And Then There Were Two
Jim? Jimbo?
Jim groaned as he blinked his eyes open. His vision was blurry at first, until they adjusted and he found himself back inside his house, laying on his living room couch. The pain was gone, but still felt a bit achy. Toby was sitting at the end of the couch, watching over him.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Toby sighed in relief. "I thought you were dying for a second there."
"Tobes…" Jim groaned as he slowly sat himself up. "What happened?"
"Well, I heard you screaming my name in your backyard, like you needed my help. You sounded like you were in a lot of pain, man."
Jim sighed. "Boy, that was wild."
"Wild? Dude, that was crazy-town-banana-pants! What happened?"
"I… I don't know. How long was I out?"
"Uh, pretty much all night. I barely even slept, I was so worried. Not to mention I found this with you." Toby held up Jim's reforged amulet.
Jim's eyes widened as he snatched the amulet and inspected it. This amulet shouldn't even exist, yet here it was; like it traveled back in time along with him. He flipped it over and opened its compartments. Sure enough, the stone from Excalibur was still inside, but the time stone from the Krohnisfere was gone.
Like he even needed to use that thing again.
Toby's phone rang a notification as he checked his schedule. "Oh, man! I'm gonna be late for my appointment, but I-"
"Tobes," Jim said, placing his hand on his shoulder. "I'm fine. I have to get to rehearsal, and your appointment will last eight hours. We'll talk about it tonight, okay. Promise. I'm okay now."
Toby stared at him with worry, eyes he always used when he doesn't quite believe it, but trusted him partially. "...Are you, Jim?"
Jim didn't answer.
With a warm smile, he patted his best friend on the shoulder and stood up as he grabbed his favorite satchel book bag.
At Arcadia Oaks High during rehearsals…
"-As glorious to this night, being o'er my head." Jim recited his lines by memory. "As is a winged messenger of heaven. Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes of mortals that fall back to gaze on him. When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds, and sails upon the bosom of the air."
"O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou, Romeo?" Claire said. Jim felt his heart racing as his future girlfriend acted her character, just as he remembered. "Deny thy father and refuse thy name. Or, if thou wilt not, be sworn, my love."
"Wonderful!" Miss Janeth applauded. "Now remember, Juliet, 'deny' and 'refuse'. Romeo can't deny it, but he can't not be a Montague. Which means that Juliet…"
"And I'll no longer be a Capulet."
"Exactly!"
"Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?" Jim finished as he took Claire's hands.
Claire gasped when she witnessed… something, like a memory:
"If thou wilt not be sworn, my love." Miss Janeth's voice said.
"Right. No, I-I got it. Love, deny, refuse. I'm on it." Jim said.
"I know we don't know each other all that well, but we're gonna be spending a lot of time together." Claire's voice said.
Claire backed up a little and released Jim's hands, taken aback.
"Are you okay?" Jim asked in concern.
"Uh…" Claire stuttered. "Yeah, just… got a little migraine. That's all." She smiled again. "That was remarkable, Jim. It's like you know everything by heart."
Jim chuckled. "Yeah, you could say I've grown fond of the play."
"Alright, let's call it a night." Miss Janeth announced. "Bravo, you two."
As the drama teacher and the other participants of the play dispersed in the auditorium, Jim was about to get off the stage, until he noticed Eli Pepperjack struggling with something backstage.
"Everything alright back there, Eli?" Jim asked.
"Yeah," Eli replied, straining as he tried to pull. "I'm just… having trouble… readjusting this rope to a scenery-" Something snapped as it lifted the boy off his feet. "BAG!"
The rope holding a scenery bag dropped… right above Jim. He glanced up and gasped when he saw the large, heavy bag hurtling towards him. He flinched and instinctively held his hands up, bracing himself.
But it never crashed on top of him.
Jim peeked through his eyes… and gasped. His hands protruded a mysterious blue aura, and the scenery bag hovered above him. Transfixed, he slowly stepped aside and relaxed himself, allowing the bag to drop in front of him as the aura displatted. Jim stared down at his hands, flexing his fingers and flipping them over.
"Whaaaaaaaa…?!" Jim glanced over and found Toby standing there, apparently seeing the whole thing.
"Uh, hello." Jim looked up, finding Eli dangling in the ceiling upside down with his leg caught in the rope. "A little help, please?"
"What the heck was that?" Toby exclaimed to Jim.
They were both at Toby's house in the kitchen. Toby just couldn't stop blabbering about the amulet he found in the canals, plus the one Jim had apparently, and the little telekinetic stunt he pulled in the theater.
