Your Future Hasn't Been Written Yet
by K. Stonham
first released 15th March 2022
Looking at the gaping hole in the ship's hull, not to mention the obviously sizable bit of machinery that had been ripped (ejected? sucked?) out at some point, Douxie could only gape. "Mordrax's miracles," he swore. "You managed to fly this thing and land safely?"
"I am equipped with superior technology," Mother informed the wizard.
Krel shrugged. "Eh, the landing was a bit rough. But as for the trip here... we do not exactly require an atmosphere the way you organics do."
Douxie shook his head, rising from his crouch. "Remind me never to fly with you."
"Says the one who crashed a castle."
"One, Camelot was not my castle," Douxie told him, "and two, that was the Arcane Order, not me."
Krel looked unimpressed. "I meant the Arcane Order's castle."
Douxie paused, mouth open and finger raised as he considered that. "Fair enough," he decided, lowering his finger. "All right, you've got schematics for this thing, right?"
"Here." Mother materialized a hologram of the missing daxial array.
Douxie's lips formed a soundless whistle as he studied it. Thanks to his work with Krel in the future, he had a basic understanding of Akiridion technology, but most of what he was seeing was too advanced for his paltry knowledge.
Stronger together, he remembered saying.
"All right," he admitted with a sigh. "This is beyond me."
"But-" Krel protested.
Douxie shook his head. "My staff didn't come back with me, Krel. I'm not a master wizard anymore, and I certainly haven't the raw power to bludgeon my way through these things the way I could then."
"Kleb."
"That said," Douxie said, eyes remaining on the hologram and his mind making lightning-fast connections of possibilities, "I have a few ideas." He glanced sideways at Krel. "Would you trust me to bring in a couple other wizards to help with this?"
Krel crossed both sets of arms, his weight shifting to one side. "Who?"
"My friend Hiccup," Douxie said. "Jim, Claire, and Toby can vouch for him, if you need."
"And?"
Douxie grimaced. Making up with her was going to be painful, but it needed to be done. "And Zoe."
Aja sat in the living room, her head in her hands. "He did not even know me," she murmured. "My beloved Palchuk."
"There, there, princess!" Lucy said, approaching with a plate of cookies. "Cheer up, sweetie! There's other fish in the sea, you know."
"I do not want other fish," Aja muttered as Jim and Claire sat down on either side of her. "I want my Palchuk."
Claire patted her on the back. "Come on, Aj. You've still got a chance. I mean, what did you do to get Steve interested in the first place?"
"Punched him," Aja replied. "When he tried beating up Krel."
Over her head, Claire and Jim exchanged a look.
"You know," Jim said, "we've been going about things differently this time..."
"Yes, yes, you said that." Aja waved a dismissive hand.
"Meaning," Jim emphasized, "that Steve is probably down in the Hero's Forge right now, training with some of our other friends."
Aja straightened up, blinking at him. "The Hero's Forge?"
"Which is not a zombie-Gumm-Gumm-infested wreck," Jim emphasized. "Want to go down and see it in its glory?"
"And maybe get to kick Steve's butt?" Claire asked, grinning.
Aja's downcast expression widened into a grin. "Lively," she declared. "Varvatos will be so jealous that he missed this! Mother," she said, addressing the ceiling, "inform Krel and the Douxie where we are going."
"Want to go?" Douxie asked Krel.
Who pouted. "Not really. But I had better, to keep Aja out of trouble."
They were most of the way down the stairs into Trollmarket before Douxie had a realization. "We need to introduce them to Vendel first," he told Jim, indicating the scuffling Tarrons who were casually, playfully insulting one another behind them.
"What? Why?" asked Jim. Aja pulled Krel into a headlock.
Archie jumped up on Douxie's shoulder and arched his brows. "Do you really think he'll be pleased about you bringing more humans into Trollmarket? Let alone Akiridions?"
Jim considered that, then grimaced. "Yeah, you're probably right. Vendel hates surprises." He eyed the Tarrons, then gave a sharp whistle, which caused them to break off and skip down the intervening steps.
"Yes, Jim?" Aja asked, catching her breath. Krel followed along behind her, glaring at his sister's back, which she ignored.
"Slight change of plans. We need to introduce you guys to Vendel first. He's been twitchy enough about us bringing more humans into Trollmarket as it is."
"But we are not human," Krel objected.
"Yes, and he probably should know that as well," Archie replied.
"It is all right, little brother," Aja said, waving her hand at Krel. "We can thank him for the help he gave to Mama and Papa!"
Douxie blinked. "The help he...? Wait," he demanded, "does Vendel know about Akiridions?"
Krel shrugged. "Well, some keltons ago he and Kanjigar agreed to hide Gaylen's Core for Mama and Papa."
"Until General Morando followed us here and fused himself with it," Aja added darkly.
