#douxel

Because there’s no way in Arcadia my brain will let this be anything but a multi-chapter slow burn fanfic) (also these will roughly follow the episodes of Wizards with possible missing content and possible added content. Aka I might make up an episode to make our boys happy.) @that-one-bi-wizard Is due for credit.

Douxie approached the House-mothership- of the Akiridion Royals, ringing their doorbell and stepping back.

A glitching Ricky blank opens the door. “You look lost kiddo.”

Douxie peers behind the blank, Krel appears behind him wrestling the other blank to the ground. “I’m just here for the Akiridion royals.”

“It’s just me!” Krel grunts as the blank powers down and Douxie steps inside. “Aren’t you the guy from the cafe?”

“Yes, but I’m not here because of that. The world is in danger, and I need you to come with me,” Douxie shot straight to the point.

“Kleb, again?” Douxie nods, causing the Akiridion to cross his four arms. “Fine. Give me a sekton.” Krel pulls out his serrator and shoots down the blank who had opened the door. “I’ll deal with your faulty programming later.”

Douxie watches as Krel’s blue form dissipates into his human disguise and motions for the extraterrestrial to follow him.

“So, why is Earth in danger this time?” Krel asks as he catches up to the wizard, eying his magical cuff with interest as Douxie messes with it.

Douxie pauses in front of the bookstore, looking up at Krel as Archie, AAARRRGGHH, Steve, and Toby round the corner.

“-the world’s ending. Again?” Toby complains.

“Not the best timing, I know. But we need your help all the same.”

“Douxie? Wait-hold up! I thought you worked at the cafe or were a model or something.”

Krel watched with great interest as Douxie finished messing with his cuff as Steve reacted. Douxie then chuckles and waves his hand in front of Arcadia’s guardians and a small blue wisp appears on his fingertips. “There’s a lot about me you don’t know.”

The other’s reactions to Douxie’s magic is background noise, however Krel doesn’t hold back his own gasp in wonder at the display.

The wizard places his hand to the door and more blue light, unfamiliar to the Akiridion, appears around his wrist. “The answers to all your questions lie within.” He opens the door to the ordinary bookshop and everyone steps inside, Krel last of everyone aside from Archie and Douxie.

All of the non-wizards gasp and exclaim in curiousuty and wonder as the ordinary appearing bookstore turns into a magical study by stepping inside. A swirl of objects levitated by green magic travel across the room, sorting and containing themselves without being touched.

“Seklos and Gaylen. What is making them move?” Krel reaches out and touches a book, trying to hold onto it with one hand before it is whisked away from his touch.

“Put that down.”

In his moment of distracted wonder, Krel alongside the others, hadn’t noticed Merlin step into view. Toby let’s go of the strange orb in the corner of Krel’s eye.

“Thank the ether you’re here. We haven’t a moment to waste.”

“Woah! Crusty, creepy dude!”

“I believe the term is ‘geezer’.” Krel attempts to correct Steve, still wondering how Aja likes him.

Their attention snaps back to Merlin. “I had hoped for more Hisirdoux.”

“I tried!” Douxie threw his hands out in defense. “I couldn’t find the Changelings or the other Aliens!”

“Akiridions.” Steve and Krel correct Douxie immediately.

Krel steps forwards. “My sister is unavailable, being a royal on Akiridion-5.” He crosses his arms in annoyance.

As Toby and Steve loudly announce themselves to Merlin, Douxie switches from watching them making fools of themselves, Krel waiting patiently to get some answers, and the objects Merlin appeared to be packing.

“I have no idea who you are,” Merlin brushes Steve away, Douxie and Krel flinch as the flying chest hits him. “But we’re desperate. Thankfully we have the brute.”

Eyes turn to AAARRRGGHH, who is currently taste testing Archie, and being met with the instant consequences. Douxie is familiar with the pain of being scratched by Archie.

“Wait, where’s Jimbo and Claire? I thought they were with you.” Toby questions, acknowledging his friends should be there.

“Answers forthcoming.” Merlin hastily answers. “Make preparations, we’ve a journey ahead of us. And don’t-“ he turns directly at Douxie.

“But master!”

“-but master me.” Merlin turns back to his things.

“But are you sure you want to entrust things to these-“ he gestures to the four, “these children?”

“Hey!” Krel interrupts. “I am no child.”

“Next to me? You are.” Douxie shoots a slight glare at Krel.

“Aren’t you in college?” Toby stops and questions.

“They clearly are not ready for this.” Douxie continues to protest.

It was Steve’s turn to add something. “Excuse me college dude, these /children/ fought a 50 foot extraterrestrial god, and won.”

Merlin sighs and Douxie follows him away from the display that Steve and Toby had caused.

“Master I am ready for this.” He pushes, looking for that small bit of validation.

He was shot down with one word. “Doubtful.”

“I’ve spent years studying, practicing-!”

“Silence!” Douxie quiets At Merlin’s command and Krel pauses in his exploration of the enchanted shop. Toby and Steve don’t seem to be capable of doing so until Merlin specifies all of them should be quiet. “Can you not hear that?”

Only after everyone shook their heads does a deep rumbling fill the void.

“Something wicked this way comes.” Merlin mutters.

Various noises fill the rooms and the team prepares for a battle, stances shift, weapons are revealed, and Merlin and Douxie grow tense as they watch the windows.

With an attack to the window, a crowd of Shadow Mephits comes to attention swarming the street.

“Shadow mephits? Hisirdoux did you lead them here?” An accusation Douxie immediately denies.

