Chapter eleven

Change the fate's design

Klaus smirked, not taking his eyes off Yuichi.

"Katherine. Damn, I should have killed her a long time ago."

"Uh-huh," Yuichi curtly nodded. "They say regret always comes too late."

He took another look at the corpses, frowning. Klaus followed his gaze and chuckled.

"Sensitive much?"

The warlock nodded.

"No kidding. I still haven't seen Saw."

Annoyed now, Klaus stepped closer to the fire. Yuichi was staring at the floor and muttering the spells under his breath. The dancing flames reflected in the warlock's half-lidded eyes. Klaus felt something unusual about this man's behavior. He never doubted his senses but what exactly was wrong? The smell of the warlock's blood wasn't something special. And he didn't give the impression of a strong opponent. Klaus stared at Yuichi's face and suddenly the realization hit him.

This warlock wasn't scared of him. No fear whatsoever. No adrenaline rush. His feelings, his emotions were hard to read. Was he stupid? Was he prepared to die? But why? For Katherine?

"Are you her new pet boy?" Klaus asked mildly. "Katherine, I mean."

"No," Yuichi answered absently.

Klaus pointed at the wall of flame that surrounded him.

"You don't seriously think the fire could hurt me?"

"No, no..." he lifted his head and said slowly, "May I ask why you decided to destroy the whole town?"

The vampire shrugged nonchalantly.

"I was bored."

Yuichi wasn't impressed.

"Ain't it typical. There are better ways to get unbored. Try sex. Or knitting."

"Oh..." Klaus scowled. "Another witty hero."

"Being the Original wasn't good enough?" the warlock asked suddenly.

Klaus pursed his lips.

"I don't think you'd understand."

Yuichi's face was dead serious.

"Oh, but I understand. You have no idea how well I understand it."

Klaus measured him with his eyes.

"You know it's not too late to stop. You are an interesting man, I can tell. Why don't you..."

"Sorry, but if you're asking me to join your Evil League of Evil you can stop right now. Just tell me, are there more like you?"

"You mean, hybrids?"

"I mean, homicidal voldemort-like vampires."

Klaus smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I'm gonna kill you," he promised.

Yuichi whispered something and the sound of small bells ringing filled the room.

"This fire won't hold me back forever," Klaus warned him.

"I don't need forever," Yuichi said, and for some reason his voice sounded sad. "But stop interrupting. You wanna mess with me killing you?"

He looked Klaus directly into his eyes as the walls of the theatre shook violently.

I summon in the name of my father.

I summon in the name of my mother.

I summon in the name of my birthplace.

The fire that was holding Klaus captured roared. But the vampire was staring at Yuichi and paid no attention to it. The warlock's face was changing: his features sharpened, veins were pulsating under his skin and some strange inky-black symbols were appearing on his cheeks. Klaus furrowed his brow.

"Who the hell are you?" he asked, watching the transformation in awe.

"Some people don't only write legends but read them," Yuichi said, his voice harsh now. "Though someone once told me, some writers are never the readers. Well, shame on you, Dracula. Katherine was far better at doing research..."

Stefan and Raymond were standing across from each other, their poses mirrored, their gazes connected. Of all Klaus's men Stefan hated Raymond the least. And still he hated him terribly. Raymond was the best example of the bad vampire. Stefan had to admit Damon looked like a baby compared to this supporter of Klaus. Even Stefan in his darkest hours couldn't reach the depths Raymond was always willing to go to. Naturally, Klaus adored Raymond.

"Why are you doing it, Stefan?"

Stefan promised himself not to be provoked. Raymond was older and stronger. He was vicious. And he divided the people around him into two groups: his victims and his soon-to-be-victims. Stefan wanted this vampire to be as far away from his friends as possible.

"That's the question I need to ask," he said, trying to sound calm.

"And what did you expect?"

"Klaus told me I could go home if I wanted to."

Raymond shook his head as if he doubted his hearing.

"Has it ever occurred to you that he was just testing your loyalty? And that you had failed the test?"

Stefan answered nothing.

"You belong with us," Raymond said severely.

"That's not true..."

"Why are you fighting your nature? Do you love your cheating girlfriend that much?"

"Don't say a word about her," Stefan growled before he could stop himself.

Raymond realized he had hit the nerve and smiled.

"Just saying the truth."

"You know nothing."

