NARRATOR: Previously on The Vampire Diaries:
Three sleeping Originals, four coffins.
Who is in the lockbox?
(GASPS)
STEFAN: Coffin's open. -Mother.
ELENA: It's an invitation. "I think it's time we finally meet."
Damon won't let me near her without protection.
What do you need me to do?
-Hurry up. -We upset the balance of nature...
...by turning my children into vampires.
It's my duty to kill them.
-So it's true? She's forgiven Klaus? -It's true.
If I hadn't asked Stefan, you'd have ruined everything.
-I'm sorry for trying to keep you alive. -You're mad at me for including Stefan?
-I'm mad because I love you. -That's the problem.
ALARIC: Where's Damon? ELENA: Being self-destructive.
I said something I didn't mean.
Did you really not feel anything?
If I let myself care, all I feel is pain.
(CELL PHONE BUZZING)
(PHONE LINE RINGING)
ELENA: Stefan, hey, um, it's me.
I really have to talk to you. Please call me back.
(RINGING)
-What? -Hey, I called you 10 times last night.
We need to talk.
Sorry, I've been busy.
If you're mad at me, Damon, you need to get over it.
Oh, I'm over it.
(SIGHS)
So let's not make a big deal out of this.
My thoughts exactly.
Besides, I expect you'll come calling soon enough.
Let's not hold our breath.
Did you stop taking your Vervain?
-You think Rebekah had to compel me? -What's wrong with you?
She tried to kill me less than 48 hours ago.
Can't we just move past that, Elena?
ELENA: So is that how it's gonna be now?
I hurt your feelings and this is how you lash out at me?
Well, maybe for once, something I did had nothing to do with you.
You should know...
...that Esther's planning on killing her entire family.
She's linked them together with a spell. Whatever happens to one happens to all.
That's great. Klaus will finally be dead. We win.
Why do you look like someone just shot a panda bear?
Because to kill Klaus, she has to kill all of them...
...including Elijah, and he doesn't deserve this.
-I'm supposed to care about Elijah? -Shouldn't you care about Rebekah?
Two seconds ago, you were pissed that she attacked you. It's a win-win.
-Don't do anything to screw this up. -Why are you doing this?
He's right, you know. Klaus has to die. They all do.
See? It's democracy in action.
KOL: Well, well, well. There's our girl.
-Get out of my way, Kol. -Out all night. What a scandal.
I trust you did better than that commoner. Matt, was it?
If you don't shut your mouth, the next thing to come out of it will be your teeth.
-Don't start, Nik. -I didn't say anything.
I'm bored. Ah. Our sister is a strumpet.
But at least she's having fun.
-I need entertainment. -What are you waiting for? Have at it.
It's no fun to go alone. Join me, Nik.
It's the least you could do after sticking a dagger in my heart.
Okay. Why not?
I didn't have enough to drink last night with you trying to murder her date.
Go, this house has enough men rolling around in it.
Just like you, Bekah.
Good riddance, both of you.
ELIJAH: Rebekah.
Not you too, Elijah.
I'm worried about Mother.
Have you not noticed her strange behavior?
She's been dead for a thousand years. What's strange for her?
Burned sage.
She was doing a privacy spell.
You know she fancies such things.
-Ask Finn, he's been doting on her. -I don't trust Finn.
-He hates what we are, he always has. -That's not true.
And as for Mother, she'll return for one reason:
To make her family whole.
She loves us. What trouble are you looking to find?
ELENA: He was gloating, like actual gloat.
Like he was proud of himself for sleeping with her.
Is it working?
It's not working. I can hear every word...
...about Damon the vampire gigolo.
I don't know. It's a tricky spell.
When Esther did it, she kept the sage burning.
There was a lot more smoke.
All right. Try it again.
(SIGHS)
Speaking of Esther...
...you should know she came to see me and Abby this morning.
And all this time you let me vent about Damon?
-I don't want you to worry. -Okay, well, what did she want?
She wanted to introduce herself.
Abby and I helped bring her back.
She's channeling our entire ancestral bloodline for power.
-She thought she was being polite. -Okay, well, is there a way...
...to stop her from channeling you?
Even if there was, why would I want that?
I just keep thinking...
...before the sun and the moon ritual, Elijah found a way to keep me alive.
And now I'm in the exact same position and I'm just gonna let him die?
It just doesn't feel right.
(DOOR OPENS)
Okay, first of all, this privacy spell is totally not working.
Second, Elena, you are not doing this. Esther is doing this.
BONNIE: There's no time to change your mind.
