Magic Unlocked!

A/N: No Beta. We die like soldiers.

Small warning: slight depiction of Neena's dying moments and her unhealthy coping mechanisms.

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Chapter 3

Magic unlocked!

Neena watched Aunt Jenna pace in the front yard, talking with someone on the phone. She munched on some burnt toast that Aunt Jenna tried to make. The woman was really unprepared to look after 3 teenagers.

The woman came in with an awkward smile on her face.

"Ally...I just talked to the lawyer and it would take some time for the custody transfer. I have to go to Chicago and Liz...Caroline's mom has offered to take you guys in for the time being...I know you don't get along with Elena's friends but could you tolerate it for a while?" Jenna observed her face.

Neena tried to give her a reassuring smile to calm her nerves. It had instead made Jenna more panicked. "It won't be for long! I just need to inform my University about my change of residence and also have to change my College to a local one. I can't just leave you guys here on your own."

"Oh."

Jenna gave her hopeful eyes.

Was this part of the original storyline? She couldn't remember well. Did Elena stay with Caroline? But whatever the case, her answer was obvious, she couldn't put Jenna in a difficult position.

"Yes. Okay. I'm cool with that. I don't hate Caroline even though she is Elena's friend." And it was meeting one of the main casts! That was surely worth a lot of experience points!

[Chain Quest Alert!

The Forbes in the House!

Quest 1!

I don't like you.

Get the favorability of Caroline Forbes to Nuetral.

Reward : 250 Experience Points!

Accept/Reject]

'You know, your not that creative with these quests, System. And what is this favorability thing.'

[Quests are basic and repetitive because Host 999 is not permanently bond to System interface. And host can not be permanently bound as Host 999 is weak. Favorability is exactly that. A measurement of people' s opinion of you.]

'Okay...why did that function only activate now? And You know, I feel like you only come out of the woodworks when you want to give me quests or insult me.'

[The System has no personal attachment or grudge against Host 999. Favorability Metre is only accessible about people who are not considered family.]

'That's... You know what, don't care. My only mission is to stay alive for two years. I don't need to know how a Soul System or whatever you are functions. By the way, are you System 143 or someone else?'

[Host 999 does not have access to the information at present.]

'That was kind of an answer, you know.'

"-ly! Ally! Aleena!"

"huh?"

"I called you multiple times. You okay, honey?"

"uh...I'm...thinking about how one of us need to learn to cook at some point so that the four of us don't starve to death or go bankrupt."

Jenna' s cheeks turned red. "Oh...um...ah...I guess I can try learning that too."

Neena patted her hand. "I'll also look things up. This is new for all of us after all. Maybe we can make it a Gilbert-Sommers family bonding routine."

Jenna snorted. "Yeah, okay. That would be a sight I guess."

Neena smirked. "And we can do it in the backyard. Onewith the nature and all that jazz. Also saves the house from burning down."

Jenna pinched her hands.

"Ow! I was just telling the truth! Ow! Jenna! Stop!"

The two women devolved into laughter. Aunt Jenna's laugh soon turned to sobs.

Neena pulled her into a hug. She had never been much of hugger but she had actually hugged two people on the same day!

They stayed in each other's warmth for some time.

"So when do we leave for the Forbes?"

"Tomorrow morning around 10. Liz will come in her car. Caroline won't be there though. She would be at Cheerleader practice ."

"During summer vacation? She really must love doing it then... Do you think Elena..."

They looked at each other in silence.

Neena sighed. "I'll inform Elena about the move. Maybe she would be better if she is with her friends."

"And what about you, Ally? Are you feeling better?"

"I'll be fine as time goes by. No shortcut for grief I guess. I better go talk to Elena so she can pack her things up. Oh! Right! How long are we staying there?"

"Minimum, a few days but at most a month. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Neena smiled at her. "I know."

"Ally!"

Neena looked at her. Her face held a sad smile.

"You don't have to act grown-up. That's what I'm here for."

