Trollhunters: The Written Future

by TheWonderland10

After the events of the Shattered King, the Trollhunter team finds themselves in a mysterious room surrounded by classmates, teachers, family, trolls, and even enemies. What would happen when Jim Lake's secret is revealed and everyone's life changes. Watching Their Show/Reveal Fanfic. ALL RIGHTS GO TO DREAMWORKS!

24. Angor Management

Seeing his mother angry, was a rare sight. Well, her swearing and looking as if she would murder everyone in this theater. Usually when she was irritated, she would become silent, as if she had never known you. Maybe even try to argue a little, yet, she would never lose her cool over everything.

She was a calm person, unless the matter had truly bugged her, for example, his father. If his mother had ever seen James Lake Sr. in person, he'd pray for his own safety. Now. seeing her swear and pace, the poor Trollhunter just stared right ahead at the paused screen, his eyes wide as she was using every single swear word that existed.

He had a feeling things were beginning to pick up in their future lives, his mom would be affected because Strickler had crawled to him for help. He had a bad feeling about these next few episodes and his mother's attitude as well.

"I can't believe you! You started this damn mess and now you are crawling to my son to pick up YOUR mess?! I'm not even supposed to be dragged into this but since you couldn't fight Jim on your own because you're too gosh damn scared, now my life and my son's life is on the line! You piece of sh-"

As she started running to Strickler, ready to tackle him off the chair, Blinky had stepped in front of her, gently holding onto her with his four hands.

"Whoa, Barbara, I acknowledge that you are unhappy with the situation. We all are uneasy about it. However, your son is not alone and he handles himself quite well. Might you just relax?"

The woman looked at the mentor troll than to her son who had finally made eye contact with her. With a sigh, she nodded. Blinky was right, things might not go to plan but she had to trust her son, whatever decision he made, she must be there to support that said decision - even if she plainly hated it.

"You're right, Mr. Blinky. Thank you," she moved to sit back in her seat, leaving the crowd still silent and processing her raging fit.

The host lightly gulped before pressing play, the theme of the show still being skipped.

The show started, instantly showing what had happened to Strickler after he had gone to Jim. The said teacher was slumped on a dining chair, clearly asleep. He had been placed in an empty dining hall, the sunlight streaming in through the windows.

Strickler didn't look all that comfortable as he slept, softly snoring. The sound of the Sword of Daylight was heard, the sharp tip of the blade was placed beneath Strickler's chin, lifting his heavy head straight before the sword had been pulled from view, a sock replacing it and being dangled in front of Strickler's nose.

Everyone was quiet, unsure what to say but was definitely intrigued to see what Jim had done to handle such a situation. Also, how the heck did Jim tie up Strickler without the man knowing or was willing to be in such an awkward position.

"Jim, did you knock him out?"

The changeling tiredly sniffed the sock before his eyes rapidly popped open, Walt pulling back with a disgusted groan and retching. He leaned his body to the side, scooting the chair with him.

"What is this?!" The camera turned to Jim who was leaning over, still holding the sock with an unamused look.

"Wakey, wakey, we survived the night with no sign of Angor Rot. Congratulations." Jim stood up straight, crossing his arms, "I thought I'd bring you some breakfast." He tossed the sock, making a direct hit to Strickler's face who had turned and scoffed.

Barbara smiled, shaking her head. That was definitely her attitude that Jim had been blessed with. She could see herself within Jim and it was both scary and a wonderful sight.

Strickler sighed, he had a lot to think about, if this episode was taking a turn he so suspected, how would he handle witnessing it and managing to persuade the people in the theater? Was it worth just fixing his reputation now so not many would be after him?

However, would anyone believe him and he might not seek the revenge he wanted on Jim for a while. He wasn't going to admit it openly but Jim frightened him to a point. The boy was definitely skillful and was deadly to his kind. After all, he killed Bular when Kanjigar hadn't and still survived Angor.

One of the many reasons he must have seeked Jim's help in the future, he knew the boy was strong. He wasn't on good terms with Jim before they had gotten to the theater but clearly, his own kind wasn't hesitating when they made the decision to throw him to the streets, Jim was his only hope now that he witnessed what the Janus Order had really thought of him.

He could be better off fixing his reputation in the theater while this episode was being played, it could be safer for him mostly because the crowd had always been on Jim's side.

With a sigh, Strickler let the episode play itself out, waiting and yet, fearing what the future had in store for him.

"I don't eat socks and I don't appreciate being tied up," Strickler scolded, Jim stepping around the chair to the backside, sword hanging to the side. "I asked you to protect me, not torture me."

With a slice of the sword, the ropes dropped from Strickler's wrists, "and I said I'd keep you safe, not comfortable." Jim hissed while Walt rubbed his sore wrists. Turning to face the window, Jim and Strickler looked at the streaming sunlight, realizing they were finally safe from Angor's attack.

The Trollhunter stretched as Strickler pushed himself up from the chair, "well, sun is up." Strickler added in as Jim freed himself from his armor, letting the amulet and the armor vanish. "We'll have until sundown to get me as far away as possible."

"Fine." Jim said, stepping over to his walkie-talkie, "I'll call the team." He lifted the device to his mouth, speaking into it. "Trollhunter to Warhammer, you copy?"

Strickler crossed his arms, "oh goody, the puberty patrol is on the case. I feel so safe." Walt spoke, stepping closer. The sarcasm was clear and Jim instantly glared at the man. He was lucky he had Jim or he'd be dead meat. Jim lifted an arm, silencing Strickler.

"Hey! We are doing a pretty good job even without armor or a sword!" Toby yelled out, "and we passed puberty! I mean, Jim's height is enough proof!"

Jim raised an eyebrow, turning to Toby who was staring down Strickler, "and Claire can kick your behind any day!" The stout boy added, Claire agreeing with that fact.

"It's Warhammer, what's up Jimbo?" Ripping the device away, Strickler began to speak, Jim looking at him in shock.

"Do you really think your friends will have any chance against that killer? They'll be a liability!" Jim pulled his walkie-talkie out from Strickler's hand, his face twisted in irritation. "May I remind you, you destroyed Angor's soul, he'll be out for blood. Be at your's or their's."

The words processed in Jim's mind as Toby spoke once again after receiving no answer. "Jim? Hello!?"

"Ah yeah," Jim started, snapping out of it. "Uh- Tobes, get everyone together, see what you can dig up on finding that last triumbic stone." Strickler nodded at Jim, silently letting the boy know that he was making the right choice.

Blinky nearly gasped for air, "you mean to tell me we won't help you in one of the most dangerous fights! Master Jim! Why listen to this man when he has done nothing but cause issues!"

Jim frowned, he had taken Strickler's advice but it made sense, his friends needed to stay safe, even if they argued with him because of this idea. Well, he could say blame future him, after all, he made the idea first.

"The one the Gumm-Gumms stole?"

"Yeah, I need you guys down in Trollmarket. I'll catch up when I can, over and out." Jim stood beside the counter, ending the conversation and placing the Walkie-Talkie on the table, not seeming too comfortable about lying to his friends.

"Damn it! Toby you should have questioned what he was doing!"

"Smart choice, for once, you're learning," Strickler inputted, reaching for the empty pot of coffee. Sighing, Jim reached above the fridge and pulled down a box of cereal.

"For the record, Angor destroyed his own soul." The trollhunter put the box in Strickler's empty hand, startling the teacher. The two shared a look, Jim seemed unhappy about the situation while Strickler seemed to catch himself up on what was just said.

The scene changed to a cupboard door being pulled open, revealing Jim who had been the one to open it, Draal had finally joined the two upstairs and Strickler had been munching on his breakfast.

"Why trust this Changeling when all he does is betray you?" Draal asked, Strickler paying no mind to their conversation.

"Because.." Jim sighed, packing a few cans of food. "Because unfortunately I have too. Is this all the canned food we have?" Jim asked, Draal slowly appearing from the corner of the screen, wearing a wicked grin.

"You need more?" He huffed, "we should chop him into little pieces and can him right now!"

Everyone laughed, loving how Draal appeared from the side and was willing to turn Strickler into food for Jim to eat.

Strickler raised his eyebrows, moving to the side when he turned to see Draal's wicked grin and his golden eyes staring him down.

"Draal. You are hilarious, I love you!"

"Did you forget the binding spell?" Jim asked, standing. Draal stood as well, next to Strickler who seemed to grow cocky at the statement. "If we hurt him, we hurt my mom." Strickler smiled and stepped past Draal, flicking cereal at the troll's face and laughing.

Draal growled, clenching his teeth and aiming as if ready to punch the man but had stopped himself, knowing Jim was right.

"Say you do get him out of town, what's stopping Angor Rot from finding him?"

"I don't know, we disguise him," Jim said, his tone was clear that he was also unsure about how to answer.

"Disguise?! Angor is a cunning and ruthless assassin, you think he'll be fooled by a hat and mustache?" Draal asked while Jim was digging through his fridge.

"Then I guess we fight him. Far, far away from here."

"I do not like this plan, he could strike at any time at any place. He would have the tactical advantage." Jim grew frustrated, standing and closing the fridge.

