Official Wizard Business

Arthur was sitting at in his desk in the classroom like he usually does every Monday through Friday until 5 pm. But there was something strange about Arthur's lesson today and that was that there was no lesson.

Merlin was nowhere to be found. He was not teaching Arthur, he was not in his study reading, he was not arguing with Cid, it's as if he had vanished. Not even the Educated Owl Archimdes could be found. But Arthur sought to use one of Merlin's teachings of patience and stayed where he was and wait for his teacher.

Merlin was meanwhile out on his own adventure with Archimedes along with him. The two were in Ansem's old study, and had been since the previous night. Merlin sat at the desk with a big book open before him with countless others all around him. Merlin wiped his glasses as Archimedes flew down from the shelf above, holding a book between his legs.

"There!" he grunted as he flew down and placed it on a pile with all the others." Try than one."

"This one?" Merlin pushed the one book he had aside and grabbed the one Archimedes had. Then he began flipping through the pages while Archimedes perched himself on Merlin's shoulder. While the Wizard flipped through the pages Archimedes darted his head around, looking upwards towards the clock.

And when he saw what time it was he jolted up in surprise.

"Good Heavens!" he yelled. Then he turned to Merlin and began flapping his wings at him. "Merlin, Merlin look at the time."

"The time?" Merlin said calmly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his pocket watch." Well I do believe it" He looked at the watch." GEHOSAFAT!" He yelled, knocking himself out of his chair and onto the floor. But he quickly bounded back to his feet and began grabbing his things off the desk.

"Hurry up, Hurry up." Archimedes said as he hurried Merlin along." We can't be late or-"

"I know Archimedes!" Merlin yelled pounding a fist on the table." I know!" He gathered the last of his things in his hand. Then he held his cane high above his head." BLOW ME BACK HOME!" He yelled a tapped his own head. Then his feet began to spark and go off like a rocket, leading him out the window and into the sky with Archimedes flying along next to him.

Meanwhile back at home Arthur was still waiting for Merlin but his patience had now turned to boredom as he sat in his desk tapping hid pencil against it.

He watched as one by one other members of the house began getting up and making their way into the kitchen. Cid was the first and had been sipping at his coffee for several minutes. Leon and Tifa were next arriving together.

Leon poured himself a cup of coffee only for Tifa to snatch it away from him before he could drink it. But then right before she could drink it he stole it back and despite her pouting face he ignored her and drank his coffee. That's when Tifa jumped up on his shoulders to try and grab it back.

"Excuse me. "spoke up Arthur." I'm sorry to interrupt, but have any of you seen Merlin?"

"The old loon?" asked Cid." Haven't seen him since last night."

"Do any of you know where he might be?"

"No." Leon grunted as he pushed Tifa off him with one hand while keeping the coffee away with the other. "He comes and goes at will." Said Leon." He is a wizard you know."

"I'm sure he'll be back soon." Said Tifa as she picked herself up off the floor.

Just then there was a firm knock at the door which caused it to rattle.

"That must be him now." Said Tifa aloud. But Cid and Leon only looked to each other confused, Merlin lived in the house with them why would he need to knock? Tifa walked over to answer the door expecting Merlin but surprise when he wasn't there.

Standing before her was a tall but firm looking old man with long blue robes, a beard that reached down to his chest, a point blue hat and most noticeable the two small pupils of his eyes.

"May I come in?" He purred in a soft but firm voice. Tifa said nothing but took a step back allowing the man to enter the house. He ducked his head as he came through the door and then rose to his full height as he stood before all the others in the room.

And a cold silence filled the air as everyone could only look in his fear at this newcomer who said nothing. All he did was stand there with his hands in his sleeves and his small eyes scanning and observing all in the room. His eyes stopped when he came to Arthur, as he could tell just by looking at him he was not from this world. Arthur could only drop his eyes away in fright. The man gave a 'dirty look' and raised an eyebrow in response.

Finally someone spoke to him.

"Excuse me, sir." Said Cid taking a step over to the newcomer, who rotated his eyes over to him." But is there something you want?"

"I'm here on official business." He responded in a slow voice.

"And what official business may that be?" asked Cid taking another step closer." Because we are in charge of this place."

"I am familiar with who you all are." He responded." But my business here today does not concern any of you."

"Then what does-" But everyone stopped talking and instead look outside as there was the sound of a sudden crash.

"Oh hang it all!" called a familiar voice. Then sound of coughing could be heard as black smoke rose outside and footsteps could be heard coming for the door. Then the door swung open and Merlin stood there coughing as he let black smoke into the house." I'm here!" He called out." I'm he-" But he suddenly stopped as his eyes met with the newcomer to the house. The man gave Merlin the 'dirty look' again and raised his eyebrow.

