T3ddyBearL0ve-Thank you so, so much! I'm so happy you like how I'm writing this fic so far. I was so freaking upset they didn't show Jim and Draal at ALL together. I think the main reason was the lack of time, which honestly sucks. This is why I wish the show had more episodes! Hehe, I love Jim doing troll stuff like whining and purring! It just sounds so cute. Even after all the Jlaire scenes I wrote, people are STILL shipping the other characters with them?! AHHHH-jk, jk, it's all good lol. I think it's funny. Hm, you'll just have to see about the battle in this chapter! Interesting stuff sure does happen... Thank you for the long review! It was so much fun to read!
merendinoemiliano-Thank you! Man, everything I write for this fic is similar to Lord of the Rings lol.
Blue wolf 16-Thank you! I'm glad you liked those interactions. As for the Eclipse armor, that's neat idea! It's not touched on in my fic, but I like thinking of it that way. Ah, that's so cool you actually imagined the dream scene like it would be on a show! I am also super excited for the movie, it looks gorgeous. Thank you again, and I hope you like this chapter too!
"FOR THE DOOM OF GUNMAR, ECLIPSE IS MINE TO COMMAND!"
Crimson magic flared from Jim's amulet and surrounded him. He leaped into the air, the red and black armor forming around him. With a roar, he summoned Eclipse and slashed the head off a charging Gumm-Gumm. The troll's headless body turned to stone and crumbled apart. He landed on its remnants with a snort of pride.
He sprinted off the corpse and into the fray of the battle. Eclipse became a blur as Jim hacked Gumm-Gumms left and right. One Gumm-Gumm swiped at him with a spear. He ducked and sliced Eclipse across its chest, turning it to stone. He then snatched its spear and hurled it at another troll. It collapsed to the ground.
Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around him and lifted him into the air. He yelped and wiggled around desperately, but the Gumm-Gumm only squeezed him tighter. Jim's desperation turned to anger, and he snarled. He whipped his head back, smashing his horns into the troll's face. The Gumm-Gumm dropped him, groaning in pain. He kicked its legs, bringing it to its knees. He punched it in the face, his fist going clean through its skull and out the other side.
He heard a strangled yell nearby and whipped his head around. Two knights were surrounded by several Gumm-Gumms. One swung his sword frantically, only for it to get stuck in the troll's arm. The knight backed away, the other clinging onto him. The Gumm-Gumms raised their weapons, ready to strike-
Jim body slammed into a Gumm-Gumm, making it stumble forward. He slashed it across the back. As it fell to the ground, he summoned his glaives and flung them at the other two trolls. They cut through the trolls before whizzing back to his hand. He connected the glaives and stabbed it into the last Gumm-Gumm's heart. He panted, turning to the two knights.
"What are you guys doing? Why did you just stand there-" The knights flinched, and Jim stopped. He peered more closely at them, and his eyes widened. "What the-you're just kids!"
The two boys couldn't have been older than ten. The armor hung loosely on their skinny frames, and their swords dragged on the ground. They stared up at him with frightened blue eyes.
Jim's heart ached at the sight. The poor kids looked terrified. What were they doing on a battlefield? Then he remembered that was the way it was done back then…how awful.
He took a step forward, and the kids shuffled back, huddling together. Right…they probably thought he was a bad troll too. He got to his knees and spoke softly. "Hey," he said. "It's okay. I'm not with those guys, see?" He pointed to the fallen Gumm-Gumms. "I'm not gonna hurt you."
The kids looked at each other uncertainly. The smaller one of the two stretched his hand out. Cautiously, he patted his scruff. Jim smiled and leaned into the touch, bumping the kid's hand affectionately with his horns. The boy giggled with delight.
Now confident that he had gained their trust, Jim got to his feet. "Okay, here's what you need to do," he said. He pointed to the edge of the battlefield where the tree line was. "You two hide in the forest until the battle's over, okay? It's not safe for you to be out here."
The kids nodded and sprinted away, holding hands tightly. The smaller boy who had petted him turned around and waved at him. Then they ran past the tree line and were gone.
For a moment, Jim forgot about the battle. Ever since he had turned into a troll, he worried about how normal people would see him. Would his old classmates from Arcadia treat him like some kind of monster? He didn't know, and the thought terrified him. But if two little kids were able to trust…that gave him hope for the future.
"That," a voice gushed, "was so cute."
Jim yelped and whipped around to face Claire. She gazed at him with her big brown eyes, her hands over heart.
