Just Don't Be a Stranger, Okay?

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### Directed by

Michael A. Allowitz

**Just Don't Be a Stranger, Okay?** is the twentieth and final episode of the fourth season of *Legacies* and the sixty-eighth episode of the series overall. It is also the series finale.

## Summary

**WELCOME HOME** - The Super Squad reflect on recent events and what comes next for each of them. They each find solace from unexpected yet welcome sources. Also appearing Landon and Ethan.

## Plot

The Salvatore School holds a memorial service for Ethan on the front lawn of the grounds. MG and Nina comfort each other by embracing. Hope places a single red rose at an altar with his picture. Cleo finds and embraces Kaleb in a hug. Wade also comforts Pedro with a heartfelt hug. Alaric exits the school and watches over all his students mourning their friend's sacrifice. Alex walks over and embraces her family in a group hug.

Lily retrieves the spear out from under her bed as Finch knocks and enters her room. She has a package for her that Wade signed for from New Orleans. Opening up the box, it's the urn that holds her father's ashes. Finch is taken aback by the box's contents, wondering if it's what she thinks it is. Lily confirms it's her father's ashes and elaborates on how he sacrificed his life for this town so that she can have another place to call home. She plans to honor that by scattering the ashes on the school's grounds. Finch comments on how nice that is and glad that she gets to do that. Lily wonders if she's doing okay or if she's heard anything from Josie. She hasn't and she thought she would have found her way back to the school by now. Finch also tells Lily that Josie told her not to wait for her, she doesn't really know her role at the school without her. Looking to help, Lily asks her what she should do with Ken's spear–it's the only weapon on Earth that can kill her. Lily reasons that it cannot be destroyed and if she leaves it out in the open then people are going to come for it. If she hides it, then she's the only person who knows where it is. Finch believes that to be a good thing, but Lily believes that it's not if she was to ever lose her way again. Lily believes that no one should have that power, especially a Salvatore or a Mikaelson.

Over the PA system, Alaric calls the students to report to the Grand Hall for assembly. Pedro, Miranda, Jenna, Wade, Finch, Cleo, Kaleb, Lizzie, MG, Jack, Hope, Artemis, Jax, Nina, Lily, Luke, Grayson, Sarah, Stefanie, Lia, Vivian, Vanessa, Luna, Adella, Adelina, Violet, Stella, Noah, and Parker with all of the other students gathered, Alaric thanks them for being there. He begins with how he made Ethan's mother a promise, just like all of their parents when they enrolled, that he'd care for them as his own. However, they're here memorializing yet another student and that is not what the school was meant to be. The school was founded with a single mission: To create a safe space for young supernaturals. He comes to the conclusion that, in reality, it's anything but safe and achieving his mission statement has proven impossible. He declares that he can no longer keep his promise and informs the students that the Salvatore School must close. Murmurs rattle throughout the students and Jack, Hope, Jax, Nina, and Lily stands in protest, however, it does nothing to sway Alaric. He has nothing more to say, except that he's sorry, and leaves the Grand Hall, leaving everyone in attendance, shocked.

At the Old Mill, Ben wakes up having celebrated their victory with Jed. As he rolls over, Jed is missing from by his side in their bed. Ben finds him looking out into the woods and greets him with a 'good morning'. Jed states that they've slept through Ethan's memorial service. Ben believes this to be the nature of war as the living must celebrate their survival before they mourn their dead. Coming up behind Jen, grabbing him by the waist, he's up for a little more celebration. Jed doesn't immediately reciprocate and Ben apologizes, he doesn't mean to be insensitive about Ethan's death. Jed knows this, but it's not what's troubling him. Something is off with him and he feels different. Ben laughs, offering that he'd be a little offended if he wasn't different considering their night together. Jed clarifies removing Ben's doubt, telling him that last night was great, they're great and emotionally, he's never been better. Physically, something has changed with him. Ben accepts Jed and resolves to help him figure out what's happened.

Nina packs a bag as MG knocks on her door. He wonders if she's really going to give up and accept her grandfathers decision without a fight. Nina explains that she's tired of fighting and she's leaving to go visit her uncle and aunt in London. She even offers for him to join her, if he wants. MG wants nothing more than that, but is also concerned about everyone else in the school. If the school closes, some of the other students won't have anywhere to go. He was hoping that she'd help him make her grandfather see that. Nina can't because she agrees with him.

