Ch.11

Sighing I told Elijah. "Take the baby and make it comfortable. Don't leave the room. I'm going to give them a once over of our past conversation when you met me for the first time in a thousand years."

He narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure?"

I nodded. "They need to know. It's time we prepare. Because of your idiocies here. The baby was to far away. I guarantee she felt it."

I grabbed the two new parents by the backs of their necks. "Open your minds to me, I need to show you something that is no longer safe spoken aloud."

They did so and we appeared in an old run down house with an image of myself sitting beside Elijah. They went to ask questions and I told them. "No speaking till this ride is over kids. Questions will be answered at the end. For now what and enjoy the most horrific events of my life told in high definition."

Alternate me spoke: ("Where was I? Oh yes. Things you don't know. Well, our mother's secrets are where it begins I guess. Did you know she has an older sister?")

It went on and on. Finally, by the end, both new parents were in tears as I dismissed the memory and released them. Klaus turned to face me with tears in his eyes. "Brother-"

I sighed and waved him off. "Save it. I forgave you after the beating I gave you when we met again. That was the last of my hatred towards you I was letting go. No, now we must protect your child because I cannot do the same as I did mine for yours."

He nodded and Hailey asked. "What can you do then. If you're enemy is so powerful it's taken a thousand years to prepare for her."

I sighed and turned to her. "We can protect her the only way that's left to us, we give her to Rebekah while she moves around. The spell I placed on all of you is in place. But since Rebekah isn't here, our enemy will not know of her currently. The spell will stop all forms of tracking, whether by magic or technology. It will buy us time, by me time."

Niklaus bulked. "I will not give up my daughter-"

I roared. "THEN SHE WILL BE USED AS MY TWIN IS BEING USED OR DIE IN THE ATTEMPT!"

The entire room went silent and I heard Hailey sobbing. I sighed. "I have a plan. I have a way to kill the bitch and I've been powering up all my talismans and totems for the battle. When our enemy arrives, I'll slaughter the bitch and sacrifice her soul to create a totem of power that will protect this family long after i am gone. All I need is time little brother. I've sacrificed enough, we all have. I'll protect that baby even if it kills us all."

I pulled out the Papa Tunde dagger and passed it to him. "This is like a silver dagger with white oak ash. It'll work on even me for a time. It's made from the bone of Hailey's all powerful witch ancestor and one of the four totems that bind her soul."

I waved a hand and the hiding place for the white oak stake was revealed empty. "Someone has taken it. I knew it was missing when I put a powerful shield around this room. Someone took advantage of the massacre to steal it and we need to find out who."

I turned to them all as I sat down. "While the baby is with Rebekah, rebuild and raise your army. Kill off the traitors and grow strong again. Leave the enemy to us. In six months time, all will be ready. Until then, compel all who know your child is alive to believe she died at the hands of the witches. Deliver a warning and use Marcel to send it by saying the baby is dead. All outside this room must believe it Niklaus. Go through the stages, wage your wars and when everything is ready, perhaps we'll not only have Hope back but Freya as well."

They argued and stalled but eventually gave in knowing I was right. The next day. I laid Hope on the desk after I'd spent the night carving all sorts of runes and power lines on it. "I'm going to put enough protection spells on her to ensure she'd survive a nuclear bomb. Now give me space and be quiet. Go see to the compulsion."

I began chanting in our native tongue, calling to the old gods and the spirits. I called to every entity for light and protection down to and including gods of war. When I was done, runes floated off the desk and wrapped around Hope like a blanket, then with a drop of blood from both parents, I sealed them inside her blood. Now no one could harm her without destroying it all and that would take a lot of time.

When I was done, I picked up the child and rocked it to sleep. Bonnie was watching me with a smile and Elijah with sadness. Hailey came in with Klaus after all the vamps were compelled and left. Hailey walked over and asked. "Can I hold her."

I chuckled. "She is your daughter little sister. It is i that should be asking you."

I handed Hope to Hailey and turned to Klaus as he told me it was done. I nodded. "I killed all the witches present at the sacrifice and shredded their souls. Not even the ancestors know what happened after they ran like cowards. I left a message to the witches and all who seen it. I suggest you take the credit and put it up to grief. Normally I don't harm mortals or kids but the harvest girls I made an exception for. They tried to kill a baby. I could not tolerate them being alive or having a piece full afterlife with their ancestors."

Elijah asked. "And what of your followers, why did they not intervene when the ancestors tried to take action."

I sighed and shook my head. "Their first duty is to the seal binding the all powerful spirit. That was the task I gave them as I put them to rest. The rest of the ancestors betrayed us because someone convinced them it was in their favor if they succeeded. Any guesses who hates us on that side of the veil?"

Nik spat out. "Mother."

I nodded. "Esther must have plotted this and now that she's with them, I can't stop them unless I bring down the rest of the ancestors as well. Then the spirit would be freed. And right now, we already have one all powerful witch to kill, if they teamed up I and Bonnie here would die before the battle even began. They are two of the most powerful witches to ever walk the earth. I'm no where near ready for both at once. We would all die in great agony I assure you."

They paled and Elijah spoke up. "Let's focus on one enemy at a time here. I've called Rebekah, she'll be meeting us tonight near the bayou. She'll take hope and with the protections in place, she'll be free to run as far as possible."

I nodded. "She has access to all my resources and jets. They're cloaked already from spells. I have safe houses all over the world only she knows about now."

Hailey cried and Nik held her with Elijah. I sighed. "Take heart little sister. When you see your daughter again, I'll ensure she stays in your arms from then on."

I grabbed Bonnie's hand. "It's time for us to go. Other than the ancestors, no one knows I was ever here. It must stay that way for now. You have your tasks, see to them and all will be well."

They gave us a group hug while Bonnie held Hope while saying goodbye. Bonnie gave the babe to its father and we teleported home. We arrived as Caroline was getting home. Bonnie gave her a hug and shared the news that Klaus's baby was killed. She hugged us both and left to call Klaus and speak with him.

