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Chapter 4: The Woods/
Hope spoke to her mom on the cell phone the day after Josie came clean about the fire and the lies. Hayley was relieved to hear from Hope and to have peace of mind that the fire was not a malicious attempt on her daughter's life. Hope told her mom about how she wanted to try and make an effort to be Lizzie's friend after everything was revealed. Hope also talked to her mom about keeping the secret about Landon's mom and what she should do. Hayley suggested for Hope to come clean to Landon especially since he died and came back to life. Hope told her mom that she would after the pageant.
"Doctor Saltzman has been a bit overwhelmed and asked me to come to give a helping hand," Roman informs Hope before looking over to see Landon standing not too far off
Hope notices Roman's glance and starts to introduce Landon before being cut off by Landon "Oh this is a Landon " Hope starts
"Her boyfriend," Landon says before walking over to meet Roman
"And a phoenix which by the way is so cool," Landon says as he stands next to Hope
"I better find Dr. Saltzman" Roman replies leaving the couple
Hope turns to face Landon once Roman leaves the room.
"That was a little alpha male of you?" Hope questions Landon's possessiveness
"Is that the 90-year-old vampire ex you mentioned that almost killed your mom?" Landon counters
"It is, though I don't hold him responsible for what happened anymore" Hope answers
"I'm going to hide more rats," Landon says leaving the room, and Hope
Hope hated that she nearly lost Landon but also didn't like the fact that Landon was digging into her history where she nearly lost her mom. Hope also didn't like that Roman was here at the school because him being here at the school meant she had to be reminded of the fact that her mom and she almost didn't make it out alive that day. Hope went to find Lizzie since she knew Lizzie would be able to give her a list of things to do to distract her from the secret she was keeping from Landon and a way to avoid Roman.
/
"I thought you had something important to tell us," Hope says not caring for the fact that Lizzie was dropping out of a pageant
"Come for the underwhelming announcement stay for the epic meltdown," Penelope comments excited to hear why Lizzie was dropping out
"Okay wait why are you quitting?" Josie asks confused as to why Lizzie would give up something she has dreamt about for years
"A personal issue with one of the judges. A direct result of that bitch Dana's sabotage," Lizzie explains with a huff of annoyance
"Lizzie, she's dead," Hope exclaims slightly amused that Lizzie still called the girl a bitch
"Correction that dead bitch Dana's sabotage costing me the crown from beyond the grave. The head judge is her mother the town pharmacist. There is always next year for me, but that does not mean that we here at the Salvator school shouldn't bring home the title and stick it to those townies. So, I have looked at all the stats and advance metrics and I have chosen a replacement Hope Mikaelson." Lizzie says with a smile looking directly at Hope
While Hope looks shocked both Penelope and Josie frown at Lizzie's choice.
"Your joking, right?" Hope says shock still evident on her face
"Hope you wanted a distraction from your ex Roman and whatever issue you have going on with the Muppet. This is the best distraction you could ask for plus you are a practical princess already being the miracle baby that you are," Lizzie defends her choice making
"Lizzie what about me your own sister?!" Josie angrily says with a glare
"You said you wanted to win the pageant and I said fine let the best witch win. You wanted to win on your own thus I did not choose you since you clearly don't want me around. Like I said the other day I am not a mind reader Jo if you want something say so," Lizzie argues back with annoyance in her tone
"You're a jerk" Josie huffs before leaving the room Penelope is hot on her heels
"Jo, Josie. I'm sorry tell me what I did wrong. Josie," Lizzie calls after Josie's retreating form
Hope looks on concern for her friend Josie but hopes that Penelope would be enough to calm Josie. Hope also stays in the room ready to tell Lizzie why she was being a bad sister.
"You know your sister is right naming me over her was a dick move," Hope tries to point out
"I was trying to respect her wishes she wanted to win on her own I didn't think naming you would be a bad move. Plus you wanted a distraction and this is the toughest competition happening right now," Lizzie says turning to face Hope
"She shouldn't have had to say anything it was the principle that you naming me or anyone over your sister that probably did you no favors in her books. Also, I feel like I am going to regret doing this and asking you to help me with a distraction," Hope says as she follows Lizzie to the twins' room
Lizzie showed Hope her mom Caroline's research and then her own research for the pageant. Hope and Lizzie went over a few things for the interview portion of the pageant before Hope was to do the rehearsal dance with Landon.
