During the time Nik was away from Mystic Falls, Bonnie and Caroline ruled the city well.
They got to know every supernatural creature in town, from shapeshifters to weaker witches.
They created a more assistive system of governance, making sure races outside the three main factions weren't oppressed or ignored.
Unlike Nik, who didn't care and simply ignored the other races.
But peace didn't last long.
In the first month, Elena and the Salvatores continued searching for evidence about Klaus alongside Rose.
They discovered Elijah was still alive—and of course, they didn't tell the two.
So Bonnie and Caroline had the displeasure of running into Elijah in the middle of town.
"Good morning, ladies," Elijah said politely. "I remember you helping the Salvatores kill me."
He made it clear from the start that he remembered they had attacked him before even attempting to negotiate.
"Nothing personal," Bonnie replied indifferently. "We were just saving our friend."
"Exactly," Caroline added, unfazed. "You were wrong to begin with. So, did you come for revenge? Just know it won't be that easy."
Caroline looked at Elijah and ignited her hand, showing her elemental control over fire.
Elijah studied the flames with interest and sighed.
"Of course not," he said calmly. "You had every right to defend yourselves."
He glanced around before looking back at them.
"I've heard rumors about special vampires," Elijah said, eyeing Caroline. "Capable of using witch magic."
"It's obvious," Bonnie cut in. "Your species comes from magic. Of course you can use it. But you're wrong—this isn't witch magic. It's vampire magic. It's different."
"Vampire magic… interesting…" Elijah seemed thoughtful for a moment. "Where are the other two? And why can't the Salvatores use it?"
"Why are you looking for Anna and Pearl?"
"No offense," Elijah said with a light sigh, "but they are far more talented than you. Body transmutation and thermal control have much more potential than fire. You may be older—almost as old as I am—but you don't have their potential."
"No offense taken," Caroline replied with a smile.
She knew her magical potential wasn't the greatest—her strength was physical.
Why does he think you're old? Bonnie thought, lowering her mental shields so Caroline could hear.
Apparently, in Nik's bloodline, potential is determined by the soul, not age like with Originals, Caroline replied mentally.
Ahh, that makes sense.
They stopped communicating and looked back at Elijah, smiling.
"Well, my boyfriend and her older brother kidnapped their boyfriends for a road trip across the country," Caroline said with a hint of irritation. "They didn't like that and are chasing their husbands to get them back."
"I see," Elijah nodded.
"But what do you want here, Elijah?" Bonnie interrupted. "We know you already went to terrorize the Salvatores—so what do you want?"
"I have a deal," Elijah said. "Klaus is coming, and he's going to sacrifice the doppelgänger."
In theory, he wanted Anna and Pearl's help to use their powers to stop Klaus during his hybrid transition.
Bonnie and Caroline exchanged a look and said they would think about it before leaving the restaurant.
What frustrated Elijah most was that he couldn't terrorize them the way he had the Salvatores.
To him, Caroline was at least 900 years old and powerful with magic—she could actually harm him.
And Bonnie was a Bennett—the most powerful witch bloodline in the world, one that maintained cordial relations with vampires. He couldn't risk breaking that balance.
++
Everything started normally.
A werewolf pack came to town and tried to bring Tyler to their side.
During the fight, Rose was bitten—even after killing at least five transformed werewolves.
That was when the illusion of power the Salvatores had… shattered.
They saw what an ancient vampire was truly capable of.
And even so… they lost Rose.
She died in agony two days later.
--++---
Caroline was walking through the forest when a dart hit her neck.
"Damn it—" she stumbled, pulling it out as a group of werewolves attacked.
Unlucky for them—she had already disappeared.
"Caroline, what happened?" Bonnie asked in shock as she watched her stumble into the house.
"Vervain…" Caroline muttered, dropping to her knees as her skin began to burn.
"What are you doing?" Bonnie snapped. "Are you trying to value your own blood, idiot?"
"But I need to get the vervain out of my system," Caroline complained.
"Then drink water and go lie down."
