Secrets
Chapter 41 part 2
In the Hall of the Gumm-Gumm king part 2
While Team Trollhunter's spread out for the hunt of the Skullcrusher himself. Talia, their wizard duo allies, and familiar returned to Trollmarket undercover. Jim was in his Daylight armor, armed with his sword, illuminating with a bright brilliant white aura just like everyone else, he carefully paid close attention to his surroundings. When He heard of what he believed to be the sounding voice of his once former history teacher, Strickler.
"As our time is nearly at an end," he listened. "When Gunmar returns, we will be his army." Jim ran up towards the source of his voice. He entered the room finding with a screen projection of the changeling on film. The door shut down behind him which startled him at first.
"As our brothers and sisters consolidate power around the world, remember, this isn't about Gummar," Jim paid close attention. "This is about something bigger." Jim lowered his sword curious of on what he meant by that.
Then suddenly a large shadow was cast down upon him from behind and big thuds of footsteps. Jim quickly turned around with his sword ready for battle coming face to face with none other than Gunmar the Black.
The dark troll knocked one of the metal chairs with his fist across the room glaring at the young boy. "Uh, guys. . .?" he tried calling out to his friends feeling a bit scared. Gunmar snort with steam from his nostrils like an angry bull and came attacking Jim cornering him against the wall. Jim protected himself and struck back fighting him, but then Gunmar grabbed him by the throat and lifted him high in the air, glaring at him with his remaining eye. "You came here to face me even though you don't stand a chance, so you've acquired the Silver Lions power," he said noticing the aura. "Yet you're trembling with fear."
"Master Jim!" Blinky tossed one of his grenade stones. Jim quickly reacted summoning his helmet to protect him bracing him from the impact of the explosion. But Gunmar however saw this too and tossed Jim aside, and cleared out of the way before he could get caught in it.
Gunmar raised his head snarling and growled furiously at his foes making their stand as they shined bright as stars.
"Oh, my gosh! This is really happening!" Toby nervously squeeled as he tip-toed.
"Yeah! So fight!" Claire twirled her staff in the air.
"I will add your bones to my pile!" Gunmar threatened aggressively knocking another chair aside.
"Pile this!" Blinky shook the green glowing stones and threw them right at him. "Now die!"
Gunmar caught them with incredible with incredible reflex and threw them right back. Arrrgh grabbed Toby tucked and rolled out of the way, as Claire conjured up a portal dodgeing the explosion. Then Gunmar came down upon them high in the air preparing to crush them, but Arrrgh jumped right in and tackled him down. The two were throwing fists right at each other for one minute before Gunmar knocked down Arrrgh with a head-butt, then Toby swung his war-hammer hitting each chair right at the Skullcrusher. Drawing his attention Gunmar came charging in on all fours right at him making Toby run and scream. But then Jim grabbed his glaives from his thighs connected them together like a boomerang and made a direct hit on one of the lights blinding him. Leaving him wide open and vulnerable, Jim took the chance, hopped right over the big troll and finished him with a blow from behind.
The tyrant screamed with agonizing pain from the wound inflicted upon him by Jim's blade. But then. . .his body changed. . .from one oversized troll to a small, frail, little german looking man; Otto Scaarbach. Everybody turned to aweful gasp as they were not expecting this.
"What the. . .?" Jim completely utterly confused.
"This isn't Gunmar," Blinky came up beside him. "It's. . ."
Otto raised his head revealing his mirror slit eyes as he laughed malicously at Team Trollhunters.
"Otto!" Claire finished.
"Gunmar's possessing him," Jim came up faceing the mind controlled changeling pointing his sword at him. "Where are you? Why won't you fight me?!"
"I already have what I want," he finished with another sinister laugh as Otto's body turned bright orange like an exploding star, making everyone take cover, but before his sudden death. Otto's eyes returned taking one last look before he burst into dust.
Jim lowered his shield he used to protect himself from Otto's explosion he now realized of what he'd mean't, "Trollmarket." His eyes turned all wide eye remembering he'd sent Talia, Marshall, June, and Jinx there, so he immediately took out his phone. "I gotta warn, Tally."
. . .
During the time while Jim and the others were seeking Gunmar. June used her horn-gazel to unlock the gate to the crystal staircase entrance with Jinx on her back, her niece, and fellow apprentice behind. Before they could go any further, June, brought out a perfume bottle from her bag, aimed it directly toward them catching them off guard as it's giant puff of smoke blinded them, causing them to cough by it's unusual fowl stench.