"I can't believe you were still so nice to him after everything you told me he did to your family and act as if nothing happened," Landon says to Hope while they dance
"It's complicated. He spent half of his life desiccated in a cave and then he was brainwashed by his mother who was a literal Nazi. He has also spent the last 3 years doing good things for this school," Hope says in a clipped tone as a way for Landon to drop the topic
"Your mom nearly died how does anything of what he is currently doing exonerate him?" Landon asks jealousy still in his tone
"It doesn't but it's in the past leave it," Hope warns her magic unintentionally making the chandeliers and other glasses nearby rattle
Lizzie notices the chandelier and the glasses rattle, so she heads towards Hope and Landon. Hope for her part starts to feel her magic building within her ready to burst. Hope also wants Landon to drop the topic of Roman and the near-death of her mom.
"You stay here and do nothing. You come with me," Lizzie orders as she places a hand on Hope to make Hope's magic from unintentionally getting more out of control
/
"Lizzie where are we going?" Hope questions as she follows Lizzie out into the woods a little past the Old Mill
"You're a ticking time bomb. I'm going to show you how to take care of it before you hurt someone or worst cost us the pageant," Lizzie answers as she leads Hope further into the woods
"I'm fine, I just needed some air," Hope exclaims feeling she doesn't need any help least of all from Lizzie
"You are far from fine. You are one small moment away from a meltdown. Trust me I know the signs. You know that feeling inside like a balloon constantly filling up always on the verge of popping?" Lizzie says spinning around to face Hope
"Maybe?" Hope says not sure where the metaphor was going
"Well let it pop," Lizzie says before getting behind Hope who looks at her confusion in her eyes
"Scream as loud as you can," Lizzie explains motioning for Hope to try it
Hope looks to Lizzie with uncertainty before turning to the open woods in front of her and screaming. The magic that she felt built up when she was arguing with Landon was now expelled out of her system. Hope felt a lot better and was pleasantly surprised by the fact that Lizzie's screaming in the woods helped her calm down a bit.
"You know I actually feel a lot better but I think I need to go back to my room I need to call it a day," Hope says not really in the mood to continue on with the pageant
"No, you are not dropping out on me. If I'm right which I am our win probability is still at 87 percent even after that abysmal rehearsal so buckle up we're in this until the bitter end," Lizzie says as Hope and her walk back to the school dorms
Hope and Landon briefly make up before Landon accuses Roman of turning MG's mom into a statue. Hope then goes off with Lizzie to go over the interview portion of the pageant and to see the dress Lizzie has picked out for her to wear for the dance.
"This was my mother's, but we can have it altered to fit you," Lizzie says unwrapping the dress from the box it was kept in
"It's gorgeous," Hope says unknowingly looking at the dress that Klaus had picked out for Caroline many years ago
Hope left to do the interview portion of the pageant which ran a bit late so she wasn't sure she would have time for the dress to be altered. Much to Hope's surprise, the dress was lying on her bed with a note saying it was altered and a neckless placed on her desk that would match well with the dress. Hope doesn't have too much time to ponder how Lizzie figured out her measurements but is grateful the dress fits and that the day will be over soon. Hope sees Josie at the top of the stairs and decides to talk to her as they wait to be called to walk down the stairs.
"You look good. Where is MG isn't he supposed to escort you?" Hope questions Josie
"Thank you. You also look good too. Um, I don't know where he is any word on Landon?" Josie asks noticing that Hope also did not have her escort
"Not really, but I am hoping he comes and then once the dance is over we can talk things over," Hope says in a hopeful tone
"Speaking of talking did you speak any sense into my sister?" Josie says changing the subject
"I told her that what she did was a dick move how well that information sank in only time will tell," Hope comments back
"Thanks for being a good friend my best friend," Josie says with a smile
"Always," Hope replies with a smile of her own
Lizzie was dressed in a simple black tie and suit looking more masculine than what she normally wears to ball gown gatherings. Lizzie approaches Hope and Josie knowing that she did not have much time before Josie was to be announced to walk down the stairs.
