As you can see I changed the Title ( and the description) to "Bane" Which was because of how close we are getting to the 20th chapter which was my mark for the ultimate plot. The thing will get dark but there still will be some humor.
The point of the Dark plot is to truly bring out Jim's Troll instincts and I want to play with that AU. The names stand for staged of the plot and Jim and Claire's relationship.
Instinctive —Affinity— Bane
Sexual Attraction— Hurt and Comfort— Through Thick and Thin.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE (up)
"Tia!" Claire ran towards the woman, as soon as they touched, Jim felt the love and relaxation through their bond. It was like the motherly love that Claire has told them she barely gets from her mother, so she looked for it in other family members. "Oh gosh, I'm so glad to see you and— this must be the boyfriend you always talk about, ey." She smiled, looking at the boy walking towards them with bags.
"Hello." Jim smiled. Gosh. If he didn't have the Glamour Mask on, she would be terrified. "Hello, Jim, I'm Kayla, Can I call you Jimmie?" She asked.
"Of course." He chuckled, she cheered, "Everyone is so excited to meet you so, come in, come, come." They all walk into the home and Claire immediately jumped into her grandparent's arms. "You've grown, Mija." She kissed her Abuelita, Valentine, on the cheek and went in towards her Abuelo, Joyce. She greeted her other Auntie and Uncle, her Dad's siblings, Mya and Miguel. "Louise, Arehelia, Teddy, Claire is here!" Kayla shouted down the hall.
Claire had hoped they weren't here, she never got along with her cousin whether it was on her mom's side or her dad's. As her cousins came down the hall she turns back to Jim to introduce him to the other. "Jim, this is my dad's side of the family. Everyone this is James Lake Jr., My boyfriend." Her grin was wide.
They all greeted Jim with open arms, "Come, let's sit." Clair guide Jim to the living room passing her cousins avoiding the gaze of Arehelia. "Hello to you too, Claire." Claire sighed and sat down next to Claire.
"Don't start, Niña." Mya glared at her daughter. Claire and Arehelia have a very physical history with each other. They fought many times physically and verbally. Claire naturally attracted others towards her especially boy and other people's boyfriends even though she constantly rejected them. Arehelia was a jealous person in general and that didn't clash with Claire's understanding and calm exterior.
"Hello to you too, Are-he-li-a." She crossed her legs over the other, smiling at her innocently. Arehelia turns to Jim, who was looking through his bag. "It's Jim, right?"
"Uh— yeah." He answered, looking up at the girl, "Oh, kay..." She walked and day right next to Jim on the couch. Claire glared at her but shook her head trying to ignore her. "So, Mama told us, that you announced he was different but he looks normal to me," Louise said examining Jim.
"The only thing I see are those muscles..." Arehelia whispered, only for Claire and Jim to hear. "Well, he is different in a way, that makes him uncomfortable to show in front of others, give him the time he will get used to it." She smiled at him, trying to ignore her flirtatious cousin.
"We will expect him no matter how different he is, Mija," Valentine ensured but that didn't put Jim's racing mind to rest. Yes, he knew her family used to the supernatural but was he use to the beast. They knew spirits and ghosts but a beast? He just wasn't ready, not just yet. "How old are you?" Arehelia asked.
"16, my birthday is in a few months."
"Well, make sure you invite me to the birthday party." She touched his shoulder slightly. Claire's eyes twitched, Jim could feel her anger rising and he was getting worried when he saw the light flicker. "You don't need to put your hand on him to talk to him." She spoke through gritted teeth, side-eyes her. Jim gulped as he felt the tension rising
"Well, if he had a problem he could speak for himself. He doesn't need you speaking for him." On gosh, the lights flicked even more and, he swore he saw lighting out the window. Are they just gonna let them fight or...?
"You just can't behave around strangers can you." He looked at her trying to make sure she doesn't hurt herself or others because it seemed like she was seconds from snapping and then...
"And you just can't stop taking people boyfriend can you, huh, I bet you stole Jim from some pretty girl." Jim immediately jumped up to stop Claire's swing. He saw the purple glint in her eyes and second after a loud rumble shook the room. "Is it raining?!" Kayla yelled, from the kitchen. It was lightning and thunder and he was pretty sure Claire had something to do with it but how? "I think it's best we get to rest, we have been moving around and it's getting late." Jim said, "Yes, the boy is right, it's late and it's time for bed. The grandfather spoke. " Follow me you two."
