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Mystic Falls
Mikaelson Mansion
Elijah coldly stared at his brother as if holding the human organ was perfectly normal for him. The Noble Original dropped the organ next to the dead body and took out a white handkerchief from his inner pocket. Klaus watches his brother wiping the blood off his hands calmly.
"You look surprised to see me. So it wasn't you that removed the dagger from my chest?" Elijah stated.
"You look like you could do with a drink." Klaus said with a smirk. "And we have a lot to discuss, so shall we?" he offered his hand at the study room where chairs, couches, and alcohol are available.
However, Elijah used his vamp-speed to punch his brother's face and then shove Klaus who flew through the glass doors. The glass doors were shattered and crumbled into the other room.
Klaus immediately sat up and glared at Elijah. "Easy. I just finished renovating." He snapped.
The Original Hybrid vamp-speed at Elijah, grabbed him and slammed him against the table, breaking it and Elijah gritted his teeth in anger. Klaus stared down at his brother. "You know you have every right to be mad at me. But I kept my word, I reunited you with our family." He attempts to calm his brother down.
Elijah wasn't calm enough that he stood up and attacked Klaus. They both fought each other in their vamp-speed until Klaus was knocked against one of the coffins. The Hybrid growls exasperatedly as he opens the coffin, takes a dagger out of his sibling's chest, and rushes to Elijah.
Klaus pushed his brother against a closed coffin by his throat while holding the dagger up threateningly. "Don't make me do this to you again Elijah!" Klaus snarled angrily.
"Come on. Use it. I dare you." Elijah stared straight at his brother's eyes unflinching. "You'll have Kol to deal with."
Klaus narrowed his eyes at his brother and slowly lowered the dagger. "Mikael is dead." He releases his grip from Elijah who stands up with surprise.
"What did you say?" Elijah whispered with shock, disbelief, and slightly reluctantly hope.
The Original Hybrid cleared his throat. "I killed him. With his own weapon. He's gone Elijah. Forever." He declared, relief and happy to be free from his father.
Elijah released his shuddering sigh. "Why do our family remain in these coffins?" he waves his hand over the coffins. "Finn for over nine hundred years, Kol for over a century." He questions, confused.
"Because of Stefan Salvatore. He holds the one thing keeping me from freeing them. There are things that you do not know about our past, Elijah. Our mother's death. Things I never wanted you to know but I'm ready to tell you now." Klaus explained as he walked to a small table where there was a mini urn. He removes the lid and dips the dagger inside. "I only ask that you remember the oath of loyalty you once swore to me." He reminded his brother who had been watching him then walked over to the open coffin where a young brother who was still grey and unresponsive.
"What are you doing?" The Noble Original wants to stop Klaus but resists as he watches Klaus dagger Kol again. Elijah's lips close together with gritted teeth.
Klaus turned his head at his brother calmly. "Always and forever. I need you to stand by my side. Be my brother. Help me destroy Stefan and I promise you our family will be whole again." Then he closes Kol's coffin lid shut.
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...
Only You
Chapter Fifty-Two
"Bringing Out The Dead"
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Mystic Falls
Old Lockwood Cellar Cave
Night...
The echoes of footsteps are heard through the dark and old cave. Stefan walks ahead of Abby who is carrying a flashlight. As they hiked down the path deep into the cave, across the narrow passageways and then, Stefan paused. "I can't step it through there but I had compelled a couple of Lockwood gardeners to bring it in there." the young Salvatore explained, nonchalantly.
Abby raised her warily eyebrow at him. Stefan stepped aside and waved his hand over as he silently gestured for her to walk ahead. The woman moved forward into the deeper cave while moving her flashlight around the semi-dark cave.
Her eyes widened in wonder and awe when she saw the ancient drawings on the rocks. Slowly, she shifted her gaze around until she noticed that there were a handful of lanterns gathered around near the oak-wooden coffin.
She carefully studied the locked coffin with thoughtful eyes. "This is the one I saw in my vision." Abby whispered, cautiously while taking off her duffle bag from her shoulder and setting it down near the coffin.
"And it was sealed." Stefan commented, leaning his shoulder against the rock. "Can you open that coffin?"
Abby hummed and lightly touched the casket with her fingertips. "I might. Considering that I had a witch vision implied that I should, at least, have some power." then she turned her head to Stefan. "Bonnie would be extremely helpful to me."
"No." the young Salvatore rejected it with a firm shaking head. "If Bonnie knows this, she won't want to be part of it." he recalled back then when Bonnie looked so anxious about the sealed coffin, how it was bad feelings to her. He knew for a fact that Bonnie would not help to unseal the mystery coffin.
The woman frowned with disappointment that she wouldn't have a chance to bond with her estranged daughter. "Are you sure that whatever is in this coffin will save Bonnie?" she questioned, just to be sure.
"Yes. Klaus had that coffin sealed shut. He never sealed the other coffins at all. So, whatever was in that thing—Klaus didn't want it out." Stefan's eyes harden. "Figure out a way to open up the damn thing before he calls his hybrids to find that coffin and kill all of us."
Abby huffed but she bent down, unzipped the bag, and took out the candles. "It will take a while." She warned him with a look.
"Better start now. Time's ticking, Abby Bennett." Stefan said, indifferent then whirled around and walked away.
Abby shakes her head with irritation. She doesn't like how Stefan orders her around with an awful demanding attitude. However, she kept quiet to herself because she knew there was a reason why she returned to Mystic Falls.
It was to protect her daughter.
Her eyes shifted over to the mystery coffin. "I hope that whatever or whoever you are... are the answers this town needs." she mumbled, reculantly hoping that this is what she is meant to do.
A key to open this coffin.
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Mystic Falls
Forbes' Residence
Kitchen
Morning...
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled in the air. The ray of golden morning sun was shining through the windows, casting a semi-warm glow in the kitchen. Bonnie is sitting at the table with a coffee mug between her hands as she blinks drowsily at the dark-brown liquid with steam. Caroline is standing behind the island, forearms resting on the surface of the counter while holding her mug of coffee mixed with blood. Kol is leaning his hip against the edge of the island with his arms lazily crossed over his chest.
"A lot sure happened yesterday, huh." Caroline stated with a sigh as her blue-green eyes glanced over at her witch best friend.