"Do you mind if I steal my sister for a few minutes?" Lizzie asks taping Hope on the shoulder
"Lizzie?" Josie questions confused about what Lizzie could want and why Lizzie was dressed the way she was
"Um sure I will be over there waiting for Landon," Hope says walking slightly off the side to not intrude on the private conversation
"So, you wanted to talk?" Josie asks
"I wanted to tell you to go out there and win. You Josette Isobel Saltzman are an amazing individual who has put up with my messed up ass for years. Don't throw the competition just because you think that Hope might need a win. I also want to let you know that even if you don't win you are still an epic badass princess of the Salvator School. While Hope had an 87 percent chance to win you have a 90 percent chance. I might have hated Dayna's guts but she was right that you are the better sister. I want you to walk down those stairs with a smile on your face and live in the moment. Because you, my dear sister deserve the world. If the humans can't see your gorgeousness then they are sorely missing out on the strong beautiful person that you are and I feel badly for them. Now go make our mother proud and be strong enough to forge your own legacy if you so chose. I love you Josie don't ever forget that," Lizzie says giving Josie a quick hug
"Thank you, Lizzie it means a lot to hear you say those words," Josie says ending the hug with a smile only to see Penelope standing close by with a smile on her face
Lizzie steps away letting Penelope pass without argument. Penelope was confused but grateful that the blonde twin did not say anything to her in passing. Josie also saw this and was unsure of the interaction but decided she could grill Lizzie on it later after the dance.
"You know your sister is right, you can't keep putting others before yourself, it's a discredit to yourself. Plus you can win this. I believe in you. In us really" Penelope says stepping to stand next to Josie as her escort
"You believe in me?" Josie's questions were already moved by her sister's words and now Penelope's
"Of course, you dummy how could I not. Now come on, let's get this show on the road and show the world, Jojo." Penelope says looping her arm around Josie's
"Miss Josette Saltzman escorted by Miss Penelope Park," The announcer says as the spotlight hits Josie and Penelope walking down the last few steps of the staircase
While Lizzie and Josie were talking Landon showed up and talked to Hope. Landon smelled like alcohol and was confronting Hope about the secret about Landon's mom. Landon ran off just as Lizzie had ended things with Josie. Lizzie sensing that Hope was about to bail rushed to her side. Lizzie met Roman's eye and he went to go after Landon.
"Just five more minutes get through this, and it will all be over," Lizzie says filling in as an escort
"I can't do this Lizzie," Hope says on the verge of tears
"You can look at me. Roman went after Landon to make sure nothing bad goes down. Take a deep breathe you can do this Hope," Lizzie says with a comforting encouraging tone before putting her arm out for Hope to grab onto
"Miss Hope Mikaelson escorted by Mister Landon Kirby sorry Miss Elizabeth Saltzman," the announcer says as Hope and Lizzie walk down the stairs
"How did you know Landon would skip?" Hope asks with an accusatory tone as they get into position on the dance floor
"I didn't and I honestly thought he wouldn't stand you up. The only reason I am wearing a suit is that I figured since I could not participate in the pageant doesn't mean I could not get dressed up. I chose a suit because why not. You look absolutely stunning by the way," Lizzie says trying to clear her name of any false motives all while continuing the dance
"Okay, I believe you. Can we just get through this? I want to find Landon. I owe him an apology and an explanation," Hope says her eyes still searching the crowd for any sign that Landon would come back
The song Always by Gavin James (2018) plays softly in the background as the dance continues. Josie questions why Lizzie filled in for Landon and talks with Penelope. Penelope tells Josie that she revealed to Landon that Hope was keeping a secret from him. Josie berates her ex and tells Penelope why she didn't read the letter and why she wants an explanation in person for the original break up. Lizzie was wearing a suit because why not and because she didn't feel like hiding the still recent self-inflicted wound on her wrist with a simple concealing spell that could fail if she was to wear a dress. Hope didn't need to know and neither did anyone else as much as Lizzie enjoyed attention, she did not cut for attention she cut for a sense of control, to match her insides to her outside, and to release her ugly emotions of anger and sadness.
"You know you're a pretty good dancer," Lizzie says trying to change the subject and get Hope to enjoy the dance
"Well, my Aunt Bex and Uncle Elijah are to thank for in that department. They like old fashion ball gown events and insisted that I knew a thing about them," Hope says with a smile at the memory momentarily forgetting all her worries about Landon
"I've never met your aunt but Mister Suit I have met and can totally see why he would want you to know about old fashion dances," Lizzie comments back enjoying that she got Hope to smile during the dance
"Mister Suit? Lizzie, he has a name also when did you meet Uncle Elijah?" Hope chuckles at the nickname that Lizzie came up with to describe her uncle and asks curiosity in her voice
Lizzie gives Hope a questioning glance before responding confused as to why Hope would not remember the event. Lizzie remembered that Emma once told her that trauma could make a person forget details of events as a way to protect one self from the event that took place. Lizzie cautiously words her responds to Hope carefully trying her best to not trigger Hope.
