Author's Note ~
Uh… are we already halfway through the first season?
Oh, yes we are! Can you guys believe that? Maybe it helps that we've been doing two episodes with each update! Also that this doesn't have three seasons and one with almost 30 episodes! We will try to update the One-Shot book monthly as well, but we are running out of ideas.
So, if you have any ideas, please suggest some!
Flying the Coop
Deep within space, a strange mysterious figure stood upon jagged rocks and raised his digitalized device toward the green and blue planet, listening to Omega speak through the comms.
"That child might have stolen our subspace manifold but if he thinks I can't find a workaround–"
"How long do you need?"
"A few delsons," Omega answered as the third member of their party appeared.
"The royals may have bought themselves more time, but they won't be safe in their backwater town of Arcadia for long."
Whoever listened to their conversation and stared at the source of the images ahead of them, spoke. "And now, I, Halcon, agree."
"Wait, wait. They were being spied on? Damn, here I thought this was a whole member of the Zerons going insane."
"I'm just saying, these guys don't seem so scary anymore, maybe it's because we watched Gunmar and all that, but I think we'd kick their butts."
"Who is a Gunmar?" Aja asked, instantly curious.
"Some evil troll that threatened to eat all of us, you remember that Eclipse right?"
"We were barely here for it, but we saw some things." Krel said before gasping, "Wait, I know what you are talking about, all of this is connected?"
"Yeah, it seems you guys are lining up with our story too," Claire replied.
"Cool, we are connected more to Earth than we thought, and you don't like this place, little brother."
"I still don't."
From whoever was ready to strike at the royals, the scene changed. Down in the mothership, both Varvatos and Aja stood in their regular forms, standing on a platform while the guardian chuckled.
Aja didn't let herself be cornered and dawned her weapon, Varvatos grinning at the sight before he charged. Skillfully, Aja leaped over him, easily dodging his blow, but not the second one he instantly delivered when she stuck her landing.
Aja gasped as she was shoved back, nearly tipping over the edge before she steadied herself. Varvatos laughed as his weapon kept her own from moving.
"Glorious, your first day of warrior training and you haven't met a grisly death."
"You're trying to kill me?" Aja asked in shock.
"If Varvatos were really trying, you would be dead!" Aja grew angered and leaped over her mentor, the two blocking and delivering blows as Varvatos continued. "For Varvatos always wins! Attack, do not merely evade."
"I'm waiting for an opening," Aja grunted out as their weapons were pressed together. "I don't want to–" She grunted when Varavtos kicked her away, her weapon and herself flying over the edge, her fingers gripping the ledge. "To get hurt."
She pushed herself up as Varvatos held out a helping hand, pulling her to a stand. "Getting hurt is inevitable for a warrior, but it is the fear of injury that will get you killed." Aja groaned and held her side, looking back at him.
"So many rules that just don't line up. I don't know who to follow, the Trollhunters or the Aliens."
"They both make sense!"
"What did you just do?"
"Earthlings call it a toe kick." He mimicked the move as he smiled, "Varvatos is a glorious warrior and executes it perfectly."
"Who needs to kick with toes when you have a serrator," she grinned as Varvatos had his back turned. She let her weapon appear as she leaped into the air, yelling out while Varvatos still turned away, only this time, he was grinning.
He quickly moved when Aja was ready to land the blow, raising his foot and kicking her back on the floor as he caught her weapon.
The crowd winced as Aja seemed upset by the fight between them. It was rather unfair and granted her skills were getting better, she just wished he would give her an easier shot.
Of course, there was a lot more to her anger than just the failure of her training, which she managed to keep silent about. The mixed feelings she had of Varvatos still made her grow bitter, yet, confused. So, getting angry at the simple training scene made sense.
She knew about his traitorous acts, especially after Zadra revealed it all to them, but the future she was still unsure about. Maybe it was possible that there would be more insight since they were forced to watch their past days anyway.
She glanced at the old man who had brought them here, standing next to his close friend as they watched with fascination, begging to get answers on why they were really here, what was this purpose, how could they see a part of their life they never lived, and why did they have to watch the parts they had already been through?
Aja looked toward Toby, Eli, and Steve. They mentioned they had done this before, stuck in a theater with everyone else to watch their own lives, but the most important person that had been the main focus was Jim.
She remembered helping him capture lightning in a bottle, only as a human and not a troll. It was strange that he was now in a different body, just like she experienced, however, the older man seemed to make a comment toward him, as if all this was a message on their fate.
Maybe since now she and her little brother were the main focus, she could get the answers on the fate she was in store for, possibly to understand Varvatos and his reasonings.
"Not fair," she grumbled. Varvatos let out a chuckle and raised the weapon as Aja cried out. "No, no, no!"
As the two had their time to train, Krel concentrated on his work, a strange green liquid had been contained as Krel picked it from the stand. Beside him, Stuart was speaking softly as Krel carried it toward the man, both dressed in their human attire.
"Easy, gently, easy." As Krel was ready to set the liquid down, both jumped back, Krel moving to protect the liquid when the robot father popped from below, startling them.
"Easy! Make life easy, even when you're feeling–"
"Quiet!" Krel hissed, "Both of you. I am just trying to get the plutonium fuel cell for the Daxial Array, not disarm a bomb." Krel placed the fuel within a suitcase, pushing the large item into the robot father's hands.
"Hey! I had to trade a physicist in Tijuana 200 crestons for that. Promised to cater to his niece's quinceanera." As the two walked out, a strange blue circle highlighted the three.
"Okay, we got the first part from the Zerons," Krel spoke to his robot father. Above, the blue alien tech was readying itself to fire, Krel still unaware. "-and if I can connect this plutonium."
Aja perked up, knowing this was where her brother was attacked, and grew curious about the whole event. She glanced at Krel who seemed annoyed by the fact of having to relive such a moment.