-He'll be dead by the end of the night. -What?
It's a full moon.
Esther needs to harness the energy of a celestial event.
She asked me and Abby to join her.
Join me for a little victory drink?
We should wait until Klaus is dead.
Why are you so extra-broody? Didn't you see the way we stood up to Elena?
I like you on my team. Must have driven her nuts.
You still think she's gonna screw this up, don't you?
Somebody needs to talk to her. She's not gonna listen to anything I say.
-Is it because of your sleepover? -Not my fault she got jealous.
Well, given who you chose to sleep with, I would say it's 100 percent your fault.
Whatever. I did you a favor. Now you can come in and sweep her off her feet.
Nah, she's better off without me.
Sure as hell better off without you.
Fine. Neither one of us gets her.
Just make sure she doesn't screw up Esther's plan.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
-Elena. -Elijah.
I don't mean to intrude.
I was hoping you might accompany me.
I wanna show you something.
-Forgot how much I missed this land. -Can't even imagine...
...what it must have been like 1000 years ago.
You know your school was built over an Indian village?
Where I saw my first werewolf.
The town square was where the natives would gather to worship.
Matter of fact, near that there was a field...
...where wild horses used to graze.
-That's incredible. -Hmm.
Come.
-Do you know this place too? -I do.
Below us is a cavern I used to play in as a boy.
Connects to a system of tunnels that stretch across the entire area.
Nature's way of providing us with shelter...
...against the savagery of the full moon.
My mother said there must be a balance.
Elijah, I should probably go home.
I admire you, Elena. You remind me of qualities I valued...
...long before my mother turned us.
It's not in your nature to be deceitful and yet...
...when I asked about your meeting with my mother...
...you lied to my face.
It's not true. I told you that all your mother wanted was a new start.
I can hear your heartbeat.
It jumps when you're dishonest. You lied at the ball, you are lying now.
Tell me the truth.
-I never wanted this to happen. -What, Elena?
We were told that whatever was gonna be in that coffin was gonna kill Klaus.
When we found out that it was your mother, we didn't know what to think.
Since her return, she said she wants this family whole again.
When she asked to see me...
...I thought that maybe she could help.
That she would find a way to kill Klaus.
It's not just Klaus that she wants to kill.
She wants to kill us all, doesn't she?
She wants to undo the evil she created.
I'm so sorry, Elijah.
I wish there was something I could do to help.
You know, one thing I've learned in my time on this earth...
...be careful what you wish for.
(CELL PHONE BEEPING)
ALARIC: I haven't seen Elena since this morning.
She's not answering her phone.
Well, I'm surprised you have time to call with all this Original sex you have.
-She told you? -Oh, she told me.
Really? Did she tell you she's having an attack of conscience...
-...about this Original murder thing? -I'm not gonna judge her for that.
You don't have to judge her. Lock her in a room till this is over.
Well, I wouldn't if I could and I can't because I'm busy.
-Busy doing what? -Don't worry about it.
Are you with the sexy psycho doctor?
Goodbye, Damon.
Sorry about that.
Does he still think I'm a serial killer?
He's a little judgmental.
(CHUCKLES)
Speaking of....
Your x-rays were inconclusive.
Your knife wound was already semi-healed.
It's impossible to tell anything about who stabbed you.
Short, tall, left-handed, right-handed, no clue.
What about my head? Why can't I remember the attack?
Your CT scans were clear.
Maybe you were compelled to forget.
Wait. You think the killer is a--?
A vampire.
There are no other suspects. It's the obvious conclusion.
Oh, come on, now. Let's not go blaming the new family in town...
...just because you lot have got yourselves a killer at large.
Don't mind us.
My brother and I are just here to let off some steam. Right, Kol?
Right.
-Who's the creepy lurky guy? -That's Esther's son, Finn.
And he's a vampire, so....
I wonder what your grams thinks about the part we're playing...
-...in this balance of nature stuff. -Probably on the other side...
...screaming about getting involved with vampire business.
Yeah.
ESTHER: Bennett witches, thank you for coming.
I can think of no better allies than the woman who sent Mikael to sleep...
...and the girl who fought Niklaus so bravely.
Why exactly did you invite us here?
You are the descendants of the witch Ayana. She was a mentor of mine...
...and it's fitting that I draw from her bloodline.
So are you channeling our ancestors?
I draw from the entirety of the Bennett bloodline, living and dead.
The connection affords me great power, although it is difficult to maintain.
Which is why I require you, mother and daughter...
