Outfits in the external link 

From 2.20 "City Beneath the Sea", in the Rayvnne tomb, Auria and Vincent were talking.

Elijah: (voice over) "Previously on Worlds Colliding (The Originals)"

"Auria, the covens need a leader," Vincent told her. "Someone who's got faith, someone who will use the craft to help people. Someone who's fearless."

From 2.21 "Fire With Fire", in the cemetery, Auria's ascension to Regent.

"I accept the role of Regent to our people," Auria told them.

From 2.20 "City Beneath the Sea", in St. James Infirmary, Marcel, Noah, Caitlin and Auria were talking.

"Think about it, Caitlin," Noah told her. "Finn and Eva came after you for power. And this Dahlia chick is obsessed with kids with power."

"You have the untapped, unreachable power of twelve witches writhing inside of you because of the link," Marcel told her. "Even if you can't get to it, I'm willing to bet that Dahlia would be able to rip it out of you."

From 2.21 "Fire With Fire", in Klaus' study, Eva/Rebekah and Marcel were talking.

"I die, and then I wake up in my true body," Eva/Rebekah told him.

Eva/Rebekah grabbed a letter opener from the desk, stabbing herself in the neck with it.

Marcel rushed closer. "No!"

Marcel caught Eva/Rebekah as she fell.

Eva/Rebekah gasped, dying in his arms.

From 2.21 "Fire With Fire", in the courtyard, Noah pulled Freya to a standing position.

Dahlia approached. "Sacred soil, Viking ash. Did you think that your blood was the key to my demise?"

From 2.19 "When the Levee Breaks", in the painting room, Klaus and Elijah were fighting.

Elijah pulled out the golden dagger, driving it into Klaus' chest, making him scream in pain, pushing them both upright, driving the dagger the rest of the way into Klaus' heart.

Kassandra: (voice over from 2.19 When the Levee Breaks) "When he wakes, he will punish us all."

From 2.21 "Fire With Fire", in Marcel's Loft, Dahlia knelt next to Caitlin. "Hello, my dear. I don't think I've come across such a creature as you." She hovered a hand over Caitlin's chest. "I can feel the power. So deep inside, so far from your reach. But I take what I want. And right now... I want everything."

From 2.21 "Fire With Fire", in the courtyard, Klaus lost his temper, rushing toward Kassandra, biting her on the neck, snapping her neck, letting her fall unconscious. He stabbed Elijah in the heart with Papa Tunde's Blade

Elijah tried his best to break out of Klaus' grip, but he was quickly overwhelmed by the excruciating pain of the cursed blade, screaming in agony as the blade magically embedded itself in his chest.

From 2.21 "Fire With Fire", in the junkyard, Dahlia raised her arms at her sides. Mikayla felt her bones starting to break, gasping in pain, falling to the ground. Every other wolf's bones started to break, making them fall to their knees.

"What are you doing to us?" Mikayla asked in pain.

Klaus walked closer to Mikayla. "The Crescent curse. Now you will be trapped in wolf form."

From 2.21 "Fire With Fire", on the road, Caitlin had found Mary's truck in the middle of the road that had been abandoned when Mary and Hayley had been forced to turn. She ran closer to the truck, finding Hope in the back. "Hey." Hope was crying. Caitlin picked her up out of the car seat, gently rocking her to calm her down. Caitlin sighed, completely overwhelmed, pulling out her phone, making a call. "Noah?"

Noah was sitting in the courtyard with Cami, Freya and Elijah's unconscious bodies. "Caitlin?"

"I think it's time you share that plan with our friends now," Caitlin told him.

From 2.21 "Fire With Fire", in the Quarter, Kassandra bit a man on the neck, starting to feed ravenously. After she was done with the man, she fed from a girl until she was dead, letting her body fall. Her mouth and chin were drenched with blood, and she was still starving and thirsty.

Noah: (voice over from 2.21 Fire With Fire) "Kassandra is being influenced by werewolf venom from when Klaus bit her. She's hallucinating and hungry."

From 2.21 "Fire With Fire", in the courtyard, Elijah, Noah, Cami and Freya were talking.

"He needs her to trust him, so Caitlin and Klaus can do what they need to do," Noah told them. "He told me her secret. I know how we can kill Dahlia."

--~--

Same Night 

Day One 

Night - The French Quarter - Alley 

Kassandra was in an alley, feeding on another woman.

Elijah walked toward her. "Kassandra, stop this!"

Kassandra let the body fall, walking closer, stumbling slightly in weakness, sweating now. "I'm esurient, Elijah, all because you daggered Niklaus and let our evil Aunt Dahlia to dissuade him to her side. Can I tell you 'I told you so' again?"

"After we fix what's happened," Elijah answered.

Kassandra sighed in annoyance. "And what happened this time?"

--

On the Road

Caitlin was still sitting in the back of the truck, putting Hope in her car seat.

Dahlia had set up a small table, on which she had created an infinity symbol with salt and lit candles, where two small pewter chalices sat within each circle in preparation for her linking spell.

Klaus stood nearby.

Caitlin sighed in annoyance and impatience, obviously wanting to say something.

"The day that Caitlin Harris decides to hold her tongue is the day that hell freezes over," Klaus told her. "What's on your mind?"

"I was just looking for a way to ask, 'What the hell is wrong with witches and links' that wouldn't get me killed," Caitlin told them. "I've had it up to here with links and power-hungry psychopaths and tyrants."

Dahlia smirked, looking at Klaus. "We can begin now." Klaus tilted his head curiously, waiting for further explanations. "Once we're linked, I'll no longer have to sleep a hundred years again. Your concerns for my status will ease, and I'll finally be able to get what I want." She looked at Caitlin and Hope. Klaus looked at Hope in her car seat. Dahlia walked closer to them. "I will only need one drop of your blood." Caitlin sighed, standing in front of Hope. 'And then your power shall be mine also."

"And what about Freya?" Caitlin asked. "Don't you still have her power to worry about?"

"No," Dahlia answered. "Freya betrayed me and ran away."

"I wonder why," Caitlin told her sarcastically.

"She served her purpose," Dahlia told her, looking at the moon, which was in its waning crescent phase. "So, tonight, at the moon's apex, I'll end her life." She looked at Caitlin. "What I want to know is why you would be fighting this, Caitlin. Linked to me, you would finally be able to make contact with the power deep inside of you. Don't you want to be able to defend yourself for once in your life?"

Caitlin didn't answer, looking away. "Or you just know that my blood can be used as a binding agent for the weapon that can kill you, because of the power and the link to Marcel, thanks to the coven, and if I'm linked to you, then we both die with you. This isn't about me. This is about protecting your own ass."

Dahlia turned to face Klaus. "You're right. She is a smart and fearless one." Klaus nodded. "Once my link with Freya is severed, the bond that I share with Caitlin and your daughter will become permanent."

Caitlin looked away unhappily.

Klaus smiled fakely. "Best get on with it, then."

Klaus walked toward the table.

Dahlia followed, holding out her hand.

Klaus took her hand.

Dahlia waved her free hand over the table. "Medareno sometswar. Medareno sometswar."

--

Abattoir Compound - Courtyard 

Noah, Freya and Cami were recovering from the attack in 2.21 Fire With Fire.

