Wherefore Art Thou, Trollhunters?

Jim gazed upon the underground metropolis, just as he remembered it when he first laid eyes on it. Toby was as mystified as ever, having never seen it yet.

"...Was it this beautiful the last time you saw it?" Toby asked quietly.

"Yep." Jim answered casually.

"You know what this place is?"

"I'm pretty sure this is where the trolls live."

"Indeed, Master Jim," Blinky confirmed as the four stepped down the steps, into the plaza. "Trollmarket is home and hearth and sanctuary for all good trolls. Come, my friends, there's much to see."

Jim chuckled quietly. "Like I don't know my way around this place already." He muttered to Toby.

"And here I thought underneath our town was dirt and plumbing."

As Blinky and Aaarrrgghh escorted the boys through Trollmarket, Toby took out his phone to snap some pictures. Meanwhile, Jim could not help but smile in relief and joy as he looked around, happy that it was once again the exuberant troll hub of activity he was chosen to protect himself. However, when he failed to keep Gunmar from escaping the Darklands, he took over the good trolls' safe haven, forcing them to hide out in Arcadia. Hopefully, he could prevent that from happening as well, or at least… if he does take Trollmarket again, he could prevent the Eternal Night.

"Human?" A nearby troll said.

"Friends." Aaarrrgghh clarified.

Jim nearly forgot that the trolls were not exactly welcoming to him before. It took a while, but Toby will prove himself a worthy champion, just as he proved himself before when they both faced Bellroc and her fire titan.

His train of thoughts stopped when he noticed a tiny gnome staring up at him, like before. After getting to know Chompsky, Toby's future gnome companion they adopted, he knew how to work things out with the little people now without them acting like vermin.

"Oh, hey, little guy. You look little hungry." Jim said before he dug through his pocket, finding a Nougat Nummy. "Hey, have some Nougat Nummy."

He tossed the candy bar to the gnome, who caught it in his tiny hands. He examined it with brightness in its dotted eyes before he devoured it like a shedder. Satisfied, the gnome took off without causing any problems.

"Interesting," Blinky said with even more interest. "It didn't even try to attack you."

"From my experience, I can read creatures' feelings, Blink," Jim explained. "You know, there's more than treating them like the enemy. Sometimes, it's nice to just treat them with respect once in a while."

"Wise words from a boy your age."

"I'm eighteen. I had to grow up fast."

"Um… Jim," Toby cut in, looking perplexed. "You're fifteen."

Jim's eyes widened. Oh.

He glanced up at Blinky and grinned sheepishly.

Toby suddenly noticed the massive orange crystal in the middle of Trollmarket. "Whoa! Jim, check it out!" He said, mostly to change the subject and still reeled in his own excitement. "Maximum coolsity there!"

Jim smiled up at the magnificent view of the Heartstone in its rightful place, shining bright with life-giving energy.

"Heartstone." Aaarrrgghh said.

"The life force of trollkind, the means that keeps us from crumbling to stone and a source of life and sustenance."

"Okay, now that's totally the bomb." Toby said to Jim.

"So I've heard." Jim said.

"What are humans doing here?" A nearby troll asked as the same group Jim encountered gathered around them.

"Fleshbag." Another said.

"Puny." The last exclaimed.

"I think we've attracted the paparazzi… again, apparently." Toby muttered to Jim, making him chuckle.

"Friends," Blinky announced as he was about to usher Toby forward. "There is no need to be afraid. He is the Trollhun-"

"What is this?!"

Jim's smile dropped when he immediately recognized that enraged voice he had not heard in a long time: Draal the Deadly, bursting through the crowd. He never thought he'd get to see his former swordsman teacher after he sacrificed himself in Merlin's Tomb to save him. Yet here he was… but was the same arrogant brute from the first time they met up at this point.

"I was just getting to that, Draal." Blinky said.

"Human feet have never sullied the ground of Trollmarket before." Draal growled as he approached Jim and Toby and examined them both up close. Jim placed his hands on Toby's shoulders and kept him close. "Who are these fleshbags?"

"Believe it or not, he is… um – How do I put this? – our new Trollhunter."

The trolls gasped in horror as the gnomes hid behind their stone legs.

"What?! Who?" Draal exploded.

"Uh…" Toby said speechless as he glanced up at Jim. "...Me."

"He can't be the Trollhunter! He's not a troll!" Draal yelled as he slammed his two stone fists to the ground, causing the boys to jump back towards Aaarrrgghh.

