Chapter 13; The Battle for the Bridge of Fate

As they were waiting for news about Noah, when Jim got a call from Blinky on his Bat Phone. Everyone heard Blinky say. "Master Jim, you must listen to me very carefully. They've captured me and want you to come to the Bridge… alone. Don't come! It's a trap!"

"Give me that!" Strickler said, taking the phone away from Blinky. Strickler then said to Jim through the phone. "It appears things have grown awkward, Mr. Lake. Meet me in the alley beside the theater tomorrow at 4 pm, or your friend will meet the same fate as Mr. Himitsu."

"Don't open the Bridge! Under no circumstan–" Blinky said, but the line was cut off. Seth then said to Jim. "So what are you going to do?"

"You heard him. Tomorrow I am going to meet him alone."

"You are not alone. You've got Aaarrrgghh, Draal, Seth, and me." Toby said to Jim. Jim sighed and said. "They said I had to be alone. If I'm not then he could be in the same state as Noah."

"Hey, Noah will be fine. I just know it. Plus Blinky made it clear. "Under no circumstances." Seth said and Jim said to Seth. "How can you say that, even after I am the reason Noah got hurt?" But before Seth could say anything, Barbara walked up to them and said. "Good news, Noah is out of danger."

"Is that true?" Toby said and then Barbara said. "Yes. He will have a scar, but now he just needs some rest."

"Can we see him?" Seth said and then Barbara said. "Yes, but he is sleeping, so don't wake him up." They all nodded yes and Seth and Toby went into his room. Jim would have gone too, but Barbara stopped him, and said to him. "Jim, I want you to talk to me and I expect to hear the truth. Who attacked Noah and what were you two doing in the woods?"

"Well, Noah was going to help me make up with Claire for how I've been lately. And as I was talking to her, Noah saw someone sneaking into her brother's room. The guy saw us and Claire, then ran away. Noah chased after him and that's how he got hurt." Jim said, giving Barbara the cover story Seth made for Barbara, and Claire's parents. Claire's parents believed it, and would thank Noah for his help when he recovered, but Barbara didn't and said. "The truth, Jim. I know no knife could leave a cut that deep."

"I swear! You can ask Claire."

"Stop lying to me! You and Noah come home from school covered in bruises, you all sneak out in the middle of the night, and if you didn't get Noah here in time, then he wouldn't have made it."

"I know you're angry, but—"

"Angry? I'm not angry and I'm long past worried. I'm terrified! You both are young and you think you're invincible, but one of these days, you're gonna find out you're not. We all do. Please, tell me what is happening with you, my son, and Noah." Barbara said and Jim didn't say anything. Barbara sighed and said. "I found this in a cookbook." Barbara showed Jim the letter he gave her, still sealed. Jim looked at her and said. "It's still sealed."

"Whatever is happening, whatever it is you're afraid to say, I want you to tell me, face to face. Believe it or not, there was a time when you used to share everything with me." Barbara said and Jim didn't say anything, again. That caused Barbara to be disappointed in Jim and then she said to Jim. "Fine."

"Mom, I'm sorry." Jim said as Barbara left him alone. Jim knew that keeping the secret was important, but this made him feel like a zero instead of a hero.

The following day, as a strong storm was brewing, Seth was looking for something and listening to a man on the radio say. "Maybe you should stay in bed, Arcadia. Looks like this storm may stick with us for a while. If you're looking to stay dry, the local high school is performing Romeo and Juliet tonight."

"I don't understand. Why do you need to go it alone?" Draal said to Jim as he was looking for something. Jim said to Draal, still looking around. "Because this is the only way it will work. You have to trust me on this, Draal."

"I trust you, but I also fear for you. You are walking into a den of death. For what? Blinky?"

"I'd do the same for you." Jim said before Seth found the object they were looking for. Seth gave Jim the object and said. "Yeah, but this plan might lead to Gunmars freedom."

"I know, but it is a risk we need to take." Jim said as he took the object. After that, Jim said to Draal as they all entered the garage. "Now, do you remember what you're gonna tell Toby and Aaarrrgghh when they start to wonder where I am?"

"Yes." Draal said as Jim opened the garage door and got on his bike. But before Jim left, he said to Draal. "Uh… If anything goes wrong, if it means anything, I hope you're the next Trollhunter."

