Author's Note: PLEASE READ
We are one episode away from being done with Season 2! Granted it's been a long time since this book has been published and we did not realize the commitment or how hard it was, but we are continuing to go! I think this is one of the few reaction books for a show to be nearly complete!
It is all insane!
One more season to go and we will have finished this book! Also, the React series will consist of four books.
Book One - Trollhunters: The Written Future
Book Two - The World to Come
Book Three - The Inevitable
And Book Four! - The Beginning of the End
And since Book Four is going to be a reaction to the movie, the title is a line of the host in the beginning.
Also, season three will be scheduled differently. We are going on a schedule cause we completely understand how annoying it is to wait so long!
WILL YOU LIKE THE MOVIE REACTION BOOK TO BE SPLIT INTO CHAPTERS?
Side Notes:
This chapter was so hard for reactions. Sorry!
Enjoy!
Mistral and Error
The never-ending misery for the Trollhunter had begun, a small group of trolls standing high within the vast room of the hero's forge which had been dimly lit as if it was meant to match the harsh feeling that coursed through the Trollhunting team.
The group of trolls who had been standing with a glare watched down as the cage lowered, a nameless troll, Otto in a travel-size form, Usurna, Vendel, and a Quagump were on the committee, every burning ounce of hate pouring off of them, besides Vendel.
Jim showed no fear as he was placed in front of the Tribunal, still confined in the small space of the cell. "Shall we begin? Trollhunter is on trial for choosing to go into the Darklands, allowing the release of Gunmar the Black. James Lake Junior has admitted responsibility for his actions, what say of you of the charges?"
"You know, I think this is an unfair trial. After all, if they let Jim just run through and not be so paranoid, he would have made it and they wouldn't have to go back in." Mary hissed, crossing her arms.
"We'll fight the charge," Blinky firmly said, his friends gathered beneath the cage, both worry and determination sat upon their faces.
"Once convicted, the Trollhunter will be sentenced to exile in the deep," Usurna said, seeming as if she had to hide the joy she felt. All though, a small grin did cross her features.
"What's the deep?" Toby asked, turning to look at Blinky.
"A place of unknown madness, no one exactly knows what resides at the bottom of the deep because no troll has ever returned." The ancient troll turned to look at Jim who gripped the cage.
"What do I do?"
"I was waiting for the comment, I'm not a troll. It always seems to be made in something like this." Eli mentioned, Jim blushing madly. He had no idea why he even found it remotely embarrassing, however, he couldn't help but feel like he had been called out.
"Shall we begin?" Queen Usurna asked once again as Blinky held up his finger.
"One moment, if you please." From his begging smile, Blinky turned to face Jim, now serious. "You cannot fight this allegation."
"I have to, Merlin visited me in a sort of… dream and he wants me to fight," Jim stated, his friends gasping at the name.
"Merlin!" Aaarrrgghh repeated as Blinky finished.
"Visited in a sorta dream? Ha, I believe you."
"Really?" Jim asked, leaning a bit forward.
"I believe you finally cracked!"
Blinky shook his head, he knew that it was now possible, and now wished to ask many questions, answers he couldn't receive in the end. Only asking such questions could lead him to wonder more and not feel at ease with his answers.
Yet, somehow, he seemed to ask anyway, that one answer causing a headache. Did Merlin reach the boy in his unconscious state? Or was Merlin well and awake?
"So much for having you represent me," Jim muttered standing up.
"Unfortunately, Trollhunter," Vendel started, the team turning to face him. "Troll law states that the accused may only be represented by his own tribe." The rest of the Tribunal hummed in agreement.
"These children don't know the slightest about Troll Law," Blinky said, holding onto both the teens' shoulders.
"Be that as it may, the rules are quite clear on this matter, only a human may speak for the accused." Blinky gasped as Usurna spoke, pulling the kids back.
"Give us a minute to talk it over?" Jim asked politely, Usurna humming.
"Very well," she said nothing else as Jim sat back on his knees, his friends turning to look up at him.
"Okay, we can do this. Claire," Jim started turning to face her but she quickly denied.
"Nuh-uh, I don't know anything about law, let alone Troll Law."
"It's not as hard as it looks, all you got to do is walk around like you own the place and throw around fancy words like subpenia, hearsay, redirect, res ipsa loquitur! Nolo contendere!"
Aaarrrgghh blinked, "fancy."
"How did that metal mouth of yours just managed to garble out all those exquisite words?" Blinky asked, Toby, smiling as he proudly rubbed his thumb over his nails as if it wasn't as shocking as Blinky took it.
The crowd was just as shocked, not believing that Toby actually managed to say such words. Toby just chuckled, finding it humorous that everyone hadn't thought he'd be able to speak so seriously.
"Eh, I've watched every episode of Mistral and Error with my nana, also Mistral and Error New Orleans, Mistral and Error Jury Duty, and, oh, Mistral and Error Try, Try Again."
"Your time is up," Queen Usurna yelled out, shocking the teens. "Have you made the decision on who will represent you?"
"We have," Jim stated, standing quickly. "Toby Dolmzoski."
Toby who stood a little dazed, gasped, "wait what?" He stuttered out as Claire pushed him forward to face the Tribunal. "Me?!"
"You asked for it, Claire denied it, you are the last option," Eli stated, looking at Toby who scratched the back of his head.
"This seems like a lot is riding on just me, I don't think I would be able to do this. Can we make a smart friend and study troll law right away so when we get to this moment…"
"I can't believe I'm agreeing," Claire muttered as the bigger boy whimpered.
"Very well, the Tribunal will prebent short recess to allow Toby Dolmzoski to prepare his case."
The said boy laughed nervously, "and by short, you mean a month, right?"
"You can do this, Tobes."
"Then as your council, I advise this is a terrible idea!" He whispered to Jim, turning back to face the Tribunal, waving nervously.
"But not our worst, right?"
"No, it's worse," Aaarrrgghh replied as they stood behind Toby, shocked and a bit fearful of the upcoming events.