"You're asking me?" Jim freaked out, pacing back and forth. "I didn't even know that was me back there. The glass, the mirror, the amulet coming out of my body-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down, Jimbo. What about an amulet… coming out of your body? You mean you didn't find it?"
Jim leaned against the counter, rubbing his head. "I don't know. It's just… something weird is going on, and I don't know why."
Toby looked more worried, but his chipper attitude came back in an instant. "Speaking of totally weird things, I think I know just the thing to clear your mind… by blowing your mind. Check this out." He pulled out his amulet and showed it to Jim. "For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command!"
The amulet shone bright blue light as Jim flinched. Toby rose into the air and, as Jim watched with a proud smile, silver armor appeared and attached itself to his body. He slammed onto the ground as Jim held a hand out and caught a cookie.
"Awesome sauce!" Toby yelled before he posed. "How do I look?"
Jim chuckled. "After everything that's happened, that doesn't surprise me. I'll admit, it looks good on you, but… I think copper would be more your color."
Toby considered for a moment. "Huh, I'll have to consider that. So, anyway, I've been thinking. We should use these new powers for the benefit of all mankind! We have to use these… to kick Steve's butt!"
Jim stared at him.
"Really?" Jim asked in disappointment again. "You show me a suit of armor that can only be magic, and I somehow can move things with my mind, and that's how you still respond?"
"Seriously. It's butt-kicking time!" Toby started striking poses.
Jim rolled his eyes, Well, there's still some that are the same. I'm also gonna guess this is when Blinky and Aaarrrgghh barge in.
Right on cue, there was a knock on the back door. Jim found Blinky waving at Toby through the window. To keep in character, Jim tried to pretend he'd never seen him as he faked a gasp and leaped away from the counter.
"AH! Whoa! Wha- What is that thing?!" Jim said in fake fear.
Blinky barged through the door. "Hahaha, Tobias!" He laughed.
Jim stepped back toward the stairs. "As if this day couldn't get any weirder!" Just then, Aaarrrgghh tried to squeeze through, Jim crouched down and covered himself with his arm… to hide his smile.
"I knew it was but a matter of time before the amulet called to us." Blinky told Toby.
"Called to you?" Toby wondered in awe.
"Actually… no. We've been spying on you."
"Spy on you." Aaarrrgghh repeated with a laugh before he tried to squeeze through again.
"Well, keeping a close watch."
Aaarrrgghh finally managed to get through the door as he fell in, causing a small shake. "Door small."
"Okay," Jim said, trying to sound terrified. "If you're here to eat us, I really taste bad."
"You told your skinny legged friend about us?" Blinky asked Toby.
That offended Jim. "Hey!"
"What?" Toby said with a shrug. "He's my best friend."
"Toby D., we trolls have gone to great lengths to keep our existence secret from your kind, 'less there be panic." Blinky explained.
Jim was saddened that Blinky didn't recognize him, and he certainly didn't try to hide that from his face. Hopefully, with time, he can bond with him again in another way. He noticed that Aaarrrgghh was trying to sniff him… but he suddenly snorted, like he smelt something off about Jim. The big guy squinted his eyes at Jim, who tried to remain natural.
"Uh… what?" Jim asked. Aaarrrgghh suddenly picked up Jim by his legs. "Ah! Whoa! Okay!"
"Whoa, okay there, big guy!" Toby said. "Let's not get him too physical here."
Aaarrrgghh sniffed Jim's backpocket, to the latter's chagrin, and used his two giant fingers to pull out the reforged amulet from Jim's pants.
"Mmm… amulet." Aaarrrgghh grumbled, showing Jim's amulet to his friend.
"Another amulet?" Blinky asked before he scoffed. "Preposterous! There is but one amulet." He gestured to Toby.
"Oh, that's actually a funny story," Toby said.
"Toby!" Jim hissed before he glanced nervously at Aaarrrgghh.
"My friend here summoned magical armor, too! And that's not all, he can make things fly with his mind! I've seen it! He has superpowers!"
Blinky stared at him, blinking his six eyes before he turned them all towards Jim, still dangling upside down. "Hmm… interesting. What is your name, skinny one?"
"Jim. Jim Lake Jr. But… you can call me 'Master Jim' if you want." He replied before he turned to Aaarrrgghh. "Uh, can you please put me down now?"
"Oh." Aaarrrgghh said before he flipped Jim rightside up and put him down, patting his head.
"Thank you."
"Now then," Blinky said. "If what Tobias said is true, perhaps you could show us, Master Jim?"
