Ethan Machado

In There's No I In Team, or Whatever, Ethan and Lizzie continue to help with preparation for Movie in the Square. They bond over common interests, and Lizzie even suggests a potential second date, doing something they both enjoy. Ethan help her pick up popcorn and continue to flirt with one another.

Later that night, he and Lizzie enjoy the movie, but Lizzie gets up to grab a milkshake. With Lizzie gone longer than expected, he goes to search for her and finds her with a misshapen bully. He steps up to fight the monster off, but the dybbuk possessing Ryan easily swats him away, knocking him unconscious.

Ethan is out cold, but eventually wakes up at the Salvatore School, hearing someone calling out for help. Ethan goes in search of the cries and finds Landon in a cage. Unfortunately for Ethan, it's not Landon, but Malivore and is taken hostage. Alaric and MG find Ethan, but Malivore threatens to kill him and demands to be released. Alaric is forced to do as Malivore demands.

On the road, Ethan pleads with Malivore to let him go, but he is more interested in hitching a ride. Ethan tells him he can take the truck, but Malivore has other plans. Grabbing him by the mouth, Malivore forces mud into his body, his eyes turning black in the process.

In We All Knew This Day Was Coming, Ethan, newly enthralled, approaches Blake, who is shocked to see him throw a football with his busted arm. He explains that he's found someone who's hooked him up. Ethan rhetorically asks about the number of games they've lost in a row and how their future games are dwindling. He brings him to Malivore, though Blake mistakes him for Landon. Malivore explains that he transforms people and Blake unknowingly accepts the offer, believing it's about performance enhancing drugs. Malivore is glad to transform him. In fact, he's been obsessed for centuries with consuming everything he could, but he's had it all backwards. Ethan grabs Blake from behind as Malivore prepares to transform him.

Later, Ethan brings Kaleb to Malivore, who questions how he found him. Kaleb explains that the magic candle he has eliminates sounds and smells. All he had to do was listen for a place that was too quiet. Malivore admits he was clever, but Kaleb woke up from his broken neck and admits he had time to think. Kaleb isn't here to fight and instead makes him an offer.

In See You On The Other Side, somewhere in Mystic Falls, Kaleb and Ethan, controlled by Malivore, goes from house to house enthralling townies with black goo.

Eventually, Ethan makes his way to Mystic Falls High School and has already enthralled a group of students. They find MG, but he commands the students to get to the train depot while he'll handle MG. MG doesn't want to fight, but Ethan tells him that he doesn't have a choice. He's confused as to how Ethan remembers the supernatural world, but he explains that he's not really Ethan exactly. It's Malivore. MG wanted to be a superhero so bad, now he has a super villain to fight. Malivore has even given Ethan powers that he can use to fight back. MG is curious about the powers and Ethan turns invisible.

Malivore puppetting Ethan throws MG through the school door, the latter still not wanting to fight Ethan. MG attempts to get through to Ethan, but Malivore's control is too strong. He's determined to get MG to fight him and breaks a flag pole, weaponizing it as a stake. Ethan disappears again and appears behind him, stabbing him in the side. MG believes of all the powers Malivore could have given Ethan, Malivore picked a real cowardly one. Despite his sentiments, the power is effective. He disappears again, the next time aims for his heart. MG defends himself and pulls off a locker door, using it as a shield, but Malivore is stronger. Malivore attempts to stake him, but Lizzie appears behind him and grabs Ethan's head, siphoning. Ethan falls over on the floor but MG quickly learns that he's no longer breathing.

Lizzie and MG perform chest compression on Ethan. Lizzie is upset that she's killed the one boy in the world that likes her. MG reassures her that he's not going to die and reminds her that he likes her too. She's shocked, but that gives him an idea. He wants her to use her magic to give his heart a shock to resuscitate him. He believes in her and Lizzie siphons him in time and casts the spell. Ethan gasps awake.

That night Ethan appears before Lizzie and MG talking on the hood of her car. He has beers in his hand that were stashed in his locker room. He's happy, by all accounts. They both saved his life and that makes them even. He bets that Alaric has booze at the Salvatore School and suggests they head back over. He's considering enrolling at the school, now that he's supernatural.