"And I hope it won't come to that." Draal said before Jim left them. Seth then said to Draal. "We should get ready, it's going to be a long day."

"Uh… Fleshbag?" Draal said, pointing to someone, who hid until Jim was gone. Seth and Draal were surprised to see that someone, and that someone gave them a wicked smile.

As for Jim, he stopped under a shop's umbrella because Claire was calling him. "Hey, Claire!" Jim said, answering the phone and Claire said to Jim. "Jim, we have a big problem."

"Claire, is Jim in there? We go on in an hour." Ms Janeth said to Claire on the other side of the dressing room. Claire then said to her. "One second!" She then said to Jim. "I get that I need to act normal and everything, because, hey, now trolls exist, but I can't play Juliet without Romeo."

"Remember when I said that some of my friends are trolls?"

"Is everything okay?"

"Buy me some time? I-I promise I will be there for call time."

"Claire, are you in there?" Ms Janeth said, knocking on the door. Claire then said to her. "One second!" She then said to Jim. "Okay, I'll do what I can."

"And, Claire, thanks for saving Noah's life in the woods."

"You find my brother and we'll call it even." Claire said before Jim ended the call. Claire then started to act like both her and Jim were in the room and having a big fight, so no one would want to disturb them. As for Jim he reached the alley beside the theater and waited for Strickler. When Strickler appeared with a black umbrella. Strickler then said to Jim, as he walked closer to him. "So, you did come alone. This just might be the first time you've followed my instructions to the letter. You're learning."

"Where is Blinky?" Jim said before a goblin attacked Jim. The goblin found the amulet and Strickler said to it. "Is it the real one?" The goblin checked and it was the real one. Jim took it back and Strickler said. "It looks like all is in order. Follow me. This will be over soon." Jim followed Strickler and Strickler took them to the museum. When Jim realized that the bridge was there, he said to Strickler. "The museum? The Bridge was here the entire time?"

"After we moved it, we knew it would be the very last place you'd look." Strickler said before they entered the museum. The museum was closed, so there was no one but them inside. Before Strickler took Jim to the bridge, he said to Jim. "Just between you and me, when Gunmar rules the surface, I'll do my best to look after your mother."

"So kind of you." Jim said before Strickler turned into his Changeling form. At the bridges, Bular was waiting with goblins, Nomura, Teika, and Blinky, who was tiled upside down and over a gray phantom that had a big rhino horn and big rhino legs. "He won't come, Bular. Jim is a trained and true Trollhuter." Blinky said to Bular just before Jim and Strickler appeared. Blinky then said to Jim. "Oh, Master Jim, why did you not heed my warning?"

"You promised we'd build that Vespa together. Remember?" Jim said to Blinky, before he turned to Bular and said. "Now, cut him down. I brought the amulet."

"Are you sure?" Bular said, pulling out his sword and putting it close to the robe. Jim then noticed the Phantom under Blinky. Bular then said to Jim. "Open the Bridge. I will not ask again."

"Sorry, kid. It's business." Teika said as Strickler pushed Jim onto a makeshift staircase. As Jim climbed up the staircase to where he needed to place the amulet, Blinky said to Jim. "No, Master Jim, don't do this! If you release Gunmar and his Gumm-Gumm army, you will be unleashing darkness! The world will not survive Gunmar's reign! One troll's life is hardly worth putting everyone at risk! Think about Trollmartket! Your friends! Your own mother! I trained you better than this! For the glory of Merlin, not another step!"

"Gnome Blade!" A Soul's Driver said from behind all of them, just as Jim was about to place the amulet in its spot. Everyone turned around and saw Toby, who was in makeshift armor and holding a baseball bat, Draal, Aaarrrgghh and even to Jim surprised, Soul, who was in they're Gnome Blade form. "We are Kamen Hunters. Now get ready for the fight of your life."

"How did you find us!?" Strickler said before turning to Jim. Jim showed Strickler Toby's Chubby Tracker that was on his left arm. Jim then said to Noah. Seth then said to Noah after looking around the room. "You know what. I think we shouldn't have brought you and Toby here."

