Aurora stood outside the car, her sharp vampiric senses picking up every sound around her. She could hear the faint chirping of crickets and the distant rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. But above all, she focused on the voices emanating from the small, nondescript home in rural Tennessee.

As she listened, the scene unfolded before her like a gruesome play. Before she knew it, Klaus had coerce his way into the woman's home with his usual charm tainted with menace, Aurora's hearing picks up every sob, every plea for mercy. She heard the arrival of Stefan, the chaos escalating with each passing moment. But unusually for Aurora, she doesn't feel anything. No guilt, no remorse, nothing. As Klaus returned to the car, a smirk playing on his lips, Aurora finally spoke up, her voice devoid of any emotion.

"Don't you think that was a bit... unoriginal?" Aurora remarked dryly.
"Oh, don't worry, love," Klaus replied with a small smirk, his tone laced with amusement. "We are just getting started."
"Started with what? What exactly do you need Stefan and I for?" Aurora inquired, her curiosity piqued despite her outward indifference.

"Telling you would spoil all the fun, now wouldn't it?" Klaus retorted cryptically, his gaze locking with hers.
"You know, for hating Katherine so much, you sound a lot like her," Aurora remarked casually, a hint of distaste in her voice. Klaus's expression darkened at the comparison, but he quickly masked it with a composed façade.
"I really don't see why my brother fancies you so much," Klaus countered, his tone dripping with condescension. "You really aren't anything special."

Aurora's smirk widened at his words, enjoying getting under the Hybrid's skin.
"Tell me, what is it about you that could make my noble brother finally open up to a woman such as yourself?" Klaus pressed, his curiosity evident despite his attempt to appear unaffected.
"Telling you would spoil all the fun, now wouldn't it?" Aurora shot back, her tone teasing as she turned away from Klaus, dismissing him with a casual indifference. And as she climbed back into the car, ignoring his presence entirely, Klaus couldn't help but watch her retreating figure with a mixture of irritation and even begrudging admiration. In Aurora, he saw a worthy adversary, a force to be reckoned with. And as he settled into the driver's seat, his mind already plotting the next move, he couldn't shake the feeling that this alliance, however reluctant, might prove to be more intriguing than he initially anticipated.

In the quiet town, nestled deep in the heart of the South, a rustic bar stood as a beacon of dimly lit solace amidst the enveloping darkness of the night. Inside the bar, Ray Sutton, approached the counter, ordering a beer from Red, the bartender. Meanwhile, Klaus, a charming yet menacing figure, sidled up next to Ray with a predatory gleam in his eyes. He spoke with a smooth tone that belied the danger lurking beneath the surface.

"Ray? Ray Sutton?" Klaus inquired, his voice smooth and disarming.
"Who wants to know?" Ray replied cautiously, eyeing Klaus with suspicion.
"I've been looking everywhere for you," Klaus explained, his words dripping with intrigue. "We started in Florida, Pensacola. I met a young chap there who you used to work with before you moved to Memphis, and he directed me to two lovely young women. And they led me here, to you."

Ray's unease grew palpable as Klaus continued to speak, his mind racing with thoughts of escape.
"I think I'll be going," Ray announced uneasily. However, before he could make his move, Klaus stopped him with a menacing smirk.
"Not so fast, mate," Klaus interjected, his tone laced with a hint of menace. "You only just got here, and your type are very hard to come by."

Desperate to leave, Ray attempted to sidestep Klaus, only to bump into Aurora. Stefan, another unexpected presence, appeared at her side, further reinforcing Ray's sense of captivity.
"I wouldn't do that," Stefan warned, his voice low and threatening.

As Ray stumbled back towards the counter under Stefan's gentle yet firm guidance, he muttered under his breath, "Vampires."
"You're swift, Ray! Yes!" Klaus exclaimed with a touch of amusement. Klaus gestured towards Stefan, "My friend here is a vampire and he compelled everybody in the bar so don't look to them for any help. I however, I'm something else, a different kind of monster. I've got some vampire, I've got some wolf. And this one," he nodded towards Aurora "has all three."

"You what?" Ray's voice rumbled low, his instincts on high alert as Klaus revealed his intentions.
"A hybrid, Ray. I'm both," Klaus declared with a smirk, relishing in the tension he caused. "You see, I want to create more of me. And you, being the first werewolf I've come across in many a moon, pun intended, Ray! I need you to direct me to your pack. So, where can I find them?"

"You can't compel me, it won't work," Ray retorted, defiance flashing in his eyes as his jaw clenched, refusing to yield to Klaus's demands. Meanwhile, Stefan, began to scratch his head—a silent cue that Klaus was all too familiar with. With a knowing glance, Klaus nodded, and Stefan sprang into action.

"Can you bring out the darts, please?" Stefan called to the bartender, his tone casual yet calculated. Then, turning back to Ray with a wicked grin, he proposed a twisted game. "Tell you what, Ray. We're gonna play a little drinking game, something I like to call truth or wolfsbane."

