MASQUERADE

We were coming home from the hospital. When I said we, I meant Matt, Elena, Jeremy, Jenna, and I. Jenna just got out of the hospital, more or less okay. Matt put an arm around her and helped her as she limped to the front door. Unlocking the door, I pushed it aside, allowing them all to enter.

"Easy," Matt said, practically hauling her in. Gently, of course.

"Hey, stop fussing, I'm fine." Jenna claimed, groaning.

"We're all just worried about you." I told her, "Anyways, the doctors said that you have to be careful and take it easy."

"Yeah, you don't want to rip your stitches, hemorrhage and die, alright?" Jeremy added.

"Never experienced it, but I'm pretty sure it would suck." Elena said, and I hid a smile.

"Ha ha," Jenna rolled her eyes. Once she was finally through the door, I closed it, "Yeah, the only thing I'm gonna die from is embarrassment."

We all chuckled, while Matt stated, "No."

"I walked into a knife." Jenna stated with a smile in disbelief, "How does somebody do that?"

I looked down for a second, uncomfortable. Memories from that night clouded up to my thoughts, and I pushed them back down. Staring at her again, it was as if nothing had happened. Well... nothing except for the "accident". What I meant was... she had no memory of that night. No Katherine. No compulsion.

"It was a freak accident." Jeremy said, just as uncomfortable.

"It happens," I added, sharing a look with him and Elena.

"Yeah, I mean I've done it like twenty times at the Grill." Matt smiled, and I found it contagious. Leave it up to him to lighten the mood. Though, he still didn't know about the supernatural world. In a way, I felt better about that. He could've had a somewhat normal life, as long as he was kept out of it.

Jenna laughed, then winced in pain at the movement. I frowned a bit.

Matt and Jeremy lowered her onto the living room couch, as I propped up a pillow under her head. "Okay, I'm being nice." Matt admitted. "Easy, easy." He turned to me, holding up a paper bag filled with some food for Jenna, that he had somehow been able to grasp onto. It was crumpled. "What should I do with this?"

"I got it." Taking it from him, I knew that Matt would stay with Jenna as I walked into the kitchen. Wonder of wonders... Jeremy and Elena were on my heels.

They glanced back, making sure that we were out of Matt and Jenna's hearing range. Jeremy spoke, "So what are we gonna do?"

I looked at him, confused, having a feeling that he was thinking about something else. "Make lunch."

"No, about Katherine, obviously." Elena stated.

Dread filled me. "I don't know." I said truthfully, "I'm not sure if there is something we can do."

"She tried to kill Jenna." Jeremy put out, anger burning in his brown eyes, "We can't let her get away with that."

I sighed, shakily putting down the bag of food. He was right, so was Elena. We couldn't let Katherine win all the time. What she did to Stefan and I was unforgivable... but, what could we do about it? How were we supposed to make her stop with all that she'd been doing?

We could kill her, a voice in the back of my mind whispered. But could we really? Katherine was strong. She had years of training, much more than the Salvatores. Could we take her down?

Did I even want her dead?

"You're both right." I finally said, locking eyes with each of my siblings. Surprise entered both of their faces, leaving a dumbfounded expression. "She'll hurt someone else eventually. She needs to be stopped." I searched their faces, "Question is: How?"

They both went into deep concentration, each in their own worlds. I waited, scrutinizing, glancing between them for the answer. Jeremy found one.

"We can ask Stefan and Damon for help. We can kill her. Tonight, at the masquerade ball."

I internally groaned, already having thought of this. Truth was, I was scared that Katherine would hurt them; Jeremy, Elena, Stefan, Damon, and anyone else who decided to join the party.

My brother saw my expression, and grasped ahold of my hand. Staring at me in a hard serious, yet hopeful way, he said, "With their help, we can stop her. Trust me."

"I'm just scared that you'll both get hurt." I stated in a raspy voice. In a moment, I was gonna start tearing up again.

Elena rolled her eyes, "We'll tough it out." She grabbed my other hand, and started marching towards the door, Jeremy in tow by my other hand. "Now let's go. It'd be a miracle if anyone can even teach you how to throw a punch by tonight."

Jeremy snickered behind me, and I tightened my grip, making him wince.

"Wait, hold on." I said, "I need to tell Matt that we're leaving."

"Hurry up." Elena said, looking at Jeremy, "We'll be in your car." She held her hands out. "Keys."

I stood there for about two seconds then dished the car keys from my pocket and dropped it in her palm. Smirking, I remembered a joke from years ago—elementary school, happier times. "If the car runs over you while it's still parked, I'll laugh. If in doing so you dent it, however..."

She rolled her eyes, recalling those times. When we were sisters, twins, best friends. "Message received." She raised her arm in mock solute, and left the house, Jeremy following her.

Turning around, I went back over to Matt, who was chatting with Jenna. I caught his eye, and tilted my head backwards, indicating that I needed to talk with him. He nodded, muttered something to Jenna, then came to join me in the hallway.

"Hey, what's up?"

"What's down?" I retorted, and he smirked, "Sorry, not the time for jokes. And... I'm so sorry for ditching you, but something came up with Elena, Jeremy, and I."

His eyebrows furrowed, "Anything I should be worried about?"

Yes, definitely, "No, it's nothing much." I said, trying to be lighthearted. As if I was fooling anyone.

"So, will I see you at the masquerade party tonight?" He asked hopefully.

"You're going?"

"Yeah, might as well have some fun in my life, right?"

"Of course," I said, smiling, though I was internally worried. What if he got hurt tonight? Wait, anyone could get hurt tonight, it would be packed full of people. I was starting to rethink this idea. "And yes, I'm going too."

He smiled, but then it faltered as he said softly, "You and Stefan will work it out."