The next six months were trying. I'd finally completed emptying the vault warehouse of magical artifacts, but my job was only half done. One evening, I took the day off school and went back to mystic falls for the last bit of power I was going to fill the totems with.

I went to the clock tower and spent the day draining an entire hell dimension of power. I latched onto the bell and through it's connection to the dimension and it's creator, I drained it all. I heard the souls of millions being released onto the other side.

I continued as the devil himself fought to break my hold until he himself was a dried up husk that finally passed onto the other side as the hell dimension collapsed in on itself. The power was nearly overwhelming and it took almost all my self control not to accidentally lash out.

I disappeared into my ring and filled the totems as I purified it all with a special formation ritual. The totems began glowing, signifying they were nearly full. I came back out and drained the bell itself before turning it into an ordinary object. After stowing the magic away in the totems, they were completely full.

Smiling I went to visit the mansion and see if Ric wanted the job of occult professor, seeing as how his own current line of work was slow. He agreed almost immediately as his boredom has taken root. After heading back with him in tow, I told Bonnie the good news and gave her all the talismans meant for her.

She'd spent the last six months studying her grimoire and mastering everything she could. Seeing as how we just went on break from school, we packed a few things and I teleported us to the compound in New Orleans. We appeared in my Niklaus's office.

I listened in for what was going on. I heard Elijah call somebody Finn and I blurred with Bonnie. We appeared next to my brothers and a set table. Niklaus looked at me and I smiled. "We're ready. It's time to set the past behind us. Send your people to the cursed witch prison house and retrieve my twin."

Nik started hyperventilating and I turned to Finn in a witches body. "Hello little brother. Whatever this meeting is about just became moot. Tell Esther if I see her I'll be happy to finally get a chance to rip out her insides and feed them to her."

I waved a hand and teleported him elsewhere. Elijah asked. "Are you sure you're ready?"

I snorted. "I literally destroyed a hell dimension and absorbed its power into special totems of war after draining every magical object I found in a thousand years and doing the same. Together, I and Bonnie have enough power on tap to end the world. Or at the very least split it in half."

Niklaus went from crying to laughing and I smiled. "It's time to bring your daughter home little brother. And I'd love to see my sister again sometime this year. So maybe hop to it."

Elijah spoke up. "I'll go personally and find Freya."

I nodded. "Be sure not to say to much when you do. She's still linked to the bitch. I'll have to break that link when you bring her here."

Nik finally spoke. "I'll gather the army and call Rebekah to tell her it's time."

He turned to a vampire. "Lock down the compound and summon the vampires."

After the vamp left, Niklaus and Elijah did as well. I turned to Bonnie. "How would you like to meet my father?"

She looked nervous and I chuckled. "Relax, he wouldn't dare harm you."

She smiled. "I know, but he's your father."

I sighed. "Tell you what. If he doesn't like you, I'll challenge him to an honor duel."

She smiled and grabbed my hand. I channeled a little power into my blood and found the connection. I teleported is to him and found him in an old attic. "Hello father."

I greeted him with a smile. He grinned. "You've finally come. I take it your plan is in motion?"

I nodded. "In an hour or so, I'll have Freya with us. The only thing I need you to do is not try and kill Niklaus. I know you hate him for killing your wife and stealing your children away. But you need to face the hard truth. It was never him that broke our family. It was Esther, when she made that deal and sold Freya. Then cheated on you with the wolf. Then lied to Niklaus to wear a talisman that weakened him. It was never your failings that broke our family. It was Esther's. Kill her if you must, but leave Nik be. He's growing and changing as a new father. Let him be his own man now. Let him free."

Mikael actually shed a few tears before speaking. "Ayana said as much when we had our little chats on the other side. I turned my misery of Freya's loss into rage and determination and turned it on the weakest child as I was determined to make him strong. Because as strong as Freya was, she was still supposedly killed while I wasn't there to protect her. I couldn't see another of my children die. Then when I found out he wasn't weak when he challenged me, I knew your mother was to blame. I confronted her and not long afterwards Henrik died. I begged Ayana, then Esther to turn you all, make you strong and unkillable. When she pulled it off, Niklaus turned after killing a villager. I knew then the full weight of your mothers indiscretions. I feared he'd one day turn on the rest of you, so she bound him. He killed her for it blaming it on me and took the rest of your siblings and fled. I-If I don't lay the blame with him, who should I blame? Esther is dead, the beast she lay with is dead. What am I to do with my unyielding rage?"

I smiled. "Well then, you'll be happy to know both Esther and her lover have found themselves alive again. She's inhabiting a witch and her lover is somewhere in the bayou. And after you've finished with them, there's always Dahlia I'll be dealing with."

Bonnie spoke for the first time. "There's the order."

Mikael looked to her as if seeing her for the first time. When he recognized her as the woman I'd spent all my time loving, he smiled. "What is this order?"

Bonnie smiled back. "The order is a group of warrior vampires that protect the innocent from the supernatural. Your son founded it and he's led them into countless battles, saving lives throughout time. They're small now, only a hand full. Most have died saving lives. If you're looking for an outlet for your rage and bloodlust. I'm sure they'd be happy to take you."

I smiled. "She's right. I trained them all. They are worthy to be called my friends. After we free Freya, your more than welcome to spend down time with her and work with the order to kill rampaging supernaturals. You'll never have to give up the hunt. Only find a new target."

Mikael sighed. "Perhaps I'll do that then."

I held up her hand to meet his. "Father, this is the woman I love and would die for. Her name is-"

Mikael spoke. "Bonnie Bennet. Ayana and a witch named Sheila spoke highly of you. You're descended from one of my closest friends in life. A pleasure."

Bonnie smiled. "It's good to meet you to. So, shall we get you out of this place?"

Mikael shook his head. "It can't be done. The witch that brought me back has bound me to a mystical object."