Jim hesitated as he glanced at all of them, who were waiting. He didn't want to still be the Trollhunter; at least guide Toby to become one until… the end of the summer. This wasn't what was supposed to happen, there was only supposed to be one Trollhunter, not two. One of the reasons he allowed Toby to find the amulet was so he could be free of his responsibilities.
Then again, it would be wise to lie and tell the truth whenever needed to remain inconspicuous. Instead of them thinking there's two Trollhunters, maybe he just gained a random magic amulet, just similar to Merlin's amulet; it shouldn't mean he was the chosen one, too. This was going to be complicated, but still, as long as he's allowed to not have it interfere with his life.
Besides, Toby did have responsibilities in the old timeline before, just not as important as the ones he had. He just had to stay by Toby's side and be his moral support.
Jim took the still-existing reforged amulet from Aaarrrgghh and read the incantation inscripted on it. He didn't have to say it out loud; he learned how to activate the amulet with his thoughts. He couldn't exactly give it away just yet. Jim cleared his head and his amulet began to glow. Like with Toby, he rose into the air as his own armor embedded itself onto him.
Blinky gasped in disbelief while Aaarrrgghh stared in wonder. Toby just smiled proudly.
The six-eyed troll glanced between the two boys, armored with their own respective amulets. "Extraordinary." He mused.
"Uh, with all due respect, uh…" Jim trailed off, remembering at the last minute that he shouldn't even know their names.
"I am known as Blinky," Blinky introduced before gesturing to Aaarrrgghh. "And this is my companion, Aaarrrgghh."
"Three R's." Aaarrrgghh added, like before.
"Right," Jim said. "I never found this amulet, it… kinda came out of… my body."
Which is still weird beyond belief, Jim thought.
"And Tobias here claims that you can, quote: 'Move things with your mind'?" Blinky insisted, not suspicious in the least; just curious and… hopeful.
Jim looked down. "Uh…"
"Go on, Jimbo," Toby encouraged. "Show them!"
That was the one thing he admired about Toby Domzalski: he didn't look jealous in any way, or felt less special. He assumed Toby felt like they both shared the same specialness, and he doesn't feel as alone as he did. He just seemed so happy to share this specialness they both discovered together.
"I-I…" Jim stuttered. "I don't know how. I mean, I don't really understand what's happening to me, but… you're not here to kill us, are you?"
"Hardly," Blinky said before he gestured to Toby. "Your friend is the Trollhunter, his noble obligation is protective."
"Like protecting?" Toby asked before he tried to piece what he said together. "You mean like a superhero?"
Blinky laughed kindly. "Actually, more like a champion."
"Oh… Wait, what exactly am I protecting?"
"Us." Aaarrrgghh answered.
"And mankind from bad trolls. As well as goblins, gruesomes, and the occasional rogue gnome."
Toby stared at him, interested.
"The mantle of Trollhunter is a sacred responsibility," Blinky continued. "One which has never been passed to a human before. This is a momentous occasion." He gave Toby a toothy grin.
"Whaaaaaaaaa?!" Toby said breathlessly.
Jim chuckled as he placed his hands on his hips, until he noticed that his friend was about to faint. Jim quickly caught him and heaved him back up.
"Whoa there, Tobes!" Jim said before he softly slapped Toby's cheeks several times. "Don't faint on me, man!"
Toby blinked his eyes, trying to shake off the vertigo. "I-I'm okay! I'm okay! Just too much excitement! I mean, dude! I'm the Trollhunter, and you… you have magic armor, like me, plus superpowers! This is just so… so…"
"Awesome sauce?" Jim offered.
"The awesomest sauce!" The amulet on Toby's breastplate glowed, responding to his joy. "Whoa, what's this now?"
"The amulet reacts to your emotional state," Blinky explained. "You do appear to be in a state of joy."
"What was your first clue?" Jim asked rhetorically.
Jim had almost forgotten just how amazed Toby was when he himself was chosen. While he was more in distress, Toby was just an energy ball of enthusiasm and adventure.
"I have another question." Toby said.
"Speak, Tobias." Blinky granted.
"If I'm the first human Trollhunter, like you said, then who or what was the Trollhunter before me."
"The glorious mantle has been passed from troll to troll for hundreds of years."
"I think what he meant was, what happened to the one before him." Jim clarified, despite knowing what the answer was.
Blinky and Aaarrrgghh's faces turned sad and mournful.
"Was felled." Aaarrrgghh answered.
"Um… felled?" Toby repeated somewhat nervously.