"Jim," she squealed, her eyes sparkling. blasting away a Gumm-Gumm without batting an eye, "you have to do that with our future kids. You were like a cat! Oh my gosh, I think my heart's going to melt-"
"Oh, shut up." Jim could feel his face flush deep purple. "I-I had to! That was a one-time thing; it's not going to happen again." Scowling, he turned his back on Claire and quickly sliced a Gumm-Gumm in half.
"Okay, okay, you don't have to get so worked up over it," she remarked, blasting a troll away. She kissed him on the cheek, and Jim beamed in delight. "But there will be less kisses in the future if you don't…"
He kicked a Gumm-Gumm back twenty feet and let out an exaggerated sigh. "I have no choice. I must purr for my lady."
Claire laughed and punched his shoulder playfully. "Okay, now you stop it-"
Suddenly, a golden portal opened in the sky. Morgana floated down from it, bedecked in her golden armor and helmet. Her long green cape flowed behind her. She fixated her cold gaze on Arthur.
"Night has already fallen," she announced. She raised her hands. "Elemen-zath!"
A golden shockwave burst from her, knocking knights to the ground. Morgana cackled as she flung bright balls of magic at her enemies. She turned to Merlin, a smirk tugging at her lips. With a flash of gold, she flew into the forest.
"Morgana's returned!" Douxie cried, turning to Jim and Claire. "She's enemy number one!"
"Go!" Jim shouted, piercing a Gumm-Gumm with his sword. "We'll hold the bridge."
Merlin started running after Morgana. "Hisirdoux, with me!" he called over his shoulder. Douxie hurried after him, Archie flying above.
As they dashed through the forest, Douxie tried to stifle his guilt. Morgana had always been like a big sister to him-sure, one that liked to tease him, but he still loved her. Even after all these centuries, it was difficult to view her as the enemy.
They slowed to a stop in an overgrown clearing. Mossy ruins surrounded them, and bones littered the ground. He shuddered. This place…it felt evil.
Douxie brought his bracelet to life. "I feel dark magic," he murmured.
Merlin scanned the trees. "It means she's close."
Chuckling filled the air, sending shivers down Douxie's spine. "An old man and a foolish boy, lost as always," Morgana's voice taunted. Light flooded the clearing, and Douxie covered his eyes. When he lowered his hands, Morgana was standing tall and proud on a boulder. "Do you dare run, or face my vengeance?"
"Ah, is there a third option?" Archie asked timidly.
Suddenly, roots wrapped around Merlin. Douxie yelled in alarm and prepared to cast a spell, but the roots wrapped around him and Archie too. They bound his wrists tightly to his sides. He fell to his knees, powerless to do anything.
"Agh!" Merlin cried.
Douxie looked to his mentor and his heart stopped. No. A sharpened root yanked itself from his master's chest, and Merlin collapsed. He glanced at Douxie, blood pooling around him. "Hisirdoux, run!" he ground out.
But Douxie wasn't going anywhere. He was a master wizard now, and master wizards don't run away from their battles.
"Sorry, master, but," with a grunt, the two wizards wrenched themselves free from the roots, "I'm not leaving your side anytime soon."
Morgana cackled, causing Douxie to clench his fists in anger. How dare she hurt Merlin like that and just-just laugh! He shot several blasts at her, but she dodged them easily and flew deeper into the forest.
Merlin groaned behind him, and Douxie turned his attention to his master. "You're wounded!" His gaze flicked to Merlin's chest, and he blanched. "Badly."
Merlin brushed off his concern and reached inside his armor. "Hisirdoux, if I should fall this day…" He handed him a scroll. Curious, Douxie unrolled it and gasped.
"Heart of Avalon? Building a tomb?" he breathed, tracing his fingers over the schematics. "Why…why are you giving me this?"
"Foreseeing the future means preparing for the worst of it," Merlin replied. He gave Douxie a pointed look. "Including your friends."
"Wha-what about them?"
"I did not approve of you showing the girl how to control her shadowmancy," Merlin began. He started limping forward, leaning on his staff for support. "But now, I am glad you did. It is better to master one's gifts than to stifle it. Perhaps if I had done the same for Morgana, things would have been-" his voice cracked, and he cleared his throat. "-things would have been different. However, I must warn you."
He turned to Douxie, deadly serious. "There is a reason wizards avoid shadow magic. It feeds off the wielder's emotions, such as anger and sorrow, and increases it exponentially. Many give in to the power their rage causes. Like Morgana." He sighed. "Your friend Claire might too."