“I mean, I don’t think so?” He chuckles.

“Yes, we did.” Archie confirms.

“He found us,” Merlin mumbles. “The barrier won’t hold for long, we must make egress. Tobias! Take my things.” With a swoop of Merlin’s hand, his chest goes flying into Toby’s chest and carries him upwards.

The Shadow Mephits break through the barrier and Merlin calls for the others to get to safety, an order Douxie ignores and Krel hesitates before following.

“Hisirdoux, I said get to safety!” Merlin calls as he and Douxie go back to back, getting surrounded by the creatures.

“I’ve got this, I can help!” Douxie responds.

Krel can’t hear the rest of the conversation as he follows the others up to the roof where Shadow Mephits are being fought off by Toby and AAARRRGGHH. Krel joins them with his serrator, shooting as many as he can before Merlin and Douxie join them.

“Stay back.” The sounds of glass follows the warning and a glowing ship appears where the orb had shattered.

“Woah.”

“Great Seklos and Gaylen.”

“Ship just got real.”

“Get in!” Douxie calls and AAARRRGGHH starts throwing people inside, only jumping on himself once everyone else was aboard.

“What in Seklos’ name is going on?” Asks Krel as soon as Douxie blasts the Shadow Mephits off of AAARRRGGHH. Douxie, however is preoccupied watching the green knight below.

A volley of black and green shards hit the sides of the ship and causing everyone to duck or fall over. The ship zips away into the sky and the group takes a moment to breathe.

“I will only repeat myself once more, Cafe boy. What is going on?” Krel puts away his Serrator as the others are watching Camelot come into view.

“Everything will be explained soon young squire.” Merlin responds for Douxie.

“What the old man said, for now, we’re going home. Welcome to Camelot.” Douxie gazes at the floating towers he once called home.

“Cam-ee-lot?” Krel searches his memory of school for the word.

“Camelot, as in old people time Camelot?”

“With the king and the Excalibur sword?” Krel asks, remembering something from stories.

“Excuse me, how is this castle flying?” Steve yells as they get closer to the heart of Camelot.

“The heart of Camelot, fueled by time itself.” Merlin steps back from the side of the ship in order to steer them towards the top. “Sir Galahad, how are the skies?” He calls to a large man below them.

“All quiet, my old friend.” Comes the reply.

“Keep your eye on the horizon!” Merlin calls back as the ship circles down and starts speeding towards the entrance.

Archie tightens his hold on the ship. “Coming in a little hot, I’d say.”

The landing was rough but nobody was hurt, Steve cheers as he hops off of the ship and the group looks around as the walk deeper into Camelot.

“It’s been nine hundred years since I was last here, hasn’t changed a bit, except for the flying part.” Douxie says to Archie who perches on his shoulder.

Steve scoffs, “nine hundred years? Yeah right, you’re like nineteen.”

“Give or take a few centuries.” Archie lifts off a flies around the room.

Krel nods. “Appearances can be deceiving. Akiridions mature much slower than humans as well.”

“What? Aja isn’t as old as this guy, is she?”

Krel rolls his eyes, “Yes, Aja and I are 900 keltons old.” Steve looked about ready to faint. “Of course we aren’t that old! Time is a little different on Akiridion-5 but neither of us would be older than 50 earth years old, had we been born here. We live much longer than you humans so that makes us similar to earth’s teenagers.”

Steve still seemed ready to pass out.

“Toby!” Claire cries from across the room, running towards her friend.

“Blinky!”

AAARRRGGHH, Blinky, Claire, and Toby envelop each other in a group hug, ending when Claire insisted she needed to breathe.

“Krel!” The sorceress embraces the extraterrestrial being too. “Sorry, but I think the end of the world is going to postpone girl’s night.”

“Wait- girls night? Krel was invited but I wasn’t? He doesn’t even have a girlfriend!” Steve complains.

“Oh. Hi Steve.” Claire unenthusiastically waves at him. “Yes, Krel is invited because it’s fun talking about cute boys with him.”

“Uh, where’s Jim?” Toby interrupts, sure enough Jim wasn’t around to meet his friends. “And what happened to you guys?”

“About that...”

Blinky and Claire lead the group to a room where a semi-transparent crystal encases Jim, preserving his life by slowing the corruption infecting him.

Krel onlooks as Merlín explains what happened, and Claire voices her regrets. Never wishing that humans had cores like Akiridions more than he was in that moment.

“Who is this green knight? How do I get my hands on him?” Toby threatens.

“We should focus more on saving the Trollhunter rather than getting revenge,” Krel adds. “However, it would be good to know who we are up against.”

“I do not know. He said but one name that chilled me to the bone, Morgana.”

“Ooh I hate that witch. But we kicked her but to the shadow realm. Problem solved, everyone can go home.” Toby hastily spoke.

Douxie groans. “You saw what that knight did at the bookstore, even if he were looking for Morgana I don’t think it’s his sole purpose.”

“The knight did not seem aware of Morgana’s death, and he bore the emblem of Camelot.” Merlin ushered the group out into the open, leading them to another space. “Hurry, I fear the answers lie in the past.”

“Merlin, you are from Camelot, no? Shouldn’t you have an idea of who this could be?” Krel asked.

“A good point, but no. There were plenty of knights in Camelot but none that were green, or evil, or had any connection to Morgana that would follow them beyond the grave.” Douxie answered for his master, getting a strange look from Krel and Toby. “What? I was there too you know.”

“I still cannot believe you’re older than Nana.”

