Skipped The Five

In the Forbes' kitchen, Ariel is making potion while Caroline watches and plays with Shadow.

"Are you sure you want to use that grimoire? I mean we don't even know who sent it!"

"Sis, it's fine."

"...So, what kind of potion are you making?"

"You'll see... Now, it's done!"

"Wait, you're not drinking that are you?"

"Yes."

"What?! No, don't-"

Ariel quickly gulps down the potion and disappears. Caroline begins to panic and looks around the area, searching for Ariel.

"What the hell?! Ariel?!"

"Calm down, I'm standing right here." Caroline jumps at the sound of Ariel's voice but still does not see her. "Wait! You really can't see me?!"

"Ariel...where are you?"

"I'm standing in front of you."

"Can you make yourself visible again?"

"Yeah, hold on. Man, this is so awesome!"

Caroline sees a potion floating in midair and gulped down. The invisible Ariel can now be seen again.

"Ariel."

"Is there a spell or potion that changes hair color?"

"Already memorized the spell! Now just think about what color you want?"

"Auburn."

"Crinus Muto."

Caroline's blonde hair slowly changes to auburn shade. Ariel hands a mirror to her and the girls giggle from excitement. "Wait, can you change it back." She nods and repeats the spell, Caroline's hair color returning to normal. "What other spells can you do?"

The sisters continue to experiment with non-harmful spells until Kol, Klaus, Elijah and Katherine show up with bad news.

"You've been quiet for five minutes. Please say something."

Ariel continues to remain quiet and stare at Klaus. Kol sits next to her, rubbing her back. Caroline, Elijah and Katherine watch the interaction.

"Princess, please!"

She sighs. "So... You mean to tell me that you let the hunter escape?"

"I didn't let him escape! One of my hybrids was suppose to be watching him and got himself killed!"

"Kol, what happened to you again?"

"My brother and I had a little spat and he decides to break Bekah and mine's necks."

She nods. "Okay. So let me see if I got this right. Nicky, you get into an argument with your siblings and instead of being civil, you snap their necks. While this is going on, Connor manages to break free from his restraints and kills your hybrid. Now my little brother and childhood friend are being held hostage by this man in the grill. And Connor won't let them go unless the originals find some way to die. You also can't get close to the grill because he set up a bomb... Correct?"

"...Correct."

Ariel's phone rings and she answers it. "Is this Connor?"

"I'm guessing your boyfriend and his family already let you in on what's going on?"

"Yeah, um... What happened to staying away from Jeremy?"

"He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now you should know that killing an original will also kill their entire sireline."

"In case you've forgotten, all the white oak stakes have been destroyed."

"Either you're lying or you better find some spell or something that will kill an original. This mark will be completed once I've killed enough vampires or disappear if someone else does the task for us hunters. If all vampires cease to exist, we won't have the need to kill anymore. We'll be free."

Kol takes the phone from Ariel. "Lad, give me one reason why I shouldn't just kill you myself?"

"You know that you would suffer from the hunter's curse, right?"

"Not good enough. You threatened my girl and holding my best mate hostage? Things aren't looking good for you."

Kol hangs up and Ariel sighs. "...Excuse me for one moment."

She heads upstairs to her room and goes through her closet. She rushes back downstairs and everyone sees her with a golf club, aiming to hit Klaus with it. Klaus quickly goes to Caroline and hides behind her and just in time, Elijah holds Ariel back.

"Face me you coward! I beat Damon up with this golf club, I won't hestiate to do the same to you!"

Elijah looks at Kol and Katherine, both whom are smirking but Kol is also filming the scene before him. "Kol, why aren't you helping? And what are you doing on your phone?"

"Who am I to stop my lovely girlfriend from beating up my brother? Whose fault is it that my best mate is being held hostage? And the answer to your last question, I'm filming this and sending it to Rebekah. I'm sure this will make her feel better."

"It is not my fault that Rebekah wants the cure or that you don't want Silas to be awoken!" He looks back to Ariel. " They're lucky that I didn't dagger them!"

"Katerina, you seem to be enjoying this!"

"Oh, I am. It's not every day that I get the opportunity of seeing the big bad hybrid get beat up with a golf club. All you have to do is let her go, Elijah."

"You call yourself a man but you hide behind my sister?!"

"Ri, please calm down!"

"Sis, put the golf club down!"

Ariel finally stops struggling and Elijah lets her go, taking the golf club from her. "You are so lucky that your brother and sister just saved you..."

Just like the other two times, Ariel suddenly collapses and Elijah catches her. Opening her eyes, she finds herself back in the dark place she was once in shortly before she was able to prevent Finn's death. She hears that voice again.