Ray's heart sank at the mention of wolfsbane. He watched warily as Stefan produced a pouch of the deadly herb, his stomach churning with unease.
"Oh, this is gonna be fun, Ray," Klaus remarked, his eyes glinting with malicious delight as Ray swallowed hard, steeling himself for the dangerous game ahead. As the scene unfolded, Ray found himself pinned to the wall by Aurora's formidable magic, his body pierced by darts laced with wolfsbane. Despite the agony coursing through him, Ray remained steadfast, his loyalty to his pack unshakable.

"Ray, you can end this right now. Just tell us where your pack gathers for the full moon," Aurora demanded, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade.
"I can't," Ray grunted, his resolve unshakeable. "Surely as a wolf, you understand that."
"I wish I did, but I'm what they refer to as a 'lone wolf.' So tell us, where does your pack gather for the full moon?" Aurora's expression hardened, her patience wearing thin.

Before Ray could respond, Stefan cut in with a mocking tone, already knowing what Ray was going to say, his words dripping with menace. "I know, I know. You live by code and all that, but see, he's not gonna let us stop until you tell us. And we do whatever he says, so that's the way it goes around here."

Amidst the chaos, Klaus was approached by Claudine, a woman with crucial information regarding Damon's whereabouts. As Klaus absorbed her report with a calculated nod, Stefan and Aurora approached him.
"Damon's still on our trail?" Aurora questioned knowingly with an annoyed sigh.
"He's getting closer," Klaus admitted "I'm gonna have to deal with that."

"No, no, no! Let me handle it," Stefan interjected, grabbing Klaus's arm in protest, his eyes ablaze with determination.
"Why should I let you leave?" Klaus mused, his tone laced with amusement.
"Because you'll know I'll come back," Stefan declared
"Do I?" Klaus pondered aloud, his gaze lingering on Stefan's unwavering gaze.
"You saved my brother's life; I'm at your service," Stefan declared, his voice resolute.

"You sound so tedious and indentured," Klaus remarked. "Aren't you even having the least bit of fun?" He gestured towards Ray, who remained pinned to the wall, a silent testament to the power Klaus wielded over those who dared to defy him.
"I'll make sure that my brother doesn't bother us anymore," Stefan declared with unwavering resolve before continuing on his path, his departure leaving a lingering sense of anticipation in the air. As Klaus turned his attention back to Ray and Aurora, a smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.

After Stefan left, the game continued a different path and so as Ray laid on his back atop the pool table, his body weakened from the ordeal, Aurora sat nearby, her expression unreadable as she observed the scene unfold. Klaus, undeterred by Ray's resistance, approached with a sense of purpose.

"Okay, it's a three-step process, Ray. This is step one," Klaus explained calmly, his tone betraying the sinister intent behind his words. "I want you to drink from my wrist."
"I already told you where to find the pack. What more do you want from me?" Ray, muttered his voice barely a whisper. Klaus chuckled darkly, his patience wearing thin.

"Have you been listening to a word I've been saying, Ray? I have great plans for you," Klaus replied cryptically, before slicing his wrist and offering it to Ray.
"You'll thank me for it later, huh. There we go, attaboy!" Klaus encouraged as Ray reluctantly drank his blood, his body succumbing to the intoxicating power coursing through his veins. Just then, Stefan arrived, his presence a silent but palpable interruption to Klaus's plan unfolding before him.

"What are you going to do now?" Ray questioned, his voice tinged with resignation.
"It's time for step two, Ray," Klaus declared ominously, his gaze shifting to Stefan, who stood by with an air of detached indifference. With a swift motion, Klaus snapped Ray's life as Stefan looked on, his expression betraying no emotion as Klaus turned to acknowledge him.

"You're back," Klaus remarked, his tone casual yet tinged with approval.
"Did you doubt me?" Stefan replied evenly, his gaze meeting Klaus's with unwavering resolve.
"Not for a second. I knew you'd pass the test," Klaus admitted, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "You still care for your brother, for your old life."
"Nah, I don't care about anything anymore." Stefan replied his façade remaining unbroken.

"You put on a good show, Stefan. I almost believe you. Let's hope, for your brother's sake, he does. You never stop caring about family, do you? But every time you feed, the blood makes it easier to let go." Klaus observed after studying Stefan for a moment. With those words hanging in the air, Stefan stepped outside, seeking solace in the cool night air. Meanwhile, Klaus approached Aurora, who sat at the bar, and joined her in silence as the two drank together contemplating the events that would soon occur.

After getting the entil from Ray, the trio made their way towards the smoky mountains where Ray's pack settled for the full moon and as Klaus and Aurora walked the hills of the smoky mountains, Stefan, burdened with Ray's unconscious form slung over his shoulders, trudged wearily near them, his steps heavy with exhaustion.

"You okay? Is Ray getting heavy?" Klaus inquired, his tone almost casual despite the grim circumstances.
"I'm fine," Stefan muttered in reply, his gaze fixed ahead as he continued to navigate the treacherous path.
"You sure about that?" Klaus pressed, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement. "You know, we've been walking for quite some time now. If you need some water or a little sit-down..."