"Amulet chose." Aaarrrgghh said simply, making Draal snort in denial.

"Try to remain calm," Blinky implored. "Destiny is just-"

"Look," Jim interrupted. "I know this may seem weird to all of you, but the amulet chose my friend." He stood next to Toby and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Show them, Tobes."

Toby nodded and pulled out his amulet. "For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command." The amulet glowed and embedded him with the Trollhunter Armor as the trolls gasp. "Pretty awesome sauce, right?"

The gnomes scurried away for their lives.

"A human protecting us?" Bagdwella asked once again, just as another female troll passed out from processing all of this.

"Bushigal!" Draal cursed in Trollish. "I am Draal, son of Kanjigar and the amulet's rightful heir!"

Toby's jaw dropped. "Wha… But he's- and you're- W-w-WHAT?!" He stammered. "You're Kanjigar's son?"

Jim rolled his eyes and face-palmed himself.

"When my father fell, the honor should've passed to me!" Draal growled as he tried to rip the amulet out of Toby's breastplate, only to get blasted back by a powerful force which knocked Toby into Aaarrrgghh's meaty hands.

"Amulet chose." Aaarrrgghh repeated sternly.

"We'll see what Vendel has to say about this." Draal said after getting back up to his feet.

"Please feel free to fetch him," Blinky agreed. "In the meanwhile, there's Trollhunter business to be done. Draal, wonderful to see you as always."

"Later." Toby said nervously to Draal before he followed his friends.

As Jim predicted, Blinky was led them all to the Hero's Forge, the training/battle arena for Trollhunters. As Jim rubbed his hand against the smooth stones, reeling in the return of his old training grounds, Toby's armor suddenly disappeared as the amulet fell onto the ground.

"Whoa, what just happened?" Toby wondered as he leaned down and grabbed the amulet.

"The amulet turns off when you're out of danger." Jim explained.

Toby made an uncomfortable look as he wiggled his rear a little. "Also, those underarmors really ride up in awkward places, am I right?"

Jim pulled out his amulet, tossed it once, and slipped it back in. "You'll get used to it."

The group entered the giant arena of the Hero's Forge, where warriors train themselves for any battle.

"Whoa… what is this place?" Toby breathed in awe.

"This is… the Hero's Forge!" Blinky said as his voice echoed.

Jim looked over the edge of the walkway, seeing the Deep right below his feet, a place where no troll has ever survived. He frowned as he received bad memories when the Troll Tribunal – a group of so-called "courageous" troll leaders – exiled him down there, just for being wrongly accused of releasing Gunmar (ever since, Jim developed some distaste towards politics). Down at the Deep, he was forced to face his deepest fear: seeing himself as a monster with no humanity. Luckily, since he wasn't a troll at the time, Jim survived the experience, but it sure left him shakened-

"You okay, Jimbo?" Toby wondered.

"Uh, yeah, just… taking in the view." Jim said with a sigh before he continued onto the platform.

Jim still could not believe he was back in the Forge. Not exactly as the Trollhunter anymore, despite the fact that he still has his new amulet, but the point still stood. He knew the Forge wasn't exactly the safest place, but deep down, he missed training here with his friends. He gazed upon the statues of his – now also Toby's – predecessors, the Trollhunters.

"Whoa, wait a second," Toby said, staring at the statues, too. "Are these…"

"Trollhunters." Aaarrrgghh confirmed.

"Your predecessors, Tobias," Blinky added before he gestured to an empty podium. "This is the place of the final repose, for Kanjigar the Courageous. One day, there will be a statue of you here, Tobias." Toby glanced at him weirdly. "One day very far off in the future, of course."

"About that," Toby said. "There's just one thing I'm not getting."

"Just one?" Jim asked as he placed his hands by Kanjigar's empty podium, still taking in the familiar environment.

Toby pointed at Blinky and Aaarrrgghh. "You guys are trolls…" He gestured towards the statues. "And these guys before me were trolls. So, 'Trollhunter' sounds a little like you hunt yourselves, you know?"

"Hunt bad trolls," Aaarrrgghh clarified. "Gumm-Gumms."

Toby laughed at the name. "I still don't find that intimidating."

"In Trollspeak, 'Gumm-Gumm' means 'bringer of horrible, slow, painful, and thoroughly calculated death." Blinky explained.

Toby's smile dropped.

"But do not be too concerned, Tobias." Blinky assured him. "The Gumm-Gumms were exiled into the Darklands centuries ago. Only one roams free."

