The Night of the Comet
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A/N: I do not own The Vampire Diaries or its spin offs.
Thank you for the love and support that you guys have shown me through this story. It is much appreciated.
I was asked whether Neena would have any love interest in this story and I'm not sure...
I hope she will end up with Nik, Elijah, or Kol. (Yes, I'm an Original Simp). Nothing against Finn, I just don't love him personally, so do forgive me. Niklaus is the one I'm the least sure about because I want my Klaroline. I also thought of OC x Caroline x Klaus but I'm not sure how well I can write such a complicated relationship without making it an Angst filled Opera.
Question: have you guys ever thought the reason Caroline never gave Klaus a chance was because of what Damon did to her? Maybe subconsciously she decided that all the bad guys in her life will treat her the way Damon treated her?
Also, to all the people who wished me for my exams, thank you guys. I did okay I guess. My professor said: "You have a great grasp on your English and a good vocabulary. Now if there was enough content in it, you would have been the perfect student."
Take from that what you will. (Cries a river of saddness)
WARNING: DEPICTION OF VOLANTE AGAINST WOMEN AHEAD. Just thought I will let you know.(Faints like Quirrell)
Chapter 12
The Night of the Comet.
'The flames snaked around her skin, burning welts onto it.
Her eyes searched for the little girl. Was she okay? What happened to her?
The flames disappeared, and the little girl's tearful eyes looked at her, pleading for help that Neena was not sure she could give.
The child reached a pale hand towards her.
Neena stretched out her own hand to grasp the little one.
Her movements seized as Neena saw the state of her own hand. It was burned and blackened.
She heard a laughter ring into her mind. Laughter that turned into screams of horror.
The child disappeared from before her, in her place laid Elena.
The brunette was screaming something at her, tears running down her cheeks. The Doppelganger tried to reach her, uncaring of the fire that started to burn the hems of her green gown.
Somebody pulled the girl back as fought the hands on her to get to Neena.
Rotting hands emerged from the ground and took hold of Neena's body and started to drag her towards the flames.
Elena screamed. "Ivanka! No! Ivanka! You promised! You promised to always be by me! Ivanka! Ivanka! No! No! Don't! Please! Take me! Take me! Not her! Let her go! Take me!"
Neena shook her head. Who the hell was Ivanka?
"I-it's okay," Neena said. Her throat hurt. She wanted water.
Elena cried harder. "Ivanka!"
Neena felt her mouth move on autopilot. "Live for me. Promise me, you will live."
Elena shook her head. "Ivanka!"
"Promise me you will survive, sister!"
Elena sobbed.
"Promise me, Katerina!" Neena screamed.
Neena's mind felt sluggish. What? Katerina?
Elena nodded. "I promise! I promise!"
Neena felt herself smile as the flames started to burn her legs.
Elena...no...Katerina reached for her again.
"Then I promise to return to you," Neena said. It was lie, a part of Neena knew. It was a lie said to her sister to make her want to live.
And Katerina knew that. That despair and understanding was in her eyes.
"I promise," Katerina said with a broken sound. "I promise to survive."
Neena wanted to tell her to wipe her tears but only screams broke out of her mouth as the flames consumed her. It hurts. It hurts. I don't want to die. It hurts. It hurts...'
Neena jumped out of the bed, drenched in sweat. She looked around her in panic.
No rotting hands pulling her towards fire. No flames to burn her away.
Neena felt herself relax.
A dream. It was a dream.
Neena grabbed the water jug on her bedside table and gulped down the water in it, not caring about the water being spilled over her chest.
She sat back down on the bed and buried her head into her shaking hands. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
She took in a shaky breathe and slowly exhaled.
Just a dream.
Her Grey blue eyes stared into space, recollecting the dream-no, nightmare, that she saw.
Neena wasn't stupid. She knew what that vision meant.
'System?'
[Host?]
Neena laid back on her pillow. 'I know how the World integrated me into the Plot.'
[How!]
'By making me a reincarnation.'
[...host...what?]
Neena wanted to laugh. The system sounded so lost. 'I had a dream slash vision of me burning with Katherine watching, trying to rescue me. She kept calling me Ivanka. I'm guessing, I'm the reincarnation of Katherine's sister or something. Or someone dear to the Vampire. She looked devastated over my...Ivanka's death.'
[How will this put the Female Lead to the forefront? Isn't your storyline supposed to make the Protagonist look better?]
