Chapter 2; Becoming Protectors; Part 3

The following day, Jim wants to tell Toby about the amulet. But he was at the dentist again. So they went to the dentist and Jim barded into the room that Toby was in. Jim said to Toby, not caring about the dentist in the room. "Tobes."

"Hey, Jim." Toby said with a muffled voice. Noah grabbed Jim and said. "Let's wait until they're done."

"No, I need to talk to him." Jim said, pushing Noah away. Toby responded, but Jim didn't understand. Lucky Toby dentist understood and translated for him. "He says he's a little busy right now."

"I'm surprised you can understand him." Seth said, looking at the dentist. Jim didn't care what was going on and said to Toby "Okay, remember that thing we found the other day? In the canals. The thing with the gem and stuff? It works. It works like crazy!"

"This can't wait, man?"

"I've already waited until morning. Who goes to the dentist two days in a row?"

"I want to get these braces off before I'm 30. It's like my mouth is a city engineering project."

"How much longer is this going to take?" Jim said as the dentist started to work on him again. "Eight hours! I can't believe it takes eight hours." Jim said as it was late and the sun had already gone down. Noah then said to Toby. "You were right. Your mouth is a city engineer project."

"You must make the dentist a lot of money." Seth said as Jim finally calmed down. He then said to Toby. "Okay, Tobes. You are never going to believe this." As Jim pulled out the amulet, Toby started to microwave a pizza. Noah turned Toby's head to Jim and said. "You don't want to miss this." But nothing happened. Jim touched the amulet and Toby went back to his pizza. Seth then said to Jim. "Maybe you need to chant those words you said yesterday to activate it?"

"That might be it. For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to…" Jim said but the microwave bell distracted him. Toby took out the pizza and said. "Go on." Jim calmed himself down and did the chant again. This time the amulet started to equip the armor onto Jim again, but this time it was the right size. Toby was breathless and Jim said to him. "How cool is this?"

"What?"

"You ok Toby?" Noah said before Toby started to freak out and look at Jim armor. Toby then said to Jim. "Dude, you know what this means, right? You have a sacred responsibility here."

"That's what they said." Jim said before Noah said. "I don't think Toby is talking about the same thing." After Toby calmed down, he said to Jim. "You have to use these new powers for the benefit of all mankind. You have to use this to kick Steve's butt."

"Told you." Noah said as the others thought how stupid that was. Jim then said to Toby. "Really? I show you a glowing sword and a suit of armor that can only be magic, and that's how you respond?"

"Seriously! It's butt-kicking time." Toby said as he finished his pizza. Toby then heard what Jim said to him. So Toby said to Jim. "Wait? Who's "they?"

"Them." Noah said, pointing to the back door as Blinky and Aaarrrgghh waiting outside the house. Toby screamed in horror as Seth opened the door and said to Blinky. "Come on in."

"Thank you. And it is good to see you again Master Jim." Blinky said with a big smile on his face. Toby picked up his phone, trying to call the police. But Seth took his phone and said. "Toby calm down, they are friendly. But we don't know why you two are here now?"

"We've been keeping a close watch on Master Jim. Also why did you tell those two about us?" Blinky said, pointing at Toby hiding behind Seth. Noah then said to Blinky. "Because Seth is my twin brother, and Toby is Jim's best friend. Besides, what's the problem in telling them?"

"Uh…?"

"Noah."

"Noah, we trolls have gone to great lengths to keep our existence secret from your kind, lest there be panic." Blinky said as Toby grabbed a ladle and was panicking. Seth then said to Blinky. "Like this?"

"Exactly like that." Blinky said before Jim walked over to Toby and Toby said. "We are going to die."

"Hardly. Your friend is the Trollhunter. His noble obligation is protective."

"Like "protecting"? You mean like a superhero? Oh, can I be his sidekick? With a cool superhero name like Deathblade or Snipersnake?" Toby said as he finally calmed down. Seth said to Toby. "How about you come up with a code name, after Blinky tells us who Jim would be protecting?"