"Really?" he took a step towards Stefan. "Look, we had fun hunting humans, you and me. Remember Reykjavik? You were even better than Klaus. Oh, but don't tell him I said that. You never hesitated, you loved to play. But even then you didn't want to have anything with women. It didn't really amuse me but then I saw the reason behind that. So tell me, was the girl who fucked your brother worth it?"

"You are mad."

Stefan's head was burning like it was on fire. Raymond chuckled.

"You don't know. They haven't told you. Oh, fuck, you are so blind."

"You think you know something I don't?" Stefan asked casually. He was trying desperately to find a way to change the topic. Not Elena. Not Damon. Because Stefan would become a monster again to protect people he loved.

"Hey, Jeremy is my buddy!" Raymond laughed. "We talk, you know. He told me he once walked in on them kissing. Well, you can bet that kissing wasn't the only thing they did... I mean, when a girl feels lonely and sad fucking her boyfriend's brother is excusable. Women are weak. And I know you and your brother are not the best friends... Stefan, you know what I like about you? You are so understanding..."

Stefan's hands were shaking now, he was desperately fighting the urge to attack Raymond. All his instincts were boiling in him, crushing him, bringing the nature he never wanted to accept as his to the surface.

'No, I'm not a monster, I'm not a monster, I'm not...'

"Come on!" Raymond's eyes were blazing maniacally. "You saw this coming. Damon doesn't give a fuck about you. And that girl " what's her name? Oh, Stefan, she's not a slut. She was just lonely. Sad. Someone needed to be there to comfort her... Don't give me that look. I suppose, the brothers must share. You guys can take turns."

It was like something had suddenly shut Stefan's mind down. He didn't know when he zoomed in on Raymond. He was blinded by the desire to kill him or do anything to make him stop talking.

"Liar," Stefan choked out. He came to his senses and found himself lying flat on his back, practically pinned to the floor. Raymond's fingers were on his throat.

"You know it's true."

"I'll kill you!.."

"Look at you, all weak."

Stefan couldn't argue with that. He was so sure he had sealed this part of himself. The part that was yearning for murder.

"Stefan, it's not too late. Come back with me. Stop fighting what you are."

"Ne... ver..."

"Then Klaus will kill you!" Raymond shouted. "Look, that Bennett witch has already signed her death warrant. She is as good as dead. And if you don't go with me now you are dead as well."

Stefan was gasping and his face was turning back to normal.

"I'd rather die," he said with no hesitation.

Raymond looked at him, disgusted. Then he smirked and leaned closer.

"Ah... You know, they would be fine without you. Especially your brother."

And once again Stefan knew Raymond's words were probably true. He was surprised though that the thought hurt so much. Raymond's grip on his neck loosened and the next moment the walls of the building shook. The older vampire straightened up in one swift motion.

"What the..."

It was the sound of the mirror shattering. Bonnie and Lucy stared in pure disbelief at Elsa who was equally shocked.

"That was the spell?" Lucy asked, raising her voice. She looked extremely disappointed. "What exactly was it supposed to do?"

"Or maybe your only ability is stealing someone's powers, you desperate psychotic bitch?" Bonnie spat vengefully, taking a step forward.

Elsa was silent. Actually, she was a bit worried now. Someone had destroyed her illusion before she had really started. Both Bennett witches had bewildered expression on their faces, so it wasn't them.

But who did it then?

"Let's do it the old way," Lucy offered and sent Elsa slamming into the wall.

"Sure," Elsa raised her hand but an invisible force pinned her to the wall, immobilizing her.

"A smart girl wouldn't mess with two very pissed Salem's descendants," Lucy said wisely.

"Where's Jeremy?" Bonnie asked angrily. She was about to go all Damon on Elsa and snap her neck. Pity this bitch was still human.

"He's with me now," Elsa smiled. "Don't be a bitter ex-girlfriend."

Bonnie frowned but she was distracted by the sudden shake that hit the floor.

"What was that, Bonnie?" Elsa asked curiously.

"It's not me..." Bonnie answered mechanically.

The walls were trembling and she could feel the energy pulsating somewhere close.

"Oh my God..." Lucy whispered. "It's him."

Bonnie furiously glared at Elsa and demanded, "Where's Jeremy?"

"Who knows..."

The Bennett witch pressed her harder against the wall without even raising her hands.

"Where is he?"

