No pairing

Mystic Falls, Virginia

Friday, April 13, 2012

"That wasn't so bad. I thought it would be more difficult to open," Ric said, wiping the sweat from his face with his dirty hand. They had gotten Fell blood from Meredith and had little trouble opening the old vault. "Now, let's see what we have here."

George and Liz helped push the heavy door open. They all coughed and backed up.

"Dusty," Liz choked, swiping away clouds of dust.

"Mom, let me go in," Caroline said.

"Honey, I don't even like you being here. Take a flashlight," Liz said, recovering. But Caroline pushed the door open as George shone the flashlight over the vault area.

"Holy smokes. Would ya look at that?" George said, whistling. There were boxes of crossbows, knifes, swords, and crates of every weapon imaginable.

"Whoa, this looks like a katana," Ric said excitedly, reaching for the sword. "What were the founders preparing for? A war?"

"Pretty much. Just a war with vampires," Liz answered, shining her own flashlight at the trove. "Caroline, can you start moving this stuff upstairs please? I know you can see, but it's pretty dark for the rest of us. We'll go through it upstairs."

"Sure, Mom," Caroline said, picking up a heavy box. "Load a couple more on here for me. It's like I'm picking up a feather."

"Must be nice," George smiled, picking up another box for her load.

"Yeah, it's not bad, if you don't mind drinking blood," Caroline retorted sweetly.

"Ah, I think I'll pass on that," George said, grabbing a box for himself to bring up. "but I'll give you a hand here."

As they left, Ric said to Liz. "Liz, look at this bell! What do you make of that?"

Ric nudged his flashlight under his chin. The large bell looked like it had been cast long ago for maybe a church tower.

"Ric, I haven't been completely honest," Liz admitted sheepishly. "How far have you gotten in the archives?"
"Not that far with everything going on. What aren't you telling me, Sheriff?" Ric asked, examining the symbols on the heavy bell.

"I pulled that out of the river when we found Grayson and Miranda's car off of the Wickery Bridge. I had it brought here and I hoped we would never need it," Liz said in a quivering voice. "It's called the Founder's Bell."

"Of course it is," Ric said, adjusting his flashlight. "Tell me more."

"It's said to be forged by the devil himself on the night the hundred witches were sacrificed. It can send 'demons' back to hell but only a certain bloodline can ring it," Liz started. "Creepy story, huh?"

"Whose bloodline?" Ric asked suspiciously.

Liz bit her lip. "A Maxwell's blood."
"Maxwell? I see that name engaged on the bell but there aren't any Maxwell's that I know of here," Ric said, leaning down to look at the name more closely.

"It's kind of a secret," Liz said in a rush. "Kelly switched their names back to her maiden name after he left when the kids were babies, but Peter Maxwell is the name of their father."

"That's interesting," Ric said. "But where are the parents? I mean, the dad running off is one thing, but the mom? That's pretty harsh."

Liz sighed, "I know, I know. It's awful, but I think Kelly Donovan never really grew up. The point is that if there is anything to this whole myth, Matt is probably going to be the only one to be able to do any good."
"What about Vicki?" Ric asked, dusting himself off as he started to dig through another box.

"I would think with her being 'dead', you know, technically that it wouldn't work. I don't know if I even believe this stuff," Liz admitted as George and Caroline returned. "But we should maybe get the bell ready, just in case..."

"What bell?" Caroline asked, going to pick up another box.

"Nothing, hon," Liz answered. "Actually, that bell there. Can you take it up next? Thank you."

Caroline easily lifted the bell that would take several men to carry and left.

George frowned and scrubbed his face with his large hand.

"We just got a call about an awful lot of strangers in town," George shared.

"Huh, that's odd. There's no biker run or anything special going on around here," Liz said. "I'll stay. Why don't you go check it out?"
"Sounds good. I'll bring back something to eat, then I gotta run home. I don't want to leave the girls alone too long," George stated.

Liz smiled and kissed George on the cheek.

"You're a good guy, Singerman," Liz smiled.

"Just doin' my job, ma'am," George said before saying goodbye to Ric and Caroline.