I almost sighed, looking down to stare at my leather shoes. I didn't want to talk about Stefan. Didn't want to acknowledge that we were completely split... all because of Katherine. Wait, wasn't I gonna see him today? At the boarding house?

Crap.

"Thanks, Matt...but I don't really know how." I stated, not giving anything away, "I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

"You know I'm here for you always." He said, the intensity of his kind sea-blue eyes burning into mine. Smiling gratefully, I embraced him, telling him without words that he was my best friend, and I loved him no matter what. When we pulled away, he asked sheepishly and half-jokingly, "I guess it would be inappropriate to ask you to be my date then, huh?"

I smiled softly, "Just a bit."

"Next time then."

Yeah, sure... I simply nodded, "See you there. You look great in a suit."

"And you look a thousand times better than me in anything." He commented, smiling.

Giving out a puff of laughter, it faded until I was just smiling, heading towards the front door. Turning around in a rush, I said, "Oh, before I forget, Alaric will be here to look after Jenna later, so you'll be able to go to the party."

He gave me two thumbs up, "Got it."

We smiled again, before I closed the door and walked to my car, Elena and Jeremy waiting for me.

Ringing the doorbell of the Salvatore boarding house, after driving there, I stood in front of the familiar wooden door, Jeremy on my right, Elena left.

I grew uneasy. Last time I came here was to break up with Stefan, now I was here to help kill Katherine. What a mess everyone's in. The heavy door opened with a swift ease, Damon's frustrated expression greeting us. It turned to surprise when he realized I was standing there, and it continued to grow as he took in Elena and Jeremy beside me.

"Why, isn't it all three of the Gilbert siblings." His gaze remained fixated on me, "Any reason you decided to stop by?"

Not having a great answer to that, Jeremy responded with a simple, "We want to kill Katherine."

Damon's shock turned to a smirk, as he said with mock sarcasm, "Well, what a coincidence, so do I." He opened the door wider, allowing us to enter.

He followed us as we made out way to the living room, where Caroline was sitting down on a couch, looking shaken up, and Stefan stood next to her, deep in thought. His head snapped up to pierce his leaf-green eyes at me, surprise, confusion, and hope coloring his features. "Ariana." He tilted his head toward my brother and sister, greeting, "Jeremy. Elena. What are you guys doing here?"

Elena answered, "Your brother already asked us that question. We're here to kill Katherine."

He raised his eyebrows glancing between the three of us in question, lingering on me.

Caroline spoke up from where she was by the couch, "Can we just give her the moonstone so she'll leave?"

"No," Damon appeared, in front of us, looking at Caroline like she'd grew another head. "Katherine's not getting dick. I've had it. I'm gonna go to the masquerade ball and I'm gonna kill her, tonight."

"You're not gonna kill her." Stefan retorted, straightening.

"Don't give me that goody-goody crap." Damon narrowed his eyes.

"You're not gonna kill her."

"Really?"

"Because I am." Stefan finally said, a few paces away from Damon. They both smirked, on the same page. Wow, so this was really happening. We were gonna kill Katherine.

They turned to look at me specifically, as if the same exact thought circulated in both their minds. "And you're—" Damon gestured to me, "—not gonna be there."

"What?" I exclaimed, finally saying something, "Why not?"

"Remember what happened that time we went to go save Stefan from all the tomb vampires?" He said. The feeling of cold air, fog, rain, and death entered my mind as I recalled that day/night. "I was busy trying to protect you and we almost didn't make it out of there. If you're at the party tonight, I'll be distracted. And in a town where history repeats itself, it might not end the same way as last time. Katherine is a psychotic, manipulative bitch, and she won't think twice about killing you if she thinks you are in her way."

My protest died on my lips as Stefan added, "I agree. It's safer for you if you stay here, or at your house."

"I'm not gonna stand by and watch while you guys try and kill her." I stated, with as much confidence as I could muster. "I'll be worried, wondering whether or not you'll even come back unscathed."

"It's too dangerous—" Stefan protested.

"—you're gonna get yourself killed—" Damon added.

"—Ariana, we can handle it." Caroline stated, though her voice was shaking. Seriously? Even Caroline was against me? I knew that they were just looking out for me because they cared, but... it was frustrating! Like a baby trying to push down a building made of brick and cement.

"This isn't about me or my safety." I said, feeling let down. "Anyone could get hurt tonight, but at least I can help out. I can distract her or something. Carry out the plans. In one way or another, she has ruined a part of our lives, and she can't go on hurting people." They were still unconvinced, so I added—with a sigh, "She's hurt Jenna, and any one of us could be next. If you won't let me fight, then just let me be there; at the party."

Damon turned his head to glare at Stefan in a question. The younger brother looked worried and confused, but he shrugged. Please, please, please... if they were to deny my acceptance, then I would go practically insane. I wouldn't know whether any of them would be hurt tonight... or so help me, killed.

Damon finally succumbed with a sigh, and nodded stiffly, "Fine. And you're right, you're not fighting tonight. You can hang out with the other humans, far away from where the staking of a specific vampire is gonna be."

Again, I was a bit annoyed, but so be it. It was better than not attending at all.

I heard the front open, and Alaric was suddenly here, looking at all of us in question. Well, Jeremy, Elena, and I in particular. "Ariana? Elena? Jeremy? What are you three doing here?"

Elena groaned loudly in annoyance, "I swear to God, we've had this goddamn conversation ten times over already." She rolled her eyes, "We're here to kill Katherine."

"Wait, don't tell me that you're going?" He asked in disbelief, glancing between us. Obviously, he knew about the killing that would take place. Damon must've texted him. "It's very dangerous, and you'll get yourselves killed."

