Hey. Is anyone else dying because of this quarantine? Ya'll sure are benefiting from it. I've got another Trollhunters crossover in the works. It's almost done and will be out soon. The next chapter is where it gets really good, I swear. Disclaimer, Enjoy, and...

Let The Chaos Ensue...

Chapter 4: Familial Reactions

June 9th, 8:30 am, Arcadia CA

Two days later...

Toby woke up and slid into his clothes, he said good morning to Arrrggg and left. He headed over to Jim's house. He'd received the call from Claire two days ago, Jim had broken up with her. Arrrggg had gone and talked to Jim about it, but came back rather upset. Toby didn't know what that was about. Now, Toby was going to go and get the other side of the story from Jim.

Claire had told him that Jim and her were having a perfectly nice time doing… things. And then Jim started acting super weird then got all angry about Claire not accepting him. She said that his eyes had actually turned red, -that was freaky-. Then Jim said that it was over, and told her to leave.

Toby knew how girls exaggerated so he wanted to get his buddy's side. He walked in the house, Dr. L's car was gone so he just went upstairs. He knocked on Jim's door, he didn't hear anything so he figured he'd be sleeping. Normally he'd leave him to sleep but this was just too important. He opened the door and stuck his head in the pitch black room.

"Jim?" He called. Nothing.

He stepped in and turned on the light, empty.

"Jim?" He called louder. He looked around the room, his charger was gone and so was his phone. He walked down stairs and looked in the fridge, he was supposed to get his meat two nights ago. Something was up.

He ran back to his house to talk to Arrrggg.

"Wing man! We've got a problem! Big problem." He yelled.

Arrrggg gave a curious grumble, "What is it?"

"It's troll Jimbo, I can't find him!" He panicked.

"Hmm, gone already." Arrrggg hummed.

"What do you mean, gone already?" Toby yelled.

"Told you not treat Jim different, he upset. Jim left."

"Wingman! What do you mean he left?"

"He leave Arcadia. Not come back for long time."

"You knew and you didn't tell me?"

"Jim asked me not tell. He sad because of you, Claire, mom too."

"Me? Why me? I'm his best bud!"

Arrrggg just stared at him for a minute, "You avoid Jim."

"That's just because he's being weird and gross!"

Arrrggg glared some more.

"Ok, so maybe I've been avoiding him. He's just so different!"

Arrrggg shook his head, "You being bad friend."

"Common wingman, Jimbo acting like a troll is weird and he eats raw meat and the bones, and bugs."

"I eat, socks other stuff. I weird?" He grumbled, making a point.

"It's not weird when you do it, you're a troll."

"Jim troll too!" He growled.

"He's only half troll! He's still half human."

"Think he like troll half better."

"He's made that very clear." Toby huffed. Mad at his wingman and at Jim he walked out of his house to Claire's.

On his way he tried to call Jim.

It rang three times before it was sent to voicemail. "REALLY! I can't believe he hung up on me, before he even answered!" He tried again and again, getting only voicemail rings. On the -I kid you not- 23rd try Jim answered. Toby was about to talk when a literal roar could be heard.

Through a loud growl Jim said, "Leave me alone!" he roared again and hung up.

Toby couldn't believe his best friend growled at him, roared even. It was really scary. He definitely wasn't going to call back anytime soon if he was going to do that. -Which was probably why he did that-. Toby shook his head and knocked on Claire's front door.

Claire had been crying for three days, for the first day she cried because Jim broke up with her, but when you sit and wallow in self pity for a full day in a puddle of your own tears, you start to gain some clarity. She thought a lot about what Jim had said, in the moment she thought he was being selfish and pusshy. Now she saw that she was being selfish and pusshy. Had she been paying attention, she would have noticed that she was hurting Jim, physically and emotionally. So the second day she spent crying over the fact that Jim was letting her walk all over him. She didn't understand that Jim being a troll affected his behavior that was a natural part of being a troll, not until it was too late.

Claire still didn't like being nuzzled and having his tail around her, and she still couldn't believe he licked her. But now she finally understood, it was just his way of showing love. How did she not get that before? Even when he'd told her. Everything he had been doing was just how he was supposed to live, eat, show affection, and communicate.

She swung her feet over her bed and cleaned up her face. Before she thought Barbara's actions were justified, and so were Toby's, she hadn't understood why Jim was always so upset with them. She thought it was weird that their friends were so okay with Jim and his weird behaviors. Claire had finally realized that his mom was in the wrong, toby was wrong, she was wrong.