Friday, April 13, 2012

New Orleans, Louisiana

"I'm getting more and more freaked out," Elena whispered. "I also think I'm drunk."

Rebekah listened to her pulse.

"I think the blood loss didn't help," Rebekah replied. "'Lady' Aurora, and I use that term loosely, has always been a greedy little trollop. I don't get what Nik ever saw in her."

"I don't know, but what the hell is with these gowns?" Elena said, turning so Rebekah could zip up the pink gown. "I mean, how much weirder can this get."

"A lot. Trust me. I think we're headed to that Strix ball," Rebekah whispered. "I don't know how much you know, but basically, it's this snobby organization Elijah founded 900 years ago to further humanity or some such crap. Now, zip me."
Elena flipped her hair back and zipped up Rebekah's silver gown. It fit her perfectly. At least Aurora had good taste.

"Strix? I know what they are, what does that have to do with us?" Elena wondered, slipping her feet into the hells Aurora had brought.

"I'm not sure. My brothers have been geniuses at keeping me in the dark. Okay, maybe I didn't care, but now look at us. Freaking guests of the Countess of Insanity. All I know is that they want to chain Elijah, Niklaus, and me away due to some half-ass prophecy," Rebekah scoffed. "And I hate this dress!"
"It looks good on you, for all it's worth," Elena said, almost losing her balance as a wave of dizziness hit her.

"I hate to say this, but you need to drink my blood. It will give you strength and be a bit of insurance if the worst happens," Rebekah said in a low voice.

"No, you said that was intimate. I mean, I like you as a friend, but-," Elena protested.

"Elena, don't make me compel you. There is a chance they will try to sacrifice you. Just a few drops will strengthen you and give you a fighting chance," Rebekah pleaded.

"Fine, but I don't like it," Elena pouted.

"I know, but you aren't the one who has to gouge her finger and try not to get blood all over herself," Rebekah answered sharply. "Now, I'm going to put my blood in this glass. I think the camera is over there. Block it. You ready?"
"Not really," Elena said, doing as Rebekah asked. She did teeter in the heels.

"Elena, you are weak. Best have another cosmo," Rebekah said in a normal voice, after using her nail to cut her finger. She tried to get as much blood in the glass as possible. "Here, drink."

"I don't want to be a vampire," Elena said, as drank. She tried not to grimace, but failed.

"I didn't either, but my parents gave me no choice in the matter," Rebekah said sadly.

Then, they heard the heavy door opening.

"Excuse me, but it's time," A hooded figure said coming in.

"Oh great, one of Aurora's witches," Rebekah snarked. "You wouldn't happen to have any hairspray, would you? I swear I won't make a torch of it to kill that bitch, Aurora."
The hooded girl smiled, "No, Miss, I don't. My name is Lucia. Now, if you will follow me."

Elena thought back to that night at the Lake House. As they got out into the hallway, she asked, "Lucia, do you happen to have a brother?"

"Yes, I do. His name is Dmitri," Lucia said with a wink. "Now, please don't try anything or we'll have to chain you again. Come this way and watch your step. The party has already started."

Mystic Falls, Virginia

Main Street

George noted and called in some of the license plates he saw, but they all bounced back nothing. No warrants or stolen vehicles. Nothing hinky.

George parked and got out by the Grill. He'd take some food home and then get something for Liz and the others at Founder's Hall.

But when George walked into the crowded bar, it was too quiet. The music was on, but no one seemed to be speaking. The patrons were sitting and eating quietly looking straight ahead.

George walked up to a man he knew.

"Howdy, what's going on in here? It's awfully quiet," George asked in a low voice.

The man chanted in an ancient tongue and then stabbed George Singerman in the gut.

Strix Mansion

Elijah's fingernails dug into his palms as he listened to Tristan's speech.

"Friends, this night is one I know we have all been looking forward to," Tristan had begun. "I know when I extended the invitation to our founder and patriarch, Elijah Mikaeslon, I did not dare think he would attend. Yet, here he is. Please give him a hand. It is safe to say that none of us would be here without his foresight and sacred blood. Elijah!"

Elijah gave a stiff wave as the crowd gasped and the applause rose.

