(Author's note: the discussion thread will be opened shortly, this is not a thread to post in, this thread is an archive for readability)
Of Swords and Sorcery (chronological edition)
Wrinkled hands grasp a small, ugly switch of wood. Modern practitioners of sorcery would be horrified to have such a wand, but the elder holding it has no such vanity. He is known as a great sorcerer in most places, but all things being equal he might prefer to take his pipe, his snowy mop and his impressive beard and just sit with the animals and discuss the ways of the world.
Sadly, as the wizard knows all too well, he cannot sit idle. So Merlin the Magnificent, as the humans call him, sits in the cavernous room awaiting the start of grim matters of discussion.
Into the featureless room, eventually, arrive the other two wizards who the matters at hand concern.
The first is another elderly wizard. Unlike Merlin, however, the man chooses modern clothing. He is dressed in a pin striped suit and, oddly enough, tap shoes. Let it never be said that the Wizard Marshal had lost his sense of humor, even in the face of such a damning affliction as vampirism.
In addition to the two men, the final guest arrives. A woman with brilliant red hair, dressed in a white t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Aoko Aozaki, master of time, the fifth magic.
"It's not everyday I get called to a meeting. What's this about?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.
Merlin motioned for the two to sit down, before revealing a seemingly-ordinary rounded glass table and promptly dumping water on it.
Before the other two could question his action, a terrible image appeared in the water.
"I killed him" was all the Wizard Marshal could manage.
"Many times you have, and many more you will do so. However, there was one time you did not, one time where all good men failed and left open a window", Merlin added.
Aoko's face scrunched up in disgust at the figure depicted.
"Ugh, he's covered in sludge", she remarked.
"That is a curse that was brought forth by the Einzbern family. It is what, regrettably, ended your young student's life. Further, can you see it?" Merlin asked.
The two sorcerers focused for a moment, and then they turned to each other to see if they were seeing things; the look they had was mirrored by the other, so what they had seen was obviously true.
"Crimson Moon, covered in the physical manifestation of human darkness", Merlin said, confirming the truth.
"Plainly put, there is no way to win this fight as it stands", he added, stroking his long beard.
Zelretch frowned. "Well, no, perhaps not. But, couldn't we get Emiya to help defeat it?" he asked, remembering his descendant's heroic friend.
Merlin shook his head. "No, and allow me to save you time. None of the heroes prior or after can defeat that amalgamated monstrosity. We cannot simply get one group's help, we need everyone, everyone from every reality."
Aoko blinked. "That's impossible. Look, I like crazy, we have an open bed relationship even though he's constantly drilling my sister, but you can't seriously be expecting to use the true magics to connect to everything. Just bringing two worlds together would probably kill all three of us", she exclaimed.
Merlin nodded. "Yes, as of this moment, you are correct. However I have a plan. Although, before I explain further, please understand that it is definitely not my first choice. What we do, well the western churches would cast us into hell."
Zelretch laughed. "That's every Magi plan ever conceived."
"Perhaps so, nevertheless I feel obligated to explain what I will need of you in full", the sorcerer replied.
It took an hour but, finally, the three resumed their seats at the now-dry glass table. Flecks of greenish matter clung to the bottom of Aoko's shirt.
"So what do we need next? I mean, OK, we have a great idea but, well, I think we're stuck if what you said is true", Zelretch sighed, tapping the table absent-mindedly.
Merlin nodded. "Indeed, not many can suit our needs as such. The ones strong enough or willing enough, like the Princess or Emiya, are bound by greater forces, still others are too weak to be empowered or have a power that consumes them, like Taiga Fujimura, Tohno Shiki or Shinji Matou. We only have three realistically left", he chuckled.
"Get on with it old man!" Aoko snapped, cracking the glass table as her palm connected with it.
Zelretch frowned and Merlin nodded. "The maid girl Hisui, residing in the Tohno house, and that friend of Shiki's, you know, what's his name, Arihiko? Those two and a young boy, Satoshi. These three are the only ones who stand a chance of doing what we need", the old wizard explained, adjusting his soft blue cap.
Aoko seemed content for a moment and then sighed. "This kid, Satoshi, let's not beat around the bush. He's the only you intend to use, right? Because, correct me if I'm wrong, but you think the other two have too much self interest and it's easier to train a hero at a young age, right?"
Merlin nodded. "Mostly that's correct, do either of you see it differently?" he asked, wringing his hands.
The two both shook their heads and simply replied with "No".
Merlin stroked his beard and rose from his seat, retrieving a smoking pipe from his robes as he did. The pipe was made of a light wood only found on a certain island in the middle of nowhere, it was not exceptional apart from the fact that obvious care and long hours had been invested into its creation.
Zelretch chuckled as he stood up. "Smoking is a terrible habit", he said.
Merlin took the pipe in his mouth and drew a smile. "Indeed. Once you leave, the plan will start. We cannot stop, so I'll ask again, can you do this Aoko Aozaki?" he asked.
Aoko flipped her crimson locks back and smiled confidently. "I'm not just any magus, I'm a true magician", she announced, pushing her doubts down.
Merlin bobbed his head and watched them leave. A moment later, a blonde man appearing in his mid-twenties entered from a hidden side door.
