Chapter 3; Wherefore Art Thou, Kamen Hunter?

After getting over the shock of seeing Trollmarket, Jim said to Blinky. "This is your home?"

"You got a nice place here." Noah said as they all started to walk down the steps. Blinky then said to them. "Trollmarket is home and hearth and sanctuary for all good trolls. This way, my friends. There is much to see."

"Dang! And here I thought the only thing underneath our town was dirt and plumbing." Toby said as he took out his phone. As they were walking, Seth noticed a lot of the trolls giving them angry looks. So Seth said to Blinky. "Blinky? Why is everyone giving us angry looks?"

"Human feet have never graced the ground of Trollmarket before. So stay close." Blinky said before Jim said to Toby. "This is crazy! Are you getting this, Tobes?"

"Yes I am." Toby said as he was taking pictures of everything. Noah then went up to Blinky and said. "So, do all trolls live down here?"

"No, Master Noah. Trolls travel from afar to our market to find comfort and remedies. You'll find most anything you need and something you'll find what you never knew you needed." Blinky said as garden gnomes appeared. Jim looked at them and said. "Oh, hey, little guy! That's a cute pointy hat." The gnome then showed off his sharp teeth. "And pointy teeth!" Jim said and Blinky started to stomp them away. Noah then said as the gnomes ran away. "Were those gnomes?"

"Yes, the vermin of troll kind. Pickpockets, scum of the earth! We only tolerate them for their grooming services."

"Grooming?" Seth said before Blinky said. "They eat the parasites on the larger trolls."

"Guys, check this out! Maximum coolosity there." Toby said as they got closer to the orange crystal. Jim looked at it and said. "Look at that. It's amazing!"

"What is that Blinky?" Noah said to Blinky and Blinky said. "That is a Heartstone. The life force of trollkind. The means that keep us from crumbling to stone and the source of light and sustenance."

"Okay, that's totally the bomb." Toby said as they all looked at the Heartstone again. They were so absorbed in the Heartstone, they didn't notice a lot of trolls and gnomes starting to surround them. They then turned around and saw all of them. "I think we've attracted the paparazzi." Toby said before Blinky said to all of the trolls as Jim moved forward. "Friends, there is no need to be afraid. Because he is the Troll-"

"What is this?" A male troll that was blue, four giant horns, and had crystal that was growing out of his arms and back. Blinky then said to the troll. "I was just getting to that, Draal."

"Human feet have never sullied the ground of Trollmarket before. Who are these fleshbags?" Draal said, getting a good look at Jim. As Toby and Seth hid behind Blinky and Blinky said to everyone. "Believe it or not, he is, um… How do I put this?"

"Just tell them the truth, that Jim is their new Trollhunter." Noah said, causing all of the trolls to gasp, the gnomes to run away and make Draal very very mad. Draal then yelled at them. "He can't be the Trollhunter. He's not a troll!"

"Amulet chose." Aaarrrgghh said, steeping next to Jim. Blinky then said to all of them. "Try to remain calm."

"I don't think they will calm down." Seth said before Toby said. "Try showing them what you got, Jimbo!" Jim then pulled off the amulet and said. "For the power—"

"Glory." Blinky said to Jim. "Right, sorry. For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command." Jim said as the armor equipped onto him. That made Draal even more mad and the other trolls gasped. Draal then said as he tried to grab the amulet. "Bushigal! I am Draal, son of Kanjiar and the amulet's rightful heir."

"Hey! Back off!" Noah said, stepping in front of them. While they were surprised to learn Draal was Kanjiar's son, Noah stood his ground as Draal said. "Get out of the way of the flesh bag, so that I may take the amulet back."

"The amulet chose Jim. Now step back or you are going to regret it."

"And just how are you going to do that?"

"With this." Noah said, pulling out the Driver. Seth then said to Noah as he put the Drive on. "Noah, the jewels still need time to recharge."

"They should have enough power for just a moment." Noah said as the Driver appeared around Seth. Seth sighed and put Efreet in the Driver. Noah put Fighter into the Driver and Seth fainted into Blinky arms. Noah then joined the Jewels together and the Driver said. "Efreet Fighter!"