"And wants to kill you." Aaarrrgghh added.

"Wait… Bular is one of the unspeakably evil trolls?" Toby asked.

"Indeed," Blinky affirmed. "His father and the rest of them now remain exiled in the Darklands, but they have been trying to escape for centuries. I sense ill times are upon us. Hence the need for us to begin Tobias' training now. Step back please."

"Tobes, brace yourself." Jim said as they and Aaarrrgghh backed up a few inches.

"What?" Toby wondered.

Blinky pressed on the button. Swinging axes sprang out from the pendulums as everyone scattered out of the way. With his own personal experience and natural athleticism, Jim was able to evade the incoming death traps with incredible ease. Toby, while his agility was noticeably better than he originally was, was still – at this point – not familiar with the Forge's systematics and slowed down by his own body structure. He screamed as he narrowly missed blades rising from the floor until he managed to pin his back safely against the wall.

"Excellent reflexes, boys," Blinky commented.

"Well, I had a pretty decent mentor." Jim said directly to Blinky. He couldn't tell if he took the hint.

"Blinkous Galadrigal!"

Jim gasped when he once again heard a very familiar voice he hoped to hear. Blinky quickly pressed the button and deactivated the obstacles as Vendel, the Elder of Heartstone Trollmarket, came in with his hands behind his back.

Jim didn't bother trying to hide his smile upon seeing the old goat's face. "Vendel." He said under his breath with joy.

"I wish to meet the fleshbag supposedly chosen by the amulet." Vendel said before he correctly approached Toby. "I am Vendel, son of Rundle, son of Kilfred."

"Uh… Toby, son of Ralph, I live with my nana." Toby greeted the elder as he examined his body, lifted him up by his arm, and poked his big belly.

"Produce the amulet, Trollhunter."

"Right away." Toby used his free hand to pull the amulet out of his pocket and show it to him.

"Amulet chose." Aaarrrgghh said.

"Hmm…" Vendel said before he dropped the boy. "So Draal tells me. Ridiculous!"

"It's not ridiculous," Jim protested. "Why would you even think that?"

Vendel looked at the boy with interest. "Such boldness within you. Well then, you should understand that the amulet has-"

"Been known to make ill-fated choices?" Jim finished with a knowing look. "The amulet doesn't make mistakes, Vendel."

Vendel stared down at the boy, shocked and intrigued that he knew exactly what he was going to say. Blinky and Aaarrrgghh exchanged looks, now believing that this boy may also be the key to stopping the Gumm-Gumms.

Vendel cleared his throat and walked away. "I like to deal with you later, fleshbag. In the meanwhile, if the amulet has chosen true, then the Soothscryer shall reveal it."

Toby looked up at Jim, who nodded to assure him that it was okay. He walked up to the foot buttons, placing two on each one, and the giant troll head statue rose from the ground, opening its mouth.

"Behold, the Soothscryer!" Vendel presented. "It will judge your true spirit. Insert your right hand, Trollhunter."

Toby stared up at the giant artifact, intimidated. "Uh… it's safe, right?" He wondered after he swallowed hard.

"Relax, you'll be fine," Jim said as he walked up and laced his hands together. "Come on, I'll help you up."

As Toby placed one foot over Jim's hands, he strained to lift him up to the mouth. The new Trollhunter watched the jaws of the machine spin as it opened and closed, not making it any more welcoming. As he slowly held his hand out towards the inside… it suddenly closed on his arm. Toby screamed as he struggled to pull it out as Jim grabbed onto his stubby legs. Luckily, the mouth opened, releasing Toby as he fell on top of Jim.

"Oh, everything hurts." Toby groaned before he examined his hand, seeing it was still intact. "I'm alright!"

Jim picked himself up as he watched Vendel walk up to the Soothscryer. "Well?" He wondered anxiously.

"Hmm…" Vendel said as the eyes glowed red and dimmed. "Inconclusive."

Jim got onto his knees as he got Toby off of him. "What?! But-but… I thought he-"

"I don't know what you believe, fleshbag," Vendel cut in sternly. "But there has never been a human to bear this mantle before. The Soothscryer needs more time to render its judgement."

Jim looked down, disappointed that his predecessors, the Council of Elder Trollhunters, needed Toby to prove his worth just like he had to. He'd assumed they'd remember what happened in the original timeline when Toby sacrificed himself to save the world. Maybe that was just how they rolled.