"Ugh, not this again."
"At least Uhl will understand why this crazy lady came by so suddenly," Aja replied as the principal perked up.
"What are you talking about?"
"You will see, this gets rather interesting," Aja stated, nudging her brother as everyone glanced at her and then at the screen.
The weapon whirred as the figure pointed it at Krel. Dadblank spoke, gently shoving Krel around, unknowingly messing up the hunter's aim. "Chin up, buttercup! With a can-do attitude, anything is possible."
As the hunter readjusted his aim, he fired, just as the case was held in front of Krel, blocking him from getting hurt. The boy jumped as he watched the bullet bounce off the case and into a nearby street light.
Everyone jumped in surprise, not expecting the enemy to fire so suddenly. What was it with enemies not caring about firing into the open?
"Great, shoot first, ask questions later. Why do we always witness our classmates always dying?"
The light exploded as Krel looked where the shot had bounced from. "What in Gaylen's core?"
"Oh, darn. Such a brief life for my briefcase." Krel looked up before pulling Dadblank from harm's way as blasts rained down upon them.
"The Zerons are back, we need cover." They dropped behind a parked car, however, like usual, the dadblank was not reacting to the situation as needed.
Krel shook his head, he understood why he thought it was the Zeron brothers, but at the same time, he was the smart one, he should have seen most of what transpired that day, actually meant.
"Did you say cover? Users of CoverZit makeup always say, That about CoverZit!" Krel looked over at the shooter, finding them perched on the roof. Quickly he dropped behind the cover of the car when shots began to rain down on him, shattering a car window as Krel covered his head.
"We're being attacked!" Krel yelled as they took off running.
"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!" They ran to the cover of another car, Krel pulling down the dadblank.
"Stay down!" He cried before lifting his head over the car, not seeing the strange figure. "Is he gone?" Behind him, as Krel stayed out in the open, unaware of the bounty hunter aiming at him, Dadblank spoke up.
"Hang on, tiger. Let old Eagle Eye take a look. Tiger." Dadblank spoke as time seemed to slow down, a blast had smacked into the robot, causing him to spin out and mutter in a broken manner.
"No," Krel breathed before grabbing the bot, running for cover, and ducking into the alleyway as his robot father glitched and sparked.
"Let old Eagle-eye-eye-eye…" While the bot was still able to function and move against the wall, his talking consisted of nothing more than a stutter as Krel kept moving the dumpster in a protective wall.
The bounty hunter let his weapon fade before jumping down and staring at the smoking dumpster. "Hang on, tiger-tiger-tiger." As the bounty hunter drew its blade, stalking up to the prey, Dadblank continued to whirr and babble.
The sword sliced through the middle of the dumpster, both pieces being roughly kicked back as Krel and the Dadblank were nowhere in sight. A truck horn blared as it sped toward the alien bounty hunter, the figure leaping above the truck while Krel and the Dadblank were revealed, hanging on each piece.
Krel whimpered as the dumpster pieces fell back, and the two unceremoniously hit the ground. "Are you okay?"
"I feel okeydokey," Dadblank responded as he sat up, revealing his human eye had reverted to the blank. "Go from okay–" He buzzed as he struggled to speak. "-to great with Carlton Coffee." His voice grew distorted as he buzzed and his head clicked to the side.
As his head slowly turned back, wearing a nervous smile, he was lying on the kitchen counter of their home, shaking and crackling.
"How on earth did you guys get back home without another attack from that enemy?" Darci asked.
"Always thank the random truck, they seem to show up a lot for us, either a helping hand or possibly our death, right Jimbo?" Toby asked, nudging his best friend who laughed.
"Tell me about it."
"Yes, I was wondering where the attacker went. Makes more sense." Krel stated.
"I can't believe you were attacked," Aja started, the two dressed in their normal attire as they leaned over the blank, a digitized screen appearing above the robot's head. "Are you okay, little brother?"
"I'm fine, I guess. The blank took the hit, his cortex chip is fried, it will take time to repair it." The father glitched, sitting up as quotes began to spew from him.
"Time for a new watch? Make sure it's Swiss-made Luxo–oo!" He glitched out, the bot's eye flashing red and blue. "Life is like that, ticking along. Then suddenly it stops, cut short. Darkness falls. All gone, so soon."
The crowd blinked in surprise at the sudden expression change, rather concerned for the blank after he started rambling about depressive thoughts.
"This storyline feels like I'm having some fever dream," Mary commented.
"Anything is possible when you have this kind of tech running around. I can't tell what's better," Toby stated as Blinky gasped in surprise, but also betrayal.
"You said you were keen on our Trollish world!"
"Yeah, and then I met a couple of Alie-Akiridions, I am unsure," Toby said, fixing himself after receiving knowing glares from Aja and Krel.
From that happy smile, the dadblank grew depressed, laying back on the table as Aja looked at it in shock. "Are you sure only his cortex chip is fried?"
Before Krel could answer, the mother blank had appeared. "Don't worry, Dr. Mom is here. This T-bone will take that nasty swelling right down." She smacked the meat onto the father's head who still lay in a depressed manner. All while she laughed.
"That's not how robotics work, you know," Aja questioned while Varvatos seemed annoyed.
"I know!" She rapidly disappeared from view.
The crowd blinked before letting out a laugh, the robot mother was unexpected, especially after she slapped meat down, laughed, and flew out so quickly. This was funny and enjoyable.
"Varvatos Vex specifically instructed you to be careful and keep to side streets and alleys. The Zeron Brotherhood–"
"We were in an alley," Krel replied, cutting his mentor off. "It was a sneak attack. It seems like the Zerons have changed their style."
Krel blinked, he too was unsure of his feelings toward Varvatos, starting to come to the realization on how close they were to discovering his acts again, but he wished he was slightly nicer at points in time.