"Say nothing. It is not time," Aya advised.

Tristan went on, "Now, this year's celebration is not just a chance for us to gain new members, but to end the war between the faction. To honor that, we are inviting a member not of our sireline. Bring him out."

As Elijah watched, his mouth opened in surprise.

"Marcellus!" Elijah blurted, as a debonair African American man with a mustache walked out, the spotlight trained on him.

"Hush, keep it together," Aya counseled. "I thought it better not to mention this."

"He's alive? We thought my nephew long dead. How can this be?" Elijah said, trying to recover from the shock.

"We hope to welcome into our ranks, Marcel Gerald. He is currently the vampire king of New Orleans, a city we all love," Tristan announced, making eye contact with Elijah. "Marcel, welcome. Now, let me speak to you of what joining the Strix entails..."
Elijah grasped the bar behind him for support. Marcellus was alive and joining the Strix. It could not be...Where was Niklaus? He should have been here by now. His brother had to see Marcel with his own eyes.

"Just a few more minutes," Aya said, looking at Elijah. "Are you alright?"

Before Elijah could answer, the chandeliers made a twinkling sound. The room shook and everyone looked around.

"What's happening?" Elijah asked.

"I'll go find out," Aya said, nodding to her guards to come with her.

Outside the Fauline Cottage

Vincent's eyes turned white as he repeated, "La cendre à l'os, de la chair à la vie. De la cendre à l'os, de la chair à la vie. From ash to bone, from bone to flesh, from flesh to life."

The old mansion rumbled and seemed to implode, yet the walls held.

Strix Mansion

Elijah noticed that two other vampires were watching him closely as Aya departed. He sipped his blood and checked his watch. Where was his brother?

"Fancy seeing you here?" Hayley said, startling him.

"Ah, Miss Marshall," Elijah said. "I didn't think you would have the gall to speak to me. So were you in Tristan's pocket the entire time?"

Hayley smoothed down the front of her red dress.

"Look, Elijah, I wanted to warn you, but I couldn't," Hayley defended, her hazel eyes earnest. "I didn't know what they were up to. You have to believe me."

Elijah softened, his eyes followed Marcel making his way around the crowd with Tristan at his side.

"I do," Elijah said softly. "It isn't safe here for you. You should go."

"Go where? This is where I belong. Marcel is going to help me find my family," Hayley expounded. "That's all I ever wanted."
"You know, Marcel? Tell me, how it that possible?" Elijah said, turning his eyes back to the stunning werewolf. Even now, she took his breath away.

"Marcel, ha. He's the king around here. He keeps them all in line: humans, witches, vamps, and even the wolves," Hayley shared. "He's a good guy. You will see."

Elijah watched as Marcel made his way around the room. He hissed, "Marcellus!"

The handsome man smiled and extended a hand.

"Hey, Marcel Gerald. How ya doing, man? Nice party, huh?" Marcel said smoothly with a charming smile.

"It's me. You Uncle Elijah," Elijah said, agitated.

"Ha, that's a good one," Marcel chuckled. "Uncle. I gotta remember that. I guess with the sire war over, we're all family. Nice to meet ya."

Elijah was stunned. Did Marcel really not know him or what he playing at some game, too?
Aya came back, looking troubled and Hayley scurried off.

"Change of plans," Aya said. "We need to get out of here."
"What happened?" Elijah started to ask, but then he saw his sister and Elena ushered in with Aurora. Rebekah had a fur stole over her hands so Elijah wondered if she was handcuffed.

"Come on, I'll explain on the way," Aya started.

"Wait! My sister is here," Elijah said, putting down his glass.

"Shit," Aya cursed. "This isn't good."

The lights dimmed.

Elijah saw that Rebekah had something over her hands. Was she chained? He saw Elena, looking drugged and being led by guards.

Fauline Cottage

A few moments later, Esther Mikaelson arose from her coffin. Her body, preserved perfectly a thousand years before, by her witch friend, Ayana. Klaus had hidden the paragon diamond in her coffin long ago. He had sometimes spoken to his mother, but it shocking to see her awakened now. The doomed souls in the Fauline Cottage had been the sacrificial price of pulling Esther from the Other Side.

