#alternativeseason

Hope woke up naked within the underground cave and eager to find something to clothe her started chanting something in Croatian until a ball of light appeared above her showing the underground cave to have nothing in it but a ancient cloth covering a coffin which Hope quickly wrapped round her to cover her modesty.

She found herself enchanted by this centuries old coffin with the initials S.S marked into it as she wondered why a coffin would be abandoned here by itself before noticing how she could smell something inside of it which made her grow more curious as anything other than bone should’ve rotted away centuries ago.

She was hesitant for a moment before deciding to open it shocked to find a desiccated male vampire with dark hair inside the coffin wearing clothing fitting of many centuries before.

“Just my luck to stumble upon a coffin while running.” Hope moaned as she found herself still memorized by this beautiful lifeless man. “I guess I should probably get you to the school and see what Alaric and Caroline make of you.”

“Oh my god my life is ruined!” Lizzie Saltzman moaned aloud while looking in the mirror in her joined bedroom with her twin sister Josie within Salvatore boarding school as she wore a plain white satin dress which she was clearly not amused with.

“Lizzie I’m sure you will find the perfect dress in time for our sweet 16.” Josie said with a smirk while sitting on the edge of her bed clearly amused by her sister’s dramatics.

“That’s okay for you to say your not painfully single for you own sweet 16 although I’d rather be single than dating that she bitch Penelope Park.” Lizzie replied while her white satin dress changed its color to red.

“She’s not a bitch Lizzie she’s just headstrong.” Josie snapped back at her sister as she stood up from the bed. “Besides she broke up with me last night.”

“Hold up that little slut thinks she can break up with my sister I think not.” Lizzie declared while turning to face Josie. “Did she cheat on you? She did, didn’t she? Don’t worry Josie I’ll give her the worst case of magical crabs anyone’s ever heard of.”

“She didn’t cheat on me she found out about my feelings for Hope.” Josie responded with a sad sigh.

“Seriously? You’re still crushing hard on Hope after all these years?” Lizzie asked. “Ironic how her father chased after our mother for years and now your chasing after her.”

“I am on the verge of moving on from my stupid childhood crush but it sure doesn’t help when girlfriends go snooping into my diary.” Josie moaned.

“The she devil herself broke into your diary what a complete and utter bitch.” Lizzie replied. “That’s a serious betrayal of trust.”

The twins’ conversation was quickly interrupted by a knock on the door before the door opened to reveal Hope standing in their doorway.

“Hope Mikaelson as I live and breathe, we were just so happening to be discussing you well you and other monstrous annoyances in my life.” Lizzie snapped at her clearly not happy to see the Tribrid.

“Nice to see you too Lizzie.” Hope replied sarcastically.

“Sorry about Lizzie she’s just annoyed because the white blushed her out and the red will never be allowed.” Josie apologised for her sister who looked at her with a huffy expression making it clear she wasn’t happy her twin was apologizing for her.

“I need your guys help shifting something.” Hope told them both.

“And please tell us why we would ever consider helping you?” Lizzie asked as her dress changed color once more, this time to black. “Now black is a color that suits my bitchy heart.”

“I need help shifting a body.” Hope revealed.

“Oh, count me in!” Lizzie replied with excitement in her voice.

“Really, Lizzie?” Josie said to her twin unimpressed with Lizzie’s excitement.

“Well I’m already dressed for drama and what’s more dramatic than Hope killing again.” Lizzie said to Josie.

“I didn’t kill this one thank you very much I just found it in the woods.” Hope told her stating her innocence.

“As statements go that one’s pretty weak even for you.” Lizzie replied while rolling her eyes at the youngest member of the Mikaelson family.

“Look are you guys going to help me or not?” Hope asked them.

“Of course,” Josie replied with a smile. “This body it isn’t somebody we know is it?”

“No,” Hope laughed. “Although he’s somebody we may want to know.”

“Oh my god my babies’ sweet sixteenth is going to be totally ruined!” Caroline said with a gasp after being told Penelope had broken up with her daughter Josie after learning about her feelings for Hope.

Penelope Park sat across from Caroline’s desk in Caroline’s office giving the vice headmistress an annoyed look making it clear through her facial expressions that she was far from impressed by Caroline’s reaction to her news.

“Sorry,” Caroline replied with a sigh. “I can’t begin to imagine what you must be feeling right now. Emotions are heightened are your age trust me I know that far too well and maybe Josie’s crush on Hope is just that.”

“Yeah I think it’s more than a crush,” Penelope responded with an eye roll. “I’m sure you can understand why I won’t be at the part tonight.”

“Of course, but if you change your mind the party is open to all Salvatore Boarding School students not just the ones dating or friends with my daughters. I’d hate for you to miss out on a party over a heartbreak and when it’s a party I’m planning it’s bound to be spectacular.” Caroline advised Penelope as Penelope stood up from her chair.

“Yeah thanks but no thanks Mrs Forbes-Salvatore.” Penelope replied before walking out of Caroline’s door just as Alaric stormed in past her holding an envelope and looking far from impressed.

“Please tell me this is some kind of joke!” Alaric shouted while waving the envelope about in the air.

“I guess you got Klaus’ RSVP then.” Caroline said with a sigh as she stood up from her chair.

“Why the hell is Klaus invited to my daughters’ sixteenth birthday parties?” Alaric asked clearly furious by the thought of Klaus being at his twin girls’ birthday.

“It was your idea to invite all students and their parents to this party so that no student felt left out was it not?” Caroline snapped back at him. “Last time I checked Hope Mikaelson was still very much a student your favorite student I may add and last time I checked both Hayley Marshall and Klaus Mikaelson were her parents.”

“She’s not my favorite student,” Alaric scoffed fooling to convince himself or Caroline. “I don’t have favorites.”

“I invited Hayley and Klaus with no belief that Klaus would even come however it’s Hayley who’s busy with affairs in New Orleans.” Caroline explained to Alaric. “Bonnie’s too busy to even be here and don’t get me started on Damon and Elena choosing now of all times to go on holiday with little Stefanie.”

“Most of our students that know about the Mikaelson’s are terrified of them it’s been hard enough keeping Hope in this school because of her association to them and now you want to bring the worst one to our daughters’ birthday.” Alaric moaned.

“Hope is a good kid and an excellent student you tell me this all the time so her parentage shouldn’t be an issue. As for the other students I’ll make damn sure that Klaus is on his best behavior I’m certain he won’t do anything Klaus like with his daughter around.” Caroline told Alaric.

“You’re right.” Alaric sighed. “Klaus is Hope’s father whether I like it or not, but I swear to god if he puts one foot wrong…”

“I’ll make sure that he doesn’t.” Caroline promised.

“What was Penelope doing in here anyway?” Alaric asked.

“It’s seems Josie’s still very much infatuated with Hope so much so that her and Penelope have broken up.” Caroline revealed before going on to say. “Is it awful that I wish this drama unfolded after their party?”

“No Caroline it’s not awful.” Alaric smiled before walking over to her and giving her a hug. “What’s awful is the thought our baby girl could marry into the Mikaelson family and I can’t even stop it because the Mikaelson in question is a great kid.”

“Their teenagers one of which is only recently single let’s not marry anyone off just yet.” Caroline laughed while continuing to hug Alaric.

Hope, Lizzie and Josie were walking through the woods of Mystic Falls eager to relocate the spot which Hope discovered a mysterious tall dark and handsome not to mention desiccated vampire man.

“I’m not assigning any blame here but I’m just saying if you did let your murderous nature take over once again, I mean dad already covered up your last kill.” Lizzie said to Hope as the three girls continued looking through the woods.

“Lizzie would you please just stop calling Hope a murderer already and actually be helpful.” Josie snapped at her twin.

“Trust you to stick up for her I guess sisters mean absolutely nothing when it comes to the girl you’ve been crushing on most of your life.” Lizzie snapped back at her sister not realizing the extent of what she said until it was too late.

“You have a crush on me?” Hope asked Josie with a soft smile making it clear she was flattered as the three girls stopped walking.

“Of course, I do,” Josie replied reluctantly. “Who wouldn’t?”

“Guys I think I just found the spot, thank god.” Lizzie revealed while pointing over to a large hole in the ground. “Now please remind me Hope why your wolf senses didn’t pick up on this way sooner?”

“Who says they didn’t?” Hope replied with a sarcastic smile before a look of worry became clear on her face. “Oh no, Alaric and Caroline are going to totally suspend me.”

Hope, Josie and Lizzie rushed over to the hole in the ground before looking at each other as if to signal one of them to go first.

“Normally I’m all for going headfirst into danger but dirty underground caves is where I draw the line.” Lizzie stated to them both.

“Very well just be ready to pull the coffin up when you see it.” Hope said before jumping down into the underground cave.

“I’m so sorry Josie I never meant to let that slip but hey I’ve kept that secret for like years now can’t a girl get some recognition for that?” Lizzie attempted to apologize only for Josie to give her a furious stare before jumping into the underground cave after Hope. “Fine then but if you get a date for your sweet sixteenth because of my blubbering mouth I’m going to be the one pissed at you!”

Caroline walked into the front foyer of Salvatore Boarding School looking around as her students passed her by before she felt a gush of wind on her neck as Klaus vamp sped his way over to be by her side.

“I must say this place is rather impressive, but I’ve come to expect nothing less from you Caroline.” Klaus said to her. “However, inviting me to your daughters’ sixteenth was quite the shock I must admit.”

“I didn’t just invite you I invited all my students’ parents.” Caroline replied as she turned to face him. “You just happened to be amongst the parents who said yes.”

“Ouch considered me deeply wounded by your words.” Klaus responded with a sarcastic smile. “Can I presume a woman as wonderful as you, already has herself a date?”

“You’ve got to be joking me,” Caroline laughed. “You’re here for less than two seconds and you’re already asking me to be your date at my daughters’ party.”

“Now Caroline one does think a little too much of themselves I was simply inquiring about your life.” Klaus replied. “I’m here for my daughter and perhaps a little help from my sister in law regarding a sister of mine who along with an entire town has vanished off the face of this earth.”

“Oh, I heard about Rebekah,” Caroline said with a sigh. “Bonnie filled me in on Hell Town, Malus witches and the return of your long-lost brother Henrik. I’m sorry things didn’t work out better for everyone.”

“Yes, well that’s story is far from over yet despite giving my sister many reasons to abandon me she never gave up on me and now I refuse to give up on her.” Klaus admitted to her.

“Well I hope Davina has some answers for you that neither Bonnie nor Freya could find.” Caroline replied with a sincere smile. “I really do.”

“Thanks.” Klaus replied. “Now where is my darling daughter?”

Hope chanted in Croatian re-enacting the spell from earlier while standing in the underground cave with Josie before a ball of light hovered above them both only to expose an empty coffin and a different lifeless corpse lying next to it clearly having their blood drained from their neck.

“Okay so clearly leaving opened ground with a vampire unguarded was probably not my greatest idea.” Hope stated while looking at the lifeless victim in front of her. “I guess we have another killer on the loose in Mystic Falls now.”

“You’re not a killer Hope what happened to MG was a terrible accident.” Josie told her to ease Hope’s conscience. “What happened to him could’ve happened to anyone.”

“I know that I do but it doesn’t help his ghost lurks around the school for some unexplained reason reminding me everyday that he’s dead because of me.” Hope replied with a sigh. “And it sure as hell doesn’t help Lizzie declaring me a killer all over school.”

“She’s just being Lizzie nobody takes her seriously when she’s being a bitch neither should you.” Josie explained to her.

“Did I just hear my name?” Lizzie shouted from above them.

“You’re right.” Hope responded with a laugh before looking Josie up and down. “Do you really fancy me?”

“We should probably focus on the vampire running loose.” Josie replied with a smirk.

“Okay but then we’ll have a talk.” Hope agreed.

Lizzie stood above the opened underground cave staring down to see nothing but darkness before a tall dark mysterious man vamp sped to appear on the other side of the hole knowing instantly he was the vampire in question noticing his medieval clothing which was now stained by fresh blood.