In I Thought You'd Be Happier To See Me, MG gets him situated in his new room, In Landon and Rafael's old room. He questions about bad luck coming in threes. Ethan is concerned because the last two guys that shared the room are dead, for all intents and purposes. MG mentions that the guy that owned the house before it was a school also died, proving Ethan's point. Though, Landon made the ultimate hero move. MG explains that they'll assign him a permanent room after they talk to Dr. Saltzman. Ethan has noticed his lack of enthusiasm. He thought he would be happier about them being Super Friends, even though he doesn't know what his new powers are. He assures him, they'll figure it out. Finch barges into his room and tells him that Lizzie needs him. MG vamps away, leaving him alone with her.

Ethan remains behind at the school as Lizzie, Josie, and MG head to the hospital. He lifts weights, though he still doesn't know how to control his powers. The weights he's lifting nearly fall on him, but Finch grabs the bars, saving him. He's having the weirdest first day, but thanks her. He questions why she isn't at the hospital. Finch explains that the first thing about being in a relationship with a Saltzman, is that she's not a Saltzman and she hates hospitals. Finch tells him to take it easy, but he wants to know how she manages being with a Saltzman, theoretically. He knows he gave her a hard time for being with his sister, but circumstances have changed. He probably would have seen things differently, knowing what he now knows. She questions if he's talking about Lizzie, though only advises he needs some help. Ethan, on the other hand, doesn't even know if she has feelings for him. All he wants to do is to do something for her. They have the same problem and reconcile to work with him.

That night, he approaches MG siting outside of the hospital. Lizzie and Josie are staying with Alaric until visiting hours are over. He's stable, though his mind is gone. He tells MG about his and Finch's idea. MG believes that the school is already better off having him, but he also admits that he's the 'other guy'. Ethan already knows but MG explains there will come a day where he will tell Lizzie just how he feels. That is a bridge they'll cross when it comes, but he hopes they can remain friends until then and afterward.

As Lizzie and Josie leave the hospital, he and the rest of the school are there, holding a candlelight vigil, supporting them and Alaric. Finch embraces Josie in a hug and kiss as Jed plays his guitar. Kaleb and Cleo arrive in time for Wade to light them a candle. Lizzie embraces Ethan in a hug, then MG before bringing them all together. Kaleb confronts Lizzie and appears to reconcile their differences.

In You're A Long Way From Home, Hope walks down a deserted street in New Orleans, but comes to a stop. Hope quickly notices Cleo, who claims to only want to talk. She, however, is merely a poor distraction while the others get into position, which doesn't go unnoticed. With their cover blown, Josie, MG, Kaleb, Jed, and Ethan step out and they all confront Hope. Hope questions if her warning was too subtle, though they're here to help. Calling Kaleb a traitor, MG tries to rally them, to not let her get into their heads. Cleo tries to reach out to her, but Hope makes the first move. Using her magic, she blasts them outward. Kaleb recovers first, but Hope uses her vampire speed to throw him back into a wooden table, staking him in the process. Taking the stake, she throws it at MG, killing him, too. Cleo, now back on her feet, tries to use her magic to subdue her, but Hope is quicker and immobilizes her first. Jed rushes Hope, trying to overpower her with physical attacks, though she's stronger and manages to rip his heart out. Ethan, still new to his powers, has no choice but to run. He disappears and runs away, but Hope can still hear him. Using a manhole cover, she decapitates him.

Cleo wakes up on the gym floor of the Salvatore Boarding School in a screaming panic. Their simulation in the Therapy Box has failed, again. The bell rings and they depart for class.