Bonnie snorted and waved a hand shattering the boundary and his connection to the dark object. "Your son has prepared us both for a war with Dahlia. This little spell couldn't even slow us down. You're free. Now let's go."

I held up a hand. "Ah, Ah. Hand it over, I know you have it and since you've agreed to let Niklaus go, I want the stake. It's useless to you now unless you extend to betray me. And if I have it, neither of you could use it on the other."

He snorted and handed it over. "My word is my bond. You have forgotten our ways if you've forgotten that."

I shook my head. "I know our ways and honor them. But I'm no fool either. Hatred like that takes time to cool down, time you haven't had yet to do so."

I put the stake in the ring and we teleported back to the compound. "Now we wait for my Siblings to arrive. Be sure to behave Father, Niklaus still has a mystical dagger that bring torment to the one it's used on. It won't kill you but it'll hurt like a bitch."

An hour later, Nik showed up with nearly a hundred wolves. Vampires were rolling in as well. When he saw Mikael he turned to me with tears in his eyes and I held up a hand. "Wait and listen little brother. It's time you both had a real conversation and let go of your anger. He no longer has the white oak to kill you and neither do you. Both of you go to your office and light sage before speaking. It's time you got it all off your chest."

The blurred and vanished. I turned to the crowed. "All of you have been brought here for one reason and one reason only. To protect my little brother Klaus's baby from an evil witch that would take her and turn her into a battery for her own spells. She would feed on the child's magic like a vampire would blood and leave her weak until eventually over time she dies. Now I know all of you believe that the baby is dead, but I assure you, Hope Mikaelson is alive and well and headed here for you all to protect. My siblings will stand by you and fight by your sides if necessary but you are not the front lines, merely the guards."

Marcel stood forward. "Then who is fighting this wicked witch if you don't mind me asking?"

I grabbed Bonnie's hand and she spoke. "The two of us will bring her down together, then Alexander here, will kill her with an enchanted sword through her black heart."

Hailey spoke up. "Are you sure you're ready, are you strong enough now?"

I and Bonnie pulled on the power of our talismans, the sky darkened and black and red lightning struck the ground around us as our eyes flowed white as one. We spoke in sync. "We are ready!"

When we released the power, the sky cleared up and our eyes went back to normal. I smiled. "There is no way we don't win this. You're all here to ensure any back up plans of hers don't reach the baby at any cost. And if by some tragic turn of fate we fail, you will finish her off. I personally don't care if all of you die to protect my niece, so long as you do not fail. And if your lives to end in this battle, you have my word you'll not suffer on the other side. I've been assured by the witches there that all losses will meet with their family members and friends there."

That seemed to make most of them happy. Hailey joined us in the kitchen where I was pouring drinks. "What the hell was that all about?"

I raised an eyebrow. "You're going to have to be specific."

She snorted. "You don't care whether they live or die?"

I sighed. "I was giving them honesty. In battle, I never cared who lived or died in the moment. It was battle and we all signed up for it. In the end, I mourned my friends and celebrated the ones that survived. They are warriors and it is literally their duty to protect their charges. If it makes you feel any better, odds are I'll be long dead if Dahlia shows up here. So when you question me, know that I'm including myself in that as well."

She shut up at that. After a while she said. "Thanks, for everything you're doing to protect my daughter."

I shrugged. "It's what family is for. We make bicker and squabble, but in the end we'd die for one another."

Bonnie grabbed my hand and smiled. I kissed her hand before saying. "Relax love, I've already insured you would survive even if I don't. At worst, you'll wake up in mystic falls with a bad headache."

She looked sad. "I know, just like I know I'd rather be dead with you."

I smiled sadly. "You have a full life ahead of you love. I'd not take that away for my selfish self. Even if it's a life without me, I have faith you'll find a way to move on and find love again."

She kissed me softly and I sighed before pulling back. "It's time I go and prepare the battlefield. We can't have it in this dimension, so it has to be done in the ring and pendant one."

I handed her my ring and disappeared into it. I put everything in the final vault. Where it's power source is hidden. All the other space was emptied out and set up as a giant sealing and purifying spelled formation. Once activated, nothing could leave and any and all magic sent into the formation was purified into a special talisman that needed a sacrifice to complete and determine its strength.

When I was finished, I left and found myself in Nik's study with the rest of my family. Rebekah and Elijah has returned with their charges. As soon as I saw Freya, I blurred and grabbed her arms. "Sister. It's finally you. I-I can feel it again. I feel our bond fully once more."

Freya saw me and tears began to fall as magic from us both swirled around and shook the house. The windows were banging open and shut as I hugged her for the first time in a millennium. I pulled away with a frown. "Dahlia has weakened you severely. I can feel her link to you as she feeds on your magic."

Freya shook her head. "I can't break it Alex. She's to strong now. I-I-"

I sighed. "Shh sister, I'll break it myself and give the bitch a wake up call. Today she dies. Relax, trust me. I spent a millennium coming up with my plan. Ashes of her oppressors, soil of her home land and blood of the witch she loved most. I have it all ready and bound to a sword. I'll drive it through her black heart and turn her soul into a talisman that will protect our family for ages to come. Now relax."

I grabbed her arms and activated my curse in full force, directing it to the link they shared. Once the curse connected I reversed the flow of power and started to drain Dahlia's magic into Freya. A few moments later it became a tug of war I felt she was unable to win so she snapped the connection. I heard a psychic wail of pain from it remnants.

I let go fo Freya saying. "You're free and she's wounded now. I'll track her and end this. You stay here be safe for once."

She shook her head. "I will not!"

I tapped her head. " Spiritous insomnous. Sleep sister."

She passed out and I handed her to Mikael. "Make sure she doesn't leave here. I've a feeling it's about to get bloody, so prepare for battle."

I grabbed Bonnie's and and she slipped my ring on. Smiling I turned to Hope in Niklaus's arms. I held out a hand. "May I? I want to hold her in case it's the end of me."

Niklaus smiled and handed me her. As I held her I sighed. "It's worth it."

