Chapter 25: The Originals

4x20

New Orleans French Quarter

Klaus sits at the woman's table with Ophira standing next to him.

"Good afternoon. Time for one more?" He asks." have nothing to say to you.""Oh, now that's not very amiable, is it? You don't even know me.""I know what you are. Half-vampire, half-beast. You're the hybrid." Klaus smiles"Actually he's the Original hybrid long story.""And your the Last Hightower witch." She says pointing to Ophira. Ophira smirks. "I'm looking for someone-- a witch. Perhaps you might be able to help me find her. Jane-Anne Deveraux."

The woman visibly reacts to the name.

"Sorry. I don't know." Klaus leans toward her."Well, now that's a fib, isn't it?" Klaus takes the woman's hand on the table, smiling. "Now, you see, I know that you're a true witch amongst this sea of poseurs, so enough with the fabrications. I've quite a temper."

Agnes withdraws her hand.

"Witches don't talk outta school in the Quarter. The vampire won't allow it. Those are the rules. I don't break Marcel's rules.""Excuse me? who does this vampire think he is?" Ophira exclaims in shock and disgust. "Marcel's rules? Where do you suppose I might find Marcel?"

Klaus and Ophira enters a bar where Marcel is performing karaoke on stage. Marcel finishes the song.

Into the microphone, "Thank you." Marcel says.

Marcel jumps down from the stage to applause and joins a few companions, who hand him a drink.

"You killed it, man." A companion  

Sensing Klaus, Marcel pauses before looking over at him. Marcel's companions notice the sudden tension.

"Klaus.""Marcel.""Must be a hundred years since that nasty business with your papa.""Has it been that long?"

Klaus and Marcel start to approach one another slowly. Ophira was ready to blow this Marcel's head off.

"The way I recall it, he ran you outta town. Left a trail of dead vampires in his wake.""And yet how fortunate you managed to survive. My father, I'm afraid, I recently incinerated to dust."

Klaus' aggressive tone alerts Marcel's companions to stand and ready themselves for a confrontation. It turns out there are much more than just a few of them, as half the restaurant gets on its feet.

"Well, if I'd known you were coming back in town, if I had a heads-up--""What, Marcel? What would you have done?"

Klaus and Marcel are nose to nose, the tension thick. Marcel pauses before answering.

"I'd have thrown you a damn parade."

Marcel's face breaks into a wide grin and he laughs, which Klaus returns and they embrace like long-lost brothers. Marcel draws back and places his hands on either side of Klaus' neck.

"Niklaus Mikaelson. My mentor, my savior, my sire. Let's get you a drink."

In another room a few minutes later, Marcel chuckles and joins Klaus at a small private table, though they are accompanied by a few of Marcel's companions. Marcel pours drinks for Klaus and himself.

"It is good to see you.""It's good to be home. Although please tell me the current state of Bourbon Street is not your doing." Marcel chuckles."Something's gotta draw in the out-of-towners, otherwise we'd all go hungry." Klaus peers at one of the guys flanking the doorway of the room."I see your friends are daywalkers.""Yeah, yeah, I shared the secret of your daylight ring with a few buddies. Just the inner circle, though-- the family.""Tell me: how did you find a witch willing to make daylight rings?""I got the witches around here wrapped around my finger."

Klaus chuckles and Ophira glares at Marcel. Marcel looks at her and says, "An adorable little witch you rolls with Klaus and hates vampires, you must be Ophira, the last Hightower witch."

The vampires around Marcel back away from her in fear."Some people who know when to fear and respect, how refreshing. I am Ophira Hightower, though I have a bit of a problem about how you treat witches in this city." "You have fire, I have a witch friend you would like.""Speaking of witches, I'm looking for a witch by the name of Jane-Anne Deveraux. Has some business with me."

Marcel makes eye contact with one of his cohorts.

"You're looking for Jane-Anne? You probably oughta come with me." He stands and laughs. "Ha-ha, showtime!"

Out on a street at night, a crowd of people begins to form; vampires walk along rooftops and jump on cars, setting off alarms. A large group follows Marcel, Ophira and Klaus.

"Oh, how's your family?""Those who live hate me more than ever.""Ah, forget 'em. If your blood relations let you down, you make your own, eh? You taught me that. And what's mine is yours, as always. Even my nightwalkers, the riff-raff."

Marcel indicates the vampires walking along and jumping from the rooftop, then grabs a branch off a tree they pass.

"They're hardly subtle, are they?" Ophira comments."It's the Quarter. Ain't no such thing as subtle, little witch.""Only Klaus can call we that."

Marcel whistles with his fingers and the crowd cheers. One vampire brings forward Jane-Anne, whose wrists are bound with rope in front of her.