...the bloodline made manifest.
Tonight, my sisters...
...we shall bring peace to the spirits of nature we serve.
And for that, I thank you.
(PANTING)
Going somewhere?
-What are you doing here? -Not much.
Unless you try to run...
...in which case I get to kill you.
I can't find her anywhere.
ELIJAH: Hello, Stefan.
-He has Elena. -Actually, she's with Rebekah.
As you can imagine, my sister is just dying to tear her throat out.
So if you want to save Elena's life, I need you to help me stop my mother.
I'm embarrassed to admit, but when it comes to killing...
...1000-year-old resurrected witches, I'm a little rusty.
Yes, unfortunately, even when killed, my mother doesn't want to stay dead.
Not with the spirits of nature at her side.
-So, what are we supposed to do? -The witches that released my mother.
She's drawing her power from their bloodline. That line needs to be broken.
Broken?
Yeah, he means:
-You want us to kill them. -You know I'd do it myself...
...but I have absolutely no idea where they are.
Seeing me, they'd immediately know my intent.
They won't expect to be harmed by the likes of you. In any case...
...you have until six minutes after 9 to find them.
Oh, how super-specific of you.
By 9:07 the moon will be full and my mother will have the power she needs.
If you do not stop her before then...
...Rebekah will kill Elena.
So we all have our timeline.
I suggest you get started.
REBEKAH: All right, love, now look into the camera.
What are you doing?
Shooting a picture to inspire your boyfriends.
Tell them how delightful it is being stuck in a hole with your biggest fan.
I guess you think I had this coming, huh?
After what I did to you.
You know, I don't know what I want more, to find out we're saved...
...or to find out it's all right to kill you.
This isn't my fault.
I wanted to get rid of Klaus. At one point, so did you.
I didn't know your mom was planning on killing you.
Do you think I wanna spend what could be the last hours of my life...
...having chitchat with a girl who literally stabbed me in the back?
Of course not.
But for some reason everybody wants to bend over backwards to save your life.
Which is incredibly annoying, but makes you the perfect hostage.
So why don't you sit down and shut up...
...before I ruin everything by ripping your head off.
DAMON: Clock's ticking.
You gonna help me brainstorm a plan or are you too busy fixing a snack?
We need to call Bonnie.
There's gotta be a way for her to stop Esther from channeling that power.
A, what if she's with Esther?
B, what if she can't cut her off? C, I don't know how any of this works.
-D, neither do you. -Got a better plan?
Worst-case scenario, simple mechanics. Can't draw power from a dead battery.
-Kill them. -If it comes to that.
There's gotta be another way.
Well, what if I told you I had a less diabolical plan?
-You wanna dagger Elijah. -They're all linked.
One goes down, they all go down. The witches live.
Elena's safe. Problem solved.
-Don't know how that will affect Klaus. -Klaus isn't our current problem.
The dagger's lethal to any vampire who uses it.
Well, I just so happen to know someone crazy enough to give it a shot.
Yeah, no, they're still here.
They've, uh, drank their way through half the Grill's liquor supply.
Good. It'll be easier if they're wasted.
-So, what's the plan? DAMON: Divide and conquer.
First we'll need a little blond distraction.
I remember her from last night.
She looks like a tasty little thing.
Say another word and I'll tear out your liver.
-Caroline. -Oh, it's you.
Join us for a drink?
Hmm, I'd rather die of thirst. But thanks.
Isn't she stunning?
She certainly looks good walking away from you.
I'll take that as a challenge.
(HORN HONKS)
-Caroline. -Are you serious?
Take a hint.
Don't be angry, love. We had a little spat.
-I'm over it already. -Oh, well, I'm not.
How can I acquit myself?
(CAROLINE SIGHS)
You and your expensive jewelry and your romantic drawings...
...can leave me alone.
Oh, come on. Take a chance, Caroline.
Talk to me.
Come on, get to know me.
I dare you.
Fine.
-So, what do you want to talk about? -I wanna talk about you.
(CHUCKLES)
Your hopes, your dreams. Everything you want in life.
(LAUGHS)
Just to be clear, I'm too smart to be seduced by you.
Well, that's why I like you.
ESTHER: The pentagram represents our connection to magic.
The salt is a symbol of the earth.
BONNIE: And the torches? ESTHER: Five torches.
One for each of my children.
What's the spell you're doing?
As the witch who cast the spell that made them vampires...
...I can also reverse it.
When they become human again, they can be killed.
As they are linked as one, my brave Finn will be the sacrifice.
With his death will come theirs.
