AN: Sorry it took so long to get this out. Life kind of got in the way for a little bit there. Hopefully updates will be back on track now. Enjoy!

LLB

Toil and Trouble

Walt leapt from the skiff and flew as fast as he could. He raced past his brother, Mary tucked against his chest, and down the hall to the healing chamber.

"Mum! Mum! We need you! Mary's been hit!"

Morgana leapt to her feet and led her son to one of the other beds, "Put her here. Go help your brother and send Angor in here to help me."

Walt lay Mary down and rushed back to the main chamber.

"Angor! Mum needs your help."

The troll sprinted down the hall, Stardust hot on his heels. Walt turned in search of his brother. He found him on the floor, by the wall, in a meltdown the likes of which he hadn't seen in decades.

"Otto?" Walt transformed and knelt in front of his brother, "Was ist Falsch? Warum..."

He saw the bright red blood staining his baby brother's blue stone. Walt gently grabbed Otto's wrists and pulled his hands away from his chest. There were fresh scratches from where he had tried to claw the blood off.

"Otto? Wo ist Eli?"

Otto shook his head and tried to pull his arms back to his chest.

"Nein, Otto. Nein. Sehen Mich."

He gently tugged Otto to his feet. He doubted he would be getting the younger polymorph to talk until he got him cleaned up. The heavy sound of stone on stone alerted him to Draal's return.

"They are locked away and await judgement," He growled, "Oh, Stricklander. Good. You can take care of them."

"Take care of them? Who? Draal, what happened?"

"We defeated the fairy but he wasn't alone. A woman, the one who looks like Lenora. She was with him. Willingly. She tricked us and...and she stabbed Eli."

"She WHAT!? Wait. Maranda? The one who RAISED Eli? She stabbed him? Where's E-"

Otto wined and tried to pull his arms back again. Walt forced himself to calm down and shook his head.

"Es tut mir leid, Brüderlein. Wir gehen. Wir gehen. Draal, do you know where Eli is now?"

Draal shook his head, "Last I knew, Otto was rushing him to Morgana in the healing chamber. I took the fairies down to the iron cage in the dungeons."

Walt shook his head again and pulled Otto towards the washroom down the hall, "That's where she was when I got back. But I didn't see...I'll check in after I get Otto cleaned up."

Draal nodded and made his way to the parapets to keep watch. Walt guided Otto into the washroom and filled the basin with warm water. He used a soft cloth to wipe the blood from his chest, arms, and hands. Otto's gaze stayed fixed on the wall, distant and empty. Walt hummed a quiet lullaby as he worked. Not the one he sang for his wife and children but one he had written for Otto a very long time ago. He wrung out the cloth and sighed.

"Remember the last time we did this, Bruderlein? Way back in Portugal? We had to get you and your uniform washed up and back to our camps before anyone noticed we were gone."

Otto didn't react. Walter nodded and continued cleaning.

"Even then. No matter where we were, where the Order sent us, or how much time passes. You will always be my Bruderlein."

Otto nodded slightly, not breaking his gaze on the wall. Walt smiled and wiped the last of the blood off his brother's hands.

"Du bist mein Engel,

Du bist mein Hertz,

Du bist mein Ein und Alles.

Ich sagte 'Ich Leibe'

Und das ist immer,

Fur du, mein Kinder Mein Haus."

When all the blood was gone, Walt slipped the iron ring from Otto's finger. He shifted into his human form. Otto blinked down at his hands and leaned into his brother's touch.

"Danke, Fledermaus," He whispered, "I don't zink vve tell you zat enough."

Walt chuckled and rubbed his back, "I'm sure you do. Come on. Let's go talk to Mum."

Otto nodded feebly and followed Walt down the hall. In the healing hall, Morgana was just finishing with Mary.

"P-Princessin?" Otto gasped when he saw his daughter, "W-What happened to her?"

"She...She was hit by the ice titan," Walt hung his head, "She had a plan and I let her try it. It looked like it was working but...I don't know what happened. Skrel just lashed out at the last minute. I'm sorry, Otto. I-"

"But it vvasn't your fault," Otto grabbed his arm, "Mama? Is-"

"She's going to be fine," Morgana brushed the hair from Mary's face, "In the long run. Angor's magic got her stable until I could finish healing her but...she's going to be out for a while. And she'll be sore as hell when she does wake up. But she should be fine. I'll have Barbara confirm when she gets back."