Douxie shook his head. "No, you don't know Claire like I do! She's a strong wizard. She controls her shadow magic; it doesn't control her-"
"But what if something catastrophic happens to the one she loves?" Merlin questioned. "What if James Lake gets hurt, or worse, because of the shard?"
He opened his mouth to protest, then stopped. He thought of how dangerous she had looked when she said she would always protect Jim. How her power was strongest when Jim was in danger…what if-what if she could really lose control?
"My concern for Claire is nothing compared to mine for James Lake," Merlin continued, drawing Douxie from his thoughts. "His very soul is laced with dark magic, the source of it being an obsidian shard. It is a vile, wicked thing, the likes of which I have never seen before. Even worse, I can sense the creature it belongs to is incredibly powerful and evil. It chills me to the core to imagine what would happen if such a being was in control of a corrupt troll."
So that's why Jim had been acting oddly. Why he was so savage in the forest…it all made perfect sense. This shard was also probably responsible for the beast version of Jim he saw in the time map. As for the 'creature'…that must be the Green Knight. He was the only one Jim had fought against, after all.
His master ducked under a branch. "Unfortunately, I cannot destroy the shard at this time. That will be your job-and mine, I suppose-once you go back to your present time. The most I could do was sever the connection between it and the creature." He shook his head. "I warned the boy of the shard's nature, but he has been exposed to it for far too long. I fear he will give in to the shard's urgings and let its power consume him entirely. He will be transformed beyond recognition." He looked over at Douxie. "But you knew that already, didn't you?"
"I-" his voice caught in his throat. How-how did he know? Then Douxie groaned inwardly. This was Merlin he was talking about. Of course he would know.
He slumped in defeat. "I know I should tell them, but I-I can't. They've been through so much; they're going through so much right now." He looked away. "I just don't know what to do."
"Such is the burden of a wizard," Merlin sighed. "To be cursed with knowledge, and whether or not to act on that knowledge. To make the hard choices mortals cannot. Now it is yours to bear as well." He stumbled. Douxie caught him just before he could fall. His master…he was in really bad shape. How were they ever going to defeat Morgana?
Douxie raised his gaze. A ginormous skull, wedged between two tall cliffs, leered down at them. Its four eye sockets glowed with an eerie yellow light. He shivered. It looked all too similar to the Arcane Order's fortress…
"I'm not going to tell you what to do," Merlin said. "These are your companions, not mine. It is up to you to tell them the truth or not. But I trust your decision, whatever that might be." He smiled at him warmly.
Douxie couldn't believe it. Giving him a staff was impressive, but trusting him to make his own choices? That was another thing entirely. But still…Merlin's words lifted his spirits. The old man trusted him, so it was time to trust himself.
Merlin patted him on the back before turning away. "Let's finish this, shall we?" With a grunt, he hopped down onto an iron cage and shouted, "Morgana, reveal thyself!"
A portal flared into existence, and Morgana stepped out of it. "Look what has wandered into my web," she smirked.
"These are dark powers you meddle with, Morgana. Who granted them? Who resurrected you from death?" Merlin demanded.
"Wizards beyond your ken," she replied. Suddenly, a shadowy version of herself separated itself from her body. The shadow Morgana straightened, knives in hand. "You three aren't going anywhere. I have a king to slay." She summoned a portal and disappeared.
Douxie grit his teeth. It was time to see what this staff-what he-was capable of.
He let out a shout, his staff crackling with power, as the shadow Morgana descended upon them.
.
.
.
Jim roared as he ripped a Gumm-Gumm's head off. He hurled it at several goblins, squashing them all under its weight. He ducked a troll's swing and delivered a blow of his own. He kicked it back into several other Gumm-Gumms, making them tumble to the ground. He leaped on top of them, summoned Eclipse, and finished them off, grinning viciously all the while.
His eyes widened at the sight of an oncoming fist, and he quickly called his shield up. The fist rammed against the shield, rattling Jim's bones. With a snarl, he threw off the troll. As the Gumm-Gumm stumbled back, he pierced it with the pointed end of the shield. Then again, and again, and again, long after it was reduced to a pile of rubble.
He cried out as the dark magic in his body flooded him with a searing pain. He fell to his knees, his fingers burrowing into the dirt. He squeezed his eyes shut. Everything felt like it was on fire-
Then, just as quickly as it came, the pain subsided. He took several deep breaths, coaxing his heart to calm down. After it stopped beating a mile a minute, he unsteadily got to his feet, a hand to his head. This battle…it wasn't good for him. All this fighting was aggravating the shard-no, exciting it somehow-and was making him even more vicious than usual. The sooner this ended, the better.