Elijah led Kassandra inside.

Kassandra transformed hungrily, lunging toward Cami.

Elijah turned to Kassandra, restraining her, keeping her back. "Kassandra, control yourself, please."

Kassandra looked at Elijah, hallucinating that he was Klaus. "I'm hungry, Nik. You did this to me. Undo it. I didn't do anything to you."

Elijah looked at her in sympathy, putting a hand on her shoulder in hopes to pull her out of the hallucination. "Kassandra."

Kassandra realized who it really was, confused and breathless. "Elijah?"

"It's okay," Elijah told her, holding a hand toward Cami. Cami handed a tea cup to him. Elijah handed it to Kassandra. "Fresh. Cami's blood, but you won't go near her."

Kassandra took the tea cup, drinking the blood avidly, looking up. "What do you mean, Niklaus has a plan, Noah? We had a plan."

"Your plan wouldn't have worked," Noah told them. "When Klaus compelled me, he said your plan would fail, so he had to enact one of his own."

Freya was stunned and frustrated. "And what might that be?"

"He has to get her to link to him," Noah answered. "To do that, she has to unlink from you."

--

On the Road 

Dahlia continued her linking spell while Klaus and Caitlin watched.

The pewter chalices in front of them started to fill with blood, which began to pour over the rim and onto the table. From there, the blood traveled toward the center of the infinity.

Klaus could barely conceal his displeasure of this event.

Dahlia continued to chant. "Medareno sometswar. Medareno sometswar."

Caitlin watched them unhappily.

--

Abattoir Compound - Courtyard 

Elijah, Kassandra, Freya, Noah and Cami were talking.

"Our brother wishes to bind himself to our enemy?" Kassandra asked in frustration. "She'll be virtually indestructible."

"He said I had to convince you that everything he had to do, he had to do alone," Noah told them "You had the wrong ingredients to kill Dahlia. He's gonna by us enough time to find the right ones."

Elijah looked at him in confusion. "How?"

--

On the Road 

Klaus and Dahlia's blood merged together in the middle of the infinity symbol. They were both knocked back by the power of the spell, both gasping.

Hope started to whimper.

Caitlin turned to face Hope, pulling the gold dagger from her sleeve.

Dahlia looked at Klaus. "With your strength, I will never need to sleep for a century again."

Klaus walked toward Caitlin. "Well, perhaps one more nap. Caitlin? I know this part you'll enjoy."

Caitlin turned to face Klaus, stabbing him in the heart with the gold dagger. "Very much so."

Klaus started to desiccate.

Dahlia was rendered incapacitated.

They both fell to the ground.

Hope started to cry.

Caitlin sat back in the back of the truck, picking up Hope, calming her down. She looked at Klaus' desiccated, daggered form, smirking in satisfaction.

--

Worlds Colliding (The Originals)

--

Abattoir Compound - Living Room 

Marcel had just placed Eva's dead body onto a chaise lounge in the living room, rushing over to the coffin where Rebekah's body had been stored, waiting for her to wake up. "Come on. Come on. This is not how it ends. This is not how you die."

Marcel angrily swiped at a vase of flowers on a nearby end table, making it fall, shattering it, causing the broken pieces and flower petals to fly everywhere.

Rebekah rose in her original body in the coffin, starting to stretch out a crick in her neck, groaning. "Well, I've always been a sucker for a good display of strength..." Marcel was relieved, walking closer. Rebekah wrapped an arm around Marcel's neck so he could lift her out of the coffin. "Fair warning, since you're still compelled to kill me, you've got a whole new fight on your hands."

Marcel set Rebekah on her feet. "That was one hell of a gamble."

Rebekah sighed. "I didn't have much choice." They looked at Eva's dead body on the chaise lounge. "With Klaus as the dealer, expect a crappy hand."

"Speaking of, I'm not under compulsion anymore," Marcel told her. "Caitlin daggered him and ended the compulsion he had on me, Caitlin and Noah. Now, Noah and I can explain everything."

--

Courtyard 

Elijah, Noah, Freya and Cami were talking.

"Klaus got into her head," Noah told them. He looked at Freya. "You didn't break her heart. We needed the blood of the witch she loved the most, and you are not that witch." He looked from Elijah to Freya. "That honor goes to your beloved mother. Esther."

Freya sighed in frustration. "So, we need Esther's blood." Noah nodded. "Well, that's impossible. I killed her."

Cami was surprised by this confession. 

Noah was impressed.

Elijah seemed indifferent. "One incarnation." Freya looked at him in surprise. "Our mother is buried in New Orleans."

"Klaus wants us to revive the original body," Noah told them.

"And how is he going to buy the time for us to do this?" Cami asked.

"Once Dahlia's unlinked herself from Freya, and linked herself to Klaus, Caitlin's gonna dagger himself and render them both useless," Noah answered. "Just waiting for a message that warns me."

"I don't condone his actions," Cami told them. "I'm trying to help you." Elijah looked up, hurt. "All I know is, he will do whatever he has to do--"

"Klaus will do whatever he has to do for Klaus," Elijah told them. He held up his phone, walking closer. "Now, Hayley and Mikayla aren't answering the phones, Kassandra is upstairs bitten and sick, and Rebekah is nowhere to be found. Now, what has he done?"

"Don't kill the messenger," Noah told them. "Rebekah's in her Original body because he compelled Marcel to kill the witch body. I think she killed herself, though, to get back into her Original body, and that wasn't that long time ago." Elijah was frustrated. "And, as for Mikayla and Hayley..."

"What is it?" Elijah asked worriedly.

Noah sighed. "He compelled me, he stole the spell that I used on the Crescent wolves."

"So, he would condemn them to the bodies of beasts?" Elijah asked furiously.

"Elijah, Hayley and Mikayla will be human once a month," Freya told him. "We will find them and we will help them."

Elijah shook his head. "No."

"We need to focus on who needs saving today," Cami told them sadly.

Elijah began to breathe heavily, starting to panic.

Noah opened his mouth to speak, but his phone vibrated before he could. He looked at the text from Caitlin. "Caitlin texted. She daggered Klaus. They are two hours north at an orchard near Pale River. Hope's with her. They're alone. Let's go get them."

--

On the Road 

Caitlin was standing nearby Dahlia and Klaus' incapacitated bodies, holding Hope.

Elijah and Noah rushed closer.

"Well, my adage holds," Caitlin told them. "Nothing good ever happens in a clearing in the woods."

"Nothing good ever happens where Klaus is concerned," Noah told her, walking closer, looking at Hope. "With one exception." He looked at Caitlin in concern, placing a hand on her cheek. "You okay?"

 "I daggered Klaus in the heart," Caitlin told them. "I'm good."

Noah chuckled.

Hope whimpered, rubbing her eyes with her small hands.

Elijah walked closer. "How is she?"

"She's a Mikaelson," Caitlin told them. "She's resilient."

"So, I assume Niklaus wants us to revive our mother's body?" Elijah asked.

"Apparently," Caitlin answered.

"So, he let you get the drop on him after he had Dahlia link them, but before she linked you or Hope," Noah told her.

"She doesn't want me for power," Caitlin told them. "She knows that we used my blood as a binding agent for the weapon that can kill her, because the link. So, she was trying to get us linked so that if we killed her, me and Marcel died with her."

