Dark Beast

Chapter 10

The Gumm-Gumm's were sent on their master's behalf on retrieving one simple being. But instead they all caught in a wild goose chase, by this mysterious cloaked- iron masked figure giving them a hard time to catch. They all believed that he was a changeling in a disguise afraid to show his face to his foes, but what they didn't know that it was a young human girl hiding behind the mask, and this girl was no ordinary child. Talia jumped from rock to rock dodging dodging lasso's from catching her. "You're all making this to easy," she teasingly sang. She stopped when she had reached a dead end being cornered by the Gumm-Gumm's. They all believed they finally have her. However she still continued to smirk behind the mask knowing what they were really thinking, but what they didn't know is that it was too soon for them to celebrate. She summon up a gust of wind making a big jump, gracefully landed on her feet to the otherside, and quickly made a dash leaving them in the dust. As the dust cleared their target was no where in sight. They all looked at each other bewildered on what had just happened.

Back in Gunmar's dominion, he was not pleased by hearing the news from the return of his search party. "You've failed?!" He roared. "And none of you were able to capture him? This Impure?!" "Actually my lord we're not so sure this mysterious assassin is an Impure," one of them said. "Infact whoever it is under the hood, behind the mask sounds almost if he is a she." "Also she possess somekind of magic. I've never seen an Impure pull off a trick like that before," another said. Gunmar looked at him in with his lonely, glowing, evil eye. "What kind of magic," he asked. The Gumm-Gumm soldier gulped as he continued. "Uh W-w-well, sir. . . we're not entirely sure. There was this big draft of wind that came out of nowhere and she used it somehow to make her escape." Gunmar grabbed him and lifted him high in the air. "If you are lying to me. Just to save your skin!" "No! No! I'm not! I-I swear!" the poor soul raised his hands honestly. Gunmar released him from his grip and walked back to sit on his throne. "Whoever or whatever this new recruit of Skarlagk is. I am starting to become very curious," he said. "Send the Goblins to search the lands and see what you can find more about this assassin, and do not show your face here again until you find me what I want." The Gumm-Gumm's bowed their heads and left the room.

Then Dictatcious and Kodanth came just as the search party took their leave. "I apologize for coming here at such a bad timing my lord," Dictatcious graciously kneeled. Kodanth followed as well. "We had just recieved word that our search party had failed to retrieve the theif," Kodanth said. "I do not have time for either of your pity," Gunmar said. "Skarlagk's resistance grows, my time is drawing near, the bridge is now in the hands of the Trollhunter, and he is the only key to setting us free." "We know that you are struggling, Dark underlord, but surely you can think of some way out of this," Dictatcious supported. "You know as a matter of fact they even have a fetch, maybe we can trick him into opening the bridge," Kodanth said. "On how do you suggest we do that?" Dictatcious asked. "I'm sending spies to gather as much intel we can about the boy as we speak." Gunmar smiled liking the way his advisor was thinking. Dictatcious was about to say something, but Gunmar spoke, "Well played, Kodanth. The only thing I've learned from facing my enemies is by finding their weakness and using them against them. While you're at it see what you can to find about the Silver Lion." "Your excellency," Kodanth bowed respectively. Dictatcious glared at the changeling in jealousy.

Jim was walking through the Darklands with the sword of Daylight in his hands in defense. He heard voices whispering in the shadows speaking the name of Gunmar echoeing through his brain making him become more scared and paranoid. Then he turned around and saw the monster himself, and being swallowed by the beast. Then he finds himself crashing on the wrong side of the bed with his head hurting. He got back up and tried to get back to sleep.

Later at school, everyone was at the gym with Coach Laurence discussing the homecoming spring fling. There was band music and their mole mascot dancing on the floor. "Give me an 'a'!" he shouted. "A" everyone shouted. "Give me an 'R'" he shouted. "R" everyone shouted. "Give me a 'C'" he shouted. "C" Everyone shouted. "This is taking too long. Give me an 'adia'!" he shouted. Everyone stood there quiet awkwardly confused. "What's that spell?!" Laurence shouted. Everyone continued looking at him awkwardly. "Arcadia!" he finished. Then the mascot jumped in showing jazzy hands making everyone cheer. Coach Laurence shoved him out of the way to continue. "Before we begin, I have a few announcements."

