Chapter Text
Jim (POV)
The world almost ended, Arcadia in ruins, so many lives lost. Taking in the details of his surroundings then he looked down at his motionless best friend. He made a decision. With the Time Stone in hand, a flash of white light illuminated around him. And the next thing, he was laying on his bed with the magazine on his face. Jim pushed the magazine off his face before jumping out of bed. His eyes soon settled on his alarm clock.
“It worked! It worked!” Jim exclaimed, before rushing out of his room.
The house was quiet as he walked to a door with a note. He opened the door to see his mom, fast asleep and crooked glasses. Jim felt a smile taking over his face. He remembered the same thing happened in the past or future… or alternative timeline. He was still trying to figure that out. He quietly made his way inside and crouched on one knee. His mom snored softly as he grabbed the nearby towel and cleaned her glasses, setting it on the bedside table.
He strolled down the stairs, taking in the details of his house as if it was his first time. His hand brushed over the railings. The sunlight kissed his skin as he neared the kitchen window. His knives and utensils were placed just how he remembered them. He strolled around the rooms before going into the garage. His bike stood in the same place. He clicked the button that opened the garage door. The door opened as the sunlight shone on Jim’s face. He breathed in the fresh air that wafted around the neighborhood before shifting his gaze to the trash can that laid on the floor. There wasn’t any tint of smoke and ash in the air.
“Come on, Tobes, come on,” He looked around. Houses surrounded the cul-de-sac but Toby didn’t come out of his house.
He waited for Toby to come by. After a moment, disappointment swept his face. He sighed.
“Was it goblins or raccoons?” Jim chuckled, trying to distract himself, "Guess I’ll never know.”
He sighed as he placed a can back into the trash can then he heard a high-pitched bell ring.
“We’re late for school, Jimbo.” It was Toby.
Jim felt a flood of emotions entering his head. Toby was alive! The Time Stone worked for real! He had a chance to make everything right. To avoid the loss of many.
“Toby!” he yelled as he wrapped his arms around his best friend.
“Jim!” said Toby, trying to match the happiness of Jim.
They laughed as they tumbled onto the grass.
“I missed you, Tobes.” Jim whispered, not audible enough for Toby.
“Well, we should get going, or you want Ms. Janeth to suffocate us with a mountain of homework.” Toby joked as he used his chubby arms to get up, “No lunch?” He practically pouted.
Jim chuckled and did the same. Gosh, no words could explain how happy he was right now. His best friend was standing right infront of him, alive.
“Tobes, can you take the canals after school?” Jim smiled at Toby as he pedaled his way down the street.
“What, why?” Toby asked, raising an eyebrow as he pedaled behind Jim.
“Just do it,” Jim said, turning around a corner.
Toby hummed in response.
The day went by just like Jim expected. The typical locker shoving by Steve and Coach Lawrence’s insults. Everything was normal, and he had a chance to make everything right. He planned to talk with Claire at P.E, well if he found the courage. Even after being in a relationship for around two years, Jim was still not the best at flirting. Just like before Strickler has given him the note. He knew Strickler was still working for Bular, but did he have a choice? It was more like help or getting your limbs torn out one by one. One thing for sure he was going to get Strickler and his mom together.
A familiar voice shook Jim out of his thoughts.
“Jimbo, I did it!” Toby celebrated on the top of rope, ringing the bell on the ceiling.
Of course, Coach Lawrence screamed the heck out of him. Jim had to relate; if he were the coach, he would have gone into a state of shock. But this didn’t happen in the alternative…past…original timeline.
“Nice, Tobes!” Jim turned around to where Claire and her friends sat.
Gosh, she looked just like a goddess like always. Jim considered himself lucky to be Claire’s boyfriend. But could he do it again? He remembered what Claire said to him before he went back in time, whatever happens, don't give up on me. Don't stop trying, until I love you. It’s not going to be that hard right?
Jim took a deep breath as he stood in front of the girls. He could feel their eyes settling on him.
