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chapter five
❛FOUNDER'S DAY CELEBRATION❜
1x18

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CLOTHING
STORE

As the worker locked the doors and put up the closed sign, the atmosphere in the clothing store shifted, signaling the start of something special. Upstairs, Kali couldn't contain her excitement as she delved into the array of dresses that the employees had carefully prepared for her. She twirled around in front of the mirrors, each dress transforming her into a vision of elegance and grace.

Meanwhile, Myra was less enthused about the whole dress-up affair. Inside the fitting room, she tugged at the fabric of yet another dress, her discomfort evident on her face. "Why do we have to dress up for a party I couldn't care less about?" she grumbled, her voice hinged with annoyance. "I mean, seriously, who even enjoys wearing these things?"

Bellona, resplendent in her poise and sophistication, reclined in one of the plush chairs. An employee poured her a glass of champagne, a symbol of their elevated status in the town. With a gentle smile, she began to address her daughter, her voice carrying a mix of authority and warmth.

"I am an esteemed member of the council. It's important for us to present ourselves in a manner befitting our position. This town looks up to us, and we must uphold our image until the day we choose otherwise" Bellona explains.

Kali, caught up in the enchantment of the moment, beamed with delight as she looked at the set of dresses. "I'd like to try on more dresses" Kali indicated as one of the employees started to unzip the back of her dress, "And I'd take another glass" Belle declared as she looked up at the man, who stood in formation and when he was being talked to, he finally did what he was told.

The compelled employees, under the sway of Bellona's compelling powers, eagerly rushed to fulfills Kali's every wish, as well as Belle's, bringing her an array of dresses to try on, each one more stunning than the last.

SALVATORE
BOARDING HOUSE

The Salvatore Boarding House was shrouded in an air of tension as Stefan pushed himself to the limits in his workouts. Beads of sweat dripped down his face, mirroring the intensity of his thoughts and emotions. Damon watched from a distance, concern etched on his face, as he observed his brother's relentless pursuit of physical exhaustion.

"Stefan, you've been at this for hours," Damon remarked, his voice laced with worry. "What's eating at you? Or what do you want to eat? Get it, cause you're a predator, Stefan. Humans are good" Damon declares as he takes a sip of what Stefan thought was liquor, but turned out to be blood that Damon has retrieved from their blood bag freezer.

Stefan paused, his chest heaving with exertion, and wiped the sweat from his brow. He turned to face Damon, his eyes blazing with a mix of anger and frustration. "Damon, how could you make a deal with Bellona Bloodworth? Do you not see the danger in aligning ourselves with her and her family? She saved me, yes, but at what cost? There are still tomb vampires out there somewhere" Stefan argues.

Damon sighed; his expression pensive as he approached his brother. "Listen, I needed help to get you out of there safely. I gave her information, and she helped me out. They may be a complicated bunch, but they have resources and knowledge that could be valuable" Damon defended.

Stefan's fist clenched; his voice filled with bitterness. "But at what price, Damon? We can't trust them. They have their own agenda, and we're just pawns in their game. I won't be manipulated and controlled by anyone, not even for the sake of our survival" Stefan declares as Damon sets the glass of blood down on a side table in Stefan's room.

"Not even for Elena?" Damon questions and Stefan shakes his head, scoffing in disbelief that he would even involve her in this conversation, "That's not the same and you know it" Stefan argues as he tries to walk past Damon, who grabs onto his shoulders, holding him in place.

"I hear you, brother. But for now, we need to play this game smartly. We'll keep a close eye on them, and if they cross a line, we'll deal with them" Damon says, causing Stefan to knit his brows in confusion, "Since when are you for togetherness?" Stefan asks as he walks over to his push up bar and begins going up and down multiple times.

"I'm taking a new path in life" Damon stretches his arms out in a proud looking way while Stefan shakes his head, not believing it for a second.

MYSTIC FALLS
HIGH-SCHOOL

Myra stumbles upon Jeremy sitting in the stoner section outside before classes star. She decides to join him on the couch, noticing the sadness etched on his face.

