PLEASE READ THIS NOTE!
Sorry for not updating so soon, the team and I binge-watched Wizards: Tales of Arcadia. I am also moving and my sister is finally home and in a wheelchair after being in a terrible car crash! Hands are a bit full!
However, we have answers to all your questions!
Will we be writing a reaction book to 3Below and Wizards?
Yes, the Written Future is now part of a series! There is a catch, if the team doesn't keep their memories, it will be a lot more difficult to do this. The titles of these two stories will be released soon and when we plan to have the book released. However, we are trying new tactics.
If the school remembers what happened in the show, will it affect the timeline?
If we choose to let the student body and the Trollhunting team remember, no it will not affect the timeline. Instead, there will be a longer ending of just pure fluff between Jim and those he cares about.
If they do remember, it will be a lot easier to connect 3Below and Wizards React to this story as well and the beginning of 3Below will explain what happened behind the scenes of Jim, Claire, and Toby that was not mentioned at the end of this book.
What would be seen in 3Below Reaction book?
This is not a spoiler, but the Trollhunting team will be back and so will Aja and Krel. Some of the students and teachers, however, will not be featured. We will be removing characters and adding new ones.
The story will follow the timelines of the show.
Enjoy!
The screen was black, dramatic music accompanying the scene. The view of an agenda appeared, open as a pen had crossed off the busy day in a very familiar office. The glowing hue of the Inferna Copula was a clear sign of who the viewers were looking at.
"Wait, hold on. THE EPISODE JUST STARTED!" Someone cried out, "every time it shows Strickler, something goes wrong!" Strickler frowned at that.
"Okay," Jim started while Strickler closed his eyes, holding his forehead, the Changeling exhausted, "We wait until he's asleep." The camera shifted, a black portal opening in the middle of the room.
Strickler narrowed his eye in confusion, trying to connect on what was going on. The students surrounding him instantly perked, curious on why Jim was speaking and not in the room. Was this a vision?
Tiptoeing out of the portal, Jim wore a worried look as he tried to keep quiet, Claire's voice joining the scene, "I use my shadow staff to get us in." The three teens had sneakily stepped out into the room, Jim speaking again but his mouth hadn't moved.
"And I ever so gently remove the ring from his finger," Jim said, his hand reaching to the ring and getting a grip on the jewel. However, right as he was about to pull it from Strickler's finger, Toby had spoken up.
"Hold up there, Mr. Storyteller. Do changelings even sleep?" Right as Toby pointed it out, Strickler lifted his head, trapping Jim's wrist in a tight hold. The Trollhunter let out a yelp and Strickler's form had changed into his second persona as he growled, the scene freezing.
"Of course we sleep, we ain't animals!" NotEnrique yelled out, Toby slouching a bit in his seat.
"Good point, Tobes. New plan," The scene reversed, showing all the steps they took, only to show Strickler reaching for his cup of coffee, a medicine bottle with a small child appearing right before Strickler had taken a sip, "We spike his coffee with extra strength cold medicine," The changeling collapsed onto his desk, the remaining coffee leaked over the desk.
"I use the shadow staff."
"And I bring my Warhammer in case that doesn't knock him out," Toby said excitedly, his vast body backing into Jim.
"Knock him out? I'm pretty sure he'd have permanent brain damage," Someone commented, others nodding.
"And I ever so gently..." Jim started, grabbing the ring once again and ready to pull it off when Claire spoke this time.
"Wait. What if he's not alone? His office was guarded last time." To make her point, a Goblin was perched on top of the bookshelf, laughing maniacally before firing the crossbow. Jim's words stopping the arrow and pausing the scene once again.
"Okay, fine. We spike the coffee," The medicine bottle appears again, the greenish liquid pouring into the coffee, Strickler once again taking a sip and collapsing, and the three enter the office again, this time not minding how fast they walked to the desk.
Everyone watched with wide eyes, trying to keep up with their planning on how to remove the ring. They weren't surprised that it was becoming a disaster.
"Shadow staff."
"I use my Warhammer to take out his goons." The Hammer collided with the Goblin, stopping him from firing and Jim once again headed for the ring.
"Then I ever so gently remove the ring," Jim tugged at the ring, the story being affected just by an innocent question.
"But what if it doesn't come off?" Toby asked, Jim's head-turning to the team.
"it's always Toby," Claire said, her smile as clear as day. The students shook their heads at him, smiling as well. Of course, he'd be the one to think about it that way.
"Why would it not come off?"
As Toby answered, Jim was still hopelessly tugging at the ring, despite using all the force he could, he was still being gentle. "I don't know. Maybe it's glued on, or he added a few pounds."
"Why would it be glued on, you dingus?" Claire called out, the camera switching from Jim's hands prying at the ring to his two friends. Jim even held his wrist and tried pulling it off that way.
"There is in no possible way..."
"He's so afraid of Angor that yeah, he'd glue it on." Strickler was about to deny the accusation but the student quickly interjected, "I can see it in your face!"
"You said be ready for every precaution."
"He's waking up," Claire and Toby pulled their arms away from Jim after trying to help pull the ring off, which was only stuck due to Toby's question.
"Oh, how is he waking up? This isn't even really happening!" Jim cried out. Their target still hadn't raised his gaze to find them, rubbing his sore forehead.
Without hesitation, Claire yelled out, "Cut off his hand!"
"What?" Jim let out a yelp, turning to her.
"Use the sword. Hurry! Do it!"
"Claire!" Her parents scolded, "you do don't peer, pressure someone, to cut off a hand!"
"No, I'm not gonna cut-"
"Do it! Do it! Before it's too late!" The sword of Daylight appeared in his hands, right as Strickler lowered the intended hand, Jim let out a war cry, the sword flying down only to be frozen in place by Toby's cry.
Some winced, hiding their faces, others had watched in amusement, all this for one little ring. They smiled with how chaotic that scene became. Jim, however, facepalmed halfway though. This is why he relied on Blinky. Speaking of the troll, he had been chuckling at the three, shaking his head. That was the best thing he had ever seen.
"That was the best planning I have ever seen in my life! I love you guys!"
