Chapter One: Heavy Lies the Crown

Loud cries and the sound of fists connecting with flesh filled the air. It was scented with the smell of blood and kicked up dirt, and was tinged with fear and adrenaline.

High above the chaos, a pair of deep blue eyes observed it all. A smile stretched across the blue eyed man's face, grotesquely pleased with the carnage that was his doing.

Stretched across a throne made from dark oak and blood red velvet, the man sat with a powerful, arrogant air about him. His demeanor appeared casual, almost careless, if it not were for the bloodshed according below from where his throne sat.

A tyrant in every right, the man was known as the Hybrid Niklaus Mikaelson. Half werewolf, half vampire, no other creature could match him in speed nor strength. Not only was he powerful, but Niklaus was known to be a sadistic man, cruel and merciless. Centuries told the stories of the blood he shed, the families he tore apart, and the cold demeanor by which he ruled.

Those who both feared and revered him followed him loyally. Those who opposed him quickly learned not to challenge him. Years left him with a rather large group of loyalists, who did his bidding. They were used as pawns in his games, both to kill and to provide entertainment for the Hybrid.

Those who came to know him only saw a man before they saw the monster.

So he sat, unchallenged, upon his throne for centuries. First he ruled in Europe back when it was being ravaged by the plague, then he set his sights on the New World.

Landing on the shores of what was to be known as Louisiana, Klaus had a hand in founding the French Quarter in New Orleans. And there he ruled, and there it was believed he would always rule.

Klaus smiled again at the thought. His full lips curved upward.

His blue eyes, golden hair, and romantic features dubbed him the title of the Summer King, a name that reflected both the time of year he was born as well as the time he began his rule in the Quarter. He wore the title well, as his crown was more metaphorical than literal.

No, Klaus did not care for the crowns nor the jewels, but the power. It was a craving, an addiction, he fed his whole life. The only other being that once had power over Klaus had been Mikael, his father. Even though Klaus was not Mikael's legitimate son, Mikael himself had been a terrifying figure that raised his children with an iron fist.

But once it was revealed that Klaus had been conceived through an illicit affair, the young Hybrid that killed Mikael, then his own mother. That had been the first step he had taken towards where he would eventually end up.

His dark musings were interrupted by a loud shout. Klaus turned his attention below, where a tall, dark skinned man stood amidst the bodies.

The man, a vampire named Marcel, flashed his teeth in a wide smile. As Klaus's right hand man and second in command, he stood as both the first vampire Klaus sired and as one of Klaus's closest confident.

"All right, settle down," Marcel called out, speaking towards the masses that had gathered around the French courtyard. "For the next round, we have a lovely vampire named Katherine going up against the undefeated champ, the newly made Hybrid, Tyler!"

Cheers erupted as a woman, the vampire, was dragged forward in chains, or rather, vervain soaked ropes. She was tall and lithe, with dark hair and eyes, and a cold, fierce expression that captured Klaus's attention.

As part of his entertainment, Klaus ruled over a series of fights each week that featured all kinds of creatures, from vampires to werewolves to witches. Others came from all around to watch and to place bets. During these nights, both the cash and the blood flowed freely.

Then emerged the only other Hybrid in existence, Klaus's newest creation, a man named Tyler. Born a werewolf, Klaus had had Tyler captured then turned to merely see if it could be done. After centuries of being the only Hybrid, Klaus chose to create his own through experimentation. When it proved to be a success, Klaus was pleased to watch as the newborn Hybrid developed a thirst for blood that was both literal and hypothetical.

But now his curiosity lied with the vampire, who was eyeing Tyler with a smirk and a cocked hip. If she hadn't been bound, Klaus imagined she would have been yawning and examining her nails.

When the ropes were dropped, the vampire Katherine stepped into the circle, flexing her fists. Tyler followed suit, circling her slowly.

Then, with a quick series of movements Klaus only saw thanks to his superb vision, Katherine had Tyler knocked into the dirt. Her heel pressed into his throat, right against the artery.

But just as quickly, Tyler rolled away from the impending stab to the throat and sent a fist into the vampire's face, sending her crashing into the stonewall. Dust fell as the foundation shook from the impact.

And so the fight continued, with Katherine attacking using her speed, while Tyler used his strength. When they pulled apart again, both were covered in blood and were breathing heavily.

Klaus stood, and a hush fell over the crowd. He looked at the two competitors approvingly. "Well done," he stated, smirking. "I believe you both have proved yourselves to be worthy adversaries, no? I call a draw. Tyler, return to your quarters." Then his attention turned towards the vampire.

She stared up at him, her expression unreadable.

"As for you," Klaus continued, "perhaps you will consider a place with us, here in the Quarter?"

If Katherine was surprised, she didn't show it. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "How do I know this isn't a trick?"

Klaus spread his arms. "I have no use for tricks. Swear your loyalty onto me, and you may take your place with us. You will be given a room, clothes, and all the blood you can drink."

With that, Katherine smiled slowly.

As the crowd dispersed at the end of the evening, Klaus stood alone on the balconies outside his rooms. He could smell the impending arrival of dawn.

Looking over the town, the woods, and the swamps that encompassed the Quarter, he smirked yet again.

Indeed, it was good to be King.

Ooo0ooO

Disclaimer: I do not own the Originals.

Author's Note: Enjoy and please review!