"Jim, you okay?" Claire asked, concerned, jogging up to him. She had a cut on one cheek, but otherwise, she looked fine. "I saw you fall to the ground."
He gave her a weak smile. "Yeah, I-I'm fine. I just-"
Suddenly, a torrent of fire lit up the battlefield. Jim hissed and shielded his eyes from the bright light. When he lowered his hand, three unwelcome figures greeted his vision.
"The Arcane Order?" Claire gasped. "They're here?!"
Knights charged at the group, but with a wave of their staff, the figure in red unleashed a stream of fire at them. The knights were blown back, their tormented cries of anguish filling the air. The one in the blue cloak summoned an icy whirlwind that swept others into the sky. Others still were trapped in huge chunks of ice.
"I guess Nari used to be one of them," Jim murmured as the petite green being crushed several knights with roots from the ground.
A cry of anguish rang across the battlefield. Jim and Claire looked up as Morgana rocketed into the sky, her body glowing a brilliant gold.
"What-what do you think happened?" Jim asked, his gaze trained on Morgana's retreating figure.
"We'll figure that out later," Claire replied, using a portal to drop a Gumm-Gumm from the sky. "Right now, we've got to focus on defending the bridge. The battle isn't-" she hesitated. "The battle isn't going too well."
Jim frowned. He turned away from Claire and finally took a good look at the battle. His face turned pale. She-she was right.
The Arcane Order were using their powers to decimate dozens of knights. The Gumm-Gumms, which had already outnumbered them in the beginning, just seemed to keep on coming while their own numbers dwindled down. Bular was an unstoppable force, cutting through swathes of humans. How could this possibly get any worse-
"Their king is dead!" Gunmar bellowed triumphantly, raising his blade. "Leave no survivors."
No. It wasn't possible; this was Arthur of Camelot, there was no way he could be dead-
Then he remembered Morgana's cry, and he knew it was true. He made eye contact with Claire, who looked just as shocked and shaken as he was. They had just lost one of their most powerful fighters-there was no way they were going to win now.
The shard pulsed innocently, as if to remind Jim that there indeed was one other option. He reached into his pocket and clenched his hand tightly around the shard. He grit his teeth. He really didn't want to do this, but he had no other choice.
Jim took the shard from his pocket and held it over his heart. Monster, he thought, Merlin's warning ringing in his head. That's what you'll become. He shook his head and brought it closer to his heart. No, he couldn't afford to have doubts about this. They needed more power if they wanted to win, and the shard was full of it-even if it was dark magic. Even if it corrupted him.
He closed his eyes. I'm sorry, Claire. He plunged the shard into his heart-
A horn blew, filling the battlefield with its clear sound. Jim stopped the shard a mere millimeter from his heart and whipped his head to the source of the noise. He gasped before a large grin grew on his face.
"Hey!" Callista called, her hands on her hips. "Need some help? Because I brought some friends."
"Yes! We are here to not run away!" Blinky cried, shaking his broom in the air.
Callista smirked and punched her fist into her hand. "Let's show these glorkheads how a real troll fights!"
Hundreds of armored trolls thundered down the ridge with a deafening roar. They plowed through the Gumm-Gumms like they were made to do it their whole life. The knights stopped fighting and gaped at their reinforcements, as if they couldn't believe their luck.
Jim couldn't stop grinning. They had come! Draal, Vendel, everyone was here to help! He didn't have to use the shard after all! He happily put it back in his pocket. Now all Callista had to do was use the amulet-
As if on cue, she thrust the amulet forward confidently. She chanted, "For the glory of Merlin, daylight is mine to command!"
A shockwave of blue magic flowed over the battlefield. Callista laughed with glee as she swiped a Gumm-Gumm's sword and knocked them off their feet. In a flash of blue, gauntlets appeared around her wrists. As she ran, more and more of the silver armor formed around her, until the all too familiar Daylight suit shone in all its glory. A winged helmet was perched on top of her head. Callista tossed the Gumm-Gumm sword aside and summoned Daylight, an eager grin on her face. She flipped over a troll and sliced its head off. She turned to Jim, her violet eyes sparkling.
He beamed. "Callista! Glad you could make it."
"It's Deya, actually." She sprinted off to engage more Gumm-Gumms. "Always has been!"
