DISCLAIMER: Hey, quick heads up – there are supposed to be pictures here, but I couldn't include them. If you're curious, you can check out my Wattpad profile: bby178, where you'll find the full story with all the images. Just a reminder, the characters from TVD and TO aren't mine, but the plot's my own creation. Also, since I don't have a beta reader, I rely on an AI, ChatGPT, for grammar tweaks. Anyway, go ahead and give it a read – hope you enjoy!

PRESENT AGES: Bonnie, Tyler & Matt - 8 ; Elena & Caroline - 9 ; Vicki -10 ; Jeremy - 7

Fire, it's like this crazy force of nature, you know? It can keep you toasty or straight-up incinerate everything in its path. But here's the deal with fire – it's loaded with all these different meanings and vibes, and over time, it's symbolized all kinds of things. Personally, I'm all about the chaos, passion, transformation, and renewal vibes it gives off. Fire, to me, it's like my own fresh start in this new chapter of life, you get me? It's a constant reminder that things are shifting from what they were supposed to be.

Just like how I've already made some changes, like my mom not splitting, and getting involved in my friends' lives, the clinic fire wasn't really a big deal. But when that bridge went up in flames? That was a game-changer 'cause that's where the Gilberts met their end. It's the epicenter of all the craziness and drama in the show. That's why my determination to shape my future as Bonnie is fierce, and I'm avoiding that typical Bonnie path. I want to be just like that fire I'm so fond of – unstoppable, burning down anything that stands in my way as I chase my dreams and goals.

Anyway, the bridge, well, just like that 'clinic incident' the other day, it's become the talk of the town. Got the gossip mill churning, you know? According to what Caroline told me over the phone, the bridge was on fire all night and only died down this morning. But that's just how I planned it, I wanted that fire to rage until there wasn't even a speck of ash left. No room for any loose ends.

I played it cool, just like I always do, during my chat with Caroline. I casually brought up any hot gossip she'd heard, acting as if I had absolutely nothing to do with those recent fires. After the call, I carried on with my regular Sunday routine, spending quality time with Mom and Dad. I also worked on improving my shooting and dagger-throwing skills down in our secret bunker. Later, I helped Grams tend to her garden – you know, the one with all those unique plants for brewing potions and, of course, growing vervain.

While I was helping Grams clean her gardening tools, it suddenly hit me. 'Whoa, hold up, I think I forgot something.' I mentally ran through my plans. 'I was supposed to hang out with Caroline, the Donovan siblings, and Jeremy at the Lockwoods in the afternoon. I also needed to bug Mason for more stories... and, oh yeah, meet up with Enzo.' I playfully smacked my forehead, and Grams looked at me curiously before just shrugging it off. She probably figured I'd spaced on something, which I definitely did. How could I forget Enzo? Kind of embarrassing. Goes to show, even though I've been reborn as a kid, my grown-up brain can still be forgetful.

You know, Enzo's been a real champ, putting up with an 8-year-old's whims and all. I mean, sure, I did save him from all those awful years of torture, but still... I feel like I should give something back. And then it hit me – a Bag of Holding would be just perfect! He's been super curious about mine, after all. My dad got a whole bunch of those bags for me to work my magic on, so I figure I'll just casually ask him if it's cool to share one with my "new friend." I already see Enzo as a friend, even if I haven't said it out loud yet. As I finished helping Grams store the gardening tools in the shed, I couldn't help but wonder where Dad was right now. Time to go hunt him down and float the idea by him.

I followed my grams inside, and you've gotta remember, with the plot changes, things around here aren't quite like what you might remember. Our kitchen and different parts of the house, both inside and out, have a whole new feel to them. It's not that gloomy, lonely, and neglected vibe you might recall from the show. Here, it's all cozy and homey. No big surprise, really, because my parents are still happily together, and my grams is here pretty much all the time; she even has her own room. My dad's been a real handyman with all these renovations. He jazzed up my room, added a living room for guests and a family lounge, another dining room (even though we mostly use the one in the kitchen), added a small library for magical books (Bennett magic locked, of course) and a family library with regular books. He even threw in a family game room and gave the outside of the house a fresh look. In the end, our house is a bit bigger now. A few rooms, like my parents' bedroom, daddy's home office, and the bathrooms, stayed the same, but I think they've got plans to spruce those up in the future. One thing's for sure, though, he's definitely putting his money to good use for the family. Unlike the canon where Bonnie grew up lonely, neglected, and all on her own in that tiny, old house.