"Let us all hope you live long enough to see it." Vendel finished as he walked away with his hands behind his back.

At Toby's bedroom, he sat at his desk, examining the amulet nonstop, completely enthralled by it. He thought about experimenting with it again, until…

"Toby-Pie!" Toby's nana called from downstairs. "Can you come down?!"

"Not now, Nana!" Toby called back. "I've got homework to do!"

"We have a visitor from your school!"

Toby frowned in confusion. Why would a teacher be visiting his house? He never did anything wrong. He stuffed the amulet in his pocket and climbed downstairs. As he walked into his living room, he found his nana sitting across from the teacher he never expected to see in his house…

"Ah, Toby," Mr. Strickler said, holding a cup of tea in his hand.

"Mr. Strickler?" Toby said, not bothering to hide his confusion. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Far from it, I came by to congratulate you."

"Oh, okay… on what, exactly?"

"My little Toby-Pie has finally climbed a rope!" Nana cheered in her usual kind grandmotherly giggles that usually gave Toby shivers. "Coach Lawrence was impressed."

Toby glanced between them, now more confused than ever. "But that was days ago. Why wouldn't Coach come by himself before then?"

"Unfortunately, he had other matters to deal with, particularly another certain student who's been shoving a classmate into lockers and speaking with his mother."

Toby immediately knew he was talking about Steve Palchuk, the school bully. "Oh."

"I also came by to tell you that you'll be seeing me around here often. Jim has graciously allowed me to see his mother." Toby's eyes widened and his jaw dropped in disbelief. "No need to be alarmed, it was a willing choice on Jim's part. And I'll also be looking after you and your nana."

"Oh, please, Walter. It's Nancy." Nancy assured kindly. "You're welcome here anytime."

Mr. Strickler wrote something on a piece of paper and handed it to Nancy. "My phone, Nancy."

Nancy gladly offered the note piece. "Why, thank you. I do wish things will work out with you and Barbara." Strickler nodded in response before he gave Toby one last look and left the house.

"Very suspicious." Toby said.

"Well, he is quite the charm." Nancy said, oblivious to what Toby really meant. "Oh, that reminds me. Meow-Meow, time for your grooming." With that, she left the room, leaving Toby thinking about why Strickler had some sort of interest in him.

He knew that there was only one person who could possibly understand… but it could wait for a while.

Outside, Strickler went to his car, but sensed a familiar presence stalking the Domzalski residence.

"You shouldn't be here," Strickler said coldly.

Bular snarled as he peeked through the window and watched the stubby human child climb up the stairs to the second floor, out of sight. "Why aren't I feeling his neck snap in my hands right now? Burning his hut to the ground?" The Gumm-Gumm prince demanded.

Strickler scoffed sarcastically. "That certainly wouldn't draw any attention."

"I could take the amulet and be done with it."

"Your attempt to do so earlier was not only unsuccessful, it risked exposing our agendas to both humans and trolls! First human Trollhunter. And with a mysterious force that prevented you from harming the boy, this will require finesse, patience to look into."

"I resent your weak, devious ways, Impure. I only respect force."

"And I respect your father. If you want any chance of ever seeing him again, adapt."

Bular sighed as he snorted, begrudgingly allowing himself to follow the changeling's orders if he wanted to see his imprisoned father again.

Unknowing to the two, Jim had been watching through his bedroom room window, eavesdropping on the whole conversation with his lights off. It felt a little weird hearing Strickler so cold and cunning again, and even talking to his old nemesis, Bular. He certainly hoped he knew what he was doing to try and steer Strickler down the right path again.

But speaking of the brute, he would not stop peeking through his best friend's house, hoping to kill him and take the amulet. Anger built inside of Jim's chest as he remembered all of the horrible things he put him and his friends through in an effort to free Gunmar and destroy the world. Not to mention that it was Bular who first exposed Strickler's true nature to Jim, just to play with his and his teacher's feelings and to practically turn against him.

The street light near Toby's house began to flicker, catching Strickler and Bular's attention as they glanced up in curiosity. Just when Toby was about to dial his phone, he noticed a light flicker outside. Strickler quickly shoved Bular into the trees, just before Toby looked out the window and looked around. The light had stopped flickering outside his house, and he shrugged as he turned around.

Jim stepped away from his window, feeling a very bad tingle inside himself. The lights of his entire house flickered like bad circuits shorting out. He heard his phone ring and he quickly answered, trying to keep himself under control.

