Previously on Arcadia or Bust:
James Lake Sr. came back to Arcadia while Jim and friends were out retrieving the new Heartstone. The deadbeat not only ran away with a girl, but he'd been dealing cocaine in LA. Now he's come back to lay low, since he owes a lot of money to some really dangerous men. He got a kilo of cocaine to try to make his profit back, only to not pick it up from the drop zone before Jim found it. Thinking it was trash, Jim ate the brick and went into an 8 hour rage, busting up the town. The US army of Area 49-B got a whiff of the destruction and came to collect Jim from the hospital. With a campaign from the town and an old friend of Walter's, Jim is turned loose. However, he's not out of the woods yet, as his amulet was ripped out of his chest and now he has a crater.
—
*points in a random direction* Hey look! What's that over there?! *Drops update* *runs*
—
"It's okay Jim, you're going to be okay," said Claire, as she hovered just over his face, and pressed little kisses to his cheek. "We're going home."
"…For the…glory…" he muttered, before wincing and falling silent.
"Are you taking us to the hospital?" Barbara asked as the van sped on, faster than any speed limit.
"Nope," said Samuel. "I think this is a Heartstone issue."
She nodded, knowing that would be the best. "He needs a tissue transplant, but his skin is so tough…I don't even know what we could do for him. Get human skin and have Merlin transform it into half-troll? I hate that I don't know what to do! I'm not a surgeon, damnit! And I'm certainly no magic expert!"
"Stop at the McDonald's near the edge of town," said Toby.
"Really? You want a Big Mac at a time like this?"
"No! Merlin is probably there, and I bet he could fix Jim up."
"Wait, Merlin-Merlin? Like 'Amulet of Merlin, Sword of Excalibur' Merlin?" Asked Samuel.
"That's the one!"
Once they got into town, Samuel pulled in at the McDonalds as requested, and Toby was out the door before he stopped the car.
"Merlin! Merlin help!" He cried, as he ran inside the restaurant.
The employees behind the counter all looked at him, and then pointed at Merlin, who had set up shop in the corner of the store. He was surrounded by books, and other magical artifacts.
How had management allowed this? Well actually, Merlin wouldn't have listened to any authority, so they probably didn't allow it.
Toby ran to the wizard. "We got Jim back! He's in the van, and he's hurt really bad! We need you to heal him!"
"What kind of injury?" Asked Merlin, calmly packing up his books.
"They took his amulet, and there's a huge hole in his chest! I could see his lungs!"
Merlin screwed up his lips in thought. "Where are they taking him? To the Heartstone?"
"That's what Samuel said!"
Merlin didn't ask who Samuel was, so he probably didn't care. "I will be there shortly. I must gather the appropriate supplies. Keep him reclined and relaxed. And try not to prod the wound."
Toby nodded once and then ran back outside to the van.
One of the McDonald employees calmly came over and refilled Merlin's coffee, as he had asked to be done every hour.
"Good lad. I'm leaving now. Here, for your trouble." And he dropped a sizable emerald in the kid's hand.
The kid looked at it and shrugged. "Whatever." It beat minimum wage at least.
—
At the canal, Claire opened up the portal to Trollmarket while Walter and Samuel started to get Jim out of the van. She ran in and called out, "Blinky! ARRRGH! Jim's back! He's hurt!"
ARRRGH came running, while Blinky gathered all sorts of supplies and carried them down to the Heartstone.
It was a mad dash then. Jim was quickly, but carefully, brought down into Heartstone Hall, and rested on his mattress on the floor.
"…cold…" he whispered as he grasped and pulled at the blankets.
Barbara pulled the comforter up to his stomach, and draped a smaller one over his right side. "I know you're cold, but you have a wound, and we can't cover it yet."
"…water…"
"I'm on it!" Cried Toby, running upstairs.
Jim groaned out in pain, and the Heartstone responded with a pulse of light.
"Is that good?" Asked Claire.
"The Heartstone is picking up on Jim's pain, and is releasing magic to aid in his healing!" Said Blinky, with a smile.
"Is that going to deplete the magic we put back into it?"
"No no! Well, maybe…it shouldn't!"
Jim moaned out again, tensing his whole body, and craning his neck in an effort to find relief.