Toby was soon found in the library, Blinky's arm reaching out to Toby and stacking numerous books within the hands of the boy. "You'll need this book, also this one, and, oh! Yes, especially that."
As the pile of books grew higher, Toby had grown more confused and more worried.
"Ah, this idea of me representing Jim is getting less and less appealing."
"Jim's life depends on this Blinky," Claire started as the Troll wandered around, eying the shelves while Claire leaned on the table, her fear clear as day. "Throwing around big words from a T.V show isn't going to save him."
Mary grinned, turning to Claire who still couldn't contain her blushing face despite the two already being in the relationship, on-screen and off. It seemed like every time Mary bugged her, somehow it felt as if it was new. Mary certainly knew how to get beneath Claire's skin/
"And your meaning?" He asked, pulling a book from the shelf.
"Meaning, how are we going to convince the Tribunal, Jim didn't let Gunmar out. I mean, just to be perfectly clear, we all know we are guilty of that."
"I can see why Master Jim chose Tobias over you to be his advocate," Blinky said with a hint of sass, turning to his book while Toby stumbled, trying to keep the books stable, but failing.
"Hey, wait. Gunmar told Jim, he has a spy in Trollmarket, right?" Luckily Claire had been there to catch Toby from falling on his behind.
"If we can prove that Gunmar is working with someone on the outside…" Claire started, Blinky finishing her thought.
"That someone could have freed him from the Darklands anyway. Could that argument actually work?" Blinky asked, stacking another book onto Toby's already heavy pile.
"Why does it seem so impossible to find this spy, they wouldn't want to talk or be captured because they die in the end anyway."
"Have a bit of faith!"
"Definitely. It's like that episode of Mistral and Error Swamp Law where Detective Jimbalia discovered evidence that Gator people were just as responsible for the murder!" Toby added, moving past Claire who seemed nervous his stack would topple over.
Aaarrrgghh who had flipped through pages of a book, looked up, "Gator people?"
"I don't know what that means, but our course of action is clear!" Blinky said, slamming a book close. "Tobias will stall for time while Claire and I route out Gunmar's agent!" He said dramatically, fist close as he and Claire shared a winning look.
"Definitely like the more time part," Toby winced out, a book flying off from the stack and landing upon Aaarrrgghh's head as he tried to stop it from falling.
"And me?" The brute troll asked.
"Co-council, of course." The two shared a fist bump as Toby let the words slip from his clenched teeth.
"Wingman!" He grunted as he was pushed forward by Aaarrrgghh's large hand, the books falling to the floor despite how much they tried to stop it. Toby gasped, rubbing his head. "You know, it might just be easier to prove that Gator people let Gunmar out."
The team looked at the spillage of the books before Claire and Blinky were seen stepping through a busy Trollmarket.
"Toby might not last long in there, how are we going to find Gunmar's stooge when we haven't been able to find him in weeks." The young girl asked.
"You've seen these television shows of Tobias?"
"A couple," Claire shrugged.
"What would the characters of those programs do in this situation?" Blinky asked.
"That's not a bad idea, Jimbalia would start with an informant, someone who knows the Swamp and can provide information."
"Brillant!" Blinky exclaimed, excitedly taking off in a direction as Claire followed close behind, "we should proceed precisely as Detective Balia would." While Blinky and Claire had gotten started on their mission in hopes to prove that there had been a spy, Toby and Aaarrrgghh stood in front of the Tribunal.
"Aarghaumont, as we have stated, you cannot speak on the Trollhunter's–" Queen Usurna paused when Toby had appeared from behind the Troll brute, glasses and a little bowtie accompanying his usual outfit.
"Don't you find it kind of weird that only the tribe of the convicted could speak. If some trolls was framing another, that poor innocent troll is now on trial and the person speaking for them is within their tribe, that maybe, somehow cannot be trusted, would it change the outcome?"
"Tobias Dolmozski, esquire appearing for the defendant. Wave reading, plead not guilty." While Vendel looked shocked, Queen Usurna seemed mildly upset.
"Why are you speaking like that?" Jim mumbled, bending further down to face Toby through the bottom set of the bars.
"Too much?" He asked, fixing his glasses as Jim groaned. Instead, Toby laughed, giving him a thumbs-up before turning to the Tribunal. "First order of business," he groaned out, pulling out a sock and dabbing his forehead. "We, hereby motion to remove Gatto as a member of the Tribunal. His presence is prejudicial to the defense." He groaned out as he ran into Aaarrrgghh's vast arm.
"How so?" Vendel asked.
"He and I have a rather delicate history which brings his ability to be objective into question," Toby responded, Gatto seeming upset and annoyed. "Feel free to take your time filling the appointment, we'll come back later. How does next year sound?"
Queen Usurna slammed her fist onto the table, face twisted in anger, "your objection is rejected, on the ground answer of no objection in Troll Law."
"Well, I'm not smart enough to understand that," A student mentioned. "Eli, what does that mean?"
"I feel like this is one of those games where the opposing team makes all the rules so they can win." Mary hissed out.
"Well then, please have it noted for the record and the mp3." Jim groaned, holding his forehead.
"Enough!" Vendel yelled, voice echoing through the dark room. "The Tribunal will proceed. State the grounds for your defense."
"No grounds, the defendant is guilty as charged!" Toby cried, pointing at Jim.
The crowd gasped, looking down at Toby with shock. "Are you trying to send him to the Deep!?"
Toby was smiling, already knowing the answer on why he did so. Granted, this was real life and extremely risking, but hey, it could also work.
"What?" Jim muttered as the Tribunal stood with a gasp. "Maybe you don't know how this is supposed to work."
"Don't worry Jimbo, all the best episodes start like this." He turned back to face the Tribunal, "we know Jim went into the Darklands, we know, we went into save him, we know that gave Gunmar the opportunity to escape. But what we don't know, hmm. That is what the defense will prove here beyond the shadow of unreasonable doubt."
