantly.
"You see, Bonnie, I am the better man."
Holding Kol's body in her arms, she focused. "You will never be a better man."
~XXX~
"Caroline!"
His voice rang in her head, and she tried to call out. Her body was getting weaker. All the training seemed pointless as the light drained from her.
"Any moment now, I will have my revenge."
Caroline groaned, moving her head slightly on the floor as her arm reached out. "You won't win," she managed to choke out.
"I believe I will, because any moment, that false King will come and witness the demise of his beloved flower, and in that moment, I will do what I should have done so many years ago."
Her eyes drifted closed. His voice rang in her mind. Hold onto our love, Caroline. Fight. I'm almost there.
Her eyes snapped open, glowing a golden hue, and the dagger in her chest glowed a deep orange.
Mikael gasped, staggering to the floor. "What? How is this possible?"
His voice was breathless. He couldn't believe his sight. The dagger was…melting.
As the remains of the dagger fell to the floor, a voice appeared in the doorway.
"Step away from my Queen!"
~XXX~
Rage poured from her soul into the body in her arms. Stirring or sensing his return, she focused her gaze to the object of her despair.
"Enzo," a voice called behind them.
Bonnie didn't have to turn to know who had called the enemy's name. She recognized his voice.
Enzo's smile faded, focusing his attention on the group, approaching him.
Out of the twelve who fought the sixteen of Mikael's entourage, only ten stood around him while his allies were no longer alive.
He was alone. Suddenly, the confident air he had displayed disappeared as the others closed in.
"Bonnie…"
Bonnie ignored his cries as her focus turned to her man in her arms. "There is no mercy left for you," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "You have been found wanting. Farewell," she added, lowering her gaze.
Enzo's cries and the ripping of limbs marked the final action. Bonnie's heart ached in her chest. "Kol, come back to me, I know you can. Please," she whispered, pressing her lips on his forehead before bowing her head over his. "Please."
~XXX~
"Well, well, if it isn't the weakling boy," Mikael retorted, staggering to his feet. Ignoring Caroline's movements. "Have you come to see your flower die?"
Klaus stepped further into the light and growled, his features hard and his eyes gold. "No, I've come to see you die."
Mikael scoffed, rushing towards him, as Klaus did the same. Bodies crashed loudly in the open hall, and the walls shook when Klaus' body hit the stone with an impact which could have caused them to crack. He moaned and kneed Mikael's side.
Mikael slumped backward, before regaining his composure. He charged forward before his body was forced to the ground by a powerful wind.
Klaus' hands raised and slammed down, generating the wind and the quake of the castle floor.
Mikael's dumbfounded expression caused Klaus to smirk in satisfaction. "How did you…?"
Klaus cocked his head, shifting his gaze to Caroline for a second before answering. "I found my equal. My Queen."
Mikael's body heated and his eyes widened as a fire began around his body. "What is this?"
Caroline stumbled towards her love, trying not to lean on him if possible. "You know who I am, do you not?"
Mikael growled, the wind fanning the flames surrounding him.
Caroline's chin lifted, her hand touching her chest, feeling the stickiness of the dried blood. The sun began to darken as the moon slowly eclipsed the other orb. Her eyes widened.
"Mother?" she whispered, feeling the pain of the moment. "No," she mouthed, glancing down at Mikael's agonizing form.
"Caroline?"
She shook her head, stepping back. "Together," she replied, grasping his hand in hers. The floor shook and the fire strengthened as a beam from the eclipse hit Mikael's form.
He cried out, screaming, cursing, and finally, his eyes locked with the King and Queen. "I was…wrong," he whispered, his eyes transforming into a tender light, a strange light before the beam engulfed him and in a blinding light, mixed with the fire from Klaus and Caroline, his body turned to ash at their feet.
~XXX~
Her eyes blinked as she focused on the man holding her. Her dark brown orbs softening as she met his equally brown orbs. "Elijah?"
He sighed in relief, touching her face. "Oh, Katerina," he whispered, bending over to brush his lips over her forehead.
"Did we win?"
He nodded, holding her eyes. "At a cost," he answered, raising his head.
Katherine knew without being told. She sensed it. "We need to get to the Queen."
Elijah nodded. "Yes."
~XXX~
Bonnie rocked back and forth, feeling him inhaling for the first time in a few minutes. "Kol?"
His eyes opened with a few blinks, and he gulped. "What did I miss?"
She laughed before holding him close, grateful he was alive and in her arms.
~XXX~
Stefan found her staring into the woods, her blonde hair caked with dried blood and her garments muddied.
His hands caressed her arms and with a cry, she whirled and wrapped her arms around him. "We made it."
"Yes, we did," he remarked, answering her whisper. "We did."
~XXX~
Damon approached her with careful steps. He witnessed her skills, her determination, her bravery, and her emotions.
"What did you mean?" he asked, seeing her red hair glistened in the dimming fire and sun.
She turned, her face smudged with ash and soot. She nodded, understanding what he was asking. "I couldn't let you die. Not when I could save you."
He clenched his jaw, closing the distance between them. "Thank you," he whispered, sincerely.
She shrugged, her eyes giving her emotion away. "Do not let this become a habit, Damon Salvatore."
He smirked, bowing his head. "As you wish," he returned, seeing her blush.
~XXX~
Cleo raced towards the Great Hall, knowing what she would find was not something she wanted. Her heart stopped, finding Caroline on the floor with Klaus' arms around her.
Caroline was sobbing.
And only Cleo and Klaus knew the reason.
Her mother.
Please be kind!
This chapter was not one of my favorites as I'm not completely satisfied, but really, what author is completely satisfied with some of their scenes. At any rate, I hope you enjoy it!
I'm hoping to have the next chapter up tomorrow, but there is a storm heading my way, so the internet will be a little iffy, but I will try to get it up! There are only four chapters left! YAY!
Next Chapter: Aftermath
Until Next Time...
