Atlas of Heartstone

Walt was shaken awake, not by his wife but by an earthquake that shook the whole of Arcadia. Jim appeared in the doorway, Wally and Xena crying in his arms.

"Mum! Da!"

"We're fine, Jim," Walt slipped out of bed and took the toddlers, "Are you three alright?"

"We're ok. But it scared the bejeebies out of the two of them."

"I'll believe it," Barbara took Wally from her husband.

Jim frowned, "Da? Earthquakes around here usually mean something big is happening. Something bad."

"I know, Young Atlas. I'll call your Onkel and Aunt as soon as I-"

The ringing of Jim's phone cut them off.

"Gran? We're all fi- What!? Are all of you ok!?" The color drained from his face and he sat heavily on his parents' bed, "W-Wha...O-Ok. I...I'm on my way…"

He dropped his phone and stared at the floor. His mother sat beside him. Wally stayed tucked against her chest but looked up at his brother.

"Jim? Sweetheart, what's wrong? Is your grandmother ok?"

"Y-Yeah. Gran and all of them are ok. But...there was a cave-in in one of the gem tunnels. Popa Venal was felled."

LLB

Jim's heart raced as he flew over Heartstone Trollmarket. It had quickly dissolved into chaos. Citizens were running around, screaming for their loved one's. Whelps were crying, some of the built shops had collapsed. He flew faster. He stumbled through his landing at the base of the Heartstone and ran into Vendal's keep.

The fallen troll had been laid on the table. Morgana and Angor sat on one side with Claire and the Nomuras. The Giladrigals stood on the other side.

"Atlas!" Seamus held Cordi closer.

"W-What happened?

"We don't really know any more," His grandmother admitted, "He was down the tunnel with a few other trolls to collect for the healing house. When the earthquake happened he made sure everyone else got out but…"

Jim nodded and hung his head. He lay one hand on the fallen troll.

"Where are Aja and Krel?"

"They're talking to their parents in the keep," Claire explained, "Tronos is with them."

Jim nodded and fell silent once more.

"Atlas… Blinky stepped up beside him, holding Vendal's crystals, staff, and bag.

Jim blinked. He wasn't ready, but he couldn't wait any longer. With shaking hands he took the crystals. He tied them around his waist with his belt; he replaced his apprentice bag with Vendal's larger leader one; he took the staff. Finally, he slipped a necklace with a small white shard around his neck.

"What do you want us to do now, Atlas?" Draal asked.

JIm's tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth. He felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Claire. He took a deep breath and looked at those around him. His parents, siblings, and the remainder of their family ran in.

"W-We'll hold a fallen ceremony for Popa Vendal later. We need to make sure Heartstone Trollmarket is safe NOW. We don't want anyone else getting hurt," He tossed Arrrgh a glowing green crystal from the counter behind him, "Uncle Arrrgh, take this and check the other tunnels. Make sure no others have collapsed and use the crystal to fix any cracks in the others. Draal and Uncle Bular, I want you two to go and take care of the civilians. Help people find their families and send any injured here. Uncle Blinky? Can you take care of any injured that arrive until I get back? I want to fly up and make sure the roof of the main chamber is stable. Take care of any damage done now rather than put it off."

"Of course. But we are meant to leave for New York in only a few hours."

Jim took another deep breath and nodded again, "Right. Mum, Da. I think I'm going to have to sit that one out."

Walt nodded and put a hand on his son's shoulder, "Of course, Young Atlas. Your market needs you. And we shouldn't be gone for too long."

"We'll be staying behind on this mission as well," Draal and Arrrgh stepped forward.

"I want to stay too," Seamus insisted, "Heartstone is my home and I want to help."

Jim smiled at his friend.

"I'll stay, too," Elizabeth stepped forward," You'll need help checking on the roof and I can fly too. When I want."

Jim nodded at the other polymorph, "Ok, then. Seamus? Would you mind staying here once Uncle Blinky leaves for New York?"

"Will do, Atlas."

Barbara hugged her eldest son tightly, "You be careful."