"Means killed."
"Turned to stone and smashed." Blinky added. "Kanjigar the Courageous was his name, who was brutally slain by a ruthless troll named Bular."
Toby gulped, until he tried to compose himself. "Uh, well, if this Bular guy just got lucky, I guess we're good."
"The evidence does not suggest that. Bular is a formidable opponent."
"Then this Kanjigar guy… he was just not having one of those days, right?"
"Doubtful. Kanjigar was perhaps the most alert and able of all the Trollhunters."
"But not… the best, I'm guessing."
"Oh, the very best!... Many songs and sagas have been written about him."
Jim noticed how green Toby's face was turning, no longer excited, but rather fearful. Now, that was a reaction Jim was all too familiar with. He quickly placed a comforting hand on his friend's armored shoulder.
"Okay, don't panic, Tobes," Jim said gently. "Maybe all you need is some training and you'll be fine from there."
"Master Jim is correct, Toby D." Blinky reassured him. "We would never expect you to engage in battle without the proper training. Not at all."
"Awesome sauce!" Toby said, happy again. "Now, how long does the training normally take?"
"Oh…" Blinky counted all sixteen of his fingers. "Decades."
Toby's smile disappeared again. "And… how long do I have?"
Blinky visibly cringed. "...A day or two." Aaarrrgghh made a 'so-so' gesture, just like before.
Everyone was silent for about a minute.
"...Hey, Jim," Toby said after a heavy swallow. "Do me a favor… don't catch me." He leaned back and fell onto the floor, unconscious.
Jim flinched when he heard his armor thud against the floor. He looked down at his friend before he glanced up at the trolls and chuckled.
"Aaarrrgghh, keep an eye on our Trollhunter," Blinky told him before he turned to Jim, looking solemn. "You, we must speak alone."
"Uh, sure, Blink." Jim agreed peacefully as they exited the kitchen.
While Aaarrrgghh watched over Toby until he woke up, Jim led Blinky into the living room, where he sat down on the couch. He looked down, waiting for his soon-to-be mentor to speak up.
"Master Jim," Blinky began, making Jim look up at his six eyes. "Tobias here claims that you could… move things with your mind, and this mysterious amulet you now wear on your chest somehow came into existence from your very being."
Jim glanced down at the reforged amulet on his breastplate. It still bothered him that this trinket wasn't supposed to exist up at this point. Maybe, it somehow hid itself inside of his body while he made the time jump. But what unnerved him the most… were these weird powers he seemed to possess now.
"Yeah… I don't know how exactly this amulet came from me," Jim admitted, but half-lying all the same. "And about the whole 'move things with my mind' part… I don't know how I did. It just… happens, mostly whenever I'm in danger."
Blinky rubbed his chin, interested. "Hmm… Perhaps you can try and show me as proof."
"Well… I'll try." Jim stood up and looked around to find a perfect object to test on.
Jim settled on the coffee table in front of him. He closed his eyes, held his hand out, and concentrated. Blinky watched the boy straining to make his magic work as he glanced at the table, expecting something to happen… but nothing did.
Jim released his breath he was holding back and failed. "I told you," He said miserably. "I can't control it."
"Hmm… well, perhaps you should-" Blinky said, until he was interrupted.
"Hey, guys," Toby moaned as he walked into the living room, followed by Aaarrrgghh. "Did I miss anything?"
"Nope. You're good." Jim assured him.
"So, Tobias, are you ready?" Blinky asked. "We should begin your training immediately."
Toby yawned. "Honestly, it's been a really long day. Plus, I need some time to process all of this, you know. You laid a lot of heavy stuff on me tonight."
Blinky thought of this and finally considered his reasons. "Fine, fine. We shall return tomorrow then, to begin your training."
Toby gave him a thumbs up. "Awesome sauce!"
While Aaarrrgghh tried to squeeze through the backdoor, Jim and Toby talked with each other as they leaned against the walls across each other, staring at their amulets. Toby looked up and noticed Jim lost in his thoughts.
"Hey, Jim, you holding up?" Toby asked.
"Sort of," Jim mumbled. "It's just…" He breathed through his nose and exhaled. "You just seem so… excited. About being the Trollhunter and protecting humans and trolls."
"Of course I am. I always love a good adventure and exploring the unknown. Plus… I have you to tag along." Jim looked up, touched by Toby's vaguely familiar words. "I mean, you have magic now! How awesome is that?"
"I'll admit, it's pretty cool, but I doubt the trolls teach magic lessons. I'm worried if I lose control like the last time-"
"Hey, we promised never to give up on each other."
