The Vampires Digital Media Poll: Round 1, Bracket 4
The Vampire Diaries (+ The Originals + Legacies) .vs. V Wars
The Vampire Diaries (+ TO + L)
V Wars
Voting ended onDec 10, 2023
Please reblog for a bigger sample size.
Results get posted on December 10th. at 5PM CST.
<- Previous poll | Next poll ->
If you wish to learn more about your options, either as a refresher or an introduction, press the "Keep reading" button.
What is The Vampire Diaries (+ The Originals + Legacies) about?
Summary (TVD only, due to nature of spoilers when it comes to spin-offs): "This supernatural drama, based on the series of novels by L.J. Smith, details the lives of two brothers, Damon and Stefan Salvatore, who have been living as vampires for centuries. After years of moving from from place-to-place to hide their eternal youth (and bloodthirsty condition), the brothers return to the small Virginia town, Mystic Falls, where their lives as humans ended. Damon is snarky, handsome and charming, with a propensity for evil, while Stefan tries to remain noble -- in part to atone for bad behavior in his past." Source: Rotten Tomatoes
Source: The Vampire Diaries
Cast:
Nina Dobrev - Elena Gilbert (TVD)
Ian Somerhalder - Damon Salvatore (TVD)
Paul Wesley - Stefan Salvatore (TVD)
Candice King - Caroline Forbes (TVD)
Kat Graham - Bonnie Bennett (TVD)
Note: Cast lists provided here are not complete lists of people and characters featured in the media being listed. These are partial lists that include some of the main characters and their actors.
Additional information: The Vampire Diaries show is based on the books of the same name by L. J. Smith. Lots was changed in the book-to-show transfer. Some fans prefer the show over the books.
What is V Wars about?
Summary: "A doctor is pitted against his best friend when an ancient disease turns people into vampires; from the comics by Jonathan Maberry and Alan Robinson." Source: Rotten Tomatoes
Cast:
Ian Somerhalder - Dr. Luther Swann
Adrian Holmes - Michael Fayne
Kyle Breitkopf - Desmond Swann
Jacky Lai - Kaylee Vo
Note: Cast lists provided here are not complete lists of people and characters featured in the media being listed. These are partial lists that include some of the main characters and their actors.
Additional information: The V Wars tv show is based off of the comics of the same name. This show also features Vampire Diaries actor Ian Somerhalder, known for playing Damon Salvatore.
It's funny, but this scene with the answers to Klaus’s question was the first one that I pictured in my mind for this story. 80,000 words later and I finally can it put down on paper. What's wrong with me? *lol
Elijah had one thing to give to Klaus, his question and answer game had ensured that everyone had outwardly relaxed. The hostile atmosphere that had reigned in the room was almost completely gone. His brother hadn't forgotten his ability to manipulate everyone around him.
However, Elijah wondered uncomfortably, what other angles Niklaus pursued with this question game. Although he had to admit that he too looked forward to the answers, he had the weird feeling that the answers wouldn’t turn out as Marcel or Niklaus expected, both of whom already believing themselves the sure winners.
During the break everyone had supplied themselves again with drinks and made themselves even more comfortable, which also contributed to the general relaxed mood.
Klaus rubbed his hands. “So, who starts?”
“I think, out of terms of fairness we, the Originals, should start this time.” Elijah smirked at his brother. “And because you were the one who came up with this idea, you too will be the first to answer your own question. I also consider it fair that we don't choose one of us.”
“Ok, I'll take Alaric then.” Klaus enjoyed the reactions to his answer.
“Alaric?” Marcel asked incredulously and rather offended that Klaus classified this human as more dangerous than him.
“As I said, he almost killed me and he has proven enough times that while he may be human, he is always good for a surprise. If I trust anyone to find a way to kill me when it matters, it's Alaric.”
“Ok, now I’m stunned!” said Alaric slowly, who would never have expected this answer.
“I'll choose Bonnie”, Elijah said calmly and smiled at her. “She has proven more than once that her power is great enough to stop even us.”
Bonnie blushed. To be chosen like this by Elijah was a compliment in itself.
Kol frowned. “I will choose Bonnie too.” He kissed Davina on the cheek. “Not that I think you are less powerful than her, but after all, it's about choosing someone I don't want to fight for my life and I can't imagine any situation where I want to kill you.”