"Blegh! What is that?!" Marshall coughed, as his eyes leaked like smelling onions.
"The Krubera has this place on high surveliance they probably know our scent by now," June explained. "We need to keep a low profile and go undercover if we want to get in, and know what we're dealing with." Jinx took a wiff at the two young teens and nod his head in confirmination, "Yeah. You guys will definately fit right in."
"Jinx." she said. "You're coming with us too."
"What?!" Jinx eyes widen in disbelief.
Talia smelled that her scent was completely covered by the fragrance, but there was just one more question, "But how are we suppose to get closer without anyone seeing us? My hair will just give us away and notice that it's me."
"And there is only one glamour mask," Marshall pointed out.
"Ah, that's what these are for," June pulled out a piece of black cotton fabric from her bag and wrapped it around her shoulders like a coat.
"Cloaks?" Talia raised an eyebrow. "Won't they get suspicous of that?"
"Not all trolls are observant, Tally," June responded.
Marshall and Talia looked at one another thinking that this might be risky, but knowing June they still believe in her.
. . .
As they went in, the Trollhunter's OPS team avoided every Krubera guard by sticking stealthly into the shadows without any of them knowing their presence. When they made their way to the Hero's Forge Talia took out two of them standing guard by the gate, by striking them from behind making them unconcious. Talia wiped her hands with a smirk on her face.
"I've been waiting to get back these chumps for a long time," she said recognizing the two back from during her training in the Forge.
"Nice going," Marshall smiled pleased by her work.
. . .
Talia and the wizards made their way inside the coliseum where all of the trolls had been gathered listening to the Queen's so called honorary speech. Talia skooshed in through the crowd to get a better look at the scene from down at the stadium, while the wizards observed from each corner to watch.
. . .
"From this day foward, we will unite one troll leader," Usurna announced towards the audience as they all cheered with applause. Talia made her way through and there she saw the wicked queen.
"That leader is greater than I." she said. "Greater than all of us."
. . .
Talia and the wizard's glared suspicously and yet curious of what she'd mean't by that or who they were reffering to. Til suddenly, Marshall and Talia heard their phones vibrating sound from their pockets. Talia quickly took out her phone and read her message making her eyes bulged out wide when it said, 'Gunmar's in Trollmarket! Get out now!'
. . .
"I give you Gunmar the Black, the Skullcrusher," Usurnar said revealing Gunmar rising from the stadium with his blind advisor, Dictatious, and the corrupted Draal. Everyone gasp in fear and alarm witnessing the dark tyrant before them. Talia's jaw dropped in awe of how this Gumm-Gumm got inside these walls in the first place. But then again Usurna must've have found someway to pull some strings like she did with the Tribrunal.
"The Underlord of Trollmarket." Usurna concluding her announcement.
"Uh- -er. . . Gatto's gotta go," the floating head of Gatto cowardly said before the stones disassembled leaving the two remaining Tribunal leader's.
. . .
"You've brought death," Bagdwella shouted out at the Krubera queen.
"We will not bow down to Gunmar." one of the Trolls said in defiance.
Bork came up stomping towards Usurna refusing to allow such a false leader take command over trollkind's sanctuary. "Trollmarket will never allow Gunmar to rule it."
"Then you do not bow?" Gunmar questioned the female troll as he stepped off from the platform.
"Never!" Bork stated.
Gunmar quickly draw his Decimaar blade from his back pointing it toward the tiny, skinny, frightening troll.
. . .
Talia could not help watch see this poor defenseless troll with no chance of standing up against that gianormous monster twice her size able to take her apart limb, by limb. She was about to make a leap before a whisper in her ear or better yet a voice inside her head stopped her from doing so. She looked up and saw her aunt on the other side in her cloak shaking her head reminding her not to give herself away.
. . .
Bork backed up in cowardice fearing the underlord's dark magic's the helpless troll fell and crawled in hopes of a desperate escape. But proven to be futile as the sword glowed beginning to darkly influence her mind and soul.
. . .
But Talia could no longer stand by and allow such a thing happen to another innocent being. "STOOOP!" She climbed up over the ledge and made a big leap toward's the stadium.
. . .
Gunmar looked to who's voice it was, but didn't react in time before he was kicked right in the face and send off crashing into the platform. Usurna was surprised at first witnessing Gunmar knocked down just by one blow. Borked shook her head shaking off from the dreadful dark magics and looked up on her mysterious saviour in a black cloak before her.