Otto nodded and turned. On the other side of the room, Angor and Stardust were tending to Eli. The young bobcat licked the young fairy's forehead while her chosen pulled the blanket up.

"Eli?"

"Much the same. He lost a lot of blood. I was still trying to heal him when Walt brought Mary in. He should be fine in a few hours but... It'll leave a scar and his ASTHMA doesn't thank any of us right now, though."

Otto breathed a sigh of relief and stroked his son's hair, "Danke, Mama."

"Bitte, Otto."

While Otto sat with his eldest two children, Morgana pulled Walt to the side.

"Mum? What's wrong?"

"They're both still in very rough shape, Wally. I-I don't want to think about what would have happened if I hadn't been here. Mary may have been fine. Angor knew what to do to help her but..."

"Eli wouldn't have made it until we or Barbara got back..." He nodded and hugged his mother.

Morgana hugged him back, grip tightening as she shook.

"Papa? Oma? Draal said I'd find you in-in-What happened?"

Toby stumbled to a halt as he ran in. Morgana broke away from her oldest child and took Toby by the shoulders. Otto stood and took a step forward.

"Eli und Mary vvere hurt," He pulled Toby from his grandmother's embrace and into his own, "Zey're going to be ok but, right now, zey need to rest."

The color drained from Toby's face as he looked at his siblings. Eli was still very pale, though his lips were no longer blue. Mary looked as though she were simply asleep but she didn't twitch when Angor clipped her Akoridian hair clip back in. Otto followed Toby's gaze and didn't stop him when he broke away to sit at his sister's side. He sat beside him at Eli's side.

"I bet this is what saved her," Toby whispered, fingering the hair clip, "She was hit by the titan, right?"

Angor nodded and Morgana squeezed his arm.

"Onkel Karl said our Akoridian tech could act as a shield. If she was hit then the shield would have kept it from killing her."

He looked back up at his father and brother. Otto smiled tiredly and nodded.

"Zat's a very good point, Barchen."

Toby nodded, "But what happened to Eli, Papa? I know what blood loss looks like. What kind of powers would Roland have that could do that?"

Otto sighed and flexed his fingers, "Tanta Maranda."

"He had Tanta Maranda under his spell? I mean, Mama warned us that could happen when she left town but-"

Otto shook his head. Toby blinked and furrowed his eyebrows.

"She...she wasn't under his spell? She hurt Eli on PURPOSE?"

Otto nodded and stroked Eli's hair. Toby looked away and growled, squeezing Mary's hand.

"VValt? Otto?"

They both turned. Karl wrung his hands in the doorway, Krel shuffling by his side.

"It's the communication charms. We...We've lost contact with the Kryosphere team."

Both brothers shot to their feet.

"WAS?"

"Where?"

"Hong Kong."

Walt rounded on Angor, "Can you get us there?"

"Of course. But Belrock is just about to make landfall near there and you'll be severely underpowered. Who all is going?"

"Me, of course. And I'm taking Arrrgh-"

"I'm going."

Walt turned to his little brother. Otto shook his head.

"Zere's nozing more I can do for Eli und Mary. Not right now. Ze best I can do is make sure zey actually have a vvorld to vvake up to."

Walt nodded.

"I want to come, too." Toby stood.

Otto looked from his son to his other two children. His face was stony pale as he shook his head.

"Not zis time, Barchen."

"What? But, like you said, there's nothing more we can do here."

"But ze titans can still do plenty of damage to YOU," Otto took him by the shoulders, "Und zere are still two more on their vvay here. I vvon't risk anyzing more happening to you."

"And I will not just sit here waiting while everyone I love is out there risking their lives fighting the titans."

"That's right," Walt stood to his full height and looked down at his nephew, "You will not just sit here waiting. 'Like Otto said'; there are still two more on their way here. We need someone to protect the castle. That'll be the job of the Knights of New Avalon."

Toby glared up at him, clearly not satisfied with that answer.