Neena smirked. "You don't say! I thought you were here to try to kill us with burnt toast!"

Aunt Jenna threw a cushion at her. "I'll go get lunch for you guys."

Jenna walked out the door after throwing the toast away.

Neena laughed and dashed up the stairs.

Her laughter died when she stoostood in front of Elena's door again. This time not as reluctant because she had an excuse to be there.

She knocked.

There was no movement from the other side.

Neena started to knock incessantly.

No response from Elena at all.

Neena sighed and grabbed her flip phone, calling her.

The phone rang in the room for some time but Elena didn't pick it up. Neena tried a few times.

Finally She answered.

"What?"

"Open the door, Elena."

"What do you want, Aleena? Want to accuse me of killing our parents? I'm not in the mood to take your bullshit, alright?"

"Just open the door, Elena. Don't make a scene."

"I'm not making anything! I'm telling the truth! Just tell me like this on the phone if it's so important then."

Neena rolled her eyes. "What are you doing in your room that you are being so secretive and can't even bother coming out, huh?"

"None of your damn buisness! Just spit out what you want to say, Aleena. Then you can stop pretending like you care about me."

"I was not pretending anything of the sort!" Elena snorted. Neena felt a headache coming as anger churned in her guts. "I was trying to extend an olive branch!"

"I don't want your olives or chives or anything! Just say what you have to!"

"Fine! Aunt Jenna says that we are moving to Caroline Forbes' place tomorrow around 10 for some time! We, as in me, you and Jeremy. I assume it would take at least half a month, though Aunt Jenna did say she will try to finish up in a few days. But guardianship transfers are not that easy, so I sort of extended-"

Elena cut the phone.

Neena stared at the phone in surprise. Did Ms Righteous just hang up on her? Guess with Aleena Gilbert the protagonist could be unfriendly with out destroying her kind-hearted image. After all, the other Gilbert sister was a 'drama queen, spoilt brat'. Yikes. Carol Lockwood was a peice of work.

The door to Elena's room flew open and a brunette young woman dashed out, glaring at her. Her face was flushed and her brown eyes were glassy.

"What the hell, Aleena!"

Neena frowned in confusion.

"Do you think it's funny to lie about such things? Wnd it wasn't even a believable lie! Why would we be staying at Caroline's place? You don't like my friends! Don't make up stupid things up just so you can get back at me!"

"I am not making things up and I have better things to do than scheme against you. Also why would I try to get back at you? What did you do?"

"Nothing! But I'm sure you will be able to make up a reason!"

"We are not living in a soap opera. You are acting like a delusional drug addict. I'm trying to have a semi-sane conversation with you. And I told you. Aunt Jenna has to settle the guardian issue so she decided the place and she has to inform her thesis overseer that-"

"Well, why can't we stay here while she does that?"

"We are underage, Elena. Leaving us here alone is gross negligence and that is enough to have Aunt Jenna's guardianship revoked."

The girl was paranoid. Aleena had never done anything to make her think that she was lying. She usually doesn't talk much to the girl but she was never mean to her openly or conspired against her. Mostly for the sake of their parents and also because it was paying attention to someone who believed everything was about her.

"I don't want to live at Caroline's. I could go to Bonnie's. I can always talk to Bonnie, she is always there for me."

"Too bad. Ms Forbes already offered and Aunt Jenna accepted."

"By asking whom?"

Neena wanted to chock the girl. "She is the adult, Elena. She doesn't need your permission. And I thought that Caroline was your friend as well. Guess you love one more than the other huh?."

Ellen sneered. "Don't twist my words, Aleena. And don't pretend to be understanding. You will never understand what I am going through."

Neena's eyes flashed. The red haze of anger returned.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Neena snarled. "Is my grief somehow less than yours? Get your damn paranoid head cleared! I'm not pretending to be anything Elena! I'm trying to make life easier for Jenna because I can see she is trying to be strong for the sake of her sister's kids! Mom and dad loved you so I wanted to honor their wish by trying to be civil to you!"