Back in the kitchen where we are now, my parents were having this lively chat, all laughter and sweet moments, holding hands, sneaking kisses, and sipping their coffee all at once. Yep, my parents have turned into this super lovey-dovey couple. After that almost-breakup and all the time they've spent training together, they've patched up whatever issues they had and are nearly inseparable these days. At this rate, I might even end up with a younger sibling, and that's totally cool with me. Oh, speaking of siblings, I kinda remember from the show that canon Bonnie had an adoptive stepbrother named Jamie when her mom got into a new relationship after splitting from Bonnie's dad. I'm curious about what'll happen with him. I do feel a bit sorry for the guy since Bonnie's mom became a stable mother figure in his life even after Abby broke up with his dad. I hope good things come his way in this timeline, even if my mom's not in the picture.

I hurried over to them all excited, and they both welcomed me with these warm smiles. After giving them both a big hug, I plopped into a chair across from them and started with a big grin, "Hey, Daddy, you remember those bags you got that I used for practicing my enchanting, right?"

"Sure thing, princess," he said, taking a sip of his coffee, "I left them in a box in your Witch's Haven down in the bunker. Why do you ask?"

"Can I pretty please have one?" I begged, flashing my best puppy dog eyes, a skill I've been perfecting. I gazed at him with hope in my eyes. "My new friend knows magic, and he got super interested in my bag of holding. I'd really love to give him one, too."

My parents and grams shifted their focus to me, all attentive and curious. I totally understand it. They're probably thinking I've been a bit too loose with revealing my magic, and now I'm just handing out these enchanted bags like they're candy. The looks they shared with each other said it all – concern, caution, and a whole lot of interest in my mysterious 'friend' who's into magic. I'm pretty sure they'll want to meet him to make sure he's legit, but the real question is, am I even willing to make that happen? I'm also well aware that the moment they find out my new friend is a vampire, all heck's gonna break loose. Man, this is one heck of a complicated situation!

I'm all about keeping my family safe in the supernatural world while also making some friends and connections. I get it; there are risks, but my family should get that going it alone here is dangerous because you don't have anyone watching your back. So, I want Enzo to be the first in building our alliances. He's strong, despite his tough past. I'm also thinking Slater could be a useful ally. He's a super-smart vampire and a pro at digging up info. His skills can help me out with various things, like research, finding cool stuff, and tracking down people, especially vampires.

When I saw him in the show before, I was super impressed with his skill set. He used his eternity to learn new things and expand his knowledge. Slater would have been a great addition to the Scooby-Doo gang, but he met his end just like that. My thoughts at that time were, 'Another pointless death, indirectly caused by that annoying copy. I know that Elijah killed him, but the whole thing is still connected with her. Ugh... damn copies.' Anyway, back to the topic at hand, tempting Slater into our alliance should be a piece of cake, especially with an enticing treat like a daylight ring. Many would kill for that ring, literally. So through Slater, I can also reach out to many vampires and bring them in as well.

I totally get that my family might see vampires as major threats, but forging alliances is crucial. They should also understand that life isn't just about black and white, good and evil – it's a complicated blend of different shades of gray. I know vampires aren't all innocent, but their choices are often influenced by their circumstances, which can make them look bad to others. This holds true for humans as well. Enzo is a prime example of a vampire who got a raw deal from humans, used in experiments and all that. Even if the Augustine society meant well, some of their actions were still pretty sketchy.

You know, in my humble opinion, vampires actually serve a purpose. We're dealing with a serious problem in human overpopulation, with over 6.144 billion people and more coming into the world every day. This puts an enormous strain on resources like food, water, housing, energy, healthcare, transportation, and it even increases the risk of conflicts and wars. Humans expanding their territory can seriously disrupt ecosystems and mess with biodiversity in a major way.