"Bonnie," Lucy said anxiously. "We have to go... We have to help him!"

"Elsa, I will kill you..." Bonnie said through gritted teeth.

"Then do it," Elsa smiled.

Bonnie felt angry tears come to her eyes and she turned around.

"Let's go, Lucy!"

They were off. Bonnie ran, silently cursing under her breath. Elsa would escape for sure but killing Klaus was the top priority now.

'Be there in time,' Yuichi's words were ringing in her head.

"See, I told you."

Klaus was free now; he stood across from Yuichi with his head slightly tilted to one side.

"What did you really want to do?"

Yuichi was silent. He looked around absently, noticed that old velvet stage curtains caught fire and right now were burning. Then he turned to Klaus who apparently was too bored to wait for his answer.

"I hope you won't miss Katherine much. Anyway she will join you soon enough. Now, the party is over."

Yuichi knew what was coming next and still it was unexpected. He didn't see the vampire move, he felt the pain first. That pain brought him back to reality, brought his fear of death back. Lowering his gaze Yuichi saw that he got stabbed in his abdomen. Stabbed with Klaus's bare hand.

The warlock gasped, his vision went blurry.

"Kuso..." he choked out. "Gomenasai, chichiue..."

Klaus smiled.

"Sorry. I never bothered to learn Japanese."

Bonnie burst the door open and looked across the room. On the stage there was Klaus with Yuichi practically in his arms. Like in slow motion Bonnie raised her hands, the same moment when Klaus snapped the warlock's neck and let his body hit the floor.

"NO!"

Bonnie's head whipped around and she saw her cousin's shock-stricken face.

"Why, hello, Bonnie," Klaus waved at her. "And good bye."

The cry of raging anger escaped Bonnie's lips and she rushed forward, sending the energetic wave before her, without even realizing it. The hate, the shock and the fury consumed her. Witches were indeed the children of nature. And right now Bonnie was the hurricane, the flood, the fire. She was a disaster no one could stand against.

The sound that broke through her blinding anger was the cracking of the ledger boards. She stopped dead and looked up at the ceiling. And now she realized that the fire was everywhere; the flames were licking the walls, the old velvet curtains and the chairs were burning. Bonnie turned her gaze to the stage, but Klaus wasn't there anymore. She could only see the dead bodies. Yuichi was one of them. He was lying there like a broken doll.

Bonnie let out a whimper and turned around just in time to catch her cousin in her arms.

"We have to get out of here!"

"No, no!"

"Lucy, it's over!" Bonnie shouted as the tears were streaming down her cheeks. "There's fire, we have to go!"

Lusy was struggling furiously and it took all Bonnie's strength to drag her away.

When they came out into the corridor they saw Stefan running towards them.

"Bonnie! What was that? Where's..."

He stopped when he saw their faces. Bonnie closed her eyes tightly, Lucy was shuddering with heavy sobs. And behind them the auditorium was burning fiercely.

When Stefan came into the house Elena was the first person he saw. Her worried look faded as she rushed over to him.

"Stefan! Thank God! Where have you been?"

He let her hug him. When he lifted his gaze he saw Damon over Elena's shoulder.

"I've been looking for you everywhere!" he snapped, his eyes blazing. "Why didn't you pick up the phone?"

Stefan didn't answer. Elena moved over to look at him but she was still clutching his arms.

"Stefan... What happened?"

"What's with your face?" Damon asked, annoyed. "Did someone die?"

After a long pause Stefan just nodded. His older brother froze.

'That couldn't be...'

It was like a storm of emotions and thoughts rushed through him in one second. Damon wasn't able to speak, he felt paralyzed. He was afraid of what Stefan may say next.

"Yuichi is dead," Stefan said in a whisper.

Elena covered her mouth with her hand but Damon didn't move. The wave of relief that swept over him was almost painful. And it took him several moments for realization to sink in. Yuichi was dead.

"What about Bonnie?" Elena asked in a mournful tone. "And Lucy?"

"They are at Bonnie's. Klaus escaped. And we didn't even get a chance to see Jeremy."

"So Klaus is still alive," Damon said thoughtfully.

"Yes."

"I need to go to Bonnie," Elena said, trembling.

"I think you should give Bonnie and Lucy some time alone," Stefan said tiredly.

"I can't just leave her! Stefan, she's my best friend!"

