An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Chapter two posted!!
Klaroline Pokemon Colosseum AU for @lynyrdwrites.
Title: heart as tough as leather
Rating: M
Summary: Klaus Mikaelson joined The Heretics at a young age after escaping a dismal home life, quickly rising through the ranks and becoming one of the highest-ranking members. After the organization allied itself with the Ciphers, a mysterious cult-like group that experimented on pokemon to make them stronger at the cost of their civility, what started off as a seedy but legal network of agents retrieving rare wild pokemon for wealthy collectors devolved into a crime ring that specialized in stealing already caught pokemon from trainers. When Cipher demands he hand over his pokemon for the final phase of experimentation, it’s the last straw, and he makes his escape with the prototype of the Snag Machine, intending to destroy it and make a new life for himself as far away from the Orre Region as possible.
Caroline Forbes has a rare gift, one that got her dragged into this mess after Cipher steals her Charmander. She knows Klaus and his stolen Snag Machine is her only way of getting Charmander back, and she begs him to help in exchange for funds to allow him to make his escape from Orre forever. Together, they embark on an adventure to do just that.
And, somehow, there’s always only one bed at every place they stop to rest. Darn.
–
If anyone wants to make a cover for this, I’d be eternally grateful.
“It happens to us all. At first, you find her entertaining. But then something happens, and she says something… and suddenly you realize that you would probably kill a man for her. It happened quickly with you, I’ll admit. What did she say to you at the bar?”
I don’t know if I’ve ever actually been happy, or if someone else is feeling it and I cling onto it with all I have because I wish I could feel that, too.
Kol didn’t say anything just scowled at the unconscious figure in his bed. She had no right to go and say something like that, and make him feel as though he understood her more than he understood any of his siblings.
He understood faking it – playing pretend and showing one face to the whole world, until you weren’t sure if it was even an act anymore. Or if you had simply become the lie.
It all started with an exam, her mysterious guide taking her to an exam to see if she could get into magical grad school. Maybe it started earlier than that — with the interview gone wrong. When she and Bonnie had stumbled on a dead body in what was supposed to be Caroline’s Yale interview.
That was the moment right? When everything changed.
If she hadn’t followed the page for Fillory book 6 would any of this have happened?
The craziest part is that Caroline isn’t sure she’d change it? She’d change some of the circumstances and the consequences but she loves her weird coven.
Yes maybe they were brought together by blood and a maniacal bastard but she loves them. They're her people.
Bonnie, her lifelong best friend, they drifted apart for a bit when they got into Brakebills, when Bonnie was a knowledge and Caroline was undeclared (but assigned to the cottage). They had some of their worst fights but Caroline knows they’re closer now than ever before.
Her roommate Kat, a psychic traveler who didn’t know how not to run away. Who pretended like she didn’t care about anyone.
(Who saved her life multiple times despite claiming not to care about Caroline).
Caroline is still going to bother her with Taylor Swift though
There’s Enzo St John who became her best friend outside of Bonnie. Who is one of the most brilliant magicians Caroline has ever met and literally sneaked into Brakebills because he wasn’t invited… all to find out what happened to his sister.
And of course the Mikaelsons.
Kol with his hedge stars, knowledge of battle magic and heart eyes for her best friend.
Rebekah who ruled the Cottage, was obsessed with Welters and yet was as much of a Fillory nerd as Caroline was. Who put up an Ice Queen front but was one of the softest people
And Klaus.
Her mysterious exam guide, who comforted her with one of his darkest secrets when she was worried about being expelled and ending back in the hospital. The same person who brought her into his inner circle that had previously just been him and his sister.
(The one she’d slept with when feeling the effects of emotion magic) (They don’t talk about that night)
She remembers the cliffside where she crowned him High King, then he’d crowned Rebekah as High Queen, then had crowned Enzo and herself.
(Neither Kol or Bonnie hadn’t wanted it but they had technically been ambassadors.. Caroline had joked that the alone time brought them closer.. and it did).
They had almost lost Enzo in the fight against Silas but he’d they’d managed to defeat him and then had to save a fairytale land where magic was failing. They’d had to fight a political game that had ended with magic being shut off and they had been overrun by fairies.