"I don't need your pity!"

"It's not-"

Elena slammed the door shut.

Neena let out a frustrated scream.

She marched away from the demented teenager's doorstep and back to her room, slamming her with door shut.

Frustrating! So damn frustrating! That girl knows how to rile people up!

Elena Gilbert was the greatest conversation killer! Talking with Jeremy had been so easy, and Aleena had bullied him a lot! It's no wonder she had always avoided talking to that self-righteous bitch!

She wanted to scream. Scream so that the world knows how angering that girl was.

The haze of anger dissipated, replaced by apathy.

Aleena's emotions were influencing her. Neena accepted it. At least it would help maintain her relationships...sometimes. But it also presented a problem. Neena would not be able to react logically as the Mission called for. The confrontation with Elena was the prime example. Logically, maintaining a calm attitude while working through Elena's survivor's guilt and blaming herself would have been the best solution.

But Neena could not maintain a neutral attitude around Elena. Aleena Gilbert had always hated her. Neena Winston was indifferent bordering on dislike towards her. This meant Neena would have to walk through Aleena's insecurities when it came to Elena before she could 'fix' Elena.

And the only way to do that would be to interact with the protagonist while living life the way Aleena had secretly wanted to. To the outside world, Aleena and Elena were fraternal twins, so they had a lot of similar haunts. This meant there were more opportunities for them to talk to each other.

Neena realized something.

'Hey! System! I talked to Elena for so long. Shouldn't the quest be complete?'

[Ding!]

[Host 999, please reread the quest details!

[Meet the Gilbert's!

Quest 3!

Just talk to me.

Elena Gilbert writes in her diary that she feels she is alone, that she can't tell anyone how she feels without getting herself a pity party. That no one understands her. Spend an hour talking to Elena Gilbert.

Reward: 500 experience points]

Neena frowned. 'Talk for one hour with Elena Gilbert. Nope. That's easier said than done. It's a near impossible task! Did you see the conversation that I had with her? It couldn't even be called a conversation! It was arguing! Our relationship is so messed up that it's a miracle that we haven't tried to pull each other's hairs out yet and here you are asking for an impossible one hour conversation.'

[The quest parameters are set and can not be modified wilfully. Host 999, please try harder.]

Neena snorted. 'I'm not being wilful and trying harder is not the problem! I'm angry! Elena Gilbert is anger inducing! She has the talent to get under my skin which is an achievement in itself. I was able to ignore sexist jokes and peer pressure! That should tell you how much she grates on my nerves! A relationship is a two way street and so is an hour-long conversation! I can't be the only one making all the efforts, System!'

[Host 999 is the only one bound to the System and doing the quest.]

Neena punched her pillow. Her head was feeling woozy again, which was a sign she was being influenced by Aleena. Again. But she didn't care this time. They were on the same page. She wanted the system to see her side of things!

'System! I know I am doing the quest! So?! That doesn't mean I have to put in an effort that she is not even going to appreciate!'

[Host 999's emotions are unstable. Please stabilize yourself before your mental fortitude breaks down. Hosts are required to maintain a logical mind for work efficiency and anger hinders logical reasoning.]

'I'll show you-'

A light bulb exploded next to her, bringing her out of her angry daze.

Neena sat on her study desk, shocked.

Aleena Gilbert had magic! She had forgotten! She had magic now!

The issue of Elena faded away from her mind, giving way for the giddiness of having magic!

You're a witch, Neena! You're a witch!

She could learn to control the weather... Maybe manipulate the elements... Like...like a bender! Earthbending! Firebending! Bloodbending!

She could become the new age Avatar!

...How was magic used consciously in the show anyway? Bonnie seemed to just get it. And it was limited when compared to the magic of Harry Potter world. Did being in this world mean she couldn't use magic the way she wanted to?

