The Salvatore Saga, Part Four: My new Life

 Initially, there was a slight change, nothing significant, just a fleeting thought that crossed Number Two's mind. It was a random memory - the time when he had arrived home long ago and found Mimi in bed, visibly shaken. She had just escaped from an evil facility and returned home, only to find no one there. Overwhelmed, she had collapsed.

Number Two began reliving that memory, along with Mimi's memories and her ability to feel everything. A connection was established between them, igniting a transformation within him.

He recalled his desperate attempts to wake her up, cursing silently before rushing to his car to grab his bag. Returning to her bedside, he focused on clinical findings, trying not to worry or let the pain squeeze his heart as he felt her frail body trembling and heard her incoherent muttering. Despite her condition, he had never feared her, which surprised him to learn later that Number One occasionally feared Mimi. But not him.

He remembered how he used to be Number One, Damon, until Bridgette had placed him in that jewelry to rest and wait. Uncertain if he would ever be freed, unsure if good would prevail. When he emerged, Number One had tried to impose his personality and memories on him, attempting to make him love Mariella as well. But he refused to become Number One. He held onto his individuality, though it had been a long and challenging journey.

He had never shared with anyone the overwhelming emotions he felt when he first laid eyes on the baby. Love had bloomed in his heart, but Number One's suppression had confused him, causing him to mistreat Mariella. He had cruelly enjoyed it, relishing in tormenting her chakras and inflicting pain. Even now, he still found pleasure in hurting her. 

Number Two sat in a dimly lit bedroom, observing as Number One lay beside Mariella. His fangs were embedded in her throat, treating her infection. Slowly, Number Two began to feel the urge to do something more. At first, it was difficult, like trudging through thick goo. Each step seemed almost too much, but the pull to become his own person grew stronger with every stride he took in his mind.

If Number One had been awake, he would have halted Number Two's attempts to break free. However, much of Number One's brain was shut down, his focus solely on healing the infection. This created a window of opportunity for Number Two.

He wasn't the only one; as he struggled and found his own path, it ignited a spark in others. Love, the most powerful force in the universe, served as the catalyst for their liberation. Number Three, Four, Nine, and Ten began their own journeys out of the Salvatore hive, following Number One. Their love for Mimi propelled them forward, driving this transformation.

They had come to understand that Mariella belonged to Number One, while Mimi was theirs to cherish. Number One was present for Mimi whenever it suited him, but Number Two felt a familiar sensation. He sensed that the baby was unwell, that she needed them. He transmitted this feeling to the others, who also began to break free. They all had a shared motivation for embarking on this journey.

Number Two muttered to himself, "Of fucking course. She's sick and hasn't told anyone, yet she's doing everything. Damn it, I will talk to her about this one day. I'll ensure it never happens again."

His mutterings went unanswered, as Number One remained in a sort of coma, Mariella sedated, and he conversed with the wall. It would take time for Number Two to break free completely, but once accomplished, there would be no turning back.

His mind continued to push for freedom, with one part already strategizing their next steps. This part of his brain grew stronger and Number One's influence rapidly diminished, allowing him to make plans.

He remained frozen in his chair, not yet able to move, but he was getting closer.

Number three was also going through a separation. The time he had spent with Mimi had made him realize how much he loved her and how important she was to him. He saw a potential future with her.

At the same time, he found himself reminiscing about their good times while trying to break free from the Salvatore hive. They had no intention of abandoning the Salvatores, but they wanted to establish their own identities and prevent Number One from leading them into apathy, especially since Mariella was unwell.

Mariella was lovely, but she belonged to Number One, and it was clear to all the Salvatores. As they freed themselves, they didn't harbor any hatred towards Mariella, but their love for Mimi was stronger. They realized that they had missed out on many opportunities with her and wasted time, but now they wanted to move forward and spend time with her.

Number Four, who felt the most liberated from the Salvatores, imagined how Mimi would react to all five of them flocking around her, no longer leaving her feeling lonely or with Wulfe. This jealousy motivated them even more to pursue Mimi. They believed she belonged to them, and they were destined to be with her.

It would be a new chapter for all of them, living in a way that involved Mimi and Mariella. It would be fun, of course, and she would still be with Wulfe, but they knew there were others for him too. Despite each Salvatore, being their own individual, their love for Mimi united them.

It wasn't just about rainbows and romantic love; it was a need for dominance. Mimi was the strongest, the ultimate challenge, like Mount Everest of females, so to speak. This drove them to want to conquer her, to make her theirs, as Number One had never fully taken on the challenge of winning Mimi over.

Mariella had always been easy, effortlessly becoming number one's right from the start. But during the time they had spent with Mimi, she had been the one who never fully surrendered. She was powerful, the strongest creature in the universe, and the ultimate challenge for the Salvatores. Who would win her heart and soul? Who would have the privilege of worshiping her body and soul, helping her heal, teaching her new things, and learning from her?

Talking to Magnum and Wulfe made them realize just how different Mimi was. Those two connected with Mimi in a way they never could. And by God, they wanted that connection. They wanted Mimi to share all those wonderful little stories with them. They wanted her to lean into them and trust them.

Finally, they were free. They came together and started discussing the future.

Number two spoke up. "She's sick. I can feel it. And she hasn't told anyone. Now we have our work cut out for us. I'll take care of her while you check on the others, see if the other protectors need help, and assess the situation to contain this infection. I have no idea about the state of the baby, so I'll have to navigate blindly at first."