“If you think I’m another one of your snacks your going to be severely disappointed.” Lizzie warned him before shouting. “Hope, Josie I found the vampire.”

“Vampire is that what I am?” He asked her.

“I don’t know what they called you back in your day but nowadays we call your kind vampires.” Lizzie said to him while trying not to notice how handsome this deadly stranger was.

“You look familiar to me.” The vampire said before vamp speeding over to Lizzie, so he was now standing next to her. “May I tell you you’re quite the exquisite beauty?”

“Yes, you may,” Lizzie replied with a smile before touching the vampire’s chest and siphoning him “but this beauty doesn’t come in snack form.”

Lizzie lifted her hand chanting in Croatian magically snapping the vampire’s neck as Hope climbed out of the underground cave pulling Josie up with her.

“Typical show up after the vampire’s been dealt with.” Lizzie snapped at them both. “Now can we ditch this guy in our dungeon and get back to preparing for the party?”

The doors of the Salvatore Boarding School swung open before the unconscious body of the vampire Lizzie had just taken down flew into the school his body hitting the ground harshly as Hope, Lizzie and Josie walked into the school grabbing the shocked attentions of the students the noise making Caroline and Klaus vamp speed in from different directions of the school.

“Girls, what is going on?” Caroline asked them.

“Dad,” Hope said noticing her father. “I wasn’t expecting you to be here.”

“Clearly.” Klaus replied with a smile.

“I was just minding my business when Hope came knocking on our door desperate for me to help her chase some boy.” Lizzie explained to Caroline clearly ignoring Klaus’ presence.

“Your chasing boys now?” Klaus asked Hope not amused with the prospect of his daughter dating.

“He’s a vampire we found in some underground cave in the forests I wasn’t chasing him because he’s a boy I was hunting him just like the others.” Hope admitted to her father.

“We were back up in the whole hunting shenanigans.” Josie admitted to her mother.

“You girls aren’t supposed to hunt your too young to be hunting anything let alone some random vampire.” Caroline told all three girls.

“Weren’t you and your friends trying to kill me at that age?” Klaus said while smiling at Caroline causing her to sigh once again.

“So, you’re allowed to hunt original vampires, yet I’m not allowed to help out Hope.” Lizzie moaned at her mother causing Klaus to laugh.

“Firstly, we never hunted them they hunted and tried to kill us.” Caroline stated before smugly smiling at Klaus. “We just kept getting the better of them until they fled town.”

“That’s not quite how I remember it.” Klaus replied.

“My point is, no hunting!” Caroline said while looking at all three girls. “Now put him in the dungeon before he wakes up and start getting ready for the party. I’ll deal with the questioning.”

Hope and Klaus walked into the Stefan Salvatore dedicated library within the school Hope looking clearly unimpressed with her father.

“So, suddenly you want back in my life?” Hope snapped at him. “I barely ever hear from you and now you want to attend a party at my school?”

“Hope I’ve always been in your life even when I haven’t been around.” Klaus replied wounded by his daughter’s words. “You know I’m just doing everything I can to get Rebekah back I’m sorry that means I’ve not been around much.”

“It’s not my fault Aunt Rebekah’s gone.” Hope cried. “I just did what was asked of me I didn’t know it would mean we’d lose her.”

“Hope I have never once blamed you for Rebekah’s situation.” Klaus told his daughter before hugging her. “Rebekah knew the risk when she went back in none of this is on you.”

“Then why does it feel like it’s all my fault?” Hope asked as she hugged her father tighter. “I miss her so much!”

“I know,” Klaus said while stroking his daughter’s hair “I miss her too, but we will get her back that’s why I’m here to see Davina.”

“Dad, Davina doesn’t know anymore than she did before.” Hope replied while breaking off the hug. “Nobody seems to know anything about the kind of spell I used that day, nor does anyone know anything about Malus.”

“That was before Freya finally got her act together and stepped out of her suburban life with Keelin and their twins Elijah and Nik.” Klaus revealed.

“Aunt Freya has been working to find Aunt Rebekah just has hard as anyone else you can’t argue her happiness with her wife and kids.” Hope snapped at him. “What did she find out anyway?”

“The spell you cast though more ancient and complicated than most prison spells, was in fact a prison spell written by a witch within the Gemini Coven.” Klaus admitted. “Which means a certain set of twins are more than likely the keys to getting Rebekah back.”

Suddenly an arrow was launched into Klaus’ chest causing him to scream in pain much to Hope’s shock before falling to the ground revealing Alaric behind him holding the crossbow in which the arrow that wounded Klaus was fired.

“Really Mr Saltzman was that necessary?” Hope asked him.

Caroline stood in front of the gates within the dungeon underneath the Salvatore Boarding School looking over the unconscious vampire laying within the cage as his neck snapped back into place and he quickly rose to his feet.

“You clearly got unlucky when you came across my girls!” Caroline told him. “Now it’s up to me to work out whether you deserved to be hunted by them and their friend or whether your confused and innocent.”

“My name is Sebastian, I think.” He replied.

“You think, how does somebody forget their own name?” Caroline asked him. “How long have you been down there?”

“Yes, my name is Sebastian, Sebastian Salvatore.” He revealed much to Caroline’s own horror.

“That’s not possible Stefan never told me about any other vampires within his family.” Caroline replied. “You’re lying.”

“Who the bloody hell is Stefan?” Sebastian asked making it clear he had no idea who Stefan Salvatore was.

“Caroline!” Alaric shouted from above her.

“Just great,” Caroline sighed. “What has Klaus done now?”

“Release me now!” Sebastian demanded.

“I’ll be back for you but first I have to deal with an original pain in my ass.” Caroline told him.

“Well hurry back so you can explain to me why that witch looks so much like my Isobel.” Sebastian revealed.

“Which witch?” Caroline asked.

“Blonde and very violent.” Sebastian went on to say.

“That’ll be my Lizzie,” Caroline replied with a sly smile showing a sense of pride.

“She must be a Gemini witch then tell me does she know of the impending merge?” Sebastian asked her.

“What do you know about the merge?” Caroline quizzed him desperate for answers.

“Release me and find out.” Sebastian replied with a wicked smile.

Nathaniel and his worshipers had made themselves scarce still within the town limits of Helton but making themselves out of sight while Rebekah stood in those woods for what felt like forever as she awaited for her three brothers who were lying on the cold ground to awake from their sleep without even noticing that day had turned into night before either of them had awakened.

After what felt like several hours Rebekah started to notice her brothers Klaus, Elijah and Kol beginning to wake up and slowly rising to their feet completely confused to where they were while completely oblivious to what had just happened.

“Rebekah what the bloody hell have you done?” Klaus snapped at her.

“Fixed everything while you were off doing god knows what.” Rebekah snapped back. “But don’t bother to say thank you or anything.”

“What do you mean exactly when you say you fixed everything Rebekah?” Elijah asked her to make it clear to his siblings he remembered them.

“Looks like somebody got their memories back too.” Kol butted in before looking over at Rebekah suspiciously. “Just what kind of witch did you get to do the spell?”

“What bloody Spell?” Klaus asked clearly growing impatient. “What the bloody hell is going on?”

“The Hollow has been removed by all of us and Elijah’s compulsion has been reversed. See what happens when a girl is left to her own devices without her brothers playing dictators.” Rebekah answered rather proud of herself.

Klaus vamp sped over to Rebekah until he was standing right in front of her the two looked at each other for a moment before Klaus smiled at his little sister and pulled her in for a tight hug.

“I’ve missed you!” He admitted as he continued to hug her tighter and tighter.

“Okay Niklaus,” Rebekah laughed as she pushed him off her before looking at Elijah who looked deeply troubled. “What’s wrong Elijah?”

“Everything.” He replied.

“Oh well I guess a happy family reunion was never going to be on the cards.” Kol said as he rolled his eyes.

“I say it’s about time the Mikaelson’s returned home.” Klaus replied with his signature smirk as he wrapped his arm around Rebekah. “After we make a little visit to Mystic Falls that is.”

“Yeah I’m going to pass on that one I’m heading back to my home with Davina.” Kol responded. “No doubt I’ll be called upon with the next family emergency.”

Before Klaus or Rebekah could talk to him Kol vamp sped away much to their own annoyance as they looked over to Elijah who still look deeply disturbed.

“What about you Elijah are you up for a return to New Orleans?” Rebekah asked her eldest semi-living brother.

Several Days Later

Josh stood behind the counter of an empty Rousseau's in New Orleans drying glasses with a dish cloth enjoying the rare peacefulness of the empty bar until that peace was interrupted by Klaus as he vamp sped into the bar without warning and placed himself sitting on a stool at the counter much to Josh’s horror as he dropped a glass he was drying causing the glass to smash into broken pieces on the ground.

“Klaus,” He said as he struggled for words. “You’re not meant to be here.”

“You’re not the first nor the last I imagine telling me this, but you all seem to forget I don’t follow any rules I make them.” Klaus replied clearly not liking Josh’s reaction to his return.

“Hey, you want to stay in New Orleans, or you want to leave New Orleans it’s all good to me I’m just trying not to get killed.” Josh admitted honestly. “If you’re here for a killing spree or some revenge scheme then please just give me a pass.”

“Well if you get me a drink and make it a good one, I’ll think about keeping you alive.” Klaus said with a sinister smirk clearly amused by Josh.

“Sure thing,” Josh replied as he grabbed a bottle of whisky and began pouring into a glass before placing it on the counter in front of Klaus. “so, don’t kill the cat for it’s curiosity but are you here visiting or back for good?”

“I thought you wanted a pass.” Klaus responded as he picked up his glass and took a drink.

“Good point I’ll shut up and keep refilling your glass when needed.” Josh answered making it clear that Klaus made him very nervous.

Rebekah walked up to the gates of Lafayette Cemetery only to find herself shocked to see Bonnie stood outside them clearly waiting for her.

“You know when I agreed to come to New Orleans, I was promised exactly this would never happen, but I gathered sooner or later you and your siblings would be back.” Bonnie said to her clearly not amused to see the original once again.

“I’m glad to not disappoint but what the bloody here are you doing here I’m meant to be meeting someone else.” Rebekah wondered. “You’re not working for him, are you?”

“Please some of us have morals Rebekah, I’m not working for him however the New Orleans are working with him.” Bonnie revealed. “I’ve only recently learned what the hell this Malus magic is and to be honest I’m still learning we’re not particularly thrilled to be working with someone of his kind, but it just so happens what he wants is what we now want.”

“His kind? He’s a witch, isn’t he?” Rebekah asked as she realised Bonnie knew more than her.

“Nathaniel and his kind of witch practice a long-forbidden death magic which basically grows stronger by deaths particularly the supernatural kind his kind are consider leeches amongst the witch community.” Bonnie went on to say. “Think heretics practising expression who like to kill everything in sight but have a particular interest in killing each other the most.”

“So, tell me then what is it you both want and why am I here?” Rebekah questioned Bonnie as she walked closer to her.

“He wants to destroy the ancestral plane and considering I’m not a particular fan of it or the witches that still draw power from it I was more than keen to help.” Bonnie admitted. “However, I am cautious about having to work with you and your mother once again and even more cautious about what the hell we’re going to find in this well of magic to which the ancestral plane draws its power.”

“What the bloody hell has my bitch of a mother got to do with all this?” Rebekah asked furious at the mere mention of her mother.

“I’m considered a New Orleans witch by the city but not by the ancestral plane due to my unwillingness to be their go to girl so to get to be where we need to go we need a New Orleans witch which your mother somehow became.” Bonnie revealed with a sly smirk amused by Rebekah’s fury.

“Okay I’m going to need to talk to Nathaniel right bloody now.” Rebekah snapped.

“Yeah he’s not here so are we going to do this or not?” Bonnie snapped back making it clear she wasn’t taking any demands from her.