"You never liked any plan, you literally said this when Strickler came over for dinner and planted the fake amulet."

"I don't know, okay! I don't have all the answers!" Jim sighed, face softening, "sorry, I know it's not a well thought out plan but we have to leave." Jim stated, his phone ringing and bringing his attention elsewhere.

He pulled the device from his backpack, reading the contact name as Draal took the backpack from Jim.

"Shh, it's my mom." He answered it and pretended to yawn, stretching as well. Draal looked through the small backpack, pulling out wrapped food while Strickler walked in the background. "Hey mom, uh how are you, I just got up."

In the hospital, Barbara stepped into view, phone pressed to her ear while the room she had been in seemed chaotic, "sorry I didn't come home kiddo. It's been crazy here over at the hospital. Looks like my night shift is turning into a weekend shift."

Behind Jim, Strickler stepped up to Draal, grinning as he eyed up the metal arm. "Nice arm, did you get that at the toy store?" He joked, tapping the metal. Draal turned, roaring at the Changeling who simply covered his face with the same grin.

Jim turned to the pair, waving his hand and telling them to shush. He pressed the phone back to his ear. "You're going to be gone all weekend? Huh, sucks mom."

Barbara's face was unreadable when it dropped. She knew what her son was already hinting at and she could feel dread in her stomach. There was no way this good luck would last.

The Trollhunter turned to face Strickler who seemed excited about the news, the two getting the same idea.

"I know, but you can take care of yourself. Just hunker down in the house. Stay safe."

Someone snorted, "pfft okay. Not like they are packing to fight a killer troll."

"Not what I mean…" Barbara added in, staring her son down with a playful smile. "However, I did give you the idea, so I can say I helped."

"Sure, sure, I can hold down the fort."

"You're a lifesaver."

"I'll add it to my resume, okay, bye mom. Yeah, yeah, I love you too." Jim hung up the phone, Strickler growing more excited.

"She'll be out of the house all weekend?"

"Yeah, the house will be empty," Jim started, walking to his backpack while Draal's jaw was dropped in confusion, not understanding what the two were getting at.

"Fine, I have rocks for brains, will someone tell me what's so obvious?"

"We are going to hold down the fort," Jim started, sorting through his backpack and unpacking it.

Everyone couldn't contain their smiles as Barbara shook her head but was glad she put her son at an advantage. However, every time there was a troll at the house, she seemed to walk in right as they hid.

She doubted that she would actually be at the hospital for long for them to perfectly execute Angor and the plan.

"We survived one night, he's not going to survive the next," Strickler put in, Draal finally catching on.

"Right! We fight here, take back the tactical advantage. An ambush! Yes, I like it." Draal said, stepping over to Strickler who smiled.

"But, we're going to need supplies," Jim butted in before the scene had changed, Aaarrrgghh had placed his hand against the lock of the door within Trollmarket, a golden yellow hue coming through the carvings of the door, lighting the vast gears at the top.

The said gears clicked and turned, the doors dropping one by one as the rest of the Trollhunters had watched, waiting for the doors to finally reveal the next room.

Finally, when the doors had dropped, the team stepped into the dark room, Toby beginning to speak.

"If we're looking to research the last stone, shouldn't we be in the library?"

"Yes, why did you bring us to look at Killahead Bridge?" Claire asked.

"Before her departure, Queen Usurna suspected a depiction of the last stone may very well be inscribed on the bridge itself." Blinky answered, the bridge in view. The screen had gone dark for a couple of seconds before Blinky grunted, moving a stone to reveal him right near the bridge.

"Okay, how is she so on top of this, she hasn't even seen the bridge yet. Has she?"

"Like Blinky and Bagdwella said, they are very sensitive to light so they'd rarely be anywhere close to Trollmarket or the bridge. I think we are onto something…"

"But where was the bridge located originally before it was destroyed and the pieces were lost?"

"It was once a simple bridge that connected King Arthur's land and the homes of Trolls. The carvings have always been there. Something so useless with a frightening name." Draal added.

"So, on the surface lands where the Krubera can't go, it's always been on the surface lands before Trollmarket had locked it away. Yes, trolls can hear about it and how Jim and the team had killed Bular and took the bridge, but she was never there to see it, ever. She also couldn't have wandered to the bridge by accident and unlocked those doors."

"I doubt they'd keep such an important piece of history lying out to everyone, even the Changelings. That's why there's those three doors with a lock to protect it. What is she trying to do? Free Gunmar and letting the Trollhunter do the dirty work? I never trusted her from the start. She just has these bad vibes."

"Queen Usurna has never been tratiours, however, she was not in the battle of Killahead, she wasn't really involved with much due to residing in the deepest Caverns. So, I guess it does concern me on how she is so informed on something she rarely saw." Blinky added, tapping his chin. "Guesses like that are rare. Even to the most knowledgeable trolls."

"Exactly, even during the times of King Aruther, she had no impact in any of the events, only hiding. She was never seen unless a rare visit to her allies but they always had to dim the lights," Draal mentioned again.

"You also said she suspected. I mean, she's a little suspicious. You can't suspect something like that without seeing the bridge with your own eyes, especially when so much is already tied to Gunmar and his reputation, so she pretty much said she was taking a lucky guess in more fancier wording."

"Think about this, if she couldn't see the bridge because of their sensitivity to light, and the bridge was never within their reach where they could remain safe, she actually wouldn't be able to ever see it due to its location. It's looks would be unknown unless she received a picture of it. She wouldn't just hear about the random carvings on some bridge. She might hear about the bridge itself but not specifically the carvings. If the carvings were so important for someone to describe them to her, then Kanjigar would have heard about it too and would know that the stones could be a possibility instead of a myth, Gunmar could have been defeated awhile ago, but no one paid attention to the carvings, even Vendel didn't believe that the stones were real!"

"See, if she didn't ever see the bridge, then how can she suspect what carvings were on it to begin with?"

"But Blinky and them didn't discover the Triumbric Stones until now. They didn't know where to start, right?"

"But other trolls had heard about the stones because they repeatedly shot Jim down on it. If they believed it, they would have worked hard to find it like Blinky had. Vendel admitted it when Blinky came to him for help on the Transformation."

"It connects to Gunmar, she should know about it because Gunmar is one of the biggest names in Trollkin. So, that bridge is now important because he's trapped within it and the carvings could explain how it all happened and how it works."

"That means nothing. The amulet is what told Strickler that Jim had to open it. Only Trollhunters can open the bridge and that's a well-known fact. They didn't use the bridge to figure it out. She knew the Trollhunters had Gunmar's cage in their possession, so, if she was trying to free Gunmar, she'd deliberately help them, somehow knowing that the bridge had the answer despite her never getting close to it until now."

"So, she could have been sneaking around where she shouldn't have been and there is no reason for her to go to the bridge alone. Maybe the game was a distraction and she sent someone to find the bridge. It still makes her suspicious, wandering around and coming up on the tightly locked up bridge."

"And the only way she would be able to see the bridge would be if she was in Trollmarket, which she was. Trollmarket provided her the perfect opportunity to look at it. She could have shown up a lot earlier while Aaarrrgghh was dying. Yet, she waited until things were a lot more concerning with his health and got more ideas on what they were planning, mostly because Jim and Toby asked about the stone. She distracted them from what she was really there for."

"So, she could have taken the bridge and then Jim and forced him to open it. Why didn't she if she was trying to free Gunmar?"

"To stay under the radar and prepare herself. Also, Nomura tried to take Jim and look how that ended up. Jim made a name for himself, she knows to take it slow and careful. You can't tell me for centuries if in fact she did see it a long time ago, she remembered every carving on that bridge. Obviously she didn't because she suspected something was on there and like we pointed out alot, she has not seen the bridge nor remembered every piece if she did, to know that there was a carving on there."

"Yeah, she can't risk her life if she is working hard to free Gunmar. Jim will end her if he had found out too early and she could be a key part to Gunmar's escape."

"So, to sum it up. She was never near the bridge and this consciendence happens to be on purpose. She broke into Trollmarket to lead the Trollhunters closer to freeing Gunmar so she could take Gunmar's side, she pretty much tricked them and laid out a path for them to follow without them knowing."

Jim and Claire looked at one another and then to Vendel who was quiet and it scared them. Vendel was thinking and they knew he was onto something.

Everyone blinked at the conversation before someone stood, "NOW WE ARE STARTING TO SOUND LIKE BLINKY WITH THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES BUT GOOD POINTS!"

He gasped when he had found what he had been looking for, turning to the group, "the missing eye of Gunmar." He gestured to the stone, the carving of two figures fighting, swords raised.

"His eye?!" Toby started, "is the third stone. What?"

"What is it with Trolls and their eyes being out of their sockets!?"

"Indeed," Blinky said, digging through the rocks. "The first stone we procured was affiliated with his birth. The second, his first kill. This stone-" Blinky held out his arms, seeming to want to pull it out but Aaarrrgghh had moved him to the side.