Elijah nodded barely, tense. "A step ahead. Just like any member of my family."

--

Day Two

Morning - Lafayette Cemetery - Rayvnne Tomb 

Davina and Auria were in the tomb.

Auria poured a large amount of dark brown, creamy-looking fluid into a stone coffin, which was surrounded by a magic circle made of salt.

"Earth magic?" Davina asked.

Auria nodded. "Now, when I became Regent, our Ancestors gave me a one time only access to their power. And I now that you want Kol Mikaelson back. And you're going to get him." Davina smiled a small smile. "The spell's almost done. I just use the power of the spirits to turn dirt and ash into flesh and bone." She held up her hands, which were covered in mud. "Though, maybe I should have worn an apron."

Davina chuckled.

--

Abattoir Compound - Courtyard 

Elijah, Caitlin and Noah had made it back to the compound with Hope, talking to Rebekah, Marcel and Freya.

Caitlin was sitting at the table next to Hope's car seat, gently rocking it back and forth to keep her calm.

Elijah, Freya, Marcel, Rebekah and Noah were standing around Klaus' still daggered body and still neutralized Dahlia.

Marcel was kneeling to examine Klaus' body.

Rebekah sighed. "Nik is demented. Are we really to dig up our mother, burn her to ash, swap said ash with Kol's, and then ask Auria and Davina to use up their last chance to bring someone back from the dead?" 

Caitlin looked down guiltily. 

"Or, we dig a deep hole and leave both our problems at the bottom of it," Elijah told them.

Freya looked at them unhappily. "I say we choose a more permanent option. Find the white oak stake, kill Klaus, Dahlia dies with him."

Marcel scoffed. "Well, yeah, and so do I, Noah, and every other vampire that Klaus has turned, and Caitlin."

Caitlin heard a strange sound, frowning, turning toward the bodies, looking at Klaus, noticing that the gold dagger in his chest was beginning to melt. "The dagger." She stood. Everyone turned to see the dagger begin to slowly but surely melt, so that the handle became shorter and shorter, presumably from Dahlia's magic. "It's melting."

Noah sighed. "We have no choice but to finish the task that Klaus has set."

They looked at the dagger grimly as it continued to melt.

--~--

Kassandra's Room

Kassandra laid in her room, in her bed, sweating and weak, barely conscious.

Rebekah sat next to her, using a wet cloth to wipe her forehead. 

Kassandra opened her eyes to see her, confused as to why she was in her Original body. "Rebekah?"

Rebekah shrugged. "Looks like Niklaus had a lot on his to-do list last night."

"Or I'm hallucinating," Kassandra told her.

Rebekah smiled, shaking her head. "You're not hallucinating, Sandra."

"That's exactly what a hallucination would say," Kassandra told her.

Rebekah smiled a small, sympathetic smile, blotting her head with the wet cloth. "Don't start up the adorable little sister act now. You're too good at it." She let the smile fade. "I heard you in your sleep. I know who you're dreaming about."

"I haven't thought about him in years, Bekah," Kassandra told her.

"He was your first love, Sandra," Rebekah told her. "Of course you're gonna think about him now and then."

Kassandra closed her eyes. "He's not even alive. He's dead, and I'm still thinking about him."

"We don't know if he's dead for sure," Rebekah told her. "All we know is that Nik wants you to believe that he's dead."

Kassandra opened her eyes. "Don't start up the motherly, big sister act now. You're too good at it." Rebekah smiled. "What's happening?"

Rebekah pulled the cloth away, turning to stand. "Kassandra..."

Kassandra gripped her hand to stop her. "Tell me."

Rebekah sighed. "Nik attacked Marcel, Noah and Caitlin. He stole the spell that Noah used on the Crescent Wolves. So Nik would condemn Mikayla and Hayley and the wolves to the bodies of beasts. They will be human once a month. We will find them and we will help them." Kassandra shook her head, looking away. "We need to focus on who needs saving today." Kassandra began to breath quick, shallow breaths. "Dahlia is... incapacitated. Caitlin saw to it both she and our brother would be."

"Caitlin?" Kassandra repeated in surprise. "She took down our brother and our mad aunt?"

Rebekah smiled. "For now, because they are linked, and Caitlin daggered our brother, rendering them both incapacitated." Kassandra nodded in understanding. "We will get Nik's blood to heal you up and get you back to fighting shape. Because that, little sister, is where you are at your best."

--

Old Mikaelson Plantation - Outside 

Rebekah and Elijah were at the burnt-down plantation house, where they had just finished digging up Esther's remains. 

Elijah pulled out her coffin, dragging it away from her grave.

Rebekah looked on unhappily. "Oh, isn't this lovely. Fresh air, the birds are singing in the trees... the perfect day to dig up Mommy Dearest's corpse."

Elijah picked up a can of gasoline, beginning to pour it over Esther's remains. "A perfect day to carry out the assignment of a lunatic."

"What's that saying?" Rebekah asked. "'A madman often speaks the truth?' I can't help but think we should be using this opportunity to raise Kol and not this daft bitch."

"You speak as if it's a foregone conclusion," Elijah told her, angrily throwing the can of gasoline into the grave. "Let's not forget, we still have to convince Auria Rayvnne to raise our mother instead of our brother."

Rebekah remained silent for a long moment, looking both guilty and unhappy. "I said I'd stay in my witch body until I saved Kol." Elijah gave her a sympathetic look. "Now, I've broken my promise, and I am actively conspiring to convince Auria to abandon her one chance to bring him back herself. I feel like a traitor."

"You are not to blame," Elijah told her.

"It's not just my promise to Kol," Rebekah told him. "Now, because of Nik's spite, I am once again built to take life... Robbed of the chance to create it." She looked as if she was about to cry, forcing herself to shake it off, admonishing herself. "Enough. He stole from you, too."

"Hayley was never mine to steal," Elijah told her.

"I'm not just talking about Hayley, Elijah," Rebekah told him. "I'm talking about Mikayla, as well. No matter what we've all done, they are still are family, and he made us lose them to the Crescent curse."

"Our brother does not do well to our family," Elijah told her.

Rebekah pulled out a silver lighter with the Mikaelson 'M' seal engraved into it from her pocket, lighting it. "I suppose it's a family trait. Everything we love, we turn to ash."

Rebekah angrily tossed the lighter on top of Esther's gasoline-soaked remains.

Rebekah and Elijah somberly watched it go up in flames.

--

Abattoir Compound - Hope's Nursery 

Caitlin was putting Hope to sleep up in the nursery in the crib. She sighed unhappily, not knowing what to do, turning away.

--

Living Room 

Freya, Marcel and Noah were searching the compound for Kol's ashes so they could so they could swap them out before they were given to Auria and Davina.

"Kassandra said she kept Kol's ashes in a blue urn," Marcel told them, starting to search through a dresser. "What she didn't do was narrow the field. Heaven forbid one thing not be a damn secret in this in this family. Though, I'll give Kassandra some slack this time. I mean, she's delirious from wolf toxin, so of course she's not up to answering fully."

Freya wandered around the room. "And, yet, here you both are, casting your lot with Klaus. Is that because you think his plan is going to work?"