Jim had to drag her from the room as she gave Arehelia a deadly stare. They moved down the dark and long hall turning a right corner where there were two doors. "These are your rooms— Claire, I would like to talk to Jim, alone." He turned to face them. She nods hesitantly, looking at Jim, and leaves with her bag to her room of choice. Jim gulped, what was the elder going to say to him. He started at the boy's face and chuckled. "There are no secrets in this family, so the mask is unnecessary." Jim flinched.
He stammered over his words not knowing what to say, "I could tell something was off, you walk like you carry much weight, and not only that my son, tells me everything." Jim looks to the ground.
"Are you sure, I'm not human, not completely?"
"I've seen, ghosts and goblins and more, there I no need to hide, like my wife said, we will accept you no matter how different you are." Jim gulped taking the man's words to the heart. He sighed deeply, he slowly brings his hand to his face, removing the mask. A green flash reflects on the walls. He grows in height, specificity over five inches. He slowly opened his eyes to see a smiling old man. "Stone for Skin, Horns., Bulky... A Troll." He examined.
Jim relaxed, the old man seemed interested and that was all he needed. After a few minutes of commentary, Jim entered his room, placing the mask on the counter. He reached in his back placing blue gems in each corner of the room slightly lighting it up. He was slightly relaxed but the old man wants the only one in the house, he wanted to impress Claire's family he hoped he would succeed... He laid his back on the bed grabbed a stone starting deeply into it.
It was three in the morning, Claire had fallen asleep, and was awake to use the bathroom. Claire looked into the mirror after flushing the toilet. Her dad's side of the family was honestly her favorite. Though she had troubles with her cousin, she still loved her despite Arehelia's scorn toward her. How did it start, well it was a simple story A guy who she liked, liked Claire back when they were in sixth grade, and not only that he had just met Claire and that's how it was years to come. Claire was alluring and she didn't see why.
Her Mom's side of the family? Gosh, they didn't favor Claire or her Father and their family, Ophelia's family had some... prejudice but she loved them because they are family but with family members like those, you have to love them... at a distance, a very far distance. She met them multiple times and it never goes well so she gave up trying to know that side of her family. They weren't used to the unknown and never experienced things that Claire and her dad and their family have. Claire dried her hand on the toweled walking out of the bathroom. She walked back to the hall and walked to Jim's door opening it. "Mi Amore?" He says out loud, as he caught her scent. He could feel her wake up and heard her walk by the room when she did. "Hi, baby." She said lowly climbing into the bed and his arms, as he played with the blue heart stone. They shared the loving feeling and we're quiet for a while. Jim was slightly confused, "You smell... good but different slightly, I don't know." He just noticed her scent change, like, at that same moment her scent changed out of nowhere. "What do you mean?"
"You smell like— my and your scent combined but with a small lingering smell—Whatever. My sensing maybe picking something up." They shrugged it off and changed the topic of the conversation.
"My magic seems to be evolving, to nature." Jim was surprised, "You noticed too, I think your the one who caused that thunderstorm." They chuckled as they listen to the heavy rain.
"Oopsie. I'll have to talk to Morgana about it, I don't think this is possible, I've only practiced shadow magic." She was dumbfounded and her mind was racing with many theories and possibilities that most didn't add up. "Maybe when we get back, We should even ask the Wizard." Claire laughed at him he said the wizard. "What do you think it is?"
"Hmmm, If anything, it could still be shadow magic but if it isn't it may be that you truly are evolving to different magic but how, you would have to be practicing... oh." Jim closed his mouth as he made a realization.
Claire gasped in realization, "That sleazy witch, she must be teaching me something other than Shadow magic if that was the case." Jim busted out in laughter at the choice of her words. "Sleazy? Who still uses that?"
"Um, me mister, Claire Lake–Nuñez does" She poked his chest with her index finger. "What are you gonna do about it?" He pressed on with a childish smile. Claire rolled her eyes at him, seeing his expression from the corner of her eye. "I'll just have to ask her about it, she is a deity and they always have a purpose for everything." Jim nods in agreement.