From his dramatic pause, he had to duck from oncoming rocks that flew past his head, both the Quagwump and the nameless Troll had started, the rest of the Tribunal following as Toby yelped.
"Why are they throwing rocks?" Jim asked as Aaarrrgghh shielded himself, Toby crawling to safety.
"Because that was absolutely terrible," Steve mentioned, folding his arms across his chest. "I know I would throw rocks as well."
"Troll law," Gatto had launched a rock from his mouth, perfectly aimed at Toby's behind, causing the boy to yell as it had hit him. He planted his face in the stone, groaning as Usurna spoke.
"Okay, what isn't troll law," Jim mumbled, already sick of the constant laws that seemed to pop up anywhere, especially seeing that none of them worked on their behalf.
Blinky smiled, "unfortunately, it seems that compared to your human laws, our's work in mysterious ways."
'Gatto's rock wins, Gatto will be heard first."
"I have a number of complaints, where should I begin?" He huffed while Jim sat in his cage groaning and already wanting to be done. From the despared look of Jim, the scene changed with happy music as Claire and Blinky climbed the stairs to RotGuts, Claire ready to knock but Blinky stopped her.
"Halt! RotGut's is a tough customer or should I say salesman, we're asking for sensitive information he's bound to drive a hard bargain," Blinky states, warning his young partner in crime before she alerted them of their presence.
"We don't have time for that, let's try good cop bad cop."
Blinky smiles at her suggestion, "I think I know where you're going with this." Blinky grows excited and clasps his hands together before facing the door, "I shall play this game."
Claire reaches for the hoop, wrapping her small fingers around the vast stone-made door knocker. The loudness of the knocking echoed through The empty space that the two were confined in. Claire held a kind smile a fist reaching towards her mouth so she could properly clear her throat and then instantly the smile was gone in replace of an angry scowl.
"Open up RotGuts or else I'm gonna kick down this door!" She screamed, in reply, a small window opened revealing a large green eye.
Everyone grew shocked at the sudden anger of Claire, no warning intended, especially when she wore such a sweet smile before they had answered their door.
"Aliment or curse?" He says the other large Eye appears in the second window, colored orange.
"Neither, you two-headed dirtbag, we need information. Gunmar's got a mole down here and you're gonna tell us who it is!"
No one dared to speak as the young girl blushed, every eye on her as she insulted RotGuts. Mary had to snort, her friend was adorable. It wasn't quite as scary and she hoped to see it again.
"Why is she being so mean to us, Gut?" The orange troll asked his partner.
"We don't share that sort of thing, salesman client confidentiality," Gut replied calmly.
With a frustrated groan, Claire leans a little closer to the windows raising her voice. "Do you want to obstruct official Trollhunting business, is that what you wanna do!?" She groaned once more, RotGut sharing a look with each other, confused on where she was going towards. "Now you've done it I can feel my anger rising I can't control it you might want to talk to my partner!"
Jim and Toby shared a slight laugh as they watched her pace, Blinky looking mildly confused on the screen. It was strange to see Claire acting like this but they enjoyed it nonetheless. Claire playfully glared at the two, shaking her head.
After pacing furiously across the space she pulls Blinky closer to the window, "because I'm about to explode!" She finished and instead of the angry fury that they faced from Claire, Blinky was more awkward, giving them a small smile as he waved.
However, whatever anger Claire felt had vanished quickly when she turned to him, gave him a wink, and he understood the memo clearing his throat as well. And just like Claire, he suddenly let out a furious yell, the infamous Dwärkstone in his hand, activated.
"If you don't tell us what we need to know this instant, I'm turning us all into a smoking crater!" In response, the doors upon the decorated shop had quickly closed, Gut yelling from inside.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Blinky!" The team cried out while Vendel shook his head, instantly facepalming as he watched the moment unfold. Some had chuckled at his antics while others were caught off guard, jumping back in their seats.
"Blinky, you are one crazy Troll." Blinky just shrugged, how else could he answer such an accusation, especially when it was true.
He bothered not to look at Vendel who was groaning out, trying to ignore the scene.
"Are you insane? You're gonna kill us all!" The face that Claire had made it clear that she was shocked, especially since he hadn't followed the term Good Cop, Bad Cop.
"Whoa, whoa, Blinky what are you doing?"
Blinky's tone never rested as he really fell into the bad cop role, "I'm buying baby! I'm buying the farm if they don't start talking!" His face grew into a crazed look as almost if he had completely lost his sanity.
"You're starting to freak me out."
"His face concerns me." Someone else mentioned as Jim smiled at his team while they tried to get information. There was never a dull moment and he was glad to have them on his side.
"Wait, I thought I was the bad cop?" Claire asked.
Blinky turned to her, confusion on his face. "I thought I was the bad cop, your performance felt a little ho-hum." As they spoke, the windows slid back open and the begging tone Gut used had silenced them, instantly catching their attention.
"Oof, a troll thought your bad cop was terrible." Steve snorted, earning a backhand from the young girl.
"Don't blow us up!" He cried, "we'll tell you whatever you want!"
"I don't know from Gunmar but there was this…. guy," Rot adds.
"It's Cracks, you imbecile!" Gut snapped back.
"Yes, Cracks, he bought our entire stock of Gaggletacks," Rott mentions, the life-threatening stone still pulsing within Blinky's hand, forgotten.
"Gaggletacks? The mole might be a Changeling!" While Blinky connected the pieces, the stone grew louder, seeming to try and alert them.
"Or helping them," Claire mentions before her partner had finally noticed the pulse of the stone, their awaiting doom.
"Oh, wait what am I supposed to do with this?" As it ticked faster, Blinky grew all the more nervous, tossing it back-and-forth between his hands while his human friend backed a slight distance away. Unfortunately, he had dropped the explosive, letting it bounce aimlessly off the stairs and towards Trollmarket which is crowded with Trolls, luckily where it was denoted, it hadn't done much damage but had caused a troll to yell from off the camera in its wake, leaving the duo to wince.
