Chapter 68: Klaus Awakens - Part 2
POV: Sam Barton
The Mystic Grill's back room has been cleared by Liz Forbes with impressive efficiency—tables pushed to the walls, exits secured, and enough vervain-laced weapons stashed nearby to make a vampire army reconsider their life choices.
Klaus sits at the center table like it's a throne, Rebekah and Elijah flanking him in what's probably centuries-old family positioning. My Mind Shield and Defensive Shield clones stand at attention behind me, while Caroline hovers near the door ready to evacuate if this negotiation goes catastrophically wrong.
Damon's at the bar pouring himself bourbon, because apparently witnessing potentially fatal diplomatic negotiations requires alcohol.
"Let's discuss terms," Klaus begins, his fingers drumming on the table with predatory rhythm. "I want Elena Gilbert's blood to create my hybrid army. I want Mystic Falls established as my territory. And I want that moonstone fragment you've been hoarding as insurance."
His demands are excessive by design—opening position meant to establish dominance and force concessions.
I counter immediately. "Elena provides blood voluntarily in limited amounts for legitimate purposes. Mystic Falls remains neutral ground shared by all supernatural factions. And the moonstone fragment stays with me as insurance you'll honor whatever agreement we reach."
Klaus's smile is sharp enough to draw blood. "You dare bargain with me? I'm a thousand-year-old hybrid who's toppled kingdoms. You're a human child playing at supernatural politics."
"I'm a human who daggered you for months and built an alliance that's maintained peace in your absence," I reply calmly. "And I'm offering you partnership instead of perpetual war. That should count for something."
Rebekah leans forward, her expression carefully neutral. "Nik, he has points. You want family? He's offering it—me, Elijah, eventually Kol and Finn if we handle this properly. You want freedom? His alliance prevents constant conflicts with other factions. You want respect? He's giving it by negotiating instead of running."
"Or he's manipulating us through pretty words," Klaus counters, but his tone suggests he's considering Rebekah's argument.
Elijah adds his diplomatic weight. "Brother, Sam's coalition has managed what we couldn't—vampire-werewolf-witch cooperation without compulsion or tyranny. That's valuable infrastructure worth preserving rather than destroying."
Klaus stands abruptly, circling the room like caged predator. His supernatural presence makes the air feel thick, every movement radiating potential violence.
"Prove you're worth negotiating with," Klaus demands, stopping directly in front of me. "Prove you're more than clever human with shadow tricks."
His compulsion hits like sledgehammer to my skull.
The mental pressure is catastrophic—Original-level vampire compulsion refined over a thousand years, designed to override every psychological defense and reduce minds to obedient puppets. It crashes against my Mind Shield clone's defenses with force that makes my vision blur.
My clone reinforces his barriers, pouring more power into mental shields that are straining under Klaus's assault. I'm sweating from the effort, teeth clenched, every muscle locked as I fight to maintain autonomy.
"Your... compulsion... doesn't... work," I manage through gritted teeth.
Klaus's eyes widen fractionally—genuine surprise breaking through his predatory mask.
"An immune human," he says, stepping back and releasing the compulsion. "How delightfully unprecedented. I've compelled thousands across centuries. You're the first to resist completely."
"My abilities have advantages," I reply, catching my breath. The Mind Shield clone flickers slightly from the exertion.
Klaus turns toward Caroline with calculating interest. "And can your pets resist as well?"
He tries compelling Caroline—I see the mental pressure slam toward her like invisible wave.
My Defensive Shield clone interposes instantly, golden barrier materializing between Klaus and Caroline. The compulsion shatters against supernatural protection like ocean wave hitting cliff.
"And you protect them," Klaus observes with something approaching respect. "Admirable, if ultimately futile against me."
"Futile if I wasn't prepared to escalate," I counter. "You're testing me. I'm demonstrating capability. Can we move past posturing toward actual negotiation?"
Klaus laughs—genuine amusement that transforms his expression from predatory to almost human.
"You've got spine, Sam Barton. I appreciate that." He returns to his seat, gesturing for me to sit across from him. "Very well. Real terms."
Elijah seizes the diplomatic opening. "Niklaus, consider compromise. You create a small hybrid pack—five members maximum—loyal to you but bound by Mystic Falls neutral territory rules. No indiscriminate slaughter, no compulsion abuse, no turning unwilling werewolves."
"Five hybrids," Klaus repeats flatly. "I've waited a thousand years for my army, and you're offering me five?"
"Five loyal hybrids who won't be hunted by every faction in North America versus fifty that trigger supernatural war," I point out. "Quality over quantity."
Klaus considers this, his tactical mind clearly processing variables. "And if I refuse your generous limitation?"
I meet his eyes directly. "Then I use every resource I have to protect this town. You'll win eventually—you're Original Hybrid, I'm human with clone tricks. But the cost will be high. Your siblings might die in the crossfire. Your hybrid candidates might flee or be eliminated. And you'll have proven Mikael right about you being monster who only understands violence."
The mention of Mikael makes Klaus flinch—barely perceptible but my enhanced Perception catches it.
"You fight dirty," Klaus observes. "Using my father against me."
"I fight smart," I correct. "There's difference."
Klaus is quiet for long moment, clearly warring between his desire for absolute power and the pragmatic benefits of cooperation.
"Very well," he decides finally. "Five hybrids. But I choose the werewolves personally. No coalition oversight on selection."
"Coalition oversight on consent," I counter. "You choose candidates, but we verify they're volunteering without compulsion or coercion."
"You're making tyranny remarkably complicated," Klaus grumbles, but he extends his hand. "Agreed. Five voluntary hybrids, neutral territory, limited Elena blood access. In exchange, you maintain Mikael's seals and provide intelligence about supernatural threats."
I shake his hand carefully, very aware that I'm making deals with a creature who's perfected betrayal over centuries.
[QUEST PROGRESS: THE ORIGINAL SIBLINGS]
[KLAUS NEGOTIATION: SUCCESSFUL]
[HYBRID COMPROMISE: ACHIEVED]
[EXPERIENCE GAINED: +700]
[LEVEL 31: 900/4,200 TO LEVEL 32]
[KLAUS RELATIONSHIP: RESPECTFUL ADVERSARY]
After Klaus leaves with his siblings to "reacquaint himself with modern Mystic Falls," Caroline collapses against me, her whole body shaking.
"You just negotiated with the most dangerous creature in existence and survived," she whispers.
I hold her tightly, processing my own adrenaline crash. "We survived. Together. Always together."
Damon raises his glass from the bar. "Congrats, Captain Timeline. You tamed the big bad wolf. Now the real fun begins—dealing with his personality on a daily basis."
"One crisis at a time," I reply, though I'm already mentally cataloging the next challenges: hybrid creation oversight, Klaus's inevitable boundary testing, Katherine's delayed revenge, and whatever other supernatural catastrophes are gathering on the horizon.
But for now, Klaus is allied instead of hostile, and that's victory worth celebrating.
To supporting Me in Pateron .
Love [ The Vampire Diaries: The Clone Sovereign ]? Unlock More Chapters and Support the Story!
with exclusive access to 30+ chapters on my Patreon, you get more chapters if you ask for more (in few days), plus new fanfic every week! Your support starting at just $6/month helps me keep crafting the stories you love across epic universes
By joining, you're not just getting more chapters—you're helping me bring new worlds, twists, and adventures to life. Every pledge makes a huge difference!
👉 Join now at patreon.com/TheFinex5 and start reading today!