1:16 There's Always A Loophole

There's Always A Loophole

Part 3

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RECAP

Alaric was quick to speak. "Listen, I will explain everything to you later, okay? But right now, I have to get to Josie." He then walked past Hope.

Hope turned around, facing him. "Wait." Alaric looks at Hope before leaving. "Give her a vial of my blood. From the werewolf bite cures." Hope ominously said.

Alaric had a question gaze. "W-Why?" He asked the teenager, stuttering a bit.

"I'll explain later, too." Was all Hope said as she turned around and left the headmaster in the room by himself.

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Landon opened the door, walking backwards while you stood in front of him. "Ventus." You raised your left hand, sending the headless person back with a gust of wind. "That'll slow him down for a couple seconds. Go." You two ran a bit before hearing a whip.

Landon decided to speak up. "Uh- Look, hear me out. You can hear, right?" The guy extended his spine whip, walking forward. "Uh... Uh, man-to-man, if you ever were one." Landon stated, confused at the end. The headless man hit his whip on the floor.

You and Landon moved back faster. "You're being used." Landon stuttered on his words. "And-and I know what that feels like, so let's-" The guy whipped Landon near the face. "Ow! Ow!" Landon said as you both walked quickly down the stairs and walking backwards once again. You held onto Landon. "Ow! Ow, how do you even do that without your seeing-eye horse? Or is it more of an emotional support horse?" The guy ran at you and Landon, holding you both on the wall by the throats.

Tears formed in your eyes and fell as you thought this was the moment you would become the Tribrid. "Please don't kill me.." You cried out, holding onto the guys hand.

The guy took the knife from Landons grasp. "Oh, no, no, no. Please, please, please, don't!" He then threw it over over the railing so it can be put into Malivore.

You and Landon both looked over at watched it fall, but it suddenly stopped and was levitating about Malivore instead. It then was flown into a hand of the one and only Hope Mikaelson. "Hope." You stared at her, your tears staining your cheeks. Hope looked at you and smiled while she held onto the knife. "I knew you'd find us." You smiled, happy to see her.

"I just followed the clues that Landon left in that voice mail." The headless person then left go of you and Landon, you rubbed your throat as it was a bit sore. "You're great at riddles." Hope told Landon. "We should probably add fight training to your coursework, though." She continued to speak to Landon.

Landon nodded as he stared at her. "Yeah." He agreed.

The headless person was now walking in front of Hope. She placed down the knife on a window seal or something and stared at the monster. "Feel free to take notes." She said to Landon as she looked over at you, assuming you'd want to join in and you did so you walked up behind it.

Now the monster was in between you and Hope. Hope ran towards it, attacking it. Both of you were attacking it but he was still winning, that's how it felt to you. "Incendia!" Hope chanted, only to be hit by the whip and groaning when it did.

Hope went at it while you stood back, waiting for an opportunity. Hope chanted a spell that didn't work, then another spell which didn't work again. Hope kicked him with her werewolf strength and that sent him down the stairs.

"He won't die! You know Sci-Fi stuff, Landon." You looked at him to see he was distressed. "Help us. How do we kill him?" You questioned. The guy used his whip, hitting you in the back of the leg. You groaned as it hit you. "God!" You yelled as you got off the ground, Hope back by your side, checking over you to see if you were okay.

Landon thought for a moment. "Uh, Headless Horseman is more fantasy, Kate." Landon stated.

You ran your head through your hair. "Get to the helpful part." Hope yelled at him.

You looked back to the headless horseman to see he was getting up. "Ignari!" You chanted but the guy whipped your hand down so you couldn't. You shook your hand as it did hurt a bit.

Landon saw this and started speaking again. "In the Tim Burton movie, they defeated him by giving him a bride." The guy used his whip to grab you ankle and pull you forward, causing you to fall onto your back. "That wouldn't be my first choice." Landon explained.

Hope helped you up before stepping in front of you, cocking her head to the side. "Me neither." She stated. "Ictus!" She chanted, causing the monster to flip over.

You looked over at Landon as he started speaking again. "In-in the O.G. cartoon, he had a pumpkin head. That... he might keep it with his horse?" Landon questioned, looking over at the man that was getting up to fight you and Hope again. "Correction!" Landon yelled. "He's got it under his cape. kill the head, the body dies. That's science faction!" Hope and you stared at Landon as he was excited he figured it out.

You caught a glimpse of it before the cape covered it. "Great." You stated, putting a thumbs up as you walked towards it. The guy went to use his whip again but you caught it this time. "One head coming up." You stated. You pulled the whip towards you, kicking him in the chest, causing him to fly into the wall.