I handed her back after she fell asleep and told them. "I'll place a barrier on the compound that'll slow any attackers down. Don't loose. That's all I ask."

I grabbed Bonnie's hand and our powers flared up. A massive barrier encompassed the house compound. When we lowered our hands Bonnie spoke. "It's done. That's all we can do for you here. It's time for our battle. I can feel her coming. It's like a hurricane of darkness."

I smiled. "You heard her. It's time to whether this storm. Do so together."

With that we teleported to the eye of the storm and found ourselves in the bayou by and orchid. I smiled. "This will make an excellent burial ground for you aunt."

Dahlia came out from behind a tree. "Ah, the siphoner brat. Come for another beating before I take what belongs to me?"

I smiled. "Not today Dahlia. Today I've come for your funeral."

I ran at her full speed. When she went to use magic to stop me, Bonnie through her own magic at her. The blast shook the bayou as half the orchid disappeared and the bayou was nearly vaporized around us. Dahlia was blown backwards with me and as I hit her in mid air, I took her into the rings battlefield.

When I got up, I ran to Bonnie's side. "She's inside, it's time we go."

I dropped the ring and we went inside with the pendant. In a vast dark void where the only light was the runes on the ground, Dahlia stood at its center. Bonnie and I appeared not far away from her and the battle truly began. Bonnie and I chanted spells one after another and some together.

The void shook as they collided with Dahlia's dark magic. We wore her down after repeated spells. Eventually she laughed. "It doesn't matter if you win now. The moment you brought me here an army of undead werewolves began laying siege to your family. They cannot be killed. If I can't have my prize, no one can."

We attacked with more force and fervor. Curses flew everywhere and continued to shake the dimension. Cracks began appearing in the ground so I gave up the spells and left them to Bonnie while I pulled out the sword I'd bound with her weaknesses before charging in a blur. Bonnie cast spells to cover me while I got close.

When I was in range, Dahlia caught me in a motionless spell before saying. "I see your broken inside. Let's fix you."

I lost control and the beast took over breaking free from its cage with her help. My mind was pushed down and the spell holding me broke as it activated my curse. It roared and charged at her, bitting into her neck and burying the sword in her heart.

Bonnie screamed and I lost consciousness. I dreamed and in it I was in a constant battle with my darker side. We fought and fought. The warrior in me refused to quit, while the beast seemed to enjoy the battle. We tore into each other without holding back.

Seconds turned to hours and days weeks. It felt never ending. Just as I was about to falter, I heard Bonnie's voice. "Just hold on, a little longer and your brothers will be back with your descendants."

I took heart in her words and fought one more battle. The beast was growing stronger, immeasurably so. It was now fighting me off with ease. Our battles lasted less and less time. It impaled my with its arm through my chest and it was trying to tear me in half.

I knew if it succeeded I'd die, so I paled my arm through its chest as well. It roared and the struggle began in earnest. I tried to win with every ounce of my remaining strength. But it was to strong. My body started giving way. I heard a distant scream. "NO!"

And my mind went blank. I was in a void of fog now. It stretched into eternity. If this was death for something like me, it didn't feel so bad. Maybe it was time to rest. To lay down my sword and go to sleep for good. With that thought in mind, I went to do just that.

As I laid down, I felt a sudden jolt of agony in my chest and a scream rang out. It felt like I'd been struck my lightning. Fire seemed to burn in my veins and the void was ripped asunder by a blinding white light. I blinked and opened my eyes, I found myself in a room. I tried to sit up and I felt a hand on my chest. "There there brother. You've been through hell. Maybe move slowly for starters."

I sighed. "Nik, what happened?"

He snorted. "Hell itself brother. Your girlfriend sought to save you even after you were clearly lost to the beast within."

I grew worried. "Where is she?!!"

I shot upright and tried to get out of bed as agony shot through me. He was at my side pushing me down. I panicked and swung at him. "Where is she?!!"

She fought me and a voice from heaven spoke. "Trying to sleep. Can you keep it down?"

I turned and saw her in the chair next to me. When she opened her eyes and saw me she yelled. "Oh my god, Alex!"

She launched herself at me from the chair. I caught her as the pain accompanied her hug. The room started filling up with people now. When I saw Kol's new body I grew worried. "How long have I been asleep?"

Freya snorted. "You weren't asleep. Not really. Whatever you did to yourself, that thing took over and tried to kill us all. Bonnie here kept it from using magic and the entire family had to restrain you."

I spoke softly. "I lost. I couldn't win the fight. It kept getting stronger. It ripped me in two. I should be dead."

Kol snorted. "Not likely. The damn thing wanted to take itself out towards the end. It shoved a hand in its own chest and was pulling you apart. If Nik hadn't found all your kids, by the way that's weird, you'd have ceased to exist. Freya and Bonnie did a spell and a piece of your soul happened to be hiding in your descendants. Damn thing fought like you would. I had to intervene and shove it down your throat so to speak."

I sighed and nodded. "So it's over then? How long was it?"

Elijah spoke up from the doorway. "Three weeks of unending agony is how Bonnie describes it. Freya tried to take the pain and divide it amongst us. Even father passed out after a few minutes. I can't imagine what it must've been like at the center of it."

I smiled. "After the fighting was done? It was actually kind of peaceful. I thought I'd get the final rest. It was quiet and everything in me said if I laid down and rested it would all be over. After what felt like an eternity, I was finally ready until something called me back. I heard a scream of agony and my world went white. I blinked and I was awake here."

Klaus sighed. "It must've been Hope then. She started crying and I was heading to her room when I saw you waking."

I nodded. "Then I owe her for that. I don't think I'd have woken up if I'd finished going to sleep. It felt kind of permanent."

Bonnie hugged me tighter. I sighed and asked. "Care to give us the room?"