“Actually Hisirdoux, the Akiridion has a point. This dark menace is approaching, and all I know of it is that even I cannot face this alone.” Merlin opens the time map, “You are all now soldiers in a war started centuries ago, for the world of magic.”

The time map projects scenes from the past as Merlin continues. “Once the realms of magic and man clashed in endless bloodshed. King Arthur sought to wipe out magic that ravaged the lands in his war against Gunmar. I brought what few spellcasters I could under my protection to spare them from the sword.

“Including myself,” Douxie adds before the map showed a different figure. “Oh! And Morgana le Fay.”

“She was the finest student I ever taught.. until she tried to kill me.” Merlin sighed. “Thankfully, in my all seeing wisdom I created a secret weapon- the Trollhunter amulet. The war came to a standstill and I imprisoned Morgana at the battle of Killahed Bridge. This green knight that assailed us was clearly born of dark magicks but I have no memory of him, nor what connection he could have to Morgana. We know not what he is, not why he pursues us. Though, his presence is a dire omen of things to come.”

In the distance the bell starts ringing. A wave of magical ice hits the tower, knocking everyone down and freezing the exterior. Merlin gets up and grabs the time map as Claire calls out.

“What’s happening.”

“Have you never been under attack before? To the battlements!”

The wizards and trollhunters rush to defend and Krel takes a moment to reveal his Akiridion Royal self before joining them, leaving Steve to lag behind for a minute.

“What the-“

“Oh no. I think we have something of a problem.” Archie points out the obvious as the Arcane Order’s ship comes into view, carrying Bellroc and Skrael, as well as the green knight, inside.

“Oh fuzz buckets.”

“No, the Arcane Order, they found us. Everyone! Get to safety, now!” Merlin calls to the guardians as Skrael shoots a spell at the master wizard, who responds with a spell of his own before Skrael’s attack blasts his staff away from him.

“I got it!” Archie calls as he dives after it.

Krel watches as the dragon dives and misses the staff, leaping onto his hoverboard in an attempt to help, as well as avoid the various bombarding attacks from the Order.

“They’re boarding us!” Merlin calls from above. “We must break free, steer us away at my command.”

“I’m on it!” Douxie responds before another shot of ice hits the castle.

Krel focuses on finding the staff, covering as much as he can while Archie gets a view from even higher up. “Find the staff or we’re dead meat!” Is all Krel has to hear before he starts blasting at the ice bridges with his Serrator, buying Archie more time to find Merlin’s staff.

“Got it!”

Krel joins the fray as Galahad sacrifices himself to destroy the bridges between Skrael and Merlin. He joins Claire, Steve, and Hisirdoux with his Serrator in hand in case they needed to be protected.

“We don’t have enough power for the jump!”

“Trust in Merlin.”

“Why would I trust someone I just met?”

“He’s a master wizard Krel. He must have a plan.” Douxie’s response got an eye roll from the Akiridion. “Fine then, trust in me.”

A rush of magic allows the time jump to be operational, Krel helping his friends as they steer the castle into the rift.

Krel notices as the Green Knight comes into view and as he, Bellroc, and Skrael fire their energy forwards, he activated his shield in case it was needed.

The magic struck the castle, sending Douxie, Claire, and Jim down immediately. Steve and Krel held on for as long as they could above, Krel almost being successful in pulling himself up at the sacrifice of his shielding serrator, but both fell as well.

“Jim!” Krel landed on top of the stone Steve was clutching onto as Jim fell into the portal below.

“What do we do?!”

“Trust me!” Douxie looks at Krel, who nods, then takes Claire’s hand.

“Wait! No no no!”

Douxie drops down, following Jim, and brings Claire with him. Krel grabs Steve by the shirt and does the same. Archie dives to follow them, but reaches it just as it closes.

Krel is in Camelot with his sister, their bodyguards (Varvatos and Zadra), and a pair of servants (Ricky and Lucy) on a diplomatic mission. However, it has been heavily hinted that Coranda and Fialkov want Krel to at least consider becoming engaged to a member of Camelot’s nobility. They’ve been harping on him and Aja for a few keltons about eventually getting married for political reasons, but they’re putting more pressure on Krel than on Aja because they’re taking Krel’s general disinterest in romance as being more willing to place the benefit of Akiridion over love and a desire for happiness. Besides, humans of all people?

The court of Camelot is stifling, so Krel puts on a human disguise and heads for the town, hoping that a walk will clear his head. At the very least, he can avoid talking to people.

Or so he thinks, because he ends up getting roped into helping a desperate young wizard and his familiar escape a group of knights. The two of them end up hiding together, and Douxie explains that he had been Merlin’s apprentice. However, ever since Merlin died/disappeared Douxie and Archie have been on their guards, and for good reason: they were recently framed for what would be a fairly minor crime when done by a non-magical human. Krel reveals that he’s the visiting Akiridion prince, and offers Douxie diplomatic immunity. However, they would first need to find a way to keep Douxie safe until the Akiridion delegation can go home at the end of the parson.

Krel is a genius, and Douxie is a prodigy. That does not make them smart. Archie is internally face-pawing when the two of them hatch their plan: claim that Douxie is Krel’s fiance. They think it’s the perfect plan: Douxie (and Archie by extension) will have diplomatic immunity, and Krel won’t have to worry about anyone pressuring him into a relationship when he clearly is already engaged to a court wizard. After Douxie is safe in Akiridion, the two of them can break off the engagement.