"It will be fine. Toby hit it!" Noah said and Toby started to play soft jazz music from his smartphone, which was also part of his armor. Everyone looked at Toby and then Seth said to Toby. "Toby, that is not action music."

"Sorry. Wrong playlist. Hold on one second. Oh, okay, here it is!" Toby said before the sound of rock and roll music started to play. Jim then did the chant as everyone got into a fighting saints. "For the glory of Merlin, daylight is mine to command!"

"Kill them all!" Bular said it started a battle royal. Bular attacked Jim and Jim blocked Bular's sword attack. Draal then rolled up the stairs and pushed Bular away from Jim as goblins started to attack him. As Draal and Bular started to fight, Draal said to Bular. "I am Draal the Deadly, son of Kanjigar, and you will suffer for my father's death!" Aaarrrgghh attacked the Phantom under Blinky. Soul attack Nomura. And Teika attacked the head goblin. Teika then said to everyone. "I didn't mean to do that!"

"Bad baby!" Strickler said as he kicked Teika away. Strickler then heard Toby war cry and said as he saw Toby get closer. "Toby Domzalski! You are in way over you–" Toby then used rule number three on Strickler. It worked and he was down for a while. Back on the stairwell, Blinky said to Jim. "Ha-ha! You led the others right to us! Of course! Strauser's move from A Brief Recapitulation: Volume 43. I neve doubted you for a moment!"

"Tobes! Help Blinky!" Jim said as he jumped down to help Soul. "Wingman!" Toby said to Aaarrrggh and after pushing the Phantom away, he threw Toby onto Blinky. "What are you doing?" Blinky said to Toby as he was stepping all over his face. "Rescue mission!" Toby said as he pulled out a small knife and started to cut Blinky free. With Jim, he kicked Nomura away and said to Noah. "Noah! Why are you here!?"

"I had a feeling something bad was going down, so I snuck out of the hospital and made it to the house just after you left. Seth told me what was happening. And I had to help." Noah said as he and Jim blocked Nomura's swords. "But you can die." Jim said as he and Soul pushed Nomura back. "If I am going to die, then let it be here!" Noah said as Soul charged at Nomura. Jim would have followed Soul, but Strickler recovered and attacked Jim with a sword. "I'll give you an A for effort, but you're going to fail this exam!"

Back with Soul, the defense of Gnome and sword skills from Blade were able to keep Nomura from causing major damage. Noah tried to switch Sylph, but Seth stopped him and made sure Soul blocked Nomura's attacks. Noah said to Seth as Nomura kept attacking. "Seth, let go. We need to switch Gnome to Sylph for speed."

"And you get killed? No. Think of… Noah! Behind us!" Seth said and Noah noticed goblins coming from behind them. Noah got an idea. "Gnome Guardian!" The Driver said as Noah switched the Blade Jewel with Guardian Jewel. As Soul blocked Nomura's attack, she said to Soul. "Is this all you can do? Fight like a wounded animal!"

"Undine Guardian!" The Driver said as Noah switched the Gnome Jewel for the Undine Jewel. Seth allowed it, because he knew what Noah was thinking. When Nomura attacked the shield, it moved. Soul moved out of the way and Nomura blade stabbed one of the goblins. As the goblins looked at the gooey remainders, Nomura looked at Soul and Noah said. "I may be wounded, but I did not forget rule number one." The goblins then attacked Nomura.

Soul then saw the fight between Bular and Draal not going well. So jumped down to Aaarrrgghh and said as Aaarrrgghh dodged the Phantom attack. "Aaarrrgghh, help Draal. We got this?" Aaarrrgghh nodded yes before the Phantom started to attack Soul. As for Blinky and Toby. Toby freeing him was taking too long, so Blinky said to Toby. "What is taking so long, Tobias? Are you using the sharp side?"

"I know how a knife works." Toby said before he realized that he was not using the sharp side.

With Draal and Bular, Bular threw Draal at the staircase, destroying it. "Like father, like son." Bular said before he delivered the final blow, but Aaarrrgghh saved Draal by pushing Bular away. Aaarrrgghh and Bular then headbutted one another and Bular said to Aaarrrgghh, laughing. "If my father were to see you now! You were a killer! His general! You're not a pacifist. You are a pet!" Aaarrrgghh then roared at anger

As for Draal, he was going to help Jim, but Nomura, who got rid of the goblins, appeared and said. "Care to rekindle what we had, Draal?"