"Henshin!" Noah said as he overlapped them and became Kamen Rider Soul once again. That surprised the trolls and Draal said. "What are you?"

"We are Kamen Rider Soul. Now, are you ready for the fight of your life?" Soul said, snapping and pointing at Draal. They were hoping Draal would back down. Draal didn't back down, lucky Aaarrrgghh got in between them and Draal said to them. "We'll see what Vendel has to say about this."

"Feel free to fetch him. In the meanwhile, lots of Trollhunter business to be done. Draal, wonderful to see you as always." Blinky said as they started to move to an area that had Jim sword at the entrance. As they walked through the area Jim and Noah turned back to normal. Jim looked at Noah as Seth woke up and said. "Why did you just change back?"

"We can only stay as Soul if our Soul Jewels have power. And a Final Attack drains them, so we can't use Efreet or Fighter until they recharge. Now why did the armor turn off?"

"The amulet responded to Master Jim's unconscious command. You are at ease, are you not?" Blinky said and Jim thought about it and said. "I am, actually."

"It senses that. You are beginning to master it." Blinky said as they found themselves in an area that had pillars with Trollhunters on the top of each one. Jim looked around and said. "Holy trolls! Is this a palace?"

"This is "The Hero's Forge." Blinky said as walked along a bridge over a very deep cannon. Once they reached the center, they saw the statues and Noah said. "What's with statues?"

"These are Master Jim predecessors. A line of heroism that reaches back to the age of Merlin." Blinky said and Seth looked at a pillar that didn't have a Trollhunter. "Who's supposed to be on this pillar?"

"That is the place of the final repose for Kanjigar "the Courageous." One day, thee will be a statue of you here, Master Jim. One day very far off in the future, of course." Blinky said and Toby then said to them. "Yeah, about that, I just have two questions."

"Just two?" Jim said before Toby said to Blinky and Aaarrrgghh. "You guys are trolls. So, "Trollhunter" sounds a little like you hunt yourselves, you know?"

"Hunt bad trolls. Gumm-Gumms." Aaarrrgghh said before Jim said. "Not exactly the most terrifying name."

"Blinky? What does Gumm-Gumms mean?" Seth said before Blinky said. "It Trollspeak, "Gumm-Gumm" means bringer of horrible, slow, painful and thoroughly-calculated death."

"Yeah, that's not a terrifying name." Noah said to Jim, who was shacking in fear. Blinky then said to Jim. "But do not be too concerned, Master Jim. The Gumm-Gumms were exiled to the Darkland centuries ago. Only one roams free."

"And wants to kill you." Aaarrrgghh saibd before Noah said. "Wait? Bular is the last Gumm-Gumm on Earth."

"Yes, Master Noah. His father and the rest of their number remain exiled to the Darkland, but they have been trying to escape for centuries."

"Ok, now what was your other question, Toby?" Noah said to Toby, who turned to Noah and Seth and said. "Yes, can you explain what you two are?"

"Of course. Seth, do you want to explain?" Noah said and Seth nodded. "Ok. First, a Kamen Rider is a masked hero that rides into danger. And for us to use our Kamen Rider power, I must give my soul to Noah, so he can fight."

"Is that why you call yourself Soul when you are together?" Jim said before Noah said. "That's one reason. The other is because we use Soul Jewels to fight." Noah then pulled out Fighter and Blinky said looking at it. "So it is a Soul Jewel. I've never seen one like this before. They are usually spheres"

"Like this." Seth said, taking out the pink sphere he had been working on. Blinky looked at it and said. "Yes, just like that. But, wait? Why is this one chipped?"

"Because I've been trying to carve it." Seth said, surprising Blinky who said. "Carve it? No living creature has ever carved one, they disintegrates the moment someone tries."

"But I hear it and it tells me how to carve it. Watch." Seth said as he started to carve it a little. But since Seth still didn't have tools. He just chipped it. Blinky then said to Seth. "Amazing Master Seth."

"Really? I don't have tools, so I can't do much."