"That is the Mikaelson paradox," Noah told her. "You wanna love and kill each other at the same time." He started searching the nearby bookshelf, his back turned to Freya. Freya surreptitiously dropped a toothpick into a glass of bourbon that had been left abandoned on an end table, waving her hand over it, casting a simple locator spell. The toothpick pointed toward the fireplace. Marcel and Noah both continued to search with their backs to Freya. Freya stealthily walked over toward the fireplace to examine it. She saw a button in the middle of the flower carved into the mantle, pressing it, which caused a small wooden shelf hanging from a chain to pop out of the inside of the fireplace. Noah had finally found a secret cubby behind one of the portraits hanging on the wall, which had a blue and gold urn inside of it. Noah started to laugh sarcastically, pulling it out. Freya quickly pushed the button to hide the hidden shelf before Marcel and Noah could see it. "Look who got lucky."

Noah looked inside, frowning.

Marcel looked at him in confusion.

Noah was very annoyed, turning the urn upside down, revealing to them that the urn was empty.

"Either you have a curious definition of luck, or someone got to those ashes before we did," Marcel told him.

"All right, we better find a way to stop that dagger from melting," Noah told them, holding up the urn. "Because if the thieves are who I think they are, we've got a problem."

--

Lafayette Cemetery - Rayvnne Tomb

Davina and Auria were still in the tomb.

Davina held up a clear glass jar with a lid that was full of Kol's ashes. She looked at Auria. "It's gonna be weird, seeing him with his original face."

Davina sighed, walking closer.

Auria took the ashes, about to put them in.

Rebekah and Elijah walked in.

Rebekah smiled. "He was a handsome one, my brother."

"So much for your big promise to stay a witch until we got Kol back," Davina told her sarcastically.

"He is my brother, and I've loved him many lifetimes longer than you have been on this earth," Rebekah told them. "I will stop at nothing to get Kol back, no matter what flesh I'm in."

"I'm sorry," Davina told her guiltily

"So, what happened?" Auria asked.

"Nik happened," Rebekah answered, looking at her body, holding out her arms. "I suppose he thinks I'm more durable in this body, and he's probably right, given we're up against Dahlia."

"That's why we're here," Elijah told them. He looked at Auria. "We need your help."

"What do you want me to do?" Auria asked.

"There is only one witch strong enough to stop Dahlia, and that is our very dead mother, Esther," Elijah told her. "We need you to use your power as Regent to bring her back."

Davina looked at Auria, hurt and pleading. "No. You only get one shot at this, and you promised you would bring back Kol."

"Please, Auria," Rebekah told her. "Davina, I promise you, we will find another way."

"Auria?" Davina asked.

Auria closed her eyes, conflicted and guilty, sighing, looking down. "Davina, if we don't stop Dahlia, this city will go up in flames. It's not just their family in danger. It's everyone."

"You're very right about that, Auria," Elijah told her. "The Crescent wolves, including Hayley and Mikayla, are once again trapped in the reversal spell that keeps them wolves every day until the full moons." They looked at him in shock. "And Dahlia will come after Caitlin to gain more power, and leverage. This is the only way to stop her."

Auria looked at Davina regretfully. "We have to." Davina looked hurt. "We will find another way, I promise you. We have to protect Caitlin." Davina nodded sadly. Elijah procured Esther's ashes, handing them to Auria. Auria took them, opening the jar, dumping its contents into the mixture of soil and water in the stone coffin. She lifted her hands to start the spell, closing her eyes. "Fian en che en kanu. Fian en che en kanu."

--

Abattoir Compound - Courtyard 

Freya was working on a spell to halt or slow the magic that was melting the dagger in Klaus' heart, which involved sprinkling sand over it. She became frustrated when the spell didn't seem to work, throwing the rest of the sand on Klaus. "It's no use. I can't slow her magic. Everything I'm trying fails."

Marcel and Noah looked at each other in frustration.

They could hear a faint whispering noise, along with creaking, looking up to see that vines covered in black dahlia flowers were beginning to grow inside the courtyard. The vines twisted around the railings on the balcony overlooking the courtyard. All three of them were incredibly alarmed.

--

Kassandra's Room 

Kassandra woke up in her bed. She saw a glass of blood on the nightstand, sitting up, drinking greedily, until there was no more. She sat back, breathing heavily, looking at the wall to see green vines magically creeping up the outside and the inside walls of her room, that were becoming so thick and numerous that eventually, they completely covered the windows. She looked around the vines surrounding her that were now blooming with blood-red dahlias, confused and alarmed, half thinking that she was hallucinating, but half believing that this was real. "Bloody hell."

--

Courtyard

Marcel, Noah and Freya were talking nearby Klaus and Dahlia's bodies.

Noah pointed at Dahlia. "There's gotta be a way to kill her."

Freya took the white oak stake out of her inside jacket pocket, holding it up, looking both unhappy and determined. "There is."

Noah shook his head. "No, Freya."

Noah and Marcel stepped closer.

Freya raised her hands toward them, using magic to pin them against the wall behind them.

Noah and Marcel tried to fight it, but they were stuck in place.

--

Lafayette Cemetery - Rayvnne Tomb 

Auria continued the spell, causing all of the lit candles around to flare brightly. "Fian en che en kanu. Fian en che en kanu."

All of the flames from the lit candles around died out.

Auria stopped chanting. 

They all looked anxiously at the stone coffin.

The soil, ash and water mixture had completely solidified.

--

Abattoir Compound - Courtyard 

Caitlin walked down the stairs to see that Freya had pinned Noah and Marcel to the wall with magic and that she was holding the white oak stake above Klaus. "Freya, we can find another way."

Freya used magic to keep Caitlin back. "I'm sorry, but I see no other way."

Freya looked determined to stake Klaus, therefore killing Dahlia and all of them along with him.

"No," Caitlin told her. "No, no, no. You kill him, you kill all of us, too."

Freya looked between them, clearly not happy about doing this, tears in her eyes, looking so anxious she was almost hysterical. "I don't want to kill you." She looked at Klaus desperately. "I don't want to kill him." Kassandra was on the balcony. She had to keep her balance against the wall, walking onto the balcony above the courtyard. They watched as the dagger continued to melt. Freya was nearly crying. "This is the family I longed for, but because of her..." Kassandra walked down the steps unsteadily. Freya looked at Dahlia's body with loathing. "I'll forever be alone."

Freya lifted the stake up, about to trust it down into Klaus' chest.

Kassandra reached Freya's side, grabbing her wrist to stop her from finishing it, nearly touched after having overheard her confession. "Sister..."

Freya looked at Kassandra in surprise. Kassandra nearly fell to the floor.

Freya kept her standing, dropping the stake in the process. "Kassandra..."

Kassandra looked from Caitlin, Noah and Marcel to Freya. "One of you want to tell me what the bloody hell is going on, or if this is just another hallucination?"

Freya looked toward Caitlin, Noah and Marcel, releasing them from the wall.

Caitlin stepped closer, helping Freya set Kassandra in a nearby chair.  "It's okay, Kassandra. Just sit down."

Noah and Marcel walked closer. 

"Long story short?" Marcel asked. "Klaus and Dahlia are linked. As long as Klaus is daggered, both of them will remain out. But Dahlia's magic is melting the dagger away, and once that happens, they will both be ready to kill."