. . .
"Dang it, Talia!" June whispered to herself, before she used her telepathic ability to communicate with her young protege. "Okay. Change of plans of Marshall. We act now!" She jumped from the balcony right after her reckless niece.
. . .
The Trolls were amazed and stunned by who ever this mysterious figure that stood up against the ruthless tyrant and saving one of their leader's from his wrath. Before Talia revealed herself removing her disguise in her armored, beast form, and taking out her dagger.
"Leave. . . her. . .alone!" Talia defending Bork.
Bork looked upon the girl astonished seeing a Silver Lion for the very first time over a thousand years and yet completely puzzled by why a creature like this would be willing to protect her after from accusing her of a crime.
. . .
"The Silver Lion? Protecting us?" one of the trolls said in confusion.
"Why?" the second troll didn't understand.
"I thought Usurna said she killed Vendel." the other said.
"It's obvious isn't it?" Bagdwella said. "Usurna killed the Trollhunter." Everyone gasped now completely understand everything now.
. . .
Gunmar lifted himself up and wiped the blood off from his lip. He looked at the one who dared before he smiled malicously pleased to see her once more. "Well isn't this a rare sight. You are willing protect trollkind? For what?" Talia jumps up to face him preparing for a fight. "After we shunned you, cast you out, and even try ending your life so. . .why?"
Talia glared and remained silent for a moment before she said, "Don't compare yourself to them! None of that stuff matters, because it is right. And besides the world is changing and it's a dawn of a new era! With man and trolls coming together."
"Oh?" he said unamused. "And what kind of era would that bring?"
"Peace," she finished.
Then suddenly a wall of bright light began to surround them, "Talia get out of there!" June called out with her and Marshall casting the spell. Talia took one last look at Gunmar, before she takes off before it closes.
"NO!" Gunmar attempted to reach and catch her, but failed before being blocked off by the magical prison. "This Barrier will only last for about five minutes!" June described. "We need to evacute everyone out of Trollmarket right away!"
"You all better get clear!" Marshall informed everybody as they all began running in a panic.
Talia puts away her dagger, runs over and picks up Bork in a bridal hold from the ground, "Come on!"
"What are you doing?" Bork asked.
"What's it look like? Saving you," Talia clarified.
Gunmar growls as he slams his fist agaisnt the barrier in denial wathing Silver Lion and the wizards assisting the citizens of Trollmarket in a hasty escape.
Talia, June, Marshall and the trolls escaped from the Forge, but the last remaining trolls could not make it out in time all thanks due to one of Gunmar's allies outside closed off and locked in leaving them to their fates with the dark underlord.
. . .
A few moments later, Gunmar had broken out from the magical barrier and used his cursed sword to darkly influence; brainwashing trolls, turrning them into Gumm-Gumms. Jim and the others returned and seeing them every where taking away helpless innocent children away from their families, each and every troll captured, and those that have already been turned.
Jim, Blinky, and everyone took cover behind the stands.
. . .
Talia, Marshall, June, and Jinx gathered and hidden as much innocent trolls as they can to June's second home in Trollmarket. Talia covered one of the trembling trolls with a blanket to comfort and ease their anxiety.
"All right, you should all be safe here," June said.
June turned towards to Talia with both fists on her hips, "Talia! Why did you go all out like that? We were suppose to keep a low profile weren't you listening?!"
"I couldn't help it," Talia said. "Besides if it were Jim, he probably do the same."
"Yeah, but from after your little heroic save you've just did. Gunmar knows that you're here and is probably seeking you out!," June pointed out.
"Miss Sturges," Marshall tried getting her attention.
"What?!" she frustratingly said.
Marshall fidget by her big outburst before he could speak and then he said. "I know that we are in a dire situation, but we need to figure out how to stop Gunmar. Remember of what you've told me about the Heartstone is the source of all life and is what thrives this city?" June nodded that she does. "Then he's probably gonna go after that as another part of his master plan."
June's eyes widen and slaps herself in the head, "Oh, my god!"
"What?" Talia said, not liking where this was going. "What could he possibly want with the Heartstone?"
Marshall turned to Talia as continued to explain, "The Heartstone is like a generator that runs this city. Imagine like your phone is out of batteries and you need an outlet to help charge your phone."
Talia put the pieces together and then finally understands, and asks, "Wait. Are you saying that he wants to steal the life force from that thing so he can be at his full potential?"
