Updated again… I've got more tricks up my sleeve for this. Hope you enjoy! For other fans of TGWTG watch out for tons more of inside jokes put onto here!
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(Many Years Later)
"Ho Casper! Ho!" Nostalgia Critic commanded to his brown horse as a deer was running away from them. Sure it was much more clumsy than usual for Nostalgia Critic, but he had spent hours of patience trying to catch this one deer, and Critic was anything but a quitter. He admired the animal's spirit but it would not stop him from actually killing it
The deer bleeped as if he was calling for help, but would not receive it and just before he could leap the next fallen log, Critic aimed his bow and shot the deer right through the side, successfully ending the deer's life. As Critic stopped his horse, Casper, from running, Critic went over to see the deer and made a prideful laugh escape his throat
"Fast one you were, but even fast prey is prey nonetheless" Critic sneered at the dead animal, before carrying it to his secret hideout
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Nostalgia Critic's new home was indeed private, almost no one else lived there but trees, fruits and constant animal wildlife, the perfect place for a hunter. Critic's hut was indeed strongly built but only meant for one man only which of course was what critic strived for. It also had a fence-like pole to restrain Casper and prevent him from wandering off, and the best part? It was right next to the hut.
Critic tied Casper up, brought him a small bucket of water and went inside. He then put the deer on the small wooden table, then proceeded to wash his face from sweat and dirt, both of which came from the long and tedious pursuit to the deer. As he went straight to the backyard where the river he got Casper water from, he couldn't help but curse at how dirty he face was, because it meant it would take longer than usual to clean his face.
Also, he grinned at how quickly he changed. When he left he had curly brown hair, little to no beard, hazel eyes and he was admittedly a stubby teenager, now though he was thin, muscular with his hair curls completely gone only leaving stubby straight hair and a profound brown beard, but his eyes were still hazel. He saw that he successfully grew into his black vest with his white shirt, relieved at the fact his vest wasn't so big as it once was and the metal necklace, oh the metal necklace shined like a gem. He twirled at it a little, sighing at the memory, then proceeded to let go of it for now so he could clean his face.
After he did he breathed for air and went back to his hut. It admittedly was easy to clean a deer, so almost within minutes, the deer's guts were taken out and left outside for some other predator to find and the usual editable parts were cooked on a fire. Critic smiled as the deer-meat burned like a easy steak then looked outside talking to his horse out of shear boredom
"We did good today, Casper. It's a wonder how a deer that easy to see could be so hard to catch" Casper let out a small neigh as if to agree with the comment, Critic patted his horse then spoke again "Granted, a lot of deer can be incredibly fast but that one did have a sense of resistance. I guess that makes it all the more fun eh?"
Casper only snorted and bowed his head down, as if to imply the conversation was not in his interest. Critic patted the horse again then went inside the hut for the third time. Critic realized the deer was ready and poked the fire out, let the meat cool, then proceed to eat.
However half-way through his meal, a strange knock at his door was heard. Critic pondered a bit, then frowned disapprovingly, he wasn't finished and it took a long time. Whoever was it, better have had a good excuse. With a effort, he opened the door only to look extremely shocked at who it was.
"Hello Douglas… It's been a while hasn't it?"
