[This chapter contains scenes from Episode 1: Becoming, Part 1 from Trollhunters]
The rest of the school day wrapped up quickly and Jim and Tobes were walking their bikes out through the courtyard. Tobes was chatting about his orthodontist and braces, going into a lot of detail, but Jim only half-processed it. There were still too many thoughts going through his head. But those too would have to wait as he glanced over and saw Steve shoving Eli into a locker, slamming the door on the bespectacled kid's face as he chuckled.
He almost forgot about this part.
It was funny. At one point, the biggest problem in Jim's life was thinking about what he was going to do about Steve and his bullying. The blond-haired jock always felt like such a titan before Jim had to face Trolls, goblins, gnomes, mad wizards, and all other sorts of unspeakable monsters. Now, looking at him again, he could see how much Steve had been compensating and projecting.
"Hey, nothing to see here." Tobes nervously chittered as he tried to keep them both moving along. Avoiding eye-contact with the jocks as much as possible.
"Hold up, Tobes. I just need to talk to him." Jim turned, making his way over to the scene.
"What? Are you nuts?! If psycho-Steve is terrorizing him he's not terrorizing us! Jim? Jim! Oh no…"
Jim didn't pay Tobes' warning any mind as he walked over to Steve as he pounded on the locker and terrorized Eli. The jock demanded to know what the scrawny nerd said he saw the other night and, honestly, Jim didn't really believe Eli at that moment either. If only he knew how much was hidden beneath Arcadia Oaks.
"Hey, Steve, how about you let Eli out." Jim leaned his bike up against a pole near the lockers, taking a fearless step towards the once-intimidating bully.
"You should mind your own business." Steve turned, jabbing a finger in Jim's face as he scowled. No matter how hard he snarled, he'd never even come close to the terrifying visages of even the most friendly Trolls.
"Oh! Hi Jim!" Eli called out, his voice echoing within the locker until Steve slammed his fist against it again.
"Now, where were we? Oh right! You were telling me about the monsters you saw this morning with fangs and, what was it again?" Steve monologued as Eli responded desperately.
"Stone for skin!" Eli squealed as Steve laughed and mocked him along with the other jocks.
"Hey, Steve, seriously. Just let him out." Jim sighed, watching the scene unfold in almost the exact same way it had the first time.
Steve turned around aggressively, taking angry steps towards Jim as he reached out and grabbed him by the collar. He tried to pull, but Jim held his ground, having learned a lot about dealing with opponents much larger and physically stronger than he was.
"This isn't you, Steve. You act all tough and mean but, deep down, you're a good guy. You care about your friends and you've got problems, just like the rest of us." Grabbing Steve's wrist as the jock held him by the shirt, Jim looked him in the eye, even as the blond boy pulled back a fist to sock him in the face. "Let Eli out. Talk to him. You might find you've got more in common with the rest of us than you think."
Jim could see a flash of hesitation in Steve's eyes, a bit of that fear he wore so openly and addressed freely in the future. However, he quickly muffled it, snarling and clenching his fist tighter as he readied a punch.
"Let him out! Let! Him! Out! Let! Him! Out!"
Tobes started a chant amongst the other students, having Jim's back just like he always had. The cheering from the crowd caused Steve to hesitate, glancing back at them before looking at Jim once more. All before Coach Lawrence slammed the doors open and demanded to know what was going on.
The crowd quickly dispersed and Steve quickly let Eli out of the locker, putting on his 'good boy' face for the Coach before turning to Jim once more.
"Friday. At noon. You. And me." Steve growled, jabbing at Jim's chest before walking backwards, wagging his finger as he tick-tocked.
Jim just chuckled to himself though, thinking about how immature the entire situation was and just how reliable a guy Steve could actually be if given the chance. In fact, the confrontation was a much needed distraction. No matter how much he liked the big blond goofball, despite everything, at least he knew who not to worry about giving their memories back. He'd figure it out. Just like he did the first time.
The entire ride home, Tobes was laughing and lauding their performance back at the lockers, enjoying a small moment of glory in their teenage lives. He seemed so happy, Jim had to wonder how much he'd freak out if he told him everything that had/was going to happen to them in the future. All their adventures made their little scuffle with Steve feel like a day at the waterpark.
As they biked down the road, Jim saw headlights and heard the quick honk of a horn as his mom pulled up next to them, rolling down her window to chat.
"Hey boys." Dr. Lake smiled at her son through the open car window, adjusting her glasses.
"Hey, mom."
"Looking sharp Dr. Lake." Jim smiled back as Tobes rolled by, struggling to stop.
"Thank you, Toby. So are you." She chuckled as the portly boy checked himself out.