Neena smirked. 'How is Katherine going to take the news that Elena is the sister of her reincarnated sister? The Doppelganger Vampire hated Elena for having Stefan's affections even though she basically threw away the Salvatore brothers. Elena being my sister is not going to make Kat want to kiss her Doppelganger. And it's giving me an identity that would become life threatening to me. Klaus will have another leverage over Elena. It can also make Kat want to kill me just so that her Doppelganger does not have a sister.'
[What are you going to do with this information?]
'Nothing.'
[What?]
'System, incase you haven't noticed I have season one drama to get through before I can think of season two. My greatest threat right now is Damon Salvatore. You know, the Vampire that is planning on attacking my best friend!'
[Do you have a plan?]
Neena rubbed her eyes. She wanted to scream in frustration. 'No!'
[She is wearing vervain.]
'That stops him from compelling her! He can still attack her physically! Still drink her blood! I wish I had given her some vervain to make tea or something. Do you think I can take him on with my magic?'
[Perhaps. You don't know any actual spells and he does know you have magic and about you water manipulation. There is a way but you might not like it.]
'What way?'
[Throw fire at him.]
"No!" Neena said and then gasped. She said that out loud!
[Host-]
'No! System! I can't! You know I can't! I can't do that to anyone...not even Damon.'
[He heals quickly.]
Visions of raging fire flitted across her mind. Of the burning office. Of Katherine's pleading.
'I can't.'
[You have to. It's the only attack that Damon will not see coming and will stop him. Or you can let the Plot work. Let Caroline-]
'I GET IT! I get it...'
Her mind felt chaotic. She could still hear Katherine scream for her sister. Could still hear the cries of her Project Manager's daughter.
Neena squeezed her eyes shut and closed her ears. Tears fell down her chin.
[-ost! Host! Host! Host! Neena!]
Neena's eyes flew open. She looked around her wildly.
[Calm your self. Host 999 vitality is in disorder. Soul agitation detected. Soul compromised 20%. World 666 is trying to consume Host. Sanctioning ejection of Host 999 of System 143 from World 666. Host 999, accept or reject?]
Neena's mind was numb. She barely heard any of the System's words. A large part of her wanted to say yes, but something stopped her. That thought of what would happen if she left. Caroline would end up as a blood bag. Aunt Jenna would die. Bonnie would play the sacrificial lamb again and again. All the souls in this world would walk on that same path again and again and again. Never released from experiencing the same tragedies again and again.
'No. I'm fine.' A stubborn glint ignited in her eyes. There was a fire in them that was not there before. 'I'll do it. I'll try to change things differently but if push comes to shove I will do it. I will use fire.'
[Change things differently? How? Do you have a plan?]
'Not really. But I will be ready for anything today.'
[You can leave this World whenever you want. You don't have to do this.]
'I need to,' Neena thought with a smile. 'Now shut up. I'm going to practice my magic.'
Neena spent two hours practicing her control over magic. Twisting it this way and that, trying to make Fire Chains and Fire Whips.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host 999!
Fire Manipulation upgraded to Level 2!
Skill created: Fire whips!
User can create a single fire whip. The control over the whip is solely based on the Host Will and available Magic.]
Neena frowned. 'Level 2? I thought I was better than that.'
[Would Host 999 like to know details on upgrades?]
Neena raised an eyebrow. 'I thought that was a permanent Host privilege.'
[It usually is. But then again, most Temporary Hosts usually don't gain World Consumption threats.]
'Lucky me,' Neena thought petulantly. 'Fine then. Let's see this grading system.'
[Host 999 grading System:
Level 1 and Level 2 = Beginner
Level 3 and Level 4 = Apprentice
Level 5 = Journeyman
Level 6 = Professional
Level 7 =Expert
Level 8 =Master
Level 9 =Grandmaster
Level 10 =Devine]
Neena felt delirious. And disheartened. She was still a Beginner in all her skills except cooking.
[Do not worry Host. Most people who are called Masters in this world are all at Professional Grade.]
Neena silently went back to practicing her magic.
[Host?]
'Yes?'
[Are you okay?]
'I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be. Now, be quiet. Let me practice.'
[...okay...if that is what you wish.]
Neena went back to burning papers, more enthusiastic than ever. Her eyes even more fiery than the flames she controlled.
She would become at least a Master damn it!
As time passed and the world woke up, Neena slowly made her way down the stairs. Her mind filled many thoughts. She wished she was in some fluffy fanfic story instead of whatever version she was in. Where was her mate marks and reverse Harems? Where was her superhero who saves her from bad people? It must be because she is not pretty enough...but Aleena was pretty. Ugh.