"Just a little bit longer, sweetie," said Barbara. "Merlin will be here soon." She gnawed on her lip. "I could probably get an IV for him from the hospital. I have my phone, so call me if there's any change!"
"I'll drive you, Dr. Lake," said Samuel.
"That's alright, I'll take the tunnel to my house and grab my car. That way, you don't need to be held up here any longer. You've been a great help."
The general smiled. "It was worth it more than I thought. The Trollhunter owes me a favor now, you see. I probably won't need to collect, but it's always fun to have that in your back pocket. And besides, I got to see Trollmarket and the Heartstone with my own eyes." He glanced at the orange stone. "That's a privilege everyone in the Janus Order longed for." Before he got too wistful, he turned to Walt. "You'll let me know how this all turns out, right? Because I'm invested in Mr. Lake's fate now."
"I'll text you updates."
"Fantastic." He gave Jim a pat on the shoulder. "Hang in there, Trollhunter."
"I'll show you out," said Barbara as they left together.
Then it was just Blinky, ARRRGH, Claire, and Walt. Time ticked on in silence, as no one knew what to do or say. Only occasional groans from Jim broke the quiet atmosphere.
"What's taking Merlin so long?" Said Claire, with irritation.
"He's coming?" Asked Blinky.
"We told him about what happened before we came down here. Said he had to collect 'appropriate materials'."
"So he's collecting materials," said Walter. "It might take some time."
"Yeah, but he's probably doing it at a leisurely pace. The man has no concept of time anymore. We need to get him a phone. Or at least a walkie-talkie."
Just then, a gallon bucket of ice and water bottles descended on a rope from the center column of the room.
"Heads up! It's kinda heavy!" Toby called before it hit the ground harshly. Then he nearly tumbled down the stairs himself.
"I got a bunch because I know Jim doesn't have running water down here yet, and I didn't want us to run out!" He took a bottle from the bucket and put a silly straw in it so Jim could drink without having to sit up. "Sorry Jim, this is the only straw I have…it says 'big boy'." Toby tilted the end of the straw so it touched Jim's lips.
In his half conscious state, Jim felt it, took it in his mouth, and sucked, emptying half the bottle in one go. He released the straw and licked his lips.
"Better, Jimbo?"
"Uh huh…" Jim managed a little nod.
"Okay. I'll be on water duty. You just say the word, okay?"
"…For…the glory of Merlin…" Jim tried again, before wincing hard. "Hurts to breathe…"
Claire sat cross legged on the bed next to him, scratching his scalp lightly with her nails. "Just hang on for a little bit longer. Your mom is bringing some medicine from the hospital, and Merlin is going to fix you up."
His eyes flickered open ever so slightly. "Where am I?"
"You're in Heartstone Hall, in your bed."
His eyes closed again. "My amulet…gone."
"Yeah. Don't worry about it right now. Just relax."
"Hurts…"
"I know, babe, I know."
Walt stood, looking at his phone. "Barbara's back. I'll go help her." And he left.
Blinky snapped his fingers. "I think Vendal had a recipe for a burn salve up there. I can work on that. Come ARRRGH! It's the least we can do!"
"Yell if Jim need help," ARRRGH added, as he followed Blinky up the stairs.
"More water, Jimbo?"
"Huh Uh…"
After he drank, he winced, and a tear rolled from his eye. "I want my mom."
"She's coming, Jim. She's bringing some medicine for you."
"Where…am I?"
Claire then realized that Jim was barely conscious, and wasn't listening to much anyways. She'd end up repeating herself a lot.
She pushed his bangs out of his face and kissed his forehead. "Shh, it's okay. You're nice and safe, babe."
Toby and Claire sat in silence as Jim continued to struggle to breathe.
Thankfully, Barbara and Walt appeared not a minute later, with all sorts of goodies.
"Alright kiddo, let's get you all cleaned up. Claire, would you put on these gloves? I'd like you to clean the skin around his wound with these alcohol swabs while I set up the IV."
"On it Barb!" Claire got to work quickly, thankful to be able to do something to help.
Walt set up the IV stand while Barbara prepared the needle and inserted it in Jim's arm.
"I hate that I have to use a thicker gauge needle, but your skin is so tough, kid."
Jim didn't seem to even register what she was doing.
Once the IV was in and taped in place, Barbara took out a thick gauze and started taping it in place on Jim's chest. "The wound isn't bleeding nearly as much as it should," she stated, with a frown.