"Us." Aaarrrgghh said as he was trying to get through the door. Blinky said as Aaarrrgghh entered the house. "And mankind. From bad trolls. As well as goblins, gruesome, and the occasional rogue gnome."

"Quick question? Why are you so happy that Jim is your Trollhunter?" Seth said before Blinky said. "The mantle of Trollhunter is a sacred responsibility, one which has never been passed to a human before. This is a momentous occasion." Then they heard a car horn outside. Jim knew it was his mom and got everyone upstairs as quick as they could. But when Barbara entered the house, she heard Aaarrrgghh enter the bathroom with the rest of them. She called Jim and Jim said to the others. "She's not supposed to be home until midnight."

"I forgot my phone. Are you ok there? Where's Noah and Seth?" Barbara said as she walked up to the door. Jim quickly told a lie. "Noah and Seth are at Tobies house. And, um, my stomach's a little, uh…" Toby made the water splash and Seth made some fart noises with his hands. Jim stopped them and said. "Uh, you know, I might have a food poisoning situation."

"Honey, I'll get you some medicine, okay?" Barbara said as she left them. Jim then said to Blinky. "Okay, what's this going on here?"

"The amulet reacts to your emotional state. You appear to be in some distress."

"You think?" Noah said before Toby said to Blinky. "I have another question."

"Speak, Theodore."

"It's Toby, actually. Or Tobias. If Jim's the first human Trollhunter, like you said, then who or what was the Trollhunter before him?"

"The glorious mantle has been passed from troll to troll for over 900 years."

"So, the previous Trollhunter, what, retired?" Jim said before Aaarrrgghh said. "Was felled."

"What does that mean?" Noah said and Aaarrrgghh said. "Means killed."

"Turned to stone and smashed." Blinky said before Seth said. "Wait? That pile of rock we found? That was the last Trollhunter?!"

"Yes and his name was Kanjigar the Courageous. Brutally slain by a ruthless troll named Bular." Blinky said not knowing he was scaring Jim. Toby said to Jim. "Don't worry, dude. This Bular guy probably just got lucky."

"The evidence does not suggest that. Bular is a formidable opponent." Blinky said before Seth said. "Then maybe Kanjigar just had a really really bad day. Or was a really bad Trollhunter."

"No. Kanjigar was perhaps the most alert and able of all of the Trollhunters. Also, he was the very best. Many songs and sagas have been written about him."

"You know something Blinky. You couldn't sell water to a thirsty person during a heat wave." Noah said to Blinky before Seth said to the trolls. "Alright enough. Blinky, why are you and Aaarrrgghh really here?"

"To help train Master Jim, so that he may be ready for all of the future battles." Blinky said and Toby said to Jim. "See? Nothing to worry about." Toby then said to Blinky. "How long does the training normally take?"

"Decades." Blinky said before Jim said. "And… how long do I have?"

"A day or two." Blinky said and that didn't help their case. After that, Barbara knocked on the door and said. "Jim, I have medicine and ginger ale. Come on out."

"I'm fine. Really."

"I'm a doctor. I'm going to treat my own son."

"I just need a little privacy."

"You're worrying me. Oh. I'm coming in."

"Ooh! See? All good." Jim said, stepping out of the bathroom without his armor and making sure she didn't see anyone. After Barbara left, they were cleaning up the mess Aaarrrgghh was making. Blinky walked up to Jim and said. "So, Master Jim, are you ready? We should begin your training immediately."

"Uh, it's a school night."

"I assure you, the relevance escapes me."

"I'm 15. I have to stay home and, uh, study and stuff. Do homework? I can't be out, you know, trollhunting."

"Because?"

"Well, the whole "getting killed by a vicious troll named Bular" might be a deal breaker."

"Deal breaker?"

"I don't want to die."

"Goodness gracious! Who does?"

"Maybe you should take this back." Jim said, giving the amulet to Blinky. Blinky pushed it to Jim and said. "The amulet called to you, Master Jim. It chose you. It is your…"

"Please, don't say "destiny."

