[This chapter contains scenes from Episode 2: Becoming, Part 2, from Trollhunters]
"That's certainly quite the tale, Young Atlas." Strickler hummed to himself as the two of them sat in his office.
Jim had just finished recounting everything that happened after Strickler's death. It wasn't pleasant recounting those memories, but it needed to be done. At the same time, it helped confirm that Strickler has his memories back from the previous timeline, which came as an immense relief to Jim.
"Have you told anyone else? Young Tobias? Your mother? Miss Nunez?" Strickler asked, clicking his pen a few more times as he thought to himself.
"No. I didn't want to suddenly spring it on them. Risk changing anything." Jim admitted.
"Smart of you. While Young Tobias grew into a faithful comrade, I must admit he was not always the most reliable."
"I mean, he tried his best." Jim shrugged but he knew it was true. Tobes had done a lot of growing, and he needed to do so again. His clear jealousy over Jim's role as Trollhunter during their early days had been a struggle.
"I would like nothing more than to simply sit and talk, Young Atlas, but no doubt you have a reason for making this choice." Strickler was obviously referring to Jim's use of the Time Stone.
"I do." Jim nodded. "Things got pretty crazy pretty fast originally, and you're pretty much the smartest person I know. Plus, you'd have inside knowledge on what Bular and Gunmar were doing. That way, we'd be able to do things right."
"And when you say 'right', what do you intend?"
"Saving everyone." Jim replied without hesitation. "Both of us know what's going to happen, so we can save people before things get out of hand."
"Jim, as much as I'd love to share your idealistic outlook on this, we must temper our expectations." Strickler sighed. "I'll do what I can, but we can't change too much too quickly."
"Got it." Jim took a deep breath, settling himself.
"We don't have much time tonight. Originally, I went down to the canal and met Bular after discovering you had the amulet." Strickler gestured to the glowing blue clockwork mechanism Jim left lying on the desk.
"You found out that quickly?"
"You really aren't the best at hiding things, Young Atlas." Strickler smirked. "It was practically falling out of your bag as you left my office that morning. Or should I say this morning."
"Aaaand this is why I'm so glad you're on my side this time." Jim laughed, grimacing inwardly about how naive and careless he'd been.
"I'll keep Bular in check. You do what you must with your friends. Come see me tomorrow and we'll talk more."
"Thanks, Strickler."
"Mr. Strickler in school, Young Atlas." Strickler teased with a wry smirk across his face. "Looks like I'll need to keep up a third facade now. You certainly know how to work a Changeling."
"Consider it a testament to how much I trust you now." Jim returned the smirk as he stood up, shrugging his bag over his shoulder.
He was getting ready to leave the office but, before he did, he turned around, quickly hugging Strickler one more time as he made his way out from behind his desk. The Changeling in disguise was surprised, but quickly chuckled and hugged Jim back.
"It's good to have you back."
"Likewise, Young Atlas. And don't worry. This time, you won't have to shoulder the weight of the world all on your own."
The next day flew by and it was already late by the time Jim and Tobes got back to the house after the chubby boy's dentist appointment. Fortunately, Jim managed to keep himself occupied by recording more of what he remembered in his notebook, making sure to write in as much detail as possible for when he and Strickler would meet up again.
But, for now, he was about to blow Tobes' mind.
His friend was currently digging around, looking for something to soothe his aching mouth and Jim just patiently waited, chuckling. Eventually Tobes sat down on the counter, munching on some freshly microwaved pizza as he watched intently.
"All good, Tobes? Paying attention this time?"
"Yeah, all good, Jimbo." Tobes gave a thumbs up as a string of cheese connected his mouth to his pizza.
Chuckling, Jim held out Merlin's amulet, taking a deep breath as he did so. It felt like a lifetime since he last donned the armor, but there was no way he would ever forget the chant he uttered so frequently.
"For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command."
As he spoke, the amulet whirred to life, the clock-like hands on its front spinning before clicking into place. A moment later, orbs of pale blue fire emerged from the stone at the amulet's core, floating through the air before disappearing into Jim's heart. One by one they floated into him, filling Jim with the soft warmth of daylight.
Tobes had already dropped his pizza, but the magic of Merlin's amulet held the microwavable food in the air as other objects floated up around Jim in an orbit.
Swirling rings of magic whirred about the room, illuminating it with a blue glow as segments of armor appeared from the light. One by one the pieces of armor donned themselves onto Jim. Chestplate slamming into place, pauldrons fixating themselves to his shoulders, gauntlets forming around his hands, and greaves encasing his legs. All the while the form-fitting, black undersuit of the armor covered the rest of Jim's body before his feet touched the ground once more and the myriad of floating objects hit the ground. Much like Tobes' jaw.
"Holy champignon!"
"I know, right?" Jim chuckled as his friend freaked out, rushing over and admiring the gleaming armor.
"What? Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! So cool, so cool, so cool! Dude, you know what this means, right?" Tobes was absolutely giddy, hopping up and down after finishing his microwave pizza in a single bite.