"Awe, are you kidding!"
"Sorry!" Claire cried before they turned back around nervously, RotGuts still spectating the detectives. Claire let out a laugh, a slight shrug occupying it while Blinky awkwardly stood beside her.
"What makes this more funny was the fact that both of you were trying to be threatening and still messed it up."
"Ah, RotGuts, you don't happen to have this Crack's fellow address?" He smiled and blinked twice, hoping whatever they had caused would be quickly forgotten about.
While Claire and Blinky were busy getting the information NotErinque was seen laying on a flat stone, Toby talking off the screen as he watched, seeming more relaxed.
"Isn't it true," Toby starts as he walks past the little troll, sock tucked between his fingers. "You've been to the Darklands. Isn't it further true that you know Gunmar was trying to get out of the Darklands on his own?" Toby was busy interrogating, not noticing that the young Changeling began to act like a dog, his tongue hanging out, sitting politely, and sniffing the sock that constantly teased him. "Isn't it further, further true that he probably would've gotten out eventually even if we hadn't gone to save Jim?"
NotEnrique seemed to ignore the question, trying to snip at the sock before rocks had been thrown once again Toby yelping and shielding his body.
"Sounds like you're testifying," the nameless Troll intervenes, pointing an accusing finger at him.
"You know, I'm starting to question her relevance to this trial." Eli said, rolling his eyes lightly. "I do not recognize her and she does not represent any tribe."
"You're telling me," Toby hissed out, crossing his arms.
"I'm questioning my witness buttbrain!" Toby gasped when he realized what he had said and rapidly fixed his outburst. "That's a legal term of art," he dabbed his cheek with the sock hoping his sweat wouldn't be too noticeable.
The crowd snorted at the insult while the Trolls shook their heads, groaning. Toby simply smiled, letting out a nervous laugh. Granted, in the moment, it was hilarious, especially because it was sudden, however, when he noticed the look Vendel had made, he made sure to stifle any laughter.
"Nice recovery Tobes," Jim said sitting crossed-legged within the cage.
"Jim looks bored," Mary started. "This looks like it went on forever."
"If we are to hear from your witness, let us hear from… it," Usurna hissed.
"Not it, him." NotEnrique scolded, "now as I was saying, Jim's a good guy, you know for a human. While he was in the Darklands, he saved me familiar. Pretty cute kid, you know, for a human."
Toby smiled as his witness spoke, looking up at his best friend, lifting up his thumb and hoping it would help the situation. In return, Jim smiled back.
"So, to you, Jim is a hero?" Toby asked, the tribunal ready to speak, however, Toby quickly lifted his hand to silence their argument as he smiled.
"Yeah, he's a hero. I mean if he wasn't, you guys wouldn't have gone to the Darklands—" before NotEnrique could finish, Toby gasped using the sock to silence his Changeling friend and while the stout boy stopped in front of the young changeling shielding him from view, the sound of munching had occurred behind him.
"That's enough, thanks a lot!"
"No!" The Quagawump cried, "I think the witness should be allowed to finish!"
"No, he's my witness, you said he was my witness." He turned to NotEnrique, mumbling. "You're my witness."
"This witness will finish its statement," Usurna said, once again angering NotEnrique.
"Wow, don't be too nice," NotEnrique said.
"She is disrespectful. Poor Changelings that have redemption arcs."
"I am not an it! Geez, "he shook his head, not believing that she still had called him, and it was as if he wasn't a breathing troll. "I don't see what the big deal is. I was just gonna say that if Lake hadn't been, you know, Lake, Gunmar would have never gotten out."
"Objection! Move to strike, move to strike that from the record!" Toby, once again, hid NotEnrique from view, yet, the small troll simply poked his head from the side.
"That was your witness," The queen reminded, seeming to wear a cocky smile as she spoke.
"Then let me speak for myself," Jim stated, standing tall within the small space.
"The accused can not testify for himself according to Troll law!" The nameless troll mentioned, but instead Vendel stood, hands placed firmly on the rock table.
The crowd groaned out, some kids trying to rip their hair out. "Enough with the troll law! Who even is that!? WHY IS SHE THERE!"
"This pisses me off. I cannot do this." A kid stands, stomping away.
"Troll law this, Troll law that, Troll law, Troll law. TROLL LAW!"
"If I got paid for how many times I heard that. We should turn this into a game."
"Go on Trollhunter, speak from your heart." At that, Aaarrrgghh, Toby, and NotEnrique turned to face the said boy.
"Everyone is angry at me because I made a choice. A lot of you think it was the wrong one, w-well wouldn't be the first and it won't be… well, maybe, it will be my last. Truth is, I'm still figuring out how to do the right thing. I'm not using that as an excuse, I accept full responsibility but before you condemn me, let me ask, who here hasn't made a mistake?" As the camera panned on the tribunal, the Quagwump was the only one who raised her hand, at that moment as she realized no one else did, she quickly lowered it.
Jim continued, "yes I went into the bridge to save Claire's brother and if I'm being completely honest I would do it again!" Gatto let out a gasp.
"There, there, an admission."
"He would do it again!" The other troll yelled out.
"We have our proof, we must rule," the Quagawump queen replied, Toby growing nervous as he ran towards their former seats. Instead, they simply walked away, ignoring his desperation.
"Way to go Jim, why don't you just jump off a bridge while you're at it." While everyone else began to worry about what was in store, some kids had grown sarcastic.
"ALL THAT FOR THIS!? I hate this."
"No, no, no ruling!" In defeat, realizing he wasn't going to win, he turned around mumbling, "where are Blinky and Claire?"
Speaking of the two they had been sneaking behind a rock cleared just a blanket to follow who was stiff and terribly sneaking around but they had made it to the destination stepping into a dimly lit purple room small living quarters for a troll
"What should we be looking for exactly?" Blinky asks.
"This is where Cracks lives, right? So, something– I don't know, incriminating."