"Deya?" Jim and Claire exclaimed simultaneously. He couldn't believe it. Had he-had he been hanging out with the very first Trollhunter all along? The greatest one of all time?! Oh, he had to join her in battle.
He made a move to Callista-no, Deya-then stopped. He glanced at Claire uncertainly, but she waved him away.
"Go, you big dork," she smiled. "I'm going to help Douxie. I have a feeling he needs it." She blew him a kiss before calling a portal and disappearing through it.
Jim jogged to Deya, just in time to see her flip a Gumm-Gumm into the ground. With a yell, she stabbed it through the heart with a flaming Daylight.
"Wow," he remarked, slashing a Gumm-Gumm of his own, "you're a natural!"
"Why thank you," she said, winking at him. "But, uh-there wouldn't happen to be any advice you could give, fellow Trollhunter? Like, any rules?"
Jim grinned, remembering his own Trollhunting lessons Blinky taught him so long ago. "As a matter of fact, I do. Rule number one: always be afraid." He slammed a troll back right into Deya's waiting sword.
"What?" she grunted, flinging the troll into several other Gumm-Gumms. "Isn't the whole point of the Trollhunter is to be some brave hero?"
"Well, yeah, but being afraid keeps you alert and sharp. Overconfidence, cockiness-that'll lead to fatal mistakes."
"Gotcha. I've seen trolls and humans alike die because of their fat egos." Deya hurled Daylight at a Gumm-Gumm. It impaled the troll's head before appearing back in her hand with a puff of smoke. She grinned and twirled the sword. "Nice."
"Rule number two: always finish the fight." To emphasize his point, Jim finished off an injured Gumm-Gumm with a swipe of his sword. He stared at Eclipse, Draal's pleading face reflecting back at him. "Although…I wouldn't follow that rule all the time. One of my closest friends was an enemy I didn't kill after a fight. So, feel free to break it sometimes."
"You know I'm always one for breaking the rules."
"I know, but I think the last rule is one that you'll especially like…" He slid to the ground and kicked a Gumm-Gumm in the particularly sensitive spot/balls. It moaned in pain and fell to its knees. Jim stabbed it through the heart before turning back to Deya. He leaned on Eclipse, smirking at Deya's astonished face. "When in doubt, always kick them in the gronk-nuks."
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?" She delivered a swift kick into a Gumm-Gumm's nards. It, too, fell to the ground and she struck him in the head, killing him. She glanced at Jim, a large grin on her face. "You were right kid. I do like this rule a lot."
Deya and Jim continued to plow through the Gumm-Gumms. The knights fought with renewed vigor, encouraged by their reinforcements. Speaking of which, the trolls were doing much better than Jim thought they would. Looked like Steve's training had been useful after all.
Even the shard wasn't bothering Jim as much. It seemed to help that he wasn't fighting alone anymore. He almost felt normal again.
Before long, all the Gumm-Gumms on their side of the battlefield had been turned to stone. The knights and trolls were all too happy to welcome this short break, and took the time to catch their breath. Jim did a quick head count. Good. They had suffered few losses since the trolls had arrived. Unfortunately, there was still one nasty troll they had to take care of.
"Your king is gone!" Gunmar thundered, slicing a human in half. He pointed his blade at the knights and trolls. "The only thing that rules now is fear."
Deya climbed up a slanting rock and thrust her sword into the air. "Come, my brothers and sisters! I know you're afraid, but never forget that fear is but the precursor to valor. And to strive and triumph in the face of fear is what it means to be a hero!" With a yell, she leapt off the rock and charged the Gumm-Gumms. The trolls and knights followed suit, unleashing battle cries of their own. "Together, we push back the darkness and those that would see our end!"
"Don't think," Jim whispered under his breath. "Become."
Daylight clanged against Gunmar's Decimaar blade in a spark of blue. Gunmar snorted in fury and pushed Deya back into Jim.
"We got your back, Deya!" he told her. "Just get to the bridge!"
As she raced to the bridge, Jim's sensitive ears detected a faint, tinny scream. He frowned. Only one person could scream that high, and it was Steve. He punched back a Gumm-Gumm and looked in the direction of the scream. Iciness spread throughout his body until he was left feeling numb and frozen.
Steve was backed up against a tree by Bular. The massive black troll reached for the swords on his back, an eager glint in his red and yellow eyes. Steve was quaking in fear, his weapon forgotten on the ground.
No. No no no no no. Jim bolted across the battlefield to the two, but there was too much distance between them. He had another couple hundred yards at least, and Bular was seconds away from dismembering Steve. He couldn't make it. His friend was going to die because he wasn't strong enough.