And then the quest for the seven keys. Which had brought new challenges. Kat had almost died and been taken by the Library. Thankfully Bonnie had found a loophole. Enzo had lost his father and then he and Rebekah had finally gotten their shit together.
Caroline had known joy and grief like no other. She’d grown old and had children and grandchildren.
(Their daughter Lizzie was never far from her thoughts)
She and Klaus had come back and things had been weird. They hadn’t really talked since then. Caroline had come face to face with the worst version of herself and came out victorious. She and Klaus were still avoiding each other, Caroline’s focus was on the quest and his on the election.
It all leads to right now.
They were en route to Castle Blackspire to bring back magic. They’re so close she can almost taste it — maybe afterward they can talk right?
For this week’s Klaroline Spotlight Sunday @klaroline-event, I’m promoting Changeling by @lynyrdwrites
This is a marvelous supernatural AU that explores fae folklore. This is the type of writing that’s a signature mark for this author — the details and characterization are beautifully blended with supernatural elements to plunge the reader headfirst into this captivating universe.
I love the strength Caroline projects — even in her most vulnerable moments, she’s a force that threatens to swallow Klaus whole — and he welcomes it.
These lines are amazing:
“She wouldn’t force herself into some narrow hole just because they didn’t like that her teeth and nails and entire character were too sharp for Mystic Falls.”
“No, these were larger, twinned fangs that turned that smile, that should have been charming, into something monstrous.”
“She want to run a claw down the man’s neck, and see what color his blood was.”
“More than her fangs or her claws, it had been that blood that had made them hate her.”
“There was nothing so attractive as a woman that knew how to use her fangs.”
She paused when she felt new Changeling minds join the group. She peeked out of her hiding spot, to see that blond man had joint the black man. She didn’t know all of the RiverForest pack members, but she did recognize this one.
Klaus- The Alpha
And when he turned his eyes to the trees where she hid, there was something familiar about him. As though she had seen this man before, She swallowed, and retreated when his gaze seemed to land right on her, though no attack come so it must be the result of an over active imagination.
Summary: Alice Quinn needs to stay in the country. Julia Wicker wants a promotion. They can both get what they want if they just convince her friends that they really are engaged. What could possibly go wrong?
KKKKK!!!! Of all the Jane Austen women who do your mutuals remind you of??????? Also you're 100% Amy March confident, selfish, mediocre talent, violent temper, but also a kind and truly loving heart.
Wow....never ever use K that many times in a row. I'm just white enough you might bring the actual Klan to my door. Which would be quite fucking rude of you. As for likening me to Amy March I'll take it. Our flaws and our strengths do line up quite well.
Who do my mutuals remind me of avec Jane Austen....hmmmm....
@austennerdita2533 is Jane Bennett to a freaking tee. Quiet, kindest soul, deeply funny, witty as heck. Amazing grace.
@indominusregina is Elinor Dashwood. She is reserved, responsible, collected in her romantic endeavors. Supportive, caring, practical, considerate, trustworthy, and honest.
@strongbeautifulfulloflight is 100% Catherine Moreland. While she lacks Catherine's naivety she and Catharine share a boisterous imagination and ability to see a story in everything.
@gooddame is probably most like Fanny Price with her firm moral backbone, good humor, and dedication to helping those around her. While writing amazing stories.
@kickassfu hmmm Maf reminds me of a mix between Mary Bennett and Lydia Bennett. Ready for adventure but also perfectly content to stay at home and ignore the world.
@meet-the-girl-who-can at her core reminds me most of Marianne Dashwood. Kind, excitable, loving, true of heart, honest and vocal of her mind, loving and good humored.
@lynyrdwrites reminds me of Lady Susan. Amazing soul, plotting, always horny on main, and an amazing human being in general. While defying social conventions.
I love all my friends and they are lovely women. With souls, intelligence, passions, mistakes, goals, beauty, dreams, and love. They are amazing people who bring light and laughter to my life.
Dedicated to @lynyrdwrites who proposed I write something like this.