"And I'm not the witch that broke Dahlia's heart," Freya told her, sitting down next to Kassandra. "Our mother is. But I killed her. And Rebekah and Elijah mean to talk Auria into bringing Esther back instead of Kol, and this is Auria's only chance to bring Kol back using the Ancestral magic."

"What?" Kassandra asked. "No. Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Because we knew we would get this reaction while you're suffering from a hybrid bite," Noah answered. "You can't do anything about it now, and we knew that you would want Kol back more than anything. But we will find a way to bring him and Esther back and kill Dahlia. We just have to do the latter before we can do the first."

Kassandra sighed, looking down, feeling lightheaded and overwhelmed, leaning her head against Freya's shoulder, watching as the dagger in Klaus' chest melt the rest of the way away.

--

Lafayette Cemetery - Rayvnne Tomb 

Rebekah, Elijah, Davina and Auria watched as the now-solidified soil and ash mixture began to crack.

A hand burst from within it, small and feminine.

--

Abattoir Compound - Courtyard 

Klaus finished un-desiccating, gasping awake, sitting up.

"Goodie, brother," Kassandra told him. "Think you can lend a hand after your award-winning performance?"

Klaus stood, walking closer. "You don't look too good, there, sister."

"Yeah, thanks to you, Niklaus," Kassandra replied. "Just undo it and heal me, you bastard." Klaus smirked barely in amusement, raising his eyebrows. Kassandra looked at him somberly. "I didn't do anything to you, Nik. I tried to talk them out of it."

"And nearly ended up daggered yourself for your trouble," Klaus finished. "I know, Sandra. And I thank you." He bit his wrist, offering it to Kassandra took his wrist, drinking to heal the hybrid bite. "I just had to make it look convincing, little sister."

Kassandra let go, feeling herself heal, watching the wound in Klaus' arm heal.

Dahlia gasped a wake, looking absolutely furious.

Klaus glared at her furiously.

--

Lafayette Cemetery - Rayvnne Tomb 

Rebekah, Elijah, Davina and Auria watched as Esther began to break out from within the soil and ash. 

Esther stood. She was in shock to be alive, looking over the four of them.

--~--

Esther was still covered in soil and ash, wrapping a blanket around her naked body.

Davina paced around the tomb anxiously.

Elijah procured a pair of cursed shackles, rushing over to Esther, slamming them onto her wrists to prevent her from doing magic, smirking. "Welcome back, Mother."

--

Abattoir Compound - Courtyard 

Freya helped Kassandra stand. Kassandra was still slightly weak from the effects of the bite even after being healed, being it had only been moments ago, allowing Kassandra to use her for support, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Klaus took her other arm. They, Noah, Caitlin and Marcel backed away from Dahlia.

Dahlia stood, glaring at them. "I'm almost impressed by the lengths you'd go to for your own. Though, not enough to let bygones be."

Dahlia held up her hand, using magic to pull the white oak stake up from the floor into her hand.

Klaus and Kassandra were both alarmed for a moment, collecting themselves.

"We are still linked, dear aunt," Klaus told her. "You may not want to punish me with that particular weapon."

Dahlia smirked bitterly in amusement. "Hmm. I made sure that the link between us melted along with that dagger. Meaning... I'm quite free to kill you. But I'd rather get what I came for."

Dahlia used magic to pull Caitlin toward her so she could cut her on the arm and take more than a drop of blood. She disappeared, teleporting away.

Caitlin nearly fell to the floor when the effects of magic was taken away from her. Noah caught Caitlin in his arms, keeping her standing.

They looked around in confusion, noticing that Freya had disappeared with Dahlia.

They heard Hope crying upstairs in her nursery.

--

Nursery 

Klaus, Kassandra, Caitlin, Noah and Marcel ran inside to check on Hope

The vines and dahlia flowers were growing inside the compound, having managed to cover all of the walls and ceiling of the nursery as well. As they grew, they wrapped around Hope's cradle, moving toward Hope, pricking her hand with one of its thorns and drawing blood, which made Hope cry even harder.

They were only momentarily relieved to see that Hope was still there.

Klaus picked Hope up out of the crib to soothe her.

Marcel looked from Caitlin to Hope in confusion. "Why didn't she take you?"

"Because all she needed was a drop of our blood," Caitlin answered grimly.

"Unfortunately, I have no idea where the vile harpy has fled to," Klaus told them.

Kassandra sighed, looking at Klaus. "All right, go. Get Hope someplace safe." She looked at Marcel, Noah and Caitlin. "Track down Davina and Auria. I'll get ready and back into fighting shape for what's to come."

Marcel gave Klaus a look. "And when this is over, you and I are gonna settle up."

"Provided we survive what's to come tonight, I look forward to it," Klaus told him. Marcel, Noah and Caitlin walked out, leaving. Kassandra looked at Klaus and Hope. Klaus looked at Kassandra. "Are you ready for tonight?"

Kassandra sighed, nodding. "I will be."

--

Lafayette Cemetery 

Davina was near tears, walking along the cemetery.

Auria followed her. "I'm so sorry, Davina. I promise, we'll get Kol back. Just not today."

Davina turned to face Auria with tears in her eyes. "I know it's the only way, Auria. But it still feels..."

Davina didn't know how to finish.

Auria pulled Davina into her arms. "I know."

Davina returned the embrace, trying not to cry.

Marcel, Noah and Caitlin walked toward them.

Davina and Auria pulled away in confusion.

"What are you doing here?" Davina asked.

"Dahlia disappeared, and we need you to find her," Noah answered. "Their problem is our problem. Dahlia wants to kill them all, all right? If Klaus dies, Marcel and I die. Josh and Caitlin die."

"And Dahlia is trying to link Caitlin to her right now so that even if she does kill Klaus, she'll have leverage over the Mikaelsons not to kill her or Caitlin will die with her, and because I'm still linked to Caitlin, I'll die with them," Marcel told them. 

Caitlin sighed. "Help us right now, and we all live to fight another day."

--

St. James Infirmary 

Klaus was sitting at the bar of the club, upon which he had placed Hope and her car seat. After a moment, his phone buzzed, and when he checked it, he found a text from Auria.

I found your witch.

Cami walked into the club.

"Camille, I need your help," Klaus told her.

Cami laughed bitterly, holding up a finger to silence him, sarcastically and mockingly pretending to be Klaus and having a conversation with herself. "'Hello, Klaus.' 'Hello, Camille. Thank you so much for helping Noah convince my furious siblings to join my Machiavellian plan.' 'Yeah, that was good times. Oh, what did you say?'" She dramatically touched her neck where he had bit her the night before. "'How is my neck? It's healed, thank you so much for asking'." She dropped the mocking act, taking a deep breath. "Now, you were saying?"

"I had to make it seem as if I cared for nothing, for no one," Klaus told her. "Our battle is not yet won, and I need you to protect the most important thing in my life. I need you to do it here, where magic is void." He paused, looking guilty. "And I'm sorry. I will find a way to make it up to you."

Cami nodded in agreement.

--

Backroom

Elijah and Kassandra were standing with Esther.