They left and closed the door. I pulled her face up to mine. "I know you might be mad at me for giving up. But I want you to know I didn't. When I was weakened and fighting the beast, it was your voice that brought me strength. I heard you telling me not to give up, so I fought on. I fought until I had no strength to fight anymore. When I thought I was going to finally die, the beast shoved its hand into my chest and started tearing me apart. I grew afraid at the thought of it winning and killing you after I fell, so I shoved my fist into its chest and thought to end us both. If I couldn't protect you as I was, I decided it was best to at least ensure you survived me."

She kissed me deeply. When we broke apart I sighed. "There in the void, I thought there was no hope, that my actions had shredded my soul and there wasn't even enough for the other side. After eternity there I figured you'd already passed with time and I wanted to sleep, hoping beyond hope that I might see you in another life. So I finally started to lay down and find peace, just to see you again in another form."

She was crying now while I had a sad smile. I kissed her and I started to feel the agony fade away as our lips met. Her touches and mine began with demand and need. For the next several hours we were only focused on each other.

After we'd found ourselves again, a knock at the door alerted us to our other obligations. We dressed as best we could and stumbled out the room and I noticed the wrecked battlefield outside in the courtyard.

As soon as I saw it I was reminded of Dahlia's words. I walked with Bonnie to the meeting room and the first thing I asked was. "How many died in the battle?"

Mikael answered me. "Twenty seven vampires and ten wolves."

I nodded. "I'll see to it that they are met on the other side with their loved ones."

Kol asked. "How come I was never greeted by loved ones on the other side then?"

I chuckled. "Esther never cared enough to pull strings and I didn't have the leverage I do now."

He snorted. "Mothers a right bitch. I knew she was responsible for it."

I shrugged. "She made a super vampire to hunt you down and kill you, did you think she'd make life over there happy afterwards?"

I turned to Freya and held out a hand. "It's time I return you to full power."

She smiled and took it and I siphoned off power from the totems and slowly brought her back to full strength. She was nearly as strong as Dahlia was now. I released her. "It's done. I have two more gifts for you, one from me, and one from Bonnie."

Bonnie stepped forward and put a hand on Freya's stomach, channeling her totem for a healing spell like none other. When she pulled back she spoke. "You're healed now. One of the pains Alex felt when he removed the bracelet was very distinctive. We know what Dahlia took from you and though we can't bring your baby back, we gave you the choice to have more."

Freya fell to her knees crying and Bonnie held her. My eyes were fully shifted and I felt like roaring in pain but I held it in. Hailey had a hand over her mouth and Mikael and the rest had tears in their eyes.

When the crying stopped, I pulled out a box and handed it to her. "Inside you'll find everything that gives you a new life. A bank account with five billion dollars and several properties all over the world. You are my twin, so I took everything I earned in that time and split it in half for you. You'll never want for anything or anyone. There's a fleet of private jets that'll take you wherever, and if one of those places happens to be Mystic Falls every now and then, I'd be happy to see more of you."

She held a hand over her mouth and I sighed before setting it on the couch next to her. "Most of our family lives here in New Orleans. But I've built a life of my own there, and I can't leave it. You don't have to choose between family. If you need me, I'll know and I'll come running to kill your enemy's and lay their heads at your feet."

I sat down beside her and spoke to the room. "I just want you to know that I'll be there if need be, but understand that I'm tired. I've long since grown battle weary and since my soul is now whole again, it needs no outlet. I want a simple life now, one with the woman I love and a family I can see whenever they let me. I set out a thousand years ago with one goal, kill the monster that took my twin away. I've finally done it, I spent all that time preparing and saving as many people as I could along the way. It's time I get that rest, it may not be the eternal one, but I need it all the same."

Bonnie spoke next. "We'll put protection magic all over the compound that would stop an army of witches in its tracks, but after that, it's time for us to go back."

Elijah spoke up. "But, you just got here, we survived, we should be celebrating and coming together."

Mikael sighed. "They're right. I intend to do away with my wayward wife then see to Freya and the family's safety before setting out on an endless hunt. I'll be visiting from time to time if that's all right with you all, but my place isn't here. I've been on the hunt so long it's become my life."

Freya's eyes were red and I held a hand up to her cheek that she leaned into. "Don't be sad sister, we are eternal beings. That means when the time is right, we will see each other again. Time means little to us, distance even less. Master your magic and you'll be able to teleport to my side whenever you want."

Bonnie's eyes went wide and I corrected myself. "Maybe not whenever, but when Bonnie and I aren't having private time."

The entire room chuckled. I waved a hand and a drop of blood flew from Mikael's body and one from Freya. When they joined I told her. "There, you and father are bound. So long as one of you is eternal, the other is as well."

Bonnie and I answered there questions and helped make the compound the safest place in the world. By the time we were finished, it was safer than the vault. We left the next day with Elena. Katherine and the other two decided to stick around and get to know a family that didn't hate them.

It was rather funny when I released them from the compulsions and Katherine called me grandfather. Elena and Nadia's eyes shot open and their jaws dropped. Bonnie took a picture of Elena's face.

I left Rousseau's to Katherine in case she decided to stick around there for more than a little while. Stefan was with her so I could see a little hope there. When we came back to the frat house we were less than a week away from the start of the new terms.

Bonnie gathered everyone for a party at the grill and announced I was Elena's grandfather. I think the most shocked was Alaric. "What the hell are you talking about?"

I chuckled. "Well, a thousand years ago, I met a village girl that I fell in love with. Her name was Tatia and she was a doppelgänger that looked like Elena and Katherine. We had a child together and through time and a series of events, eventually Elena was born a thousand years later."

Alaric snorted. "You're a dick. I was thinking more about Isobel."

I chuckled. "Ric relax, I'm not going to spank you for sleeping with a descendant of mine. If I did, Damon and a whole lot of people vampires or not would be in for a very bad year. No, they are their own people. I'm so distantly related that I don't know the number of great grands to put between them. Katherine and Isobel call me grandfather, if Elena feels it's appropriate, she can do the same or she can call me Alex."

