A/N: I'm so sorry it took me this long to update this fic. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. As always, thank you for all your continued support. Happy Easter!
The calm before the storm, Matt thought surveying the town square. His crossbow was loaded with vervain darts and he carried a backpack with ammunition and a hand gun just in case. His body was pumped with adrenaline as he watched the two figures below.
Freya and Vincent stood facing each other, hands clasped together as they chanted the spell Vincent had created. The one that would protect all of them from the hollow's control.
The magic in the air was palpable even to a human like Matt.
"You really think it will work?" a wolf named Jerry asked him.
"It has to work," Matt replied in a soft whisper. His spine tingled, there was a strange kind of energy forming. He had been around supernaturals long enough to know that something was heading their way. The hollow, Matt thought without doubt. Just how powerful was her army? In the end it didn't matter, they were going to fight her anyways.
Jeremy cracked his knuckles nervously. His companion another Crescent wolf named Tom, fidgeted beside him.
"Pick up your weapons," Matt ordered.
The two wolves did so without question.
"We got to be ready."
A cold breeze swept through them.
Matt could have sworn he saw sparks raising up into the sky. When he looked down, Freya and Vincent had let go of each other's hands. Vincent looked up and nodded, signaling that the spell had been completed. Now, they would have a higher chance at winning, as none of them would fall under the hollow's mind control.
Matt waved at them with a hopeful smile on his face.
The two witches then proceeded to make their way towards the cemetery.
The sun hid behind a sea of thunderous clouds.
Day became night in a matter of seconds and the temperature dropped considerably.
A whistle was heard through the darkness.
"They're here," Matt shouted and pointed his crossbow down. He was ready. They all were.
The final battle had begun.
The hollow did not come alone. Apart from Daniel and the originals, there was an army of creatures behind her made of vampires, werewolves, and goblins. For years she had been collecting followers and was now ready to unleash all of them upon her enemies.
"You know what to do," she said to her army. There would be no grand speeches, no lifting words for those poor souls controlled by her dark powers. "No one touches the girl," she hissed through gritted teeth. "She's mine. You can do as you please with the rest," With a wave of her hand, her army launched forward.
Kol, Rebekah, and Finn went with them leaving a confused Elijah behind. He tried to take a step forward, but his body was paralyzed. He glanced at the hollow with uncertainty. Was this her doing?
The hollow touched his shoulder and Elijah hissed, feeling a burning sensation on his skin which spread all the way down to his toes. "I have a special mission for you my dear," she smiled sweetly as she pulled a gold dagger out of her pocket. "A gift for your beloved brother."
Elijah gasped, dark thoughts invading his mind. No, I won't. He struggled (an instinctive reaction to fight back) but he ended up buckling to his knees. His mind felt like fire as the hollow took hold of his thoughts.
"Not so strong now, are we?" The hollow dangled the dagger in front of his face.
Elijah let out a hiss, face morphing.
The hollow grinned knowing that she had him completely at her mercy.
Daniel watched him with pity.
"Don't worry," the hollow said eyeing him with that same sickening sweet smile. "You are next." She pointed her finger at Daniel and he fell to his knees, gasping for air. "The two of you thought you were so clever and strong enough to resist my powers, well you are not." She twisted her hand and commanded both of their minds.
Daniel's eyes glazed over and a whimper escaped his trembling lips.
Elijah's vampire nature surfaced as he was assaulted by an incredible hunger and one deadly thought.
No-
He tried to resist but the toxic power smashed whatever little will he had left.
"You know what you must do, don't you?" The hollow watched both of them, a satisfied smirk on her face.
Elijah growled, fangs gleaming with the sudden moonlight. "Yes," he growled before disappearing at vampire speed.
As soon as the elegant Original left, the hollow handed the gold dagger to Daniel. "Stab the hybrid in the heart and chant the words echoing in your mind."
"Yes," Daniel replied in a monotone voice. His eyes had completely lost their spark and like Elijah, he was consumed by deadly thoughts.
"Go!" The hollow ordered. She watched him go and waited a couple of minutes by the town's entrance; giving her followers time to cause damage before finally, making her way towards the cemetery where she knew Bonnie and Hope were.
While Marcel and Klaus waited for Bonnie and Hope to complete the spell, the hybrid turned to his son a serious look on his face. "If things go wrong, I need you to get Hope out of here."
Marcel frowned. "I came here to fight Klaus-"
"You will take her away from here." Klaus pulled a set of keys from his pocket. "The car is just off those trees." He pointed to the spot. "And this," he pulled a small piece of paper. "It's a list of witches that owe me some favors. They'll help you with a cloaking spell."
Marcel stared at the keys and paper. "What about you and Bonnie, Freya-"
"We will do our best to join you soon," the hybrid promised. "I need you to keep your eyes on Hope. My siblings are under that bitch's control, they will come for me of that I'm sure. So, I need you to promise me that if anything goes wrong, you will get Hope out of here." He looked directly into his son's eyes. "Promise me, Marcellus."
Marcel swallowed hard before taking the keys and list. "I promise." He glanced at his little sister before turning to Klaus once more. "I will protect her with my own life."
"Thank-you." Klaus turned to Ansel then, an unreadable expression on his face.