Now, when you bring vampires into the picture, they actually play a role in controlling the human population through feeding, which can be a win for the environment and significantly reduce the negative impact of overpopulation worldwide. Of course, there have to be some rules and limits on vampire feeding, along with a solid structure within their community to prevent things from going haywire. If nature and life had truly considered vampires entirely unnatural and abominable, maybe they should have never existed or been allowed to continue. But in the end, it's all about finding that delicate balance.

I think the original vampires, as the first of their kind, should step up and take on more responsibility by establishing a governing body. They could consider adopting some rules and organization similar to the Volturi coven in the Twilight Saga, which is well-structured and strictly enforces the rule of not revealing their existence to humans. Alternatively, they could take inspiration from the Blade movie series, where vampires follow the authority of vampire elders. Even if they form their own clans, they should still adhere to rules set by these elders. Additionally, setting up a vampire police force that traces, finds, and punishes those who disobey the set rules, much like the Volturi coven, would help maintain order and ensure the safety of both vampires and humans.

At the moment, the Mikaelsons are rather disorganized, with vampires doing pretty much as they please, often without much consideration for secrecy or the consequences of their actions. This includes things like killing without discretion, failing to clean up their messes properly, revealing their true nature to anyone they please, and turning individuals without much thought. Some of them actively exploit their powers for personal gain, creating a lot of suspicion and wariness among those who think more rationally and logically like the hunters and the witches. Unfortunately, only two of the Mikaelsons are currently active, and they're even at odds with each other. The others are indisposed, which adds to the challenge of trying to control and manage thousands of vampires across the globe.

I totally get why the Mikaelsons can't be the ruling authority all the time throughout their thousands of years of existence, you know? It's pretty darn tough when there's always someone gunning for you. In their case, it's their father, Mikael, even though they don't know that he's indisposed. But if not for Mikael, and if the ruling family had established a solid government from the get-go, maybe it would have been less of a bloodbath. When you really think about it, these vamps have it pretty good. They do need those daylight rings to be out during the day, but they can blend in with regular folks more than the vamps in Twilight and Blade. Although, credit where it's due, those other vamps have a more organized setup.

I'm not entirely sure if the Mikaelsons have the mentality and maturity to rule without bias. If you look back at the years they've been around, they were pretty much like your average vampires, doing whatever they wanted, often involving violence and mayhem. I get that most of them are teenagers or in their mid-20s, and the older family members are usually focused on chasing and trying to kill their own children (Mikael, cough), or they're not in their right mind, often thinking of suicidal thoughts, which leads their brother to dagger them for their own safety (Finn, cough). If only the elders in their family had focused on controlling their race and their frequent violent urges instead of trying to kill their own kin, vampires might not have become such a big problem, or a problem at all. However, the Mikaelsons are the only clan that can effectively control their race, so they should indeed be the governing body, and maybe they could help establish a proper government system while they're at it.

While we're on the topic of making allies, I'm thinking, should I spill the beans about my whole "seeing things" gig? You know, how I can figure out who's a potential ally, what skills they bring to the table, and who might spell trouble. It might help my family understand why I'm not so cozy with that copy, and why the Bennett family history is basically a copy nightmare. I could also share how I met Enzo and a bunch of other stuff. And maybe, with my family in the know, the missions won't be such a pain in the butt. Let's face it, a kid can't do everything an adult can.

Hmmm... maybe I'll just spill the beans, not just about the whole "seeing things" talent, but also about being reborn and seeing the what-if future. I can't keep this truth hidden forever, and it might eventually undermine what I've built, like my relationship with my family and even my friends. As I mentioned, I'm still a kid and can't do everything an adult can. So, for now, I'll focus on my family. I know that one day, the truth will come back to bite me, and I don't want to lose their trust for not trusting them in return. Family should always be built on trust, not deceit. The same goes for friends, but I may have to wait a few more years to see if they're mature enough to accept my truths. I'll start with the ones who will be affected the most by the future, like Jeremy with his parents' eventual demise, Tyler's future as a werewolf, and Caroline's future as a vampire.