They sit in Ms. Featherwood's class as she calls roll. MG, Jed, Kaleb, and Wade sit in the back and continue to discuss their failed simulations. Jed prefers to die by decapitation as opposed to his heart being ripped out. Wade understands. In one of the simulations, Hope stabbed him in the eye, though it's a fake pain that stays with him. Ms. Featherwood scolds them for chit chatting during her class and continues to call roll, though they quickly return to talking, albeit a bit more hushed. MG wants to try another simulation; he just doesn't know why they keep failing. They're obviously missing something, though Kaleb has already figured that out. They're missing a leader because they were so used to relying on Hope, they never had a plan B. Their simulations are just a taste of what Hope will actually do to them if she returns and they're unprepared. Ethan asks if she'd actually kill them, though, startling them all. He's invisible, still having trouble controlling his powers. Kaleb, using Ethan as an example, believes they need to get back to training and enough with the simulations.

Kaleb, MG, Ethan, Wade, Jed, and Josie organize a training session to hone their abilities. MG and Josie take point and watch as the other boys get into position. Jed wants to follow MG's instructions, citing that Kaleb should create diversion against the fake Hope. Kaleb however, doesn't want to leave the take down to the B-team and moves in first, disregarding Jed. MG has Josie begin the trial and she casts a spell to create mini bursts of lightning. Wade is struck first and MG tells him he's dead and to walk it off. Jed wants Kaleb to vamp them past the lightning, but Kaleb ignores him, going on his own. Jed is struck next, and MG tells him he's dead too. Kaleb continues to fake Hope, dodges one trap only to be fake-staked with another trap. MG tells him he's dead, but Kaleb doesn't accept MG's ruling. While they argue, Jed encourages Ethan to teleport behind fake Hope. Still having trouble with his powers, Ethan barrels into Kaleb, knocking them both to the ground. Jed sticks up for Ethan, at least he's trying to use them. Jed continues to push Kaleb until his anger gets the best of him and he breathes out a fireball, narrowly missing Jed and Ethan. Kaleb runs off the field and Josie suggests they take five weeks. Cleo barges on the field and tells MG and Josie that they may have a Lizzie problem on their hands.

At the hospital, Jed and Ethan accompany MG and Josie. They are to stand watch as they'll check the ICU.

In Someplace Far Away From All This Violence, at the Salvatore School, he, MG, and Finch sit together in the upstairs lounge. Things remain weird with Hope gone, Alaric in a coma, and Lizzie in the therapy box, though most students don't even notice the latter. Ethan wants to train after class and MG wonders how Josie is dealing with things. Finch believes that she's in full spiral mode since she wasn't there with her in the morning and bailed on breakfast, too. To their surprise, Josie approaches them. Josie's been up all night going through Alaric's old journals, learning that Caroline once turned her humanity off too. She believes within his journals there are clues that can help them get Hope's humanity back on. Specifically with Caroline, her mom had written her a letter before she had died. Caroline never got to read it, but Stefan showed her a memory of what she missed when she burned the letter and the emotion from that was enough to turn her humanity back on. Ethan questions if they need to write Hope a letter and burn it, but that's not the point Josie is making. They need to get to Hope emotionally and remind her of her family, friends, and her home. They need to find the right idea that's powerful enough to break through to her emotions. Finch reminds them that whatever it is, it needs to be good and fast. Each time they confront her in the simulation, they end up dead. They will only have one chance and it has to be the perfect idea. MG knows Josie's next thought; they need some inspiration from Cleo.

Later, he, MG, Finch and Josie gathers with Cleo. The key to bringing back Hope's humanity lies within their past and Cleo tasks them with focusing on their fondest memories they've shared. Ethan and Finch share worried looks with one another. Regardless, they're each inspired with potential ideas on how to reach Hope's humanity. Josie's idea will need a lot of preparation whereas Cleo's will require some digging, though she's uncertain it will work. He and Finch are rather new to their collective friendship and don't have many memories of Hope and come up short. MG wants them to leave it to those who know Hope best. Before they can continue, a magical alarm sounds, stemming from Alaric's weapon cabinet which Josie spelled after Cleo first tried to kill Hope. MG assembles the squad and vamps off with Josie and Cleo, leaving him and Finch behind.