"Isn't that a good thing?" Asked Claire.
"I'm thinking it's because of the burns on him. They weren't this bad at the hospital. He had been out in sunlight that day, but it was overcast and he had on long sleeves." She taped down the gauze with medical masking tape. "No, this looks like...well, third degree on a human. Direct heat like flames or burning metal. I guess that would be a UV light for Jim."
"I'm going to hammer that lady into the ground," Toby muttered.
"There, this should be good for now. I'll bandage him again once Merlin cleans him up." She rested a weak hand to her head. "Lord help me, I'm depending on Merlin."
Thankfully, news came by Claire's phone, with an unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Claire? This is Douxie."
"Douxie! Please tell me you're with Merlin!"
"I am! Not that I can get his butt moving any faster. He briefed me on the situation, and I've been trying to rush him…but, you know how he is…"
She could hear the old man shouting somewhere in the near distance. "Three days? Well he'll be dead by then! No need for it by that time! You don't have anything in stock?"
Claire winced. "Where are you guys?"
"At the hardware store, ummm you're better off not knowing why for now. We'll be at Trollmarket soon, I promise!"
"Thank you. And thank you for calling. We were getting worried."
"How is he?"
"Barely conscious. He's on an IV with pain meds now…so he'll be feeling a little better. He keeps trying to summon his amulet, but he doesn't have the strength."
"Uh oh, he doesn't have the amulet with him?"
"No, the army wouldn't give it back."
Douxie exhaled in a huff. "We'll figure something out. Oh, Looks like Merlin found an alternative. We'll be on our way soon!"
"Great! See you!" And she ended the call. "Merlin should be coming soon!"
"Thank goodness!" Barbara sighed. "Though it looks like Jim finally fell asleep. His pain is mostly managed…all we can do now is wait."
It felt like they were waiting hours. But there was not much else to do.
Jim slept fitfully, occasionally opening his eyes to look around. It was clear he was exhausted, so he'd just close them again a moment later, and they heard his slow breathing.
"This is torture," said Claire. "But I can't imagine what he's been through."
"I hope that along with her discharge, that Kubritz lady does hard time in prison," said Toby.
"And I hope they do everything to her that she did to him," Claire added, with venom. "If they don't, I will."
"I'll back you up."
It was hard to share small talk, but just listening to Jim's labored breathing and waiting felt like a terrible option.
Finally, finally, Merlin's horrible grating voice echoed through the Heartstone husk. "Hello? Is this where the injured Jim is?"
"Yes!" Claire cried out. She was never so happy to hear that man's voice.
No really, most of the time, his appearance filled her with dread.
Merlin and Douxie descended the stairs, arms full of plastic shopping bags.
And it finally seemed like Merlin was done wasting time, as he spared no greetings and got busy examining Jim. He removed the blanket that covered his shoulder, and the temporary bandages Barbara applied.
He cringed at the sight of the crater. "Yikes. That is quite the wound."
"Can you heal him?" Claire asked, afraid that he wasn't up to the task.
"Sure. No problem. Douxie, prepare the plaster."
"Plaster?" Barbara asked, with horror.
"Ugh, I know," said the wizard. "Three days for expedited shipping for clay! Ridiculous! I thought the modern era was a time of immediate gratification! But no, the one time I need something quick, it's a three day wait! Do they not know where the nearest clay deposits are?!"
"Okay, but the plaster? What's the deal with the plaster?!"
"What else do you expect me to use to fill a wound in a troll?"
"You're going to pour plaster in his open wound?!"
"Yes! And more!" He glanced over to the bucket Douxie was mixing in. "How's it coming?"
"Do you want it more watery, or thick?"
"Thick without being too dry." Then he turned back and leaned in close to Jim. "None of you are going to like what I'm about to do." He pressed two fingers to Jim's chest, and spoke, "imperium."
Jim's eyes flashed open, wide, pupils expanded so the iris was just a hint of blue.
"Jim Lake Jr., summon your amulet," Merlin commanded.
Jim raised his hand up in the air slowly and spoke clearly, "for the glory of Merlin, daylight is mine to command."
Then Merlin let go, and Jim fell back into slumber, Claire having to catch his hand before it smacked him in the face.
"What was that?" She asked.