"I think that's supposed to be my line, Mum."

"Humer us," Walt hugged his son from the other side, "Would you mind keeping your brother and sister here with you while we're gone?"

"Not at all," Jim forced a smile and looked down at the toddlers, "You two want to stay here with me, Seamus, and Tanta Liza?"

"Yeah!"

"And I'll keep Antonia safe," Elizabeth vowed, taking the baby in her arms.

Otto and Lenora nodded. Neither one was pleased about having to leave their baby behind.

Elizabeth smiled wanly, "I promise to give her back when you return."

"We'll let you know as soon as we get back," Claire kissed her boyfriend.

Jim nodded and put an arm around each Wally and Xena. They watched as their parents and family made their way back through the market. Once they were all out of sight, Jim turned back to the ones that had stayed.

"Alright. We have a lot to do so we better get started. Uncle Arrrgh, Uncle Blinky, Uncle Bular, and Draal, you all know where you need to be. Seamus, I want you to stay here with Uncle Blinky and the kids until Tanta Liza and I get back. Then you can go out and help check and repair the tunnels. Tanta Liza, you said you wanted to help me check and repair the roof?"

She nodded and shifted her grip on Antonia, "But Antonia stays with me. I promised to keep her safe and I can't do that if she's here and I'm there.

The baby in question giggled and reached for her aunt's hair.

"Seamus? Can she borrow Cordi's carrier? Obviously, we don't want to drop Toni either."

"Yeah. I'll run and get it real quick."

"Atlas! Atlas!" Wally pulled on the hem of his hubrik.

"We help, too!" Xena declared.

"Ok," Jim looked around and knelt down closer to their height, "I want you two to...stay here and help Uncle Blinky and Seamus make people better. Can you do that for me?"

"Yeah!"

Jim straightened and ushered the 'twins' over to their uncle. It wasn't long before Seamus returned with the carrier and he and Elizabeth flew off.

"I'll start towards the entrance and you start at the back of the cavern. We'll meet in the middle by the tunnel to Mary's lake."

The older polymorph nodded and flew off. Jim sighed and flew to the crystal staircase. Without anyone else around, he was left with his thoughts. He was the leader of Heartstone Trollmarket now. Vendal was dead. It was his job to take care of everyone in Heartstone. If there was a problem, the trolls would have to come straight to him. If the Tribunal was needed, he was the one who had to call them. If the Tribunal was called, he was the one who had to ANSWER. Never more had he felt more like his namesake. Six years of training had not been enough to train him for all of this. The apprentices in other Trollmarkets had been studying for DECADES. He was barely more than a whelp to them.

He ran his hand over the roof of the cavern, looking for any cracks or breaks that could pose trouble. Shockingly, there didn't appear to be much damage at this end of the cavern. Some cracks had appeared along some of the walls but nothing more until closer to the center. He tried to bury his worries under the task at hand. Making sure his market was safe.

"Atlas!" Elizabeth flew over, eyebrows furrowed, "I think you should see this."

Jim finished repairing the small crack and pocketed his crystal. He followed Elizabeth back towards the Heartstone itself and up to the ceiling above it. Deep cracks spiderwebbed from the tip of the crystal and out over the rest of it, reaching like fingers towards the walls and the market. What should have been the strongest part of the cavern seemed to have the most damage. He ran his fingers over some of the cracks.

"This is going to sound stupid but...what's over this part of Heartstone?" Elizabeth asked.

"I-I'm not sure. I think it might be the school. Let's just...fix what damage we can for now. We can come back later and do a better job once the whole market is secure."

"Atlas," Elizabeth made no move to follow him, "I know cave-ins and I know magic. They're the only things I knew for nearly sixty years. For something like this to happen in such a magically charged place, something BIG had to have happened on the surface. A CASTLE landed on the town six months ago and that didn't do this kind of damage. I know your mother said that a METEOR could land here and the market would be ok but the only thing I can think of that would cause this kind of damage is...a bomb or something similar."

"You...you think this was deliberate?"