Elijah walked into the compound truly terrified about coming face to face with Hayley once again after half a decade of being apart especially considering they didn’t end things particularly well but he didn’t have too much time to think about it as Hayley stood in front of the fountain waiting for him clearly looking just as nervous as him.

“I heard you got your memories back.” Hayley said to him. “I’m glad you and your siblings are back together again.”

“I can’t begin to tell you how amazing it is to see your face again.” Elijah admitted to her as he continued walking towards her. “I found myself missing something all these years and to have my memories back I now realize that something was you.”

“Hope was really glad to see all of you I’m glad she has you all back in her life now.” Hayley replied.

“What about you?” Elijah asked as he stood in front of her hoping for a good response.

“Elijah it’s been a real long time when I loved you, I was lost within myself. I was pregnant to a man I loathed, and enemies were at the gates.” Hayley told him. “I found myself I’ve fully embraced my duties as a werewolf queen and this city has finally found some peace.”

“I’ll take that as you’re not happy to see me.” Elijah sighed clearly wounded by Hayley’s words.

“Of course, I’m happy to see you Elijah,” Hayley revealed as she placed her hand lovingly on his cheek. “I’ve missed you too but I’m building something here something good for Hope to one day takeover and I can’t jeopardize that for anyone not even you.”

“I’m not asking you to jeopardize anything,” Elijah told her while grabbing a hold of Hayley’s hand. “I would never ask you to jeopardize anything.”

“No but I have a feeling Klaus will.” Hayley said as she pushed away from Elijah. “And I know where your loyalties lie.”

“You’d be surprised where my loyalties have been lately.” Elijah admitted before asking. “Is there any chance for us?”

“I really do hope so.” Hayley replied with a soft and genuine smile. “But I’m really afraid that it’s never going to work out for us.”

Rebekah and Bonnie stood in one of the run-down crypts within Lafayette Cemetery clearly having barely said much to each other since they had met earlier the silence eventually being broken when Bonnie pulled out a knife from her jacket pocket.

“Unless that knife is dripped in vervain or scattered with the ashes of some white oak tree you and I both know that’s not going to do anything to me.” Rebekah told her.

“Well it could have been dipped in the kind of poison that comes from a bite from your ex-boyfriend Marcel.” Bonnie replied with a sinister smirk making Rebekah question her sincerity. “Don’t worry it’s just a knife for the spell to work I’m going to need your blood.”

“I wasn’t worried well maybe a little but when you reject a guy’s proposal you can expect them to consider revenge from time to time.” Rebekah revealed to her before holding out her hand.

“I don’t get what he ever saw in you,” Bonnie told her as she slashed Rebekah’s hand with the knife before the wound instantly healed. “Or why you would squander your chance for somebody loving you when you’re not the easiest to love.”

“I have really missed these girl talks.” Rebekah replied sarcastically as Bonnie began chanting in Croatian while holding the knife with Rebekah’s blood on it.

After a few moments Bonnie’s chanting came to a sudden silence as both her and Rebekah fell to the ground becoming unconscious before their bodies even hit the floor as the two of them suddenly found themselves transported to the middle of Lafayette Cemetery only for day to have become night and a dark fog seeming to surround them both.

“I’m going to go out on a limb and say we’re in the ancestral plane now.” Rebekah said to Bonnie as the two looked around the seemingly empty cemetery before seeing Esther appear from behind of one of the tombs.

“Rebekah, what are you doing here?” Esther asked clearly confused by her daughter’s arrival.

“You know why we’re here Esther and apparently you’re the only ancestor willing to help us with our mission.” Bonnie said as Rebekah gave her mother a cold death stare.

“Well willing would be putting it rather strongly.” Esther replied to Bonnie. “I’m willing for this plane to exist no longer and to finally find some peace for myself and Finn, but I’m not especially pleased about the part I’m playing in order to make it happen.”

“Finn’s here too?” Rebekah asked her voice clearly softening at the prospect of seeing her oldest brother.

“Is it really necessary for her to be here too?” Esther asked Bonnie dismissing Rebekah’s questions about her brother.

“Yes,” Bonnie answered her looking guilty about something. “I think it’s time for you to tell her the truth better now than when we get to the well.”

Rebekah looked at her mother instantly with fury in her eyes knowing whatever she had to say wasn’t going to be good but little did she know the true extent to which her mother’s exposed lies were about to change everything for her and her siblings.

Marcel was sitting on his couch within his loft drinking a large glass of whisky when Josh vamp sped into his living room looking completely and utterly terrified as Marcel took another sip of his drink knowing exactly why Josh was so scared.

“He’s back apparently their all back minus Kol of course who’s living it up in San Francisco but their back and I’m completely and utterly terrified about winding up dead.” Josh admitted to him.

“I know.” Marcel replied as he finished his drink and stood up.

“You know, cheers for telling me I had come to think of us as friends over all this time but clearly not if you’re not even willing to notify me about possibly winding up dead at the hands of the Mikaelson’s.” Josh responded clearly working himself up.

“You have nothing to worry about my feud with them is over.” Marcel laughed before putting his hand on Josh’s shoulder to calm him. “You’re not going to be caught up in any feuds and even if you did you’ve survived this far.”

“Yeah your right.” Josh said with a sigh of relief. “However, when the Mikaelson’s are here something always follows whether it’s you or one of their endless enemies.”

“You know your kind of adorable when you get all scared.” Marcel admitted to him.

“Great so everyone keeps terrifying me because I’m super cute when scared wish I could take that to the clubs.” Josh replied while rolling his eyes.

“You’ve got no reason to be scared I’ve got your back,” Marcel said as he grabbed a hold of Josh’s hand and placed it on his tight butt. “And you’ve got mine.”

“That’s certainly some back.” Josh gushed while he kept his hand on Marcel’s butt. “What the hell is going on?”

Marcel pulled Josh in towards him before passionately kissing him much to Josh’s surprise as Josh enjoyed the kiss for a moment before pulling himself away from his friend.

“Okay if you are playing some kind of game, I don’t like it,” Josh said before Marcel looked at him with a seductive smile. “Okay I kind of like it.”

“Don’t question it.” Marcel told him as he ripped Josh’s shirt open with one pull of his hand exposing Josh’s bare chest before grabbing him and vamp speeding the both of them onto the couch as Marcel pulled his own top off climbing on top of Josh in the process and beginning to kiss him passionately as their bodies began grinding against each other.

Rebekah, Bonnie and Esther found themselves walking through the bayou in the ancestral plane followed by the fog as Rebekah tried to process what her secret keeping mother had just revealed to her struggling to adjust to the news that would forever change her family and undecided if it was good or bad.

“I’m struggling to believe anything of what you’ve told me is real let’s face it mother you certainly have a history of lying to your children.” Rebekah said to her mother as the three of them continue to walk through the bayou.

“Trust me it wasn’t my choice that he went down this path nor could I have stopped it even if I saw it coming.” Esther replied. “Despite my actions I never wanted any suffering for any of my children.”

“How is any of this even possible?” Rebekah asked Bonnie clearly dismissing her mother.

“Malus is a magic which specializes in death I’m not too sure of every detail but it’s the opposite of nature so the rules in which it follows is different to what we witches follow.” Bonnie explained. “It sure doesn’t help that nobody living has come across a Malus witch in centuries and a lot of what it is and isn’t is folklore.”

“I knew a Malus witch once,” Esther revealed. “Nathaniel’s father before the darkness of the power he held possessed him to the very core. He grew up in the same village as me and my sister in fact he was the love of Dahlia’s life, but she wasn’t his that privilege was reserved for Nathaniel’s mother.”

“But Nathaniel came to Mystic Falls because his father murdered his mother.” Rebekah butted in.

“Once the darkness of which Malus entails takes over the witch there is nothing left but the Malus itself.” Esther explained. “Their magic very much like this ancestral plane comes from spirits and often the lives they take. Each death they claim darkens their soul until there’s nothing left but the need for power even if it means fathers killing sons or sons killing fathers.”

“So, Nathaniel has lost himself to this ancient magic but that still doesn’t explain how that has to do with him.” Rebekah said even more confused than before.

“Long after you and your siblings fled Mystic Falls a newly empowered Nathaniel returned eager to put his Malus to use in order to bring back those that were lost however no magic is ever that powerful and it took a serious toll on those that returned. Their spirits were returned but not their bodies soul or mind leaving them as nothing more than a power source for Nathaniel and I guess some mindless comfort from familiar faces.” Esther revealed to them both as they found the well placed in the middle of the woods.

“Oh, so it’s an actual well how literal.” Bonnie said clearly unimpressed by the well itself.

“Get to the bloody point and tell me what the hell my brother Henrik has to do with all this madness?” Rebekah snapped as she grabbed her mother by the neck lifting her up in the air before tightening her choke hold.

“Rebekah,” Bonnie shouted. “Henrik is the thing that’s in the well.”

Raven Devereaux sat on the bonnet of her suave black car outside of the city limits of New Orleans both eagerly and anxiously awaiting Elijah’s arrival after not hearing for him for days she began to fear the worst especially considering the two of them were plotting the downfall of his own family.

She feared he had been daggered by Klaus or worse for his betrayal and that it was another Mikaelson who send her the text to meet them here only for her to meet a grizzly end but either way she sat there waiting hoping for Elijah willing to take the risk in order to see the man she loved return to her.

Raven didn’t wait long before Elijah vamp sped his way to be standing in front of her much to her joy and relief not knowing that her relief would be short lived.

“Elijah I was so worried about you.” Raven said to him before walking closer to him only to notice Elijah backing himself away. “Elijah what’s wrong?”

“A lot of things have changed over the last few days Raven my memories have been restored and with it my alliances have been realigned.” Elijah revealed to her. “Which obviously means any plans we had together have well and truly come to an end.”

“What about us?” Raven asked him. “I don’t care about revenge or even hunting I only ever cared about you. What about us Elijah?”

“I’m afraid there can’t be an us any longer.” Elijah told her noticing the look of heartbreak on Raven’s face. “It’s also probably best for you if you leave New Orleans.”

“Are you threatening me Elijah?” Raven questioned as tears began forming in her eyes.

“No, I would never threaten you,” Elijah replied moving closer towards Raven only for her to be the one to back off this time.

“You said you loved me that you were lost before you found me.” Raven cried as tears started falling down her cheeks and her voice began to break. “I loved you despite everything and now your memories are back you’re just done with me.”

“My family needs me, and the truth is I need them too.” Elijah admitted to her clearly struggling to see the woman he had loved for the last few years heartbroken by his own words.

“Don’t lie to me it’s because of her,” Raven snapped back “the minute you got your memories back you were always going to love her how can I ever compete with the werewolf queen who gave birth to the infamous Tribrid.”

“I’m so sorry.” Elijah said sincerely before vamp speeding out of sight.

Raven began to sob as she struggled to contain her heartbreak until she started to see a black smoke forming until Nathaniel appeared in front of her.

“Who the hell are you?” She asked while drying her tears.

“The Mikaelson’s are always sorry aren’t they but yet they keep creating chaos wherever they go.” Nathaniel replied. “I’m an old friend of theirs which means I’m an enemy of yours.”

“I’m done having anything to do with the Mikaelson’s.” Raven made herself clear.

“Yeah you see I want to believe you I really do,” Nathaniel said as he began walking closer towards her. “But I know most of all what a broken heart can lead a witch to do and I can’t have you getting in my way when you inevitably seek revenge.”

Nathaniel grabbed a hold of Raven and started to chant in the dead language he frequently chanting causing Raven to scream in pain as her eyes went black before Raven body began to desiccate and turn to dust until there was nothing left of Raven but a pile of dust as Nathaniel’s eyes went jet black.

“I’m sorry but I can’t afford to take any chances.” He coldly replied to the remains of Raven Devereaux.

Modern Day, The Ancestral Plane

“I don’t understand you mean to tell me all this time my brother has been alive, and you didn’t dare mention it to anybody.” Rebekah snapped at her mother as the two of them stood next to Bonnie in front of the well in the ancestral plane.