“Um..um.. Romeo and Juliet?” Jim fidgeted with his hands and his ocean blue eyes slowly looked into Claire’s dark brown eyes.
Never mind, it is that hard.
“You know Shakespeare?” Claire gave Jim a soft smile.
“Uh… y-yeah.” Jim nodded, sending back Claire a soft smile.
“We need boys for the school play, maybe you can try?” Claire passed the paper into Jim’s hand before walking off to her friends.
“Hasta Huevo!” Jim waved before slapping himself on his forehead.
This is the second time he did this and he still had to say “until egg”. He really needs to work on his Spanish. He studies Spanish every night and he still can’t get a simple “Until next time” correct. But other than that, he got Claire’s attention.
Jim pushed his thoughts away before walking off to Toby.
The Sun set into the horizon as Jim cycled down the road of his neighborhood. Normally, his boredom would be filled with the non-stop chatting with Toby, but he had sent Toby to get the amulet. He knew the amulet was better off with Toby. He’d be a better trollhunter than Jim. The world wouldn't end up Besides that, this time he auditioned for Romeo without his armor. It felt off… but the words Blinky said to him on the first day stuck to him like pollen. He drifted deeper into his mind before a familiar bike bell rang.
“Jim, Jim!” Toby called out but he had to stop to breathe, “I know you won’t believe me but I would NEVER lie to you. And I mean NEVER. I tell you everything remember? I need you to trust me. This is ABSOLUTELY 100% true, and I’m not insane-”
Jim let out a small laugh, he was waiting for this moment, but quickly covered his face with confusion, “Slow down, Tobes I’ll believe you.”
Toby raised an eyebrow, “Really? I thought you’d need some convincing.”
“Well, guess I don’t… I think we should do this inside? The Sun’s setting”
“Yeah, yeah, but you’ll trust me right?”
Jim chuckled, “Yup,”
They made their way into Toby’s house, before Toby continued rambling about the amulet. As much as Jim wanted to burst out laughing and hug him, he tried his best to put on an interested and confused face.
“Okay, okay, so I went to the canals like you told me too and I found this pile of K-spar near the bridge, and, and,” he waved his hand around, “something in the rocks called my name, Jimbo. It called my NAME! You have to trust me!”
At this point he was giving a show. He paced around his room, gesturing wildly. Jim compared this with Blinky giving his lectures about trolls.
“I told you, I believe you, Tobes.” Jim reassured Toby.
“Well, I dug into the pile and found this clock,” he held his hand up for Jim to wait as his free hand searched his pocket. Then he took it out. The amulet.
“This, this, it called my name! I know this sounds absolutely insane but you have to believe me, I would never lie to you!”
“I get it, Tobes,” Jim scooted forward, adding a “woah” to his sentence, “it says something.”
He wanted to see Toby in the armor. He remembered how Toby wanted armor of his own before Merlin showed up, besides that, he hasn’t seen the armor for what, months? It’d be nice to see Toby wearing armor that’s not made from the remains of his beloved vespa.
“Hmm… for the glory of Merlin…” Toby squinted at the letters, “daylight is mine to command,”
The room shook after Toby. Jim, of course, knew what was going on, but he had to act. Being in Romeo and Juliet, his acting was good but he couldn’t help but smile. Toby’s dollhouse slowly wobbled forward and the window flew open as a gust of wind fought its way in. Toby started to levitate as metal plates stuck to his body. Blue orbs exited the amulet which rested on his chest and started circling around him. Whispers and hushes were heard as the orbs arrived at his hands. The sunlight of the setting sun reflected from his armor as Daylight appeared in his hands.
“Woah…” Toby whispered, too shocked to even exclaim as he flexed the sword in his hand.
“It’s so shiny…” Jim awed at the armor. He was so caught up with the Titans before that he totally forgot how shiny it was.
Jim had expected the armor to be bigger than Toby before it’d shrink, but it didn’t do that. Maybe it already shrunk? Toby pulled him out of his thoughts.