I looked to the crowd as a tsunami of questions came. Bonnie and I answered them as best we could. When I finally sat down, Elena asked me about my daughter. I took a deep breath. "I don't know what became of her. Tatia gave her to her parents and they left the village for another. I looked for them when I turned but the village I thought them to be in was raided long before I got there. I never knew my daughter."

She asked. "But you gave up your soul for her."

I smiled. "You'll understand if you ever decide to have a child of your own. That is, if you take the cure."

She looked thoughtful at that. Everyone took turns sitting next to me and asking questions. I finally asked one of my own. "I've been gone for a while now, so I need to ask, where is Jenna?"

Jeremy spoke up. "She moved to Duke to finish her degree finally and decided we were old enough to take care of ourselves. She's moved out."

I sighed. "Well, time changes things, for better or worse."

Damon raised a glass. "Here here. I'll drink to that."

I chuckled and drank as well. Another five months passed in a blur. During that time I got a call from Niklaus saying Esther was turned into a vampire by him and Freya locked Finn's soul in her talisman. I chuckled and sent a thumbs up emoji before putting it to the back of my mind. As school was close to ending for spring break, Ric, our new occult studies professor, fell in love with the med professor.

When I heard about it a thought struck me and I brought everyone together. Even Ric and Josette showed up together. I through a cookout and towards the end I spoke up. "Alright, it's time for introductions, everyone meet our new friend Josette. She's a witch."

She looked cornered and I chuckled. "Relax. I'm a witch to. So is Bonnie here. Though I'm a bit more than that, right now that's beside the point. Everyone please tell her your supernatural background and make her feel less awkward."

Damon held up a glass. "Vampire. Sex magnet."

Elena snorted. "He means doghouse magnet and I'm a vampire as well."

Caroline smiled. "Vampire."

Jeremy chuckled. "Former supernatural hunter."

Josette ignored the rest as she turned to Alaric. He sighed. "Super vampire."

I chuckled. "He means super original vampire."

Alaric turned to me. "Is there a point to this?"

I nodded. "When I heard you were dating a prestigious war doctor, I had a very dangerous idea pop into my head."

Josette asked. "Oh, and what was that? Put me to your supernatural group?"

I chuckled. "Believe it or not, it has nothing to do with you being a witch. I just wanted to make Alaric feel less guilty and you understand what I mean when I say I'm going to kill your boyfriend."

She went pale and Damon spoke up. "Let's not get hasty here-"

I laughed my ass off. "Relax people. I do everything for a reason. Did you really think I'd kill him and not have a good one?"

They looked confused so I elaborated. "I thought of a dangerous idea when I heard you were a very good doctor. You see, when a human is turned into a vampire, more often then not, it's because the vampire snapped its neck. Alaric here, was stabbed in the heart. Now what I mean by killing him is, if I take the magic that makes him a vampire out of him, he'll revert to when he was dying of a stab wound. If you then save him as a human-"

Josette finished. "He'll be a human again. That's very risky."

I nodded. "And why I told him before it would kill him if I tried. But it's a sure thing if you're confident and we use a hospital to do it in. I hadn't honestly thought of the possibility until I read up on you. Now I think it's actually possible."

I turned to Damon. "If you want to be the guinea pig for it, I know you died of a gun shot to the stomach. Much safer than a heart wound."

He smiled. "I'll pass. If Elena wants me to be human, I'll take the cure with her."

I nodded. "Up to you."

I turned to the doctor with us. "So what do you think? If it's too bad I can have a heart on standby for transplant instead. Though I've no idea if that'll be compatible with a former vampire body."

Alaric grabbed her hand and told her. "I'll risk it if you want to."

She smiled. "I'll do it."

I grinned. "Excellent, we start tomorrow. I've a medical wing on standby at Whitmore."

Bonnie asked later when we were alone. "What was that?"

I smiled. "A stray thought that came to life. After I completed Dahlia's talisman, I'd been thinking on what's next for us. I'd come up with two roads for us. One, we bind ourselves together and live for eternity, walking across time itself, and another where I make myself human again, or as near as possible. I don't know if trying would kill me, but if you wanted to, I thought we could have one human life with our friends and family."

She smiled. "I'd like that I think. I don't relish the thought of living past my friends and I'm sure they'll want kids."

I nodded. "That's what i figured. So I've been thinking of ways to do it and I've come up with only one so far. If I drain all the magic that makes me what I am away, I'll revert to human again. Unfortunately, I died rather instantly from a sword to the heart, so I've been thinking of ways around it. If they succeed with Alaric tomorrow, I'll have hope. If not, I don't know what I'd do. I'm fairly certain the cure won't work on me anymore. Ever since my soul became whole again I've been fighting my curse more often then not. It's stronger than I remember it to be. Then again, it could just grow stronger with time and since I'm the oldest like myself, I doubt I'd notice the difference."

She looked worried. "What should we do?"

I shrugged. "What can we do? I don't have a clue."

She sighed. "I'll ask Josette and see what her opinion is."

Later that night, Qetsiyah came to us in spirit form. "It's time to complete your bargain."

I nodded. "And so it is."

Bonnie asked. "Before we do that, do you know any way to help Alex? His curse is growing stronger."

Qetsiyah turned to face me. I felt her touching my body with a diagnostic spell. She shook her head and frowned. "This is troubling and potentially very bad. It's growing at a rapid rate. I don't know why it's doing so, but I can't see an end to it."

Ayana appeared next to her worried. She looked me over and paled even for a spirit. "He's connected to death. Somehow he passed beyond the other side and into the realm humans go and he came back. I don't know how he did it, but the realm of death is feeding his curse. It's a connection that can't be broken."

I sighed and Qetsiyah spoke. "Give is the power you promised and we'll try something else."

I nodded and grabbed Bonnie's hand before I channeled all the power of both totems into the spirits of the Bennet line. I drained everything of mine. I left Bonnie's personal talismans alone and asked. "So what's next?"

Qetsiyah looked guilty and spoke. "We send you away. Far away. That curse of yours will consume the world if we let it. We cannot let you be the end of everything."