"And you need to do what would be the best for her."

Elena looked at him in disbelief.

"You mean, I don't?"

He didn't return her gaze.

"Bonnie wanted to be alone with Lucy... Lucy is in shock. But I can't stop you, Elena. "

"Why are you talking to me like that?" Elena demanded but Stefan muttered "I need blood" and walked out of the room.

"Stefan is acting strange," Elena whispered, turning to Damon who was lost in his thoughts.

He jerked his head up.

"I'm sorry, do I look like I care?"

The door slammed shut behind them. Bonnie glanced at her cousin's stiff back and made an attempt to take her hand but Lucy flinched away from her.

"No, don't touch me!.."

Bonnie stopped dead. Lucy was always so poised, ironic, so sure of herself. And now she was devastated.

"Oh my God..." Lucy whispered, trembling. "Oh my God..."

"I'm... I'm so sorry..." Bonnie stuttered.

It seemed Lucy didn't even hear her.

"I have to call his father..." she was muttering. "How am I going to tell him? He was his only son. I've known him since I was six! What am I gonna do now?.."

She covered her face with her hands and slid down the wall, shaking with sobs.

Bonnie was trembling too as she neared Lucy and put her hand on Lucy's shoulder.

"I'm sorry..." she whispered.

Lucy leaned back against the wall.

"He always hated fighting..." she said in a hollow voice. "He once told me he was learning magic 'cause it was like art. He never wanted to kill anyone. Bonnie, he was my best friend! What am I gonna do?"

Bonnie took her in her arms and Lucy cried until she had no more tears to shed.

Klaus watched Elsa angrily and she did her best not to show her fear.

"I almost got killed," Klaus growled. "Who the hell was that warlock?"

"I don't know, I swear!" she said hurriedly. "He seemed a mere telekinetic to me!"

"Well, he bloody wasn't!" the vampire roared. "Your ignorance is inexcusable!"

Elsa knew it wasn't the best time to defend herself. When Klaus was angry no one could argue with him.

"I'm sorry!" she said. "I will never fail you again!"

"You better, or I'll make you suffer. And speaking of suffering... Bring me Jeremy. I guess it's the right time for some magic..."

She blinked but couldn't stop herself in time.

"He's weak now. The spell can break him."

"So?" he gave her a hard look. "Are you worried about the boy?"

Elsa didn't move and Klaus whispered acidly, "I think you got a little intoxicated with the power that's not yours."

"I'll bring him," she said, leaving the hotel room.

Klaus was alone now. He thought of Bonnie and the desire to find the bitch and snap her neck was literally crushing him. He despised her. He despised her willingness to die for others. Elena was ready to die when it was her time but it wasn't the same. She was like a queen protecting her people. And Bonnie was just a servant on behalf of her queen.

But not today. Today she wasn't a servant or a tool in Salvatore brothers' hands. She was fierce like a goddess. The glimpse at her was enough for him to understand, Bonnie was ready to be cruel, to be above everyone, to strike first. She wasn't denying the murderous intent within her heart.

She was dangerous. And she will come for him.

Bonnie found her father's sleeping pills and put two in her cousin's tea. Lucy was in her bed now, she sat there with her eyes wide-open. Bonnie came into the room holding the cup in her hands.

"Caroline called," she said quietly. "Her mom is the sheriff. The firefighters had put out the fire."

"What about his body?" Lucy asked harshly.

Bonnie looked away.

"Yeah, they took him to the morgue. I mean, not only his, there were a lot of dead people there..."

Lucy sobbed and Bonnie came closer to her.

"Hey, drink this..." she said, putting the cup to her cousin's lips. "Come on."

Lucy took the cup into her hands and suddenly smirked.

"I guess that's what you get for being in the middle, huh?"

"I'm sorry," Bonnie whispered again. "I didn't think it would go that way..."

"I know..."

"Lucy, I can't ask you to stay here anymore."

"I'll go home. After Klaus is dead."

Bonnie's face saddened.

"I understand you want revenge..."

She didn't finish her sentence 'cause Lucy slowly raised her head and looked at Bonnie incredulously.

"Revenge? You think it's about revenge? You think that fucker's worthless life is equal to the life of my best friend?"

"No, I didn't mean... Oh, I know what you feel but..."

"Bonnie," Lucy whispered. "I know I'm not as good as you. But I also know he must be stopped."