"Don't worry, Master Seth. I'll get you the tools you need. And for Master Jim and Master Noah. I sense ill time is upon us. Hence that need for us to begin not only your training, Master Jim, but Master Noah as well." Blinky said as he walked to a big button. Before Blinky pressed it, he told them all to step back, Toby and Seth more than the others. Blinky sighed and pressed the button. Then very sharp blades started to come out of the pillars and from out of the ground. Everyone dodge them and Aaarrrgghh grabs Toby and Seth, then got them out of there. As Jim and Noah got out of the way and reached Blinky, who laughed and said, "Excellent reflexes, Master Jim, Master Noah."

"Great, but maybe we could start off easy?" Jim said before Noah said. "Or maybe cut back on the blade's use?"

"Blinkous Galadrigal." A male voice said from the entrance. Blinky turned off the blades and they saw a white troll that looked very old, with long horn and was walking with a staff that looked like it was made from the Heartstone. After Aaarrrgghh put them down, Seth walked to Blinky and said. "Who is he looking for?"

"Me."

"But your name is Blinky?" Jim said before Blinky said. "Actually Blinky is a nickname. Blinkous Galadrigal is my actually name."

"Blinkous Galadrigal! I wish to meet the fleshbag supposedly chosen by the amulet." The troll said to Blinky before Noah said to Blinky. "Why does this troll sound like a big shot?"

"Because he is big." Aaarrrgghh said and Blinky explained. "Master Noah, this is Vendel, son of Rundle, son of Kilfred. Elder and leader of Trollmarket."

"So you must be the one that holds the amulet?" Vendel said, looking at Noah. Noah said to Vendel as Toby was taking pictures. "No. I'm part of Kamen Rider Soul. I'm not your Trollhunter." Noah then pulled out his Driver to show Vendel. Vendel looked at Toby and Seth and knew they weren't Trollhunter. But Vendel was curious about Toby's phone and took it. However Vendel quickly broke it and Jim said to Vendel as he pulled out the amulet. "I think I'm the fleshbag that you're looking for."

"Amulet chose." Aaarrrgghh said as Vendel dropped the phone remains. Vendel walked over to Jim and said. "Hmm… So Draal tells me. Ridiculous! However, the amulet has been known to make ill-fated choices, as you know better than most." Vendel said that last part as he turned to Blinky. They all figured out something was up and Jim said to Aaarrrgghh. "What's that mean?"

"You second Trollhunter Blinky trained." Aaarrrgghh said before Noah said. "Who was the last guy?"

"Unkar "the Unfortunate." Aaarrrgghh said, pointing to a statue of a Trollhunter, who died in great fear. Seth looked at Aaarrrgghh and said. "Why is he called Unfortunate?"

"First night out, torn." Aaarrrgghh said before Jim said. "Like, conflicted?"

"No. Limb from limb." Aaarrrgghh said as Unkar's right arm fell off and almost hit Toby and Seth. Vendel then moved the center of the area and said. "If the amulet chose true, the Soothscryer will reveal it."

"Please! Master Jim hasn't even had an hour's training." Blinky said, but Vendel didn't care and pointed to a spot to bring out the Soothscryer. Jim sighed and stepped on the switch. Then what looked like a troll head appeared. Vendel then said to Jim. "Behold, the Soothscryer! It will judge your true spirit. Insert your right hand, Trollhunter."

"Um, I'm going to get it back, right?"

"That is part of the test."

"Oh, great. Noah, Seth! Come here and help me." Jim said and they helped him onto the Soothscryer. Jim was a little scared, but he put his right hand into the Soothscryer. The Soothscryer closed, causing Jim to scream. It then opened and Jim fell down into Noah and Seth arms. Jim still had his hand and Noah said to Vendel as they put Jim down. "Aright, what is the verdict?"

"Hmm… Inconclusive."

"What does "inconclusive" mean?" Jim said to Vendel as Vendel was leaving. Vendel stopped and said. "It means, Trollhunter, that there's never been a human to bear the mantle before. The Soothscryer needs more time to render its judgment. Let us all hope you live long enough to see." Vendel said as he left them. After that Blinky told them to go home and Seth gave him a list of tools he needed. On the walk home, Jim said to the others. "Oh what have I gotten myself into?"