"...sacred obligation."

"Or that."

"You cannot refuse it. You cannot give it back. It is yours until you die."

"And I would like to get a little further past puberty before that happens."

"Master Jim, you are now responsible for the protection of two worlds. Human and troll alike. If you do not keep the balance, evil trolls like Bular will come into yours and wreak havoc."

"You're saying this Bular could hurt people?"

"Like you." Aaarrrgghh said pointing at Jim. They all looked at Blinky and Seth said. "What is Aaarrrgghh talking about?"

"With the amulet now in Master Jim possession, Bular will seek him out, and will have to face him, one way or another."

"Maybe what Jim needs is a little time to process all of this. You know, you laid a lot of heavy stuff on him tonight." Toby said and after Blinky thought about it, he said to them. "Fine, fine. We shall return tomorrow then, to begin your training."

"Ok, now let me show you the door." Seth said as he, Noah and Toby helped Aaarrrgghh throw the door. Blinky turned to Jim and said. "Master Jim, if I may… Destiny is a gift. Some go their entire lives living existences of quiet desperation, never learning the truth that what feels as though a burden pushing down upon our shoulders is actually a sense of purpose that lifts us to greater heights. Never forget that fear is but the precursor to valor, that to strive and triumph in the face of fear is what it means to be a hero. Don't think, Master Jim. Become."

"Great speech." Noah said as he and Seth clapped their hands. Blinky looked at them and then back at Jim and said. "Would you at least consider?" Jim gave Blinky some fits bumps to all of his hands, letting Blinky know that he was thinking about it. After Aaarrrgghh was out the door, Blinky followed him and soon they both disappeared into the night. Toby then said to Jim. "They're pretty stealthy. How's that? I bought you a night."

"A night?"

"Dude… You're the one who's always talking about wanting adventure and something more." Toby said before Noah said as Seth and Toby entered the house. "You know he is right. Now let's get some sleep."

"Ok." Jim said as Noah walked into the house. Jim closed the door and locked it. The next day after school, Toby said to Jim. "So, what did you decide?"

"If anyone finds out what happened in my kitchen last night, all of us will be committed."

"You're right about that, but I think Toby was talking about using the amulet to kick Steve's butt." Seth said and Jim said. "Give up the dream, Tobes." Noah then noticed the amulet glowing and said to Jim. "Uh, Jim. We might need to hide you somewhere."

"Why?"

"Because the amulet is glowing again. And that might mean you're going to transform again." Noah said as they all noticed the light too. They quickly went into the boys locker room, but Strickler saw them. In the locker room, Jim had his Trollhunter armor on. Jim looked at the others and said. "Okay. Why did it do that?"

"If I had to guess. The amulet hasn't figured out your emotions because you are a human, not a troll. So if you have any sense of distress, no matter how small, it is triggering your armor." Seth said as Strickler entered the room and started looking for Jim. Noah then said to Toby. "Toby deals with him. While we calm Jim down."

"Fine!" Toby said a little mad. As Toby talked to Strickler, Jim said to Noah and Seth. "How can I calm down, when I am freaking out?"

"Ok, then we need to think of a reason you are wearing it?" Seth said as he started to think. Noah notices a poster for Romeo and Juliet. Noah then said to Jim. "I have a plan." Back with Toby, he walked up to Strickler and said. "Oh! Hey, Mr. Strickler!"

"Ah, Toby. Have you seen Jim? I believe he came in here with Noah and Seth."

"Yeah, Jim, um…" Toby said before they both heard Noah say. "And done." Strickler went over to where the others were, only to see Noah and Seth pretending to help Jim put on his armor. With Noah on the right and Seth on the left side. Strickler knew that the armor Jim was wearing was the Trollhunter armor, but he pretended it was fake and said. "Jim, I don't believe that's appropriate school attire. Do you?"

"Oh, yeah. This. It's actually for Romeo and Juliet." Jim said before Noah said. "Like I told Jim on Friday, if you want to stand out in the tryouts. You need your own costume and good words."