Halfway through MG's Salvatore Idol, Cleo's attempt fails and Hope grows bored. He, Finch, MG, stand off stage and Hope decides to end the game, looking over to the three of them. Hope assumes that Ethan is going to use some hokey sports metaphor, finding identity in a team. She passes and a star goes up in flames. She subs Finch in Josie's spot. Josie taught her not to be a lone wolf, which is a cover for her codependency and another star is engulfed in fire. Lastly, for MG, if his game were to be televised, it would be canceled and rate it zero stars with the final star going up in flames. With the game over, Hope demands for her weapons.

In the gym, Finch and Ethan try to subdue Hope with Finch acting as a distraction. Hope thinks Finch is clever, but she can easily hear Ethan sneaking up behind her. She turns around and grabs him by the throat, lifting him up off the ground. He turns visible again and drops his syringe, gasping for air. She throws him to the ground and faces Finch again. She attempts to attack Hope, but easily overpowerd and knocked unconscious. Dark Josie enters the gym and demands for Ethan to do his blinky thing and take her girlfriend out of there, which he does.

Later that night, Josie is punished for her confrontation against Hope and she traps Josie within the therapy box. MG lays Josie on her bed while Ethan sets the therapy box at her feet. He asks if Josie will be okay within the device, though MG explains they were rather lucky. Hope could have done an awful lot worse besides trapping her within the box. Until they override the settings, it's probably the safest place for her. Turning to Ethan, MG tells him that he almost got himself killed but Ethan had to do something more than just sit on the sidelines. MG explains that having powers doesn't mean always using them and until he can learn that lesson, it's too big of a risk. Ethan doesn't have to be QB1 and is willing to learn, but he needs someone to teach him what that is. Being the leader means making the tough decisions, like benching the star player or making sure they're ready for the big game. Extending his hand, he asks if he's willing to start training tomorrow.

In You Will Remember Me, Ethan and MG practice in the gym. Ethan has a practice dummy that he lifts over his shoulder and uses his powers at MG's direction. Ethan disappears and finds himself trapped in a locker. MG releases him and the dummy falls from the ceiling. Ethan's frustrated about his powers not working, believing they only work during high stress situations or when Malivore controlled him. This is why they're practicing, though this isn't what Ethan expected; specifically, he doesn't understand how this will help against their fight with Hope. MG reminds him that his greatest skill is getting people to safety. Lizzie interrupts them. She needs Ethan. Forgoing practice, he goes with her.

In the Garden, he and Lizzie spy on MG and Cleo's conversation, learning about the Red Oak and its capabilities to kill Hope. As the two walk away, Lizzie uncloaks them from her magic. They stand there and watch as the wood goes up in flames.

With the Red Oak tree burned to ash, Lizzie finds two remaining pieces. She needs to salvage whatever they can, though Ethan reiterates that it can kill Hope. He doesn't want to be an accessory to murder. They just heard them. No one at this school will hurt her. He just got here and should see that. He questions if the therapy box taught her that, but she explains that sometimes doing the right thing means people will call you the villain. Ethan doesn't know. Malivore already made him a villain, once, and he didn't like it. Lizzie, however, is asking him to be a hero. She's going after Hope alone, but she needs someone willing to protect the school and finish the job should she fail. Ethan questions what she'd do if he just phased back and warned MG and Cleo, but Lizzie tells him that would only put them in more risk. She can't have that and tosses him one of the two stakes. He asks if that is a threat, but the only threat they have is Hope. He has two choices, to lie to his best friend or she can do a spell to make him forget they had this conversation and insert a fake memory. For all he'll know they walked out to the Old Mill to talk.

Ethan returns to MG, who is punching a punching bag in the gym. He tells MG that he's sorry and shouldn't have been giving him a hard time. MG tells him he was right because he was keeping him on defense on purpose. He doesn't want to see him get hurt, but believes him to be the kind of leader that would be okay with leaving someone behind. Ethan wants that kind of leader looking out for him and they bump fists. MG asks about him and Lizzie, but Ethan explains that they took a walk out to the Old Mill just to talk. Bumping fists, they go back to training.