"Hey, Jim," Toby said through the phone. "I need to ask you about something."

"Maybe later, Tobes," Jim strained, grabbing onto himself and hunching over. The lights glowed brighter in response.

"Are you okay?"

"I need you to come over here." Jim collapsed onto his knees and his eyes glowed sky blue and neon green. "I can't stop it!"

Toby looked out the window and saw all of the lights through Jim's windows flickering like a bad storm, which alarmed him greatly. As fast as he could, the new human Trollhunter rushed from his house and paced up the stairs, barging into Jim's room. He quickly latched himself onto his best friend.

"I can't- I can't- I can't stop it! Tobes, I can't control it!" Jim sobbed.

"It's okay, it's okay, man," Toby said gently. "Come on, Jim, it's okay. I'm right here. I'm not giving up on you. Just breathe."

Jim took in several deep breaths. Just feeling his best friend alive in his arms brought him warmth. Slowly, but surely, the magic inside of him calmed down and the lights turned off and his eyes faded back to normal. Jim breathed as he sat up straight and a tear leaked from his cheek.

Toby stared at him, waiting for him to say something.

"What have I gotten you into?" Jim asked mostly to himself.

"Um, well… trolls, cool underground city, indigenous gem forms, Heartstone," Toby listed off, just like last time, only to try and brighten Jim up. "What you've gotten me into is total awesome-a-mania, man."

"Deja vu." Jim sighed and regained his composure. "Anyway… did you want to talk to me about something?"

Toby wanted to tell Jim about Strickler visiting his home and how he allowed him to date his mom… and how sketchy he seemed to have acted. But after Jim experienced some kind of episode, he figured it could wait.

"Not right now, Jimbo."

The next day, the boys returned to the Hero's Forge for Toby's first day of training. Jim watched from the sidelines, sitting on the floor next to Aaarrrgghh and doing his homework, while Blinky circled around Toby, trying to perfect his stance.

"Wider stance, keep your frame," Blinky said as Toby strained a little by opening his legs out. "No, that's good, that's good. Yes, alright, fine. That's better. Raise your sword, Tobias."

Aaarrrgghh glanced at Jim reading his Spanish book. "What's that?" The giant wondered.

"My Spanish book," Jim answered without taking his eyes off. "I have to study for my Spanish comprehension exam by Señor Uhl 'the Unforgiving'" Jim chuckled.

Aaarrrgghh merely tilted his head and looked back at Toby.

"I gotta be honest with you, Blinky," Toby said uncomfortably, looking down at his sword in his hands. "This thing really feels a little awkward on me."

Jim looked up from his book, confused.

"Nonsense," Blinky chuckled with his hands behind his back. "You'll learn to wield it in no time. Now then, the Trollhunter lives and dies by three rules." He held up one index finger. "Rule number one: always be afraid."

Toby raised an eyebrow.

"Be afraid." Aaarrrgghh repeated.

"Huh, I don't really see how- AHH!" Toby yelped as he ducked his head from an incoming rock thrown by Blinky. Aaarrrgghh caught and ate it.

"See? Fear is good. Keeps us alert, keeps us on guard, makes us vigilant." Blinky continued before he threw more rocks at Toby, who dodged them. "A hero is not he who is fearless, but he who is not stopped by it."

Toby smiled confidently. "Got it!"

"Two: always finish the fight. An opponent must be given no mercy!" Blinky threw more rocks at Toby, who blocked them with his sword as the six-eyed troll laughed like a maniac.

"Okay, okay, I get it!" Blinky ceased fire, allowing Toby to catch his breath.

"So by 'finish the fight', do you mean…?"

Aaarrrgghh threw a stone at his future wingman's back, knocking him down as he grunt from the impact. "Kill." Aaarrrgghh responded while Jim flinched.

"Indeed," Blinky said as Toby got up to his feet. "The Trollhunter must vanquish his opponent… through death."

Toby stared at him in disbelief, a feeling Jim himself understood the first time he learned that. "Dude, that's harsh." Toby said.

"Ours is an unforgiving world, Tobias. Hence, the third rule…"

Oh boy, here it comes, Jim thought to himself. He noticed his hand glowing blue and he quickly shook his hand to friz it out.

"When in doubt, always kick them in the gronk-noks."

Toby raised an eyebrow. "Beg your pardon?"

Blinky stomped his foot and a floor blade emerged as it narrowly missed Toby where the sun didn't shine, making him yelp.

"Ooh, the horror…" Aaarrrgghh shuddered.

