Endings and Beginnings: Part 1

You are food.

Skin and bone, muscles and fat. You are a delicacy, a cut of meat topped with wonderfully chewy tendons. To those who lurk in the depths of the earth you are a sweet meal indeed. One to be broken down and tore to bloody pieces. Marrow sucked from your bones down slobbering maws. Eyes sucked from your skull. Flesh sent down hungry gullets.

The predators of the deep have long been forgotten by Mankind; left to gnaw on the bones of the past and the dirt of victories stolen from them. They are unrelenting in their need to bring The-Maw-That-Walks back into our lands to lead them in a glorious massacre-feast. To devour all of Humanity in an orgy of violence and food.

Do not fear though; for like our foes, our protectors also fight in the darkness. They are Trollhunters- the protectors of the deep. They are steadfast against the darkness, ready to stand against the avalanche of evil. And like their hoggish foes they are unrelenting. Merlin's chosen. Smiting those who live in darkness with the power of daylight.

As daylight is theirs to command.

But daylight is fading. And in the dark a new trollhunter must be forged. One who likes had not been seen in an age.

Arcadia Oaks was a simple town. One located within California, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It lived up to its name as it was an utopia for oak trees. The people within the town lived out simple calm lives; ones filled with the usual human conflict. It was your atypical small American town; there was a school, a dentist, a library. The expected features of such a quiet settlement. But if one was to look inside the cracks then you would notice the slight differences. The air about Arcadia seemed heavy, foreboding. Like it was the centerpiece for something awe-inspiring to come.

For good or for ill was uncertain.

Upon the bridge on the outskirts of Arcadia, one such event was taking place. A champion of darkness, ice and hunger traded blows against a champion of good, light and honour. A battle of good and evil.

The champion of darkness was a cruel looking thing; It had a tall, muscular body, strong muscles scarred from battle, the brute's body was covered in coal-grey spiky scales which topped his brow like a crown. His head was lumpen, with a prodigious nose and his maw was filled with broad tusks. His oddest feature was that across his torso was a second maw, that snapped feverishly at the air. His weapons were two cestus gauntlets in the shape of snarling demons. His name was Bular Boneripper, Devourer of Fools. For only the foolish would stand against him.

His opponent was majestic in the way a bull was. Awe-inspiring but still unnerving to the eye. He lack scales, inside having blue skin and grey fur. His face was aged and beaten- in fact he was missing a nose, lost from a previous battle. He was not as tall as his opponent but was still broad, still imposing. On the edge of the champion's face was a pair of antler-like tusks.

He wielded a great broadsword; with the ease of one holding a knife. He was also clad in a set of armour; that which was draconic in design, covering his body like scales. And at the swirling center of the scale-like armour was an amulet. The amulet was like that of a clock, however decorated in ancient troll sigils. The trollhunter was Kanjigar the Courageous, Chosen of Daylight.

"You're looking tired trollhunter," Bular sneered, his voice a thick Yorkshire accent. "Come let me relieve you of your mighty burden."

He swung a blow that would crack limbs, catching Kanjigar in his ribs denting the mighty armour. Bular grinned, this would be his triumph. "Bah! Weak and soft and old!"

Kanjigar swung his great blade, which Bular caught with ease across his cestus, before snapping his jaw on the trollhunter's shoulder. Armour buckled again; a sign of the arcane magic in the armour was buckling. It was unable to take the strain of this burden. Bular had him, Kanjigar knew this would be his final battle.

Despite this Kanjigar would not go down with ease. And he would not allow his ghastly foe what he truly desired. "You are one to talk of age, Bular," Kanjigar called out, punctuating his sentence by smashing the hilt of his blade on his foe. Bular reeled in pain and anger. "And you shall not relieve me of my burden. None of your dark ilk will!"

Bular's eyes narrowed with anger and frustration. He'd been chasing this fool of trollhunter all night. Poking and prodding him into a trap on Bular's devising. Now he could not escape, he had nowhere left to flee. Two trolls fighting on a bridge, some part of Bular found this amusing. Behind Kanjigar Bular could make out the sight of the rising Sun. He grinned. His gambit worked.