Hope and Artemis argues with Alaric in his office, believing he's out of his mind. Hope goes on to say that he can't make this decision without consulting anyone. Alaric quips that he has, but Hope and Artemis are offended because he didn't consult them. Had he, they would have told him that they need this place. Out of everyone in the school, Alaric is most confident that she and the others can find a new path. Hope doesn't want a new path, considering she just got back on this one. Alaric has made his decision. This path leads to dead kids and, as a bourbon drinker, just because something feels good doesn't make it right. He tells them that saying goodbye to the school will hurt, but each day, it will get better. If they continue doing what they have been doing, the pain will only get worse. Hope and Artemis are furious, proclaiming that the school doesn't need to close, just that it needs a headmaster that can handle the pressure they go to talk to Alex.

Kaleb joins Cleo in the art room, wondering what she's working on, though her canvas is blank. Jokingly, he muses that it's minimalist. Cleo is frustrated. Her mind is cluttered with thoughts, but her hands will not express a single one. First it was her powers, now her art is blocked. Kaleb asks her to come to Atlanta with him. He clarifies for her. He wants the school to remain opened, but in the off chance it doesn't, he wants her to come home with him and make it her home, too. Cleo is taken aback but his statement–it is the kindest thing anyone has ever said to her. There is, however, one condition, though. He needs her to know exactly what she's getting into, warts and all. Cleo wants him to tell her, but he can't. He explains that they're all the heroes of their own stories and, if he tells her his, then he'll just end up spinning it to get her to say yes. He asks her to use her powers to see for herself. Cleo is hesitant if she's still capable of such a thing, but Kaleb encourages her to try and he's willing to open his mind, his life, to her. Only if she really wants it. Cleo takes his hand and he opens his mind to her.

Lily returns to her room, lost. Seeing her father's urn, she gathers a few supplies, candles, chalk and a knife. With her grimoire and preparations made, she positions herself the sigil with a bracelet that Landon gave her for her birthday, cutting her hand to offer a few drops of blood. Lily begins to cast her spell.

Meanwhile in Limbo, Ethan joins Landon at the Zied's bar. Landon asks if he can get him something else, but Ethan quips that it depends on what he has to offer and further asks what this place is. Landon explains that it's a sort of filling station for lost souls for which he's in charge of now. Ethan clarifies, meaning he was more general. Landon elaborates that he's in Limbo and recently died. However, he tells him not to worry because of the sacrifice he made for their friends, he should have him on the boat to Peace in no time. Landon is sure he'll see it for himself when they figure out what's holding him back. Ethan already knows. He doesn't want to go to Peace and wants to go back to life. He was just getting good at living. Landon breaks the news that it's not an option. Ethan is confused considering he brought the other back, but Landon explains that there was a price. Though the details are fuzzy, he does know that Nature won't let him do it again. Ethan doesn't understand what he's supposed to do now, but he's the only one that knows for sure. Landon assures him that he'll be by his side, here to help him figure it out. Before he can continue, Landon disappears in a quick flash of light.

As Lily continues the spell, Landon appears behind her. He claims it's been a minute since he's been summoned and quips that she's become incredibly powerful. Lily can say the same about him, as he's the new "Ferryman" now. They've come a long way from milkshakes in the square. He asks what she needs. Lily comes clean and tells him that she needs to see her father and Landon quips that it's a "big" ask. Lily believes that her father is in Limbo, which the Necromancer said that he can't find Peace until she does. However, being honest, she believes she's the opposite of peaceful. Landon doesn't actually know that and Limbo's is kind of a big place. Lily doesn't understand, as the new ferryman, she believes it should be easier to find him than it was for him to send their friends back. Landon tells her that what he did came at a cost, one that being on the mortal plane is making him realize is steeper than he thought. Lily wants to know what the cost was and Landon tells her that he doesn't feel anything. At least not things he should–everything's muted and dull on this plane of existence. She asks about his feelings for her sister, specifically, but he doesn't answer. Based on her experience, she understands that the cost was his humanity. Landon doesn't believe it to be that simple. He knows that he loves her sister and that's about the only thing he's sure of. He wants to give this to his friend and asks why she needs to see her dad and wonders if it's worth losing yet another piece of him. On a surface level, she needs to figure out where his final resting place should be because the school is no longer an option. But going deeper, she just feels like she's screwed up so much recently. She believes if she can get this one thing right, then maybe she could fix everything else that's been broken. However, she tells Landon that it's not worth losing her friend again, not even a piece. She asks him to forget that she even asked; however, since he's here, she asks for something else. He nods and she embraces him and thanks him for being a good friend.

