The Doppelgänger Mikaelson

Ivar frowned as he walked into the Mikaelson compound, his sharp eyes immediately taking in the swarm of hybrids spread across the grounds. Their presence irritated him, and it didn't help that one of them—a cocky young hybrid—stepped forward to block his path.

"Who are you?" the hybrid demanded, puffing out his chest.

Before the hybrid could blink, Ivar moved. In an instant, the hybrid's head was severed from his body, hitting the ground with a dull thud. Ivar didn't even spare him a glance, his focus already on the house as he walked in, calm and unbothered.

Inside, Klaus was pacing with a pleased smile, another hybrid trailing behind him like a loyal dog. Rebekah stormed up to Ivar as soon as she saw him, her face a mixture of annoyance and disgust.

"Finally, someone with sense," she said, throwing her hands in the air. "Look at this place! Hybrids everywhere, acting like they own it. This is our home, not some kennel."

Ivar sighed heavily, rubbing his temple before turning his gaze to Klaus. "Niklaus," he said, his tone even but firm. "I've let you do as you please up till now, but this—bringing your hybrids to our house—is crossing a line. I'm telling you as your brother, get them out of here."

Klaus stopped his pacing and looked at Ivar, his smile faltering slightly. He let out a sigh, clearly irritated but unwilling to argue. "Fine," he said, turning to the hybrid behind him. "Henry, tell the others to leave the premises and find somewhere else to stay—for now."

Henry nodded and started to leave, but Ivar's sharp voice stopped him. "Wait," Ivar said, his eyes narrowing as he studied the hybrid. "What's your name?"

The hybrid turned back, frowning slightly. "Henry," he said cautiously. "Henry Marshall."

Ivar's expression shifted, a flicker of something—recognition, maybe—crossing his face. "Marshall?" he repeated, his voice quieter but no less intense. "Do you have a sister?"

Henry hesitated, his frown deepening. After a moment, he nodded. "Yeah... her name's Hayley. Why?"

Ivar didn't respond right away, his eyes narrowing further as he pieced something together in his mind. Finally, he spoke, his tone low but deliberate. "Interesting."

Henry shifted uncomfortably under Ivar's gaze, but Klaus waved a dismissive hand. "Go, Henry," Klaus said, clearly uninterested in whatever Ivar was hinting at. "Do what I told you."

Henry nodded quickly and left, but Ivar didn't take his eyes off him until he was gone. Rebekah, still fuming, crossed her arms and looked at Ivar expectantly. "Well?" she asked. "Are you going to explain, or are we all just supposed to live in suspense?"

Ivar gave her a sidelong glance, but his lips stayed sealed. "Not now," he said simply, turning his attention back to Klaus. "Just make sure your mess doesn't spill into mine."

Klaus smirked, clearly amused. "You worry too much, brother. Everything is under control."

Ivar didn't respond, but the look in his eyes said otherwise.

Salvatore Boarding House

Bodies were scattered across the Salvatore boarding house, the mutilated remains of Stefan's victims painting a gruesome picture. The metallic tang of blood filled the air, and the sound of Stefan feeding broke the silence. He had a young girl in his grip, her weak, gasping breaths the only sound she could muster as Stefan drained her.

Damon walked into the living room, his face darkening at the sight. "Stefan, stop," he said firmly, but there was an edge of exhaustion in his tone.

Stefan didn't even flinch, finishing his drink before tossing the girl's limp body to the side like a discarded rag doll. He wiped his mouth and turned to Damon with a smirk. "You don't tell me what to do, brother," he said casually. "I'm just embracing my true nature as a vampire."

Damon clenched his jaw, his eyes darting to the bodies littering the floor. "Your true nature? Look at this mess! This isn't you, Stefan. This is just..." He trailed off, sighing deeply. "Today's the day we bury Bonnie. Elena needs you there now more than ever. She's laying her best friend to rest, and where are you? Here, playing Ripper like it's some kind of sport."

Stefan chuckled bitterly, shaking his head. "Elena doesn't need me," he said coldly. "And as for Bonnie, she's dead, Damon. Nothing I do or don't do will change that. So why should I care?"

Damon took a step closer, his voice dropping. "Because you're her friend. Because Elena's barely holding on, and you're supposed to be the one she can count on."

Stefan's smirk twisted into something darker. "You want to talk about friends? Let's talk about Lexi," he snapped, his tone sharp. "You remember her, Damon? My best friend? The one you killed to cover up your dirty little secret?"

Damon's expression faltered, guilt flickering in his eyes. "Stefan, that was—"

"That was you being selfish, as always!" Stefan cut him off, his voice rising. "And now, I think it's time I get some payback. After all, she was one of the only people who ever truly cared about me. And you took her away."

Damon stared at his brother, his heart sinking. "Stefan, don't do this," he said softly. "We've been through enough. Don't make this worse."

Stefan's smile was razor-sharp, his eyes gleaming with anger. "Oh, I'm just getting started, brother."

Stefan rushed at Damon without warning, slamming him against the wall with enough force to crack the plaster. Damon groaned, but he wasn't caught off guard for long. Using his strength, he shoved Stefan off and headbutted him square in the face. Stefan stumbled back, a trickle of blood running from his nose, but the fury in his eyes burned brighter.

Before either of them could go for another round, the sound of heels clicking against the wooden floor echoed through the house. Both brothers froze as a familiar voice broke the tension.

"Well, well. You boys at each other's throats again?"

They turned to see Katherine standing in the doorway, a smug smile playing on her lips.

"Katherine," Damon said, his voice laced with irritation and a hint of surprise.

"In the flesh," she replied, sauntering into the room like she owned the place. "And I come bearing gifts... or should I say surprises?"

Stefan scoffed, wiping the blood from his face. "What the hell do you want, Katherine? Can't you see we're busy?"

Katherine's smirk didn't falter. "Oh, I can see that, Stefan. It's just so... predictable. You two always tearing into each other when things get tough. But trust me, you'll want to pay attention to this."

Before either of them could ask what she meant, the sound of another set of footsteps came from the doorway. Both brothers turned, their eyes widening in disbelief as the figure stepped into the room.