In I Can't Be the One to Stop You, MG calls a squad meeting, which is his first official meeting. However, only he and Cleo are in attendance. They have team members MIA. Lizzie took off last night without a word, and Jed and Kaleb have also been gone for a while. MG questions if Cleo knows anything, but hasn't. Ethan assumes they're dating, though Cleo turns the question back at them for not defining what either one has with Lizzie. Without a real emergency, they have nothing to do. Mr. Springthorpe, however, counters that idea. They should all be in class, which they're skipping. As long as Dr. Saltzman is indisposed, and he is their acting headmaster, he will enforce them going to class since there's no need for their squad with Malivore gone. Jed barges into the Great Hall carrying a man though by all appearances a walking corpse. Mr. Springthorpe faints at the sight while Jed explains that they still have a monster problem, and it's Kaleb.

He, Jed, Cleo, and MG bring the man into the gymnasium and Cleo bandages him. Jed explains that they don't know who he is and when he and Kaleb found him, he'd just been ripped apart by an Argus. Then he literally started putting himself back together. They were on their way back to the school to get answers from him when Kaleb blew up his car and burned the guy. Regardless, they won't be able to get any answers until his mouth heals. MG elects to go look for Kaleb and Cleo joins him. Jed will remain behind to watch over the man. Ethan decides to stay behind, too. If this guy is dangerous, then he'll help keep people safe.

A while later while Jed stands watch over the bandaged man, he attempts to relieve Jed of his duty. Jed could use a break, but he declines. Ethan, insisting, disappears and reappears behind Jed, knocking him in the back with a weight.

Jed recovers, asking Ethan what's his problem. Ethan doesn't know, but it's the guy in the cell and, all of a sudden he just wants to smash his face in. Jed stands in between him and the bandaged man. Ethan insists and they fight, though ends up breaking Jed's arm. Ethan teleports into the cell, making his way towards the man, but MG grabs him by the hoodie and pulls him back, covering his mouth with the herbs Josie gave him. Ethan falls to the floor unconscious.

That night, Ethan awakens in his dorm room with MG watching over him. He asks about Jed, but MG tells him that Josie's taking care of him and he'll be okay. He's still not sure what came over him, though if it wasn't for MG, he might have killed Jed. He believes after what he did, he doesn't deserve to stay at the school. MG tries to stop him, but Ethan isn't finished. He admits that he lied to him the other day when Lizzie came to get him. They didn't just go on a walk. They were spying on him and Cleo and saw them burning the Red Oak tree. He explains that Lizzie saved enough of it to make a stake and she asked him to keep it a secret. He did, believing that he was protecting the school and making hard decisions. Or maybe, he did it because when she looked at him, he would have done anything she asked. He wants her to pick him. Fearful, MG questions if Lizzie went after Hope with the stake, but Ethan doesn't know. Reiterating Ethan's earlier comment, MG tells him that he doesn't deserve to be here and yells for him to get out.

In Follow the Sound of My Voice, Ethan has returned home in Savannah, living with his mom and sister, though invisible. Believing some sort of paranormal activity, MG and Kaleb come at Sheriff Machado's request. MG, magically disquised as Alaric, and Kaleb set up a séance in order to talk to him without outing him and his new powers to his sister. MG and Kaleb tells him that he can return where he belongs and he shakes their joined hands to let them know he was there. Kaleb pretends to get something and tells Ethan things are okay with Ben and Jed. The curse affecting them has been lifted. Maya has had enough with the charades and holds them at taser gun point. Her gut's feeling is telling her that they are not who they're pretending to be. Ethan, still invisible, grabs the taser from Maya's hands while Kaleb vamps to her. Kaleb compels her that it was all a dream and to go to sleep. Ethan appears before the two of them, telling them they shouldn't have come. He wants them to compel her to forget and leave.

With his sister asleep, MG questions his plan. He wants to stay with his family without them knowing. Ethan admits to MG that he was heading home to tell them about his powers, but the closer he got towards home, the more invisible he became. He didn't even realize it at first and thought it was a subconscious reaction. He believes he didn't even want them to see him or to know why he was coming home. MG can empathize with him, though. He hid from his family for a long time, but, eventually, he told them that he was a vampire. Though his results were bad, Ethan can come back to the school. Ethan doesn't believe he deserves it, but MG shares with him the time he killed Landon. He was in a terrible place, but Landon revived and everyone just kind of moved one. MG's reminded of what his father used to say about grace. Wherever there's love, there is grace. Everyone at school loves him and he should give them a chance. If they don't, then MG will be his family until they do.