Elijah and Caroline are at each other’s throats because someone is insecure about the fact both of them slept with Katherine at some point - and the question remains - who’s the better lover>
Caroline was a firm believer she could not be friends with her exes.
It was a rule she mainly derived from her experience with Damon.
Who could be friends with that?
Forget Stefan! She once considered him a best friend – and then they foolishly crossed that line – ugh! And as per typical Stefan, further endorsing the whole Caroline-is-always-second-best, runs to Elena the first sign she and Damon’s relationship started to disintegrate... again.
Then there’s Tyler who, as much she hoped it would work (because the break-up was mutual), realized she could not salvage a decent kinship after Tyler found himself finagling with that harlot Hayley. Anyone but Hayley! That trifling, back-stabbing, no good bitch!
That rule had two exceptions:
Matt Donovan and Katherine Pierce (or Katerina Petrova, in her native tongue).
Matt was her first – in everything really. Just like Stefan, Caroline was merely an Elena-substitute, so to say they parted on good terms was far from the truth. However, when Matt removed himself from the never-ending drama that held Mystic Falls captive, he and Caroline reconnected in a non-romantic way when she, too, followed his footsteps – and far, far away from her hellish hometown. Maybe Caroline had a tendency to be too forgiving but she was happy to give him the benefit of the doubt. Mainly, she was a lonely, and he was a familiar face. And she was kind of drunk. But it was a meeting by chance and surprisingly, she didn’t regret it. The reunion was unexpected but blossomed into a fond friendship – made possible by the fact they weren’t constantly dealing with their friends’ endless drama.
Katherine made her wonder if girls were just less trouble than boys. By no means was Katherine the easiest partner but after they came to terms they weren’t end-game, they still could salvage parts of their relationship that nurtured a strong friendship surviving even to the present! It helped Katherine actually understood her – all the parts of her that Caroline tried so hard to suppress because that’s what everyone else told her to do. Not Katherine though. Katherine liberated her and for that, Caroline was eternally grateful.
As if the game of six degrees couldn’t get any more complication, the two girls got themselves entangled in a game of dating brothers. Err, flirting, really! (Eventually it got there!) Caroline had sworn off boys as part of her New Years’ Resolution. Katherine loved a game of chase but nothing more. Her age was finally getting to her, she joked, but they both knew she was still reeling from the whole Silas debacle.
Then the inevitable happened. Klaus won over Caroline after five years of endless wooing. Elijah succumbed to Katherine’s charm (and begged on his knees for her forgiveness after a dalliance with – you guessed it – Hayley!)
The latter did not win him any points with Caroline who already was not amused with his Stefan-like-Savior complex. What Katherine found appealing about the stuffy-suited-old-croak was beyond Caroline’s comprehension.
Then again, Katherine wasn’t too fond of Klaus either, mostly because they were too competitive for their own good…
Yet, they all co-existed with some civility. Abet, aided by their mutual man, Kol, who happened to be dating Caroline’s best friends Bonnie-and-Enzo (because the three were very attached to each other that polygamy was the only viable option) long before the girls agree to commit to his older brothers.
Hell, even Rebekah got her happy ending by dating Matt – much to Caroline’s chagrin – but it got the bitchy blonde off Caroline’s back, and slightly irked Klaus but not to the point he was willing to sabotage his sister’s relationship at Matt’s expense because doing so meant offending Caroline – which he wanted to avoid at all costs.
When Elijah learned that Caroline and Katherine were once involved, he about lost his mind. He didn’t let it show but his snarky comments escalated to the point they could not be ignored. Caroline was more than happy to let bygones-be-bygones but she would not, ever, be disrespected by some ivy-league-douche who thought he was better than everyone else because of some self-appointed pedestal over petty jealousy and fragile masculinity.
How do you knock down a man without coming to physical blows? (Which she could do – totally within the realm of possibility because she may be average-height but she ain’t weak. Her mom didn’t raise a damsel-in-distress.) You hit him where it hurts – his ego – and according to Katherine, he could be a little bit of a freak, and prided himself on his sexual prowess.
And his control – which Caroline was going to break.
That’s where Caroline started to up the ante.
“Do you even know how to play that?” Elijah pitched skeptically from across the lounge.