I never gave up on you, Jim.
Toby's voice from his memories came back in full force, one of his last words he said before he died from his wounds.
Jim's breath hitched as he clutched his amulet close to him.
"You alright?" Toby asked.
"Yeah, I'm just…" Jim trailed off. "I'm scared, Tobes. For you, myself… this power. Why me? I never asked for magic of my own. I just want you to feel special, man."
Toby stared at him, just before he grinned and gave him a playful punch.
"Boys, if I may…" Blinky said as he approached the boys. "Destiny is a gift. Some go their entire lives living existences of quiet desperation, never learning the truth that what feels as though a burden pushing down upon our shoulders is actually a sense of purpose that lifts us to greater heights. Never forget that fear is but the precursor to valor, that to strive and triumph in the face of fear is what it means to be a hero."
Jim smiled as his mentor repeated his hero's speech while Toby smiled, completely inspired.
"Don't think. Become." Blinky finished.
Jim nodded as he stuffed his amulet into his pocket and… gave Blinky a big hug. The six-eyed troll was surprised at first by this sudden sign of affection, until he returned it, looking slightly confused.
The next day at school, Toby struggled to open his locker as he strained as hard as he could. Jim arrived and saw his friend struggling with his locker door again.
"Having some trouble again, o' mighty Trollhunter?" Jim joked.
"These things are like bear traps." Jim rolled his eyes and punched his friends' locker door, opening it with no problem. "Whoa, did you use magic?"
"No, it just needed a crispy knock."
Toby stared at him after grabbing his textbooks. "Crispy? Huh, that's new."
"Yeah, not really." Jim opened his own locker to grab his stuff for class and closed it again. "How're you holding up?"
"I'm fine, why do you ask?"
"Tobes, you just found out trolls exist and were chosen to protect them and mankind from a ruthless troll named Bular. I honestly thought you'd be more… distressed?"
"Oh, I'm distressed, Jimbo. But I wanna think about the pros right now. I mean, dude…" He glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. Thank goodness Toby was self-aware, too. "We both have magical amulets that make awesome suits of armor, not to mention you have magical powers."
As the two spoke, they walked through the foyer together. "I still barely know how to control them. I mean, if I could cause my entire backyard to become a mess from just being in pain, I don't even wanna think about what'll happen if that happens to me again."
"Well, maybe Blinky and Aaarrrgghh could give you some pointers while we train."
"We?"
Toby suddenly grabbed Jim's arm and dragged him into the boy's locker room. Once they were alone, Toby looked Jim straight in the eye, now serious.
"I'll be up front with you… I know you saw the amulet in the canal because you led me there. You told me there were raccoons in my basement, yet I found Blinky and Aaarrrgghh, like you knew they were gonna be there; I know you were faking freaking out when you first met them. And then, after you got your armor, you said, 'This wasn't supposed to happen'." Jim stared at him with wide eyes. "I can put one-on-one together, Jimbo. The thing I don't understand is… why?"
Jim stared at him, until he looked down and sat on one of the benches.
"Tobes…" Jim began. "Would you believe me if I told you? I really need to talk to someone I trust with my life."
"Sure, Jimbo," Toby assured him as he sat across from him. "After everything going on, nothing feels crazy to me now."
Jim smiled a little, before he took a deep breath. "Tobes… I came from the future." He risked a look at Toby, whose eyes widened a little. "I went back in time to set everything right. And… I was the first human Trollhunter… at least, from the original timeline."
"If that's true, then… Why did you let me find the amulet?"
Toby wasn't at all angry that his friend knew about the amulet, the trolls, and that he wasn't the original human Trollhunter; he just seemed curious. In retrospect, he'd been more worried for Jim's well-being, and he wanted him to at least talk to someone.
Jim sighed. "Because… because you were always a hero, way before you – or even I – found that amulet together. All you've done was prove that to me again and again." He looked down, ashamed. "Please don't be angry, Toby. I know that I-"
"Jim, I'm not angry with you," Toby said with total honesty. "Well, I'm a little disappointed that you knew all along about the amulet and the trolls, and sort of lied. But whatever reason you went back in time for, you clearly didn't do it just for your own benefit." He smiled warmly. "I'm just glad that I'm not alone on this, because I have you."
Tears began to build up in Jim's eyes as he tried to hold back a cry. He was so thankful to have not only Toby's full support, but the fact that he believed him. Now, he was going to be Toby's moral support in both of their new double lives. At least he can protect Toby from the pain he felt during his time as the Trollhunter, maybe even train him in proper swordsmanship later.