"It's been a while. Can you hear me?"

"You again? Just who are you?"

"Can't answer that yet. And I don't have long to talk so listen-"

"I don't have time to talk either! Jeremy and Matt are being held hostage by that hunter

"So you're up to that point now."

"Just who are you?! Are you responsible for these visions that I'm having?!"

"I told you that I can't tell you my identity yet and yes I am responsible for those visions. They were necessary to save them."

"Well it didn't save Damon! He's dead!"

"...You shouldn't worry about that."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"I don't have much longer, I'll only be able to contact you once more after this... It's about the hunter's mark...and something else."

When she wakes up, she finds herself on the couch with Caroline and Kol hovering over her.

"Angelfish?"

"How are you feeling?"

"...I'm okay..."

"Okay?! Darling, this is the third time this has happened!"

"Brother, calm yourself."

"How am I suppose to calm down when my girlfriend keeps passing out and having visions?!"

Ariel gets up to grab the leather jacket she got from Damon from the coat rack near the front door and quickly puts it on while muttering something. "I'll be back."

"Darling, what do you mean? There's no way you're thinking of going on your own... Darling?"

Ariel is silent and quickly runs out the front door before Kol or Caroline can grab her. As they attempt to go outside, they are unable to with a barrier keeping them from leaving.

"Ariel, what is this?! Did you learn another spell?!"

"Sorry, sis. It's a spell to prevent you guys from leaving."

"Shortcake!"

"Sorry, Kat. Think of this as a way to keep you all safe. Because of that hunter, you Mikaelsons are the most vulnerable because of your sirelines."

"Sis, don't you get on that bike!"

"Nicky, start apologizing to Kol! Eli, you and Kat should talk!"

"About what?!"

"You're both single, aren't you?!"

Ariel runs to the motorcycle that Stefan got her and quickly gets on it after putting her helmet on.

"Princess, don't you drive away!"

"I have to go, I love you guys!"

Ariel quickly drives away. Caroline, Katherine and Klaus have dumbfounded expressions while Elijah shakes his head. Kol looks at Caroline.

"Caroline, what is the meaning of this?!"

"...Someone sent her a grimoire on her birthday."

"And you let her use it?! Why didn't either of you say anything?!"

"Because all of you, especially Kol would have taken it from her!"

"You both had no idea where that grimoire came from!"

"I was hesitant in letting her use that thing but it's the only thing that's compatible with her magic! And she wanted to surprise Kol with what she's learned so far... She's been so happy learning magic."

Kol sighs. "...Let me see this grimoire that she got."

At the police station, Liz is in her office as someone knocks on her door.

"Come in!"

"Sherriff, this young lady specifically requested you."

The person next to the officer is the woman who had been watching Ariel and Caroline before.

"Okay, I'll talk to her. You can leave."

The officer nods and takes his leave.

"Hello, I hope I'm not taking up your time."

"No, not at all. Please take a seat." The woman sits down in the chair in front of Liz's desk. "What can I help you with?"

"It's been a long time, Elizabeth Forbes."

Liz looks at the woman confused. "I'm sorry, do I know you?"

"You wouldn't remember. I was the one who took your and Ariel's memories."

"What are you... How do you know my daughter? And what do you mean by taking our memories?"

"I knew her a long time ago. As for the memories part... I was the one who brought Ariel to you when she was a child. There's a lot I can't tell you since you have to remember yourself."

"I don't understand-"

"Ariel has remembered a few things but not much. She knows you have lost memories as well because you knew her mother."

"What?! I never knew Ariel's mother!"

"Actually, you did. She was your best friend after all... Does the name Ariana Williams ring any bells?"

"No."

The woman takes a photo out of her purse and hands it to Liz. In the photo is Ariana and a young Liz. She suddenly has a flash of the two of them laughing. "...What was that?"

"Ah, it seems you have the desire to remember as well... Do you want me to return your memories?"

"What did I just see?"

"A memory. Of Ariana and yourself."

"...If that really was a memory, why would you take them in the first place?"

"It was to protect the both of you. Ariel is a very powerful witch and because of that, people were after her. Shortly before Ariana's death, she had someone else take care of Ariel as she didn't you to get wrapped in the dangers that she was in. He was able to take care of able to take of her for nine years until she started to demonstrate stronger magic and her identity was revealed to her parents' enemies. Then that's where I came in and brought her to you, the safer choice. Sealing her powers and erasing her memories of the life she had before. Including erasing your memories of Ariana." The woman sighs. "...Before her death, she went to see you one last time. The first time you met Ariel wasn't nine years ago... It was actually eighteen years ago."

