The Originals Fanfiction: Dive Deep

The world of The Originals, a spin-off of The Vampire Diaries, is rich with complex characters, intricate family dynamics, and a supernatural landscape ripe for exploration. It’s no wonder that the fandom has embraced fanfiction as a powerful medium to delve deeper into the lives of the Mikaelson family and their allies and enemies. From exploring alternate universes to crafting new romantic pairings and expanding on existing storylines, The Originals fanfiction offers an endless wellspring of creativity for fans.

Unpacking the Appeal of The Originals

Before diving into the vast ocean of fanfiction, it's crucial to understand what makes The Originals so compelling. At its heart, the series is a saga about family – a cursed, immortal, and often monstrous family. Klaus Mikaelson, the Original Hybrid, is a character of immense depth, torn between his desire for power, his longing for connection, and his deep-seated paranoia. His siblings, Elijah, Rebekah, Kol, and Freya, each carry their own burdens, their own histories of love, betrayal, and survival.

The setting of New Orleans, a city steeped in magic, history, and a unique blend of cultures, provides a vibrant backdrop for these eternal struggles. The show masterfully weaves together themes of loyalty, redemption, sacrifice, and the eternal question of whether family can truly overcome their darkest natures. This complexity is precisely what fuels the creative fires of fanfiction writers.

The Diverse Landscape of The Originals Fanfiction

The beauty of fanfiction lies in its boundless creativity. For The Originals, this translates into a staggering array of subgenres and story types.

Alternate Universe (AU) Fics

Alternate Universe fics are a cornerstone of fanfiction, and The Originals is no exception. These stories take characters from their established canon and place them in entirely different settings or scenarios. Imagine Klaus as a struggling artist in modern-day New Orleans, or Elijah as a renowned historian uncovering ancient secrets. These AUs allow writers to explore character dynamics without the constraints of the original plot, often leading to fresh and unexpected interpretations.

• High School AU: A popular AU trope, this places the Mikaelsons and their associates in a high school setting. It’s a fantastic way to explore their personalities and relationships in a more grounded, albeit still dramatic, environment. Think of the inherent power struggles and social hierarchies of high school mirroring the Mikaelson family's own dynamics.
• Modern AU: Similar to high school AUs, but with characters in contemporary adult roles. This could involve business moguls, artists, or even ordinary citizens dealing with extraordinary circumstances.
• Fantasy AU: While The Originals is already a fantasy series, these AUs might shift the magical systems or introduce entirely new mythical elements, perhaps drawing inspiration from different mythologies or folklore.

Canon Divergence (Canon Compliant/Canon Adjacent)

These stories tend to stick closer to the established canon but explore "what if" scenarios or fill in gaps in the original narrative.

• Post-Canon Fics: Many fanfics pick up where the show left off, exploring the lives of the surviving characters. What happens to Hope Mikaelson as she navigates her powers and her legacy? How do the remaining Mikaelsons (if any) cope with their losses and forge new paths? These stories often focus on healing, growth, and the long-term consequences of the events in the series.
• "What If" Scenarios: What if Klaus had never been cursed? What if Cami had survived? These stories explore pivotal moments in the series and offer alternative outcomes, allowing fans to rewrite history and explore different character arcs.

Character-Focused Fics

Some of the most compelling fanfiction focuses intensely on specific characters, delving into their inner lives, motivations, and relationships.

• Klaus Mikaelson: Given his central role and complex nature, Klaus is a magnet for fanfiction. Writers explore his capacity for love, his artistic sensibilities, his struggles with his temper, and his deep-seated desire for a family that truly accepts him. Many fics explore his relationships with Caroline Forbes (from The Vampire Diaries), Cami, or even his own siblings in new lights.
• Elijah Mikaelson: The noble, yet often conflicted, Elijah is another popular subject. His internal battles with his family's legacy, his pursuit of a cure for his family's violent tendencies, and his often-tragic romantic entanglements provide fertile ground for exploration.
• The Mikaelson Siblings: Stories that focus on the unique bonds and rivalries between Klaus, Elijah, Rebekah, Kol, and Freya are incredibly popular. These fics often highlight their shared trauma and their fierce, albeit twisted, loyalty to one another.
• Hope Mikaelson: As the future of the Mikaelson legacy, Hope is a significant character in fanfiction, particularly in post-canon stories. Writers explore her journey as a tribrid, her relationships with her parents, and her own burgeoning supernatural abilities.

Romantic Pairings (Ships)

Fanfiction is renowned for its exploration of romantic relationships, both canon and non-canon.

• Klaroline (Klaus and Caroline): This is arguably one of the most popular ships in The Originals fandom, stemming from their complex and intense relationship in The Vampire Diaries. Fanfiction often continues their story, exploring the challenges of their supernatural differences and their undeniable chemistry.
• Haylijah (Hayley and Elijah): Their forbidden romance, complicated by Klaus's possessiveness and their shared role as Hope's parents, is a rich source of fanfiction. Stories often explore their attempts to build a life together, their sacrifices for Hope, and the enduring nature of their connection.
• Klayley (Klaus and Hayley): The tumultuous relationship between the Original Hybrid and the werewolf queen, driven by their daughter, is another significant pairing. Fanfiction explores their co-parenting, their moments of genuine affection, and their inevitable conflicts.
• Rebekah Ships: Rebekah's quest for a normal life and her own romantic entanglements are also popular. Ships with characters like Marcel, Matt Donovan (from The Vampire Diaries), or original characters (OCs) are common.
• Kol Ships: Kol's chaotic energy and his surprising capacity for love make him a compelling romantic lead. His relationship with Davina Claire is a central canon pairing, but fanfiction also explores his interactions with other witches, vampires, or even humans.
• Mikaelson Family as a Whole: Beyond romantic pairings, many fics focus on the platonic love and complex dynamics within the Mikaelson family itself. These stories often emphasize their loyalty, their shared history, and their efforts to protect each other.