“Henrik’s fate turned out to be far worse than I ever could’ve possibly imagined.” Esther revealed to her daughter. “He came back but not as himself he had been touched by the very magic that returned him and that Malus darkened his soul more and more everyday like it poisons everything until there was nothing left of my son.”

“Who put him in the well to be some magical battery for these sordid witches?” Rebekah asked her fury growing stronger by the second.

“Nathaniel brought him back to life believing to be doing the right thing just like I believed I was doing the right thing for you and your siblings.” Esther explained.

“Don’t you dare even try and compare the two.” Rebekah shouted. “You maybe dead mother but I’m more than willing to try and kill your ghost as well.

“So, if Henrik is a product of Malus magic and he’s somehow a battery for this plane then this ancestral plane is built on Malus magic.” Bonnie realized. “No wonder it’s so screwed up.”

“How did he come to be a battery for these bitches mother dearest?” Rebekah asked while clearly hinting she believed Esther was to blame.

“Henrik’s magic began to grow out of hand he possessed both the magic he inherited from me and the magic he gained from his resurrection. He became more powerful than any Malus witch and that’s not something they like.” Esther admitted. “I considered freeing him many times, but I knew unleashing my other children on to the earth was bad enough.”

“You were never going to win any mother of the year awards Esther but that’s low even for the likes of you.” Bonnie snapped at Esther surprising Rebekah in the process.

“Nathaniel would never have harmed Henrik no matter the danger he imposed on others in fact as Henrik grew older and more powerful Nathaniel grew darker and relished in having a partner in crime.” Esther continued to reveal. “I don’t know how but Nathaniel managed to resist the Malus blood lust just enough to keep Henrik by his side however Augustus was a whole other creature.”

“So, Nathaniel’s father trapped Henrik in a bloody well and yet you still did nothing.” Rebekah snapped once more. “Dahlia should’ve kept you a baron woman because nature was clearly trying to tell you that you were not fit to be a mother.”

“I do love my children Rebekah whether you want to believe it or not I do.” Esther replied. “Until now the best place for Henrik was the bottom of this well but now nowhere is safe.”

“I don’t get it if this Augustus guy wanted your son out of the picture so badly why didn’t he just kill him like he’s been trying to kill his own son?” Bonnie asked. “And if Nathaniel’s such a fan of Henrik why he has waited until now to release him?”

“A Malus witch can only be killed by another Malus witch usually that magic is inherited through the blood however Henrik inherited it another way making him the only Malus witch of his blood and therefore non kill able even to a Malus witch.” Esther admitted revealing more truth than she had in 1000 years. “As for Nathaniel keeping him down here for so long you would need to ask him that.”

“I don’t get it if he can’t die why would he need to be kept safe?” Rebekah asked her.

“Because there are fates far worse than death Rebekah like the curses I laid upon my own children.” Esther said.

“I guess it’s time to awaken the youngest Mikaelson and destroy this place once and for all.” Bonnie responded as she looked down the seemingly endless well.

Rebekah vamp sped over to her mother grabbed her with force and threw her into the well hoping the fall would cause some damage to the conniving witch she had the trouble of being related to.

“In case there’s any traps set up I considered it best to throw something disposable down first.” Rebekah replied with a smile to Bonnie.

“You know I always forget just how terrible your parents really are not saying it’s an excuse for all the bloodshed your family has caused but I’m saying I get it.” Bonnie admitted to her. “I don’t condone it, but I understand it and I can’t say I wouldn’t have gone down the same path as you and your siblings if Esther and Mikael raised me.”

“Be careful now Bonnie Bennet before I start to fear you growing to like me.” Rebekah said with a flirty tone in her voice. “I must say I do very much like this new side of you New Orleans is clearly good on you.”

New Orleans

Klaus vamp sped into Marcel’s loft instantly picking up Marcel’s t-shirt from the floor and throwing it on top of Marcel who was shirtless and laying asleep on the couch before being awakened.

“What are you doing here?” Marcel asked while looking around for a sign of Josh only to realize he must’ve left.

“I’m here to propose something of a truce so my family and I can live here in cohabitation with you without some bloody feud having to be had. Believe it or not Marcellus but I don’t want to keep fighting you for centuries.” Klaus said to him. “However, I also suffer no fool and will not take orders from anyone.”

“So, you’re basically saying you want this city back and you want me to just allow it.” Marcel replied as he put on his t-shirt and stood up. “That’s never going to happen Klaus despite how much you may want it.”

“I’m saying I want a seat at the faction meetings and I’m willing to work alongside my family to rule this city whichever way we as a family see fit.” Klaus revealed to him.

“Are you trying to tell me you want to be a team?” Marcel scoffed. “The great Klaus Mikaelson suddenly becoming a team player I’m sorry, but I don’t buy it.”

“I made myself a ghost for half a decade and I thought it would be easy because in my mind it was always myself against the world but when I found myself well and truly unable to be without my family I finally understood what truly loneliness was.” Klaus admitted showing more vulnerability in that moment than he had ever shown Marcel. “I have put my siblings through misery after misery because of my own selfishness and I won’t allow myself to do the same for Hope. I want to do right by her like I should’ve done for you and if you allow it, I’d like to start doing right by you from here on out. I can’t promise I’m going to be some bloody angel suddenly, but I can promise I’ll try my hardest.”

“If I am to believe you are finally putting your family first and this isn’t some ploy of yours then I’ll speak to Hayley and Bonnie about a Mikaelson representation at the faction meetings but I’m not promising anything and I won’t go against either of them for you because they’ve earned my loyalty.”  Marcel said unsure of whether he could trust the man he once considered a father figure, but this was after all the same man who had saved Marcel from his biological father.

“Very well.” Klaus said with a smile before looking around the loft. “Why do I get the extinct impression that something happened here last night? Debauchery no doubt.”

“Yeah well you could say that,” Marcel replied eager to change the subject onto another Mikaelson. “Does this mean Rebekah is back too? I’m surprised you didn’t send her to deliver this alleged white flag.”

“It appears Rebekah has been quite the busy woman as of late including aligning with a witch powerful enough to get rid of The Hollow once and for all. Normally I’d hunt her down, demand answers and perhaps even dagger her if I didn’t like her new friend but like I’m allowing my siblings to have their own lives now.” Klaus replied.

“It does sound like Klaus Mikaelson but the words coming out make no sense.” Marcel joked.

“Why do I recognize that smell somehow?” Klaus asked while sniffing the air making Marcel nervous.

The Ancestral Plane

Rebekah and Bonnie stood there looking down what seemed like a never ending well for a while before their focus on the well was darted by the arrival of a group several ancestral witch spirits chanting in Croatian causing Rebekah and Bonnie to fall to their knees screaming in agonizing pain.

“Oh god I hate these bloody witches.” Rebekah screamed through the pain.

Bonnie quickly began chanting loudly in between screams of her own pain until her screams were silence by their screams making it clear Bonnie had overpowered them before making the spirits completely disappear.

“You’re proving yourself rather useful today Bonnie.” Rebekah said to her as the two of them rose back to their feet. “Keep it up!”

“I’d be careful about my sister delivering compliments.” Finn admitted appearing from behind a tree in the foggy bayou. “She is rarely ever kind without some kind of sinister twist.”

“It’s not my fault I’m not as predictable as some others in my family.” Rebekah said with a smile before vamp speeding over to Finn and hugging him. “I have missed your ever so judgmental face brother.”

“And I you Rebekah but sadly we’re on opposite ends once more.” Finn replied before snapping Rebekah’s neck catching her before she fell and laying her on the ground softly. “I am very sorry you have once again found yourselves entangled in my family’s dramas, but I can’t allow use to release my youngest brother.”

“No offence Finn but I’ve dealt with scarier Mikaelson’s than you before.” Bonnie replied making it clear she wasn’t backing down.

“Did my dear mother happen to mention the reason to which Henrik isn’t determined to kill any Malus witch despite it being in there blood well that’s because his blood is Mikaelson.” Finn revealed while walking towards Bonnie. “Sure, Malus witches love getting their hands on claiming any power, but they get a special kick from getting it from their own blood.”

“You mean to tell me that Henrik is now designed to destroy the Mikaelson’s I get just about anyone wanting you and your sibling’s dead but why would Nathaniel?” Bonnie asked him.

“Nathaniel was a new inexperienced witch he didn’t know what he was making when he brought my dear brother Henrik back from the dead however he does know what he’s making use all do now.” Finn admitted. “If Henrik is released from that well, he’ll stop at nothing until he’s consumed everything with power making nobody safe especially my siblings or my niece.”

“If he’s such a ticking time bomb then why Nathaniel would want him out, I mean if Henrik will wind up killing him too why risk that?” Bonnie wondered.

“Clearly no humanity remains in Nathaniel and he no longer cares for anything anymore not even his own survival which is hardly surprising after a thousand years of running he’s bound to be tired.” Finn told her just before they heard Esther’s screams from the well causing him to vamp speed over to Bonnie as they two looked down the well only to be hit by a blast of black smoke sending them both flying across the bayou both of their bodies harshly hitting the ground.

New Orleans

Elijah found himself walking down the busy streets within the French Quarter only to stopped in his tracks when noticing Nathaniel coming out from the crowd walking towards him leaving Elijah shell shocked to see someone, he believed had been dead for a long time.

“Elijah Mikaelson it’s been a very long time.” Nathaniel said while approaching closer to the original. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost which is understandable.”

“How are you alive?” Elijah asked clearly still in shock.

“I’ve been getting that far too much lately and I’m oh so tired of answering others when they should be answering me.” Nathaniel replied. “I removed The Hollow from you and your siblings and I’m the one who restored your memories I even cleaned up your little mistress to ensure she wouldn’t seek revenge.”

“What the bloody hell did you do to Raven?” Elijah snapped.

“The point is Rebekah is repaying her favour it’s only fitting you repay yours.” Nathaniel explained to him clearly dodging the conversation about the witch he had murdered.

“I don’t know what happened to you in all this time but if you are here to threaten my family, I promise you it won’t end well.” Elijah warned him. “Now please tell me how the hell a mere mortal who should’ve died centuries ago removed The Hollow and restored my memories.”

“Like I said I’ve grown tired of answering others it’s time for you to answer me.” Nathaniel snapped back. “You owe me Elijah Mikaelson and I expect that favour to be returned right now.”

“I know you’ve not been around us in a while so let me make myself perfect clear you don’t make demands of me or my family and whatever you expect my sister Rebekah to do for you in return for whatever the hell it is you did then think again.” Elijah said making it clear neither he nor his family were ones to be angered.

“Let me make myself self-clear Elijah I killed Raven Devereaux to ensure everything goes to my plan and I will not allow anything to stray of course.” Nathaniel replied before grabbing a hold of Elijah with force as the two disappeared in a puff of black smoke.

The Ancestral Plane

Rebekah, Finn and Bonnie rose to their feet in the darkly lit other worldly bayou to find a man now standing in front of the well instantly recognizing him as an older adult version of Henrik Mikaelson.

His face had a look of Klaus’ when plotting something dastardly, his body built like Kol’s with Finn’s height and hair long with the similar color and style to Elijah’s when Elijah was human and a smile as troublesome as his sister Rebekah’s. however, his eyes were completely black like the man who had raised him from the dead.

“Henrik!” Rebekah said with shock before starting to walk towards him only to be stopped by Finn.

“He’s not our Henrik at least not anymore.” Finn told her before she pushed him away and continued walking towards him.

“I know you have suffered greatly at the hands of too many but I’m your sister Henrik it’s me Rebekah I came here to free you from this world if I had known sooner you’ve been here all these years we would’ve came sooner.” Rebekah told her youngest sibling while continuing to walk towards him slowly.

“I can feel the power running through your body the power of the curse that was laid upon you by our mother.” Henrik finally spoke much to everyone’s shock. “I feel that power and there’s nothing I want more than to remove it from you no matter the cost.”

“What did you do with Esther?” Bonnie asked.