"Jane-Anne Deveraux! Give it up for Jane-Anne! Come on, let's hear it! Jane-Anne Deveraux, you have been accused of the practice of witchcraft beyond the bounds of the rules set forth, and enforced, by me. How do you plead?" He turns abruptly and walks over to Klaus. "Was that convincing? I studied law back in the '50s. Hold that thought." He returns to Jane-Anne. "Seriously Jane, tick-tock. You know the drill. How do you plead?""I didn't do anything." The crowd laughs quietly."Mm, that's a lie. You know it, I know it, and you hate that I know it. It drives you witches crazy that I'm aware of your every move. That you can't do magic in this town without getting caught. So, why don't we just cut to the chase, huh? You tell me what magic you're brewing. I mean, tell me. I'll grant you leniency. Hey, I am, after all, a merciful man."

Klaus and the crowd observe in utter silence. Jane-Anne scoffs, a disgusted look on her face.

"Rot in hell, monster." Shocked murmuring rumbles through the crowd. Marcel smiles."I'll tell you what. I'll give you one more chance..."

Marcel starts to walk away. Suddenly, he swings the branch he's been holding so fast that it slices open Jane-Anne neck. She immediately begins to gag.

"Or not."Ophira was shocked she turned her face into Klaus' torso, he hugged her.

Jane-Anne falls to the ground and the crowd cheers. Klaus stares at her body, looking displeased. He approaches Marcel and grabs his shoulder to turn him round.

"What was that?""Hey. Come walk with me. The witches aren't allowed to do magic here-- she broke the rules.""I told you I wanted to talk to her.""Hey, I'm sorry. I got caught up in the show. Those witches, they think that they still have power in this town. I have to show them that they don't. I never waste an opportunity for a show of force, another lesson that I learned from you. And besides, anything that you could've gotten outta her, I can find out for you, and I will. I promise."

Klaus considers him for a few moments.

"Well, whatever it was, doesn't matter anymore, does it?"

He smiles, and Marcel smiles back.

"Good, good. Then let's eat, 'cause all that spilled blood makes me hungry, ha-ha!"

Marcel walks off. Klaus hangs back to confront one of Marcel's men walking by, stopping him with a hand on the man's chest.

"Hey, Thierry, isn't it? Any more Deveraux witches where she came from?"

Sophie is chopping vegetables at the restaurant, clearly upset. She turns around and is startled to see Klaus and Ophira standing there.

"You're Klaus and the Hightower witch.""We are. And you're upset. Sophie, isn't it? I assume this is because of what I just witnessed with your sister on the corner of Royal and St. Ann?""Did you enjoy the show?""It was a little melodramatic for my tastes. What did your sister want with me? Why did Marcel kill her?""It was pathetic and wrong," Ophira muttered to herself.

Sophie opens her mouth to speak but then notices a few men arriving at the bar.

"I see you brought friends."

Klaus turns and looks at the men, then back to Sophie.

"They're not with me.""They're with Marcel. That's all that matters. I know you built this town, but this is his town now. He killed my sister because she broke the rules. So I talk to you in front of them, I'm next."

Sophie turns and leaves. Klaus and Ophira approaches the men at the bar. Ophira puts her hand in the air causing them to put there hands over there ears in pain. Ophira stops and Klaus sinks his grip into their shoulders.

"Are you two gentlemen following me?"First man: "Marcel said we're your guides.""Oh, he did, did he? He did. Well then, let me be exceedingly clear about something: if either of you follow me again, you'll do so without the benefit of a spine."

He tightens his grip until the bartender approaches them.

"Sorry for the wait. If you're here for the gumbo, I'm about to break your heart. We just ran out."

Klaus releases the men and places a 100-dollar bill on the bar.

"Your oldest Scotch for my two friends here, love."

She takes the bill, smiles, and walks away. Klaus resumes his hold on the men.

"If Marcel wants to know what I'm up to, he can ask me himself." Ophira and Klaus leave. 

Klaus walks down a street and turns down an alleyway that leads to a covered courtyard, where people are drinking, dancing and generally having a good time. Klaus spots one of Marcel's men wearing the Original family's daylight ring and approaches him aggressively.

"Where is Marcel?" Klaus asked."And who the hell is asking?""I hope your joking," Ophira says to the man."I only answer to Marcel.""Well then, in that case perhaps you'll answer to this." Ophira backed away to the entrance. Klaus seizes the man by the neck and his eyes vamp-out; his voice rises until he is shouting. "You're aware the bite of a werewolf can kill a vampire? Well, as you can see, I'm half werewolf, so I'm gonna ask you one more time: where is Marcel!?"

Marcel's voice rises from behind Klaus and he hurries over to break up the confrontation.

"He-hey, I'm right here, I'm right here, e-e-easy now. Diego's just looking out for me. Nobody harms my guys-- those are the rules.""I don't care about your rules, Marcel, and I don't need chaperones. Why are you having me followed?"

Marcel leads Klaus away from the others and Ophira follows.

"Come here. I get it-- a show of force. You've made your point. Let it go friend, ah? For me.""Fine. Why don't you show me what you've done with the place, while you explain exactly what it is you've been up to in my town?"

Marcel pauses only for a moment before smiling his wide grin.

"Follow me."

He leads Klaus up a flight of stairs and they emerge onto a gallery overlooking the street.