"Hello, my son," Esther said, smoothing down her course Viking dress.

"Móðir, tis it really you?" Klaus asked in disbelief before falling on his knees in front of her in tears.

"Niklaus," Esther said, stoking his blonde head. "How I've longed to do this. I've been watching you all these years from Beyond. I've learned your new languages and seen the trials you all withstood, not being able to intercede. It was torture."

Klaus cringed, thinking of his many misdeeds, the chief one being when he slew his mother and blamed it on Mikael. Yet, he had to do this to save them all.

"Mother, I hope we can let bygones be bygones," Klaus said shakily.

Esther tilted his face to hers.

"I forgive you, Niklaus, if you can forgive me," Esther said heavily.
Esther hugged her son for a long moment.

"I c-can't believe it worked," Vincent muttered to the regent. He was rattled.

"Yes, but there was a heavy price. I was responsible for the witches in there, but I told myself they would be freed. The ancestors will deal with me soon," Josephine noted.

Klaus wiped at his eyes.

"Mother, I need your help. They have Elijah and Rebekah. There is so much to tell you-," Klaus started.

"I know much of it. I fear we have some rather unpleasant business to deal with," Esther said. "The Travelers wish to return to this Earth to wreck their havoc."

Klaus nodded, "That tis what I was afraid of. My sources caught wind of this Professor Shane fellow colluded with the Strix. They wish to complete their spell."

"No, it's worse than that. They want to turn Earth into hell and bring back all the souls out of The Other Side," Esther explained.

"Even Father?" Klaus asked in a strangled voice.

"I suppose so," Esther replied.

"Can you help stop this Mother?" Klaus asked, almost shaking from the exertion or holding himself together.

"Yes, the Ancestors granted me leave to stop them. But I have a few plans of my own. I need to undo past wrongs. They wish to make our former home their base," Esther said carefully.

"You mean Mystic Falls?" Klaus asked.

"Yes, and your brother is in grave danger," Esther went on."It took you long enough to call on me. Now, help me up. We need to wake up your sister."

"Sister?" Klaus croaked. "Rebekah is in there?"

Esther shook her head. "Nay, not Rebekah. Your eldest sister, Freya. There is more, Niklaus. I brought back Henrik. He should awaken where we buried him, but he is still human. The supernatural dead will all walk again if we don't stop this spell. They cannot raise the veil between the living and the dead."
"Henrik? He lives again?" Klaus asked in awe.

"Yes. As does your eldest sister, Freya. She is but asleep in the very top of this house. I must wake her and then we shall go. Can you tell Finn that Henrik is awake and that the Travelers are plotting an attack?"

Klaus gulped, "I'll call him. The townspeople can fight, if anyone can. Excuse me. I will call now. He will be overjoyed that you are with us again, Mother."

"As am I," Esther said, picking up her skirt and entering the doomed mansion to awaken her first born.

Strix Mansion

"Chain her up over there," Shane directed to Dmitri, referring to Ava. Shane had injected her with lobelia to prevent her from using her extraordinary powers. "We will make the exchange with Tristan and then he will have the rest of your coven begin the spell."

"Let me go," Ava said, as the new dose took effect.

Dmitri put his finger up to his lips.

"Shh, little one. We won't harm you," Dmitri said, doing a spell to put her to sleep.

"The spell," Dmitri commented dryly. "You act as if it is a spell to bring rain or good fortune. This spell will end the world as we know it. Why do you look forward to that so much?"

Shane shrugged out of his tweed jacket with elbow patches as he replied, "Because I will get my family back, you see. I made the deal between the Strix and the Travelers for them. Hell, I even got those Augustines on board as well as a few other organizations I don't even want to think about it, but it will be worth it. You will see, Dmitri."

"They were going to sacrifice my sister to complete the spell. She is my twin," Dmitri argued.

"Yes, they needed her, but look, I got you Elena Gilbert instead. Lucia will be fine. And the Bennett witch is on her way. She will be the new anchor. Serves her right for screwing up my first plan," Shane said excitedly, as he changed into an ill-fitted tuxedo. "Don't you want to see your dead relatives? It's gonna be epic, I promise. The Travelers from all of the world are taking over Mystic Falls as we speak."

