H e a r t O f D a r k n e s s

Elena walked down the stairs into the basement with a bag. Malik joined him since Bonnie made sure that he was not left alone, meaning she asked Elena to keep a close eye on Malik.

So there he was, going after Elena as they approached the Salvatore holding cell where Alaric resided until they managed to figure out how to get the last stake. It turned out that after breaking the spell Stefan tried to bargain with Klaus, giving him most of the stakes for Damon's freedom, but the hybrid realised that he was lying. So he compelled Damon to leave while still hung up, forcing them both to tell the truth...

It turned out everyone gave up their stakes, apart from Ric, because his alter ego hid the stake elsewhere.

So now they were hoping to get the information, but for that they needed his evil self to come out.

" Alaric?" asked Elena as they got to the cell door.

" Yep. Still me."

Elena unlocked the door and entered the cell, while Malik just let out an exasperated sigh but remained silent as Alaric sat up on a cot in the room.

"You know, you shouldn't be in here. It defeats the point of the whole being locked in a cellar thing."

Malik dropped the bag on the ground and spoke up.

"Well, you still need the standard kit. Toothbrush, clothes, some books to help you sleep?"

Alaric picked up one of the books and handed it to them with a small smile.

"Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?"

"What? No, I... Damon" sighed Elena and dropped the book on the floor. "Thinks he's hilarious."

"At least one of us still has a sense of humour" commented Ric and leaned back against the wall.

"Are you sure that you want to be kept in here?"

"I think this is this the right place for me to be. At least until you guys can convince my highly uncooperative alter ego to fess up to where I or he hid the white oak stake."

"We looked everywhere. You... the other you, hid it well" commented Malik with a small smile.

"What's Klaus gonna do if you can't find it?"

"It's the only thing that will kill him, so you know Klaus stuff" answered Elena and she pulled up a chair close to Alaric and sat down. "Listen, Stefan is gonna watch over you for a little while. Now that Klaus knows where Jeremy is, it's not safe so Damon, Malik and I are gonna go to Denver to pick him up."

"Why do you say that like you're waiting for me to disapprove?"

" I don't know. Me and Damon. Traveling across the country... even with Malik there I—"

"I guess I'm more curious to hear what Stefan has to say about it" interrupted Alaric looking at Elena with an amused smile.

"Actually, it was his idea. He thinks that I have some unresolved feelings for Damon" responded Elena slightly rolling her eyes while Malik just watched with amusement.

Alaric just raised an eyebrow and looked at Elena.

"Do you?"

"I guess that's why I'm going on this trip. So I can figure it out."

The drive was quite... interesting. Since Damon knew better than to talk to Malik the conversations were quite restricted and limited.

Damon and Elena couldn't talk about just anything either which seemed to make Elena relieved as she was able to find an excuse not to discuss her thoughts and reasons with the older Salvatore.

Once they arrived they walked along some baseball cages, and while looking around Malik just enjoyed the atmosphere and the excitement until they managed to find Jeremy.

"There he is" announced Elena and they all looked at him, but it wasn't the best moment which made Malik snort. Jeremy swang his bat but missed it.

"Next time we compel him, remind me to make him better at baseball."

Elena just gave a disapproving look and walking closer raised her voice to get her brother's attention.

"Jer!"

"Elena? Malik!" exclaimed the boy seeing his best friend as well, but the moment he noticed Damon he got serious knowing something was up. "What's wrong?"

He exited the cage and after giving a hug to his sister he embraced Malik and the two were really excited. But as they stopped the hug Jeremy kept his hands around Malik's shoulder and looking at Damon and Elena waited for the explanation.

"Katherine sired us, Rose sired Katherine, all we need to do is find out who sired Rose."

"So, you travelled across the country to get me to talk to a dead vampire?"

"Personally I was just excited to see your dashing face" commented Malik looking at Jer, the boy smirked and gently butted heads with him before returning his attention to the other two.

"More or less" commented Damon.

"Well, I can't. I could talk to Anna and Vicki because I knew them. I've never even met Rose."

"What good is you dying and coming back to life if you can't talk to a ghost when I need you to?"

Seeing the dirty look from Malik Damon just rolled his eyes and turned away, seeing that Elena quickly picked up the conversation.

"Rose spent a long time running from Klaus as well. She and Damon were close, so maybe we can use him as a connection."

"Fine, fine, but can we do this later? My friend just got here and yes, Damon, I actually have some. I'll call you when I'm done."