Crafting Compelling Originals Fanfiction

Writing fanfiction is an art form that requires a deep understanding of the source material and a creative spark. For The Originals, this means capturing the show's unique tone and character voices.

Capturing the Voices

The Mikaelsons are not your average characters. They speak with a certain gravitas, a blend of ancient wisdom, aristocratic bearing, and raw, untamed emotion. Klaus, in particular, has a distinctive way of speaking, often laced with threats, poetic pronouncements, and moments of surprising vulnerability.

• Dialogue: Pay close attention to how characters speak in the show. Klaus's pronouncements, Elijah's eloquent speeches, Rebekah's sharp wit – these are all crucial elements to capture.
• Internal Monologue: For character-focused fics, delving into their internal thoughts is key. What are Klaus's true motivations when he appears to be acting out of malice? What are Elijah's deepest regrets?

Exploring Themes

The Originals is steeped in themes that resonate deeply with fans.

• Family: This is paramount. Whether it's the biological Mikaelson family, found families, or the struggle to create one, family is always at the core.
• Redemption: Can these ancient, often monstrous beings find redemption? Many fics explore this question, showing characters grappling with their past actions and seeking to atone.
• Power and Corruption: The allure of power is a constant temptation for the Mikaelsons. Fanfiction often examines how power corrupts, how it is wielded, and the consequences of its pursuit.
• Love and Sacrifice: The series is filled with instances of characters making immense sacrifices for those they love. Fanfiction continues this tradition, exploring the depths of love and the price of devotion.

Worldbuilding and Plotting

While fanfiction often starts with characters, a compelling story needs a solid plot and a well-realized world.

• Sticking to Lore (or Subverting It): Decide whether your story will adhere strictly to the established lore of The Originals, The Vampire Diaries, and Legacies, or if you will introduce new elements or create a completely alternate universe. If you're diverging, ensure your new rules are consistent within your story.
• Pacing: Like the show, fanfiction can benefit from a good pace. Mix moments of intense action or emotional drama with quieter, character-driven scenes.
• Conflict: Every good story needs conflict. This can be external (enemies, supernatural threats) or internal (character struggles, moral dilemmas).

Where to Find The Originals Fanfiction

The vast majority of fanfiction is hosted on dedicated archive sites. For The Originals, you'll find a wealth of stories on:

• Archive of Our Own (AO3): This is one of the largest and most popular fanfiction archives, known for its robust tagging system and diverse community. You can filter by characters, relationships, tropes, and more.
• FanFiction.Net: Another long-standing and massive archive, FanFiction.Net also hosts a significant number of The Originals stories.

When searching these sites, utilize the tagging system effectively. Look for specific character pairings, AU tags, or plot tags that interest you. For example, searching for "[The Originals] Klaus Mikaelson" or "[The Originals] Klaroline AU" will yield relevant results.

The Power of Community

Fanfiction isn't just about writing; it's about community. Sharing your work, reading and commenting on others' stories, and participating in fandom discussions are all integral parts of the experience. The Originals fandom is a vibrant and passionate one, always eager to engage with new interpretations and creative takes on their beloved characters.

Engaging with the community can also be a source of inspiration. Seeing what other writers are doing, reading reviews, and participating in challenges can spark new ideas and help you refine your own writing.

Common Tropes and How to Approach Them

Certain tropes are incredibly popular within The Originals fanfiction. Understanding them can help you find stories you enjoy or even inspire your own writing.

• Enemies to Lovers: This is a classic, and The Originals is full of characters who start as adversaries and develop complex relationships. Klaus and Caroline, for instance, embody this trope.
• Forced Proximity: Putting characters in situations where they are forced to spend time together, often against their will, can lead to unexpected developments and heightened tension.
• Soulmates/Mates: While not a primary focus in the show, the concept of destined partners is a popular fanfiction trope, often explored with supernatural twists.
• Protection Fics: Stories where one character is fiercely protective of another, often a younger or more vulnerable character like Hope, are common and emotionally resonant.
• Revenge Plots: Given the Mikaelson's history, revenge is a recurring theme. Fanfiction often explores elaborate revenge schemes or the consequences of seeking vengeance.

When writing these tropes, aim for originality. How can you put a unique spin on a familiar concept? What specific character motivations or plot devices can make your take stand out?

The Enduring Legacy of The Originals

The Originals may have concluded its run, but its legacy lives on through its dedicated fanbase and the incredible amount of fanfiction produced. These stories are a testament to the show's impact, offering fans a way to continue exploring the complex lives and relationships of the Mikaelson family. Whether you're looking for epic romances, thrilling adventures, or poignant character studies, The Originals fanfiction has something for everyone. Dive in, explore the archives, and discover your next favorite story. The world of fanfiction the originals is vast and waiting to be explored.