"Dr. Gilberg is out with persidis, and Dr. Lens has a wedding out of town this weekend, so I'm gonna be out all night. Sorry, hun." Jim's mom smiled, but it was clear just how tired she was.
"Yeah, sorry I couldn't make you dinner this morning. I was… distracted." Jim felt a little bad at how scrambled he felt when he woke up. That meant she would probably end up nuking a frozen meal or something for dinner.
"That's okay, Jim. You don't have to always look after me. I'm sure there's a million things you'd rather be doing." She smiled kindly, the way only a mother could.
"Can't think of one." Jim playfully replied, feeling himself tear up a little before wiping his eyes and reaching into his pocket, remembering Strickler's sticky note. "Actually, my teacher talked to me earlier. He said he'd like to meet you and talk."
"Really? Is something wrong at school?" Jim's mom immediately looked concerned but Jim just shook his head and smiled.
"No, it's fine. He just wants to talk. Mr. Strickler is a really cool guy, mom. I'm sure you'll love him."
"Alright, if you're sure. Love you, hunnie." Dr. Lake smiled before taking the sticky note and rolling up the window, blowing him a kiss.
"Bye mom." Jim waved as she drove down the street, leaving him and Tobes behind as she headed off to work.
"Really, dude? You trying to set up your mom with our history teacher?" Tobes teased.
"Mr. Strickler is pretty cool. Once you get to know him at least." Jim shrugged, hoping that everything would work out as he made his first major change to the past.
He wanted his mom to be happy and, with Strickler, she was. At least after learning he was a Changeling and his weird magic tying them together and all the other life-threatening situations had passed.
"See you tomorrow, Tobes." Jim rolled his eyes at his friend's teasing, but leaned in for a quick hug, catching the other boy off guard.
"Hey man, what gives?" Tobes laughed nervously.
"Nothing. Just glad to spend time with you, Tobes."
"Hah, alright. Weird. See you tomorrow. Also, if you're making meatloaf tomorrow, make sure to make it a little spicier. I've had a craving."
"Sure thing. I'll keep it in mind." Jim shook his head as the two of them parted ways across the cul de sac.
Parking his bike back in the garage, Jim made his way back inside his house, finally alone after a very long day. He didn't even bother to turn on the lights, just walked over to the couch and sat down in darkness, pulling Merlin's amulet from his bag and holding it in his hands.
Rolling the amulet around in his palm, he turned it over and opened up the back, revealing the weakly pulsating Time Stone still resting in its slot. Jim felt his phone ring, but ignored it, too focused on the amulet and his one shot at getting a little bit of support for the massive task ahead.
As he focused on the amulet, Jim heard a crash downstairs, startling him a bit. Then he remembered what originally happened.
Blinky and AAARRRGGHH somehow made their way downstairs and were waiting for him. To tell him he was the Trollhunter. Granted, they didn't exactly do well the first time. Jim was so scared he passed out and almost thought it was a dream. Blinky wasn't exactly the best at giving concise explanations, and AAARRRGGHH didn't exactly help on that count either.
Jim thought about it for a moment, but decided to not go investigate. He wasn't sure what he'd do if he saw Blinky again without preparing himself more. The Troll had been his teacher for so long, and always placed the utmost faith in him, even when Jim didn't have any faith in himself. He was a father to him, even before Strickler. But that hadn't happened yet. If Jim broke down now, he didn't know what would happen. If he used the Time Stone now, he didn't know how that would change things.
Taking a deep breath, Jim ignored another bang downstairs, most likely from AAARRRGGHH getting into position, and made his way back to his room. Sitting down at his desk, he quickly found a notebook and pencil, flipping open to a free page and writing down his thoughts.
He needed an ally. He needed someone smart, who would be able to help him do things in such a way that he would be able to save everyone in Arcadia Oaks and Trollmarket. If he restored their memories, they would need to be wise and intelligent. They would also need to help him come up with ways he could save those who died between when Jim became the Trollhunter and his final battle against Bellroc.
Going off on a tangent, Jim started scribbling down a list of names, Draal and Vendel chief amongst them. He already had Tobes back, and he was sure he'd be able to keep him safe for the time being. Winning Claire's affection would be difficult, but he had a much more steady head on his shoulders this time around. He'd need to somehow gain Draal's friendship and Vendel's trust though, to operate as the Trollhunter better and with more freedom too. Blinky and AAARRRGGHH would be on his side from the start, but there were others he needed to save who would be much harder.
Strickler and Nomura.
They were his enemies at one point, and they tried to kill each other with all they had. It would be difficult to find a way to keep them both alive and eventually befriend them. Especially with Bular back and the treacherous nature of Changelings in general.
Looking down at Merlin's amulet, Jim bit his lip before glancing back at his mess of notes. There was only one person who would be able to help him do everything he needed to. He just needed the chance to talk to them.