Ester was in a plain black dress, flats, having cursed shackles that prevented her from doing magic, sitting in a chair.

Kassandra sat on the table, spinning a knife in her hand.

"Let me guess," Esther told them. "You brought me back from the dead to torture me."

Elijah rolled his eyes. "My dear mother, we simply need your blood. Though, in the event that you should suffer horribly, I can't promise I won't enjoy it immensely."

Klaus walked in.

Elijah became enraged at the sight of their brother.

Klaus smirked. "Ah, Mother. I've arrived just in time for another one of your deaths, and as much as I appreciate the front row seat, I'm afraid I'm going to have to postpone the festivities."

Elijah looked at Klaus angrily. "You're in excellent spirits."

Klaus smiled. "Lucky for you, as I'm the one needed to save the day."

"Is that what it's called?" Elijah asked.

"Why not?" Klaus asked. "My plan's worked perfectly."

Elijah became even more enraged, lunging for Klaus.

Kassandra rushed to stand between them, separating them. "Easy, Elijah. I can see your red door swinging wide open, but our job's not yet done."

"So, we kill her and be done with it," Elijah told them.

"To be clear, I do want her blood, but I want it on this blade," Klaus told them, holding up a long silver knife for them to see. "Which I've had bound with the soil from Dahlia's homeland, not to mention Viking ash. Mother's demise will have to wait. You see, I need her to weaken Dahlia's defenses." He leaned closer to Esther, whispering. "Bit of psychological warfare before I slaughter the both of you."

Klaus paced away.

"Ah, yes," Esther told them sarcastically. "You expect me to walk willing to my death."

Klaus smiled. "Well, your willing participation would have been a bonus, but it's far from necessary. If needs be, I'll drag you there myself."

Rebekah walked in. "Yes, dear, Mother, you do not have a choice." Esther was shocked and Klaus was surprised to see Rebekah in her Original body. "Then again, why should you be any different from the rest of us? We're all dancing puppets in Nik's end of days marionette show. He forces every move we make."

"And how long are you gonna stand there and pretend you don't need me to?" Klaus asked. "All of you have fought me at every turn, leaving me no choice but to act alone. We're no strangers to disagreements on the battlefield, but we also have a very long history of doing whatever it takes to win the war."

"And what of Hayley?" Elijah asked furiously. Klaus seemed surprised by how upset Elijah was. Elijah stepped closer until they were face to face. "Mikayla?"

Klaus tried his best to appear unbothered. "Collateral damage."

Elijah punched Klaus in the face, glaring. "You claim your actions are part of some ruse. This was punishment."

Klaus feigned confusion. "Punishment? Whatever for? Perhaps the dagger you put in my heart?"

"You brought that upon yourself," Elijah told him. "No, we have fought together for centuries, and once again, to break your enemy, you broke your family." Klaus looked both surprised and hurt by this reaction. Elijah was more enraged than they had ever seen him. "Well, know this. Whatever the outcome tonight, you will no longer see me by your side. You want to be alone? Well, congratulations. You have your wish." He turned to Esther, grabbing her by the shackles, pulling her out of the room. "Come, Mother."

Rebekah, Klaus and Kassandra watched them go.

--~--

Auria had just arrived to the jazz club, where she found Cami and Hope sitting at the bar. "When I invited you to meet me, I had no idea we were gonna have such a gorgeous guest." Hope cooed happily. Cami laughed. Auria grabbed a bottle of bourbon from the bar, sitting down next to Cami, becoming worried when she noticed a red stain on the collar of her shirt, gesturing toward it. "You have blood right there."

Cami blushed, rubbing her neck. "Oh, yeah. My dry cleaning bill has been insane since moving back into town."

Auria nodded. "Uh-huh."

Auria grabbed a glass, pouring herself and Cami a drink.

Cami raised her eyebrows at Auria. "Drinking in front of a baby. New all-time low?"

Auria laughed. "Well, you're the one who brought her into a bar."

Cami nodded. "Hmm. Oh, yeah."

Cami was silent for a moment. 

"Oh, yeah," Auria told her. "I know that look. Sense of obligation. Duty." They clinked their glasses together, drinking. "What do you feel like you owe these people?"

Cami rolled her eyes. "So, you're head-shrinking me now? Is that it?"

"No," Auria answered. "I'm just trying to be a friend. This town is dangerous when you don't have any friends, Cami."

"I do have friends," Cami told her.

"The Mikaelsons are dangerous to have as friends," Auria told her.

Cami nodded in agreement. "Yeah. I'm the last of my family line. The O'Connells have a long legacy here."

Auria shook her head. "Uh-uh. Don't feed me that legacy crap. You wanna talk about legacies? My mom, my dad? They were some of the wickedest witches in the west side of this city has ever seen."

"You were talking about that," Cami told her. "How they were killers. They sacrificed people like Eva Sinclair."

Auria nodded. "Yep, they did. And yet still, I'm able to use my magic for good. I don't use it for sacrifices or killing, because I know that it's not good for me. Just like the whole Mikaelson clan are not good for you, Cami. What is it that you're deflecting from yourself?"

"You want to know why I stay in town?" Cami asked skeptically.

Auria nodded. "Yeah."

"Because..." Cami trailed off. "Against every ounce of my better judgment, my sanity, and my common sense... It turns out, I have complicated feelings for a monster. But after last night... I don't think I can go there."

Auria sighed dramatically. "Well, coming from a witch that has complicated feelings with a complicated vampire..." She smirked, downing her entire glass of bourbon in one gulp, pouring herself another. "Sometimes, the monsters can change for the better." Cami smiled a small smile. "We're gonna need another bottle."

Cami laughed. "Yeah."

--

Night - Warehouse District 

Dahlia dragged a struggling Freya by the arm into the warehouse district that was full of antique cars from the early 1900's. "Two centuries ago, this city hung its traitors right here. I thought it only fitting that it be your slaughtering grounds."

Dahlia used magic to strangle Freya, making her fall to her knees and gasp for breath. She smashed a bottle of salt onto the ground, using her magic to form a magical circle around herself and Freya, walking around, waving her hand as she cast a spell around them.

Freya breathed heavily, gasping for breath. "I actually pity you. Over the course of our long lives together, I could see you were broken. I used to think it was my fault, but in time, I learned your ability to love died long ago."

"Darkness isn't born, you know," Dahlia told her. "It's created... by the snuffing out the light." She knelt behind Freya, speaking into her ear. "So, however you thought you might mend me, please know you never could. Whenever I looked in your eyes, I saw your mother. The sister who turned my heart to stone. And, with that stone, I will crush every one of her children."

Rebekah and Kassandra walked closer.

"Isn't there a saying about stones and glass houses?" Rebekah asked.

Kassandra looked at Dahlia. "In case the analogy is lost on you, I believe my sister is calling you a hypocritical bitch."

Dahlia looked from Rebekah and Kassandra to Freya in amusement. "Hmm. Bringing vampires to a witch fight. Someone hasn't learned their lesson."

Klaus walked closer. "Well, I can be a bit thick sometimes..." There was the sound of rattling chains. Elijah dragged Esther closer, joining Klaus, Rebekah and Kassandra in circling around Dahlia and Freya. "Although, on this occasion, I'd say I took your lesson to heart."

