"Die! Die! Spiny Shell of Death!" Maya screamed as she targeted Tyler's car with the blue projectile. She watched with glee as it zoomed past the other racers and homed in on him.

"I thought this was a racing game," Stefan said, a look of confusion on his face. He had never played Mario Kart before, and he was regretting his decision to join in.

"It is." Tyler and Maya replied at the same time, their eyes glued to the screen.

"Then why is Maya screaming about death?" Stefan asked, trying to dodge the bananas and shells that littered the track. He felt like he was in a war zone, not a cartoonish game.

Tyler didn't answer straight away, too busy trying to maintain his first-place position, whilst Maya lobbed as many items at him as she could, cackling like a b-movie villain every time one hit. He clenched his teeth and gripped the controller, hoping to avoid the spiny shell that was closing in on him. Stefan was in last place and clearly had no idea what he was doing. He swerved left and right, hitting every obstacle and falling off every cliff.

"Damn it!" Tyler cursed as the spiny shell exploded on his car, sending him spinning out of control.

He watched helplessly as Maya zoomed past him, her car glowing with the power of a star. She hit him with lightning at the last minute and squished him beneath her own car just before she sailed over the finish line and claimed first place.

"Victory is mine!" Maya shouted, throwing her arms in the air, and doing a victory dance. She grinned wickedly at Tyler, who shook his head and laughed.

"I didn't think Mario Kart would be that violent." Stefan said as his own car, meandered across the finish line in last place.

Tyler and Maya just laughed. It really wasn't that violent, but it was more fun if you shouted as dramatically as you could whilst playing. Stefan checked the time on his watch, but before he could suggest that they should all go and get ready, the doorbell rang, and Dobby popped into the room with a slight crack.

"Miss Caroline is being at the door."

"I'll go," Maya chirped, bouncing up and out of the room before any of them could stop her.

She flung open the door and grinned at the older girl whom she was beginning to view as a big sister. Caroline smiled weakly in return, a panicked look filling her eyes.

"Emergency. Two Emergencies actually."

Maggie who'd heard the doorbell came downstairs, at the same time Tyler and Stefan stepped out of the den, curious about what had brought Caroline to the door when she should be on her way to the Founder's Hall to get ready.

"Caroline, is everything okay?" Maggie asked, also reading the panic and distress on Caroline's face.

Caroline shook her head and tears filled her eyes.

"No,"

"What happened?" Maya demanded, fully ready to engage in battle with whoever had upset her Caroline.

"Matt couldn't get the day off work, and I was gonna ask Stefan if he would fill in as my escort today." Caroline explained.

"Oh, is that all." Maggie asked, it wasn't after all something to be quite so upset about.

Caroline sniffed and shook her head.

"Someone ruined my dress, and I don't have anything to wear!" she wailed, tears spilling over and dripping down her face.

Maya turned a panicked look Maggie's way; she wasn't the only one. Stefan and Tyler who'd both heard what Caroline had said were also looking at Maggie, practically begging her to take control and resolve the situation.

"Okay." Maggie said calmly, "Here's what we're going to do. Stefan, are you able to fill in as Caroline's escort?"

"Yeah of course."

"Good. Caroline what are the requirements for your dress?"

"Full length, formal gown, preferably in jewel tones. But it's too late –"

"What size do you need?" Maggie asked, before Caroline could get anymore upset.

Caroline quickly rattled off a series of numbers to Maggie who nodded.

"Okay. Stefan, Tyler, go get changed then take Caroline to the Founder's Hall so she can start getting ready. Maya, your dress is on your bed, go get changed as well please. Caroline, I will get you a new dress, and bring it to the hall and help you finish getting ready."

"How –"

"Trust me, I will get you a dress and you will love it." Maggie smiled and clapped her hands together, "Chop-chop."

Everyone rushed to do as Maggie had ordered, within ten minutes Tyler and Stefan had both donned suits and were taking Caroline to the Founders Hall. Maya took a little longer to get into her own dress, due to stopping on her way to her room to fill Damon and Enzo in on the issue. Once she was dressed in the clothes Maggie had helped her pick out, a midi-dress with a flared skirt in a pale blue colour with white lace embroidery on the bodice and hem and a pair of matching flats, she went downstairs to find Enzo and Damon in the living room, where they were waiting for Maggie to return with Caroline's dress. They were both wearing suits, though Enzo had foregone a tie.

Maggie hurried in about five minutes later, a wrapped dress held in her arms and a pleased look on her face.

"Let's go. I need to get Caroline her dress."

It didn't take them long to get to the hall and as soon as they arrived, Maggie and Maya went upstairs to deliver the dress to an extremely grateful Caroline, under the watchful eye of a relieved looking Mrs Lockwood. Maggie had even had the forethought to bring Caroline a new pair of shoes that matched the dress and some jewellery for her to accessorise with. Caroline let out an audible gasp when she unzipped the bag and saw the dress Maggie had brought for her. It fulfilled the specifications and then some, Maya leant against Maggie and grinned, enjoying Caroline's delight.