Jinx then jumped on Talia's shoulders, "You smart on, kid. But it's better off that we escape here and let the big guy have it."
"What? How can you say that?" Talia astonished of saying such a selfess thing.
"Don't forget that he's after your Power of Enhancement too, kid, if he had that and the Hearstone at the same time there's no telling what will happen next."
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but Jinx may have a point," June said.
"Miss Sturges are you serious?" Marshall asked in disbelief.
"I am," June turned toward to face him. "Even with yours and my magic it's not enough to prevent him from reaching his goal. We're all not that powerful against his. The best thing we can do is wait and see what we can come up with a plan to save everyone."
Marshall sighed and admittedly said, "Well, okay. I just hope that Jim and the others make it here in time."
. . .
"My brother may still be here," the blind Dictatious said to the corrupted Draal. "Bring him to me."
He walked down the streets with one of the Gumm-Gumm's as his guide in search of his twin. But what he didn't know was his brother was right behind him.
. . .
Then he was found all tied up in chains and hanging off from the floor like a hood ornament.
"Haha. How do you like it?" Blinky laughed at his traitorous brother.
"I don't," Dictatious responded.
"Not so pleasant, playing the part of the pinata," Blinky continously laugh.
"That's more like it," Jim walked in.
"The Trollhunter," Dictatious gasped in disbelief. "You're alive?"
"Yep," Jim smirked.
"But you won't be for long unless you don't start talking," Blinky threatened.
"Oh, Blinkous. Gunmar has the Heartstone," Dictatious clarified. "Once he's regained his full strength, nothing will rival his power. This is futile, brother."
Blinky pulled Dictatious by the ear and said, "The only troll I wouild call my brother died today, and his name was Vendel." He twirled spinning Dictatious around making him motionly sick. "Make it stop."
Blinky was about to slugg him, before Jim cut in, "What ever you're planning, let the trolls go. This is between me and Gunmar."
"Don't you see boy? Gunmar was lost his army in the Darklands." Dictatious specified. "It's time for our race to emerge from the shadows and retake the surface- -" But then Toby shut his trap shoveing books in his mouth and stuffing his ears with his gym socks.
"He's turning Trollmarket into his army?" Claire not liking the sound of that.
"Indeed. His forces grow with every troll he converts," Blinky said. "We need to save our friends."
"What's gonna happen to Trollmarket?" Toby panicked clinging onto his head. "What's gonna happen to our town?"
"We save as many as we can," Jim declared. "We evacute Trollmarket."
"Yeah, but how do we just get them outta here?" Toby asked.
"With this." Claire brought up her Shadow Staff.
"Claire, that is a weapon of Dark magic," Blinky explained. "To manifest a portal that large duration, why, it will-"
"Kill you," Arrrgh finished.
"Or worse, corrupt your soul," Blinky included.
"I don't care. I have to try." Claire said.
Jim grabbed her staff and face her, "No, you're not risking your life."
"Jim, you risked everything to save my brother. Talia risked her's too, because it was right. Now it's my turn," Claire insisted.
"Wait, we can use the Gyre," Toby said.
"Tobias is right!" Blinky agreed. "Claire, Tobias, man the Gyre station. I'll operate and get everyone to safety. Arrrgh, Master Jim, get Talia and the wizards' to liberate the trolls."
. . .
Meanwhile the dark master himself waltz his way into the very center of the Heartstone where he as waited to sink his teeth of draining it's power making it his own.
" At last. I thought this day would never come," He said.
"Take of the Heartstone, my Underlord." Usurna offered his deepest desires. "Become strong once more."
Gunmar walks up to the brilliant beautiful gem. As he lays his hand upon the stone he begins absorbing, taking, draining the very essence of life from within the very source of power of what thrives this city. His body begins to turn gold, while the Heartstone wither and turns dark.
. . .
The citizens of Trollmarket witness this themselves as they start into another level of panick and growing more afraid than ever. The Gumm-Gumm's gathered every troll they've captured cornering them to their doom.
"Hail King Gunmar and all of that," NotEnrique cried in desperate cowardice of hopeing this Gumm-Gumm would spare his life. But instead the Gumm-Gumm fell to his knees turning stone and crumbles into rubble revealing Jim Lake Jr. alive and here to rescue them.
"Jim!" NotEnrique smiled, "You're alive! Long live the Trollhunter!"
"Get all the trolls to the Gyre!" he commanded.
