it will all be painfully clear soon enough

Lizzie drags Josie and I along. "Reporting for portal duty!" Hope glances up, catching the sight of me and Jo. "I brought back up."

Hope pursed her lips as I sit on the pavement, pulling out a notebook. I love Hope, I do, but when someone betrays you, letting you forget she exists for months, and comes back into your life expecting things to be normal, it's hard. I want to forgive her, but it isn't that simple.

Hence why I didn't tell her the fact that I have been having really weird dreams after using that spell with Josie.

Josie was also pretty upset, for a mix of reasons. I mean, her and Landon had a lot of heart warming moments that they shared, stuff they'll never forget. And though they did split, they still care about one another to a point. Josie wants him to be happy. She also doesn't want Hope hurting any of us again.

Let's not forget that her and Hope were becoming friends before my sister decided to leap into the pit of the forgotten.

"So, this is nice, right? Together again."

"It's great."

"It's awesome."

"So wonderful."

Josie, Lizzie, and Hope sit on the bench while I scribble in my english notebook. Lizzie pats her legs. "I mean, for the three of you not to be talking to each other just because you're mad about trust and a garden gnomes feeling, I think we're more evolved than that as women." Lizzie looks expectantly at Hope.

"Absolutely."

"Without a doubt."

"Couldn't agree more." I mumble.

Lizzie nods. "Good. Because, personally, I've never been better." The blond smiles. "My work paid off. My mind is sharp. All perceived mental breakdowns were a figment of my imagination fed by two manipulative vampires who will remain forever my enemies."

Hope peers up at Lizzie. "What's going on with Sebastian?"

"Headmaster Downton Abbey wants us to enroll him to keep him off the streets." Lizzie explains. "But after deliberately letting me think that I was unwell, I will not let that happen."

Josie peers up at the Saltzman twin. "You should forgive MG."

"Never." Lizzie grumbles.

"He didn't want to hurt you."

"He hid things from me." Lizzie retorts. "Zero stars."

Josie shakes her head. "He's not the only friend keeping secrets." She points out.

"I didn't want to hurt you guys either." Hope snaps at her.

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, well, zero stars." I mumble, flipping the page in my notebook.

"Is that what I think it is?" I hear Josie say.

I look up, seeing that stupid crystal hologram. Hope plays with it in her hands. "Yeah." Josie nods sheepishly. Hope purses her lips, handing it over. "Here. I don't need it anymore."

Josie slowly takes it. "Thanks."

The awkward silence fills the air. "Look at us. Clear hearts and minds. Letting the power of our intellect rule the day over our emotions. Moving forward with dignity and grace." Lizzie reaches over Josie and Hope, pulling them in. "This is the true definition of girl power. I'm proud of us."

"Greetings, witches."

I turn around, seeing some weird man in a costume. "Who are you?" I ask, annoyed.

He leans back in his bench as the others stand up, Josie helping follow suit. "An answer for an answer. There are two sisters. One gives birth to the other. And the other, in turn, gives birth to the first." He hums. "Who are they?"

"They're-?"

"Night and day." Josie blurts, cutting off Hope. "The sisters are Night and Day."

The strange man hums, waving his weird claw hands. "Your reward for answering correctly is to know that you are in the presence of the master of the ancient lands." He stands up, "The all-holy, ever-divine sphinx." He waves his arms up, expecting us to know what he's talking about.

I look back at the others. "Is it just me, or is there a lot of déjà vu going on?"

The girls shrug as the Sphinx frowns. "People are usually more impressed."

"It's been a long semester.

"Prohibere." A jogger passes by, giving us strange looks. The four of us hold hands. "Invisique." All five of us now invisible.

Lizzie grins. "See? Girl power."

♚

"Hope!" My sister looks back at me as she walks out of the High School. "I heard you're going to New Orleans. Do you, need some help?"

"What happened to zero stars?" Hope asks, annoyed.

I roll my eyes. "Hope, I'm mad. Okay? And I have every reason to be mad." I walk towards her. "And trust me, right now, I want to rip your face off and scream for hours and hours about how my sister left me alone and I had to learn to be just that without knowing why. When I shouldn't have even forgotten you in the first place!"

"Annie-"

"How did I forget you? Huh?" I ask her. "I'm a full tribrid, I shouldn't be forgetting things. Instead, I should be going in that pit and saving all of us!"