Bonnie made a noise from the back of her throat and lifted the mug to her lips. Enjoying the taste of delicious coffee.
Kol's dark eyes fill with mirth as he watches his mentee with amusement. Bonnie really isn't a morning person unless she has her own coffee.
Suddenly, Caroline tilted her head with curiosity sparkles in her eyes while Bonnie straightened up with cautious eyes as she turned her head over in the direction out of the kitchen area. "Someone powerful is coming." the Bennett witch announced.
"Who?" the transparent Original asked, warily.
The blonde-haired beauty left her coffee mug on the island, pushed herself away from the counter, and sauntered her way to the foyer. Bonnie quickly set her coffee down and followed her.
The wild Original went hot on their tails when they headed down the foyer. Caroline extended her hand and grabbed the doorknob before she unlocked it and opened it inward bravely.
"Hello, Miss Forbes." Elijah stood outside with a polite smile when his eyes met hers.
"Elijah?" Kol blurted it out in shock to see his brother. Caroline and Bonnie gap in surprised to see undaggered Noble Original.
Elijah shifted his gaze when he noticed the petite witch. "Miss Bennett." he tipped his head at her with slightly soft eyes. Bonnie just weakly waved in response, still surprised.
"You're undaggered." Caroline blunted, astonished shocked yet excited.
A small twitch of the corner of his lip yet remains stoic. "Yes. It had surprised Niklaus as well." he said while adjusting the sleeve of his blazer.
Caroline's blue-green eyes examined the Noble Original from top to bottom shamelessly. "And you got a haircut." she pointed it out which amused Kol while Bonnie's eyes carefully studied Elijah's new look.
"I thought it was time for a change of appearance." Elijah smoothly explained with a tiny bit of amused dancing in his dark eyes.
The blonde-haired beauty hummed with understanding. "You look handsome." she approved. Kol jerked his head at his vampire. "Please don't go fancy my brother." he complained, well aware that Elijah is very popular with ladies.
Elijah gave her a small yet real smile. "Thank you, Miss Forbes."
"When did you get undaggered?" Bonnie uttered, confused with interested eyes. "You said that Klaus was surprised so that means he didn't take the dagger out."
The Noble Original nodded his head, confirming that the tiny witch was correct. "Damon Salvatore had released me from the dagger last night. I had come here as soon as possible after my meeting with him."
"What meeting?" Kol questioned, suspicious.
Caroline tilted her head. "Kol asked what meeting?" she passed out the message without thinking.
Elijah blinked while Bonnie snapped her astonished eyes at her. "Caroline!" the Bennett witch hisses at her with a warning.
"What?" The blonde-haired beauty's eyes widen, bewildered as to why Bonnie looked exasperated at her.
"Please do not scold her, Miss Bennett." Elijah speaks up with an understanding glint in his dark eyes. "She has already informed me of her connection with my young brother—Kol."
Bonnie glanced at him inquisitively. "You knew?" Elijah nodded his head in response. "Well, guess I can say this. Kol is my mentor." she added.
The Noble Original's lip twitched with a small smile. "You won't regret it because Kol was a one-of-a-kind warlock. A prodigy in magic. With you under his wings, you will flourish into a very powerful witch." he said with a hint of proud.
Kol stared at his brother amazement and bafflement. He was not used to hearing such praise from Elijah. The last time he heard positive words was a thousand years ago when he used to be a human—a warlock.
Caroline beamed happily while Bonnie smiled softly. They like hearing positive words about Kol who is important to them.
The blonde-haired beauty realized something and made an apologetic face. "I'm so sorry! It was bad manners to let you stand there. Umm... I can't really invite you since my mom is at her work—early morning shift." she said with an upset frown.
"It is fine, Miss Forbes." Elijah stepped back and turned halfway. "I hope it is not a trouble to sit there?" he waved his hand over at the outdoor chairs on the porch.
Caroline shakes her head. "No, not at all." she glanced at Bonnie. "Bon?"
"Nope. No trouble." Bonnie assures.
Soon, the supernatural best friends sat on the two-seat outdoor bench while Elijah took over the solo outdoor chair. Kol leaned on the wall with his foot propped behind him. "I would like to ask, how is Kol?" Elijah asked with worried eyes.
"I'm fine, 'Lijah." Kol answered while observing his brother thoughtfully.
Caroline helpfully repeated Kol's words. Elijah tilted his head with pondering. "I have noticed you easily pass on a message from him."
An excited smile break out on her face. "Because I can finally hear him. Speaking full sentences and everything!" Caroline explained, cheerfully. The Prince Original's eyes soften with affection at his vampire.
"That is a wonderful news, Miss Forbes."
Caroline made a face. "Please, call me Caroline. No need to be formal." she insisted.
Elijah nods his head with acknowledgment. The blonde-haired beauty leaned forward with fragile hope. "Also... is there a chance that maybe... you could undaggered Kol?" she asked, timidly. Bonnie leaned the side of her body against Caroline for silent support.
There is a small reluctantly hope swell inside of Kol. He really wants to be free. It's been too bloody long. Nearly a century. He wants to be out of the dusty box and be free out in the world. Especially now that he has Caroline and Bonnie who are important to him.
"Tonight." The Noble Original stated with strong confidence.
"Seriously?!" / "Wait, really?" / "Truly?!" all voices mixed in pleasant surprise.
Elijah watches the vampire and the witch with intrigue and curiosity. He had never seen such excitement to have his mischievous troublemaker brother who would be free very soon. "Yes." Caroline's eyes sparkled with enthusiastic and relieved smiles while Bonnie looked thrilled. "All of my siblings will be undaggered tonight." he added, coolly.
Kol narrowed his eyes, contemplative. "How? I thought the coffins were guarded by compelled warden and that bloody Salvatore vampire is watching the caskets."
Caroline repeated the words from Kol to Elijah.
"Niklaus had the coffins." the Noble Original corrected which made Kol curses darkly under his breath. "Damon Salvatore return my dagger." he took out the ancient silver dagger from the inner pocket of his blazer, displaying the supernatural best friends. "Do you have any knowledge of the last coffin, Kol? He mentioned that it was magically sealed."
"No." Kol shakes his head, even though no one will see it. "My mentee mentioned that she had a bad feeling about that casket."
Bonnie shivers when she recalls the terrible ugly feeling about that mystery coffin while Caroline passed Kol's message to Elijah.
