Chapter 1 [Vault]

TITLE - Traveling the multiverse with a protagonist system.

___________________________________________

Darkness. That was all that surrounded me. One moment I was peacefully walking across the street to school, and the next I was here. I don’t know if this is one of those cliche fanfic situations, or if this is my own personal hell, but whatever it is, I wasn’t a fan.

I was a rather normal college student, I had decent grades and was rather smart if the scholarship I received was any indication. I had been amongst the growing populace of fiction fans. Anything fiction I absorbed like a sponge and enjoyed. My favorite was Legacies, not because it was good or anything, but because it was the show my girlfriend had introduced me to. She adored TVD more than anything, and had a bit of an addition to the shows…but that was a long time ago.

Now that I am here, I guess the only thing I can do is wait and see if this is one of those fanfiction situations, or something else. I was hoping it was the former, but it is most probably the latter. I wasn’t a fan of systems or any of that, but I would take that over being stuck in this place forever.

I’m not sure how long I waited for, but after what felt like forever, something finally changed. In front of me lay a simple wheel, with the large words [SPIN FOR NEW LIFE].

“Well I guess I have no choice don’t I?” I said softly, as I looked at the large wheel in front of me. Grabbing the wheel, I pulled it back and spun it. I noticed that all the names on the wheel were those of worlds I recognized. From Fate Winx saga to Warhammer 40k. Eventually, I watched as it slowly stopped, and stopped on [TVD - Legacies].

‘Why…why did it have to be that one’

The wheel glowed and changed to something new. Once again it asked me to spin, but this time it was spinning for what seemed to be a system of some sort. Eventually getting over my dislike of the world that was chosen, I walked forward and spun the wheel. It spun again, this time faster than before. I watched as many different system names rolled by, from Gamer to Villain System. Eventually, I watched as it slowly stopped on [Protagonist System]

‘What type of system is that?’ I thought with a frown. I would have preferred something else, as I did not want to be the protagonist of some story, all I really wanted was to be left alone and allowed to live in peace. But with a system like this? That was not going to happen.

This time the wheel glowed and disappeared, while a game-like interface appeared in front of my vision.

[Hello host, I am the automated system known as the protagonist system. Created to help you become the best version of yourself possible. Please create an appearance so that we can continue]

Hearing this I sighed before looking at what looked like a character creation menu. Messing around with it for a while, I eventually came to what I wanted.

(Something like this)

I had kept my scars from my previous life, I got used to them in that life and It’d be weird to not have them. I also made myself slightly taller than before, I was already tall, standing at 6’2, but now I was 6’4. I let the system automate a lot of the other stuff, as I didn’t really care enough to waste time on it.

After picking my appearance, the system brought up another new message.

[Now that the host has chosen their appearance, the system shall explain its functions. The system has the following functions that the host may have access to]

Status - A status screen that gives the user information on their name, age, species, unique items, integration process, current universe, and more.

Multiverse Travel - Exactly how it sounds. Allows the user to travel to new worlds once the user completes a certain mission, usually a rather difficult one.

Protagonist - This allows the user to gain access to the capabilities of various protagonists throughout fiction. To gain access to new protagonists, the user must complete the integration of the previous one, this can be done by completing quests, the harder the quest, the greater the integration improvement. The user’s personality will not be affected by these memories, all memories regarding the system, and involving these protagonists, are protected by the system. The stronger the protagonist, the longer and harder the quests/the less integration progress rewarded. The user when selecting a new protagonist to choose from, has a list of five they can choose from. All powers from these protagonists can be grown further than the ones they had, but that is up to the user to train them.

Quests - This allows the user to get specific quests that give the user integration progress for the protagonists they are integrating. Most quests aren’t entirely difficult and are entirely dependent on the user. These quests may also reward items from the universe of the current protagonist the user is attempting to integrate.

[Those are the current usages of the system. Now that the user has completed the task of making their appearance, and learning the functions of the system, would the user like to gain their first protagonist? The first protagonist will be maxed out to 100% free of charge] [Yes/No]

*Sigh* “There’s no getting out of this is there?” I asked, before giving up and pressing Yes. Immediately the screen changed and began to glow before five names flashed onto the screen.