[Host fetishes are becoming even more obvious in her thoughts.]
'Then stay out of them, idiot.'
[You are not even going to deny it?]
'I'm a Vampire Diaries simp. Sue me, bitch.'
[...the Host is more hostile towards the System than usual. Why? What did I do?]
'I'm going to be facing a hundred plus year old humanity-less Vampire who is a threat to my best friend. Failure means my death, my friend's death or even worse, my friend ending up as a live bloodbag. Forgive me for becoming more and more agitated as the hour approaches.'
[Oh. Okay then. So it is not my fault. Good to know!]
Neena suppressed a snort. Stupid AI. It could at least pretend to be a bit more sensitive.
Her phone vibrated, pulling her attention away.
She looked at it. Someone had sent her a text. God. Texting was a thing.
Carebear: Tikki tried to pass all her work to Jonny! Lia forgot the banners! Nobody is doing anything! Where are you!!!!
Neena smiled.
Me: Home. Will be there after breakfast. Don't worry about it. I'll help.
The blonde responded almost immediately.
Carebear: You better<3 <3 <3
Neena was too focused on the phone and crashed into Jenna who almost dropped her laptop.
"OH MY GOD! Ally!"
"Sorry!"
Jenna held her laptop in a death grip. "That had all my hardwork in it. I would have killed you if you had made me drop it."
Neena grinned sheepishly. "Sorry."
"What are you doing here anyway? Jeremy and Elena already left to...do something."
Neena raised an eyebrow. "Want me out of the house quickly or something? Are you planning on masterbating or having sex or something?"
Jenna blushed and gaped at her. "Ally!"
Neena laughed and walked into the kitchen, deciding to make a simple toast and scrambled eggs. After a puppy dog eye from Jenna she made a plate for her as well.
"You really need to learn how to cook," Neena said as she bit off her toast. "I won't always make food here. You are the adult. Do it."
Jenna glared. "I tried. Somebody threw me out of the kitchen."
Neena rolled her eyes. "You were trying to make lasagna. Learn how to boil eggs and making toast without burning it or anything catching fire first, then we can try other things."
Jenna sighed. "But your food is so good."
"It's at Apprentice Level," Neena said to her, pouting.
Jenna laughed. "Are you trying to be modest? Or trying to fish for compliments."
Neena glared at her. "It really is."
Jenna chuckled. "If you are at such a low level then what am I?"
"You are not even in the ranking."
"Ouch. That heart. I get it. I'll learn to cook, sheesh."
Neena and Jenna finished breakfast in silence after that.
It was as she was leaving that she thought of somethings. She looked at Jenna who was bent over her laptop.
Sighing, she walked back to the blond woman.
Jenna looked at her, questioning.
"Um... Can we talk?"
Jenna's face turned serious. She closed her laptop and sat on the couch, patting to the space beside her.
Neena raised an eyebrow at the gesture. That turned serious really quickly. It was a serous thing she wanted to talk to Aunt Jenna about but she didn't realize that Jenna would sense her intentions.
Neena sat beside her, confused on where to start. She hadn't planned on this when she woke up. This was a conversation that she wanted to have after the Isobel episode.
Neena drew courage from the warmth in Jenna's blue eyes. Maybe this was the right time.
"Do you remember how I was before...the accident?"
Jenna nodded, her face becoming sad.
Neena sighed. "I have a reason for that shitty and bitch behaviour I had...sort of."
Jenna looked surprised. "You mean there was more to it than you having your period?"
Neena gaped. "What?"
Jenna leaned back, a wistful look on her face. "Your mom and I noticed that after you got your periods for the first time, you started to spaceout and started to distance yourself from everyone. You seemed volatile and high strung all the time. Miranda guessed that it must be the hormonal changes that were happening in your body. Ally, it's okay. We got it. It happens. Some girls have strong mood swings during their teenage years. It is absolutely normal. As your body becomes more used to it and the hormonal imbalance in you levels out, you will feel less agitated."
This was not how she pictured this talk to go.
She gaped at Jenna. Was this real?
"That...um...good to know I guess. But that wasn't the reason."
"It's not?"
"It's not the only reason. With my periods came powers."
Jenna looked at her in confusion. "What?"
"I...I started to have visions. Of dead people. Of people who were going to die. Of what people would do, would say. It got to such a point that I couldn't even distinguish what was real and what was a vision. Past...present...future...everything blended into one."
Jenna looked at her in shock. "What...are you saying?"