Douxie achieved sudden illumination. "Well, that explains a few things that happened," he said, stopping on the stairs. He smiled. "Feels a bit strange to think we," his circling gesture took in all of them, "had maybe been interlinked all along, but never knew it. Your parents knew and trusted Vendel and Kanjigar," he said to Aja and Krel. "Jim got Kanjigar's amulet, which was made by Merlin. Claire," he said, pointing at her, "got her magic awakened by Merlin's other apprentice. And magic and Akiridion technology," he said, gesturing between himself and Krel, "are suspiciously compatible. Yet none of us knew how we were all connected until much later."
"Kind of like that game, what's it called, Six Degrees of...?" asked Claire.
"Exactly like that," Douxie agreed.
Jim pulled his amulet out of his pocket. His fingers drifted over the inscribed words. "If it's meant to be, it will be...?" he murmured, looking up at the others. There were questions in his eyes.
"A fixed nexus?" Archie murmured.
"Possibly." Douxie's hand went to his chin as he thought. "There are... fixed points in time," he said. "Things that will be, no matter what might change. They're rare, but they exist."
"Merlin used to rant about them," Archie agreed.
"There's no way of knowing without the Time Map," Douxie said, his hand falling away. "But... it's possible that all of us coming together, becoming friends, is one of them. That it would happen sooner or later, no matter what."
"I don't know if that's creepy or comforting," said Claire.
"I will go for comforting," Aja said. "After all, what are we without our friends?" She smiled at her brother. "Our family."
Vendel was having a nice, relaxing afternoon, with nothing more pressing have arisen during the day than a minor spat over two different ways to brew glug, easily resolved. He was sat on his favorite stool, heated beverage in hand, enjoying the quiet.
Which was, of course, when an entire horde of rowdy human teenagers stumbled through his door, all laughing and talking over one another.
He sized them up; three of the usual suspects, four if you counted the dragon, and two newcomers.
Putting his cup down, Vendel dragged a hand down his face and stood. "More humans?" he complained to the future Trollhunter.
Jim smiled up at him. "Not exactly. Vendel, meet Aja and Krel Tarron."
The two humans in question sobered, then, almost as one, bowed to him. "Elder Vendel of Heartstone Trollmarket," said the female, "you have been of great assistance to our parents and our people, and we of House Tarron are forever in your debt."
Vendel paused. "House Tarron?" he asked. That sounded oddly familiar.
"Many keltons ago," the male said, "our parents, King Fialkov and Queen Coranda of Akiridion-5, journeyed here, and entrusted to you, and to the previous Trollhunter," he said with a glance at Jim, "Gaylen's core." He smiled. "And we hope it may remain in your safekeeping for many keltons to come."
Vendel blinked. "I did meet the king and queen," he admitted. "But, forgive me... you do not have the look of them."
The girl gave a small laugh. "Our transductions," she said, poking at her own arm. "They keep us safe on your planet, allowing us to blend in with the humans. We cannot yet take them on and off at will."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll get to work on making them portable," her brother grumbled.
Vendel considered them, then raised an inquiring eyeridge at the Trollhunter and the two wizards. All four nodded; they clearly believed the two newcomers.
"Vendel, it's all right," Jim said. "They're from the future, too."
Very well. Vendel inclined his head. "It is a pleasure to welcome you to Trollmarket, Princess Aja, Prince Krel. May I inquire as to the purpose of your visit?"
That earned him twin grimaces. "There has been a coup on Akiridion-5," Aja said. "We fled here; our parents are on our ship, gravely wounded and in stasis. Our guardian, Varvatos Vex, has accompanied us, and, like us, remembers the future."
"The usurper General Morando will follow us here," Krel added. "In the other timeline, he was able to acquire Gaylen's core, and the power to destroy worlds. We were able to stop him - but it took our parents sacrificing their lives."
"We will not allow that to happen again," Aja said. "And so we of House Tarron come to you again, asking once more for Trollmarket's help, in order to save Akiridion-5."
"Hey, who's the hottie?" Steve asked Eli as Jim, Claire, and Douxie trooped into the Heroes' Forge (of which he was totally one; Steve Palchuk, hero!) followed by two other kids he'd never seen before.
Eli adjusted his glasses. "Um, Krel Tarron? He's in half our classes, Steve?" A dreamy sigh. "Did you see what he did with the Bunsen burner and the Erlenmeyer flask in Chemistry?"
"Huh? What? No, not the geek, Pepperjack!" Steve shoved him. "The blonde!"
"Oh. Um." Eli refocused. "That's his sister Aja. I think they're twins, maybe? They're new in town."
"Oh, so new in town, is it?" Steve puffed up. "Maybe she needs someone to show her around."
"Wait, Steve-!" Eli cried as Steve walked over to the others, but was ignored.