Gosh, this is turning into a real head-scratcher. I'm stuck between the idea of introducing Enzo and letting my family in on the secret of my rebirth, and the fear of them losing trust in me. Maybe I need a little divine wisdom from the all-knowing Deity Life. Even though I've got some insights from the show, I've still got to tread lightly when making these decisions. It's not just about me; it affects everyone around me. You know that quote from Spock in Star Trek II? "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one." I definitely need the green light and some divine reassurance from the Great Deity Life on these matters.

My train of thought got derailed by grams' voice. She chimed in, "Oh, a new friend dear?" Her tone was all curious yet tinged with concern, but I brushed it off. She continued, "When did you meet him and can we also meet him?" She shot a glance at my parents, who seemed totally on board with grams' suggestion.

I could see it coming, but I still needed some guidance from the deity before I could move forward. "I met him the day before yesterday. His name is Enzo and he was in a tough spot, and I helped him out. He returned the favor yesterday, so I want to reward him," I explained. I hoped they wouldn't ask for specifics about how he helped me, but my luck wasn't on my side today, as my mom inquired about it.

I had to put my acting skills to good use. "It's part of a secret thing my friends and I are working on. You're not supposed to know, or they'll get really mad at me. I don't want that," I added with a fake whine. Luckily, they bought it. Phew! Now, to wrap up this conversation and then consult the deity. "I'll have to ask him first if he's okay with meeting you. Is that alright with you?"

"That's fine with us, princess," Daddy said, managing a comforting smile while still displaying a hint of uncertainty.

"I'm off to do some praying. Catch you later," I said as I left them in the kitchen, already hearing their hushed conversation about Enzo. Ugh! I really need to resolve this situation pronto. I made a beeline for my room and approached the altar I had set up for the Great Deity, the one who gave me a second chance at life. I always offer up my prayers to them before making decisions or embarking on missions, asking for their blessings and guidance. Once I've successfully completed a mission, I show my gratitude by giving them an offering of my blood in a small dish, which I then burn with my fire.

My family must've found it a bit strange when I first created this altar and began praying at it as soon as I could intentionally move my limbs. They were curious, but they never questioned it, thanks to the Great Deity's subtle influence. I'm extremely thankful for that.

As soon as I bowed my head and began my prayer, I felt a response from the deity. My prayer only consists of asking for their approval on my family meeting Enzo and them knowing my seer ability. However, since they're a deity – all-knowing and all that, they give their responses immediately as well. Their responses aren't verbal, though; it's more of a feeling that indicates whether they approve or disapprove of the decisions I'm making. But, whenever I offer some of my blood to the Great Deity Life, they express their response by enhancing my magical abilities even further, something I'm incredibly grateful for. Though, I only perform that act of offering whenever I've successfully completed a mission.

So, now that I've got the deity's thumbs-up and their cosmic blessing, it's like they're giving me a high-five to go ahead with my game plan. With some serious determination, it's time to make a trip to the bunker and bring that bag for Enzo's big introduction to the fam. I've got my fingers crossed, hoping everything goes off without a hitch.

I stepped out of my room and made a beeline for the kitchen, eager to share the news that they could finally meet Enzo. Their reactions were pretty understandable: they looked agitated, wary, concerned, and alert. I quickly reassured them that the meeting would happen a bit later. With that settled, I headed to the backyard and made my way to the shed.

You won't believe it, but we've got two sheds here. One is stuffed with all the gardening and carpentry stuff, but the other one? It's our super-secret underground bunker. So, there I was, standing in front of the closed shed that hid the entrance to the underground bunker. I went through the usual routine to open it, like scanning my thumb with the thumbprint lock and punching in the right code. Pretty fancy, right?

After unlocking the door, I made my way down to the bunker. Daddy sure thought of everything when he designed it and spent a lot of money on it. The bunker has three floors. To get to the first floor, you use a steel ladder. For the other floors, there are stairs between the lounge, where you'll find the jacuzzi, and other rooms. These rooms include empty bedrooms, a sauna, and the bathroom, which has all the usual necessities – a shower, a tub, a sink, and a toilet.

Moving down to the second floor, you'll find the weapons vault with a crafting table, a few more empty rooms, a storage area, and, finally, the Witch's Haven – a room my grams and I named. It's where we practice spells, make potions, perform rituals, and enchant various items.

