seventeen

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Broken Beyond Repair

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THE NEXT FEW DAYS PASSED in a blurry motion. Athena stayed locked up in her now finished and decorated bedroom most of the time. Klaus had kept her up to speed and she had found out that he had found the coffins. It brought a smile to the girl's face that her brother hadn't seen in days. She had taken the time to work on her fighting skills. It was easy for her to compel a trainer to help her out. Athena had learned quickly and then she compelled him to forget and the human left.

Night fell and Athena lied in her bed, reading a book when she heard crashing. She flashed down the stairs, dropping her book on her bed in the process, and appeared downstairs where she saw Klaus and Elijah fighting. Klaus held a dagger over Elijah and she yelled.

"Stop!"

The two looked at her and Klaus instantly let go of Elijah, put the dagger back into Kol's chest, and closed the coffin lid. Elijah stood shocked and then he smiled.

"Athena."

The girl ran to him and they embraced.

"You're back," she smiled, for the second time in days. They pulled apart and she frowned. "You missed a lot."

"Well, what have I missed?" he asked.

"Mikael is dead," Klaus spoke up.

Elijah looked shocked. "What did you say?"

"I killed him. With his own weapon. He's gone, Elijah. Forever."

The older brother looked between his two siblings before looking back at Klaus. "Why do our family remain in these coffins? Finn for over 900 years, Kol for over a century."

"Because of Stefan Salvatore," Athena answered, venom lacing her tone. Elijah was surprised. His sister never hated anyone, she never despised someone before. "He almost threw me into the ocean with a dagger in my chest. He didn't actually have one but still, he's trying to ruin our family, Elijah."

"He holds the one thing keeping me from freeing them," Klaus added. Elijah looked over at him. "There are things that you do not know about our past, Elijah. Our mother's death. Things I never wanted you to know but I'm ready to tell you now. I only ask that you remember the oath of loyalty you once swore to me."

Athena let out a sigh. "We end Stefan, and then our family will be reunited once more. He can't hurt us anymore."

Elijah nodded and then pulled her into another hug. But he knew that deep down that wasn't what Athena wanted. His sister wanted her family back even before they killed Stefan.

And he was going to give it to her.

---

"Are you serious!" Athena yelled, glaring at Klaus with anger.

Klaus put his hands up in surrender. "It's just a dinner, Athena. I won't let anything happen to you."

"That's not what I'm worried about. Stefan is dangerous, he proved that much. He could hurt you or Elijah. And inviting Damon too? This dinner is going to be a disaster."

There was a knock at the door and Athena huffed, turning and going to sit at the table in between Klaus and Elijah.

"Niklaus, our guests have arrived," Elijah announced, leading Stefan and Damon into the kitchen.

"Damon," Klaus greeted. Then he spoke in an angry tone. "Stefan." Athena avoided the said vampire's eyes. "Elijah tells me, you seek an audience. Very bold. Let's discuss the terms of our agreement like civilized men and woman, shall we?"

Klaus sat down and Elijah spoke to the two Salvatores.

"It's better to indulge him," he advised.

Elijah sat down next to his sister and Damon sat down as well. Stefan stayed standing, looking directly at Klaus.

"I didn't come here to eat, Klaus. In fact, I didn't want to come here at all. But I was told I had to cause you would hear us out."

Klaus smirked. "Well, you can sit and eat or I can reach down your throats and pull out your insides. The choice is yours."

Stefan smirked back and then sat down. Athena sighed and then began to pull on the end of her shirt.

This was going to be one huge disaster.

---

One of the servers came and poured Athena some more water, considering that the girl didn't drink wine nor would her brothers let her. It was quite awkward in her opinion. Everyone ate in silence and Stefan just sat there, staring at Klaus with a glare.

Klaus noticed and spoke up. "You lost your appetite."

"Eat," Damon told his brother. "I thought we agreed that we would leave the grumpy Stefan at home."

Athena laughed slightly and that made Stefan glare even harder. He picked up his fork and then took a bite.

"That's the spirit. Isn't it nice?" Athena laughed again and Klaus gave her a look. The girl continued to eat and Klaus continued. "Five of us dining together? Such a treat." He looked at Damon. "Is this what you had in mind when you pulled the dagger from my brother?"

"Well, I know how he felt about you, so I figured the more, the merrier," Damon explained with his usual smirk.

"My siblings and I have our moments," Athena pointed out.

"Including you and Rebekah?" Stefan asked. The girl gripped her fork and Elijah placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Where is she, by the way? Last I checked Klaus still kept daggered because he was afraid to face her."

Klaus noticed his sister's anger and spoke up. "If you're referring to the fact that Rebekah knows I killed our mother, I've already come clean to Elijah."