“Jimbo! You know what we can use this for? To kick Steve’s butt!” Toby sing-songed the last word.
“Yeah, I think the teachers won’t see someone in shining armor with a sword that can only be magic,” Jim laughed, scooting towards Toby before a stone hit Toby’s chest plate as he stumbled back.
"Hey!"
Toby rushed towards the window before jumping back with a high-pitched scream. The colors in his face drained as he turned to Jim.
“JIM, CREATURES, D-DOWN THERE.” Toby pointed his trembling finger to the outside.
Ah, Blink and Aaarrgghh. It was about time they came. Toby took a little longer to get the amulet. Although half of his mind was telling him to jump down and hug them, half of it told him to go to the window. Of course, he didn’t want Toby to know he was from the future…past…alternate timeline… oh forget it.
He leaned out of the window to see Blinky waving his upper pair of arms while the other pair held stones. Aaarrrgghh on the other hand sent a soft smile. For a big brute, he looked like a little kid sometimes. The realization hit Jim like a truck. Aaarrrgghh never had a real childhood. He threw his thoughts into the imaginary bin and put on his act before Toby started suspecting.
He jumped back and added the most fakest yelp, but he really tried.
“S-stone creatures…” Jim gasped, trying to fake his best.
“Um, aren’t you gonna scream? Or shout something?” the stout boy questioned, surprised by Jim’s calm-ish behavior.
So much for acting.
“Uh…Um… we should see what they’re here for! Yeah, yup!” Jim waved his index finger around as he twisted the doorknob.
“REALLY?” Toby bellowed. Jim flinched at the sudden shout. He knew his best friend was scared, or stressed but he never heard him shout like that, “JIMBO, TWO STONEY CREATURES COME UP TO MY DOORSTEP AND YOU SAY WE TALK TO THEM?!”
“Uh…yeah?” Jim nodded, knowing Toby was right, but he said what he said so now he had to go with the flow, “Maybe, they’re not here for… um, blood?”
He let out a nervous chuckle and watched Toby take deep breaths.
“If they are here for blood, you're buying me tacos… if we make it out alive,” Toby jabbed Jim in his chest, “well… if you're right, tacos on me.”
Jim chuckled, everything revolved around tacos in Toby’s world. The tacos only cost like $3 but if you don’t have to use your own money the better right? Jim thought about his choice of tacos since he knew he was going to win the bet.
Jim took a deep breath and put on his best scared act. In the play, he mostly had to act sad and romantic, but it was handy.
“Ah, Master?...” Blinky asked, not noticing the fear in the teens, well mostly Toby.
“Tobias,” Toby squeaked from behind.
“Great! Master Tobias, it is my greatest pleasure to meet you!” Blinky reached out a hand from one of his pairs only for Toby to black out.
“Uh…Um…I should take him in?” Jim suggested, not waiting for an answer before he rushed Toby to the sofa.
“Since Master Tobias doesn’t seem to be present, I think I can tell it to you?” Blinky asked. Jim nodded anyway, whether he said no or screamed, Blinky’s going to say it anyways. "Though I am quite confused on how calm you are."
“Your friend is the Trollhunter. His noble obligation is protective .” Blinky clasped his hands together, quickly forgetting about Jim's behavior.
“Uh.. what would he be protecting?”
“Us,” Aaarrrgghh chimed in, pointing a thumb at himself.
“And mankind. From bad trolls. As well as goblins, gruesomes, and the occasional rogue gnome.” Blinky continued on lecturing Jim on trollhunting and troll culture.
Jim already knew all of it, but he remembered how much he missed Blinky/father’s lectures. Sometimes he did get fed up, but it gave him back memories. He drifted into his thoughts as Blinky continued his lecture.
Jim caught a glimpse of the time and pushed the trolls out of the house before carrying Toby to his room.
Now that’s how he ended up sitting near his desk, thinking about his plan.