Which was strange considering the mentor was a traitor. Ugh, what was wrong with him?
"Stay in style and see better with Sunbeam Sun-glass-es!" The dadblank sat up with a smile, then suddenly it was gone. "Better? Is there a better life than the life of a blank? I am not programmed to know."
Varvatos sighed before slamming his fist on the table, all while the dad jerked around. "If the Zerons are keeping to the shadows, then their attacks will be harder to anticipate. You two are to stay within the confines of Mother. No more school."
"What?" Aja gasped out. "First we're attacked, and then grounded? I have friends at school, it's the closest thing we have to a home here. No offense, Mother."
The crowd smiled, glad that Aja felt comfortable at school and was enjoying her stay while she was trapped on Earth.
"We are glad you are enjoying us so far," Mary started. "It was clearly me that did it all."
"Definitely, Mary." Aja chuckled and glanced at Steve who seemed to be staring back at her for most of the time. His eyes grew wide and he jumped back in his chair, glancing nervously at the screen.
Aja chuckled again before facing the screen, all while Douxie was staring at them with an amused look. "Should I tell him what their relationship has in store in the future?"
"You shall not," Merlin hissed back.
"None taken, my royal."
"We can't live in fear, didn't you tell me it was the fear of injury that will get us killed?" Aja asked, impersonating the mentor.
"Throwing Varvatos' own words back at him is not the sort of attack Varvatos meant to teach you." Aja watched him walk away with a giggle.
Soon, Aja was seen opening her locker, in her human form as she grabbed a book, "Varvatos worries for nothing, we'll be perfectly safe here, so long as we keep a low profile." Aja said as Krel seemed to watch everything nervously.
Varvatos sighed as he looked at the floor, knowing why he worried so much. He cared for those kids, especially after what he's done, and all the regret he felt for doing it as well. He wanted them to know, he wanted them to see that he never meant harm.
Yet, as they watched, he could tell by their posture that they weren't happy, so, he sat in his chair, silent and head hanging forward as he judged himself on the actions he caused.
He just wanted them to forgive.
Speaking of low profile, Senor Uhl's voice had echoed over the comms. "Aja and Krel Tarron, please report to the principal's office immediately. Aja and Krel Tarron, please report to the principal's office immediately."
"You were saying?" Krel said as they walked off. The scene cut to Senor Uhl staring out the window of his office as the two appeared in the doorway. "You wanted to see us, Senor Uhl?"
"Actually, she wanted to see you," he gestured toward the office chair as it spun around, a lady sitting properly within it.
"Good morning, Mr. and Ms. Tarron."
"And you are?" Aja questioned.
"Bertha Flanagan, but my friends call me Birdie." She let out a laugh. "Special Advisor for the Arcadia Oaks High School Board. The Board only calls for me for their most challenging cases."
Senor Uhl growled in annoyance as the crowd gave a confused look, wondering what had gone down during this day as it was much more strange than usual.
"Is this why he was all stressed out that day? I was wondering what got him all moody?" Mary said.
"Right, it was so bad," Darci added.
"This is what we were talking about, it was much more….challenging than what she is doing now."
"Ooh, we're not cases, we hold absolutely nothing," Aja answered.
"We'll see about that. Mr. Tarron has scored a hundred percent on every single math test. Highly unusual for his kind," she stated, reading off a small paper.
"No, stop right there." Senor Uhl said, slapping the desk and blocking the kids from her view. "If you're just here to make unfounded accusations then you can leave my school right now." He turned to the kids. "I'm very sorry I brought you in for this."
The lady pushed herself to a stand, "also, it has come to the Board's attention that you two chickadees have been attending this school without being properly registered."
"Registered?" Krel questioned as the lady came in between the two siblings.
"Chickadees?" Aja repeated in confusion.
"There's no record of you anywhere, it's as if you both fell right out of the sky. No need to be frightened, it's just a simple form." The lady grabbed a tall stack of papers from the desk, throwing them in Krel's hands who grunted at the impact.
"We kind of did," Krel answered. "I mean, how does she think we got here….wait."
"Duh!" Aja replied, smacking her forehead.
"She knew, Seklos and Gaylen!"
"We already lived this day!"
"I know, but I was dumb and made the remark when I knew why she said that! Such a good one too."
"It doesn't feel very simple," the boy stated as his sister received the same stack.
"I'll need copies of your…" the lady, otherwise known as Birdie, had grabbed more, stacking more sheets onto the piles as she named off information. "...birth certificates, immunization histories, report cards, discipline records, home phone bills, cell phone bills, attendance records, and text message history. Plus, a parent and/or guardian must fill out a home situation and a language survey. Oh, and most importantly, you need to show proof of residency. That's the most crucial thing."
From her excessively long dialogue, the poor teens had been drowning in stacks of paper as Senor Uhl stared at them curiously, speaking up.
"For how long she has been on Earth, she knows a lot more than we do, which is unfair to me," Krel whispered to his sister.
"Hmm, the papers you're requesting go beyond our usual requirements."
"The new school board administration is concerned about," the woman leaned closer to Senor Uhl and whispered under her breath. "Illegal Aliens, hiding in Arcadia."
"Wow, that is bogus," Claire said.
"It makes much more sense when you see the rest of it," Aja answered.
"Yeah, but that is an offense to other people that come from other countries that got here under sneaky terms. We don't like to call people that."
"So you guys hate being called aliens too? I knew it, I told all of you, it is a bad word for someone who is different," Krel stated.
"Aliens?" Krel and Aja repeated as Senor Uhl gasped in surprise.
"Illegal, such language is not permitted inside my school."
"Mr. Uhl, I do believe you are only the interim principal. The school board is looking to permanently fill the position with someone who is more cooperative." She turned with a smirk as Senor Uhl hummed and glanced away.
From behind a stack, Aja spoke up, looking at the strange woman. "We can gather the papers you need, but it will take some time."