"I'll do my part," NotEnrique confirmed.
Jim, Talia, and everyone else gathered as much trolls, saving them from suffering the fate of Gunmar's blade, using the horngazels to open a door way to the Gyre station as in hopes and means of escape.
. . .
Blinky was at the whell with the Gyre all set and ready as everyone got on board, Jim tossed Blinky a phone to contact him incase of an emergency, and told him, "Take them to the forest. It's safe and secluded.
"Keep them coming," Blinky insisted. "There is only one Gyre, it will take many a trip." Jim nodded and returned his tast of helping to get many more trolls as they can.
"Buckle up," Blinky informed the passengers on board as he slams the button on the panel making a dash bolt of lighting out of the station.
When they've reached the tunnel there was another problem to their escape plan. . .daylights still up.
"Great grumbly gruesome," Blinky aghast. Bagdwella was the first to go, she lifted out her hand and pointed at the ray of light reaching a painful burning touch on her finger making her yelp.
"Oh, dear."Blinky quickly dialed Jim to their situation.
. . .
Jim guided two more trolls down to the gyre station waving his hand toward the exit, "Go! Go!" His phone ringed and answered an incoming call from Blinky, "We have developed a small problem," he said.
But then Jim heard a ferorcious growl and recognized Draal right away and didn't have time to listen to Blinky 'cause he needed to take care of the innocent first, "I call you back." He turned toward the trolls and told them, "Hide."
Draal searched with his observant eyes as he walks down the streets to find any signs of more trolls available to Gunmar's army or any threat stopping his plans. But he did not see a thing, so he continued his search. Once he was out from the clear, Jim helped continued to lead the trolls out of harms way.
"Master Jim," Blinky said over the phone as he listened in. "There's thirty years of sunlight we cannot traverse. We have to wait until nightfall."
"If we wait, they'll find us," Jim stated. "I'll send help. You just keep the Gyre moving." Talia jumped in next to Jim overhearing Blinky over the phone.
"Who's going to help us get billions of trolls through sunlight?" she asked him.
Jim turned to her and know the look on his face knowing of one person outside of their group knowing their secret. She gasped, "No."
"We have no choice," Jim dialed the number of the most hated person ever of highschool; Steve Palachuk.
. . .
At the Arcadia Oaks High Gymnasium, Steve Palachuk was showing off his basketballs skills spinning the ball on his index finger while watching his secret new buddy; Eli Pepperjack, or better yet creepslayer partner makeing progress climbing up the rope with his step father, Coach Lawrence, impressed himself.
"How are you climbing up the rope so fast PepperJack?" Coach said amazed.
"I've been training, Coach," Eli said.
Then Steve's phone goes off ringing, "Buttsnack, Buttsnack," to which he usually says and always calling Jim that all the time, and also has that for his ringtone. He picks up and answers dropping his ball, "Well, well, well if it isn't Lake," he said trying to sound so tough. "Are you calling me to tell me what a loser you are?"
"DON'T START WITH THE SAME BULLY WITH ME PALADUMB!" Talia yelled over the phone making him scream nearly dropping his phone, catching it like a hot potato. "We know that you know of our little secret. So get your butt- -"
. . .
"Tally! Give me that." Jim interjected taking back his phone. "Let me handle this. Geeze. Steve, we know that you saw us. I was in my armor, and Talia was a lion."
"I'm listening," Steve finally accepting the truth.
"They need your help," Jim said.
"What do they need?" Steve asked.
"Shade," Jim explained. "I don't know. Blankets, sheets, banners whatever you can find. They'' die if they're in the sun."
. . .
"Die?" Steve asked before he completely understands. "Oh! Like vampire rules. Of course." He looked around to find a solution to their sos emergency, 'til he finds a poster of the school's next play of a girl dancing in the rain with a umbrella on the wall giving him an idea.
"Don't worry. I got you covered," Steve said. "Ha, get it? Covered, like shade, like shade.
Talia rolled her eyes before she slaps herself in the face of Steve's incompetence. Jim weakly chuckled unamused by this as well, "I'll text you a location," he said before he hangs up.
. . .
Eli came up to Steve, before he wraps his arm around his shoulders bringing him in to hear the news, "It's creep saving time."
Eli pulled two thumbs up in comfirmination feeling with confidence, "I'm ready."
. . .
Meanwhile at the tunnel where the escaped Trolls are all caught in a dead end by the sun that was suppose to lead them to the safety. Now the whole place was completey crowded filled with too many trolls.