Ethan decides to tell Maya about his supernatural powers and accepts him. He is her brother, after all. Ethan also decides to return to the Salvatore school with MG and Kaleb.

In The Only Way Out is Through, Wade and Rupert encode and everyone's powers for the Manticulum. Next on the roster is Ethan; he has the teleportation and intangibility of a Pukwudgie, though believes the invisibility comes from another monster. Professor Vardemus asks for a demonstration, though Ethan still cannot control his powers and cannot teleport across the room.

Professor Vardemus summons a battlefield for their practice session. Alaric and the others proceed with their simulation. Alaric believes that if they could talk to Lizzie, they can flip her back to their side. He believes their first move is getting her to safety. Her humanity tells her that she should listen, and though she believes they would be wasting their first strike, she goes with it. MG vamps to Lizzie though the manticulum calculates that Aurora would attack and kill him. His death turns Lizzie back to their side and she attacks and kills Aurora in a rage. Ben explains that Ken would attack Lizzie and she'd die. With her death, their probability of success drops to zero percent and they lose. Rupert finds this situation fascinating. As soon as Lizzie died, there was simply no move they could make that would lead to victory. He presumes there's a reason she is invaluable to winning. Hope now believes they have to save Lizzie first and wants to run the simulation again.

Rupert and the others run through several more simulations, each time they fail against the gods. Hope's humanity tells her she's going about it all wrong because they've already lost before they made the first move. Analyzing their enemies, Hope realizes the problem is that they're going first. They're facing them all at once and they should be forcing the gods to fight them. Hope declines the first move and Ben sends in Aurora to attack Hope first. Hope creates a barrier that throws Aurora off her feet. Hope sends in Kaleb, using his dragon fire. Aurora is killed and Hope has MG vamp to Lizzie. Ben has Ken attack MG, but Wade reads from the manticulum that he's just fast enough to save Lizzie.

Taking a break, Hope pours herself a drink but hears Ethan, invisible, behind her. He explains that they've had a breakthrough. Hope questions how many they've lost, but surprisingly, they've lost none. Dr. Saltzman realized why none of their attacks were working. Instead of using their powers, they need to take theirs away. He believes if they can buy Lizzie enough time to turn her back to their side, she can siphon a god, hence why she needs to be saved. She siphoned Jen and it weakened her enough that he could teleport her off the board and out of the fight. Should Ethan pull off the jump, Ken is the last remaining piece on the board. Now, they need her help to make the next move.

Running through another simulation, Hope has everyone attack Ken. Wade reads off the probability; they all die, but they do real damage against him. She moves in to attack next, though Rupert tells her that she's still not enough and he defeats her. Hope's humanity questions if she needs her help and she barks back, telling her to shut up. The others look at her, questioning the outburst. Hope wants more cannon fodder, questioning how many students there's at the school. Kaleb, however, is finished with the simulations. She's been running them into the buzz saw all day like they're expendable, citing that she only cares about herself. Kaleb declares this version of her isn't worth dying for. Ethan and the others walk out of the Great Hall.

As Hope runs through another simulation, he, MG, Kaleb, Jed, and Cleo come to her side, taking the next hits for her. Wade tells them that they score another hit on Ken, but he's confused about what's changed. Rupert believes that Hope is giving them all courage, a belief they can win. Ben believes his father will retreat and ultimately they win, attacking as one. Her humanity tells her that they can win, all she has to do is just turn it back on. She wants her to let her out before she loses control. Hope closes off her humanity once again. All of this isn't real, it's just a stupid game. They're all pathetic and just little boys role-playing war. She calls them all disposable and that they mean nothing to her. She addresses her humanity, calling her a liar and a martyr. The others look on, confused about who she's talking to. Her powers continue to grow unstable, enough that she tells them that they need to do something because she's about to kill them all. She pleads with someone to take her out and Alaric breaks her neck.