His head fell down to Landon who just stared at it. You and Hope watched him pick it up, disgusted. "Oh god, why is it moist?" Landon questioned.

Hope opened her hands. "Uh, give me, give me." Hope urgently said as the monster then jumped down to Landon. Landon through it, Hope disconnected a ice of the railing and drove the rod through its head and its body falling.

You and Hope sighed out in relief while Landon laughed, jumping around, happy you guys won. Hope then threw the pole onto the ground. "Suck on that, Tim Burton." Landon said after his little happy moment.

Landon stayed down near Malivore, figuring you sand Hope needed some privacy. "Hi." You whispered.

"Hi." Hope replied, both of you walking forward and pulling each other in for a kiss. Hope then pulled away which confused you. "Um, okay, um... So I had this entire speech that I practiced with your prismatic hologram." Hope started.

You were now confused even more. "My what?" You questioned.

Hope shook her head. "But I know that the only thing you want from me is the truth." She paused, unsure of where to start. "And the truth is..." Hope trailed off, smiling like crazy. "I love you." She said which caused you to slightly smile. "I'm really sorry about being mean to you at the dance and whatever else I've done to you, but I'm... I'm mostly sorry about keeping that one." Hope looked between your eyes. " 'Cause I love you, Kate Lockwood." Hope finished, a giant smile on her face.

You had the biggest smile on your face. "I mean, it wasn't a huge secret, because I love you, too, Hope Mikaelson." You stated. "And I forgive you for anything that needs it. And I know it looked like we was losing when you got here, but that's just how Phoenix and semi-trained Tribrid combat looks, so..." You stated causing Hope to laugh.

She pulled you in for another kiss which lasted longer until a voice spoke. "Nothing like young love, is there?" The all to familiar voice of Clark spoke. Landon looked up and decided to come and stand next to you and Hope. All of you stood, facing Clark. "Shame it has to be so short-lived. You'll find, baby brother, one of our family's worst traits is..." Clark looked down at the knife that Hope had placed in the window seal. "well, we're terribly clumsy." Clark then purposely through the knife into Malivore.

The whole building was now shaking. "No!" You yelled as you watched the knife become absorbed, a light emitting from Malivore.

"Aren't you gonna clap or something?" Clark questioned while the alarms started blaring. The whole lower floor was now covered in a light fog. You all just stared at Clark. "That was a total power move."

Landon picked up the whip, aiming it at Clarks neck. It wrapped out his neck and Landon pulled which caused Clarks neck to snap and for his body to fall to the ground. You and Hope stared at each other before looking at Landon. "Damn. Phoenix combat is no joke." Hope stated, shocked Landon had it in him to do that.

Landon sighed, looking at Malivore before back to you and Hope. "Okay. We got to think. We got to figure something out to keep him from rising." Landon looked at Malivore again before back to Hope.

Hope looked confused. "What do you mean, 'him'?" Hope questioned.

You groaned, forgetting Hope wasn't here. "Ooh, we have a lot to catch up on." You stated as Hope looked at you.

Landon explained the short story of what Clark told Landon about Malivore being his dad. "Wow. That's a lot to take in. So Malivore's your dad?" Hope asked Landon.

He nodded in response. "Weird, huh?"

Hope looked at you for confirmation, which you nodded in agreement with Landon before she looked back to Landon. "And he can't be killed, which is why Triad turned him to goo?" Hope questioned the curly haired boy.

Landon nodded again. "You're a quick study." He replied.

Hope stared at Landon before looking between the both of you. "But nothings ever immortal. I mean, not really. Nature won't allow it. there's always a loophole." Hope stated to the both of you.

You all looked down to see bubbles popping and heard eerie growling. "Any brilliant ideas? Because I think we're running out of time." Landon quickly said.

You thought for a moment. Clarks words replayed in your head. 'A witch, a werewolf and a vampire. The Triad combined their blood.' That's it. A Tribrid. Malivore was created with the blood of three supernatural creatures. You and Hope happened to be that as well, but you weren't going to let Hope sacrifice her life, you were going to sacrifice your own. You let out a sigh, both of them looking at you. "Just one." You responded, looking at both of them. "But you're gonna hate it."

You then landed your eyes on Landon, feeling confused stares from Hope. "Hug me, Lan." Tears threatened to be formed in your eyes.

You and Landon hugged each other for only a couple of seconds. "I didn't hate that at all." Landon stated.

You both got out of the hug. "Not that." You looked between his eyes. "This." You then used your werewolf strength and snapped his neck.