"I got it." The brute of a troll pulled the stone from the pile, revealing more carvings of Trolls and humans battling. "Why this stone commermerates he's vulnerable."

"How do you mean?" Claire asked.

"Before Gunmar took power, Gumm-Gumms were mostly disorganized tribes of savages, taking orders from Orlac the Gumm-Gumm War Lord. Gunmar betrayed him in hopes of taking his army as his own. The battle lasted weeks, Gunmar lost an eye, Orlac lost his head. I fear this may be the most difficult triumbic stone to find, for if his dark servants worked so hard to steal it from the Krubera, they would not hand it over so easily."

"So, wait. Gunmar pretty much fought for the Gumm-Gumms? He wasn't crowned king to begin with?"

"No, he had chosen to follow the dark path, and he had succeed."

Before anyone could speak, the fetch began to light up, the green vortex swirling to reveal something was coming from the DarkLands. The team had noticed the small opening, Claire speaking first.

"Wait, the fetch."

"Something is escaping from the Darklands, look out!" Blinky cried, backing the humans up. The only thing that appeared from the bright flash had been Chompsky who weakly pulled himself up the ring, groaning.

The portal cleared and Toby let out a gasp, Blinky smiling at the sight while Claire was confused on who that was.

"Gnome Chompsky! You're back!" Toby squealed, running up to the small guy.

"I FORGOT ABOUT HIM!? HE'S ALIVE!"

"Sadly, I think all of us forgot about Chompsky but now that I realized he was still a big part in all this, I missed him so much!"

"By Deya's grace! He survived!" Blinky said happily, the poor Gnome stood straight on the fetch before tumbling down, seeming exhausted. He bounced from rock to rock, finally landing on the ground with a small grunt.

"Chompsky!" Toby picked up the whimpering Gnome, excited. "Hey bud!"

"Tough little guy," Aaarrrgghh said as Toby shared a small moment with him.

"Awww, I thought you were lost forever. Hey, bud, hey." Toby set the petitie creature back on the rock, Chompsky seeming more relaxed now.

"Chompsky? The one who was looking for Enrique?!" Claire said, kneeling down to the Gnome. Chompsky nodded before making some noise, feeling his pockets while spinning in a circle. With a laugh of excitement, Gnome Chompsky had pulled out a pacifier, Claire growing in shock at the sight.

"Enrique!" She grabbed the pacifier, "you found him! Is he, is he okay?" Chompsky nodded, giving her a thumbs up and putting her mind at ease. "Thank you for giving me that." She held the nook close as Blinky rubbed her back.

Chompsky laughed, excited that she was happy. He gave her a bow as she finally relaxed before Blinky had begun to speak.

The Nunez's nearly fell from their seats, shocked that Chompsky had found Enrique. They were really set out to find him and that warmed Opheila's heart. She judged the boy, well, she had no choice after not being filled in but she knew she could trust him. She just hoped he had gotten him back and quick.

Claire smiled largely, her brother was okay and she turned to Jim, "thank you, you were way ahead of me on this and were still serious to find him."

"Anything for you, now, it's time to move this forward."

"What did you see my tiny fellow, did you see Gunmar?" The poor Gnome grew frightened at the name, leaping before he lowered his head, pulling off his hat and revealing the stump of his horn, nothing but a jagged surface.

The team gasped at the sight, their eyes wide, "Gunmar did that? How did you escape?" Blinky asked.

He chattered before trying to act out what had happened. Chompsky began to sneak around the stone before freezing. He leaped to the side and raised his arms, trying to pull off an imitating look before acting out him running quickly in a circle.

"What is he saying?" Claire asked, turning to Blinky.

"Ooh, a game of Pandamine."

"Panda-Mine?" Aaarrrgghh asked but Toby quickly answered it with a different name.

"Charades!" The Gnome continued to act out, hopping foot from foot.

"You...uh, you-you-you, you escaped the Darklands by looking, uh, angry?" Blinky said, unsure as Gnome Chompsky had been chomping angrily at the air.

"By, by being constipated!" Toby yelled, seeming comfortable with his answer. He gently elbowed Aaarrrgghh with a "ha!"

"No, Gunmar!" Aaarrrgghh answered. He had been right when Chompsky stopped his act, giving the troll a thumbs up and nodding frantically. Aaarrrgghh laughed, "like Panda-Mine."

Toby chuckled, shrugging, his answer obviously not even close but hey, he tried. Chompsky made some angry grunts, stomping to Blinky's closest shoulder, scratching and pounding on it, only for Blinky to let out a laugh.

"Can we talk about how the noises and the gestures Chompsky makes are hilarious and I love him even more for doing that!"

"Oh, oh, I like this, he's tickling me!"

"You escaped Gunmar by tickling him, no, by massaging him!" Toby pointed out, Claire beginning to realize what he had meant.

"A message!" She said, Chompsky telling her that she had figured it out. With a happy laugh, Chompsky had acted out again, this time swinging his arms frantically around.

"Uh, uh, to swipe, uh, to purloin!" The Gnome sighed at Blinky's guesses before trying again.

"Badmitten! Wait, why Badmitten?" Toby said, scratching his head.

"Sword," Aaarrrgghh stated, Chompsky pulling off his hat and pointing to his stub.

"Gunmar wants to deliver a message to Jim!" The Gnome threw his arms excitedly. "That's why he's alive. That's how he escaped!" Claire gently rubbed the Gnome, the said creature nudging her.

"Then I hope it's a short message, because we don't have all day," Blinky said, folding his arms and looking quite unamused.

Jim smiled, "thanks Blink." The troll laughed at that, of course, he had been so worked up on the message being long. Yet, the bubble of concern for his Master only grew. Gunmar was a killer and if he left a message for Jim, that could only mean one thing.

Speaking of Jim, the boy was seen in his living room window, readying something before a bookcase had blocked the view, only for it to change to Strickler who had been pushing the said bookcase.

"Keep that out of his line of sight," Strickler started, gripping the corners of the couch. "Then we'll drive him into the garage. Do you have the pulley?" Strickler asked, lifted the couch on it's side.

"Okay, why on earth did you say garage like that?" Draci asked, tilting her head and Eli instantly smiling.

"Well, people with accents actually pronounce things differently according to us Americans, we all know Strickler has an accent like that. I believe it could be a little british, however, I might be wrong."

"How did none of you realize that Strickler does in fact have an accent?!" A student cried out, gesturing his arms out wide to the said teacher. "It's thicker than the troll's skin!"

"Uh huh. It's in the basement, I'll get it." Strickler didn't reply, barricading the window with the sectional this time. The Trollhunter peeked his head up from a shelf, already down in the basement.

He studied the shelf before pulling large choppers from near the paint cans. He then reached for a wrench and one of the paint cans. Behind him, Draal had come into view, items held within his hands.

Jim, however, did not realize what Draal had been carrying, only what he came through. With a yelp, Jim fell backwards, dropping everything he had.

"Whoa, whoa, why is there a hole in my basement!?" Jim pointed to it, inspecting the vast opening.

"How else am I supposed to get around while the sun is out. Don't worry, it only leads to the sewers, nobody knows about it but me." Draal said, unfazed while Jim had been clearly worrying.

"Isn't that where Angor usually stays in the damn sewers!?" Steve yelled out, finally having the courage to speak without fully insulting anyone. Draal simply tapped his chin, putting the pieces together.

"Oops…" The blue troll simply said, chuckling.

Strickler had joined the two in the basement, "did you get the led stone?" Draal hadn't replied, only grabbing two small colored rocks, one blue and one green. A humming noise increased when the two stones had moved closer to one another, finally connecting, they had glow brighter, having every piece of metal fly at Draal.

Quickly pulling them apart, the metal dropped a few inches from Draal, Jim covered his ears when the pieces collided with the floor.

"I'll take that as a yes," Jim said before standing, Draal letting out a victorious laugh.

"It's almost nightfall, come on, there's more work to be done." Strickler said, already halfway up the stairs, Jim following. The sound of the stones connecting had been heard off screen before Jim dodged a flying piece of metal.

Draal smiled sheepishly when eyes turned to him, smiles filling through the crowd. Give him an arrowhead that attracts metal, why wouldn't he test it some more?

Finally upstairs, within Jim's room, the Trollhunter had been setting up spotlights, angling them to face the circle of stones Strickler would soon set up. An epic set up scene had begun, Jim using his bed to cover the window, Strickler loaded the crossbow with the led stone arrow, and then a rope looping around the coat hangers and up the stairs to Draal.

Strickler had finally placed the yellow stones on the floor, following the outline of Jim's circle rug. The scene faded into black, whatever music had accompanied it, had ended.

Downstairs, Draal had been perched on the stairs, sharpening an axe with his mechanical arm. Strickler and Jim had been doing last finishing touches on the rope near the door.

Jim let out a breath, holding onto the rope, "okay, it's the last one, now all we do, is wait."

"You know, I'm a bit surprised, how well we work together." Strickler mentioned with a small grin, however, Jim wasn't as happy about the situation. Jim pulled at the rope, managing to snag Strickler's throat who winced and coughed lightly.