"Ma-Ti? My god, time changes you"
Ma-Ti entered abruptly and with purpose. Ma-ti, was the son of the leader tribe of Pondawen, the tribe called "Plusonians" and they were extreme allies with the Critics. Douglas and Ma-Ti met during trades and became instant friends so it was all the more bitter for Ma-Ti as well. Ma-Ti's father and clan were war with the cloaks and have defeated them and the cloaks were not heard of for that time. Critic knew all of this because recently he and Ma-Ti kept in touch, until the death of Ma-Ti's father, and the christening/tribe-work being put onto Ma-Ti. Ma-Ti now had everything under control, he was leader now and Critic knew this due to his small golden headband he wore, the sign of a forest clan leader
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"My god. Tribe Leader?" Critic exclaimed, pleased for his friend, after he had been told by Ma-Ti of what he had been up to as of date
"Practically King of Plusonians and in control of this land, Pondawen" Ma-Ti admittedly now sound pleased, since everything was arranged
"I've lived here for a while and have kept contact from afar. It is surprising I have not known this" Critic said, feigning annoyance with himself, to make Ma-Ti feel better. Honestly, although he was glad this happened, Critic felt compelled not to go to such events
"You like keeping to yourself. You already knew that though" Ma-Ti smiled, teasingly, for he knew Critic liked to be anti-social
Critic caught the joke and sneered "You know I don't trust people as I once did"
Ma-Ti then frowned, knowing what he was talking about, then sighed "I suppose I should change the subject now"
"Yes. It is pleasant to see you regardless of what happened" Critic replied, now smiling
"Well, the feeling is mutual but I came for your help" Ma-Ti frowned again, dead serious
"Help? Do you not have your army?" Critic teased sarcastically, bowing a bit to make his point
"My army is far too weak for this assignment I need you and other skilled men and women to go forth. I have a huge threat upon me and my people" Ma-Ti's voice sounded extremely serious, as if he was afraid
Critic then became just as serious. This assignment clearly had to be big, if Ma-Ti was desperate enough to come to a skilled marksman as he. Critic had not been marked assassin but many random travelers have requested him as such, as well as a bounty hunter, and of course a professional marksman for some pest, but this sounded bigger than that.
"What is this threat?" He asked Ma-Ti finally
"My advisor, who used to be my father's advisor, has envisioned that a evil sorcerer shall start his reign of darkness, with my people and my tribe. He told me the sorcerer's name is so evil, no one DARES mention it for fear of losing their voice" Ma-Ti let out a shiver at that, looking to the ground
Critic sneered at that, he did believe in magic but the fact someone's name would be frightening enough not to mention, was a bit off for Critic's taste. He let out a scoff "Bah. Who is this nonsensical advisor? He sounds more like a frightened child"
"This 'child' has saved millions of tribes and has helped my father win the war, thanks to his magical knowledge and years of pure wisdom. How have you know he nearly died saving my life in the battle against the cloaks years ago? I would trust him with my cape! He is the purest of wizards!" Ma-Ti shouted, offended that Critic would dare say such a thing
"Hmph. A wizard? What is this wizard's name?" Critic snapped, still not convinced
"Linkara"
Ma-Ti's answer immediately shut Critic up, Critic heard of Linkara's work by stories from his mother in the past and recently has heard of him by his clients or wanderers of the forest. Linkara, was a powerful and good wizard who healed many sick, feed many starved men and saved many lives. Critic now knew why Ma-Ti would trust him. Critic had no idea Ma-Ti's advisor was one of the most legendary living wizards. Despite not having much trust in magic or wizards, Critic knew linkara was serious business
"I suppose I am the child" Critic replied, shocked still
Ma-Ti calmed down at that and replied, now beggingly "Please. Meet him and the both of you try and find this dark sorcerer who threatens me"
Critic looked up, seeing Ma-Ti's look of desperation. He then thought about it, he didn't want to do this but Linkara was never a liar for he has predicted before in the stories and was right. Although Critic had his doubts, Ma-Ti was close due to the past memories they had, and critic didn't really feel like losing his only friend now.
So with a look of doubt but of dignity he spoke "Very well. I assume it will be more than just Linkara and I?"
"Yes. He shall explain the details for he shall help you lead the journey. I shall stay here to protect my people" Ma-Ti replied getting on his horse, as both he and Critic began walking to their horses
"Very well I say we shall go then" Critic replied, slightly uncomfortable about the fact of meeting Linkara.
"Trust me, he will explain everything to you" Ma-Ti replied, clicking his horses side to make it run off. Critic did the same for casper and off they went
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"You sure he is here?" Critic asked, eyebrow raised, shocked at how Linkara's hut was. Actually, it was not a hut at all, it was a leather tent with some smoke coming out of it and a candle light shining though
"Linkara is here" Ma-Ti's assurance just made Critic all the more uncomfortable. Regardless he knew he had to go in, and with Ma-Ti he pulled the flap of the tent to see only a green-robed man sitting in a pretzel-like crouch and chanted specific words. It sounded as if it was the tongue of natives but not of any human native, more of a elf-like native.