Myra, usually stoic and detached, feels an unfamiliar pang of empathy. She's not one to care about people's emotions, but Jeremy's sorrow leaves a bitter taste in her mouth. Curiosity gets the better of her, and she musters the courage to ask him what's wrong.

Leaning back against the couch, Jeremy lets out a heavy sigh. "I just found out my friend that I thought was alive is dead and they ruled it as some drug overdose" Jeremy explains.

Myra, not easily shocked by death, finds herself at a loss for words. She awkwardly pats Jeremy on the shoulder, her attempt at offering some form of comfort. Before the silence becomes too overwhelming, a familiar figure approaches them. It's Tyler Lockwood, a man known because of last name and charm.

Tyler flashes a warm smile as he joins them on the couch. "Mind if I join the pity party?" Tyler asks, Myra's lip curl into a half-smile, a rare display of amusement. "Depends. Are you bringing anything to this party?" Myra asks as she adjusts in a new spot on the couch.

Tyler then digs in his pocket and pulls out a joint wrapped in a white paper. "I got something alright" Tyler declares as he lights up the end of the joint and takes a long drag of it before passing it to Jeremy, who shakes his head.

"I don't think I have ever seen you pass up a joint" Tyler states as Jeremy places the strap of his bookbag around his shoulder, "I just don't want any. I'll-- uh, see you guys later" Jeremy concludes before he stands to his feet and starts walking towards the entrance of the school while Myra stays seated on the couch, her and Tyler locking eyes.

"Lucky for you, I share" Tyler starts off as he offers Myra the joint, in which she takes with no hesitation and takes a long drag out of it. The smoke blows out as she exhales, feeling a sense of relief and accomplishment and Tyler tries to hide his amusement in that matter.

"Your mom is the principal, right?" Tyler asks, changing the subject. "Is this a Q and A? It's not like you really care" Myra states, her stubbornness seeping through her words and into the conversation. It seems Tyler has taken offense and seems a little bit taken aback by her response. Normally, people are pretty respectful when asked questions. Maybe Myra was different.

"I mean, we are sitting here sharing a joint without barley knowing each other so I figured I'd start a conversation. Are you always this stuck up?" Tyler questions, snapping back. "Are you always this stupid?" Myra claps back, slowly making a smirk grow on Tyler's face.

"I like you" Tyler mumbles as he nods his head slowly, both of them locking eyes and continuing to until they heard the school bell echo throughout the campus, indicating it was time to go to class.

FOUNDERS'
HALL

Belle shows up to the founders' hall for an unexpected council meeting. All the council members are present, and Mayor Lockwood takes the floor. Just as the meeting begins, Damon saunters in, standing next to Belle with a mischievous smirk on his face. "Late as usual, I see," Belle quips, raising an eyebrow at Damon.

Damon leans against the wall, a playful glint in his eyes. "Well, you know me, always fashionably late. Wouldn't want to steal the spotlight from Mayor Lockwood."

Bellona rolls her eyes, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Please, like anyone could steal the spotlight from dear old Mayor Lockwood."

As they continue their playful banter, the room falls silent as the door creaks open. All eyes turn to a man clad in a leather jacket strolling in, sporting a smug grin. Mayor Lockwood clears his throat and announces him as John Gilbert, a long-lost member of the Mystic Falls council.

The room erupts into applause and welcoming murmurs. Belle and Damon exchange curious glances, silently questioning the sudden appearance of this mysterious newcomer. Sheriff Forbes, who had been chatting with Belle, joins them with a concerned expression.

"He's Elena's uncle," Sheriff Forbes whispers, her voice filled with annoyance. Belle raises an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Elena's uncle, huh? If he's anything like the real Johnathan Gilbert he's either a genius or a jackass."

Damon smirks, leaning closer to Belle. "I'm leaning more towards jackass" Damon warns.