“She had a lot to make up for considering her many crimes against her own blood, so it was only fitting to feast on her soul to regain some strength to get out of that retched cage.” Henrik revealed his emotionless tone sending shivers down Rebekah, Finn and Bonnie’s spines.

“You consumed her, didn’t you?” Finn asked while moving himself in front of both Rebekah and Bonnie. “Like you want to consume us right now.”

“I guess one sibling is rather educated on what I’ve become.” Henrik replied. “Esther despite her many wicked acts wasn’t much of a snack if you pardon the term.”

“Bonnie begin the spell to leave this realm now and take Rebekah with you.” Finn told Bonnie with a clear sense of urgency.

“No, we’re not leaving you here Finn.” Rebekah replied before looking at Henrik. “We’re not leaving either of you.”

“You should probably take his advice.” Henrik advised Rebekah as Bonnie began chanting in Croatian.

Finn vamp sped over to Henrik who quickly held out his hand chanting in the same dead language as Nathaniel’s which stopped Finn in his tracks sending the eldest Mikaelson brother flying across the bayou hitting his body off a tree before harshly hitting the ground as Bonnie continued chanting in Croatian.

“Finn!” Rebekah screamed as she was held back by a chanting Bonnie.

New Orleans

Elijah woke up on the cold hard ground in an abandoned warehouse quickly rising to his feet as he noticed satanic markings forming a circle in which he had found him inside of as Nathaniel stood outside it looking rather smug with himself.

“You must have some kind of death wish because your clearly not planning on living much longer.” Elijah snapped at him.

“Finally, something we both agree on.” Nathaniel replied. “I never wanted to grow hostile with you Elijah but time we do not have. I want the spell in which turned you and your siblings into the original family of vampires.”

“Why the hell would you want that spell?” Elijah asked.

“Nether mind with the endless questions I only want answers not deliver them to me before I have to take things further than need be.” Nathaniel warned him.

“You’ve already killed somebody I cared for what else could you do.” Elijah said clearly growing angrier by the minute at his situation.

“I could kill somebody you love such as a certain hybrid mother to the daughter of Niklaus.” Nathaniel answered him. “You and your siblings maybe a little harder to kill but Hayley Marshall could be wiped out very easily.”

“Don’t you dare threaten her.” Elijah shouted.

“Then help me Elijah,” Nathaniel said while rolling his eyes. “Do you think I want this? I don’t’ want any of this but I need your help desperately and I will do whatever it takes to get it even if it means threatening the woman you love.”

“What could possibly have driven you to such madness?” He asked the Malus witch eager to learn why he had changed so much.

“I’ve been running for a thousand years and I’ve grown tired of running. I cannot stop running without my father Augustus finally being defeated but the only way for that to happen is for me to fully give into the madness of this Malus and destroy him once and for all.” Nathaniel explained. “The problem is once I do that I become as big a threat as Augustus himself and I’ve fought too hard to become the monster I’ve been running from.”

“Why the hell has any of this got to do with me or my family?” Elijah continued to quiz him.

“Because of your youngest sibling.” Nathaniel revealed.

“Rebekah has nothing to do with any of this except clearly turning to the wrong witch for help.” Elijah snapped at Nathaniel once again.

“I was talking about Henrik.” Nathaniel admitted.

Day 182

It had been half a year since Nathaniel, Rebekah and Augustus first found themselves trapped within the ghost town of Helton and luckily for Augustus Rebekah’s attentions switched from torturing him to uncovering the secrets of the town in which her friend Nathaniel and her brother Henrik once called home.

She knew there was something especially eery to Helton some reason to why it had become a ghost town in those six months she researched in the rundown library, scoured the woods endlessly and turned every abandoned home upside down numerous times but it wasn’t until she went deep within the woods that she uncovered something she never knew existed within the ghost town she had been forced to call her home.

Rebekah went deep into the woods deeper than before until she came to the end of the woods and found herself staring at a small farm with an even smaller home on the land instantly sending her chills down her back and that was before Augustus walked out the front door of the farm home.

“182.” He shouted at her as he began walking towards her and her towards him.

“What the bloody hell are you shouting about?” She asked him while continuing to look around the abandoned farm.

“182 days it took you to finally find this place.” Augustus replied to her. “I had you finding it sooner, but those woods do tend to play tricks on the mind.”

“What is this place anyway?” Rebekah quizzed the Malus witch.

“You really do know nothing about this place.” Augustus responded with a laugh. “You can’t blame my son he gets his distrust from me.”

“He gets it from running from you for a thousand years.” Rebekah snapped at him.

“This little farm is my home or at least at one stage in my life it was my home although it wasn’t here when Nathaniel lived here or at least the second time he lived here.” Augustus revealed to her before out of nowhere Rebekah and Augustus found themselves in the woods once again. “And I guess it’s gone once again.”

“What the bloody hell is with this town?” Rebekah asked while looking around the woods in confusion. “I thought we’re cut off from all magic.”

“We’re not talking about magic when it comes to this place we’re talking about pain, loss, rage and death the four most powerful forces in the world.” Augustus revealed. “Helton really puts the ghost in ghost town the land itself is cursed by the blood of my wife.”

“The Other Side is gone how is that even possible?” Rebekah quizzed knowing the answers would just make her more confused.

“This is where I murdered my betrothed and it’s also the land in which several terrible acts were committed not just by me but by your brother and my son. I may have cursed this land, but they made sure the curse was never broken.” Augustus explained to her. “My wife was a powerful witch who feared her own death at my hands and bound herself to this land before I killed her only, she didn’t just bind herself she bound everyone who died to this land for centuries.”

“So, this place is freaking haunted by a curse that’s not broken by the whole no magic deal?” Rebekah asked.

“It may have started as a spell, but it grew into something far worse it grew into Malus.” Augustus admitted. “This town is the source to our power this is where the Malus witches were slaughtered by me after my wife’s death and this is where they remained. Malus was only meant to be a magic opposite to nature to keep a balance however I manipulated it to my own gain to possess unseen power but now there’s no magic in place draining the land we are left with just ghosts very angry ghosts.”

“The whispering woods are the spirits of people you killed.” Rebekah realized.

“People myself, Henrik and Nathaniel all killed yes although mostly me.” Augustus revealed to the original vampire turned human by their prison.

“Why are you telling me all this?” She asked clearly not trusting of a man she believed was more monster than man.

“Without magic I am as human as you are and since you’ve stopped torturing me…” Augustus began to say.

“You’re lonely,” Rebekah scoffed while rolling her eyes. “Imagine how lonely it would be on the run for a thousand years.”

“Imagine how lonely it would be being possessed by darkness for a thousand years.” Augustus told her and, in that moment,, Rebekah began to see a man within the monster who had made her friend’s life hell for so long a man within the monster who had made his own son’s life hell for most of his life.

Day 243

8 months had passed in Helton and things weren’t getting any better for the three remaining residents Rebekah Mikaelson had managed to form a wedge between herself and Nathaniel due to her newfound and reluctant alliance with his father Augustus but despite how much she long to repair her fractured friendship she wanted to return to her family more and Nathaniel wasn’t willing to help leave this prison he had helped create for them all.

Nathaniel Malin would’ve loved to leave Helton behind and find Henrik once again, but he knew that would mean allowing his father back out into the world and that was not an option for him. He knew if they remained within the ghost town his father nor himself would cause anymore harm and that they’d both be free from the darkness that lured their lives. That never stopped him worrying about the man he claimed as his son but deep down he had faith in Elijah being able to save Henrik from himself.

Augustus Malin was a story that witches told their children in the night a tale of too much power leading to destruction of oneself. He was considered a monster and rightly, so the man killed his coven, murdered his own wife and hunted his own son for a thousand years all in the name of claiming more power. However, without that magic, without the darkness corrupting his very soul he was just a man who did terrible things which now weighed heavy on his soul. Augustus sought out redemption but neither Nathaniel nor Rebekah were going to give that to him easily.

Nathaniel sat on his rocking chair with a blanket around him outside of his run down cabin that was placed just before the Helton woods as he watched the flames burn on the large bonfire he had built when he noticed his father Augustus walking towards his home.

“Unless you’re here to provide yourself as kindling for my fire then I suggest you walk straight back around.” Nathaniel warned him.

“I proposed to your mother around a bonfire just like this one.” Augustus revealed to him.

“You don’t get to mention her name you lost that right when you killed her.” Nathaniel snapped at his father as he stood up to face him.

“She was a remarkable woman, stubborn, brave and fearless just like you.” Augustus continued while walking closer towards his son.

“Oh, I was filled with fear for a thousand years wondering each day if it was my last if my father was going to kill me.” Nathaniel admitted to him. “You took my mother from me and then you took my life from me. My entire existence has been outrunning you and nothing else.”

“I’m not using this as an excuse of any kind but once the Malus takes a hold as you know there’s this undeniable darkness that consumes you. I didn’t have that darkness before I killed my own wife nor my coven on this very land however I was consumed by it by the time I began hunting you.” Augustus told his son. “How else do you think a baby managed to escape me? Because I let you go to a witch who hid you from me knowing one day, I would no longer feel that love and only the darkness.”

“So, what? You expect me to be grateful because you couldn’t kill me as a baby?” Nathaniel snapped.

“You have a million reasons to hate me for the rest of eternity Nathaniel and no-one would ever blame you, but I have a million reasons why I love you my son.” Augustus explained to the son he had spent most of his life hunting. “You lost your mother at my hands, then you lost the family that raised you and spent your life on the run and yet you still managed to love you still managed to find yourself some form of family.”

“Because I’d never allow you to beat me.” Nathaniel replied with pure hatred in his eyes for his father.

“I admire that more than you could ever imagine even when I had no emotions, I admired that.” Augustus told him. “I wish I could rewrite our history; I wish I could stop myself from killing your mother and my coven. Your mother truly was remarkable just like you.”

“Then why kill her?” Nathaniel asked with tears forming in her eyes. “Why on earth would you kill her?”

“She was a Malus witch too, a beautiful raven-haired woman with skin so pale it was like it had never been touched by sun, her lips blood red. Her name was Clara.” Augustus said while revealing Nathaniel’s mother’s name to his son for the first time. “She had a vision of well I guess me becoming the monster I am today and she wanted to run with you I never meant to kill her but I was fighting to keep you and one thing lead to another and…”

“You killed her.” Nathaniel said as her voice began to break. “She was your first taste of Malus power.”

“And from then on I needed more and more until it consumed me.” Augustus admitted much to his own disgust and his son’s horror.

Day 365

An entire year had passed, and Rebekah was still trapped in Helton alongside warring father and son Augustus and Nathaniel although a lot had changed in four months.

Rebekah had found her friendship with Nathaniel fully restored which was far from easy considering she did kill him that one time but risking eternity in a prison world for him proved to be quite the deal breaker even if Nathaniel didn’t like her growing friendship with the man who murdered his mother and tried to kill him.

Rebekah was still adamant there was a key, trick or loophole in which she would find that would lead her out of the ghost town once and for all refusing to give up on her family and striking up an unlikely friendship with Augustus in the process.

Augustus was far from the monster he once was he showed care for Rebekah and a longing for reconciliation with his son although Rebekah denied her care for him out of respect to Nathaniel who avoided his father like a plague and in a small town like Helton his avoidance was rather impressive.

Augustus without Malus was just a normal man who had done monstrous things and although neither Rebekah nor Nathaniel would admit it, they had begun to see the man within the monster.

Nathaniel stood in front of the rundown Helton Hotel within the town center of Helton looking at the building with a sense of reminiscence the building clearly meaning a lot to him with a history running deep into his heart.

“Out of all the places I catch you lurking around here this bloody hotel tends to be your number one spot.” Rebekah said to him while walking up to him from behind having walked from the direction leading towards the Helton woods.

“And I always find you either coming in or out of the woods.” Nathaniel replied while turning to face his friend. “How many times has it led you there?”