"Ok. That makes sense. But Oma and Chitea are both staying and so is Draal. The Knights do not actually need me. I'm just moral support."

"No you're not, TB."

They all turned to see Darcy and the other knights waiting in the doorway.

"She's right, Buttsnack," Steve crossed his arms, "Technically, you're the senior knight. Do you think any of us ACTUALLY know what to do when the titans arrive? No!"

"He's right," Aja put one arm around his shoulders, "Atlas may be our 'captain' but you are his 'first mate'. Without him around, we need you to lead us."

"Your grandmother and I will be staying in the healing chamber to take care of your brother and sister," Angor put a hand on Morgana's shoulder, "And Draal will continue to be look out."

Toby sagged slightly and nodded, "Ok. I get it. Someone who actually has some training has to lead the knights."

Otto smiled and hugged his son tightly. Toby buried his face in his father's shoulder for a moment longer before waving the rest of the knights over and out the door.

"Krel?" Walt turned, "Is the amulet finished?"

He nodded and held it out, "It's finished. But I haven't had a chance to test it."

"That's a risk we'll just have to take," Walt pocketed the new amulet and squeezed Krel's shoulder before turning back to his mother and her mate.

Angor nodded and took a step back. He focused on the portal and wait for Walt and his team to pass through.

LLB

The second they stepped through they could see what was wrong. Belrok towered over the city, marching steadily for the bridge. Their pace was slow and labored, the water clearly hindering them but not enough to stop them. Walt shook his head and turned.

"Come on. We need to find the entrance to the trollmarket and get everyone out of there. If the bridge goes down, they'll be stuck."

They both nodded and Otto shifted forms before dashing off to search for the entrance. Suddenly, in a burst of flames, Liza and all the rest of the Kryosphere team tumbled to the ground.

"Liza! Barbara! Nono!" Otto bound over, "VValt! Arrrgh! Zey're over here!"

Walt turned midair and rushed back to meet his family. Liza rubbed her eyes, wincing at her burned hands.

"And THAT is why I don't like using that artifact."

Barbara stumbled to her feet, struggling to pull Nomura with her.

"Nomura!" Walt picked her up on the other side.

His little sister forced a smile up at him. Her right arm ended just above the elbow. There was no blood but the jagged grey edge still sent a shiver down his spine. Before either of them could say anything, however, the whole world seemed to shake and they were all forced to the ground once more. Belrock had reached the bridge.

"That's not good," Archie hovered above them, looking over his shoulder.

Walt stared up at the titan and slowly rose to his feet. People on the bridge were screaming, all trying to get out of the magma titan's path.

"What are you going to do now, Trollhunter?" Merlin leaned heavily on his sword.

Walt growled and turned, "Liza? Do you have any artifacts for water magic?"

Liza dug into her satchel for a few seconds longer than any of them would have liked.

"I have some moonstones," She held up the glowing blue ocean stones, "The merfolk use them to fight water currents."

"Perfect. Merlin, Arrrgh, and Charlie, I want you three to try and stabilize the bridge. Give everyone as much time as possible to get away. Barbara, get Nomura back to the castle then evacuate the bridge. Archie, go with her."

"No."

"Nomura we don't have ti-"

"No. I can fight just as well with one arm. You're overwhelmed and need me here."

He growled and looked from her to the titan trying to break down the bridge.

"Fine. Go with Merlin and help him stabilize the bridge. Otto, Liza, I need you with me."

He took one of the moonstones and ran to the water's edge.

"VVhat are you thinking?" Otto appeared at his side.

"Shifting into other things is the same as shifting to your base form, right?"

"Yes. But it's a little more complicated because you may have to remember certain parts you're not used to having."

"Got it. Remember the gills. Here's what WE are going to do. Water and fire don't mix. We'll use the moonstones to move the water and get the titan away from the bridge. If we can get them away from the bridge then we may be able to turn them around and buy us a little more time."

The other polymorphs nodded their understanding and, in a flash, they were all flying up to the bridge. The water below them followed the pull of the moonstones. It began to rise as they flew around to the front of the titan. Belrok snarled as all three of them flew up and over the titan, the water following them the whole way. It slammed into the magma chest of the titan and Belrok stumbled back. A cloud of steam rose into the air, hiding the stars from view. The three polymorphs flew back around to the front of the titan for another wave. Liza dived out of the way of the massive lava rock fist that swung at her as Belrok attempted to fight back. Walt felt his heart stutter and his blood run cold until she reentered his line of sight. Belrok roared in agony and wrath as another wave hit them and they were forced even farther back from the bridge.

