I'm sooooooo sorry, I totally spaced posting this chapter. Then I was working on another (unposted but super awesome crossover) book and I was like... oh shit. And that was like... 20 minutes ago, so now I've edited and you get to read it. Again, I'm really sorry, but hey, you get to endure more stupidity from the three stooges. Thanks to Fangirling101B for the name idea for the last chapter.

I don't own.

So The Chaos Ensues

Chapter 32: What the hell you three?

Sunday Night; 6:28 PM

Alex was the first one up, being a night owl as well as a party goer. She slipped out of the nest of blankets and went to the bathroom. On her way back, she noticed Maggie's phone, sitting out in the open, left on the counter.

She grinned and quickly crept quietly back to the others. Waking them and immediately shushing them.

"What is this about, Alex?" Kyle asked.

The girl replied while pointing. "Freedom."

The others stood in their wrinkled and dirty clothes, looking over the couch and Maggie's sleeping form. They spotted the phone and all grinned, and scrambled over to the kitchen.

"All we have to do is figure out her password," Amanda smiled.

Alex's grin widened. "It's unlocked."

"Maggie's phone is always locked," Amanda said.

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, I say," Kyle replied.

Alex nodded and unlocked the phone, her grin widening still. "Too easy," she mutters. Hitting the call button, she waited for the only law enforcement in town to answer.

Maggie's lips upturned, still pretending to sleep, she whispered to herself. "Too easy."

The three got as close together as possible, listening to the phone ring. All holding their breath.

"Hey Maggie," the man's cheerful voice rang.

"Detective Skinner," Amanda practically squealed, the others hurriedly shushing her. Sorry, she mouthed.

"Who is this?" Cheer gone, now replaced by anger, laced with suspicion. "Where is Maggie?" He bit.

"Maggie's fine," Alex hissed back. "She's asleep on the couch."

"Detective, you've gotta save us. We're in way over our heads!" Kyle said.

"Who is this?"

"Amanda, Kyle, and me, Alex."

Detective Skinner sighed. "You three, the friends of Jim's?"

"We thought we were," Alex said.

"What's going on?" He asked, now sounding just plain annoyed.

"Remember the freaky shit Jim and Claire were talking about at the weird assembly?" Kyle asked.

"Yes," he said. Tone returning to suspicion.

"We wanted to know what he was keeping from us, so we followed Claire and Maggie," Amanda said.

Skinner saw where this was going and didn't bother interrupting, but rolled his eyes countless times as they spoke.

"And now we're stuck in an underground city, and I'm pretty sure that Jim, and this blue troll, are trying to kill us," Kyle said.

"Detective Skinner, you've gotta get us out of here," Alex said. "Head south in the forest till you get to the bridge over the sewer, there's a backpack strung over the bridge supports. There's a weird gem thing, use it to draw an arch and put your hand on it. Go down the big gem stairs and find the wall with the huge staircase."

"But be careful," Kyle warned. "There's a blue troll here, who's got this giant sword. I'm pretty sure he's eaten a human or two."

"Also we aren't crazy," Amanda added.

Skinner paused in thought for a moment. Jim knew what he was doing, and he was most definitely pissed when these three came down uninvited. Not that he always agreed with the half troll's ways, but he knew he would never do anything to endanger his friends.

So, he concluded that letting them call him, was part of Jim's plan. Which meant they didn't know he knew.

"I don't know kids, that sounds even more crazy then the stuff Jim was talking about last week."

"Please, you've gotta believe us," Kyle pleaded.

"Just come down the bridge at least, you'll see the backpack and everything," Alex said.

Amanda, still not feeling he was convinced, spoke. "We're not crazy, I swear."

"Oh! Bring us food please, we haven't eaten since Friday," Kyle added, quite pitifully.

"Fine," Skinner said. "I'll check it out."

A chorus of sighs, and thank yous, came as he hung up.

The three looked at each other, Alex replaced the phone in the same spot and they spoke. "We should go back to sleep, make it look like we were never up."

"Get more rest before Jim's next sadistic plan takes place."

"Hide just in case Jager comes back?"

They nodded and went back to the blanket pile and did their best to sleep. Maggie grinned at their turned backs. She looked over to the curtain dividing Jim's room and the rest of the cave, seeing his trollish grin. He nodded at her before disappearing back into the dark.