"Uh, like a few keltons," Krel added.
"By the end of the day, please. Or else." Krel muttered under his breath as the lady spoke before the two turned away.
While they handled their situation at hand, Varvatos had been dealing with his issues. He was found staring down a chess board, reverted into his old grandfather form.
"But Varvatos Vex always wins!" He slammed his fist down, clattering the pieces around as the two older gentlemen he had met before, sat around him.
"Not this time, dude." Jerry, the older man sitting at the table across from Varvatos, said.
"Or any time. I don't think you've won a single game, Vex."
"If only more pulverizing were allowed."
"It's not about pulverizing to protect your king, ya know, sometimes you have to make a sacrifice. Lose a pawn or two to win the battle," Jerry stated.
"It's a little something we call tactics," the other man named Phil spoke, all while Varvatos seemed confused, repeating the word.
"Tactics."
"Something I learned in the military." Luug's barking alerted the three, all turning their heads to find Toby's nana waving at them.
"Well, hello there!"
Varvatos' eyes grew wide as he stared down the woman. "Who is that silver-haired temptress?" A vision appeared, entering with a heart-shaped border as Nana was seen leaping on pink clouds surrounded by cartoon stars.
Toby sat upright in his chair, eyes wide as he instantly recognized his nana and the background that was involved. This could not be happening!
A small laugh caused him to turn his head to Jim who was using his fist to cover his mouth as he let out a chuckle. "Jimbo, this is not funny."
"Okay, yeah, I had my fair share of this experience."
"My nana?! Like, come on, at least your mother looks good."
"Thank you, Toby," Barbara replied as she smiled. "But your nana looks good too."
"Oh, her? That's Nancy Domzalski," Phil's echoed voice answered.
"Oh, Nancy Domzalski," Varvatos breathed as he sat at the table alone, floating in the sky as a shooting passed.
Jim couldn't hold in his laughter, curling as close as he could to himself as he could barely breathe. Of course, Claire couldn't hold her's in as Jim's laugh was contagious, and began to laugh along all while Toby was losing it beside them.
"This is not happening, this is not!"
"It's alright Toby, I mean, I had it happen to me too," Steve mentioned.
"MY NANA!"
As Varvatos floated from his chair, letting the furniture disappear, a song began to play in his romantic vision.
Lonely
That was my name
Varvatos smiled as they floated closer to one another, shooting stars and rockets cascading through the dark sky. A heart was formed from the rockets as they met in the middle, hands uniting.
Until I hit this town
My loves were hand-me-downs
Fireworks burst through the night as a voice broke him from his trance. "Your move, Varvatos." The said man sighed, blinking and seeming to be trapped in a staring gaze. "Varvatos? Varvatos!" Phil yelled, waving his hand in front of the man as Luug barked.
Jim tried to cease his laughter as Toby crossed his arms, sighing as he looked away from the screen. "This is the best thing I have ever seen in my life," Jim mentioned as Aja and Krel smiled at the pair.
They heard of Toby and his best friend, Jimbo, but seeing them together in person, was much more heartfelt and enjoyable. They seemed close, inseparable bond, and the connection they had was strong, just like Aja and Krel.
The way the two teased each other, Toby trying to silence his friend who seemed to laugh as he easily moved away from Toby's rapidly flailing hands as Toby tried to contain his own enjoyment was a pleasant sight.
They knew Jim changed and was not seen around Arcadia anymore, which Aja couldn't imagine doing herself if she couldn't speak to Krel, but they were reunited and it made her happy.
They were themselves together, just like she wanted.
To be herself and comfortable around someone else.
"Oh, chess. Mind if I join you for a game?" She asked as Jerry helped her into his chair.
"Don't mind if I do," Phil started, about to take Varvatos' place but the man was shoved to the side as Varvatos smiled at the woman before him. "Hey, my turn!"
"Looks like Vex has a crush," Jerry said.
"Of course, Varvatos Vex has a crush, do not doubt Vex's crushing power," the older man replied, unaware of what a crush on someone was.
"Oh, I like the way you talk," Nancy chuckled. "So forward. I'll move my pawn to F-4." Varvatos chuckled and cracked his fingers.
"Varvatos Vex moves his pawn to E-6." In the background, a bird squealed as it was captured in Luug's mouth, just as Aja appeared behind Nancy.
"Varvatos, we need your help."
"Later, Varvatos Vex has gone to war. Nothing will stand between him and–" As the kids gathered around him, their eyes landed on the board, just as Nancy made her move.
"Ooh! Checkmate."
"What preposterous!" He stared in disbelief as Nancy smiled. In the background, two kids had been petting Luug just as his abnormally long blue tongue had shot out to grab another bird. Which caused the two girls to run away with a loud ear-piercing scream.
Jim and Toby shared a surprised look as they noticed the background, a couple of other students only hearing the kids scream and heaving to change their focus to Luug.
"Okay, compared to Jim's life, there is some weird crap going on in the background of this one."
"That dog just scarred two kids, this is awesome!"
"Nana Domzalski says, good game." She held out her hand. "Next time, we'll play for baked goods."
"HOW DID THE GAME END THAT FAST?"
"Toby, your nana got some skills."
"STOP IT!"
"We need to go," Krel stated as Varvatos stood to shake her hand with a grin.
"Not only do you have a glorious silver bouffant, but you have a cunning strategic mind as well," Varvatos said, being pulled away but a nervously smiling Krel. "You belong on the battlefield, milady, with me!"
Nana giggled as they were out of view, Jerry touching his hair. "He never compliments my hair."
From the three old folks sitting by the table, Varvatos had been introduced to the large sum of papers.
"What is this nonsense? Varvatos thought humans were living in the digital age."
"If we don't do something today, then Birdie Flanagan, Senor Uhl, and the police will be poking around the Mothership tomorrow," Aja informed.