"You are as good as me," Bonnie said. "Maybe, even better. I was reckless. Drink this, okay?"

"Okay."

Without another look at her cousin Bonnie walked out of the room and went to the bathroom. She stared into the mirror there, her own reflection was almost unfamiliar. Her green eyes were different, they were burning frantically and seemed incredibly huge on her face.

"His soul is damaged," she said to her reflection. "It can't be reversed. If Yuichi had succeeded..."

She closed her eyes, letting out a sigh. She didn't want to cry again but her heart was heavy.

'But what if he hadn't succeeded?'

"It doesn't matter," she whispered.

Bonnie flinched and opened her eyes. She quickly turned on the tap and started washing her face with cold water. When she exited the bathroom she saw Lucy sleeping. Watching her cousin's tired face Bonnie picked her jacket up from the chair and put it on.

When she walked out of the house and closed the door behind her she saw the street was completely empty. Caroline told people were leaving the town. Perhaps, her neighbors had fled as well. And who could blame them. The life here was now a scary parody of Night of the Living Dead, The Mist and Queen of the Damned.

"Okay," she whispered to herself and heard at the same moment.

"So predictable."

Bonnie frowned. Then she pursed her lips and turned around. Damon was before her eyes; he stood leaning against the wall of her house. Bonnie thought suddenly that his eyes were almost unnaturally blue.

"Why are you here?" she asked.

Damon took a step away from the wall and shrugged.

"I was waiting for you..."

"Why?"

"Why indeed?" Damon didn't walk towards her. "I won't let you do something so stupid."

Bonnie spoke and her own voice sounded foreign to her, "So you won't let me..."

She wanted to laugh but all she did was look at him. Vampires. Some cruel intoxicated with invincibility creatures, acting all cool just because they had some switch to turn their emotions off. They hurt people, they killed people and they laughed doing it. And he was one of them. He bit her to punish for something her ancestor did; he was the reason her Grams was dead, he wanted her dead, he...

God, it would be so much better if Damon didn't care about her at all. It would be so much easier. But she knew he cared. He just didn't care enough. Enough to go after her when she was in danger. No, he preferred to stay with Elena who was safe.

Damon sighed and spoke in a soft voice, "Look. What happened there was terrible..."

"How do you know?" she cut him off. "You weren't there."

"Because I didn't know where to go!" he snapped, annoyed. "You didn't wait for me, I was circling around town trying to find you!"

"Poor you."

Damon frowned, looking at her. He never gave too much credit to analyzing. He was a man of action, not thinking. But now as he looked at her he saw it clearly: she was rejecting him. It was more intense than ever before. And Damon knew, if he couldn't find the right words now, if he couldn't reach her she would walk away from him. And that thought suddenly felt unbearable.

He stormed towards her.

"Stop it," he spat out.

Bonnie's face was unreadable.

"It's okay. You are alive. Elena is alive. And he was just a warlock."

Damon's eyes flashed.

"Don't put words in my mouth."

"Stay away from me..." she warned him and breathed in sharply as if she was suffocating. "You know I hate Klaus. But he's an enemy. You are worse. And I hate him... But not as much as I hate you. Not nearly as much!"

Damon was furious. She was judging him again!

"Why is everything my fault?" he yelled. "You are being irrational!"

She raised her hand, fed up with their conversation.

"You give me a reason to attack you. And I swear I will."

He smirked sarcastically.

"So you want to hurt me now."

"I want you out of my way," she said. "I want you out of my life. Forever!"

Damon's face darkened dangerously.

"Not gonna happen," he said, his voice low.

With all her might Bonnie sent him slamming into the wall. Damon crumpled to the ground and she caught her breath. She really did hurt him.

"My, my," Damon whispered, rising to her feet. There was something new in his eyes. Like he could see right through her. "You've been hurt terribly this time."

TBC

A/N: Guys, you are my greatest inspiration. And sorry, I went all Joanne Rowling on you. I was really surprised you liked Yuichi and I respect and like you even more for caring about supportive non-canonical characters. But I've been planning his death from the beginning, so, sorry.

Bamon fight is coming next. (Yeah, Bonnie is a bit unfair here but the grief is a terrible thing.)

mrs mathis and Yson, there will be, probably, 8 more chapters or less. Hope, you'll like the ending.

Thank you, the most wonderful readers!