[Starter Protagonist]

Scott McCall - The True Alpha [Teen Wolf]

John Wick - The Baba Yaga [John Wick]

Katniss Everdeen - The Mockingjay [Hunger Games]

Dom Torreto - The Family Man [Fast and Furious]

Jack Reacher - Reacher [Reacher]

…There is literally only one choice in this list. Everyone there is not supernatural in the slightest, except for Scott McCall. He is also the strongest person on that list. Pressing on Scott McCall, I watched as the screen blinked and changed.

[Beginning integration. Due to this being the user's first protagonist, the user gets 100% integration progress. To properly integrate the first protagonist, the user shall be transmigrated now while the integration will happen during the transmigration. The system hopes the user enjoys their new life!]

‘Wait wha-’

Before I could continue my thought, I was torn away from whatever that place was.

[Slight Timeskip]

[Location: ??????] [Universe: TVD]

*Groan* A soft groan escaped my lips as I slowly opened my eyes and began to sit up. I look to be in some forest in what is probably Virginia, near Mystic Falls. Knowing my luck, it is probably pretty close to the Salvatore Boarding School. I did not want to go to that school but with a system like this one, there was a fairly high chance that the quests would all be based around that school.

I couldn’t continue my contemplation before memories flooded into my brain. Memories of the experiences of Scott McCall, and his life. It was a strange experience, almost as if I was taking part in the show myself, which…I guess I kinda did. Scott McCall and all of these protagonists are not just “templates” of sorts, but are now a part of me. I am both myself and whatever protagonist I integrate into myself, while the personalities and memories don’t affect my own, they are still technically mine.

A bit to get used to, but I guess I can’t be too angry. The power I could feel in my body was far beyond anything a human could have, and these senses were new too. Thanks to my new memories, I don’t have to worry about controlling them whatsoever, as it is basically second nature to me.

Flashing in front of me was a new system notification.

[New Protagonist]

Merlin - The Last Dragonlord [Merlin]

Rick Grimes - The Sheriff [The Walking Dead]

Bloom Peters - Host of the Dragon Flame [Fate: Winx Saga]

Clary Fairchild - The Shadowhunter [Shadowhunters | TV show]

Jake Sully - Toruk Makto [Avatar]

[Quest]

Enroll in the Salvatore Boarding School - Reward: 2/5 integration progress

Another easy choice, the only right choice in this situation is Merlin. And just as I expected, I am going to be put into canon. *Sigh* The only thing I can do is sigh at this, before pressing on Merlin. The second I did, I stumbled as pain flooded my being, gritting my teeth, I bit back a scream of pain.

It was akin to being burnt alive, but a bit less painful. I sat there silently in pain for over a minute before it finally ceased, and I could properly function again. The knowledge I received in this little burst was negligible, if I understand correctly, I was only 1/5 through the integration. The power was decent though, enough to use some basic magic, but not much else. Once I gain that ⅖ I should be at 3/5 which should be enough for a good amount of magic.

As far as I know, the magic that Merlin…or I suppose I use, does not entirely need to be spoken verbally. As most of it can be used without any form of incantation. Now that I have this power, and presumably his species, I guess it would be best to look at my status.

‘Status’

<-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><->

| Azazel Emrys |

| The Dragonlord | - | The True Alpha |

| Species - Werewolf (True Alpha), Warlock, Dragonlord |

| Protagonists - Merlin ⅕ |

| Completed Protagonists - Scott McCall |

| Current Universe - TVD [Legacies] |

<-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><->

‘Looks like my name is the same…too bad, I was hoping it would be changed to something less…weird’ My name was a rather annoying topic. I don’t know what my parents were thinking when naming me this, but I guess they didn’t care much if their abandoning me afterward was any indication. The last name was different though, I’m assuming that is from me now being Merlin.