"Um… Trolls, super heroes, cool underground city, indigenous gem forms, Hearthstone? What you've gotten yourself into is totally awesome-mania, man!"

"If I survive." Jim said before Seth said. "Don't worry Jim. Blinky will help us. He's getting the tools I need and he is going to train you and Noah."

"Are you crazy? The last guy got torn limb from limb on his first night." Jim said, freaking out again. Noah then said to Jim. "Hey, you have us and I'm sure Blinky learned from his mistakes. So I'm sure we won't die on our first night." They then reached their homes and they saw Barbara's car. Toby then said. "Oh no. Your mom is home. Okay, quick, I was bike-jacked by three– no, make it seven– members of the Bratva. That's the Russian mob."

"Toby? How about we let Noah come up with the cover stories." Seth said to Toby and then Toby said. "But is it a good story?"

"And wouldn't fool anyone." Noah said and Toby said to him. "Then what would you say?"

"Your bike got hit by a car, but you weren't on it when we got hit. So you are ok." Noah said and Jim said. "I like that story."

"I guess that could work." Toby said before they all went home. After putting Jim bike and the twins skates inside the garages. They all went inside, hoping Barbara would notice them. But she heard the door open and said. "Kim, Noah, Seth, I'm in the kitchen!"

"Hey, Mom. You would not believe what happened on the way home from—" Jim said, but stopped when they saw Strickler. "Look who stopped by." Barbara said as she was making tea for Strickler. Strickler then said to them. "Hello boys."

"Mr. Strickler? What are you doing here?" Noah said before Barbara said. "Mr. Strickler came by to congratulate you, Jim."

"Oh, that's really… nice." Jim said not knowing what they were talking about. Strickler then said to Jim. "It's a great honor that you've been chosen to wield this mantle. I've no doubt that you'll prove equal to the task." They were wondering what Strickler meant. They figured it out when Babara said. "Why didn't you tell me you were trying out for Romeo and Juliet?"

"We wanted it to be a surprise." Noah said making sure the lie matched with what they told Strickler back at school. Seth then said to them. "Plus, we had somewhere to go after school, so we don't know if Jim got the part."

"Well after that breathtaking audition, how could you not get the part of Romeo." Strickler said, surprising Jim. Noah then said to Strickler. "That's good to know, but that doesn't explain why you are here?"

"I was just remarking to Jim mother that I'm a touch concerned about your being spread so thin, particularly in light of your new commitment to the chess club." Strickler said and then Barbara said to Jim. "And I didn't even think you knew how to play chess. Chess, acting… It's like you have this entire secret life I know nothing about."

"You have no idea." Jim said to his mom. Strickler then said to Barbara. "Atlas, too, carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, and I'm concerned, like him, you're overextending yourself."

"Don't worry Mr. Strickler, Seth and I will give him the strength he needs to carry the world." Noah said, causing Strickler to laugh and then say. "So you'll be Kratos, huh?" He then looked out the window and said. "Now I don't want to overstay my welcome. My phone, Mrs. Lake."

"Please, call me Barbara." Barbara said as Strickler gave her his phone number. Strickler then kissed Barbara's left hand and said. "Barbara. Delighted to meet you." Strickler then left them and Barabara started making dinner for them. Outside Strickler didn't walk to his car, but to Bular, who was still hurt and spying on them. Strickler then said to Bular. "You shouldn't be here!"

"Why aren't I feeling his neck snap in my hands right now? Burning his hut to the ground?" Bular said as he watched Noah and Seth distracted Barbara from Jim fixing the food she was cooking. Strickler said scoffing. "That certainly wouldn't draw any attention."

"I could take the amulet and be done with it."

"Your attempt to do so earlier only gave us a new powerful enemy, or are you not as hurt as you look?" Strickler said and that made Bular mad. Strickler then looked at Jim and Noah and said. "The first human Trollhunter and a long lost Kamen Rider. This will require finesse, patience."

"I resent your weak, devious ways, Impure. I only respect force."