The two begin to search around without another word, Blinky instantly finding a stray sock and letting out a grown. "Certainly this disqualifies." Beside him, Claire had lifted a lid reaching in as her face twisted in success.
"What about these?" She pulls out an armful of Gaggletacks, turning to Blinky. "A Gaggletack motherload."
"Canning but hardly incriminating, I'm afraid we'll have to find this Cracks, himself." Blinky mentioned.
"It's very good proof, only it won't do anything. Which is what I hate!"
"Well, I know I'd never have the patience to do this kind of job. Know the criminal is guilty but if I can't find any valid proof, I'd quit."
"How do we do that?"
"I don't know, it's not like we can just wait for him to return home," and as Blinky said, large stomping footsteps had reached their ears. A tall, brute purple troll stepped in and instantly his eyes landed on the two, growing shocked as he looked up and down at the duo. "Unless we can."
Cracks with silent eyes shifted quickly as he surveyed the situation before him while the shock still ran through the trio. Blinky reached for a Gaggletack, throwing it at the troll and having to shield both him and Claire's eyes from the flash of green that nearly blinded them.
A young adult dressed in a white shirt and sporting blonde hair in a civil beard resembling an older Steve had been in replace of the troll.
"Oh," was all the troll could sputter out before he quickly yelled and threw the Gaggletack behind the duo, his form transforming him back into his troll self before simply walking away. However, Blinky thought on his feet, following him instantly."
"Not so fast!" The six-eyed troll threatened.
"Don't let him leave!" Claire yelled, still rooted in her spot. The mentor troll cut in front of the much larger troll, the size difference very noticeable.
"Yes, that will be why I'm standing in front of the exit." He replied, all arms out wide hoping that there wasn't a single space to get through.
The crowd laughed, Claire blushing lightly.
"I'll never tell you anything," Cracks replied with anger.
"You will if you don't wanna be blown to pieces!" Blinky said, pulling out another Dwärkstone. Causing Cracks to back up, shocked and scared as his arms were raised to shelter his face from the inevitable force of doom.
"Oh, come on!" The crowd groaned, smacking their foreheads.
"Who gave Blinky the supplies of Dwärkstones!?" Eli cried out. Toby just shakes his head.
"Someone control this guy!"
"Oh my gosh," Jim mumbled, leaning into his chair as he watched his mentor on the screen, not even bothering to look back.
"What are you doing?" Claire says.
"It worked before! Tell me who you're working for or Cracks goes kaboom!"
"You'd end up blowing yourself up as well!" the troll who was currently being threatened, tried to say hoping that the stone would be the last resort and his safety was not risked.
"Yeah, I'm just that crazy!" Blinky replied in a very much crazy tone, scaring the largest Troll, who was not expecting an answer and Claire who gave him a questioning look.
"Blinky?" She asked.
"What will it be, Cracks? Exposition or explosion?" Blinky's threatening words had changed from a deep to a high pitch, making it much more amusing.
Everyone blinked at the screen, mouths slightly agape while Jim groaned, throwing his head back. Completely unbelievable but funny.
"Neither!" Crack yelled, diving towards Blinky who had tried to avoid the vast shape as they squabbled, the rock had dropped from Blinky's hands and bounced to the side. Once again, another dangerous rock that had spiraled out of control.
Not wasting any time Blinky pushed himself away from cracks running towards the back with Claire and pushing her away from the stone.
"Out of the way!"
Crack fumbles with the stone, never gaining a grip on it as he tries to at least throw it farther away from his house. Well Blinky and Claire had found cover and in a second, it exploded. Smoke poured from the house and as everything died down, the two had come up from their hiding spot, a blanket tossed from over their bodies, only to find an empty space and a black tar that stained the stone ground.
Vendel shook his head, leave it to Blinky who had continuously blown up part of Trollmarket.
"Okay, if I'm ever getting interrogated by Blinky, please let Claire be the bad cop."
"He was our only suspect but we don't have any proof."
"Proof," Blinky repeated before gasping, "Is still on us! Quickly to the trial!" He gathers the Gaggletacks, "we must show the tribe al before it's too late!"
The duo ran until they found the remaining team, finding a grim Aaaarrgghh and Toby. "We have evidence!" Claire yelled to them.
"We have proof of our conspiracy, we–" Blinky was cut off as Aaarrrgghh had finished the sentence, a more depressing outcome.
"Yeah, no offense, I love you guys, but you are kind of late." Dari said.
Mary snorted, "yeah."
"-Are too late," the pacifist spoke, Toby beside him throwing a rock angrily before angrily ripping the glasses from his face.
"The tribunal already left to decide the ruling," Toby filled in, however the news did not break Claire nor Blinky.
"Not until we speak with Vendel," Claire pointed, Blinky nodding at the idea. Speaking of Vendel, he had been gathered in the library surrounded by the trollhunter team looking unamused
"This better be good Blinkous."
"It is, in fact it's a great relevance to this proceeding," while Blinky spoke holding the numerous Gaggletacks, Claire stood to the side ready to back him up. "We unearthed something foul changing spy and are very mixed hence our dusty state
"This dust is the remains of a spy who's working for Gunmar!" Claire filled in, Vendel took his vast fingers and wiped the dust off Blinky's head, inspecting the powder they had been drenched in.
"Another conspiracy theory Blinkous?" The said troll frowned, throwing the Gaggletacks on the table with the mindset of proving what he had found to be right as this was serious to him.
"NO! Believe him! DO IT!"
Whatever fear he felt of speaking up to Vendel had been long gone, the seriousness that was seen on Blinky was new, daring, and a whole new side to the troll. "It's fact, plain as a changeling dust on my face
Vendel lifted up a stray Gaggletack. "Even if this is true it doesn't change the fact that the Trollhunter's actions lead to Gunmar's escape!"
"It proves Gunmar's escape with the help of his agents, it was only a matter of time," Blinky fought back.
"It's like the episode of Mistrial and Error," Toby said excitedly, everyone turning to stare at him. "Oh, it's a great show, do you watch any TV?"