"About about you and your amulet," Jim hummed in questioning wanting her to elaborate. "I mean, has anything changed, would you consider finding more gemstones and unlocking more powers?" Jim looked up to the ceiling and then at the stone in his hand. What did he plan to do? "Now that you mention it, I might collect more gemstone." Claire nods, they were getting older, and now that they would be living longer than a normal human they had to make goals.
Jim sighed, he would be out living a lot of his loved ones and so was Claire. Where would they settle, how will they keep their existence a secret from an ignorant world? How would Jim be able to protect Trolls across the country? He needed a full proof plan in case push comes to shove and outside forces try to disturb the peace. And children, would they even have time— maybe so— would he be able to protect them... only time would tell. "What's on your mind, Darling?" Claire taps his nose, pulling him out of his worries and thoughts. "I'm thinking about— the Trolls— across the nation. Will we be able to help them from a distance when we find a place to settle."
Claire understood his concern, she had also thought of this but only when they first left Arcadia and when the thought of Jim being a Troll sunk in. She has been coming up with the idea and may be considered the Gyre. But she knew no matter what idea she came up with there were Trolls that didn't want to be open and wanted to keep their existence a secret, "First, You are only one person, and you can only do what your body lets you do. Relax. When the time comes we will figure out what to do—
Now when it comes to extended the Trollhunters hand, there are multi solutions, you save who you can, and not only that... you have others who are willing to help." Jim nods but she sensed he still had doubts and she felt the need to get rid of his doubt.
"Okay— look, I may have an idea on how we can give a helping hand to Trolls across the nation." She smiled, seeing if he would give her idea a chance. "Okay, what is this plan, Mrs.Lake?" She rubbed his chest in excitement, "Yes, but this is my project to see through," She pointed a finger at him, side-eyeing him resulting in him putting his hand up in surrender.
"So I was thinking–" She went on to explain a communication network but for Trolls. Similar to telephone but they would need to involve man-made tech in the Troll system with some magic of course. They also needed a secure 'New Troll Market' that was safe. "What about the cave in New Jersey?" Jim suggested.
"The place where Gunmar was created? From the corrupted Heart Stone?" Jim scratched his scruff nervously.
"Look, I know it sounds bad and the plan that just appeared in my mind may be risky—"
"James Lake Jr., What are you trying to get us to do?" Was she glaring at him? Jim chucked inwardly
"I was thinking, we can go up to New Jersey, on our own and check it out, maybe even do some cleaning, planning, some bonding." Claire stared at him, he had no idea what she was thinking but her emotions were budding. He smiled before she did, as he felt her excitement. "That—doesn't sound like a bad idea" She relaxed.
Jim was about to respond but he flinched instead, Claire gave him a worried look when she felt his calm emotions turn confused and on guard. She watched Jim sniff the air and then he turned to her and sniffed her slowly. "Jim, What, What are you smelling?"
"You. It's you. Your scent keeps changing and It's confusing him."
"Wha—Him? Who's him?"
Jim looked away sheepish, "My Troll Persona." Claire chuckled but quickly got back on target, "What are you smelling?" Jim continues to sniff her.
"I honestly don't know, it smells raw and gives a fleshy smell, it's not a bad smell but it's a small smell and it just hits my nose so strong." His nose was in her head, he sniffed and huffed blowing a gust of wind on her head. She hummed, she would have no idea what it was. They talked for a couple until they slowly started to fall asleep.
Jim gasped for air, he looking around, he seemed to be in —space but it was completely black, he was floating in the middle of nowhere until suddenly Claire appeared in front of him— floating with her eyes closed. He smiled and moved forward to touch her cheek. He gasped as the white streak spread until her hair was covered and completely white.
Jim was pulled from his dream by a sudden jolt. He then realized it was Kayla who had just woken up Claire. He groans as he tried to pull himself back to sleep than he realized—
"Jim, What are you doing?" Claire raised her eyes brow, as she saw him hid under the sheets. She then realized why he did so but she and Kayla had this talk already. "Jim, she already knows, they're no use, she won't judge."