Kanjigar noticed that Bular was looking past him and turned to likewise see the Sun rising. His moment of folly cost him, as Bular swung his fist again catching Kanjigar across the face. Teeth flew from his jaw and one of his tusks broke from the blow. Kanjigar returned with a hammer blow of his own, before swinging his blade for across Bular's face. The foul troll simply laughed as he received these blows, they did nothing against him.

"Simply surrender trollhunter," laughed Bular, as he pinned Kanjigar against one of the bridge supports. "It will spare you so much more pain."

"A trollhunter never gives up!" Kanjigar responded, grabbing Bular's head and smashing it into the pillar. "I will not yield to you Bular, I'd rather die!"

"Admirable heroism trollhunter," mocked Bular, shaking his head clear. "But heroes always die first and your death will not be a gentle one."

Kanjigar gritted his teeth and swung his blade at Bular. Bular simply smiled as the blade went to slash his torso, as the maw there simply latched onto the blade and tore it from Kanjigar's grasp. Bular tossed it into the daylight, out of reach, before charging the trollhunter again.

Bular forced Kanjigar up against the bridge once again, however this time he pushed the trollhunter's head up against the sunlight. Kanjigar roared in pain as the sunlight began to turn his flesh into rock and stone. Bular grinned, at last he would have the amulet.

Suddenly, in a burst of energy Kanjigar grabbed Bular's arm and forced it into the sunlight.

Now it was Bular's turn to scream in pain as his flesh solidified. He pulled in his arm away from the sunlight, and went further under the bridge. Further into the shadows that would protect him. He looked up at Kanjigar, who face was now half-stone, a calm serenity was about it. Bular did not like the implications of that.

"Trollhunter away from the light," Bular said, it wasn't pleading not quite. "Come to me and I'll grant you a swift and merciful end."

"No, I defy you Bular. You and your foul sire," laughed Kanjigar, as he advanced further to the edge of the bridge. "I will fall here, that is clear. But I trust the amulet, for it will find a new champion. And The Hungry One will never walk this earth again Bular. Never!"

Panic came across Bular's face, the trollhunter was to submit himself to his mercy. Not to be a fool and allow the sunlight to claim him body and soul. He needed that amulet. Kanjigar fell off the bridge, but before he could fall fully Bular's arm grabbed him.

"Give me that amulet!" He thundered, ignoring the pain of daylight scorching at his face. "I will not fail! Give me the amulet or forever be trapped as a deathless pile of rubble!"

Kanjigar laughed loudly. "Our fight is over Bular but the war is not, a new champion will be found. And whoever it chooses they will stand against just like I have. Daylight will triumph, Bular and it will burn you!"

With that Kanjigar tore off his remaining tusk and jammed it into Bular's arm, the pain surprising the dark troll causing him to drop his quarry. Courageous to the last, Kanjigar allowed the daylight to claim him with a calm smile about his face and a final prayer upon his lips. Bular roared in anger and rage, he could not believe the foolishness of trollhunter. To let himself be damned in such a way. To rob him of his grand victory.

Bular looked down at the amulet mocking him as it knew it was safe from Bular's claws. The trollhunter subjugated himself to a fate worse than death simply to spite Bular. It was admirable but infuriating. In frustration Bular smashed his fists into the ground in anger and frustration before a calm set about him. Plans change and besides the bridge was not yet fully built. He still had time, all he had to be was patient.

And if the long years had taught Bular anything it was patience.

Across the town of Arcadia, unaware of the battle of fates occurring, was a house. While the house was mostly uninteresting; in fact it was completely the same as the ones to both it's left and right. It was the occupant that was the most vital detail. Laid across his bed was a one James Lake Jr. Though those who were close to James had the honour of calling him Jim. While the rising of the Sun heralded doom for Kanjigar, it simply meant for Jim that it was time to get ready for school.