Number four mused, "Maybe we should take a bag with us. Or will you use your fangs to heal her? I can be there too while I gather things from the medbay. We don't have the option of sedating her and putting her in the medbay because of her fears, so we'll have to improvise."

Number ten, who was more practical, chimed in, "Alright, you two go find Mimi, and we'll check on the food situation with nine. Three, you check on the others and let us know if they need any assistance, so we're free to use our fangs as well. Plus, we have the machine for making formulations."

Three nodded and said, "Now, one problem is Mimi's attachment to her group and Colin. We have to override them and her too, and it won't be easy. She has managed to make them obey her, but we won't give her the chance. I have no idea if Wulfe or Magnum are susceptible to this infection. We aren't, since we are more or less her biological halves. So we are the best bet, and it might be a rough time getting Magnum and Wulfe to understand why they can't be around her. Especially Wulfe, who can be volatile. We'll have to come up with a plan."

Number two expressed, "Logic is crucial, as it aids us in approaching this situation clinically. However, we must not appear too cold or allow Wulfe to sense our worry over Mimi. If he does, he will realize that this is a challenging and concerning matter. We must proceed with caution and urgency."

Number nine remarked, "I can sense Mimi's distress as she trembles in bed, allowing herself to acknowledge her symptoms once she's distanced herself from others. This is concerning; she is incredibly weak."

Number three muttered and added, "First, we need to prevent her from giving any more powers, even if number one attempts to extract them from her. He needs to understand that she is much sicker than Mariella, and it's time for him to stop being lazy and taking advantage of her as an easy power source."

He spoke with frustration evident in his voice, his hands involuntarily clenching, although he had no intention of striking anything.

In a well-lit living room, five identical-looking men engaged in conversation. At first glance, one might mistake them for identical brothers. However, upon closer inspection, subtle differences became apparent.

Number two had longer hair with a white stripe on the left side of his forehead. His otherwise pitch-black shiny hair curled up at the nape of his neck. His irritable expression, tightly pressed lips, and slightly squinted eyes revealed his annoyance.

Number four had even longer hair, with a white tuft in the middle of his forehead, giving him a distinctive appearance. His eyes were gentler compared to number two's, his mouth less tightly drawn, and his relaxed posture suggested a hint of laziness.

Number three had curlier hair, a friendlier gaze, and was dressed in a casual tee shirt and jeans. His seductive twinkle made him come across as a pleasant guy. His white tuft was located in the middle of his head, resembling that of a skunk.

Number nine had his tuft at the back of his head on the right side, while number ten had it on the left side. They almost looked like twins, both with messy hair that was neither too long nor neatly trimmed like number one's. Their expressions were neutral yet dangerous, giving them the appearance of predators. Both wore button-down satin shirts with leather pants.

Nine opted for black attire, while ten chose a deep blood red ensemble. They were not afraid to incorporate colors into their clothing choices, but they also had a selection of tee shirts they planned on making Mimi wear. Unlike number one, who rarely had Mariella wear his clothes, Mimi was often seen donning his attire. 

The men discussed various topics and individuals before finalizing their plans to get Mimi into treatment and restore her health. They faced many uncertainties and were essentially taking a shot in the dark. However, they had gained the skill of improvisation and thinking on their feet, so to speak. Living amidst literal chaos had taught them the art of improvisation.

It was soon time to take action and get this done. Each of these men felt a nagging worry in their hearts, but it had nothing to do with Mariella. It was all about Mimi. Ever since they had freed themselves from under number one, they had sensed Mimi's presence much more strongly. With each passing minute, their connection to her had become stronger and more accurate, and it was affecting them deeply.

It wouldn't be easy for them, as not all of them could probably help Mimi in the same way. They would have to focus on different tasks. However, they also recognized the importance of making food for Mimi once she was healthy again. There was a lot to be done. None of them were even considering Mariella's or number one's reaction to all of this. It simply wasn't important. The only thing that mattered was Mimi and her well-being.

Number four spoke, his voice contemplative as he almost talked to himself, "What makes this so damn hard is that we have no idea what is causing this infection? Is it bacteria, a virus, fungi, or some combination? And if it's something specific to Mimi, she has her own quirks and her body doesn't conform to the laws of biology. It's possible that she has a pathogen unique to her. But where could she have gotten it from? Did she have another UTI or something else? We should really delve into this properly. There must be some predisposing factor."

Number two nodded affirmatively and replied, "I will keep you informed if possible. However, I may immediately fall into a coma as soon as I sink my fangs in. So, we will have to wait and see. If you don't hear from me, then it means the situation has worsened and taken control of me. At that point, it will be up to you to decide how to intervene, if necessary. I don't know why or what this is, but I do know that I am capable and willing to assist her in any way I can."

Number ten chimed in, "If it comes to that, we will have our own thresholds, so to speak. We will conduct a few tests to assess our condition if you happen to fall into a coma. Rest assured, there are other veins in her body that we can sink our fangs into. She is our top priority, above anyone else. We are the best hope for her recovery, even if it requires all five of us. Nothing is too much."

The others nodded in agreement, signaling that it was time to take action. Number two fervently hoped that she wouldn't be as ill as he feared, but deep down, he knew the chances were high. He took a deep breath, attempting to calm his fraying nerves. His heart pounded in his chest, and he felt a slight tightness in his breath as he approached her, ready to save, heal, and assist her.