…

7:19

Skinner didn't like knowing that Jim was purposely starving them, even if he did have some convoluted plan, or a good reason.

He waved to trolls as he walked through town to Jim's long, tall, staircase.

He hated those stairs.

Beginning his trek, he tried to think of how Jim's friends had reacted to finding out Jim was part troll, if they even knew at all. He rounded the corner, and everyone was asleep.

He looked at the three who had called him, they sounded so panicked, so urgent. And they had blankets, and were sleeping soundly. Maggie was on the couch, watching him, he realized, she had probably been awake for the phone call, and they didn't know it.

Jim's head poked out of his room, grinning at the sleeping stooges.

"Hook, set, and anchor," Maggie mused quietly. Jim nodded and stepped out, he scented the air.

Spotting the large white paper bag Skinner was gripping, he smiled. "You brought me scones," he said.

The man tilted his head toward the three sleeping. "I brought them scones. They said you haven't fed them."

Jim arched his brow, asking a question.

"Jim, they said they haven't eaten since Friday." he stressed.

"I am well aware of the fact," Jim said. "I plan on making them a hearty breakfast this morning… if everything goes as planned," he added.

"Mind letting me in on that?" Skinner asked.

Jim shook his head. "If I told you, it wouldn't work," he smiled. "Now," he rubbed his hands together. "To wake the sleeping beauties."

Claire came out of the room, smiling. "Evening Skinner," she said.

"Jim," Maggie said. "Please tell me you're going to roar at them to wake them up! It would be hilarious."

"As much fun as that would be, Skinner, would you do the honors?"

Skinner rolled his eyes, but walked forward setting the scones near the couch. He turned back to the others. "Do you want them to know I know?"

Jim thought for a moment then smiled. "Act as if you don't for right now, play it up."

Skinner nodded. "Maggie, you're still sleeping. Jim, Claire, go back to your room if you want this to work." they nodded and he then turned back to the other three. He put his hand on their shoulders, shaking them awake. Once they saw him, they bolted up.

"Oh my gosh you came!" Amanda shouted.

"Yeah, and I've gotta say, I thought you were messing with me! But this," he gestured outside. "This is nuts!"

"We told you!" Alex said.

"What is this place?" He asked, looking around.

"This is Jim's cave, he lives down here, with these… trolls," Kyle said, an undertone of disgust.

Jim, Claire, and Maggie all glared, even if they're looks weren't seen.

"You've at least got a bed," Skinner noted.

"We had to work for the blankets," Kyle complined.

Skinner's lips were pressed to a straight line, and he blinked at the wall for a moment. "That's how the real world works kid, your parents aren't always going to be there to buy you things."

"Jim, Claire, and Maggie, they've been keeping us here. And that blue troll we told you about, he's in on it too." Alex said.

"Jim says we can't leave till we figure out his secret," Amanda adds.

Jim decided it the perfect time to go out. He snagged the mask and grabbed one of Maggie's spare swords he kept in his room. He took a breath and ran out, looking battle ready in pj's.

"Who's out here… Skinner, how did…" he looked angrily at the three stadning around him and slowly marches forward, growling. "You three have some nerve, now he's gonna have to be stuck down here too!" He held the sword in front of him, with one hand he subtly gestured for Skinner to pull his gun. And reassured him with a nod.

Skinner pulled his gun, safety on, and finger nowhere near the trigger. Not that teem oblivious would ever notice. -_-

"Smart law man, you know I can beat you hand to hand," he quipped.

"I know when I'm out matched, but you're outgunned."

Did he really just… he did. He just made a pun.

Skinner looked briefly to the three teens, and Maggie trying not to loose it as she 'slept'.

"Get back," he yelled to them.

Jim rolled, and launched the sword at Skinner's gun, aiming just above and it lodged into the wall near the other three. Skinner voluntarily dropped his gun, and swore.

"Where's Claire?" Skinner grit as they engaged hand to hand.

"Sleeping," he replied with a smile, eyes telling him to call for her.

"Claire!" Skinner yelled.

She waited a few moments before busting out through the curtain. "What?!... Skinner, what…"

"Jim's lost it!" Skinner said. "He's trying to kill me!"

Jim nodded to his mate, and she rushed forward, 'attacking' him.