"You know, I get that we're, uh... we're stuck together, but if we could maybe just skip the chitchat, it'd be great," Stefan interjected, his patience wearing thin.
"So much brooding. Your self-loathing is suffocating you, my friend," Klaus remarked, a wry smile playing on his lips.
"Maybe it's 'cause I'm a little tired of hunting werewolves. We've been at it all summer," Stefan admitted, his exhaustion seeping into his voice. As they reached the crest of a hill, Klaus's keen eyes caught sight of their destination—a makeshift camp nestled amidst the trees below.

"Thanks to our pal Ray, we found ourselves a pack. There," Klaus announced, his voice tinged with satisfaction. Stefan entered the camp with Ray draped over his shoulders, drawing the attention of its inhabitants. A woman rushed over, concern etched on her features as she surveyed the scene before her.
"Ray! Oh, my God. What's going on? Who are you?" she demanded, her voice laced with urgency as Klaus and Aurora joined Stefan, their presence commanding attention as Klaus addressed the bewildered woman.

"The important question is who am I. Please forgive the intrusion. My name is Klaus," Klaus introduced himself with a charming smile. Recognition dawned in the woman's eyes as she realized the significance of Klaus's presence.
"You're the hybrid," The woman breathed out in realization resulting in Klaus's smile to widen at her acknowledgment.
"You've heard of me. Fantastic," Klaus replied, a hint of pride in his voice. As Klaus addressed the gathered werewolves, outlining his grand plans for a new order, Ray stirred, his eyes fluttering open with confusion.

"What's happening to me?" Ray's voice trembled with uncertainty as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings.
"Rory?" Klaus prompted, his eyes flickering with anticipation resulting in Aurora to stand up.
"Are any of you human? Your friend here needs human blood to complete his transition to vampire. If he doesn't get it, he will die," Aurora explained bluntly, her gaze sweeping over the assembled group. Klaus scanned the camp.

"Doesn't take much, just a sip. Anyone? A boyfriend, a girlfriend, along for the ride?" Klaus called out, his voice echoing through the camp. Spotting a man nearby, Klaus wasted no time in singling him out. "You!" he commanded, gesturing for the man to approach. Without hesitation, Klaus sank his teeth into the man's forearm, drawing blood with practiced ease. Stefan, restrained the man, ensuring that Ray had access to the human blood he so desperately needed.

"If you don't drink it, Ray, I will. Problem is I don't know how to stop," Stefan warned, his voice tinged with grim determination as a women looks at them in disgust which Klaus notices.
"It's the new order, sweetheart. You join us, or you die." Klaus announces knowingly.
"I'd rather die than be a vampire." The women confesses with distaste.
"Wrong choice," Klaus declared coldly, his eyes flashing with a predatory glint as he forced his blood upon her before snapping her neck, killing her. "She'll thank me for that later, okay, who's next?"

After killing every last one of the werewolves in Ray's pack with Klaus's blood in their system, Klaus then went to heal the human who stood in fear nearby.
"There. Good as new. Now you relax, okay, mate? We're gonna need you when the rest of them wake up." Klaus compelled the man before heading back towards the others.
"They're dead. They're all dead," Ray's trembling voice broke the uneasy silence, his eyes still bleary with shock.

"Ah, he's through his transition. He should be feeling better soon," Klaus remarked nonchalantly, his gaze shifting to the shaken werewolf nearby.
"So is this your master plan? Build an army of hybrid slaves?" Stefan questioned, his tone tinged with bitterness.
"No, not slaves. Soldiers, comrades," Klaus countered knowingly.
"For what war, might I ask?" Aurora inquired, interjecting with a note of skepticism.

"Oh, you don't arm yourself after war has been declared, Rory. You build your army so big that no one ever dares pick a fight," Klaus explained, his tone laced with determination.
"What makes you so sure that they'll be loyal?" Stefan wondered curiously
"Well, it's not difficult to be loyal when you're on the winning team. That's something you'll learn once you shake that horribly depressive chip off your shoulder." Klaus remarked pointedly resulting in Stefan, unable to contain his amusement at Klaus's plans, couldn't help but chuckle.
"That's why you're, uh...you're keeping me around? To witness my attitude adjustment?" Stefan quipped, his tone tinged with irony. Klaus, however, remained unfazed by Stefan's sarcasm, his attention turning to Ray, whose condition seemed to worsen by the minute.

"You'll know why I'm keeping you around when I've decided that I want you to know. Something's wrong." Klaus observed, his brow furrowing with concern.
"That shouldn't be happening, should it?" Stefan questioned, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Well, obviously." Klaus remarked causing Aurora's gaze shifting to the chaotic scene unfolding before them. As Ray's condition continued to deteriorate, his body trembled as his eyes bled profusely.