Of course, he can’t make a plan that will involve fighting the Arcane Order, something will obviously go wrong. He needed someone to help him. Him being the only one with the knowledge about the other timeline wasn’t helpful. Then it clicked. Douxie. He can get the wizard to believe him and make a plan. The others won’t believe him because they probably think time travel isn't possible. He felt guilty for not telling Toby, but it was his burden. Douxie could help him with the plan.
It was 11 p.m right now, Douxie was a late sleeper but the bookstore would be closed.
Jim closed the curtains together before laying in his bed.
Claire (POV)
“Alright, remember to read act 2 scene 2,” Ms. Janeth called out.
Claire moved the red curtains out of her way. On the other side, she found Jim stuffing his script into the bag. His phone peeking out of the bag wore the phone case she bought for him. Many would have thought it was to help bond with eachother, but really it's just because she had a crush on him. A tiny crush.
His raven black hair reflected the ceiling lights as he bent down to stuff his script. His hair flipped as he turned to Claire. His ocean blue eyes locked into her dark brown eyes. She could feel their noses brushing against each other and Jim’s warm breath ricocheting off Claire’s skin. Her face flushed with red, realizing their situation as she took a step back in sync with Jim.
She struck up a quick conservation with Jim to forget the awkward situation. He let out a nervous chuckle that Claire thought was cute. How can someone be cute and handsome at the same time?
Her mind couldn’t stop repeating the situation as she walked through the hallway. Being that close to Jim, she could remember the clear pale skin that reflected the light. Beside that, Claire had this feeling in her stomach that said she knew him before. Claire had only started like Jim at the beginning of the year. He was cute, and awkward. Oh and that smile. Forget having a tiny crush on him. It was absolutely a big crush. Setting aside her feelings for Jim, where had she met him? Whatever it was, she was going to find out.
Jim (POV)
He had told Toby about trollhunting on the way to school. Toby wasn’t happy about paying for tacos but his attention was drawn to trollhunting. Oh, and he had received the note from Strickler. He stuffed his script into the bag before turning around to be face-to-face with Claire. He wanted to kiss her cheek but probably would get a slap for feedback. He felt his face glow red as he snapped out of his thoughts before he took a step back.
“You did pretty good out there,” Claire stuffed a strand of hair behind her ear as she approached Jim.
“Yeah, you too,” Jim let out a nervous chuckle, heaving his backpack on his back.
“See you next time?”
“Yup.”
Jim walked off with a smile as he pulled the handle of the door before disappearing into the hallway, covering his face with one hand out of embarrassment.
The sky darkened as stars illuminated in the starry sky. The sun slept on the mountains as Jim pedaled to the bookstore. The fresh air flew past him as he zoomed down the streets.
Jim winced at the sudden scent that sidled into his lungs. He looked at the road and his surroundings, they looked… sharper? Jim could see the inside of shops with black paned glass and the mountains became more visible. What was happening? Before he could think, a strong scent that could only be animal waste wafted into his nose. He stepped on the brakes before coughing.
This wasn’t normal. No human would suddenly have a strong sense of smell or sight. He only had it when he was a troll. Well, technically half-troll. Realization hit him hard. He’s turning back into a half-troll . He wasn’t so sure about that though. Maybe he could ask Douxie that? But would it be weird? Yes. But did he have to? Yes. He sighed at the thought of having no options. Douxie will probably be caught off guard at his question and the whole conversation but he was the only one he could tell. If he told Blinky, the four-armed troll would probably think Jim went insane.
Jim walked into the bookstore as the bell above the door rang.
“Welcome to Arcane Books, what can I get ya?” a voice greeted Jim.
Jim turned around to spot Douxie.
Like always, he had black hair with tips of blue and golden yellow eyes. He wore an emo hoodie everyday, it’s not pretty hard to miss him. Jim felt a soft smile cover his face.
Jim took a deep breath and started, “Douxie, you got to believe me about what I’m about to say ok?”
The smile from the older boy faded and was replaced by seriousness.
“How do you know my name?”
“This is gonna sound crazy but I come from the future… or alternate timeline but scratch that.”
Douxie gave him an unconvinced look.