Hope looked at you. "Kate, what are you doing?" Hope asked, tears in her eyes.

You cupped her face and brought her in for a long and passionate kiss. After breaking it you stared into her eyes, tears already falling from yours. "I love you." You said.

Hope wiped your tears, confused. "I love you, too. But what are you doing?" Hopes voice cracked.

You shut your eyes for a couple seconds before looking back into her beautiful ones. "Something you're gonna hate me for." Hope looked at you confused before catching on.

"Kate, no! I won't allow it. I just got you back!" Hope yelled at you,grabbed your hands and taking them off her face.

Tears fell from her eyes. "I know, Hope. That's why I'm sorry." You wiped away your tears.

Hopes face became confused again. "What?" She questioned.

"You'll wake up once I'm gone." You said before lifting your hand up. "Ad Somnum." You said, quickly catching Hope as she fell to the floor.

Just then the phone Hope was keeping fell out of her pocket, you grabbed it and called Ric. "Hope. Did you find Kate and Landon?" Alarics voice asked through the phone.

You breathed out. "It's Kate. She found us." You spoke into the phone.

Alaric sighed out in relief. "Okay, well, tell me where you are." He stated.

You licked your lips, looking at Landon and Hopes body. "Fort Valley, Georgia. Landon and Hope are gonna need you when I'm done. You have to write it down." You ordered Alaric.

"Wait. You're at Triad Headquarters?" Alaric asked, shocked.

"Yeah." You responded, pausing for a few seconds. "Uh, don't worry, though. Everyone here is dead." You continued.

You couldn't see this but Alarics face was one of confusion. "Okay, listen, you're not making any sense. Just put Landon or Hope on the phone." Alaric ordered.

You put your free hand on your forehead before lowering it. "I can't. Uh, Landon would have tried to stop me, so I had to kill him. Hope would've done the same so I put her in a sleeping spell, she'll wake up though." You explained.

You heard Alaric breathe out. "What?" He questioned.

You looked around. "He'll come back, too. Don't worry. Even if I don't." You shut your eyes, scared for Alarics response.

He didn't say anything for a couple seconds. "Kate, tell me what the hell you're about to do right now before you do it." Alaric ordered, using his fatherly tone.

You breathed out, half laughing. "Clarke won. He found the final artifact, and he tossed it into the pit, which is Landon's father, by the way. And now Malivore's gonna rise unless I stop him." You looked down at Malivore.

"Stop him how?" Alaric questioned, his tone calmer.

You looked down at your feet. "Landons got all the answers, but, basically, Malivore was created by the blood of a werewolf, a witch and a vampire." You started. "It used to be that only they could destroy what they created, but nature found a loophole. By making me, and Hope." You paused. "The Tribrid. I'm the loophole." You finished.

Alaric breathed in shakily. "Kate, you listen to me. Now, this is a theory, okay, and you don't even know if this is gonna work, so you just sit tight, and you wait for me to get there." Alaric acted as if he wasn't about to cry.

Tears formed in your own. "There's no time. I've always thought I was a mistake the moment my parents died, someone who should never have been born. Upon finding out I was supernatural made me realise I was right." You started, wiping tears that fell. "But after all this time at the Salvatore school, I mean, my purpose is finally clear." You paused.

Alaric didn't respond. "Think about it. The answer to all of this is a Tribrid. Hope and I can remember things about Malivore that no one else can. That Triad weapon didn't affect Hope. She told me what happened to Josie so did her blood heal Josie?" You questioned.

The headmaster let out a shaky breathe. "I am not okay with this." He said through gritted teeth.

You bit your bottom lip. "I know. But you will be, because once I toss myself into that pit, no one at school will remember me. Including you and excluding Hope." You responded.

He breathed in, it sounded like he was crying. "Kate. You listen to me." He tried to get you to listen but you wouldn't, you've already made up your mind.

You shook your head even though he couldn't see it. "I've spent years questioning myself, asking myself why my father and mother were killed, to get to this point where, I mean, I totally understand it." You started. "And I don't want you to have to go through that pain, Dr. Saltzman. You've been through enough." You know you haven't known him long but it felt like you have.

"And I don't want anyone at school to miss me, because they're my friends." Tears continued falling as you held back a song. "Maybe if I came to the school sooner I could've had more time with them." You let out a sigh you were holding, at this point you were just letting the tears fall. "This is where you tell me that even though you wish you could change my mind, you know I'm doing the right thing. This is the part where you tell me you're proud of me." Your voice cracked as you spoke.