"You said it was gonna feel better. Why doesn't it feel better?" Ray questioned, his voice laced with desperation.
"Some master race," Aurora remarked bitterly, her gaze narrowing in defiance.
"Lose the attitude," Klaus snapped, his tone stern resulting in Aurora to roll her eyes in return as a woman stirred awake nearby, Klaus wasted no time in issuing orders.

"Derek, come feed your girlfriend," Klaus commanded, his voice betraying a hint of impatience. As Derek got up, Ray, consumed by his newfound instincts, snarled and jumped forward before leaving. "Go get him," Klaus ordered Stefan, his voice firm as he dispatched his loyal enforcer to confront the wayward werewolf. As Stefan pursued Ray into the darkness, Klaus followed after him as Aurora remained behind at the campsite and in minutes, Klaus returned.

"Did he find Ray?" Aurora inquired at the sight of Klaus, her brow furrowing with uncertainty.
"He will," Klaus declared, his gaze fixed on the darkness beyond the campsite. As night continued to descend upon the camp, Aurora observed the werewolves when suddenly she noticed a women's eyes start to bleed making her furrow her eyebrows confused.
"Uh, Klaus, you might want to see this," Aurora murmured, her voice laced with urgency as she beheld the unsettling sight before her. As Klaus turned to look the two noticed the werewolves surround them beginning to stagger, their eyes bleeding profusely. "Bloody hell," Klaus muttered under his breath, his mind racing to comprehend the inexplicable horror unfolding before him.

Amidst the chaos, Klaus and Aurora fought valiantly to defend themselves against the infected werewolves, their movements swift and decisive as they battled against them. Meanwhile, Stefan returned to the camp with Ray slung over his shoulders, only to come across a shocking scene in front of him.

"They went rabid," Klaus declared, his voice filled with anguish as he surveyed the lifeless bodies strewn across the ground. "Some of them, Rory and I killed. The others just...Bled out In the end... They're all dead."

Frustrated and overwhelmed by the magnitude of their failure, Klaus unleashed a primal scream into the night sky as as he hurled the bottle of beer into the darkness, his anger and despair echoing into the darkness. "I did everything I was told! I should be able to turn them. I broke the curse. I killed a werewolf. I killed a vampire. I killed the doppelgänger."

Regaining his composure, Klaus's attention turned to Stefan.
"You look like hell," Klaus remarked observing the boy in front of him.
"Last I checked, I'm dying... and you don't want to heal me," Stefan responded, his tone resigned yet tinged with a hint of defiance. As Klaus's gaze fell upon Ray's lifeless form, Stefan's guilt weighed heavily upon him.
"I had to take him out. I didn't have a choice. I failed you. I'm sorry. Do what you have to do," Stefan confessed with a hint of understandment in his tone.

"It should have worked," Klaus muttered as he turned away, retrieving an empty bottle of beer, his movements deliberate as he bit into his hand, allowing the blood to flow freely into the bottle before handing the bottle to Stefan. "Bottoms up. We're leaving, It appears you two are the only comrades I have left."

With this gesture, Stefan accepted the bottle before throwing it aside. Letting the blood heal his wound. As Klaus, Aurora, and Stefan stepped out of the car, the neon lights of the Chicago nightlife illuminated the streets around them.

"Welcome to Chicago," Klaus announced with a hint of nostalgia in his voice, his eyes scanning the familiar surroundings.
"What are we doing here?" Stefan questioned confused resulting in Klaus to turn to him with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"I know how much you loved it here. Bringing back memories of the good old ripper days?" Klaus teased, referencing Stefan's darker past.

"Blacked out most of them. A lot of blood, a lot of partying. The details are all a blur." Stefan responded maintaining a guarded expression.
"Well, that is a crying shame. The details are what make it legend." Klaus grinned knowingly as they entered the dimly lit bar, greeted by who Aurora only assumed to be the bartender.

"Looks familiar, doesn't it?" Klaus remarked, observing his surroundings of the bar.
"I can't believe this place is still here," Stefan responded, his tone filled with astonishment.
"You've got to be kidding me," Gloria muttered incredulously.
"So a hybrid walks into a bar, says to the bartender..." Klaus began unable to resist a playful jab resulting in the woman to interrupt him with a deadpan expression.

"Stop. You may be invincible, but that doesn't make you funny," Gloria retorted, unimpressed by Klaus's attempt at humor.
"I like her," Aurora remarked amused, flashing a smile at the bartender, who returned the gesture before her gaze settled on Stefan.
"I remember you," Gloria stated, her tone tinged with curiosity as she addressed Stefan.

"Yeah. You're Gloria. Shouldn't you be..." Stefan trailed off, hesitant to mention her age.
"Old and dead? Now if I die, who's going to run this place, huh?" Gloria quipped, her response laced with sarcasm.
"Gloria's a very powerful witch," Klaus explained, gesturing to the bartender.
"I can slow the aging down some. Herbs and spells. But don't worry, it'll catch up to me one day." Gloria explained confirming Klaus's assertion.

"Stefan, why don't you go and fix us up a little something from behind the bar?" Klaus suggested
"Yeah, sure thing." Stefan agreed before heading behind the bar resulting in Klaus to continue his conversation with Gloria with Aurora by his side.