She exited her house and headed for Mr. Strickler's, Jim had been spending a lot of time with him, maybe he could help her out. She knocked on the door and waited.

The door opened with a very surprised Strickler, "Ms. Nuñez, what brings you here this morning?"

Claire wrung her hands and dared to look at him, "I wanted to talk to you. It's about Jim." She squeaked.

Strickler tensed, not opening the door farther. "What about him?"

"I… I was wrong."

"You might have to be more specific." He glared.

"You told us, me, Toby, Barbara, you told us, that we were hurting him. We didn't… I didn't believe you." She looked at her feet. "And now he broke up with me."

He relaxed slightly, "Oh, that… yes he informed me. He was quite upset. You didn't really call him a monster did you?" His glare became more harsh.

Claire's head shot up, she shook her head furiously. Angered by the accusation, "NO! He just said that he couldn't stay with someone who thought he was a monster. Then he just broke up with me!"

"Did you deny, that you thought he was a monster?" he pressed.

"Well, no, but you've seen him. He's like seven feet tall, he has horns and fangs. He looks like a monster." she gestured to her head and face where Jim's appendages would be.

Strickler glared harder, then he transformed. The flash of light left a tall green troll, with horns and fangs. Still glaring, he transformed back. "Think carefully about what you say Ms. Nuñez, you could offend someone." He started to close the door, but Claire stuck her foot in the stop.

"FINE! I've been a terrible girlfriend for the past few weeks. I admit it, what can I do to get him back?" she scolded

"Currently, nothing. Last I checked Jim…" His phone buzzed from his pocket, "One moment." he held the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

"Strickler! If you had something to do with Jim leaving, I will enact rule number three when I get there!" Toby scolded.

"Tobias, Jim leaving was all fault of your own. So, how did you find out?" Strickler questioned.

Claire was angrier than before, "Jim what!?" Strickler ignored her.

"One, there's no meat in the fridge. Two, he's not dangling in his room. And three, Arrrggg told me. How long has he been gone? Why did he leave?"

Stricker's face grew more angry, "You and Barbara, you're clueless." He growled.

"I was going to tell Claire but she's not home."

"Claire is with me, and somewhat less clueless." He said, receiving a harsh glare from her.

"I'll be there soon, and when I get there. I want answers." Toby hung up.

Strickler rolled his eyes and replaced his phone in his pocket.

"I want answers! What do you mean Jim left? And what do you mean I'm 'somewhat less clueless'."

He sighed, "Do you, or do you not, see Jim as a monster? Answer honestly." he pressed his hands to a steeple.

She thought about it for a moment, "I really am the worst girlfriend ever."

"Correction, you were the worst girlfriend ever. And as such, Jim had decided to leave Arcadia. He's sick of being treated poorly by his friends and family." Strickler stated.

Just then Toby arrived, panting and out of breath. "Why… did… he tell you… and not me? He even told Arrrggg, but not me! I'm his best friend!"

"Well, you haven't been acting like it." Strickler scoffed.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Toby yelled.

"We've been awful to him, Toby. And I'm surprised it took him breaking up with me to see it." She sighed.

"What are you talking about? He's been acting so weird!"

"No, Toby, he's been acting like a troll. I realized it while I was wallowing in self pity." Claire rolled her eyes. "He doesn't know how to act any other way now."

"I see you aren't so clueless." Strickler hummed, "well, don't worry. I know where he is, and I know that he's coming back. I just don't know when."

"Wait! He's been talking to you?" Toby shreaked.

"Well, I haven't spoken with him for a few days but I do have a way of tracking him. And I'm sure if I needed him, he would answer." He provided.

"What?! I called him 23 times and then he roared at me. Like literally. Call him so I can talk to him." Toby demanded.

"No."

"What? Why?" Claire asked.

"Because, I gave him my word that I wouldn't allow him to be disturbed or followed while he was gone."

"Well when is he coming back?" Toby said.

"Weren't you listening? He said he doesn't know." Claire rolled her eyes.

"That's right, and I'm not going to reach out to him. If he calls or texts me I will talk to him, but otherwise. I've sworn to leave him be, he needs this. He thought that maybe by leaving, giving you all some space, that by the time he came back you would all be ready for him."

"Ok, so if he told Arrrggg, and he told you. Who else did he tell?"

"I'm unsure, but I do know that he asked me not to tell anyone that he was leaving until after he left. So I'm sure that you two and Barbara were at the top of the list not to tell."