"Stop! Stop! Stop!" From Jim and Claire cringing, not ready for the gore, the scene switched to the three laying near Claire's bay window. Toby on his back with a bowl of popcorn, while Jim sat on the floor, Claire right beside him. "If you chop his hand off, you chop your mom's hand off too, remember?"
"Oh, I forgot. Angor Rot's binding spell. We are not ready, there's too much risk." Jim held his face in his hands, feeling defeated.
"But Angor Rot said if you don't get the ring, he's coming back for you." Jim's face grew worried, it was clear he had forgotten about the threat.
"Good advice Claire," Someone said, the said girl blushing. She didn't mean to worry Jim more, by what it seemed, he was already worked up. She secretly scolded her future self for wording it like that.
"Hey, we'll figure this out, Jimbo." Toby said, sitting up while Claire put her hand on Jim's shoulder, "It's not like we don't have a secret Trollmarket right under our feet filled with crazy magic." Jim smiled at that before the front door to Claire's house opened, Jim and Toby stepping out.
"You sure you don't wanna come?" Jim asked, Claire still standing in her doorway.
"Sorry, parents are on a weekend-long trip. So Mary and Darc are coming over for girl's night. Just keeping up appearances. You know what I mean."
"Ooh, girls? I love a good pillow fight," Toby added, Jim's smile instantly turning into a frown as his hands silenced his friend.
Everyone's faces dropped at that. Someone was even about to point out how Jim was looking at Claire, it was the sweetest thing, but toby's comment had distracted them, letting the thought slip their mind.
"Just ignore that. We'll let you know if we find anything, okay?" Jim said, pushing Toby away and Claire waved to them, unfazed by Toby's comment but smiling in a farewell to her friends.
"See ya!" Right as Claire closed the door, a loud shatter had vibrated through the house, her hands moving to shield her ears from the loud noise. Claire's eyes narrow and she stomps to the kitchen, only to slip on mysterious liquid. She groans, holding her sore hip, only to find the bottle of soap right where she landed.
Jim smiled and turned to Claire who caught onto what he was thinking, "don't say it."
"What are you doing out of your crib?" Claire asked, standing to find NotEnrique on the counter, blending random items, getting a green goo in the end.
"Tryin' a new recipe. Wanna taste?" NotEnrique hovered a sock over the blender as he asked. Not letting her answer, he dropped it in and stepped on the button, the loud noise would be hard for Claire to speak over, so she stomped over and turned it off herself.
"I think anyone who would be asked that, would pass at the sight of the sock."
"Just cause my parents are gone doesn't give you free rein to do whatever. I'm still your older sister, you little troll!"
"Technically, I'm a few centuries older, so I should be the one babysittin' you, sponge face!" NotEnrique fought, his hand rubbing Claire's cheek before jumping back to the blender, turning it on. Claire shoved him back, flipping the switch once again.
"I've had it with you." She scolded before gasping and moving her hand away from whatever it touched. NotEnrique laughed, not taking her seriously. "Fudgeknuckle! Ever since you replaced my brother, all I do is cover for your awful existence! I'm the one who gets blamed for everything! My dad wants me to see a shrink for ordering $900 worth of socks online!"
Claire's parents nearly jumped out of their skins when they heard how much money was spent, "it better not be on our card." Her dad scolded, turning to the roll that had replaced Enrique. NotEnrique shrugged, not seeming to mind if it would be.
She held up a sock, NotEnrique quickly grabbing it and slurping it like a noodle, "Could've been worse! Used a promo code! Got free shipping!"
"Ugh! You're the worst fake brother ever!"
"Easy, sister. Did you forget? I'm the one puttin' my neck on the line, siding with you guys over Gunmar. And for what? To be a crib rat?" He circled the Blender, Claire's glare never faltering. "I used to be the life of the party!" As he spoke, he had hopped onto the top of the blender, pulling off a funky pose to make his point.
"Now you're going back to your crib cause my friends are coming over." Her hand gripped his fur tightly, the Changeling letting out a grunt and batting at her in hopes to be dropped.
"I told you. Not me scruff!" The scene smoothly changed to NotEnrique being tossed in his crib, not so gently as Claire angrily pointed out.
"It's naptime," with nothing more, Claire stomped out, slamming the door.
"And don't ever ask me to do the favor of letting you see your brother again!"
"Fine!" Her voice echoed through the hallway before she was seen stomping down the stairs, scolding no one in particular. "I hate you. I hate you. I hate you." Her eyes landed on the picture of Enrique, surrounded by toys and a soft loveable smile on his lips. With a small gasp, she seemed to be hypnotized by the photo.
Jim tilted his head, looking at Claire. He wanted to tease her a little about the fight she and NotEnrique had, however, his hand reached to grab her's. Claire instantly turning to look at their joined hands, which she instantly kept a strong grip on. He mumbled the word "promise," causing Claire to smile and move their joined hands into her lap, using her free hand to cover their's.
In the crib, NotEnrique, panted, planting down and pulling out his phone, "Nobody picks me up by me scruff." Pressing the phone to his ear, he waited for an answer, a female troll speaking on the other line.
"Hello?" The screen split into two, showing it had been Bagdwella that had answered the phone, her face lighting up when NotEnrique replied.
"Hey. It's still on. I don't care who knows. Invite them all."
"Got it." She gave a thumbs-up before the Changeling had hung up, letting out an evil cackle. From the scene of the crib, the scene switched to Jim and Toby standing in front of an all too familiar door.
"Bagdwella!?" Toby said, turning to the troll. She grinned in a reply.
Eli looked at them, "if you hate Changelings so much, then why go to their party?"
"For fun. Duh."
Toby knocked, grunting as he tried to reach as best as he could. Jim watched his friend before clearing his throat and shielding the side of his mouth so his voice carried, calling out to the sellers.
"Excuse me! Mr. Rot and Gut? Do you guys have a ring remover spell or anything?"
The sound of a door was heard, the large orange troll responding, "You want a ring... remover? Hmm, let's see. Ring, ring...Oh, here it is!"
"That's ringworm remover, ya glork!" The other troll yelled his window opening as well.
"What about a magical super magnet?" Toby asked.
"Oh! Definitely got one of those!" Toby's face lit up at that while Blinky had stepped up behind them." Doesn't work great. Just grabs snails." Jim scratched his head as he thought, clearly at a loss that he hadn't found an easy way to pry the ring off of Strickler.
