AN: This is kind of a follow up chapter to what was originally just supposed to be a one shot. You know, sometimes you write and ideas just pops into your head. I just wanted Strictler and Blinky to interact. also well… I had this scene in my head. It's quite dark though so I might up the maturity rating on the fic. You'll see if you keep reading.

Thank you for any faves, follows or reviews! They are deeply appreciated :)


Outside the city… out among the trees stood a tall fence. It had ones been silver but was now brown from rust, even the barb wire un top didn't look that dangerous anymore. The fence was supposed to ward off any intruders whom might wanted to explore the big building on the other side.

The building was tall and dusty, nearly all the windows seemed to have been broken. Outside the building laid a ton of rubbles and only some weeds had started to grow around the old abandoned factory out there in the middle of no-where.

It was just the kind of place where young hooligans would like to proof they were being brave by going inside, perhaps even set up drunken parties in there. Or just look at the area as an opportunity to smash things without getting into trouble. So it really wasn't to surprising that here at noon a group of young teenagers were running around shouting.

"Hey Dave!" One shouted. "Bet you can't hit that window!"

"Oh yeah?!" The teenage boy called Dave asked. "Check this out!" he asked as he picked up a rock and stretched his arms backwards ready to throw… Though he didn't make it that far. Because right the moment he threw his wrist was grabbed by a strong hand and wide-eyed the young man turned around to see a much older man.

Wearing a simple brown blazer and matching trousers, his gray hair neatly arranged and all around he looked like quiet ordinary high scool teacher or similar. If it wasn't for his stern green eyes and the surprising strenght of his hand holding the boys wrist.

"Shouldn't you be in school?" Strickler asked in a icing cold voice.

"Tch." The boy snorted. "What is it to you old man?" he asked.

At that Strickler simply twisted the boys hand around making him scream out in pain before Strickler let go letting the boy fall to the ground as the others wide-eyed looked at him.

"Get out of here." Strickler demanded. "And I might not call the authorities."

That made the boy on the ground hiss as he stood up and then spat. "Fine! This place is stupid anyway!" and all the boys ran off away from the building.

Strickler exhaled deeply as he straightened out his brown blazer and ran a hand through his hair before he walked towards the abandoned building and leaned up against the wall beside one of the broken windows. "The coast is clear." he stated. "For now."

By his words did a head appear on the other side of the window, the stony blue head with three pairs of eyes that belonged to one Blinkous Galadrigal. "Thank you." he replied. "If those kids had gotten it into their heads to go inside, that could have turned rather ugly."

Strickler glanced at Blinky and the little line between sunlight and shadow that separated them. "This place is far from safe." Strickler commented. "We should move soon."

"I whole heartedly agree, but move to where?" Blinky asked then he exhaled deeply. "I must admit, that human appearance would have been rather useful just about now."

At that Strickler lifted an eyebrow. "You wish to take upon the form of a human ones more?" he asked.

"Goodness gracious no!" Blinky exclaimed. "Ones was quite enough thank you! Being so… soft and fleshy it was." he grimaced. "And the human body is so weak! All the maintainence it takes. Did you know humans require to sleep eight hours a day?!" he asked. "Just think eight hours! And the human life span is so short already and they spend one third of it… Sleeping?!" he asked.

Strickler rolled his eyes. "I sleep eight hours a day to." he commented annoyed.

"Oh." Blinky blinked. "I didn't realize changelings required the same sleep schedule as humans."

"You spend a day in a human body, that body will need the maintainence of a human body that was awake for an entire day." Strickler commented talking to Blinky as if Blinky was an idiot.

"Oh I see. So if you were to spend twenty four hours as a troll. The requirements would be the same as for any other troll, correct?" Blinky asked.

"Indeed." Strickler nodded.

"Huh, fascinating." Blinky commented. "So… what you need depends on which form you choose to maintain?" he asked.

"Am I your test subject now Blinkous?" Strickler asked annoyed.

"Not at all, I just find changelings to be quite fascinating." Blinky replied in a very honest voice. "Being able to walk freely between trolls and humans. I know my own experience was only very short lived, but I shall never forget it. In all my hundreds of years that was…. Something else." he finally stated. "And all though I shan't miss it, I will look upon it as the most glorious lesson."

"Heh, walk between both, belongs to neither." Strickler smirked grimly as he pulled a knife from his pocket, pressing a finger towards the blade. "Be glad we are allies now Blinkous. I have not forgotten how troll marked has treated our kind." he commented as he balanced the knife on his knuckles.

"And you spend centuries trying to find an entrance to troll marked so you could kills us as an offering to Gunmar. I think we should let bygones be bygones don't you?" Blinky asked.

Strickler didn't answer, didn't even look at Blinky as he continued balancing the knife.

"Look… I know we share the same goal and that's why you are here." Blinky stated. "We both desire to see Gunmar perish, and we both want to see Jim be safe. That's why we are able to work together now. Jim though has expressed worry."

"What?!" Strickler asked suddenly turning to Blinky with yellow glowing eyes. An effect that would have been very intimidating… if it wasn't for the fact that Blinky had three pairs of similar yellow glowing eyes himself, so really that took away most of Stricklers intimidation factor. "What did Jim tell you?" he asked. "Our conversation was supposed to be private!."