Finally, on the third floor, there's a small personalized gym that my parents and grams use to stay fit, a dojo for practicing melee weapons and martial arts, a shooting range for guns and other long-ranged weapons, and a pool. Daddy really did think of everything! I think this bunker of ours took years to complete, about 3 years, and it's when he found out about the supernatural world too. I think if the apocalypse happens, my family will be set and ready for it.

I walked into the haven and spotted the box daddy talked about. It had a bunch of bags, all tricked out with spells – you know, extendable, tech-undetectable, weightless, indestructible, and anti-thief spells. So, I had to pick one. After a quick look, I thought, "This bag will do." Now, let's get that vampire over here.

As I made my way out of the bunker, I used my telepathy to get in touch with Enzo. "Enzo... Enzo, can you hear me?" It took a while, just like the first time I contacted him this way. 'Guess he was probably sleeping,' I figured as I exited the shed and locked it up. I stood outside for a moment, taking in the surroundings around my house.

"Hey, my little witch," Enzo mumbled, his voice all croaky. It was obvious I'd yanked him out of dreamland. There he goes again with the 'my.' What's up with him calling me that? Is it just his way of being endearing? "Time to meet up, huh?"

Feeling kinda bad for rousing him from his beauty sleep, I spoke in a hushed tone, "Sorry for interrupting your nap, but can we meet now?"

It went silent again then he replied in a tone that shows that he's fully awake now. "Sure! Where do you want to meet, my little witch?" Again with the 'my' endearment. Oh, well, I guess it's okay since it's Enzo.

"I'll get back to you on that," I told him, feeling a bit uncertain. I wasn't sure whether my family would want to meet him here at our house or somewhere else. 'I better ask them first, and...time to tell them the truth, ' I thought with nervous determination, so I rushed inside the house, where I found them still chatting and sharing laughs.

"Mom, Dad, Grams, my new friend agreed to meet up, but there's something I need to tell you first," I announced. They all gazed at me with a mix of curiosity and warm smiles, as if they were encouraging me to speak. "I know I should've told you this earlier, but..." I was in serious mode, inwardly a nervous and scared wreck.

A little concerned due to my unusual serious behavior, Mom got up from her seat and walked over to me. She knelt before me, cupping my face lovingly and looking at me with an encouraging smile. "My dear Bonbon, whatever it is, we're not going to get angry with you," she assured me. I glanced at her, then at my Dad and Grams. They all had the same expressions, conveying their support and understanding.

"Okay, just please listen to me until the end," I implored, and Mom guided me to a chair alongside the others. They all nodded, agreeing to hear me out. I felt a mix of nervousness and fear, even though I had the mind of an adult and was reborn anew. I cherished my family, who had raised me in a loving environment, and I didn't want to change any of that. However, I knew I had to be truthful. Regardless of the outcome, I needed to face it with courage. So, after silently praying to my deity for strength, I took a deep breath and began in a clear but slightly nervous tone, "I want you to know that, even after I tell you this, I'm still the daughter and granddaughter you've raised and loved. And I love you all in return."

With that said, they exchanged puzzled glances and then turned back to me, their expressions filled with curiosity. Daddy was the first to break the silence, asking, "What do you mean by that, princess?"

"I'm an old soul that was reborn as your daughter," I confessed. My family seemed on the verge of interrupting with uncertainty, concern, and alert expressions. I hurriedly added, "Please, let me finish," and gave them a pleading look, which they granted. "I lived a previous life until I died in a hit-and-run incident. When I awoke, I encountered a deity in white light who informed me that I had been given another chance at life, and now I've been reborn as your daughter and granddaughter, Bonnie Bennett."

Chapter's wrapped up, folks. I know, it's been another whole week, and this chapter got kinda lengthy. Blame it on the pics that I've posted in these (though in fanfiction, there's not pics so go to my wattpad fic and you'll see them)– I really wanted you to see the new house inside and out, the altar, and the underground bunker.

So, quick question: What's your take on the story so far? And I'm sorry (but not really) about the cliff-hanger ending. It just felt right to leave you hanging.

Anyways, huge thanks for sticking with my story, reading, liking, and commenting. I seriously appreciate it. Catch you in the next one! ?