"We're not little kids, Ric." Jeremy stated, "We can learn to protect ourselves."

"By tonight?" Alaric scoffed, "As if that's happening."

"Look, we've already established that we're going." Elena said, bored and angry, "And yes, before you ask, precious Ariana is gonna be there too." I gave her a look she chose to ignore. "Now, can we just skip the parts that we've already discussed and get to it." Her eyes roamed the room. "Whatever it is."

Alaric looked up, meeting the gaze of the Salvatore brother, "You guys are okay with Ari—with them going?" He faltered a bit, but quickly recovered, though not fast enough. I heard his mistake.

"Her choice." Stefan stated, "I may not approve of it, but I'm not gonna tell her what to do."

I felt a sudden pride run through me. At least he was now defending me.

"Yeah, 'may not approve' is a huge understatement." Damon added, "But I'm not gonna let her anywhere near Katherine, so it should be okay."

The history teacher/vampire slayer sighed, and met my eyes. He stared at me for a long moment before I finally gave a nod, and he sighed again, glancing to the ground. He had to understand why we were here to help, why we were here to fight. Unless Katherine was stopped, she would manipulate and control our lives to create whatever she wanted. The more time that passed, the more power she gained.

It was only a matter of time before it was too late.

"Okay, okay..." Alaric sighed again, obviously unhappy, but became strict and serious once he lifted his black duffle bag onto a table, unzipping it. I recognized that bag, it contained the weapons he used against vampires. "But you guys better not get hurt, or once Jenna heals, she'll kill me."

That was his tactic; making jokes out of a very important and humorless situation.

I was relieved though. He didn't make us go home.

My eyes popped out of my sockets when I saw the weapons; he was much more supplied now. Wooden crossbows seemed to magically appear along with air pressurized guns, settling on the table beside the bag; dozens of stakes ranging from small to large were in a compact line; vervain darts and tranquilizers lay there, the liquid inside them sloshing from the movement, as if daring to be touched. There were simple things too, like knives, daggers, and brass knuckles, but they didn't seem as unusual than the other weapons.

During this time, Alaric explained to us the most effective way to kill a vampire, relying rather on skill and technique than strength. That's how we'd take Katherine down.

Wait, no, I wasn't gonna be helping. No. Instead Alaric was just teaching me the basics to defend myself, incase something went wrong.

The doorbell rang, and Caroline left the group to go answer it. I was too engrossed in Alaric's detailed instructions, but I vaguely made out a soft conversation going on. Stefan and Jeremy left shortly after to go greet our new arriver.

I turned around, meeting dull brown eyes from across the room. They had a sort of knowing look, as if the owner had seen a lot. It was Bonnie. She held a worn, dirty, old book I only knew too much; the grimoire. She gasped, looking at what was behind me.

"What's going on?" She queried.

"We're gonna kill Katherine." Jeremy said nonchalantly. Bonnie's eyes widened.

"I can explain." Stefan stated.

"Please." She pressed.

He seemed to weigh it on both sides until he simply repeated, "We're... gonna kill Katherine."

Great, so now Bonnie was involved. Was there anyone else that I cared about doing this? Suck it up, I told myself. She would be fine, she was a witch. She could defend herself... unlike me, who would probably just get in the way of everything. Damon was right, there wasn't a way I could help. Except for a distraction, but something told me that that wouldn't end well.

3rd person POV:

Stefan and Bonnie walked into a different hallway, away from the crowd so that they could talk privately. Bonnie began, "Why is Ariana here?"

Stefan sighed, running a hand through the back of his head. He finally shrugged his shoulders, although he was very tense, "She wants to be here, she wants to kill Katherine. We tried to convince her to stay at her house tonight, but she says she wants to go to the masquerade party."

"It's too risky." Bonnie stated, "With Katherine there she could get hurt." Stefan nodded sadly and sighed, while the witch continued, "I know you love Ariana and you want to be with her, but you have to first start putting her safety before what she wants."

"I know, and I do," Stefan said, "Not well, I'll admit. But we've already agreed that she'll be away from Katherine. They won't come near each other."

Bonnie sighed, looking at him. "Okay, I'll help, but only because Ariana's gonna be there, and I have to keep watch of her." Stefan nodded gratefully, and waited. Bonnie spoke again, "I could do a spell to trap Katherine, like the tomb spell. It would isolate her away from the other humans...away from anyone who's not fighting." She gave him a pointed look.

"Thank you, Bonnie," Stefan said, feeling the plan come together. This would be successful, it had to be.

Ariana POV:

"Are you sure you guys don't want me there tonight?" Alaric asked the group once everyone was in the room.

"No, you have to stay with Jenna at home." Jeremy stated.

Alaric narrowed his eyes at him, Elena, and me, "Wouldn't this have been a lot less complicated if you three looked after Jenna while I went to the party?"

"Three is better than one." Elena said.

"Not if those three are still inexperienced teenagers." He retorted.

"Don't worry," Bonnie spoke up, "I'll be with them the entire time. They'll be safe." Wow, so Bonnie would be the one to protect us then while we carried out the plans. Worry was etched on everyone's faces—well, everyone except for Damon. He seemed pretty pumped up more than anything.

Alaric scoffed, but didn't argue, just continued to glare at the rug.

"Alright, if anybody wants to back out, I'll understand." Stefan said gently but firmly.

"Yeah." Damon added, "Cold feet speak now. I don't want this going wrong if someone chicken's out." He turned his head specifically to my best friend, "Caroline?"

"I won't." She responded, more certain than before, "Look, she killed me. Fair's fair. As long as there's no werewolf running around."