"I'll watch his back," Ansel spoke before Klaus could say anything.
Klaus nodded and held his gaze.
Ansel cleared his throat, there was so much he wanted to say but he couldn't seem to find the right words. Their relationship was rocky at best and while they had fought side by side before (in New Orleans) things were still difficult between them. Before Ansel gathered the courage to speak however, a thunderous power spread across the sky, turning the day into night.
"The hollow," Klaus growled, eyes flashing gold. "She's here." He looked towards Bonnie and Hope whose eyes were still closed as they finished the spell.
It didn't take long for the hollow's forces to reach them.
Werewolves, vampires, and creatures he hadn't seen in centuries attacked them.
"Where are Freya and Vincent?" Marcel wondered as he began fighting the hollow's vampires.
"They should be here at any moment," Ansel started shooting arrows at the wolves, ensuring that none of them got to Marcel while the vampire tore hearts and snapped necks left and right.
Klaus tore a couple of wolves apart and ripped the hearts of at least five vampires before his senses alerted him to the presence of his siblings. He used his hybrid speed and smashed himself against the two blurs coming his way, catching them by surprise.
Kol landed on his butt.
Finn was slammed against a nearby tree.
"Hello, brothers." Klaus smirked at the two of them.
"Hello Nik," Rebekah appeared in front of him, a twisted grin on her pretty face. "Long time no see."
Kol stood up and moved next to her, growling angrily at Klaus.
Klaus rolled his eyes at the display. "Put your fangs away before I rip them out."
"As always you over estimate your own strength Niklaus." Finn dust off some dirt and calmly made his way towards his siblings, joining Kol and Rebekah against Klaus.
"You can't take all of us at once," Kol agreed. He was practically bouncing off his feet, eyes glinting with the excitement he felt at putting his older brother down.
"I can certainly take all three of you," Klaus snapped back.
"Four," Elijah stepped from the shadows and joined the rest of his siblings, a wicked smirk on his face. "This has been a long time coming, Niklaus."
Klaus kept his eyes on all of them, following each of their movements carefully. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Marcel and Ansel fighting the rest of the hollow's army. He also saw Bonnie and Hope using their magic to help them out. The barrier surrounding the Bennett graves kept the two witches protected from the creatures swarming the cemetery. Good, he thought. He couldn't afford to get distracted now, not when he was going to fight all four of his siblings. He just hoped that Freya and Vincent would make it to the cemetery in time.
"You have no idea how much I have imagined this moment." Kol cracked his knuckles in anticipation.
"Our bastard brother is finally getting what he deserves," Rebekah spat.
Klaus's eyes flashed with hurt at her words, but he recovered quickly. They had reasons to resent him and the hollow was using that to control them.
"You killed my lovers and daggered me whenever the mood struck." Rebekah stepped closer, veins forming under her eyes as she flashed her fangs at him. "Because of you, I have never been happy."
"Your lack of happiness is on you, sweet sister. Time and time again, you make the same stupid mistake and fall for men who don't deserve you."
"Bastard!" Rebekah growled and took another step closer.
"Did I hurt your feelings?" Klaus taunted with a laugh.
Rebekah went after him but Klaus evaded her blows with ease, throwing her to the side like a rag doll. "Is that the best you got?" he opened his arms and raised his chin. He looked at Rebekah before turning to Kol, challenging him to come after him. "This is your chance isn't it? What the bloody hell are you waiting for?"
Kol didn't take the bait, he was smart enough to know that he wouldn't make too much damage in a one on one fight. He exchanged looks with Rebekah who pull herself to her feet quickly and a growling Elijah who looked ready to throttle Nik. The three of them knew what they had to do. Kol glanced at Finn who remained in the sidelines. Finn did not acknowledge his look, he simply kept staring at Nik. Kol rolled his eyes, Finn was a coward.
"I daggered all of you for your own good," Klaus told them in an unapologetic voice. "And I would gladly do it again, if I could."
They all growled at him, saved for Finn who had suddenly decided to be a spectator.
"Come one, then?" Klaus challenged them. "But be aware that if you truly believe you can take me down…" his hybrid face surfaced. "…you're in for a rude awakening."
The three siblings jumped on Klaus at the same time.
The hybrid was more ready.
Finn retreated to the shadows.
While Klaus fought with his siblings and Ansel and Marcel fought against the vampires and werewolves on the hollow's side. Bonnie and Hope were attacked by tiny creatures with big heads, long pointy ears, sharp teeth, and sunken yellowish eyes.
"What are those things?" Hope asked. They were lucky because the barrier protecting the graves kept the creatures at bay. "Are they elves?" she had never seen them before but they reminded her of some of the pictures she had seen in one of her father's grimoires. "I think they are goblins!" she exclaimed, stunned to actually see one (or hundreds in this case) in person.
"I'm not sure," Bonnie murmured while feeling grateful that the barrier flung them back each time they tried to attack. He blood was buzzing from all the magic flowing in her veins. She was pumped with adrenaline and didn't feel the need to hold back on the incredible power she now possessed thanks to the connection with her dead ancestors. She raised her hand right hand and shouted, "incendia."