Kids had to rethink that line, confused about how a super magnet could only grab snails.
Blinky placed his hand on Jim's shoulder, the two boys turning at the sound of his voice, "I'm afraid our colleagues here won't be of much use if you do not know what you're looking for." Jim's face continued to drop, he had tried but didn't get any farther.
"We got a Footswapper. You can take his feet." One suggested, sounding mildly impressed about the item.
"Magical solutions are a delicate matter. You must be precise. Find the exact tool for the job at hand." A panicked scream startled the three from their conversation, Rot and Gut distressed.
"What did you do with our feet?" Gut hissed.
"Oh! Gut! I'm wiggling your toes." He laughed, moving from his window to his partners. The trio still kept their eyes on the arguing trolls before Jim spoke up.
"So where do we find the right tool?"
"I know just the place! Are you ready, young wards, to embark with me and on the greatest adventure?" Blinky asked, Rot and Gut listening as well.
"Another epic adventure! No way!" Some students cheered.
"Oh, yeah! Where? Where?" Toby asked excitedly, Jim smiling at his friend's antics. From the exhilarating scene, it became nothing but a simple library, Jim and Toby's excitement dying. The library was vast, large towers of books laid around the room. Blinky moved throughout the room, ready for their adventure. However, Toby seemed unimpressed.
"The adventure of reading! Hours upon hours of research awaits you. Avante!"
Everyone groaned, thinking there would be some excitement besides reading. Claire was not going to lie when she said she was having a girls' night instead of reading. However, Blinky was happy, he enjoyed the fine craft of reading and this was an adventure he didn't have to risk his life for.
"Dang, that is a lot of books, let's hope they don't have to read all that or it will take forever," A female mentioned, shaking her head. Everyone agreed but Vendel simply rubbed his forehead.
"I feel as though the outcome will not involve them reading all of that. Something will go wrong."
Toby scoffed, "thanks Vendel."
"Well, we sure walked into that one," Toby scratched his head, he and Jim walking in opposite directions, the camera panning over the countless amount of books, Toby unsure where to start as Blinky had spoken again.
"My brother spent centuries curating our kind's most exotic collection of scrolls, tones, and texts. If the answer is anywhere, it's here." Jim and Toby pulled a book from piles, Blinky scrounging for a certain book himself.
"I didn't know you have a brother," Toby said, turning to Blinky after plopping himself down on the floor.
"Had a brother. Dictatious Maximus Galadrigal. These books are all that I have left of him. If he were here to see me now..."
"What happened to your brother?" Jim asked, head tilting to the side. Blinky sighed and looked at his Trollhunter.
"It was the battle of Killahead, my brother and I had concluded not to hide from the dangers. We joined in the ferocious battle, only to have my brother whisked away from me, I am doubtful that he is still alive, Gunmar had warned if we did not join his side, we would be as good as dead."
Everyone listened, feeling sorry for the ancient troll but could not believe that there were two of them. One Blinky was a handful, but they still enjoyed the troll and his company.
"Blink, I didn't know that—" Jim started until Blinky moved to the side, his eyes catching familiar horns perched up behind a table covered in books.
"Uh, Aaarrrgghh?"
"Uh-oh," Aaarrrgghh's head shot up, the book revealing what he had been looking at before he slammed it shut. A picture of a troll who had also been affected by the poison had been shown, "Uh...Just leaving. Had things I was doing. Uh...gotta go. Just leaving."
The book slid off the stack, Aaarrrgghh trying to put it back but it fell once more. In a haste, the large troll hurried out the room, cutting Toby off who had said, "Hey, Wingman. What's—"
The students sighed, they didn't like to see it happen like this, even if they weren't a part of the Trollhunting team, they still had come to like Aaarrrgghh and the rest of them, so seeing this had broken all of them.
"Fine. Bye."
"Strange. I don't believe I've never seen him in my library."
"Let alone reading," Jim said in the back.
"You guys notice Aaarrrgghh's been acting kinda weird lately?" Toby asked, eyebrows furrowed as he pointed it out to the team.
Aaarrrgghh sighed, he still hadn't told his friends, which he understood, but they were catching on that he was dying. Who knew how long it would take them to realize it in the future, it worried him. He didn't want them to worry but was it the right decision to hide it from them?
"Aaarrrgghh is a complex and yet endearing troll, Tobias. Sometimes it's best to just let him be. Let's get reading!" Blinky had pulled open the book, it was obvious that reading was intoxicating for Blinky. Toby smiled and licked his finger, turning a page and beginning as well. Jim had done the same, using his amulet to translate for him.
The scene changed to Claire who stood in a now clean kitchen, shutting a cupboard door and leaning against the counter, looking at her handiwork.
"All right, done. Just relax and enjoy your time with the girls," She spoke to herself, opening the fridge and pulling out a bowl of guac. "Now, let's guac and roll—" Music blasted, startling Claire. The upbeat music had cried out "Don't touch me Scuff." The source coming from a stereo that NotEnrique sat by, sipping out of a cup.
Claire looked shocked at her pun, the crowd laughing once they had caught on to what she said. Since when did she ever make puns? Jim smiled beside her, he didn't mind, he actually thought that it was adorable, especially since she loved guac.
"Well, you said 'guac and roll' and NotEnrique listened." A student said NotEnrique agreed.
"See you started it, sponge face."
A female smiled, gently bobbing her head, "not going to lie but that is a pretty sick beat." The small changeling nodded at her, his hands gesturing to the young female.
"See, she agrees." Claire simply rolled her eyes but wore a smile.
Claire narrowed her eyes, stomping over, NotEnrique asking her a question not even bothered. "Ey, how do I boost the subwoofers on this thing?"
"What are subwoofers? Is he trying to ask about how to turn up the bass?"
"Would you turn that off? Baby up and get in your crib!" She commanded before the doorbell rang, her body quickly moving towards the door. Claire pulled open the door and greeted her friends, only to find an empty porch, "Hey, ladies! Made enough guac' for…"
"How awkward is that." Someone pointed out, cringing slightly. "I hate when that happens."