Linkara stopped harshly but did not turn, as he looked to the candle light, he smiled from his cape knowing Critic would not see his face just yet but already was feeling uncomfortable. Linkara was admittedly amused of how Critic found him as strange but he spoke seriously "My Leader? Is he with you? I sensed you would bring him"
"Yes, I thought he could be of use to you. I want to be perfectly able to prevent The One from getting us" Ma-Ti sounded sincere, very much like what a leader would do
Linkara stood up then removed the hood of his robe and showed his true face. Like Critic, he was thin but had no beard and only pale almost milky white skin, his eyes were brown, he had a same hair style as critic but with more shaved-like quality, he DID however have a lightning bolt scar on his right cheekbone. His robes of course were green but underneath his shirt was grey, his pants were dark grey and he had a golden belt around his waist. Suffice to say, Linkara looked admittedly wealthy for a wizard's standard
"So? You are my partner upon this quest?" Critic asked, not necessarily trusting of new people, even if this was the man from his stories
"One of them" Linkara replied, apparently he was in a good mood for his tone was friendly and almost jokingly. Linkara held out a hand for Critic to shake, Critic not wanting to be rude took the hand then quickly let go
"Ma-Ti, my liege, we shall leave in the morning. So if you do not see us then you will know why" Linkara said, in a respectful tone, as if Linkara despite his power, knew his place with a leader of a tribe
Ma-Ti nodded "I shall tell my people where you shall go, in case they too do not understand"
Linkara let a bow of his head in respect to Ma-Ti then looked to Critic smiling "I suppose we have ourselves a little understanding?"
"Yes. Ma-Ti told me what you were here for" Critic replied, offended that Linkara was acting as if this was some big adventure
Linkara frowned then, aware of Critic's tension and excused himself in front of Ma-Ti then took Critic aside to speak properly to him "I seem to have mislead you of my deeds. I do not think this is a game, far from it, I just wanted to make you feel welcome around me"
"I do not need to be treated like a boy! I am aware of who you are and to be frank I do not want to be welcomed. I only came to assist Ma-Ti" Critic snapped again, already starting to misunderstand Linkara's intentions. Critic did not want friends, he only wanted Ma-Ti as a friend and him alone because they have had connections in the past, Linkara despite all his power and all his legacy meant nothing to the Critic, in a way Critic was being immensely hot-tempered and rude to Linkara
Linkara though did not get angry, although he wasn't pleased about it either "I understand completely about Ma-Ti but this threat is more than just on him and his people it is the fate of the world. That is why he called you with me. With your skills, my magic and other people's skills we may be able to stop him"
"What is this nonsense about the world?" Critic demanded, now angry at this new knowledge
"We must get countless people to prevent this sorcerer from dominating Ma-Ti's kingdom if we don't the sorcerer will use the kingdom for something to take this world as his" Linkara calmly responded
"What does this kingdom have that the sorcerer wants to take this world as his?" Critic said, almost once again calm
"I do not know yet, but I know if I bother trying to find out without finding him first, I know it will be far too late already to stop him. I am also need of your help, please come alongside me, if not for the world then for Ma-Ti"
Critic shook his head in annoyance "I already made my decision. I have promised to help Ma-Ti. This take over the world business though better be explained through time"
"It shall. I promise" Linkara replied
Critic nodded, pleased again, then he looked to the sky seeing it was getting dark. Sighing in slight tiredness and annoyance he looked to the wizard and replied darkly "You may have cured many people and saved lives but this encounter we had better let you know, that you better not be someone who uses that upon himself in front of me"
Linkara let out a laugh "I am a wizard not some prideful war hero! I rather would save lives rather than boast about saving lives!"
"I hope so" Critic sneered going to a tent for some sleep. Leaving Linkara on his own
Linkara let out some small chuckles then replied "Oh through this journey I can almost predict you I will not say a word" With that Linkara went to a different tent for some sleep