Damon, Alaric and Elena reach a hidden cage in the secret tunnel beneath the Lockwood mansion. Alaric studies the runes and primitive pictures, which indicate it was the home of an ancient Viking family, who interacted with the Original werewolf, vampires and witch. They confront Rebekah, who is shocked to tie it up with her memories of her family's youth, when their father Mikael, now the only hunter they truly dread, bullied his sons, especially Niklaus, leading in interaction with the originally friendly werewolf neighbors to family drama and the origin of vampires. After taunting Stefan, Damon releases him from Lexi's 'aversion therapy' and takes him along to seek Mikael's help. Alaric and Elena work out that Rebekah's memories don't take account of a last, crucial cruel twist.

The homecoming dance becomes the backdrop for a battle of lethal wits between Damon's party, including Mikael and Rebekah although not at all reconciled, and Klaus's, which fields the hybrids by diverting the party to the Lockwood mansion. Tyler surprises Caroline by stating he doesn't really mind being under Klaus's spell as hybrid, it's not worse than monthly lunatic agony as pure werewolf. Fearing even with the eternal oak stake in Mikael's hand Klaus may outsmart them, Damon secretly enlisted Katherine, but Klaus prepared the most stunning surprise.

Bonnie has weird dreams with four coffins. Jeremy hangs around with Tyler and invites him in his house. Stephan meets Bonnie and asks her to hide the coffins of Klaus's family. Klaus tries to force Damon and Elena to seek out Stephan and compels Jeremy to stand up in front of a pick-up driven by a hybrid in high speed without his ring; however Alaric saves him but has difficulties to recover. Jeremy kills the hybrid and he takes Alaric to the hospital with Elena. Damon meets Stephan and he tells that he saved Klaus to save Damon's life. Then Damon asks to participate in Stephan's plan against Klaus. Stephan accepts provided Elena does not know the plan. Elena makes a deal with Klaus and delivers Rebekah to him. Then she asks Damon to compel his brother to leave Mystic Falls.

Now Klaus's original family's coffins are open, he's supplanted as family head by their sorceress-maker, mother Esther, who holds a grand ball in their splendidly restored mansion. Invitations with gifts and where needed other persuades go to the Salavtore brothers, Alaric, Matt, Caroline and especially Elena, who is asked for a private meeting. After Stefan prevents Damon from stopping her, she learns that Esther, aided by son Finn, needs Doppleganger blood to put a fatal spell on her children, the others being an 'abomination' except Elijah, firstly binding their fate. Tyler prepares his return.

The present-day murders in Mystic Falls remind Damon of a similar crime spree a century earlier. Flashing back to 1912, Damon recalls a beautiful vampire.

The 1920s Decade Dance takes a deadly turn when Damon and Stefan realize they need the help of Matt, Jeremy and Bonnie to undo a spell that could be devastating for everyone.