"Don't worry, I got it!" NotEnrique called from the back door, pulling it open and trolls flooded the house, high fiving everyone who had stepped in. "Come on in! Mi casa es su casa! Look at you. Aren't you the big one? Haha. Hey! Grog! Haven't seen you in a while."
Claire gasped out, weaving through the growing crowd with worry in her eyes. She had to bounce around the ravishing Gnomes, "Keep it movin'. Keep it movin'. Got plenty of room." NotEnrique said in the back before Claire yelled out to him, very upset with the turn of events.
"No! No way! You are not having a party!"
NotEnrique laid on his stomach, relaxing on the island in the kitchen which was already filled with mugs, "Haha. By the looks of it, I am. What time your friends coming' over?" He reminded, shocking Claire. She let out a gasp before she was found by the stairs, leaving the thunderous noise.
"Hey, girl! 'Sup?" Claire tried to sound happy through the phone but worry had taken over, her tone cracking.
"'Sup, Claire?" Mary said, sitting in the driver's seat as Darci hopped in, a pizza box visible in her hands. "Sorry, we're late. Just swung by Tremiti's for a large triple meat'za."
"Extra carnivore. Your favorite," Darci said, the music echoing through the phone.
"I didn't know that was your favorite pizza," Jim pointed out, turning to Claire. The said girl was smiling and nodding.
"Now you know when we have time to go to the pizza shop." She chuckled.
"No! No, no, no!" Claire cried out, meanwhile, a Troll and a Gnome had climbed through the upstairs window, catching her attention. "Don't come! Hey, get away from the window! Get out of here!"
"If I was you, I wouldn't have yelled that while on the phone and lied saying something came up. Can't blame you, the first time you are handling a ton of trolls by yourself."
"Claire? Who's over there?" Mary asked while Darci sniffed the pizza.
"Nobody. We'll hang out another time." Claire tried to shut herself in the wardrobe, until the shadow of a large troll appeared, causing her to gasp and scream.
"Claire?"
"I gotta go."
Before Mary could get in a response, the line had hung up, "C-bomb just hung up on me." She said in shock.
Mary sighed, she was incredibly stubborn that she knew she'd be at the house if only she knew what was going on. However, she was now conflicted with what the right choice should have been.
Within the Wardrobe, the troll had wedged himself in, Claire struggling to free herself. "Let me out!" As she tried to push away, his mouth had covered her hand holding the phone which she quickly pulled out from the cage of his teeth, "Don't eat that!"
"Phone tasty," The troll said. She managed to push herself out, slamming the door shut and shaking the slobber from her device. "Oh. Whatever." The voice of the troll echoed from within the cabinet.
"How come that troll is everywhere! I don't understand!?" A student yelled out.
"We should give him a name…." Shannon said, fixing her glasses. She turned towards Eli who was already thinking. His excitement to name a troll was radiating off of him.
In the library, Jim wasn't having much luck either, "Book 26, nothing." He slammed the book closed and put it back on the stack, "This last one was just a list of Toe fungus. Fungi. Fungi!" Jim tried to say again before he quickly gave up, "Whatever! I don't care!"
People smiled, Jim was precious even when frustrated. He was worried about what to call it, his face saying it all. Claire shook her head playfully at him, it was hard to be serious when Jim cared about how to word Toe Fungus properly.
"Ugh, I'm still on book three," Toby said. "Can't exactly read Trollish, so just been kinda looking at the pictures."
Jim rubbed his face, seemingly tired and annoyed, "This is taking forever. Any luck, Blink?" He turned to his mentor who had been snoring, sleeping peacefully until now. He yawned, his eyes having a hard time staying open.
"Excuse me. My zeal for the library sciences seems to be waning. Since I only have two eyes, reading makes them very tired, very fast," Blinky was nearly half asleep.
"Dude, you awake? You look terrible," Toby pointed out.
"I can't conceive why. I've met every one of my daily human needs, three meals a day, eight glasses of water, eight minutes of sleep."
"I'm sorry, eight minutes of sleep?! How is he still functioning properly!?" Eli freaked.
Jim cringed, "Oh, Blinky, it's eight hours of sleep. Not..." He looked to Blinky to find the former troll once again asleep, the book resting on top of him.
"And...then there were two," Toby said, throwing the book back on the stack and slouching, his eyes wandering up the many shelves of books, "Ugh! I don't know how many more books I can read before my brain melts." He pulled a book from the shelf and turned to a random page, "I think this book's about reading books."
Jim's eyes narrowed at the page, an illustration of a troll, drinking a potion had caught his attention, stepping over, he studied the page and his face lit up, "Wait a sec. I think you found something." He set the amulet on the page, watching it glow before the words scrambled, translating it for them to understand.
"Whoa..." Toby gaped.
"A draught of Elix-Lore allows thee to consume knowledge at a voracious pace." Jim read, Toby, turning to look at his friend.
Vendel shook his head, he knew something was never this easy, especially when the Fleshbags were by themselves in Trollmarket. Yet, Jim had proven himself every time. Vendel put his trust into this human which shocked himself, let's just hope he put his trust in the right kid.
"Won't take Strickler's ring off, but it could help speed things up. I wonder if Rot-Gut has any." After giving Jim the idea, the Trollhunter let out a laugh, the book closing only for a window to open after a knock on the door, Rot appearing. Jim held up a sock, the window shutting while epic music played in the background.
Another window opened, the troll falling for the bribe. Back in the library, Jim held a blue and purple bottle, holding it up with a smile. "See? Know what to look for and you can find the exact tool for the job!"
Blinky let out a shocked squeak, he knew that would come back to haunt him, curse the kids for being incredibly smart.
"Oh! Give me some of that yum-yum juice." Toby pried the bottle from Jim's hands and chugged it. "Ah!" He breathed, wiping his lips.
"Okay. After a swig of this, we'll get through these books in no time." Jim went to take a sip but nothing came out, Toby was too busy listing the flavor to notice.
'"Kinda minty. With notes of...mould. Oh..."
"Toby, it says you're only supposed to drink a drop of it. You drank half a bottle!" Jim scolded, Toby, letting out some hiccups as he held his stomach.
"Andddddd, this is where it goes bad," Jim smacks his forehead, mumbling to himself as the teens laughed, even Barbara not phased that something was destined to go wrong.