"No!" Hope shouts. "I'm the older sister and I'm supposed to protect you!" Hope scolds. She sighs. "You forgot me because of the necklace."

I frown. "I had my necklace when Seylah was erased."

"But before spring break you had to get it respelled." Hope points out. "When the necklace is at its peak of power, it blocks things off. Like your magic and a lot of your wolf side, and even some of those vampire abilities." I nod. "It also blocked out being immune to Malivore."

"Then why didn't my memories come back when I stopped wearing it?"

Hope rolls her eyes. "Do you think I know everything?" She retorts. "All I know is that I couldn't lose you, so I-"

"So you decided I should lose you?" I huff. "Hope, you are my sister. If you're gone I feel like I'm missing something more important than anything else." Hope looks away sadly. "Just don't do it again or I'm going to teleport myself into Malivore and kick your ass." The two of us laugh as she hugs me tightly. "I love you, you idiot."

"I love you too, Annie." The two of us walk down the street. "What happened to the necklace anyway?"

I shrug. "It's in Alaric's office. I learned how to control things, I guess." I link arms with Hope. "So, New Orleans?"

"New Orleans."

♚

Hope and I start walking to the bus. "Hope!" My sister and I look up to see Landon rushing over. "Don't go. I need you."

I raise my brows in surprise. "Uh, I-I have to figure out a a way to close the portal." She stammers, pulling him to the side so we're out of the way.

"Then I'll come with you. I just couldn't stand losing you again." He says, "I love you, Hope Mikaelson."

Hope smiles. "Landon, I love you, too. Of course I love you." The two smile at each other.

"Finally, oh my god." I groan.

"Aw, hell." Hope and I turn around to see another Landon, along with Josie. "You had to find Hope?"

Hope and I look back at Nice Landon, and back at Dick Landon. "What the hell is happening?" She asks. I look at Josie, who looks back at her shoes awkwardly.

I roll my eyes. "Hope, next time I am vamp speeding us to New Orleans." I growl.

♚

"We're gonna use him as a decoy. We'll let the sphinx take him into the portal." Dick Landon explains.

SimuLandon, or as I like to call Nice Landon, frowns. "I don't want to go in the portal. I want to stay here with Hope." He says, grabbing my sisters hand.

I smile. "I like this Landon. I say we get rid of the old one." Dick Landon glares at me. "Hey, you brought a second you, I think I have the right to voice my opinion on which ones better."

Hope pulls her hand from Nice Landon. "Uh, I think we need to talk to your subconscious about personal space." She snarks.

"I didn't realize he'd be so vocal. And fast." Landon frowns. "He ran away after we created him. I guess to find you." We look at Nice Landon, who smiles sheepishly.

"But there's a catch." Says Dick Landon. "Josie bounded him to the Lunar Cycle. So, when the moon reaches its apex tomorrow night Simu-me will disintegrate."

Nice Landon's eyes widen. "What? Uh, no one told me that part!"

"How does that close the portal?"

"That's where you come in." Dick Landon says. "We need to pump SimuLandon full of your blood, so when he goes in, it will close the portal."

Hope shakes her head. "My blood's not enough to keep the portal closed. I have to activate my vampire side. Malivore is just gonna spit him out and create a new portal."

"Then we will use Annie's."

"My blood isn't strong enough." I point out. "That necklace and the after effects, my blood isn't even stable enough to put in vials anymore." I explain. "It could kill the wolves and the vamps."

Hope looks at me. "I didn't know that happened." She whispers.

I shrug. "We didn't think about the possibilities." I say softly. Hope frowns, looking down sheepishly.

"Well, it won't matter. Because If Simu-Landon disintegrates there's nothing to spit out." Dick Landon shrugs. "Portal closed, no new portal opens. Both problems solved. Life goes back to normal ish. Hope and I make eye contact, nodding. It was the best plan we got.

Nice Landon leans over. "I love you, Hope."

"Please stop saying that." Dick Landon pleads.

Nice Landon snaps his head at Dick Landon. "I can't help it I want to shout it from the rooftops." He stands up, "I love Hope -"

"Ad somnum." Hope clenches her fist, Nice Landon falling back down, unconscious. She gives a half smile before looking down.

I sigh. "Can't we just get rid of Dick Landon?"

Hope looks at me, confused. "Which ones that?"

I point to normal Landon. "Dick Landon," I then point to Simu-Landon. "Nice Landon."

Dick Landon rolls his eyes. "Rude."