"I don't know what to think. I just know that something like this would take a LOT of power."

Jim looked from his aunt to the cracks on the ceiling and down to the Heartstone. He pulled out his green crystal and got to work fixing the cracks.

"I still say we worry about fixing what we can for now. I'll do some research as soon as we're done here and try and figure out why someone would be trying to get at the heartstone and what kind of spells or power would be needed to do it."

Elizabeth pursed her lips but nodded and got back to work. Jim forced himself to take another deep breath before he turned back to the ceiling. Glancing over his shoulders he could see Bular and Draal helping the panicked trolls of Heartstone. The young leader smiled. Slowly but surely, the screams and shouts began to quiet.

Once the ceiling was as good as it was going to get for now, Jim waved for Elizabeth to join him on the ground. Inside the hearthstone, Jim made a bee-line for Vendal's lab.

"What are you doing?" Elizabeth asked as she and Seamus followed him.

"You said you thought the damage over the heartstone looked deliberate," he pulled down a couple of books, "That would mean someone was trying to get at it. The question is: Why?"

His companions exchanged a look and shrugged. Both Seamus and Elizabeth grabbed a book and found a place to read. Seamus sat on the counter with Cordelia in his lap and a book in his hand. Elizabeth sat with her back to the wall, Antonia in the crook of one arm, and her book resting on her knee. Jim nodded and took another deep breath.

Book after book turned up nothing Even after Blinky informed them that the injured had all been treated and he had to leave with the others for New York; even after they had gone through over half of Vendals books and journals; even after Seamus took Wally and Xena to get more books from the library. Nothing.

"The only other place I can think to look is the AVALON Library," Jim grumbled, unrolling a map on a whim, "But almost all those books are from BEFORE Heartstone was established. Would they even be use-um...could one of you come look at this? I just want to make sure I'm seeing this right…"

The others crowded around the table. Even Wally and Xena pushed over a stool so they could see.

"I never realized how few heartstones there are in North America," Seamus tilted his head as he looked at the map.

"Yeah. That's why there arn't a lot of trolls native to North America. Most of the ones that are are farther north or along the coasts," Jim shrugged, "But that's not what I'm talking about. Look at the heartstones themselves."

"Our heartstone is the largest," There was no hesitation as Elizabeth traced the large heartstone on the map.

"Exactly! And, the map looks almost identical to the one on the Round Table. See? The crystals on THAT map are in the same places as the heartstones on THIS one."

"Circle!" Wally shouted, pointing at the map, "Look Jim! Circle!"

Jim furrowed his brows and looked at the map again. It wasn't a perfect circle, the edges were more than a little wonky, but it was clearly a circle. And, right at the center, was the largest hearthstone.

"Good catch, Wally…" he traced the circle slowly.

"It's almost like Heartstone Trollmarket is...the center of the world," Seamus shift his grip on Cordelia.

"That WOULD be more than enough reason for someone to try and get at the heartstone," Elizabeth noted.

Jim nodded, still looking at the map. He only looked away when he felt something tugging on the hem of his hubrik.

Xena looked up at him with tear filled eyes, "Someone take our heartstone?"

Jim staired at his baby sister for a moment before forcing a smile and kneeling in front of her, "Of course not. I won't let them."

"Promise?"

"Have I ever lied to you, Sissy?"

The toddler giggled and shook her head, "No."

Jim scooped her up and balanced her on his hip. Wally shrieked with laughter and latched onto his brother's leg. Jim stumbled and laughed. In one move, he brought up his leg and pitched his brother on his other hip. Then, he turned to his friends.

"Alright, I only have one more thing to ask of each of you. Shay, could you-"

"Atlas?" Bular poked his head into the lab, "I'm sorry to interrupt but, now that things have calmed down, trolls have some questions."

Jim's smile wavered for a second but he nodded and turned to face his uncle, "I know, Uncle Bular. I just have one more thing to do and then I'll answer their questions."

The larger troll nodded and backed out of the room. Jim turned back to the others.