"I wish it were under different circumstances, but it was the same day that Roman's mom died. I siphoned your uncle so he would not attack you or Hayley your mom," Lizzie answered in a somber tone just as the dance number came to an end
Hope immediately freezes trying to remember why she forgot that Lizzie was there. Hope's magic unintentionally starts to shake the chandelier and the glasses around the room. Lizzie immediately notices and hugs Hope to try and calm her magic down. Luckily the announcer for the winner of the pageant talks distracting everyone from Hope's almost meltdown on the dance floor.
"May I have your attention please without further ado it is my honor to announce our very own Miss Mystic Falls from the Salvator school Miss Josette Saltzman?" the announcement says as a spotlight goes onto Josie and Penelope
"I won? I won!" Josie says happy tears in her eyes
Josie had noticed the shaking of the chandler and looked for Lizzie only to find Lizzie comforting Hope. Josie was about to go to her best friend when Penelope told her that she still needed to be crowned. Penelope also said that Lizzie would take care of Hope.
"It's okay, breathe. I got you. You can let it all out the real way the way you needed to all along," Lizzie says wrapping Hope into her chest and giving Penelope a nod before taking Hope away from the crowd of people on the dance floor
/
"I need to go find Landon," Hope says having not fully recovered from her crying session
"Just give him a minute to breathe. If what you told me between your sobbing was true then he probably needs some time to think. Just the night and no more you can try to win him back over in the morning when he is less intoxicated," Lizzie says as she puts the dress that Hope wore away
Hope chooses to sit at the edge of Josie's bed in a bathrobe having changed out of the dress she wore. Hope doesn't leave the twin's room because she doesn't want to be alone right now, and she also feels that Lizzie would have the answers to her questions.
"I don't understand why I forgot you were there?" Hope says thinking back on why she nearly melted down on the dance floor
"Emma once told me that people who experience traumatic situations sometimes they block out certain details to protect themselves from reliving the traumatic event. I'm sorry I triggered you it was not my intention," Lizzie answers
"I thought I could keep it all together. I worked so hard to move on. How did you know what to say? How do you know what to do?" Hope asks looking up from her seated position on Josie's bed to look at Lizzie who sat across from her
"It's what Josie has done for me a thousand times and it's also some of what I wish were spoken to me when she wasn't there for me," Lizzie responds
Hope and Lizzie share a meaningful glace. Hope wanted to ask Lizzie what she meant about Josie not being there for her but decides to table the topic for another time.
"Thank you for being there for me even when I didn't know I need it," Hope says
"Always. Until the bitter end remember. Now you can sleep in here if you like or I can escort you back to your room. Josie texted me saying that she would be with Penelope tonight," Lizzie says
"Can I stay here tonight?" Hope asks tentatively and unsure of herself
"Of course get settled where you like I will leave some pj's here on the bed while I go change. I don't exactly want to sleep in a suit," Lizzie says moving to grab a set of pj's for Hope and a set for herself
"Thanks," Hope says as Lizzie leaves the room temporarily to change
Hope quickly changed into the pj's given to her. In all the time that Hope, and Josie were friends, she was still unsure of which bed was Josie's and which was Lizzie's. Hope was also pretty exhausted from crying and the reminder of the fact that she and her mom almost died thanks to Roman. Landon standing her up for the dance and her not being able to give Landon an explanation also made Hope really tired. Hope was also remembering her friend who died 3 years ago Henry Benoit. Hope really appreciated that she did not have to be alone on the anniversary of her friend's death. Hope picked a bed that smelled the nicest to her and was just about to fall asleep when Lizzie came back into the room.
"Should I be flattered that you picked my bed to sleep in?" Lizzie says with a teasing smirk as she enters back into the room with her pj's on
"This is your bed? We can change. I had no clue. Whenever Josie and I study here it's usually on the floor. I honestly had no clue which bed was whose," Hope says trying to defend why she picked the bed she did
"No need. Plus, I doubt Josie would appreciate anyone in her bed besides myself and her maybe girlfriend Penelope," Lizzie says
"Well, I don't want to kick you out of your bed we could share," Hope offers in a pleading tone
"Ask a girl on a date first, Mikaelson. But in all seriousness, I should be fine," Lizzie says moving over to get into Josie's bed
"Wait can you," Hope says stopping not quite sure what she wanted
"You want to cuddle, don't you?" Lizzie says stopping in between the two beds
"I…how?" Hope asks stumbling over her own words
Hope wasn't quite sure what she wanted but she knew she didn't want to be alone. Hope also wanted feel connected to someone and knew from Josie that Lizzie was actually good at giving hugs and cuddles. Hope had to give Josie credit that Lizzie was good at giving hugs if the hug that she gave on the dance floor was anything to go by. Hope felt free enough to breakdown in Lizzie's arms in the middle of the dance floor so figured that she would feel good if Lizzie cuddled her now.