Bonnie stayed silent for a few seconds, watching Caroline's breathing stabilize.
The burning marks were still there… but not getting worse.
That was it.
Pain.
Weakness.
Nothing more.
She exhaled slowly.
"You're so dramatic…" Bonnie muttered, brushing Caroline's hair back. "It's just vervain."
"I hate vervain… seriously… that should be illegal," Caroline said.
"You are illegal," Bonnie replied dryly.
Caroline gave a small smile, then winced.
"They caught me off guard…"
Her tone shifted.
Now there was anger.
Bonnie noticed.
And agreed.
She stood up slowly.
"How many?"
"About eight… maybe more. They were organized."
Bonnie nodded.
That explained it.
"They weren't just attacking you… they were trying to take you down fast."
Caroline opened her eyes.
"You're thinking what I'm thinking?"
"They wanted to use you as a hostage," Bonnie said coldly.
She helped Caroline onto the bed and turned to leave.
"Where are you going?" Caroline asked.
Bonnie glanced back just enough.
"I'm going to buy some drinks," she said with a smile.
Caroline sighed.
"Fine… I want coca cola."
Bonnie waved and left.
++
The forest felt… wrong.
Not quiet.
Tense.
Bonnie walked without hiding her presence.
If they wanted war—
They'd get it.
A branch snapped to her left.
She didn't turn.
"I know you're there."
Silence.
Then—
Movement.
Three appeared first.
Then two more.
Surrounding her.
Bonnie looked around calmly.
"That's it?"
One of them growled arrogantly.
"You should've stayed out of this, witch."
Bonnie tilted her head slightly.
"A pack of betas outside the full moon dared to touch my family…" she muttered. "I'll teach you a lesson."
The first lunged.
Mistake.
Bonnie raised her hand—
And he stopped mid-air.
As if he hit an invisible wall.
The others hesitated.
Too late.
She closed her hand.
He was thrown into a tree hard enough to crack it.
The others attacked together.
Fast.
Violent.
Bonnie didn't move.
A gesture—
The ground shook.
Roots burst from the earth, trapping two of them.
Another jumped—
And was thrown aside instantly.
"You really thought…" Bonnie said, walking between them "…that vervain would solve everything?"
One broke free and attacked from behind—
She didn't even look.
He just… stopped.
Fell.
Unconscious.
Bonnie stood in the center, looking at the rest.
"I didn't come to talk."
Silence.
Heavy.
Then—
A distant howl.
An answer.
More of them.
Bonnie smiled faintly.
Cold.
"Good."
++
On the other side of the forest—
Stefan and Damon Salvatore were surrounded.
Heavy breathing.
Torn clothes.
Blood.
"I hate werewolves…" Damon muttered.
"They won't stop," Stefan said.
"Good. Neither will I."
Three more attacked—
And were suddenly thrown back.
Like dolls.
Both brothers froze.
Damon blinked.
"…okay, that's new."
Bonnie stepped out of the trees.
Calm.
Untouched.
Dangerous.
"Do you always get into trouble when I'm not around?"
"Bonnie…" Stefan sighed in relief.
"Now the party starts," Damon smirked.
Bonnie scanned the area.
"How many left?"
"Too many."
She nodded.
"Then let's reduce that number."
One attacked—
Slammed into the ground.
Another tried to run—
Didn't make it two steps.
Bonnie walked slowly… as they fell one by one.
Effortlessly.
Damon watched, impressed.
"I thought only blonde Bennetts were weird," he muttered.
Bonnie didn't even look at him.
"Stay alive and maybe I'll take that as a compliment."
"They're retreating," Stefan said.
"No," Bonnie corrected coldly. "I should kill them all."
Silence.
Then—
The remaining ones fled.
The forest returned to normal.
Or close enough.
Bonnie exhaled.
Still angry.
But controlled.
Damon crossed his arms.
"So… revenge or community service?"
Bonnie finally looked at him.
"Both."
And she walked away.
Without looking back.
Knowing…
The message had been sent.