"Oh, I took care of Mason." Damon assured her. Wait, that's right. Damon killed Mason. I felt a rush of anger towards him... but then it disappeared. Though it was selfish to take sides... I admitted that I'd rather he have died than Damon, Stefan, and the others.

"As long as Tyler doesn't kill anyone, he won't turn." Jeremy put out.

Caroline nodded, and Damon turned to Bonnie, "You're gonna promise to stay by Ariana's side, correct?"

Uh, why did he have to single me out? Why couldn't he have just said "the three Gilberts" or "the Gilbert trio" or whatever other line he had.

"Promise." Bonnie replied, "No one's gonna get hurt."

"Except Katherine." Damon intervened, "Tonight, Katherine gets a stake through her heart." He smirked almost in a malevolent way, and everyone else nodded, including me. We knew the plan, and we knew how to defeat Katherine. No backing out now. No, this was for real.

If we were to fail... we might never get the chance again.

It was around eight o'clock in the night when I drove my siblings and I to the masquerade parties at the Lockwoods. I was starting to think that the family didn't have a lot of luck. I mean, bad things surrounded them.

We stepped out, and looked around in awe. The mansion had been completely transformed, as it is for every party. There were shimmering lights and decorations every few feet; long tables filled with endless food and drinks; performers dressed like the joker playing with bowling pins and fire; dance music blasted from many speakers; people in masks and showy dresses danced on the concrete and grass, some making their way across the tightly packed parking spots.

It was hard to recognize anyone.

Jeremy was dashing in a black suit, tie, slacks, and white dress shirt. His dark hair—with my help—was slicked back with gel, and a black roundish mask covered the top half of his face, two slits were cut for his eyes.

My sister decided to wear a silver, smooth one shoulder dress that went down to her knees. Her hair was up in an elegant bun and huge dangling earrings hung from her ears. Her red pumps matched her bright red lipstick and nails. Small red gems were encrusted in her silver mask, which kind of reminded me of the phantom of opera one, however, hers was much more detailed and pretty.

My dress was a light bronze heart-shaped corset top with black lace, while the skirt part flared out to a few inches above my knee in black and dark bronze lace. A dark metallic silver butterfly mask framed the upper half part of my face in an intricate design. Bronze owl earrings and a necklace hung on my body, the metal feathers attached separately, looking like expensive hardened leaves. Sparkling bracelets wound up my arm in criss-crossing spirals, the color matching the flower clip in my hair. My stilettos were dark brown, almost black, and my hair cascaded down waves.

We looked enchanting, out of a fairytale. Heads turned in our direction, and I smile at them.

Many weapons lay in the duffle bag Jeremy was holding, and we met up with Bonnie inside of the mansion. She looked beautiful too in her black and white strapless dress, her black mask had flecks of red. No time to comment on it now.

Walking up into a deserted room, we looked around at the elegant furniture, looking as if it'd never been touched.

"I thought this room could work." Jeremy said.

"It's perfect," Bonnie responded, clutching the grimoire she took out from the bag.

"Is that the spell book I read about in my family's old journal?" He asked curiously as he scrutinized a wooden stake.

"It's my ancestor, Emily's." My best friend explained to him, glancing at me before returning to my brother, "The spell I'm doing here is similar to the one that sealed the vampires into the tomb."

She opened the book to a yellowed page—like all the other pages—while Jeremy hid the bag in the closet. My guess was so that the Salvatores could access it later.

"Can you do all the stuff that's in there?" Jeremy inquired. When did he get so interested in all this?

"Jeremy, let her do her thing." Elena said, wanting to "get on with it".

Bonnie answered him politely anyways, "I mean it takes practice. I've worked on some small spells. Spells that only do good. I don't know too much. I don't particularly enjoy any of this, in case you haven't noticed."

I reached out a grasped her hand, giving it a squeeze. She looked at me in gratitude, and weak smile in place.

"Yeah, but you're a hundred percent witch, that is so cool." Jeremy exclaimed. If only he knew...

"It's anything but cool." Bonnie retorted, "I mean, I can protect myself and the people I care about, but... Did your family journals tell you what happened to Emily? Or what about my Grams? It never ends well for people like me."

"Bonnie, you'll be okay." I said, making her understand me. "You'll be fine. If you really feel that way... then you shouldn't feel like it's your obligation to help."

"But I don't want anyone else getting hurt." Bonnie stated. "I don't want you guys getting hurt." She kept my gaze for a few seconds, moved to Jeremy, and then to Elena. They shared a moment of understanding, before the silence was broken. "Alright, hope this works."

She removed her hand from mine, and started to recite a spell, closing her eyes in a sort of meditation.

"We need to let Stefan and Damon know the room's ready." Bonnie stated once the four of us returned to the ground level. Suddenly, she halted, as if she had struck an invisible wall. "Do you feel that?"

"What's the matter?" I questioned, "You okay?"

"Um, yeah, wait..." Bonnie turned around, disappearing into the crowd.

"Wait for me," I said to my brother and sister before following my best friend. Uh, it was gonna be impossible in this crowd. Good thing I didn't have to keep looking for her. She came back a second later, eyes glazed over. "Bonnie, what happened?"

"Nothing, I just got this weird vibe." She shook her head, ridding herself of... something, "Let's find Damon."

Okay, now I was concerned. What the heck was that? I knew from experience that when she got a "weird vibe", it wasn't ever good.

I texted Stefan once we were outside in a cool air: Bonnie did the spell. The room's ready.

I knew that he'd tell Damon, so I didn't have to text it to the older Salvatore as well. Half a minute later, Stefan texted me back; Got it. Stay near Bonnie. This will all be over soon.

The message didn't calm my nerves. Each minute was dragging me through hell and back. Katherine. What if she hurt them... what if she killed them?

"You've got to calm down."