"Rekindle this!" Draal said as he and Nomura did battle.

As for Jim and Strickler, they're battle took them to the top of the bridge. Jim was holding his own, but Strickler had many years of weapon training. When Jim made Strickler get his sword stuck in the stone. Jim used that moment to cut Blinky down. Blinky and Toby fell onto the head goblin that was going to attack Teika, who was trying not to get killed. "Now, that is a knife!" Blinky said before the new head goblin and his pack started to move closer to the three of them.

Back with Soul, they had a hard time with the Phantom. The Phantom's power was able to send them flying. If it wasn't for a shield made from Undine Guardian, Noah would be dead. Noah said to Seth as they landed away from the Phantom. "This Phantom has a lot of power."

"But, it just keeps charging. Wait? That's it." Seth said as he switched Undine with Sylph. "Sylph Guardian!" The Driver said as the Phantom got ready to charge at them. "Seth, what are you doing? Sylph Guardian is our weakest form."

"I am aware that Sylph speed makes Guardian weaker, and is too weak to use the shield, but we need the shield from this mode." Seth said and before Noah could ask why. The Phantom attacked them, again. Soul jumped over the Phantom and hit its back with the shield. Once the shield hit the back of the Phantom, the shield relished a powerful shock wave that sent the Phantom into a wall, which caused its head to get stuck in. Soul may have won his fight, but Jim did not. Once Jim was down, Strickler threw away the sword and grabbed Jim. "You disappoint me… when I had such high hopes for you." Strickler said before he ripped off the amulet, which did cause pain for Jim, then forced Jim to open the bridge. It worked, the bridge was open and started to suck the goblins and everything inside. Everyone was still fighting and not trying to get sucked in, Teika said to everyone. "Hey, people! The Bridge!" No one heard him. "I ain't ready to let go of this world." Teika said as he almost got sucked into the portal. He was able to grab the bridge and started to climb away from it. Once he was safe, he said to everyone. "Seriously, is no one gonna turn this blasted thing off? Fine, I'll do it!"

"Not many people are lucky enough to say they were there when history was made." Strickler said just before Teika reached the amulet. Teika tried to pull it out, but because of the energy it was releasing, Teika got blasted away to Blinky and Toby, who's armor got destroyed and sucked into the portal. As everyone was holding onto something, they all heard Gunmar coming. "We've failed!" Blinky said before Strickler said. "Nothing can stop his return!"

Strickler was wrong. Draal got away from Nomura and climbed the bridge, reaching the amulet. Draal then started to pull out the amulet. Nomura tried to stop Draal, but that didn't work. When more of the energy came out of the amulet, Nomura fell off of Draal and was sucked into the portal. Once Strickler lost his grip on Jim, Jim turned the tables and then said to Draal. "No! Let go, Draal! Let go!"

"No! No! Don't let him!" Bular said as he got away from Aaarrrgghh and ran to the portal. Just then a big explosion caused everyone to black out for a moment. Once they started to wake, they saw that the bridge was destroyed. "Draal!" Jim said as ran to Draal, who was launched away from the bridge and was down. When Jim reached Draal, Jim saw that the explosion had turned his right arm to stone and it was destroyed. Inside the remains was the amulet. Jim picked it up, thinking Draal was dead, until Draal said. "I'd hand you the amulet, but–"

"You're alive!" Jim said very happily, until everyone heard a roar. It turns out that Bular didn't reach the portal in time and was under the pieces. Blinky then said to everyone as they got up. "Master Jim, we must leave at once!"

"Help me, Aaarrrgghh!" Jim said to Aaarrrgghh and as Aaarrrgghh helped Draal, Soul turned into Undine Blade and opened the secret path to the sewer. Bular got out and looked for Gunmar, but he was nowhere to be found. "Oh, you gotta be kidding me!" Jim said as the sewer was full of water. Noah said to Jim. "Do you have any better ideas!?"

"No way! I'm not gonna jump in the sewer! There's gotta be a chicken surprise down there! Maybe two!" Toby said before Seth said. "Do you stay here with him!" Seth pointed at Bular, who was really mad and was looking at Jim. Toby then said. "Bon appetit!"