There's a heavy contemplation lingering in Elijah's eyes for a brief moment. "Stefan Salvatore stole and hid the last coffin. No one knows except him." he said, calmly.
"What is your plan, exactly 'Lijah? How are you going to free all of us from Nik who is practically guarding the coffins like a bloody dragon hoarding over treasures?" the wild Original questioned with skepticism.
Elijah listened to the message from Caroline's lips while playing with his dagger. Bonnie eyed the Noble Original with a pondered face. "The plan was to have a dinner with Niklaus. The Salvatores brothers will be joining us and negotiating a false truce. The young Salvatore will distract Niklaus while the older Salvatore will be on guard once I free the daggers from my siblings' chest." he explained his strategy.
"That's a terrible plan." Kol made a face.
Caroline awkwardly chuckled. "Uhh, Kol said that was a terrible plan."
"Why is that?" the Noble Original cocked his nonplus eyebrow.
The Prince Original pushed himself off the wall, ambled toward his vampire, and pressed his hand on the ledge of the bench behind Caroline. "Because the Salvatores brothers are in it." Caroline repeated it with slightly amused gleams in her eyes while Bonnie snorted.
Elijah tiled his head with acceptance and acknowledgment. "I am aware of that. However, I do need Niklaus to be distracted long enough for me to undaggered you and the rest of our siblings, brother."
Kol grumbled, still believing that it was a stupid plan. "Let's hope your strategy doesn't end up in a bloody disaster." he uttered with a skeptical.
The blonde-haired beauty repeated without thinking then she leaned forward with eagerness. "Will you call us when you free Kol?" Caroline questioned, then quickly added. "—And the rest of your siblings, of course."
"I will, Caroline." Elijah nods his head.
Caroline beamed at the Noble Original while Kol glanced at her with fond eyes. Bonnie gleefully grabbed her vampire best friend's hand as their friendship bracelets shimmered faintly.
The Noble Original's dark eyes flicker to his wristwatch. "Unfortunately, I will have to leave. There are a couple of appointments I need attend to." then he thoughtfully glanced at the supernatural best friends. "I have a favor to ask." He held up his dagger. "Will one of you lovely ladies hold this for me? I'd rather not have Niklaus get his hand on it should he or his hybrids attempt to search for it."
Caroline and Bonnie exchanged surprise looks for a brief moment. Kol's eyebrows shot up in shock. He knew that each of them was crazily overprotective of the cursed dagger because they didn't want Klaus to get his hand on them again. The fact that Elijah has the dagger was extremely lucky.
Plus, Elijah never would have handed out his dagger to anyone. Not even his former lovers in the past—no matter how much he did love them. To think that his noble brother is actually going to have Caroline and Bonnie hold on to the cursed dagger shows how much trust he is willing to put in.
Kol wondered if Elijah was doing this to test his girls' trust.
The Prince Original studied Caroline and Bonnie with heavy thoughtfulness. Once he is free from a dagger, would he be willing to give them his cursed dagger as well?
Eventually, the petite witch nodded her head wordlessly at Caroline and she shifted her olive-green eyes to Elijah. "I can hold it for you." the Bennett witch offered.
"Thank you, Miss Bennett." Elijah stood up to his feet. "I appreciate that." He handed the cursed dagger to Bonnie who grabbed it not unkindly. The old magic bussing underneath her fingers, quietly informed her of the magic energy.
Elijah rebuttoned his blazer and gently tugged his sleeves. "I will see the two of you later. Caroline." Caroline smiles at him. "Miss Bennett." Bonnie smiles almost shyly. "See you soon, brother." Kol's eyes widen in surprise, when was it the last time Elijah had called him that?
"Yeah, see you soon... brother." the wild Original said, with hope. Is he finally going to have an actual brother back in his life?
The Noble Original left to his car with human speed while the supernatural best friend and Kol watch. Soon, Elijah was out of sight as he drove his car.
Caroline immediately whirled around with a joyous smile. "I can't wait to officially meet Kol!" she squealed, excitedly. The wild Original couldn't believe this was happening but he didn't want to have too much hope on this, so he kept his fragile hope really low for now.
Bonnie nodded her head, agreed with a heartily smile while holding the silver dagger close to her chest.
"So, where are you going to hide that?" the blonde-haired beauty asked, curious while eyeing the cursed dagger.
The Bennett witch hummed. "I have an idea." she said with a mystery smile.
Kol shoves his hands in his front pockets with a tilted head. Honestly, he could see himself to give his dagger to Caroline. He knew for a fact that his vampire would hide the cursed dagger and never say a word.
After all, Caroline is very loyal to her friends and family.
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Mystic Falls
Mikaelson Mansion
Later...
The Noble Original opens the door while Klaus is standing in the dining room, the table is set along with food prepared, and three female servants standing in the distance. "Niklaus, our guests have arrived." Elijah announced politely.
"Damon. Stefan." Klaus smirks when he sees the Salvatore brothers step inside and see the dining room. "Elijah tells me, you seek an audience. Very bold. Let's discuss the terms of our agreement like civilized men, shall we?" he waved his hand over the chairs for them to take seats.
Elijah glanced at the young vampires. "It's better to indulge him." He wisely advised them.
"I didn't come here to eat, Klaus." Stefan opened his mouth as he stepped forward while Damon eyed his brother with suspicion. "Fact, I didn't want to come here at all. But I was told I had to cause you would hear us out."
The Original Hybrid just smirks with dryly amused. "Well, we can sit and eat…" one of the servants walked up, pulled the chair and Klaus took a seat. "…or I can reach down your throats and pull out of your insides. The choice is yours."
Damon and Stefan glanced at each other in silent communication while the Noble Original lowered himself to the chair while waiting patiently.
After a moment, all started to eat and drink until Klaus noticed Stefan refused to pick up the utensils. The Hybrid wasn't that hungry but he is slowly enjoy the tastebud of the meat. "You lost your appetite." He stated with a puzzled raised eyebrow.
Damon glanced at his brother and leaned toward him with warning eyes. "Eat. I thought we agreed that we would leave the grumpy Stefan at home." He hisses.
Stefan stared at his brother and then picked up his fork.
