TVD: Equilibrium

The Mystic Grill buzzed with the usual chatter of Mystic Falls' locals and high schoolers, the hum of conversation and clinking glasses blending into a familiar soundtrack. Elena and Stefan sat in a corner booth, their eyes scanning the room until they spotted Caroline Forbes perched at the bar.

Caroline's bright smile and animated gestures made her stand out even in a crowd. She was talking to a group of friends but looked up when she noticed Stefan and Elena approaching.

"Oh, hey, you two!" Caroline said, turning on her stool to face them. "What's up? Date night?"

"Not exactly," Elena said with a small laugh, glancing at Stefan.

Stefan offered a polite smile. "Actually, we were hoping to talk to you about something."

Caroline tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "Oh? Sounds serious."

"It's about the new guy," Elena said carefully.

Caroline's brows shot up. "Hunter? Why? What's the deal with him? He's kind of mysterious, isn't he? In that broody, quiet way—definitely a ten in the looks department." She leaned in conspiratorially. "Violet was raving about their date. Said he's, like, deep or something."

Stefan cleared his throat, bringing her back to the point. "We're just trying to figure out more about him. Do you know anything?"

Caroline's eyes lit up, clearly enjoying being the center of attention. "Well, Violet said something about him trying out for the football team and making it. She thought it was hot."

"Football?" Elena repeated.

"Yep," Caroline said with a grin. "He's probably at the school field after practice right now. Oh, and you didn't hear it from me, but Violet told Kiki, who told Amiee… you know how it goes."

Elena smiled tightly, sensing Stefan's impatience. "Thanks, Caroline. You've been a big help."

Caroline gave a playful wave. "Anytime. Gossip queen, remember?" She turned back to her drink, already engrossed in another conversation.

As Stefan and Elena headed for the door, Stefan's expression darkened.

"You think Damon knows?" Elena asked.

"If Caroline knows, Damon probably already heard it from her," Stefan said grimly. "And if he has, he's not going to wait."

The Race to the School

The drive to Mystic Falls High was tense, the silence in the car heavy with unspoken worries. Stefan's hands gripped the steering wheel, his jaw tight.

"If Damon's already there…" Stefan began, trailing off.

Elena glanced at him, her brows furrowed. "We'll stop him. We have to. He's already out of control."

Stefan didn't respond, his mind racing through possibilities. Damon wasn't one to exercise patience, especially when it came to getting what he wanted. And if Hunter really did have the talisman, there was no telling what Damon might do.

As they pulled into the school parking lot, the football field came into view. Players were wrapping up practice, some lingering on the field to talk while others headed to the locker room.

Stefan parked the car and turned to Elena. "Stay close. If Damon's here, we don't want to draw too much attention."

Elena nodded, following him as they walked toward the field.

(Damon)

Damon was already there, leaning casually against the bleachers with a predator's grin. He'd been watching the players finish up, his sharp eyes scanning for Hunter.

It didn't take long. Hunter emerged from the locker room, his stride confident, gym bag slung over his shoulder. Damon's smile widened, a glint of anticipation in his eyes.

"Well, well," Damon muttered to himself. "Let's see what you've got, new guy."

He moved toward Hunter with deliberate steps, his charm dialed up to mask the simmering frustration underneath.

"Hunter," Damon called out, drawing the younger man's attention.

Hunter stopped, his expression calm but curious. "Damon, right? Still trying to get to know me."

 Damon said smoothly, extending a hand. "you're new in town. Thought I'd introduce how things work in this town or, more specifically, how I operate."

Hunter glanced at the hand but didn't take it, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Thanks, but I'm not big on rules."

Damon's smile didn't falter, but his patience thinned. "Fair enough, I could say the same. I'm more interested in something else, anyway."

"Let me guess," Hunter said, his voice even. "The talisman?"

Damon's eyes flashed briefly with surprise, then amusement. "Well, aren't you sharp? That'll save us some time."

(Hunter)

Smirking at his balls "Yeah, about that, Phasmatos navaro puslus.

(Damon)

It hit me out of nowhere—like fire ripping through my veins, like someone had lit every nerve in my body on fire and turned the heat to the max. One second, I was standing there, ready to take a swing at Hunter for his smug little smirk, and the next, I was on my knees, screaming.

"AHHHHH!"

The sound ripped out of me, raw and guttural, and I couldn't stop it. Couldn't even try. My hands clawed at the ground, at my chest, at anything, trying to find the source of the pain. It was unbearable, unrelenting.

"What the hell did you do?!" I managed to gasp between screams, my voice cracking, but Hunter just stood there. Calm. Collected. Watching me like I was some kind of experiment he was running.

The pain surged again, worse this time, like a thousand knives slicing into me from the inside out. I doubled over, slamming my fist into the dirt as if that would somehow make it stop. It didn't.

"Make it stop!" I roared, my vision blurring. "MAKE IT STOP!"

Hunter crouched down in front of me, his expression as calm as ever."That's the thing about magic, Damon. It's all about balance. You take too much, and eventually, it takes back."

"What are you—ahhh!" Another wave of agony crashed over me, cutting off my words and leaving me gasping for air. My fangs extended instinctively, but I couldn't move or fight back.

You see, what you're feeling now is your blood turning into an acidic mess. The more magic I pour into it, the worse the effect becomes. Death by acid, what a way to go, but nonetheless, you've been a little reckless, haven't you?" Hunter continued, his tone maddeningly casual. "Throwing your weight around, killing whoever gets in your way. That kind of behavior has consequences."

"You… son of a—AHHHH!"

The words dissolved into another scream, and I could feel something shifting inside me, something unnatural like he'd lit a spark that was burning through every inch of me.

Hunter leaned closer, his voice low and deliberate. "You don't get to run the show anymore, Damon. Not this time."

I wanted to rip his throat out. I wanted to tear him apart. But I couldn't move, couldn't do anything except scream as the spell did whatever the hell it was doing to me.

And the worst part?

I could see the amusement in his eyes.

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Cliffhanger oops

POWER STONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No one is safe not damon, stefan, elena, bonnie and i think you catch my drift