Caroline was poking keys on the piano, reminiscing on old show tunes while Klaus tried to convince her to enjoy something more classical – like Bach. Bach was boring. Phantom of the Opera was not.
“Yes,” Caroline replied haughtily. It was a half-truth. She knew the keys but to extent that prick did? Not really. She didn’t do instruments. She liked accompaniments. Where they fed her cues and she could continue serenading without losing pitch. She learned from her high school’s theater club, not some top-not-over-priced ivy league school.
“Oh, well, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d love to hear some Chopin,” Elijah smirked.
Tickle her irked. Caroline was not one to take bait but today was not that day.
She started with a scale, ending on a high pitch. Elijah quirked a brow, unimpressed.
“Hey, Kat,” Caroline smirked, “remember when I made you scream this note in Cabo?”
She got a variety of reactions.
Kol and Bonnie gaped, the latter more mortified than the former who was positively beaming. Enzo clapped a hand over his chest, letting out a booming laugh.
Rebekah nearly snorted, covering her nose. Matt paled, averting his eyes from the sharp tension that budded instantaneously.
Klaus had uncharacteristic bug eyes, not expecting that.
Katherine whooped, utterly amused. Elijah was not – and that was the exact reaction Caroline had expected – and it felt so vindicating.
Then little Henrik, bless his soul, asks, “oh – did her scare her really badly?”
Oh, the innocence.
His interruption prompted a whole new reaction, with all the adults erupted in roaring laughter. Kol had to leave the room heaving. Elijah stomped away like a wounded dog. Rebekah may have swiped a tear from her eye. Klaus shook his head but his grin convinced Caroline he may not have been as disapproving as he was trying to project.
The second time Caroline one-upped the douche was a bit extreme but she was irritated being stuck in the SUV with Elijah controlling the entire three-hour ride home from the rural estate. Klaus tried to apologize for Elijah’s mood but Caroline’s was ruined because he refused her help. He was not a native of Georgia – she was! No good deed unpunished, huh?
His fragile masculinity needed to go – now.
“I do not need your assistance,” Elijah huffed. “I can navigate just fine without your input, Ms. Forbes.”
“I’ll believe you when you show me you can actually drive without having to do U-turns,” Caroline seethed.
It just so happened Kol and Rebekah were on the speaker phone, as Elijah was trying to coordinate with them. Bonnie knew the way and Kol gladly took her advice – which is why they were forty-five minutes ahead of them.
“I’ve been all over the world, I know how to drive – on both sides of the road, thank you very much,” Elijah retorted.
Klaus was pleading with her with his eyes. An hour ago, it was ‘just deal’ but now, after forty-plus-unnecessary minutes stuck with his arch-nemesis Kat, he was all for her to go for the kill-shot.
She was more than happy to oblige.
“Oh please,” she snarled, “as you could get there any faster. I guarantee you, we’d be ahead of the three-stooges if it was me.”
“Should we hang up?” Bonnie pitched uneasily.
“No, just wait,” Kol urged.
“Someone is going to say something,” Rebekah added, amused.
“It’s going to be nuclear,” Kol assured.
They were muted by Elijah-and-Caroline’s tense exchange.
“And to what record can you provide to back such a claim?” Elijah puffed.
“According to our histories,” Caroline hummed, “let’s see. We have the Paris flat, New Richmond, New Orleans, all of which you claim to be an expert on, yet I still beat you to it… oh, wait, forgot one, Katherine’s g-spot.”
The silence was deafening for a good minute.
Klaus was speechless. She did promise she’d deliver the kill shot. Katherine covered her mouth with a hand but her eyes desperately wanted to explode laughing.
Elijah… words could not do his expression justice. Cold rage combined with mortification.
The other line exploded. It was a roaring sound, mainly composing of Kol’s hooting and Rebekah’s screech. Caroline was pretty sure Bonnie was the one who disconnected the line before Enzo could regain his breath to join in the commotion.
The rest of the drive was eerily silent. Klaus kept casting her looks – equal combinations of amused and shock.
When Caroline rejoined the rest of the family at the mansion, she was certified Goddess in Kol’s eyes. Rebekah actually gave her props.