Jim talked with Marshall and Toby about the dream he had last night with Gunmar. Marshall listened, but Toby on the other hand has attentions to someone else. "And his eye is glowing. And then, the dream just keeps reminding me that I'm completely way out of my league," Jim said. "Jim we get it big, strong, scary, bad guy, but there's always a way to stop an unstoppable foe even it seems impossible. Right Tobes," Marshall asked. He turns toward him finding him not listening. Marshall smacked him behind the head. "OW! What you do that for?!" Toby said. "Weren't you listening in on what Jim was saying?!" Marshall said. "Yes. Jim had no problems sneaking into the Darklands when it was to save Tal and Claire's baby brother, but now Kanjigar says you've got to face Gunmar, he's having nightmares about him and is freaking out that he's way out of his league," Toby said. Jim and Marshall eyes bugged out after from hearing his answer. "I can multi-task, guys." Toby returned paying attention to the mole mascot. "It's Bill Aronsteing," Jim said. "Bill moved to Wisconsin. This is someone else's artistry," Toby said. "Someone with feminine wiles." Marshall cocked an eyebrow and looked at the mascot. "How can you tell that's a girl in that suit," Marshall asked. "Trust me, dude. I know women and that is all woman under there," Toby assured. Marshall looked backed at him unimpressed. "Tobes, you have a delusional intellect on women." But Toby ignored him and continued looking upon the mysterious mascot mesmerized by it's dance. The mascot suddenly lost balance and bumped into Coach Laurence. Everybody laughed and it got Coach pretty annoyed, and made the mascot leave. Then he continued, "Okay, Principal Levit has taken ill with the flu." The boys watched the poor mascot walked away in disappointment. "He's asked me to handle announcing the students the faculty's nominated for the year-end Spring Fling King and Queen. The nominee's are: Shannon Longhannon!" Shannon is one of the girls from class with big cat like glasses.

Claire was sitting next to her friends and listening in on the newly nominated candidates for Spring fling. Mary didn't seem to excited about it, because she believed Claire would be one of them. "It's gonna be you," Mary said. "No, it's not," Claire said. "It is every year," Mary complained. "And, every year, I don't care," Claire said. "Darci Scott!" Coach announced. "Wait, what? Really? Yeah!" Darci cheered. Claire looked over and noticed Jim looking at her. "And the third, and final nominee is Mary Wang," Laurence announced. "Me? Not you," Mary said in surprised. "You? I mean, that's so awesome," Claire said. "And now for the boys. . . Steve Palachuk!" Coach said. Steve stood up proud and obnoxious, "That's right, plebes! Obvious!" Marshall face palmed himself, "You've got to be kidding me." "Marshall Cadden," Coach said. Marshall raised his head surprised. Everyone cheered and applaused for him. "Dude, that's great! Congrats!" Tobes said. "Tobes, you know that I don't care about any of this stuff," Marshall said. "And finally, Jim Lake Junior," Coach said. "That's you!" Tobes cheered. "What," Jim asked. "Really? I've got to handle you two buttsnacks," Steve complained. Jim and Marshall looked at each other annoyed by Steve's compulsive attitude. "You want me to mop the floor with his face," Marshall asked. "Tempting, but then again. . . he's not worth it," Jim said. "Our nominees will compete in a series of challenges to win your vote," Coach said. "Each nominee will propose a theme for the dance. I like disco! I've got to boogie! That is all." "I can't believe you and me are in on all of this, Jim," Marshall said. "How am I going to find to-" Toby grabbed ahold of Jim's shoulders and said, "Guys, do you know what this means?!" "That were all part in some sort of ridiculous competition," Marshall said. "No! This could be a good year for us. If either are nominated kings, I could be your duke. Jim Lake! Or Marshall Cadden for Spring Fling!" Toby shouted in the gym.

"Did they noticed that you were a lion?" Talia had returned to the Resistance Fortress and had to break the bad news to Skarlagk on her failure retrieving Nomura. "No, and I don't think that they know that I'm here," Talia answered. "Infact I don't think Nomura is with them." "How can that be," Skarlagk asked. "Because, if she was with the Gumm-Gumm's she would have been there when they tried to ambush me. So it's possible she's just hiding. Afraid to face Gunmar when he had heard of his son's death, and may punish her for it." "Hmm, true, but we can't be certain. Let's just hope that your suspicions are correct and that the whereabouts of our base is secret. In the mean time try to get some rest," Skarlagk said. "You'll need it for your next training session."

Talia had left Skarlagks quarters and went outside on the roof looking at the dark horizon once again. She had been here in this forsaken place for a month, but to her it feels like it has been more like a year. She laid back thinking on how her friends were doing back home and wonder what they're doing right now. Then again she could contact Marshall or Kanjigar in her dreams, so she decided on doing that. She relaxed her body, closed eyes, took a big deep breath, and exhale. Then she began to concentrate on and let her mind go. She opened her eyes and find herself in the plain fields where she always ends up meeting Dawn. Talia felt something big, warm, and fuzzy purring behind her back. Then looked down and find Dawn giving her a welcoming embrace. "Hey, Dawn," Talia greeted giving her a big hug. Talia released her from her hold and said, "Hey, you wouldn't by any chance have seen Marshall or Kanjigar here?" Dawn looked at her still quiet as ever. "Guess not, huh?" She fell back on the soft grass moaning in disappointment. "Ugh, I wish there was some way I can talk to Aunt June and my friends." Dawn looked down upon her feeling her pain. But then an idea came to her as her ears perk up. Dawn rubbed her head against Talia's making her sit up. "Dawn w-what is it?" Dawn then pushed her again off from the ground then grabbed ahold of her sleeve, and then start dragging. "Dawn what the heck?! What are you doing?"