With a yawn Jim rose from his bed and began to put on his short-sleeved black hoodie, with blue pants. Before slipping onto his feet his usual blue and white sneakers. He quickly grabbed his sleek glasses off the side of his bed placing them onto his face, before owlishly blinking any sleep out of his eyes. Jim was fifteen years-old boy; His hair was a dirty blonde which was messily layered, his dark blue eyes were emphasized by said hair. He had a swimmer's build, toned due to constant exercise of his everyday life. Speaking of which, it was time for him to begin his morning routine.

Sliding down the banister of his stairs Jim quickly leaped into the kitchen, for it was time to cook up some food. While Jim may be an average student when it came to his various studies, anyone who knew him could tell you this: Jim was a born chef. He wield the knife as easy as one might use pen, and in no time at all he'd managed to not only cook a breakfast for himself; but also three pack lunches and tray of food for his mother.

Jim walked up the stairs to the bedrooms, careful not to spill any of the food. As he approached his mother's room he noticed a note:

Late night at work (again), will be sleeping in. - love Mom

Jim rolled his eyes in faux-annoyance, it had almost become second nature to him to suspect his mother would be at work late. Quietly he opened the door careful not to wake his mother. Barbara Lake was a tall thin women, with short cut brown hair. She shared her son's eye colour and the fact she had towear glasses. Often she was clothed in teal doctors scrubs to point that she would even sleep in it. Jim carefully set down his mother's breakfast. He shook his head slightly, before pulling up who cover and giving her a peck on the cheek.

"Morning Mom," Jim whispered, careful not to disturbed her. "I'll have a good day a school."

With that he marched down to his garage reading his favorite motoring magazine. The vespa with this magazine was rather nice, but Jim hadn't the money to afford it just yet. He look up at his bike and shrugged. Beside biking was the only thing that kept him exercised outside of school activities.

"Hey Jim!" A voice called.

Jim turned to see a rather chubby kid ride down his bike towards him. Well, less ride and more cling on for dear life and hope that the bike doesn't crash. The boy was short round lad, with brown hair and matching brown eyes. He wore a striped shirt over his own orange hoodie. With brown pants and white shoes. He was Tobias Domzalski, but Jim had the honour of calling him Tobes. The pair had been fast friends since they were five and had seen each other through many difficult times.

"Hey Tobes," Jim responded. "Ready for a wonderful day at school, and definitely not worry about Coach's ropes."

"Jimbo my dearest friend, you have so much to learn," Tobes said with a smile. "If you don't think about it, you don't have to worry about it."

Jim laughed at his confidence, if there was one Tobes was a master at: it was making Jim laugh. "I'm not sure that's how it works buddy."

Jim pulled out two packed lunches before tossing one to Tobes who caught with the eagerness of dog thrown a treat.

"Jim you are a gentleman and a scholar," Tobes said, sniffing the delicious bag. "You spoil me rotten."

"Eh, something to cheer you up before Coach Lawrence tears us to pieces." Said Jim.

With that the two boys began to bike to their school. It was a common sight on the weekdays of Arcadia to see the inseparable pair bike down to school. Only this time there was a more frantic pace; as they were in fact late.

"Tobes!" Jim called back to his companion. "We gonna have to cut through the canal."

He got a groan of frustration behind him. "The canal! Dude do we have to?"

"Where's your sense of adventure Tobes!"

"Wouldn't call biking through a canal adventurous."

Still it was there only option. With that both boys increased speed onto to the canal, Jim quickly lost Tobes as he was the better biker. With that he leaped down the canal on his bike and elated smile on his lips. It was moments like these Jim lived for. He wished something more exciting then a late day to school would happen in his life however.

James Lake Jr.

Jim turned at the sound of rustling leaves, confusion etched across his face. Did someone just say he name. He turned trying to find the source and noticed a pile of rocks near the bridge.

Jim narrowed his eyes at the pile when suddenly his train of thought was cut of at the screaming speeding missile.