The blade retracted itself as Toby stood there, grossed out. "Gronk-noks… got it." He said warily.

"Ah, so the Trollhunter's training begins," An unwelcomed voice said as Draal entered the Forge.

Oh no, Jim thought as he got up to his feet in worry.

"I thought the great Trollhunter might accept my services… as a sparring partner." Draal said with false kindness. "Part of your training regiment, isn't it?"

"In due time, perhaps." Blinky said.

"Why wait?" Vendel said as he appeared above the balcony. "I am eager to see your charge demonstrate his mettle."

"Actually, Vendel," Jim said with haste, trying not to escalate the problem. "Maybe you shouldn't rush this. Why don't I give him a little warm-up? I actually know a thing or two about using a sword."

"It's true, he does," Toby agreed, giving his friend a thankful look.

"Hm, I admire your determination, skinny legged one, but you are not the Trollhunter," Vendel said stubbornly, making Jim pout offendedly. "Let them spar."

"No harm in it." Draal fibbed.

Jim shook his head at Draal's arrogance as Blinky dragged him away from the center of the arena. Toby glanced between his friends and Draal before he caught up with Blinky.

"Um, what exactly do I do, Blink?" Toby wondered anxiously.

"Hit him as hard as you can." Blinky replied.

"But, I, uh… never actually hit anyone before, Blinky."

That made Blinky stop his tracks as he faced the chubby one. "Ever?"

"Nope."

"In your entire life?"

"Not once."

"You fought Bular."

"Yeah, but Jim was the one who saved me!" Toby pointed out.

"True, but the fight is within you, Tobias. Trust yourself. One hit!" Blinky noticed he was holding all four of his fists and quickly lowered his other three. "One hit, and you will be changed forever." With that, he confidently turned Toby around and pushed him towards Draal.

Jim went up to his friend and leaned close. "You want my advice?" He offered, to which Toby nodded urgently. "Don't let the adrenaline get to you. Let your fear heighten your awareness and wait for an opportunity. Remember, the sword is only the extension of yourself. Force it to do what you want."

Toby stared at him, clearly worried, before he walked to the center arena with his sword ready. Draal growled as he slammed his fists on the ground.

"Begin," Vendel boomed.

"Okay, I can do this, I can do this," Toby breathed, still panicked.

Draal rolled himself into a sharp ball, straight towards Toby. He yelped as he quickly hit the deck by landing belly-first on the ground, narrowly avoiding Draal's ball form. As he looked up, however, the big brute rolled himself into the air… straight towards him!

Toby yelled and braced himself… and Draal slowed down in midair. Toby himself began to freeze as his screams sounded more like in slow motion.

With his eyes shut, Jim's hands were thrusted forward. Moving normally, he gasped and looked at his friends in slow motion. He saw his slow-moving friend in great peril as he jogged up, entranced by what was happening. Not wanting to waste time, he grabbed his heavy friend by his underarms and scooted him away from Draal's point of impact.

"Jeez, Tobes, what have you been eating?" Jim strained.

As suddenly as it started, time moved normally again as Draal impacted the ground, causing a wave of dust to knock Jim and Toby down.

"Huh?" Draal grunted in shock as he stared at where the chubby boy was. "What?" He glanced and saw the human boys several feet away.

Blinky and Aaarrrgghh's eyes widened, just as shocked. Vendel gasped from what he had witnessed.

Toby suddenly bolted up. "Wait! WHOA! WHOA!" He exclaimed, utterly lost as he glanced between his disoriented friend and where he once was. Jim grabbed his head and shook it, feeling a big migraine. In a few seconds, he passed out on the floor. "JIMBO!" Toby crawled up and checked on his friend.

Blinky rushed up to the two. "Out of the way, Tobias!" He urged. Toby did as he was told as the six-eyed troll placed his hand on Jim's head. "He's alright. We must take him to the Heartstone." Blinky picked up the unconscious boy and glanced up at Vendel, who made a stern frown and walked away. "Aaarrrgghh, take Tobias and lead him out." With that, he walked away with Jim.

Toby watched as Blinky carried his best friend away, worried for his well-being. Aaarrrgghh placed a big hand on the Trollhunter's shoulder and led him to the other exit, leaving a lost Draal glancing between the two.

Jim moaned as he began to regain consciousness. At first, it was really bright, which caused him to squint to try and readjust his sight. After a while, he managed to get his bearings and saw red-orange crystals in the ceiling. Jim looked around and noticed that he was in the Heartstone.