Cleo recoils from Kaleb who wonders if what she saw was so bad. She slowly backs away from him, telling him that she's unaccustomed to her new powers, so she did not yet see his past. Kaleb knows she saw something. Cleo assumes it was their future, leading him to wonder if it was still bad. Cleo's demeanor changes and a smile creeps on her face. It was beautiful, she explains to him. Despite this, he wants to know why she looks so scared. Cleo tells him that they're not destined to travel down this path together and abruptly leaves.

Landon returns to Limbo, finding the bar empty except for Ethan. When he disappeared, Ethan decided to hop behind the bar and take over. He listened to what the lost souls had to say, the same way that Landon listened to him. Most seemed to have solid breakthroughs and explained that they'll be back to talk about what those are with him. Ethan hopes he didn't overstep, but Landon tells him he did great. Bringing their past conversation up, Landon reminds him that he deserves Peace. Ethan isn't sure he wants to go. His life taught him that there's no shame in being the sidekick and he prefers "Rescue Guy." For Landon, that's perfect timing because he needs help tracking someone down.

MG gathers Nina and Alaric for a meeting. Nina interjects, calling him Milton, though he stops her. Milton is a name wielded by bullies or his loved ones–Nina and Alaric are dangerously in the middle. MG tells Alaric that he can't close the school and shows them a stack of files. Each file is a person with a life, who needs a home. Nina wants him to face the facts as she believes that the school is dangerous for every person in that pile. Every time they solve one problem, another one just pops up. MG believes problems are why they ended up here in the first place–to be safe as the world is not safe for supernaturals. What they have here at the school is a home, a family. Rhetorically, Alaric asks him if he really thinks that he wants to do this because he, Caroline, and Alex built this school for their children. They've all been through too much and they need a fresh start. MG scoffs at that, believing it to be a load of crap. He thinks they're running from grief because they don't want to hurt anymore. He thinks Alaric is making this decision for all of them and that he's doing exactly the thing that he promised Landon he wouldn't do. When Nina turned off her humanity she made some bad decisions and reiterates that she'd rather cling onto her old self than stay at the school to face a life that's different.

Later, Nina bumps into Hope in the hallway. Stopping her, she wants to know where she's going. Hope responds that she wants to be alone. Nina quips that there's no rush, considering they'll all be alone soon enough. However, if that's true, everyone wouldn't be looking at her the way they are, like she can find a way to keep the school open. Nina confesses that MG's gotten to her as well. Like her, she had a solid plan B, which was running away. Josie appears and Hope smiles, happy to see her again. Josie hands Hope a box and Hope looks at in wonder.

Alaric sits in his office and contemplates signing paperwork for the dissolution of the school. While doing school, Hope barges in, questioning if he really had a witch put a barrier spell around his office. He admits that he bribed Pedro with a candy bar, but apparently overpaid considering she was able to get through it. Hope shuts the door with her magic and sits down to talk. He knows she's here to change his mind, but like he's telling everyone else, there's no point. Actually, Hope's come to thank him for helping bring back her and her siblings humanity. Alaric doesn't take the credit, as it was Josie's idea but Hope already knows. Josie sent the talisman that Hope gifted her to her family in New Orleans and that's how their humanity was able to break through. It's spelled to make quiet things heard. Josie doesn't need it anymore and she asked her to give it to someone who does. Hope decides to give it to Alaric, just in case there's a little voice inside of his head trying to break through the fear. Alaric takes the necklace as Hope leaves his office.