The three were huddled in the corner, watching the fight.

Then Amanda noticed something. Something small, almost irrelevant. But it wasn't.

Crouching down next to Claire's clothing trunk, she fingered Maggie's bookbag, opening it, she found the horngazzle, glowing blood red in her bag. "Guys," she said.

Alex stared at the bag, frowning. "What about it? Jim's trying to kill Detective Skinner," she whisper yelled.

Amanda pulled out the red gem and held it out, and the other two looked between the Key and Skinner.

"Skinner, if Maggie's bag was down here with the key, how did you get in?" Amanda asked calmly, though loud enough for them to hear over their fight.

The three froze, their positions held in place with Claire holding Jim's arm back, and Skinner's fist wrapped around Jim's shirt, then Maggie lost it.

She was holding her stomach as she laughed, then fell off the couch, and continued in her fit of hysterics. "This has been the best week of my life!" She says, pushing herself to her feet and wiping tears from her cheeks. "I haven't laughed that hard in a while. I brought my bag down yesterday," she said.

Alex inhaled sharply, then stomped her foot. "WHAT is going on?" She yelled.

Skinner, Jim, and Claire had separated, standing respectful distances from another as they'd watched Maggie get up and move to the side.

Skinner stuck his arm out and pointed at the Trollhunter. "Jim made me do it!"

"Sure, blame it on me," Jim rolls his eyes.

"Wait," Kyle said. "You knew?"

Skinner nodded. "Since day, what was it? Five?"

Jim shrugged.

"I can't believe this." Amanda said. "You've known we were here? And you didn't come to help us?!"

"I didn't know you were down her till you called me, but look, what Jim does about his troll business, that's his business. And from what I can tell, you trespassed, and I honestly can't do anything about Jim," Skinner said. Viewing the incredulous looks, he explained. "I mean, come on. You've seen him fight. He's the strongest, and most skilled troll here!"

Jim mentally cheered. He said it. He finally said it. They can't be that stupid. He just said it. Come on, they've got to get it now.

They just glared at the detective, who stared back.

"You… he just, he said it…" Jim snarled. "That's it! I can't take this anymore! I will not have you here through Thanksgiving! Sit on the couch, now. Maggie, move."

They quickly did as they were told, Skinner moved to sit on one of the trunks. Jim stood in front of the three, and stared them down as Claire and Maggie stood at his flanks.

"Are you finally just going to tell us?" Alex asked, bored.

"No. You're going to lay out the facts! And you're going to sit there and starve until you do. Because Daya knows I've been as obvious as Bular. Now, tell me what you know."

One by one, they dropped pieces of information.

"You're nocturnal, and you're allergic to the sun."

"You went three months without eating almost anything."

"Blinkey said you were the first human trollhunter, which means you have that amulet."

He pulled out the Amulet, and slapped it down on the coffee table in front of them. "Keep going, I'm curious to see how long it's going to take to hit you like a sack of bricks." He said in a flat tone, expression blank, eyes half lidded, and arms folded.

"We still don't know what you're culture is," was said. Followed with Claire facepalming.

"How come we've never seen you face to face with Jager?" Maggie facepallmed as well.

"Jager, he said it's not just your secret. He also said that he's you, but a troll."

Skinner squinted at the three, not believing what he was seeing, or hearing. "What the hell you three?" He said.

"No, it's just my secret. And no troll here in Trollmarket has the name of Jager." Jim said.

They kept thinking, adding small bits and pieces of information. Jim stared at them in silence for ten minutes, Claire and Maggie had long sat down. But he stood in the same pissed off position he started in. Glaring, arms folded.

Another thirty minutes went on with them quietly brainstorming. Jim stood firm. Claire, Maggie, and Skinner had all the scones eaten by that point. As he stood still.

After a full hour had passed, Jim spoke in a soft growl.

"Claire, what's the english translation of Jager?" He asked slowly.

Claire looked up from her hand of cards. Her, Maggie and Skinner had been through four rounds of Darts, and she'd won every round.

"Hunter," she said. "Jager means hunter."

"Maggie, supposedly, what species was Jager?"

Her face screwed up, but she answered. "A troll."

"Skinner, what is my title?"

"Trollhunter." He said.

The three took this new information in, but before they started brainstorming further, Jim could see it hit them. With the speed and force their heads shot up. I can imagine them actually getting hit with bricks.