Okay so apparently I’m just gonna add this little bit to every chapter as a little authors note. So chapter two is here, and as I stop caring about what canonically is happening in whatever scene in writing, the more the style will reflect my normal writing style. On that note, does anyone care how much I deviate from the canon? Like change potentially important plot details aside? Cause uh... yeah I don’t have the greatest impulse control and might mix this with another Au I had in mind. Either way, I hope you enjoy.

Krel, Douxie, Claire, and a crystallized Jim free fall through the rift. Thanks to Douxie’s anti-gravity spells, no lasting damage aside from a crack in Jim’s crystalline savior was dealt.

Krel landed behind Douxie and beside Palchuck, barely being missed by Jim falling from the trees above a moment later.

“What happened?” Steve groaned from under Jim.

“Well,” Douxie started, “I just conjured and anti-gravity spell to slow our fall and keep us from dying. You’re welcome.”

“Douxie? Where is the flying castle?”

“Oh fuzz buckets.”

Knights in metal armor surround them, shouting and communicated within their own ranks.

“This means, we’re lost in time.”

“Time?! I know the geezer said the answers were in the past but time travel shouldn’t be technologically possible for any species yet!”

“What manor of sorcery is this?” A mounted knight demands.

Douxie reaches back and grabs Krel’s hand, “Don’t use your serrator, just follow my lead.” He whispers to the Akiridion, the message being conveyed to the other two as well. However, Steve freaking out did not help their case.

Douxie and Krel look up to see the Knight had taken off his helmet. “Sir Lancelot, um...”

“He’s so handsome..” Steve said, earning a questioning look from Krel and Claire before a sword was pointed at them.

“Wait! Aren’t you Merlin’s errand boy?” Lancelot’s sword crept closer to Douxie’s neck. “I hope you can explain why you are associating with a troll.” Lancelot points to Krel with his blade.

“Hey!”

“Apprentice, first of all, and Krel is not a troll.”

“He’s like an angel man.” Steve daydreams, leaning a little too much on Jim’s encasement. The green material shatters, waking him from his life-preserving sleep. “Woah!”

Douxie jumps up and away from Jim, Krel instinctively reaching for his serrator before remembering Douxie’s words.

“The devil-?”

As Lancelot leans back towards Jim, a red and black armored troll arm breaches the air.

“What? How did I-?”

“Jim! Are you okay?”

“Troll! Troll! To arms!”

Jim is met with two very different reactions, a hug from his girlfriend, and multiple swords being pointed at him.

Douxie starts to jump to protect Jim, a blue hand grabs the edge of his shirt too late to stop him. Douxie proceeds to try and convince Lancelot that Jim is a good troll, which is much harder to convince him of than Krel not being a troll at all.

“You will hang before the king for your insolence.”

====

Jim communes with Claire, Douxie, and his very reluctant cage-mate Krel to try and learn what’s going on before the group is brought before the king. Ending with a promise from Douxie that he’d explain everything once everyone was safe.

After a quick reminder to let Douxie handle this, introductions and explanations are due. Thankfully, Steve was more than happy to shut up once Krel reminded him there was no service in the dark ages and that if he said something wrong he wouldn’t be able to say bye to Aja.

“This is Claire of house Nuñez, and Steve of Palchuckia, a village idiot and uh knight in training.” Douxie starts, pointing to each person as he spoke, “and believe it or not, this is Prince Krel from house Tarron of Cantalupia.” Douxie cautiously opened the cage, bringing Krel out and implying Jim should stay there.

“I have not heard of Cantalupia.” Arthur watched every movement Krel made, from every step he took before standing behind Douxie to every subtle nerve driven shift in his weight.

“That’s to be expected. Before now-“ Douxie quickly gets cut off.

“I’ll have this supposed prince explain it to me.” Arthur snapped. “Explain why you are here, Prince Krel of Cantalupia.”

“Alright, well as the errand boy here explained, I am not a troll. I was cursed to appear like this and have been looking for a wizard to remove it. I would like to formerly request permission to stay here alongside my companions.” Krel gestured to Claire, and Steve, who were giving the Akiridion strange wide-eyed glances.

Arthur pointed Excalibur at the sunny patch in the middle of the floor. “Prove you are not a troll first. Step into the sunlight.”

Krel steps forwards, being followed by a pair of not-so-subtle knights every step until he stands in full daylight in front of the king. “I am no troll, or is this not enough to prove to you my story?”

Arthur’s tensions fade, his grip no longer iron on the hilt of Excalibur. “Alright.”

“Now that that is out of the way, I believe this beast deserves an explanation too, errand boy.” Lancelot pulled Jim out of the cage, forcing him to kneel in the shadows where everyone could see him. “He is most definitely not a cursed prince as your friend here seems to be.”

Douxie lets out a hissing breath, clearly not able to explain the troll. Thankfully, Arthur’s immediate rage was not aimed at anyone proven to not be a troll.

“A troll! I thought I made it very clear your kind is not welcome here when I banished you.”

“Don’t you mean betrayed?” Morgana steps out of the shadows, pushing her way into Arthur’s focus. “You gave the woods to enchanted creatures like these, would you break that vow?”

“These beasts care not of my vow. Especially not spies of Gunmar.”

“Stop calling me a beast!” Jim lunged forwards, held back by Lancelot and another knight. “Wait, Gunmar?”

“Uh, your highness,” Douxie coughs, “it’s good to see you again.”

“And who are you?”

“Hisirdoux, Merlin’s apprentice. I assure to you, he,” he gestures to Jim, “is no threat.”

“That is my judgement to make boy.” Arthur thunders.