"That attention will only expose us to bounty hunters," Krel added.
"Then we shall crush this so-called bird, especially if she's anything like the pigeons Jerry feeds," Varatos said, the haunting screech of a bird echoing every time they mentioned her name.
"Everyone keeps hearing this bird noise, right? I am not losing my mind? I think I'm starting to lose my mind."
"No, we hear it too, what the heck are we watching?"
A memory came up as Varvatos stared down the chessboard, a string of poop plopping in front of him. However, Varavtos only grinned, flicking something at the bird and taking it down as it landed on the board, the other two men coming to stand in shock.
"The birds are not having luck with Luug and Varvatos."
"They might be endangered by the end of this."
"Varvatos Vex taught those flying vermin never to defecate on him again," The mentor said proudly but Aja had scolded him, knocking him from his memory.
"No, no crushing."
"How about dismembering? Bludgeoning? Stuart, was is the melting temperature of skin?"
"Don't answer that," Aja scolded as Stuart stepped up beside them.
"I might be able to forge those papers for you. If you want," Stuart chuckled. "Who said that?"
"Forge, like swords?" Varvatos asked.
"No, like fakes. Fakes."
"Disappointing, swords are better."
"Wait, you can fake our papers?" Krel said as he appeared. Stuart waved them to lean in as he began to whisper.
"I, uh, can't talk about that. I used to work with the government. Not this one, the one in Mexico. That's how I got my truck, very hush-hush stuff, top secret, classified at the highest levels. The highest levels."
"Is there a job you have not had?" Krel asked.
"I've never been a plumber. Ah, one day, one day. Fingers crossed." As Stuart walked away, Varvatos stared at the booklet they were given.
"Varvatos Vex does not approve of this plan, vaporizing is much more suitable."
"Vaporizing will draw attention," Aja stated, seeming irritated.
"Those are not the words of a warrior. A warrior can never be afraid to attack."
"Afraid," Aja breathed out. "My planet has been stolen, my parents are in stasis, a bounty hunter shot at my brother, and now a crazy bird lady might take away the closest thing we have to a home. Of course, I'm afraid. You should be, too."
Aja sighed. All because of Varvatos, she was afraid. Her anger rose again, he was keeping, or taking everything she cared about, away from her. Of course, after the defeat of Birdie, he had become a bit lenient, however, knowing the facts and then reviewing it once more with a different perspective, everything she felt was confusing.
A hand jumped her from her thoughts as she glanced at Krel who stared at her with a sad look, his hand upon hers. He could tell how she was feeling and it seemed he was confused himself, but Aja couldn't stay mad, not when she had her brother beside her.
Everything was okay, as long as they were together.
As she was walking away, a flash blinded her, Stuart holding a Polaroid camera as he stole a picture of her. "Right, found the camera. Just need a few pics for the ID cards." He studied the photo. "Oh, simmering rage, that's a good look on you, yeah. Well, let's get another, anyway. Say Gorgonzola!"
Aja growled and shoved Stuart aside as Varavtos called for her. "Lady Aja! Return here at once!" Luug barked as he fell down the ladder, Varavtos groaning in pain as his back cracked numerous times, all the while Stuart was taking photos.
"Shouting commands never worked for Mama and Papa, either."
"Okay, I think we've got it, great job, everyone. Well done. That's a wrap." Stuart said as he walked out of view.
"Krel, go keep an eye on your sister. Varavtos Vex will take care of this birdie situation."
"You're not going to kill her, are you?"
"Only a little bit," the view moved behind Vex's back where he was clutching the Serrator tightly. From then on, Krel was moving around the table where the blank lay, the father still in his depressed mood.
"Oh that's great, I mean. We already witnessed Jim ending a dental hygienist. So, why not?"
"On accident and she was a Changeling."
"Yeah, so it doesn't matter, not like she had a life or a family, definitely doesn't count. It's the same thing, in Arcadia, it's normal."
"Is it all that screwed up, where I killed a changeling who was a person with life because they took the real one at a very young age and it's normal? Did I commit murder, damn it, this Changeling thing has me all confused." Jim asked.
"I'm on that one with you, Jimbo."
"It doesn't count as murder," Claire said trying to reassure her boyfriend.
"Mom?" Jim asked, turning to Barbara who looked a little surprised.
"I mean, if a Changeling familiar is swapped at a very young age, she is a monster that should be slain if she was evil but she did live a life growing up and made friends, had siblings, had a job, probably a family, you know…this isn't helping let's just forget about it."
Aja and Krel glanced at one another, shrugging.
"What are we, and why are we here? Where does the soul reside? Who is our creator? Or is it I who am the captain of my own destiny" The dadblank continuously sat up, only to be pushed back by Krel.
"If you don't hold still, your destiny will be a scrapyard." It became rapid and continuous as Krel had to push the dadblank down. "Aja, can you pass me the plasma rebar? Aja?" In another room, Aja was wielding her weapon, trying to strike a blow at the momblank who stood rooted in one spot, ducking each blow with ease.
"As if Varvatos has never been scared in his life," She twirled her weapon, trying to strike down the bot.
Aja hated how confused she was, perhaps Varvatos was scared, scared to get caught on his actions or possibly scared that he knew he didn't mean to do it and was about to lose his family. He looked scared when both Aja and Krel found out.
No.
He was an traitor, he did the wrong thing.
But just like her, he was scared.
"Miss, no way, nowhere near." The commentary from the blank made Aja growl in frustration before Krel called to her in a sing-song voice.
"Sister! I could use some assistance." It wasn't long before Aja and Krel were both hovering over the blank, doing the easy task of holding him down as he spoke in a heartbroken manner.
"I could be replaced with another blank-bot. I mean, we're all the same, right? All blank, I don't even have a name." Aja pushed him down as he tried to sit up while Krel looked at him.
