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Book 5, Chp 3: The Hunt

After Douxie is caught by Merlin, Merlin woke up Hisirdoux. Merlin figured out that Douxie uses the time stone to go back to time and that he wasn't alone.

Merlin: Have you any idea what you've done? I knew my apprentice was an ignoramus, but traveling through time? Time!

Douxie: I think we handled ourselves just fine, all things considered. And, technically, it was your idea.

Merlin: Well, then, you must have botched it up! My planning is flawless.

Hisirdoux: For the record, Master, I had nothing to do with this. He did, which is me, and ugh! Time travel, so confusing!

Merlin quickly grabs the time map and inspects it before it turns into red.

Merlin: The timelines are in complete disarray!

Douxie: Look, I can fix this, I swear!

Merlin: Ah-ah, your meddling has already wreaked enough havoc on history.

Archie: Then surely we can use the Time Map to change things back, and then it'll all be as it was.

Merlin: It doesn't work that way. The map only offers glimpses of possible futures. There are no detailed instructions.

Douxie: Oh, come on, it's not that bad.

Merlin takes a look at the map and see the changes.

Merlin: (Gasp.) By my beard! (Douxie.) Not that bad, eh?

Merlin shows them the result of the timeline where king Arthur dies.

Douxie&Hisirdoux: Oh, fuzz buckets!

Merlin: Your little dungeon break must have changed fate. Now, unless I stop it, the king will die!

Merlin leaves his chamber with his staff to protect the king. Meanwhile at the throne room, king Arthur ready his armor with the help of Steve as Claire, YN, Morgana, Lancelot, and Toph enter to meet king Arthur.

Lancelot: Your sister, as requested, my lord.

Morgana: Why have I been summoned?

Arthur: The beasts in the dungeon have escaped, aided by shadow magic. Curious coincidence, hmm?

Morgana: I was in my quarters all night, being a good little indentured sorceress.

Arthur: Perhaps. But as for you, Toph, why were your kind didn't aid us to recapture them.

Toph: Out only concern is to protect the people and its kingdom. We should be grateful that nobody died. Especially with the risk chasing after them until Gunmar showed up. If it weren't for my new recruit, then who knows how many lives would Gunmar take.

Arthur: That may be true. But the creatures were seen fleeing into the Wild Woods. You two will help take them down.

Morgana: What? Why?

Arthur: Consider it a test of loyalty. Bring me their heads or yours will be on the chopping block next.

Toph: With respect, my king, my only concern is to defend the kingdom. Not hunting the trolls.

Arthur: If we don't hunt these beasts, then they would attack with their large numbers.

Toph: You're risking both our men to hunt down the beast and leave the defenses of Camelot.

Arthur: You dare to defend the trolls then?

Toph: I dare not to leave the people defenseless while going to the deep woods to hunt down the trolls.

Not wanting to let this go further, YN quickly decided to but in and speak.

YN: I will go!

This caught the king and the earthbender attention before YN speak further.

YN: I will go while Toph and her men stay to defend Camelot. One will be enough to go against the troll. So we wouldn't want to go overboard.

Toph: It will be dangerous.

YN: I know. But I've had fair experience on fighting the trolls before. However, I can't promise I can find them easily become my seismic senses aren't as good as yours.

Arthur: Very well. (To Toph.) You and your men can stay, but I will take him in the hunt.

Toph: Very well. (To YN.) Trust your earthbending, pebbles. You're going to need it.

YN nods and they all left the throne room.

Time skip

We see the knights are training by destroying statues of trolls while Steve is serving brew for the guards and Claire, YN, and Douxie are at the stable.

Claire : They're hunting Jim! If they catch him, he'll be killed!

Douxie: I know, and he's not the only one. Because of us, Arthur's now fated to eat the big one, too!

Steve: Eat the what?

Steve meets up his friends at the stable.

Steve: Oh, no, was I supposed to bring food?

Douxie: He'll be eating a death sandwich, Steve.

Steve: Ugh, who would eat that? Gross.

YN: He means Arthur is in danger.

Douxie: Look.

Douxie shows them the time map.

Douxie: If Arthur dies, we lose the Battle of Killahead and the war.

Archie: Which will probably mess up time so much, you'll never be able to return home.

The time map then reveal where their time is beginning to vanish.

Claire: Oh, no! Toby! What's happening to him?

YN: Our future is vanishing!

Douxie then looks at the time map deeper where it reveal something more.

Claire: What's that?

Douxie: Well... Well, that wasn't there before. It's a new timeline, one where Arthur and Jim live.