As the council meeting continues, Belle and Damon find themselves stealing glances at John Gilbert, their curiosity growing. They exchange hushed whispers, speculating about his motives and the secrets he may hold. "I bet he's got some hidden agenda," Damon whispers, his voice tinged with suspicion.

"Don't we all, Damon? I guess we'll just have to keep an eye on him" Bellona shrugs before she looks over to John Gilbert who takes the stand-up front.

"You think all of your problems are over but I'm here to tell you, nothing's been solved." John concludes, locking eyes with everyone in the room, especially Bellona.

FOUNDERS'
HALL
(Founders' Day 150 Year
Anniversary Kick-off Party)

The Founders' Kick Off Party was in full swing, with the elegant sound of classical music filling the air. The bar buzzed with lively chatter as drinks flowed freely. Kali, dressed in a stunning gown, entered the bustling dance floor, her eyes scanning the room for Stefan. She spotted him at the bar, his tense demeanor evident even with a glass of whiskey in his hand.

Approaching him, she could feel the palpable tension between them, knowing that Stefan harbored a deep dislike for her and her family.

Kali gently stood beside him at the bar, her voice soft as she spoke, "Stefan, you seem on edge tonight, even with the alcohol" Kali declares and Stefan's eyes met hers, his expression guarded, but curiosity flickered in his gaze.

"It's nothing I can't handle, Kali" Stefan reluctantly replied.

Kali leaned closer, her voice filled with concern, "I understand, but can you handle what's happening to you now?" Her words were deliberate, each syllable hanging in the air as the music seemed to fade into the background. A single droplet fell onto Stefan's hand, and he looked up, his eyes widening as he noticed the blood. The veins beneath his eyes darkened, and his face began to transform into his vampire visage.

In that moment, Stefan's gaze shifted, and he saw Elena's lifeless body suspended from the ceiling. A gasp escaped his lips as he was abruptly pulled out of the trance, realizing it had been an illusion. He turned to Kali, who sat beside him, sipping her champagne with a mischievous smirk, revealing she had used her powers to delve into his mind.

The room seemed to come alive again, the music resuming its enchanting melody as Stefan struggled to regain his composure. Kali's eyes held a mixture of amusement and intrigue, leaving Stefan to wonder just how deep her powers ran and what her true intentions were.

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Bellona stood on the elegant balcony, overlooking the bustling Founder's Day kick-off party. As the principal of Mystic Falls High-School, she was obliged to engage in conversations with parents, even if she found them uninteresting. She politely nodded and smiled, but her eyes betrayed her lack of enthusiasm.

Finally, the conversation came to an end, and Bellona discreetly sighed with relief. She took a sip of her champagne, savoring the bubbly liquid as it danced on her tongue. Just as she finished her glass, she turned around and her eyes met a familiar face in the crowd-- John Gilbert.

Noticing Bellona's eagerness to escape the previous conversation, John approached her cautiously. "Seems like you were trying to get away from that parent. Can't blame you, some conversations can be a drag," he remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Bellona smirked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, you have no idea," she replied, glancing around the vibrant party. "But why ruin such a wonderful conversation?"

John's expression grew more guarded, sensing there was more to Bellona that met the eye. He cautiously broached the topic of the vampire problem in Mystic Falls, testing the waters. Bellona's face remained impassive, giving away nothing.

A soft chuckle escaped Bellona's lip, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and danger. "You're quite observant," she commented, her voice dripping with intrigue as she took a step closer to John Gilbert. "But let's just say, I'm not one to be messed with. I like to bite" she whispered softly.

John raised an eyebrow, his hand instinctively reaching for the ring on his finger. He slowly glided his hand down the side of his neck, a subtle gesture that did not go unnoticed by Bellona. "I bet you'd love a taste," he declared, a glimmer of challenge in his eyes.

A mischievous smile played on Bellona's lips as she leaned closer to John. "Well, if you're offering," she teased, her voice laced with anticipation.

Without hesitation, Bellona tossed her empty glass over her balcony, the sound of shattering glass fading into the background. In an instant, her face transformed, revealing her true vampire nature. Her fangs elongated, ready to taste the forbidden.