"Relax, and push over a bit," Lizzie says moving closer to her bed and Hope
"I… Thank you," Hope finally settles on clinging on to Lizzie as she rests her head on Lizzie's chest
"Like I said earlier always and until the bitter end. Now sleep tomorrow is another day," Lizzie says softly kissing Hope's forehead in a loving manner just as Hope shuts her eyes
Lizzie now understood why Josie was so admitted that she not be friends with Hope. Under Hope's aloof exterior nature laid a traumatized girl afraid of loving and that love dying. Lizzie could relate to Hope on not wanting to be alone. Lizzie was the first to wake up from sleep so she set to hunting down Landon for a few reasons. Lizzie's first reason was because she wanted to be a good friend. Lizzie's second reason to find Landon was to make sure she didn't fall for Hope in a romantic sense. Thankfully Landon was saved by Roman who sent MG's mom Veronica Greasley running off the school grounds. Lizzie talked with Landon and convinced him to at least hear Hope out. With Landon off to wake up Hope Lizzie snuck into Landon's room and found the third artifact in one of Landon's pant pockets. Lizzie had deduced before Miss Mystic Falls that Landon was a monster magnet because he kept touching stuff and activating artifiacts uknowningly. Lizzie went into the woods to hide the artifact she found and put a protection barrier spell on it so only she and Josie could get at it if needed.
/
Hope snuggled deeper into the bed sheets wanting to keep sleeping since the smell of the sheets reminded her of beignets and New Orleans. Hope was rudley pulled away from keeping her eyes shut and some of the best sleep she had ever had since attending the boarding school when Landon nudging her to wake up. Hope only then realized she was not in her room nor her own bed but in Lizzie's bed. Hope also noted that Lizzie was no where to be seen this hurt Hope but she could not dwell too much on that fact with Landon hovering over her. Hope and Landon make up just in time for Josie, Penelope and Lizzie to come into the room.
"So, you're telling me that you hate Lizzie because she could kill me in this Merge ritual thing?" Josie questions Penelope
"I don't want to kill you also what the hell is the Merge sounds like a fucking curse like cult thing," Lizzie says hot on Josie and Penelope's heels
"Yeah pretty much also you should be grilling your dad not me he is the one who has been keeping this secret from you," Penelope answers ignoring Lizzie, Landon and Hope
"You broke up with me because you thought I could lose in this Merge ritual that you still have yet to explain much about, and you want me to grill my dad?!" Josie argues back glaring at Penelope
"Um should we tell them we are here?" Landon asks Hope unsure of what to do as both Hope and Landon look on with confusion
"Ugh, we know your there Hobbit we aren't blind. As for this stupid Merge thing I want no part of it if Josie could die. Also Satan is right we should grill dad on this Merge crap and Josie is right to grill you Satan on dumping her. Dick move to dump your girlfriend because you think they could lose and die. We all die okay its natural if we didn't die, I am sure Nature would cook up something that could kill us no offense to you immortal beings you can still die. The whole fucking point of life is to live in the damn moment and don't fret about the what ifs. If you Satan really loved my sister, you would have told her about the Merge in person and not dumped her for it like a coward!" Lizzie says jumping from topic to topic
"I agree with my sister for once. You were a coward. Also, I thought you said you believed in me I guess that was a lie," Josie says tears ready to fall as she glares at Penelope
"Jojo," Penelope says in a pleading tone
"Girls? What's with all the shouting?" Alaric says showing up at the twin's room confused at what he sees in front of him
Josie and Penelope are in near tears, Lizzie with a conflicted expression on her face, and Hope and Landon looking confused in the background. Alaric looks at each of the young adults in the twins room trying to gauge what was wrong.