Blinky smiled at his protege, the boy knew what he was doing and it made him proud. Everyone else must have found it amusing because their laughs had mingled with Draal's onscreen laugh.

"You know," Jim started, Draal watching with an amused look. "I'm still going to take you down after all this is over." The troll let out a laugh as Jim dropped the rope, Strickler turning and fixing his coat.

"Perhaps, if we get through this, I could talk to my constituents about the eye of Gunmar." He started, pacing. "I assume you're still interested in finding the last Trumbric stone."

"Wait, is Strickler trying to actually help Jim in repayment!?" Toby yelled out, sitting forward. Jim processed the whole deal, Strickler was now against Gunmar after the Janus Order had thrown him to the streets.

Of course, Jim still didn't seem fond of helping the man, he could barely trust him to begin with, yet, should he try to give him a chance, see if he was willing to live up to his word?

Jim turned to Strickler, the said Changeling staring right back, the two silent before the Trollhunter sighed and chewed at his bottom lip.

"What is this all for? So after being disowned from the Janus Order, you now want to help me and my mom? Was my mother even a thought when you tainted her drink, when you forced her into something that she had no clue she was a part of? Was all of this really necessary just for leadership against Gunmar?"

"Young Atlas, I know, it doesn't look good-"

"No. It doesn't."

"However, we are still against each other, it will be hard to fix but I have a proposition." Jim eyed him carefully, Strickler knew this was hard to say after just yesterday he wanted to kill the boy. "Clearly those I seeked were no use to me, the side I have chosen was the wrong path. I am not protected by those I thought were my kind. If I prove myself within the show, would it be easier to trust that I am not out for your mother and I want to apologize."

"He's lying…" A student pitched in.

Claire looked at Jim, "he could be lying but this is the future that's planned out for us. Lets see where it takes us."

"Okay, fine Strickler, but if you don't redeem yourself…."

"I know," the Changeling mumbled.

"And I'm not forgiving you for using my mom for your own protection. She doesn't deserve it."

"You know where it is?"

"Personally, no but my elk are wide and numerous. Where there's a will, there's a way."

"Why would you help me kill Gunmar?" Jim asked, Draal stepping up to the two, axe close while Strickler chuckled.

"Let's just say I'm always looking out for my best interest."

The crowd rolled their eyes, Strickler simply shrugging, unsure how to respond. He wasn't wrong, after all, Jim and Barbara were his best interests, especially since the boy had protected him so far through this episode.

"Oh, what a shocker." Jim said sarcastically. Behind him, Draal went to polish the axe, breathing onto it, only to catch a small reflection of something white resting on the staircase.

With wide eyes, the vast blue troll turned, only to find Angor's eye staring right at him.

"What is that?" Draal asked, the three being seen from within the eye. Strickler grew worried and held up his hands.

"It's his eye!"

"Gunmar's eye?" Jim asked.

"THAT'S RIGHT! Jim has never seen Angor's eye before. Man, I was about to pick on you but nevermind."

"No, Angor's! He's been watching us! Get it!" Strickler yelled, Draal reaching for the eye but it had rolled away.

"After it! There, there!"

"Catch it before it escapes!" Jim cried, the two running after it, Draal whining as he followed.

"Gunmar's eye, Angor's eye, enough of these eyes!" The troll yelled, everyone frantically trying to catch the rapidly rolling eye. Strickler and Draal had tried their best, reaching over the counter as it rolled.

"Tell me about it," Jim lightly scoffed, folding his arms.

From the counter it flew, trying to land within the disposal. With a clear shot, it continued, only to be stopped right above the sink and trapped within a glass cup. Jim quickly covered the cup with a plate, securing it and studying the hopping eye.

People cheered through the theater, "check that out, he simply held out a cup, probably moved like the Flash."

"How long has he been watching us?" Jim asked before the door rattled, all of them turning to the source, gasping. "He's here, get in position."

The camera faced the boarded up door while Draal had run to the basement, silently closing the door. Strickler had armed himself with the crossbow and slid behind the weaponized coffee table. Finally, Jim had moved behind the closet, setting the eye down and donning the armor.

"For the Glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command." Right as he spoke the incantation, the door had opened, a young feminie voice being heard.

"NO! WRONG PERSON!" A student screamed, coming to a stand and holding their head. Barbara couldn't help but snort, of course, with her luck, she would be in the middle of this.

"Wait, are you telling me that Barbara is going to find out Jim's secret!? This means this is becoming serious, things are going to change and… oh my goodness! Gunmar is becoming a thing! HE'S COMING! WE HAVE TO WATCH ONE OF OUR CLASSMATES BATTLE THE MOST VICIOUS TROLL AND ALL OF US ARE BLISSFULLY UNAWARE!"

"Isn't this all just crazy, I don't know what to think anymore. We've discovered Jim's secret and have been watching this for a little while. This is all weird and it feels like a dream."

"Hey kiddo, you home?" Barbara stepped in the house as Jim's posture changed behind the wardrobe. "Wanda messed up my schedule again. Guess I have the day off after all." She spoke, noticing nothing yet and putting her purse on the armed coat rack.

Jim panicked, running toward her, "mom! Watch out!" The rope untied from the coat rack, the axe that had been hung swung right where Barbara had been standing but luckily Jim had knocked her to the floor.

"Whoa! Holy!" She turned to the door and let out a gasp. "Why is there an axe in the door?" From behind the table, Strickler had popped up on instinct.

"Barbara are you alright?!"

Jim bit his lip, letting out a sigh. This episode had him conflicted on how to feel, he didn't seem to trust Strickler throughout the whole process of protecting him, yet, just seeing the interactions between the Changeling and his mother, he understood easily that Strickler was actually concerned for her wellbeing.

He could also see it in his eyes that Strickler seemed to enjoy Barbara's company, but he also used her for his own protection. You could never do that to someone you loved. Jim would never use his mother for his own safety.

That is what confused him, he didn't know how to feel especially since Strickler was redeeming himself. A soft hand hovered over Jim's startling him from his thoughts. His eyes darted to a concerned looking Claire.

"I can see your mind working, what's keeping you so distracted?"

"I just… all of this, protecting Strickler and seeing him with my mom. I don't know how to feel about this decision."

She smiled, "hey, it will work itself out. You will be able to figure it out, you know how to protect your mom." She pressed her hand on Jim's cheek who smiled at her, covering her hand with his own.

"Thanks, Claire."

Barbara and Ophelia watched the two, while Barbara smiled lightly, still distracted at the fact of Strickler and Jim's alliance, Ophelia had been keeping an eye on her daughter and the boy who was definitely a different person than who she had been introduced to.

With a sigh, the mother knew what she had to do, she needed to understand this child who had won her daughter's heart. She had to give him a chance despite her stubbornness and the fact that he did destroy her house.

"I-I'm fine," she mumbled as Jim helped her to a stand. That was when she noticed the armor.

"Whoa, holy! What is-?" Jim stood nervously, folding his arms behind his back and looking away with a nervous laugh. She then fixed her glasses, finally looking at Walt. "Walt? Why are you here and why are you holding a crossbow?!"

"Oh no…. It's happening guys, I feel like things will change and a lot." In front, Eli, Steve, Mary, Darci, Toby, Claire, and Jim had been silent, watching this fold out.

Strickler glanced down at it, hiding it behind his back, "Me-I-I… yes, you see, um there's a school project I gave Jim, ah-and...uh…" The arrow struck the lamp, cutting it from the ceiling after Strickler had accidentally shot it.

Barbara groaned while Jim gave Strickler the infamous "really" look, slouching. Without warning, Draal had bursted from the basement, yelling "die Angor," charging at an unsuspecting Barbara.

"No Draal! Get back!" Jim cried, standing in front of his mother with his arms stretched. Draal hadn't heard, letting out a large roar as Jim had done his best to hold his friend back.

Everyone's eyes were wide, Jim's placing his head in his hand and groaning. He could just hear the chaotic scene.

Barbara let out an ear piercing scream, shielding her face and Draal had finally noticed, dropping his arms as the woman shook.

"Um, hello, I'm sorry," Draal said with a smile but Barbara kept panicking, screaming as she felt her pockets and pulled out a bottle of perfume.

People laughed, Draal had pretty much made Barbara piss herself and calmed instantly while giving her a light apology.

Everyone watched in shock, unsure what to say.

"No, no, no, mom, it's okay!" Jim said, turning to her only to get attacked by the scented mist. Jim let out a scream as Draal did, their eyes burning. "Ah, my eyes!" As Jim ran to the side, yelping, Draal had stumbled backwards, face covered with his hands. He tripped over the rope, setting off traps that had been meant for Angor.

The poor troll had been knocked to the side with one trap, only to collide with a hammer, falling onto his back and right beneath the bookshelf. The said furniture falling and for a split second, you could see Draal's panicked features before he slipped into unconsciousness.

The Trollhunting team had their jaws dropped. Vendel on the other hand watched with amusement, he knew something was bound to go wrong, since when did they have the kind of luck for a plan to actually work.

"Dude…. Draal just got knocked out…"

"So much just happened in such little time." The theater grew quiet before Toby had screamed in laughter, holding his chest and choking on his air. Draal glared at the boy, embarrassed.