"Look at that skyline, huh? That there, that's progress. More hotels, more tourists, more fresh blood. And the humans? I taught them to look the other way.""And what of the witches? In my time, they were a force to be reckoned with, and now they live in fear. How do you know when they're using magic?""Maybe I got a secret weapon, an ace up my sleeve. Something that gives me complete control over all the magic in this town.""Hm. Is that a fact?""Might be. Maybe I'm just bluffing." Marcel puts something in his mouth that sizzles slightly."You take vervain?" "Burns like a bitch, but I figure I should limit the number of things I'm vulnerable to. Don't be mad about that chaperone thing. I've told my guys to look out for you, that's all. That's what we do here-- look out for each other."

Marcel spots a woman walking down the street below.

"Mm, m-m-mm. New blood."

Klaus recognizes her from earlier at the bar.

"Bartender, walking alone at night. She's either brave or dumb.""Let's see: brave, I let her live; dumb, she's dessert."

On the gallery, Klaus greets his brother without turning right away.

"Evening, Elijah." Klaus greets."Niklaus.""Hi 'lijah," Ophira says waving."Hello Ophira.""What an entirely unwelcome surprise.""And what an entirely unsurprising welcome. Come with me.""I'm not going anywhere. Not till I find out who's conspiring against me." "Believe I just found that out for you." Ophira was interested, Klaus and Ophira follow him. 

Some time later, Elijah leads Klaus into the cemetery. "What are we doing here?"

"You wanna know what the witches have in store for you? Follow me."

"They enter one of the mausoleums."

"Sophie Deveraux. What is this?""He's all yours. Proceed." Elijah says.

 Ophira snuggles up against Elijah, he covers her ears a bit.

"You know you're famous in this town? Witches tell bedtime stories about the powerful vampire Klaus. We know Marcel was nothing but an orphan street rat, until you made him what he is. And now he's out of control. He does what he wants, he kills who he wants. I'm gonna stop him, and you're gonna help me."

Klaus smiles, amused.

"This is why you brought me here?""Hear her out.""I don't need to hear her out. I assure you, love, there is not a thing on this earth that will matter enough for me to waste even thirty more seconds of my time. Elijah, what madness is this?"

Hayley enters the mausoleum with a few others.

"Klaus. You need to listen to them."

Klaus laughs.

" You're all out of your minds if you think some liquor-fueled, one-night stand - no offense, sweetheart - means a thing to me."

Ophira then was sure, Hayley's pregnant. Ophira turned to Elijah in shock. Klaus notices this. 

"What is it Ophira?"

"Listen to the Devereaux witch." She stays by Elijah.

"Marcel may be able to keep up from practicing real magic in this town, but as keepers of the balance we still know when nature has cooked up something new. For example, I have a special gift...of sensing when a girl is pregnant."

All amusement leaves Klaus' face.

"What?""I know it's impossible...""What are you saying?""Niklaus...the girl is carrying your child.""No. It's impossible. Vampires cannot procreate.""But werewolves can. Magic made you a vampire, but you were born a werewolf. You're the Original hybrid, the first of your kind, and this pregnancy is one of nature's loopholes."

Klaus fights for control over his facial expression before he turns to Hayley and shouts at her.

"You've been with someone else, admit it!""Hey, I've spent days held captive in a freaking alligator bayou because they think that I'm carrying some magical miracle baby. Don't you think I would've fessed up if it wasn't yours?""My sister gave her life to perform the spell she needed to confirm this pregnancy. Because of Jane-Anne's sacrifice, the lives of this girl and her baby are now controlled by us." By their surprised expressions, this is news to Elijah and Hayley. "If you don't help us take down Marcel, so help me, Hayley won't live long enough to see her first maternity dress.""Wait, what?" Hayley says."Enough of this. If you want Marcel dead, he's dead. I'll do it myself.""No. We can't, not yet. We have a clear plan that we need to follow, and there are rules."

Klaus, who had turned away, turns slowly to face Sophie, his anger barely restrained and his voice frighteningly quiet.

"How dare you command me...[shouting] threaten me, with what you wrongfully perceive to be my weaknesses. I won't hear any more lies."

He moves to leave.

"Niklaus. Listen."

Klaus turns toward Hayley, from whose abdomen he can hear a rapid heartbeat. Klaus listens in wonderment for a few long moments, meets Hayley's eyes, then closes himself off once more. He turns back to Elijah.

"Kill her and the baby. What do I care? Ophira stay with Elijah."Klaus storms out of the mausoleum. Before Elijah leaves to follow Klaus he turns to Ophira and says, "Stay with Hayley.""Hey Fera." Hayley says to the girl."Hi again."Later...

Ophira's New Room (Imagine the M and O)Elijah shows Ophira to her new room in their new house outside of New Orleans. "Klaus should be back shortly." Elijah says to Ophira, she nods. Ophira was excited to have a sister but she was scared of the war that was coming. Klaus was also scared she knew that he needed to win this war and she was worried about what he was going to do. But she knew what she wanted to do, she wanted to help the witches get back there city, she wanted help Klaus, Hayley and her new little sister. Most of all she wanted to help her family.