YN: And Morgana's the hero? I thought she was destined to become evil and all.

Douxie: It looks like there's a possibility, if we get Arthur and Morgana to reconcile, then, somehow, nobody dies.

Claire: I'll keep an eye on Morgana. Douxie, you work on Arthur. YN-

YN: Make sure Jim isn't found.

Claire: And Steve, make sure they don't kill my boyfriend.

They all head out to do their part where we see Douxie is hopping on the horse.

Douxie: Okay, Arch, let's save history- Whoa!

Douxie was pulled away from the horse by Merlin with his magic.

Merlin: Oh, no, you don't, boy.

Douxie: But, Master Merlin, I can help! I'm 900 years smarter, tougher-

Merlin: Nine hundred years crazier, clearly. I must focus on protecting the king's life. So I'm taking an apprentice who won't mess up the fabric of time.

Hisirdoux: L-Let's do this, Master!

Douxie: Him? But he's just a moppet with a man bun!

Hisirdoux: Someone's just jealous they don't get to ride on the horse.

Soon Arthur arrives along with Morgana.

Arthur: It's time we root out every last enemy in our lands. Death to all Trolls!

Knights: Death to all Trolls!

The knights begin their hunt and ride outside of the kingdom as YN, wearing earthbending armor, followed along until he spotted Douxie in the barrel.

YN: What are you doing in that barrel, D?

Douxie: Merlin thinks we'll do a lot of damage if I intervene and taking another me instead.

YN: Oh no, I ain't gonna follow Merlins order nor Arthur. You're tagging along. Besides, if your younger version gets killed, you will cease to exist.

Douxie: Just leave the doppelganger to me.

YN grabs Douxie and Archie before they follow to catch up to Hisirdoux as they soon catches up to Steve and Hisirdoux.

Hisirdoux: What a beautiful day for a ride. It just makes you want to-

Douxie quickly cast a sleeping spell on his past self once again who fell of the horse and snores.

Archie: You do know that repeat sleep spells can cause memory loss permanently.

Douxie: Huh, don't remember that. No matter.

YN: Times wasting. Let's go!

They catch up to the group to ensure their time is still connected. Otherwise there will be no returning.

Time skip

We now see the group arrive at the middle of the forest and they look around. Unbeknownst to them, Jim and Callista are hiding by the trees and Jim notice one of the knights are close to find a gnome.

Jim: We can't let them find the others.

Callista: They'll lead them straight to our village. No-good fleshbags.

Jim: We gotta distract them.

Callista: Oh, you're right.

Without a moment of thought, the troll pushed Jim at the open where he's been spotted by the knights.

Jim: Oh, he-hello!

Arthur: Get them!

Jim runs off with Callista to escape from the knights.

Jim: I can't believe you pushed me!

Callista: Come on! We'll lose them in the Wild Wood!

While they're being chased, Douxie catches up to Merlin to speak with him.

Douxie: Merlin, you have to look at the Time Map! We found-

Merlin: You! You defy my command when the king's life is in jeopardy? Need I remind you that we trespass in Gunmar's territory?

Douxie: But, Master, I found a new line of fate! We can save everyone if we get Arthur and Morgana-

He was then interrupted when they all stop and notice the fog beyond the woods.

Arthur: They've entered the Wild Wood. Abandon the horses. We head on foot! Earthbender, look for them.

YN: Yes, my king. (Mutters.) God I'm gonna regret saying that.

YN stomps his feet to use his seismic senses to scan the area. He did found Jim, but he couldn't risk his friends life. So he had no choice but to lie to them. 

YN: It seems that the trolls are too far from my range. It'll be risky if we go one foot and there might be a chance that if its a trap.

King: Nevermore, we will pursue. Onward!

They walk on foot too the forest while Merlin and Douxie are arguing.

Merlin: Changing fate is never that simple. I'll deal with you later. What's most important is that I keep Arthur safe from harm.

Archie: Okay, good chat, sir!

Douxie: Forget him. Stick to the plan. I'll take the king.

Claire: I'll cover Morgana.

YN: I'll make sure Jim isn't found.

Archie: And let's just focus on getting these royal siblings to hug and make up.

Claire: And not die.

Archie: Uh, yes, that, too.

Douxie sticks with the king to start a small talk.

Douxie: Eh, enjoying the hunt, milord?

Arthur: (Sighs.) You again, boy? No. I'll feel better after dealing with my sister.

Douxie: Wouldn't you say life's too short
to hold grudges?

The king just glares at the wizard.

Douxie: (Chuckles.) I mean, family's so important, isn't it? You're lucky that you've got one. Closest I ever got was him.