"Well does someone want to explain?" Alaric asks concern and confusion in his tone
"Landon, Hope, and Penelope you guys should leave. Josie and I need to talk to our dad in private he has some explaining to do about the Merge," Lizzie says in a serious tone leaving little in the way to argue and being the voice of reason
"Right, um see you guys later," Landon says as he moves to leave
"Josie you can talk to me later. I will give the jp's back later thanks for letting me borrow them," Hope says before leaving with Landon
"Jojo, I'm sorry but maybe you will understand once you are done talking to your dad," Penelope says before leaving the room
Alaric is shocked at hearing that his twins know about the Merge and is grateful that Lizzie told the others to leave. Once, Hope, Penelope, and Landon leave Alaric closes the twins' door and goes to sit on Josie's bed. Josie and Lizzie move to sit on Lizzie's bed.
"How did you hear about the Merge?" Alaric asks worry in his tone
"Penelope saw you writing it in your journal. She spelled the pens she gave out so that anything written with them transfers to a diary that she can read. She broke up with me because she didn't want to see me die to my sister in this Merge thing. She didn't really say anything more than that the Merge could kill me. Please tell us that she is lying and that there is no Merge ritual where I could die." Josie answers and pleads
"I can't. At the age of 22, the Gemini must merge. The twin who is naturally stronger absorbs the other twin's magic and the weaker twin dies. The spirits of both witches merge in the process to create a new being with traits from both witches in the body of the survivor. The witch who survives typically has their personality more dominant but with changes from the deceased witch's personality. Successfully completing the Merge also bestows Leadership upon the Coven as well as reestablishes the linking spell that binds the coven as one." Alaric answers tears ready to fall and choking up with telling Josie and Lizzie
"Well, there is no one left of the Coven so why would we have to do the Merge?" Lizzie says nervous concern and desperation in her voice
"It's more than that it's a curse on the Gemini Coven," Josie says looking to Alaric who just nods in a solemn expression
"How do you tell your daughters something like that? How do you tell them at 6 or 12? I am still not ready I don't think I was ever ready to tell you both. I still see my little girls learning how to ride a bike or walk when I look at you two." Alaric says coming clean about the situation with tears in his eyes
"So, one of us is going to have to die?" Josie asks still trying to wrap her head around the fact that she or Lizzie will die at the age of 22
"Your mom is constantly traveling to find a solution a loophole to avoid the Merge so that you both can live," Alaric answers with a sorrowful glance
"What if we refuse to do it?" Lizzie asks desperation in her voice
"It will happen without your consent one of you will die after your 22nd birthday even if you are far apart from each other. Like your sister said it's a curse," Alaric says with more tears in his eyes
"Then there must be a way to break the curse we just have to figure it out. Now that Josie and I know we can look into helping mom find a loophole or a solution to breaking the curse," Lizzie says trying to sound optimistic
"I like your optimism, but you two should be focused on living your life to the fullest and let your mom and I try to find a solution," Alaric says getting up and kissing both Josie and Lizzie on the forehead before leaving the room
Once Alaric leaves Josie gets up off Lizzie's bed to leave. Josie only stops when Lizzie speaks up. Both twins feel uneasy about the information they have been given.
"You know I don't want to kill you. I don't want to kill anyone," Lizzie confesses stopping Josie from moving
"I know but the Merge doesn't care what we want Lizzie one of us is going to die and it will be the other's fault. I just need some space please respect that," Josie says leaving Lizzie alone
Josie didn't want to die but she also really didn't want to kill her sister and yet she also couldn't stand to be in the same room as her for the night or even the moment. Josie wanted to make the most of the time she had left so she went to go look for Penelope knowing the girl would make her feel loved. Lizzie for her part was determined to find a loophole in the Merge Curse. Lizzie went to find the knife that helped break the twin bond thinking that it could be a starting point to breaking the Merge curse. Lizzie had once over heard her mom and dad argue about the knife when they thought she was not in the room. Alaric kept it in one of the hidden rooms in the underground tunnels under the school.
/
Hope was looking for Landon since he didn't show up to their usual meet up place after Hope's work out session with Alaric. Alaric left Hope and MG in charge as he went out to go talk to Dorian after his and Hope's work out morning session. Hope had seen MG, Wade, Jed, Kaleb, and Rafael all to find Landon. Hope grabbed something from Landon's room to do a location spell on Landon. Once she had a location MG, Rafael, Jed and Kaleb met up with her on her way out of the school. Josie and Penelope ended up meeting up with the group on the way.