Malik was about to get dramatic but seeing who the person was he froze, realising his big mistake. Elena also turned the moment Jeremy walked away from them and she noticed the approaching person immediately.

" Damon, it's Kol!"

The moment the vampire turned around Kol hit Damon with a wooden baseball bat it broke in half and the younger vampire fell to the ground. Malik immediately pulled Elena back while Jeremy was shocked.

"What are you doing?!"

"Jeremy, get back! He's an Original" warned Malik immediately that shocked the boy further.

"What?"

"No hard feelings, mate. But we're not buds" Kol grabbed an aluminium bat from the bat rack. "You know, I'll never get use to aluminium. But hey, at least it won't break."

Kol swung to hit Damon with the bat, but Damon grabbed it and with his other hand picked up half of the broken wooden bat and stabbed Kol through the chest with it. Kol fell to the ground dead that made Elena and Malik sigh.

"Did you kill him?"

"No, but it'll give us a head start. Okay, come on" ushered Damon and grabbing Elena began to walk away while Malik just gave a smile to Jeremy and the two of them followed.

Once they got into the car Elena began to explain everything that has happened since Jeremy has left Mystic Falls, and the boy was listening but looking at Malik he could clearly see his darkened fingers but it seemed the other couldn't see it. Or didn't comment on it.

Malik noticed Jeremy looking at his hands and looking down he just smiled and pulling out his phone sent a text message stating:

I ' l l   t e l l  y o u  l a t e r

Arriving at the motel they got out and were getting their luggage out of the car and started walking to their motel room when Damon decided to make a smart comment to lighten the mood.

"For the record, she's the one who wanted to stay in a motel, not me."

"So, where are we?" asked Jeremy not wanting to continue the discussion Damon just started.

"Somewhere far where Kol can't find us."

"I can't believe Kol was a vampire."

"Well, didn't you find it weird that you made a friend so fast? Have you met you?"

Elena and Malik just glared at him as they walk up the stairs, and Elena retorted immediately.

"Not helping" they entered their motel room and she turned to her brother. "Well, this should work, right Jer?"

"Yeah, doesn't really matter."

"Alright, what do you need?" asked Damon while he drew the curtains closed. "Candles? Incense? Pottery wheel?"

"That's not how it works" commented malik warningly which made Damon raise his hands in defeat.

"I know, I know. They push from the other side and you pull from this one."

"Alright, you got a picture of her?"

"Picture? What, a trip to Disneyland? Come on Rose, you're not gonna actually make us wait, are you? I know you're obsessed with me."

Elena scoffed, Malik rolled his eyes and sat down next to Jeremy and putting his hand on his spoke gently.

"I can show you an image of her... but we will still need more."

Both boys closed their eyes while the other two watched carefully. They didn't move for a bit then Jeremy furrowed his eyebrows and soon enough opened his eyes. Looking around he began thinking then turning to Damon and Elena spoke.

"Tell me something about her. Something strong and meaningful."

" She spent her last day in paradise" spoke Damon looking ahead thinking back on his last moments with her. "Soaking in the sun and reminiscing about what it means to be human. And when death came, she didn't fear it."

"I was with her on her last day and she definitely wasn't in paradise" commented Elena confused, thinking back of the vampire's bloodlust and illusions and fear.

" It was in the dream he gave her. She's here" announced Jeremy looking at the ghost.

Damon looked around but none of them could see it apart from Jeremy, until Malik began to think and slowly connecting himself to Jeremy he began to see the lines of a person sitting on a bed until it cleared up slowly and she was able to see Rose too. He was surprised but also excited, although this time he remained silent about it, not wanting to change the upcoming conversation.

" Is she lonely on the other side?" asked Elena looking at Jeremy.

"No. I enjoy it. I now have the freedom to do whatever I want."

" She says she's happy."

" Is she still hot?" asked Damon with a cheeky smile.

" Tell him he's still dripping with sex too" Malik and Jeremy both just stared at her with a 'Are you serious?' look. "Fine, tell him I miss him."

" She misses you."

"And tell him I'm rooting for him and Elena."

" She misses both of you" responded Jeremy confused at that comment and looking at Malik the boy just shook his phone for a moment, indicating that they'll talk later about that too.

"Unfortunately, Klaus didn't sire me. It was Mary Porter."

" She was sired by someone named Mary Porter."

"Scary Mary. Well, where is she, Rose?" asked Damon eagerly.