I swiveled my head to the right, seeing Elena as she sat in the chair next to me. Bonnie sat on my other side, but she was busy chatting with Jeremy.

"What?" I questioned.

She sighed, and said, "You look like you're about to explode. Stop stressing out. The boys can handle themselves, they'll be fine. Enjoy the party. Dance. Do something."

"Elena." That was Jeremy's voice. He held up his phone, saying, "I got the message, it's our turn."

My sister sighed, gave me a look, and stood up, following Jeremy. They were going to confront Katherine. Aw hell, please tell me they wouldn't end up a meal tonight. Bonnie looked at me, equally troubled.

Footsteps sounded behind me, and I whipped around, looking up. A guy in—what I guessed—his twenties, stood there. I couldn't recognize him of course because of the golden mask he wore over his face, but he seemed pretty hot. His hand reached out towards me, and he asked in a velvety voice, "Care to dance?"

He seemed nice and all; sandy blonde hair, pale green eyes twinkling; his suit was white surprisingly, very different from the other guys here. He stood out. He had on dark silver shoes and a tie, and a black dress shirt. At least that's what I thought the colors were. It was dark out, light only coming from the string of lanterns and fire torches.

"I, um—" I started.

"She'd love to." Bonnie cut in, not letting me finish. I turned to stare at her with wide eyes. She gave me an innocent smile back. Was she serious? For all we knew, he could be some serial killer/vampire. I guess with her psychic powers, she already knew he was human. Her powers were strengthening.

I turned back to the guy, and said, "Yeah, sure."

I took his hand—which was surprisingly warm—and let him pull me up, steering me to the dance floor. One of our hands remained together, while my other was placed on his shoulder, and his hand just above my waist, respectfully. We stepped in rhythm to the music, and I immediately acknowledged how great of a dancer he was. His moves were smooth, connected, like a flowing current. It was calming. It calmed my nerves. I felt much better now.

"What compelled you to ask me to dance?" I asked the mystery guy softly, a few minutes into the dance.

"You did." He answered, "It's hard not to ask such a beautiful girl. All my buddies over there were leering at you." He tilted his head, and I followed his gaze to a group guys, all of which were looking at us. Some were half glaring at the mystery guy, while others kept their stares on me, "I figured I'd be lucky to dance with you."

I smirked, "You don't even know what I look like, I have a mask on."

"From what I'm seeing, you're outshining everyone here." He retorted with a smile, "And I've heard about you around town. It's Ariana Gilbert, isn't it?"

Shock covered my features, "How did you—"

"There's gossip all over town. You're all anybody ever talks about. I've seen your picture too: The Elegant New Miss Mystic Falls."

I looked at him in question, "Are you new here?"

"Yes, arrived a few hours ago." He sighed, "Sadly, I'm not staying. I work in a bar in Charlottesville, and my boys and I are driving down to Virginia Beach, taking a short break. We stopped here on the way, ran out of gas, then found out about the party." He shrugged, "Figured we might crash it."

"Well, good thing the theme is masquerade." I said. "Hope you're having fun."

"I am now." He smirked, then turned serious, "Hey, do you—"

He didn't have time to finish, because a hand came down on my arm, and I looked to the owner; Bonnie's worried eyes met mine. "Ariana."

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I—I need some help with... something." She glanced between the guy and me, "Come on."

"Okay," What happened? Dread filled me. Did someone get hurt? While I was out here dancing and having fun, all my other friends were trying to defeat Katherine. God, I was such an idiot. I turned to the mystery guy, not knowing his name. "I guess I'll see you later."

"Looking forward to it." He gave me a gentlemanly bow, "By the way, the name's Max."

"It was great meeting you." I said sincerely, then left awkwardly with Bonnie, feeling his eyes on me the entire time. I had to focus now, I couldn't afford to be distracted. "What is it?"

"I got this bad feeling." She answered stiffly as we continued to move out of sight. "Like something's about to happen... and I think it has something to do with you."

3rd person POV:

"I did it." Caroline laughed, wiping the fake tears from her face. She looked at Katherine who was in the spelled room with a smug expression. "I really didn't think that I'd be able to fool you, but I did it."

Katherine, having no idea what the blonde was talking about rushed towards her. He hit the invisible wall with a bang, and realized that she was trapped on the inside. Vampires couldn't get out, just like the tomb spell.

"What the...?" Anger and fear running through her. She sensed a presence behind her, and turned to face him, "Stefan?"

"Hello Katherine." He greeted calmly, twirling a stake in his hand.

"Goodbye Katherine." Caroline sang, backing away with a flip of her hair. She was a blur of red, then gone.

"You don't really think that you can kill me with that now, do you?" Katherine asked in disbelief, though she felt that there was more to this plan that Stefan wasn't letting on.

"No," Stefan shook his head, then glanced to the closet on the other side of the room, "But he can."

The door there slowly opened, revealing Damon as he shot a stake out of compressed air weapon in his hands. The wood ripped through Katherine's black minidress and hit her back, blood immediately spewing out. She doubled over, not expecting it.

Ariana POV:

Bonnie and I were taking a shortcut through some gardens, away from everything and everybody, trying to find my siblings. Suddenly, I cried out. A searing pain tore through my back, forcing me on my knees as I screamed again. I reached back to feel a hot sticky liquid profusely seeping out from the cracks in my dress. Pain was everywhere.

"Ariana! Ariana!" Bonnie was by my side in an instant, "Oh my god! What's happening! Ariana!"

"Guess your bad feeling was correct." I tried to laugh, but all that came out was a hiss.

"Ariana!" That was Jeremy's voice. He, along with Elena, came hurtling to us, looking confused, "We were looking for you guys. What the hell happened!"