Every single one of the elvish creatures burst into flames.
Hope gasped.
The burned bodies illuminated the cemetery while their screams filled the air.
Marcel nodded gratefully in Bonnie's direction. He didn't have time to celebrate the victory however, as two wolves jumped on him. He managed to stop one wolf with his bare hands but the other went straight for his jugular.
"Marcel!" Hope shouted fearfully. Her magic reacted on instinct, lifting both wolves into the air and throwing them far away from Marcel before they could bite him.
"Damn," Marcel winked at her before tackling a muscular vampire to the ground.
Hope smiled with relief.
Bonnie burned the vampires attacking Ansel and snapped the necks of the wolves coming out of the woods. She also used her magic to paralyze the goblins that continued to try and get through the barrier. It was a never-ending attack. The more vampires, werewolves, and goblins that were killed, the more they sprung out of the darkness and continued to attack them.
"Wow," Hope muttered under her breath. She knew Bonnie was a powerful witch but it was obvious her magic had been amplified by the link with the Bennett ancestors. Hope herself felt like she was on top of the world. "There are so many of them." She waved her hands and watched as an entire group of creatures rose into the air before dropping unconscious on the ground. Hope stared at her fingers and smiled. "Wicked." She frowned when more creatures appeared out of nowhere and launched themselves at her. The barrier flung them away.
"The hollow's dark magic keeps bringing them back to life."
"Grams!" Bonnie and Hope said at the same time.
Bonnie stared at her grandmother's ghostly figure in awe. "You're truly here?"
"Of course, I'm here child, we all are."
All around them, Bonnie and Hope could see shimmering light figures surrounding them.
The Bennett ancestors were present in spirit form.
"We will help you channel the spell," Sheila told them. "Once Inadu's heart is destroyed, she will forever be bound to the body she is possessing now." She glanced at Hope. "She won't be able to jump into a new vessel."
"She will die?" Hope asked.
"Once her current body gives out, her spirit will be released and we shall take care of it," Sheila glanced at the figures of the Bennett witches surrounding them. "Together we will destroy her."
"I will have to tire her out first," Bonnie acknowledged. She thought of Drusilla and all her body had endured as the hollow's vessel. It shouldn't take too long, Bonnie realized. Drusilla's body was bound to give out at any moment, they just had to make sure it happened at the right time.
"It won't be easy," Sheila warned Bonnie and Hope. "Even with our power enhancing your magic, your body will still be pushed to the limit. Our magic is of the earth, Inadu's magic is dark and vengeful-."
"And it's the stronger, better magic of the two."
Bonnie felt a chill go down her spine at the sound of Drusilla's voice.
"She's here." Hope moved instinctively closer to Bonnie.
The air crackled with electricity.
Drusilla walked calmly towards them, making her way through the chaos with a wicked smirk dancing on her lips. She didn't care that her wolves and vampires laid splattered on the ground or that her goblins had been burned to a crisp. Her dark power always brought them back to life and besides, there was only one thing she cared about.
"Inadu," Sheila greeted the witch.
The hollow didn't like that the old witch used her real name but she controlled her anger, letting her cruel eyes settle on Bonnie and Hope for a bit before glancing at the spirits standing behind them. "The mighty Bennett line," she hissed through gritted teeth. "Hiding behind your ancestor's skirts, really Bonnie, I thought you would be a better adversary than that."
"Says the witch who hides behind an army of brainwashed creatures and uses an innocent witch for her evil deeds," Bonnie retorted.
The hollow glared at her. "You really think this is going to be enough to defeat me?" she questioned with an ugly twist of the lips.
"Why don't you cross the barrier and find out," Bonnie challenged as she pushed Hope behind her.
Drusilla's face twisted angrily; the hollow's magic flared dangerously inside her body-making her limbs contort in pain.
They both knew she couldn't step inside consecrated ground. It was something that gave Bonnie confidence and pissed the hollow off.
Bonnie took the time to study her opponent, seeing how sickly she looked. There were angry sores around her face and neck and hands as well. The putrid smell coming from her was awful too. Drusilla's body was decomposing rapidly. She shared a look with her grandmother who nodded. Once Drusilla's body gave out, the hollow's spirit would be released and the Bennett ancestors would destroy her for good. But first, they needed her heart to bind her permanently to Drusilla's body.
"Give me the girl."
"Come and get her." Bonnie straightened her spine and stared into the other witch's eyes unflinchingly. "If you can that is."
Despite the challenge, the hollow did not move at all. She did however, released a wave of dark magic at them but it bounced back by the invisible barrier cocooning Hope and Bonnie.
"You can't, can you?" Bonnie smirked. "Despite your great power, there is a reason you fear us. You know we will end you, Inadu." A Bennett witch had started the hollow's downfall and a Bennett witch would end her for good.
"We shall see about that," the hollow hissed. Her attack had been purposely weak in order to test the strength of the barrier. She had a whole arsenal of attacks waiting to be unleashed. "Since you are determined to do this the hard way, I shall teach you and your ancestors a lesson before getting the girl." Her empty eyes glanced at Hope who peeked from behind Bonnie. "Are you ready?" she confronted Bonnie once more.
"Damn right, I am." Bonnie snapped.