Neena started to pace. There might be resistance from Aleena's emotions as well. Aleena was scared of her own powers. She had hated the visions and predictions. It was actually one of the reasons she was drunk most of the time. It made things easier to forget. That she might not be normal.

Stupid Gilbert. What's so great about being normal? Paying bills, paying back the student loans, having to listen to the harsh words of your higher ups because you were not a ginius and so couldn't become irreplaceable for the company. Being normal was not all that it was hiped up to be.

Most normal teenagers were ambitious and competitive, wanting the best and living the best life. And almost every one of them would at least think about it if given a chance for having magic. But then...the premonitions must have been hard to handle.

She already had the power. Instead of trying to escape it through alcohol, Aleena should have learned to control her powers so that it couldn't bother her anymore.

It's easier for an outsider to see the solution than the person who have lived their life with it to see, a voice whispered to Neena.

Neena nodded. That made sense.

A chill went down her spine. Who had said that. Aleena?

She looked around her but her human eyes couldn't see anything wrong with the world around her.

She shook her head. She wouldn't think about such things until she had definite proof. Now...back to bloodbending...magic!

Bonnie's conscious use of magic in the beginning was at the sexy something car wash where she lit water on fire! So cool! She was basically a firebender! Frying vampire brain and all that jazz!

Neena took out a piece of paper and imagined it catching fire. She imagined Golden threads flowing out of her body and covering the entire paper.

[Ding!]

[Magic Unlocked! Congratulations, Host 999!]

Neena suppressed a laugh.

'Don't distract me. I'm going to try see if I can make it catch fire!'

[Understood.]

She began concentrating on the image of the magical threads grinding against the paper, creating friction and sparks. The sparks would become a flame.

As the image of flame came to her mind, Neena said heart twitched. It became harder to bear the. Her body became hot. She started to sweat.

The paper started to burn.

She could hear screams echoing everywhere. The raging inferno around her was consuming everything. Smoke filled her lungs. It was hard for her to breath. People groaned in pain. There was a child crying somewhere. She crawled towards the sound-

Neena threw away the paper, her heart beating a mile a minute.

She poured a glass of water and drank it, trying to get the image of fire out of her head. She poured another one. Then another.

She stared at the empty glass, trying to think.

Water! Water was her element! Bloodbending was the coolest power!

She quickly filled the lass with water, consciously thinking of it to distract her mind from the burning office. She stared at the water, willing it to float out of the glass.

The water was still.

She glared at it.

The water remained unmoved by her efforts.

Neena's eyes narrowed. What was she doing wrong? what was different from before?

Was there more to it than just...yes! Of course staring wouldn't work! The key was visualization!

With a grin, she stared at the water again. She imagined her magic. They would be golden threads. She imagined the threads flowing into the water, becoming one with it. It would feel free. Loose. Cool. It would feel fresh. She imagined the water become tendrils and move out of the glass like the legs of insects one by one. Liberating itself.

"Ally! I bought food from the restaurant! Come to eat!"

Neena broke out of her meditative state. The water slapped everywhere. On the desk, into the glass and onto her face.

Neena flinched back, cursing.

"Neena, are you okay? What happened?"

"Yeah! Was drinking water when you called, Aunt Jenna! Surprised me!"

"Oh...so...food?"

"I'll be right there after changing my shirt."

"Okay then."

[Ding!]

[Congradulations, Host 999!

You have successfully unlocked magical skill tree!

Acquired skills- Beginner level Fire Manipulation

- Beginner level Water Manipulation

Your Race Status has changed to Witch.

Keep working harder, host!]

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A/N: Please don't forget to leave a review, guys! Sorry about the grammar mistakes and any typos you may find. Also, I'm a bit unsure on the pairings. So, we will see how the story flows. What do you feel about Aleena and Neena. I was trying to make Aleena emotional and all over the place because Neena basically suppresses her emotions as she likes to be in control. At least that's what I'm aiming for. Do you get that from the story?