"Quite a show you've performed, fleshbag,"

Jim turned and found his old ally, Vendel, by his table filled with magical gemstones.

"Or, should I say… Trollhunter." Vendel turned around, showing him the rebuilt amulet in his fingers.

Jim's breathing hitched and he tried to sit up, but immediately felt woozy. "Be careful, Master Jim," Blinky said as he gently laid him back down.

"Blink," Jim moaned. "Where's Toby?"

"I had Aaarrrgghh escort him back to his home in Arcadia. He's fine for now. Thankfully, not flattened as he was… originally intended to be, if you had not intervened in the last minute… literally."

Jim shut his eyes. "What's happening to me?"

"Well, it's hard to explain, but–"

"Time magic?!" Jim snapped his head towards the doors, seeing Draal storming into the workshop to confront the elder troll. "You're telling me this mere fleshbag child possesses power over time?!"

"What's he talking about?" Jim asked worriedly as he sat up.

"I have also been led to believe there is more to his fleshbag child than one meets the eye." Vendel added as he held up Jim's amulet.

Draal's eyes widened, like he recognized the design. "Impossible."

"As much as I would love to demand answers from him," Vendel continued, just before he tossed the amulet at Jim, who caught it. "It appears we now have two human Trollhunters to be concerned with." The elder turned to Jim. "This one, however… is more than a Trollhunter apparently."

Jim downcasted when he said this.

"Master Jim," Blinky said with seriousness. "Chronomancy is one of the rawest, most unpredictable forms of magic. Even the great wizard, Merlin, could only use limited forms of it. Inexperienced, it can be very dangerous, especially for someone as young as you."

"Well… can you just get it out of me?" Jim wondered. "I don't even want it, and it's already messing with me."

"Mmm, unlikely," Vendel replied, going through his table. "The magic is a part of you now, and it's impossible to rid one's sensitivity to arcane energies. And based on the stunt from the Hero's Forge, your time magic will only grow stronger. However, I might have something that could be of use." He pulled out a sort of panjas bracelet made with green gems and attached it to Jim's hand. "This will help suppress your magic. But it will become useless as your magic grows."

Jim examined the bracelet on his hand before he looked up at Vendel. "Thank you, Vendel. I should try to find Toby." With that, he slid off the table and walked away.

Draal groaned. "What is this universe coming to?" He asked his colleagues rhetorically.

At the cul-de-sac, Jim approached Toby's house and was about to head to the front door, until he heard a frustrated groan coming from the backyard, as well as a very familiar ticking sound. He walked around the house and opened the gate.

"Tobes?" Jim called.

He saw the Trollhunter Amulet fly several feet away… and then circle back towards the patio. Jim found Toby sitting on the steps, hopelessly trying to get rid of the amulet. He looked rather down and a little guilty. Growing tired, Toby tried once more to throw the sacred amulet away.

Jim chuckled as he bent down and picked up the amulet from the grass. "It'll keep doing that, Tobes. Trust me, I've tried. It choose you."

"I don't know, Jimbo," Toby said with guilt and doubt. "I'm starting to think I'm not cut out to be the Trollhunter."

"I know the feeling," Jim sat down on the grass across from Toby. "But, come on, you were just starting training. There's really no reason for you to be ashamed of what just happened."

"Jim, I would've been flattened into a pancake if you hadn't saved me. How did you by the way?"

"Apparently, not only do I have a Trollhunter Amulet, too, but I also have time magic."

Toby looked stunned. "Time magic?"

"Yeah, you could say I slowed down time… but not on purpose. It just happened." Jim sighed. "And I promise you, man, you've always been a Trollhunter, even when I was chosen."

"At least you experienced that," Toby said. "I don't even know what I did to make you think that? Don't you think you should've found the amulet when you had the chance?"

Jim examined his old amulet. "It honestly did cross my mind – and that was before the one I have came into existence – but… I don't really need an amulet or have magic to know I'm a hero, because I already was." He got up and held the amulet out to Toby. "And so are you, Tobes. Because you were always my hero."

Toby stared at his friend and back at his amulet before he took it. "Wow, that was… inspiring."

Jim shrugged. "What can I say? Blinky's words really grew on me."

Toby stood up, back to his confident self. "And I would like some help. It would be cool to have a super-time-powered trollhunting partner by my side. We can both be the Trollhunter."

