Another reason is that it allows for different interpretations of the magic in the Merlin universe. When Merlin is in a life - or - death situation due to his magic or something related to it, the fanfiction can introduce new concepts about how magic works, what its limits are, and how it can be both a curse and a blessing. This exploration of magic is very appealing to fans of the show.
One popular 'Merlin almost dies' fanfiction might be 'The Brink of Eternity'. In this fic, Merlin is poisoned during a battle and his friends race against time to save him. It's full of intense moments and shows the deep bond between the characters.
In this kind of fanfiction, there could be various scenarios. Maybe Tails gets into a fight with a really powerful enemy, like a new super - villain. The villain might have some sort of weapon or power that nearly defeats Tails. For example, a weapon that can disrupt his flight or his mechanical abilities.
Fanfictions about Naruto being neglected and nearly dying can be quite intense. Some might depict him being pushed to the brink by the lack of support from the village. For example, he could be deprived of proper training or basic necessities. However, these situations usually lead to Naruto's character growth in a different way than in the original series. He might form unexpected alliances with outcasts or find new powers within himself.
In some fanfictions, Hermione could be in a situation where she's exploring a dangerous, ancient magical ruin. There could be a series of traps, and she almost dies when she accidentally triggers a deadly one. Her intelligence and quick thinking, along with the help of her friends, might be the only things that save her in the end.
Definitely Naruto. He's always been there for Sakura, no matter what. He would use his Nine - Tails chakra if he had to in order to save her. Sakura's female friends like Ino could also play a role in her rescue. Ino is a skilled ninja in her own right and has a deep friendship with Sakura. And don't forget Tsunade. As the Fifth Hokage and Sakura's mentor in the medical field, she would do everything she could to save Sakura's life.
One scenario could be that he is poisoned by a mysterious potion slipped into his food in the Great Hall. Maybe a Death Eater sympathizer among the students manages to do this.
One common plot could be a battle where Sakura is severely outnumbered. For example, she might be facing a horde of powerful enemies alone while her comrades are occupied elsewhere. Another plot could involve a dangerous experiment gone wrong. Maybe she was trying to develop a new medical jutsu but something in the process backfired and put her life in jeopardy. Also, it could be a situation where she sacrifices herself to protect someone she loves, like Naruto or Sasuke, and almost dies in the process.
A really interesting fanfic has Percy being struck by a cursed weapon in a fight. The curse starts to consume him from within. Annabeth is desperate. She travels to different realms in search of a way to break the curse. Along the journey, she discovers hidden powers within herself. Meanwhile, Percy is in and out of consciousness, and their bond is put to the ultimate test as she tries everything she can to save him.
In many 'Naruto Almost Dies' fanfictions, one plot twist could be that an unexpected ally turns out to be the one endangering Naruto. For example, a character who was thought to be on Naruto's side has been secretly working for an enemy organization all along. Another plot twist might be that Naruto's own powers backfire on him. His Nine - Tails chakra, which is usually his strength, could suddenly become uncontrollable and start to harm him instead of protecting him. And sometimes, a character from Naruto's past that was forgotten or thought to be dead resurfaces and is the cause of his near - death situation.