Klaus was satisfied as he picked up a glass of wine. "That's the spirit. Isn't it nice?" he glanced over at his brother who was eating quietly. "Four of us dining together? Such a treat. Is this what you had in mind when you pulled the dagger from my brother?" Klaus asked Damon before he sipped his wine gracefully.
The older Salvatore swallowed his food and sharply smirked at Klaus. "Well, I know how he felt about you, so I figured the more, the merrier." He said, cheerfully and playfully winking at Elijah who stared at him blankly.
Klaus glanced at his brother and the vampire with dry amusement while twirling his wineglass around. "Well, Elijah and I have had our share of quarrels over the century. But we always make it through."
"Kind of like you and Rebekah, right?" Stefan speaks up with a slightly snippy tone. "Where is she, by the way? Last I checked she was still daggered because you were afraid to face her." Damon send his warning glares at his brother.
The Original Hybrid set his wineglass down. "If you're referring to the fact that Rebekah knows I killed our mother, I've already come clean to Elijah." Elijah just sat quietly while watching them.
"Hey, Stef, remember when you killed dad?" Damon smirked with exasperated eyes. "Might want to dial down the judgment until dessert." He doesn't want to deal with the possible break-out fight against two Originals just because Stefan refuses to drop his attitude.
Stefan frowned at his brother. "We're here to make a deal, Damon." He reminded him. "Doesn't mean we need to kiss his ass for seven courses." He glared at amused Klaus.
"I'm just saying we have a long evening ahead of us." Damon hisses at Stefan. "Pace yourself."
Elijah and Klaus exchanged glances quietly.
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Mystic Falls
Mystic Police Department
Sheriff Office
Meanwhile...
Behind the large desk that was full of paperwork, Liz released a heavy tired sigh from her lips while reading over the documents. Sheriff Forbes's blue eyes stayed on the papers, trying to figure out the puzzles over the death of Brain Walters. She had wondered how the wooden stake had Elena Gilbert's fingerprints on it.
Liz knew that Elena hadn't committed a murder. So, it was obvious that a killer tried to place the blame on innocent people.
With another sigh, she blindly reached for the coffee cup but found it empty. With annoyed and tired that she had no coffee. Liz threw the empty paper cup in the trash next to her desk.
Suddenly, a ringtone from her cell that she quickly grabbed from her pocket. She frowned at the caller ID and answered. "Bill?" she stopped contacting her ex-husband after she discovered that he tortured her daughter.
"Liz... someone killed me."
Liz's eyes widen in shock. "Wh-wait, what?" she stammered, completely dumbfounded by this bizarre shocking news.
"And I am dying with the vampire blood in my system." Bill stated, calmly.
The Sheriff Forbes froze for a brief moment and then slowly closed her eyes, resigned and understanding. She leaned back against the leather office chair. "...and you refuse to complete the transition." she commented, aware of how much Bill despised vampires.
"Exactly."
Liz inhaled deeply and shakily exhaled from her lips while her fingers curled tighter around her cell that was pressed against her ear. "Are you going to tell Caroline?" she asked, blankly.
The only he hears is his breathing through the phone. "Bill... you aren't going to not say a word to her? Especially when you are going to die in less than twenty-four hours." she said, angrily as she snapped her eyes open with disblieved. "Well?!" she snapped, waiting for her ex-husband to answer.
Only silence made Liz shake her head while bitting her bottom lip, incredulously. "You know what? We can't have this kind of conversation on the phone. Where are you? We need to talk more in person." she jumped to her feet from her chair while grabbing her bomber jacket. "I'm serious, Bill. Where are you?"
Bill sighed. "I'm in the alley near the Hospital parking lots."
"Stay where you are. I'll be there in ten minutes." Liz hung up the phone and shoved it in her pocket. "Oh my God..." she mumbled, worried about her daughter and how Caroline was going to take this awful situation.
How is she going to explain that Caroline's father is dying?
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Mystic Falls
Mikealson Mansion
Later...
The Original brothers and Salvatore brothers are still at the table however, they finish their meal and move on to the dessert. Elijah leaned forward with curiosity. "Stefan. Where is the lovely Elena tonight?"
"I don't know." Stefan coldly glanced at Damon. "Ask Damon." He simply answered uncaringly.
Klaus chortled while pressing his lips with a fork and Elijah glanced at his brother with perplexity. "I'm sorry, you've missed so much." Klaus tipped his head at Stefan. "Ah, trouble in paradise."
"One more word about Elena and this dinner's over." The young Salvatore said with a sharp smirk.
The Original Hybrid just smiles with amusement. He puts a finger to his lips as a silent promise to keep quiet about Elena.
"You know what, probably best to keep Elena in the do-not-discuss pile." Damon speaks up with an awkward smile.
Klaus plays along with a nod. "You're probably right." The older Salvatore nodded with pleased and relief as he picked up his wineglass. "It's just the allure of the Petrova doppelgänger, still so strong." The Original Hybrid placed his fork down and leaned back comfortably. "What do you say, brother? Should we tell them about Tatia?"
"Now why should we discuss matters long since resolved?" Elijah dropped the cloth napkin on the table calmly.
Klaus shrugs his shoulders. "Well, given their shared affection for both Elena and Katerina, I think our guests might be curious to learn about the originator of the Petrova line."
The older Salvatore sipped his water quietly and then set it down with a stiff smile. "Well, we're not going anywhere, Elijah. Please, do tell."
Elijah glanced at Klaus who raised his eyebrows then shifted his dark gaze to the Salvatore brothers. "When our family first settled here, there was a girl named Tatia. She was an exquisite beauty. Every boy of age desired to be her suitor, even though she'd had a child by another man. And none loved her more than Niklaus."
"I'd say there was one who loved her at least as much." Klaus commented solemnly. The Noble Original sent his knowing glance at his brother.
"Wait a minute." Stefan chuckled with disbelief. "So you both loved the same girl?" he pointed at the Original brothers who glanced at each other.
The Noble Original sighed. "Our mother was a very powerful witch. She sought to end our feud over Tatia and so she took her. Niklaus and I would later learn that it was Tatia's blood that we consumed in the wind on the night when our mother performed the spell which turned us into vampires. Tatia wouldn't make a decision between the two of us, so for a time Niklaus and I… grew estranged. Harsh words were traded, we even came to blows, didn't we, brother?"