Jim smiled as he pulled out his amulet from his pocket. "Good enough for me. But if you really wanna be ready to protect the world, I'm gonna have to train you, too."

"Awesome sauce!"

Jim was in his own bedroom, laying on his bed and examining his amulet. He was still at a loss by how it still existed, let alone how it ended up travelling back in time with him… by hiding inside of him. He quickly examined the enchanted panjas bracelet on his hand, currently suppressing his newfound time magic. He wondered how he even got this kind of magic. He remembered Merlin possessing knowledge of something like this, from sending him to an alternate reality to where neither he nor Toby were chosen by the amulet, time traveling to the 12th century from Merlin's Heart of Avalon, and just recently, traveling back in time after dealing with the Titans by using the-

Time Stone.

Jim's eyes widened when a thought hit him like a brick, causing him to bolt upright.

Just before restarting his whole adventure, Jim discovered the Time Stone from within the Krohnisfere, an artifact that was used to view the past, present, and future. Nari said that only he would remember after he went back. Come to think of it, he was almost never affected by the alterations; he always retained his memories, and a few hazy fragments of a Trickster Troll called Porgon that he could barely recall. He used the Time Stone to travel back to the morning he found the amulet, yet he presumed both the rebuilt amulet, Excalibur's hilt stone, and the Time Stone were no longer in his possession.

Jim stared down at the amulet, still in his hand with only the Excalibur stone inside… but no Time Stone. If the amulet emerged from deep inside Jim's heart, he theorized that the stone's magic was still inside of him, coursing through his veins.

Maybe this was what Nari predicted all along; that he'd travel back in time and possess powerful time magic that would grow stronger the more he used it… or maybe she didn't think of it at all. The theory sounded plausible, but nonetheless, he still needed to complete his quest to prevent the Arcane Order from awakening the Titans with the Genesis Seals.

If memory serves him right before, that wouldn't happen until near the end of the summer next year. Even if he had to make several changes to change the future, he still needed something to make sure-

There was a knock on his door. "Come in." Jim said, not even bothering to try and hide the amulet.

Barbara came in in her scrubs. "Hey, kiddo. Just finished my shift…" She said, until she noticed the artifact in his hands. "What is that?"

"An amulet," Jim handed it to her as she examined it. "I, uh… found it. Or… it found me."

His mother chuckled like he was goofing around and handed it back to him. "Well, kiddo, I'm sure that's a girl's magnet." She then noticed his hand covered in a bracelet. "Where'd you get that?"

Jim looked at his hand. "A troll, to help keep my magic checked." He grinned casually.

Barbara stared at her son before he rubbed his head. "Okay, maybe you should get some sleep. I hope you'll be well-rested for your-"

As she was about to leave, until there was a bright blue flash behind her and metal clanking, making her stop her tracks. She turned around and found her son clad in blue armor that appeared out of thin air; a combination of magic and tech.

Jim made a painfully serious face. "...There's something I need to tell you, Mom."

A/N: I'm sorry it took so long, but it did take a lot of figuring out. I tend to get a writer's block and I usually enjoy reading other fanfics other than my own.

So to put it simply... Jim has time magic. Last chapter, I originally planned for him to just have light magic, then I thought about how much Jim's been dealing with time travel and how he's almost immune to time alterations and retaining his memories... something like that was bound to be important for Jim. He can perform certain standard magic like Douxie, but time magic is his main root, much like how shadow magic is Claire's.

Without giving too much away, when Jim used the Time Stone, the amulet, along with the Time Stone, were merged with him until the amulet emerged from his heart, and the stone's essence remains in Jim, granting him the rawest and most unpredictable forms of magic, perhaps more dangerous than shadow magic. Merlin has knowledge and can perform limited forms of time magic (as we saw in canon), but Jim's root is pure time magic. Right now, he can only perform basic forms, but because of his inexperience, they activate on command and leave him drained after just slowing down time. The enchanted bracelet Vendel gave him suppresses his unstable time magic, but overtime, Jim's magic would grow too strong and the bracelet would be rendered useless, unless he learns how to use it on command.

I can say that Jim's time magic will have an important role in the events to come, mostly by the time the events of Wizards is reached.

Next chapter, while Jim teaches tiny Toby how to befriend magical creatures, he falls under the apprenticeship of Vendel to help control his newfound time magic. Meanwhile, Jim suddenly acquires a special tool from someone in his quest to right the future.

Let me know how I'm doing so far, it feels inspiring knowing people out there enjoy my fanfics!