"I didn't keep track of her when I was alive, much less now. Tell them to sit tight, relax. I'll see what I can find out."

Once Rose disappeared, Jeremy informed Damon and Elena to wait until Rose returns, they all nodded and began to get ready to relax after a long and exciting day. Damon left the room to update Stefan on everything that has happened.

"So, what's up with you and Damon?" blurted out Jeremy while him and Malik were lying on the same bed.

"What do you mean? Nothing's up."

"Are you sure about that? Even Rose said something."

"What did she say?" asked Elena immediately but their conversation was interrupted when Damon entered the room suddenly.

" Everything okay in here?"

"Yeah. It's fine."

"Okay, well, I'm gonna freshen up. You might want to get some rest. I'm sure Rose will make herself known when she gets back."

As the dark came around the two boys went to sleep, enjoying whatever peaceful time they got before Rose returned. Sleep however wasn't that easy. They heard the quiet whispers between Damon and Elena but decided to stay out of it as much as they could. Once they left the room Malik opened his eyes and so did Jeremy. Sitting up Malik got on the chair and rubbing his face tried to clear his mind when Jeremy began talking.

"What happened to you?"

Looking at Jeremy the boy was sitting up in the bed and pointed at the warlock's fingers.

"Oh this? Consequence."

"For what?"

"I tried to do the right thing to protect my mother and Bonnie... but as always Damon and Stefan spit in the middle of it. I used very dark magic, used the spirits of the abyss to break the connection between Esther and my ancestors. For nothing. But now I need to ensure I don't use magic until I manage to cleanse myself completely."

"I'm sorry... but how come I can see it but the others don't?"

"I think it has to do with your gift to talk to the dead... you being able to see what is invisible to others is possibly why you can see through this little spell. Bonnie knows but I haven't told anyone else. It's already dangerous that Klaus knows."

"I thought Klaus was smitten by you" commented Jeremy with a small smirk making the warlock roll his eyes.

"It doesn't matter... whatever he has for me is irrelevant in the big picture Jer... If I were to rely on that I could end up dead with everyone else that I love. "

He stopped talking as suddenly Rose appeared in the room. Looking around Rose was surprised for a moment but then she turned to Jeremy.

"I found her, I have the address if you want to write it down."

"Yeah no problem" answered Jeremy and pulled out his phone, putting it down as Rose dictated all information she found. "I'll let Elena and Damon know, I'll be back in a bit."

Jeremy got up and left the room while Malik sat there and watched Rose walk around the room and checking things out she turned back to Malik but noticing his gaze on her she was surprised and looking around for a bit returned to the boy.

"You can see me."

"Yeah, only temporarily of course" added the boy with a smile. "I didn't want anyone to know, I'm not sure how long I can do this without having some side effects... so this Mary."

"She's very old... very, very old" added Rose. "But I'm sure you can talk to her... I have a feeling Damon knows her personally."

"Oh god" sighed the warlock. "I do need to get that out of my head... the vampire gigolo. So you really are happy on the other side?"

"I can go wherever I want, do whatever I want. So yes, I am happy."

"That's interesting..." commented Malik but then put a smile on. "Thank you for doing this."

"You all tried to help me when I had no one, even after all the things I have done. It's the least I can do."

Rose just smiled and disappeared from there, Malik waited till everyone has returned but seeing their faces Jeremy clearly wasn't happy about something, but before he could have explain what happened Elena walked in as well followed by Damon.

Collecting their stuff they've got into the car and they drove to the address. Once they got there they got out of the car and Jeremy confirmed the location for them.

"This is the address."

" Looks about right."

" Wait here" spoke Elena to Jeremy that seemed to rile him up immediately.

" Why? So you guys can make out some more??"

" Don't be a dick. Listen to your sister" added Damon trying to ease the situation but Malik's eyes widened and an amused smile appeared on his face.

Jeremy just scoffed and went back to the car while Malik followed after Elena and Damon.

Walking up to the old house they entered but no lights were available, no candles or torches anywhere in sight. Malik was worried, this wasn't exactly how he imagined it would go. Elena turned on a flashlight and they began to look around.

The room was full of books on the floor and other junk, no matter where they looked it was covered by something.

"Who is this Mary?" asked Malik curiously.

"Scary Mary. She's really old, super creepy."

"And how do you know her?" asked Malik curious but he already had an idea thanks to Rose. This was more of him poking the bear.

"I dated her."

"Of course" scoffed Elena and continued to look around.