♚

I walk down the hall, watching Landon storm by. "Hey," I hum. Landon slowly turns to look at me, his body tense and uneasy. "You okay?"

Landon looks around, sighing as he walks back towards me. "Uh, yeah." He mumbles. He shoves his hands in his pockets as he sighs. "Listen, you know I care about you right?"

I frown. "Yeah, why?"

"I, uh, I want you to do something for me." He explains. "When Simu-Landon goes into the portal, saving Hope and everyone else, and you, please take care of her and Josie."

I raise a brow. "Why?" I ask. "I mean, of course I'm going to do that, but-"

"Because I care about them too, alright?" He cuts me off. I nod slowly as he hugs me tightly. "You're one of a kind, Annie." He pats my shoulder, beginning to walk away. I blink a few times, confused, before slowly turning on my heel, looking down at my feet.

I finally get to Hopes room. "Hey," I chirp. "How are you feeling?"

Hope looks up at me weakly, not much blood in her system. "Where have you been? Dr. Saltzman has been looking for you." She says.

"Why was he looking for me?"

She sits up slightly. "The school has been evacuated. Vardemus was actually Clarke, the sphinx doesn't even want Landon, and your girlfriend created a dark object with indeterminate power. Rics words, not mine." She shrugs.

My eyes widen. "Is Josie okay?" I ask. "And Clarke? I forgot about him completely."

"Yeah, well he's out of the pit." She explains. I sigh, laying down next to my sister. We observe the room quietly. Landon's room.

It felt like years since I was last in here. It was weird to think that I ever was.

"Oh, hey." We look around confused, seeing nothing. Suddenly, Clarke appears. "Miss me?"

Hope sits up, trying to get in front of me. "Clarke? How did you get in here?"

"My trusty ring." He hums, gesturing to the red jewel on his finger. "Creates illusions." He looks around the room. "I thought I'd camp out while your friends emptied out the school."

Hope holds up her hands. "Fluctus Inpulsa-" He stops the spell by locking her hands in the magic chains that stop witches from using their powers.

"Surprise. I found these in the school armory. Spelled shackles that neutralize a witch's power." He explains. "Yet another one of Ric's failsafes against supernaturals."

I growl. "Incendia-" I'm stopped when he holds up a medallion. Much like the necklace Freya and Hope made, but much larger.

"Don't think I forgot about you, Annie King." He chuckles. "Sadly, I didn't have much planned for you, but this trusty medallion can at least stop you from using your powers anywhere near me."

Clarke pulls up a wheelie chair. "Yeah, please, go ahead, make yourself comfortable. And while you're at it, tell me what the hell you're doing here." Hope snaps. I feel useless. My powers, all of them, were condemned by this stupid medallion. And Hope couldn't even do anything with the stupid chains.

And human Annie is well, weak as hell.

"I swore to my father I would come back and take you out, but my dad screwed me over yet again."

I fake pout. "How did he do that?" I ask him, teasingly. "He seems like such a supernatural mastermind."

"My form started to break down. He put a ticking clock on me in order to control me. I had to consume people and monsters to stay stable." He explains. "Well, it didn't work. I burned through my monster food supply and I was still unstable." I watch, slightly disgusted as Clarke claws at the side of his face, his skin coming of like makeup. It leaves his mud form for show. "Once a mud man, always a mud man." He growls. "But not anymore. I have a new solution." He looks at my sister. "You two. Why kill you when I can become a powerful Tribrid and stand up to my father once and for all?"

"Ah, everybody wants to be a Tribrid until they actually have to be a Tribrid." Hope chuckles.

I watch as Clarke pulls out an odd looking weapon. "What is that?" I ask.

He glances down at us. "Mm, a little weapon your little girlfriend Josie helped create today." He looks down at his hand, cutting it open. "Now my consciousness will transfer into the next person I cut." My eyes widen. "I know I shouldn't gloat, but you screwed me over." He glares down at Hope. "And now I get payback, by taking over your little sister and killing you myself." Clarke reaches up his hand, looking down at me. "I'm going to enjoy this."

His hand hands over me when Hope kicks him in the leg. She deflects his hand away, sending him to the floor. "First mistake; going after my sister." Hope pulls me to my feet. "Come on!"

We run down the hall. "You literally have no blood. How far do you think you can get?"

Hope pulls me around a corner. "If I can get far enough away I can destroy the medallion and go kill that son of a bitch." I say.