"Blank-bots don't have names, but you do have designations," Krel replied, exciting the blankbot which made Aja struggle to keep him down.
"Designation? Then what is my designation?"
"RK-Y," Krel said as Aja smiled.
"You could be Ricky." She suggested.
"RK-Y, Ricky, Ricky," Despite Aja holding onto the bot, she had been pulled up as he sat up excitedly, "Ricky. Ricky Blank."
"Aja, Aja Tarron," The two shook hands before the blank shook Krel's.
"And Krel, she's LU-C," the boy said, glancing at the mother smiling as she held the broom.
"She could be Lucy," Aja said.
"Lucy, Lucy! Hello, I am Lucy. Hi, I am Lucy."
"Ricky," dadblank, who is now known as Ricky, had thrown his arms out, knocking Aja off and running to Lucy. "Ricky Blank! Ricky Blank!"
"I think you broke our fake parents," Aja whispered as the two bots were dancing around like idiots.
"You're the one who decided to give them names!"
"Ricky, Ricky, Ricky," the father constantly repeated.
"I am Lucy."
From the happy-go-lucky bots, both Birdie and Senor Uhl had been standing in the darkened hallways of Arcadia Oaks High, the woman wearing a knowing smirk as Senor Uhl spoke.
"I'm sure the Tarrons will return soon Ms. Flanagan."
"Please, Karl, call me Birdie." Behind them, Varvatos Vex snuck into the hallway, standing in the dark shadows. The same bird squeal echoing once again.
"Wait, hold on… KARL!?"
"Karl."
"Hey, Karl!"
"Karl!"
"Please, I beg of you, stop it. This is why it is kept a secret." Senor Uhl said, rubbing his forehead as he sighed.
"Karl, it's okay. We are here for you…."
"Yeah, Karl."
"It's time for Varvatos to turn this bird into…" He pulled out his weapon, thinking. "Dead. a dead bird, it's going to be dead when Varvatos is done with it." He grunted as he rolled across the hallway, pressing himself against the wall.
Toby laughed as everyone gave him a confused expression. "Oh, come on! The way he talks and sounds, the way he is moving, it's just too funny how he said that!"
"You find everything funny," Claire mentioned.
"Yeah, I do. But come on, that is the voice I would give a weird superhero wearing bat ears."
"Bat ears?"
"Yeah, to match the crazy voice."
However, when he made it to a wall, Shannon appeared out of nowhere beside him, "Oh, my goodness! Have you fallen and can't get up?" Varvatos shoved her back, her body flying out of sight and crashing as she cried out.
Shannon blushed in embarrassment as the crowd laughed. She was unfortunate during this storyline as her luck seemed to run thin.
"Poor Shannon, always getting tossed around and volcanos breaking."
"Please, leave me be!"
He fled the area, moving to the office and kicking down the door. He aimed his serrator at the empty chair, shocked by the disappearance. Behind him, the bird cawed as she appeared, staring him down.
"Oh, and who might you be?"
"Varvatos Vex. Grandpa Geezer to Aja and Krel Tarron, and unafraid to pulverize his enemies." He pulled out the folder and pointed it to her and she gasped in surprise, taking it.
"Is that the Tarrons' paperwork? Hmm," As Varvatos sat, he pulled his weapon out and below the desk as the woman flipped through the pages. Two very fake IDs were present as papers had been filled out. "Ah! There's the home address. Well, this looks to be perfectly in order."
Varvatos looked confused, "uh, that's all?"
"What happened to him making her a dead bird?"
"It's not…"
"Thank you for your cooperation, you are free to go." She waved him off, the old man groaning and tucking his weapon away. "I have what I need." She squawked as her form changed into the bounty hunter, flickering until she was back in her disguise.
"How the hell did she do all that?"
"You mean to tell me, she was a bounty hunter disguised as the school board to get closer to finding you guys?" Senor Uhl asked, looking at Aja and Krel. "She didn't return because…."
"We finished her," Krel simply answered.
"All that trouble, all that pain was a bounty hunter! Damn it."
"Okay, but she was only on Earth for how long and she blended in that well? That's impossible."
"Well, she was listening in on the Zeron Brothers before, maybe she did the same."
"She called out Senor Uhl on his principal title and even named off papers for them and knew they weren't registered! Impressive."
"Stop complimenting the bad guys!"
Back at their home, Krel was still hovering over the bot, "Alright, blank. You're all done." The bot sat up with a smile before he jerked and a hologram showed up on the wall from the bot's eyes.
"Oh, no. My life is flashing before my eyes!"
"That's just your playback, it's–" Krel started but the playback was the moment they had been shot at.
"Let old "Eagle Eye"..." The moment Ricky looked up, the shot was fired.
"Pause it, right there!" Krel said. Ricky did so, letting Krel step up to the playback and zoom in, a 3D map of the area of Arcadia they were attacked in, had been pulled up, their enemy being revealed. "It wasn't the Zerons?"
"Someone else is after us, but who?" Aja asked.
"The image is too blurry," Krel groaned as they stepped out of the hidden mothership entrance. "We need to find Varvatos."
Speaking of the old man, he had come whistling in the door. "Vex?" Aja asked.
"Varvatos did it!"
"Good, because we have another threat to worry about," Aja started.
"I wasn't attacked by the Zerons, it was something else." Krel finished as the familiar bird cry was heard, Birdie standing in the doorway with a plate.
"Hello! I just wanted to officially welcome you to the neighborhood." Aja stared down the woman in suspicion before whispering to Krel.
"What if she is your attacker?"
Aja grinned, still glad she was right while Krel seemed to pout. "Way to go, Aja!" Darci cheered.
"Right, nice job figuring that out!"
"I also, somewhat figured it out," Krel answered.
"What? No, you saw the playback. It was a big, scary, non-earth–"
"She's a buff non-earth creature, that's for sure."