Morgana lights up her hand, a ball of golden magic wandering as she speaks. “Trolls are born of magic, and you are of blood. How is their nature a crime?”

Krel had seen something like this before, the students standing up for him and Aja when Colonel Kubritz was looking for them in school.

“When they ravage our lands and take our loved ones from us? I made these laws to keep this fragile land together, and they will be abided.” Arthur shouted. “Leave the wood, the penalty is death. Bring this monster to the light.”

As Jim was carried to the light, protesting and claiming he wasn’t a troll, the entire group went to save him. Douxie attempting to reason with Arthur, Krel using his four arms to try and avoid being grabbed as well and prevent Jim from joining him under the sun, Steve starting to rush forwards but being cut off, and Claire protesting as she was grabbed just as quickly.

Everything happened too fast to understand. The shadows crept out of the corners and flooded where the light should be. In the corner of Krel’s eyes, Claire seemed to have blackened sclera until the light was gone, and the future Trollhunter was safe. Arthur, of course, blamed Morgana, who seemed to be the only person who wasn’t from the 21st century to realize it wasn’t her who had done this. Claire defended her boyfriend, claiming his innocence even if he was a troll.

“Evil is not inherited, it does not corrupt one species more than another. Claire is right to believe a troll, despite how evil you believe them, can be good.” The Extraterrestrial spoke.

“That means nothing Prince. This is my kingdom and I shall not fail it. These beasts are still dangerous, we are still at war."

“If you give into your fear, that is failing.”

“The girl and the prince speak truth. Please listen to them brother.”

Krel gives Douxie a questioning look, not seeing the family resemblance. Douxie shrugs, nodding but understanding where Krel was coming from.

“Fine.” Arthur decided. “I will show the troll mercy. He will live... in the dungeon.”

“Jim!” Claire attempts to follow as he is taken to the dungeon, being stopped and comforted by Douxie.

“As for you, Hisirdoux, shouldn’t you be with Merlin?”

“Well, yes, but you see...” Douxie raked his mind for something to say “I was-“

“I apologize, your highness, but Hisirdoux was busy attempting to help me. I have communicated with him and he intends to help me get back into my original body. If it is impossible, I’ll understand, however. While we are here, if I appear human or not, I do believe my friends and I can help with this war that Hisirdoux has mentioned before.” Krel flares at Douxie as this war had not been mentioned before, who in response glares back as the Akiridion had just interrupted him. “In my country, I am known for my intellect, and I do not wish to take from someone without returning something.”

“So in exchange for me helping him and his curse, he, Claire, and Steve, will help us in the war.” Douxie summarized, not entirely sure if Krel is capable of getting his point through with his sudden usage of fancier tongue.

“Alright. Sir Steve will work with the knights, Prince Krel I believe should work with you, Hisirdoux, and as for mistress Claire?”

“I will take her. I’ve been in need of a new handmaiden.” Krel sees the pleas of help and burning anger in Claire’s eyes as Morgana steps up for her.

“Alright. Now go, I have a kingdom to protect.” Arthur ushered them away.

“Okay Krel what was that?” Steve hissed before the separated, the threat of not seeing Aja again still holding its effect. “Last I checked, you didn’t act like a prince much.”

“Theater practice at school.” Claire starts. “Krel has gotten very good at improv.”

“You are in the play?” Steve was astonished.

“Yes, while you have been too busy complaining about Eli and Aja going to Akiridion-5, I was increasing my knowledge on human culture, of the present and the past, or would it be the future and the present.”

“It doesn’t matter. Krel, you did amazing. I was here during this time and I still wasn’t as fast as you to know what to say!”

“Did you just say you were-are here?” Krel asked.

“Oh fuzz buckets.”

The group separates, although partially unwillingly. Steve goes with Sir Lancelot, Claire with Lady Morgana, and Krel with a very nervous Douxie.

My mind stops functioning halfway though the last few paragraphs. So lady of the lake episode, there were many ways this could have played out that would have been much better probably. (Douxie getting Excalibur alongside them, one of my plans had him learn magic alongside Claire and succeed. Another had him encounter Nari, won’t explain more) so if you don’t enjoy the way this episode went and you want to read one of the other possible scenarios I might write them. Still, hope you enjoy.

Hisirdoux had gotten Krel before getting the others, Krel was feeling somewhat better after what Hisirdoux believed was a night of rest. The prince had honestly been awake all night, something had been bugging him. He had been adding notes to the alchemy book until sunrise, trying not to focus on the strange feeling in his chest.

The group saw no difference in him, fatigue didn’t show, he didn’t bring it up, in fact he didn’t really talk to anyone but Hisirdoux. Douxie found this quite confusing while overhearing their whispers because Krel insisted on referring to both of them as Douxie.

Krel had to be asked personally to join them. Douxie almost asked Archie to steal the alchemy book that Krel was trying to use as an excuse to stay behind.

“Listen,” Krel stooped his grumbling, following behind Douxie on their way through the castle. “I... remember bits of what happened last night, with my past self and you. You’re not alone, and-“ Douxie fades off as Steve’s ramblings of monster trophies gets clearer.

The way there, and after setting up a campfire and such, Krel was mostly reading and marking down things still. Not even Merlin would be able to pry his focus away from it at this point.

“Do you really think Merlin’s plan will work?” Claire and Douxie were talking, on the opposite side of the small ship.

Douxie fumbled a bit with the time map. “We’ve run out of options, and my choices haven’t exactly been working recently.” Krel tensed nearby. “We cannot make any more mistakes. We’ll just have to trust Merlin this time.”