"Wh... What are you saying?"

"Ariana wanted you to meet her daughter at least once. She had returned to Mystic Falls with her baby girl and at the same time you were already a mother yourself, with a baby girl of your own. I actually erased your memories of Ariana eighteen years ago. She could had done it herself but it was too emotional for her and my kind has a much stronger type of magic... She knew that if she had just disappeared on you, you would have never stopped looking for her. The two of you had such a strong bond, similar to the one that your daughters share."

"...What happened to Ariana?"

"...She's dead... So do you want to remember? For yourself and for Ariel? Or would you rather keep things the way that they are now? Before you answer, let me tell you this. Ariel is struggling with wanting to remember herself and she feels would put her loved ones in danger if she returned to her past. That is the reason why she hasn't approached you about this. Now...what do you want to do?"

"...Before I give you my answer? Why? Why would you give me my memories back if you're the one who took them away in the first place?"

"This is mainly to speed up the process. I want to help Ariel if she chooses to return to her old life."

"Who is my daughter to you?"

"...Someone who I owe my life to. She's been one of the most important people in my entire existence."

Ariel arrives at the Mystic Grill after parking her bike a little further away so that Connor doesn't know she's there. When she gets closer, she hears a commotion. She sees Stefan trying to reason with Connor and Jeremy lying near a bomb. Matt is taking cover behind one of tables.

"Connor, you don't have to do this! Just put the gun down!"

"I'll hand the gun over when you come out!"

Elena arrives at the scene and Ariel muttering, "Those idiots! What are they doing here?!"

"Don't hurt them!"

Connor then points his gun at Jeremy. "You come any closer, he's dead. Your friend over there will be next."

"Please just let them go!"

"If you don't come out, the boy will die! On the count of three! One! Two-"

Stefan comes out with his arms raised and Connor points the gun at him. Elena then charges at him and throws him to the ground. This act causes the gun to go off and before the bullet can hit Jeremy, Ariel rushes inside...

"Protego!"

A shield is cast around Jeremy, protecting him from the bullet. As Elena is about to bite into Connor's neck, Ariel telekinetically throws Elena against the wall. She then notices the bomb about to go off and strengths the barrier to protect all of them. When Elena gets back up, she attempts to go for Connor again but Ariel flicks her wrist to snap Elena's neck.

"Connor, it's over."

"It's not over! It will never be over till they're dead!"

"...What if I told you that I could remove the hunter's mark?"

"...How?"

Jeremy whispers. "Ari, the only way for him to lose the mark is for him to die and it will be passed onto someone else. That someone else is me."

"Without you having to die, there's a spell I can use."

"What will happen to the mark? You do understand what the purpose of the mark is, do you?"

"It's a map that leads you to where the cure for vampirism and Silas is, right? To kill him, fulfilling Qetsiyah's wish?"

"Right. But whose going to do that, huh?"

"I can't get rid of the mark but I can transfer it from you to someone else. That someone else is me."

"You can't even see the mark! Only one other person can and he's standing right next to you."

"No, I'm not letting him-"

"Ari, it's okay."

"Jeremy, no! I can do it!"

"No you can't... You've always looked out for me. You're my sister...so let me help you out this time."

"...Okay. I'll figure something out once you obtain the mark."

 He nods and she begins speaking in a completely different language. While doing hand movements, her hands glowing orange. The mark on Connor's right arm begins to glow the same color and completely vanishes. Jeremy's right hand begins to glow and the mark suddenly appears. He lifts up to the sleeve to see the rest of the mark going up his arm.

"Is it there, Jer?"

"Yeah... You did it, sis."

Connor is astonished. "...It worked... You actually did it."

She chuckles. "...Did you honestly think you get to walk away and live freely?" She flicks her wrist and Connor's right leg snaps, causing him to scream and fall on the floor. "I only made sure that Kol or Stefan killed you because they would suffer the hunter's curse if they had." She flicks her wrist again, his left arm snaps. "You didn't have a choice when it came to that mark. But you had a choice when you came here and took advantage of a man that I respected. He was already suffering enough as he was until he was forced to become a vampire! And yet, you haven't shown any remorse for your actions! My sister and me almost died! My boyfriend almost died! You got my best friend killed! Are you sorry for anything?!"

"...No. Being a member of the five? It amplifies how we truly feel... So, no. I don't feel sorry for anything that I've done."

Ariel walks over to Elena and crouches down. "Obliviate."

"What did you do?"

"She won't remember anything that just happened. We don't need her causing any more problems in the future."

"Wait, hold on... You said cure for vampirism. Do you mean a vampire becoming human again?"