She swiftly sank her teeth into John's neck, the taste of his blood flooding her sense. To her surprise, she sensed the presence of vervain in his system, but she didn't pull back. She continued to drain his body of blood and once she was done, she twisted his neck, watching as his body dropped to the ground.

She bent down and retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket and used it to wipe the small drop of blood on the side of her face. Belle proceeded to toss the handkerchief down towards John's lifeless body and slid her hands mysteriously down her dress before she joined the party again.

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Myra sat tucked away from the lively party, taking long sips of wine straight from the bottle. As she indulged in her solitude, a woman approached, eyeing the bottle with a hint of longing. "You could at least share," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and desperation.

Myra, being stubborn as ever, looked the woman up and down. She noticed the lines etched on the woman's face, evidence of a life lived and perhaps the weight of motherhood. Myra couldn't help but ask, "Do I know you?"

With a heavy sigh, the woman replied, "I'm a grieving mother, mourning the loss of my daughter. I'm in desperate need of a drink." Her words carried a sense of sorrow and vulnerability.

In that moment, Myra's stubbornness wavered. She swiftly handed over the entire bottle, realizing that she didn't need it any more than the grieving mother did. It was a small act of kindness, a way to ease the pain even if it was just for a moment.

As Myra turned to face the party once more, she felt a presence behind her. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Tyler Lockwood, the charismatic life of the party, making his way towards the gathering. The atmosphere seemed to shift, as if his presence added an extra spark to the festivities.

"You're taking a drink with Miss Donovan?" Tyler questioned softly, thinking he wasn't being heard by the topic of conversation until she turned in his direction with a serious glint in her eyes, "I can smell that vodka coming right off of you. Got any more?" She asks and Myra looks between the two of them, both extremely different age groups.

"Make it a party, you in?" Tyler questions, looking to Myra, who never turned down a drink. It seemed to be the only thing to calm her down since she was always on edge. Her body was different from others, as is her life. Her veins flow with fire coursing through them and at times it gets so hard to handle that alcohol is the only way to calm it down. To put the fires out for a moment and cool her body down for the night.

"Drinking with an old woman who just lost her daughter and a rich boy who simply waste every privilege he has, count me in" Myra declared, her voice stern and repetitive, but they didn't mind. In fact, they brushed it off and were ready for a night of reckless drinking, which seemed like it happened often for them.

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Damon stealthily weaved through the crowd, the pulsating music and laughter providing a perfect cover for his approach. His eyes locked onto Bellona, standing near a towering plant, her figure illuminated by the soft glow of the ambient lights. Determined to catch her off guard, he closed the distance, his steps soundless against the lively backdrop.

With a mischievous glimmer in his eyes, Damon prepared to pounce, ready to startle Bellona. But as he drew nearer, he couldn't help but notice the serene expression on her face. She turned, her gaze meeting his, her lips curling into a knowing smile. His surprise was palpable, his stealthy intentions thwarted.

"Why did I stumble upon John Gilbert's lifeless body, tucked away behind that colossal plant?" Damon's voice was laced with intrigue, his curiosity ignited by the shocking discovery of a drained corpse.

Bellona's smile widened, a flicker of mischief dancing in her eyes. She shrugged nonchalantly, her demeanor exuding an air of confidence. "Oh, Damon," she replied, her voice a velvety purr. "Questioning my actions is futile. Every move I make is calculated, for reasons you may never comprehend."

Damon's frustration bubbled to the surface; his tone tinged with disapproval. "This town is already plagued by vampires, and yet you leave a scene like that?" His words hung in the air, a challenge to Bellona's audacious choices.

In a swift whirl, Bellona pivoted, her grip tightening around Damon's silk tie. The suddenness of her movement caught him off guard, his breath caught in his throat as her fingers constricted around the fabric. A dangerous glint sparked in her eyes, a tempestuous storm brewing beneath her composed exterior. "You, Damon, are the last person who should dare dictate my actions," she hissed, her voice a venomous whisper. "Especially when I know how much you wish you got the chance to do it first."