His hand closed around the shard. Come on, he urged the rock. I need your power. I need your rage. I don't care what you do to me, just make. It. Happen!
Miraculously, the shard obeyed him. Dark magic coursed through his limbs, filling him with energy. The battle became a blur as he sped past dueling Gumm-Gumms. Bular raised his swords and swung them down-
The swords sparked against a midnight-black shield. A low growl in his throat, Jim shoved the Gumm-Gumm prince back. He got into a fighting stance, ignoring how his vision turned red.
Bular glared at him. "How dare you interrupt-" His rage abruptly petered out, and he stared at Jim in shock. "You-you're that youngling who was on the run from the fleshbag king! I don't understand; how could you have turned your back on our kind?!"
"That's where you're wrong, Bular," Jim spat. "I stand for both sides. It is you who have betrayed trollkind."
"Then die!" Bular roared before charging. He swung both swords at Jim, but he dodged and swiped Eclipse at his side. Bular blocked him with one blade and thrust at him with the other. Jim quickly dismissed Eclipse and rolled to the side to avoid getting impaled. He shot back to his feet, summoned his glaives, and flung them at the prince. Bular raised his arms to shield himself, and the glaives sparked harmlessly against his stony arms.
"Ha!" Bular crowed, lowering his arms. "Is that all you've got, whelp?"
He bared his fangs in a vicious grin. "Not even close."
Before Bular could make the first move, Jim dashed forward. He leapt over the prince's whirling blades and punched him across the jaw. As he stumbled back, Jim summoned Eclipse and jabbed at his chest. Bular barely managed to parry him away. He tried to cut at Jim's head, but he simply slapped the sword away.
The prince stepped back, panting. For the first time, Jim could smell fear, and it wasn't his own. He inhaled deeply. It smelled good.
Jim rushed Bular yet again. He ducked under the swinging blades with ease and delivered an uppercut to his chin. He wrenched the swords from the disoriented prince's grasp and tossed them aside. He smashed his fist into Bular's stomach. As the prince bent over, wheezing, Jim grabbed Bular's horns and rammed his knee into his head.
A thin crack spread across Bular's face, but Jim didn't stop. He still needed more. He thrashed him again and again until the prince was on his knees begging for mercy. But it still wasn't enough. Nothing could satisfy his crave for suffering and agony. Nothing.
"Please," Bular gasped, his face a cracked mess, "I'll give you anything. Even my title, if you'll just let me live-"
"No," Jim snarled. He slammed his fist into Bular's nose. "The only thing I want-" another blow, "is for you-" more cries of pain, "to die."
He called Eclipse to his hand and held it over the prince's head. One strike. One more strike, and it would all be over.
Then he hesitated. Something…something was off here. A tiny voice in the back of his head saying-saying that he shouldn't kill him? But why-
He groaned in frustration. Right. If he ended Bular now, then the timeline would be messed up the timeline. Grinding his teeth, he slowly lowered his sword.
Disbelief painted Bular's face. Then he smiled smugly. "Can't finish the job, eh? You have no honor. Perhaps working with those fleshbags has made you weak?" He chuckled. "Or perhaps you were always weak."
Wrath unlike anything Jim had ever known bubbled up inside him until he let it all loose with a guttural roar that blew back the other troll's scruff. He grabbed the straps on Bular's chest and lifted him into the air. The shard continued to supply him with strength, making Bular feel weightless. He brought him close to his face, all smugness on the prince's face gone..
"I am not weak, Bular," Jim growled, his eyes flashing a dangerous red. "Your time just hasn't come yet. But one day, it will, and I'll be there to finish you once and for all."
With a snarl, he launched Bular into the air. He sailed over the tops of the trees, screaming at the top of his lungs, until Jim couldn't see or hear him anymore. Jim stood in place, his chest heaving. As exhausting as that fight was…he still wanted more. He started to head to the main battle-
"Dude."
Jim whirled around to face the voice, which belonged to Steve. Oh. He kinda forgot about him. He stared at Jim, slack-jawed. "That was so…so savage." He beamed. "And cool! Seriously man, you gotta try out for the football team-hey, hey! Lake, what's wrong?"
Jim collapsed to the ground, his body wracked with pain. He cried out as the dark magic squeezed around his heart. Scorching flames flowed from it and licked under his skin. He curled in on himself, unable to stop his high-pitched whine.
Steve's hand gently shook his shoulder. "Lake, it's okay. You-you're gonna be okay. Just take deep breaths. Deep breaths. You gotta stay with me, man!"