Nina finds MG, wondering if he's ready to have their conversation. That depends on whether or not it will make him mad. She tells him that Josie gave Hope her pendant and it got her thinking. Deep inside of him, even the smallest voice finds a way to speak its truth. That's one of the best things about him. Her, on the other hand, she's always had a million voices in her head screaming to be heard. She confesses that when she saw him slowing dying that one time she felt like she could never love someone as much as she loves him. The good from the bad. She's sorry it took her so long about what she truly wanted, she tells him that he's her pendant. MG admits that it's better late than never and wonders where they go from here. Nina tells him that Europe can wait for her that her happiness is right here. She said she's not going to run, that not who she is anymore, so if he wants to fight to save this school, then she's here to help, if he still wants her. Taking her hand, he tells her that he's always wanted her and they finally share a kiss. However, their moment is interrupted and the doors slide open. Nina, still embracing MG, tells the interloper to go away. Klaus quips up and says that he'll kill MG if he doesn't remove his lips from his daughters. Nina giggles a little before using her vamp-speed and hugs her dad.

Ethan returns to the bar informing Landon that word on the street, that the guy they're looking for has already left. Landon is disappointed. Ethan thought this was a good thing, but Landon was hoping that he could help a friend with something they really needed since the only way to contact Peace is to actually be at Peace. That isn't an option for him. That gives Landon another idea, though. Again, he asks Ethan how he wants to spend his eternity.

Out in the garden, Ben picks some wolfsbane, asking Jed if this will hurt, because quoting Finch, saying that it will burn. Jed tells him it is the whole point and asks Ben to drop the sprig of flowers into his jar of water. Ben does as he's asked, takes the jar and swirls it around. Jed uncovers his forearm and Ben tests out the wolfsbane. Jed is unaffected which answers his question. Ben doesn't understand why he's not in pain. Jed can only assume it's because he died the previous day and somehow being sent back to life managed to reset his curse. Jed likens it to how Ken's death broke Ben's curse. He's no longer a triggered werewolf. Ben asks him how he feels. He feels like he's changed a lot but in ways that he's proud of. Being a wolf and leader of the pack has always defined him. Now, he believes he's supposed to find out who he is without that. Ben empathizes with him, as someone who was newly freed from that which defined him for millennia. Should Jed go searching for something, he asks him to consider letting him be a part of his quest to find it. Jed doesn't respond, instead he embraces him in a kiss and wraps his arms around Ben.

Lily brings her father's ashes to the dock at the lake. Jack, Hope, Jax, and Nina are their too. Lily talks to him, telling him this place is special to her–where she comes to think, to cry when she needs to and even make out with her boyfriend. Truthfully, she just doesn't know if he'd think this place is special, too, and she's trying to make the right decision. If she scatters him here and the school shuts down, then they're just going to be ripped apart again, so she doesn't know what to do. She asks for a sign to guide her. Landon appears to them, apologizing for interrupting. Likewise, Lily apologizes for sending him on a fool's errand, but wonders if he's had any luck. Landon tilts his head no, but offers a compromise. Hope ask what's going on and Landon tells them to follow him.

Finch cleans up in the gymnasium, though Jed tells her she no longer has to do that anymore. Finch knows this, but she's only resistant when someone's trying to make her do it. He wants to know how the pack is taking the news. Finch shrugs it off, they're wolves and not as emo as vamps and witches. They held a little workout session to get their minds off the fact that the sweet gym and all-you-can-eat breakfasts aren't going to be available to them anymore with the impending closure of the school. Even if the school closes, Jed reminds her that it doesn't change anything else for them. The pack sticks together. Finch is unsure and it's only true if that's what the alpha says, but Jed tells her that's why he asked. He wants her to be the new alpha–she's already been acting as one since he's been so wrapped up in god stuff. Jed informs her that Ben's asked him to leave with him and he's said yes, provided that she says yes to him. Finch admits that she's never wanted this, but for Jed, this is why she should be the one to do it. If things with the school go wrong, she'll be able to keep them together. She acknowledges how much the school has come to mean to her and asks if she has to challenge him. Jed laughs and tells her sure, but he's not as strong as he used to be. Removing his flannel, he wonders what it will be–wrestling, boxing, Tae Bo. However, Finch grips him in a tight hug and tells him that the first one to let go loses.

