Mystic Falls High – The Decade Dance
The dance had been going smoothly, music thumped through the gym, lights dimmed and spun lazily across the crowd, and for a brief, fragile stretch of time, it almost felt normal. Almost.
Damon and Stefan lingered near the edges of the room, eyes constantly moving around, watching exits, faces and possible predators pretending to be chaperones.
On the dance floor, Bonnie laughed as Jeremy spun her, the tension easing from her shoulders if only for a moment.
Then the music shifted and partners changed. Caroline found herself face-to-face with someone she hadn't noticed before.
He looks tall, calm and entirely too composed for a high school dance.
She tilted her head, eyes narrowing playfully. "Okay… and you are?"
Michael smiled, smooth and effortless. "Ah—where are my manners. Keller. Michael Keller."
The way he said it made her laugh softly despite herself.
"You're new," Caroline said. "I'd remember you."
"Oh, absolutely," Michael replied. "Though you can stop pretending you don't already know who I am. Elena must've told you." Caroline hesitated, then sighed. "Okay, yeah. She did."
They began to sway as the music slowed again, conversation easy.
"So," Michael said, studying her with polite curiosity, "how is immortality treating you?"
She blinked. "Straight to the deep questions, huh?"
He chuckled. "No point wasting time."
Caroline shrugged. "It's… hard. And amazing. And terrifying. Mostly terrifying."
"Mm," Michael hummed. "That sounds about right."
She glanced up at him. "You don't sound surprised."
"I'm not," he said gently. "The most important thing about being immortal isn't surviving it, it's learning how to actually live it."
Caroline considered that and Michael smiled. "And something tells me you'll manage just fine." Before she could respond, his expression shifted.
His eyes moved past her shoulder.
"Excuse me," he said softly and was gone before she could even ask what was wrong.
The Hallway
Alaric/Klaus moved through the quieter corridor with purpose. A cluster of students passed by, laughing.
His gaze softened with a thought blooming into his head.
"Come here," he said smoothly and approached them before using his compulsion on them.
Their eyes glazed over.
"Find the Salvatore brothers and Jeremy. Fight them until you die"
They turned and walked away without a word, he stood there for a moment before moving and then…
"Honestly," a voice said from behind him, amused, "old tricks, Niklaus? You really shouldn't be doing that in to children you know. It's already bad this generation are so glued to their phones which dulls their brain but now you are inside there as well."
Alaric/Klaus froze.
Slowly, he turned.
"…That voice," he said, eyes widening. "Kanen'to?"
Michael stood there casually, hands open at his sides, expression almost fond. The kids he had just compelled all around on the floor. Unconscious.
"Well hello to you too—"
"Hey!" a teacher snapped, stepping into the hallway. "You two. What are you doing out here?"
She looked at Alaric. "Mr. Saltzman, what's going on?"
Michael smiled apologetically. "Alaric? Oh no, no, no that's incorrect my dear."
Michael heard footsteps approaching them hurriedly and smiled.
Bonnie and Elena appeared behind the teacher, just as Michael continued his tone suddenly theatrical as he switched his accent to an unmistakable French.
"Mes amis," he said, gesturing toward Klaus, "this is Klaus le fou. Klaus le dément. Niklaus de mordwer."
Alaric/Klaus stared at him, shock flickering across his stolen face at the person he hadn't seen in… a long time and here he was announcing his title so passionately.
The Salvatore brothers rounded the corner, eyes locking instantly onto the scene.
Michael tilted his head, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"I myself," he added lightly, "prefer Niklaus the Mad."
——————————-
Alaric/Klaus tilted his head, lips finally curling into a familiar, arrogant smile.
"Niklaus the Mad," he repeated thoughtfully. "I must say, Kanen'to… I've been called many things over the centuries. Monster. Devil. God." His eyes flicked with amusement. "But mad? Yes, yes that one I rather like."
Michael answered without missing a beat. "Of course you do. Self-awareness was never your weakness."
Klaus laughed softly. "It truly is a pleasure to see you again after all this time, Kan. I was beginning to think you'd finally decided to stop meddling."
"Yes, yes," Michael waved him off lightly. "Reunions, nostalgia, dramatic tension it's all very touching." He smiled thinly. "But I go by Michael now. Without the K, of course."
Klaus got the subtle message, an obvious jab at Mikael no doubt. His gaze slid past him, locking onto Elena.
"And what," Klaus said smoothly, "are you doing parading my doppelgänger around, Michael? Give her to me."
Michael tilted his head, then laughed a genuine and amused laugh.
"My, my," he said. "A thousand years and you're still just as possessive. Some habits truly are eternal."
Klaus's expression hardened. "Do not stand in my way. Everything I'm doing is necessary."
"I am well aware of that, Niklaus," Michael replied calmly. "And I will do as you say."
Stefan's eyes widened.
Damon barked, "What?"
Elena instinctively stepped back, Bonnie moving in front of her.
Michael continued evenly, "Of course, after you leave that body, tell me where your real one is being brought from, and inform me where you're keeping Rebekah."
Klaus frowned as the air shifted after his demand.
"Michael," Stefan started, "what the hell are you—"
Michael lifted one hand.
"Be quiet."