"But in the end, we realized the sacred bond of family." Klaus plucked his wineglass steadily while Elijah lifted his own glass as well.
"Family above all." The Noble Original stated.
Klaus raises his wineglass along with his brother. "Family above all."
They clink their glasses together.
"So, why don't we move this evening along and discuss the terms of this proposal?" Elijah suggested, wanting to get this dinner over with.
Damon seems to agree with Elijah. "That's very simple. Klaus gets his coffin back, in exchange, he and the Original extended family leave Mystic Falls forever. Me, Stefan, and Elena live happily ever after. No grudges." He contributed with his idea of a deal.
"The deal sounds fair, brother." Elijah glanced at his brother who was staring at the table quietly.
Klaus lightly drummed her fingers against the table. "I don't think you understand. Elena's doppelgänger blood ensures that I will always have more hybrids to fight those who oppose me. I will never leave her behind." He said, faux-ponderingly. "Let's say I do leave her here, under your protection, what then?" he stood up, grabbed his wineglass, and started pacing. "How long before one of you turns her into a vampire? Or worse, how long before she dies caught between your feuding?"
Damon and Stefan glanced at each other while Elijah just calmly sat back with an impassive face.
The Original Hybrid turned around and placed his forearms against the back of the chair while playing around with his wine. "You see, each of you truly believes that you're the one who can protect her, and that is simply a delusion. Gentlemen, the worst thing for Elena Gilbert is…" he wriggles his finger at two young vampires. "...the two of you." He blunted offhandedly.
The older Salvatore just gave a weak smile while Stefan stared at the table blankly. "I'm gonna get some air." Damon decided to leave the room, stood up, and walked out.
"Let me deal with this." Elijah offered and Klaus just nodded his head. He watched his noble brother follow Damon out.
The Original Hybrid sighed. "All this talk has made me thirsty." He drank the rest of his wine and set the empty glass on the table. From the corner of his eyes, he spotted the servants. "What do you say Stefan? Can I interest you in a little after-dinner drink?" Klaus pushed himself up away from the back of the chair and tilted his head at the servants in the distance.
Stefan glanced over blankly when one of the servants sauntered over to them.
It didn't take more than five minutes when the dead servant was dropped to the floor and Klaus wiped the blood away with his thumb and licked it off. He smirks at Stefan who has just been watching silently. "Delicious. Aged to perfection." Klaus commented, satisfied.
"Well, I guess the only reason you agreed to this evening, Klaus, is to drive a wedge between me and my brother." Stefan said as he stood up from the chair and stepped forward until he was a safe distance from Klaus.
The Original Hybrid raises his eyebrows. "Oh no, you're doing that well enough on your own. Because of Elena, you're gonna lose your brother and you'll only have yourself to blame." He stated, with a knowing smirk.
The Noble Original and the young vampire return to the dining room. "What do you say, Klaus?" Damon spoke up with a stiff polite smile. "It's time for you to put something on the table. We've made our offer, now you counter."
"Okay." Klaus ambled around the table where Elijah stood behind the empty chair. The Original Hybrid grabbed the cloth napkin to clean his lips just in case. "I offer Elena's future happiness. You see, what she needs right now is to be rid of you lot. And to fall in love with a human, maybe that nice football player, you the blonde one?" he glanced up at the Noble Original with an idea who would pair with his doppelgänger.
Damon furrowed his eyebrows with incredulity and confusion. "Matt Donovan? Really?"
"Yeah, why not?" Klaus shrugs his shoulders. "They'll marry, live a long and fruitful life, and pop out a perfect family." He said, nonchalantly.
The young Salvatore huffed. "And continue the Petrova bloodline. Every few hundred years, you'll have a new doppelgänger to drain and never run out of hybrids, right Klaus?"
"Consider it a small return on my investment in her well-being. See, after you hand me back the coffin, I'll ensure her safety for the rest of her natural life. You know it's what's best for her." Klaus verbalized, neutrally. Then he pushed himself off the chair and stepped toward the fireplace while his gaze was on Stefan. "So, what do you say Stefan, hmm? Do we have a deal?"
Stefan quietly watched Klaus then sauntered over to Klaus who had smirks on his face. The Original Hybrid offers his hand for a moment.
Then the young Salvatore grabbed it. "Nice try, Klaus." Klaus' smirk slowly dropped. "But no deal."
Klaus' blue eyes glimmer with anger that he instantly breaks Stefan's arm, kicks the young vampire's leg, and cracks in bend. Klaus roughly pushed Stefan to the fireplace and shoved Stefan's hand in the fire. It started to burn Stefan's hand as Stefan cried out in pain.
Damon attempts to save his brother but Elijah intercepts him, and pushes him against a wall with a blank face. "What are you doing?" Damon snapped, worried, angry, and slightly fearful for his brother.
"Stop!" Damon shouted, watching Klaus continue holding Stefan's arm in the fire as it got worse and worse to the point it was badly burnt and an awful foul scent of burnt flesh. "Stop!"
Klaus glanced at Damon calmly. "Now, bring me my coffin before I burn him alive. And do not tell me you have no idea where it is. Stefan told you, after all, you're both brothers." he said with a knowing glint in his eyes.
"I'll get it." The older Salvatore snapped angrily and walked out before he hit Elijah's shoulder who released Damon from chokehold.
The Original Hybrid noticed his brother staring at him indifferently. "Go with him, brother. You keep him honest. And when you return, I will make good on my promise to you and I will hand over our family." Klaus promised with a solemn face.
Elijah turned around and followed Damon.
.
.
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Mikaelson Mansion
A Family Room
Damon walked into the room and eyed the three coffins while Elijah quietly shut the double doors silently. "So, now what?" the older Salvatore snapped, worried about his brother who was being used as a hostage.
"Now is it time to undagger them." Elijah murmured as he walked over to one of the coffins, and pulled it upward to reveal his sister's grey body before him. He extended his hand forward, curled his fingers around the hilt, and pulled the dagger from her chest.
Elijah went to the other coffin, opened and stared at his elder brother whom he had not seen for centuries. His undead heart sank with forlornness and distress. Finn has been stuck inside the box for nine centuries. His poor brother is going to be so confused with all the changes in this time era. He took out the dagger from his elder brother's chest.