It was a stunning emerald colour, a perfect match for Caroline's colouring. It had a V-shaped neckline, the bodice designed to cling to the wearer, showcasing their decolletage, before flaring out at the waist into a smooth and flowing floor-length skirt. The dress was made from pure silk, whilst the gold embroidery on the bodice, inspired by the natural beauty of plants and flowers, was made of delicately woven lace that contrasted harmoniously with the deep green of the fabric. It was a complete statement piece that exuded elegance and was a hundred times better than any of the other girls dresses.

"Maggie, I –"

"Love it, and can't wait to wear it." Maggie said firmly, flashing a gentle smile at Caroline. "Come on, lets sort your hair so it showcases the dress and the jewellery properly. Then we can get you dressed."

Mrs Lockwood, let out a relieved sigh, and murmured a low thank-you to Maggie, before hurrying away to check on everyone else. Maya claimed the chair next to Caroline's and watched as Maggie helped her restyle her hair into a sophisticated bun, with some left loose to carefully frame Caroline's face. Maggie had secured the bun with a gold hair-clip that matched the embroidery pattern of the dress. She handed Caroline the earrings she had brought, small emeralds dangling from a gold chain, to put on and fastened the matching necklace around her neck. The final touch was a delicate chain-link gold bracelet embossed with tiny emeralds. Even without the dress on yet, Caroline looked amazing.

"So, what happened to your original dress?" Maya asked, once Maggie was done with Caroline's hair and jewellery.

"Someone spilled paint down it." Caroline replied, carefully stepping into her new dress that Maggie was holding out for her.

Maya cast a suspicious look around the room at the other four girls who were also getting ready. They were all busy with their final touches for the pageant which would be starting in a few minutes, except for one girl who looked like she was having a mini-panic attack. None of them screamed guilt, Maya was about to try reading their minds for clues, when Maggie caught her eye and shook her head. Maggie buttoned up the back of Caroline's new dress and helped her slip into her matching heels. Once she was completely dressed, Caroline did a mini twirl for them.

"How do I look?"

"Beautiful," Maya answered earnestly.

Maggie and Caroline both smiled at her before Maggie carefully tucked a strand of Caroline's hair behind her ear.

"You look stunning, Caroline, absolutely stunning."

"Thank you for all your help, Maggie, I don't know what I would have done without you."

"You're welcome love, now go out here and wins this. You deserve it."

Caroline's smile was warm and a little bit shy.

"I'll do my best."

"And we'll be watching." She wrapped an arm round Maya's shoulder's and turned her towards the door. "Come on, let's go find the others, let them know the problem has been solved."

Jenna joined them on their way out, having finished helping Elena get ready. She grinned at Maya, before looking at Maggie.

"That was a very nice thing you did for Caroline. I can't believe someone would deliberately ruin her dress like that, just for a small-town pageant."

"You get all types,"

"You sure do," Jenna agreed. "I also wanted to thank you, whatever you said to Jeremy it really helped. He's doing so much better since he agreed to give counselling a try."

"Good."

The three of them walked past the escorts, who were lined up at the bottom of the stairs. Stefan looked extremely self-conscious, tugging on his sleeves slightly, and shifting his weight from foot to foot. Maya grinned at him, eyes dancing with laughter when Maggie stopped to straighten his tie and suit jacket.

"You'll do fine." She told him, "Just remember, this is all about Caroline, no one cares what you look like."

"Thanks," Stefan replied dryly, as Jenna and Maya both laughed.

"I'm gonna go find my date," Jenna said, "I'll see you later,"

"Bye Miss Jenna,"

"See you later Jenna," Maggie scanned the crowd and saw Damon, Enzo, and Tyler standing together, "Come on Maya, lets go grab the boys and make sure we have a good view of the dance floor for Caroline's introduction."

They'd just found a place outside when the Mayor began to introduce the contestants and their escorts.

"Miss Blair Fell, escorted by Edgar Whitmore… Miss Tina Fell, escorted by Bartholemew Whitmore… Miss Amber Bradley, escorted by Frances Huntington… Miss Caroline Forbes, escorted by Mister Stefan Salvatore… Miss Elena Gilbert, escorted by Jeffery Lockwood Hamilton."

Everyone clapped politely as each new girl was introduced and led out onto the patio by her escort, before falling silent as the music played and the dance began. All the girls looked lovely, Maya could admit that, but Caroline out shone them all by a mile, she might be a little bit biased, but it was still true.

"That will be you in a few years' time," Tyler whispered, laughing softly when Maya pulled a face and shook her head.