"...Yes."

"Then why don't we go get it?"

"Because there's only one cure, Matt."

"But Elena-"

"Are we really about to have this discussion again? How many vampires before her didn't get a choice? What makes her so special? Besides, Elena knew what she was getting into. Had she stayed away from vampires, her chances of staying human would have been in her favor. That's on her, so she has to deal with it. Plus if we did go get the cure, Jeremy would have to keep kill vampires to complete the mark. Want to force him to become a murderer? Want to take his choice away like Elena did over and over again?"

Matt shakes his head and goes to pick Elena up. "I'll take her home."

She nods at him. "Jeremy, let's go. Your bestie has been worried sick about you. He was ready to kill Connor and willing to suffer the hunter's curse."

"Really? He loves me that much?" Jeremy jokes, making Ariel giggle.

Jeremy and Matt are the first to leave and as Ariel goes to follow them... "Stefan...he's all yours."

Stefan's face change to his vampire side and he vamp speeds to Connor, biting into his neck.

Ariel and Jeremy head back to the Forbes home while Matt takes Elena back home. Ariel removes the barrier and the two are instantly attacked with hugs. Ariel by Kol and Jeremy by Caroline.

"Darling, don't you ever do that again!"

"Jeremy, are you okay? Are you hurt?" She turns to Ariel. "How is he?"

"I'm standing right here, Caroline. And I'm fine, Ariel saved me."

"Stop hogging my sister! Let me hug her!"

"Well stop hogging my best mate!"

The two switch positions, Jeremy is now being hugged by Kol and Ariel being hugged by Caroline.

"Sis, are you okay? Are you hurt?" She turns to Jeremy. "How is she?"

"Must you always do this? I'm fine, Care."

"Good. No cotton candy for a week!"

"I'm hurt, I'm hurt!" Ariel goes to lie on the floor, acting as if she's in pain.

Elijah, Katherine and Klaus are amused by her actions. Jeremy smirks thinking back to what Ariel told him. "A little birdie told me that you were really worried about me and would gladly suffer the hunter's curse just to save me."

Kol gasps. "Darling, how could you?!"

"Not now, Kol! I'm hurt!"

"Well, mate. I'm guessing she left out the other reason I would kill the hunter. He threatened her! So you're weren't the only reason!"

"...You still love me."

"...Shut up. I take back my worries and hug!"

Klaus helps Ariel off the floor. "Mind telling us what happened?"

"Short version? I used my magic to transfer the hunter's mark from Connor to Jeremy. And Stefan killed Connor."

Ariel and Jeremy look at each other as everyone in the room falls silent from what she just told them.

"Shortcake, you mean to tell us that Jeremy is a member of the five now?"

All the vampires in the room give Jeremy a wary look and Ariel realizes why.

"Oh, wait... Jeremy, are you okay? You haven't tried to kill them..."

"I feel fine... I don't even want to kill them..."

"Huh? Can you explain?"

Klaus steps into the conversation. "It must be his anchor."

"Anchor? What are you talking about?"

"Whatever is keeping him sane. It's keeping him from wanting to kill. Do you know what this is, lad?"

"...Ariel."

"Wait, what?"

"To be honest, I'm always careful about what I do because of what I don't want to repeat the things I did after my parents died. When I turned to drugs, you were there for me. I know that you didn't like it but you didn't talk me out of it and let me do what I needed to do until I could move on. Elena turned into a parent and I didn't want that. That's when you became my big sister and it made me happy. Thinking about you, makes me want to make better decisions because I want you to be proud of me."

"...Well there you go. Ariel Forbes is your anchor."

Ariel become teary-eyed and hugs Jeremy. "Aww, Jeremy!"

"So we don't need to worry?" Caroline questions Klaus.

"No, love. I'm sure he'll be fine."

"Now, Nicky did you apologize to foxy?"

"Yes, princess."

"What about Becky?"

"Yes. She finally answered my calls after the thirty messages I left her."

"And she watched the video I sent her. She appreciated you trying to beat up Niklaus."

"Anything to make her better. Now Kat, Eli. Anything you'd like to tell me?"

"Like what?"

"Maybe of it being the start of a beautiful relationship?" 

"Oh my god."

"Darling, before there's any further talk about that." Kol picks up the grimoire from the couch. "Would you like to tell me about this?"

"...I'm in big trouble, aren't I?"

"Of course. But first." He walks up to her and kisses her forehead. "Good job."

She smiles and turns to Katherine. "Kat, can I speak you for a moment?"

"...Sure."