MG meets with Ethan, who praises the simulated jump. Ethan explains that it felt good to finally be in control for once. However, he realized that if he doesn't get better at his powers, then people might die. MG explains that it might happen either way, as Wade told him that during the final moments of the battle, at least two of them would have died. As far as the manticulum is concerned, there's no version of them winning without losing someone. He wants to make a promise with Ethan. No matter what, it won't be Lizzie. Ethan accepts MG's promise and they bump fists.

In I Wouldn't Be Standing Here If It Weren't For You, Ethan is in attendance with Cleo, Kaleb, and Jed when Alaric requests for Jen to join them. Alaric hands Jen Cleo's drawing, inquiring if this looks like her father's handiwork. Lightning, fire, death, and destruction. She confirms that it is, though questions where they got the drawing. Cleo explains that she got a vision and Jen assumes that her half-brother, Ben, had awoken her father. Jed defends Ben, as they don't truly know if he's involved. Alaric points out that they do know this is the second piece of evidence pointing to Ken's arrival. They have to assume the worst and come up with a plan to save the school. Jen is sure they can't. Cleo is obviously an oracle and they see things that will happen. Even though she can see the future, she questions if she can't change it. Jen denies that she can. Regardless of what's to come, they have to try. Alaric instructs Jed to take Finch and clear out the school. Jed questions about saving Ben, but Alaric defers him, citing they need to focus on one crisis at a time. He wants Ethan to find MG and evacuate the town and Kaleb offers his assistance, too, and the leave for town.

After a final sweep of the town, Ethan meets up with MG in the Town Square asking about Kaleb. Ben tosses Kaleb to their feet, declaring that he's not going to stop and they'll need all of their friends to face him. MG instructs Ethan to get Kaleb out of there and he'll handle Ben. MG rushes Ben, but is easily thrown away. Jed approaches Ben and Ethan and has Ethan get both MG and Kaleb to safety; he'll handle Ben. Ethan grabs Kaleb and runs him over to MG and teleports them away.

Later, at the school, a crack of thunder and a crash of lightning rings out over the grounds alerting them to Ken's arrival. With a booming voice, he demands for them to hand over his traitorous daughter. If they refuse to hand her over, they'll all die. Alaric, Ethan, and MG discuss their options. Alaric refuses to hand her over and sends Jen away to the werewolf bunker until they come up with a plan. Ethan tells him that they're not in fighting shape–Jed is holding off Ben, Kaleb's still healing, and the last jump he did really took a lot out of him. They need Hope. Their timing is perfect with the arrival of Hope and Lizzie. Hope knows what she must do and knocks out everyone in the school with a sleep spell.

That night, when MG checks in on him, he collapses out of the shower with the curtain around him. He's bleeding from the mouth and begins flashing in and out of a phased form. He doesn't understand what's happening to him as MG tries to cradle his head.

In Into the Woods, MG checks in on him, finding him getting ready to train. Considering what happened the previous night, MG doesn't want him using his powers until they figure out what's happening. Ethan finds him to be over reacting, but when he turns to walk away, he phases through his sneakers. Ethan doesn't let this deter him. The last time he was benched for an injury, he lost his future, not to mention his friends. MG reminds him that it was football and these stakes are much higher. He needs Ethan at 100%.

Lizzie appears at the door, asking about their plan, noting that vampire hearing is awesome. MG dismisses her, saying that he's got things covered and that they both should be resting, like Hope. Vampire healing is just as awesome and she's back in the game. Changing to a more serious tone, she apologizes for all of the stupid things she did, including going after a god without him. She assumes he's pretty mad at her, but MG denies it. Lizzie doesn't believe him, but it doesn't matter because her dad told her that the best way to make amends is to listen to what people need. That's why she's here, because they need help fixing Ethan's powers. Ethan uncontrollably phases again and his shirt falls off. MG appreciates the offer, but he's going to hit the books alone. Lizzie tells him not to bother because all those books will tell him he needs magic, something she'll be able to help him with. Ethan pipes up, asking if she can really fix him. Lizzie believes she can truly help and looks for MG's approval.