"Ok. Um...Seamus, would you mind going up and asking Zoe and Wanda if they or any of the hedge witches would mind coming down here and putting a few extra spells around the heartstone? Just to supplement my own. Tanta Liza, would you be able to get a map of Arcadia? I just want to double check the heartstone's parallel on the surface."

HIs companions nodded and scurried off. Jim nodded firmly and set his brother and sister on their feet.

"Alright. Now I have a very important job for the two of you. Think you can do it?"

"Yeah!"

"Ok. First, hold hands," he wait for them to comply, "Alright! Second, I need you both to stay in the doorway to the keep. I'm going to talk to everyone and I'll be right back. I need you two to look after eachother while i'm gone. OK?"

"OK!"

The young polymorph forced another smile and straightened. With one hand on each of their shoulders, he led them both to the front of the keep. Then, making sure they stayed put, he marched forward to address his market.

Everyone was watching him. For a second, his tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth. He took a deep, shaking breath and forced them once more.

"Citizens of Heartstone Trollmarket, I am sure you have heard by now that, earlier this day, our leader, Vendal, was felled."

Murmurs broke out among the assembled trolls. Jim bit his lip and took to the air. He could see more of the market from here anyway.

"I know you have questions and I will do my best to answer them. First, there WILL be a fallen ceremony for Vendal. However, it will have to wait until next week. This week, I will be focusing on the repairs following the earthquake and replenishing the protective spells around the market and the heartstone itself. Everyone who wishes to attend Vendal's fallen ceremony is welcome. The exact date will be posted once it has been arraigned. For now-"

The murmurs and voices had only grown as he spoke. Jim looked around. Wally and Xena had sat down on the floor in the doorway. He could even see Erik hiding among his father's spikes and Barla and Marla tucked safe in their mother's arms.

"Listen! I know this isn't ideal!" That silenced the trolls, "None of us were expecting Vendal to fall anytime soon. There was no way we could foresee this. All we can do now is look to the future. I know I do not have nearly as much training as we expected but I DO know what Vendal taught me."

At this he landed. He bowed to the market, staff in one hand and sword tucked under his arm as he knelt.

"Vendal taught me that a Market Leader's primary job is to protect and look after their market. And I vow to lead as he taught me. I serve Heartstone Trollmarket."

Jim remained kneeling for a few more heartbeats. Waiting. Waiting for the whispers to start again. Waiting for ANYONE to say ANYTHING. But the cavern stayed silent. When he finally looked up, his breath was swept away. The entire market was bowing to him. He straightened slowly, completely at a loss for words.

"All hail Atlas of Heartstone!" Erik shouted.

Chuckles and laughter rippled through the market. Even Jim chuckled. He took a deep, clear breath before addressing his market once more.

"Any further questions can be brought directly to me at the healing house. If you need assistance getting there, please find Draal the Deadly or Bular the Black. They will assist you."

With that he bowed to them all again, took his brother and sister by the hands, and retreated into the healing house. Without warning, both toddlers latched onto his legs. Jim scooped them both up. He sat them at a counter with some coloring books, crayons, and paper, it wasn't long before trolls began to trickle in with questions. After answering the same question three times in a row, he began to pen a frequently asked questions list to post by the entrance to the Healing House.

"I brought the map, Atlas," Elizabeth handed him the folded map, "Sorry I took so long. Toni needed a diaper change along the way."

"It's fine, Tanta Liza. It's not like I didn't have anything else to do."

He unrolled a map of Heartstone and laid the map of Arcadia on top. Making sure the known landmarks lined up, he carefully located the heartstone on both maps.

"I was right. The High School is directly above us. But, then what caused the damage? Reconstruction on the high school WEEKS ago."

"The castle was built right behind it," Elizabeth tapped the empty spot on the map, "It's not on this map but it's just off the school's property."

"True...But that would put it over Gran and Chitea's keep. Not the heartstone...That just brings us back to your theory. Someone's trying to get at it. But the way they're going about it, they'll destroy the high school in the process."