"Bottom line, you have to bring this evidence to the tribunal, this could change the whole game!" Claire said no one thought to answer the question Toby had asked.
"Yes! They'll have no choice but to let Jim go!"
"Gunmar used Jim to open Killahead bridge and he's already at work here in Trollmarket," Vendel looked at the Gaggletacks, Blinky continuing. "You have to believe us, Vendel."
Vendel throws the Changeling device on the table, "for once I believe you despite my numerous cautions and doubts in general skepticism." He started, Blinky smiling and looking at Claire, the two sharing a happy smile.
"You have championed this boy's impossible journey time in again and even saved me from my own arrogance." His large white hand rested on Blinky's shoulder, the mentor gasping as he had never seen the side for Vendel, especially towards him. "You have done well Blinkous Gladrigal. This news could turn tides, I will take this to Usurna and do everything in my power to convince her to stop this try and save the Trollhunter."
Blinky smiled, this was something he rarely saw of Vendel, and even hearing that the Elder was proud of him and his team, it made him happy and he would never forget how hard they fought for what they wanted.
"Thank you, Vendel." Blinky started, turning to the troll.
"You may not hear it often, but I stand by what I say." Blinky kept his smile, feeling as if everything would be alright.
"Thank you Vendel," Claire said happily hugging him. The elder troll gives her a slight hug back as Toby celebrates in the background.
"Awesome sauce! Team Trollhunter, attorneys at kicking butt." Vendel turned and left while the rest of the team had turned back to Toby who was excitedly dancing around, all staring at him.
The stout boy looked at Aaarrrgghh's reaction, quickly fixing his attitude. "I mean this is all terrible news, very troubling obviously but awesome that Vendel is going to save Jim."
Aaaarrrgghh hummed, The scene quickly changed to Vendel and Usurna stepping through the golden office that Vendel and others had resided in, to work.
"A Changeling," The queen starts, filled in on the new discovery. "Here in Trollmarket?"
"Yes."
"You are certain of this?"
"I have it on good authority, if Gunmar's agents are within the walls, something is afoot, we must suspend the tribunal at once and deal with the real threat."
"Real threat?" She questioned, the two walking to the table. "You think there might be more than one ally of Gunmar, here?"
"Yes, Gunmar has one agent within Trollmarket, who's to say there aren't others." As Vendel grew on, Usurna seemed more shocked. "It's time we root out this enemy at the core and end this."
As the elder passed the queen, she wore a scowl watching him carefully. She had stopped while Vendel had continued to the table grabbing a stray stone, inspecting it.
"You're wrong Vendel, there are only two agents of Gunmar within Trollmarket's walls," she reached in her peacock like scruff, pulling out a knife, Vendel's eyes widening. " The Changeling, and the Changeling's master."
"WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!"
"She's going to stab him!"
"What the hell!?"
"Vendel, get out of there!"
"What," he turned to face her, "how did you know this?"
She stood an inch away from him, anger on her face, "because, I'm the master." As she finished her sentence, not a moment of hesitation and the knife she had held was now embedded in Vendel's stomach, the troll groaning out in pain.
As the elder was left stunned, the camera panned to his wound, the knife sliding freely and letting the gray blotch of darkness spread through his abdomen, dust falling, his death near and quick.
He dropped a staff falling towards a table and leaning against it for support as spots on his body started growing dark, rapidly. He coughed and wheezed, Usurna watching from the sideline, not an ounce of remorse.
His arm was quickly covered in the deathly wave, he tried to hold it, desperately lifting it up but it grew too heavy.
Blinky, Aaarrrgghh, and Draal had watched with a gasp, Vendel still, never showing any emotion on his face. While the crowd had gasped, covering their mouths as they witnessed Usurna show her true intentions, the Trollhunting team hadn't said a word, gripping the chair.
"He died to save me, he was trying to do the right thing." Jim mumbled.
"I'm going to kill her!" Toby yelled, slamming his fist into the chair.
"We sent him to tell her, we should have gone with!" Claire mentioned. "We should have taken his back and been there."
Vendel didn't look at the pain-stricken faces that his troll friends wore, he couldn't and while he never wished to die, he knew what he was destined for.
"I'm sorry, Vendel," she lied. "I was hoping you would live long enough for Gunmar's glorious return. The dying troll struggled to stay still, withering in pain until his body collapsed on the floor, the table dropping to the side and spilling whatever was on it across the floor.
"Shut your fat face!"
He used the last of his strength to stand, his voice breathless as he spoke and faced her.
"Usurna, you cannot, he will stop you, Trollhunter—"
"Shall die!" She yelled with a grin, lifting up his staff and watching the last piece of the living stone from Vendel vanish. "Farewell Vendel, Elder of Trollmarket."
As the painful moment had finally ended for the troll, she pressed the tip of the staff on Vendel's stiff forehead, "now is your end."
The scene moved slowly, the body of Vendel, falling to the floor, hauntingly before it smashed into millions of pieces. Usurna tossed the staff to the side, not staying any longer around the crime scene then she had to.
"SCREW HER! SCREW HER! I HOPE SHE BURNS ALIVE, I HOPE THAT ANY PAIN SHE FACES IS HARSH, LONG, AND PAINFUL!"
"She can go burn in hell!"
"Where is she!? Bring her here so I can stab her twice as many!"
As his death remained unknown, the team was gathered back within the Hero's forge, Jim standing tall in his cell, his friends gathered around him.
"The Tribunal will come to order," The now four remaining tribunal set down, the Trollhunting team mildly confused.
"Uh, Vendel's not here," Jim pointed out before kneeling and speaking to Blinky, "what did Vendel say?"
"Cause he's a pile of rubble due to that stone cold jerkface!"
The mentor looked at the tribunal, "we spoke with Vendel and he was going to present our evidence to the tribunal."
"He said no such thing to me," Usurna, the traitorous killer, said. "When I spoke to him, he said nothing of any evidence. Only that the Trollhunter would be desperate."