Claire sighs, “I just hope Jim made it out okay.”

Douxie responds with something that makes Steve laugh as they get closer to the cave entrance, and Krel was ready to hit himself. Douxie had apologized, Hisirdoux had helped him, and he was still blaming Douxie for bringing them to the past. Not because Douxie fought with him, not because Hisirdoux had originally bothered him, but because he was stuck in an unfamiliar place and time, and he blamed Douxie despite it not being the apprentice’s fault.

They had entered, while Merlin was speaking to Claire about shadow magic, Krel and Archie had very similar reactions to hearing what Steve’s swimsuit was.

“Blegh. Why does Aja like you?” Keel muttered, the first words he had spoken out loud during the trip itself.

Steve puffed or his chest. “I’m her blond oaf in shining armor. What’s not to like?”

“I could name a few.” Claire adds, rolling her eyes, but smiling.

“We’ve arrived.” Merlin announced.

Claire gasped in wonder. “The lady of the lake is real? I thought she was just a myth!”

“Oh, no. The lady of te lake is very much real.” Douxie pauses. “Though, only Merlin’s allowed to meet with her. Well... ‘Till now.”

“Because her power is beyond your comprehension.” Archie jumped up and flew around the cave. “It is from her waters I originally helped Arthur retrieve Excalibur.”

The group steps up to see a set of faced doors. Krel hangs back a little as Merlin takes the sword, and announces that he is to go inside alone. Krel zones out, some pressure fills the air. Similar to tension, but more physical.

“I won’t just sit here without making things right!” Douxie knocks Krel out of his daze as Merlin opens the doors.

A blue hand lightly grabs the wizard’s shoulder. “Douxie.” Their eyes meet without anger or uncomfortable tension for the first time in a while. “Maybe this isn’t your place to fix things. Merlin knows what he’s doing, I’m sure it will be fine.”

Douxie pauses, and turns back to the doors well after they’ve closed. “Merlin’s magic is uncrackable, we won’t be able to get in now.” His tone isn’t accusing, not blaming Krel for holding him back, but just informing the others.

“Well,” Archie flies over and perched on Douxie’s other shoulder as Krel’s hand drops. “At least we won’t have to see Steve’s birthday suit.”

Douxie smiles and pets his familiar before the words “Too late” leave Steve’s lips. Archie extends a wing in front of Douxie’s eyes and covers his own. Krel decides not to turn around for a while, so he’s left facing Douxie, who eventually does look out from under Archie’s wing.

“Does this mean you don’t hate me?” Douxie still wasn’t looking up, probably due to the fact they didn’t know Steve was no longer in his birthday suit, but also because he didn’t want to meet Krel’s eyes again.

“I-“ Krel inhales. “I should be the one to apologize. I was mad at you for something that you didn’t cause.”

“Oh.” Douxie glances up, but obviously doesn’t like what he sees behind Krel, which is Claire covering her eyes and quietly threatening Steve for good reason. “So.. we’re good now?” He extends a hand, which is met with a handshake.

“Yes.”

They stand in silence for another few seconds before moving. Claire was now glaring at Steve, but his visual was no longer mentally scarring.

They set up a camp, starting a fire with help from Archie and wondering how long it would take for Merlin to get Excalibur fixed.

Krel found it amusing that Steve was attempting to talk the doors open. Merlin had used magic, the only one there with a chance of opening the doors was Douxie. The doors commentary ruined the entertainment by causing Steve to open up about his stress.

“Well he needs a therapist.” Krel commented.

Douxie and Claire start talking about shadow magic, it’s danger, and how they could use it to get inside. Krel was reading over his notes, and using the blank pages to theorize about that strange presence or pressure.

He clicks back into the conversations as Douxie convinces Claire to try, not hiding the laughter the comment on not being a good student brought.

He watched Douxie walk Claire through the steps, the portal appearing, Claire disappearing, and through it all that strange pressure grew.

They got their way in, after Claire, Steve and Archie had entered, Douxie looked back at Krel to bring him too. “Krel? C’mon, you alright?” Of course, te akiridion had no physically symptoms of that massive pressure causing his core itself to feel as if it was a black hole.

“A headache,” he lied, “maybe I should stay out here and guard the entrance.”

“Alright.” Douxie turns back to the portal, closing. “Be safe. And don’t run off without us!”

“I can’t even drive you goober! Go save the past.” Krel faked a smile as Douxie disappeared.

The pressure lifted the moment the portal closed, sucked into the void alongside his friends. The sand met him as gravity seemed to take its toll, the fire crackled quietly as he stares at the cave ceiling, relieved of the strange presence. His core no longer felt in danger, but that meant the others might be.

——

The others were dealing with the “lady” of the lake fairly well. Douxie had retrieved Excalibur, freed the “Lady”, and headed out, to find a very frustrated Krel.

“So much for the headache, your highness.” Douxie grinned as he matched pace with the akiridion. “Though you wouldn’t have wanted to join us anyway. The lady of the lake is this huge tentacle sea monster.”

Keel chuckled, “I would not call that a lady on this planet. Maybe on one I have not visited, but not here.”

“Yeah, how many planets have you visited?” They stood next to each other, talking while in their own little world. Throughout the trip ignoring Claire, practicing making portals, and Steve’s wonderstruck protectiveness over his “monster trophy”.

Archie took perch on the edge of the boat instead of Douxie’s shoulder, he liked seeing his wizard happy, and did not want Krel showing interest in dragons just yet.