Landon brings Jack, Hope, Jax, Nina, and Lily to the Old Mill, he's making them nervous with all of the suspense. First things first. Landon tells the triplets that their father found Peace, which is great news, but also it's not. It means that he's not able to bring him to Lily, but he got to thinking. He's a metaphysical miracle and with their brilliant, magical minds combined, they should be able to get her what she really needs. Landon has set up a screen, but Hope speaks she did not need to see Star Wars again, but Landon has something cooler. He recalls their Matrix marathon and their whole spine is not actually a spoon debate. He asks for Lily's hand, which she gives, and he covers it with his other hand. Landon's hands begin to glow and the screen flashes to life with significant moments between the triplets and Stefan. The triplets are amazed and both Jack and Hope smiles seeing their siblings happy with their father. Lily wonders how he's doing this, but all he tells her is that the screen is not a spoon. Ethan eventually appears on screen and greets them from Peace. He tells Landon that he believes this is what he wanted and hopes this works. He tells Nina he was grateful to be loved by her. He also thanks him because he was right–Peace is incredible–and he disappears. Nina wants him to come back, but Landon tells her and the others to wait. Stefan appears to them from the screen. He muses what a gift it is to be able to leave his children one last message. He tells them to carry it with them in the years to come. He wants them to know this–they will make mistakes in their life. That comes with being a Salvatore. They will go through hard times, for no one with their power always knows how to use it properly. They will find love and lose it, for such is the burden of immortality. However, the most important thing about their life is for them to live it. They are his peace. He may regret a lot of things, but he doesn't regret a single moment he spent with them and their mother. He tells them how much he loves them, always and forever and disappears. With tears in their eyes, the triplets thank Landon. Jack and Hope cries a little, not knowing how much they really miss their father.

Kaleb finds Cleo sitting alone in her dorm room. He's brought her easel and some paint. She wants to know what all of the stuff is for, and Kaleb tells her that there would be a lot of roadblocks they'd have to overcome. He figured that they would start with the one he knows about, her artist's block. She's amused about how persistent he is. For Kaleb, it's only fair because she's inspired a lot of people and he just wants to return the favor. Specifically, in two ways. First, he's not going to let some vision put him off to the best things in life. At the Salvatore School, they fight for the things they love. Cleo asks about the second way, and he unbuttons his shirt. He'll be her inspiration, as what's more inspiring than a dragon. Cleo walks over to him, definitely feeling something. She wonders if he remembers when she told him he was a good man. He does, but Cleo tells him she was wrong. Embracing him in a kiss, she tells him he's the best man, at least for her. As they continue to kiss, Cleo causes the paint to burst, covering the canvas.

That night, Hope returns to Alaric's office, still insisting that he can't close the school. He tries to interject, but she continues. She knows that things haven't gone the way he imagined, and maybe his mission statement has failed, but she concludes that makes him just like the rest of them. No matter what he founded it for, the Salvatore School is a place for second chances, to not be perfect. She may be the world's only tribrid, but she's still one of countless scared supernaturals around the world who need to be understood. She suggests that maybe their mission statement just needs to change, along with them. She tells him that she's finished and can talk, but not before informing him that he won't be changing her mind about this. He chuckles at her resistance and tells her that it won't be necessary; he's been thinking about the future, too. Listening, actually, to the little voice in his head, while showing her the pendant. She's right. Elated, Hope questions if he's keeping the school open. He responds, telling her yes and no.

Nina helps MG set up a plaque to memorialize Ethan's sacrifice–the Ethan Machado Memorial Hall. MG asks her if it's okay to say that her dad kind of freaks him out. Nina replies that he should be deadly afraid of him, but he's a softie at the heart. She also adds that he's her first love and only boyfriend that stuck with her. MG quips that "boyfriend" has a nice ring to it. Jokingly, he wonders if it's too late to run to Europe. Nina stands firm about not running anymore. Besides, they might hate London. As they're about to kiss, Alaric interrupts them. Awkwardly, MG and Nina move apart as MG struggles with words. Alaric looks up at the plaque, gives MG a smile, and continues onward into the Grand Hall. MG and Nina quickly follow behind.