Davina put her head on Kol’s shoulder. “Neither do I!”
“Difficult decision, but I think I'll take Bonnie too”, said Rebekah thoughtfully.
Marcel had to admit that he was surprised. He had classified the quiet woman as harmless. The fact that three of the Originals picked her as someone they didn’t want to fight, gave him pause and made it necessary to reconsider his first impression of her.
“Yes, I have to admit, Bonnie is a close second for me too”, said Klaus, amused with Marcel’s indignant and disappointed face.
Freya smiled inwardly. She didn’t think that Klaus had lied but he certainly enjoyed it to rile Marcel up and make him pay for the way he treated Elijah. “I think I will choose Vincent. After all, it was him, who created the serum for Lucien.”
“He did? How interesting”, said Bonnie and eyed Vincent thoughtful.
Vincent shuddered involuntarily, for a moment there was something in the Bennett witch's eyes that alarmed him. In order to divert attention from himself, he brought the conversation back to Klaus’ question. “I think I'll take you too, Freya.”
He certainly wouldn't take Elijah or Klaus, which would only flatter them. And he wouldn't name Marcel for the same reason.
“I can't speak from great experience, of course, but after I've seen Elijah fight I'll take him”, Michael said a little shyly.
“Oh, I totally agree”, said Jimmy fervently.
Damon snickered. “I've tangled with every Original on one occasion or another and even I find Elijah the most terrifying, despite him being my favourite.” He looked at Klaus. “Sorry, but if Elijah has decided that you have to die, you are dead. He knows no hesitation and he doesn't play games.”
Klaus shrugged, he had never expected from Damon to choose him. Elijah and Damon had started a real mutual fan club in the last few days.
“Sorry, Klaus, but I have to take Elijah too”, said Caroline softly. “I know, you would never harm me.” She looked at Rebekah. “Not that I consider you as less dangerous but you let your emotions lead you, Elijah’s actions are always calculating and deliberate. Like Damon said, if Elijah wants you dead...” Caroline shrugged.
Klaus frowned. In one way he was glad that Caroline wasn't afraid of him, but he really would have thought she'd name Rebekah. Especially when he remembered, how bitchy Rebekah had always been to Caroline.
Elijah had to admit he was surprised. He had never had much contact with Caroline. That she thought this way about him was unexpected. He wasn't Klaus, he didn't want people to fear him, the only thing he wanted, was respect.
Josh was surprised too. His impression in the last few days had always been that the Mystic Falls Gang liked and trusted Elijah the most of all the Originals. He had until now thought that they were blind for Elijah’s existing savagery and ruthlessness but they weren’t.
He was hard pressed to choose between Klaus or Elijah but if he did take all in account he knew about these two, he too could give only one answer. “For me it is Elijah too.” Then he looked at Klaus. “Sorry, sir.”
Klaus scowled a little but didn’t say anything.
Jeremy and Matt exchanged glances before saying unanimously. “We also take Elijah.”
“Jeremy, now I'm offended. I thought you would take me.” Kol visibly pouted.
“Sorry, the question wasn’t for the most murderous individual”, Jeremy replied dryly. “Although then I would have to take Klaus.”
“Finally someone, who takes me seriously”, said Klaus satisfied.
“We all take you seriously”, said Damon grinning, “But we like annoying you much more.”
“And every one of us thinks twice about it before we annoy Elijah too much.” Alaric smirked too.
Klaus mumbled something that even his siblings couldn’t understand.
Davina had devoted some thought to the question, but now she had found her answer. “I have to admit, I vacillate between Klaus and Freya, but in this case I choose Klaus.” She smiled at Freya. “After all, you and Elijah share many character traits and you're not quite as ruthless as Klaus.”
“What, you don’t take Elijah?” asked Marcel mockingly.
Davina narrowed her eyes. “As long as I don't threaten his family, I don't fear Elijah.” Then she smirked in a way, which reminisced everyone of Klaus. “But you I will certainly never fear!”
Now all Originals chuckled and Marcel remembered the one thing, which you should never forget about the Originals. If you messed with one of them, you had each of them against you and that had been especially true in the past years, if it came to Elijah. Every sibling had been very protective of him since the death of Hayley.
Alaric was standing next to the bar, leaning against one of the pillars and Damon stood beside him, also leaning against the pillar. “Yes, Elijah is a very scary dude with nice hair.” He grinned at Elijah, who only rolled his eyes. Alaric looked at Klaus and said mockingly. “And I too find him much more frightening than you.”