"We have to slow down." Blinky said over the phone. "The Trolls are piling up on the other side."
"They'ver piling up here too," Claire said over the phone.
. . .
Steve and Eli gathered up all the umbrellas using as props from the school play as they traveled at high speed on Steve's vespa on the way to the rescue and just in the nick of time. Steve slowed down and parked his vespa, and saw the trolls for the very first time. They were nervous at first, scared infact, but they knew what's right and must full fill their duty as Creepslayerz. Steve put down his helmet and took the first umbrella from Eli.
"There's so many of them," Eli said.
Steve ran up to them, and slowy approached to the trolls as he pulled up the Umbrella. He held out a peace sign to notify them that he means no harm, "We come in peace." He raised the umbrella over his head. The Trolls were a bit frightened at first 'cause they didn't know what it was. Bagdwella made her first move as she approached slowly towards the strange object and felt at ease because she was not hurt by the suns light. So she kindly takes the Umbrella from Steve and thanks him, "Thank you, fleshling."
"You're welcome, Ma'am. Sir? Creeper?" Steve had no choice for words because he still could not believe of what he was seeing, especially Eli.
Bagdwella carries the Umbrella lifting it abover her head walking in broad daylight without getting hurt. The trolls were amazed by this and knew that it was safe enough as long as they had shade provided to them thanks to the courtesy of the Creepslayerz. So each Troll took an umbrella one by one in a single line and followed.
. . .
Meanwhile where Draal and Usurna find Dictatious hanging upside down from the ceiling in Blinky's library in chains. Draal undo the line dropping Dictatious making him hit the ground fallin flat on his face. "What is the meaning of this?" Usurna said.
"The Trollhunter escaped," Dictatious said.
"He's alive?" Usurna said in disbelief. "No troll has ever survived the Deep."
"He is no troll," Dictatious clarified as he rised from the ground. "He's trying to evacuate Trollmarket as we speak."
"Ugh! First the Silver Lion shows up and now this?! We must warn Gunmar," she said.
"And interrupt him? What do you think he'll do once he finds out that you failed to kill the boy and allow this to happen?" Dictatious said.
Usurna face turns astonished realizing that he was right and imagined if that did occure. She would be in for a cruel ruthless punishment, maybe even death.
"Seal every exit," she commanded. "No one escapes. And no one, no one disturb Gunmar until the Trollhunter is captured or dead. But bring the Silver Lion alive!"
. . .
Talia and Jim lead the only trolls she could find that were not turned and brought them to the Gyre Station. Toby waved his hands signaling them to get inside, "Get in line. Don't worry. Plenty of room on the Freedom Express."
He gave Jim and Talia a thumbs up, before he takes notice of a familiar face from up above.
"Oh, no! Guys it's Draal!" They turned around and saw their mind-controled friend comind down like a cannon ball and charging after them. Talia and Jim quickly ran and jumped inside before the gate closes turning into a sealed off wall. But Draal on the other side bashed began bashing the wall as it starts to break.
"Arrrgh, seal the door!" Blinky commanded.
Arrrgh ran up and brought out his horngazel drew a large 'X' on the wall and lit up in a red light, "Sealed," he confirmed.
"What about the others? There's still more to save." Jim said.
"Jim, who's gonna save us?" Toby said.
"We must keep the Gyre moving," Blinky said.
"Let's go get on board," Claire said.
Blinky started the engine and was about to dash off again. But then suddenly a massive door slid down blocking their path stopping them in their tracks.
"Oh, no! What's going on?" Marshall asked not liking of what he's seeing.
"They've sealed the exits." Blinky informed.
. . .
Usurna and Dictatious had arrived when they've found Draal knowing that he'd found where the probably the Trollhunter and the Silver Lion are evacuating the people of Trollmarket with an army of Gumm-Gumm's getting ready for capture.
"When the wall breaks, show no mercy," Usurna commanded, as the Gumm-Gumm's draw out their spears.
. . .
Team Trollhunter's watch from behind the wall listening to Draal's loud banging, smashing the hard rock wall. Knowing and fear that the seal won't hold for long and had to face, and fight whatever force comes next.
"It's only a matter of time before they break through and enslave us all," Blinky said.
Jim brought out his sword of Daylight to the palm of his hands preparing for a fight.
"We can't fight off an army, Jim," Claire said.