"Look out below!" Tobes screamed as his bike went out of control. Like a bucking horse the bike threw Tobes off its sending him flying. While the bike simply went speeding past Jim

Jim quickly attempted to catch his friend, though in truth all he did was to provide a cushion for Tobes to land on. Both boys groaned in pain when suddenly:

James Lake Jr.

Jim suddenly rose again, looking at pile of rocks. He slowly stalked his way towards the rock, unaware of whether this was a prank or not.

"Hey Jim, you okay dude?" Tobes asked, as he went to pick up his bike.

"I keep hearing someone saying my name Tobes," Jim explained, as he walked towards the pile of rocks. "I think it came from here."

Tobes looked about the canal trying to spy any pranksters. He shrugged as he spotted none and walked up to his best friend.

Jim rummaged around the rocks as he noticed a bright blue light. He reached in and pulled out an odd looking amulet. It was covered in all sort of odd sigils, snarling faces and grinning imps.

Tobes spread some of the rocks, "no sign of a walkie talkie, Jim. Just that tacky looking amulet."

The pair look at each other wondering the source of the weird ghost voice, any theory that they could've come up with was interrupted by the ringing of a school bell.

"Jim we gotta move!" Yelled Tobes in fear. "I don't want my offspring to deal with my detentions. I can't place that burden upon their shoulders."

"Let's move Tobes!" Jim yelled jumping onto his bike and racing up the side of the canal.

As the boys raced away they never noticed the watching eyes. Ones that watched them in the safety of the darkness, investigating the whereabouts of the lost trollhunter and his mystical amulet.

Down the side of the sewer drain, six eyes watched the human child pick up the amulet. Gasping at the sight of a human child picking up the amulet. Four limbs clamped down to the railing, in both a mixture of shock and excitement at the possibility of what just occurred.

"What an oddity, a human trollhunter," said an educated voice. "Now that has not been seen in a very long time."

Behind him a larger shadow loomed. It was large shadow which crouched on all fours like a gorilla. It growled in confusion as the series of events that had unfolded.

"Indeed my furry friend, we must make the boy aware of his duty. Lest Bular gets to him first."

With that the many-limbed shadow and it's giant friend disappeared down the gloom of the tunnel. Making their own underground journey to the school.

Jim grumbled in annoyance, he was so sure that History was out to get him. No matter how quickly he tried to type his notes he could never keep with the raw enthusiasm of Mr Strickler. Mr Strickler was a gaunt, tall man. To the point that students who didn't like him dubbed him 'Mr Stickler' due to tall stature.

He wore a brown turtleneck and blue jeans, the expected of a history teacher really. He spoke in a crisp, clear British accent; one that highlighted both his intelligence and made him seem all the more friendly towards the students. Jim yawned, trying his best to insure that it wasn't heard by his classmates or his teacher. Getting up earlier to insure food was prepared was not good for his time schedule, but someone had to look after his mom.

And truth despite the difficulty Jim had with History, he really like Mr Strickler. There was an understanding to him that wasn't found in most teachers; he understood the troubles of teenage life and tried his best to make it easy on them. Mr Strickler idly played with his pen as he told the students the history of the Rebellion of Boadicea.

Of course, a lack of sleep wasn't the only distraction in Jim's class. The other being a Miss Claire Fontaine. Claire was from across the pond, coming from Scotland. Her father had broken up with her mother before moving to America when she was younger and she recently had moved to Arcadia with her Father and Step-Mother. She had sparkling green eyes, which went with a fiery red hair. She wore a pilled sweater, a pair of jeans. There was a fire to her, in could be seen in the intensity of her eyes: a determination to see things done.

Jim stared on in wonder as she typed away furiously. Wondering nonchalantly to himself if Europeans possessed some form of advanced bone structure in their hands. As with the speed she was typing Jim was shocked to see that the laptop hadn't somehow busted into a fire inferno.

"Psst, Jim ix-nay on the staring-ay." Whispered Tobes from next to Jim.