Damon struggled against her grip, her hands instinctively reaching for hers, desperate for release. The room seemed to fade into a blue as his vision blurred, the lack of air tightening its grip around him. But Bellona remained unyielding, her resolve unshakeable. Finally, with a forceful shover, she released him, sending him stumbling backwards, his breath returning in a gasping rush.

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As Myra rummaged through the cluttered shelves and drawers, her fingers brushed against a dusty bottle. The label, faded and worn, revealed it to be a long-forgotten bottle of vodka. A mischievous smile curled on Myra's lips as she tucked it into her bag, envisioning the wild night that awaited her.

Emerging from the secret bar, Myra joined Tyler and Miss Donovan outside, eager to share her newfound discovery. But as she approached; her excitement turned to shock. Her eyes widening, unable to comprehend the sight before her. Tyler and Miss Donovan stood locked in a passionate embrace; their lips intertwined.

Just as the weight of situation threatened to consume her, Elena and a boy with blonde hair, whom she called Matt, abruptly stepped in front of her, halting in their tracks, freezing her in a moment of suspended disbelief.

"Mom! What the hell are you guys doing!?" Matt shouted angrily before he lunged forward, his fist connecting with Tyler's face in a swift, powerful blow. The crack of impact reverberated through the air, echoing the shock that rippled through the onlookers.

Miss Donovan's voice rang out, pleading for her son to stop, her desperation adding to the chaotic scene. Myra stood rooted to the spot, her eyes darting between the unfolding drama, her mind struggling to comprehend the sudden turn of events.

In the midst of the commotion, Kali rushed over, her eyes wide with concern, her presence a comforting anchor amidst the turmoil. Mayor Lockwood and Alaric swiftly intervened, attempting to separate the boys, their authorities' voices cutting through the chaos.

Myra looks to Tyler as he is pinned up against the wall so Matt can be pulled away before he does any more damage. Myra looks at him, noticing how he didn't want to stop. He wanted to keep going, his anger consumed him and fast.

But the way his breathing was ragged and how he even tried to fight off his father and Alaric... it was hot.

"We got to get out of here. Out of this town" Kali declares, crossing her arms over her chest as Myra watches as Tyler walks off, his blood boiling. Kali notices her pulling herself away from the conversation and tracks her gaze and sees she is watching as Tyler Lockwood walks up the stairs to the second floor of the building.

"Oh, god-- no-- Myra-- seriously? You want to jump his bones right now-- at this event?" Kali asks, disgusted at her sisters choice of men. "Like you haven't done it in worse places" Myra scoffs in disbelief and Kali looks her sister up and down, "Sorry the 14th century didn't have a lot of places for privacy."

"At least this place does" Myra states as she hands Kali the old bottle of vodka and struts into the house, tracing after Tyler Lockwood's footsteps.

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Bellona stood confidently in the midst of the bustling crowd; her eyes fixed on Mayor Lockwood as he thanked everyone for showing up to the highly anticipated Founder's Day Celebration. Just as the excitement reached its peak, she felt a familiar presence beside her. It was Damon, his voice filled with admiration as he whispered, "Belle, hiding the evidence of a found family member was a genius move."

Belle's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she turned to Damon, her dark brown eyes searching for answers. "What do you mean, Damon? What evidence are you talking about?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern.

Damon chuckled, thinking that Bellona was pulling his leg. "Come on, Belle, you know what I'm talking about. You moved John Gilbert's body from the balcony" Damon declares and Belle's heart skipped a beat as she realized what Damon was implying. Her mind raced, trying to process the information. She hadn't touched John Gilbert's body since she left it there. If she wasn't the one who moved it, then who did?

The once cheerful atmosphere of the celebration now felt heavy with the weight of a mystery. The sound of laughter and chatted seemed distance as Belle and Damon exchanged worried glances, their eyes filled with a mix of confusion and determination.

Damon's voice grew more serious as he voiced the question that hung in the air. "If you didn't move the body, then who did?"