Blinky looked stunned at Strickler. "He only told me he was worried about what was going to happen to you after all this is over." he stated. "And I just wanted to assure you, you would be welcome to stay with us at Troll marked. Or we could help set you up in a different cavern, what-ever you choose. For Jims sake." he then asked. "He's a good kid, he would never forgive me if I let you to rot."

Strickler looked at Blinky and his yellow eyes reverted back to their green. "Young Atlas, that kid has a way of making you feel guilty." he reflected leaning back.

"Well… I also like to believe everyone deserves a second chance." Blinky smiled as he lifted the staff that had been given to him, as a symbol of his new position… as a leader. Something he had never thought he would become.

"You sound just like Jim." Strickler commented as he shook his head.

"Oh I assure you, I felt that way centuries before I met Jim." Blinky assured. "When I first insisted we should give Argh a chance… Well. I was nearly thrown to the dogs back then." he admitted. "They wanted to throw me out, only by a hanging hair was I allowed to stay. Still I was called a madman for centuries… Well because of that and because I like to explore the things we don't know much about. Most trolls are scared of the things they don't understand, I think it's a shame, I think it needs to be explored. And now. I wouldn't have done anything different, Argh has been the best and most loyal friend I ever had. It was definitely worth it."

"I might betray you." Strickler commented.

"I know." Blinky nodded. "I'm taking my chances, like I did back then. And if it turns out I was wrong, that will be my burden to bear. Especially now when the trolls of troll marked chose me as their leader."

"I see." Strickler nodded then looked towards a sky. "You are indeed a lot like Jim… or is Jim a lot like you?" he asked. "You're probably a better influence on him than I ever was."

Blinky looked pretty surprised at that, but finally decided to just let it go. Though then he turned serious.

"Mister Strickler… I didn't want to believe it but I start to fear I am correct. You do not plan to live through this at all do you?" Blinky asked.

At that Strickler smirked then he shook his head. "No." he fully admitted. "Don't tell Jim."

"Why?" Blinky then asked.

"What-ever happens when this is over, there wont be a place for me." Strickler stated. "I can't live as a troll full time, that's not me. Not anymore. More than that though… I just want Gunmar to pay for what he's done." he stated in a dark tone as his eyes glowed yellow.


It was a sight Strickler was never going to forget! He had been surprised to be found by Nomura, and even more surprised when he heard that Jim had send her. He had saved her life, even after she had tried to kill him. They hadn't had long to get reacquainted though, before suddenly Strickler had received a phone call. And he had been shocked as he had heard a broken voice on the other end. One of his fellow changelings from the Janus order. A younger changeling, only a bit over fifty years old by the name Thomas. Fifty years may be a lot for a human, but for a changeling he was just a baby.

"Stricklander I… I just wanted to tell you. I'm so sorry."

"Thomas?" Strickler asked. "What's going on? What's wrong?"

"Gu-Gunmar… he's come through." Thomas sniffed. "And he's…. Stricklander. They are dead! So many dead!" he cried. "Please, help me! I don't know who else to ask, we need help!" he asked. "He's coming!"

"Who's coming?!" Strickler asked.

"Gunmar!" Thomas cried. "Oh god… He's right there he…" A big crush sounded and then the beep of a dead phone line. Horriefied had Strickler looked at the phone in his hand and then at Nomura.

The decision had been taken in less then a second and they had travelled back to Arcadia. To walk towards the Janus order had been scary but yet, both Changelins knew they just had to see for themselves.

The first thing Strickler had noticed as they entered the area was the silence… Everything was silent. Normally there would have been guards keeping an eye around the entrance, but there was no one.

The elevator seemed to be perfectly functional… Still the area remained so quiet as they slowly descended under ground.

And then… as the door opened. It finally hit making Stricklers eyes widen and Nomura gasp.

The word to describe the sight that met them…. was death.

Everywhere there were remains. There were skeletons... some human like some more troll like... all laying untop of piles of dust. When a changeling died... Their hybrid flesh would turn into stony dust and only their skeletons remain and this was... bright white skeletons as far as the eye could see, and the piles of dust everywhere. They were... remains. Remains of the...

Strickler was speechless, this was only the entrance and the remains were everywhere. Hundreds of skeletons and so much dust… sprewn across the place.

"No." Nomura gasped. "No it can't be." she stated and she ran inside. "Hallo? Is someone alive?!" she asked as she changed into her troll form to gain speed. "ANSWER ME!" she shouted. "PLEASE! THERE MUST BE SOMEONE!" she begged soon the echoes of her voice became distant as she ran across the hallways, in search for any survivors.

Strickler didn't follow though, he slowly stepped inside as he looked around, it felt like he was in a bubble and any sound became muffled, Nomuras cry seemed so distant and Strickler couldn't even make out her words. Then a crack sounded under his foot and Strickler looked down to realise he had stepped on the remains of a hand cracking some finger bones. Slowly did Strickler bow down and then picked up a wallet, he opened it up and looked at the ID.