"No Lizzie?" Hope asks as they start walking
"Didn't have time to tell her and I haven't seen her since last night," Josie responds as they keep walking just about to exit the school
They get out of the school building when they see a bunch of soldiers from Triad Industries. Kaleb and MG jump to compel the trespassers of the property when they get burnt by the sunlight. The soldier guy tells them that their magic has been shut off temporarily. The soldier guards gather all the students in the main dining hall and ask them to help find the third artifact. Josie scans the room to see if Lizzie is there but she does not see her sister. Josie is worried about not seeing Lizzie and also relieved in the sense that Lizzie could be safe and get their dad's attention. Hope was scanning the room to see if Landon was in the room and noted that he along with Lizzie were missing in action.
"Okay we need to call your dad and then we will figure out how to get our magic back," Hope says a bit panicked at the fact that soldiers were pointing guns at everyone in the school
"My dad went to go get Dorian back I doubt he will be back in time. We need to find the artifact and then get our magic so we can steal the artifact back later" Josie says trying to speak reason into her best friend
"My mom is going to love hearing about this if we all live that is," Penelope says
"Penny not helpful," Josie says as she starts looking
"Times up you little monsters," Burr the Triad soldier says busting through the door
"Motus! You're right times up and you and your dick soldiers are going to leave this school and all of us alone!" Lizzie says as Burr's gun flies into her hand and the doors swing open to reveal that the other soldiers are on the ground unconscious thanks to a sleep spell
"Lizzie?!" Josie, Penelope, and Hope exclaimed surprised and thankful that magic is back
"Who the hell are you and how did you turn the magic back on?" Burr demands anger in his voice
"Miss me bitches? Sorry for the late entrance I had to take care of turning the blood fountain off in the tunnels. It was disgusting but besides the point, you guys need to go after the Hobbit he probably found a way to become monster bait again," Lizzie says with a smirk still holding the gun to Burr's head
"Are you sure?" Hope asks unsure about leaving Lizzie having a gut feeling going after Landon would be a bad idea
"You love that Hobbit and I love this school we are doing what we need to. Now go. Just promise me you and everyone comes back in one piece," Lizzie says nodding for Hope to leave
"I'll stay back to help," Penelope says kissing Josie before pushing her to leave with Hope
Hope and Josie take off seeing that most if not all the soldiers have been rendered asleep thanks to sleep spells. Jed, MG, and Rafael meet up with them and they head to get Landon back. Other upper classmen are moving the unconscious soldiers back to their vans that they came in. No student or soldier appeared injured which was all the evidence that Hope, and the super squad needed to leave the school grounds.
"Why are you staying?" Lizzie asks once Hope and Josie have left the room skeptical of Josie's on an off again girlfriend
"Because you know where the final artifact is, you said in your journal that you stole it off Landon the only issue is you never said where you hid it. Ad Somnum " Penelope says making Lizzie fall asleep unconscious
"Ha, very good acting on your part kid," Burr says with a smile as he gets up
"The deal was I get you the damn artifact and you don't lay a finger on Josie Saltzman don't make me regret making a deal with your business," Penelope says
Hope saved Landon from his brother Ryan Clarke and a bunch of Traid soldiers by knocking out everyone with a sleep spell. Ryan revealed that the only way for Malivore to die was if Hope jumped so Hope jumping into Malivore after knocking out everyone. Ryan and the other Traid soldiers are the first to wake up and leave the students knowing that they have Lizzie in their possession. Landon, Jed, MG, Rafael and Josie wake up unsure of what happened and find their way back to the Salvator school. Penelope lies to Josie saying that Burr killed Lizzie before he ran away. Penelope showed the group a statue that has an illusion of Lizzie on it.
"She's so cold," MG says cradling the head tears ready to fall
"I'm sorry MG I tried to warn Lizzie, but Burr shot her before I could do anything," Penelope says faking concern and worry
"Liar. If Lizzie were dead I wouldn't be able to siphon magic off her meaning," Josie says siphoning the magic illusion off the statue
"Okay fine she's not dead," Penelope says annoyed that Josie saw right through her lies
"Where is she?! I swear to god Penelope Piper Park you better tell me or so help me I will do more than set your jacket on fire!" Josie exclaims anger in her voice
"I don't know okay the deal was to give Traid the last artifact and then they would not harm you or anyone here at the school. Lizzie wrote that she stole the last artifact from Landon but did not disclose where it was hidden. All she has to do is tell them and no harm will come to her," Penelope argues
"You're an ass my sister wouldn't give that up because if they raise Malivore then we will have a supernatural apocalypse on our hands. Tell me how you thought giving my sister to the enemy would make me love you?!" Josie asks a disgusted look on her face
"I did it to save and protect you," Penelope answers
"You should leave to Belgium and pray that my sister doesn't die because you decided to sell her out to the enemy. We are done. Anything we could have had is over. Leave now!" Josie says angry tears running down her face
Josie, MG, Rafael, Landon, Kaleb, and Jed leave Penelope crying in the main common room. Elsewhere Hope walks aimlessly in the empty dark void that is Malivore. While Hope is in Malivore she can't help but feel that she messed up somehow and that her friends were still in danger more specifily a blonde siphon witch. Little did Hope know that Lizzie was in fact in trouble serious trouble.