Talia glowed bright like a radiant star and slammed her fist down to the ground channeling her energy to everyone in the room except Marshall and June since it cannot give it's power them because they're already magical beings. "Then we'll use what we have," Talia said.
"But what if your enhancement won't last long?" she said.
"It better," Toby said nervously with his War-hammer out as Arrrgh nodded in agreement.
. . .
Steve and Eli awaited outside of the tunnel for anymore trolls in need of escape, but there was no one coming. "What's the hold up?" Steve asked concerned.
"Something's wrong," Eli sensed feeling worried.
. . .
The wall was growing weaker by the minute unable to handle this much pressure.
"When the wall falls, hold nothing back and leave my brother to me!" Blinky said, as everyone backed up.
"Atleast let me take my wrath upon Usurna," Talia draw her claws out.
Claire looked back at the stairway and to all of the trolls engulfed by Talia's aura as a force for protection and means to fight, but could tell by their faces that they were too scared to face something like this. She looked down in a deep thought and made up her mind, and ran up the stairway with her staff in hand. Jim turned around when he heard the metal clanging behind him and saw her, "Wait, Claire, what are you doing?" Everyone turned towards to the girl standing, "There's another way."
"Claire, no! It's too dangerous!" June said.
"You can't make a portal that big," Blinky said.
"It'll kill you," Toby said.
"If we do nothing we're all dead," Claire stated. "You would do the same. You did do the same."
"I wasn't thinking," Jim argued. "There's gotta be another way." The enemy continues to bash the wall as it continues to crumble.
"Guys, wall breaking," Arrrgh informed.
Jim rans up in hopes of trying to prevent Claire for making such an attempt. But Claire had already just begun conjuring up all of her emotions to the Shadow Staff. "Don't do this, kid," NotEnrique implore her. "Yeah, it's not worth your life," Jinx said.
"You saved my brother." she said, as the Staff starts to shake. "Let me save you!" She gives off a sigh for her final words, "Tell my parents I love them." The staff grew dark and gives off a bright violet blast knocking Jinx, NotEnrique, and Jim away.
"Don't!" NotEnique cried getting hit by the blast.
"Claire!" Jim tried to reach for her before he gets knocked over by the force. A violet tornado began spinning, creating a massive wind, surrounding Claire.
"Claire!" Jim called out for her once more, but it was no use.
The magic had already begun, Claire's eyes turned black with purple irisis, and the spiraling vortex was growing strong. Claire raised her staff high in the air as the whole area was engulfed in a brilliant bright violet light. Everbody watch the young girl conjuring the biggest portal they could possibly imagined. Cliare's feet were off rising from the ground, vessels were starting to break on her hands and her face, she was starting to feel the darkness devouring her from the inside.
"It's killing her!" Jim yelled.
. . .
Draal still remained bashing down the wall, and then start to spin the wall was starting to finally come down with Usurna, Dictatious and the Gumm-Gumm's as back up to capture the remaining trolls inside.
. . .
The magic was starting to be too much her body began trembling, feeling sick and weak it was almost as if her life was slipping away.
"Claire!" Jim's voice was heard. She opened her eyes seeing Jim run up to her, "You're not doing this alone!" He grab ahold of her staff. Jim let all of his emotions fuel the staff, the magic began to grow more stronger, "Third wheel coming in!" Toby grab ahold as well. "I'm with you all the way!" Talia held on as well. "Me too!" Marshall said. "If anything happens to you kid's I will never forgive myself," June touches Marshall's back providing him the support. "Right here," Arrrgh raised his head touching the staff. "Master Jim was correct." Blinky said. "We're stronger together!" "Count me in sis!" NotEnrique said. "No way I'm letting you guys do this without me!" Jinx said. Then all of the other troll had gathered give Claire the support and emotions to give her enough energy to create the portal as massive as possible it made a black hole above the ceiling.
"Holy shish kebabs!" NotEnrique screamed as he ducked and covered his head. The portal had finally open it grabbed every last one of 'em and disappeared into thin air leaving the are completely empty.
Draal had finally broke down the wall, the Gumm-Gumm's stormed in, but find no one inside the station. Despite Dictatious's poor eyesight he could tell and sense right away without the use of his eyes. "Let me guess, they're not here."
"Oh," Usurna turned away in denial as they all walked out of the room.
. . .
Everyone's eyes were shut from having to venture on a ride as such as jumping through a portal that big. They could not tell where they are, because everything was all silent and dark. Once they've opened their eyes, they were out in the forest and it was night. The Trolls cheered knewing that they were all alive and safe. Marshall helped life Talia from the ground still feeling a bit shaken from all the excitement. "You okay?" he asked. "Never better," she smiled.