--~--

Dahlia and Esther were shocked to see each other.

Dahlia looked as if she was about to cry. However, in reality, she actually began to laugh. "My sister... in chains?" She looked at Freya, chuckling. "Is... is she to be a gift to buy your freedom? Because I brought something."

Dahlia pulled out the white oak stake, holding it up for them to see.

Thunder crashed from overhead.

They looked at Dahlia incredulously.

"One stake, four of us," Klaus told her. "Even if you don't hesitate, the other three will rip you in half."

Dahlia looked at them in amusement. "Sound thinking. But... small thinking."

Dahlia held up the white oak stake again.

Thunder and lighting rumbled and crashed in the sky above.

The stake was magically thrown up into the air, exploding into such tiny pieces that they looked like snowflakes falling down around them.

Dahlia used magic to direct the stake fragments into the mouths of Elijah, Klaus, Kassandra, and Rebekah as they breathed. They all coughed, gasping in pain as the white oak stake fragments worked their way agonizingly through their bodies, into their lungs, making them breathe it throughout their whole bodies. Their veins became visibly red and irritated.

Freya looked at Dahlia desperately. "You're killing them!"

Elijah, Klaus, Kassandra and Rebekah fell to their knees, coughing forcefully, in agony.

"Welcome to your deaths," Dahlia told them. Esther seemed surprisingly upset to see them hurt. Dahlia looked at Esther, smirking. "Now, sister, let us watch together as I burn your children from the inside out."

Esther hesitated, walking toward Dahlia. "You still carry around so much anger for me after all these years?"

"You broke your vow," Dahlia told her. "We were to stand together, always and forever, and you left to marry that brutish Viking imbecile. You ended my family, and they were the result."

Dahlia gestured to all of them, using magic to push Elijah, Klaus, Kassandra, and Rebekah backward to the ground.

Elijah scratched at his neck, the veins that ran along his throat turning blood red and swollen.

Rebekah gasped for breath. "No!"

They continued to gag and cough, veins becoming even redder and more irritated through their skin.

Esther looked at Dahlia. "You call this my wrongdoing? You made me bargain away my firstborn child. My daughter."

"Not just this firstborn, but every firstborn," Dahlia told her. Klaus pulled out the blade bound with the ingredients that made up Dahlia's weaknesses, trying to pull himself to his feet. "And even then, you found a way to deny me that which you had sworn to be mine. How do you think that felt?" Klaus lunged toward Dahlia with the blade. Dahlia used magic to throw him backward, making him fall to the ground and drop the blade. She looked up at the ceiling's skylight, where she could see the waning crescent mood had hit its apex. She smiled, looking at Esther. "Now, Esther, say goodbye to the last of your children."

Dahlia held her hand toward Freya, using magic to strangle her, making her gasp desperately for breath.

Elijah, Klaus, Kassandra and Rebekah continued to gasp and cough due to the white oak stake fragments in their systems.

Esther stepped toward Dahlia. "Sister, wait! Wait!" Dahlia looked at her, loosening her magic hold on Freya, but didn't let go completely. "You've won, Dahlia. You have everything you ever wanted, including the firstborn of a new generation. You have bested us all. At least let me try to make amends." Esther walked toward Dahlia."Let me share with you the glorious freedom that I have found... in death." She lunged forward, wrapping the long chain that connected her manacles around Dahlia's neck, strangling her with it. Dahlia released Freya from magic to fight against Esther's grip. Freya quickly used her own magic to break the magic circle binding her, running toward Elijah, Klaus, Kassandra and Rebekah to cure them. They all began to cough up blood and white oak dust, but otherwise, they seemed to be healed. Esther was struggling to keep strangling Dahlia, turning to her children desperately. "Kassandra?"

Kassandra picked up the blade from the ground, rushing toward them, stabbing Esther in the back, which went through her and into Dahlia's heart as well, killing them both.

--

Afterlife - 10th Century Norway

Day - Field  

Young Dahlia and Young Esther appeared in a sunny, grassy field. Young Dahlia was wearing a pink dress, while Young Esther was wearing a yellow dress and a crown of flowers in her hair. 

Young Dahlia gasped in shock, looking at her dress, which had a bloody stain over her chest. "Where are we? Where... What have you done?"

"What I should've done one thousand years ago," Young Esther answered. "Stay by your side." She caressed Young Dahlia's cheek with her hand. "When I saw my children willing to fight for one another, dear sister... It is only now that I realize my most grievous sin. Not standing by you. Please forgive me."

Young Dahlia was near tears. "Oh." They embraced for a long moment. "Of course, I forgive you."

--

Real World

Night - Warehouse District

Dahlia and Esther's bodies had both turned to ash, still standing in an embrace both looking more content than they had ever seen them.

Freya, Elijah, Klaus, Kassandra and Rebekah looked at Dahlia and Esther's bodies for a long moment.

Kassandra sighed. "Seems we're officially orphans."

--~--

Esther and Dahlia's bodies had finally disintegrated into a pile of ash. A strong breeze blew the ashes across the room.

--

Day Three

Morning - Abattoir Compound - Dining Room 

Klaus was in the dining room, where he had one of his compelled humans bleeding from his wrist into glasses to drink.

Kassandra walked toward him. "The spoils of war, eh?"

"It's a family tradition," Klaus told her.

"Minus the family," Kassandra told him.

"Well, you're here," Klaus told her, handing Kassandra a glass of blood. "Come on, Sandra. You still ought to be parched."

Kassandra took the glass of blood, drinking it instantly, drinking it all.

Klaus chuckled, handing her another.

Kassandra took it, sitting next to him. "Elijah is angry that Mikayla, Hayley and the wolves are cursed for one night a month to be human. And Rebekah is in the skin of your choosing."

Klaus rolled his eyes. "Well, poor Bekah. Because that body is such a hardship. Meanwhile, the rest of the family enjoys the fruits of my labor. Freya has her freedom from Dahlia, and Marcel and Noah will forgive me once I hand them back the reins of the city, not to mention protection and fight training for Caitlin. That was the bargain that I made with Auria, that if she helped us, that I would give it back to Marcel and Noah, and to make sure that Caitlin has the training and materials she needs to where she no longer has to worry about the threats she's faced ever since getting linked. I mean, our father, brother, aunt using her for power, Eva Sinclair, just to name a few. I was done with the city, anyway."

"You would hand over your crown?" Kassandra asked skeptically. "And do what?"

"Raise my daughter," Klaus answered. "With the help of my sisters. One big, happy family."

"Now, that does sound grand," Kassandra told him sarcastically. "Minus the giant, Elijah-and-Rebekah-sized hole in the room. Elijah won't forgive you, and Rebekah is leaving once more. And whilst Freya and I raise your child, what will the child's mother and other aunt be doing, exactly? Because Hayley and Mikayla are still trapped." Klaus didn't answer, letting his smile fade. Kassandra stood. "This, dear brother, is not what happiness looks like. But what would I know about happiness, Nik? Don't take my word for it."

Kassandra walked out, drinking blood.

--

Rebekah's Room 

Kassandra walked into Rebekah's room, seeing Rebekah and Freya standing together.