Douxie points at Archie who coughs hairball before the king walks away.

Douxie: Please, sire. Morgana was only looking out for those poor creatures. Is all this really worth hurting her?

Arthur: I will speak of this no more!

Arthur leaves as Douxie fails his small talk with the king. Meanwhile Claire is trying to start a small talk with Morgana

Morgana: Ugh, my brother has eyes everywhere.

Claire: He's just looking out for you. Can you blame him?

Morgana: He's already accused me of betrayal.

Claire: I lost my brother once. You don't appreciate them till they're gone. Maybe if you just talked?

Morgana: Pfft, look where that last talk got us. Please, of everyone here, you're the only one I can trust.

Claire: Me? What made him stop trusting you?

Morgana: It's a long story. Come on.

They continue onwards to look for any traces of trolls.

knight: No sign of them, sire. Trail's gone cold.

Archie: Mm, not much love left between them. If only you could make him remember the good old days.

Douxie then spotted a tree where there's carving that says Arthur and Gwen. And that's where get gets another idea.

Douxie: Maybe I can.

He cast a spell on the tree before getting the kings attention.

Douxie: Say, my liege, didn't you used to spend time in this wood?

Arthur: Yes. As a boy. Much time was lost in this accursed forest. I often fled to these woods to escape from my growing responsibilities.

Arthur approaches it and when he touched it, magic appear and each fly's around the knights who are alert. Merlin knew it was Douxies doing and he scoffs.

Merlin: Stand down. We're not in danger. My lord-

The magic then reveals Arthur, Morgana, and Gwen's childhood times which got the kings attention including his sister. Remembering how happy the three were.

Arthur: Gwen.... My betrothed. My beloved. She was the heart of me.

Morgana: Mm, we loved these woods. The freedom they offered. The wood showed us kindness for our courage. Gwen and I were never scared.

Young Gwen and Morgana then runs into what appears to be Nari. Nari show no signs of threat until young Arthur scared her away.

Morgana: Arthur, however

Arthur: I knew what danger lurked in the darkness. As we grew older and duty kept me inside, Morgana encouraged Gwen, brought her out when she should have stayed safe within Camelot.

Soon it now shows adult Gwen and Morgana running to the woods together.

Morgana: Arthur always blamed me for our moonlight trips. But that night, it was Gwen pulling me out of the door.

Gwen then fell down to a pit where the Stalking is near where she met her fate.

Morgana: We'd stumbled into a Stalkling nest. It was afraid.

Arthur: That night, Gwen went into the woods and never returned. (Sigh.) You, sister, should have known better.

Morgana: You never forgave me. And when my own gifts blossomed, you saw yet another abomination. Ordered Merlin to teach me to control that part of me though Gwen loved magic as I did.

Arthur: Yes. Yes, she did... I...I miss her terribly.

Morgana: As do I...brother.

The future team sees how well the siblings are getting along and they quickly check the time map to see its working well.

Douxie: It's working!

That, however, was turn down when Lancelot arrived with news.

Lancelot: Troll! We found one!

Arthur: I will lose no one else to those creatures. To arms!

The time map then receives another error.

Douxie: No, no, no, no, no! Not now!

Claire: Oh, no! Jim!

YN: Well good news, that's not Jim.

Claire: Oh, thank god.-

YN: Its a gumm-gumm.

Claire: Uh oh...

Lancelot: Steady, men! Remember your training. Kill the beast!

Steve: Wait, kill? I thought this was catch-and-release!

They move out before Merlin speaks to Douxie.

Merlin: Using magic? On the king? Are you mad? Come, we must protect Arthur.

They sneak their way to encounter a gumm-gumm and it didn't take long before the pin it down with chains.

Arthur: Take the beast down!

Morgana: Arthur, no!

YN: Morgana, wait!

YN quickly stops Morgana to speak her.

YN: That one's a gumm-gumm. They're more dangerous.

Morgana: You side with my brother?

YN: No I don't. But that troll is dangerous because I've encounter one like that.

Lancelot offers Steve to do the honor to slay the beast but he was then knocked back by the gumm-gumm before Arthur jumps in. 

Arthur: Careful, young squire. Show these beasts no sympathy.

They manage to take the beast to the sunlight before it got turned into stone.

They celebrate their victory until YN spotted something from his seismic senses and yells.

YN: Steve, behind you!

Steve look back and saw it was Bular. Thankfully Bular grabbed and throw Steve away before facing the group.

Lancelot: Bular the Butcher!

Galahad: The Gumm-Gumm prince himself!