"Very well," the hollow didn't waste any more time and attacked.
Bonnie took an immediate defensive position.
Freya and Vincent were half way towards the cemetery when they were attacked by humanoid creatures that made hissing noises.
They sprung from nowhere and attempted to jump on them.
"What are those things?" Vincent flung them away with a wave of his hand.
"I'm not sure." Freya snapped her fingers and roots sprung from the ground, twisting around the small creature's bony legs.
The screeching noises they made, echoed all around them.
A pack of wolves howled in the distance.
More creatures came at them, using the cover of darkness to surprise them.
Freya and Vincent shouted spells left and right and did their best to avoid getting caught. They could hear the hissing and the quick running of feet behind them. Some of the creatures crawled into the trees, getting up on the branches before trying to jump on the two of them. Many more came at them from each side of the road. There were so many of them that Vincent and Freya suddenly found themselves back to back.
Vincent erected a barrier around the two of them. It gave Freya the opportunity to study their strange attackers. They were short, with big heads, pointy ears, mouths filled with sharp teeth and sunken yellowish eyes. They had long arms and small legs and sharp long nails which they desperately tried to use to cut through Vincent's spells creating sizzling sparks in the process.
One of the devilish creatures ran his finger through the ground causing a ripple that broke through Vincent's spell and sent both witches flying back a good fifty feet.
Vincent groaned when he landed hard on the ground, he practically saw stars after he hit the back of his head. He cursed loudly.
The creatures took the opportunity and swarmed towards him, crawling all over his body. Vincent blasted them off him before he balled his hand into a first, breaking their necks.
Freya screamed as she too found herself knocked to the ground with a bunch of ugly little animals crawling on top of her. Their sharp teeth bit her arms and legs, and even her face. She murmured a spell under her breath which paralyzed them completely and lifted them off her. Their glowing eyes went wide when they realized they could not move and were floating in midair. Freya touched her cheek, tracing the angry red bite marks on her pale skin. She glared at the creatures before burning them. They screamed as their bodies turned to ash.
Vincent helped her to her feet.
"Please tell me they're gone for good?" Freya's magic took care of the angry bite marks on her body, healing them completely.
"I think so."
Freya breathed with relief.
Growling noises and sparks of magic illuminated the sky.
Freya looked up, her spine tingling in warning. "The hollow," she muttered. "She's at the cemetery."
"Come on."
They arrived just in time to see Klaus fighting the rest of his siblings and the hollow attacking Bonnie and Hope.
Klaus smashed Elijah against a tree and bit his neck.
Elijah screamed but managed to punch him off.
Klaus spit the blood and flesh he tore out of his brother's neck and smirked proudly, blood coating his chin.
Elijah touched the wound which was not healing as the werewolf venom attacked his bloodstream.
"Ready to give up?"
Elijah growled, even though he was still standing he had no choice but to lean one hand against a tree as a wave of dizziness invaded him.
Kol and Rebekah laid unconscious on the ground and Finn had disappeared somewhere into the woods. It was only him and Niklaus, how fitting. In the end, it was always the two of them. "This isn't over," he defiantly told his brother. The hollow's dark magic allowed him to buy some time before the venom fully kicked in.
Klaus chuckled. "The wolf venom I pumped into your body will render you useless soon," he proclaimed. "Even if that bitch is helping you now."
"Don't call her that."
"My dear Elijah, you have turned into her puppet."
"Shut up, Nik." Kol who had recovered, attempted to attack Klaus from behind but the hybrid was stronger and faster, tearing into his chest and ripping his heart out.
A desiccated kol dropped to the ground once more.
"Sleeping like a baby," Klaus crushed his brother's heart and threw the left overs right in front of Elijah. This would ensure Kol stayed down longer as it would take some time for his heart to regenerate. "I will have to do the same with you."
"We'll see about that." He looked at a point over Klaus's shoulder.
Klaus sensed a presence behind him and turned around, smirking. He had expected Rebekah but found himself face to face with Drusilla's brother instead. "Daniel." He growled when he saw the shinning gold dagger the witch had in his hand.
"The time has come," Daniel spoke to Elijah who attempted to grab Klaus from behind.
With a wave of his hand, Daniel used his magic and woke Rebekah. "Now!" he shouted at her. Rebekah joined Elijah in holding the hybrid down.
Klaus nearly bit Elijah's arm off and kicked Rebekah in the stomach. "You can't subdue me!" he shouted angrily.
Rebekah tried to grab him again but a blur smashed into her and slammed her into a tree.
Marcel pinned both of her arms above her head. "Rebekah," he whispered against her lips. "You need to snap out of this."
"Marcel," Rebekah smiled sweetly at him.
It took Marcel's breath away and he foolishly loosen his grip on her, she used that to her advantage and slammed her head against his face.
Marcel stumbled back with a broken nose.
Rebekah laughed at the look on his face. She used her speed to move behind him and snapped his neck. He dropped to the ground unconscious.
The moment of distraction Marcel presented, allowed Klaus to break free from Elijah. He pushed his older brother off him, slamming him on the ground.