Freya looked between them in relief. "I finally have the freedom that I've always wanted. The ability to choose my own fate." She looked at Kassandra. "I thought our sister should have the same." She walked over to Rebekah's coffin. Rebekah opened it finding Eva's body, which was whole and in perfect condition. "I've healed this body and made it so you can inhabit it once again. Now, you can be who we want to be. Either a vampire, or a witch. You have a choice."

Rebekah was overwhelmed with surprise. "Why would you do this?"

Freya smiled, taking either of her sisters' hands. "Because you were the first two to see me as a sister, even if we had a few bumps in the road down the way. And since you both spent so long looking after your family, including each other, I thought for once, you both deserve to have someone else to look after you."

(Song:)  The Night We Met - Lord Huron 

Rebekah looked at Freya gratefully, looking at Kassandra, trying to decide.

Kassandra smiled. "Go. Be free, Rebekah."

Rebekah looked as if she was about to cry of joy, looking at Eva's body, torn about what she should have chosen.

--

Marcel's Loft - Outside 

Marcel was standing outside his loft.

Auria walked toward him, smiling a small smile.

Marcel looked at Auria curiously. "Let me get this straight. For the deals you've been making with the Originals, all you wanted in return was for Klaus to give me and Noah back the keys to the city? For us to run the Quarter again? Really, Auria?"

"For you and Noah to run the vampires of the Quarter, yes," Auria answered. "I'll take care of the witches. And once I find a way to break the Crescent curse, again, Mikayla will rule the wolves. You're the king of the vampires again, Marcel. Noah's the prince again. Mikayla will be queen of the wolves again."

"And you're the queen of the witches now, too," Marcel told her. "Well, you know what they say. Every king needs a queen."

Marcel pulled Auria closer, placing a hand on her cheek, kissing her. Auria returned the kiss passionately for a long moment, wrapping her arms around his neck.

--

Noah's Loft - Living Room 

Caitlin was inside, playing the piano.

Noah walked toward Caitlin. "Hey, there." Caitlin stopped playing, looking at Noah, smiling. "You doing okay?"

"Better than okay," Caitlin answered. She stood. "I mean, I'm a little rattled from Klaus and Dahlia's scheming..."

"Well, who wouldn't be?" Noah asked.

"But I know that I'm gonna be fine," Caitlin told him. "Especially with knowing that you're gonna teach me to be the best fighter that I can be."

Noah smirked, walking closer. "Damn right." He stopped in front of Caitlin. "And, you should know, that I had Auria cast a spell like Josephine did on St. James Infirmary on this very loft."

Caitlin looked at him in surprise. "Really?"

Noah nodded. "Really. So, this place is under your name, which means vampires can't get in without an invitation, and any witch that comes in here, they'll be powerless. Congrats, Caitlin. We finally have a place that is safe from everyone."

Caitlin smiled, wrapping her arms around Noah's neck excitedly, kissing him deeply and passionately. Noah returned the kiss in kind for a long moment. They pulled away, looking at each other, smiling.

"Thank you, Noah," Caitlin told him. "For protecting me. And for teaching me how to protect myself."

"As long as you're safe..." Noah trailed off. "That's all I want."

Caitlin and Noah smiled, leaning their foreheads together.

--

Abattoir Compound - Courtyard 

Freya and Kassandra were in the courtyard.

"It was a real nice thing you did for Rebekah, Freya," Kassandra told her. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me just yet," Freya told her. "I'm sticking around for you. This is my gift for you."

Kassandra smiled a small smile, looking down, letting it fade. "You know, after another thousand years, I could have ended up like Dahlia."

Freya shook her head. "No. Not even close. I know about your... inability, because of this family, but the difference between you and Dahlia is your love and your loyalty for family makes up for anything else, Kassandra."

Kassandra smiled. "Thank you, Freya."

Freya smiled.

--

Rousseau's 

Cami walked into the bar, carrying a box full of liquor bottles, only to find that it was completely empty except for Klaus, who was waiting for her.

Klaus held a bottle. "'78. A good year. Crack one of those open, would you? Let's commiserate my sister leaving me... again."

Cami shook her head incredulously. "You have to stop compelling the customers. I need the tips." Klaus chuckled, pulling out his wallet, putting a $100 bill on the bar. Cami chuckled. "When I first got into town, you handed me one of those. I had taken a shift from another girl. If not for that, could've been someone else standing here right now instead of me."

Klaus smirked. "You know, I prefer to see it the other way. If it wasn't that night, this bar, that $100 bill, it would've been Jackson Square, staring at a painting, or Frenchmen Street, listening to jazz. I would have found you." They looked at each other. Klaus lost his nerve. "Thank you... for the drink."

Klaus hesitate for a moment, rushing out of the front door, into the street.

--

Night - Bayou 

Elijah was waiting outside Mikayla's old shack in the bayou.

Hayley, naked and slightly dirty in her human form, walked out to join him. 

Elijah handed Hayley his jacket.

Hayley pulled the jacket on, embracing Elijah. "How is she?"

They pulled away. 

"She's safe and well, according to Kassandra," Elijah answered. "Hayley, I promise you, by whatever means necessary, I will release you and Mikayla from this."

"I want you to make me another promise, Elijah," Hayley told him. "I can't let Klaus be the only thing that she knows. I need you to be there for her. Promise me that. She needs you."

Elijah seemed conflicted, as he was not eager to return to life with Klaus, but Hayley looked so sad and determined that his face softened and he reconsidered his decision.

(Song Ends)

--

Final Montage 

Night - Abattoir Compound - Nursery 

Kassandra was in Hope's nursery, in a rocking chair, holding a sleeping Hope, telling her a bedtime story. "Once up a time, there was a wolf king who fought a war for the most precious treasure in all the kingdom. His beautiful little princess. But, victory came at a price."

--

Marcel's Loft - Living Room 

Marcel was standing by the window, looking over the water to the French Quarter.

Kassandra: (voice over) "Friendships tested..."

--

Lafayette Cemetery 

Auria was in the middle of performing a ritual at the altar in front of the Lycée, where she was surrounded by several members of the various covens who stood and watched her. 

Davina stood behind one of the tombs, standing in the shadows, looking conflicted about losing the chance to bring Kol back and her role in the witch community.

Kassandra: (voice over) "Allies lost..."

--

Noah's Loft - Living Room 

Noah was playing his trumpet for Caitlin, while Caitlin was playing the piano for Noah. They were getting into it, upbeat and happy for the first time in a long time, looking at each other, smiling.

Kassandra: (voice over) "Enemies made..."

--

Abattoir Compound - Dining Room 

Klaus was seated at the dining room table, pouring himself a drink.

Kassandra: (voice over) "And so, the wolf king stood alone. Alone but two of the sisters that stood by his side. Having lost loyalties in one sister and one brother."

Elijah walked in reluctantly.

Klaus slid a drink down the table for Elijah.

Elijah took it.

The brothers looked at each other silently for a moment, neither one knowing what to say.

Kassandra: (voice over) "Happily ever after, it was not. But, sometimes, even the worst endings are not really endings at all."

--

Nursery 

Kassandra continued the fairy tale version of their lives for Hope, putting her to sleep. "And, you know, the tribrid princess, that even when all seems burnt to ash..." She looked into the camera, smirking. "In our story, there is always another chapter to be told."