Jim looked shocked before turning angry and gripping the bars, "that's a lie."
Vendel gripped his staff, wishing to beat the stupidity out of her, the rage in the theater was loud, kids swearing and shaking their fists at the screen, even Barbara had lost her sense of kindness, glaring daggers at the screen.
Usurna was a liar and endangering his people, granted, he had now passed, yet, those were his kind and facing a brutal extinction was not something he ever wanted to see.
"Usurna, you are the only desperate one! She's probably doing more than just working for Gunmar!"
"Whoa!"
"Yeah, I said it. She's desperate and doing THAT kind of work for him!"
"Now that I think about it, how long has she been working for Gunmar?! What happened to Aaarrrgghh! His poor battles he went through growing up, we just can't forget about that! It affects the precious troll to this day!"
"Well, we certainly expect the accused to say as much, wouldn't we?"
"Okay, stop saying we when Vendal isn't here!" Jim replied, Toby the second to speak up.
"YOU TELL THEM, JIMBO!"
"She knows what she is doing, that imposter."
"Objection, I object!" He yelled, stepping forward. "Objection and objection," His voice grew more worried as Jim stared down at him, then looking back up at the tribunal. "Vendel's absence from these proceedings is a violation of a—well, it has to be a violation of something, hence my objection which is Jenuis."
Toby was breathless as he looked up at his worried friend, finishing off with a point of his finger, "objection!"
"The Tribunal finds the Trollhunter guilty!" She said, her face twisted in an unknown expression as the team gasped at the news.
"No!" Aaarrrgghh cried. The Krubera guards off to the side raised their weapons, ready.
"He is hereby sentenced to exile into the deep, to face death at the hands of his greatest fear!" The cage creaked as it began to move, his friends instantly turning to face him and following the slowly moved cage.
"Why don't you throw yourself in that pit you fat traitor!"
"You know, I never liked her, she stuck her ugly face in places it didn't belong!"
"I want to see her PERISH!"
"No! Objection, mistrial, words, more words, more words." Toby yelled, looking back-and-forth at his friend and to the tribunal which is quickly dissipating from the room.
"Jim, the courses are farse," Blinky stated as Claire moved forward, the team never faltering in continuing with the pace of the cage
"No! You can't take him yet, please stop." Claire begged, turning to face the two Krubera and Queen Usurna who now joined the moment.
"It is troll law," The queen hissed, looking up at Jim with a glare.
"It is troll law," a student mocked, "shove that troll law up your butt!"
"Yea! Let's hate her till she cries!"
"Oh, Jimbo, I really messed things up, didn't I?" Toby whimpered, playing with his fingers and looking away while continuing with the cage.
"It's okay, Tobes. You tried, you all tried." Well Jim tried to crack a smile, he gestured to Blinky who was looking somber. "Hey, Blink said even the word hopeless isn't void of hope, right?" From the sadden look of Blinky, the camera moved to Aaarrrgghh, who lifted his vast hand to the cage.
"Jim! Stop trying to find the light in the dark! THIS IS HURTING ME!"
"Don't go." Claire pushed forward, gripping his hand that waited for her's.
"Ah, Claire. He really doesn't have a choice," Steve added, earning once again, another glare from her.
"Yeah, shut up, Steve."
"Jim, you can't go!"
"Don't worry, Merlin said I was gonna have to fight and I'll fight Claire."
"Don't let them twist you," she mumbled, never letting go.
"I'll be back, just wait for me." He said with a smile, not seeming phased by his predicament. Claire looked down, finding the hole had grown closer, nearly right beneath the cage that she tried to latch onto, well, the person inside.
"So cheesy, but so cute." Dari said, shaking her head with a smile. It was a sad moment but Jlaire always seemed to lighten the mood.
Their hands slipped from each other's, Blinky trying to stay strong, arm raised as he sadly cheered while his friends watched with despair, however, Usurna stood on with a glare.
"Then fight, Master Jim, fight for your life!" The cage locked into place as it hovered over the endless hole, Claire covering her mouth, not bothering to hide the grief she held inside of her.
The cage creaked and shook, Jim's adrenaline pumping faster than it had before. He looked down, nothing but blackness filled empty space. Letting out a heavy breath, Jim tried to mentally prepare himself.
"If it's any consolation," Usurna started, "I believe your actions to be in violation of Troll Law, because you're human." She spat, Jim's eyes growing wide and his breath hitching in his throat. She turned, facing a Krubera who stood near the activation button giving a slight nod and instantly it was pressed.
"Now that I know her true colors, I wish death upon her!" Toby said dramatically, shaking his fist. The team truly saw her in a different lighting now that her killing Vendel and working for Gunmar had been revealed, and it made perfect sense on why she was so willing to destroy the bridge with Jim still in it.
"What do we do with her, she's a queen but a traitor." Jim mumbled, feeling stuck on his former ally, not like he actually liked her, she always caused him problems, but the situation they would soon find themselves in, seemed to be escalating fast, and not in a good way.
The cage dropped rather quickly, Jim screaming as his insides flipped and twisted as the ride down had not been too gentle. While the crew Berra stepped off not looking back, the Trollhunting team ran forward, leaning over the hole and calling for him.
"Uh, no. Long drop into a dark hole. No."
"No!"
"Master Jim!" Blinky and Toby had to hold Claire back as she tried to follow after him, reaching out as she cried.
"Jim, no!" Below, the ride seemed to slow as Jim fel deeper and deeper within the endless abyss. Jim tries to free himself in the process but fails.
The cage finally came to a rough halt, throwing the boy onto his backside and the only soft light that remained was the purple lamp above the cage.
Jim groaned holding his head as he shook it lightly, yet, he was alerted to the sound of creaking once more, however, it sounded like no other. Knowing instantly what it was, he let out a scream as the cage snapped from the chain and dropped a few stories down below coming to a stop at the bottom.
His body flew from the cage as the door snapped due to the damage the fall had caused. The Trollhunter set up with a groan, his armor clicking in response, as he finally managed to get back on his feet he continued forward in the darkness.