Daniel tried to intervene but his attack was deflected by Freya who had quickly rushed to her brother's aid after arriving at the cemetery. Vincent jumped into action as well, sending spells left and right against the rest of the hollow's forces. Ansel backed him up by shooting arrows at the creatures that continued to regenerate and attack.
Daniel fell to his knees as Freya twisted her hand and broke the bones in his legs.
He cried out in pain.
The dagger fell to the floor.
Freya sent another attack at him but Daniel deflected it, taking the other witch by surprise with a nasty spell of his own that slashed her shoulder. As the two witches traded spells, Klaus and Elijah continued to kick and punch each other. Klaus had the upper hand and was able to bring his brother to his knees, holding him down by the throat. Just as he was about to snap Elijah's neck, Klaus was attacked by Rebekah.
Klaus easily threw his sister out of the way but she came at him at again.
Klaus knocked her out before turning back to Elijah who remained on his knees, sweating uncontrollably. The werewolf venom had finally taken a toll on him.
There was a sudden explosion of magic (caused by the hollow and Bonnie) that knocked everyone off their feet.
Freya covered her eyes as a blinding white light spread across the cemetery.
Elijah took cover behind a tree.
Vincent and Ansel ended up behind a mausoleum.
Klaus was the first one to stand up, searching desperately for Bonnie and Hope. He wanted to make sure they were okay.
Daniel took advantage of the blast of power the two witches created and sent a quick paralyzing spell at Freya before knocking her out completely. He then proceeded to attack Klaus. The hybrid growled, blood oozing down his nose. Daniel was surprised that he was able to resist his pain inflicting spell. He attacked again as the hybrid came after him. With a flick of his wrist, Daniel was able to push Klaus to his knees.
Klaus growled and used his hybrid strength to push himself up.
Daniel seemed surprised that he managed such feat. He used more of his magic to keep the hybrid down. Despite the crushing force of his spell, Klaus still struggled and nearly stood up once more.
Elijah picked up the dagger and walked towards his brother, grinning maliciously. "See it as poetic justice for all the times you daggered us, brother."
Klaus growled, struggling against the magic pinning him down.
Vincent who saw that Klaus was in trouble tried to help but Daniel blocked his attacks.
Ansel shot an arrow but it was deflected and sent back to him. The wolf screamed as the arrow pierced his shoulder.
Daniel turned to the hybrid and couldn't help but admire his fighting spirit. "It's no use," Daniel told him. "She needs you." I don't want to do this, his eyes seemed to scream but his mind and body were controlled by the hollow's wishes.
"I will kill you," Klaus swore.
Daniel chuckled.
Klaus screamed as Elijah drove the gold dagger into his heart.
Bonnie kept her hands up, stopping and deflecting the hollow's vicious attacks. Hope stood close to her, eyes darting back and forth between the two witches and her father who was fighting Elijah, Kol, and Rebekah.
The magic protecting the resting place of the Bennett witches helped block many of the hollow's attacks but surprisingly plenty of damaging spells and curses flew through. With one hand, Bonnie kept an extra protective barrier around herself and Hope, with the other she deflected and attacked.
Sparks of white, blue, and red light clashed with each other constantly as the two witches traded spells back and forth.
"Hope!" Bonnie called to her, "get her heart now."
Hope had been so captivated by all the fighting around them that she had forgotten they needed to get the hollow's heart. She was startled at the urgency in Bonnie's voice.
"Now!" Bonnie said.
The little girl jumped into action, running towards the designated grave. She sunk to her knees and began to furiously dig into the soil. She stopped abruptly, shaking her head. Use your magic dummy, it will be easier, she mentally kicked herself. She raised her right hand and blasted the soil; digging it up until she came across the silver chest where the hollow's heart laid buried. With another wave of her hand, the chest opened. The magic protecting the heart, recognized Hope's link to the Bennett line and allowed her to take it without problem.
There was an angry howl that had the back of Hope's neck tingling with fear.
The earth shook as the hollow screamed.
Inadu knew what they were up to and was determined to stop them.
"Eww!" Hope muttered as she took the heart out. It was black and hard as a rock.
"You must start the spell," Grams said as she appeared next to Hope.
Hope turned towards Bonnie.
"Do it!"
The hollow screamed, dark angry eyes cutting through Hope like a knife.
Hope swallowed hard and looked away choosing to stare at the heart as she began chanting the spell Sheila had given them.
The hollow's attacks became more vicious.
Bonnie gave as good as she got. She walked backwards until she stood in front of Hope and used her own body as shield as the little girl continued chanting the spell. The spirits of the Bennett witches gathered protectively around them and chanted the spell alongside Hope.
A particularly nasty spell managed to get through and had Bonnie screaming as her hands burned; the flesh practically melted to the bone. It hurt like hell and tears stung her eyes. Damn it. As much as Bonnie hated to admit it, she was surprised at how relentless the hollow was. Bonnie had been counting on Drusilla's body giving up but even as the hollow channeled dark magic through her, Drusilla was still standing.
The hollow sent another fireball directly at Bonnie's face.