Neena fidgeted. "I have magic...can you believe it? I have magic! The visions were because it was the basic outlet for magic..."
Jenna tried to breathe evenly. "Magic. You have magic."
"Yeah."
"Who else knows?"
"No one else."
"That's why you were a drunken mess? Because you had magic?"
Neena shrugged. "It kept the visions to a minimum. Made things a bit more bearable."
Jenna put her head in her hands, her eyes swirling as she took the information in. "What are you then?"
Neena sighed. "I don't know...maybe a witch but I...don't know for sure."
Jenna looked at her thoughtfully. "Your mom used to say stories about Vampires. Is that what you are?"
Neena laughed. "I don't have any urge to drink blood. Maybe go on a murder spree but that is because Tanner is a jackass but no. Not a vampire."
Jenna sighed in relief. "That's good. Your mom kept saying that they were evil demonic creatures and I wasn't sure how I should react if you were one. Mind you, you would still have to go school and stuff, vampire or not. But I would have been even more clueless on how to handle vamp teen."
Neena smirked. "I get it."
Jenna started to speak. "So what changed?"
"I have started to practice magic during the summer. It keeps the visions away."
Jenna looked at her in confusion. "How did you start that?"
Neena blushed. "I started to see if I can do the things that are shown in cartoons and stuff."
Jenna nodded. "I see. That makes a weird amount of sense."
Neena's phone vibrated again. She looked at it.
Carebear: Where are you? Elena and Bonnie have gone to distribute flyers. Get your ass here!
"I need to leave Aunt Jenna. Care is going supernova in frustration. She might end up killing someone in frustration."
Jenna laughed. "That girl takes on too many responsibilities."
"Tell me about it. Bye."
"Bye!"
As she walked out she remembered something.
She turned and ran up the stairs.
"Ally!" Jenna called.
"I forgot something!"
She dashed into her room and took small vials out of the drawer.
Two Strength potions, one healing potion and one blood replenishing potion. These were the items that she bought from the System Market.
'System. How strong does the potion actually make me?'
[Basic potions give you a 50 year old Vampire ability. Maximum of 10 can be consumed per day. The effect lasts for 24 hours.
Intermediate potions give you a 100 year old Vampire ability. Maximum of 6 can be consumed per day. The effect lasts for 24 hours.
Advanced potions give you a 200 year old Vampire ability. Maximum of 4 can be consumed per day. The effect lasts for 24 hours.]
Neena stood in shock. 'Wait. This gives me an equal footing with Damon!'
[No it doesn't.]
Neena wilted. 'Why not?'
[Damon Salvatore had 145 years to get used to his vampire powers. He has strength, speed, reflex, and understanding of being a 145 year old Vampire. You don't.]
Neena wanted to scream. 'You are making Damon sound OP. If Damon, a 145 year Vampire can pull the wool over original Vampires who are 1000 years old, I can do it too.'
[He has one other advantage over you.]
'What?'
[He has plot Armour.]
Shit. That sucked.
[You still have 10 Host Points from your last mission.]
'What do I spend it on?'
[Either Speed potion or Strength potion.]
'150 years of Vampire strength. Hmm... What do you suggest?'
[Speed potion. No matter how strong you are if you are not fast enough, it would be useless.]
'Good point. System 143, I would like to buy a basic Speed potion, please.'
A pale blue vial joined the rest of them on her table.
[Remaining Host Points: 0]
Neena put them into her bag.
[You should consume them before tonight.]
'Why?'
[You need to get used to the power difference.]
Neena sighed. 'Got it.'
She left the Gilbert's house and drove to the woods. This was the best place to practice super powers without running into people.
She downed a vial of Strength potion. There was only a mouthful of the potion in it. It tasted like minty salt water.
Her veins burned and she felt an exhilarating power in her limbs. She felt she could take on anyone and come out the winner.
And that was just the power of 50 years.
She downed the second vial. She felt even more powerful. Her body roiled with hidden and suppressed strength.
She drank the Speed potion next. It was spicy, with an undertone of sweetness.
The world seemed to slowdown. The leaves were slower as they fell.
She didn't touch any other vials. Just in case things take a bad turn and she needed to give it to someone else.
She started to run around the forest, getting used to the unnatural speed of her body. Everything was different.
Her progress with strength easy and difficult. Easy because there was not much of a difference like the Vampires in Twilight but it was also difficult because there wasn't much she could do to train it except to make sure she doesn't give away the fact that her strength had increased.