Klaus glowered. Typical Alaric, it was just impossible for him to say anything positive about Klaus or more precisely in this case, something that Klaus would consider as flattering.
Marcel decided to ignore the opinions of the Mystic Falls visitors. Neither of them had ever had much to do with him, it was no wonder they hadn't considered him. Only that everyone from them had taken Elijah annoyed him considerably.
“I'll take Freya, her witch skills is the only thing that could get dangerous to me.” He grinned condescendingly at all the Originals, who were vampires. “After all, one bite from me and you are all dead, and this time Freya will not be able to save you.” And Marcel fixated especially Elijah during these words.
It was sheer coincidence, that Elijah was looking at Damon in this moment, and the last time he had seen a similar look on his face was at the memorable ball, where Damon had challenged the entire Original family.
Elijah got up and also went to the bar, his instinct told him that the situation could escalate any moment.
“Wow, you know, Klaus, I always thought you were the biggest asshole I would ever meet, but now I think it's Marcel.” Damon smiled that languidly impertinent grin that all Originals and his friends knew only too well. “I mean, you at least have sophistication and a certain charm but I find Marcel just lacks personality. Not to mention the fact that he will never have Elijah’s style and format.”
And Marcel’s control, which had been strained more and more throughout the evening, snapped. He pounced on Damon but Elijah was faster and positioned himself between Marcel and Damon. Before Marcel could reach Damon, Elijah pushed him so hard against his chest that Marcel was thrown back.
“He is our guest, you will not harm him.” Elijah’s voice was serious and there was a definite threat in his words.
Faster than most could follow, Marcel stood back in front of Elijah and hit him so brutal in the face that it flung Elijah to the ground, then Marcel concentrated his aggression once again on Damon.
The other Originals had long since arisen but before they could intervene the atmosphere in the room changed in a way that reminded Freya of Ava's interrogation.
Kol noticed the change and was the only one other than Freya, who knew, who caused it. He whirled around to Bonnie, his face going pale and he pushed Davina behind him. “No matter what happens, don't do anything!”
His voice was urgent in a way Davina rarely heard and she had learned to listen and to do what Kol wanted in those cases.
“You will not touch him!” Bonnie said in an echoing voice.
Before Marcel could understand what happened, an invisible force grabbed him and threw him against the nearest wall before pushing him up the wall so that his feet dangled a meter above the ground.
Alaric and Damon didn't even bat an eyelid at this sight and completely ignored Marcel as they rushed to Elijah's aid. They helped him up and Elijah accepted their support, although he didn't need it.
“Are you alright?” Damon asked worried.
Klaus stood next to his brother too and put his hand on his nape. “Brother, did he hurt you?”
“I'm fine, Niklaus.” Elijah smiled slightly. “It was just a slap to the face.”
Elijah then went to Bonnie and put a hand on her forearm, to press her arm gently to the ground. She allowed it but it didn’t change anything about Marcel’s position in the air. “You can put him down, Bonnie.”
Bonnie eyed Elijah blankly before looking back at Marcel, who tried in vain to move a muscle but he was helpless against Bonnie's power.
“Everything is fine”, Elijah reassured her. “Marcel will think twice now before attempting to attack Damon again.”
“Yes, but it would be better for him if he didn’t touch you a second time either.” Bonnie went slowly to Marcel, who glared angry down at her. “I think you need a little time-out, Marcel.” Bonnie twisted her hand and snapped Marcel’s neck. Then whatever Marcel was holding in the air vanished and he crashed to the ground.
It was dead silence as everyone present, who had never witnessed Bonnie wielding her power, stared at her, shocked at the ease with which she had overpowered Marcel.
Klaus grinned proudly. “And that is the reason, why we Originals all chose Bonnie.”
Freya smirked grimly. “I liked that.” Marcel had hurt her little brother one time too often.
Vincent couldn’t say a word. Despite what he'd heard about the Bennett Witches, this display of power had come as a complete surprise to him.
“If he wakes up he will be pretty mad at you”, Davina said softly.
Bonnie shrugged. “Who cares?” She smiled coldly as she heard Marcel groaning. “It's not like he has much time left.”