/
"Oh, good your awake. Miss Park told me that you know the location of the final and third artifact. Sorry my name is Aurora de Martel welcome child to my playroom room," Aurora says pulling off the hood that obstructs Lizzie's view
"You mean your torture dungeon? This isn't the first time I've been tortured. Do your worst but I won't give you that information willingly," Lizzie says glaring back at Aurora
"Ah yes, she said you were stubborn. In some aspects I think that trait is admirable, but in this case, I am not above torturing a child. Just tell me where the third artifact is and I will let you go you have my word," Aurora says trying to compel Lizzie to give her the information
"No. Why do you even want it? You know raising Malivore will just bring about a supernatural apocalypse," Lizzie responds the compulsion not affect her
"How did you fight my compulsion? You are just a witch it shouldn't be possible." Aurora says annoyance and curiosity in her tone
"It's her love for her sister and school that is how she fought your compulsion," Ryan Clarke says announcing his presents to both woman
"Well in that case a head dive would be pointless, Elizabeth please meet my top agent Ryan Clarke he is Landon Kirby's older half-brother. He wants to usher in a new era with his father and me well I want to destroy the Mikaelson family, and a supernatural apocalypse is just the trick to get rid of them." Aurora says introducing Ryan and answering Lizzie's question
"Just tell us where the third artifact is and we will not kill you or your friends," Ryan says
"Liar. If I know one thing it's that in order to get me you probably made a deal. You can't touch my friends until I give you what you want and I'm not going to give you that information willingly. So go ahead do your worse," Lizzie challenges
"Fine this is an enchanted ring the user can not die permanently if harmed by a supernatural being aka me. Let's see how you like medieval torture," Aurora says placing a said ring on Lizzie's finger
"My sister and friends will come looking for me," Lizzie says nervous about the torture that is sure to occur
"We have witches on our payroll your location is not traceable even if Miss Park failed to convince your friends that you are dead. Also do you like water? This technique is called waterboarding it simulates drowning," Ryan says getting a wet towel to put over Lizzie's mouth
Lizzie was tortured with loud music, waterboarding, whipping, electrocution, and some of her bones being broken. Lizzie was also killed by being set on fire, having her heart ripped out, her neck snapped, being stabbed, being shot, being skinned alive and having been beaten to death with a crowbar joker style. Lizzie came back to life each time thanks to the enchanted ring. No matter what Ryan and Aurora did Lizzie did not break in telling them where the location of the third artifact was. Lizzie spent a month in the torture dungeon until Caroline found her and rescued her. Caroline handed Aurora off to Klaus who immediately drove a wooden stake through her. Ryan had fled before Caroline or anyone else could spot him. Lizzie spent the last 2 months of summer trying to forget about the torture and the girl she saw every time she died and came back to life. Hope finally managed to find a way out of Malivore by the end of the summer. Hope wanted to call her mom, her dad, or even go to see Dr. Saltzman. Hope didn't have much time to wallow in the fact that no one knew she existed when she saw a monster roaming close to Mystic Falls High School.
/
Author's Note: Things play out a bit differently from the canon tv storyline. Klaus showed up and so did Caroline for a brief moment. I have no clue what Josie's middle name is because it was never revealed on the show and neither was Penelope's so I made them up. I figured Alaric gave Lizzie the middle name Jenna one of his ex-girlfriend's name why not give Josie the other ex in Alaric's romance catalog of Isobel. Isobel was married to Alaric before she died and became a vampire she was also the mom of Elena Gilbert who Alaric had legal guardianship over for a time. I know MG said that Lizzie smelled like gummy bears but I feel that some people might smell differently from others so when Hope smells Lizzie she smells her favorite reminder of home beignets. Penelope did what she did out of a twisted sense of love for Josie. Also poor Lizzie suffering through what she did.