"Hey, Stef, remember when you killed dad?" Damon reminded. "Might want to dial down the judgment until dessert."

"We're here to make a deal, Damon," Stefan replied. "Doesn't mean we need to kiss his ass for seven courses."

"I'm just saying we have a long evening ahead of us. Pace yourself."

Athena's anger subsided and the girl smirked. "You have no idea."

She honestly just wanted to get up and leave. There was a knife that was placed on her napkin and the younger hybrid forced herself not to pick it up and stab Stefan with it. Her brother's noticed and exchanged a worried glance. Elijah put his hand on hers and she looked at him. Athena saw the look he gave her and it made her calm down. She smiled at him and then went back to eating.

Her water was refilled again and she took a sip.

"Stefan. Where is the lovely Elena tonight?" Elijah asked.

"I don't know. Ask Damon," Stefan replied.

Athena nearly choked and she and Klaus laughed.

The girl grinned. "I wasn't joking when I said you missed a lot. Trouble in paradise."

"One more word about Elena and this dinner's over," Stefan warned.

Athena continued to smile and zipped her lips closed playfully.

"You know what, probably best just to keep Elena in the do-not-discuss pile," Damon suggested.

"Agreed," Athena nodded.

"You're probably right," Klaus agreed. He sighed. "It's just the allure of the Petrova doppelgänger, still so strong. What do you say, brother? Should we tell them about Tatia?"

His sister then groaned in disbelief. "Ugh. Please don't."

"Well, if you don't mind Athena, I'd like to hear the story," Damon said. "Please, do tell."

He took a sip of wine and Athena rolled her eyes.

"I do mind. But they're going to tell you anyway."

Elijah smiled before explaining. "When our family first settled here, there was a girl named Tatia. She was an exquisite beauty. Every boy of age desired to be her suitor, even though she'd had a child with another man. And none loved her more than Niklaus."

"I'd say there was one who loved her at least as much," Klaus smiled.

Athena scoffed. "I didn't like her that much." Klaus and Elijah laughed at the inside joke. Athena gave them a look. "She was taking you guys away. She was distracting."

Stefan looked surprised. "Wait a minute. So you both loved the same girl?"

"Our mother was a very powerful witch. She sought to end our feud over Tatia and so she took her. Klaus and I would later learn that it was Tatia's blood that we consumed in the wine on the night where our mother performed the spell which turned us into vampires. Tatia wouldn't make a decision between the two of us, so for a time Niklaus and I...grew estranged. Harsh words were traded, we even came to blows, didn't we, brother?"

"But in the end, we realized the sacred bond of family," Klaus added.

"Family above all."

Athena smiled and the three raised their glasses.

"Family above all," she repeated.

They clicked glasses and all took a sip. They set their drinks down and Elijah cleared his throat.

"So, why don't we move this evening along and discuss the terms of this proposal?" he asked.

"That's very simple," Damon started. Athena saw how Damon had started acting weird. She didn't question it though as Damon continued. "Klaus gets his coffin back, in exchange, he and the Original extended family leave Mystic Falls forever. Me, Stefan, and Elena live happily ever after. No grudges."

"The deal sounds fair, Nik," Athena sighed.

Elijah agreed. "Is does, sister."

"I don't think you understand," Klaus argued. "Elena's doppelgänger blood ensures that I will always have more hybrids to fight those that oppose me. I will never leave her behind." He got up and started to pace. Athena went wide-eyed. "Let's say I do leave her here, under your protection, what then? How long before one of you turns her into a vampire? Or worse, how long before she dies caught between your feuding? You see, each one of you truly believes that you're the one that can protect her, and that is simply a delusion. Gentlemen, the worst thing for Elena Gilbert is...the two of you."

Damon gave a weak smile, then looked at Stefan. "I'm gonna get some air."

He got up and left and Elijah wiped his mouth.

"Let me deal with this."

Elijah then got up and followed Damon. Athena shifted uncomfortably in her chair at the fact that she was now alone in a room with Klaus and Stefan who were both angry with each other.

Athena tugged on her shirt again and Stefan spoke to Klaus.

"Well, I guess the only reason you agreed to this evening, Klaus, is to drive a wedge between me and my brother," he said.

"Oh no, you're doing that well enough on your own," Klaus pointed out. "Because of Elena, you're gonna lose your brother and you'll only have yourself to blame."

Athena was about to intervene when Damon and Elijah re-entered. The girl sighed in relief.

"What do you say, Klaus?" Damon asked. "It's time for you to put something on the table. We've made our offer, now you counter."