And lastly, he strode to the third coffin and lifted the lid. He stared at his younger brother, Kol. 'You are finally free, brother.' Elijah mused, grasped his fingers around the hilt, and removed it.
The Noble Original stepped back with patience while Damon stood by the door, keeping his ears out.
It didn't take long for his sister to wake up who sat up with a gasp. Elijah sauntered his way over to the nearby small table that had a silver tray with a cloth over it. He grabbed the cloth away, revealed six blood bags, and plucked two bags. The Noble Original used his vamp-speed to his sister and handed her the blood bags.
Rebekah grabbed them quickly, using her fangs to cut the blood bags and drain them down her throat. Less than a minute, her skin tone returned to healthy fair, and dropped the empty bags on the ground. "That twat nasty doppel-bitch!" she hisses, furious when she just remembered Elena had literally stabbed her in the back with a bloody cursed dagger!
A rough coughed heard that turned all heads to Finn who struggled to sit up. Rebekah's eyes glistened when she noticed her elder brother was free from the dagger after nine centuries.
Elijah hurriedly grabbed two blood bags and went to Finn's side. "Here you go, brother." Finn glares with disgust and suspicion at the blood bags. While Rebekah gracefully leaped out of her coffin. "You need to drink them." the noble brother insisted.
With a brief hesitant then resigned to draining down the blood bags. Eventually, his faded grey skin changed to a healthy tan.
"What year?" Finn's voice is slightly harsh, which is understandable considering that he hasn't undaggered for a very long time.
Elijah silently sighed. "It's two thousand and ten."
The eldest Original scoffed with a shaking head. He jumped out of his coffin neatly and landed on the ground. He curled his fingers in and out while rotating his shoulders. His body has been motionless for centuries so he feels a bit stiff.
"Finn." the Original Princess used her vamp-speed to her elder brother, and wrapped her arms around him. "I miss you." she whispered, vulnerable.
Finn stiffed for a brief moment and awkwardly touched her arms with his hands, didn't push her away which made her happy. She could tell that he wasn't comfortable with touch but resisted himself as he allowed her to embrace him. It showed that he also missed her as well. Rebekah released her arms from him and gently smiled at her elder brother in response.
"Why isn't he awake?" Damon rudely pointed at the young handsome man who was still unconscious.
The Noble Original strode to Kol's side and tilted his head, searching his brother's face. Kol's grey skin is fading to pale. Not quite healthy tan skin yet since he needs to consume the blood.
"Wake up, you bloody wanker." Rebekah said with exasperated yet her blue eyes filled with concern. She steps closer to her brother's side with her hands on her hips, waiting for Kol to open his eyes.
Finn eyed suspiciously. "How long has he been daggered?" he questioned.
"A century." Elijah replied, still observing his young brother. 'Why are you not awake, brother?' he wondered if it was because his spirit was with a certain blonde vampire.
Rebekah's eyebrows furrowed deeply, bewildered. "He should be awake right about now." she doesn't understand why her brother isn't opening his mischievous eyes and showing his devious smirk right this second. She reached to Kol's chest, placed her palm on top, and waited. A troubled frown appeared on her face. "His chest isn't even moving. Not even a slight."
"Is he dead?" Damon blunted, casual curiosity.
"Impossible!" the Princess Original snapped at the older Salvatore with defensive and angry glares. Damon just surrounds his hands with a faux-innocent face.
Finn ambled around and stood near Kol's head. His gaze scrutinizes carefully at his prankster brother. His brown-grey eyes shifted to the silver daggers that Elijah was holding onto with deep contemplation.
"Elijah..." Rebekah turned her anxious and nervous eyes to her noble brother. "...I don't think this is supposed to happen." she said, fear for her brother.
The Noble Original considered this situation for a moment then nodded to himself as if he had come to a decision. "I believe this is a very private family business that needs to be discussed." He glanced at the older Salvatore who cocked his haughty eyebrow at him. "You and your brother will have to leave. We—" Elijah glanced over at his siblings. "—have business with Niklaus."
"Uh, are you forgetting something?" Damon scoffed. "Klaus is holding my brother hostage!" he hissed.
Rebekah rolled her eyes. "I'll make Nik release Stefan." she said, calmly before she walked out, she glanced at Elijah. "Please make sure those bloody cured daggers are hidden."
"Of course, sister." Elijah already had a temporary place to hide the silver daggers. The noble brother used his vamp-speed somewhere in the house to hide the daggers.
The Princess Original flipped her hair over her shoulder and walked out of the big room with confidence. Damon glanced at Finn who was standing silently by Kol and went hot on her tail.
Rebekah cleared her throat and opened her mouth. "Klaus you narcissistic lying bloody wanker!" she shouted, indignant. She stormed into the room where Klaus jerked his head around as he released Stefan from his hold.
Stefan quickly put his distance from the Original Hybrid with his guard up and cautious eyes.
"Rebekah!" Klaus blurted in confusion. "Y-you... you're free?" he didn't expect to see undaggered sister.
Rebekah glares at Klaus. "You are extremely lucky that I do not have my dagger with me because I would've stabbed you for what you did to our mother." she snapped, angrily. She wished she could stab her brother right now but held back since there were more pressing matters to focus on than her anger at Klaus.
Before Klaus opened his mouth, his blue eyes moved when Elijah appeared and lazily adjusted his blazer. "Elijah... what have you done?"
"What have you done?" the Noble Original retorted. "You see, I've learned not to trust your vulgar promises, Niklaus. We're doing this on my terms now."
Then Elijah glanced over at the Salvatore brothers. "You're free to go. This is family business." he imparted which the young vampires happily obliged to leave the mansion.
Rebekah sauntered toward her noble brother and stood next to him. Her arms crossed and leaned against one of her legs while glowering at her hybrid brother.
"Elijah..." the Original Hybrid cautiously eyed his siblings who are obviously crossed at him. "...did you also undagger the rest of our siblings." he questioned.
The Princess Original narrowed her eyes. "He did. Finn is watching Kol and he is not waking up." she said, worried and angry.
Klaus frowns with slight confusion. "What do you mean he's not waking up?"
"I mean that he is not opening his eyes, Nik! Finn was awake before Kol and we stood there, waiting for him but nothing!" Rebekah complained, concerned.
The Original Hybrid shakes his head. "He's being bloody dramatic." he argued.