The two best friends gave each other a huge embrace as Jim exhaled in relief.
"Thank you, Tobes," Jim croaked.
"No, thank you, Jim. For everything."
As Jim shifted his hand, Toby felt a tingling sensation – most likely Jim's magic, but something suddenly flooded into his mind. A sort of flashback:
"You said you wanted adventure and something more. Did that amulet help you find it?" Toby asked.
"No." Jim answered.
"No?"
"You did."
Just like that, the flashback in his mind stopped. Toby blinked a few times. He figured it was probably one of Jim's memories from the future. But if his friend was, indeed, aware of future events to come, he shouldn't talk about it. Deep down, he hoped Jim knew what he was doing.
Toby released him and smiled. "I knew you needed me. And your mom, does she know?"
Jim pulled out his amulet. "Not yet. I'm gonna talk to her about it tonight after rehearsal. Tobes-"
Toby quickly placed his hands on top of Jim's amulet to silence him. "Whoa, whoa, let's be real about what we're dealing with! I believe you and all, but don't tell me everything. The less I know, the better. You know what's gonna happen, but are you prepared?"
Jim considered his point before he glanced around to make sure no one was listening in. "Well, as far as I know, Bular probably doesn't know who you are. So, for now, we have the advantage. And maybe you should stay at school with me this evening; you don't know how to fight yet, but I do."
Toby nodded. "Got it."
Jim sighed. "And Tobes… you were right about you knowing less. I'm not the only Trollhunter anymore, but this is your adventure now, I already had mine. Whatever you choose to do, I'm there for you."
Toby smiled.
As they boys left the locker room and entered the hallway, they suddenly ran into Mr. Strickler.
"Ah, Jim," Mr. Strickler greeted his students. "I hope my presence hasn't been making things awkward."
"Awkward?" Jim asked. "No, no. I introduced you to my mom, so I'm not complaining. Is… there something you need or…"
"Oh, no. I came by to tell you that I won't make it to dinner tonight."
Jim's smiled dropped as he immediately realized why Mr. Strickler said he couldn't make it. As he knew beforehand, Strickler was still working for Gunmar at this point, but he couldn't bare to give himself away and warn him yet. He doubted he'd believe him, just as Toby had, but if he could prove it…
Not now. Keep the course on track.
"Okay," Jim said, trying to cover his facade with his acquired acting skills. "Thanks for letting me know." Toby glanced between his friend and their teacher, until he nodded with understanding and amusement before Jim turned to him. "Come on, Tobes."
As they walked past their teacher, Toby gave Strickler a sort of 'good-luck' look before he turned around… with his unzipped backpack revealing the glowing Trollhunter Amulet inside. Strickler's eyes widened in deep surprise as the boys disappeared behind a corner.
Tobias Domzalski… the Trollhunter?, Strickler thought with dread.
That evening, the participants for Romeo and Juliet dispersed for the night after a couple hours of rehearsal.
"Well done, everyone!" Miss Janeth said. "We pick up tomorrow after school."
Jim and Toby were the last ones out as the latter yawned in exhaustion.
"Oh man, I'm beat, and I didn't even do anything." Toby said, stretching his arms.
The duo approached the bike rack and unlocked their bikes. "At least I gave you time to finish your homework. Be my guest if you don't want to listen to my advice earlier." Jim joked.
"Hey!"
Jim chuckled as they rode through the foyer and towards the street. He noticed not only the sun setting, but also the fact that they're in the middle of town; the exact same place where they first encountered a certain troll he didn't want to meet again.
Toby noticed Jim looking edgy again. "Jim, what's wrong?"
"Toby," Jim said seriously as they stopped. "We have to be fast before nightfall comes."
"What? What is it?"
"Come on," Jim rode to the right as Toby followed him.
From the shadows, an evil troll peeked through the corner and watched the human boys avoid the street he was waiting for them. He snorted in frustration.
Jim looked around, trying to look as calm as possible and keeping Toby close to him. He suddenly got this… feeling, in the pit of his stomach. He got flashes in his mind, like he just looked through someone else's eyes. He heard a very familiar snort from nearby, and his worst fear came true:
Bular, the son of Gunmar, was following them. He knew who Toby was. He really hoped he wouldn't have to see the ugly guy's face again. Then again, he never expected himself having to travel back in time to when Bular was still alive.
"Toby, faster!" Jim said nervously as he picked up speed.
"You're making me nervous, man!" Toby whimpered as he followed.