With trembling burned hands, Bonnie stopped the fireball inches away from her face. The blazing sphere pushed against her protective spell, determined to hit its target. Bonnie whimpered, the heat made her sweat like crazy, and the excruciating pain on her hands made her want to cry but she held herself together. She had to be strong. She closed her eyes and muttered an incantation under her breath; the earth shook as water sprung upwards, swallowing the fireball whole. A second spell followed quickly, and the water rose high in the air. Bonnie used both hands and aimed the tremendous wave at the hollow. She amplified her attack by sending a fireball of her own right after it. Two attacks in one would buy her the time she needed to complete the spell.
"Now!" Her grandmother's voice echoed through the cemetery.
Bonnie turned around and Hope handed her the heart.
"Your hands!" Hope gasped, seeing the burned skin.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Bonnie cradled the heart in her hands and finished the spell.
At the same time, the hollow who had managed to withstand Bonnie's last attack, sent a massive dark ball of magic at them.
The dark sphere managed to past through the barrier but crashed against the spirits of the Bennett witches that surrounded Bonnie and Hope. The light cut the sphere into tiny black crystals most of which landed on the ground in shreds. A few however, got through.
Bonnie cried out in pain as some of those crystal hit her in the back.
"Bonnie!" Hope screamed fearfully.
"She's too strong!" one of her ancestors said before her spirit vanished.
"We won't be able to stop another attack," another Bennett added before she too disappeared.
Another dark sphere of magic crashed into them.
This one was ten times more powerful than the one before. The hollow wasn't holding back.
Bonnie sank to her knees.
Hope screamed as she too felt the impact of the hollow's dark magic. Her body hurt. She squeezed her eyes shut and clutched Bonnie's hand. What is happening?
The link to the Bennett witches was weakening.
The hollow had another sphere of dark power crashing into them.
"No!" A Bennett ancestor shouted.
"It can't be!" Another one gasped.
One by one the spirits of the Bennett witches began disappearing from the cemetery.
"Bonnie!" Sheila tried to reach Bonnie but she disappeared before she could touch her granddaughter.
With an agonizing breath, Bonnie muttered the final word for the spell.
Light burst through her fingertips as the spell destroyed the hollow's heart completely.
"NO!" The hollow raged.
A pulse of dark magic went straight for Bonnie.
The force of it slammed against the light emanating from Bonnie's fingers.
The collision of the two different kinds of magic knocked everyone out.
The first thing Bonnie became aware of was the pain. Every bone in her body hurt. She groaned and slowly rolled to her side. She was having a difficult time breathing. What the hell? She touched the side of her head; her hair was coated with blood. She took a deep breath and attempted to stand up only to immediately fall on her butt. She blinked a couple of times, trying to find anyone on their side.
Where were the spirits of her ancestors?
Had the spell worked?
Bonnie stared at her burned hands. The last thing she remembered was Hope clutching her hand as the hollow assaulted them with her dark magic. "Hope!" she shouted in a croaked voice upon realizing the little girl was no longer with her. Where was she? Bonnie had finished the spell and the light magic had clashed with the hollow's own dark magic. And then what?
How long had she been out?
Bonnie sat up ad looked at her surroundings.
A thick fog covered the cemetery making everything hard to distinguish.
There was an eerie silence that had knots forming in her stomach. Something had gone terribly wrong; she could feel it in her aching bones. "Hope!" Bonnie screamed at the fog. "Klaus!" She struggled to get on her feet. She felt dizzy and her legs nearly gave out once more but she managed to pull herself to her full height. She felt so weak that it was a struggle to even keep her eyes open.
The hollow's laughter echoed through the darkness.
Bonnie looked up, whimpering at the pain invading her. She felt so sluggish, like she had been drained of every ounce of energy. She glared at the hollow whose eyes were glinting with victory.
Bonnie frowned immediately upon noticing the blush on Drusilla's cheeks. Her pale face no longer looked sickly. In fact, she was glowing, even her hair looked shiny. Alarm bells went off inside Bonnie's head. Why did Drusilla looked so healthy and pretty when just a few minutes before when they were fighting, she looked ready to fall dead? How the hell had the witch re-energized herself?
"You seem surprised, my dear."
Bonnie watched her warily. "What have you done?" Another wave of dizziness invaded her but Bonnie tried her best not to show it. She couldn't let the hollow see how weak she felt.
"You mean apart from breaking the link with your ancestors?" to prove her point, she stepped right through where the barrier was supposed to be.
Bonnie's heart sank. No wonder she felt like she had been run over by a truck, the loss of that power had clearly drained her. Bonnie had used the power of her ancestor to meet the hollow blow for blow and now that the connection was lost, she was paying the price. Frankly, it was a miracle she had been able to stand when her body had been pushed so hard. "The magic protecting the graves…" she looked around the many tombs with her ancestors' names.
"Gone," the hollow responded, a Cheshire grin on her lips.
"No…it can't be…"
"I destroyed it," the hollow boasted. "Just like I destroyed your precious link to them. What you are feeling right now is the after effect of losing that connection." The hollow took another step closer. "I expected you to stay down for much longer to be honest." She tilted her head to the side, bright eyes studying Bonnie carefully. "Had you been any other witch, you would be dead by now."
Bonnie's brow furrowed. Had the hollow just complimented her? What the hell? "…how…" she hated how strained her voice sounded.
