My pitch for the ending.
I posted this a couple years ago but I've re-adjusted it and I think it works, don't be afraid to be harsh, I have thick skin.
WARNING: A LOT OF THIS IS BASED ON THE SPOILERS GOING AROUND, IF YOU WISH TO REMAIN COMPLETELY SPOILER FREE, DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER.
BE WARNED IT'S CHEESY AS HELL!!!
So basically the set up is this, Kai did indeed lie and Damon is the one who's life is linked to Elenas and not Bonnie. However in my version Stefan remains a vampire. I won't make a call on Steroline, they can be together or not, it has no affect on my ending. Also the brother's are no longer marked by Cade and can be killed as Vampires.
After finding out that his life is linked to Elena's, Damon decides to sacrifice himself so that she can wake up and live the rest of her life. Bonnie, who has managed to regain her magic, tries spell upon spell to try and un-link Damon and Elena but nothing seems to work. Resigned, she respects her best friends wishes that he die so Elena can live out the rest of her human life.
Damon makes the rounds and says his goodbyes to everyone individually with the final one being Stefan. Damon tells his brother that, while he forgives him for convincing him to turn into a vampire, he must also be the one to kill him. While Stefan tries to argue, Damon insists its for the best for everyone, especially himself. Finally and through tears, Stefan plunges a stake through Damon's heart killing him.
Elena wakes up and is devastated to hear the news about Damon. It becomes clear to the group that living a life surrounded by vampires, werewolves an hybrids is no way to live, but it is only when Matt tells them that if he could erase all the horrible memories he would, that the group makes their decision.
Stefan pulls Elena aside, removes her necklace and compels her to forget EVERYTHING from the series. He compels her to move away from Mystic falls and follow her dream to be a doctor. He tells her that she will see her friends occasionally but she will make new ones, she will marry a good man and have a family. She will never remember anyone with the name Salvatore again.
10 years later.
Elena is living in a different city, could be anywhere. She is parking her car on the street and unloading groceries. She shuts the trunk and, hands full, starts walking towards her house when SMACK!
She bumps into someone and drops her groceries all over the street.
ELENA: Oh god, I'm sorry.
Elena bends down and begins to pick up her groceries, the Stranger then kneels down and begins to help, its:
STEFAN: No, that was me. I wasn't paying attention.
Elena looks up and smiles at Stefan. She frowns, he looks so familiar that she stops gathering groceries and just stares at him. Stefan continues cleaning up for a moment before he catches her eye.
STEFAN: What?
ELENA: I'm sorry, you just look-- have we met before?
Stefan smiles, finishes picking up the last few items and places them in the grocery bag.
STEFAN: I don't think so. I think if I'd ever met you before, I'd remember.
Elena blushes slightly at the compliment.
STEFAN: I'm Stefan.
ELENA: I'm Elena.
Stefan hands Elena her groceries back.
STEFAN: You take care of yourself OK Elena?
ELENA: Thanks.
With that, Stefan moves off. Elena continues on her way towards her house, all the while trying to remember that face. He seemed SO FAMILIAR, but when she glances back to get a second look, he's gone.
Elena opens the door to her house and is greeted by her TWO KIDS and husband. Could be Matt, could be anyone. The door closes behind her and as the camera zooms out we see a BLACK CROW fly into frame and land on the windowsill.
THE END
The audience would be left to wonder if the Crow is Damon and that maybe one of Bonnie's last minutes spells DID work, or if its just a harmless crow. It also gives Delena fans hope without also giving them an ultra cheesy Delena endgame and I believe it gives Stelena fans a nice moment as well.
Just thought it was kind of fun.