With difficulty, Jim took a deep breath and exhaled it shakily.
"That's it," Steve encouraged. "That's it, you're doing it!"
He repeated the exercise until the pain had dulled down to a manageable ebb. He relaxed and unclenched his fists. He cracked his eyes open to see Steve's concerned face looking down on him.
"You feeling any better?" he asked.
Jim nodded. "Yeah," he answered. He coughed. His throat was really dry. "Can you…can you help me up?"
"I gotcha." He pulled Jim to his feet and looped his arm over his shoulder. Jim felt a sudden surge of gratitude for Steve. He must weigh at least one-hundred eighty pounds, what with his stone body and all, but here he was trying to help him walk. He really had changed for the better.
"Thanks, Steve," Jim said hoarsely. "For…for being here."
Steve ruffled Jim's hair. "Of course, buddy. I think it's about time someone helped you for a change." His tone turned somber. "I know it was a dumb idea to take that guy on my own, but I…I had to. Lancelot, he-he was trying to protect me, and he killed him. He killed him right in front of me." His voice cracked, and he looked away.
Lancelot…that was the knight who was trying to train the trolls. While Jim hadn't been close to him, he could see how important he had been to Steve. "Steve…I'm so sorry. It's hard to lose a friend, especially at the hands of something so-so wicked. But promise me one thing." Steve turned his head to gaze at Jim, tears running down his face. "Promise me that you won't blame yourself for his death. That's not what Lancelot would want. He would want you to be happy, and remember him for the friend he was to you."
Steve smiled gratefully at him. "Thanks, Jim," he sniffled, wiping at his eyes. "You give pretty good advice, you know that?" He studied Jim. "But I'm actually more worried about you. What happened to you back there?"
Jim was at a loss for words, because honestly, he didn't know either. Sure, Merlin warned him the shard would corrupt him, but it hadn't even been inside his body! The wizard hadn't exactly told him just having the shard around would cause him agony.
"I…I have no idea," he admitted. He gazed at the raging battle ahead and swallowed hard. "But one thing I do know for sure is that I can't go back out there. I'm afraid what'll happen if I do." What I would become, he silently added.
Steve patted him on the back. "Hey, it's okay. You take it easy, blue boy. Besides, we got that lady Trollhunter out there. I think she's got it from here."
"Blue boy-?"
Suddenly, blue magic exploded from the bridge. A spinning portal appeared at the bottom and started sucking everything into it. Goblins and Gumm-Gumms disappeared into the void, while humans and trolls alike clung for dear life. Shrieking filled the air as more and more Gumm-Gumms were swallowed by the portal. Soon, only Gunmar was left standing, but even he was losing his grip.
Jim and Steve cheered as Deya kicked him in the face. The king flew into the portal, curses streaming from his lips. The portal vanished with a pop!, unleashing a wave of magic that washed over the battlefield and across the realm. Deya stood up, a proud grin on her face.
"It's over," Jim breathed, still not quite believing it. "We just saved history."
"Never doubted us for a second," Steve boasted. "Now, come on."
The boys limped down to meet Deya and the other trolls, who had gathered to give their praise. Vendel stepped forward, leaning on his staff for support. His arms and chest bore several wounds, but he would survive.
"Thank you, Trollhunter," he said. "You delivered us."
"Hail, Deya the Deliverer!" the other trolls cheered.
Jim, feeling much better, left Steve's side and approached Deya. She smiled at him, back out of the armor. She looked the same as she did when he first met her-but she had changed. Her back was straighter, her eyes sparkled with energy, and she exuded confidence. She looked like a real Trollhunter.
"I couldn't have done this without you, Jim," she said. "Really. Thank you for everything."
He smiled back. "You're going to do great things, Deya. Oh, word of advice: when you're looking for a new Heartstone, skip New Jersey. Trust me, California has better weather."
She chuckled. "I have no clue what any of those places are, but I'll keep that in mind."
"Whelp!" a voice called. "Did you forget about me?"
Jim turned around and suddenly found it very hard to breathe. Draal stood next to Vendel, arms cross over his chest. He was a little battered and bruised, but if anything, the battle seemed to have put him in a good mood.
"I saw you fight," the large troll said. "And once again, you have proven to have good mettle for such a youngster! I shall miss your company." He affectionately punched Jim in the arm.
He laughed, rubbing his now sore arm. "Thanks, Draal."