Jim glanced to the side and found Bular's silhouette figure from the other side of the buildings. "He's following us!"
"Who's following us?!"
"GO! GO! GO!" The boys pedaled as fast as they could, just as they heard a vicious roar nearby, which made Toby scream.
With determination, Jim led Toby through town, trying to avoid the Gumm-Gumm prince as much as he could. However, Bular himself crashed right in front of them, causing them to screech to a halt.
"Trollhunter, Merlin's creation," Bular sneered. "Gunmar's bane! Surrender the amulet, and I will give you a speedy death."
"Doesn't know how to negotiate, this guy!" Toby freaked.
"COME ON!" Jim exclaimed as they pedaled down another street. "We have to find Blinky and Aaarrrgghh!"
"Good idea! In the meantime, let's not die!"
"No one is dying today! Down Delancy!"
The duo turned down another street as they narrowly avoided a flying truck.
"I'll flay the flesh from your bones!" Bular roared, running down the road next to them.
"I like my bones the way they are, thanks!" Toby exclaimed. Bular leaped over the divide and in front of the boys, just as they dodged his sharp claws.
"Behind Stuart Electronics!" Jim advised.
"You know I can't fit there!"
"You can fit! You've done it before!"
As Jim rode between a narrow gap with ease, Toby squeezed through it while evading Bular's claws. Once he managed to get through, the boys rode down the street as the evening turned to night. They stop to catch their breath.
"Look at me," Toby panted. "Look at me… we're not dead, right?"
"Nope. We're fine."
"Also, who was that back there?!"
"That was Bular, the ruthless troll guy Blinky mentioned."
"...Oh."
Speaking of which, Blinky happened to appear alongside Aaarrrgghh, holding two bushes.
"Well done, lads!" Blinky cheered with his usual triumph. "I knew you had potential."
"You have a sweet voice… but you bring death with you!" Toby growled.
Jim turned to the trolls, urgent. "We have to get out of here before Bular finds us."
However, Bular appeared at that moment, scrapping the road and snarling at his enemies.
"Follow me!" Blinky exclaimed as they ran/rode for their lives. "We'll be safe in Heartstone Trollmarket!"
During the chase, Jim looked back at his old enemy, Bular, who – just like before – knocked the telephone poles over, causing several more to fall down.
"Aaarrrgghh!" Jim called, just before his bike tipped over the wooden pole. Luckily, Aaarrrgghh caught him in the air as he rode on his giant friend's back.
"Tobias, don your armor!" Blinky advised.
"It really isn't the best time!" Toby exclaimed.
"Focus, Toby!" Jim said from Aaarrrgghh's back. "Clear your mind and incant."
"Okay!"
The group finally reached the canals. Blinky rolled down the slope while Aaarrrgghh slid down with Jim. Toby remained on top as he dropped his bike and pulled out the Trollhunter Amulet from his pocket. He glanced back and saw Bular charging through the trees.
"For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command!" Toby recited as he held the amulet up and it glowed blue.
Just as Bular tried to strike a punch right at Toby's chest, a piece of his breastplate appeared and protected him. Jim watched as the force of the impact sent his best friend flying as more pieces of armor attached themselves onto him. As he landed on the concrete, he rolled backwards awkwardly and landed on his back.
Surprisingly, Toby laughed that he was not dead as he sat up. "Awesome sauce!" He cheered as he raised his hand up, summoning the Sword of Daylight. However, his smile immediately dropped when he noticed Bular at the top, roaring towards him. "Uh oh."
"Tobes, RUN!" Jim cried.
Toby scrambled to his feet and jogged towards his friends, trying to out pace the son of Gunmar, but wheezed from the weight of the armor. Bular lept in front of Toby, causing him to screech to a halt.
"Use your sword, Tobias!" Blinky said.
"I'll drink your blood out of a goblet made of your skull!" Bular spat at Toby.
"Block as soon as he strikes, Tobes!" Jim advised.
Toby glanced at his sword before he narrowed his eyes and grasped his weapon's hilt, heeding his experienced friend's words. Bular growled and charged at the Trollhunter, who charged up his sword with daylight and shouted as he blocked Bular's hit, just as Jim had told him. He unleashed a wave of light that sent the two skidding backwards a few feet away from each other.
"We must work quickly," Blinky said. "Open the portal." He pulled out the Horngazel from one of his satchels and threw it to Aaarrrgghh, who carved an arch on the wall and punched it. The concrete crumbled and glowed blue as the entrance to Trollmarket opened.
"Tobes, hang on!" Jim exclaimed.