"Varvatos spoke with the Birdie, and she is merely a geezer," Varvatos added as Aja didn't seem to buy it. "Now Varvatos will show you a true warrior does not make decisions based on fear." He opened the door for her.
"I hope you don't mind the impromptu visit. I wanted to apologize for being so harsh." Luug sniffed her and growled as Varvatos closed the door. "I brought cookies."
"Thank you, baked goods." He took a cookie and walked to Aja. "What a wonderful custom of the geezers. See, nothing to fear." The teens were handed a cookie as Krel's focus instantly landed on the woman's pin.
"Aja, you're right. Varvatos, no!" Krel yelled to Varvatos who had already bit a cookie. The old man fell to the floor, snoring and mumbling about cookies. "It was you, you attacked me!" The teens readied themselves as the woman tossed the plate of cookies aside.
Varvatos grumbled as he was easily fooled, he should have been smarter and maybe the kids would have been safer, but he was proud that Aja made it through the fight and protected both herself and her brother.
He was glad he had that moment with them when he had the chance.
"I admit, that isn't usually my style," the voice stayed as her body changed, her form seemed to resemble a bird. "I prefer to research and then destroy. Luug charged at the hunter, leaping up but was no match for her attack.
She gripped the dog and tossed him against the wall, the small animal falling unconscious. "Luug, no!" Aja cried out.
"General Morando wants you two, dead or alive. I certainly have my preference." She flew toward the two, claws standing tall as she moved swiftly. Thankfully, the siblings dived to the side, avoiding her attack. "But I'll make your deaths swift if you bring me your parents' life cores!"
"Never," Aja hissed, pulling out her blade as the bird lady squawked. She charged at Aja, who managed to block the blows that were thrown at her, however, was too late dodging the swift kick that knocked her to the floor.
Aja yelped as she dodged the claws, all while Krel was shaking his mentor. "Varvatos now would be a good time to wake up!"
All he got in reply was a soft murmur of, "cookies." The fight still continued as Aja leaped onto the counter, shield wrapping around her as Birdie aimed her weapon. However, the blast was strong, knocking Aja from the counter the moment it collided.
"Varvatos, Varvatos!" Krel said, focusing on waking the old man, unaware of the danger stalking before him. Thankfully, Aja reacted quickly and tossed her weapon at her brother, calling for him.
"Krel!"
"I don't know what to do with this!" He picked up the serrator and aimed it at Birdie who continued to advance. "You're the one training all the time."
"Bring me to the cores!" Birdie commanded as Krel backed up. Beside them, a harsh glowing blue light poured from the hidden entrance of the mothership, the dadblank stepping out with a smile.
The crowd threw their arms up in frustration as Ricky exposed the hidden entrance.
"Who's this?" Birdie cocked her head, cawing in a bird-like manner, but Ricky wasn't smart enough to realize.
"A new blank? You found a new blank to replace me? Oh, I knew this day would come."
"The Mothership! The cores!" She raced into the entrance, knocking Ricky to the floor as Aja and Krel followed quickly.
"No, no, no!"
"What are these feelings?" Ricky asked while Varvatos still lay on the floor, stuck in a deep sleep but mumbling.
"Cookie death." As Krel and Aja ran through the digitalized entrance, their heads were smacked together before they were tossed to the floor. Aja struggled to get up before she was gripped and pulled from the floor.
"As Queen-in-waiting of House Tarron, I command you to let me go!"
"You're no longer queen of anything, little girl." Outside in the living room, Luug had shaken off the blow, moving to Varvatos and leaping on his stomach. The old man groaned and tried to shake off the feeling but never woke. Luug, then, resorted to frantic licking and then slapping.
It wasn't till all those options seemed to fail, that Luug lifted his tail and shot a stream of fire out. It left Varvatos burnt and his hair sizzling, but still asleep.
Varvatos looked disturbed as the crowd stared at the screen in disgust. "You got farted on with fire and didn't even react. What the heck?"
"Mmm, burning cookies!" Luug barked and fled from the man as Aja still struggled in Birdie's grip.
"Akiridion is under new leadership, now. You might have heard." She laughed as Ricky appeared from the entrance, wearing a serious look on his face.
"Attacking may not be in my programming, but she named me!" He took a sleeping blank and tossed it at the back of Birdie, causing her to squawk in pain before dropping Aja.
"I am Ricky Blank, and I feel like throwing things." The robot yelled, grabbing another object, and tossing as much as he could while Birdie advanced, catching each object easily. He yelped when he was picked up and his head was slammed repeatedly into the wall. "Ricky Blank, Ricky Blank, Ricky Blank," He repeated as his eyes glitched.
Luug tried numerous things to wake up the man, who never did, only seeming bothered.
Ricky still repeated his name as he was slammed against the wall, just as Krel was managing to shake off the blow. Angered, Krel grabbed the serrator, a weapon appearing and crashing against Birdie who didn't seem phased by the attack.
She punched the boy, causing him to go flying out of view. He crashed beside his sister, unconscious as Aja was quick to pluck him from the floor.
"Krel!"
Krel remembered himself trying that day, slightly wishing he had some fighting skills had it made it much easier to defend his family if he did.
Behind them, the door to the cores had been open, Birdie gasping at the sight. "The royal cores. She cawed as she flew toward the resting parents, Aja staring at her brother before propping him up against the wall.
Just as Birdie was laughing, wrapping her hands around the core, Aja had smacked her away with the serrator. "Keep your claws off our parents." She looked at her reforming father before charging after Birdie.
The clashed their weapons together, dodging blows and trying to deliver one, Aja moving skillfully as her adrenaline pumped. She flipped and dodged blows, landing on the platform with an angered look.
"Aren't you feisty for a princess?"