"What was that?! You just.. WOW!" Toby squealed, putting a hand on Jim's shoulder as he leaned forward, Jim beginning to smile. "I'm sorry Jimbo, whew!"

Jim began to chuckle, reflecting on what he just saw and joined Toby in his laughing fit the two boys relaxing and just acting like normal highschoolers.

Jim rubbed his eyes, groaning before worriedly running to Draal's side while Barbara had screamed once more. The noise piercing through the room.

"It's okay mom! He's a friend," Jim yelled, Strickler and Barbara stepping closer, however, she still cried out in fear, breathing heavily.

"He was a friend, now he's out cold." Strickler commented before the camera closed on Barbara as it seemed she struggled to breathe. Grabbing her hair, she panted, letting out one more scream before she had fainted.

Beside her, Jim had been holding his amulet, eyebrows furrowed in worry as he saw his mom lay on the floor, already knowing things had gone wrong. Silently, Strickler walked up, Jim looking at him with sternness.

"And, so is she."

Everyone blinked at the screen, speechless.

The scene changed to Barbara's shaking hands holding a full glass of water. She whimpered as she sat on a box, Jim sitting across her while Strickler stood, holding a large pitcher of water.

Barbara inched out in her seat, ready to see how she handled the situation. Probably not good since she had taken out a large troll with just a bottle of perfume.

"Yes! She finally knows!" A young female said, going by the name Kenadie Falcon.

"Right, after all this time, I was wondering when it would happen!" Another student mentioned and Jim spoke up.

"I really am not ready for her to know…"

"More water Barbara?" Walt asked, leaning down. She gave him her glass before prying the pitcher from his hands, pretty much inhaling the liquid inside. Jim couldn't help but watch, worry still etched on his face, unsure when to speak.

"So…. I'm taking it, you told her?" Darci asked, not able to pull her eyes off the screen.

"I guess I was always curious on when I'd actually tell her and how she would react," Jim shrugged.

Barbara nearly emptied the pitcher, water spilling from her lips before she finally stopped, wiping her lip.

"So, let me get this straight," She sucked in a shaky breath, "there are good trolls and bad trolls, and somehow you?"

"If I may," Strickler started, catching both Lake's attention. "There is a vast world beneath our feet, Barbara and your son has stirred up a heap of trouble." He accused, Jim narrowing his eyes and pointing a finger at the Changeling.

Jim's eyes grew in size, staring down Strickler, "says you man!"

"Dude." Before Jim could fight him back, Barbara held her forehead.

Everyone laughed at that, Jim would probably had argued with the man if his mother had stayed silent.

"This is all so, uh…" She grew speechless.

"I'll give you two a moment," The teacher said, stepping off as Jim watched him with a glare, sighing as he departed.

"Jim, I love you, how come I didn't know you before this!" A student commented, the others agreeing.

"Because maybe we were all silent and only cornered ourselves with certain groups of people, mainly because of Steve." Eli stated, turning to the bully.

"Hey!" Steve cried out, "shut it Pepperjack!"

"You didn't call him a name! Is Steve redeeming himself too!?"

"I can't believe this is what you've been doing. All those late nights, getting arrested, you in the hospital. Why are you this Troll fighter?"

"Ah, Trollhunter," He gently corrected.

"Wait, y-you should be w-worried about highschool and girls, not this… I mean, can't you just ask someone else to do it?"

"I mean… he still is worrying about that too… Claire and High School seems to be his other big problems…"

"Can we talk about the angle right now and notice Jim's jaw and that weirdly, I'm attracted right now."

"Excuse me, he is Claire's but yeah, I like a good jawline." Another student commented while Jim sat silent in the front, his eyes wide as Claire chuckled beside him. She knew he wasn't used to this kind of attention but she loved the sight of his nervousness.

"Man… I want a jawline…" Toby mumbled but someone cut him off.

"YOU'RE PERFECT TOBY! DO NOT SAY THAT!"

"I'm afraid it's a… permanent position." Jim pressed his hands together, trying to not make her any more nervous. "They need me, mom. I-I know it's hard to believe but I'm sorta like their protector!"

"Damn it, did you hear his voice when he said that. I just wanna squish your face Jim because this is adorable and I cannot handle it!"

Barbara listened, "but who's going to protect you?" Downstairs, the basement had been wired in ropes, the opening to the sewers echoed the pattern of feet growing closer. Within the tunnel, familiar feet had been seen, Angor grunting as he eyed a piece of rope.

He grinned, rubbing his finger against the material, gently lifting the tightrope. Upstairs, Strickler came into view, his hand on her shoulder.

"NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NOOOOOOO!"

"Baraba, you do have to leave. It's-" His words quickly died when the clanking of cans alerted them. Strickler grew worried as they continued to move, piecing together what was downstairs.

The assassin's finger began to glow, a purple mist pouring from his digit and igniting the trap. The other ropes within the basement were engulfed in purple flames before the cans upstairs had exploded, the three diving to the ground.

"The basement!" Jim cried.

"What's in the basement?" Barbara asked, seeming unsure if she wanted to know. It didn't help that Jim and Strickler were tense.

"Draal was supposed to guard it," Strickler mentioned before the said basement door cracked, a black ball was released and it rolled closer to the three, Angor's voice echoing as he chanted incoherent words.

"But now, he cannot because he had been taken out by a woman and a bottle of mist and I still love it!"

"Can we forget about this…" Draal mumbled, hating the look he was constantly receiving from Vendel every time it had been brought up.

Purple electricity shot from the ball, turning the house to nothing but a pitch black seeming abyss.

Barbara couldn't contain her whimper, "what happened to the lights?" No one could reply before the camera panned through the house, blasts of purple ricocheting off the walls. Angor still chanting, the blasts getting quicker.

The three ended up in the living room, Jim holding a flashlight while Strickler and Barbara had taken refuge behind the loaded coffee table.

"Mom, stay close." As Jim scanned the area with his flashlight, Barbara spoke up.

"But I can't see you." A blurred figure passed through the light, Jim letting out a surprised yelp when Angor had kept leaping, shattering every piece of glass he had come in contact with. Jim tried to keep up with the troll's whereabouts but the flashlight had been suddenly shot out of his hand.

"For the Glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command." The armor appeared, giving off a blue light, causing Barbara to peak her head around the table.

"Jim, you're glowing, how are you glowing?!" She whispered in shock.

"It's armor, mom, it's part of the job," he said, letting his sword appear within his hands. The Trollhunter quickly dodged a blast, Barbara leaning back behind the table and away from the blow. "Mom!"

"Stick to the plan, you know what to do," Walt reminded, Jim carefully watching his surroundings as best as he could. Behind him, Angor had crawled across the ceiling, leaping wall to wall. Hearing him, Jim quickly turned, only to find nothing but a blast of purple coming right at him.

"Here's the thing, I'd poop myself if I was Jim. Here's Angor acting like the ghost from the Ring."

"I've never seen him do this! WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE NOW!" Jim kept his eyes trained on the screen, not realising how creepy Angor acted. He was not looking forward to doing this again. He hated seeing his mother also in the middle of this, he wanted her safe.

Jim pretty much swore in his head, every other time she'd always be at the hospital but for some reason, now she was home and at the worst time! Kanjigar was pretty much laughing at him now.

He easily blocked it with his sword and peered to the side, finding Angor close and ready to strike. The boy yelped as he was pressed against the table, trying his best to block the assassin's blade that was inches from his face.

"You did not run, brave hunter. But the brave are the first to die." Angor threatened but Jim simply looked behind him while Strickler had grabbed the crossbow.

"Go, get her out of here!" Strickler didn't hesitate, pulling Barbara with him to the basement. She seemed reluctant to go as she watched her son block blows from Angor.

"No! Not without Jim, no Jim!" She cried, reaching out to him as Strickler struggled to pull her down, knocking the weapon from his own hands. As Barbara was pulled downstairs, Jim let out a grunt as their weapons had hit, blue smoke emitting from each blow.

"Barbara. Trust him, he wants to save you." Someone said as Jim sighed, this was a lot and he would be distracted just trying to make sure she was away from Angor.

The Trollhunter ran to the side, stumbling to the side to avoid a ball of magic. Angor followed, his raging grunts grew frequent. He tried to slice at the 16-year-old, however, the said boy had easily blocked the blade, leaning back and managing to get out of the hold.

However, Angor hadn't stopped, he leaped above the leaning boy, sinking the knife within the table, Jim gasping as he barely made it. Jim was careful, avoiding every fatal blow before pinning the assassin's arm to the floor, finally disarming the troll.

"Can we just talk about how well Jim is doing by himself against some deadly assassin?! No matter what anyone says, Jim, just know, you are doing an amazing job and the amulet made the right choice. We watched you go from this scared boy who could barely throw a punch to battling some ancient troll and kicking his butt!"

"Yeah, man, whatever Kanjigar says, you are amazing at this. We are pretty much binging this show and learning all about some kid who we constantly ignored to be some amazing defender for magical creatures."