"Oh my God." Elena breathed out. They both kneeled in front of me, having no idea what to do. They could see the blood now, as it stained my bronze dress, the coloring looking more black than red because of the hue of the lights and material.

Another wound appeared on my arm, the blood running down it and onto my golden bracelet, painting it copper. I screamed again, tears running down my face.

I couldn't focus on anything. My mind was on one thing: the pain. It felt like I was dying.

"What's going on?" My sister questioned again, afraid for me.

"Guys, it's Katherine." Bonnie concluded, "She's linked to Katherine, get them to stop!" Jeremy and Elena were too shocked to do anything for a second. "Now!"

They went into action, sprinting away like a couple of wild animals. Damn it. Great, now I was probably gonna die, because once that stake went through my heart, I was dead.

3rd person POV:

Katherine, Damon, and Stefan were a blur of black and white, grey perhaps. Katherine picked the stake off from Stefan and tried to hit Damon with it, but Stefan grabbed her from behind, and they fell to the floor. He strangled her with his arms, putting her in a choke hold. She become immobile.

Damon loomed above her, raising his arm high, a huge stake in his hands, about to go for the kill. He hated her with passion, and although she looked like the girl he loved, all he felt for Katherine was anger, rage, enmity, and disgust. Just before plunging it down, a voice stopped him.

"Stop!" Jeremy screamed from outside the room, behind Damon, "You're hurting Ariana! Everything you're doing to her is hurting Ariana!"

Elena arrived a second later, out of breath, "They're linked. You're killing her."

Damon froze, first in confusion, surprise, then horror. No, no, no... This was all to protect Ariana, all to keep her safe! He moved away from Katherine as if she burned him, and Stefan released her, equally terrified. Katherine did it again. That—

The evil vampire got up in a swift motion, smirking.

"You think you two are the only ones with a witch on your side?" Katherine questioned sassily, "Wrong. And something tells me that my witch is better than your witch."

Her eyes hardened, and she swiped the stake from Damon's hand, as he stood there in shock, glaring at her. He almost killed her... he couldn't believe it... he almost killed Ariana.

The Salvatore brothers turned to Jeremy and Elena, and Stefan ordered, "Jeremy, Elena, go check on Ariana. Make sure she's okay." Jeremy nodded vigorously, "Go!" The Gilberts left the scene, following the same path back to their sister.

"Let's all make sure poor Ariana is okay." Katherine said in a mocking voice, rolling her eyes. She was annoyed and angry, so she lashed out in the only way she knew to make the brothers pay. She took the stake, and pressed the sharp edge to the palm of her hand. "Just a bit more pressure."

A jagged line of dark blood appeared where the stake slashed across her hand. Oh, how she enjoyed hurting her doppelganger. Stefan immediately hit Katherine's hand, sending the stake flying across the room. He knew what she was trying to do, and he wouldn't allow it to happen again.

Ironically, it was actually a good thing that Ariana had come. If she hadn't, she would've been at home, and dead. Nobody would've been there to warn the Salvatore brothers that the doppelgangers were linked.

Ariana POV:

"Ouch, god, it hurts." I hissed, looking at the newly made mark on the palm of my hand. The dark color clashed with my fair skin, slowly turning pale. I must've been losing a lot of blood. The thought scared me. What was happening right now? What was going on with Katherine?

Bonnie took my mask off, and moved my hair out of my face with her fingers, sorry, worry, fear, and pain etched on her features. She looked as if she was dying along with me. "I can't break the spell, Ariana." She explained brokenly, tears in her eyes, "I'm sorry, I'm not strong enough. But I can try to take some of the pain away, okay? Okay?"

I barely nodded, and she took my hand in hers, starting to recite a spell, "Ascinda, mulaf, hinto, ascinda..."

Some pain lifted. Emphasis on the some. I still felt horrible, but I was grateful to Bonnie for trying. I wanted to pass out, to sink into the oblivion that kept threatening to drag me under. But I resisted. If I gave up now, I may never awaken again.

3rd person POV:

Katherine picked up the stake again, a wild fire with a hint of insanity in her eyes. "This is really gonna hurt." She stated, crazed, about to drive the wood through her stomach.

Both Salvatores got ready to bounce into action. "Wait!" Damon shouted, giving her a warning look. She better not bring any more pain to Ariana. The intensity of his gaze made her stop. She sat down on the couch casually with a fake smile, looking completely relaxed as she dangled the stake from her fingers.

"Okay. So, how about that moonstone?"

Ariana POV:

"Are you okay?" Jeremy inquired, finally back with Elena. I don't know, did I look okay? I wanted to say. Uh, when I was in pain, I was grouchy.

"Are they?" I questioned back, referring to Stefan and Damon.

"They're stuck in there with her." My sister simply gave as an answer. What would Katherine do? She surely wouldn't kill them, since she needed the moonstone first. I wondered what was going on...

Then the pain returned, and I again felt like collapsing.

"You were right." Jeremy said to Bonnie, "Katherine had a witch link Ariana to her."

"The girl I saw, the one inside!" Bonnie exclaimed. Wait, who? "Stay with her, keep pressure on her shoulder!"

Jeremy took Bonnie's place in front of me in concern, he asked her, "Where are you going?"

"There's another witch here, I'm gonna find her!" She said, disappearing into the mix of green and black. Great, now everything was blurring. I was vaguely aware of Jeremy, who took his ring off and handed it to me.

"No," I said, defiantly.

"Take it."

"No, Jeremy..." I couldn't take the chance he would die. It wasn't an option. If I did, so be it, but the same wouldn't happen to him.

"Ariana, don't be stupid, take the damn ring!" Elena commanded.