Merlin patted and dusted himself off before taking a careful step closer. He removed his hat and bowed before him." Master Yen Sid." He said." I-I did not expect you so early." Archimedes flew past Merlin and onto a ledge nearby.

"I arrived when I told you I would." The man known as Yen Sid replied." It is you" He nodded to Merlin." Who is late."

"Well I um.. I mean.. I was." Merlin stammered. But yen Sid's attention was called to something else, the black smoke which Merlin had let in was now coming in faster. Yen Sid for the first time now removed his hands from his sleeves and with a slight wave the smoke as if propelled by some forces slowly backed down the door and into the sky, with the door closing behind it.

Arthur now stood up and walked over to Archimedes.

"Archimedes, Archimedes." He whispered.

"Shh, hush now boy." Said Archimedes silencing him.

Just then the last member of the house Yuffie slid down the stairs and strolled into the kitchen, unaware of the tension that was building. She walked up and towards Yen Sid but stopped as he stood before her and did not move.

"Hey old man, can you move?!" she hollered. Everyone darted their heads over to Yuffie and Merlin nearly jumped out of his skin. Yen Sid slowly turned his head around and peaked at Yuffie over his shoulder.

But Merlin quickly interjected, putting himself between Yen Sid and the ninja.

"Yuffie, my dear." He said putting his hands on her shoulder." Ever the feisty one, haha." Then he guided her around Yen Sid who's eyes watched every step of the way. Once Merlin had moved Yuffie he turned back to his fellow Wizard." M-Master shall we resume in my study?"

"I think that would be wise." Yen Sid replied. Merlin extended his arm in the direction of the study.

"After you, Master." And Yen Sid turned and led the way, his seat silent as he moved across the ground dragging his robes behind him. Then Merlin followed after him.

"But Merlin." Said Arthur as he ran after his teacher." What about my lesson, what about-"

"Arthur." Said Merlin putting his hand on the boy's shoulder." I will have time to teach you later but for now I must-" He turned away from the boy to see Yen Sid's eyes glaring at him from inside his room." I must attend to other matters." Merlin said turning back to him." Everyone!" He called at his housemates." Could you all help me today and see to the Wart's education." He did not wait for a reply and turned into the study closing the door behind him.

"What was that?" commented Arthur confused, as was the rest of the house.

"The dear boy was Master Yen Sid. The Greatest and Most Powerful of all the Wizards."

"B-But I thought Merlin was the world's most powerful wizard." Said Arthur turning to the owl.

"There are more worlds than one, boy." Archimedes replied." And Yen Sid is the most powerful and wisest of all the Wizards of all the world. Not only that but he was the teacher of Merlin as well as many other fairies, shamans, and other magic learners."

Merlin entered the study to see his master resting in his big, red chair.

"S-Something to drink, Master?" He asked. Yen Side nodded his reply. Merlin then went over to the shelf where he poured some wine into a long, thin glass. Then with a shaky hand he handed it off to Yen Sid who took his first sip silently. Merlin himself looked around for a place to sit and chose a wooden stool to rest his backside." I um.. I hope my housemates did not give you any trouble. They are quite the characters. The boy is my pupil, Arthur. The Future King of his world. But for now he is my pupil and a gifted little lad at that. He-"

"He does not concern me." Yen Sid interrupted." We have more urgent matters to attend to."

"Y-Yes, yes we do." Said Merlin as he lit his pipe. Then he began puffing smoke into the air and around the room." Where, where should we begin?"

In one swift motion Yen Sid stood up and flung his arms out. The windows shut themselves and the room began to grow darker as the lights dimmed. Yen Sid slowly began moving his hands and the smoke began to whirl around them.

"The Darkness is growing." He said as the smoke began to glow colors of black and purple." It will be here soon." He raised his hands high and opened his arms wide and the smoke turned into a bat that shrieked and flew at Merlin, who jumped out of his seat and fell onto the floor. Merlin looked ahead and saw Yen Sid's eyes gleaming at him amongst the dark smoke." You Merlin." He stretched a long finger at him." Must be ready for whatever is to come, like the rest of us are."

"Y-Yes Master I, I, I understand that." Merlin stammered as he rose to his feet, picking up his pipe in the process." That is why I moved everything here." He began grabbing several books and held them in his hands. On the shelf above his books was Arthur's sword Excalibur which he would hold onto until the boy was ready."W-Why I brought the boy here so that I may educate him while I fulfill my duties." Yen Sid laid his hand on the books Merlin held and shoved them onto the desk.