"Whatever happens, we support you." Jim smiled looking at them before turning to Blinky.

"Well, thank my mentor, he's the only one that gave me the encouragement I needed." The said troll smiled largely at that before turning to Vendel.

"You hear that! I did it Vendel! HA!"

Jim laughed in success before charging again, aiming his sword. Yet, Angor had other plans, with a stretch of his hand, yellow mixed the blue, the sword disappearing and the only thing that was seen was the etched mark on Jim's face.

He watched as Angor got a hold on the sword of Daylight and had no moment to leap from the unsuspecting hit. Angor knocked the boy against the wall, the Trollhunter wasting no time to summon his thigh blades, using them to hold the sword back from killing him.

Jim struggled before his eyes had landed on the crossbow Strickler had dropped and never came back to receive.

"Jim, you look amazingly badass with that mark."

"Thank you," Jim smiled.

Finding new strength, Jim pushed his assassin back, running and sliding to grab the weapon, succeeding. Angor gave chase, growling. However, the troll could not stop on the hardwood, sliding into the back door.

Jim leaped behind the kitchen counter, letting the rocks connect before he aimed and shot at Angor who had been charging at him. The troll yelped as he was thrown backwards, holding the arrow without realization.

"Angor seems more blinded by rage than he's actually focusing. This guy just caught the arrow and didn't understand anything!"

"Right, like there is no way Angor has ever fought like this, he does seem distracted."

"You have to be faster than that," Angor hissed before his eyes had darted to the arrowhead. Around them, the metal objects had begun to shake, the knives slipping from their hold, even the toaster pulling itself from the hold, flying in the direction of Angor.

"Jim's like, here, hold my arrow."

"I'm trying to understand what was just said."

"Like, hold my beer but he's too young to drink."

"Just no."

He managed to avoid the objects, pressing himself to the wall before letting out a scream. The fridge came hurtling towards him, Jim simply moving to the side, watching as the assassin was crushed beneath the heavy weight.

The Trollhunter gasped for breath, watching the still fridge, unsure if that truly stopped Angor. His questions were answered when the fridge door flew open, Angor creepily crawling from the space.

"HE NEEDS TO STOP DOING THAT! I WILL FILL MY PANTS!" Jim chuckled at that, who knew his classmates acted this way, they were hilarious.

"You think you can stop me with booby traps?" He mocked and Jim couldn't hold in his gasp, summoning his thigh blades once more.

Below them, Strickler had been moving objects to the side, revealing the large tunnel Draal had made. However, Barbara paid no mind, watching the ceiling as the battle above continued, the mother only hearing the grunts and frantic stomping.

"Barbara! Over here," She looked at Strickler before putting her attention back on the living room above her, "this tunnel leads to the sewers, you can get to the street."

"What about my son?" She listened as Jim grunted, their movements above never ceasing. "What's going to happen to him?"

Jim's heart broke at that. His mother was more concerned for him than her safety. He wished she followed Strickler out, Jim does not want to see his mother hurt because of him.

"No, you have to go!" Walt said desperately, gripping her arm.

"No! He needs my help!" Barbara cried, slipping from his grip and turning to face the man between her and saving her son.

"You don't understand. Our lives are bound magically!"

"Because of you," Barbara said, crossing her arms. "You're lucky you're actually doing something other than kill my son otherwise I'd be a lot angier."

"I'm trying Barbara, I must apologize, however, I was concerned about my interests." She didn't reply, leaving the man defeated and slouching. Nomura scoffed, shaking her head.

Barbara's face said it all as she and Strickler circled one another, "are you really talking about our relationship right now? My boy is in danger!" She began to run up the stairs, only to be stopped by Strickler. She didn't seem fond of the idea as she slapped Strickler across the cheek.

"Let me go!" Suddenly, her head flinched to the side, a slap noise had been heard despite no hand reaching to commit it. "Ow!" She held her sore cheek, "what was that?"

"Dang, Barbara, you hit him. Jim, your mother is strong as hell!"

"Listen to me, leave now!" Strickler yelled, eyes changing to his Changeling form.

"What are you, Walt?" She asked shakily as the said man had calmed.

"Oh dang, she's learning everyone's secrets!"

"I know Barbara, we all ask the same questions…" A student murmured, causing Strickler to glare at them, but didn't hold the grudge. After all, he could be receiving a good name for him since everyone seemed against him.

However, it left him to reflect that he really went to Jim for help despite his reputation. The issue was did he really wanted to start over and relive it while remembering what he would live in the future?

Yet, he also knew the control himself, to look at the effects and to know that there was something good coming in the future despite all his defeats. Hopefully Jim made the right decision.

"I'm someone who can help your son, but I can't until I know you're safe. Please." Barbara's eyes narrowed, the shock draining from her face as she listened to the noise above.

"Then go to him!" Strickler nodded once before running up the steps, a green light shining through the basement door. Barbara watched him leave, her son's noises growing louder as the door had been open, her hands covering her mouth in shock.

Yet, the mother was determined, eyeing up a shovel and blinking as an idea formed. Above her, Jim had dodged the swipe of his sword, leaping and turning corners to avoid any fatal blow.

"Great! Just great! Is every Lake stubborn?!" Jim smiled proudly at that, he could not stop his mother when she had something on her mind. It still sucked, unfortunately. Her getting the idea that involved a shovel meant nothing beneficial. Not to be rude, though.

Making a leap, Jim tried to strike at Angor, only to be thrown back and kicked towards the wall. The boy groaned in pain, his weapons fading into nothingness as he laid limp on the ground, not even a chance to shake the blow off before Angor held out his hand.

He chanted, a purple ring forming around Jim and lifting the boy against the wall, magically locking him to the smoothed surface. The Trollhunter grunted, trying to fight the hold as Angor marched to the boy, a wicked grin upon his face. He readied the blade, trying to take the final blow, yet, something had knocked him aside.

"What is this? A ritual?!"

"DUDE! HE'S ABOUT TO KILL JIM AND YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT LOOKING LIKE A RITUAL!"

"... A sacrificial ritual…"

Angor roared, turning to face Strickler who had been throwing blades at him, laughing. The assassin couldn't keep up, falling beside a wardrobe which had landed on him just like the issue with Draal.

"I should put tons of wardrobes and bookshelves in my house if they do a good job on taking out trolls…"

Someone snorted, "the Nunez house needs them more than us." The family looked at the student in shock but Claire found it amusing.

The magic had finally vanished, freeing Jim from it's hold. The boy quickly got back onto his feet as Strickler stepped beside him, seriousness in his tone.

"Then let's put this mad dog down, upstairs." Jim followed the man, the two sliding before sliding around the tight corner, climbing the said stairs.

Unfortunately, Jim barely made it a few stairs up before his ankle had been snatched by Angor. The Trollhunter let out a groan as his body slammed into the floor, his assassin huffing angrily as he kept a tight hold on the armor.

"Man, Angor irraties me! Also, is your jaw okay?"

Strickler turned when he had made it to the top, only to find his partner lying upon the stairs. With a battle cry, Strickler leaped from the top, landing right on the bookcase, freeing Jim and smashing Angor back beneath the furniture.

Jim instantly pushed himself from the floor, he and Strickler heading back up, only this time, Angor had moved out from beneath the wardrobe and shoving the Changeling to the floor, readying his fist.

"Hey!" Jim started, Angor pausing to look at the boy. "You hunt Trollhunters? Hunt me. Or did you forget that I'm the one who destroyed your soul?" With an attitude, Jim made a hand gesture, inviting Angor to come closer, to fight him.

With rage, Angor slammed Walt into the wall, throwing his body like a Ragdoll before running to the second level of the house, grunting. Heading to the first door, Angor pulled it open, revealing the empty bathroom.

"Okay, remember when Barbara had the shovel and how she still hadn't made it upstairs.. Well, we know why. She was probably hurting like crazy."

"Next thing you know, Strickler will be in an arm sling once things calm down because after every battle he is wearing one…"

Someone snorted, "he can't handle his bruises."

"Then there is Jim just walking it off as if nothing ever happened."

It had been empty before a fire breathing machine had shot up, aiming at the troll. Fire streamed from the mechanical object, shocking Angor and causing the troll to fall back, barely avoiding the blaze.

He sent a fierce kick to the machine, eyes landing on a specific door. Jim's room. With a groan, the scene changed to inside the Trollhunter's dark room, the only soft light was emitting from the stones of the statis trap.

Yet, Angor didn't seem to notice, his mind only focused on finding the boy and ending him. His eyes darted to the open window and then the rest of the small space.

"How on Earth does the greatest assassin of all trollkins can't notice a glowing stone trap!?"

"He's probably blinded by his rage against the Trollhunter and Strickler."

"Nowhere to run now, Hunter." The assassin mumbled, arming himself with the trusted dagger.

The said hunter had leaped from his hiding space, heading right for the open window, Angor laughing in success and charging at the boy, who only froze instead of moving faster.

"WHEN THE HELL WAS JIM THERE!? HE DID A FULL SCAN OF THE ROOM!?" Someone cried out and Jim chuckled at that.