"You look ravishing, by the way," Klaus complimented with a grin, but Gloria cut him off before he could continue.
"Don't. I know why you're here. A hybrid out to make more hybrids? That kind of news travels. Especially when he's traveling with a tribrid," Gloria replied, her gaze flickering briefly toward Aurora, who flashed her an innocent smile.
"So what am I doing wrong? I broke the curse," Klaus queried, seeking insight from the knowledgeable witch.

"Obviously, you did something wrong. Look, every spell has a loophole, but a curse that old... We'd have to contact the witch who created it." Gloria shook her head knowingly.
"Well, that would be the original witch. She's very dead." Klaus informed the witch making Gloria nod understandingly.
"I know. And for me to contact her, I'll need help. Bring me Rebekah," Gloria instructed firmly.

"Rebekah. Rebekah is a bit preoccupied," Klaus explained cryptically.
"She has what I need. Bring her to me," Gloria insisted, leaving Klaus with little room for argument. Meanwhile, Stefan's attention was diverted by a photograph hanging on the wall.
"What is this?" he asked, drawing Klaus and Aurora's gaze toward the image.

"Well, I told you, Stefan. Chicago's a magical place," Klaus reminded the boy causing Stefan's confusion to only deepen.
"But this is me. With you," Stefan pointed out, prompting Aurora to become intrigued by the unexpected revelation and sure enough as Stefan showed the duo the picture it was as clear as day, Stefan with his arm around Klaus' shoulders in the 1920s.

As they walked through the dimly lit warehouse to retrieve Rebekah, Stefan clutched the photo tightly, his mind reeling with confusion.
"This doesn't make any sense. Why don't I remember you?" Stefan demanded, his voice tinged with frustration.
"You said it yourself: that time had a lot of dark holes." Klaus sighed
"No, if you knew me, then why haven't you said anything?" Stefan's brows furrowed in disbelief.
"I'm a little busy right now. Memory Lane will have to wait." Klaus informed the boy.

"What the hell is going on? Answer me." Stefan pressed for answers, frustration evident in his tone.
"Let's just say we didn't get off to a brilliant start. To be honest, I hated you." Klaus began, realizing Stefan's persistence wouldn't relent. As Klaus elaborated on their shared history, Stefan listened intently, trying to piece together the fragments of memory Klaus unearthed. During this, Klaus moved over to one of the coffins and opened it to reveal Rebekah lying dead within.

"I don't recognize her," Stefan admitted, confusion evident in his voice.
"Well, don't tell her that. Rebekah's temper is worse than mine. Time to wake up, little sister."  Klaus offered a wry smile, pulling the dagger from Rebekah's chest. But Rebekah didn't move resulting in Klaus to glance at the duo near him. "Any day now, Rebekah. She's being dramatic."

"Look, why don't you just tell me what the hell is going on? I mean, you obviously want me here for a reason, right?" Stefan exasperated his frustration building.
"Well, you have many useful talents." Klaus hummed knowingly with a small smile.
"Do I?" Stefan raised a curious eyebrow.
"In fact, I learned some of my favorite tricks from you," Klaus admitted cryptically, continuing to weave the tapestry of their intertwined past.

"I was your number one fan," Klaus admitted, his voice tinged with a mixture of nostalgia and regret after explaining another part of the story as he headed towards the exit of the warehouse.
"Why should I believe any of this?" Stefan questioned skeptically resulting in Klaus to halt abruptly, his gaze falling upon a guard stationed nearby. With a flick of his wrist, he compelled the guard with a simple command.

"When she wakes up, volunteer your carotid artery and let her feed until you die," Klaus instructed, his tone firm. The guard nodded obediently, his eyes glazed over with compulsion as Klaus turned his attention to Aurora.
"You'll stay here with Rebekah. When she wakes up, show her to Gloria's bar," Klaus instructed Aurora, his voice authoritative. Aurora's expression betrayed her uncertainty as she glanced between Klaus and Rebekah's dormant form.

"Where are you going?" Aurora inquired curiously.
"I'm going to take Stefan down memory lane. I'll be back shortly," Klaus assured her before leading Stefan away, leaving Aurora alone in the warehouse with Rebekah's silent form.

As the minutes ticked by, anticipation coiled in the pit of Aurora's stomach, mingling with a sense of dread as she waited for Rebekah to awaken. When the moment finally arrived, it was fraught with tension and uncertainty.

Suddenly, Rebekah's eyes snapped open, confusion and disorientation clouding her features as she surveyed her surroundings. In an instant, she was on her feet, her movements fluid and precise as she pinned Aurora against the wall, her grip iron-clad and unyielding.