Bular attacked the knights including Arthur until Bular was knocked back by YNs rock throw.

YN: Everyone get back! This one's formidable!

YN then faces Bular who draw his duel swords.

Bular: I'll drink your blood out of a goblet made of your skull!

YN: (Scoff.) How bout I show you how real beasts fight?

Bular roars and attacks YN who dodges them until he uses his earthbending to create an armor to block the blades. He threw fair punches against Bular until the troll had enough and grabs YN before slamming him against the tree. Causing his stone armor to fall apart which gave Bular the opening for his sword.

Bular: I'll carve you open, let your guts spill out!

YN tries to break free from the grip as Bular is about to kill YN. Fortunately, Douxie manage to stop Bular from doing it with his own magic.

Douxie: There's no spilling anything today!

Thanks to Douxie, Merlin use the opportunity to trap the troll under a spell trap.

Bular: Finish it, then, fleshbag!

Arthur: The spawn of Gunmar. I won't dull Excalibur's edge with you. (Knocks Bular out.) Drag this monster back to Camelot! I have plans for him. The rest, with me! My blade hungers.

Lancelot: As you wish, milord. Onward!

Some of the knights take Bular as a prisoner while Morgana watched everything including Claire, Douxie, and Steve.

Morgana: Who's the monster here?

Time skip

They continue onwards to the deep forest until Lancelot spotted troll tracks.

Lancelot: Huh, these tracks are fresh! The other beasts can't be far, milord. Best we spread out, flank them!

Arthur: Go.

The knights head out but Arthur stops Morgana with his sword.

Arthur: And you, time to pick a side.
You would do well not to return with a clean sword.

Morgana didn't say anything as she follows the others.

Time skip

They continue to pursue where Steve had to go through the traps to prove himself and which did hurt a lot from him. Nevertheless, he did cleared a path. Though YN does his best to not lead the group to Jim, they manage to find them where Lancelot, Galahad, and Steve are sneaking to.

Lancelot: Shh, I've got one in my sights.

Steve notice Lancelot is aiming the crossbow at Jim and he quickly acts to save Jim.

Steve: Oh, snap! Uh mosquito!

Steve smack Lancelot head which he misses and only manage to wound Callista leg.

Jim: Callista!

Callista: Run, now!

Lancelot: (To Steve.) Clumsy jackanape!

Steve: Oh, no! Another mosquito!

Jim runs until he trip face flat to the ground where the shard went deeper to the amulets. Causing Jim to act differently by the pain until he shakes it off and tries to catch up. Fortunately Lancelot have up on the crossbow and shoves it to Steve for letting them lose their troll.

Steve: What if we let this one go?

Lancelot: You never let them go!

Arthur: Rally, men! Whoever gets that Troll gets a fiefdom!

Lancelot: Huzzah!

knights: Huzzah!

Douxie: Wait!

Merlin: My king, it's not safe!

They all ignore the wizards and chase after the trolls.

Claire: Oh, no.

YN: (Groans.) Do they always have to make this hard for us?

Morgana: Come, handmaiden. Not a moment to lose.

Claire: What are you gonna do if we catch them?

Morgana: Whatever I have to.

Claire: (Gasps.) Jim!

We see Jim is running until he falls down to the hill. Due to the shard on his chest, he's unable to have enough strength to run or even run as Morgana catches up to him.

Morgana: There you are.

Jim: Morgana!?

Claire: Jim! Jim!

YN: Hang on, Jim!

Jim brace himself for what's about to happen until Morgana actually helps h
Jim rather than hurting him.

Morgana: Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you.

Claire: Jim! Don't kill him! You said-

Claire and YN catches up and they saw Morgana is helping their friend.

Morgana: I'm sorry you were ever in a cage.

Claire runs to hug Jim as YN is about to join until Morgana points her staff at him.

YN: Whoa, easy!

Morgana: How can I know to trust you when you help harming the troll recently.

YN: Because I know the difference between the good and the bad. What I said about gumm-gumms is true, but I know this guy isn't one. If only Merlin didn't do this to him.

Morgana: (Confused.) What do you mean-

YN: No time for explanation. They're coming.

Thanks to his seismic senses, he knows that the rest of the group are on their wah.

Morgana: Go. I will draw away the others. Go!

Jim: (To Claire.) I'll find you.

The couples kiss before Jim runs off until Arthur got in the way and knocks him back before the others notice him.

Morgana: Arthur!

Claire&YN: Jim!

Arthur: So, sister. Your true loyalties stand revealed at last. I warned you not to return with a clean sword.

Claire: No!