"Man, I wish we were there to help…" Toby said, turning to his friend. "Any more stunts to "protect" us and I will smack you upside the head."

Yellow beams of light shot from the stones, freezing Angor in the spot when he had crossed the trap, dagger raised. Jim stepped down from the desk, studying the trap as finally Strickler had joined him, regular form and finger hovering over the light switch.

"Fell into your own trap, huh, well thanks for the idea." Jim said, Angor's eye following Jim's every move. "Do it." He said, turning to Strickler.

Purple UV lights clicked on, shining down on the still assassin, smoke radiating off Angor Rot.

"UV light bulbs Angor Rot. Just like the sun." Angor couldn't speak, grunting but sounding exhausted, especially due to the burning light shining upon him.

"HA! Strickler redemption arc! Told ya so! I'll take my ten dollars Mary!" A kid cried out and the girl sighed, digging in her pocket and slamming it into the celebrating student's hand. "Yeah! I had just a small amount of faith for that tratiours man!"

Downstairs, Barbara had finally made it upstairs, shovel in hand. She paid no mind to Draal who had just woken, pushing the bookcase off him. Instead, she made it upstairs to the boys who were inspecting their win with smiles.

Jim nearly bursts out laughing, for heaven's sakes she was persistent. They had finally trapped Angor and he had a very strong feeling that due to his mother's stubbornness, it would end badly, yet, he couldn't' blame her for it. She just had motherly instincts.

With a scream, Barbara aimed the shovel and swung, knocking Angor to the floor and shocking both Jim and Strickler.

"Get away from my boy!" There was fury in her eyes and Jim was still before realization had dawned.

"Mom, no! Get out of here!" He tried to guide her out the room, only for a purple blast to pass through them, all of them ducking out of the way, the blast hitting a light instead. Angor stood, shooting at another light and stepping close to Strickler and Barbara.

Everyone groaned, holding their heads, "Barbara, I love you but I swear, you're too much." She simply shrugged, smiling. She knew she messed up but her son wouldn't put it against her, even if she felt bad already for the mistakes.

Speaking of Barbara, she had turned to face her former lover and was shocked to see his troll form, "Walt?"

"SHEEEEEEEE SEEEEEESSSSSS HIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMM!" A student yelled, shaking a poor unsuspecting student beside them.

Jim watched nervously as Angor readied the dagger, stepping closer to his prey. However, Strickler stepped in front of Barbara, protecting her. Jim's heart dropped when the dagger had been raised, ready to pierce one of the two, luckily, Strickler froze the assassin's movements by gripping his wrist.

The Trollhunter held his chest, feeling the fast beating heart pounding against his ribs. If he wasn't quick enough, his mom could have been seriously injured and he would be nothing but a bystander.

He wouldn't be able to sleep at night if he lost his mother to his mistakes.

Jim avoided the two as Strickler slammed the troll into the wall and ran straight to his mother, grabbing her hand. "Get out of here!" He led her out the room, leaving Strickler and a cackling Angor.

Easily, the troll sliced his dagger against Strickler's neck, the said Changeling holding it with a cry of pain. Barbara let out a fierce yelp, the same pain piercing her and she fell to her knees.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME! WHAT WERE YOU DOING STRICKLER?!" Someone cried out as Jim winced, the adrenaline never wore as now his mother had been injured and yet, the only fingers he pointed were directed at himself.

Toby looked at Jim before sharing a look with Claire. "You tried Jimbo, she's a very strong woman. I doubt this will take her down."

"I know, I just didn't want this to happen." He rubbed his forehead.

"Mom!" Jim cried, bending to her level, concern on his face.

"Well, that didn't go as planned." Strickler added in while Angor was ready to take the final blow, however, Draal had shown up on time, roaring as he stomped in the room, nearly taking Jim and Barbara down.

"NO KIDDING!" Barbara sat quietly through the whole thing, reflecting on what had just occurred. If she had just left like Strickler said, Jim wouldn't be caught up worrying about her injury and they would have succeeded.

Strickler, however, seemed to be rubbing his arm, whatever emotions were currently flowing through him, he rarely felt. Seeing Barbara yelp and fall to her knees had tightened his stomach and his throat.

Gosh, he loved her and he didn't pay close attention. Any revenge on her son had vanished and all he cared for was making this right. He never loved anyone like Barbara and he put her in harm's way. Jim was right, you never do that to someone you care for.

Angor had no chance to dodge Draal who had trapped him against the wall, using his horns to hold the struggling assassin back.

People cheered at the sight of Draal, trying to push the negative thoughts aside and look at the more positive outlook.

"Mom! Are you okay?" Jim asked, arms wrapped around her as he led her down the stairs.

"My side hurts." She said breathlessly, Jim leaning to grab his backpack.

"Come on I have to get you out of here," the Trollhunter said, leading her outside while Draal seemed to be having a bit of a hard time holding Angor back.

"How strong is Angor always! Draal is one of the biggest trolls I've seen and yet a puny troll in comparison can easily get out of his grip?! What!?"

Draal blushed in embarrassment, if possible for trolls. He knew he had some weak points, yet since they were being broadcasted he felt a little more pudgy than he should.

"Don't worry Draal, you are strong in all the right ways. Strong mind, strong heart, strong personality." Jim started making the troll nearly cry, voice breaking.

"Thank you fleshbag."

"Go! Get them out of here!" Draal commanded, Strickler finally making it to the door. The Changeling left, the scene changing to outside the house, Barbara letting out a weak cough as Jim helped her in the car.

"Are you okay to drive?" The boy asked Strickler who had sauntered to the other side of the car, holding his neck.

"Motivated enough, I can do anything." He replied, sliding in the driver seat and putting on his seatbelt.

"I don't know what to say to that… I mean, he isn't wrong but like… what?"

"We have to get to the hospital," Jim said.

"Try explaining that to the nurses," Barbara joked, shaking her head.

"Can't!" Strickler coughed. "Our wounds won't be healed by modern medicine. We need to go to Trollmarket." With no answer, Strickler put the car into drive, speeding off from the house, taking a trash can with him.

Within the house, Draal held the smaller troll in his metal hand, "you think you can kill me? A broken husk of a pretend warrior!" Angor yelled, putting all his might into freeing himself from Draal's hold.

Draal blinked, "ouch. If he is talking about my arm…"

Finally, Angor had flipped the vast troll into the ring, wearing a winning grin as Draal went to strike, only to freeze in the trap, metal arm dropping. Angor laughed at Draal before leaping out of the roof, trying to find the car.

He had found the speeding blue car, the wheels squealing as it flew down the street. Angor leaped after it, running on all fours like a wild animal. The car raced as Barbara sat in the back, groaning at the pain.

"Sorry, I messed things up," She whimpered.

"Don't say that you stubborn little woman!" Someone mentioned. Jim smiled at that, she shouldn't have to apologize, she thought she was doing the right thing and she seemed very determined.

"She kind of did…"

"SHUT UP! DON'T SAY THAT!"

"No, mom, I'm sorry, I should have told you, I should have told you everything. Just hang in there and everything's going to be okay, alright?" Jim turned to Strickler who seemed to have a hard time focusing, going up a curb. "Focus!"

"I'm trying," the Changeling replied, the car bouncing to the side due to a blast. "That'll wake one up." Strickler eyes landed on the mirror, seeing Angor leap roof from roof, getting closer to the car.

Jim had been watching through the rearview window, Strickler crying out as Angor was seen in the sideview mirror of the car, quickly dodging the blast, only for it to affect the steering, turning them into the woods.

Strickler weaved through the trees, slowly stopping as the headlights shined through the bush. Walter looked above, his frantic eyes shown in the rearview mirror, surveying the area.

"Now, see, I would have turned the headlights off or something to make it less noticeable. I also would have kept going and beat him to Trollmarket."

"This is like a rip off of a cliche horror movie. Angor Roy obviously takes the main role of the ghost who can twist their head in a 360 degree circle."

"Do not give him any more ideas! Please, I beg you!"

"Where did you learn how to fight?" Barbara asked breathlessly, Jim still holding her close.

"Shhh, I-i-I'll tell you all about it once I get you safe," Jim whispered before Strickler began to speak.

"Perhaps, now," he lightly heaved in pain before continuing. "We call your friends, I think we lost him." The former teacher said right before Angor leaped down from the trees, his figure arched as if he was a ghost from a paranormal movie.

Everyone jumped back, one kid eventually said, "oops. Where is the bathroom?"

All the kids turned to the one kid who was blushing madly while crossing their legs. Jim went wide eyed as Steve chuckled quietly.

"I said I don't do well with scary scenes and Angor won't stop! This is real life!"

"What kind did you do?" Toby asked nervously.

"Um… maybe both…" The host plugged their nose as they handed some sweatpants to the embarrassed student, pointing in the direction of the bathroom. "Thank you."

The kid scurried off, holding their pants and disappearing around the corner. "So someone really dookied in their pants…"

"GO! GO!" Jim cried out at the sight and Strickler instantly put the car in reverse, speeding up quickly. "Get to the bridge, now!"