You heard Alaric breathe in. "You know I'm proud of you." His voice broke as well. "You know it. What is it you need me to do?" He questioned.

You stopped leaning on a wall. "Call maintenance. Have 'em pack up my side of Hopes room and my room. Take my files, notes, anything that you've kept about since my time at the school and burn them." You picked up your hand and wiped your tears. "Along with Landon's journal and Hopes as well."

Alaric stayed quiet. "Listen, if you want to erase yourself, that is on you, okay? But you can't ask me to do it, too." He responded.

You shut your eyes. "I'm sorry, Dr.Saltzman. Hope will remember me and that's it. But I trust you more that I trust anyone." You kneeled down at moved Hopes hair out of her face. "I wish I would Have figured that out sooner, too." You then looked down at Malivore to see a face forming and a roar escape his mouth. "I got to go." You urgently said.

"Kate, listen to me. Wait." Alaric called.

Your face was surprised to see Malivore like that. "Not and option. Mm-mm. Uh, promise you're gonna do what I said." When Alaric didn't respond you spoke up again. "Promise me!" You ordered.

Alaric stayed quiet once more before giving in. "All right. All right. I promise." Alaric responded.

You breathed out, wiping your tears. "Just know that you've been a great uncle in the time I've known you." You then hung up the phone, not wanting to hear Ric's answer. You sniffled as you pressed settings, then delete all of the history with Alaric on the phone.

You placed the phone down next to Hope before turning around and walking to the edge of the railing, looking down at Malivore. Just as you were about to step onto the railing, Clark lifted himself up, snapping his neck into place. "Mm. Sorry. I was eavesdropping." You just glared at Clark. "What are you waiting for?" He questioned, looking down at Malivore.

"I assumed you were gonna try to stop me." You responded, already annoyed by him.

Clark shook his head, walking away from you, you following him. "Hell no. I was only trying to raise my father because I'm terrified of him, and I knew he'd find a way out someday."  You walked up the stairs to where you Clark was standing. "But if you're right about this loophole... can actually kill the bastard once and for all... be my guest."

He raised his hand to show that you can jump. "And if you're wrong, well, no harm done because you'll be dead. So go on. I'll be rooting for you." He explained, you stopped walking.

"That's not all you'll be doing." You had a small smile on your face. Clark looked confused. "Imitantor Pupulus." You chanted.

Clark did that smirk of his. "Whatever you think you just did, didn't work." Clark said. You quickly put your right hand on your mouth, Clarks right hand doing the same. You raised an eyebrow at him before lowering you hand. "How'd you do that? Why did I do that?" He questioned.

You smirked. "It's a basic mimic spell. Hope learned it in second grade. She taught me though." You walked forward, Clark doing the same. "Also in second grade everyone learned..." Clark groaned from not being in control of his body. "Follow the leader."

Clark looked scared. "You don't have to do this." Clark tried his own way of pleading.

You nodded, looking him up and down. "I know." You responded. "But it's the only part I'm actually enjoying." You continued. You then placed your left leg on the bar, Clarks right leg doing the same. You then grabbed his throat, obviously him doing that same. "Too bad you're so clumsy." You both went over the bar, falling into Malivore.

You closed your eyes as you didn't want to see what was gonna happened next. All that you saw afterwards was darkness.

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Landon burst into flames as he got out of the phoenix cocoon. "Hope?" Landon scurried over to Hope, shaking her. She opened her eyes as she looked over at Landon. "You okay?"

Hope nodded. Hope's face went to one of realisation and shock as she realised you had gone through with it. The phone started ringing, Landon stared at Hope before picking up the phone. "Dr.Saltzman?" He questioned, putting the phone on speaker.

"Landon, Hope. I'm on my way." Alaric said through he phone.

"Okay. Uh... I don't... I don't really know what happened." Landon told Alaric.

They both heard a beep of the car being unlocked. "Yeah, well, that makes two of us. I just found a note that you and Hope need me." When Ric said that, Hope looked away from Landon, holding back a sob as she realised you left that note for Alaric.

"I guess we do." Landon replied. Hope had contained her tears and got off the ground to stand up besides Landon. "Who left it?" He questioned.

Alaric stayed quiet. "I have no idea." He replied. "I'll be there as soon as I can." He then hung up the phone.

Landon and Hope walked over to the bar to see that there was a giant hole in the ground, meaning Malivore was gone...

and so were you.

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A.N: I hope you enjoyed! It's been a joy writing this season. <3

I hope you're happy with the choice I've made (Kate going into the pit instead of Hope)