By the time Neena made it to the town square after her excursion, only the handing out of the flyers remained and Caroline did not look murderous.
The Blonde ran towards her with a skip to her step, grinning.
"You look happy," Neena said.
Caroline laughed. "Everything is going according to plan. Dana dragged Tikki away so everything started to go smoothly."
Neena rolled her eyes. "You are a bitch at times, Carebear. And a full time control freak."
Caroline laughed. "Yup."
They spent the day with Neena helping Caroline set everything up. It made Neena question the competency of the Adults in Mystic Falls. They had kids do all the work. She said it to Caroline.
"It's tradition, Neena!" the blonde girl protested. "Our parents did it too, when they were our age. Daddy called and said it's a rights of passage of some sort and he hoped I would become the best of them!"
Neena looked at her in shock. Was Bill Forbes grooming Caroline to be a part of the council? In some sick way it made sense. She was the only child of the Forbes. Becoming involved with the council was her fate had she not become a Vampire.
When the sun had set, everyone gathered in the Square, holding out candles.
Elena came in and took one from Caroline.
Bonnie lit Caroline's candle. Caroline lit Neena's and Neena lit Elena's.
The sisters smiled at one another.
Elena lit Stefan's. They looked at each other.
Matt kept looking at Elena as he half listened to Tyler.
Stefan and Elena moved away from the rest of them.
Neena felt a brief excitement at being in one of her favorite scenes of season one. Nothing beats drunk Stefan scenes or the Katherine scene but it was a wholesome scene that she had watched many times. Yet Neena's focus was on what was going to happen. Vicki on the rooftop. Demon and Stefan's confrontation. Caroline's tragic night.
"I think I saw Damon at the Bar in the Grille," Bonnie said.
"I saw him too," Caroline said. "This morning. I was going to talk to him but then he disappeared. I think he gave me a Look but I must have seen wrong. When we were at his place he couldn't talk anything without pulling you into the conversation."
Bonnie giggled.
Neena wanted to groan. Not you too Bonnie! She was having a near heart attack just keeping Caroline safe, she didn't think her heart could take Bonnie in that mess as well.
They all moved to the Grille and started ordering drinks.
"Hey," Bonnie said, sitting down next to her. "You okay? You didn't say a word all evening."
"Please don't go back to being a bitch," Caroline said to her in a pleading voice.
Neena sighed. "I'm practicing my Emo look. Stop ruining the vibe, Blonde."
Bonnie laughed. "That's new."
"Hey, Ally," Tyler said as he leaned against the table.
Everyone became quiet.
Neena looked at the Lockwood boy in confusion. Since when did this guy start saying hey to Aleena? Last she checked, he just scoffed and spoke rudely to her and made her a personal assistant of some sort.
"Hai?" she said.
"So what have you been up to?" he asked her.
Neena looked at Caroline and Bonnie in bewilderment. What was going on?
Caroline looked like she was watching the most entertaining Drama in history.
Bonnie looked somewhere between surprise and mirth.
Neena turned to Elena desperately, hoping to find a clue.
Elena shrugged at her.
"Ally?" Tyler asked awkwardly.
Neena shrugged. "Nothing much."
"Right. Um..." Tyler said.
"Hey, has anyone seen Vicki!"
Neena wanted to kiss Jeremy in that moment. Thank God.
Bonnie nudged her, her dark eyes dancing in laughter.
Neena rolled her eyes.
"You're her stalker, you tell us," Tyler mocked Jeremy.
"Did you try to call her phone?" Neena asked, hoping to stop the Alpha male bullshit that Tyler wanted to pull.
Jeremy nodded. "Yeah, I can't find her anywhere."
"Let's go look for her then," Neena said.
Everyone stared at her.
Neena wanted to throw something. Why did Aleena have to hate Vicki so much? Now she seemed really out of character.
"Really?" Matt asked her in surprise.
Neena shrugged. "she just got discharged from the hospital. Maybe she fainted or something."
They all dispersed.
Caroline and Bonnie stood in front of Neena blocking her path.
"What?"
Caroline narrowed her eyes. "What are you up to?"
"Huh?"
"Why are you really being nice to Vicki Donovan?" Bonnie asked.
"You never liked Matt's drugged sister before," Caroline said. "You hated her."
Neena gave them a disbelieving look. "Don't be rude, Blonde. And is it so hard to believe that I am actually concerned about her?"
"Is this a new ploy to get Tyler's attention?" Elena asked. "I didn't want to talk about it before because I thought you have moved on but now I'm not really sure."