"Ariana, listen to me:" My brother caressed my face, staring into my eyes, "I'm not gonna die, and I'm not gonna let you die either. Now put the ring on."

"No, Jeremy." I shook my head, creating another headache. "I need you to be safe. I don't care what happens to me."

"But I do." He stated, "I love you, and you're gonna wear the ring." Before I could protest more, he forced the ring off of his fourth finger and shoved it onto my forefinger of my uninjured hand, though it kept slipping off. The ring was too big. He sighed and held my hand up a bit, making sure that the magic ring stayed put. "Not sure if this counts... but..."

Elena came by my side, ripping off parts of her own dress to soak up the blood in my wounds. I gave her the best smile I could muster, but it probably turned into a grimace.

3rd person POV:

Katherine still sat on the couch with Stefan turned away from her, standing up. Damon was by the opening of the doorway, feeling the magical barrier with his hands. He wanted to vampire speed out of there and search for Ariana, but he physically couldn't. It was driving him mad.

"The three of us together just like old times." Katherine started, "The brother who loved me too much." She looked at Damon, "And the one that didn't love me enough." Her gaze shifted to Stefan.

"And the evil slut vampire who only loved herself." Damon added, turning to give her a humorless smirk.

"What happened to you Damon?" She asked, "You used to be so sweet and polite."

"Oh that Damon died a long time ago."

"Good." She stated, "He was a bore."

"Oh, why don't you two stop antagonizing each other?" Stefan questioned, annoyed.

"Where is the moonstone?" Katherine changed the subject.

"What so you want with it?" The younger Salvatore retorted.

She changed the subject again, "Does Ariana enjoy having both of you worship at her alter?"

Stefan looked at Damon, then looked at Katherine, uncomfortable. "That was really desperate, Katherine." Stefan stated, "Don't you think that we can see right through you?"

"So it doesn't bother you that Damon's in love with your girlfriend?"

Stefan tensed up, his jaw clenching and unclenching. Jealousy ran through him though he tried to push it down. No need to tell her that they weren't together anymore. The pain hurt. "Oh, stop it."

"Or what?" She challenged, "You'll hurt me?" She got up, standing inches away from Stefan, who was trying hard not to run a stake through her. He pictured Ariana, and it made the urges to kill go away. "Come on, Stefan. Everything that I feel, Ariana feels, so go ahead." She shrugged. Then, she looked at Damon, a sudden thought running through her, "Or better yet, kiss me Damon." She walked towards him, "She'll feel that too."

Damon's eye twitched, but he remained unmoving.

Stefan looked down for a moment, then concluded that he didn't want to talk about Ariana anymore. Katherine was making it hard for him to keep a cap on his emotions. "You know," He faced Katherine. "this whole Mason thing has me a bit confused. Why a werewolf? The moonstone can break a curse that would help them destroy all vampires, so what's in it for you?"

"Sorry about your pet wolf." Damon said unsympathetically, "Probably should have kept him on a tighter leash."

Katherine rolled her eyes, "I'll have to remember that for next time. He's not the only wolf in town."

All thoughts turned to Tyler. What was Katherine planning?

"Damn it!" Damon shouted, "Where is that witch?"

"We could play charades." Katherine suggested.

"You bargained the moonstone." Stefan suddenly figured out.

"What are you mumbling about over there?" Damon queried.

Stefan ignored him, and continued to tell Katherine, "When you struck a deal with George Lockwood, to help you fake your death, you told me that you gave George something that he needed. It was the moonstone, wasn't it?"

She rolled her eyes, "Good for you Stefan. Two plus two... And it would've worked, except that people found out that I wasn't in the tomb." She looked at Damon, "Thanks to you, by the way. Have I mentioned how inconvenient your obsession with me has been?

"You and me both, honey." Damon said, narrowing his eyes.

The older Salvatore poured himself a glass of scotch from the Lockwoods private stash.

"We're missing the party." Katherine hummed, then eyed the glass of alcohol Damon was drinking. "I'll have one of those."

Damon mimicked the voice of a servant boy; "Right away Miss Katherine." He poured another glass and handed it to her.

"Thank you." Katherine took a sip, but before she could gulp it down, Damon pushed her roughly against the wall, a stake raised above her. She looked surprised.

"No, no!" Stefan shouted, immediately there, thoughts of Ariana flooding his mind, "Damon don't."

"Yes, Damon, please." Katherine smirked.

"Don't be stupid, Stefan." Damon said, "I'm not gonna kill her... yet. The second the spell is lifted," He lowered his voice to a whisper, "I'm gonna drive a stake right through your heart."

"God, you're hot." She breathed out, "When did you get so hot?"

Damon glared at her. They sensed a presence arriving, and Damon moved away from Katherine to look at the new witch stepping into the room. Everyone's eyes drifted to the moonstone in her hands.

"Katherine, the spell on this room has been broken, you're free to leave." The mocha-skinned witch said.

"Thank God." Katherine stated, reaching for the moonstone.

The witch snapped her hand back, "When I hand this over, my debt to you is over."

"Done."

"I own you nothing."

"I said done." Katherine started getting annoyed, "Give it."

"I wouldn't do that." Damon warned, but the witch ignored him, and placed the stone into Katherine's hand. Katherine wrapped her fingers around it, but she was no longer smiling.

She grabbed at her throat, dropping the moonstone as she looked up at the witch in fear. Air didn't reach her, she couldn't breathe. Her neck constricted as she gagged, struggling for air.

"You should have told me another witch was involved." The witch said, referring to Bonnie, who was, in fact, related to her. "She's a Bennett witch, Katherine, but I'm sure you knew that."

"Wait, Ariana!" Stefan exclaimed, worried.

