A New Chance

Masquerade Ball

Hope POV:

Tyler and Stefan spent a lot of their time with Caroline, trying to make sure she feels comfortable outside her home. Since Tyler's dad was arrested, it was as if his personality had done a complete 180. He was kind, considerate, highly intelligent.

I had introduced Tyler to Theo, the pair hit it off instantly. Theo shocked him when they were wrestling using magic to flip him over. "Did I not tell you?" He asked, smirking. "No! But that was awesome!" Tyler said laughing. Tyler had invited Damon into his home and unfortunately found his mom and him in bed together.

The full moon was two days out, Tyler was freaking out. Mason had asked me to make Tyler a ring for his first time, I had insisted that Tyler have a genuine first shift. He needs to know the pain in case somehow he loses the ring I'll make him. Mason wanted to be the one to talk him through it but I was the one with the better information.

We were deep in the forest, far away from Mystic Falls. He had been talking to Mason about chaining himself up; I told them that we were far enough away from people that we could run freely like we were meant to. "I brought wolfsbane water." Mason said to the both of us. "Why? It'll slow down the process, and it burns like a bitch." I responded.

Tyler started turning, crying out in pain. "Breathe Tyler. Focus on the air in your lungs and the ground beneath your feet. Give into the pain, let it swallow you whole. It will not break you." I told him. He released his screams, giving into the pain. His shift lasted minutes. Mason followed the same advice and was shocked at how fast he changed shape.

I shifted in moments, my clothes tore but I have my backpack with me. We had been running for about two hours, suddenly Mason and Tyler stopped, sniffing the air. Fuck there's rogue vampires about, great. The boys started trotting side by side, following the scent. I quickly slammed into them from the side, knocking them both over.

I quickly bit Mason on the nape of his neck, making him submit. Tyler was still getting his bearings, shaking off the leaves and dirt when I pounced on him biting his nape as well. We don't need to start drama with vampires, I led us back closer to Mystic Falls knowing that they would be shifting back in about half an hour.

I found my backpack, quickly changing back and putting clothes on. They laid down, tired from playing in the woods. I pulled blankets out of my bag, laying them over the sleeping wolves. Minutes later they were in human form, still asleep. I pulled out boxers, sweat pants, and hoodies. It was about an hour later when they woke up. "Here you go boys. Sorry for biting you but we can't go hunting vampires, ever. It could start an unnecessary feud." I told them as I passed them the fresh clothes.

"You were right, that was much easier. Especially with the ring. I really can't thank you enough." Mason said. "It's really no big deal. My father talked me through my first shift. I pretty much said what he did, it's good advice." I told them. "Let's go home, I need a bath and a drink." Tyler said. "That sounds like a good idea." Mason said, putting his arm around Tyler.

Despite having his ring, it didn't stop the soreness after, could just be from exertion. I made one for Tyler the following morning, he agreed that it was important to know what it felt like. We drove back into town, they dropped me off at my house.

After a long hot shower, and a couple hours of sleep, I found Freya in the kitchen. "How did he take it?" She asked. "Took it like a champ. Had to corral them at one point which was a little stressful. Are you going to the Masquerade Ball tonight?" I asked. She showed me our invitations, "Yes we are." She told me. "I'm going to be kidnapped with Elena tonight." I told her.

She spit out her coffee, "Why risk being kidnapped?!" She asked worriedly. "Because Elijah will be on the receiving end. Won't it be nice to see your middle brother again?" I asked in return. "You drive a hard bargain. Don't forget, he doesn't know you, he will be vicious." She warned. "I'm stronger, and more resilient." I responded.

6 hours later

Jeremy had tried to convince Elena to stay home. Katherine was staying in with Isobel, no longer having the advantage or wanting Stefan anymore.   Lucy Bennett hasn't made an appearance yet, maybe Katherine hasn't called her. Elena had shown up anyway, not dressed for the event, I stumbled her way faking drunkenness. "Elena, can you please, please, drive me home? I drank too much with Tyler." I told her putting my hands on my knees, keeping steady.

"That's always a mistake, come with me." She started guiding me to her car when she was hit first, then I was. It was morning by the time we woke up on a dusty couch. We were tied up separately, easier to get out of. I stayed still, listening to the conversation happening between our kidnappers. I heard Trevor treating Elena like a meal.

"He wants me dead, Rose." Trevor said, "He wants her more." Rose responded. I shifted myself out of my bonds, making myself silent. I freed Elena and told her to keep quiet. I could hear Elijah knock. I hid myself in the room, hearing Rose explain the living Doppelgänger.

I could hear him, sparing specifically Rose, not Trevor. She led him into the room. He sped in front of her, sniffing her like a freak. What is with the haircut, it is terrible. "Human? It's impossible, hello there. We have a long journey ahead of us, we should be going." He said to Elena. She turned to Rose, "Please don't let him take me." She said. "One last piece of business then we're done." Elijah said, turning to Trevor.

Elijah and Trevor went back and forth over their history together. "Where was your loyalty?" Elijah asked. "I beg your-" he didn't get to finish, Elijah cutting his head off with his hand.  Rose screamed out, "Don't, Rose. Now that you are free." Elijah said not even looking her way. I emerged from my hiding spot. "Ad Sonum." I said, Rose and Elena collapsed to the floor.

"Hello, Elijah. I would love to make your acquaintance." I told him. He rushed to me, trying to grip me by the throat. I broke his hand, then his knees, holding him in place. "That wasn't very polite. Let's be civil, I think we can agree that I'm stronger than you." I told him, making two couches. "I do not believe, I know you." He responded struggling. I released him from the floor.

"You should really do more investigating rather than relying on your senses. You didn't even know I was here. I'm Hope Mikaelson, I'm your niece." I said, gesturing for him to sit. "Impossible!" He scoffed.

"It's true. I'm not from this timeline but I am your niece. I can show you, I know you've worked with witches, you are working with the Martins right now." I told him. He offered his hand, I took it, "Close your eyes." I said. Once they were closed, I kept him in place, not trusting him fully. I showed him everything from my life, from his life. How I lost Dad, my mother, and him. I placed all of my shared memories with Elijah with him.

Once the memory show was done, I released his hands. He wiped his eyes, seeing the beautiful family that he had. He tried to stand up and hug me it seemed put he fell back onto the couch from my magic. I released him. "Sweetheart." He said taking me in his arms. "I'm so sorry for everything. How are we supposed to move on?" He asked letting me go. "For me, it's been years. You've just learned everything. There are three other Mikaelson's who are awake." I told him.

"Rebekah, Finn and Kol are awake?!" He asked shocked. "No not them. Your elder sister, Aunt Dahlia and youngest brother." He looked at me confused. "Freya and Henrik. They are alive. Henrik is a vampire that's capable of magic, Freya is an immortal witch along with Dahlia. Another person you thought was dead, Marcellus Gerard. He's the King of the Quarter." I said pulling out one of Elijah's journals. "How did you acquire this?" He asked.

"I may have broken into the Compound, stole everything that previously belonged to the Mikaelson family and escaped." I told him. "May have?" He continued. "Okay definitely stole it." I said rolling my eyes. "Let's get Elena home, and figure out our next steps." I said taking his arm. He grabbed Elena, I pulled out a daylight ring and placed it on Rose's chest.