"What? I said creepy, not ugly" defended Damon with a small smile, but their idle conversation was interrupted.

A loud noise came from another room. The trio looked at the door where the noise came from, Damon, followed by Elena and Malik went into the room. Elena moved the torch light around the room and the beam landed on a vampire who has been staked to the wall.

"Mary" announced Damon but in that moment the lights come on in the dark room, revealing Kol who was sitting in a chair with a baseball bat.

"Quite contrary" responded Kol and getting up he had a smirk on his face and looking at Mary continued to talk. "Shame. She used to be a blast. Don't really know what happened. I fear all the time she spent with my family might have ruined her. She was a bit of an Original groupie."

"And were you her favourite?" enquired Elena, hoping to find out the truth of the bloodline.

"You mean, did I turn her? I think I did. But wait, maybe it was Rebekah. There was also a Klaus period. And let's not forget the Elijah affair. I spoke to my brother, I know you're trying to find out who you descended from. Now you never will. So, where did we leave off?"

Kol hit Damon's leg with the baseball bat, forcing him on the ground and continued to hit him. Malik immediately stood in front of Elena in a protective manner but did not use magic to stop Kol. Not yet.

"Elena, Malik get out of here!"

The two of them ran for the door, but Kol rushed over and blocked their way.

"According to my brother, you're off limits. Please don't test me..." Kol threw Elena to the ground then turned his attention towards Malik in front of him. "Hello darling"

Damon seeing Elena being somewhat hurt got up and rushed towards Kol.

"Don't touch her" threatened Damon but he was thrown away easily, and it seemed to amuse the Original even more.

"Oh, I've hit a nerve. Relax darling, I just want us to be even. You snapped my neck, you killed my brother, and then you humiliated me" he hit Damon repeatedly, breaking his legs and arms, then straightened himself and looking at Malik and Elena continued. "There, now we're even."

Kol began to walk out but as he looked at Malik he rushed out and pulled the warlock with him, only letting him go once they were outside. Stepping away from him Malik was alarmed but did not attack the vampire, just kept his eyes on him.

"I doubt my siblings have realised your true nature" spoke Kol with a smile. "If only they would have known..."

"My true nature" scoffed the boy and a smile appeared on his face.

"Yes, the fact that you're not actually using the shadow spell, at least not anymore. You are able to travel. I recognised what you have done the night my mother tried to kill us all. And I see the consequences are still going strong."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're good, but not good enough of a liar. It's not in your nature. It's quite simple really" responded the vampire and began walking closer. "I found it weird you didn't use your magic, not once to stop me. And I realised... the darkness is still tempting you."

"Okay, even if what you're saying is true... what do you want?"

"I can help you. Come with me, and I will show you magic you could ever dream of. We can be who we want to be without our siblings or Mystic Falls or all of that!"

Crazy as it sounded Malik was tempted. Looking at Kol's hand he actually thought about it.

He could bee free, not having to worry about everything in Mystic Falls: new threats, new enemies, being used. He could put all of this behind him.

Just be Malik.

"I'm sorry" responded the boy and stepping closer gently grabbed Kol's hand. "I cannot just turn my back on them... as ridiculous as it sounds they need me. My sister needs me. If I leave, everything will fall on her and I cannot let that happen."

"You will regret it" tried Kol again stepping closer, holding onto the boy's hands tighter while looking into his eyes.

"Yes... but for now I will need to keep an eye on them, so I'd need to postpone this offer until I'm certain they'll be fine."

"My offer stands, even if it's not now" spoke the original with a smile. "If you ever need me to just take you away, you let me know."

Kol disappeared suddenly, all Malik was left with was a piece of paper with a phone number on it. The warlock just smiled and turning around walked back into the house.

As he did so he heard faint voices, it sounded like Damon and Elena. Getting closer the voices became clearer and louder by the minute.

" Or maybe you were hoping I'd screw it up, so I could just make the decision for you, am I wrong?"

"It's what you do, Damon. You sabotage things, I mean, think about it, every time there's a bump in the road, you lash out."

"What if I didn't? What if there was no bump?" there was a moment of silence and Malik just stood there at the door regretting ever approaching them. "I'm sorry, Elena. This time I'm not gonna make it so easy for you. This time you'll have to figure it out for yourself."

Damon walked out of the room, not even caring hat Maliks stood there, Elena just shook her head and let out a sigh.