"That would imply that they're not from Arcadia. Or they're just ass holes," She covered Antonia's ears as she spoke.

"Langu-"

"Hey, Atlas!" Seamus transformed as he and Cordelia returned, "So, HexTech was closed for updates and I had to search around town to find anyone. Long story short, I brought the whole coven!"

Zoe and Wanda rolled their eyes at the over enthusiastic werewolf before waving their friends in.

"Alright, the wolf said something about helping with some spell work?" Zoe lifted an eyebrow.

"Yes. That earthquake caused some damage in the market. We think it may have been someone attempting to access our heartstone. I would like to request your assistance in placing more protective spells around the heartstone to prevent it from being stolen or causing more damage to the caverns. I will pay you all in full."

Wanda side-eyed her boss. For her part, Zoe looked around the Healing House.

"Where's the old goat in charge? Or one of your wizards?"

Jim swallowed and hung his head, "He fell...And the wizards are all away on a mission with Douxie and Merlin. I'm the one in charge now. Will you help us?"

"Oh...Sorry…"Zoe bowed her head, "Alright, Kid. We'll lend a hand. But it IS going to cost you."

Wanda elbowed her in the ribs.

"Ow! I didn't say what! We need amethyst, ruby, and iron."

"Amethyst and ruby we can get you no problem," Jim agreed, "But we tend to avoid iron here because it hurts fairies and changelings. Will you take copper?"

The witches exchanged a look before looking over their shoulders at the rest of their coven.

"Yeah, ok."

Jim grinned, "Great! Thanks. I'll show you where we'll be working in just a second. I just have to post these for anyone who stops by while I'm out," he scooped his FAQ list and a tablet for them to write any other questions, "Seamus? Tanta Liza? Thanks again for all your help. I don't know what I would have done without you guys."

Seamus waved him off, "No problem, man. If you need any more help, don't hesitate to ask."

"We're staying here," Elizabeth nodded down at Antonia, "I said I was staying to help and I'm going to do that until they all get back."

Jim smiled and nodded at them both. Then, he took Xena by the hand and ushered Wally along, leading the way into Heartstone Trollmarket.

LLB

Jim sighed and resisted the urge to wipe his face. He had nearly finished the permanent repairs to the tunnel and he was up to his elbows in the repairing potion. It wouldn't hurt him but it was sticky and he didn't want it anywhere else. His brother and sister, on the other hand, were covered in the stuff.

"Jim," Xena tugged on his hubrik and pointed to where the hedge witches were still working on the heartstone, "I wanna do THAT."

He chuckled, "Yeah?"

"Yeah!"

"Well, we'll just have to talk to Mummy and Ms. Zoe later, won't we?"

"Yeah!"

"Me too!" Wally pranced around them.

Jim laughed outright. Then, the ground began to shake.

"J-Jim?" The twins looked up at him, terror etched onto their little faces.

He didn't think. He just tucked a toddler under each arm and flew out of the tunnel. In the main cavern, he landed on his knees, tucked them both to his chest, and wrapped his wings around all three of them. They stayed like that until the shaking stopped.

Trolls were shouting and running around again. The hedge witches were holding onto each other's arms. Jim tucked the twins closer.

"Hold onto me, you two.'

He wait until their hands were firmly latched onto his collar before taking to the air. Trolls cheered, shouted, and pointed as he flew over them. Elizabeth met him halfway up the heartstone, Antonia crying against her chest. Neither of them said a word as they searched the ceiling over the crystal.

"It worked," Jim sighed, "It worked!"

Cheers and roars echoed from the city below. He hugged his siblings closer and landed in front of Zoe.

"Thank you! Thank you so much for your help!"

"Don't mention it, kid," She shrugged, "The heartstone makes our magic stronger, too. If anything happened to it we'd ALL be SOL."

Jim chuckled, "Still. Thank you."

"Atlas!" Claire burst out of a portal and stumbled over to him, "You have to come to the castle!"

"Why?" He set Wally and Xena on the floor, "What happened?"

"Your dad's been hurt. Bad!"