And you're just willing to die?
My mother's releasing me from an eternity of shame.
It's not a sacrifice, it's a gift.
A woman of your caliber ought to choose more suitable company.
-What's your name, love? -None of your business.
-Let's try that again. I'll start. I'm Kol. -Why don't you get lost, Kol?
And why would I do that?
I like pretty little things with sharp tongues.
Pretty sure she told you to get lost.
Pretty sure I don't care.
(GRUNTS)
Next time, take a hint.
(GASPS)
Something's wrong.
What is it?
-What did you do? -Nothing.
-What did you do? -I didn't do anything. Stop it.
Kol.
ALARIC: Here. Grab him.
Tell the sexy doctor good work.
(GRUNTING)
I should have killed you months ago.
Do it. It's not gonna stop Esther from killing you.
What did you say about my mother?
You didn't know I was friends with your mommy?
We have a lot in common. She hates you as much as I do.
ELIJAH: Leave him.
We still need him, Niklaus.
What did Mother do?
What did she do, Elijah?
You tell me where the witches are or I'll have my sister kill Elena right now.
You told me we had until after 9.
I'm sure Rebekah would be more than happy to start her work early.
(PANTING)
REBEKAH: You can't hide, Elena.
Not sure why I'm feeling under the weather.
Must be your boys trying to find a loophole.
Won't matter. I could chase you down on my worst day.
-Boo. -Unh!
You little bitch.
What is this?
Sorry.
No vampires allowed.
-No, no, no. ALARIC: Ugh.
Elena's still out there. I need to find her.
Shut up. Stay seated. You might have a concussion.
So this is your place, huh? Kind of a slob.
-Housekeeping is not high on my list. -I see that.
Look at me.
Pupillary response is normal.
(GROANS)
You might have a broken rib.
(SIGHS)
That kind of sucks. Getting my ass kicked on a date.
That's what you get, picking fights with guys 30 times your age.
(ALARIC CHUCKLES)
Rest. Damon and Stefan are gonna take care of Elena.
I am going to take care of you.
Do we know they'll be at the witch house?
We don't.
If they're not, we have 10 minutes until Rebekah tears Elena apart.
If we sit this out, Esther completes her spell, Klaus dies.
You get your revenge. It's what you wanted the whole time.
-The only collateral damage is.... -Elena.
You know what she'd choose.
She'd let herself be killed to save a friend.
Yup.
-If we do this, it'll wreck her. -Oh, she'll hate us.
Thing is, she only has to hate one of us. Only one of us has to do the actual deed.
Hmm.
So who's it gonna be, brother?
Well....
Heads I do it, tails you do it.
Awful lot of effort for someone who pretends not to care about her anymore.
Pot, kettle, brother.
REBEKAH: Elena?
Let's pick it up where we left off.
(GASPS)
-What are you doing? -Thought I'd shake things up a bit.
Are you insane?
I prefer "spontaneous."
That's probably why Damon likes me so much.
Here's what's gonna happen.
You're gonna come outside.
Or you're gonna stay in there and burn.
REBEKAH: The next match is landing on you.
So, Elena, how does it feel to know that these may be your last moments?
ELENA: I don't know, you tell me.
You're the one whose mother is trying to kill you.
You should be very careful what you say to me.
You're still wearing her necklace.
Do you want it? Is that your last request?
Here, it's all yours.
She's not doing this because she hates you, Rebekah.
She told me that she just doesn't have another choice.
Spare me your pity, Elena. We're not girlfriends.
You want me to prove it? Just say the word.
-You're not gonna do it. -And why is that?
Because there's still a chance that you might be alive tomorrow.
And if that's the case and you kill me now...
...you'll have used up all of your revenge. Wasted it.
And isn't that what you want? Revenge?
Because I pretended to like you and then I stuck a dagger in your back.
I mean, that's why you slept with Damon, isn't it?
That's why you're tormenting me. Because I hurt your feelings.
The tough act doesn't suit you.
I never said I was tough.
But we both know I'm right.
They're coming, Mother.
No. It's too soon. The moon is not high enough. Go, quickly.
-My sons. Come forward. -Stay beside me.
It's okay. They can't enter.
That's lovely. We're stuck out here...
...while the favorite son plays sacrificial lamb.
How pathetic you are, Finn.
Be quiet, Kol. Your brother knows virtue you cannot even imagine.
Whatever you think of us, killing your own children would be an atrocity.
My only regret is that I did not let you die a thousand years ago.
Enough. All this talk is boring me.