She supported Caroline because she loved her, but she wasn't sure she wanted to put the same amount of effort into becoming Miss Mystic Falls when she was old enough to participate. She already had goals, professional quidditch player and astronaut were her aims at the moment, and both took a lot of work. Maybe in a few years, she might think differently, but right now she was content to stay on the sidelines and watch.

Maya clapped enthusiastically, along with everyone else as the dance came to an end. She could see Caroline grinning at Stefan, laughing softly in exhilaration, as he smiled back at her, and mouthed 'well done'. Stefan guided her other to where they were all stood, Maya flashed her a thumbs up, as Damon leant forward and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Well done, Caroline. You look absolutely smashing, and you did an amazing job for the dance."

"Thanks,"

Everyone else added their own congratulations in turn, Caroline looked absolutely thrilled by their show of support.

"When do they announce the winner?"

"Not for another hour. I'm so nervous… Has anyone seen my mom, she said she'd be here."

"I saw her earlier, I'm not sure –"

"I'm right here," Liz fought through the crowd with a little laugh, and gave Caroline a hug, "You look amazing sweetheart, and you did such a good job out there. Much better than I could have done."

"Thanks mom,"

Their group was soon joined by Elena, Jenna, and Alaric, and Caroline and Elena's friend Bonnie who was Sheila's granddaughter. Bonnie gave Maya an unsure look and rubbed her arms softly, Maya knew she could probably sense her magic, but she didn't seem to understand what she was sensing. Maya wasn't going to clue her in, especially not in such a mixed group, either she would figure it out or she wouldn't. Time passed quickly and soon it was time for Elena and Caroline to go on stage with the others.

"Before I crown the winner," The mayor said once they were all on stage, "I'd like to offer a personal thank you to all of these young ladies for their efforts to better our community."

Polite applause followed his words, and he waited for it to quieten down before speaking again.

"So, without further a due it is my honour to announce our very own Miss Mystic Falls, Miss Caroline Forbes!"

Maya cheered, Tyler let out a wolf-whistle, and everyone else clapped. Caroline looked completely gobsmacked to have been the one to win as she hugged a smiling Elena, before turning to the mayor who placed a sash over her head and stepped back applauding with the rest of the crowd.

Damon was about to pull the car into the driveway when two women stepped out of the shadows, causing him to break suddenly. Maya who'd been dozing in the back seat, jerked awake at the abrupt stop.

"Wha–?"

"Stay in the car." Damon ordered, before unclasping his own seatbelt and stepping out.

Enzo who'd been in the front passenger seat followed. Maggie reached across the empty seat between them and took Maya's hand squeezing gently in reassurance. Maya could tell from the slightly distant look in her eyes that she was listening to whatever was going on.

"All right now, this is getting weird." Damon said, looking between Anna and Pearl.

"We're here to talk." Anna told him.

"What? Can't pick up a phone like a normal person?"

"Annabelle tells me you're looking for something I took from Johnathan Gilbert."

"I'm listening."

Pearl offered him a small pouch.

"What is it?"

"Johnathan was passionate about his inventions. He confided in me that he had created a detection device meant to track down the town's vampire element."

Damon pulled a small round metal item out of the bag as she spoke, and examined it.

"It was a pocket watch."

"That's what it turned out to be yes. But that's not what I stole. I discovered my mistake when I saw the watch in Johnathan's hand, the night that took us. It's dial pointed at me."

Damon glanced down at the item she had given him once more.

"So, what is this?"

"I have no idea but now it's yours."

"What's the catch?"

"There is no catch. My daughter wants to stay here. I want to stay here. You refuse to trust us and for good reason. Consider this as an apology."

Damon looked at her and nodded.

"Then consider this a friendly warning. The current John Gilbert is just as fanatical in his hatred as his ancestor. Be careful of him."

Pearl nodded and flashed away, Anna following a moment later.

"What did she give you?" Maggie asked, once they were all in the living room and sipping on the hot drinks Dobby had handed out.

Damon pulled it out of the pouch again and tossed it over to her. Maya watched with interest as Maggie examined the item, she could see the magic on, a soft silver light that indicated it had been enchanted by a channeler in some way, much like the pocket watch had been.

"It's and enchanted object." She piped up after swallowing the mouthful of hot chocolate she'd taken.

"Enchanted how?" Stefan asked.

Maya just shrugged.

"Dunno. It doesn't work like that, all I can tell you is it's an enchantment, one placed by a channeler. If it was a Wixen the colour would be different, and if it was a transfiguration, charm, jinx, hex, or curse it would look different."

"If it was enchanted by a channeler then it was probably Emily Bennett who did it. I don't think there were any other witches around back then who it could have been." Damon said, accepting the object back from Maggie and dropping it inside the pouch. "I'll reach out to Sheila and see if there's anything in the grimiore to explain what it is or what it does. In the meantime, this stays hidden, and no-one gets told we have it… including Elena."