"Cannonball!" Soul said before everyone jumped into the sewer, and so did Bular. In the sewer, the current was powerful, even for a troll. Soul pushed Bular down a different way, and Aaarrrggh was able to catch everyone, but Jim. Bular and Jim soon found themselves outside, under the same bridge where Bular killed Kanjigar. Bular laughed and said. "Yet another Trollhunter killed under the same bridge."

"For the glory of Merlin, daylight is mine to command!" Jim said as he equipped his armor. Bular pushed Jim away. Jim got up and Bular said to Jim as he drew his weapons. "No more running, boy. Daylight is fading."

"You sure about that?" Jim said as he summoned his sword. Both started to sword fight and run around the bridge. The sunlight gave Jim an edge, and so did his size. But Bular was too big and strong. When Bular lost track of Jim, Bular said, trying to draw him out. "You want to know where the baby is? Don't you? I can give him back to you." Jim then tried to attack Bular from behind, but Bular grabbed him by the right arm, which was holding the sword. As Bular held Jim in the air, Jim said to Bular. "You kill me and the amulet will never open the Bridge."

"There will always be other Trollhunters." Bular said as he tried to attack Jim. Jim dodged and was able to free himself. Jim then said to Bular as he recovered from Jim's attack. "You want to see Dad. I get it, trust me. But we don't always get what we want." That just made Bular even more mad. Bular's attack caused Jim to almost fall off the bridge. "Shame. I'd hoped your death would be more entertaining than Kanjigar's. The amulet should never have chosen a human. You're too soft. Easy to kill." Bular said as he grabbed Jim and pinned him to a pillar.

The others had reached Jim's location and saw Bular killing Jim. Soul quickly threw his sword and Bular, hit Bular in the shoulder. Bular let go of Jim and threw the sword at Jim. Jim dodged and caught the sword, and then to everyone it started to transform. It was now a long sword that was shining. Jim smiled and summoned his other sword and started to duel wield, catching Bular off guard. Jim was able to knock away Bular weapons and when he touched Soul's blade to the amulet, Soul's Driver said. "Daylight Blade! Final Attack!"

"Jim can use Final Attacks too?!" Seth said and Jim heard him as both swords started to glow and grow. Jim then gave Bular an X slash across his chest and then cut him into three pieces. Bular screamed as blue energy surrounded his body. "Now, that's daylight for you!" Jim said before Bular exploded into a lot of small pieces.

As for Strickler, he had got out of the rubble, and followed them to the bridge, but when he got there, he saw Bular explode. One of the pieces landed near Strickler. Strickler picked it up and crushed it in his hand. Strickler was very happy to be free of Bular, but that told him that he needed to get stronger, or Jim and his friends would kill him too.

As everyone joined Jim on top of the bridge and missed seeing Strickler leave. They missed Strickler because they were too happy to see Jim alive and Bular dead. Once they all reached him, Blinky said to Jim. "You've done it! I… I can't find the words."

"Dude! Victory hugging!" Toby said before everyone gave Jim a big hug. "Guys, I was almost squeezed to death. Ease up a little." Jim said before Seth said. "Yeah, and Noah isn't any better."

"Oh light up Seth, Jim just killed Bular, the son of Gunmar!" Noah said after the hug was over. Draal then took a deep breath and said to Jim. "My father has been avenged. Thank you, Trollhunter."

"Your welcome, Draal." Jim said to Draal before Toby said to Jim. "And with minutes before your play starts! Oh, no, the play!"

"The play! I almost forgot!" Jim said before Noah said. "Well, we were fighting for our life."

"Hurry, Master Jim! Leave Killahead to us." Blinky said before Seth said. "But not us. I need to get Noah back to the hospital."

"That's fine, Master Seth. We can take care of…" Blinky said before he heard a roar, they all turned to see the rhino Phantom appear and was going to kill Toby with his horn. But Aaarrrgghh grabbed the horn, lifted the Phantom up and with a single punch destroyed it. Toby looked at the pieces, then said to Aaarrrgghh. "Aaarrrgghh, your oath…"

"Your life more important. Not pet. Wingman." Aaarrrgghh said as he gave Toby a fist pump. Soon everyone went to where they were supposed to be. Jim made it to the play in time, but didn't undo the armor. And the play was a big hit. After the curtain closed and before the curtain called, Claire said to Jim. "We survived the play."