“A few times not before it kicks me out it tends to kick Augustus out too; I figure you’re the one it wants to visit not us.” Rebekah revealed to him.

“I know I’m a Malus witch and with that comes a certain level of macabre but even I am not willing to visit the scene of my mother’s murder at the hands of my own father.” Nathaniel admitted.

“Trust me I understand that,” Rebekah replied before looking at the hotel. “So, what’s the deal with this place? I know your big on secrets but one little slip up is hardly going to be the undoing of this bloody prison world.”

“The hotel once belonged to me in one of my many attempts to live a human life,” Nathaniel said with a sigh of sadness. “I didn’t know the land was cursed at first or that it was the town in which so many of my kind were slaughtered by my father.”

“What happened here why was this place abandoned?” Rebekah quizzed him.

“It wasn’t abandoned the townspeople still reside here they just reside among the dead.” Nathaniel explained to her. “I was under the illusion Henrik and I could live a normal life here my worshipers told me of a land my father never dared step foot and so we moved here. I was genuinely happy here running this little hotel and dealing with the miserable townsfolk but like it does so many times disaster struck as Henrik’s darkness grew stronger.”

“He slaughtered the entire town I guess mass murdering really does run in the family.” Rebekah responded.

“Not all some survived his violent outburst but I couldn’t let them escape Helton flee and then spread word of what had happened after all we were in hiding so I murdered the remaining survivors and buried their bodies in the woods with a cloaking spell.” Nathaniel revealed. “It was big story back then how an entire town vanished from out of sight becoming something of an urban legend until it started to slip from people’s minds. Ironic how I made them disappear and now we’ve disappeared with the town itself.”

Day 425

Two months had passed since Nathaniel’s bloody revelation to Rebekah and their friendship had grown stronger than ever because of it.

Rebekah revealed her loves and losses over the years to him while he admitted he had only ever loved one man truly and that was her brother Klaus Mikaelson. She told him of the near calls and horrors of her own father hunting her while Nathaniel shared his own father horror stories. Rebekah complained about the many struggles of being Klaus, Elijah and Kol’s sister for a thousand years while Nathaniel admitted to the burden of playing father to the mass murdering Henrik.

It was as if a thousand years had never passed and Rebekah and Nathaniel were as close now as they were back in their human years if not closer. However, Nathaniel remained distant from his father until one day he went deep into the woods.

Nathaniel was reluctant at first but after many conversations with Rebekah he decided to go into the woods and continued to roam until he found himself out of the woods and on to the run-down farm that Rebekah and his father had previously visited.

He had no memory of the place in which he was born and yet he felt a connection to the place as he walked towards the farmhouse he began having flashbacks of a woman running across the field holding a baby covered in cloth the woman looking terrified while trying to soothe her crying child only for Augustus to appear as if from out of nowhere right in front of her.

“If only I saw the monster within the man sooner.” The woman said to Nathaniel as she appeared in front of him and was no longer in his flashbacks.

“Mum,” Nathaniel said to her as tears formed in his eyes. “How is this even possible? This place is free from magic I had a powerful witch see to it myself.”

“The afterlife holds a very different magic to that of witches.” She revealed to him. “As to why I’m here instead of finding some peace well that answer lies within my own blame. I’m trapped here for as long as your father walks this earth because of a spell I was foolish enough to believe would help me be around for you somehow.”

“I always wondered what you would look like what you would be like if you regretted having me.” He cried. “I mean it’s because of me that you died if you weren’t trying to save me you would never have died that way.”

“Oh, my darling Nathaniel you hold no blame in any of this you were just a baby born to a cruel world filled with malice.” She explained to her son. “If I knew what your father would become if I knew what giving birth to you would lead to I’d do it all over again because you got to live and that’s all a mother wants for their child.”

“But I’ve not lived mother not really I’ve spent centuries on the run longing for a life but never really getting one because of him.” Nathaniel admitted. “And now I’m trapped here forever but at least I’m finally reunited with you.”

“You’re not trapped here forever,” Clara revealed to her son while placing her hand on his cheek to comfort him in his time of need. “There’s always a loophole when it comes to any spell and it just so happens, I know how you and your friend can leave this place behind forever and finally get to live your life however you choose.”

“How?” Nathaniel asked clearly eager to know the answer.

“The spell was created to hold your father and therefore can be broken by his death.” Clara made clear to him.

“But Rebekah killed him a bunch of times and he just came back the next day.” Nathaniel told his mother.

“A Malus witch can only truly be killed by a Malus witch they made sure of long before even your father’s and my time.” Clara confessed. “For you and Rebekah to be rid of this town and be free you’re going to need to kill your father.”

Day 547

The First year in Helton had been and gone and Rebekah, Nathaniel and Augustus were nearing their second with only six months to go.

Rebekah had found ways to pass the time she spent in this ghost town turned prison world as her reluctant bond with Augustus took an unexpected passionate turn beginning a sordid affair they both knew to keep hidden from Nathaniel knowing he’d feel betrayed for many reasons; one being Rebekah was his only friend and another being Augustus was well Augustus.

Augustus knew Rebekah had no feelings for him and he had none for her but their time together they both cherished making them feel anything other than completely and utterly alone.

Nathaniel was not one for helping anyone feeling less lonely having struggled in recent months after being told by the spirit of his mother he had to kill his father which surprisingly to him he had found himself not wanting to do. His hatred for the man had dwindled as he started to see him as another victim of the all-consuming Malus which he too possessed.

Nathaniel felt guilty towards his mother for not particularly wanted to kill the man who murdered her, furious with his father for making himself more human to him and even more guilty towards Rebekah knowing how much she wanted to be reunited with her family but not willing to make the sacrifice needed for her family reunion this time around.

Rebekah climbed off Augustus’ naked body before falling to the floor of the abandoned church, so she was lying next to him with nothing but a sheet covering their sweaty naked bodies having quite clearly just having sex.

“I can’t quite decide whether torturing you or sleeping with you is more enjoyable.” Rebekah joked before kissing Augustus passionately. “Definitely the torture part.”

“Well I certainly prefer one to the other however both don’t require much sleeping.” Augustus said with a smirk before kissing Rebekah once more.

“Oh, bloody hell,” Rebekah groaned as Augustus began kissing her neck. “Nathaniel is going to kill us both.”

Day 730

Two years had officially gone by and Helton was still the only place Rebekah, Augustus and Nathaniel called home unable or unwilling on Nathaniel’s part to break the curse that kept them in the ghost town turned prison world.

Nathaniel had grown rather fond of the peace and quiet and took his time to read several books from what remained of Helton’s library and would often attempt Rebekah’s hand at reading some literature leading to a book club of sorts being formed between the two and Nathaniel quickly noticed Rebekah’s only genre of literature she had any interest in was that of romance perfectly fitting for the girl who normally fell in love too easily.

Nathaniel sat on a bench just outside the decaying building which was one a store within the town center while reading “Wuthering Heights” the book itself looking as old as when it was first released in 1847 which is when Nathaniel more than likely purchased this book.  He was so engrossed within the story he hadn’t noticed his father Augustus walking up the street towards him until it was too late, and Augustus was in front of him.

“I’d be careful about seeking out all consuming passions they tend to consume you in ways not written in books.” Augustus said to him as Nathaniel closed his book and stood up to face his father.

“Ironic that the king of consumption wants to advise me on that particular topic.” Nathaniel replied coldly.

“Your snaps are getting less sharp my son either your growing lazy or your starting to hate me less.” Augustus responded with a smile.

“Don’t worry father my hate for you grows stronger with every day that goes by.” Nathaniel said to his father, a statement which neither of them believed.

Their altercation was quickly interrupted when they saw Rebekah walk past them holding a sledgehammer looking like a furious woman on a mission forcing them both to follow her in a quest to find out what she was up to.

Nathaniel and Augustus continued to follow Rebekah step for step right through the town center and towards the road leaving Helton knowing she couldn’t be trying to leave having given up with this method within the first weeks of being trapped there.

They continued to follow Rebekah right up to the Helton graffiti-ed sign with nothing behind it but woods and forestry before she began screaming frantically as she wielded the sledgehammer at the sign multiple times leaving the sign dented in the process before Nathaniel and Augustus managed to walk over to her, Augustus taking the sledgehammer off the furious Mikaelson woman.

“I hate it here!” She screamed. “I hate this miserable little ghost town; I hate the infuriating spirits who never bloody show themselves. I hate everything about this god forsaken town, and I want the hell out right now!”

“I know how to break the spell.” Augustus reluctantly admitted.

“You do?” Nathaniel asked, shocked to know he wasn’t the only one with the answer.

“Are you serious?” Rebekah questioned while attempting to pull herself together after her recent outburst. “Well do tell us.”

“The spell can only be broken by Nathaniel he has to kill me.” Augustus revealed much to Rebekah and Nathaniel’s shock.

Day 731

“Are you sure about this?” Nathaniel asked his father while he held a knife in his hand as the two of them and Rebekah stood within the ever-moving Helton Farm, the same farm in which Augustus had taken the life of Nathaniel’s mother.

“I took a magic once known only as opposite to nature our witches drew from death which is a natural process. I took that magic and I bastardized it to make myself more powerful at first, I only wanted to keep you but once I got a taste of true death I became addicted and therefore created the Malus in which we practice. I cursed this land by my own actions, I took your mother, your coven and your family.” Augustus admitted to his son. “It’s only right that my permanent death will not only free you to live a wonderful life but will restore the natural balance well and truly.”

“I’ve been running from you for so wrong I lost count of how many times I wished you dead and now I’m struggling to do the deed.” Nathaniel replied as tears formed in both his and his father’s eyes. “I do not blame you for the all-consuming darkness that consumed you, but I do thank you for your sacrifice. I wish you had a chance to be my father.”

“I do too,” Augustus revealed making tears form in Rebekah’s eyes. “I may have never been a father to you, but you have always been the most amazing son I could ever have asked for.”

Nathaniel lifted his hand that was holding the knife before cutting his father’s neck open with it harshly and quickly forcing him to fall to the ground and bleed out as tears fell down Nathaniel’s cheeks. Before Rebekah had a chance to comfort her grieving friend both her and Rebekah found themselves on a dead-end road with nothing but trees and forestry behind them.

The exact same spot in which Hope, Klaus and Bonnie stood two years and one day ago.

“Nathaniel,” Rebekah shouted as she looked down to see her belly which had what looked like at least a six-month pregnancy bump. “What the bloody hell?”

New Orleans, Louisiana

Meanwhile in New Orleans a faction meeting was taking place within the dining area of the Mikaelson’s compound. Seated at the table was Hayley as the head of the werewolf faction, Marcel as the head of the vampire faction, Bonnie as the head of the witch faction and a tall dark-haired man named Alejandro Burke as the head of the human faction.

The meeting started like any other meeting as the factions discussed various topics that concerned each faction and ended with a surprise for everyone when Klaus vamp sped into the room instantly changing the atmosphere upon arrival as Hayley sat there in shock while Marcel, Bonnie and Alejandro stood as if it to battle if the infamous original hybrid got violent.

“Bonnie Bennet I must admit I was rather surprised to find out about you relocating to New Orleans and here was me believing you hated ever fibre of my being.” Klaus said with his signature smirk while looking around the room noticing Marcel, Hayley and a stranger in his home.

“I was told you wouldn’t be returning.” Bonnie replied through gritted teeth. “For your sake I hope it’s a short homecoming.”

“You always were obnoxiously brave.” Klaus responded with a sly cackle before turning to look at Hayley. “We need to talk.”

“Klaus we’re kind of in the middle of something.” Hayley snapped back at him.

Klaus not to take no for an answer vamp sped over to Alejandro instantly snapping his neck and throwing his body to the ground ruthlessly.

“Like I said we need to talk Hayley.” Klaus repeated.

A furious Bonnie marched towards as she held her hands out while she chanted in Croatian causing Klaus to scream in pain as he fell to his knees.