Outside, through the living room and out the door, a rope had been tied all around, moving toward the roof where Luug had secured the rope to the chimney, the other end holding the fridge.
Luug let the large appliance drop, the rope moving through the house and knocking Varvatos everywhere, even outside, and tumbling down the roof. As Luug looked to see if the old man was awake, he grew irritated as Vex continued to snore.
"I don't know what's more impressive, whatever she spiked those cookies with or Luug's crazy attempts that he is doing by himself."
Aja continued to move expertly through the small room, dodging the blows and disarming Birdie. Letting out a battle cry, Aja's weapon changed, firing constant shots at the hunter, who used her cape to block them.
Birdie ran from the mothership, through the portal just as Varvatos was propped against a counter, Luug pushing a large bowl of knives off the counter toward the man.
Varvatos stretched and stood up, eyes finally open, "Varvatos Vex is awake." The bowl clattered to the floor, the sharp tools spilling just as Varvatos moved.
Only to be crushed on the floor by Birdie who fell unceremoniously. As Birdie came to a stand, Aja flew from the mothership, foot out as she cried.
"Toe kick!" Aja's foot collided with the back of the hunter, throwing her to the ground. Birdie stood quickly, trying to exit but continuously hit the window.
"Here's Jim murdering enemy trolls in a heartbeat and then Aja and Krel letting them run scared."
"Please, stop saying I am murdering, I'm beginning to question my mental state."
"It's okay, Jim. You saved us, it's allowed, also locking up a cute-looking troll would be a crime itself."
"Oh, my!"
"What is this invisible barrier?" Luug blinked before growling, chasing after the hunter who managed to get out the door. The animal latched himself onto her cape as Aja and Varavtos ran after the pet.
Behind them, Krel had come tumbling out, holding his sore body. "Aja?"
"Luug!" Aja yelled as they all ran outside, Varvatos aiming his weapon while Birdie struggled to shake off the animal.
"Get off! Get off!"
The weapon whirred as Varvatos fired, the blast exploding from the nozzle and smashing into Birdie. The hunter exploded leaving a bright blue blast in the sky which had been unnoticed by a passing Eli.
"You got to be joking with me, Eli! The hell is wrong with you?"
"Dude saw Trolls in canals, a nonnormal way to take to school unless you're Jim and Toby, and as this happens out in the open as he passes by, it's unnoticed! Gosh, I want to strangle you."
"Please, don't."
"THERE'S THE MURDER!"
All that dropped from the sky was Luug and the hunter's pin which had been quickly eaten by the pet.
Krel smiled and placed his hand on his sister's shoulder while Varvatos finally came to an understanding of the situation. "Seklos and Gaylen, what a glorious triumph! You might be ready for an advanced training session."
"No, no. That was one of the scariest moments of my life." She sighed. "I'm still afraid."
"Of course, you were afraid. What warrior isn't? Varvatos Vex is constantly afraid for you younglings. But you did not let fear hold you back. You kept fighting and Varvatos is proud of you." The man chuckled as Aja pulled him into a joyous hug. "Is this some new attack? Strangulation of the stomach? Get over here."
Varvatos looked at the two siblings who seemed to be sharing a look, wanting to know what they were thinking desperately while everyone else cooed at the sight of them.
It was beginning to hurt him and he could see he hurt them as well, he just wished it would all get better. Once he was captive, he no longer knew what they were doing, or even thinking. Perhaps the future would look better, maybe he could redeem himself.
Varvatos pulled Krel into a hug before the heartwarming scene changed. Both Aja and Krel standing in Senor Uhl's office, the two looking nervous.
"I apologize for all the hoops Ms. Flanagan made you jump through. Here, your student ID badges. No one can question where you belong again." The two picked up the cards that Senor Uhl laid on the table, Aja staring down the real ID.
Senor Uhl smiled, knowing how much it meant to them to hear such words. He knew they felt out of place and was glad he was making them happy.
"Where was this concern when I was Trollhunting?"
"You used the weirdest excuses and we believed you were a troubled kid, if I had a slight understanding, I would try. Now that I do, we cherish you."
Her name was stated, and a picture of her smiling and Arcadia Oaks High was labeled across the top. The same with Krel.
Aja chuckled proudly. "Bienvenidos, to the Arcadia Oaks High family." Senor Uhl said as Aja clutched the badge closely, nearly ready to jump around.
"Thank you!"
"Have you seen the Birdie lately?" Krel asked the bird cry still very much there at the mention of her.
"Are you serious with that bird cry?"
"Haven't heard a peep since yesterday. Seems Birdie must've flown the coop." Senor Uhl began to laugh at his pun. "Flown the coop. What a good one. I should write that down. Flown the coop, 'cause she's a birdie, yeah."
"Yeah, because she is also dead now! Ha!"
Back in Akridion, Zadra and her allies stood in a crowded market, somewhere safe as they inspected the head of the blank.
"Despite the damage, the blank retained its memory cache."
"What about its ocular recordings?" Zadra asked.
"The Resistance retrieved the footage. It reveals the traitor who betrayed the royals." A video appeared, rather pixelated but the figures were noticeable.
"Look, this is dated the day before Morando's attack,"
Morando spoke on the video, who he was speaking to had not been revealed. "You've served the king and queen long enough, and for what? Tomorrow during the royal ceremony, lower the shields, allow my forces into the city and I promise no one will be harmed. What do you say, friends?"
Varvatos instantly hunched in his chair, knowing what was about to happen.
Zadra gasped as Varvatos stepped into view, the last thing she whispered before the screen went black was:
"Seklos and Gaylen."
"If I had water I'd spit take right now!"
"WAIT, WHAT!?"
"HE'S A TRAITOR? ARE YOU FRICKEN SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?"
"That's it, you all ruined my trust, I have trust issues, I need a therapist." All eyes turned to Varvatos who seemed to grow nervous as everyone glared at him.
This was bad.