Sorry that the top image isn't a gif! I've been having issues with gifs for the past few weeks and just recently was able to get in contact with Wattpad Help. So now I have to wait until the issue is resolved. The gifs that you see for upcoming chapters are ones that I added a couple of months ago not ones I added now!

Also, I chose not to include April in this story so don't expect to see her.

"Ariel?"

"Hmm?"

"You do know that you're floating in midair, right?"

"Yep."

"Can you come down, please?"

Ariel slowly floats back down, her head landing on top on Bonnie's lap. The two are in Bonnie's room, learning about Ariel's magic.

"Satisfied?"

"Yes. Now back to what we were doing-"

"Trying to figure out how my powers work? Yep, I already know."

"Wh- And you didn't say anything?!"

Ariel sighs. "Realized it after...you know... It's my emotions. Remember that time you almost set Tiki on fire?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"It's been the same for me. The first time, when Kol almost died. I felt afraid. Was so scared that I was going to lose him and you know what happened next. The second time was when I got rid of the pastor and his lackies. I just felt anger at the time... Those two times that I was able to cast spells without having to say the incantation. So I've been practicing for the past couple of weeks and depending on my mood..."

"How were you feeling when you were floating in air?"

"Other than the anger and pain? I felt tired."

"...Have you asked your mom about her yet? Ariana?"

"Nope."

"Why?"

"Honestly? I don't know."

"I think you do."

"I thought we were suppose to be learning about my magic not have a therapy session."

"You know you can talk to me, right? You were there for me when grams-"

"I have to go."

Ariel gets up, grabs her bag and heads to the door but stops when Bonnie calls her.

"Ariel... I know you're still hurting because of Damon but... He would want you to be happy. You can be still be the cheerful weirdo again. That's who you always were before Damon came along... It's okay to smile again."

She doesn't respond and leaves.

At the Mystic Grill, Ariel and Katherine are sitting in one of the booths. Ariel is eating pancakes topped with blueberries, raspberries, chocolate chips, powered sugar and whipped cream as Katherine shakes her head at the sight as she drinks her coffee. "I don't understand you."

"What?"

"What do you mean "what"? How can you eat that?"

"I haven't had pancakes in a while... It's not the same as his..."

"What do you mean?"

"Anyway, you've seen me four cheeseburgers."

She groans. "Don't remind me. Explain to me how you're able to eat so much?"

Ariel shrugs. "Don't know. I've always been like this even since I was a kid. And I'm pretty sure I'm not a werewolf since I've already killed someone."

"I feel sorry for Liz and Caroline."

"Don't be. My mom doesn't actually mind it but Caroline will nag me about the calories."

"Of course she does, isn't she Miss Mystic Falls? And you will be the next to obtain the crown." Ariel stops eating for a moment before resuming. "What's wrong?"

"...Damon was suppose to save me from that wretched event."

Realizing she hit a nerve, decides to change the subject. "That's a pretty necklace. Kol give that to you?"

"Yep. He sent this along with a dress for the Mikaelson ball. One of the first gifts he ever gave to me... You know he saved you because of me."

"What do you mean?"

"Apparently we're soulmates. A few times throughout his entire, he'd have dreams of me. In one of those dreams you were with me."

"...So that's why he saved me. I always wondered what the reason was... You know something? You're pretty much my savior. You saved me from that sacrifice and got me my freedom from Klaus."

"No need to thank me. You deserve to be happy."

"So do you. Start putting yourself first and be happy with, what did you call him? Mini Elijah?"

"It's best you not speak of that nickname. My brother could be lingering around somewhere." Klaus says as he approaches the girls and sits next to Ariel. "Katerina, leave us."

"She can stay. It's for the best. Just in case...for your sake."

"...Alright... I think you're going to like the new work that I will present soon."

"Hmm."

He sighs and lifts up her legs to place them on top of his, making her face him. "Princess, talk to me."

"About what?"

"You haven't spoken to me in a week after how things went between us last time. After you saved my siblings, you slapped me. You were thankful that I saved Caroline but so angry that I left my siblings behind."