I nodded solemnly while Bonnie protested. I sighed and hugged her, giving her a deep kiss before pulling back and drawing a little power from her before outing her to sleep. I turned to the spirits next. "Tell my siblings to watch over her please. I-I won't be the death of her. Give them my message and I won't fight it."

Ayana was crying and Qetsiyah nodded. "I will do so personally."

I nodded and pulled out my phone. I called Sebastian. "Hello my old friend. It's time to enact plan fourth one. Destroy the strix and Lucien. Kill them all. While out all vampires on the list and I want you to enact a will I made a while back for Bonnie. She gets everythingi own. While you take the resources of the strix and Lucien and help this world from the shadows."

Sebastian sighed. "Goodbye you magnificent beast. I'll miss you my friend."

I chuckled. "And I you."

I hung up and turned to the spirits watching. "I've always had a plan in place in case eminent death was unavoidable. Since I can never return, it's a good of a time as any that the order clear out all the bad with me."

They nodded and more spirits showed up and started chanting. I didn't try to fight their magic as I was flung through space and time. I woke up on an empty world that looked just like the one I left.

I looked up and saw an eclipse. Chuckling to myself I sighed. "Should have known the spirits weren't strong enough to send me to another real world. This is just an empty prison one."

I blurred and ran to my mansion. When I saw it I sighed. "Must be the Gemini prison world then."

I went inside to my basement and found my vault. I looked down to the empty ring finger where I'd put the ring on Bonnie's hand before I left. I sighed and walked to the liquid Bowles alter and activated it. After a few ground shakes, another ring appeared. I sat it down and got to work.

Time flew by in here. The dimension provided me with blood from the stock I kept in it for long work times. After what felt like a year or so, I'd created another thirteen totems and linked them to one very powerful talisman I'd created with my unique body in mind.

A slim suit of light armor. It would supply magic to all of me at once. Then I filled the totems with all the power of the artifacts in here. When it was finished. There was a lot more room for more power. Only one totem was filled.

I explored the world while spending time filling the rest. I destroyed the bell again along with its connecting hell dimension. I went and emptied the armory of its magical power along with the island of the coast of Nova Scotia. I went to every sight of power and emptied it all, including the New Orleans cemetery.

When I was done, I went to find a friend and a knife. I grabbed the knife first, then found Kai in a hotel. "Well hello kid. Nice to meet another siphoner in this small world."

His interest was piqued. "And who are you?"

I chuckled. "I'm a twin and a Siphoner like you. I have a little of your sisters blood with me and her magic. Care to try a merge?"

He looked thoughtful for a minute. "What the hell, why not. If it works, I can get the hell out of this place, and if it doesn't, we may die and relieve my boredom."

I chuckled. "You sure are arrogant kid. You never know, I may be stronger in spirit than you."

He smirked. "That's unlikely, but even if you were, I couldn't care less at this moment."

I nodded. "Then let's get it done."

I followed him to the parking lot and when the eclipse hit, we tried it out. That is to say, we were thrown to the ground in a fight with our magic and minds. We fought each other to the point that the magic nearly ran out. That's when my curse as I called it kicked into high gear and absorbed his curse and soul into it.

I'd never felt more powerful. As soon as it was completed, I absorbed the rest of the magic in the knife just to be sure I was stabilized. I felt a little different but nothing to much as he was consumed by my curse mostly. I felt I could retain an average witches level of power without it leaking away now.

I found the ascendant on his body and took it in case the next part didn't work. I felt the coven connected to me now. It was weird for lack of a better description, like they were spiritually connected but not magically. I felt where I wanted to go next and used the ascendant to slide sideways instead of out.

I ended up in the 1903 prison world and started all over again. With the half merge I did with Kai, I felt my curse grow a lot stronger and now it only took me two months to drain the second vault of magical objects. Another two to travel the world and drain all its magical items away, including the bell and hell dimension.

By the time I was done with the second prison world, ten out of the thirteen totems were full. I found the lady Salvatore in her cavern near the Salvatore property. "Well hello. My name is Alex, and you are?"

She looked surprised I was here. "Lily Salvatore."

I raised an eyebrow. "Any relation to Stefan and Damon Salvatore?"

She nodded. "I'm there mother."

I nodded. "Would you like to leave this place with me? I have a way out and back to them."

She smiled. "Yes, let me go wake the others."

I sighed. "What others?"

She took me deeper into the cave and there sat a group of heretic's like myself. I snapped Lily's neck then apologized. "Forgive me for this, but you seem so appetizing."

Screams filled the cave as I activated my curse and devoured their souls and curses into mine. I grabbed the ascendant and Lily before leaving. I stood over the right spot and poured blood from Qetsiyah's rock onto it while chanting the spell. I warped out and landed in the woods.

With a deep breath, I destroyed and absorbed the magic of both prison dimensions before filling another totem with it. I blurred to the Salvatore house and tossed Lily at Damon, who was sitting next to Elena at a group meeting. "She says she's your mother, I don't know if it's true but I do know she was in a witch prison world with psychopathic vampires that could suck magic away."

I took a deep breath and turned to the one person I'd been avoiding looking at. Bonnie was sitting next to Caroline, staring at me. Our eyes met and I sighed shaking my head. "Qetsiyah was right. It's become to powerful already. I can no longer touch a witch without drawing there power to me. Since I can't be with you, this is the last you'll see of me."

Bonnie's eyes were red and I looked away as a ton of questions I couldn't answer were asked I gave them one answer. "My curse is active all the time now. It's growing and soon it'll be reaching out like a black hole to consume all life around me. Qetsiyah had the right idea, but she sent me to a side dimension that was linked to this world. It was too close. I've already consumed it and it's adjoining dimensions. It nearly consumed Lily here as well. I found her in the second one. Some siphoner in the first dimension called Kai was there and I did a twin merge with him thinking it would stop it. Plus side, I have magic of my own, down side it sped up the process. Tell Lily her psycho friends were desert for my power and it's starting to affect my personality. I've gathered almost enough power to punch a hole through reality and go to a world where my loved ones won't die from my own curse. Gooodbye."