"Who you calling staringay?" Jim said angrily, snapped out of his stupor.

Tobes suppressed the urge to laugh, as when Jim was angry he was about as terrifying as a slightly upset puppy. "Dude close the mouth, you're drooling."

Jim leveled a glare at his friend in annoyance. Before turning away and quickly checking to see in fact he was drooling. Luckily he wasn't.

As Jim raised his finger to chastises his friend he felt a shape behind him. Jim awkwardly turned to look up at Mr Strickler, who for his part, seem more bemused by the squabbling teenagers. He look down at the pair with a slight smile. Tobes suddenly found the floor interesting, leaving Jim to defend himself.

"Jim, my boy could you tell which tribe Boadicea belonged to?" He asked with a friendly smile.

"Gauls?"

"No, you're thinking of Asterix. Perhaps you could tell me where her tribe were from?"

"Britain?"

A laugh came from the classroom as the bell rung signalling the end of the lesson. As the students grabbed the bags, Jim noticed Claire looking at him. He gave her a slight wave, which she returned. Behind him he heard Mr Strickler chuckle.

"Jim well done for the technically-speaking correct answer. Could you spare me five minutes of your time, I would like a quick word." He asked calmly. "I can assure you that you are not in trouble."

Jim waited for everyone to leave the class. And Mr Strickler gestured for him to sit on the chair in front of his desk.

"Jim I must say I'm concerned about you. Not just your grades but you well being too, you seemed to be drifting in and out of sleep for the entirety of the lesson." A slight chuckle left the teacher's mouth. "I'm not that boring am I, Jim?"

"Of course not sir, I just didn't get enough sleep," Jim explained. "I had to get up early to cook mom and me some breakfast."

"Jim your dedication to your mother is absolutely admirable; a clear sign that you'll grow into a fine young man," Jim waited for the but. "But as your teacher I am very concerned for you well being as well as you getting the correct grades."

"It's my mother sir, she's been working late shifts constantly and someone's got to make sure she at least eats." Jim said in frustration. Not at his mother but more the pressure that circumstances had forced on the both of them.

Mr Strickler looked at him. It was a calm stare; there was no acquisition or anger in such a look. Just a teacher concerned about his student. Mr Strickler sighed before pulling a note and scribbling down upon.

"I do believe that me and your mother are due for a chat, and I'll clear the air up there," he said smiling at Jim. "But if you ever feel the need to just simply chat and discuss anything of interest about your school life simply tell me, deal?"

"Deal." Jim said with a grin.

"One more thing Jim, you seem to find yourself staring at Miss Fontaine a bit, as Mr Domzalski said 'Ix-nay on the staring-ay'," Jim rolled his eyes at that. "I would suggest that you simply talk to her, it would be a much more effective strategy then staring at, don't you agree?"

Jim nodded at him as proceeded to leave the classroom just before he left the door he turned to glanced over his shoulder. "I really like talking to you and thanks for the advice."

Mr Strickler simply smiled in return; a self-satisfied smile of a job well done.

Coach Lawrence was a muscle-bound giant of a man. Jim was certain there was some gorilla in his family as there was no way a regular human got that big. Jim even heard there was a theory that all he ate was red meat. Jim wouldn't have put it past him. He watched Tobes climb the rope, roaring encouragement at the chubby boy.

"Come on Domalski," he bellowed clapping ham-sized fists together. "You show that rope who is the master! You are the man, you can do this!"

Tobes for his part did try, but it seemed that the rope was a wily one indeed. As he climbed Tobes lost his footing and instead ended up being wrangled by the rope instead. Coach Lawrence clapped his hands to his head in frustration and marched over to help Tobes. Jim turned to see Claire watching her phone with her friends. Her friends then rose to leave, to get changed most likely. Jim saw an opportunity to test Mr Strickler's advice.

Talk to her you fool! His brain said. Now is your chance to make a good impression.