Seeing as I had completed my partial integration of Merlin, I guess it is time to move on and find the school so I can get that other reward. It also looks like my system is rather overpowered if it’s giving such good rewards off the bat.

Now that I was done with all of that, I guess it would be for the best to find my way to that school…even if I really don’t want to go to it. Beginning my trek through the forest, I allowed my senses to guide me through the forest, as I made my way towards what should be a road. Stepping out of the trees, I found myself standing on the edge of the forest, next to a road.

Looking to my right, I could hear the sound of an approaching car. Looking towards the vehicle, I immediately noticed what the car was, and who was probably inside of it. ‘That is the jeep that Alaric drives isn’t it….’

Sighing at what was definitely not a coincidence, I resigned to my fate and watched as the jeep passed by, prepared to follow it, only for it to screech to a stop, before backing up.

[Moments before]

Within the Jeep, Alaric, Hope, Landon, and Rafael were sitting. Rafael was dead tired while the others were quietly conversing.

“How do you two know each other?” Alaric asked, wanting to know about Hope and Landon's past with one another. The two didn’t really have a past per se, but instead had danced once and that was about it.

“He used to serve me milkshakes at the Mystic Grill” Hope replied with a slight smile, remembering those memories.

“Peanut butter blast. Whipped cream on the bottom. We danced once.” Landon spoke, adding to what Hope had said.

“We tried” Hope said with a slight laugh at the memory. “And then you moved away”

“Then you made a door blow off of its hinges with your brain. Do you feel like explaining that?” Landon asked.

“Oh, we’ll explain everything. We’re almost there” Alaric replied.

“Where are we going?” Landon asked confusion clear in his tone.

“Somewhere sa-” “Stop!” Hope said, cutting off Alaric. Alaric hearing this slammed on the brakes, causing Rafael to jump awake.

“What? Why’d you make me stop?” Alaric asked Hope.

“Back up” “What?” “Just back up!” Hope and Alaric went back and forth, confusion in Alaric’s tone, before listening to Hope.

Backing up slightly, they all looked to their left, and low and behold, there stood a handsome teen standing at 6’4. He had unique colored eyes, a yellow almost gold color. With a scar under his left eye and on the corner of the left side of his face. The eyes are what caught Alaric’s attention, but more so Hope’s reaction to the obviously confused teen.

“I think we might have another new student” She softly said as she gazed into his eyes.

[Back to Azazel]

Seeing as they are all staring at me, I guess it would be best to go to them? I’m not really good at this sort of thing.

Walking forward, I noticed the look Hope was giving me, and the one Landon was giving me, before walking up to the window of Alaric “Are you, Headmaster Saltzman?”

Alaric blinked in surprise at my question, probably not expecting some random teen to ask such a thing before he turned to Hope who nodded. “I am, and who are you?”

“I’m Azazel. I was hoping to enroll in your school” I said, before closing my eyes and reopening them, showing off my glowing red True Alpha eyes. Hope breathed in deeply at the sight of my eyes, probably due to the natural dominance I have from being the True Alpha.

Alaric looked at me with a serious expression “And what are you?”

“Werewolf. I triggered my curse by killing a man who was attempting to rape someone I cared about” This…This was true, I did it in my past life.

Alaric looked at me with wide eyes before nodding “And what of your parents?”

“I don’t have any, never met them or any of that. Been homeless most my life” Which was partially true, I was homeless most of my previous life due to the actions of my parents, but someone came around and helped me…

Alaric breathed in deeply before speaking “Alright, get in” Hearing this I nodded, before opening the back door and watched as Landon moved over to the middle of the backseat, making room for me.

“So Azazel huh? Pretty unique name” Alaric said looking into the rearview mirror.

“The only thing my parents ever gave me. Not a fan of the name, but I guess it’s better than nothing” I replied with a shrug, before leaning back into the seat. I’m not one to interact with others.

I noticed the glances Hope was giving me but decided to ignore them. She was drop-dead gorgeous, but I am not interested in romance or any of that. It…its too soon.

“Why are your eyes a different color?” Hope asked.