End this now, Mother, or I'll send you back to hell.
For a thousand years I've been forced to watch you.
I felt the pain of every victim, suffered while you shed blood.
Even you, Elijah, with your claim to nobility, you're no better.
All of you, you're a curse on this earth...
...stretched out over generations.
If you've come to plead for your life...
...I'm sorry, you have wasted your time.
This place has some serious vibe in it.
The witch spirits will protect us, but we should get into the basement.
(CREAKING NEARBY)
Abby?
Stefan, what's going on?
They took Elena. They're gonna kill her unless we stop Esther.
Oh, God, Stefan, I can't stop her. She's channeling us.
Bonnie, if you can't stop her...
...I have to find another way.
Don't.
Stefan, no.
What are you gonna do? Even if you kill us...
...Esther is channeling every witch in our ancestry, living and dead.
Esther's drawing from the witches and the only way to cut her off...
...is if one of you is no longer a witch.
(ABBY GASPS)
This will only hurt a second.
No. Sisters, do not abandon me.
FINN: Mother!
REBEKAH: You can come out now.
Seems your boys took care of the problem.
How did they do that?
Damon turned your witch friend's mother into a vampire.
-What? -Quite clever, actually.
They needed to sever the witch line and, well, you can't be a witch and a vampire.
In any case, you're free to go.
Oh, and, uh, by the way, you were right.
I do prefer taking my time, watching you suffer.
Much more satisfying.
CAROLINE: She doesn't wanna see you.
Please just let me talk to her.
Abby's in transition. It's gonna be really hard over the next few days.
And if Bonnie needs some time to deal, then I think you should give it to her.
She's always been there for me, Caroline.
Please let me just be there for her too.
(SIGHS)
I'm sorry, Elena.
I know that you wanna help, but put yourself in her shoes.
Everything that happened tonight was to save you.
And that's okay, because she loves you so much.
But somehow she's always the one who gets hurt.
You're right.
I just....
Just tell her that I love her, okay?
Of course I will.
Is she safe?
Elijah kept his word. Rebekah let her go.
Good. All's right in the world again.
I lost that coin toss, Damon.
It should have been me that turned Abby.
-Why'd you do it? -Because I'm not blind.
I see what's been going on around here.
You're hanging by a thread. Barely over your last Ripper-binge...
...and all you want is to be the old Stefan again.
That part of me is gone for good.
Oh yeah? How long has it been since you had a drop of human blood?
How'd you know?
You spend 146 years with someone, you kind of start to pick up on their tells.
Answer the question. How long's it been since your last drink?
Since the night I threatened to drive Elena off of Wickery Bridge.
See? You have enough to feel guilty about.
Why add to the list?
By the way, you're welcome.
You're not fooling anyone either. You still love her, Damon.
I do.
I thought I could win her from you fair and square.
She didn't want me.
It's for the best. I'm better at being the bad guy, anyway.
ELIJAH: Elena. Today I did things I abhor to protect the one thing I value most:
My family.
If anyone can understand that, it's you.
Your compassion is a gift, Elena.
Carry it with you, as I will carry my regret, always and forever.
Elijah.
-Where the bloody hell is everyone? ELIJAH: It's over, Rebekah.
Where's Mother?
We have no mother, only Esther. And Esther was right.
-What do you mean? -All my talk of virtue...
...when it suits my needs, I kill, maim, and torment.
Even today, I terrorized an innocent.
Elena is hardly innocent.
And I used your hatred of her to get what I wanted.
Wielded you like I would a sword.
My sister.
You did it to protect us, Elijah, and rightly so.
We deserve to live. We're better than they are.
Are we?
Mother made us vampires.
She didn't make us monsters. We did that to ourselves.
I thought you'd have gone by now. Elijah's leaving.
Kol has fled. Esther and Finn are gone too.
I hated you when I learned you killed our mother.
I realize now that after a thousand years as a family...
...you're the only one who never left me.
Well, aren't we a pair?
There's something you need to see.
Come to brag about your skills as a torturer?
Look at the images on the wall behind Elena.
The natives told the story of our history. Look at the images on the far wall.
What is it?
A native worshipping at the great white oak tree.
And we burned that tree to the ground.
Look at the markings that precede it. That's the native calendar.
This can't be right.
A white oak tree 300 years after we fled back to the Old World.
There must have been a sapling, a new tree to replace the old.
That tree could kill us. It's not over, Nik.
(ROANING)
(GUN COCKS)
You weren't supposed to see that.
(GUN SHOT) supposed to see that.