Marcel startled back to life and looked up. By now everyone was standing around him and none of them looked particularly friendly. Bonnie’s eyes were cold and the malicious gleam in Klaus ‘eyes promised retaliation for the attack on Damon and Elijah. After all, Klaus had warned him beforehand that Damon was under his protection.
“Now, please be a brave vampire and go back to your prior place. Should you dare to stand up without my permission or attack anyone again, I will kill you and believe me, I can and I will do it.” Bonnie’s smile was at once gentle and malicious.
The menace in Bonnie’s voice chilled Marcel to the bone and he believed every word she said. Yes, he should definitive reconsider his initial assessment about her harmlessness. He stood slowly up and went back to the sofa.
Everyone else sat down too, but the previous good mood was spoiled.
Klaus thought about Bonnie’s former remark and frowned. “Bonnie, what did you mean, when you said that Marcel didn't have much time left?”
Bonnie sighed before she looked at Rebekah and this time there was a hint of compassion in her eyes. “I'm sorry, Rebekah, but Marcel Gerard is dying. I give him a couple of weeks at most.”
Rebekah stared at Bonnie in disbelief. “I beg your pardon?” She asked in shock. This shock was shared by everyone present.
“The werewolf poison in him will kill him slowly and painfully, but before it kills him, he will go mad. It has already started, his incessant attacks against Elijah are a first symptom of his degeneration and it will only get worse”, explained Bonnie. “In the final stage he will attack everyone, and no longer will know or spare family, friends or wife.”
Rebekah did take Marcel’s hand, her previous anger forgotten and Marcel returned the hand pressure. For the moment he was shocked speechless from this announcement.
“But how is that possible? He's the beast from prophecy, the poison can't harm him”, asked Rebekah for Marcel.
Bonnie shrugged. “He may be the beast but he isn’t immune to the poison anymore, and I think, the ancestors did it on purpose.” She sighed. “Call it a safeguard, a limit to his existence.”
“It's like the limitation that Esther has placed on me”, Alaric said comprehensively.
“Yes, exactly. You assignment was to kill the Originals and you would only live as long as Elena lived. With Lucien the ancestors choose a time limit.” Bonnie looked at Elijah and then at Vincent.
“It has been a little more than 20 years since I killed Marcel”, said Elijah quietly and Vincent frowned.
“I can’t remember creating a time limit or a safeguard”, said Vincent troubled.
Freya went to Vincent and hugged him. “If I remember how confused you were back then, I’m not surprised about that.”
“The ancestors, who made Lucien what he was, had only one goal, the death of all Originals and, if possible, the annihilation of all vampires. Twenty years is enough time to at least kill all of the Originals.” Bonnie smiled grimly. “The rest of the vampires is a bonus.”
“It sounds like them”, said Klaus slowly and Davina nodded. Their hate on the ancestors was a commonality they shared.
“You said Lucien's name”, said Elijah thoughtfully.
“It could have been Aurora or Marcel too, it really doesn't matter at all.” Bonnie shrugged again. “No matter who would have gotten the serum, everyone would have to endure the same restrictions and the same effects.”
“So, no matter who would have taken the serum, everything would have happened the same way”, said Elijah softly.
“Oh please, of course it would. What reason would witches have to make a vampire all but invincible?” Damon snorted contemptuously. “None! Witches, the servants of nature, my ass. The only thing they ever cared about was power. Do you know why most witches hate the Originals so much? You are so damn hard to manipulate and they know full well that they will never be able to control you, which bothers them the most.”
“Which was probably the reason that the witches of Mystic Falls always hated you more than Stefan”, said Klaus dryly.
Bonnie glared at him. “There were certainly other reasons as well.”
Now it was Elijah, who snorted contemptuously. “As far as I know, Damon made an oath to protect the Bennett witches, and he kept that oath until your ancestor broke her promise to him. Only after that did he attack you.” Elijah shrugged. “Honestly, I would have done the same thing.”
Bonnie opened her mouth than closed it again. She knew, Elijah spoke the truth about his reaction, if her ancestor had broken her word to him.
“Yes, Stefan was the favourite of the witches of Mystic Falls because he was easier to manipulate and so they didn't care that he was in many ways worse than Damon.” Elijah looked now at Damon.
“I wouldn’t say worse”, Damon said hesitantly.
Klaus looked at Damon. “Tell me, all in all, which of you has killed more people?”