"Oh yeah. I did that, huh? Had you not left your siblings behind, I wouldn't had done that. So what was your reason?"

"...I may have said some things to Rebekah and Kol that I shouldn't had said which led to them destroying the last stash I had of Elena's blood to make more hybrids."

"And I thought you were done with the hybrids."

"They were for protection! For myself and my family, you included! How many times must I say I'm sorry?"

"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to."

"...Rebekah told me what had happened with the pastor... I know that you're still hurting-"

"Don't-"

"But this isn't what Damon wouldn't have wanted for you. This isn't you."

"Klaus, it is still me. And I'm grieving, so deal with it."

Before he can reply, Kol shows up. "The dashing one is here."

"Thank you, take shortcake and go. I'll meet up with guys later, I need to talk to Klaus."

"Ready, darling?" Kol looks at Katherine confused then offers his hand to Ariel.

"Yep." She says before taking his hand.

After the couple leaves, Katherine throws a blueberry at Klaus.

"What is wrong with you?"

"You must be the one responsible for Ariel's childness! And that's funny I should be the one asking you that, Katerina! You're lucky I granted you your freedom! How could you allow Ariel to kill all those people?! I would have gone to save them, why couldn't you let me handle it?!"

"First, it's like she's never killed before. Second, those people threatened the lives of everyone she loved, including you. Besides, I was there with her. I killed more than she did. Third, she needed it. It was something that she had to do."

"Are you trying to make her like us? She's better than us, Katerina!"

"And she still is! Do you think I like doing this? I don't. But Damon is gone... She's grieving, Klaus." 

"Explain how will this make her better."

"Do you not know, Ariel at this point? She has always put everyone's needs before hers. So now, her needs come first... Until she's better, allow her to get out that anger, that frustration, even the heartache. When have you ever seen her get really angry, throw things or lash out? Always keeping everything bottled up isn't good for her... Kol can take the hint, so why can't you?"

Katherine gets up and leaves. Klaus continues sitting there lost in his thoughts until someone speaks to him. "I still don't like you but piece of advice." Looking up to see Jeremy standing next to the table. "Just leave her be."

"What?"

"After I lost my parents, I turned to drugs and drinking. Elena hated it and wouldn't get off my back. But Ariel...she didn't like it either but never said anything. You know why? It was me grieving and until I was ready to move on, she let me be. She never judged me, she never told me what I can or can't do. She told me that no matter what happens, she will always be there. While Elena started to turn into a parent, Ariel became a sister."

"...So you and Katerina are telling me to let her become a mass murderer just to move on from Damon's death?"

"She's not becoming a mass murderer and she will never be one. Just let her do what she has to do until she can let go. She did that for me, I'm doing the same for her."

"...Seeing as to why Kol hasn't done anything, I'm assuming that you've told Kol the same thing?"

"Yeah."

"You truly care for that girl."

"Since I lost my parents, she's been more of a sister to me than Elena."

After some time, Ariel, Kol and Katherine arrive at the church to see Elijah waiting for them.

"Big brother, you're finally back!"

"Kol. Katerina." He goes to hug Ariel. "How are you doing, Ri?"

"Good, come on. Let's get inside."

The four head inside and as Ariel and Kol sit near the front behind Stefan, Matt and Elena, Elijah holds Katherine back. He has her sit in the back with him so they can talk quietly. "What is the matter with you?"

"Oh, here you go too."

"Have you lost your mind?"

"No but you should be thankful that Ariel hasn't lost hers. Can you imagine what it would have been like if she lost Kol instead?"

"Don't. Niklaus called me and told me everything you and Ariel had done on that ranch. How could you allow Ariel to murder twelve people?!"

"I tell you the same thing I told Klaus. I killed more people than she did. Also, it's not the first time that she's killed and you know that."

"Yes, however out of self-defense or protecting someone she loves!"

"Exactly. She was protecting people she loves. The council was threatening the lives of vampires and vampire sympathizers. So since she lost Damon, she couldn't lose anyone else."