Dmitri faltered, "But how it that possible...?"

"Katherine Pierce is on our side. She was born with Traveler blood. That one has a few tricks up her sleeve. She even managed to deceive her own daughter with the Traveler business. See, Tristan makes things happen and so do I! I told you that it would all work out. Have some faith in me, old man," Shane smirked. "Now, all we do is make the exchange and I'm off to meet my family."

Dmitri grunted, but he realized that Shane was even more insane that he had thought. He only hoped his sister had better luck with her mission.

Mystic Falls, Virginia

Mikaelson Mansion

Finn took the call in Elijah's office.

"What? Henrik? Yes, Brother, I remember where we buried him. That would be in the center of town now," Finn remarked. "But how?...What? Where is she?"

Finn paled and kept the phone up to his ear until Sage found him staring into space.

"My sister was alive this whole time? Freya?" Finn asked in a strangled voice. He leaned back into the chair, unable to move. He wasn't sure how long he sat there.

"Honey, what's wrong?" Sage asked. "Was that one of your brothers?"

"Henrik is alive. Mother brought him back and there's more," Finn said, finally hanging up the receiver. "My sister Freya is alive. She's with Niklaus and Mother. And Sage, the Travelers are back. We need to call the Sheriff and form a plan. I'll get that Traveler blade. I'm sure it's in the safe. I hope, anyway."

Sage seemed to pale.

"Aaron? He's still out with Kol. I'll call them and get Stefan," Sage said in a hollow voice.

Singerman Residence

"Hey, what are you guys doing here? I thought you were grounded," Nessie asked coming to the door. She had been playing 'school' with her sister, waiting for their dad to bring some food.

"Ah, sorry to barge in like this, but have you noticed anything weird going on?" Aaron started. "Oh, this is Enzo, remember?"

"Yeah, of course, hi," Nessie said, still standing at the doorway. She wasn't supposed to let any visitors in. George had been very clear about that.

Jessica ran to the door. "Oh, I thought you were Daddy. I'm hungry."

"Jess, go play a minute," Nessie tried.

"No, Daddy is really later," Jessica retorted. "I'm gonna go eat a cookie!"

Nessie looked helplessly as Jess ran off at Aaron and Enzo.

"I can't get a hold of my dad, he's not answering his phone. That's not like him. I called the station and there was no answer. Heck, even the neighbor lady who watches my sister isn't home. And she barely leaves her house. I'm getting worried," Nessie admitted.

Enzo's phone rang and he walked to the shrubs to take the call.

Aaron hugged Nessie tightly.

Enzo called, "Hey, something is going on. Nessie, grab your sister. We have to go back to the house."

"But we aren't supposed to leave. My dad will be mad," Nessie protested.

Enzo bit his lip. "That was Sage. The Travelers are back. I hate to say it, but I think the town might be under attack."

"Shit," Nessie cursed. "I read a book like this once, but it was aliens. I'll get our stuff."

Aaron stepped off the small porch.

"Is this connected to what's going on with the Strix?" Aaron asked.

"Yeah, buddy, I think so. Let's get the girls and haul ass back," Enzo said, looking around the neighborhood.

"Enzo, I'm scared," Aaron confessed in a low voice.

"Me, too," Enzo confided. "But we fought them before and won. We can do it again."
"Yeah, but wasn't Damon and Uncle Klaus there? Bonnie and Lucy, too? Now, they are all gone," Aaron lamented.

Enzo put an arm around them. "Go help your girl. I'll start the car up. There isn't a single person or light on in this neighborhood..."

Strix Mansion

"Vincent, Regent, I cannot ask you to go in there with us," Klaus said. "I cannot assure your safety."

Esther had gone back into the Fauline Cottage and brought out the blonde girl, his 'dead' sister apparently. Klaus had vaguely recalled her as Kol's companion at the 1914 Christmas party. She seemed happy to see them, but still dazed from being abruptly woken up.

"Nonsense, my life is now forfeit," Josephine said. "I only ask that your mother removes the hex from my line."