"No, you can't."

"What do you mean I can't?" I ask her, annoyed.

"Hope?" He calls out.

She looks back at me. "Because if you try to get to him and he cuts you you're gone." She says. "Let me handle this."

"Hope, no-"

"Annie, please." My sister pleads. "You'll know when I need you." I frown, before nodding slowly. Before Clarke gets fully down the stairs, I rush into a room.

I breathe heavily, looking for a spot. I vamp speed to a corner. "My magic," I whisper. "It's back." I smile, closing my eyes as I think of a spell. I hum in thought, looking around the room I'm in. "A witch, cool." I rush to their shelf, pulling out a handful of books with spells. Finally, I find one that destroys the medallion. "Finis bulla." Suddenly, a loud ringing fills my ears, along the sound of something shattering. I yelp out in pain, falling to my knees.

An anger rises through my body, along with my magic. I pant as I stand up. Black veins cover my arms and neck, fading as soon as they appear. A smirk on my face as my eyes shift color. I vamp speed to Landon's room, where I see Clarke.

He turns to look at me, the broken medallion in his palm. "Second mistake, you mess with both of us." With a wave of my hand, he tumbles over the railing. I jump off, landing on my feet. "Third mistake? Thinking that a necklace could stop me." I let out a loud growl as I jump at him. He and I roll on the ground a few times, the dark object coming for my face a handful of times. I growl, throwing him into a tree.

"Help! Somebody help!"

My eyes widen as I vamp speed to Hope. She limps weakly as I grab her shoulders. "Hey, hey, you're okay." I say. "Come on," I pull her along, trying to beat Clarke to the gates.

Suddenly, a set of chains wrap around my neck. "Now thinking about it, you're a little too young for me," Clarke shrugs, pulling me down to my knees. He tosses me to the side, stalking towards Hope. I growl, standing slowly, when Landon wraps his arms around Clarke's neck. I watch the two go head to head, Hope and I standing back.

Somehow, Landon let Clarke stab him, Hope and I yelling in protest.

But it wasn't Landon.

It was Simu-Landon.

"Boom, I rule!" Simu-Landon cheers.

"Oh, come on." Clarke scoffs. His body falls to the ground. A white light goes from his body to Simu Landon's.

Simu Landon blinks a few times. "Well this just took a turn." He grumbles. I turn towards Hope, snapping the chains off of her. "You're gonna whammy me, aren't you?" He asks us.

"You bet your ass we are." I snap, standing next to Hope. We both wave our hands, balls of light within them.

"Remember that I'm already dealing with the trauma of knowing I'm dying."

"We will." Hope says.

Simu Landon / Clarke tilts his head. "Kind of makes the whole sacrifice a little less romantic, though, no? I mean, where is the real deal? He must be off with his other girlfr-"

Hope and I send balls of light his way, causing Landon/Clarke to fly backwards.

♚

I sit in the Library, looking at a random text book. I glance at my hands, feeling a sudden pain. I groan, watching black veins over my hand. I clench my hand into a fist a few times, the veins slowly fading. "Hey," I look up to see Lizzie, leaning against the entrance. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I just ate shit fighting a mud man." I chuckle, closing the book cover. "How are you and Jo?"

Lizzie sits on the table. "We're okay. Her and Hope are talking right now." She explains. Lizzie looks down at me. "Thank you, Annie. For everything."

I frown. "What do you mean?" I ask.

"You've always done so much to help everyone here." She explains. "Even when none of us deserved it."

I purse my lips, smiling softly. "I just do what's right for all of us." I mumble, patting her hand.

Lizzie smiles. "I'm getting Ice Cream for the girls and I, wanna join?"

"You bet your ass I do."

After Lizzie and I grab said Ice Cream, we wander into the Saltzman room. "Something told me I needed to upgrade from ice to ice cream." Lizzie hums. "With a side of Anastasia." Josie smirks softly as I walk towards her. She shifts over, letting me sit next to her. I kiss her cheek, leaning on her shoulder. I smile at Hope, who returns the grin. "I can tell we are all feeling a lot of emotions right now." Lizzie hums, handing us all spoons. "So get this. Dad says that I'm not allowed to give Sebastian the boot until he has checked him out. And now that there's no headmaster, no one is going to punish MG for his weaselly little ways. How ridiculous is that?" The girls and I giggle at Lizzies rant, feeling good that something was normal about today.