"Katerina, we can't ever let her become like us-"

"She's not! Kol is the only one who hasn't lectured me on this."

"Kol doesn't want to accept the fact that she's changing. He's pretending not to see it even when it's clear."

"But she's not changing. She's the same Ariel that we all know and love. Yeah, she's not happy. She hasn't been calling anyone by their nickname. She just lost her best friend. She is grieving, so lay off. You don't need to worry about her becoming a mass murderer because that's not happening."

"...Make me understand something. Since when does Katherine Pierce care? I thought she only looked out for no one but herself?" 

"Let's get something straight. Before the only one I ever cared about was me but when Ariel came into my life, things changed... Shortcake was the only person throughout my entire existence as a vampire to have shown kindness to me... That's why I want to look out for her."

Back to the couple, Kol sees Tyler and Caroline coming in and sitting in the back. He rolls his eyes and huffs. Ariel notices this and holds his hand. "What's wrong with you?"

"Why does my brother's pet have to be here?"

She looks around to see who he is talking about and turns back to him. "You mean Tyler? What's your issue with him?"

"...Are you really oblivious, darling?"

"...Kol. What did you... What did you and Damon fight about that day? At the ball?"

"...He questioning me about my motives of pursuing you and threaten that I stay away from you."

"Okay, let me tell you this. Don't even think about hurting Tyler."

"Darling-"

"I mean it, Kol. It's not like that between him and me."

"But-"

He is interrupted as Carol stands at the podium and begins speaking. After she is done, Tyler goes up to speak.

"Back in first grade I was a brat who couldn't be bothered with team sports. Didn't care much about anything that didn't affect me. But he was the one who made me understand how important it is to be part of a team; a community. Of giving yourself up for the sake of-"

Tyler is suddenly shot and falls to the floor. Everyone begins screaming, ducking in aisles and running out of the church. Ariel makes her way towards Tyler but suddenly faints. Flashes of Elena killing someone. Tyler and a woman. A massacre. When Ariel awakes, she finds herself outside being carried Kol's arms. He notices she's awake and places her on a nearby bench.

"Darling, are you alright?!"

"What happened?"

"When you ran to help my brother's pet, you passed out on the way."

"Is he okay?"

"He's being tended to his mother and Caroline. Mayor Lockwood had to call an ambulance since the whole town saw him get shot."

"Where's the one who shot him?"

"...We lost him or her. Now what happened to you?"

"...It was like before. That vision I had of Finn dying but I saw multiple things this time."

"Like what?"

Before she can say anything, Elijah approaches them. "Ariel, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You suddenly passed."

"She had another vision. Like last time."

"Of what?"

"Umm... Can we not talk about it?"

"Darling."

"Kol, leave us."

"What? No!"

"Kol, it's okay."

Kol look annoyed at his older brother but his gaze softens on Ariel. He takes her hand and kisses the back of it. After he leaves, Elijah sits next her. "Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Don't shut us out. You can tell-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know I can tell you guys anything. But this is something I don't want to talk about."

"Then since you don't want to talk about that and I know that you're not going to talk about Damon, tell me about why you're not searching for your mother."

"How did-"

"Caroline told me that you're not even trying to find out about her. The only person who apparently knows if Elizabeth, so why haven't you asked her?"

"...Three reasons."

"Which are."

"First...I'm afraid. What if I'm just putting myself back in the danger my parents were protecting me from? That's the reason they sent me away in the first place, right?"

"Most likely."

"Second, mom never told me she never knew my real mother. So I believe she doesn't remember because she was either compelled to forget or magic was used to erase her memories of my real mother."

"How did you first come to this town?"

"All I remembered was my name and I was in front of the police station. I don't know how I got there but I went inside, talked to the officers and waited. The sheriff eventually showed up because she was looking for me and that's how I became her daughter."

"She was looking for you? Then most likely your mother brought you here, erased Elizabeth's memories and made sure Elizabeth got you."

"And that's the thing, I can bring my mom's memories back. But I don't know how."

"How did you do it with Jeremy?"