I blurred and vanished. Call me a coward but I couldn't stand the sound of her crying anymore without breaking down. I ran to New Orleans where they had the most power on tap. I found the compound a mess. I listened and used my oldest memories of a life before this one to find the timeline. When I did so I roared, my howl shook the city as my magic poured into it.

Soon enough vampires from all over started showing up. Eventually even Marcel did. I turned to him. "What have you done?"

He sneered and I charged them all. In a matter of minutes over a hundred vampires were dead and I had Marcel by the throat. "Where are my family? Where? Tell me and I give you my word I won't kill you."

Marcel grunted and bit out. "They've fled. They ran out of town. The only one here is Klaus."

I threw him to the ground. "Take me to him now or you'll spend the rest of eternity wishing you were dead."

He ran and I followed him to the place he so affectionately called the garden once before. When I saw Klaus laying there I broke Marcels neck and shattered the barrier around my little brother. I snapped the chains off of him draining them in the process. When he didn't wake, I ran a hand along him till I felt the problem. I plunged my hand into his chest and pulled out Papa Tunde's dagger.

I growled and tossed it in my ring. After a few moments he woke up saying. "Mercy."

I snorted and shoved my wrist in his mouth. "Bite little brother, you need your strength for what comes next."

He did so and after a few minutes he released my arm. I helped him up and grabbed Marcel, tossing him in my ring in an infinite loop pocket dimension. Nik asked. "Where were you?"

I sighed. "My curse. It's constantly active now. It's going to consume this world if I don't leave it soon. The spirits sent me away but it wasn't far enough. After today, you'll never see me again Nik. I came back one last time before I'm gone for good. I give you this day to reunite our family and I'll slaughter all vampires and witches in this city for what they've done, then I must go."

I said all I could at once and looked away. He hugged me and I returned it. He finally spoke. "Then let's make today count."

I nodded. "I've killed a hundred vampires so far, Marcel is trapped in another dimension I control now. Let's find our family and get your city back. After today, only the wolves and humans will remain in New Orleans."

I grabbed his hand and took a drop of his blood while channeling my magic. I found them quickly and grabbed his arm before teleporting to them. We arrived at a nice two story house in the country. Klaus ran inside while I gathered our siblings coffins.

When it was all ready, I put a lot of my venom in a jar and even drained some from Marcel just to be sure. I made a pentagram and brought out candles. When Nik came outside carrying hope, I smiled. Hailey came out afterwards as well.

I handed Klaus a giant bowl. "Your blood. I'm making the cure to Marcel's bite. As much as you can give. I can't stay so if you need more than I make now, you'll have to hunt down the seven werewolf packs for their venom."

He gave Hope to Hailey and I handed him the knife. He shook his head. "The throat is the best."

He handed the knife back to me and I sighed as he leaned over the bowl. "Very well."

I slit his throat and when it was nearly full, I healed and fed him my blood. He stepped back and I began chanting. "La candidat au somme la toxique cantus."

After it all pooled together into two bowls, I poured them into mason jars and labeled them. I handed one to Hailey. "Feed the bitten. I'll drain the curse from Rebekah."

We got to work quickly and soon enough our family was reunited. When they were all up I spoke. "Marcel is dealt with. Kill all vampires in the city, I'll kill the witches."

Kol spoke up. "Except Davina."

I nodded. "Very well. But you take her away first. I make no promises in battle."

Hailey asked. "Aren't you worried about the spirit of my ancestor?"

I shook my head. "Today she's desert. I can't tell you all everything right now because there's simply not enough time. Just know that every vampire and witch not with our family in the city dies today."

I left the old werewolf woman with Hope and teleported us all to the city. We began a massacre that ended with me draining all the witches dry in all of New Orleans. When we were done, I tossed Marcel and Vincent at my family's feet. "I told Marcel I wouldn't kill him so I leave it to one of you. I've drained the spell that makes him immortal to nearly nothing. One blow from any of you to cut off his head will do. If you don't kill him now, you'll not have another chance."

Niklaus walked forward and looked at him with tears in his eyes before they changed to rage and he cleaved his head off. I drained Vincent before Freya killed him with a wave of her hand. I sighed. "All of you need to track down every vampire you've ever pissed off and finish them. I won't be around to save you again. Goodbye."

I teleported to where I felt the hollows bound items before taking them all and draining her spirit. My curse had grown to strong for it to resist and I placed all the purified energy into the last two totems, filling them both.

I knew it was time now but I had to see her, even if it was from afar. I teleported a distance away from where I knew she would be. Vampire Alaric showed up next to me while I was watching her. "You should speak to her."

I shook my head. "I can't. I'm about to leave and all I can think about is her. If I speak to her I'll try and think of something that could help me stay and if I try it'll kill you all, her included."

I turned to him. "Tell her I built the special place for her and all her friends on the other side. It'll take in even her human friends she wants there as they die naturally or unnaturally. And tell her- sigh- don't tell her anything else. She doesn't need me holding her back."

I grabbed Ric and drained him of magic. He started dying and I tossed a healing spell on him. "Congratulations, you're human now. There's one last gift I can give Ric. For your silence."

I tossed him a dimension ring from 1903. It only had gold and grimoires in it.

I teleported away after one last look. I found myself in the witch house. Ayana and Qetsiyah showed up. "It wasn't far enough. I swallowed the dimensions and all their power as well. But don't worry, I've got enough power now to open a new portal, one to another world not connected to this one. This is goodbye mother."

She smiled. "Goodbye my son."

I put on the light armor and channeled the power of the thirteen totems into a portal as far as it would take me. With one last look, I flipped my emotional switch for the first time ever and stepped through. I felt my fake pocket dimensions collapse as I did so.

When I arrived on the other side, I found a primitive world all its own.