"We must be heading home, Rebekah and Finn will be returning tomorrow. I'll call you later, love." Klaus kisses Caroline's cheek before leaving.

"Stay out of trouble, Ri!" Elijah yells as he walks out of the house behind Klaus.

"I'll try!"

"Darling, I'll head on up to your room. We need to talk about this." He tells her while patting the grimoire.

"I have to finish the plan for angelfish to win Miss Mystic Falls!" Caroline yells while rushing upstairs.

"Kol, you saved your girlfriend from a tragedy. I was originally going to be her escort."

"That's good because you definitely can't dance."

Jeremy throws a couch pillow at Kol but misses due to Kol using his vampire speed. Ariel and Katherine shake their heads and go into the kitchen. 

"Kat, can you look into someone for me?"

"Sure, who is it?"

"...Joshua Parker."

After talking to Katherine, she heads up to her room to see Kol sitting on her bed. Shadow happily barks at his owner and runs to her. She picks him up and pets him. "Were you a good boy while I was gone?"

Shadow barks again and licks her cheek.

"You didn't have to hide it from me."

"You're so protective of me and I thought otherwise. So I thought if I got enough practice and I'd show you what I could do, it would make you happy."

"You just being with me, makes me happy. Always remember that." He tells her, making her smile. "Show me something."

She points a finger at Kol and a small glowing ball appears as she whispers, "Expecto Patronum."

The small ball of light turns into corporeal form of a baby fox. The fox squeals at Kol and runs to him, jumping onto his lap. He grins and proceeds to pet it.

"I see what you're doing."

"Whatever do you mean, foxy?"

"Cute. You'll have to show me some other spells later. Now about this grimoire..."

"Do you know anything about it?"

"Not much but..." He stands up and walks over to her while holding the grimoire. "This was written by the first warlock to have ever been born."

"How long ago was that?"

"Hmm... Maybe two-thousand?"

"Oh so they're very old."

He chuckles. "They were also the first high warlock."

"What's that?"

"A high warlock is the oldest and most powerful person. It's a position where they are sought help from humans and others."

"All that sounds pretty important... Why send it to me?"

"That's what I'm curious about... Ah, your mother is home."

With the door already open, Ariel turns around and hears her mother coming up the stairs. When Liz stops at the door, the couple notice her red puffy eyes.

"Mom, what's wrong? Why have you been crying?"

"...You look like her. I can't believe I forgot her..."

"...Mom, what are you saying?"

"...Ariana Williams. Your real mother and my best friend."

"...You know?"

"I remember everything, sweetheart."

Liz takes a photo of her jacket pocket and hands it to Ariel... A photo of her biological mother and a young Liz.

Flashback

A young Liz holding a baby Ariel and baby Caroline walks with Ariana to her car.

"Do you have to go? Can't you stay a little longer?"

"Sorry, Lizzy. I have to get back to New Orleans soon."

"But look at them! They're so attached to each other!"

Caroline is patting Ariel's head while Ariel is patting Caroline's cheek.

Ariana sighs. "They're practically going to be sisters when they grow up."

"Just like us, huh?"

"Always... If I'm able to come back, I'll tell you everything."

"What do you mean if? Of course you'll come back. How about me and Caroline visit too? You'd like that sweetie, huh?"

Caroline giggles and claps. Ariana gives her a small smile and kisses her forehead. "Take care of your mom for me, okay?" She proceeds to take Ariel from Liz. "Say see you later to your auntie and sister!"

Ariana lifts Ariel's hand up and waves it at Liz who reciprocates the action with Caroline. After putting Ariel in her car seat, she turns back to Liz and gives her a tearful smile. "I love you. Don't ever forget that, okay?"

End of Flashback

Madelaine Petsch as Ariana Williams & Lili Reinhart as young Liz Forbes

Sorry for the long wait! What was blocking me was Ariel's species and family history. There were some things I had to work out before I could continue with these chapters! Also I was really struggling with what to do with the hunter's mark. I didn't want Elena killing him leading to the whole hunter's curse and Jeremy being forced to kill. So I hope you like what I did with it because that's not going to be the focus of the story! And I'm pretty sure most of you know who Joshua Parker is... And what could be in New Orleans, hmm? 

I meant to have more Ariel and Kol moments in this but I wanted to fit in more of their friendship with Jeremy and I thought it would be best to do it this chapter. But don't worry, more moments with the OTP are coming next chapter!

Credit for the invisiblity potion, the hair changing spell, the memory spell and the spell used to make the corporeal fox goes to the Harry Potter series and J.K. Rowling since Shadowhunters had no type of spells I could use from them. Thanks to the readers who suggested that idea!