"I thought it was fairly obvious. A mind control spell. Very weak, only works on unconscious individuals within range."
"You know Mind Control?" Asked Toby, with some horror.
"To a degree. As I said. It's more like the power of suggestion. Morgana has learned how to fully possess someone's mind, but I always preferred to use my natural charisma to persuade people."
Someone snorted.
"The plaster is ready," said Douxie. "Did you want to start with the strips?"
"Yes," he collected the tray Douxie had prepared. Mesh cloth strips sprayed with plaster, which created a base. Carefully, Merlin began to lay the strips in the hole in Jim's chest, applying just enough pressure to adhere them and blend the edges. Once he had completely coated the inside, without filling the hole, he stopped.
"There, now we'll treat his burns. You said you had electricity down here?"
"Uh, yeah. There's an outlet on the wall next to you," said Claire.
"Perfect." From his various bags, he took out a palm sander with a coarse paper on it. He plugged it in. "Now how do I work this thing?"
"Why don't you let me handle that while you use the file…" Douxie took the power tool away from him. "Claire, can you sit him up and lean against his back as a counter weight?"
"The file? I don't want to use the file! I got this so you would use the file!"
"Merlin!" Barbara scolded.
"Fine, I'll use the file…better for fine detailing anyways."
It was agonizing moments as Douxie buffed away the dried, burnt skin that came off like dust, while Merlin shucked off the chunks that were too thick for the sander.
Jim, for the most part, only twitched and cried out on occasion, only when they got too close to fresh skin.
Once he was rubbed raw and bright blue, a little bloody in some places, they stopped.
"It's like an extreme pumice stone," Douxie tried to soothe, feeling guilty as Claire wiped her tears. "The skin affected by the sun, or UV lights or whatever, was solid stone and had to come off."
"I know," said Claire. "It was just…jarring."
"Alright, we're almost done," said Merlin, scrounging up some compassion. "You can recline him again, Fair Claire."
Gently, Claire laid him back down on the pillows.
Merlin took the loose plaster and slopped a bit in the wound, trying to make up for the missing space.
Then, from the stairs came a 'plink, plunk, plink, plunk' as the amulet rolled its way down and stopped at Merlin's feet. "Got here faster than I anticipated. I'd love to see the damage it did on it's way."
"I thought if someone stole the amulet, it wouldn't come back?" Asked Toby.
"Not unless it's properly summoned. If it only chooses one Trollhunter, you think it would want to be anywhere else?" Merlin cleaned the amulet with a rag to a near mirror shine, before placing it back in its spot on Jim's chest.
"Can't you just keep it out of him? What if something like this happens again?"
"Then we'll just have to buy more plaster," shrugged Merlin. "Anyway, it's better this way." He smeared more plaster in the cracks and smoothed it with his hands, until the seam was perfectly even.
"Now what?"
"The plaster should start to dry soon, and a chemical reaction will take place, putting off heat. Then I will start the incantation."
"Why then?"
"Must everything I do be questioned?"
"Yes." Said everyone, unanimously.
"Because I said so. That's why." He touched the plaster, careful not to jostle it, and waited for the heat to set in. "Alright, I suggest everyone stand back. You too, Claire, get behind me."
Claire scooted off the bed and stood back with Toby and Barbara, then they waited anxiously.
"It's going to look and sound painful, but a little bit of pain, and he'll be all better." Merlin's hands glowed blue, interacting with the pulsing, ticking amulet. Instead of a one word spell, like he had been doing, Merlin muttered a fast string of words that sounded like nothing and everything at the same time. Lightning bolts skittered from his fingertips, and drew patterns on Jim's flesh.
Jim screamed and writhed as every bolt connected. They danced across the plaster, turning it to his hardened flesh as they moved. The hands on the amulet spun rapidly as the stone pulsed a violent blue. The wound from Morgana, lower on his chest, flickered orange like embers. The Heartstone glowed as well.
Claire felt her hair stand on end and goosebumps rise to her skin. The magic in the room was deafening, blinding, and amazing.
Finally, Merlin halted, and only smoke remained.
Jim breathed deep, quick breaths, like you would after a run. But it wasn't labored or halted, like before.
"Cl-Claire?" He asked, his voice stronger than it had been.
She nearly tackled him. "Jim! Jim you're alright!"