"I'm trying to!" The Changeling added, finally backing out from the woods and back onto the road. He swerved, losing a hubcap to a tire before driving out of shot, Angor panting with rage as he followed on foot.

Barbara frowned lightly, that was her car. Not that she cared but how would she be able to explain the damage and, or pay for it? Those questions ran through her mind before she lightly scoffed.

They had to survive Angor first.

In the backseat, Jim had pulled out his phone, pressing it up to his ear as he clenched his teeth. As the phone rang, the Trollhunter constantly looked behind him. "Toby, pick up! Pick up!"

Speaking of Toby, he and the team had moved to the library, still trying to guess the message Gunmar had wanted to send Jim. On the stone table beside them, Toby's phone buzzed, the screen lighting as it shook violently on the table, going unnoticed.

"You guys are still guessing?!" Someone gasped out, "I mean, the biggest the challenge, the better but like, wow."

Gnome Chompsky had chattered away, his acting unreadable until he let out a battlecry, fiercely throwing his hand down as if to hit something or someone.

"He wants to… twist Jim!" Blinky started and Aaarrrgghh quickly filled in.

"Juice Jim."

Jim looked surprised as they happily guessed all of this, a little concerned for what Gunmar had sent him. Claire began to laugh, noticing Jim's reaction and he instantly turned to face her with the same look.

She couldn't help herself, still continuing to laugh. Something sparked in Jim, her laugh, her smile, those beautiful eyes expressing so much and something rugged inside of him.

He leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers, his mind finally catching up with him on what he did. The boy pulled away, mumbling an apology.

Claire blinked at him as the crowd fangirled around them, squealing. Claire smiled, ignoring the happy cries of their peers and rejoined their lips, Jim instantly relaxing.

The two pulled away after a few minutes, Claire's father fainting in the background. The new couple smiled at one another. Their relationship definitely progressed but none of them confirmed it out loud.

"No! I got it!" Claire yelled out, "tie him into a pretzel." Chomspky seemed aggravated, making inaudible noises at them when finally, Toby's attention had gone to his phone. The pudgy boy stood, stepping over with a smile, unaware of his friend's predicament.

"Speaking of which," he answered the phone, answering with a happy tone. "Yolo Jimbo, you'll never guess who's back!"

He only received an opposite tone from his friend, who completely ignored the good news, "Toby! Open the door to Trollmarket, now! Now, he's right behind us! NOW!"

The car was in terrible shape as it had bounced off a rock, jolsting all the passengers within it. The phone slipped from Jim's hands as he yelped, the line cutting off and leaving Toby worried.

"Hello? Oh no, Horngozel, HORNGOZEL!" The boy added panically, the rest of the team watching with confusion.

Blinky tapped his chin, turning to his partners, "Did I miss something?"

"Nope, you missed nothing important Blinky, don't worry about it."

"I am still trying to understand your concept of sarcasm," Blinky shook his head, frowning.

Back within the car, Jim had narrowed his eyes, watching around him while Strickler seemed to be slipping into unconsciousness behind the wheel. When Jim had found what he was looking for, his eyes grew wide and he had gripped the wheel, alerting Strickler.

"Whoa, whoa, is he about to pass out?! Jim, do you know how to drive a car?!"

"Sort of, but I was probably thinking I needed to stay open just in case anything happened. I'm uninjured and not tied to someone else…"

"Yeah, that's actually pretty smart."

"You know, I could portal you guys there but I guess Angor might follow in which is a big risk," Claire added in, tapping her chin.

"Go, under the bridge!" The car swerved beneath the said bridge, right into the canal. Jim had leaned in front of his pain stricken mother, making sure she hadn't fallen forward, "mom, stay with me, we're almost there."

Strickler leaned forward, only to gasp in surprise, the reflection appearing in the windshield. It appeared that Angor Rot had found them once again, standing on the side of the bridge.

"Jim!" He called out, the said boy leaning to see what had worried Strickler and he let out an annoyed sigh.

"No, no, no, no, no!" Strickler struggled to straighten out the car after sliding down the side, giving Angor the perfect opportunity to leap onto the hood of the vehicle. His stone feet had shattered the back windshield and he had reached his arm through, trying to grab Jim but the boy had leaned back from his reach.

Strickler's foot pressed harder onto the gas, Jim ended up flying right into Angor's grip and was pulled from the car. Jim yelped as he used his footing to push out from the assassin's hold and gripping onto the troll's horns instead, the two dragging behind the car.

"Way to go Strickler! Putting him in danger by speeding up!"

"I don't think I meant too…"

Jim donned his sword, pressing it against the concrete to push himself back up. Succeeding the boy grunted as he epicly flipped through the air, landing skillfully on the trunk.

"Turn now!" Jim yelled to Strickler who had luckily listened, sharply turning. As Angor was still being dragged behind, Barbara had turned to her son who still stayed on the outside of the car.

People celebrated after Jim's epic recovery, the boy shocked them in many ways and the fact that he accomplished that without even thinking was amazing. He was defeating some evil troll and not even scared.

"Jim!"Angor finally had managed to flip onto the hood of the car, letting Jim have the chance to leap back into the seat while his assassin had broken the windshield, a spiderweb crack forming through the whole glass pane.

"We have to shake him before we get into Trollmarket!" Jim lightly tapped the man's shoulder, Strickler saying nothing but swerving side to side, going up the side of the canal wall and doing one more sharp turn, Angor finally flying from the top of the car and rolling.

The car, however didn't stop, it slid down the wall sideways, shaking up the people inside.

In Trollmarket, Toby ran through the living streets, Horngozel in hand as he panted, nearly avoiding the trolls who hadn't paid no mind.

"Out of the way! Coming through!" He received weird looks from the trolls, trying his best to run up the long flight of stairs.

The car lights peered down on Angor who had finally lifted his head. Jim seemed to have enough, he crawled out from the back, summoning his thigh blades and readied them, Angor was instantly peaked at the side, readying his blasts.

Jim didn't hesitate to form his shield while he threw the smaller blades, doing the boomerang effect.

"Go! Under the bridge!" The blades had been used as a distraction, lighting up with blue as it charged at Angor. The assassin had used his charged energy, ending the trail of the blades.

Strickler sped off, right in the direction of Angor who had waited for the perfect time to leap avoiding the blow of the car. He stood, grunting as he had thrown a purple ball of dark magic, Jim using his shield to deflect the blows, yet with the amount of force, it seemed to push Jim off balance.

Angor Rot continued to fire, Jim yelping as he did his best to block every blast. However, one had hit the tire of the car, steering it into a different direction. Strickler was quick to act, fixing the front of the car to aim at the hidden entrance to Trollmarket.

"Straight at the wall, just drive!" Strickler's eyes were growing heavy as he cut the distance between the car and the wall. On the other side, Toby seemed to be struggling to reach the top of the doorway, only a quarter done.

The theater seemed to be tense, seeing if they were going to make it. It seemed to be a very close call which was frightening and seeing Toby struggle was not making this any easier. However, there were students cheering for Toby to leap as high as he could despite Toby on the screen not hearing them.

"Curse these short limbs of mine!" He cried, fumbling and dropping the key, chasing after it. Finally, with a hold on it, he continued to jump, sloppily carving out the door.

Angor readied his blasts again, firing as Jim covered his body and blocked them.

"How do you know it'll open?"

"I don't!" Jim admitted.

"It's not opening!"

Jim covered his face with his shield again, avoiding the most likely fatal blows, "come on Tobes! Come on, come on!"

Toby had finally finished the door, running to the center, about to press his hand against the wall, only for the car to collide with the wall, breaking through the door and flying over Toby's head.

People cheered, glad they had made it just in time, especially since they had picked up speed. They were also glad that Angor hadn't followed in after them with the door closing right away. After such a stressful evening, they finally had a chance to breathe.

Well, Jim was still worrying for his mother's safety.

As the car skidded down the flights of stairs, Toby had stood straight up, looking at the closed door, nothing else coming in. The car whistled as it harshly fell, stopping to a rough halt in the middle of Trollmarket, all the trolls staring.

The car finally died out, the hood smoking after a rough drive. Jim jumped from the back, resting on the side to steady it. A troll on the side had gasped as she held a static T.V. as the murmurs grew, Toby panted once again, running down the stairs, cutting through the crowd of trolls.

"Jim!" Toby cried worriedly as his friend came from the other side of the car, holding his limp mother. Strickler had pushed the door open, the horn blaring as he was too weak to pull himself out.

"We need help! Please!" Jim yelled, right as the episode ended.

Everyone was quiet, trying to process what had just happened, yet, they yearned for more, they needed to know how Barbara came out of this.

Barbara sighed, looking at Strickler and Jim before speaking, looking back in the Changeling's direction, bitterness in her voice but her body was calm.

"Thank you, for not letting us die. Please start the next one," she stated and the host nodded, pressing play right as the student who had pooped themselves, waddled back in.

"What did I miss?"

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Sorry! The ending reactions were very rushed but we hoped you enjoyed and did you like the conspiracy theories my team and I came up with? Crazy. Right?