"Well, master, it's time, there's only one thing left to do before the end", the man said as a large lion drew to guard him. The man laughed at this and petted the familiar.
"Don't worry, you get to see them, I promise", the man said.
The lion roared in reply.
"Well, of course Taiga too", the green-eyed man answered his furry companion.
The lion gently nudged his friend with his forehead and nuzzled against the man's hand.
The blonde turned to the old wizard, unable to face his friend. "It's time, let's go", he muttered.
Merlin nodded and watched the two leave. Just as he was about to step out himself, a familiar voice rang out.
"Old man, if you intend on turning me into a lion for some stupid moral lesson I'll shove that wand where the sun doesn't shine", the youth snapped.
Merlin waved off the blonde's threat. "Then I assume you're finished with the task I gave you?" he questioned.
"No beca-OW!" was the boy's attempt at a reply. Rubbing his head, the youth looked at the switch the old wizard had pulled, seemingly, from nowhere.
"Then get back to work!" Merlin shouted.
The blonde, defeated, dejected and somewhat ashamed, turned away to start back towards the library.
Before the boy left Merlin stroked his beard and said. "You are only fifteen, Satoshi, learn to enjoy life as it comes. There shall be plenty of time for swords and sorcery I think, you needn't outpace yourself trying to catch up to anyone".
The youth heard the words, but whether had taken them to heart was a different question entirely. Seemingly he did not, as he trudged back to the library leaving Merlin alone. The old man soon departed the room himself leaving the echoes of silence in the room.
Chapter one: The Universal Wrestling Federation presents: The Titanic Typhoon Type Tournament! Who will be declared the strongest?
Satoshi felt terrible as he let out a sigh.
'I've failed a lot' he thought, trudging out and down the ramp towards a large square ring. 'But I always come out pretty much even, now my blundering may well have caused a whole universe to collapse'. He sighed again as he cleared his throat.
"Due to a lack of opponents, I, as official for this federation, declare that Type Merc-", his words caught in his throat as two unidentified people dropped into the ring, the female of the two grabbing the ring microphone from the blonde.
"We, the Tower of Power, challenge Type Mercury to a cage match!" the woman shouted in a familiar voice.
Satoshi was utterly confused. Looking the woman up and down, from her red high heels to her skin tight costume, he remarked to himself that she was very attractive, despite his feeling that the circular hole displaying her midriff was unnecessary.
"We're Awesmazing, that awesome and amazing, and we're here to save your butt Clark", the muscular man dressed only in a luche mask and Speedos, both purple, said and, immediately, the gears in Satoshi's head clicked.
"Souji, Leysritt? You guys, Andromeda beat me and Mercury beat him like-", Satoshi started explaining, only to be cut off.
"Like your dad", Souji said, letting out a laugh.
"Even so, we will have to trust you to be a shield for us as you usually are, young master", Leysritt added.
Satoshi groaned inwardly. 'Damn it, I can't object to that', he thought, retrieving the ring microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, due to a sudden challenge the event will be given an intermission to allow for betting", he announced.
The crowd rumbled and then died away, moving to their business for the break.
Type Mercury shifted, as if anxious, and Satoshi felt himself frown.
"Leysritt, Souji, be honest, do you think you can beat a humanoid opponent like Hercules?" the blonde asked.
Leysritt nodded in response, producing a photograph from between her impressive cleavage. Satoshi blinked at the photo, checked his eyes and looked again.
"I, what?" was all he could manage, but the look in Leysritt's eyes was serious.
Souji only laughed and straightened his hair into that wavy style he shared with his father.
"You got our backs like usual then, eh Clark?" he asked.
Satoshi nodded, despite his reservations. He then began to speak familiar words.
"Steel is my body, and fire is is my blood. A thousand blades echo in darkness for a single goal. I have endured unspeakable pain, all to see her smile. My life is for others, I cannot regret. I speak now, my silent prayer. Unlimited blade works."
A rainbow of colours swept outward, altering the world within the domed stadium. Normally, a reality marble would create a representation of the inner world of its caster, however the nature of types cancelled it immediately.
Satoshi began sweating. "Alright, in order to make this contest fair, the rules are as follows. Firstly, only opponents of similar size and physiology may enter the ring to fight. Secondly, this is a physical contest, as such no mid or long range attacks may be used. Thirdly, this is a skill contest, therefore no artificial weapons may be used. Fourth, only human strength applies". With the rules set, Satoshi gave a pained sigh.
Type Mercury shuddered and seemingly collapsed into rubble. There was a confused hush from the crowd, before the rubble of the Type scattered throughout the area and a white haired woman with golden eyes stepped out.
The woman wore a blue one-piece leotard resembling a swimsuit and white thigh-highs with black high heels.
"Is this acceptable?" she asked, flipping her long hair back.
Satoshi nodded, muttering to himself and, then, grasping the ring microphone, began to address the crowd and contestants.
"Wrestlers to your corners. Ladies and gentlemen, to finally decide who the strongest is, we will now commence the final match", the green eyed man stated and, as the bell rung, battle was joined.
The match took three minutes, before a spinning pile driver from Leysritt ended it with Mercury face-planted into the mat. The group, however, would not celebrate long, as a mere minute after declaring the winner Satoshi collapsed, bleeding out.