Jim sighed, "I wouldn't lie,"
"I've seen a lot in my life, how can I know that your not lying? Hm?"
Jim groaned. this was going to be a long explanation.
“So… let me get this straight. You’re from the future, and Arcadia was in ruins and the losses were too great so you used the time stone?” Archie summed up as he received a nod from Jim, “That’s pathetic.”
The wizard rolled his eyes.
“So, what your saying... is true?” Douxie questioned.
“It is! Why can't you just believe me?" Jim threw his hands into the air.
"It's not every day you find a time traveler," which was relatable.
Jim tapped his chin while his other hand rested on his hips. What could make Douxie believe him? His eyes widened as he got an idea. If it didn't work, nothing will.
"I-in the 12th century, you wore a man-bun and was quite stubborn."
Douxie groaned, his head basically melted into his hands. Archie on the other hand started tittering.
"Fine, I believe you," Douxie rose his head from his hands and rested his elbows on the counter, "so what do you need?"
"I have a guess that, well, that I'm turning into a half-troll," Jim rubbed the back of his neck.
“What?! Mate, how do you feel right now?” Douxie asked, coming closer to Jim. The tint of concern mixed with confusion in his voice.
“Um… sick? I felt a bit nausea earlier,”
“Sorry, but I have no idea,” Douxie shook his head, “but I’ll make sure to find out,”
“Thanks, Doux-”
A familiar dragged Jim’s attention to his phone, as he pulled it out of his denim pocket.
“I am a gun robot, ans-” the ringtone was cut off by Jim clicking the answer button.
“Hey, Tobes,” Jim stuck his phone to his ear. His hand brushed on the toppings of his phone case that Claire bought for him on the first day of rehearsal.
“JIM, JIM, HEAD TO DELANCEY, BULAR’S AFTER ME!” Toby’s voice yelled through the phone.
“Trollhunter, I’ll drink your blood out of a goblet made of your SKULL,” Jim pulled the phone away from his ear as Bular’s voice rang through the phone.
Alarm shot through Jim as he hung up and pushed his phone back into his pocket. He grabbed his backpack which was laying on one of Douxie’s sofas and made a run for the door.
“I bet you know how to ring me,” Douxie laughed as Jim rushed out of the door, receiving a quick warm smile.
Douxie (POV)
Douxie felt a tingle deep in his heart as the teen rushed out. He shared a glance with Archie, who had the same feeling. Maybe, what the boy said was true. He knew time travel was real, but how did he get hold of the Krohnisfere? He dug deeper into his mind to find answers but only to be hit with a headache. If this alternate timeline of the boy was true, Merlin will not be happy when he rises from his deep slumber.
He turns to his familiar as Archie does the same.
“I hope Merlin has mercy for the boy when he wakes up,” Archie teased as he received a light chuckle from Douxie.
Merlin despised time travel, or anything about time. He would say ‘Do not meddle with time’ or something Merlin would say..
“Why don’t we start finding about half -trolls, Arch?” Douxie asked, as he walked over the neatly arranged bookshelves that they hid in their back room. Different colours painted each book on the shelves, “If there’s any information.”
“Don’t mess it up like last time, I spent 3 hours organizing,” Archie warned as he grabbed a book with his paws and walked back to the sofa's arm.
“I won’t,” Douxie sent a playful glare to his familiar before closing the blinds and flipped the open sign to make a more private space to study.
"I don't see anything about half-trolls yet..." Archie readjusted his glasses as he squinted at the book.
"We just started, give it an hour or two," Douxie replied, dropping onto the sofa with his book.
He flipped through the pages. The smell of old books floated into his nose.
"I think I found something," said Archie.
Douxie turned his head towards Archie, trying to take a look at the book.
"That was fast," Douxie commented.
The Elixir Potion
A strong potion that only the wise can make to turn a person into a half-troll or others.
Do not attempt as it contains dark magic.
"And here I thought Merlin hated dark magic." Archie teased.
Douxie took the book and started reading, while Archie was off to get his cat nap.