"And I respect your father. If you want any chance of ever seeing him again, adapt." Strickler said, but Bular didn't listen, So Strickler had to push him away just in time. So when they looked out the window they didn't see Bular. The next day after school in Trollmarket; Hero's Forge. Toby and Aaarrrgghh were watching Blinky as he started to teach Jim and Noah how to fight. At the same time Seth, thanks to Blinky, was able to start carving the Soul Jewels. Noah looked at Seth and said. "Are you sure you don't want to join us?"

"I'm good." Seth said as he put on a welding helmet, grabbed the pink jewel with a pair of tongs and started carving the pink jewel on a grindstone. Blinky looked at Noah and said. "Focus Master Noah. If you and Master Jim are going to survive, then you both must master the 3 Trollhunter Rules."

"And those are?" Jim said before Blinky said. "Rule number one: always be afraid."

"Afraid?" Jim said before Noah said. "Why?" Blinky then started to throw rocks at them and said. "See? Fear is good. Keeps us alert. Keeps us on guard. Makes us vigilant. A hero is not he who is fearless, but he who is not stopped by it." Blinky then stopped throwing rocks and said. "Two: always finish the fight. An opponent must be given no mercy." Blinky then started to throw rocks at them again. They did dodge the rocks and after Blinky was done, Jim said. "Always finish the fight?" Aaarrrgghh then threw a rock at both of them and it hit them both in the back. Aaarrrgghh then said as Seth stopped and looked at Aaarrrgghh. "Kill!"

"Indeed. The Trollhunter must always vanquish his opponent through death." Blinky said as Jim and Noah got up. Toby then said to Blinky. "Dude, that's harsh."

"Ours is an unforgiving world, Toby D. Hence, the third rule: when in doubt always kick them in the gronk-nuks." Blinky said and the humans wonder what gronk-nuts mean. Blinky answered that question by summing a blade which almost hit Jim's lower half. They all got the idea and Aaarrrgghh said. "The horror."

"So, basically, you're saying that one third of being a Trollhunter is kicking someone in the nards." Jim said as Seth had finished up the pink jewel and heard its name. Seth then ran over to Noah and said. "Here you go Noah. This Soul Jewel works on your side of Soul."

"Ok, so what power does it have?" Noah said and before Seth could say anything, Draal walked in and said. "Ah! So, the Trollhunters training begins. I thought the great Trollhunter might accept my services as a sparring partner. Part of your training regimen, isn't it?"

"In due time, perhaps." Blinky said before they all heard Vendel say. "Why wait?" They all looked around for Vendel and found standing in a hallway above the area. Vendel then said to all of them. "I am eager to see your charge demonstrate his mettle."

"Actually, the sword's more made of, like, daylight." Jim said before Noah said. "He means your mettle, your ability to cope in the face of adversity."

"Oh. Yeah, I'm still working on the whole "mettle" part. Plus, you know, SAT words."

"Let them spar." Vendel said and not they had no choice. "No harm in it." Draal said as he got ready to fight. Blinky, Noah and Seth left Jim and Jim said to them before they were too far away. "Wait, what do I do?"

"Hit him as hard as you can." Blinky said before Jim said. "No, no. I mean, what do I do? I've never hit anyone."

"Wait, you've never been in a fight at any point in your life?" Seth said before Jim said. "All 15 years of it, yeah."

"You fought Bular, however briefly, and you were glorious. Your blade-work was impressive." Blinky said before Jim said. "Noah was the one who really fought Bular and those blade skills were just my chef skills."

"Then listen to me. Jim." Noah said and Jim listen like his life would depend on it, which it kind of did. But before Noah could say anything, Seth stopped him and said. "Don't listen to him. He always bites off more than he can chew. Good luck Jim."

"Master Jim, do not worry. The fight is within you. Trust yourself. One hit and you will be changed forever." Blinky said as he turned Jim to face Draal and Jim got ready for the match.

"Began!" Yendel said and the battle started. Draal started with a rolling attack. Jim dodged Draal's attack, but Draal used his attack to roll up a pillar and land on the ground, creating a dust cloud. That caused Jim to lose sight of Draal until Draal headbutted him. As Jim got up, he tried to talk to Draal, but Draal didn't listen and attacked him with punches. Jim was pushed all the way to the edge. Draal picked Jim up and dangled him over the edge. "Seth!" Noah said before Seth said. "I'm on it." Noah then put on the Twin-Soul Driver and they both put their Soul Jewels into the Twin-Soul Driver and the Driver said. "Efreet Fighter!" Noah then said as he ran at Draal. "Henshin!"