"Who are you? Where am I?" Rebekah demanded, her voice laced with equal parts fear and suspicion. Struggling to find her voice, Aurora attempted to explain, but the words caught in her throat, stifled by Rebekah's unyielding grasp. With a desperate surge of adrenaline, Aurora summoned her magic, inflicting a searing migraine upon Rebekah in a bid to loosen her grip. Rebekah recoiled in pain, her grip faltering momentarily as she staggered backward, her hands flying to her temples in a futile attempt to quell the agony as the guard walked over under Klaus's compulsion from earlier. Aurora noticed the veins appear under Rebekah's eyes and unable to control the centuries of hunger she bit into the guard and drank him dry. Once she was finished she glanced at Aurora hesitantly.

"I'm not going to hurt you. My name is Rory Sommers. You're Rebekah, correct?" Aurora ventured tentatively, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Rebekah nodded, her expression wary yet curious as she absorbed Aurora's words.
"Where am I? What year is it?" Rebekah demanded, her voice trembling with a mixture of disbelief and apprehension.

"It's 2010. From my understanding, you've been daggered for 88 years," Aurora replied, her voice steady. Rebekah's shock was palpable, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"Oh my god," Rebekah breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Why did you awaken me?" Rebekah inquired, her voice tinged with curiosity and apprehension.
"Actually... your brother Klaus did," Aurora confessed, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Rebekah's eyes widened in disbelief, her gaze flickering with a mixture of shock and betrayal as she processed Aurora's words.
"What?! He's the one who daggered me in the first place!" Rebekah exclaimed, her voice rising in frustration.

As footsteps echoed in the distance, Rebekah's instincts kicked into overdrive as she seized Aurora and dragged her into the shadows, concealing them both from view.
"Rebekah... it's your big brother. Come out, come out, wherever you are," Klaus's voice rang out, his tone laced with a mixture of amusement and anticipation. With a silent warning to stay put, Rebekah darted from the shadows, her movements swift as she confronted Klaus. Without hesitation, she plunged the dagger into his chest, eliciting a gasp of pain from him.

"Go to hell, Nik!" Rebekah spat, her anger palpable. Only for Klaus to remove the dagger from his chest and drop it to the ground with a nonchalant gesture.
"Don't pout. You knew it wouldn't kill me." Klaus stated unfazed by the attack "You can come on out, love." he called out referring to Aurora, making her step out of the shadows. Klaus glanced at Aurora unimpressed to which Aurora only shrugged her shoulders.

"Hey, you deserved it," Aurora quipped, earning a dismissive eye-roll from Klaus.
"I understand that you're upset with me, Rebekah...So I'm going to let that go. Just this once. Brought you a little peace offering. You can come in." Klaus hummed as Stefan entered the room, his demeanor devoid of recognition,
"Stefan...." Rebekah's voice quivered with emotion as Klaus moved closer and compelled him with a simple command, unlocking the floodgates of Stefan's memory.

"Now you remember," Klaus declared as Stefan's gaze shifted, recognition dawning in his eyes.
"Rebekah," Stefan whispered, his voice tinged with emotion as he approached her.
"Stefan," Klaus acknowledged, his tone softening.
"I remember you. We were friends," Stefan confirmed, the clarity of his memories cementing their connection.
"We are friends," Klaus affirmed, his gaze shifting from Stefan to Rebekah.

"And now the reason you're here. Gloria tells me you know how to contact the original witch." Klaus revealed resulting in Rebekah to reach at her neck only to find nothing there causing her eyes to widen.
"Where's my necklace? What did you do with it? I never take it off!" Rebekah exclaimed, her distress palpable.
"I don't know. I didn't touch it," Klaus insisted.
"We need to find it, Nik. Now, I want it back!" Rebekah demanded, her voice trembling with urgency.
"Tell me that's not what she needs, Rebekah!" Klaus implored, his gaze unwavering as Rebekah continued her search but as she came up emptyhanded, her frustration spilled over, resulting in her to flip her coffin over in distress the sound echoing in the warehouse's cavernous space.

The next day Rebekah, Aurora, Klaus and Stefan all headed to some random boutique in Chicago to get Rebekah some new clothes that weren't made in the 1920's. The boutique was a blend of modern chic and classic elegance, filled with racks of trendy outfits and shelves of designer shoes. Klaus and Stefan lounged on a plush couch near the fitting rooms, each holding a glass of champagne, their expressions varying degrees of boredom and impatience. Rebekah emerged from the fitting room in a short, black dress, her dissatisfaction evident on her face.

"There has to be more to this dress," Rebekah declared, her voice tinged with frustration.
"There's not." Klaus replied honestly
"So women in the 21st century dress like prostitutes, then. You know, I got dirty looks for wearing trousers." Rebekah scoffed, her dissatisfaction evident.
"You wore trousers so women today could wear nothing." Klaus smirked, his amusement evident.

"And what is this music? It sounds like a cable car accident." Rebekah wrinkled her nose in distaste.
"It's dance music." Aurora replied her voice floating from the fitting room.
"People dance to this?" Rebekah pressed in disbelief.
"Hmm." Stefan hummed in agreement
"Are we done?" Klaus interjected growing impatient resulting in Rebekah to turn her attention toward her brother.