"Harsh." Claire hugged herself.

"I'm curious how long it will take for her to notice he's gone. For the sake of experiment, no one is to tell her unless she asks." He says thoughtfully.

"Don't you think that's a bit, I don't know, cruel?" Toby shrugs.

"Don't you think how she's been treating him is, I don't know, cruel?" Claire says.

"You're one to talk." Strickler scoffs.

The two glare back.

Barbara

June 17th, 6:38, Arcadia CA

Barbara woke with nothing on her mind, she hadn't seen Jim in over a week. Which she was fine with, every time she saw him it only reminded her that her son was gone and never coming back, sure he was there, but troll Jim didn't count. He snarled and growled, he had a tail and horns and his mannerisms were out of whack.

She wished things could go back to when she didn't know about trolls and her son was still 100% human. She could barely understand why he could even enjoy being a half troll, he couldn't be in the sun, he looked so different, and she wasn't even sure he felt the same things a human did.

She got ready for work and walked down stars and opened the fridge, she pulled out the milk. She was about to shut the door when she noticed, the two drawers at the bottom of the fridge that normal housed Jim's surplus of meat, were empty. Last night was supposed to be the night he re-stocked. Barbara couldn't believe Walter had given her son a debit card and was actually paying for his food.

She rolled her eyes and shut the fridge door, she poured herself a glass of milk and ate some toast. She realized that the dishes hadn't been done for almost a week, Jim was normally so vigilant about keeping the house tidy.

After work she'd go and talk to Toby, she was sure he'd know what was going on with Jim. Maybe he's just been slacking because he's upset about Claire. Shouldn't have broken up with her in the first place, he shouldn't have kept doing his weird troll things to her.

She grabbed her purse, keys, phone and left for the hospital.

She arrived and as she walked from the parking lot she met one of her colleagues, Dr. Shane.

"Good morning Dr. Lake." He smiled. "How are you doing?"

"Good morning Dr. Shane, I'm fine. How are you?"

"Good, but I'm concerned…" He started.

"Dr. Shane, if this is about Jim…"

"Look, I know it's not really my business as a co-worker,"

"It's not." She kept her face forward, not looking at him.

"But it is as a Therapist and a Social Worker."

"Look!" She snapped, "What happens between me and my son is my business, none of yours. Just because I don't make an extra effort to see him because he sleeps all day doesn't make me a bad parent. And him avoiding me is normal teenage behavior, so get off my back, Shane!" Barbara scolded.

Dr. Shane stepped in front of her, his brows furrowed. "You don't know?"

"Know what? That my son's a troll and that he's moody because he broke up with his girlfriend so he's avoiding everyone and shirking his chores?" She bit.

"You don't…" He froze, "You don't know." he said skeptically.

"Know what?" She asked, slowing her anger.

"Jim left. He left Arcadia, over a week ago." He shook his head.

"What?!" This was news to her. "Why?"

"Brad Duff said Jim came buy for some meat and told him that he was leaving. Said he was sick of how his you were treating him."

"What!" She yelled and dug her phone out of her pocket. She dialed Jim and waited, after the first ring her phone went straight to voicemail. She tried again with the same result. And again. And again. "He is so GROUNDED!" She yelled, Dr. Shane stared with concern.

"You do know that him leaving, and not telling you probably means he doesn't want to talk to you." He shrugged, "You know, just speaking as a professional child therapist."

That received a glare, "I'm going to find him…"

"By doing what?" He scolded. "You going to notify the state of California that your son, who's a blue, stone skinned, half troll with horns and a tail that's over 6 ft long ran away, is that what you're going to do?" He folded his arms, "OR, are you going to go and look for him yourself? While keeping in mind he could be just about anywhere, and he would be able to hide, run away from, or fight, to get away."

Barbara's glare grew.

"Dr. Lake, what did you do to make him leave?" He paused for her to answer.

"It's not my fault, he's the one that refused to act normal!" She yelled. "He's the one that acts like an animal, eating raw meat and sleeping during the day. He's not human anymore, he has a tail. I can't believe he's so selfish as to act like a troll, he doesn't even give me hugs anymore." She spat.

Dr. Shane stood there with his mouth agape, "Please don't tell me that you still think he should be acting like a human. Please don't tell me that you've been treating him like he's the one that's been doing things wrong." He held up his hand, "Wait, you disowned him." His jaw fell slack again. "I was talking to Councilwoman Nuñez, and she told me that Jim was struggling with you, and that he said something about you… 'not wanting him'. I can not believe you." He shook his head in disbelief.