"Of course, but you sound as if-," Klaus interrupted.

"Let me finish," Josephine scolded. "And the diamond goes to the next regent, whomever that should be."

"Very well," Klaus deferred. "Now, my plan was for us to put the Trinity in the Serratura that they planned for my siblings and me. Do you think you could do that?"

"I have heard rumors that it existed, but I do not know the spell for that," Josephine said plainly. "Why not entomb them somewhere safe? You can work out the details later."

"But the Serratura is said to be permanent. It seems like a perfect solution," Klaus argued.

"I have an idea," Esther said. "Even though I am not at full strength, I can put them in a deep sleep. To trap them for near eternity seems needlessly cruel. And Klaus, nothing is forever, not even death. You should see that now."

"But they wanted to put us in there, Mother," Klaus snapped.

"I feel your anger, but you cannot give in to this cruelty. Everything has repercussion, you see," Esther went on.

"I have no pity for my enemies, nor those who seek to harm me or this family, Mother. I thought you of all people would see that," Klaus raged.

Esther reached up and touched Klaus' cheek.

"Such anger," Esther noted. "Trust me on this, Niklaus. I have a better way. Now, let us go, the night is upon us."

"I think your mother is right. We don't need to sink to their level. Plus, we really don't even know what this Serratura thing is. Let's detain them and go from there. I don't wanna put even more bad mojo out there, unless we absolutely have to."

"I've been outvoted by witches before and it never went well. But fine." Klaus grumbled, "Mother, at least have a water and something to eat before you go in there."

Esther watched as Klaus took the lid off of a water bottle and handed it to her. Then, she drank awkwardly.

"You'll get used to it," Klaus smiled. "Freya, my dear, please drink. You have been asleep for ever so long."
"Thank you, Brother," Freya said, looking around at the vast building in awe. "So much has changed...Mother, you look just the same. I want to see Finn."
Esther rubbed Freya's back.

"You will soon. A part of me died when I lost you. I will never forgive Dahlia for what she did to us," Esther vowed. "But we will deal with my sister later. For now, we must see to the rest of the family."

Freya shuddered at mention of the name "Dahlia."

"Mother, I didn't even recall that you had a sister. And quite frankly, I am still stunned that Freya is here with us," Klaus said bluntly.

"We have much to discuss, but now is not the time," Esther determined. "In my time on the Other Side I was only able to see what my vampire children saw. It was my punishment for defying nature. I felt every prick of your fangs on every victim...And Niklaus, there were so many victims."

Klaus' eyes went wide. Were there thousands or tens of thousands that had died by his hand. He had never taken count and didn't wish to now.

"That is most...unfortunate," Klaus stated. "But until the last few decades, we had to feed from humans to survive. We can use blood bags now, but I'm sure that didn't help you for the first 900 years of our lives, eh?"

"No, it did not," Esther said. "So are we going to just walk in?"

"I'm sure they are expecting me," Klaus said. "No need to break in. Freya, why don't you rest here another moment?"

"Just a moment," Freya said, leaning against the curved wall of the drive. There were many limos and expensive luxury vehicles parked. It seems as if the party was in full swing.

The regent took Vincent's arm.

"Now that I have seen your power and wisdom," Josephine started. "I would like to put your name forth to be the next regent. What say you?"
"Hell, no," Vincent blurted. "I'm a Treme witch, through and through. We don't do politics and ass kissing like you Garden and French Quarter witches. Come on, ma'am, be serious."
Josephine smiled wryly, "I am always serious, Mr. Griffith. You are exactly what the nine covens needs in a leader. Someone honest, someone who cares, and someone who can stand up for our people. I didn't want this burden either, but it was my fate. Now, help me up these stairs, that spell took a toll on me."

Vincent nodded and led the elderly woman up the well-lit stairs.

"Do you have an invitation?" a suited man asked Klaus, looking Esther's odd dress up and down.

"Tell Tristan that Niklaus Mikaelson is here with a few guests. I am sure he'll welcome us with open arms," Klaus said boldly.

"Oh, yes, he's waiting for you, sir," the guard said, gesturing for the doors to open.