The crowd winced at the fall, glad that he was wearing armor. Barbara sat in her seat, nervously playing with her fingers. Her son was strong and could handle himself, yet, she hated these moments, especially when the opponent was unknown.
The very little light he had to lead him, died out quickly, leaving him to pull out his flaming sword, the weapon giving an ounce of light and making it much more eerie.
He was cautious as he looked around, haunting noises surrounding him. Whatever surrounded him moved quickly, the whistling sound of a speed flying past the boy, alerting him and causing a gasp to escape his lips.
"Who's there?" Jim asked, the echo of a roar had bounced off the jagged walls of the deep. In response, closer to him and clear, the roar seemed to be right behind him. The boy leapt in the direction, only to find nothing.
"Oh great, your worst fear is a beast?"
"I don't think I would be able to go down there, I'm curious but I would be too scared to set foot in there."
However, as his back was turned in the direction he had last faced, the camera acted as a set of eyes charging up on him before he had been knocked down off his feet, a groan from the boy was all that was heard.
Jim stood once more, lifting his sword and preparing himself, ready for the fight at hand. He dared not to speak, whatever was around him hadn't either, only letting out an evil chuckle.
Finally, whatever stocked him had shown itself, a red glowing hue standing tall behind him. And whatever had been drawn seemed to resemble the Daylight sword, only pouring red smoke from it's blade.
It growled, leaving Jim breathing heavily as he finally spoke to it. "What are you?"
It roared once more, leading slightly towards the light and Jim had finally caught the glimpse of what his biggest fear had been. A troll version like himself stood tall in front of him, full of anger.
The human boy couldn't help but let out a scream, knowing his biggest fear had been losing his humanity and caring heart.
Red and blue began to clash together as Jim fought off his fear, Nothing but the scraping and clashing of metal was heard. Jim never backed down, charging and also using his weapon to block any fatal blow that might've occurred.
They twisted and turned, The beast growling, breathing heavily as he roared once more. The battle continued, camera panning up to see both the colored smoke mixed together.
Yes, Jim had lost his upper hand, the beast's foot shoving itself into the side of the boy and pushing him across the room, his body clashing against the stone.
And when he looked up, a yelp escaped his lips as the beast rolled towards him, metal scraping against the ground. Jim never gave up, swiping at the beast as it leaped from the walls, its footsteps getting quieter as it climbed up the stone walls, only the red trail of smoke from the sword was seen as it moved farther away from sight.
Almost as if it was a ghost, it disappeared from sight, Jim twisting and turning around in hopes to find it as it's deep growls echoed once again.
The red of the armor had been up higher, jumping back down behind the boy who was instantly in that direction.
"It's almost like that resembles the Eclipse armor and that Jim isn't himself. That's scary, to fight yourself but modified."
Jim squirmed in his seat, he understood what he was fighting as he thought more about it, but wished that it hadn't been happening as it made him extremely uncomfortable.
The sword constantly hit Jim's, the first knocking him to the floor in his blue sword wedging within the rock, however, that did not leave Jim vulnerable as his shield appeared blocking the red sword from going any further.
And as the force of the weapon got stronger, Jim fought harder and when the face of the beast had come closer finally being revealed in the light, Jim's eyes instantly grew.
"Uh, you all saw that, right?" Eli muttered, gaping at the screen.
"Was that Jim as a beast?" Mary asked, everyone looking at Jim.
"I guess it is how you interpret it, either Jim is afraid to lose his kindness and humanity due to being surrounded by trolls, or that he will lose himself, not being the one he promised himself to be." Eli mentioned, turning to Jim who hadn't conjured up an answer to what his fear had been.
"Or becoming a troll," Darci shrugged.
Above them as a fight continued, his friends still waited beside the hole, watching as a chain lifted back up to the surface.
"He's gonna make it, he's gonna make it." Toby muttered, only to gasp as the chain had finally come to a halt, just the blunt end of the chain.
"Jim!" Cleared cried, leaning into Aaarrrgghh.
"Jimbo?"
"Master Jim is gone," Blinky said, breathless As he rested his stone hand on Toby's shoulder, the boy crying and not bothering to hide his feelings.
Jim grimaced, hearing the crowd suck in breaths. He dared not to look at his mother, but he knew that he had faith in himself to get out of there, even if it was dangerous. He looked at Claire who was trying to keep her hopes up that Jim will return but he knew that the fall was long, so the chances were not in their favor.
"You know what, I believe that I can do this, I can't give up now. I know I'm coming back, I just know it." Jim started, his friends giving him smiles.
"Jim, no." Claire mumbled, nothing but the sniffles of a team was heard. And from the depressing scene of losing the Trollhunter, Blinky has stepped through the golden office.
"Vendel, Vendel where are you?" He yelled out into the empty room, finding the staff playing about and picking it up with confusion.
Vendel sighed, he knew that he was soon to be discovered. His death was unfortunate, however, he should have seen the signs that Usurna had been the traitor. Yet, he wouldn't die in vain. He had caught on that his fist had been closed for the duration of their conversation.
"We're so sorry, Vendel." Jim started but the Elder held up a hand, seeming not to be upset.
"You are doing the right thing, she was bound to free him with or without your help. Of course, I am upset but there is nothing I can do. I am also glad that I said what I did before my death."
Blinky hadn't looked at the Elder troll, thinking about what Vendel said in the episode. He had made Vendel proud in his last moments and that made Blinky happy but now, the six-eyed troll knew the cost of what they discovered and dreaded the day to come.
That was until his eyes lifted from the staff to find a pile of rubble laying in front of him, "Vendel! No!" He dropped to his knees, throwing the staff to the side and picking up the feared head of Vendel, seeming to hug the pile of rocks.
"Not you too," The episode ended in such a depressing manner.
"Listen, after watching this, I realize there is never really a happy ending, so, I am used to the fact of my heart breaking every time. But this, THIS TOPS THE CAKE!"