"A job well done," Vendel agreed, nodding sagely. "In both battle and in convincing us to change our ways. You have wisdom beyond your years, young one."
Jim's eyes watered as they smiled down at him. His heart ached at the sight, and a lump formed in his throat. Unable to stop himself, he threw his arms around them both. He didn't want to leave them. He didn't want to go back to a world where they were no longer alive.
"Wha-what is this?" Vendel whispered.
"I believe it's called a 'hug,'" Draal murmured back. "He did it to me before. Just copy what he's doing."
Uncertainty, the two trolls returned the hug. Draal even awkwardly patted him on the back. Jim couldn't help but laugh. He pulled away from the hug and gazed up at Draal and Vendel, drinking in the sight of them one last time.
"I'll miss you guys," he said, his voice thick. "Don't forget me, okay?"
Draal snorted. "How could we? You're too strange to." His voice softened. "Take care, whelp." Vendel raised his hand in farewell.
Jim turned his back on them before he could burst into tears. Unfortunately, he was back to facing Deya.
"I'll miss you a lot, kid," she said. Her eyes sparkled with tears. "Do you, uh, think you could try that hug thing with me? Oh, wow-"
Jim had his arms around her before she could finish her sentence. She hugged him back tightly. His fingers dug into her shirt, but she paid it no mind.
"I'll miss you too, Deya," he whispered. "Trust me, you're going to be the best Trollhunter they could ask for."
They broke apart, both wiping at their eyes. Deya took a step back, grinning through her tears. "Farewell…" she winked. "Fellow Trollhunter."
A portal flickered next to him. Claire, Douxie, and Archie strode out of it, all looking the worse for wear. "Jim?" Claire said softly, squeezing his hand. "It's time to go."
A shadow fell overhead, and they looked up to see Camelot floating in the sky above them. The Heart of Avalon hummed peacefully. The trolls pointed at the castle and gasped in wonder.
He swallowed. "R-right." He gazed at Deya one last time. Shoot, he had to say something, he had to say something-
"Remember the rules I told you!" he spluttered out.
She laughed and saluted him. "Of course."
Just as he wanted to facepalm himself for saying something so stupid, Claire called up a portal. They fell through it and landed next to the Heart of Avalon. The contraption rotated peacefully, ready to send them back home.
Douxie dialed in the time map for the time for when they left before turning to Jim and Claire. "Everybody, ready yourselves. We don't have much time."
He flicked on the time map. The castle shook as the emerald below charged to its full power. With a low groaning, the golden bands around the Heart aligned themselves. A beam of green magic shot from the stone, tearing a rift through the night sky. The Camelot from their present time hovered just beyond it. Douxie smiled. Finally, they were going home.
They hopped into the winged boat, Steve tripping himself in the process. While Jim and Claire headed to the front of the boat, Douxie placed his staff in the lock. It flared blue, bringing the boat to life. He pushed his staff forward, and the ship followed suit. The wing on the boat fluttered as it soared through the air.
He bit his lip worriedly. This was his last chance. Who knew what they would face once they got to the present. There would be no time to explain then. He had to do it now.
"Jim, Claire," he began. They turned to him expectantly. "I have something to tell you."
"Yeah, Teach? What is it?" Claire asked.
My choice to tell them, Douxie thought. I should tell them everything. They deserve to know-
His gaze faltered on Jim and Claire's faces, so full of hope, and he knew he couldn't do it. He couldn't shatter their spirts, not after the chaos they endured. Turns out he wasn't brave enough to share this knowledge just yet.
He forced a grin. "We…we must be prepared to face our enemies that lie in the present! Yes…that's exactly what we need to be ready for." Coward!
Claire winked. "Don't worry, Douxie, I'm a wizard now! With you, me, and Jim, I think our odds of beating the Arcane Order has grown."
"Exactly! What's there to worry about?" They turned away, satisfied with Douxie's answer. He slumped. "You said to make the tough calls old man," he murmured. "I hope I'm doing the right thing."
Douxie gazed at the castle before them, and the troubles that inevitably lay ahead. The knot in his stomach tightened.
"My burden to bear," he whispered.
The boat sailed through the rift.
A/N: So. *claps hands* This is where shit goes down. Where canon is thrown out the window and left to die in the blistering sun. Originally, I was going to make these last episodes line up with what happens in Rise of the Titans, since I was planning to rewrite that too (still not sure about that though) butttt since they delayed it to July, I can't exactly do that anymore. Don't worry, what I have in store for these characters is very, very interesting...
Thank you for reading, and see you in the next update!