Jim was back in the void training with his Trollhunter predecessor's. "You have defeated the son, but not the father." one of them whispered. "Gunmar is death," a female voice whispered. Blue balls of wisps came right at him. Jim kept up with them as best as he could until he was being over powered. "Blinkous and my son have trained you well in the art of single combat, but rarely will your enemies do the courtesy of striking one at a time," Kanjigar said. Jim was hit by the last blow and decided to call it quits. "All right, enough!" "So, you yield?" A female voice said. "Yes, yeah, I yield. This stopped being fun for me a little while ago," Jim complained. "You must be prepared to face Gunmar," Kanjigar said. helping Jim get back on his feet. "Well. . .I think you guys just made your point that I'm not," Jim said. "I'm not strong enough to kill Gunmar, even with my friends." "We needed to be hard on you because you weren't gonna listen to us. You had to see for yourself," Kanjigar said. "Besides, there's no way to kill Gunmar," A female voice said. "He's invicible," a male said. "No he's not!" another said. "So far as we know," the previous one said. "What do you know," the previous female voice asked. "What do they mean," Jim asked. "That sword of yours has fought him many times, but has never killed him," Kanjigar demonstrated the sword of Daylight. "Your weapon and armor were crafted with a singular purpose in mind. . .to protect both our worlds. Then all of a sudden a bright flash of light entered the room blinded Jim and every Trollhunter in the void. Jim creaked open his eyes and when he looked, he saw a familiar face crash down upon him.

Jim rubbed his head from the pain and looked to find his missing childhood, surrogate sister ontop of him. "Tally?!" Talia shook her head and opened her eyes when she heard a familiar voice. She got off, stepped back and took a good look. "Jim?" She walked up to him as he got up from the ground. "H-how are you. . ." Jim lost choice for words. Talia came up and touched his metal shoulder to make sure she wasn't crazy. "Heh. . .Heh-heh, aaahhh! Jim!" Talia graciously embraced him in strong bear hugg lifting him from the ground. "Tally!" Jim gasped, patting her back to release him. "Air." Tally released him from his grasp giving him some oxygen. "Sorry, you have no idea how lonely it is being in the Darklands." Jim looked up to her and smiled, "And you have no idea what it's like without you." Jim looked at her and noticed something different about her appearance. "What are you wearing?" Talia looked at herself in reality she has her hair-cut and is wearing her assassin outfit, but in the spiritual world she has her long, flowing silver hair back, and she's wearing the one thing she never usually wears . . . a dress. Talia covered herself in embarrassment of her friend seeing her looking like this. "I-i-i-it's not a big deal! It looks good on you. Makes you look more . . ." Before Jim could finish Talia said. "Please, don't say anything else. And don't even think about telling this to Toby."

Then Talia noticed another familiar face in their presence. "Kanjigar?" Then the spirits of the Trollhunters whispered saying 'A silver lion!', 'Here?!', 'Leave this place!', 'You're kind is not welcomed here!' Talia looked around when she heard their voices. "Who said that? What is this place?" "It appears Dawn has brought you to the void to speak with us," Kanjigar said, looking towards the lioness growling and clawing the ghosts bothering her. Talia came over to her companion's aid and shooed them off. "Hey! Get off! Get away from her!" "Whoa, whoa, wait! You two know each other?!" Jim asked. "Yeah, this big guy over here tried to tell me to stay out of Trollkind affairs," Talia jutted her thumb towards him. "You've been talking to her?!" Jim shouted. "I was only trying to warn her," Kanjigar answered to Jim then turns toward Talia. "And I believe your friend here has told you of her family history on how her kind was eradicated by Gunmar, and his attempt of stealing their power all for himself." "Yeah, but I also learned that there was more to story about my family's demise and I've also learned there is a way of defeating Gunmar," Talia said. "What do you mean," Jim asked. "He hid a shadow's bane, his blood line, the triumbric stones," Talia explained.

Jim had finished with his conversation with the council and Talia, and was now back in the Hero's Forge. "Jim," He turned and saw Draal walked into the arena. "Did you see my father," he asked. "I did," Jim said deactivating his armor. "Did he speak of me," Draal asked. Jim turned to him on how he could explain to his friend and lied, "Yeah, he wished the Soothscryer could let you in, but, you know the rules are rules." "It's all right, Trollhunter," Draal said. "You don't have to lie and protect my feelings." "He said we can't kill Gunmar. I would only be leading my friends to their death," Jim said. "Too bad. I was looking forward to proving him wrong," Draal said. "Well, it turns out he is," Jim said. Draal looked at him confused, "What?" "Tal showed up in the void somehow and told me that there is a way. He hid a shadow's, three gems, the Triumbric stones," Jim explained. "Talia? Alive," Draal asked. Then Arrgh showed up in the Forge. "Arrgh, what's wrong," Jim asked. "Blinky" he said.