YN: Jim!

Before the king could kill Jim, Morgana blocks the sword with her own staff. Defending the Trollhunter.

Arthur: What? What are you doing?

Morgana: What I should have done years ago.

Arthur: You dare raise arms against your king?

The siblings clash their weapons against each other while the future team helps their friend up.

Claire: Run, Jim!

Lancelot: Get back here, you gravel-eater!

Lancelot fires a crossbow at them but Claire stops and unexpectedly, her magic knocks the arrow away.

Lancelot: What the? She's a wit-

Steve uses a rock to knock Lancelot from behind.

Steve: Oh-ho, man! That Troll- that came out of nowhere! Right, guys?

Lancelot groans and Steve knock him out once again with the rock.

YN: Go, Jim!

Jim uses this opportunity to run while the siblings continue to fight.

Arthur: I knew it was you! You defied me, freed those monsters, and now attack your own blood? What possesses you?

Morgana: Clarity of mind, brother.

Soon the rest of the group arrives as Merlin realize the situation.

Merlin: (Shock.) Morgana? She takes Arthur's life.

Douxie: No, no! No, wait, wait!
We don't have to figh-

Merlin had enough of his apprentices and uses his magic to keep Douxie out of this.

Merlin: Defend the king at all costs!

YN: Merlin, no!

The guards surrounded Morgana.

Morgana: You, too, old man?

Merlin: I do what I must for the greater good!

Morgana: Traitors! You throw us in chains, fearing what you cannot control, but we of magic are not lesser creatures, we are more!

YN: Everyone stand down! This isn't necessary!

It was too late when Morgana uses her magic to knock everyone back.

Claire: We found another way!

Douxie: We can do this peacefully!

Morgana: The time for peace ended long ago.

Claire: Morgana, he's not the enemy.

Morgana: I trusted you!

She uses her magic to float above them.

Morgana: Now you side with my brother over your own kind? You're just one of them. You're all against me, but I am more powerful than you know. Ortum obumbratio!

Morgana unleash her magic to cast everyone's shadows to turn and replicate Morgana on each of them.

Douxie: Oh, buckets.

The shadow figures fight them off where it leads to the cliff not far from Camelot.

Morgana: Your cruelty towards magic-kind knows no bounds! You have taken and taken, and now we take back!

Merlin: Protect the king!

Morgana shadows knock the king to the edge of the cliff. He climbs his way back up and see how everyone's struggling to fight them off.

Arthur: Enough!

The king unleashed his magic to knock everyone back as the shadows disappeared. Douxie gets up and notice the time map is changing while the siblings fight once again.

Morgana: You outlaw magic, but fight with an enchanted sword! You snuff out any power that isn't yours, but I won't go so quietly.

Arthur: I denied your true nature for so long because you are my sister. But when I look at you now, all I see is a demon! A witch!

Morgana: And all I see is a little boy driven mad by hatred and prejudice! Goodbye, brother.

Morgana is about to use her magic to kill her brother.

Douxie: Morgana! No! No, no, no!

The magic blinded Arthur and he blindly swing his sword before he realize that he sliced off his sisters hand. Shocking him as he realize what he has done.

Arthur: No...

Morgana: Brother?

Without realizing, she accidentally step back and falls off the cliff.

Douxie: Morgana!

Claire: No!

Merlin: No!

YN: Yes- I mean, No!

Claire: Seriously?

YN: Oh, shut up. You hated her too.

It was too late as Morgana fell down to the beach. Arthur saw his sister dead before the ocean takes her body away. Regretting what he's done and he shattered the Excalibur before screaming with regret. Nightfall came and everyone return to the kingdome.

Toph: What happened? Where's Morgana?

YN didn't say anything as he shook his head before she realize what happened to her friend.

Arthur: Now magic has truly taken everything from me.

Claire: She's gone. We failed.

Douxie: No, I failed. Master, I- I'm so sorry.

Merlin: This is why you don't meddle with time.

Douxie: But I tried. I tried to fix it.

Merlin: Don't you see, boy? There is no "fixing" anything. Every change has consequence. Knowing the future is a responsibility to bear with caution, lest you cause worse things to happen.

Merlin leaves Douxie alone who held the time map.

Douxie: Morgana's dead, Excalibur's broken. That never happened.

Archie: We are in uncharted territory.

YN: At least Jim is safe.

Claire: But at what cost?

YN: I don't know. All I know for sure is wherever Jim is at. I only hope he'll be safe for the time being.

And so everyone head back to the castle, figuring out what to do next. Or else there's nothing to go back anymore.

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