"That's far enough!" Walt shouted, "Let's see if we can get this turned around!"

Otto and Liza nodded once more and, after one more volly to the titan's face, they dived into the water. It was an experience like none Walt had ever felt before. Oh, he had gone swimming plenty of times in both his human and troll forms but to take the form of a merman almost distracted him from his goal. The water was boiling hot, the likes of which few lifeforms would have been able to handle. After less than a lap around the titan, he felt his chest tighten. He couldn't breathe! And there was no time for him to try and shift for working gills. Suddenly, Liza appeared at his side. She rolled her eyes and shoved another stone from her bag into his mouth. Whatever it was, he could breathe again. They shot off at breakneck speed, circling the titan until a vortex created. They had to swerve out of the way as Belrok stumbled and the titan began to turn. But they knew they couldn't stop. They couldn't let Belrok return their wrath to the city around them. They flew, dived, and splashed, goading and leading the titan back out into open water. Belrok swiped at them like troublesome flies. They kept going until they were sure that they had led Belrok far enough out that their goal had turned to Arcadia. Only then did they return to their family on the Hong Kong shoreline.

"What now?" Merlin sheathed his sword and crossed his arms, "Now at least two of the titans are still on their way to Arcadia. If even ONE is able to access the Heartstone of Heartstone Trollmarket, they will destroy the world forever."

"Great pep talk, Merlin."

Walt rubbed his eyes, "Right now, we need to get back to Arcadia. We need to beat Belrok and Skrel and see how the Nari team is doing. Please tell me you at least got the Kryosphere?"

Liza smirked and reached into her bag once more to pull out the glowing green sphere. He heaved a sigh of relief.

"How big is that bag?" Archie poked his head at the flap.

"Nep! Mine!" Liza leapt out of his way.

Walt chuckled and put an arm around his wife, "Alright, Love. Take us home. We may have won this battle but the war is not over."

LLB

Back in Arcadia, Toby stepped out onto the parapets with Draal, "Any sign of them so far?"

"No. Everything is quiet."

Toby nodded and looked out over the city, "I think I finally understand what 'the calm before the storm' really means."

Draal simply nodded. The entire valley was still. Even the animals were quiet. Arcadia was dark. The stars twinkled coldly even as the sun began to rise. It would be a beautiful day.

"Toby?"

"Yeah, Darc?"

She stepped up beside him and looked out over the valley, "Skrel just passed California's northern border."

He nodded and took her hand, "Where are the others?"

"Belrok's still near Hong Kong but they've turned around. Nari's stalled in Brazil."

"Yeah. Chitea said Skrel was stalled in Canada for a bit after they left him."

"And now they're moving the fastest."

The young couple turned to see the rest of the knights gathered in the doorway. Aja held onto Steve and Krel held onto his sister's hands for dear life.

"What are we going to do?"

Toby looked from his team, to Draal, and back out over the valley.

"We can't stop him on our own...But we can hold him off until reinforcements arrive. Aja, Krel, and Darcy, you three will take the hover boards and go at the titan from a distance. Aim for the legs and face but try not to hit Skrel himself. None of our weapons will actually hurt him and it'll probably just make him more angry. Draal, Steve and I will go at it from the ground. My warhammer has fire magic and Steve's ax is made from a tooth of the original Lady of the Lake. If Mary can melt the titan just by touching it then Toothache should be able to do SOMETHING."

He hoped he sounded much more confident than he felt. The others nodded but he could tell their hearts were not in it. He took Darcy's hand one more and led his team back into Avalon's main hall. He looked for the two moving titans on the map.

"Skrel will be here first. We'll go out to meet him at the national park at the northern point of the valley. It's isolated, and he'll be easier to fight if he's contained."

They nodded halfheartedly again. Suddenly, a dark portal opened on the other side of the hall. Someone was home.

LLB

AN: Thank you for letting me know the formatting was all wrong...