He winced slightly as she collided with his raw skin, but hugged her anyway. "Where am I?"
"You're home!"
"Home?"
"It's a long story. How do you feel?"
"Tired, hungry…a little sore. I remember being in a lot of pain…" he looked down at his chest, touching the amulet in confusion.
"Merlin just healed you," she explained. "They hurt you pretty bad, huh?"
He rolled his neck and stretched his shoulders. "No kidding."
"Well," said Merlin, "my work here is done. I think I'm ready for a nap of my own."
"Thank you, Merlin," Barbara said sincerely. "Thank you for saving my boy."
"Of course! You didn't think I was going to leave my greatest warrior to die, did you? Oh, before I forget, I should probably give this back." He handed a black wallet over to her.
"Wait, whose is this?"
"James'. I needed to pay for the sander somehow."
Barbara laughed. "Well, he's not going to be happy about it, but glad to know he contributed to this too." Then she muttered, "considering it's all his fault in the first place."
By the end of the day, Jim was up. Not fully recovered, but enough to shuffle around. He was able to go to his mother's house and take a shower, while Barbara changed the blood-stained, plaster dusted sheets. When he was all clean, he sat in the living room in his sweatpants, exhausted, and aching.
"Blinky made you a salve, if you want me to put it on you," Claire offered, holding up a little jar.
"I'd love that."
She delicately rubbed it into his skin, like Aloe on a severe sunburn. Careful not to scratch him, but also wanting to make sure he was covered.
James walked past the room and halted. "Jim! You're—you're back!"
Jim just glanced at the man. "And?"
"I just…um, look, I'm sorry."
"You're sorry?"
"I didn't know…that you ate trash. I would have made the drop for the cocaine somewhere else. I didn't think—that's not something people usually have to worry about, you know?"
"Yeah. Usually." Jim said, stone cold.
"How are you feeling?"
"Why do you care?"
"B-because you're my son?"
Jim couldn't stifle the eye roll. "So NOW you think I'm your son? Where was that mentality when you pointed a shotgun at me?"
"I was in a severe crack withdrawal when I did that."
"And you're just magically better now?"
James sat in an armchair opposite him. "I'm not going to say yes, but I'm better. I'm trying to get out of your and Babs' lives, because I brought so much hurt in the first place. But…seeing what I'm missing out on—"
"No!" Jim snarled, standing up. "You don't get to be sentimental now. You don't get to change your mind. You suck! That's all you've done! Mom's moved on, I have men that are more fatherly than you could ever be if you tried! So just—finish your business and get lost!" He tried to step towards the basement, but he crumbled, still far too physically weak to walk on his own.
"I got you," Claire whispered, wrapping an arm around his waist. "James," she turned to look at him briefly. "I don't know if you realized how crappy that thing you just said was. Don't try to get Jim's hopes up. He's hurt, he's upset, he's vulnerable. So just stay away. If you truly want to be back in Jim's life, don't mention that you're considering it. Back it up with action, or else you'll just be disappointing us all when you go back. And as far as I know…your word is worthless." She helped Jim walk slowly back to the basement, to the tunnel back to Trollmarket.
"Trouble? I heard yelling," said Draal.
"No, no trouble. Thanks Draal," Jim gave him a weak, affectionate punch.
—
Many many miles away, a group of men watched the news, an old broadcast that one of them had snagged.
"—The campaign worked perfectly! Now, hero to Arcadia, James Lake Jr. has been released from his wrongful imprisonment for his bizarre appearance, and returned home. Lake is hailed a local hero, as his acts of kindness and selflessness during a horrendous tornado in the area have become well known in the community as well as on social media. A parade in Lake's honor is set for this weekend, as Lake has made a good progression in his recovery from captivity."
"Okay, a kid was arrested because he looks weird. Not sure what the correlation is."
The leader of the pack smiled. "Oh, it's such a subtle thing. We don't care about the kid, or his deeds, or even the city of Arcadia really."
"Then…what?"
"Did you catch the boy's name?"
"I…Lake? Like…"
"Jim Lake Jr. is what they said. Maybe a common name. But if there's a Junior…perhaps there's a Senior nearby."
—
I have not seen Rise of the Titans (though I expect to watch it this weekend) but I heard it was…not good, story wise. So in this fic, I won't be applying any of it. Probably. Unless something juicy catches my eye.