Barbara scoffed, "I did no such thing!"

He continued shaking his head, "have you even had a decent conversation with him?"

"Of course I have. But he's always snarling and growling, he's so aggressive and rude, he has no personal space."

Shane face palmed, "You don't even know." he threw his hands up, "I'm done. I can't believe you. I can't believe he lasted two weeks." He started walking away, still shouting. "The kid saves the world, gives up his humanity, and loses his mother. All in one foul swoop. The person who should have been most proud of him, doesn't even know how to communicate with him. Oh my gosh, I never knew how much of a selfish person you were Dr. Lake" his voice started fading. "You had your own son leave because of how you were treating him. I hope he gets as far away from here as possible." He screams before entering the building.

Barbara stood angry in the parking lot. For several minutes she stood there thinking about how completely uncalled for Shane's behavior was. She finally headed for the building and entered her clinic and started looking over the patent cases for the day. All around her, the staff and nurses were giving her glares and shaking their heads.

She finally got fed up with it and yelled to the entire hospital, "If you want to come talk to me in private, do so! If not, keep your rude glances to yourselfs!"

It didn't do much.

After work she made a B-line to where her and Strickler were having dinner. She got out of the car and marched toward him, and put a threatening finger in his face.

"Did you know about this?" She asked.

"You might have to be a little bit more specific, I know a lot of things. For one, Hitler didn't commit suicide." He said nonchalantly.

"What!? No! Jim! Did you know about Jim!" She scolded.

"I know a lot of things about him too."

"He left! Did you know he left? He ran away, and he didn't even tell me! So I'll ask again. Did you know?" She narrowed her eyes at him, her finger on his chest.

Strickler chuckled and gently removed her hand from his chest, "Of course I knew. I even know where he is. I also happen to know that he didn't tell you for a reason, the same reason I didn't tell you. I also know the reason he left."

"You knew! Of course you did, and of course you know where he is. You've been on his side this entire time!" She threw her arms up.

"It's not like there's sides, only that I've been treating Jim with kindness." His stared off into the distance as he mentally continued the list in his head. Respect, care, and love, decency…

"You don't get to say that! You have no idea…" She paused.

"Trust me, I do have an idea. I'm surprised you even put up with me with how you've been treating your own son." He stood straight.

"Well, you're human… most of the time."

"Yes, but first, I was a troll before I was human at all. Barbara, I want our relationship to work, but things are going to have to change. Starting with how you treat your son."

"I can not believe you Walter…" she gasped.

"What? That I want what's best for your emotionally unstable son? That I think you should show him some love? That I've been treating him more like a son than you have? What can't you believe?" His voice grew to a yell.

Barbara steeled her face, "I can't believe that I've even been listening to you."

"If that's the way you feel fine, but know that I'm not going to stop trying to convince you to change your actions toward Jim. When he gets back, he's still going to need his mother. I hope by then you've seen some sense."

"Can't change actions against someone who's gone." She yelled as she got in her car and drove away.

Walter sighed and shook his head, wishing only that she could understand.

Barbara drove away angry, angry at everyone at the hospital who gossiped about her 'poor behavior toward her son'. Angry at Walter for taking Jim's side. Angry at Jim for leaving… No, angry at Jim for taking that damn potion!

What did they know, all the town knew was that Jim saved them, not his weird behaviors or actions, not his nasty and possibly unhealthy consumption of raw meat or his terrifying noises. They had no place to tell her she was doing anything wrong, and if she was. So what? Jim was a troll now, he didn't even make an effort to reach out to her… well maybe he did, but they were trollish behaviors. They made her uncomfortable.

For some reason Barbara was able to justify her actions, and stayed angry at everyone.

Claire bolted up in bed, a cold sweat ran down her face and back. Her heart was racing, and her breathing sporadic. She'd been having these nightmares since Jim left.

Always of the same thing, Morgana. She would be possessed again and the dream always ended with her killing one of her friends or someone in her family. This time, it was different. Jim had killed her. And he was a troll, and she wasn't important to him anymore. So there was no reason to keep her alive with Morgana possessing her again.

Claire hugged herself and sobbed silently until she fell back asleep, she didn't need to worry about the nightmare recurring. The terrors only came once a night. Of course she hadn't told anyone though. Her mother was still busy as always and Blinkey was gone, she would tell Toby if he would just listen for a minute. Maybe she should go talk to Strickler… No, not yet. The nightmares would go away, eventually.

Review please.