"Hey, Jim. My insides are gurgling real weird."
"Do you feel...hungry for knowledge?" Jim asked, hand on his friend's shoulder as he was bent to meet his height.
"Actually, I feel like I'm gonna—" He sat down with a struggle, the open book near him began to glow a blue hue, the letters pulling off the page and floating beside them, Jim watching it in wonder. The letters bounced off Toby's nose, the said boy groaning. Jim grabbed Toby's nose and chin, forcing his mouth open and watched in fascination as the letters had been automatically consumed by Toby. "Jim, am I wrong? Or did words just fly into my mouth?"
Everyone's jaws dropped, it really worked. Some even cheered, believing it would be easier for school and all they had to do was consume a book. Miss. Janeth and Senor Uhl ended that dream.
"We do not want to see that mysterious troll liquid in the school!" They scolded at the same time. All the school kids dropping their shoulders in defeat.
"How do you feel?" Jim asked, Toby's mouth now glowing blue as well.
"I feel as good as Grimbald the Grave must have felt at the Quibble of Quandary after beating a vicious Sloorbeast." He burped, a letter floating back out right as Toby turned to Jim, confused but smiling. Almost as if he was drunk. "Wait. What did I just say."
Jim grabbed the book, flipping through the pages and smiling, "Holy moly! You just...devoured the entire book! Oh man, Tobes, you're like a—You're like a troll genius!" Jim pulled another book from the shelf and opened it in front of Toby, "Quick, eat another one!"
"Jim! Don't rush him, for god sakes!"
Toby burps one more, another letter escaping until he has devoured the book, chewing it as if he was taste testing pounds and pounds of food. His confidence grew as he spat out facts, smiling.
"Maddrux the Many triumphed in the battle of Doomscavern, defeating his greatest energy. Hit me again!"
While Toby and Jim struck luck, Claire had been struggling, wedging her way through the thick crowd of Trolls. She managed to get through a small crack between the trolls who refused to move. Her body landed on the floor but she wasted no time to get up. She gripped her arm, glaring at the crowd.
In a small clearing, she clenched her fists and tried to yell over the loud dance music, "All of you! Get out!" Outside, her house could be seen with orange and pink lights shining through the windows, the music muffled but back inside, it was hard to hear. "Hello?" Claire said annoyed before a troll had grabbed her hand, spinning her around, grunts escaping her lips.
"You tell them, Claire," Mary teased, shaking her head. Jim watched Claire on the screen, seeing how she would handle it.
The troll laughed when she landed on her knees. She didn't fully recover when she had to duck as a chittering Gnome flew above her head, piercing the wall behind her. She stood and growled, finding a troll who had picked up her lamp and slid it in his mouth.
A wave of protection surged through Jim if the Gnome had struck Claire...
"Spit that's out, now!" She commanded, the troll listening and setting it back down, NotEnrique, slid backward, hyping himself up before striking a pose. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Claire groans in disgust as a troll passes in front of her, the foul smell of a drink catching her attention. "What is that?"
"Glug," the trolls simply answered before taking a big gulp and letting out a horrendous burp.
"Ew! Ugh!" Claire walked away, squeezing through another tight space, finding her Changeling brother now on the counter, a Gnome spinning 360 in front of him.
"Hello, Gnomes! Hold still here. I gotcha. Here we go. Round and round it goes. Who ya smooch? Nobody knows!" NotEnrique sang, trolls watching until the Gnome stops, the tip of his hat pointing at a very annoyed Claire. "Now, that's gross."
Jim frowned, he loved her kisses. Claire turned her head, catching Jim's disapproving look and blushed, knowing exactly what he was thinking about.
Claire angrily swats the Gnome off the counter and gets close to NotEnrique, fuming, "Stop this party right now!"
"Why? It's just getting good." There was a large knock at the door until it fell off its hinges, again. Aaarrrgghh standing behind the door. Claire lit up at the sight of him, "Aaarrrgghh! Finally someone sane. I'm so glad you're here." After getting himself in the house, he fixed the door and turned to Claire, instantly smelling Glug.
Everyone perked when they saw Aaarrrgghh, Blinky was confused, was Aaarrrgghh there to help? He never knew the big brute would party recklessly if it had come to that.
"Is that Glug?" He asked, heading off, Claire frowning once again.
"Aaarrrgghh! Seriously?" As the vast troll walked through the house, a troll had pointed to his arm.
"What's that under your arm? Looks pretty bad."
"Nothing!" Aaarrrgghh cried out, slamming the troll to the wall. "Shut up! What you see?" On the other side, Claire was playing tug-a-war, trying to pry a bowl from a troll's hand.
"That's not yours!"
Back to Aaarrrgghh, he quickly relaxed and dropped the troll quickly apologizing before scurrying off.
They were speechless, Jim and Toby sharing a look then turning to face Aaarrrgghh who had shrunk beneath their gaze. He never meant to act out like that, what this wound was doing to him was not okay but his mind had other plans, taking over the feeling that was in his heart. What if that was one of his friends? He couldn't forgive himself.
"Geez. Who plarped in his Glug?" The troll said, looking hurt. Another group of trolls surrounded a Quagawump who had found a bathtub, placing it right inside of the living room. It was clear she was sitting in the tub of Glug as cups were dropped in, scooping as much as they could to drink.
Everyone cringed, to Trolls that was normal but who would drink from a bathtub while someone was currently bathing in it.
"Oh, Glug!" Aaarrrgghh said, lifting the whole tub, the poor troll inside holding onto the sides as he chugged the green liquid.
Blinky and Vendel held their heads, completely speechless at Aaarrrgghh's act.
"I've never seen him like this," Claire pointed out, standing beside NotEnrique. The trolls in the background were chanting Aaarrrgghh's name.
"None of us had, I'm actually scared." The brute did not reply, shrinking more away, not looking at his friends and family.
"Give the big lug a break. Even he needs to blow off some steam." Aaarrrgghh downed the contents in the bath, then threw the empty tub backward, crashing into whatever it came in contact with. Aaarrrgghh, let out a loud belch, the crowd cheering.
"Oh, yeah!"
"Yeah!"
