(Ok, I would just like to say that WOW! You guys are fast! I post a new chapter, glance at the hits a few -minutes- later (no more than 5), and it'll already has almost ten views! I feel honored that my story seems to be worth such a quick response!))

Chapter 7

Of all the things in the human world that Blinky mourned the passing of, pay phones were among the top of the list. He had many fond memories of exploring phone booths and pay phone cubbies, looking at phone books and the things humans scrawled on them (one of which had proved to be quite meaningful even some decades later). But with the advent of home phones and especially cell phones public phones were becoming quite rare, at least in Arcadia Oaks.

Rare, but not unheard of, especially one who had been all over the city for many decades.

Blinky peeked up from the alley sewer grate, scouting for human presence. The streets were empty, no cars traveled this late in this area. Across from him he saw his objective: an out of the way gas station, closed for the night, with a pay phone on the corner. He carefully climbed out, clad in the coat with the hood up over his head to hide as much of his identity as possible, and slowly lowered the grate back down. He took the precaution of silencing his phone, then moved forward. Another peek at the corner, then a dash across the street and to the phone.

So far, so good. But that was the easy part of the plan.

Blinky's heart was racing, and as he reached for the phone he hesitated, wondering if he was making the right choice.

Then his lower hands, hidden under the coat, clenched and he finished the motion. Yes, this was right. Master Jim dealing with the Galgolex safely was more important, and if James Sr did have two Trolls captive...

Blinky didn't want the Trollhunter having to face off against his own father, estranged or no. Master Jim simply didn't deserve that weighing on his shoulders.

He picked up the receiver - good, a dial tone - and deposited the required coins, then dialed.

And waited.

At first he thought he'd incorrectly remembered the number, but then someone picked up on the other end, identifying themselves as a hotel desk.

"Room twelve, please."

"One moment." Again began another tense round of ringing, but this one was much quicker.

"Hello." No questioning tone in the familiar voice. Whether from Barbara or someone else, James Sr was expecting to be called, even at such odd hours. Still, best to be certain.

"James Lake, Sr?"

"Speaking. Who is this?" Time for the speech Blinky had rehearsed in his head the entire way there...however melodramatic.

"Who I am isn't important. What is, is that I know you and some friends of yours are here because you're hunting what you have termed monsters."

"How do you - " James tried to recover. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Yes you do. You are with others who have seen or been affected in some way by these creatures, and what's more I know you believe you have captured two of them." There was a heartbeat pause, then James spoke again, tone intensely serious.

"Look, whoever the hell you are." The man was riled. "I don't know how you know things that you couldn't exactly just overhear by chance. So let's say you've got my curiosity. Talk. Why are you asking about monsters?" Blinky took a breath.

"Let's just say I know far more about them than you can even imagine, and I'm willing to share some of that information, on two conditions."

"What conditions?"

"I want to see the two you caught, and -" This part was a gamble, but it was the best idea Blinky had. " - after I'm satisfied that they're unharmed, you let them go."

"Let them go?!" Yeah, the scholar knew that would be a hard sell.

"Ever heard the line about bigger fish? I can give you more than you'd even possibly learn from the two you have. But only if you release them, unharmed." Blinky was wagering all of this on the fact that James Sr seemed to be zealous when it came to his fight, and hoped it might be possible to reason with him even yet. There was a pause on the other end of the line, then James Sr spoke again.

"And how do I know that anything you say will be valid?"

"I know what I've already started, don't I? But if you need proof, I can reason why they were in the scrap yard: they were hungry."

"Hungry?"

"They eat what humans might find to be refuse or be unable to eat. Socks, metal, raw eels, rocks if all else fails. You can easily test it; in sure you have the odd empty soda can around." Another pause.

"Very well, you have a deal, mister...?"

"If you need something to call me, Scholar will be fine."

"Very well, Mr. Scholar, though I will warn you the specimens aren't quite in pristine condition. They put up a fight, but last I left them they were only slightly injured."

"That's acceptable." He had expected as much. "Tell me where they are, and I'll meet you there."

"A third 'condition?'"