As he walked over to talk he tried his best not to get lost in the green eyes that looked up at him. He also tried his best not to get distracted by her very pretty face in general. Oh no, his brain cried in panic. I haven't thought of what to say.

"Hello Jim," said Claire good-naturedly, her Scottish accent thick. "You don't mind if I call you Jim, do you?"

"Oh no of course not," he responded, trying to buy his brain sometime. "So... how are you?"

Real smooth.

"I'm fine," she said grinning, tucking red hair behind her ear. "You?"

"Great, yeah, pretty swell… Y'know," he stammered.

"I do know," she said chuckling lightly. "Jim you like Shakespeare?"

"Love him. A great actor"

He's a playwright, said Jim's brain.

"He's a playwright, Jim." said Claire.

"Just testing you."

Claire rolled her eyes, smiling, before offering Jim as leaflet. "We're in need of some Romeos, Mr Lake and I think you'd make a rather fetching one," Jim blushed at that. "So feel free to drop by and give it a go, okay?"

"Yeah sure that be awesome, yeah."

Claire laughed softly at Jim's enthusiasm, before turning to see her friends calling for her. She turned back to Jim who took the leaflet in his hands, before flashing him a quick smile.

"Parting is such sweet sorrow." She grinned.

Jim gave a her a lopsided one in return as he watched her walk off.

Be a gentleman you were raised better than this, his brain chastised. Only look above the waist now.

Jim shook his head before turning back to check on Tobes's status. The rope still had him trapped within it's malevolent clutches and seem intent on keeping him trapped. Jim smiled to himself as he walked over to help his best friend. Pleasantly surprised at how well that went over.

Jim watched Tobes struggle with his socks. He offered to help him but Tobes simply claimed there were some things a man had to by himself. While he struggled and gasped for air he managed to gain enough strength to look up at Jim and smile.

"Congrats on talking to her, my man. See I was right you just needed to stop staring and just talk to her."

"Tobes it was Mr Strickler who said that would be the best course of action not you."

"Semantics," Tobes said waving it off. "So you gonna give that a go?"

"What?" Jim asked as he shut his locker door. "I don't know how to act."

"C'mon man you the one always wanting in more in your life. Well here's something more," said Tobes, as he muttered curses to his feet.

Jim grumbled in frustration as he set his back to his locker. "I meant more in general Tobes," he glanced down at his odd amulet. "Just something more than high-school."

"Jim you're suffering from what we experts call 'Disney princess syndrome' which is defined by those suffering from wanting more out of their lives!" Tobes explained, spreading his arms dramatically.

Jim could only shake his head chuckling, when suddenly out of the corner of his eye he made out a dark blur. Jim cocked his head in confusion at the shape. It didn't look human: it had too many limbs to be human. He followed the path it went as it disappeared into the shower room. Jim looked among the steam trying to see if he could find the source of the shape.

"Hey Jim," Tobes called out, startling him. "You good?"

"Yeah thought I saw something. Must've been nothing." Jim called as he walked back to the locker room.

Only to find Tobes still struggling with his socks.

"Give up yet?"

"...Yeah."

Jim crouched down to help his friend put his socks on thinking about what he saw. It must have been his imagination. After all what else could it have been.

Hey y'all and hope you all enjoyed the first chapter of Trollhunters Revisited. Before I go any further let me just explain the main premise of this fic. If you weren't aware this is in fact a re-imagining of Trollhunters which mixes both the plot of the novel and that of the animated series. This is not an attack on the TV show as I actually enjoy it greatly. This is more of a 'what-if' the show featured a lot of the lore to be found within the original novel. How these changes would effect the plot.

Firstly, trolls are more creatures of flesh and blood like within the novel. Not born of stone and such like as they are in the show.

Secondly, Bular is indeed from Yorkshire (imagine Jason Isaacs' accent from 'The Death of Stalin')

Thirdly, Claire is now a Scottish like her book counterpart.

Of course due to the new mixture of lore the plot will be jigged about a bit. Now with that all out of the way I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, don't forget to drop a review and have a good one!