"Jim's going to totally smoke those auditions." Toby said, realizing what was going on. Strickler also knew it was a lie, but played along and said to Jim. "What happened to the chess club?"

"Oh, uh… I'm doing that, too, apparently." Jim said before Seth said. "Yeah, they would be crushed if they didn't have Jim in their club."

"Hmm, well, you'd better hurry, then." Strickler said to Jim. Jim looked confused and Strickler explained. "I believe auditions end in five minutes."

"Right. Then we better be going." Noah said as he started to push Jim to the auditorium, which was really the gym. There as Claire was trying out for Juliet. Jim and the others were backstage and Jim said to Noah. "I can't believe we're doing this. It might have been easier to tell him that I'm a Trollhunter. I don't even know the play."

"Ok in order. We had to hide your armor and this was the best option. And without proof, everyone would think you're crazy. And last but not least, how could you not know this play? It's a classical romance story."

"Thank you, Ms. Nunez." Their math teacher Ms. Janeth, a woman with curly black hair, wears a dark blue-purple turtleneck and purple glasses, said as she was going over the list of people. Claire got off the stage and ran into Jim. She then said to Jim. "John?"

"Um, Jim."

"And here I thought you didn't like Shakespeare."

"Oh, no, he's my favorite. I totally love him."

"That costume is incredible. Did you make it?"

"He did, with some help from his friends." Seth said before Toby said anything that sounded crazy. Ms. Janeth then said out loud. "Next!"

"I think that's your cue. Break a leg." Claire said as she left them. "I'd prefer that." Jim said as he went onto the stage. On the stage, Ms. Janeth said to Jim as Claire to a seat next to her. "Who are you?"

"James Lake Junior."

"And what are you trying out for?"

"Un, Romeo."

"Well, we are all ears." Ms. Janeth said and Jim tried to figure out what to say. Jim looked at Noah, Seth, Toby and then Claire. Looking at her, he figured out what he was going to say and the amulet responded to him. "Destiny is a gift. Some go their entire lives living existences of quiet desperation, never learning the truth that what feels as though a burden pushing down upon our shoulders is actually a sense of purpose that lifts us to greater heights. Never forget that fear is but the precursor to valor, that to strive and triumph in the face of fear is what it means to be a hero. Don't think. Become."

"He totally stole that from Blinky." Seth said as everyone clapped and Strickler, who was watching Jim, left. Noah then said to his brother as Eli left in defeat. "It's fine. Besides, it is a great speech." Claire then walked up to Jim and said. "Jim, that was remarkable."

"Really? I didn't even think. I just sort of said it."

"That's acting." Claire said with a laugh. Shortly after that Jim's armor unequipped and they left before Ms. Janeth decides everyone rolls. As they were going through the town, the sun started to set. Toby said to Jim. "Dude! That was amazing! You were amazing! I'm amazed at how amazing you were!"

"I can't believe that just happened." Jim said as they crossed into a contraction sight. Noah then said to Jim. "Oh it did happen."

"Still, we should worry about that armor. We don't want it equipped when we don't need it and not equipped when we do need it." Seth said as they all heard a roar. They all stopped and saw Bular ahead of them. "You jinxed us Seth." Noah said before Bular yelled at Jim. "Trollhunter. Merlin's Creation… Gunmar's Bane."

"I think he's talking to you." Toby said to Jim before Noah said to Toby. "What was your first clue?" Bular then tried to move forward, but there was still sunlight. So when he put his right hand out a little, it got burned. Noah then said. "Looks like trolls can be hurt by the sun's light."

"Not for much longer." Seth said as the sun was almost gone. Noah then said to them. "Then let's get out of here, fast!" They all agreed and ran away to find somewhere to hide. The sun then disappeared and Bular went after them. He followed them and started to look around for them. They were hiding behind a truck and Toby kept telling Jim to put on his armor, but it wasn't working. As Bular started to knock cars away, Noah said to everyone. "Uh guys? Seth and I might have something that can help and something we should have told you about earlier."