Writer’s block and low-energy moods suck. Also yes, I will not be rewriting every scene in wizards. I do not have the ability to function for any length of time close to what would be needed to do so. Scenes that A) don’t change, B) don’t include Douxie or Krel, or C) are just difficult for me to write, will not be rewritten but will possibly be mentioned.

“Well that went better than expected.”

The door slammed shut behind Douxie, Krel was already pacing.

“I don’t think it went as well as you think. And you have a lot to explain to me. I’m sure Claire and Steve... well I’m sure Claire does not like what’s happening. I’m not entirely filled in on the story, but it was very clear she does not like this Morgana woman. I cannot transform back to human for any longer than eight horvaths and that King Arthur almost killed the Trollhunter.”

“Okay, first of all, Arthur didn’t kill Jim, he’s just imprisoned for now. And second, Morgana isn’t a threat to Claire, she’s centuries away from trying to kill any of us.” Douxie interjects.

“Well that might change. If I’ve learned anything from Eli and Steve’s nerdy ‘sci-fi’ movies, aside from the fact humans think all aliens are war species, it’s that time will change if you change what happens in the past. Which, we happen to be in right now. You and your past self cannot meet, and we must make sure that time doesn’t change too much.” Krel was standing tall and much too confident for someone who wasn’t alive during this era.

“Krel.” Douxie motioned with his hands to calm down. “I agree, well aside from the past me and me meeting. It’s entirely fiction that meeting yourself will blow up the universe, probably. What I’m saying is yes you’re right, but we need to focus on one thing at a time. First, getting the time map and finding a way home. One of which, I need to do, preferably alone.”

Krel sighed, sitting down for the first since the blanks had started malfunctioning that afternoon. “Douxie, Hisirdoux, wizard. Whatever I’m supposed to call you in this time. I still want an explanation. I come from a very technologically advanced world, now I’m in the past of an already primitive world but people now seem capable of things impossible to Akiridions. I don’t even know the whole story of the Trollhunters. I know you have to do what you have to, but promise to explain what is happening to me. I don’t like not understanding things, but magic and sorcery is not something I can pick apart and study.”

Douxie was caught off guard, probably due to the lack of previous interactions between them. Krel had always been the awkward guy at the cafe trying new foods and drinks every week, and of course the guardian of Arcadia. But they hadn’t interacted on eye level with each other. “I promise. But I need to get the time map first, which means taking my past self’s place.”

Krel was left unattended in their room for too long. Without technology, music, or other people around, he grew bored. At some point he would even rather Steve be there than be alone. So he calculated a risk, which is much more difficult to do when it involves the possibility of destroying the future, and started wandering the castle.

Most knights around the castle seemed to have been informed of what he was, if one or two of them seemed suspicious or tried to attack him, another would shake their head and pull them back. However, they still seemed cautious. Servants and knights never getting too close unless they were moving to attack him, nobody talking out loud to or about him, and that subtlety of unwavering stares and tightened grips on the hilts of swords.

Hallways and corridors mixed, faces blurred until every person who didn’t trust him might as well have been everyone else. Until the throne room. Arthur’s throne was vacant, actually the whole room was. Krel hadn’t gotten a good look earlier, but now he took in as many details as he could.

“Homesick?” Arthur stood in a doorway behind Krel, the door softly bumped into the wall as Krel turned around.

“Eh, yeah, I guess so.” Krel watched as Arthur walked towards his throne, Excalibur shining from his back. “It’s been a while since I’ve been to Ak- Cantalupia. It’s very different here.” Krel gestured to around him.

Arthur grunted in acknowledgement. “I’d assume so.”

A knight, once standing in the doorway from which Arthur had come, came over and whispered something to Arthur. A shifting set of eyes didn’t hide their suspicions as the knight said something that led to Arthur excusing himself.

“And Prince, you have free reign of Camelot, only because I know magic can tear families apart. I hope you can return to your kingdom soon.”Krel nods, and watches as Arthur leaves, and he is left alone again.

Krel walked out, once again wandering the halls, this time ignoring the people around him, and exploring where he hadn’t earlier.

——

Krel hadn’t shown up before the group learned of Jim’s planned execution at dawn. They hadn’t even met up with him prior to executing their plan. He met them inside, after the trolls had escaped, with two sets of crossed arms.

“Krel! Where have you been?” Claire was somewhat angry, if Krel had been there maybe they could have gotten Jim and the trolls out faster.

“Being left out of a prison break apparently.” Krel flared at Claire, knowing she had a big part in saving her boyfriend.

“And what are you wearing?” Krel had an outfit change, still four armed and blue, but he was wearing mildly altered alchemist attire. Douxie would be lying if he said he wasn’t staring.

“You ask me that and not Claire who is actually wearing a dress, I do not understand that.”

“Okay Claire has worn dresses before, and she’s beautiful. Not as beautiful as Aja... of course, but beautiful.” Steve defended, his voice muffled due to him laying face down.

“Claire and Steve... augh that’s not important, you disappeared for a day and came back wearing alchemist’s clothes. You could have done something!”

“Hey you’re the one who interacted with their past self! Did you even get the time map?”

“No, and you would have known that if you were hear earlier!”

“Guys!” Claire shouted, frustrated and upset that her friends were fighting.

“On the bright side,” Archie interrupted, “Arthur believes you to be too incompetent to be behind this.”

“Not exactly...” all eyes, except Steve, go back to Krel. “During the attack a few knights were looking for me. The only reason they accepted I wasn’t behind this is because I was with the alchemists.”

