A Mikael strolled through the front yard, his knees trembled. He watched from afar, through the open door, as Klaus carved a dagger into his daughter's chest. Mikael felt his own chest getting heavier. Mikael's eyes shined tearfully as they pushed Klaus back.

Oh, my sweet boy, the thought lingered in his mind as he approached the house, what kind of monster have I made you into?

Mikael took a sharp breath as he reached the steps of the balcony. Just one moment, he repeated numbly. My boy is fast—he's stronger now, he told himself, though fear blinded his vision. Just hold down the beast for a moment…

"Is this all you have?" Mikael heard Klaus yell as he reached the door.

Just one moment of hesitation. Mikael prayed quietly to his Gods, as his mind racing to the terrible insults he would shove down his son's throat. Just this last time. He told the hybrids to back down, feeling himself losing control. Klaus turned to face him. Gods, please let this be over. Let him win…. the thought lingered longer. But soon an alien rage took over his mind.

"Hello, Mikael." Klaus spitted his father's name. He glanced over his shoulder. "I see you have compelled my hybrids." he gazed wrathful at Mikael. "Well, no matter." he raised his chin. "The sire bond is stronger than your compulsion, father." he declared, "They'll soon be back to normal and then I'll tell them to tear you apart." he smiled scornfully, but uncertainty plagued his voice. "I'd invite you in, but I have to get my house in order first." Klaus jested, trying to control his trembling lips.

"I did not compel them, boy." Mikael said, a maniacal smile on his lips. "You simply overestimated your bond, while underestimating the consequences of your cruelty…"

"Cruelty!" Klaus hissed. "You're one to talk, aren't you father?" he spitted the words, feeling his cheeks burning. "I don't need them." Klaus blurted out, tears shining in his eyes. "I just need to get rid of you!"

"To what end, Niklaus?" Mikael asked, exasperated. "So you can live forever, with no one by your side?" his voice shook with anger. "Not even your dear sister cares about you now. No one does!" he paused as he glanced at his son's tearful face. "No one." he could see his words cutting through Klaus' heart. "You are alone now, boy." he sighed. "Always and forever…"

"All my life, you've underestimated me, father." Klaus blurted out, trying to hold back his tears, though failing miserably. "No more." he raised his chin. "I'm no longer the weakling you always thought me to be." he controlled a sob that threatened to cut his breath. "I'm no longer the beaten dog who kept begging for scraps of your affection!" he stepped forward. "I'm a hybrid now, father." a vicious smile shaped his lips. "And once I'm done with them," he glanced over his shoulder. "I'll enjoy watching you being ripped apart, limb from limb."

Mikael scoffed. "I should have known you wouldn't stop hiding behind your playthings." He said scornfully, as he stepped back. "Always with the scheming and always a little coward." Bitterness drowned his voice. "Always my greatest shame… Your impulsive behavior always keeping you from being truly great…" he chuckled bitterly, studying his son's face.

"Well, father," Klaus blurted out, his voice breaking as his mind raced to an escape route, should he need it. "Perhaps you will not think me so impulsive when I'm slowly gutting you over and over…"

Mikael scoffed. "For Gods' sake, Niklaus." He blurted out, exasperated. "For once in your life, be the man I raised to be. Have dignity." He said under his breath, his eyes suddenly filled with dread. "Come out and face me, boy." He commanded, tilting his head back. "Or your puppies will drag you out."

Mikael pulled the White Oak stake from his coat. Klaus nervously glanced back again as some hybrids stepped forward. He felt his voice dying when he turned to face his father. Shivers ran down his spine as he opened his mouth, a half thought reply burning his tongue.

A high-pitched sound cut through the air. All the hybrids and vampires covered their ears. The sound filled their heads with pain.

In the confusion, Mikael partly regained control of his mind. A voice screamed from within him. He purposefully dropped the Stake to the ground. And begged all his Gods to aid his son.

Just as silence fell over them, Mikael felt a familiar set of eyes upon him. He glanced to his right and stumbled backwards. A smile shaped his mouth.

"Hunter…" His words barely left his lips. He thought his son smiled back at him.

As soon as his eyes found the stake, Klaus grabbed it. His father's cruel words burned his mind as Klaus jumped over Mikael. They both fell to the ground. The hybrids ran out, surrounding the two Originals as they fought. Though, none had the courage to step forward and help the Destroyer kill their maker.

Klaus had the White Oak Stake pressed against Mikael's chest. Klaus had carved part of it into his father's body when he jumped over Mikael. But now, as Klaus desperately tried to push the Stake into Mikael's heart, his father held the stake back.

With one hand carve into Klaus' shoulder and the other wrapped around the stake, Mikael watched as his son struggled to keep him down. Mikael took a deep breath as he forced his rage away from his heart. The sight of Hunter, even if just for a moment—even if the stubborn boy wasn't even there—, was enough to give Mikael hope.

A gasp left Klaus' lips as his father let go of the White Oak Stake. It ran through Mikael's heart. The Destroyer held back a scream as pain dissolved his senses.

As his father's skin turned gray, Klaus felt Mikael's grip around his shoulder softened. To his great surprise, Klaus felt Mikael gently touch his face. His entire body tensed at his father's touch. Flames took over Mikael's chest. Just before they consumed his body, Klaus gazed at Mikael's face. A tender smile played on Mikael's lips as his hand fell from his son's cheek.

Klaus only got up once he felt his own hands burning. By then, Mikael's body was covered in flames. Klaus felt a lump in his throat as a strange hollowness took over his chest. He begged the air to return to his lungs, but it refused. His knees were still shaking as he uncertainly stepped away from the body. He is dead, he thought, with more pain than ecstasy, the beast is dead…

Klaus did not realize he was close to sobbing until one of the more brave (and drunk) hybrids hit him with a piece of wood. Klaus grabbed the hybrid by his neck and ripped him to shreds. The others soon ran for their lives.

No matter, Klaus thought as he ran after them, I'll find them. Memories of his father flooded his mind.

"I'll kill every last one of them…" he screamed at the top of his lungs as his hand ripped apart another one of his creations. And then I'll make more and, and… his thoughts halted. After this, nothing matters. He raised his eyes to the sky as he crushed a heart in his hand. I'll have everything…

Klaus strolled into the night. His vision blinded by rage and his senses numb with sorrow.