“I guess I’m just a unique type of Werewolf, that’s all” I replied, not willing to reveal any of my secrets. I preferred to keep to myself, and revealing something like that would be a bad way of doing that.

We sat in silence for a while, before eventually we began to pull into the school. Slowly getting out of the jeep, I ignored the glances I was getting from the female populace, before standing next to Rafael and Landon. Lizzie, the blonde siphoner daughter of Alaric, was staring at me with hungry eyes. While Josie her twin, was silently glancing at me with a blush on her cheeks. Josie was a sweet girl and reminded me of…her. But I wasn’t interested in a relationship, regardless of who it was with.

Is that unhealthy? Probably, but I don’t care in the slightest.

Listening to their little twin introduction, I tuned out most of it before Alaric motioned for me to follow him. Following him, I listened to the explanation he was giving Landon at the school, all the while I was paying attention to the magic being used around me. Due to me effectively being Merlin, I could sense the magical energies of the people around me, and it was rather disappointing, to say the least. Hope was pretty impressive, and the twins were decent, but the rest? Pretty weak.

Alaric motioned for me to sit, wanting to privately converse with Landon first, nodding I sat down. While watching the magic around me with interest, while also ignoring the stares I was receiving. I guess this appearance was a bit overkill.

Looking as the door opened, I watched as they dragged out the unconscious Landon. The sight was pretty amusing, all things considered. Eventually, Alaric came back, this time he had Emma with him, as well as Hope.

“Alright then, sorry that took so long. Why don’t we get started?” Alaric said with a smile, motioning for me to follow, which I did.

Walking into the office, I sat down before they began to address me.

“Before we enroll you, we need you to answer some of our questions” Alaric said, while Emma looked at me with a soft expression on her face. Seems that she was better at her job than I thought.

“What is your full name?” Alaric asked, prepared to write it down.

“Azazel Emrys” I replied, knowing the reaction this would get from them. Seeing as their eyes widened, I guess I was right to assume they would react in a shocked manner.

“Well, I thought my name was unique. Alright next question, how old are you?” Alaric asked while jotting down my name on his little paper.

“17. I was born May 2nd” Yet again this was true, in both worlds, I am assuming. It was one of the little facts she would always bring up to me…

Hope’s eyes widened slightly before Emma spoke “Looks like you and Hope share a birthday” She said with a smile. Seems that she was hoping for the two of us to become friends of some sort.

“Birth parent's names?” Alaric asked.

“No idea, they ditched me with nothing but my name and a blanket” I replied, which was once again true. My past life was less than enjoyable until someone special came along and made it better…but she’s gone now.

“Any form of identification in the system?” Emma asked this question. ‘Not a bad question’ I thought, before speaking.

“I doubt it. I probably don’t even exist on any record” I replied, knowing full well that there was little chance that I actually had a background in this world.

They all frowned at this before Alaric reached into his desk and pulled out a paper “Normally this would take a lot longer, but due to your…special circumstances, once you sign this paper you will officially be enrolled into the Salvatore Boarding School”

Hearing this I nodded before grabbing the pen and signing without any hesitation whatsoever. There was no point in hesitating, especially not over something like this.

[Quest Complete]

Enroll in the Salvatore Boarding School - Reward: 2/5 integration progress

[Assimilation in progress]

The assimilation this time was much less painful than the first time. Probably due to it being my first time undergoing it, or maybe due to the way the system works. The knowledge that flooded my brain was much more helpful this time, and I could feel the magical power at the tips of my fingers. I noticed the looks I was getting from the other people in the room, before focusing back on Alaric, as the assimilation finished.

“Well then, why don’t we get you to your room?”

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

That’s the end of the chapter. Future chapters will usually be shorter than this. This idea sort of just came up and I thought it would be good. It’s also the first fanfic I have made that has an anime appearance for the main character.

This is a vault fanfiction so there is no guarantee that there will be more chapters for this. It is entirely dependent on whether or not I wan to continue it or not.

For the love interest, I planned on it being both Hope and Josie.