"If it is a new scheme," Caroline said, "It's working."
"It's not a scheme, guys. And what do you mean it is working?"
"Didn't you notice?" Bonnie asked.
"Tyler has been looking at you repeatedly throughout the day," Elena said.
Neena cringed. Good God, she hoped Elena was wrong.
"I'm over him, Elena. The only reason I started liking him was because he gave me a Band-Aid when we were in 7th grade. And then I saw his shitty home life and decided I could fix him with my love. I have moved on from that. I am not going to be the Fix-it girl for the douchbag who insulted me and humiliated me during my high school life."
The three friends looked at her in shock.
Caroline snorted. "I thought you liked the bad guys in movies because of that. That you could fantasize about fixing them with your love."
Neena laughed. "That's different. Those people are not bad to me. Now come on, we have a Pill pusher to find. Hopefully she is okay."
"Poor Matt," Caroline said.
They split up and searched everywhere. Neena scurried away from the group and went to the place she had seen Stefan walk towards.
The parking lot was empty but there were a few people walking about. Most of them were drunk.
As she walked out of the lot, she heard screams.
Neena blinked and looked towards where the sound was coming from.
A leather jacket wearing man was holding onto a girl as the two stood on the edge of the rooftop.
Was Damon dumb? Sure she couldn't make out who it really was but wouldn't people notice them?
She saw another figure appear next to them. She recognized the silhouette of Stefan.
She really wanted to save Vicki but Neena knew she would be safe for the night. Damon's real target was Caroline. If he wanted to stay in town then he would need a regular supply of blood that did not involve killing. Caroline fell into that category and she was close to Elena and Bonnie, the doppelganger and the Bennett witch. Making her a good target.
A few minutes later she saw Damon disappear. Then five minutes later, Vicki emerged from the building and walked towards the Grille.
Neena hid behind a car.
Stefan followed her after some time.
The younger Salvatore paused for a moment, and looked around like he sensed Neena. Not finding anyone, Stefan speed walked to the Grille.
Neena took out her phone and started to play Snake in it, waiting for ten more minutes to pass. Neena looked around her, and seeing that no one was watching, Vamp sped to the Grille where Caroline massaged her to meet.
The blonde was sitting with Bonnie.
"Hey," Neena said to her. "Find Vicki?"
"Yup. Stefan found her."
Neena raised an eyebrow. "Did you even look for her?"
"Nope."
Neena sighed and sat down next to her. "Where is Elena?"
"She went home," Bonnie said apologetically.
"Bonnie gave her number and Email address to Stefan. And then she stilled and asked him what happened to him," Caroline said, swirling the straw of her drink.
Neena looked the Bennett witch in concern. "What happened?"
Bonnie fidgeted.
"Bonnie?"
She sighed. "When I touched him I felt something."
"What?"
"Death," Bonnie said.
Neena pursed her lips. "Talk to your Grams about it. Maybe she can put your mind at ease."
Bonnie shook her head. "I can't, Neena. I don't want her to feel concerned about me or that the stories she is sharing is making me crazy. It's fine. I better go. Bye Care. Bye Neena."
Bonnie went away.
Caroline sighed. "So much drama. You don't actually believe in Bonnie being a witch do you?"
"I do."
Caroline looked at her, surprised. "You do?"
Neena sighed. "Can I stay at your place tonight?"
Caroline looked at her in delight. "Really?" None of her friends stayed at her house. It was always at Bonnie's or Elena's.
Neena smiled. "Really. I'll have Matt take care of my Car."
The two leave the establishment towards Caroline's car.
[Ding!]
[Quest Alert!
Attack on Forbes!
Stop Damon Salvatore from Attacking Caroline Forbes.
Reward: 100 Experience Points]
Shit!
Neena felt someone follow them.
Caroline jumped and held onto her hands.
"Care?"
"Do you think we are being followed?"
Neena narrowed her eyes. She looked around her, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Psycho.
"Stay close."
Neena was irritated that Damon didn't think she was a threat. It had to be the reason why he still planned on hurting Caroline even though she was near her.
Caroline started to open the car door when they felt someone behind Caroline.
They spun around.
Damon stood there with a weird smile on his face.
"Damon! You scared us!" Caroline scolded.
Neena readied her magic to her finger tips, ready to throw water bullets at him.
"Caroline! Neena! Hey," Damon said. "I was looking for you Caroline."
"You were?" the blonde asked in surprise. "What for?"
"I was hoping to spend some time with you, if you get my drift," Damon said.