"Did we? I Thought we just died."

"You actually showed up."

"Well, you know, I try to keep my promises. And, Claire, I promise I'm gonna find your brother, even if it means crossing into the Darklands myself." Jim said as it was time for the curtain call. Jim and Claire held their hands together and bowed. After they bowed to the people, Claire said to Jim. "You mean we are gonna find him… together." Jim was surprised, but happy to welcome Claire as the newest member of the Kamen Hunters.

The next day, while the people of Arcadia thought that the bridge that Jim and Bular fought under was damaged from the flash flood last night. Trollmarket was having a major celebration. It is for Jim, the Bular Slayer, and Draal, who not only reclaimed his honor and was welcome back to Trollmarket, but got a new troll prosthetic arm for his missing one. And because they now had every last piece of Killahead lock in the vaults of Trollmarket. Noah was also there, free from the hospital. As Toby gave the trolls tacos, Blinky said to Jim. "Don't let it go to your head, Master Jim You still have training to do. Hero's forge is unforgiving to those who are not afraid."

"And don't forget midterms." Jim said before Vendel appeared laughing. Vendel then said to Blinky. "Lighten up, Blinkous. Why do you always have to be such a grump? We have the Bridge. Trollmarket is safe once again."

"But his teacher changeling is still at large."

"I trust our Trollhunter can handle it. He has an excellent trainer." Vendel said to Blinky and he was happy to hear Vendel say that to him. Jim, Noah, Seth and Toby went somewhere quiet. Once they found that location, which was a stairwell close to the Heartstone. "Well, you said you wanted adventure and something more. Did that amulet help you find it?" Toby said to Jim and then Jim said to them. "No."

"No?" All of them said before Jim said. "You guys did."

"Oh, thanks." Seth said as he and Toby were happy to be appreciated. Noah then said to Jim. "So what is next, Jim the Bular Slayer?"

"We are going to the Darklands and get Claire's brother back." Jim said before Seth. "We should have known. And I hate to break it to you, but we don't know where Enrique is."

"And let's not forget, Gunmar is there and I think he will have a bone to pick with you." Noah said to Jim and Jim said to them. "We'll figure it out. We always do." They all then looked at the Heartstone, thinking about they're next move.

Meanwhile, in the Darkland. Chompsky was still alive and going strong. He was able to avoid detection and explore the Darklands. And while he was able to find a lot of high value locations, none of them was more important than the location he just found. And the location he just found was the Darkland Nursery, where Enrique and the other babies were kept.

And done. Now I have to tell you something. You see while making the Riders for the 3Below and Wizard parts and watching a lot, and I mean a lot of Kamen Rider stuff. I have been inspired to make more Kamen Rider Crossovers, but I will do one at a time. I am doing one at a time so I don't get overworked with stories, and each one will cross over with the previous one. If you don't understand, I am doing a Kamen Rider Winter Movie concept for each one of my Kamen Rider Stories after Tales of the Kamen Riders, because the Riders in my Tales of the Kamen Riders will crossover with one another already because that is what happens in the shower.

However there is one that is different. You see, this idea was too big to fit into my grand scheme of Kamen Rider Stories, but it is a very strong and powerful idea, so I have decided to make it a stand alone Kamen Rider Crossover. That means it won't crossover with my Tales of the Kamen Riders or anything that follows after. And since it is almost the new year, and I am removing one of my stories, I have decided to post most of it on 01/02/24.

The idea is a Kamen Rider Crossover with Fire Emblem Fates called Fire Emblem; Riders of Fates. It is a four part crossover serious, with the first part being posted tomorrow. I am posting the first part tomorrow, because the other three parts will be posted on 01/02/24 and I want you to get a taste of it before I post it. If you read it, you will understand what I am doing with it. And if you like this story, then you might like that one too. Now goodbye and I do hope you like my new Kamen Rider story. PS if you have ideas for Kamen Rider Crossovers, let me know and I see if I can do it.