In By the End of This, You'll Know Who You Were Meant to Be, Ethan trains in the gym by boxing when MG finds him, questioning why he's not in his room. Ethan explains that he woke up feeling a lot better and wanted to train. Ethan already assumes that he's got the test results back and figured it was bad when he heard there was a battle strategy session that no one invited him to. He wants to know just how bad. MG comes clean and tells him that he can't use his powers anymore, otherwise it will kill him. MG wonders if he wants to talk about it, but he doesn't. He needs to find another way to be useful in the fight without his powers because he refuses to be benched.

Ethan and MG walk from Mystic Falls High School and he wants MG to come clean. They stopped training because he needed a milkshake all of a sudden. They walked all the way into town to get one instead of just going to the school kitchen, and now they're taking the long way back. He knows he's stalling. MG tells him the truth. He doesn't think he should be part of the battle. It's too dangerous. Ethan is sure he's in control of his jumps and that he can just not use his powers. MG can't ask him to sit on the sidelines again. However, MG isn't asking him that. He wants him to leave town, for his own good, and just go home. In the distance, a distracted girl on her cell phone walks out into the road as a car races towards her. Ethan jumps to her, grabs her and vanishes before the car comes to a screeching stop. MG looks at him disappointed as the words, "SISTO" appear on the wall behind him, saying it aloud. Ethan realizes this isn't real and they're expelled from the Therapy Box. MG apologizes to him, but he couldn't find another way to convince him. If he sees someone in trouble, he won't be able to stop himself. He's too much of a hero and that's why he can't be part of the fight.

Later that night, Ethan decides to leave Mystic Falls at MG's request and the two wait at the bus stop. MG tells him that he's making the right decision. Ethan thinks just when he finally figured out how to use his powers, they would have made a good team. However, MG tells him that they already have made a good team. Ethan gives him some parting advice. He knows he's been holding himself back and tells him that Lizzie deserves to know how he feels. MG admits that he's already told her, but just gives him a bemused look in return. He laughs it off commenting on how confusing Lizzie is. As he turns to get on the bus, he tells MG that he's one of the best people he's ever known and she'd be an idiot if she didn't figure that out for herself. They embrace in a hug and Ethan departs on the bus out of Mystic Falls.

In This Can Only End in Blood, Ethan has returned to Savannah but watches a weatherman on a small TV. He speaks of a massive electrical storm developing out of nowhere over Mystic Falls. Maya shuts the TV off, asking if he wants to go to the park. They can throw a football around and she'll let him teach her how to throw a spiral. Unable to eat his breakfast, he confesses that there's no way that this is just a storm. He knows the gods are coming. Maya tells him that whatever it is, it's no longer his problem. Ethan fights her on that point. If his friends are in trouble, he can't just sit here and do nothing. She knows his feelings, but knows that if he uses his powers again, it could kill him and he can't help them if he's dead.

Determined to save his friends, Ethan returns to Mystic Falls just in time as Lizzie's about to detonate the explosion. Ethan calls out for Lizzie to wait and appears beside her. She explains that she can't hold the god magic for much longer and the meadow is going to explode and he needs to leave. Ethan tells her he's not going anywhere because he's "Rescue Guy". On the count of three, Lizzie denotes the explosion as Ethan teleports them to safety beside Alaric and Ben. However, the finality of his powers are reached and he dies, turning to ash.

In Limbo, he finds his way into Zied's bar. Seeing Landon, he realizes he's dead.

In Just Don't Be a Stranger, Okay?, 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.

After Landon returns to Limbo, Ethan explains that when he disappeared, he 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.

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.

To help Landon, Ethan cross over into Peace. Thanks to his effort on the mortal plane, Ethan is eventually able to appear on screen to greet him and Hope from Peace. He tells Landon that he believes this is what he wanted and hopes this works. He also thanks him because he was right–Peace is incredible. After he disappears, he helps get a message from Klaus to Hope.