"Okay," Klaus agreed. "I offer Elena's future happiness. You see, what she needs right now is to be rid of you lot. And to fall in love with a human, maybe that nice football player, you know the blond one?"

His sister raised an eyebrow. "Matt Donovan? Seriously?"

Klaus nodded. "Yeah, why not? They'll marry, live a long and fruitful life, and pop out a perfect family."

"And continue the Petrova bloodline," Stefan realized. "Every few hundred years, you'll have a new doppelgänger to drain and never run out of hybrids, right Klaus?"

"Consider it a small return on my investment in her well-being. See, after you hand me back the coffin, I'll ensure her safety for the rest of her natural life. You know it's what's best for her." Klaus got up from where he had sat down and walked over to Stefan. "So, what do you say, Stefan, hmm? Do we have a deal?"

Athena watched hesitantly as her brother held his hand out to Stefan. Stefan grabbed his hand and it looked for a second like he might agree, but he didn't.

"Nice try, Klaus. But no deal."

Elijah went on the side of his sister, ready to protect her if needed. Klaus broke Stefan's arm and then kicked his leg, breaking them as well. He put Stefan's hand in the fireplace and Athena gasped. Damon attempted to stop Klaus by going to snap Athena's neck but the girl noticed and flashed him to the wall, holding his neck in her grip, showing off her hybrid eyes, her fangs full-fledged.

"What are you doing?" Damon coked. Klaus kept Stefan's arm in the fire and Athena let go of Damon. "Stop!"

Klaus turned to him. "Now, bring me my coffin before I burn him alive."

"I'll get it."

Klaus looked at Elijah. "Go with him, brother. You keep him honest. And when you return, I will make good on my promise to you and I will hand over our family."

Elijah looked at his sister and then left with Damon. Athena took a deep breath and turned to watch as Klaus kept Stefan's arm in the fire.

"Go ahead and kill me," Stefan grunted. "I know you'll do it when he brings the coffin. I hurt your sister and now you'll kill me."

Klaus pulled him out of the fireplace and Athena shut her eyes tightly for a moment. Something was off, but yet she felt like it was a good thing. Something was about to happen. Then it occurred to her, Damon was acting weird, and then Elijah blindly followed him when Klaus asked. Whatever was going on, Elijah knew about it.

"You really have given up, haven't you? Where's the fight? Where's the ripper?" Klaus taunted.

He pushed Stefan and Stefan pushed him back. Suddenly, Elijah and Damon re-entered the room with one of the female servants. She carried a tray and the three saw them. Athena's heart started to beat fast and she felt nervous.

"Elijah...why haven't you left?" Klaus asked.

"Giving our sister what she's wanted since her return," Elijah replied with a smile.

Athena was confused but then Elijah removed the cover from the tray to reveal silver daggers. She gasped and tears filled her eyes.

"What have you done?" Klaus asked in shock.

"What have you done?" Elijah challenged. "Our sister was stuck in a coffin for over a thousand years. She has waited and waited to see our family together again and you've shot her down each time." Athena started to cry. "No more. She's waited for too long. We're doing this on my terms now."

A familiar face walked into the room and Athena covered her mouth as she started to cry even more. But her brother's face was trained on Klaus.

Klaus backed up, looking shocked. "Kol."

"Long time, brother," Kol replied.

Athena watched as Finn then appeared and grabbed a dagger from the tray. He tried to stab Klaus with it and Athena started to feel overwhelmed.

"Finn, don't!" Klaus warned. He tried to rush away but Rebekah then appeared. "Rebekah!"

She grabbed the other dagger and stabbed him with it. "That is for our mother."

Rebekah pulled the dagger out and Klaus fell back into Kol's arms. Kol restrained him and Elijah looked at Stefan and Damon who were watching wide-eyed.

"You're free to go. This is family business," Elijah told them.

The two Salvatores flashed away, leaving the Mikaelson siblings alone. Rebekah went to stab Klaus again when Athena gained her senses and spoke up.

"Stop," she whispered. All of her siblings looked over at her and Kol instantly let go of Klaus. Rebekah dropped the dagger and Finn dropped his. They all stopped. It was as if she were controlling them. But they all knew that wasn't the case.

There was only one person the Mikaelson siblings would die for, would kill for, and that was their youngest sibling, Athena. They would give her whatever she wanted when she wanted it. Of course, setting aside her wish of her family being reunited and it being pushed away each time.

"Please stop," Athena whispered, a tear leaving her eye. "No fighting."

Kol was the first to step toward her. They stood there looking at each other for a long time before either did anything. It was a dream. It had to be. Athena remembered the times when Kol would tickle her until she couldn't breathe. She remembered when he would put her on his back and take her for a walk in the woods. They would go to a little stream near the village and Athena would splash water on him. Kol would smile and laugh and then they would have a water fight.