The hollow smirked, clearly knowing how weaken Bonnie was.
"How did you do it?"
The hollow giggled. "You and your ancestors clearly underestimated my power," she stated arrogantly. "It's not the first time my enemies think they are ahead of the game." Her eyes turned hard. "I came for the girl and nothing and no one is going to get in the way of that. Where is she?"
Hope, Bonnie thought fearfully. Was she okay? They were still linked. The connection to the Bennett ancestors had been lost but Bonnie had linked herself to Hope before that and the link between them still pulsed with life. Bonnie knew Hope was alive at least but she wasn't sure where she was or with whom. She could use her magic to track her down but she felt so tired, so impossibly weak she knew that if she attempted a spell right now, she would make a fool of herself in front of the hollow.
"Cat got your tongue?" the hollow taunted.
Bonnie glared at her.
"Where is the girl?"
"I don't know." Bonnie honestly felt relieved that the hollow had no idea where Hope was. She just hoped that wherever the little girl ended up, she was safe.
The hollow's eyes narrowed into angry slits.
The following seconds were filled with tension as the two witches regarded each other with suspicion.
"Did you seriously think your light magic would stand a chance against my power?" The hollow threw her head back and laughed. "You thought that by destroying my heart, you would destroy me, seriously?" she continued to laugh. "Your pathetic plan failed terribly."
"No, it didn't!" Bonnie snapped. She felt so angry. She hated that the hollow was making fun of her. "You can't jump into anyone anymore." She felt extremely satisfied when she saw the smile vanish from Drusilla's face.
"Is that so?"
"It wasn't just about destroying your heart. It was about using your own flesh to bind you in place and stop you from jumping into different bodies. That was the purpose of the spell." Now, it was Bonnie's turn to smirk. "Drusilla is the last vessel you will ever have."
There was a flicker of surprise across Drusilla's face, the hollow tried to hide it but Bonnie saw it clearly.
"Bet you weren't expecting that huh?" Bonnie gave her a smug look. "You might have found a way to borrow some time and revitalize her body but sooner or later, it will give up. She will die, and you will be left with nothing."
The blow came so swiftly, Bonnie never saw it coming.
The air was knocked out of her lungs as an excruciating pain invaded her brain.
Bonnie screamed and grabbed her head with both hands, tears spilling down her cheeks without care. Her magic attempted to fight back but it was easily crushed under the hollow's sinister power.
"That was your brilliant plan?" The hollow countered. Her anger rolling off her in waves as she continued to give Bonnie an aneurysm. "Even if this body dies, my spirit will remain free you stupid girl."
Bonnie managed to stand the attack without passing out but she screamed her heart out in the process. The relief she felt when the hollow released her was more than evident. She was sweating and breathing hard as she wiped the tears from her eyes with shaky hands (which were badly burned still). Bonnie lost focus, everything around her was spinning. It was her iron will that kept her on her feet, although she was close to losing all balance completely and fall flat on her face.
"Someone looks ready to give up," the hollow said, feeling satisfied with the damage she had caused.
Bonnie's body trembled but she managed to give one of her meanest glares.
"What else did you plan?" the hollow demanded to know.
"The second part was to use my connection with the dead Bennett witches to kick your ass." But now that her link to her ancestors was severed, she was going to have to do fight the hollow on her own. How? Was the million-dollar question. Her head was throbbing and everything was swaying. She didn't think she had the strength to utter a single spell.
"Even without a body my power is limitless…." The hollow took another step closer, eyes glinting. "But it will be years, centuries even before this body fades, since now I have a one-thousand-year old hybrid at my disposal..." she left the rest hang in the air.
"WHAT!" Bonnie felt the blow in her heart.
"While you were knocked out, I linked myself to your lover," the hollow explained in a cheerful voice. "He is the reason this body is back to being strong and beautiful."
"You-" the anger Bonnie felt had a spark of magic surging from her very core. A tingling warmth began spreading over her body chasing away the cold in her bones.
"He put up a good fight but I made a special weapon to put him down," the hollow informed her. "His strength, his immortality is feeding this body and will continue to do so for years to come. Until my new and perfect vessel is ready for the taking of course."
Bonnie's hands balled into fists.
"I have been after that girl for years. I didn't just come with an army at my disposal. I came with plans A through Z," the hollow remarked proudly. "I thought of every possible outcome, I saw every single angle of this fight in my mind. I anticipated every thought, every move you and your group would make. Unlike you, I don't need to rely on others in order to succeed. Even if I hadn't been able to get Klaus and revitalize this body, I had other plans in mind and every single one culminated with my victory." She looked at Bonnie from head to toe, a sneer on her lips. "I have broken every single rule imaginable. I have gone to lengths no other witch has been able to endure. I have achieved things you cannot possibly begin to phantom. My power is limitless. My will is the source of my strength and if you honestly thought I would fall by your pathetic line then you are even more foolish than I first imagined."
The temperature dropped and the air sizzled with the dangerous power the hollow emanated. "I learned my lesson after Pauline locked me in the prison world. I made it my mission to kill those who share your blood. I made sure to harvest enough dark power that not even all of your dead ancestors could countered it and I succeeded. There is nothing you can do to stop me now! Your light magic is useless."