"Think we should tell him they're refugees?" Darci asked from behind him.
"No-" Eli winced as Steve shrieked, already on the ground with Aja pinning his arm behind him by his little finger. "It wouldn't sink in anyway."
"I do not need you to show me around, Steve Palchuk," Aja said, letting him up. "But... I would not be adverse to 'spending time with you,' as your people say." She paused and looked quizzical. "Why do they say that?" she asked. "Time is not money."
Steve got up, and the rest of them could practically see the hearts forming in his eyes.
"That was fast," remarked Douxie.
"Ay ay ay," Krel groaned, his hand on his forehead. "And here we go again. Remind me why I came here?"
Varvatos paused and nervously tugged at the collar of his transduction's shirt. No, not nervously. He, Varvatos Vex, was a warrior! He would not be cowed by the mere glimpse of the stunning beauty that was Nancy Domzalski.
(He nonetheless felt like skeltegs were romping around in his innards as he approached the bandstand where Nancy and Jerry were playing a match, with Phil looking on.)
He had in his hand a small bundle of flowers. Mother had informed him that hoomans often began courtship with such a gift - though the significance of dying flora was lost on Varvatos. Perhaps the red of the flowers was meant to symbolize the battlefields awash with the blood of felled hooman suitors? And the thorns were surely meant to represent the weapons with which skewering was done-
Nancy made her move and hit the clock. Phil chuckled and crossed his arms. "She's got you there," he told Jerry.
Who adjusted his glasses and peered closely at the battlefield. "I'm not out yet," he told his friend.
Nancy leaned back in her chair, smiling placidly. She was calm and clever, with the mind of a general. Varvatos would not even bet against her winning this match.
Jerry frowned, then moved a piece, hitting the clock.
Nancy grinned and made her own move, toppling a piece of his and claiming it. Glorious!
Jerry's palm met his face; he groaned. "How did I miss that?" he complained.
"Told you, man," Phil consoled.
"And I think that makes us three to one," Nancy trilled happily. She looked up. "Phil, do you want another match?"
Varvatos made his own move and walked forward, stiffly thrusting the flowers at Nancy. She blinked in surprise, looking up at him from behind her optical lenses.
"Varvatos has heard," he said, "that you are a most skilled player of this chess game. He would slaughter armies for a chance to learn from you."
Nancy took the offered flowers slowly, blinking at him. "Well," she said, "that may be the nicest thing anyone's said to me this week."
"Oh, I gotta see this," Phil said.
Jerry got up, offered Varvatos his chair. "Be my guest," he said.
Varvatos sank into the chair as Nancy reset the board.
Across the chessboard from the queen of his heart, Varvatos made his first move.
Mary looked dubiously at Zoe as she handed her phone over to the older girl. It'd been made obvious to her that Zoe and Douxie had had some sort of falling out, though Mary was not privy to all the intimate details. While part of her wanted the hot goss, a greater part of her wanted the lessons, and rule number one of getting what you want was to not piss off the person giving it to you.
"What is this piece of crap?" Zoe demanded, poking at the screen. She shouldn't have been able to unlock it, but somehow she had. Mary's apps and photos flashed across the screen, one after another, lightning-fast, throwing flashes of different color on Zoe's face.
Mary wanted, with a sudden desperate thirst, to learn how to do what Zoe was doing. "What's wrong with my phone?"
Zoe scoffed. "This is an outdated piece of shit, and you need better." She looked back at the phone and scoffed again. "I wouldn't even trust this as training wheels."
"We don't all work in a tech store," Mary snapped back, gesturing around the otherwise-empty HexTech lobby. "I'm in high school, remember? And my parents aren't going to buy me another phone until I graduate. Which is two more years."
"With the way you'll be using it, this will be bricked by then." Zoe glared at the phone. "Come on, kid, let's get you something decent."
"You can't buy me, you know," Mary said as she followed Zoe into the back of the store. "I'm not going to suddenly take your side just because you give me a new phone."
Zoe turned around, walking backwards, brandishing Mary's phone like it has personally offended her. "I'm not giving you a new phone, I'm giving you a wiped refurb that you can build up on to make something customized to your needs and skills. Not something that's riddled with Big Tech spyware, crap apps, and a throttled-back connection rate."
"I want my stuff on it," Mary said. "My pictures, my messages, the apps I use."
Zoe grinned. "The first thing I'm teaching you," she said, "is how to transfer that over." With a little zap of pink electricity from her finger to the keypad, she opened a door that led to a vast storeroom of all kinds of tech goodies.
Douxie pulled a staff out of the weapons heap, which looked like it had been rearranged since the last time he came down to the Hero's Forge, and crossed to where Darci was standing. "Fancy a sparring partner?" he asked.