Stefan's mouth opened as nothing came out. Damon lunged forward. "Oh, hell no—"
"Fall."
Damon hit the floor instantly, the impact echoing through the hallway.
Michael didn't even look at him. "Do not make a ruckus," he said mildly. "Adults are talking."
Klaus studied him, impressed despite himself. "Still dramatic and still a buzzkill I see."
Then he smirked.
"I'll make you a deal," Klaus said. "Hand over the doppelgänger. Kill everyone here." His eyes glinted. "And I'll tell you exactly where I left my beloved sister."
The smile vanished from Michael's face immediate.
BAM.
One moment he was standing there where they could all see him—
The next, Klaus was airborne, slammed into a locker so hard the metal caved inward. Michael's hand was around his throat, eyes blazing with an inhuman glow.
"Do you presume," Michael said quietly, dangerously, "to command me, Niklaus?"
His grip tightened.
"How disrespectful," Michael continued, voice cold now. "How profoundly stupid of you to think I would ever obey such an order."
He leaned in, eyes burning. "The centuries may have sharpened your fangs but they've clearly dulled your judgment, boy."
Klaus coughed, then laughed despite it. "Kill me, and this body dies with me. Along with half this school."
Michael hesitated at that and narrowed his eyes. Klaus's smile widened. "I compelled students all over campus. If any harm comes to me… they start killing. Everyone."
Michael frowned just for a second.
Then he laughed a low, dangerous sound.
"Quelle ruse délicieuse…" Michael murmured. "How utterly devious of you, Niklaus."
His eyes hardened again.
"But tell me," he said softly, "what makes you think I care?"
"Michael, no!" Elena shouted.
"Don't please Michael," Stefan managed hoarsely.
Michael didn't even look at them.
"Keep quiet," he said calmly
Michael drew Klaus closer, his grip tightening just enough to make the threat unmistakable. He leaned in, lowering his voice so only the two of them could hear.
"I searched for you and Rebekah in Chicago," Michael murmured. "Before your wretched father arrived and sent you both scattering like frightened animals." His eyes narrowed. "And knowing you, Niklaus, I am certain you have her daggered. So tell me, where is she?"
Klaus met his gaze and laughed, breathless but smug.
"I will have my doppelgänger," he said. "And there is nothing you can do to stop me. Once my body gets here, I will—"
"You ignored my question," Michael cut in coldly. "And when your body gets here?" He smiled, sharp and humorless. "Tell me, do you truly think it matters to me which body you're in before I discipline you?"
He leaned closer. "The doppelgänger is under my protection now. If you want her, Niklaus… you will go through me."
Before Klaus could respond, Michael's eyes flicked past him and saw movements.
Eight figures emerged at the far end of the hallway.
Michael's expression darkened. "Ah," he said softly. "So you brought company."
He recognized one immediately, the warlock. Klaus's.
Michael released his hold a little.
The invisible pressure pinning the Salvatores vanished at once. Stefan and Damon were on their feet instantly, moving in front of Elena as Klaus threw his head back and laughed.
"Did you truly think," Klaus said, "that I would come here unprepared for a surprise?"
"Vampires," Michael said flatly.
"Figures," Damon muttered, turning to face the newcomers.
Then it hit them as Stefan and Damon cried out in unison as the warlock lifted his hands, and used the pain infliction spell on them. The pain tore through them white-hot and paralyzing while dropping them to their knees.
"Elena!" Bonnie shouted, "Bonnie, do something!" Elena cried.
"Don't," Michael said sharply.
He dropped Klaus entirely.
The moment he did, two vampires blurred forward one straight for Bonnie, the other reaching for Elena.
They never even made it as Michael moved to intercept them. He appeared in front of the first vampire in a flicker of heat and shadow, his now clawed hand driving clean through the man's chest and ripped out his heart.
The second vampire tried to change direction but Michael caught him by the throat mid-blur and ripped his head from his shoulders in one smooth and brutal motion. The corpse collapsed.
A third rushed him from behind and Michael didn't even turn.
A surge of hellfire burst outward from his back, slamming the attacker into the wall hard enough to crack the stone. The vampire slid down in pieces, already ash.
Two more came at him together.
Michael stepped between them, seized one by the wrist and twisted with the bones snapping before driving his palm into the other's face. The skull caved in as he squeezed tightly before beheading with a backhand. The body dropping in a heap.
Michael snapped his clawed finger and the pain spell reversed on the warlock. The warlock shouted, trying to redirect the spell
Michael looked at him with half-lid eyes.
Just looked.
The warlock screamed as his spell shattered, feedback tearing through him. He collapsed, clutching his head, blood seeping from his ears.
The sixth vampire lunged at him.
Michael caught him, claws tearing through his heart and lungs in a single brutal motion, and burning away his internal organs especially the heart without causing him to combust.
The last vampire turned straight into Damon and Stefan.
Freed as the spell broke, they moved together without thinking.
Damon snapped the vampire's neck and Stefan tore out his heart.
Everyone looked around then back to where Klaus had been.
But the hallway was now empty.
Klaus and his warlock were gone.
Michael exhaled slowly, eyes still glowing faintly as the last embers died out around them.
"…Predictable," he said quietly.
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