Bonnie's first instinct was to step back but she forced herself not to move. She couldn't give the hollow the satisfaction of cowering in fear.
"Look at you," the hollow hissed. "Without your ancestors' power you can barely stand. Without their spirits protecting you and enhancing your magic, you are nothing." She flicked her wrist.
Bonnie screamed, pain exploding in every inch of her body. It felt like a thousand knives were stabbing her at once. Deep cuts formed on her face, arms, and legs; a river of blood poured out of the wounds and soaked her clothes.
In the next moment, she was on her knees, screaming at the top of her lungs as the bones in her legs were brutally crushed. She cried pitifully at the torture the hollow inflicted on her. Come on, she pleaded with her magic in a desperate attempt to end the attack. Fight back. She tried. She really did try to summon the power inside her but every attempt was easily rebuked. Grams, witches of the Bennett bloodline…Bonnie thought hopelessly. Help me, please.
There was no response.
She was alone.
"They can't come and save you now," the hollow read her thoughts easily. "You managed to hold your own with them helping you but without their power and strength, you are nothing."
Bonnie choked back her sobs.
"So weak and pathetic." The hollow closed her hand into a tight fist. "Don't worry, I shall be merciful and give you a quick death."
Bonnie gasped, pitiful whimpers making their way past her lips when invisible fingers squeezed her heart. She saw flashes of light behind her eyelids. The pain numbed her from the chest down.
"You should have known my dear, there is only one way this story will end and it's with your death."
Bonnie struggled and stared at the black sky. Is this how it really ends? Her vision clouded and she felt herself falling into an abyss. It reminded her of when she fell into a coma. When she channeled so much power and her body couldn't handle it.
She stopped struggling. She was in so much pain, she couldn't feel anything anymore.
The hollow smiled triumphantly.
Bonnie thought of Klaus and Hope.
She remembered that first kiss that sparked life into her dormant body.
She remembered the sanctuary, the cliffs, the colorful leaves, a crown of flowers in her head, a dance, another kiss.
How beautiful it all had been.
Klaus
Hope
Love
I have to keep Hope safe. I have to help Klaus, Bonnie thought as she began to fade. This can't be the end.
She didn't want to end in that endless darkness again.
I don't want to die.
I want to live.
I want to fight.
I want to win.
Bonnie screamed.
It was a scream from her heart, from her very soul. The love she felt for Klaus and Hope, the need to protect them and the people helping them was so intense, it ignited the spark of power long thought gone.
In the brink of death, the will to survive, to fight back, and destroy the hollow awakened the magic that for years had laid dormant within her body. She didn't think she had command over that power until that fateful moment when Inadu squeezed her heart and tried to kill her. In that moment, Bonnie chose to live, to fight, no matter the cost.
Bonnie felt the spark. It was the answer she needed.
She closed her eyes and embraced it fully.
Bonnie suddenly unleashed a blast of power so strong that it cut through the fog and pushed the hollow to her knees.
The hollow gasped, shocked by the sudden turn of events. She stood up on shaky legs, her nose bleeding as her magic healed the internal wounds the blast left. She couldn't mask the surprise she felt. Where the hell had that sudden burst of magic come from? It was different from the magic Bonnie had used before.
Bonnie Bennett should be dead but somehow, she had managed to break her killing spell. "How?" she uttered out loud.
Bonnie's hair was flying all over her face as she rose to her feet like a phoenix would from the ashes. The burn marks on her hands which she had receive earlier, healed quickly. The cuts all over her body healed as well; as her body was suddenly washed with warmth and strength. Long gone was the exhaustion, the dizziness, the weakness. When Bonnie opened her eyes, she stared at the hollow with pure hatred. It was an emotion that fueled the torrent of power within her.
The hollow felt the change.
A single bolt of lightning illuminated the sky.
The cemetery came alive with currents of fiery magic.
"You were right Inadu," Bonnie said in a clear, composed voice. "The magic of the earth, the magic of my ancestors is good, light magic as witches call it. It's the magic of nature, of everything that is good and balanced and I was a fool for thinking it would be enough to defeat you."
The hollow watched her warily.
"In order to end you, I have no choice but to touch on the darkest, most dangerous part of myself." Bonnie took a determined step forward. "I thought I lost it when I fell into a coma but I was wrong. It's still within me, and thanks to your attacks, I was able to reconnect with it." She smiled, a twisted curl of the lips that would send chills down anyone's back.
The hollow straightened her posture and glared at her. "You are no match for me." The words lacked conviction thought. She had seen the change. She had felt the shift inside Bonnie. The Bonnie she had attacked before had cried pathetically, this Bonnie that broke her killing spell and rose like a queen had a new confidence and an aura that was troubling- not that the hollow would ever admit it out loud. "You couldn't defeat me with your ancestors help, what makes you think that you will now?"
"The magic I possess now, is as equally dark and powerful as yours, more so I would say."
"Liar."
Bonnie smiled. She looked so confident, so determined to win that it sent the hollow into a fury.
Inadu sent another pain inflicting spell but it bounced back with surprise easiness. She frowned.
"My turn." Bonnie extended her arms and unleashed all the violent power of expression upon the hollow.