“Arthur suspects you?” Douxie groans. “This is all just great.” The wizard apprentice heads towards the door.

“And where are you going?”

“To get the bloody time map!”

The door slams behind him.

Too much was happening too quickly, the rest of the guardians, including Merlin and Nari, were joining the time travelers on the ship, Jim was dying, and Douxie was still holding tight to his promise of getting everyone home safely.

The warping magic in Krel’s core didn’t help.

As he predicted, the magic of time travel did not infect him, however the magic of Morgana seared his body without doing physical damage. Nari and Douxie seemed to notice almost immediately.

“Krel?” Douxie kept steering on an expert level, but his visible concern distracted Krel for a moment before a violent surge of powerful magic bounces throughout his body.

A burst of golden energy jerks out of his body, not doing any damage but still alerting everyone on the ship to what was happening. The light once again fades, leaving his normal blue coloring, and a dim gold line appears on his forearm, hints of green eminent right next to it.

“Maybe you did get some time travel in you.” Douxie commented as Krel examined the new line.

“Wait what?” Douxie quickly moves to respond to Toby as Camelot crashes into the school, and he instead moves to land beside it.

They pile out, ready to protect both Jim and Nari from the Arcane order, or the green knight.

“They are under our protection!”

“If you want them you’ll have to go through us!”

Krel watched in awe as the other two spellcasters immediately stepped up to protect, following quietly after them just as Merlin set up a barrier. “Do your worst.”

The fight started, the green knight making an appearance as well as a declaration of taking the Trollhunter and Nari. Even with Douxie and Claire’s magic, he seemed unwavering in his advances. Krel’s focus wasn’t steady, he hadn’t mastered anything or even practiced as much as he could. His attempts with shadow trapping the knight were just as ineffective as Claire’s.

When the knight almost brought down his sword on Douxie, magic flowed uncontrollably through the air. Gold light striking the knight as Claire pulled Douxie away.

Douxie watched golden lines run through Krel’s body, continuous strikes on the Knight seemed harmless, but notably distracting. “Of course, it’s Morgana’s magic.”

Merlin didn’t seem satisfied, claiming the outmatched battle forfeit on their side.

Hearing that made Douxie admit it wasn’t worth the try. It took his touch to literally shake Krel out of the golden trance of rage. “We can’t defeat him.”

Krel knew Claire was panicked, Douxie knew it too. When Jim, in his now fully trollish glory, rose to fight, they were ready to run. They hid on the streets, between buildings and anywhere else that was out of the Order’s sight.

“There’s nothing we could do, I promise we’ll go back for him.” Douxie held Claire’s shoulders, forcing her to look him in the eyes and believe him.

“We can’t, we must hide Nari. There’s more at stake than you know.”

“One thing at a time, please!” Krel interrupted any further argument. “I’m sorry Claire, but we can’t lose anyone else to the arcane order.”

“Jim is not dead!”

“We don’t-“

Douxie knew what Krel was about to say and stopped it. “What he means is, Jim isn’t in contact with us. We can’t work with him at this moment and need everyone’s help to stop this. Keeping Nari out of their hands is probably our most urgent task right now.” Claire seemed satisfied for now with that answer.

“Alright, then we regroup somewhere safe and make plans from there.” Krel seemed somewhat hesitant to move forwards despite his words, paying more attention to the asphalt beneath them than the people around him.

“Where? The order has been around for millennia, they know all my places of power.”

“I know a place of power, where the order won’t find us.” Douxie looked around with a glint in his eye, motioning for the others to follow him.

——

The interrupt Zoe helping a customer, with Douxie’s personal connection to her, well mostly the urgency in Toby’s voice, it wasn’t difficult to be let into the depths of Hex Tech and left alone with one simple instruction. “Don’t break anything.”

Nari and Merlin’s explanation left the group worried, finally knowing what they’re up against didn’t do much to raise their spirits. Jim’s being taken was questioned, and eventually arguments did fall between Claire and Merlin.

Douxie was left to be the voice of reason with Krel finally having access to technology again, and making decent use of it.

Once Douxie got his inspiration, and explained the plan to everyone, two groups were formed. One group would make a deal with the Arcane order, Douxie, Merlin, Steve, and Claire were the ones in this group. Everyone else was to stay behind and protect Nari.

Krel had worries related to this set up. The Arcane order sounded to him similar to the Zeron Brotherhood, but many times stronger. Perhaps joined they would be on the level of a god, just like Morando with Gaylen’s core.

He wouldn’t let Douxie leave just yet, so before the group took off he pulled the wizard aside.

“Promise you’ll come back.”

“What? Of course I will Krel.” Douxie could feel someone’s eyes on them. “This plan will work, we’ll get him back and go from there.”

“Just promise, please.” Krel seemed unable to cry, his voice was cracking “I just need to know that I won’t lose you.”

“I promise.” Douxie knew that if anything went wrong, he might not keep that promise.

Douxie reaches towards Krel’s face, making Krel face him just like he had Claire earlier. “I’ll come back, and I need you to promise me something too. Stay here, stay safe, I better not come back to find you’re not here to come back to.”

Krel and Douxie were both half-forcing smiles, worry and emotions corrupting their focus for a few moments longer before Claire called Douxie back.

“I love you, so don’t die on me, Hisirdoux Casperan.” Krel spoke just as Douxie started leaving, causing a pause in his step.

Douxie turns back, and with a small genuine smile, replied. “I love you too, so don’t die on me, Prince Krel Tarron.” He mocks a small bow, then leaves. His spirits were raised, somewhat at least.