"Ariana's fine." She assured both brothers, and they sighed in relief, watching as Katherine died a human death of suffocation. "The spell is broken. She'll heal quickly, Bonnie's with her."

The vampire finally fell to the floor, temporarily dead.

"I apologize for my involvement." She flipped her hair and turned her back on the vampires, striking a deal with herself to never get involved with those creatures again. Nothing good came from it. She almost let an innocent die today, and she was guilty. Whomever Ariana was, she didn't deserve what Katherine had put her through.

The world was messed up, and the witch wanted out.

Ariana POV:

Wrapped up in a blanket Bonnie found for me, I stood staring at the bright moon that glimmered over the dark water. Jeremy and Bonnie were going home together—something was definitely going on between those two—and Elena was still inside, waiting until I wanted to go home.

Someone joined me, and I didn't need to turn my head to know who it was. He spoke, "Ariana."

"Hey,"

Stefan gave me—what I thought was—an overly concerned look, and I assured him.

"I'm okay, I'm okay. Bonnie took the pain away and I'm healing." I looked down to my hand, the wound had already scabbed over and was pink at the edges.

"I know but I think you should definitely see a doctor anyway..." He paused, "Or I could just heal you."

I smiled, stopping him, "It's fine, I'll be fine. I heard about Katherine... is she really gone?"

"Yeah, yeah she's gone." He looked at me. "I was so worried about you." He stepped towards me, his hands going for my face.

I stepped back automatically, not knowing how to respond or react. "Stefan... I..."

Confusion, hurt, longing, and love showed on his face, "Katherine being gone doesn't change anything for you, does it?" He didn't so much ask it, than he did state it.

"I love you, Stefan, and I want to be with you of course." I started, "But first I have to know that everyone around me is safe. That everyone I love and care about are safe."

"No, yeah, yeah, I—I understand." He stated brokenly, still hurt. He looked at me for a second, then continued, "Come here, at least give me a hug."

I giggled and let him wrap his arms around me. Let him kiss the top of my head and hold me for a while. "Stefan, we'll always be best friends, no matter what."

"I know." He said, "And I'll always love you, no matter what."

3rd person POV:

Katherine woke up, oblivious to her surrounding. She was tired, exhausted, feeling like a thousand trucks ran over her in the mud. Dirty and disheveled, she picked up the moonstone that lay next to her, and used the stone wall to guide her to the exit. Now she recognized where she was; in the tomb. And she was trapped in.

"Hello Katherine." Damon said stonily from outside.

"Where am I?" She already knew where.

"Where you should have been all along." He replied, "I thought you'd have learned your lesson by now, messing with a Bennett witch." Emily, Bonnie, and the new witch have all screwed her over before. All of them Bennetts.

"You should have killed me." Katherine stated, tears arriving.

"Death would have been too kind." His voice was hard. He moved the stone door to the tomb, slowly closing it.

"No, Damon, don't." Katherine ordered, "Damon, don't." She thought about what would make him think twice, what would stop his decision. She racked her mind. "You need me, Ariana's in danger."

He froze as expected, "From who?"

She stayed silent.

Damon shook his head, "You're lying, you're always lying."

"Why do you think I haven't killed her?" Katherine asked, "Because she's the doppelganger, she needs to be protected."

"Then I'll protect her, with my life." Damon responded, completely sure of himself. He'd do anything for the girl he loved. "While you rot in hell."

He closed the door completely, while Katherine rattled off excuses, "No, Damon, don't! I'll do anything, please!" The stone closed with some shaking. It stopped completely, leaving an ominous feel. Katherine panicked further, "Damon!" She shouted, "You need me! Damon! You need me! You need me!"

It was no use. She punched the stone door with unimaginable force, but it did nothing except hack off a few specks. She breathed heavily, finally giving up as she slid to the dirt ground in terror. Frustrated cries left her, as she realized that she'd be stuck in there forever.

Damon walked away from the tomb, feeling no remorse, no regret. In another life, centuries ago, he may have fallen for the devil, but he's learned his lesson. He hated her now, and he'd happily let Katherine decompose in their. To feel the burning sensation of starving before she mummified and turned to dust.

He would protect Ariana. She was the one he loved, and he wouldn't let her down. Tonight was a mistake on his part. Anyone who dared to hurt her again would have hell to pay.

Ariana POV:

Elena walked with me to the car as I was on phone with Jeremy: "Yeah, Jer, I've got my car, don't worry."

"Okay, good, be careful, okay? You went through a lot." He stated.

"I will, tell Bonnie that whatever she did, I'm feeling better. My wounds are healing."

"When you get home, you better get straight to bed, okay?"

I smiled, "Okay, goodnight."

"'Night."

I hung up and slipped my phone back into my purse. It was a wonder I didn't lose it. Good thing last minute Elena had found it, and returned it to me.

"Here, I'll drive you." Elena said, holding out her hands, "Keys."

I took them out, then smirked, recalling earlier today. My god, was it just today? It felt like years ago. "If the car runs over you while it's still parked—"

"Yeah, yeah," She rolled her eyes, snatching the keys, "Heard it all before."

We smiled at each other, but before we could say anymore, a shadow came up from behind us. I whipped around, coming face to face with a tall figure, wearing a creepy mask that completely covered the guy's face.

"Elena, run—" I tried to warn.

That was all I remembered, before I slipped into oblivion, the black hole in the back of my mind swallowing me.

Sorry for the semi-late update, but I wanted to make this chapter worth it. Also, I've had a fever for the past three-consecutive days, got barely any sleep, still went to school and took the finals(I know, the horror), and just played a tennis tournament.

So yes, I was wiped out.

Anyways, I hope this chapter makes up for it. Next episode is one of my favorites for the second season. Thank you, and please review!

-Spiralcloud