"What?!" Jim said with a lot of fear in her voice. But before Noah could answer, Bular found them and said as he picked up the truck. "Centuries of Trollhunters, and I will have killed two in almost as many days."

"Talk later, run now!" Seth said as they all started to ride away from Bular, who threw the truck at them. They just barely dodged it and Bular went after them and told them that he was going to eat them all. "We can't outrun him, we need a shortcut to escape from him." Seth said as they just barely dodged Bular, who jumped in front of them. Jim had an idea and said. "Head down Delancey!"

"And then we can go behind Stuart Electronics. Good idea!" Noah said as they all headed to Delancy. Toby was the only one worried, because he didn't know if he would fit down the alley. Lucky for Toby he did fit and they all escaped Bular. Once they were a good distance away from Bular, they stopped and Toby said as they were all catching their breath. "Look at me, look at me. We're not dead, right?"

"Yes, Toby. We are alive." Seth said as they heard something moving closely to them. Good thing it was just Blinky and Aaarrrgghh. Jim then said to Blinky. "Bular's trying to kill us! He chased us all over town!"

"And you're still alive. I knew you had potential, Master Jim."

"You have a sweet voice, but you bring death with you!" Toby said before Noah said. "Toby calm down. And Blinky? If Bular is that dangerous, why haven't your people deal with him?"

"We trolls do not fight anymore and strive for peace." Blinky said and Jim said looking at Aaarrrgghh. "What about him? He's big."

"Pacifist." Aaarrrgghh said and Seth said. "Is this why you all need the Trollhunter?"

"Correct Seth. Aaarrrgghh renounced the violent path ages ago." Blinky said as Bular found them. "Follow me! We'll be safe in Heartstone Trollmarket!" Blinky said as they all started to run to the canal. They did run past Eli's house, but Eli only saw Bular. As for the chase, Bular brought down a power line, which caused a lot of power lines to start falling on top of them. Not one of them hit them, but it did cause Toby to be sent flying from his bike. Lucky Aaarrrgghh caught him and put him on his back. In the tree area before the canal, Blinky said to Jim. "Master Jim! Done your armor!"

"I've been trying! The amulet won't listen to me!"

"Did you speak the incantation?"

"I've been incanting the crap out of it, and it's not working!"

"Try calming down and try it again." Noah said as they reached the canal. As everyone went down, Jim stayed on the top and spoke the incantation. This time, he was calm and spoke clearly. "For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command." So when Bular appeared and punched Jim into the canal. The armor equipped just in time, so Jim wasn't hurt at all. As Jim drew his sword, Bular roared at Jim and Jim decided to run. But Bular cut him off from the others. Blinky then yelled to Jim. "Use your sword, Master Jim!

"Cut him like a meatloaf, Jim!" Toby yelled and Jim used his cooking skill to fight off Bular, but it didn't work. Bular was too strong for Jim and Noah said as he reached into his side pocket. "Seth, are you ready?"

"Let's do it." Seth said as Noah grabbed the Twin-Soul Driver and put it around his waist. "What are you doing?" Toby said as the Driver appeared around Seth's waist. Seth pulled out Efreet and said. "Just watch. Oh and catch me."

"Is that a Soul Jewel?" Blinky said as Noah grabbed Fighter. Seth put his in first and it disappeared, then reappeared in Noah Driver and Noah put Fighter in his Driver. "Efreet Fighter!" The Driver said as Noah started to ran at Jim and Bular. As he ran, Noah said as he overlapped the Jewels. "Henshin!" Seth then fell into Aaarrrgghh arms and Noah started to transform. Back with Jim, Bular had him on the ground and was laughing until something kicked him away. That something was Kamen Rider Soul. Jim then looked at him and said. "Who are you?"

"It's us Jim. Me and Noah." Seth said and Jim said. "Seth? But you're over there? And what happened to you guys?"