Oh God.
Neena wanted to hide her face in second hand embarrassment even though she knew Damon was lying.
Caroline blushed and embarrassed as well. She shifted on her heels and looked at Neena, blue eyes calling for help.
"Actually," Neena said, "Caroline and I were going to have a girls night."
"Oh, I'm sure you girls can have those any time you want," Damon said, his eyes staring at Neena with hidden anger. "Right, Caroline?"
Caroline looked lost, not knowing what to do.
"She is my friend," Neena said to the Vampire. "We don't get to do this often and we have never done this at Caress place."
He smirked at her, challenging.
Neena realized what he thought.
He thought Neena would not want to expose herself as a witch and so would back down if Caroline herself chose to go with Damon. It wasn't a bad guess. Aleena had powers since she was 13 and yet she never told anyone about her powers.
"Let Caroline decide, Neena," Damon said in a teasing tone.
Caroline sighed. "Sorry Damon. Tempting, but no. Neena is right. Besides, Bonnie...you want to be Bonnie's friend and stuff. We better not."
Damon's eyes took on a harsh glint.
Neena parted her legs and stabilized her footing. She saw the moment Damon lunged at Caroline.
Neena summoned Damon away from the Blonde and threw him to the ground.
Caroline let out a scream.
Damon jumped to his feet and disappeared.
"Nee-Neena...that-"
"Get in the car, Blondie!" Neena snapped at her.
Caroline scowled. "Aleena-"
"Now!"
Neena snatched the car key from her and got on the driver's seat.
Caroline got in.
"What was that? Damon jumped at me and then he was pulled away by something. Did you do that? How did you do that? Are you a witch? Is that why you believe Bonnie being a witch? Neena?"
"Quiet. I'll answer everything once we get you home."
Neena drove out of the parking lot and sped the car to the Forbes Residence.
As the car went out of the town area and reached the forested road, it started to get foggy.
'System! Tell me! Is Damon following the Car?'
[Ding!]
[yes. He took a short cut.]
'Keep me updated!'
The car sped across the road.
"Neena! You are going to get us killed at this speed!"
"I'm driving at this speed so that we don't get killed!"
"What!"
"Sush!"
"Don't sush me!"
[Host! You will see him in 10 seconds.]
Neena had never realized how long 10 seconds could be until them.
The headlight of the car highlighted the form of Damon Salvatore as the man stood in the middle of the road.
"Is that Damon?" Caroline asked in horror. "Neena slow the car down! You are going to hit him! Oh my God! You are going to kill him! Neena stop the car! Neena!"
The car hit Damon full frontal. His body thudded on the car roof as Neena accelerated the Car.
Caroline screamed.
"You killed him!"
Caroline took hold of the steering wheel.
"What are you doing!" Neena asked her. "He is fine! He is a Vampire! Care! Let go!"
The car swerved off the road.
"You are delusional! Stop the car or I'll jump off it!"
Neena swore and slammed the brakes.
The door to Caroline's side was pulled open before either girls could react and the blonde was yanked out. Neena dashed out and did the summoning trick again. She slammed him into a tree.
Caroline crumbled to the ground.
"Get in the Car! Now!" Neena told her.
Damon dashed to the Blonde.
Neena vamped in front of her and threw him away.
He chuckled. "That's new! No fair, witchy. No new tricks allowed."
She sneered at him.
"Caroline! Get in the damn car now!" Neena screamed, her eyes trained on Damon.
She heard the girl scramble to her feet and start running.
Damon followed the girl with his eyes.
He lunged.
Neena slammed him against a tree.
"Neena!" Caroline screamed.
"Get inside!" Neena said.
Damon took hold of Neena by the throat and threw her away.
He dashed to the blonde and threw her on the road.
Caroline rolled and laid there, groaning.
Her arms and leg were bleeding.
His face vamped.
Caroline screamed.
As he tried to get a hold of her, a water javelin speared through his eyes.
He hissed in pain.
Neena vamped to the Blonde's side and stood in front of her.
"Had enough yet?" Neena growled at him.
"Colour me impressed, witchy," Damon mocked. "You actually hurt me. But do you really think that's enough to stop me?"
Neena scowled. "Try me and see."
He ran towards her.
Neena created a fireball and threw it straight at him.
He backed away, eyes widening in shock and anger.
[Host! You have used up 50% of you magic. When the magic becomes 10% you will start bleeding from your nose. Complete depletion will lead to you fainting.]
'Got it.'
Damon studied her from afar. He disappeared.