Athena couldn't hold herself any longer and she fell into his arms. Kol wrapped his arms around her and dug his head into her neck.

"Is it really you?" he asked, fighting back tears.

"Yes. Kol, I've missed you so much. I-I" But she couldn't finish her sentence as she cried happy tears."

"I've missed you too, little one."

That was probably the most honest thing he had said since he had last seen his baby sister over a thousand years ago. Kol wasn't the same after that day. He killed without remorse and tortured until he grew bored and then killed his victim. Only after the victim was dead did he break down. And it happened every single time. He would find someone to feed on, torture them, then kill them, and then he would fall to the ground as he sobbed. Several times he had begged to absolutely nothing and prayed for Athena to be brought back. He was broken beyond repair without his little sister.

He even tried to go to witches and ask them if there was a way to bring her back. But none of them knew. So Kol would spiral again. Killing, torturing, crying, and repeat.

They pulled apart and she hugged Finn. Although she wasn't close with Finn, they did have their moments. Like the times when Finn would tell her stories and she would try to sound out the words he used. It was his way of teaching her how to talk. But Athena did get frustrated at times when she couldn't say one of the words right. She would pout and Finn would tell her that they would try again another time, then he would continue with the story.

"Finn," Athena sighed.

Her brother hugged back. "Athena. You don't know what it has been like without you. I've missed you for then you know."

Athena smiled and they pulled away. She hugged Rebekah next and she smiled sadly.

"I'm sorry you couldn't go to the homecoming, Bex."

Her sister smiled and laughed, they pulled away. "I'm not worried about that." Then she turned serious. Rebekah looked at Klaus and then Kol came and pulled his sister to his chest. "I like what you've done with the new place, Nik."

She threw a vase at a painting and it fell. Athena jumped and Kol started to rub her arms. He knew she would try to intervene.

"I wanted it to be for all of us," Klaus admitted, talking in a low tone. "A place we could all call home. A place we could all be a family. None of us would ever have to be alone again."

"Well you're right, none of us will be," Elijah replied.

"You're staying behind," Finn told Klaus.

Athena went wide-eyed.

"We're leaving you, Nik," Rebekah explained. "Right after I kill that doppelgänger wench, then you will be alone. Always and forever."

"Rebekah," Athena whispered.

Elijah turned around and pointed at her. "No, stay out of this one Athena. Please."

She shut her mouth and Kol continued to hold her.

"If you run, I will hunt all of you down. You can't take Athena away from me," Klaus warned.

"Then you'll become everything you hate. Our father."

"I'm the hybrid!" Klaus shouted. Athena jumped again and Kol tightened his grip on her in fear that Klaus would take her away. He wouldn't let her. He had spent too long waiting for the moment to see his baby sister again. Kol wouldn't let Klaus take her away. "I can't be killed! I have nothing to fear from any of you."

"You will when we have that coffin," Elijah pointed out.

Klaus stared at them as tears filled his eyes. Athena started to feel a pain in her head and she winced. But it went unnoticed by her siblings. All of a sudden, a door opened. Kol still held onto Athena and they all turned to see the one person they thought they'd never see.

Esther stood in front of them and Klaus gaped in shock. Athena felt the pain grew stronger.

"Mother?" Rebekah questioned.

Esther walked over to Klaus but he avoided her eyes. The rest of his siblings watched their mother in shock. "Look at me!" He looked at her as the tears fell from his eyes. "Do you know why I'm here?"

"You're here to kill me," Klaus responded.

"Niklaus, you are my son and I am here to forgive you." She looked at the rest of her children. "I want us to be a family again."

Her eyes fell on her youngest child and that's when Athena's pain increased. She fell to the floor screaming.

Flashback

"Mother, please," Athena begged, tears streaming down her face.

Esther fought her own tears as she held her daughter down to the table. "It must be done, my child. You must fulfill your destiny."

"Mommy please!"

"I'm sorry."

And that is when she cast the spell. The spell that trapped Athena Mikaelson in a coffin for over a thousand years.

End of flashback

When Athena came to, she was lying on the couch and all her siblings were gathered around her. Esther stood by and Athena flashed to the corner. She shook her head in shock and her family watched her with concern. But Athena kept her eyes on Esther.

"You. It was you."

---

I know it might seem like Athena cries a lot but think about it, you would too if you were in her place and had gone through what she's gone through.

The family is back again! I can't wait for the future chapters. The truth will be revealed!

What do you think about the reunion between Athena and her siblings?

Who now is your favorite sibling with Athena?

Something major is going to happen really soon...

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