Claire and NotEnrique watched in shock before he let out a nervous laugh, "A lotta steam apparently."
Jim nodded at what NotEnrique said, not being able to speak at what he was seeing.
"This is insane," Claire stated before a Gnome had popped up in view.
"Wahoo! Eh? Yahoo!" The tiny creature said as NotEnrique bounced over to Aaarrrgghh, climbing up on his back and to the horns of Aaarrrgghh, throwing on a pair of shades.
"Who's the Sultan of Swagger? The Dark Prince of Partypalooza? Let's crank this party up!" NotEnrique yelled out, the cheering growing louder before it was drowned out by the music which had also turned up. The trolls began to dance wildly and the sight made Claire stomp off with a groan.
On the stairs, Bagdwella had been flirting with one of Gato's guards, "So, what do you do? Oh. The strong, silent type. I see. Say, what does a girl gotta do to get that mask off?" While she talked to the silent troll, Claire had stomped up the stairs, paying no mind to her.
"Um, can we keep this PG13 please?" Toby gagged, Bagdwella flirting was a sight he never wanted to see but was amused at the fact that Claire had walked right by. Yet, he did not like the troll, she was a piece of work that needed more work.
Outside, Mary and Darci had pulled up to the house, the flashing colorful lights were hard to miss.
"She's having a party? Why shouldn't she invite us?" Mary asked, hurt, and confused while Darci bit into a slice of pizza.
"Cause Trolls pretty much invaded my house."
"Yeah. We're cool!"
"Hmm!" Mary glared. Claire, on the other hand, was not pleased when she stepped into her room, snow falling from the ceiling. In the corner of the bay window, two Quagawhumps had built a snowman, a close replica to what they looked like. She stepped over, not hesitating to ask what they had done.
Mary had called it, she knew what she was capable of doing so this did not shock her that she showed.
"Why is it snowing in my room?"
"Is blizzard magic not okay?" Claire looked at them, eyebrows furrowed before she let out a frustrated scream, the sound catching NotEnrique but he simply turned back around, still partying.
Jim turned to Claire, "I'm sorry I left you to handle this." She smiled and gently punched his shoulder.
"Don't worry, I got this. Besides, it seems you have your hands full with Toby." She joked, the two smiling fondly at one another before they realized what they had been doing and quickly pulled away.
The greenish trolls stepped out, mumbling to each other, "She's weird."
"Yeah," as Claire breathed heavily, fuming, she heard the noise of a car beeping, her eyes landed on Mary and Darci who seemed to be stomping towards the door, unhappy about not being invited. Panic began to set in and Claire had pushed away from the window.
"Oh no. Not them!" Mary growled, eyes narrowed, her hand ready to slam on the door, yet, Claire popped out from behind, making sure the scene behind her wasn't seen, "Hey, ladies. What's going down?"
"Throwing a rager and not telling us, is what's going down!"
"I don't get it, Claire. I thought we were your BFFs." Darci pointed out, Mary folding her arms in disapprovement.
"This little thing? This isn't a party."
"It's a break-in," Claire muttered, looking at NotEnrique.
A troll from inside had yelled: "Yahoo! Party!" Ruining Claire's lie in hopes to hide the secret of trolls.
Darci caught sight of the shadow in the window, the brute's true skin color, and form was not seen but she suddenly became flustered. "Claire, are those...college kids?"
"Let us in! We can hang with upperclassmen!" Mary begged, Claire's body shielding the door.
"No, I can't. I'm not opening this door." Mary released another groan, stepping to the window, only for Claire to block it, her arms stretched wide. "No! I don't!"
"Come on. Fine! I'll find another way in." Mary said, her head held up high, taking off. Claire stopped on the porch, trying to seize Mary's stubborn act.
"Wait. Mary. Are you crazy?"
"You should have invited us," Darci said, following after Mary.
Darci facepalmed, not liking this anymore.
"No, no! Stop! Get off my house." Mary made it to the roof, struggling, however. Not wasting time, Claire entered the front door, locking it behind her. Still perched above Aaarrrgghh, NotEnrique raised his fists, calling out the words:
"Pummelling hour!"
"Yeah! Hi." Aaarrrgghh said before his fist collided with a troll, the said beast connected to a contraption that had slingshotted him back for another round. Cheers and laughs echoed through the house and NotEnrique had hopped onto the coat rack, spinning around to Claire who was still angry.
Everyone sighed, it clearly made Aaarrrgghh happy when this was a shock to everyone.
"Was that the delivery guy with me socks? We're almost outta snacks." NotEnrique said
"Mary and Darci are here. Do you realize how busted we are? Mary's gonna tell everyone!" Claire hissed, NotEnrique unfazed by the news.
Mary perked at her name. Claire was right if she saw she would have whipped the phone out so fast.
"Great! This party's blowing up!"
"No. She's got 30,000 dumb followers online. One pic of this, and we're talking news vans, black helicopters, you on a dissection table." NotEnrique stuck out his tongue, a disgusted and mocking noise accompanying it. "Ooh."
The people that followed Mary had gasped out, "we are not stupid!"
"That's right. Ooh! Just fix this! Shut it down!" She ran between Aaarrrgghh who was about to send another punch towards the troll, "Aaarrrgghh! Not helping!" She scolded and ran up the stairs.
"I'm sorry." As Claire left the view, Aaarrrgghh and the nameless troll shared a fist bump, "Yeah!" The sound of something shattering startled NotEnrique, his eyes wide before they dropped to the broken object, a picture of Claire and her brother slowly killing him with guilt.
Claire looked back at NotEnrique, her face was unreadable. What did that face mean, was he actually listening to her?
Back in the library, Jim hovered over a snoring Blinky, the Mentor not moving but continuing to snore. In the background, Toby was surrounded by numerous letters, consuming them all.
"Blinky, wake up. Wake up!" Jim's attention flew to his phone that began to ring. Quickly answering it, he looked back to Toby, "Claire! I'm so glad you called. You gotta come to Trollmarket. Toby is—" As he spoke, he had tried keeping Blinky upright.
"No time, Jim. You need to come here. NotEnrique's out of control!"
"Out of control?" Jim asked, still trying to keep the leaning Blinky from going any further, "Toby is gorging on magic grill words and turning into some kind of knowledge god!"