"Elisa Miller."

Strickler knew exactly who this was… Her human form had short blond hair and blue eyes. Her troll form had been light gray like flint stone and she had black markings down her back, her eyes had been shining green and her hair yellow. She would always listen to Beethoven, she would constantly talk about how she had been to a Bethooven concert ones, a REAL one where Beethoven himself had played the piano. And she would complain that the coffee was cold... Even if the coffee was just fine.

"I… I can't find anyone." Nomura informed as she stood in the door. "Stricklander! No one is responding! WHY ISN'T ANYONE ANSWERING!" she shouted.

Strickler swallowed and then he dropped the wallet as he looked up. "Gunmar." he stated. "I recognise his powers…. So this was his plan. All along." he stated as his face retrieved and his eyes became wet. "He lied to us…. All this time. It was a lie." he stated. "Even if we had stayed loyal, he was going to kill us anyway. He..."

And Nomura gasped as she clasped her hands towards her face. "But… he promised." she swallowed.

Strickler hissed as he squinted his eyes, his teethes showing as tears pressed themselves out and then he let out a roar. "AAARGHHHHHHHHHHH!" as his eyes shined yellow, there was no hiding his true nature as he shouted this inhuman roar. "GUNMAAAAAAARRRRRR!" he shouted as an explosion errupted from his body transforming him into his troll form as if he didn't even have the control to maintain his human form while he roared the animal like roar that rung through all of the hall ways that were otherwise empty and silent.

Nomura hissed as she stood up, tears streaming down her face. "I'll kill him." she stated pulling out a knife. "I don't care! I'LL KILL HIM!" she shouted running for the elevator only to be grabbed by Strickler.

"LET GO OF ME!" Nomura shouted. "I WANT TO KILL HIM! I WANT TO MAKE HIM SUFFER FOR WHAT HE'S DONE!" she screamed. "HE MADE US LIKE THIS! HE TOLD US TO SERVE HIM! HE PROMISED!" she shouted.

"I know!" Strickler hissed now holding her back in his own troll form, the only way he would have been strong enough to keep her back. "And he's going to pay! But we wont be able to do it alone."

"Then what do you suggest?!" Nomura asked in a hiss. "He killed them! That murdere! MURDERE! I want him to pay!"

"I know!" Strickler hissed. "Think for a moment though, he killed all our brethren. All of them at ones, they didn't stand a chance! And they were hundreds against one."

"THEN WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST?!" Nomura shouted.

"We know a trollhunter don't we?" Strickler asked. "And this trollhunter, I bet he intends to face Gunmar. I do believe that his best chance… and ours. Would be to join forces."

"Join forces?" Nomura asked in deep shock. "With the trollhunter?"

"It's our only chance." Strickler stated and suddenly.. Nomura grew limb allowing Strickler to slowly let go as she turned around and faced his green troll face.

"You think he will let us?" Nomura asked, her face looking hopeless, ridden with pain and anguish as tears streamed down her face.

"Jim is not a fool." Strickler replied reaching up a hand to dry away Nomuras tears, in spite the fact that tears were falling down his own eyes as well, and he already knew the pain in his own face had to be a reflection of hers. "He knows he's going to need any help he can get. Wouldn't it be better, to die ensuring that the trollhunter succeeds defeating Gunmar. Instead of dying in a pointless attack, being no more annoying than two mosquitos to Gunmar."

Nomura swallowed. "I want him to suffer." she stated in a hiss her green eyes shining through the strains of her black hair.

"Then we are two." Strickler seethed and Nomura looked up as she nodded.


And now… Strickler was here taking care of the trolls from Troll marked. Preventing them from becoming part of Gunmars army.
Not that they would be much help in the fight against Gunmar, the only warrior here had decided to become a pacifist.

"Jim will be very sad if you died you know." Blinky commented. "And well quite frankly, I think the boy had enough grief in his life. Human lifespans are so short, they shouldn't be spend on grieving."

Strickler exhaled deeply. "He'll get over it." he stated. "I'll be counting on you to look after him. And make damn sure he dies of old age like normal humans and not by getting his head chopped off by Gunmar."

"That's a tall order." Blinky commented. "But… I shall do my best." he then assured. "And please don't forget the offer stands, from now on. Any changeling whom aided us in this battle will be welcome at troll marked. Not as underlings but as our equals. As troll marked chief, I swear this to you."

Strickler smirked amused. "Well, thank you for the sentiment." he then said then shook his head. "I should go keep watch." he stated standing up and quietly walked away.

Blinkys six eyes following him before he was out of sight and Blinky exhaled as he sat down under the window safely in the shadow. "Changelings sure are complicated." he commented.

"Strickler will be okay?" Argh asked in a rumbling voice from his spot left to the window.

"I fear that's impossible to say old friend." Blinky smiled sadly. "All though… never thought I would say this about a changeling and certainly not him… but I hope so." he admitted and Argh nodded understandable.

These were dangerous times, any of them could die at any moment. The changes of the changeling surviving were slim. But at least… if they worked together. Perhaps they would have a chance after all.