Toby didn't respond as he tried to swing his sword, only to get tossed onto the ground and lost his sword. Toby yelped as he tried to crawl away and shivered a little, intimidated by this evil troll. Jim jumped onto Bular's back, catching his attention. He snarled as he spun around, making Jim scream, until he finally grabbed the skinny boy and threw him away. Jim grunted and rolled across the rough concrete.
"Jim!" Toby shouted worriedly, until Bular snarled back at him. "Okay, maybe we can talk this out!"
Bular drew his twin swords. "You are not fit to wield the amulet," He sneered. "I'll tear the armor off you, along with your skin!"
Jim weakly lifted his head up and his eyes widened as Bular lifted one of his swords up, intending to kill his best friend. Toby braced himself, Jim rose to his feet, and as Bular was about to bring his sword down…
"NOOOOOO!"
With Bular's back turned to him, Jim thrusted his hands forward from pure instinct. A powerful force knocked the son of Gunmar off his feet as he shouted in surprise. He tumbled across the canal and grunted many hits, until he skidded to a stop.
Blinky gasped when he witnessed this. It is true!
Toby stared at Bular several feet away before he glanced back at his best friend, shocked and amazed. Jim breathed heavily as he opened his eyes and noticed that he was holding his hands out in front of him. He looked at his hands in disbelief.
Up ahead, Bular tried to shake off his disorientation.
"Masters, we must leave at once!" Blinky shouted urgently.
"Come on, come on!" Toby said as he dragged a distracted Jim by his arm. "Let's go, Jim!"
Once Bular recovered, he roared and galloped after the human boys running for their lives. Blinky and Aaarrrgghh ushered the boys into the portal, just before it closed behind them. Bular punched the concrete wall in an attempt to break in and kill the fleshbags, but to no avail.
Jim and Toby tried to catch their breaths and Toby's armor disappeared.
"Holy- Oh, my- Did you see that?!" Toby exclaimed, freaked out again. "That thing chased us all over town, nearly slashed our heads off, and then he got blasted away!"
Blinky grabbed Jim's shoulders, looking serious. "Where did you learn that?" He demanded.
"What?" Jim wondered.
"What you've done back there, to Bular! You've tried to show me in Tobias' house, but I had my doubts… and now I saw it with my own six eyes! You used magic!"
Jim stared at him.
"If Bular ever found out that was you-"
"Well, he doesn't," Toby said in Jim's defense, until he paused with uncertainty. "Right?"
Blinky tried to calm himself down. "No, no, now's not the time to worry. We are now in safe haven." He smiled at the two boys. "This way, masters, this way."
Blinky led his new pupils to the blue crystal staircase. While Toby was amazed by this, Jim was all too familiar with it as he followed his mentor with Aaarrrgghh behind them.
"Whoa!" Toby said, admiring the glowing crystals as they climbed down. "Are you sure we're safe in here?"
"Indeed." Blinky confirmed. "The incantation forbids entry to Heartstone Trollmarket by Gumm-Gumms, such as Bular. They are the most fearsome of trolls."
"Gumm-Gumms?"
"Scary ones." Aaarrrgghh stated.
Toby caught up with Blinky. "So… you mean Bular can't get in here?"
"No, Tobias." Blinky said as he turned Toby around.
Toby's jaw dropped.
"This is the world you are bound to protect; this is Heartstone Trollmarket!"
Jim smiled upon seeing the underground metropolis restored to its former glory.
A/N: I'm glad how much you guys are enjoying this. I'll admit, making chapters similar but different to the original episodes are kinda of hard to me. If there's anything that sounds off, I'll be more than happy to edit it and/or add it to upcoming chapters.
A couple notes:
- I won't be doing 3Below (Part One) since it takes place during Part Three. I find it less essential and unnecessary with the new timeline. However, I do have plans for 3Below (Part Two) as a certain "breather" for Jim's knowledge of the future (if you catch what I'm saying).
- Soon, Jim will talk to and recruit a certain ally into the team with Toby and himself as the Trollhunters (not Claire yet; Jim is hyper-aware to the fact that he shouldn't rush Claire into his life until... he'll know). This "ally" may be someone you will or won't expect...
- I know Toby discovering that Jim knows the future and was the original first human Trollhunter was rushed, but this is Toby we're talking about. He knows Jim like the back of his mind, and Jim is done keeping secrets from his friends, especially ones he'll meet in the future.
Anyway, thanks again for following this story and sending positive reviews. It really makes my day that I could keep your love for the franchise alive. Updates will come up dependent on my progress.