Damon hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly admitted. “Stefan has killed twice, maybe three times as many people over the centuries as I have.”
Caroline gasped for breath, and Bonnie looked at him in dismay.
“I beg your pardon?” Caroline breathed, shaken.
Damon looked very uncomfortable now. “Stefan may not have killed, as long as he was abstinent but when he was on human blood, he murdered at least once every night, usually even more often. For him it was never about the blood, it was about the killing. His attempts to put his victims back together, they weren't an attempt to undo his crimes nor a sign for regretting his actions.”
Damon looked at Caroline. “It was his sign, his identification mark as serial killer! I've seen his lists, my considerable body count doesn't even come close to his. I drank blood, yes, I killed, yes, but as long as I didn't flip my switch, half of my victims usually got away with their lives. Stefan had never let even one of his victims escape!”
“Enough of this useless arguing, let’s come back to the matter at hand”, Elijah said calmly, and then looked at Bonnie. “Is there a way to save Marcel?”
Kol snorted, not really surprised about Elijah’s question, while Davina, Rebekah and Klaus looked hopeful.
Bonnie looked thoughtful. “Perhaps!” She squinted at Marcel. “Would you be willing to give up your enhancements?”
“Wouldn't it be possible just to withdraw the poison from me? Marcel asked hesitantly.
“No, in this case it's all or nothing”, Bonnie said adamantly.
“It looks, like this time you really have to choose, what is more important to you”, said Rebekah in a brittle voice. “The first time, you didn't tell us you were still alive, because you wanted to rule over New Orleans. The second time you had the choice to come with me and again you preferred your power. I won't tolerate it a third time!”
“And of course I won’t allow that you harm anyone in the time you have left.” Bonnie looked just as uncompromising as Rebekah.
“You will die alone”, said Rebekah her last word in this matter.
Marcel looked at her in dismay. “And what is about your wish to become human?”
“This decision is still at least thirty or forty years in the future. We talk about the present”, replied Rebekah calmly.
In the meantime, Elijah had got up from his seat to stand behind Rebekah, and now put a hand on her shoulder. Rebekah leaned back against her brother and she put her hand above his.
Everyone was silent and waited for Marcel to make his choice. Finally he sighed. “Okay, I prefer a life with Rebekah!” He looked at Klaus. “However, I am a little unsure, how long I will stay alive.”
“There will be no acts of revenge against you”, Elijah said calmly and gave above all Klaus a penetrating look. “Do you agree with me, Brother?”
Klaus sighed theatrically. “It will be difficult for me, but I agree.” He looked at Marcel. "I promise you that you will be completely safe from me."
Elijah relaxed, he knew that Niklaus may break his word but never his promises. Besides, he still saw Marcel as his son, he didn't want his death.
“Now the only question left is, whether we can develop a cure in the time that Marcel has left”, Davina said worried.
“Oh, as luck will have it, there is a spell that can cure Marcel.” Klaus grinned wickedly. “We only need two powerful witches to perform this spell.”
“How surprising”, said Marcel, staring at Klaus with narrowed eyes.
“Yes, what an unbelievable and happy coincidence”, Davina said ironically and Klaus grinned at her in his inimitable way that made it clear that nothing about it was a coincidence.
“What can I say, I like to be prepared”, answered Klaus.
“Please, Niklaus, shut your mouth”, said Elijah tiredly. He looked at Marcel. “If Bonnie and Freya agree, we will do the spell tomorrow after the negotiations with the factions. Can you until then control your urge to kill me?”
“Don’t worry, Elijah”, said Bonnie. “I will confine Marcel to his room. He won't have a chance to kill any of you.” She grinned at Klaus. “Though, if it concerns you, I might turn a blind eye.”
“Thank you, Bonnie”, answered Klaus mockingly. “I appreciate your sentiment in the way it is meant.”
Elijah sighed in resignation. “Let's go to our rooms, we can discuss everything else tomorrow after the negotiations.”
That was the end of the evening, everyone was tired and tomorrow would be another long day. Even Vincent would tonight sleep in the compound, where he had a room, even if he rarely used it.
I finally finished V Wars and I liked it? You can totally tell the entire season was a set up for the “new world” narrative which helps me excuse the slow parts. I’m totally invested in the second season I hope it gets, and I really want at least one of those people who died at the end to actually be alive