Rebekah scoffed. "Seriously? Why don't you go and take a look at Kol. Then you can tell us that our brother was being theatrical. Playing with us." she mockingly said.
"He is! Kol is a prankster." Klaus stated, firmly believed that Kol was being devious dare-devil.
The Original Hybrid marched straight across the house to a certain big room with a goal in mind.
Elijah and Rebekah followed him to the big room where Finn was currently watching over Kol. The elder brother shifted his gaze up and scowled darkly at Klaus who ignored him as he stormed straight to the coffin.
"What are you doing, Kol? Wake up you bloody menace." Klaus demanded with an exasperated glare.
All Originals stared down at unconscious Kol in the coffin. No sign of twitch. No chest moving. Nothing. Just—so still and so quiet. The Original Hybrid frowned deeply. "Kol." he reached down and carefully touched his young brother's chest.
He waited for a moment but Kol was very immovable.
"I told you, Nik. Kol isn't waking up." Rebekah emphasized while studying Kol's face with worried eyes.
Finn chimed in. "Maybe it was the dagger that did this." he glared at Klaus.
"You have something to say to me, Finn?" Klaus scowled.
"Yes. I do, in fact, have something to say to you, Niklaus." the eldest Original stepped forward, angrily. "You left me in that bloody coffin for nine centuries!" he snapped.
"Better than dealing with your judgemental and hateful attitude!" Klaus sneered with dark glares.
Finn's fingers curled into tight, shaky fists at his side as his brown-grey orbs gleamed with crimson-red. "You don't know me enough to understand why I acted the way I was, Niklaus! You don't know me at all!"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!" Klaus shot, confused and angry.
"It means what you 'know' is only what I choose to show you, so quit judging me based on what you see—I'm not the real enemy here." Finn hisses, resisting himself from punching his young half-brother in the face.
Rebekah frowned while darting her blue eyes at her brothers who were arguing with tension in the air. She glanced over at her noble brother who silently watched Kol with a thoughtful face. "Elijah." the Princess Original tilted her head with a curious frown. "Are we just gonna focus on Kol or not?" she waves her hand at her two brothers who are still arguing.
Elijah shifted his dark gaze from his young brother with a sigh. "Brothers, calm down!" he stepped forward coolly and stood between Finn and Klaus who were snarling angrily at each other. "I believe I might know why Kol is currently indisposed at the moment." all eyes turned to him.
"And what, pray tell, is the reason?" Klaus raised his mocking eyebrow at his noble brother.
The Noble Original grabbed his cell phone from the inner pocket of his blazer. "I have a call I need to make. I believe they can provide better answers than I." he deflected, mysteriously.
His siblings stared at him with suspicion and quizzical.
"Who." Klaus demanded with a perplexed scowl.
Elijah lifted his phone to his ear with a composed face. "You will see."
.
.
.
Mystic Falls
Mystic Park
Parking Lots
Later...
A cruiser parked near the sidewalk underneath the shade that provided the large tree. In the driver's seat, Liz had her elbow resting on the edge of the window while staring at the field of flowers blankly.
Next to her, on the passenger's seat is where her ex-husband is currently sitting. Bill leaned back heavily with his eyes closed.
Silence in the car has been so intense and so quiet for a while after Bill told Liz what happened to him. How he was discharged from quick healing because of the vampire blood without his permission. And how he attempted to sneak out but someone caught him by surprise from behind and killed him. He was left in the closest supply and he doesn't know who the killer was. When he woke up, all healing, and knew that he was in transition and hid in the alleyway outside of the hospital because the sun was irritating him.
It had been quite a lot of information for Sheriff Forbes who needed to process it in her mind. Until Liz opened her mouth. "You really are not going to complete the transition?" she just had to ask again, to be clear.
"You know the answer to that, Liz." the hunter uttered, softly.
The Sheriff Forbes shakes her head with incredulity. "What about Caroline?" she turned her eyes at Bill.
Bill's lips pressed together for a bit then released a sigh. "I am honestly surprised that she has not told you."
"Tell me what?" Liz asked, warily.
The hunter moved his head to his side and opened his tired eyes. "I disowned her, Liz." he admitted, solemnly.
Liz gulped dryly as she blinked a few times. Her blue eyes started to shine with tears. "I...I had a suspicion. You never call and never send any gifts by mail." she rubbed her forehead with a mess of emotions.
"She is terrified of me." Bill added in a low tone, he did see the fear flash before Caroline's eyes when she saw him.
Liz huffed roughly. "And of course, she is terrified of you, Bill. You tortured her for days. She had nightmares. God! She even had a night light on in her bedroom every night!" she revealed with a pain in her heart. Her poor sweet daughter.
Silence appeared once again for a brief moment. Liz stared at the road ahead, and couldn't bring herself to look at her ex-husband. "...you hurt her. You disowned her. You gave her nightmares." Bill just stay quiet. "—I know that you did horrible things to her. But at the end of the day, she was your daughter. I know for a fact that deep down, she misses her father. So, are you really never going to say goodbye to her?"
The hunter wordlessly lowered his gaze to his lap, staring at his palms with heavy contemplation.
"Well?" Liz prodded, waiting for his final answer.
Bill closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled with an answer.
.
.
.
Mystic Falls
On the Road
Meanwhile...
"I can't believe we're going to the Original's house." Caroline muttered, nervously and anxious while controlling the steering wheel. On the passenger seat was Bonnie who had her grimoire laid on her lap.
"I can't believe that Elijah already undaggered everyone and yet I'm still here." Kol said with a puzzled tone. He recalled how Elijah called Caroline's cell phone and informed them that his siblings were all undaggered however, Kol's real body didn't wake up. Elijah suggested Caroline and Bonnie come to the Mikealson Mansion and figure out the answer to the problem together.
The blonde-haired beauty frowned with perplexity. "It is because of the curse? Is that why Kol isn't waking up in his real body?" she questioned, worried.
"It's a possibility." Bonnie offered, unsure.
The wild Original sighed loudly with disappointment. "Bloody hell... I just want to be free." he groaned, just how long is he going to suffer like this? He is already tired of being a ghost.
Thankfully, it wasn't a long drive when they arrived at the location of the large mansion. Caroline drove her car onto the driveway and parked it. "Wow." she is amazed by the size of the large house.