One by one, they repeated what they'd said before in the past hour.

"Jager is a troll, and his name means hunter," Amanda said. "Jim's the Trollhunter."

"The picture in the book, Jager's sword. Jim's amulet," Kyle said.

Alex's eyes were wide as saucers. "Jager said. 'Immagine Jim, but as a troll. That's me'." She stood up, eyes blazing! "You told us!" She screamed.

"I did," Jim said calmly. Still not moving from his stance.

"You tied us up! And stole our phones!" Kyle yelled, standing as well.

Jim smirked, remaining calm. "I did."

Amanda was the last to stand, but when she did so, she looked pale. "YOU'RE A TROLL!"

Behind Jim, the three threw their two decks of cards in the air, and they rained down like confetti. "Give 'em a prize," Maggie said. "They had to use every spare brain cell to figure that out."

Jim crouched down, smiling and nodding. "I am," he said. Then took off the mask.

In a flash, the human they'd known was replaced with the violent and vicious troll they knew only as their warden who enjoyed tormenting them.

"I can not believe you did all of this to us?!" Alex yelled.

Jim resumed his position, and glarred. "I can not believe you followed my mate and apprentice into a hidden world of trolls," he retorted.

"This is such a huge secret! And you didn't tell us?" Kyle said.

Growing frustrated, Amanda marched around the table, and stood on the side of the troll.

"Guys, would you listen to yourselves?" She exclaimed. "We followed Claire and Maggie through a magic gateway, into a world of creatures that could kill us with a finger! And you two have constantly been insulting Claire, Jim, and his culture. Which by my count is Trollish.

"Sure they've been rough, but we intruded on their lives. Demanded their secrets. If anything we're the ones in the wrong. Jim was just trying to teach us a lesson, a well deserved one at that."

Alex opened her big mouth, but was quickly shut down.

"NO, I'm not done. While you guys were constantly bickering with a troll, whom has been pointed out -multiple times- as the most powerful creature here, I was learning. I learned about troll history, how to fight, about the government and economy of a different species, and that Jim's a much better friend then we ever made him out to be." She finished. "So go ahead. Try and yell at him, tell him he sucks for not telling us he's a different species, for keeping an entire world from you because it's his job. I'd love to hear that argument."

Jim's eyes went wide, in awe at Amanda. Follow the social norm, girly, go with the flow Amanda, just stood up for a troll.

He turned to the girl who defending him, and smiled his big toothy grin. Claire smiled at that, she'd missed that smile. Jim nodded at her. "Thank you, and you get breakfast."

She smiled back and sighed. "Good, because I'm starving."

Jim looked back at the other two, face pulling back to a glare. "Do you two have anything to say?"

"You're selfish, and cruel. You should've just let us out when you first found us," Alex said. Mirroring Jim's posture.

His lips curled, and he settled on a growl.

She scoffed. "At least now that makes sense."

Jim narrowed his eyes. "Detective Skinner, please take Alex home. Kyle?"

"You were just plain mean, man. That's not cool in my book," Kyle said.

The troll disappeared into his room for a moment before returning with their phones. "If anyone asks, you went on a last minute camping trip to Peaslee. Same rules for you as Justin. You say nothing about me or my life here, if you do I will throw you in the hold and you won't ever see the light of day again. Do you understand?"

"Tell anyone and you break laws, got it." Kyle nodded, grateful for the return of his phone.

Alex snatched hers back and glared. She was tired, and she covered it with anger because she was about to break down into tears.

I look to Skinner. "Take good care of them, they've barely slept. They aren't nocturnal." Jim looked at the two. "As you head back out of the cavern, to your homes', please remember, this is mine," he shook his head, eyes soft. "Don't take it from me."

Alex and Kyles' eyes lit up, if only slightly. Finally understanding why Jim had reacted the way he did. He didn't want people finding out, coming to hurt his friends, his family, his whole world. And them just knowing, put that in danger. They lowered their heads and followed Strickler down the long stairway.

Jim let out an air of breath, finally able to get to his vacation!

He smiled and walked into the kitchen, grinning at the girls in the living room picking up cards and throwing them at each other. Laughing and talking, smiling like friends, like a pack.

He pulled out the eggs and began his famous omelettes.