"I feel like I should have stayed with Kol at this point..." commented Malik, making Elena realise the boy witnessed the whole conversation. Slightly traumatized.

The carried back home was very quiet. Jeremy and Malik sat in the back quietly, Elena and Damon at the front, but no one talked. Jeremy was still upset about being left in the car not to mention his sister made out with Damon Salvatore. As they were in that car drive suddenly Rose appeared between the boys and spoke gently.

"Are we there yet?" came the joke but she quickly realised none of them were in the mood, although Malik's slight smirk gave her justification. "Don't tell them I'm here. They had a fight. I know you want to protect her from him. But you don't see what I see. It's not just that she makes him a better person, he changes her too. Damon challenges her, surprises her, he makes her question her life, beliefs. Stefan is different, his love is pure, he'll always be good for her. Damon is either the best thing for her or the worst."

Malik just nodded gently taking in everything Rose just said, then turned his face to look outside and consider everything that just happened. After the long drive back Malik was excited to get into his house.

Bonnie wasn't there, and their dad was still away. But for some reason he was okay with it. He got his keys out and unlocked the door when a voice came not far from behind him.

"How was the weather in Denver?"

Malik scoffed but a small smile appeared on his face and turning to the side saw Klaus sitting in the porch chair with a smug expression.

"Unpredictable" sassed the boy and moving away from the door leaned against the wall and looked at Klaus. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought I might let you know that we managed to convince the alter ego to come out... Stefan was quite brutal to tell you the truth. Poor Alaric."

"I have a feeling you're going with this somewhere."

"Stefan told me about the consequences of the death of an original. Did you know?"

"I suspected it" admitted the boy and walking closer sat in the chair next to Klaus. "Your mother is very careful with her words. She said to us she wanted to undo the evil she created. I realised that killing the originals alone would not be enough... if she really wanted to bring back the balance of her actions, that would mean she would have to kill every single vampire."

"You don't seem to be enthusiastic about this."

"My mother is a vampire now" explained Malik. "And so is Caroline. It doesn't matter which one of you sired their bloodline, I'm not ready to be part of a genocide."

"I'm surprised to hear that" admitted Klaus. " I thought you were ready to get rid of us all."

"I was at the start... but it all changed after Finn died. It's selfish of me, but... not all vampires are bad. It ultimately comes down to the person. And I've come to accept that."

Malik got up from the chair and began to walk to the door. He wasn't sure what took over him but turning to Klaus just looked at him and spoke gently.

"Would you like to come in?"

Klaus was taken aback. He didn't have any comments to that, he just got up with a big smile on his face and after a nod followed the boy. Walking inside he looked around carefully while the boy walked to the kitchen.

"You have to excuse me, I'm not sure I can offer you a lot. My dad has gone away a while ago on a business trip and Bonnie... well you know where she is."

"Oh yes, helping your not brother to cope with the disappearance of your mother."

"Your snarky comments are not exactly appreciated" retorted Malik and looking around in the cupboards changed the subject. "We do have some whisky here... or I can offer you tea?"

"Whiskey might be more appropriate" commented Klaus and sat down on the sofa and getting comfortable looked at the boy. "I have to say I'm quite surprised you invited me in."

"Today has been a weird day" responded Malik with a shrug and continued to prepare the drinks.

"Why is that?" asked Klaus looking at the boy and accepted the glass of whiskey.

"Your brother made an offer" explained Malik and sat down opposite Klaus with his tea. "To go away and put everything behind me. Not gonna lie, I was tempted."

"Yet you came back."

"Well, you know. If I leave, what will happen to you all?" joked the warlock and looking away continued quietly. "Besides I feel like I can't leave."

"Can't? Or won't?"

"The line is so thin" mused Malik and leaning back looked up. "Last time we talked about what I wanted with my life I didn't have an answer. Today I realised I do not have an answer because I don't know if I can have what I want. Not with everything going on."

"You have the power to be however you want to be..." spoke Klaus gently and leaned closer. "Yet you waste yourself in a small town like this."

"Not all of us has the liberty to do whatever we want" retorted Malik and got up. "I have my life here, my friends. I can't just pack up and leave."

"Maybe you should"

"Perhaps" commented Malik and tilted his head. "But what would you do if something happened to your siblings?"

Klaus got up from the sofa and finishing his drink began to leave but as he got to the door he opened it but turned to Malik one last time.

"You should live for yourself. Not sacrifice everything for others"

Before the warlock could have responded the doorclosed and the hybrid disappeared from there.