Alaric addresses the school as they're meeting under happier circumstances. He announces that the Salvatore School won't be closing its doors. The students cheer and applaud the news. However, he continues, he will no longer be their headmaster, much to the students' concerned murmurs. He elaborates that the school's founding purpose was to protect them from the world, but now he believes the world will and must get to know them and their abilities. The truth is, they deserve to be known. With their permission, it would be his great honor to tell those stories by writing the definitive history of the supernatural beings he has come to know. So when that battle comes, they will all be better prepared, armed with the stories of the ones that they love, and those who they have lost along the way. He asks if there are any questions or objections and Wade stands. They probably all have the same question and ask who is going to be their new headmaster. Alaric promises to keep it in the family and points to Alex and Caroline. The students turn to find them standing at the top of the stairs, admiring them all.

That night, Alaric packs up his Jeep, but not before being stopped by the tribrids. They thought he was leaving tomorrow, but that's the reason he's leaving now, while everyone's asleep. He's had enough goodbyes in his life, like them. Jack asks if he's going to be okay, but he turns the question on him and the others. For the first time in a long time, they will. He's happy and it proves that the school wasn't such a failure after all. Tearing up, the tribrids takes Alaric into a heart-felt hug and thanks him for being the best grandfather they could have. In turn, Alaric thanks them for being the best grandchildren. They see him off, as he leaves the Salvatore School. The siblings all hold hands watching him leave.

The next morning, Lily packs up Ken's spear and drops it off with Wade in the mailroom. Wade asks where her package is heading and she intends to send it to Kol and Ariana in London. He jokes if it's ski poles or golf clubs, but in fact it's the only weapon that can kill her and her family. He marks it as "fragile" but she's sure it's going to the right place.

Cleo hangs up her painting in the headmaster's office while Kaleb asks what she'll call it. She responds with "Passion." With her block gone, he wonders if she'll tell him about the future she saw. She can't, for the fear that doing so will change it. Despite not knowing what she saw, he wants to change it. All she tells him is that he will change the world, at least for many supernaturals like them. She won't say more than that. Kaleb only muses that she's sexy when she's being all mysterious. She tells him that she'll catch up with him in a moment, that there's something else she must do. This time, it has something to do with her future, and Kaleb leaves her alone. Cleo admires the headmaster's office and takes a seat in the chair behind the desk, smiling about future possibilities. Distracted, she's startled as Caroline walks in with Alex following behind. She jumps up from the chair. Caroline and Alex quips that it looks like they're already out of job, but Cleo only tells them that she's daydreaming and apologizes, calling them Headmistress Forbes and Headmistress Mikaelson. They correct her and to just call them Caroline and Alex.

At the dock, Lily speaks aloud, wishing he was here. She hears foot steps and sees her siblings, cousins, mother, and father to support her. She says that she has felt so loss without Stefan, that she didn't know how to move on without him. She admits that having Klaus as her father meant everything to her. That she is loved and she'll never forget that he's the reason why this town, their school is standing. Everyone smiles at her as Jax and Nina steps and stands next to her. Lily opens the urn and they cast a spell, their father's ashes fly up into the air and out over into the lake.

Later, during the night Hope stands hoping Landon will come so she can say goodbye. Landon appears behind her, and she smiles. He offers her a milkshake–Peanut Butter Blast with whipped cream on the bottom. It's nice to know that some things don't change, especially when everything else seems to. She asks if he's happy. He tells her that happiness is an emotion, so that's a tricky one to answer. However, he knows where he belongs when he's in Limbo. All he's ever wanted is a home. Hope tells him to not be a stranger. Caressing her cheek, he tells her that for as much as they've both changed, that's one thing they could never be. She'll always love him and he tells her that she'll forever know where to find him. They embrace in another hug and she tells him that it's time for one more goodbye and asks if he'll wait with her for another minute. The dead can wait, after all, and he takes his place beside her. They watch the night sky like they used to.

Ben and Jed travel together in an RV. They're sharing a hammock as they read a book in their campsite. Jack, Hope, Artemis, Jax, Nina, Lily, and Adella dresses in their formal uniform, ready to embrace new students. Today, they'll be opening their doors for the next class of supernatural beings to teach them how to be heroes. Wade plays red hands with Pedro. Caroline and Alex addresses the students that first impressions last a lifetime. With the gentle reminder that many of them are immortal, she asks if Jack, Hope, Jax, Nina, and Lily would do the honors. They turns and opens the doors, ushering in and welcoming the students home to the Salvatore School.