"I think right now our trust in one another is a bit...limited. This presents the most fair method of meeting."

"True enough. Very well, Mr. Scholar. Meet me here, alone." He gave an address, and Blinky used his cell phone to find it. Seemed it was a construction site for an office high rise, on the opposite side of town.

A construction site. Poetic.

"Understood. I shall expect similar courtesy from you regarding company."

"Of course."

And we both just lied through our teeth, and I'd bet we both know it.

"One hour."

"One hour? I can hardly get across town in that amount of time. It isn't like I can catch a bus. Two hours."

"One and a half. I do need to sleep sometime." Blinky did some quick calculations. While he'd prefer two hours, ninety minutes should be just enough for his plans.

"Very well. I will meet you there."

"Very well. I look forward to our meeting, Mr. Scholar." James Sr hung up. Blinky did as well, then scurried back to the sewer.

"If I hurry, I should be able to make it to Master Jim's house to collect Draal and the both of us get there in time," he said to himself as he jogged, working through his plan aloud to try and find any flaws. "While I'd have liked more time to look the place over, I suppose it can't be helped. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, and go in alone, with Draal for backup. Of we get into trouble he can attempt a rescue if able or go for Master Jim." It seemed sound, if a bit rougher than he liked.

Which of course meant fate had to intervene.

He'd allowed to a walk to catch his breath, estimating he had about another hour and twenty before the assigned meeting, when suddenly his cell phone vibrated in his pocket.

"Aaah!" Blinky literally jumped a foot, fumbling for the device - he saw he missed a few calls - and recognizing Claire's number.

"Claire, what - "

"Blinky, Jim's been trying to reach you! They caught the Galgolex!"

"What?!"

"They weren't trying to, but he said they need us now! I'm opening a portal for you -"

"No!" Blinky's mind was racing a mile a minute. While he wanted to go to Jim's side for the battle, he knew there was little chance the Galgolex could be defeated and they still save the two captive Trolls; Who knew what James Sr might do if he thought he'd been toyed with. "Don't worry about me. Go get Draal, then get to Master Jim! You'll need all your strength to fight the Galgolex, and Draal will be more useful than I am."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Now hurry!"

"Right!" The connection was severed.

For a moment Blinky just stood there, trying to work through this hitch in his plans. He had another idea, but it wasn't a path he wanted to take.

Sadly, he now had little choice.

Picking back up into a jog he headed back towards Trollmarket. If he was going in alone, he certainly wasn't going in unarmed.

00000

Draal jumped a bit at the sound of the portal opening, spinning around in the basement in a defensive pose even as he recognized what the noise was and saw Claire hurry through. At first he was relieved until he saw the urgent expression on her face.

"C' mon, Draal!" she gasped. "Jim's fighting the Galgolex right now - he needs us!" Draal's eyes widened.

"What?! Nevermind!" He stood, then noticed she was alone. "Where is Blinkous?"

"I called him while I was getting ready. He said to not waste my energy getting him, to just get you and go." Draal swore sharply in Trollish, stopping mid-word when he noticed Claire's expression of shock.

"Er, sorry. I forgot you understand Trollish."

"I don't think I'd have to understand it to get your tone. But what's wrong?"

"I'll explain everything after we help the Trollhunter, but we need to be quick. I fear Blinkous may be about to get himself into even worse danger!" Claire sucked in a startled breath, but nodded, seeing his point, and quickly focused.

"Jim," she commanded, swinging her staff and forming the portal. They were gone a moment later.

00000000000000000000

Across town, a car pulled up at an abandoned construction site. It parked, and from inside the partially-completed building several hidden and well-trained operatives aimed weaponry. Then the headlights blinked off, then back on their brightest setting, then back off again, and they relaxed. The signal given, the driver knew he was safe enough to step from the vehicle and enter. He was met just inside by one of his top agents.

"Sir," the man greeted, with respect. "We didn't expect you to make another trip out here tonight. Is something wrong?"

"No, not at all. Get ready." James Sr. accepted an offered earpiece and slipped it into place. "We're expecting company."