“We have worked way too hard for far too long for you to just come in and ruin everything.” Bonnie said to Klaus as he screamed in pain due to Bonnie’s magic before she magically snapped his neck forcing his body to completely fall to the ground lifeless.

“I guess this means we need to find a new head of the human faction.” Marcel said with a tired sigh. “It took us long enough to find this one.”

“Deal with him Hayley like you promised you would or else I will.” Bonnie told Hayley making it clear she wasn’t messing around.

“I’ll speak to him,” Hayley replied while looking at Klaus’ unconscious body wondering why after all this time he had decided to come back. “I can’t promise it will be successful, but we’ll worry about that when it comes to it.”

Helton, California

Rebekah walked up to the welcome to Helton sign where someone had graffiti ed a L and W on the Helton sign so it spelled Hell town as she looked inwards to the small town seeing nothing but trees from a distance before vamp speeding inwards until reaching what looked to be the town center.

Rebekah stood on the road with a boarded up clearly run-down hotel to the left of her simply called Helton Hotel and a run-down store that clearly used to be a local shop to the right of her.

“If this is another bloody dead end somebody’s neck is going to be broken.” Rebekah moaned before hearing sounds of screams coming from further in front of her in the direction of the woods.

She vamp sped into the Helton woods  only to stop behind a tree as she saw people in black robes hiding their faces gathered in a circle chanting something in a language she had never heard of in her 1000 years on this earth while a man stood tied to a tree in the middle of the circle.

It was clear to Rebekah that she had found some form on ancient witch ritual in process in that moment as she began to grow hopeful about a solution to her family’s problems.

She began to notice a thick black smoke appearing in the circle causing the man tied to the tree to let out a series of screams making it clear he knows what’s coming and he’s completely terrified by it as Rebekah wondered what the black smoke was.

She watched from behind the tree as the black smoke formed a shape of the outline of a man before Nathaniel appeared in the black smoke’s place as the smoke disappeared.

“Nathaniel.” Rebekah muttered under her breath shocked to see a friend she had believed she had killed many years ago.

Nathaniel stood there in front of the man tied to the tree as the people in robes continued to chant in an unrecognizable language as the man began pleading for his life only for Nathaniel to smirk at his pleads before reaching out his right hand and began to chant with the people around them.

Rebekah continued to watch as the man’s cries became no more watching as his heart was magically pulled out of his chest leaving the man completely lifeless as the heart moved across the sky before landing into Nathaniel’s hand before Nathaniel dropped it to the ground with a look of disgust.

“Rebekah Mikaelson,” He shouted as he turned to look towards her way before disappearing in a puff of black smoke and reappearing in the same puff of smoke in front of Rebekah. “I guess a conversation is to be had.”

New Orleans, Louisiana

Klaus awoke quickly rising to his feet to see Hayley still sat at the table in the dining area of the compound looking far from happy with him which he didn’t care for as he was too furious over Bonnie getting better of him once again.

“Your little witch has quite the anger issues hardly befitting of a regent.” Klaus said to her making it clear he was not happy with Hayley’s decision to bring her to New Orleans.

“In fairness Klaus she had a good reason to be angry you killed someone right in front of her Marcel and I maybe used to your bloody temper tantrums, but Bonnie isn’t.” Hayley replied as she stood up making it clear that she wasn’t happy about her baby father’s unexpected return. “What are you even doing here Klaus?”

“I wasn’t exactly expecting the warmest of welcomes, but I was expecting better than this.” Klaus replied.

“You haven’t been seen or heard by anyone in five years Klaus and the minute you are you killed the head of the human faction possibly screwing up a peace treaty I worked my ass off for.” Hayley snapped at him.

“I did say I wanted to speak to you,” Klaus said with a sly smirk. “If you only weren’t so rude to me, I wouldn’t have had to find a way to get your attention.”

“Why are you back Klaus?” Hayley asked him as they both noticed a vase of flowers on the table turning black and dying.

“I thought my siblings weren’t in New Orleans.” Klaus responded confused over which sibling was also in the city.

“They’re not Elijah’s still in France somewhere not even knowing he’s Elijah, Rebekah’s on some wild goose chase Freya sent her on and Kol’s living with his wife Davina in San Francisco.” Hayley explained to him equally confused by what they both had just witnessed.

“Well clearly someone is in New Orleans.” Klaus replied.

“Probably more reasoning for you getting as far away from here as possible then.” Hayley said to him clearly eager for Klaus to get gone.

“I need Hope’s number.” Klaus revealed to Hayley causing her to scoff.

“You’d have her number if you had bothered to speak to her at least once in the last five years.” Hayley said before sighing. “Look I get it’s hard that you can be near her it would kill me if I was in your shoes but that doesn’t excuse you for ignoring her all this time. She thinks this is all her fault Klaus.”

“None of this is her fault,” Klaus replied clearly hurt to know he had caused his daughter pain. “I was only trying to stay away to give her a better life all I’ve ever wanted was for Hope to have a better life than the ones we had.”

“I know,” Hayley responded her attitude clearly softening towards Klaus. “I’ll give you her number because I know she would love to hear from you, but you can’t be in New Orleans right now.”

“Because of Bonnie Bennet?” Klaus asked clearly not amused to be told to leave what he believed was his city.

“Because of me I’ve built a life here for myself and it’s a good life I can’t have you wrecking it.” Hayley told him. “You left New Orleans behind and it’s my city now you need to learn to respect that.”

Helton, California.

Rebekah and Nathaniel found themselves walking down an old and broken road in the small ghost town of Helton walking past many boarded up and abandoned homes that clearly had stories of their own to tell.

“So how long exactly have you been a witch?” Rebekah asked her former friend.

“I’ve always been a witch I just didn’t know it until after you killed me.” Nathaniel revealed to her.

“How exactly did you come back from the dead?” She wondered.

“I’m not entirely sure how it works I mean I definitely have more of an understanding over it now but that’s not really saying much.” He explained with as little detail as possible.

“I’m guessing this long-forgotten magic called Malus has something to do with it and I’m also guessing what I saw was that magic in practice.” Rebekah guessed eager to get answers from a friend she once believed she had killed.

“Rebekah what are you doing here?” Nathaniel snapped at them as they both stopped walking. “You clearly didn’t come looking for me however now you’ve found me it’s clear you need something of me and I’m guessing it has something to do with the dark magic inside of you.”

“You can sense the Hollow inside of me?” Rebekah asked still in shock by this whole interaction. “Forgive me if I’m struggling to make sense of my friend suddenly going from being dead to being alive and practicing some folklore style magic.”

“I guess it must be rather confusing when one of your kills come back to life.” Nathaniel mocked while giving a smile to Rebekah.

“You’d be surprised how many of my kills have come back to life.” Rebekah responded with a laugh. “But you’re the only one I’m truly pleased to see again.”

“You don’t have to butter me up Rebekah I understand your kind a lot better than I did back then and I understand now that you never truly meant to hurt me.” Nathaniel replied to her. “Besides I’m thankful for your healthy appetite without being murdered I may have never found out who I am.”

“What exactly are you? I never seen a witch do what you did back there nor have I heard the language in which you were all chanting.” Rebekah asked continuing to question him.

“I’m a witch one with Malus magic inherited to me by my father and as for what Malus is it’s best you don’t know too much about it there’s a reason this type of magic is shrouded in secrecy.” Nathaniel said. “Shall we just get to the reason you’re here now or are you going to continue to waste my time?”

“You were a lot bloody nicer to me in the past.” Rebekah snapped.

“We’re all different people now.” Nathaniel replied before placing his right hand on Rebekah’s chest as he began chanting in the same unrecognizable language as before.

Rebekah watched Nathaniel as his eyes turned completely black while he continued to chant his spell before she suddenly felt a screaming pain all over her body forcing her to let out a series of agonizing screams before she fell to her knees as Nathaniel’s eyes turned blue before turning back to normal.

“Wow,” Nathaniel said with a wicked smile clearly loving the feel of the power he had just taken from Rebekah. “I heard rumors about the Hollow, but I never expected it to pack such a punch.”

“What did you just do?” Rebekah asked him as she struggled to stand back up. “I don’t feel the Hollow anymore.”

“I took it from you it’s a rather simple ritual to be honest I’m guessing your long-lost sister Freya wasn’t up to such a task.” Nathaniel explained to her. “In her defense she doesn’t have access to the kind of magic I do.”

“Looks like somebody’s been keeping up on us all this time.” Rebekah replied with a smile.

“I always make sure to know all I can about any potential enemies of mine.” He responded. “Now if you’re wanting the same done for your brothers, I have a request of my own.”

“Of course, you bloody do. Freya suddenly being able to track your magic was no accident was it?” Rebekah asked as she realized, she hadn’t found her former friend out of chance.

“You were always the smartest Mikaelson.” Nathaniel said with a sinister smile.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Klaus found himself walking down the streets of New Orleans within the French Quarter holding his phone with his daughter Hope’s number already dialed as he pushed himself to find the courage to press call which took him longer than he had liked only for her phone to ring out to answer phone.

“Hope,” Klaus said before pausing. “It’s your father I’d really like for you to call me back. I’ve missed you!”

Before Klaus could finish his sentence, he noticed Elijah coming out of the magic shop nearby much to his surprise as Klaus vamp sped into an alleyway to continue watching Elijah without being noticed.

He watched on as Elijah walked over to and kissed a brunette beauty he didn’t recognize as Raven Devereaux  not that he would having never met the witch before and continued to spy on his brother and his mystery woman until he was no longer in sight.

As far as Klaus knew Elijah had no knowledge of him or the rest of his family but he knew within his paranoid mind this couldn’t be a coincidence.

He began to wonder if Elijah’s memories had been restored but realized that’s something Hayley would’ve told him then he began to wonder who the mystery woman was and why Elijah was in New Orleans with her.

Klaus hadn’t seen Elijah or any of his siblings in five years and although he should’ve felt overjoyed he knew one thing for sure and that was that his brother returning to New Orleans wasn’t a good sign for anyone and he was determined to find out what he was up to.

Helton, California

Rebekah stood in the ruins of what was once the town center to this now abandoned town as she continued to look both ways growing impatient while waiting for her sibling to show up in Helton knowing she would finally be reunited with her brother.

“This better be good Rebekah you interrupted my date night.” Kol moaned as he sped his way to in front of his sister vamp style. “Besides you know we can’t be around each other anymore.”

“It’s good to see you too brother.” Rebekah replied before giving him a hug.

“Hold on,” Kol said as he let go of Rebekah and took a look around the ghost town “I swear I’ve been here before.”

“Well it’s certainly proving to be quite the popular abandoned resort.” Rebekah replied.

“How is nothing bad happening right now?” Kol asked her.

“I no longer have the Hollow inside of me and now it’s your turn to get rid of the remains of that bloody witch once and for all.” Rebekah explained to him. “And don’t be unappreciative I basically had to sell my soul to get to where we are right now.”

“Dear sister, like you still have a soul to sell.” Kol joked before his neck instantly snapped and his body fell to the ground much to Rebekah’s shock.

“Was that really necessarily?” Rebekah asked noticing black smoke forming next to her before Nathaniel appeared by her side.

“I’d prefer to do this favour for you anonymously I tend not to like revisiting my past especially the more complicated parts.” Nathaniel responded. “You’re getting what you wanted Rebekah don’t dictate to me how I go about delivering it to you.”

“It’s not like you’re not getting anything out of this tell me why a clearly powerful witch like yourself would want the Hollow’s magic anyway?” Rebekah quizzed her former friend knowing he had an ulterior motive.

“A man only comes to a place like this if they are either hiding themselves or hiding something else, I’m the latter.” Nathaniel revealed to her.

“Who was the man you killed and the clearly disturbed witches in black robes?” Rebekah asked as she continued to interrogate him.

“He wasn’t so much killed as he was paused so to speak my coven are making sure it keeps that way, but extra power could come in hand.” Nathaniel admitted.

“You said you inherited your magic from your father and if I remember correctly you came to Ayana because your father murdered your mother.” Rebekah replied as she began to put the pieces together. “That man is your father.”