"I've waited my entire life to inherit the amulet. I can wait until you fall in battle. I suspect I won't have to wait very long." Draal said before Soul kicked him away. Seth fainted into Aaarrrgghh arms, Draal dropped Jim and in a flash Soul caught Jim. "We got your back Jim." Noah said as he helped him up. "That's not possible." Vendel said as Draal got up and they both looked at Soul. Noah then said to Jim. "Jim, get out of here. We got this."

"Do we?" Seth said as Soul ran at Draal. Soul tried to punch Draal, but Draal was very fast. Draal then punched Soul away and as Soul got up, Seth said to Noah. "You need to use the one I just carved."

"Ok, let's see what this one can do." Noah said as he undone the overlap and took out Fighter. He then replaced it with the pink one and the Driver said. "Guardian!"

"Guardian?" Noah said as Draal used another rolling attack. Soul overlap the Soul Jewels and the Driver said. "Efreet Guardian!" Draal then changed at Soul as his right-side started to change color and the belt strap lost its two circles. Draal hit Soul and then was blasted away. Everyone looked at Soul's new right-side. Soul's right-side now was pink and they had a round pink shield with an outer ring, a red dome in the center and two circles inside the shield appeared on Soul's left arm. Noah looked at his side and said. "I like the power, even if I'm not a big fan of the color."

"Focus on the battle bro, not the color of our armor."

"Fine." Noah said as he ran at Draal. "Noah, wait!" Seth said as Soul punched Draal. But that hurt Soul not Draal. Draal then punched Soul away. Soul used his shield to block the attack, but was still sent flying. Once they landed, Noah said to Seth. "Did you forget to tell me something?"

"Yeah… Guardian offers us great defenses, but it doesn't offer us great attack power like Fighter."

"Can we use a Final Attack?" Noah said as he used the shield to block all of Draal's attack. Seth then said to Noah as Soul jumped back. "We can, but if we miss, it will give Draal a chance to hit us very hard."

"Then I won't miss him." Noah said as he took out Efreet and Guardian out of the Driver and put them into the shield. They all then saw the shield center started to glow. "Final Attack! Solar Shield Strike!" Soul said as the dome opened up and became five fire spikes around the shield and thosed it at Draal. Draal charged at them with a rolling attack. Both attacks collided and did some damage to Draal. As Draal jumped back, Vendel said. "Enough!" Both of them stopped and Noah turned back to normal. Vendel then said to Noah. "You better remember this flesh bag, if you interrupted a match like that again, then you will be punished."

"Whatever you say." Noah said as he took off the Driver. As Vendel and Draal left, Blinky said to Noah as they all walked up to him. "Well done Master Noah."

"Thank Seth. He was the one who told me to use Guardian." Noah said as he pointed to Seth, who was looking around. Toby then said to Seth. "What's the matter Seth?"

"Where's Jim?" Seth said and they all finally noticed that Jim was gone. They started looking for him and found him, without his armor, leaving Trollmarket and were able to catch up to him at the crystal staircase. Blinky then said to Jim. "Master Jim, where are you going?"

"Home."

"Come on Jim, you can't let one loss stop you." Toby said before Noah said. "Yeah, the amulet wouldn't have picked you, if you would give up after one fight."

"Are you guys crazy? An amulet can't choose anyone. It's an amulet." Jim said as he took out the amulet. Blinky then said to Jim. "I understand you're upset, Master Jim, but you've had not a moment's training. There's no shame in what just transpired."

"Okay. Well, then you were definitely not paying attention back there. Shame was about the only thing that transpired. Shame and realization. Noah is stronger than me, he should be the Trollhunter. Not me." Jim said as he dropped the amulet and started to walk up the steps. Blinky picked it up and said. "Master Jim, despite whatever doubts you may have about the amulet's choice, it is now bonded to you." The amulet then flew back to Jim. Jim caught it and Blinky said. "This is a mentle you cannot refuse."