"Claire," Jim ran up to her in Arrgh's arms, as everyone grew silent, watching the Trollhunter reach his lover. The portal was too much, she was in an unconcious state it was almost as if she was dead. Until she woke up coughing from her chest, "Did we die?" she asked.
"Almost," Arrrgh said.
Toby laughed joyfully and relieved that everyone was all in one piece, "But a life of 'almost' is a life of never. We made it."
"Way to go, Claire," Talia came up and put a hand on her shoulder. "You saved everyone." Claire smiled grateful for her gratitude, as Jim help lift her up on her feet.
"Yeah! Whoo-hoo!" They turned and find Steve and Eli from above the tunnel still here.
"Thanks, guys. I owe ya," Jim said to them.
"Yeah, you owe us, big time," Steve said.
"Maybe you can start by answering a few thousand questions," Eli pointed out.
"We'll talk, later," Jim agreed.
"But first, we need to find them somewhere safe to hide," Talia said.
"Yes!" Eli cheered, as he fist bump with Steve.
"Our home is gone," Blinky sighed. "Vendel is dead. Who will lead us now?" Jim walked up to him with the last memory of Vendel in his hand. "His staff?"
"Your staff," Jim extended it towards him.
Blinky backed up speechless by this great responsibility, and gazed upon the trolls kneeling before, accepting his role as their new respected leader. "Don't make it weird," Arrrgh suggested. Blinky was hesitant at first, but he gladly took the staff and agrees to help the good people of Trollmarket.
"What now, Blinky?" Toby asked.
"We've survived another day," he said. "But these forests are not secure. We will wait until midnight and seek safe haven. Gunmar will not give up. And he will have an army."
Talia nodded her head in agreeing with Blinky's plan. "Silver Lion." She turned towards a familiar voice finding the female skinny troll; Bork, back from the Hero's Forge she'd help save with her hands on her fists and a serious look on her face. Marshall stepped infront of Talia protecting her from one of the Triburnal leader's that tried to kill her and Jim. But then Bork's face turn soft and said, "You could've let Gunmar finish or turn me to one of his puppets. After from declaring a warrant for your arrest, and sentencing your Trollhunter brother down to the Deep. But instead. . .you helped save my life. Infact. . .you've helped save everyone here today." They all looked at her confused and looked at each other, before she finished. "Thankyou." Bork lowered her head to a bow at Talia for her good deed, before she walked up, took ahold of Talia's right hand, and wrapped around a bracelet of her tribes symbol around her wrist wich looked like a triangle with moon in the center.
"What is this?" Talia examined the accessory.
"Upon my word," Blinky said, looking upon the bracelet. "Talia! You've just earned one of the Tribunal leader's gift. That is a symbol of her tribe. You've earned her trust and has made her our ally."
"Seriously," Talia looked at him and back at Bork. "But, why?"
"You said that there will be an era with both man and troll living in it correct?" she asked.
Talia nodded her head, "If we have a human Trollhunter, a Silver Lion, fighting for both of our worlds. Then that's good enough for me," Bork said. Talia was still speechless by this Troll's kindness and change of heart, and looked at the bracelet once more giving off a shine by the moonlight.
. . .
Trollmarket now Dark Trollmarket, Gunmar has harnessed the power of the Hearstone and his appearance had changed and was now all bright gold now stronger than ever. He came up upon newly built army, with Usurna, Dictatious, and the corrupted Draal by his side. These were once peaceful individuals now blood thirsty Gumm-Gumm's chanting his name in high praise and stomping their spears. The Dark Underlord smiles maliciously knowing that evil conquest has just begun.
. . .
After from all of the chaos and surviving from certain death, Jim had finally returned to his house. "Hey, Mom, I'm home." he said exhaustedly tossing his messenger bag on the floor and leaned over the stairway. But. . .there was no response.
"Hello?" Jim walked into the kitchen to find not his mother. . .but his old teacher.
"Ah, Young Atlas," he greeted with a cup of tea in his hand.
"Strickler?" Jim surprised to see him.
"I hear that you have quite the workload ahead of you," Strickler said, as Nomura came into the scene. "Perhaps Ms. Nomura and I can offer some guidance."
Jim didn't know what say either if it was good or bad, but whatever these two changelings have in mind can he trust them?