"Your obsession of teaching this boy has become somewhat of a nuisance." He said sternly." Your duty first and foremost is to help Light prevail. Your teachings with this boy can be done at your own time but not if it will hinder this goal." With that Yen Sid turned and walked to the door. He prepared to leave but then Merlin spoke out.

"Now just a minute." He said in as powerful a voice as he could manage. Yen Side turned back to Merlin with a raised brow. Many regarded Merlin as being very powerful which he was in his own right. He was a master of magic and wiser than most. Merlin had helped fight the darkness for years and even still he was only afraid of one person. That was Yen Sid who was still wiser and powerful than Merlin was." I have only ever done as you have asked me to Master. I have always kept an eye on the darkness. I have eyes and ears all over this world. An old friend of mine keeps watch on the dark forest for me and reports to me all he can find. But as for that boy!" He pointed to the door, on the other side where he knew Arthur was." T-that boy is my pupil and my responsibility. I-I have given my word that I will educate him and teach him, and by thunder if you tell me I can't then I'll, I'll-"

"Is that so?" Yen Sid said to him.

"Hm? Is what so?"

"That you have eyes everywhere. That there is someone in the dark forest right now, keeping watch for you?"

"Well yes, yes." Merlin bellowed proudly." He is a gentle soul, an old pig farmer. He-"

"Then I would suggest that you pay him a visit." Told Yen Sid leaning in closer to Merlin." Things have been set into motion now, the wheels of war are turning." Then Yen Sid turned and walked out the door, Merlin standing in the doorway of his study watching him go.

On his way out Yen Sid turned to his left to see Arthur in his 'classroom' sitting before the chalkboard while Archimedes was teaching him. The old wizard slowly turned and walked into the classroom.

"Now see here boy." Said Archimedes." This… This.." He froze up as Yen Side walked over to them. Arthur turned in his desk and watched as the old man came and stood over him with his eyes always staring, never blinking. And the gaze of his eyes made Arthur shrink down.

Then Yen Sid turned and took a seat down next to Arthur, taking his hat off and resting it down before doing so. Arthur now saw for the first time that he was bald.

"What are you learning?" asked Yen Sid.

"I'm-I'm teaching the boy" began Archimdes.

"I did not ask you." Yen Sid said not even looking at him. Arthur was silent for a moment but eventually found his voice.

"Science, sir." He responded. Yen Sid dropped one hand to his knee and opened his palm, then the book on Arthur's desk flew to his hand. Then the old wizard brought it up and began reading it.

"Science." He said." Chemistry, Physics. All important things to know when you're a King."

"Y-Yes, sir." Arthur nodded." Merlin says I'll grow up to be a King." Yen Sid was silent as he flipped a page.

"What's your name?" he finally asked.

"A-Arthur but everyone calls me Wart."

"What's your full name, Arthur?"

"Arthur Pendragon."

"Would you like some advice on being a ruler?" asked Yen Sid picking up his head and making eye contact with Arthur.

"Y-Yes, sir." He nodded.

"Surround yourself with those you trust, with those you can count on. Someone who give their heart and soul to any task, even when others deem it unnecessary. That is the first thing I teach all my students." He closed the book and handed it back to Arthur. Merlin meanwhile stood back and listened on how his master had just officially commented his own teaching of his own pupil.

"T-Thank you, sir." Arthur nodded as he took the book. He felt now as if he should say something else, a compliment in return." That's a very interesting hat." He nodded to it. Yen Sid reached back and grabbed the hat with both hands.

"Yes." He said as he observed it." It is a very interesting hat." Then Yen Sid rose up and returned the hat to his head, covering his bald spot. Then without another word and with silent footsteps he headed for the door." Nightfall is coming." He announced in a voice of thunder so that all in the house could hear." I would recommend you all stay inside tonight." And with that said Yen Sid marched out the door. He took one step outside, followed by another and when the third hit the ground he vanished into a cloud of smoke.

"Wow." Commented Arthur from the window after watching him go." Merlin, Merlin." His teacher walked over to him, having viewed the same sight." Could you do something like that?"

"Like that?" He repeated." Oh no. Master Yen Sid has had thousands of years more experience than myself. And I think even a thousand years from now I shall not even be able to do that."

"Well how old are you now?"

"Ge uh.. well.. I." Merlin stammered." That's not important right now, boy. What is important is your studies, come along!" And Merlin marched towards the chalkboard and Arthur returned to his seat.