“That man is nothing more than the reason nobody has heard from me in a thousand years that and nothing more he is the vein of my existence and one way or another I’m going to finally but an end to his miserable life and finally be free.” Nathaniel said through gritted teeth making it clear he would stop at nothing to end his father who was his father by blood and nothing more.

“Okay let’s just get Kol de-hollow-fied and then Klaus and Elijah and I’ll help you with whatever you want me to do besides giving you access to the Hollow’s magic.” Rebekah responded clearly feeling for Nathaniel’s story which felt similar her and her sibling’s life back before they were finally rid of Mikael.

“But you don’t even know what it is I want from you.” Nathaniel responded clearly shocked by Rebekah’s willingness to help.

“I’ve missed my family and I would always do anything for them besides I’m pretty sure whatever unsavory request you ask of me is well and truly deserved considering I did kill you and everything.” Rebekah replied.

“Well then I guess it’s time for a family reunion.” Nathaniel responded with a sincere smile clearly touched by Rebekah’s words.

Bonnie found herself running out of the Helton woods constantly looking behind her as she ran only to be blind spotted when she found Augustus stood on the rundown road she had just made it to but not one to admit defeat lightly she began marching towards him with her hands out chanting in Croatian.

“I see you’re a mistress of nature bound to life,” Augustus said with a wicked smile as he began walking towards Bonnie. “You power feels familiar you’re a descendant of the witch who mothered my son.”

Augustus lifted his hand forcing Bonnie to fall to her knees while she continued to chant in Croatian.

“A very powerful family indeed you’re going to serve as quite the power up.” Augustus said while moving closer towards Bonnie who continued to chant in Croatian despite seeing no benefit to her chants. “It’s a shame you’re the last of your line but at the same time it’s probably for the best you’re not around for what’s to come.”

Rebekah vamp sped from behind Augustus instantly snapping his neck and throwing his body to the ground before helping Bonnie get back to her feet.

“I didn’t think you’d come back for me.” Bonnie admitted to her.

“You’re growing on me and in case you haven’t noticed friends are few and far between for me.” Rebekah replied with a smile as Bonnie responded with a smile before the two of them noticed Augustus’ neck beginning to crack itself back in place. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

Hope, Nathaniel and Klaus appeared from out of thin air with a puff of black smoke arriving just in front of the Helton sign much to both Hope and Klaus’ shock who looked around to see where they now were having only minutes ago been in the compound and now knowing they were no longer in New Orleans.

“Okay you seriously need to teach me how to do that.” Hope eagerly said to Nathaniel.

“It’s a simple teleportation spell I had enchanted into this bracelet.” Nathaniel pulled up his sleeve to reveal the black rope. “It’s hardly luxury jewelry but it does it’s job and saves me chanting every time I want to go somewhere.”

“I’ve heard of astral projection spells in fact I master that at the age of 12 but I’m yet to uncover a teleportation spell.” Hope replied.

“In that case take mine until you learn the spell,” Nathaniel said as he untied the black rope from his wrist and tied it around Hope’s. “The trick is to picture the place in your head when you want to go somewhere. Also, if things get sticky here while your doing your spell you’ve got yourself a quick escape.”

“Enough with the magical bonding,” Klaus snapped at Nathaniel delivering him a disapproving glare “let’s get to retrieving my sister already.”

“Very well then Niklaus follow me.” Nathaniel replied as he started walking past the sign and into the ghost town.

“If you have any doubts about doing the spell, he asked of you then go now.” Klaus said to his daughter. “He can’t be trusted.”

“I’m beginning to think he can.” Hope replied before giving Klaus a hug and whispering in his ear. “He’s clearly still in love with you.”

Klaus and Nathaniel had walked for a few minutes and Hope and the Helton sign was now out of sight which gave Klaus the opportunity to finally get some questions answered with the two of them finally being alone for the first time in a thousand years.

“So, I have found myself wondering, were you ever going to tell me you were alive, or did you hope not to have to deal with me?” Klaus asked him eager for his question to be answered.

“Honestly I had hoped to never see your face again.” Nathaniel admitted before taking a sigh. “For your own safety and I suppose my own safety too.”

“Are you under some kind of illusion that I need any protection?” Klaus said while giving Nathaniel a sly smirk. “You clearly haven’t heard of my reputation.”

“I never understood why you wouldn’t leave with me all those years ago and I loathed you for choosing your family over me for a while until I was gifted with a family.” Nathaniel replied as the two of them continued walking. “Sure, Henrik is a lot of work, but he can’t help that.”

“Are you and Henrik…” Klaus questioned while stopping still, fearing his first love had fallen for another Mikaelson.

“He’s like a son to me you idiot that’s what happens when you resurrect a child from the grave and raise him to be a fully-grown monster.” Nathaniel snapped at Klaus making Klaus smile as he quickly began walking again to keep up with the witch. “It became pretty clear he couldn’t return to his family and I had none of my own, so we found each other.”

“You could’ve always come looking for us,” Klaus told him. “you could’ve come looking for me.”

“I did come looking once not too long after you had turned call me curious and you seemed to be perfectly fine without your brother.” Nathaniel revealed. “There was no point in adding more chaos to your lives by revealing a brother eager to kill you all.”

“Why didn’t you speak to us? If you came all the way to find us why make no contact?” Klaus quizzed as they stopped outside of Helton Hotel having reached the town centre.

“I made contact with one of you and I was informed you were all pretty happy without my interference.” Nathaniel replied as the two stopped walking and Nathaniel began looking around his beloved ghost town.

“Trust me happiness was something we never experienced back then.” Klaus responded as he too began looking around the ghost town.

“I believe her name was Aurora then there was a Katherine who was Tatia’s doppelganger and clearly preferred Elijah just like the Petrova before her. Years passed and you found love once again in Mystic Falls with an annoyingly adorable blonde named Caroline who definitely kept you on your toes before returning to New Orleans to pursue another blonde who wasn’t so adorable but somehow managed to understand the madness within your mind Cami, I believe she was called.” Nathaniel said in detail making it clear he’s been keeping tracks on his former love.

“Wow that’s quite the detailed account on my love life there.” Klaus responded with a laugh. “No wonder my daughter believes you’re obsessed with me.”

“Teenagers these days,” Nathaniel scoffed. “They believe in such nonsense.”

Before Klaus had a chance to respond to Nathaniel’s denial Rebekah vamp sped in front of them holding onto to Bonnie while doing so clearly both looking terrified.

“What the bloody hell are you two doing together?” Rebekah asked while continuing to hold Bonnie up.

“What the bloody hell happened to you?” Klaus asked Bonnie.

“Don’t tell me you…” Nathaniel began to say to Rebekah.

“I did yes.” Rebekah responded finishing Nathaniel’s sentence for him.

“And now he’s…” Nathaniel replied.

“Yes, and your worshipers are once again dead although more permanently this time.” Rebekah revealed.

Suddenly Augustus was the next to appear in front of all four of them within a puff of black smoke.

“That took a little more power than I thought it would.” Augustus said while shaking a little making it clear he wasn’t quite at full strength yet.

“Okay now is time for everyone to get out of here!” Nathaniel shouted while looking at his father with hatred in his eyes.

“Hello son.” Augustus replied with a wicked smile.

“We can help you.” Klaus told Nathaniel.

“Hope’s already helping me now get away while I hold him off.” Nathaniel snapped making them listen to him before Klaus grabbed a hold of Bonnie and him and Rebekah vamp sped out of sight.

“See I never would’ve let such power slip away you definitely don’t live up to the legacy I’ve created.” Augustus scolded him while walking towards his son.

“What legacy?” Nathaniel asked with a mocking laugh. “Nobody even knows our kind exists because you killed most of us. The only legacy you’ve created is being a terrible father.”

“Didn’t expect you to be as confident without any homemade friends protecting you.” Augustus replied.

“Yeah well I’m all powered up father.” Nathaniel responded before raising his hand and chanting in the dead Malus style language forcing Augustus to fall to his knees and begin letting out a series of agonizing screams.

“You’re not powerful enough to beat me you never have been!” Augustus shouted in between his series of screams.

“I don’t need to be powerful to beat you in fact the key to beating you lies in a realm with no power at all.” Nathaniel admitted before continuing to chant in the dead language.

Hope continued chanting in Croatian while holding out her hands clearly feeling the toll of the spell she was casting to enclose Helton from the rest of the world trapping those inside and cutting off magic to the enclosed ghost town as she was surprised by Rebekah and Klaus vamp speeding their way to her side while holding a clearly injured Bonnie up.

“Great everyone’s out now don’t disturb me while I continue to chant and save everyone’s ass.” Hope told them before continuing to chant in Croatian.

“We need to go back and get Nathaniel.” Rebekah stated.

“We can’t,” Bonnie said, “she’s cutting off Helton from the rest of the world and everybody inside the town too.”

“How the hell do you know that?” Klaus asked her.

“I’m a witch I recognize the spell.” Bonnie snapped at him.

Rebekah looked inwards to Helton before letting go of Bonnie making sure her brother had a good hold of her before doing so as Klaus noticed her stare and knew what she was about to do.

“Rebekah you can’t this spell will be finished at any minute.” Klaus warned her. “Rebekah I can’t lose you.”

“I’m sorry brother but I’ve already failed Nathaniel once before I cannot do it again.” Rebekah replied before vamp speeding away towards Helton and towards her friend.

“Rebekah!” Klaus screamed.

“Dad, don’t leave me!” Hope said in between chanting pleading with her father not to follow.

“Nobody’s leaving anyone Hope.” Klaus told her while attempting to hide his devastation as he feared the worst.

Nathaniel stood still gloating with a smug smile looking over his father’s unconscious body knowing he had finally bet his father knowing he had won, and Helton would be their prison for eternity.

“Well done but we should really get out of here no point of you being prisoner too.” Rebekah said after she vamp sped to stand next to him.

“Rebekah you shouldn’t be here.” Nathaniel warned her. “Hope’s spell will soon be finished you need to leave before it ends, or you’ll be trapped here forever too.”

“I’m not leaving without you.” Rebekah replied making herself clear. “I’m not leaving you not again.”

“I’m okay with this being my end.” Nathaniel admitted.

“Nathaniel you may have been alive for a thousand years but getting out of here and leaving him behind is your only true hope of actually getting to live.” Rebekah revealed to him.

“Okay,” Nathaniel said while looking around the town center of Helton before smiling at Rebekah. “Let’s get going.”

Rebekah took the opportunity not willing to waste any time and grabbed a hold of Nathaniel before vamp speeding out of sight heading the hell out of Helton.

Klaus stood there looking inwards to Helton while holding Bonnie up as his daughter Hope continued chanting in Croatian making giving her father a knowing look that signaled her spell was nearing an end.

“Come on Rebekah don’t you dare leave me!” Klaus shouted hoping for his sister’s return and deep down although he’d never admit it Nathaniel’s too.

A sudden gust of wind hit Hope, Klaus and Bonnie knocking them backwards on to the ground and leaving them all unconscious as the spell was complete as the graffiti-ed Helton sign disappeared from out of sight and with it the road to Helton being replaced by trees and forestry.

Rebekah vamp sped to the Welcome to Helton “Hell Town” holding onto Nathaniel only to stop at the sign as the two were left horrified to find nothing in front of them but trees and forestry

“No!” Rebekah screamed. “God damn it there must be somewhere out of here.”

“If the spell is complete then that means we’re not just trapped here but we’re trapped without magic.” Nathaniel revealed to a furious Rebekah. “No magic kind of means no escape.”

“Just for once I’d love to be daggered, hexed, poisoned, possessed or imprisoned.” Rebekah moaned as she spotted Augustus walking towards them from a distance. “At least we have something to torture while we wait for my family to save us.”

“You realize no magic means no vampire powers.” Nathaniel told her.

“I know which is going to make this so much more satisfying.” Rebekah responded with a wicked grin before walking towards Nathaniel.