"More! More knowledge!" Toby's voice rang out, Claire's voice also yelling through the phone.
"Toby, stop!" Jim cried out as Toby shoved more and more into his mouth.
"More! More knowledge!"
"Jim! NotEnrique, my house! I've tried everything!" Claire's voice echoed, Toby still continuing with his act as well.
"More knowledge!"
Jim could feel the stress through the screen, sighing.
"Claire, look, I know you can figure it out. I'm so sorry but-I gotta go!" He hung up the phone, Blinky falling into the mass of books, being buried beneath the hardcovers. The Trollhunter ran to Toby hoping to talk him out of it. "Okay. Maybe we should take a break, Tobes. You gotta be full by now, right?"
"See he has all this confidence in you Claire! So fricken love him already!" A student yelled out, the two blushing furiously.
"No James. I am becoming a living archive. A codec of all troll history and arcana! I am like Voltar with Voracious, who was born with two minds! For all good that did him. Stepped on by Thrall." Toby let out a laugh, Jim surveying the damage before he was grabbed by his shoulders and pulled close to the chubby boy. "Don't you see, James? I already have the solution to our problem! To do something impossible, you must change what is possible. The oldest known troll was 5352 years old named Chokeenamaga."
"James?"
"Really that's the thing you're caught on?!" Someone scolded.
"Okay. So, Tobes, how do we get the ring off Strickler?"
"The Kairosect will grant us all we need to get the Inferna Copula. Queethokpharlock." Toby muttered Jim, patting his cheek to keep Toby's mind on the answers they needed.
"What is with these random words, though it's kind of funny."
"Hey, hey, focus. How do we get the Kairo thing?"
"You must return to Gatto's keep."
"Gatto? Oh, great! Aren't you already on his crap list?" Jim complained, yet, Toby didn't listen, words unrecognizable began to pour from his lips, the words to every book being pulled away and towards Toby.
"Is that a pun?" Claire teased, turning to Jim who shrugged.
"Not as bad as Guac and Roll." He chuckled when Claire playfully frowned, crossing her arms.
"It was a good one, alright."
"Bula-nok-chura-azu-zoth. Bula! Bula! Bula-chura! Bula-chura! Bula-chura!"
"Oh, no!" Toby laughed, the words swarming into a vortex above their heads.
"Bula-chura! Bula-chura! Bula-chura! Bula-chura!" Jim watched as a path was created, the words ready to be swallowed by Toby. Jumping in the way, the letters ricocheted off of Jim.
"All, right, Tobes. We got what we're looking for, so let's chill, okay? We'll get some fresh air. Splash of water."
"There are more important endeavors!" Toby's voice became distorted, "I must know all!"
Claire smiled, "Toby I didn't know you knew such big words."
"Oh boy." Jim groaned out. The screen went black, camera shutter was heard clicking as Claire passed a room in the hallway. Opening the door, Claire had found the source, Darci perched on Claire's bed, taking selfies.
"Oh, hey, Claire. What's your Wi-fi? And why is the floor all wet? Ew!" With a sigh, Claire's gazed dropped, until she had realized what was missing from the room.
"Would you believe me if I told you it was snowing?" Claire said turning to Mary and Darci who smiled, nodding with a confident look.
"Wait. Where...is...Mary?" The said girl was sitting in a dark room, talking to a troll who was luckily not noticed as a mythical creature.
"Yeah, this party is pretty crispy. So...where are you from?" She tucked her hair behind her ear, the troll answering simply with:
Everyone groaned out loud, Mary blushing as someone had yelled out, "OH MY GOD MARY!"
"Underground."
"Love the underground scene." She giggled, stepping closer to the believed to be a college boy. "So...are you like a...art major?"
"What is art?"
"Wow. That is so deep. We should do something sometime." She was about to press her hand against the troll before Claire's hand reached for Mary's pulling it away. "Ugh. What are you doing?"
Everyone relaxed, that was incredibly close to causing mass panic.
"Mary. Come with me. Now." Claire said with clenched teeth, dragging Mary out.
"No! Call me." She whispered, before groaning. "Ugh! Come on!" The troll within the room had lit up, the carving revealing a creepy shadowy face.
Back to the problem in the library, the scene was close to Toby's mouth, showing full details of his braces but more importantly, the blue hue. Toby mumbled more enchantments, Jim backing away from his friend.
"The great Warg age enters the seventh blood moon. The Draknagoth will arise!" Suddenly, Toby's stomach began to gurgle, the boy holding it as he heaved. He let out a burp, a letter escaping from his mouth but he quickly grabs it and puts it back. "Nope." He resumed his dark voice, "The parallels of the universe! All its answers have become so clear! The secret to life is—Nope. Nope. Nope." Toby held his stomach before once again continuing, "The secret of life is— "
Everyone leaned at the edge of their seats, listening to Toby who was about to spill the biggest fact ever heard.
Toby had finally vomited out letters, it splattering over Jim who had shielded his face from the impact. Toby sat up, trying to continue each time but throwing up more and more. "The meaning is...Nope. The secret of life is...is...I think I'm—Nope. I think I'm—" Jim cringed, holding out his hand to his friend but pulling it back and cringing once more.
"All right, Tobes." Toby continues to vomit, "The meaning is..." Blue letters expelled from his mouth, his body flying back and crashing into a wall. Blinky's head had appeared from the pile, an open book upon his head but the troll had realized what was used right away.
"I want to know what the meaning of life is! The secret!"
"Ah! Elix-Lore!"
Jim ignored him, hopping over to Toby and looking at him, "Tobes! Tobes!" The boy replied with a burp, a letter floating away right as Blinky stepped forward.
"What is two plus two?" Blinky asked, Toby's face getting chubbier as he counted on his fingers, his reply not even a number.
"Awesome sauce!" Jim relaxed.
"Wait, do you know what two plus two is? Please tell me you do." Steve asked, Toby just smiled and shrugged, the world may never know.
"Phew. Back to normal."
"But my library, on the other hand..." Blinky inspected the damage.
"Sorry." Toby mumbled out, trying to catch a letter just like a cat, "I'll...clean it up."