'System?'
[On you left.]
She twisted around, creating a fire whip.
He impaled her stomach with a branch.
Caroline screamed in horror.
Neena burned his hands and tied the fire whip to his neck, and threw him away using her repelling magic. She started to burn his hands.
He screamed in pain, as Neena fell to her knees, gasping and crying at the intense pain from the branch lodged in her stomach.
[Magic at 20%]
Caroline ran to her side, and kneeled, sobbing. Pressing her hand against Neena's stomach, putting pressure. She wanted to take the branch out but was sure it would do even more damage.
"T-truce?" he asked as the fire started to burn his hands and legs.
Neena gave him a sardonic grin. Blood dripped out of her mouth. She gritted her teeth to suppress the pain.
"Truce. You-you...leave Ca-Care o-out of your schemes and I leave you alone."
"Okay," he said.
She let the fires die out.
He stared at her for a moment, then walked towards her as the burn on his skin started to heal.
Neena started to create another fireball.
He raised his hands in surrender. "I just wanna help. My blood can heal you. Let me help. Truce remember. I won't attack Caroline as long as she doesn't give me a reason, I promise."
Neena's head spun because of the blood lose.
[Ding!]
[Quest Complete!
Congratulations, Host 999 on completing your first Adventure Quest!
Quest Completed:
Attack on Forbes!
Stop Damon Salvatore from attacking Caroline Forbes.
Rewarded: 100 Experience Points.]
Neena relaxed at that, and then cringed at the movement when pain wrecked her body.
She nodded at him.
"Move back, Carebear."
"No," the blonde sobbed. "I don't trust him."
"She will die if I don't help now, Blondie," Damon said to her.
"Don't call me that. Only Neena gets to call me that," Caroline said.
"Care," Neena said in exasperation.
The blonde cheerleader moved away from her hesitantly.
Damon yanked the branch out of her.
Neena cried and vomited blood.
He bit into his wrist and vamped in front of her, pressing his bloody wrist against her lips.
Neena tasted the metallic flavour of his blood. It was a bit salty and warm. She sucked on his wound, hoping the pain would go away sooner.
Damon pulled her to his chest and petted her head as she drank from him.
Her wound closed and the pain wrecking her body subsided. She could also feel her exhaustion dissipate.
"Thanks for that," she said to him after pulling away from him.
He hummed, his eyes staring at her.
"Thanks for not burning me alive," Damon said.
Neena looked at him in surprise.
"You could have killed me. Burned away my neck from my body. You didn't. So, thanks. But why did you?"
Neena smirked. "You can become better I'm sure. Burning to death is the worst way to die."
He smiled and took hold of her hand.
Neena's brows narrowed.
He kissed her wrist where her veins were visible and then vamped away.
'System?'
[He is gone.]
Neena wobbled to her feet.
Caroline hurried to her side and held her in a tight hug.
"Care?"
Caroline sobbed.
"Care, he is gone. He won't try hurt you again."
The blonde pinched her arm.
"Ow! Care! That hurt!"
"You almost died. I thought you were going to die," Caroline whispered.
Neena observed her friend for the first time that night.
She was shaking, her makeup was messed up, and her hair was everywhere. More importantly, Neena saw fear in her eyes. Fear for her.
"I'm fine. Damon healed me."
Caroline scowled. "He did this to you! Don't make it sound like he was being a Martyr. It's the least he can do."
Neena took Caroline's hand in hers and pulled the Blonde towards her car.
"It was my fault," Caroline said. "I made you stop the car."
"Nope. Its my fault. I should have told to you about these things sooner so that when the time came you wouldn't be so against it."
"Your right," Caroline said. "It is your fault."
Neena laughed. "Wow Carebear, wow."
They got into the car.
Caroline groaned. "My mom is going to kill me. Look at the condition of my car."
"We will make Damon pay the bill. It was his fault after all."
"I don't want you near him," Caroline said in anger. "You are not getting anywhere near him. It's no wonder Stefan was so hostile to that jerk, and I thought he was the perfect guy!"
"Let's get you home first. We can talk about other things later on. I'll explain everything."
"Good," Caroline said.
They drove the car way to Caroline's house.
A/N: I have always doubted myself when I try writing action scenes. So please tell me, how was the fight between Damon and Neena?
I thought Neena was badass. What about you guys?
Please comment, vote, leave kudos and stuff. As I always say. I read all the comments. I might not respond to them but I read them all.
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Vaccinate against Covid if you haven't already, and stay safe my lovelies.