Jim slowly comes from under the cover with only his skeptical eyes showing, his glaring eyes shifted from Claire and Kayla back and forward and then quickly came from under the covers. "How about the others? They have never seen me like this, I just showed your Grandfather last night."
"They know something is up, that why I'm here, we were just discussing it and they want to see the real you, Jim."
He gave in, he didn't know what to expect as Claire guided them down the hall, while Kayla went back to the living area. "What if they don't like it?"
"What is there not to like, you have protected me and the world, nothing gets better than you Jim."
"Claire, Your Family—"
"My Family? No, Jim, Our Family."
A week, had gone by and the rest of the Troll Hunters made it to Barbara's place, and of course, that called for a Parent Guidance Meeting, Barbara came up with that name. They met up at her house especially if they were worried about their children. In the room was Barbara, Walt, Ophelia, with Enrique in her arms, Junior, Chloe, Olsen, Damien, Blinky, Toby, Blinky, and AAaarrrgghh.
"— and then they were sucked in by the portal and disappeared, Jim called saying they were in Mexico and they should be at Javier's mother's house," Barbara explained so everyone had an understanding.
"Where is Dad anyway?" Damien asked, "He is taking a plane to go get Claire and Jim. He should be back in the next twelve hours." Ophelia answered. Barbara pats her pockets her phone buzzed. "It's Jim!" She yelled cheerfully.
"Mom?" Barbara puts the phone on speaker.
"Hello, Jim, Yes, What is it?" She sits down on the couch next to Walt as everyone listened.
"So, we, um, me and Claire have come up with a plan..." By the tone of his voice, she could tell his next few words weren't going to be very appreciated.
"And what is this plan, Jim?" He could feel her glare through the phone.
"Me and Claire— aregoingtonewjersey."
"What!" Blinky yelled, he seemed to be the only one to pick up what he said, "Master Jim, you and Lady Claire cannot go to New Jersey alone!" Everyone exclaimed at the news. It was silent on the line, they heard mumbling which was Claire's voice, sounded Like the two were bickering over the phone as the sound ruffled as they fought for it.
"Well— we started driving a since three in the morning last night," Jim said quickly, There was another outburst and then Claire took the phone from Jim.
"We will be fine, we are just going to clean up the Dwelling and fix it up a bit we should be home in eight weeks." Claire sounded delighted and everyone could tell.
"Mi Amor, this is not okay, you come home this instant."
"Love you mama, Byee, give both Enriques kisses for me, byyee—" The phone hung up instantly after, it was silent until it wasn't. The adult went on about how it wasn't safe and some were not worried about the safety but the safety of their sister purity, Jesus. Then Walt tilted his head, "Who in the hell gave them a car?" He yelled and everyone stopped and wondered.
Hours Before
"This is an old car your grandfather and I used to run away in. It is now yours." Valentine smiled, while her husband gave Jim the keys, Jim placed the keys in his pockets, and put their bag in the back of the truck. Valentine watched her husband chuck on the engine and out a thumbs up. He slammed the top wiping his hands.
They said their goodbye and they were off, not knowing that Javier got up that morning to come to get them. They had only been driving for ten hours, it was noon. They would rotate who drives every 12 hours since Claire needed another eight to sleep. The drive to New Jersey was only a day and a half a day away. Right now Claire would be driving them through Mexico until they made it past the borders and then Jim would drive since she had a license in both regions and he didn't. They had just got off the phone with Barbara and they went back to what they were doing before.
"— Wifi, Gyre, Water Pipes, Water Heater, Ac, oh and the telephone idea you came up with." Jim pointed to the notepad he had in his hand. They were listing things that needed to be done. They also needed a heart stone but the one they had to retrieve was small and would take centuries to grow.
"We need to find a heart stone before we are even able to officially make this the New Troll Market." Claire signed, stopping at a two-way street, looking both ways, and pressing the has lightly. Jim went on about the Heart Stone and how long it would take to grow but then Claire remembered a lesson she learned about stones similar to the heart stone.
"Well, there are ways to grow crystals, we can do a saturated solution but instead of sugar, salt."
"That may work, but we need a Heart Stone." Jim nods writing the idea down. They moved on to fixing up the dwelling, "We just got into town and get a couple of items." It shouldn't be that hard...