"I don't know, I just... I held his hand and wanted him to remember what happened and be able to come back home. I didn't even know I was a witch though!"

"Then there's your answer. Talk to her. Hold her hand or give her a hug if you want and think about how much you want her to remember Ariana."

"I don't want to."

"Why not?"

"Third reason? I'm scared of losing someone else... I find out about my true heritage and I might be just putting myself in back in the danger I was being protected from. Everyone else that I love might get hurt too."

Before he can reply, Caroline comes towards them. "Hey, Elijah I need to borrow my sister for a moment. We're going to the school for something important." She holds her hand out for her sister. "Come on." 

Ariel takes Caroline's hand and they leave. 

At the school, Bonnie, Stefan, Matt, Jeremy, Tyler and Elena are sitting at the picnic tables. "Caroline, what are we doing?"

"We're finishing the memorial we didn't get to have earlier, Ariel."

Stefan hands Matt a lantern. "We have to starting healing, Ariel. We've all lost so much, especially recently. I think we're numb to it. We push it away, we make a joke out of it, ignore how we feel. We've never just let ourselves grieve."

"I haven't done any of that. You all know exactly how I feel. Angry, hurt and I'm still grieving."

Stefan sighs and lights Matt's lantern. "This is for Vicki."

Caroline takes the lighter from Stefan and lights hers. "This is for my dad." She hands the lighter to Jeremy.

"This is for my parents... For Vicki. Anna. Jenna...and Alaric." Jeremy hands Ariel a lantern but she doesn't take it. "You don't have to do this. Believe me, I understand if you're not ready."

Ariel looks at it for a moment and shakes her head. "No way, I'm not doing it."

She leaves with the others watching her sadly.

After walking for a while, she finds herself at the Salvatore Crypt. She goes inside and places her back against the wall, slowly sliding down to sit on the floor. Tears glisten in her eyes as she looks at Damon's memorial plate. "Wanna know something? I'm tired... I'm angry... I'm sad...and it hurts so much. It sucks not having you here because that means no more hair pranks on Stefan or you making your special pancake breakfast for me... But had Kol died? I'd just be empty. My heart would be shattered into a million pieces. I would fall apart completely. That's how important Kol Mikaelson and Damon Salvatore are to Ariel Forbes... Why did you leave me, Damon?"

Unknown to her, Damon is sitting next to her. Knowing she can't hear him, he says "I'm sorry."

"Guess what the others are doing? They're floating lanterns in the sky... Japanese lanterns is a symbol of letting go of the past. And I didn't do it. Know why? Because I don't want to let you go... What gives you the right to make me care if you were just going to leave me?"

"...I miss you too, my little mermaid."

As the tears begin falling, she feels something rubbing her hand. She looks next to her seeing a wolf with white and black fur. "Where did you come from? Are you trying to cheer me up?" The wolf whines nuzzles up against her and she gently rubs it's head but still is unable to smile. "My best friend died recently, that's why I'm crying."

"I have to go see Stefan now but I'll come back to see you soon." Before Damon gets up to leave, he kisses Ariel's head and stands. However, he stops when he notices her reaction. She slowly turns her head in the direction Damon was sitting, with her eyebrows furrowed. Realizing that she felt his touch, he gives a sad smile and walks away. Thirty minutes later, the wolf suddenly gets up and leaves. "Hey! Where are you going?!" She quickly gets up to go follow it and ends up bumping into Kol and sees Jeremy next to him. Kol quickly brings her into a hug.

"Darling, I've been looking for you! Why didn't you tell anyone where you went?!"

"I'm sorry... After everything that happened today, I just need some time to myself."

Kol sighs and pulls away. "It's okay... Don't scare me like that again, okay?"

"Okay."

"Ariel, don't leave me with this doofus again."

"Doofus? How dare you! Like you're not insufferable!"

Because of their small banter, it manages to put a small smile on Ariel's face. Feeling accomplished, Kol offers his hand to her. Jeremy does the same. As she takes both their hands, Jeremy wipes away her tears and the three leave together.

Another sad chapter😢

Get ready for Ariel vs Hayley next chapter!