"And why are you so grumpy?" Rebekah huffed her eyes narrowing.
"I needed one thing from you for my witch to find out why my hybrids are dying, one thing." Klaus replied irritated but before Klaus could continue, Aurora emerged from the fitting room, stunning in a tight strapless blue dress that hugged her curves perfectly. Klaus's reaction was immediate, his gaze lingering on her almost as if he was lost for a moment. Klaus's reaction didn't go unnoticed by Rebekah and Stefan, who exchanged knowing looks. But Klaus quickly regaining his composure, directing his attention to Rebekah. "Your necklace. And you lost it."

"I didn't lose it. It's just been missing for 90 years." Rebekah replied rolling her eyes before shooting a playful glance at Stefan. "So what do you think?"
"I like it." Stefan stammered out a response caught off guard. But Rebekah doesn't seem satisfied with that response.
"What? I said I like it." Stefan questioned confused.
"I can always tell when you're lying, Stefan." Rebekah remarked and with a knowing look, she turned on her heels and disappeared back into the fitting room.

"Nice one. Good work," Klaus remarked with a smirk.
"You're the one that pulled the dagger out of her," Stefan retorted.
"I heard that." Rebekah's voice echoed from within the confines of the fitting room resulting in Aurora to let out a small chuckle as Stefan excused himself and stepped outside to get some fresh air.

As Stefan made his exit, Aurora seized the opportunity to swipe Klaus's glass of champagne with a playful grin. Klaus chuckled, shaking his head in amusement at her audacity.
"You should get it," Klaus suggested cryptically, his gaze lingering on Aurora with a hint of intrigue.
"The dress? Why?" Aurora inquired, raising an eyebrow in confusion. Klaus simply shrugged, a mysterious smile playing at the corners of his lips.
"Just... trust me," Klaus replied enigmatically, taking a sip of his champagne as he met Aurora's gaze.

Aurora returned his gaze with a smirk, a silent understanding passing between them as she placed her empty glass back on the table. Without another word, she disappeared into the fitting room to change back into her street clothes. Moments later, Aurora emerged from the fitting room, her chosen dresses in hand as she joined Klaus and Rebekah.
"We ready? Good, let's go," Aurora declared with confidence, leading the way out of the store without so much as a glance at the compelled clerk.

After heading back to Gloria's bar without Stefan. Klaus, Aurora and Rebekah sat at the bar engaging in conversation. When suddenly, Stefan made his entrance. Resulting in Rebekah to waste no time in addressing Stefan's absence.

"You left us," Rebekah remarked, a hint of reproach in her tone.
"Yeah, sorry. Retail therapy was making my head explode," Stefan admitted offering a sheepish apology.
"Tell me about it." Klaus nodded in agreement as Stefan's gaze shifted to Gloria, curiosity evident in his expression.

"What's she doing?" Stefan inquired, his eyes flickering between Gloria and Klaus.
"She's failing." Klaus shrugged knowingly.
"It's hard to find something when you don't have anything to go on." Gloria interjected with a hint of frustration.
"So use me. I only wore it for a thousand years," Rebekah suggested

"See? Now this one offers a solution." Gloria acknowledged as Rebekah sat down at the table "All right, give me your hand, sweetheart," she instructed, reaching out for Rebekah's hand.
"She's, uh, she's looking for the necklace, huh?" Stefan murmured, his eyes fixed on Gloria's intense expression making Aurora nod with a hum.

"I can sense something," Gloria murmured, her voice tinged with anticipation. "Anta Cotis Syrum, Anta Cotis Syrum..." she chanted, her voice growing in intensity with each repetition. Suddenly, Gloria released Rebekah's hand and turned to face Klaus and Stefan, her eyes alight with triumph. "I found it," she announced, her voice echoing in the dimly lit bar.

"So where is it?" Rebekah demanded, her impatience palpable.
"It doesn't work like that, doll. I get images. There's a girl with her friends..." Gloria trailed off, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Yes, a dead girl with dead friends, if I don't get my necklace back," Rebekah interjected, her voice tinged with urgency.

"Well, I'll have to dive back in to get the details," Gloria admitted, her tone resigned. Klaus stepped forward, his demeanor commanding.
"So dive," Klaus ordered, his voice firm. But Gloria hesitated, her gaze flickering towards Klaus with a hint of annoyance.
"I need more time," Gloria countered, her tone firm causing Klaus to walk closer "And space. You're harshing my ju-ju."

"We can wait," Klaus insisted, his voice unwavering. Gloria shook her head, her frustration mounting.
"I'm sure you can. But that's not what I asked," Gloria retorted, her patience wearing thin. Sensing the tension in the air, Stefan stepped forward, attempting to diffuse the situation.
"Hey. Hey, you know, why don't we just come back later. I'm hungry anyway. I'll let you pick who we eat," Stefan suggested, his tone light-hearted and so with a final glance at Gloria the group made their way towards the exit back to the dimly lit warehouse.