"No no, it's all recoverable. Rot-Guy's probably has a little something to put it right."
Blinky smiled at that, perhaps he had done it on purpose only to tease the two about going to RotGuts and creating an issue, which they solved.
"I am proud of you two, you took my advice about RotGuts and also solved a conflict while I had passed out. I also believed it was eight minutes, my mistake." Jim and Toby smiled at one another, fist-bumping.
"No!" Toby cried right before the scene changed, Mary being pushed on the bed.
"What are you doing? The boy of my dreams was in—" As Mary stomped her foot down, it made a slush like sound, changing her focus. "Why is the floor all wet?"
"It was just shampooed." Claire lied, "You need to leave...like, yesterday."
"Claire, what happened to us? We used to be inseparable. And now, we barely see you. You're hanging with your boyfriend, Jimmy Jam." Darci said, pointing an accusing finger.
"He's not my boyfriend."
Jim didn't know how to feel as he listened to their conversation, feeling proud, and then defeated. But, it was true, he and Claire were not together and he had no idea if it actually happened. This wasn't a fairy tale, it was life. Just because his crush is helping him and knows the secret of Trolls, doesn't mean they'd fall for one another. Right?
"But are we even your girlfriends anymore?" Mary asked, Darci, coming to a stand while Claire's shoulders dropped.
"Yes. But, this other life, you just can't."
"Wait! I know what's going on," Mary quickly said, her hands on her hips.
"You do?"
"You have a college boo!"
"I do not," Claire crossed her arms.
Darci's hands instantly flew to her cheeks, speaking up, "And you're keeping it secret to spare Jim's feelings."
"Um..." Claire was speechless, clearly that was not the case, however, she couldn't think of another lie that would fit. Her eyes seemed to not want to play a part in that lie at all.
Jim couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at that, Mary and Darci shifting uncomfortably in their seats. Did they think they did not approve of Jim? Did they really think that low of Claire where she would lead the poor boy on while busy with a college kid?
Mary bit her lip, she seemed too caught up in her plan to get into Claire's party when clearly, she and Darci weren't welcome for a reason, which was disappointing, just because there were trolls that didn't make it any less fun, clearly they knew how to party.
"Claire, we're sorry, we should be respecting your wishes. We also shouldn't accuse you of cheating, this other life is meant to be shared with Jim, not us." Darci said, the Trollhunters listening closely before Toby smiled.
"Maybe one day you can be a part of this life," Toby offered, Darci blushing with a nod. Claire, on the other hand, looked at Jim, chewing on her lip.
"Jim, um, college boys are pretty cute but they aren't you." Jim let out a surprised squeak, "whatever happens, even if a college boy shows up, just know that no matter what I will always be with you."
Jim smiled, nodding, "I trust you, Claire. Besides, if anything, if you fall for a college boy and we're together, just know I get pretty jealous." Claire chuckled at that, placing a hand on his cheek and smiling fondly at him.
"Oh! Hugs. Come here. Bring it in!" Darci said, the two hugging Claire tightly. "Sorry about the drama. But I gotta see this piece on the side!" Mary giggled, running to the door with Darci.
"Mary! No, no! Stop!" Sirens from outside echoed, reaching everyone's ears.
"Attention! This is the police!" The trolls froze downstairs, their jaws dropped. "We know you're having an awesome party in there! Disperse immediately!" From still, the scene changed to the trolls panicking, shouting as they all took a different exit.
"Quick! Out the window!" Claire commanded her friends. "They won't see you!"
"But what about you? Your parents will kill you when they find out!" Marry asked frantically.
Her parents were unsure how to react to this, the police were at their house despite it not being Claire's party. The trolls had fled and the house was wrecked, their minds whirled on how to take all of it.
"I'll take the fall, it was my party. But go. Save yourselves."
Right before Mary climbed out, she turned to Claire. "Oh! Tell that artist boy to call me!"
"Claire, you're the best. Talk tomorrow." Darci said, joining Mary outside and the two fled. Claire headed downstairs, seeming incredibly nervous as she also eyed the damage.
"Open up!" The cop called out, Claire following their orders and opening the door, only to find blinking blue and red party lights, NotEnrique leaning against a speaker, microphone in his hand. "You are under arrest for falling for that."
Claire smiled, picking him up and trapping him in a hug. "You little brat! I could kiss you." She playfully kissed his cheek as he struggled.
Jim smiled, he was glad that Claire was finally warming up to the Changeling, and he also remembered how his heart soared when she spoke to him like that, how her lips felt against his cheek, and every time she touched him his mind turned to goo. He hoped that one day, his crush would become something more.
He had to give her time and space, see what she felt as well, even though the moves they made had crossed between the line of a relationship and friendship.
"Gross! Come on! I'm your brother."
"Fake brother," Claire corrected but did not seem angry.
"Deserved that." He scratched his neck, "Sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have had a party," he sighed, "any time you wanna see your brother, you know, just ask." Claire gently pet him, the Changeling loving it.
"And I'm sorry for always grabbing you by your scruff. Maybe I can take you to Trollmarket once in a while."
"Now that we've made up, I should be hittin' the sack. Don't want to stop you from cleaning up here." NotEnrique yawned, stretching out before heading inside, Claire stopping him in his tracks, grabbing him once again by the scruff.
"I'm cleaning up?"
"Really, the scruff again?"
"You better..." Claire scolded bringing him inside and shutting the door.
"All right, all right, all right. Truce. Truce!" She set him down, the two looking at the trashed house. "You go to sleep. I'll clean the mess." NotEnrique hopped from the table to the bookshelf, placing the books neatly back with the others. "From what I heard, siblings fight all the time. Right, sis? I guess that practically makes us family."
Claire smiled at him, "I guess it does." The Changeling smiled back, jumping from view. As Claire headed upstairs, her foot stepped on some glass, crunching beneath her feet. She gasped, peering down to find the same picture. She pulled it off the ground, wearing a happy smile before placing it in its rightful place before stepping off. The episode ends with the picture in view.
Jim's eyes narrowed in determination, he could hear the soft whimper of Claire's parents and Claire herself was heartbroken. He was going to get him back and free the other children, then he would slay Gunmar, making sure none of his friends and family were risking their lives again.
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