"We'll explain later. Right now we have a monster to face." Noah said as Bular got up and drew his swords. Bular pointed them at them and said looking at Soul. "Who are you?"

"We are Kamen Rider Soul. Now get ready for the fight of your life." Soul said as they snapped their fingers and pointed at Bular. Bular roared and attacked them. Soul and Jim jumped out of the way of Bular attack. They fought back, with Jim using his sword and Soul using fire punches, but Bular blocked them with hands. Blinky then said to Aaarrrgghh as the battle was getting more crazy. "We must work quickly. Open the portal with the Horngazel, Aaarrrgghh!" Aaarrrgghh put Seth onto his back and Blinky threw him an orange crystal with a handle. Aaarrrgghh then made a blue outline. Aaarrrgghh pressed it and a tunnel door opened. Blinky then yelled at them. "Master Jim, and Master Noah! The doorway is open, come on!"

"We are a little busy here." Jim said as he stopped attack Bular. The battle was at a stalemate. When Bular attacked, Jim and Soul dodge him. And when they attack, Bular blocks them with his arms. Seth then said to Noah as Jim fought off Bular. "Noah, we need to use that Final Attack the stranger told us about."

"Ok, but remember. Our Soul Jewels will lose power, so we need a clear shot."

"Ok, Jim! We need you to stand your ground for a few seconds."

"What?" Jim said losing focus and Bular hit him. "Nice going Seth." Noah said as he took the jewels out the the Driver and into the pleased them in the circles on the right and left side of the Driver. "Efreet Fighter! Final Attack!" The Driver said as flames started to surround Soul's right leg. "Final Attack, Inferno Breaker!" Soul said as they jumped high into the air with a big burst of fire. That causes Bular to stop focusing on Jim and focus on Soul. Soul then dived down at Bular with great speed. His fire foot changed from red to blue and locked onto Bular. Bular tried to block it with his right arm, but it was too powerful and when it hit Bular. He then exploded, but the attack just knocked Bular away, it didn't destroy him. Soul then landed next to Jim and Noah then turned back to normal and Seth woke up Jim got up and said. "What was that?!"

"Again. Talk later, we need to run now!" Noah said as Bular was getting up, but leaving his swords behind. He was still hurt, so they were able to outrun him into the tunnel. The tunnel closed before Bular could reach it and he started attacking the tunnel door. Inside they all heard Bular trying to get in. As the armor turned off, Jim said to Noah. "Now that we are safe I want some answers?"

"Ok. Over a week ago, Seth and I were taken to a room to who knows where. In that room we met someone and that someone gave us this. The Twin-Soul Driver." Noah said, taking off the Driver. Toby took it and said. "So cool. Can I use it and become whatever you were?"

"We were Kamen Rider Soul. And sorry to say Toby, but you can't use it." Seth said as he took the Driver back and gave it to Noah. Noah then said. "He's right Toby. Only Seth and I are the only ones that can use it. And we need to get stronger, because we all almost died."

"Almost"! A very important word. A life of "almost" is a life of never." Blinky said and they all looked at him. Seth then said to Blinky, as Blinky showed them a light-blue crystal stairwell. "Will Blinky, if we want to avoid a lot of almost, then Jim and Noah need some training, and I need some tools to cut these Jewels."

"This way, Master Seth. This way." Blinky said as they walked down the steps. "Why is he call us Master now?" Noah said to Seth and Seth didn't know why. Toby said to Blinky, still a little scared. "Are you sure we're safe here?"

"Indeed. The incantation forbids entry to Heartstone Trollmarket by Gumm-Gumms such as Bular, for they are the most fearsome of trolls."

"Okay, wait, wait. So, Bular can't get in here, right? Into Heartstone Trollmarket?" Jim said as he fear was almost gone. Blinky laughed and said. "No, Master Jim. Now… This is the world you are bound to protect. This is Heartstone Trollmarket!" The whole area was like a city, with shops, houses, and all types of crystals and minerals. But what caught their attention was an enormous orange crystal in the middle of the city.