"I would like to welcome back one of our town favorite's sons to do the honors of ringing our official charter bell. John Gilbert, would you please join me up here?" Mayor Lockwood introduces, and the crowd's cheers and applause faded into the background as Belle and Damon stood united when John Gilbert walked up to the front of the crowd looking as if nothing ever happened not a hint of blood in sight or even a scar.

"What the..." Damon say softly as Alaric joins the duo, making it a trio. "I thought you killed him" Alaric declares and Belle looks over at Alaric, "I did."

"One hundred and fifty years of community, prosperity, family. We take care of each other, we look after each other, protect each other" John states as he locks eyes with Bellona, a smile forming on his lips before he states, "It's good to be home."

"Wait. Look at his right hand" Damon says and John rings the bell and it can be seen that he wears the same ring that Alaric wears. Belle looks between both rings and shakes her head in annoyance, "I seen his ring right before I killed him. I was wondering why he was flashing it around" Belle blames herself.

"Because he knew no matter what you did, he was going to come back."

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Myra's heart raced with anticipation as she gracefully ascended the staircase, leaving the lively party downstairs behind. The faint sound of music and laughter faded into the background as she focused on the task at hand: finding Tyler. She had to see him, to understand the aftermath of his fight with Matt.

As she entered the office, her eyes immediately caught sight of Tyler, his face bearing the marks of the intense altercation. A scar marred the side of his face, its edges still fresh and oozing with drops of crimson. His knuckle, bruised and swollen, was a testament to the force he had exerted.

Tyler's eyes met Myra's, and for a fleeting moment, she saw a flicker of vulnerability in his gaze. "You come to judge me like everyone else?" Tyler asked, bracing himself, expecting Myra to join the others in passing judgement. But Myra had a different intention.

Stepping further into the room, she closed the door behind her, shutting out the noise and distractions. Her voice carried a blend of playfulness and understanding as she spoke, her words laced with a hint of teasing. "Oh, Tyler, I'm only judging you for kissing a woman three times your age," she said, a mischievous smile dancing on her lips.

Tyler's disbelief was evident as he shook his head, a mixture of surprise and relief washing over him. The tension in the room began to dissipate as he locked eyes with Myra, his voice now filled with curiosity. "So, Myra, tell me, who should I be kissing then?"

Myra shrugged seductively, her eyes never leaving his. She took a seat beside him, the air thick with anticipation. "I know a lot of things you could do with someone your own age," she whispered, her voice carrying a seductive undertone.

In that moment, time seemed to stand still. The world around them faded into a blur as Tyler leaned in, his lips meeting Myra's in a passionate embrace. The room filled with an electric energy, their desires colliding in a breathtaking of emotions.

THE GILBERT
RESIDENCE

Jeremy goes up the stairs and goes into Elena's bedroom, he looks everywhere but he doesn't find what he is looking for. He finally looks behind the painting and find Elena's diary. He begins to read it. One page contains "But how can I deny it?" and "Bodies drained of blood". Another page contains "Take away Jeremy's pain..." and another "...that Vicki was a monster?"

Jeremy then flips to another page, and it was written more recently.

"The Bloodworth family is fascinating, but scary at the same time. Their abilities go far beyond what I have seen in this messed up world of supernatural. Bellona is this powerful vampire and witch all at the same time. Then there's Kali, a witch with the ability to see some form of the future. I found out that she knew Bonnie's Grams was going to die. How could she keep that from Bonnie? And then there's Myra, who has some sort of fire-related ability, but neither me, Damon or Stefan fully understand it yet. It's all so shocking how family can have so much power."

Jeremy's eyes widened in shock as he read Elena's diary entry. He couldn't believe what he was reading and hastily slammed the diary shut.

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words 4757

I HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED. tyler and myra??????? crazyyyy. Jeremy finding out the truth!!!!???? John Gilbert and Bellona Bloodworth rivalry!!! so much to see hahah!! anyways, hope you enjoyed and see you in the next chapter! 😛