Where in minutes Klaus reclined on a couch, a girl in his arms as he fed on her blood. As he continued to drink deeply from the girl's neck, his eyes remained fixed on Aurora, as if he was wholly captivated by her. Aurora, feeding from the girl's wrist beside Klaus, seemed unaware of his intense scrutiny, lost in the trance of her own feeding. Yet Klaus couldn't tear his gaze away from her, as if he were being drawn towards her by an invisible force, his own hunger momentarily forgotten in the presence of this enigmatic woman. Stefan, seated nearby in a chair, watched them both with a mixture of curiosity and unease, while Rebekah perched atop a nearby crate, her expression one of boredom and frustration.

"My girl's dead. I'm bored," Rebekah remarked dryly, her gaze drifting towards Klaus and Aurora as Klaus glanced at Stefan, a smirk playing at his lips.
"You weren't kidding about being hungry," Klaus remarked casually, taking another sip of blood.
"Yeah. It's been a long day," Stefan admitted.
"Try being related to her," Klaus joked, his laughter continuing. Rebekah bristled at Klaus's teasing, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

"You're being mean. And why are you being mean? You used to love me," Rebekah protested, hurt evident in her voice.
"It's been ninety years, Rebekah. Give him a minute," Klaus replied, attempting to defuse the tension but Rebekah's frustration only grew as she turned her attention to Klaus.

"Why are you taking his side?" Rebekah demanded, her voice tinged with hurt.
"Because, my dear sister, I feel pity for any man who doesn't give you what you want," Klaus explained.
"Will you stop making me out to be a brat? I am not a brat," Rebekah retorted.
"A thousand years of life experience says otherwise." Klaus hummed knowingly

"Well, you're no picnic, either. I mean, I've only spent one summer with you and I feel like I want to blow my head off," Aurora quipped, Rebekah's laughter ringing out in the tense atmosphere.
"Fantastic," Rebekah replied with a smile as she glance at Aurora amused.

As the conversation continued, Stefan abruptly dropped the lifeless body of the girl he had been feeding from onto the ground, his expression grave. "I need to go," he announced, his tone serious as he rose from his seat and made his way towards the exit. Confusion flickered across Rebekah's features as she watched Stefan depart.
"Where's he going?" Rebekah inquired, turning to Klaus for answers.
"To write a name on a wall. It's a long story," Klaus replied, his gaze following Stefan's retreating form.

Shortly after Aurora and Klaus returned to Gloria's bar to check up on the woman only to find no one there. So furiously, Klaus hurried back to Gloria's bar, his steps quickened by frustration and concern as Aurora was hot on his heels as they returned back to the warehouse.

"Gloria's gone. She's cleared out," Klaus announced, his voice edged with frustration and concern. The two stopped when they noticed the tension between Rebekah and Stefan.

"Something's wrong. He was asking about Michael. He's not with us, Nik. I can sense it," Rebekah declared, her tone filled with unease.
"She's wrong. Klaus..." Stefan attempted to reassure the hybrid but before Stefan could finish his sentence, Klaus's patience reached its limit. With a swift movement, he rushed over to Stefan and snapped his neck, silencing any further protests. Aurora watched in shock as Klaus turned to her, his eyes burning with determination.

"Aurora, love, help me get him in the car please and Rebekah.... gather our siblings." Klaus instructed, his tone unwavering as he laid out their next course of action.
"What? Where are we going?" Aurora wondered
"Back to Mystic Falls," Klaus declared, his voice carrying a sense of urgency that brooked no argument.

"What? Why? I like Chicago," Aurora protested, her frown deepening. Klaus turned to her, his expression serious.
"If what Rebekah is saying is true and something's wrong..." Klaus trailed off, the implication hanging in the air.

"Something is wrong, Nik. He's holding onto something. A piece of his old life. I can sense it," Rebekah explained, her tone grave.
"Then I shall see for myself and you're coming with," Klaus declared, his gaze fixed on Aurora. Aurora rolled her eyes in irritation, but ultimately relented, knowing there was no arguing with Klaus when he had made up his mind. With a resigned sigh, she climbed into the passenger seat of Klaus's car, silently acknowledging their shared journey ahead.

As they arrived at Mystic Falls, after hours of driving there was sudden movement from the backseat, signaling Stefan's awakening. Aurora cast a wary glance over her shoulder, meeting Stefan's pleading gaze.
"Just give me a chance to explain myself, okay?" Stefan implored, his eyes shifting from Aurora to Klaus, a hint of desperation in his voice.
"No need. I'm not mad, I'm just curious, Rebekah seems to think you're holding onto something. A piece of your old life. The thing is, she's got flawless instincts, borderline supernatural. So I thought I would check it out. See for myself what it is you've been hiding." Klaus stated calmly, his gaze meeting Stefan's with a mixture of determination and intrigue. Opening the back of the truck revealed their arrival in Mystic Falls, the familiar surroundings serving as a backdrop to the impending confrontation.

"Welcome back to Mystic Falls, Stefan," Klaus declared, his voice tinged with anticipation as they prepared to confront the secrets that lay hidden in the shadows of their past.