"The Struggle" () picks up where The Awakening left off while introducing new characters like Alaric Saltzman. After the murder of their past history teacher Elena attempts to clear Stefan's innocence after he is accused of committing the crime and Damon looks into Alaric Saltzman's role in all of this. It is later revealed that the town knows about vampires and hired Alaric to try and kill Stefan and Damon however Alaric later joins Damon and Stefan and ends up dating Meredith Sulez. A powerful being has returned to Mystic Falls and despite Stefan's belief in Damon as the perpetrator no one knows its identity. Controlling the wind, the evil power chases Elena off Wickery Bridge to her death.