"Watch me." Jim said as he dropped the amulet again and went home. As Noah and Seth were still at Trollmarket and Barbara was working at the hospital. So Jim was home alone and the whole time he was alone, the amulet was trying to get his attention. At first Jim tried to throw the amulet away, but it always appeared out of the trash can, no matter how much Jim tried to keep it inside the trash can. Then Jim tried to ignore it, but it appeared where Jim was. Jim's last try was to hit the amulet with a baseball bat and send it far away from him. It worked, but after a few seconds the amulet came back and hit Jim on the back of the head.

The next day, Jim, who was still a little out of it, was with Claire as Ms. Janeth was going over their charter's. "Deny and refuse." But he can't deny it. But Romeo can't not be a Montague, which means that Juliet…"

"And I'll no longer be a Capulet." Claire said and Ms. Jeneth said. "Exactly! Jim?"

"Huh?"

"Or, if thou wilt not be sworn my love…"

"Right. No, I-I got it. Love, deny, refuse. I'm on it."

"Okay, then. Let's take it from "Wherefore art…"

"You okay?" Claire said to Jim and Jim said to her, a little nervous. "Yeah, I'm fine. Totally fine."

"You're going to need to be a bit more convincing if you're going to play Romeo."

"I've just got some stuff going on in my head."

"I know we don't know each other all that well, but we're going to be spending a lot of time together, so—"

"All right, all right! Act two, scene two, line 33." Ms. Jeneth said, stopping Jim and Claire's conversation. They then started rehearsal and after rehearsal was done. Steve found Jim and said. "There you are! I hope you're ready for your butt-whooping, jerk face."

"Leave him alone Steve." Noah said as he, Seth and Toby walked up to them. Jim and Steve turned to them and Steve said. "Back off, dweebs!"

"Steve, I am really not in the mood to do this right now." Jim said to Steve and Steve said, as Claire and a few other people started to watch. "Duh! Nobody's ever in the mood to get their face bashed in, but that's what's going to happen, unless you want to back down."

"Uh, I-I can do this?"

"Sure. You want to crawl away from me, on your knees, bowing in front of everybody? That's a choice."

"Don't do it Jim. He's just a loser, so don't destroy your pride." Noah said before Steve said. "Your next buttsnack. But Lake first." Jim was going to bow, but seeing Claire caused Jim not to bow. "You chose." Steve said as he tried to punch Jim. But Steve was much much slower than Draal, so he dodges Steve punches with ease. Steve was getting more angry the longer the fight lasted. Jim then tripped on his own feet and fell down to his bag. Jim heard the amulet and realized this was just like his match with Draal. Steve was going to punch Jim, but Claire got in the way and said. "Leave him alone, Steve."

"Butt out!" Steve said as he pushed Claire away. She would have hit the ground if Noah and Seth didn't catch her. "Good thing your mom's a nurse." Steve said not knowing that he pushed a little too far. Jim made a fist and punched Steve right in the jaw. Steve was all talk, so that punch knocked him out and when Steve hit the ground, he lost a front tooth. Jim then said to Steve, who was knocked out. "She's a doctor, actually."

"Now that was a punch." Noah said as he, Seth and Toby ran up to him and the people around him cheered. Back at Trollmarket, in the watering hole, Draal was telling everyone about the damages he did to Jim yesterday during their match and making fun of Jim. Listening to Draal was Blinky and Aaarrrgghh. Blinky then said to Aaarrrgghh as Draal laughed. "If only Master Jim had landed a single hit. And he would have been changed forever!"

"Over and over and over. It was incredible! All I want is the chance to wail on that fleshbag again." Draal said before taking a drink. But Jim stopped him and said. "Wish granted, loudmouth. Rematch. You. Me. Name the time, name the place, and I'll be there."

"We all will." Noah said as he, Seth and Toby joined Jim side. Blinky and Aaarrrgghh were very surprised to see Jim stand up against Draal. Draal on the other hand was mad. Because Jim had challenged Draal's honor and that match was going to be bigger then Jim realized.