Kol made an unimpressed face. "Meh. it's alright." his own personal house is better than this mansion.
"I don't wanna know." the blonde-haired beauty made a face when she heard her ghost's comment.
Caroline, Bonnie and Kol stepped out of the car and easily spotted Elijah who was waiting outside of the door.
The Noble Original vamp-speed toward them. "Thank you for coming on such short notice, ladies." he said with polite gratitude. "Please, follow me." he led the supernatural best friends into the mansion while Kol silently nitpicked and judged the objects inside of the Mikaelson Mansion.
The wild Original attempted to ignore the apprehension and anxious emotions. Caroline was marveled by the interior design while Bonnie hugged her grimoire tightly close to her chest with alert eyes.
Kol scanned around blankly until his dark gaze landed on Rebekah who was standing near the door with her arms crossed. "Bex." he muttered, noticing that she was wearing a red dress that he assumed was for the Homecoming dance.
"Them?" Rebekah cocked her bemused eyebrow when she saw Caroline and Bonnie. "They have the answers to whatever is happening to Kol?" she asked her noble brother with skepticism.
"What happened to me?" Kol spoke up, not liking where this was going.
Elijah assured his sister. "If anyone might know what is going on, it's them."
Rebekah sharply sighed but nodded her head. She gave her hesitant smile at the supernatural best friends who returned with polite smiles.
The transparent Original step inside the big room where all the coffins are located. He sent his dark scowled at Klaus and double-take when he saw his eldest brother. "Finn..." he murmured, he couldn't believe that he actually almost missed Finn until he recalled how Finn hated him and others.
Almost immediately, his dark eyes found his casket where the lid was opened. "My body." it was rather bizarre to see his body right in front of him.
"Why are they here?" Klaus frowned with warily yet curious as he met the young vampire and a Bennett witch.
Elijah glanced at them. "They might have the answers we seek, Nikalus." he simply replied and gestured his hand over at one of the coffins, silently telling them to go ahead.
Unaware that Finn's eyes widened in dumbfounded when his brown-grey eyes stared at the necklace wrapped around Caroline's neck. 'No... that is impossible. Surely it's a coincidence?' he mused, dazed.
The blonde-haired beauty ambled to the coffin with interest and curiosity. Her blue-green eyes sparkle with intrigue and amazement when she finally sees the face of her ghost after many months. 'He shares a strong resemblance of Elijah but more young.' Caroline mused, wondered.
Kol looked like he just barely got mature as an adult. Which is understandable considering that he was an eternal nineteen-year-old.
"Dashing, aren't I?" Kol displayed his weak smirk as he stood near his body while glancing at his vampire and his mentee.
"He looked so young." Bonnie whispered, surprised to see her mentor in the coffin.
The blonde-haired beauty hummed. "It's kinda creepy seeing him like this." she blunted, awkwardly which made Kol fond and adored for her.
The Bennett witch agreed with her vampire best friend. She lowered one of her hands and lightly touched her mentor's chest. Bonnie narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "...I can feel magic energy inside of him. He's not gone." she mused out loud.
Her news brings relief to the room.
"Then why the bloody hell is he not waking up?" Klaus crossed his arms with a displeased frown yet there was a hint of worry in his cornflower-blue eyes.
Bonnie bit her bottom lip, and sneakily glanced at Caroline who made a grimaced face. Kol's eyebrows furrowed while he observed his body. He touched his body and waited for a few seconds but nothing. "My touch didn't do anything." he said, disgruntled.
Caroline mouthed the words at Bonnie, repeated from Kol's words. The petite witch's shoulders slumped with disappointment and shifted her gaze over at her mentor.
"Well?" the Original Hybrid snapped, impatient for the answer.
The Bennett witch rolled her eyes and turned around to face the Originals. "May we please have a private here?"
"Of course, Miss Bennett." Elijah accepted before any of his siblings protested. He gives them a stern look. "We do not want to disturb a witch who is helping us." Rebekah huffed loudly, and walked out of the big room with loud footsteps from her heels. Klaus' growls rumbled from his chest and sent his warning glares at them then left as well.
Finn quietly stared at the blonde-haired beauty with conflicted flashes through his brown-grey eyes. "Brother?" Finn snapped his eyes at Elijah who tilted his head at the door, silently asking him to leave.
The elder Original gave a last thoughtful glance at Caroline and walked out. Elijah nods his head at the supernatural girls. "I trust that you help Kol." he said with a knowing glint in his eyes. The Noble Original grabbed the doorknobs and closed them, leaving them alone in the big room.
Bonnie muttered a spell quickly. "...alright. I set up a silence barrier." she said with satisfaction. Then she opened the grimoire in her hands and bit her inner cheek while turning the pages. "I honestly don't know what we can do to help him, Care. I mean, we all know that a vengeful witch cursed Kol, and his soul was bound to yours."
"The problem was what kind of curse she did to me." Kol sighed while running his fingers through his hair, making them messy.
The blonde-haired beauty observed Kol's body for a bit then she glanced at Bonnie. "Maybe my blood could wake him?" she suggested, unsure.
Kol made a thoughtful face. "That might work."
Bonnie hummed with interest. "Not a bad idea. When it comes to blood, it can break the curse."
"Agreed." the transparent Original nods his head with a pleased smirk.
Caroline beamed with nervousness yet excitement. "Alright... then I'll just—" she lifted her inner wrist, bit down, and broke her skin. The blonde-haired beauty licked some of her blood from her lips while she lowered her bloody wrist to Kol's mouth.
Bonnie steps back to give Caroline a space while watching with curiosity. The wild Original watches with a fragile hope.
The blonde-haired beauty gently shifted her wrist on Kol's open mouth and used her other hand to squeeze her bloody wrist to drop more blood into it. "Umm... how much blood you think—?" she sends her questioning eyes at Bonnie.
"No more than a few drops of your blood, I think." the petite witch assumed while pressing her open grimoire close to her chest with a slight hopeful glint in her olive-green eyes.
The Prince Original blinked slowly as he lifted his hand to his temple, all of a sudden, the exhausted just slammed into him. His eyelids felt heavy and his limbs felt like they were paralyzed. Despite his best efforts to fight it, his body was giving an overwhelming feeling of sleepiness. Before he knew it, he had drifted off into a deep slumber as the darkness greeted him.