She looked at him, and, okay, Douxie was well aware that he was older than her and taller too, but, honestly, she probably had as much muscle on her as he did, and she didn't have to worry about magic burning it off. "I'm new at this," Darci warned, but raised her sword nonetheless.
He grinned. "I'm well aware," he said, and moved slowly, just fast enough that she could use her sword to block his staff.
After a few passes, she seemed to realize he was here in teaching mode, not as a true sparring partner. Douxie could see her relax. "So, um," Darci said, "why're the new kids here?"
Douxie shrugged. "They're involved in this too."
"Oh." Darci blocked then seemed to get up a bit of nerve, trying a hasty strike at Douxie's open left side.
He blocked it and laughed. "Nice try. Good eye for an opening," he told her.
"They're, like, wizards?" she asked.
"Eh." He shrugged. "Krel's certainly a tech wizard, but... no. No magic for them."
Darci stared flatly at him, unimpressed.
"Their people have been tied up, in a sort of roundabout way, with the safety of this realm and others, for a long time," Douxie said. And he didn't have all the puzzle pieces himself for how Akiridion-5 was tied to Earth and its magic, but now he knew, in a way he hadn't in the last timeline, that there was a connection there.
"Their people?" Darci had lowered her blade. "Like, Romani or something...?"
Douxie hesitated. "Not precisely...?"
Her gaze was unforgiving.
Douxie sighed and turned. "Krel!"
The Akiridion turned to him.
"Is it okay if I tell Darci where you're from?"
Krel considered the manner, then shrugged, raising his hands.
Deciding that was as much permission as he was going to get, Douxie turned back to Darci. "On paper, they're refugees from Cantaloupia," he told her.
"Uh-huh. And in reality...?"
Douxie smirked. He pointed a finger toward the ceiling of the forge, and raised his hand.
It took a minute for her to get his implication, but when she did, shock went all over Darci's face. "You mean, like... outer space?" she squeaked.
Douxie nodded. "They're from a planet called Akiridion-5."
"It is about 40,000 light years away," Krel said, coming up beside him. "35,000 if one takes the bypass route. Hello, Darci. It is good to see you again."
"You're an alien?" she demanded, eyes wide.
"I am an Akiridion," Krel retorted. "You do not need to be derogatory about it."
"Hey, guys, gals, and non-binary pals," Toby greeted, rolling into the Forge with style.
"Hey, Tobes," Jim greeted. "What've you been up to?"
"Helping Blinky find volume four of Gems and Geodes to lend me," Toby replied, reaching behind himself to pat his backpack, where the volume in question rested. "There may now be shelves enough in the Trollmarket library, but I gotta confess, the Dewey Decimal System has spoiled me for finding books."
Aja eyed him warily. "You are borrowing books from Blinky?"
"Eh, yeah?" Toby scratched at the back of his head. "I've got kind of a knack for gemology, so this time around he's pushing me to pursue that, see where it goes. Learning about rocks makes me a better Trollhunter, or something."
Her eyes went wide. "Wait. You are the Trollhunter?"
"Uh." Toby exchanged a look with Jim. "Crap. Did we not mention that?"
"No, you did not!" Aja's volume caught her brother's attention where he was standing talking with Darci and Douxie. Krel jogged over, followed by the others. "Little brother," Aja told Krel, "Toby is the Trollhunter, not Jim!"
Jim grimaced. "We both kind of are?" he said, taking out his amulet even as Toby dug in his pocket and took out his amulet. "My amulet came back with me, and the original picked Toby this time..."
"Which you totally set up," Toby reminded him.
"Which I totally set up," Jim said, accepting that correction with a nod.
"Wait," asked Eli, "what do you mean 'this time'?"
"Uhh..." Toby exchanged a glance with Jim, another with Claire, then still more with Douxie and Aja and Krel.
Aja and Krel, at least, looked clueless about the problem in question. Douxie was shaking his head. "Fuzzbuckets," he murmured.
"Well, we were going to come clean about it after Aja and Krel arrived..." Claire offered with a wince.
"Yeah," Jim agreed, grimacing. "I just thought we'd do it better than this."
Toby coughed into his fist, then straightened up. "All right, time to level with you guys," he told Eli, Steve, and... Darci. He really hoped he wasn't about to torpedo his relationship with her. "We're all kind of... from the future."
There was a beat of silence. Then...
"What?!" Eli and Darci demanded together.
Steve looked wide-eyed and stupid. "Whoa," he whispered. "Just like in Future Warrior 2..."
Author's Notes: There's a Tumblr post about various mythologies (including Arthurian) that's all "My Liege, I Knoweth A Guy". It therefore seems kind of appropriate for Douxie to draw on people he knows in trying to (less painfully) get the Mothership a new daxial array. And his gesture of pointing up to indicate where the Tarrons are from is totally stolen from the original Roswell TV series.