"I've got a sacred responsibility." Jim laughed, watching his friend jump up and down like a bunny on a sugar high.
"Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my–" Tobes stopped himself, eyes growing wide in a moment of realization. "You have to use these new powers for the benefit of all mankind. You have to–"
"We are not using the glowing suit of armor, that is clearly magic, to kick Steve's butt." Jim rolled his eyes but was still smiling.
"Aww come on, man! Just once! It'll be–" Tobes was cut off as a loud knock rang out at the back door. "Who's that?"
Jim took a deep breath, biting his lip as he turned and walked towards the back door. "Don't worry, Tobes. They're friends."
A second knock rang out but Jim was already there, opening the door. As he did, the smiling face of Blinky filled the door frame, all six of his bright eyes shining as a toothy grin spread ear to ear.
"Aha! Master Jim!"
"Wh-what-what the heck is that?! AH! I'm calling 911!" Tobes started freaking out, fumbling through his pockets for his phone as he used the kitchen counter as a barricade.
"Tobes, don't do that." Jim sighed, trying to dissuade his friend from his current panic attack. "Don't mind him, Blinky, he's just freaking out a bit."
"No need to worry, Master Jim. I knew it was but a matter of time before the amulet called to us– Wait, how did you know my name? Did I already introduce myself?" The four-armed troll crossed one pair of his arms, scratching his chin with another while he thought to himself.
Everything from his large, orange nose, to his strange overalls and stone blue skin was so familiar to Jim. It was immediately comforting to be around Blinky. He had always been so accepting and encouraging of Jim, even when he doubted himself. The troll was like a father to him and it was hard to not tear up as he looked at him.
"Wait, I didn't expect you to tell your stout friend about us." Blinky's attention shifted to Tobes as animal control hung up on him. "Master Jim, we trolls have gone to great lengths to keep our existence secret from your kind, lest there be panic."
"Don't worry." Jim turned around, walking back to the kitchen and placing a hand on Tobes' shoulder to calm him down. "Toby is my best friend. He can keep a secret."
"Dude! He has like 800 eyes. We're going to die."
"Hardly. Your friend is the Trollhunter. His noble obligation is protective." Blinky shook his head rather sternly, one set of hands on his hips.
"Like 'protecting'... You mean like a superhero?"
"Yeah, Tobes. Kinda like that." Jim chuckled, patting Tobes on the back before turning to Blinky. "How about we go talk out back? I'm not sure AAARRRGGHH can make it through the door."
Just as he said it, Jim heard a creaking and moaning from the back door as the massive, green-furred troll attempted to make his way inside. "Door small…"
"Come on, Tobes." Jim motioned for a noticeably more relaxed Tobes to follow him, helping push AAARRRGGHH back out the doorframe and into the backyard.
It took some effort but, soon enough, they dislodged the massive troll, sending him and Tobes both tumbling down the steps and onto the lawn just as Jim heard his mom's car pull up.
"Hey, Blinky, you just wait back here. My mom's home."
"Mother?" AAARRRGGHH spoke in his slow, gravely voice.
"Yeah, I'll be just a minute." Jim quickly stepped back inside, closing the door behind him as he doffed the armor, amulet falling into his palm before he stored it in his pocket just as his mom opened the front door.
"Oh, Jim, there you are. I forgot my phone. Clumsy me." Jim's mom chuckled, looking around as she noticed the mess in the kitchen caused by the activation of the amulet as well as Tobes' freak out. "Are you… alright?"
"Fine, mom." Jim smiled. "Never better. Just sorting through the kitchen a bit."
"Alright. Just looks like a tornado swept through here."
"Don't worry. I'll have it cleaned up." Jim quickly found his mom's phone and handed it to her, pulling a lunch out of the fridge as well. "Also, here's this. To make up for the other day."
"Jim, you don't always have to take care of me." Barbara smiled softly, hugging her son and kissing him on the head.
"I like doing things for you, mom. Don't worry about it." Jim smiled back, leaning into her hug. "Be safe at work, okay?"
"I will be." Barbara nodded. "You'd think you were the parent with how you act."
Just as quickly as she arrived, Jim's mom was out the door again. As he heard her car pull out of the driveway, Jim turned back to the backyard, walking out the door to see Toby chatting casually with Blinky and AAARRRGGHH.
"– what's going to happen to Jim?"
"A most appropriate, if troubling, query, Tom– Tobias! Of course, we would never expect Master Jim to engage in battle without the proper training." Blinky reassured Tobes and Jim realized what they were talking about as he shut the door behind him. "Ah! Master Jim! We were just discussing your duties as Trollhunter to young Tobias. We should begin your training immediately!"
Jim felt a heavy weight in his heart as he remembered how he felt the first time. He remembered the fear, and the anxiety. The calling of Trollhunter was so heavy. Bular was a threat not just to trolls, but to the people of Arcadia as well. However, at the same time, he was fifteen. A boy. He didn't want to die. He was terrified.
"Dude! That's crazy! This Bular guy is going to rip Jim to shreds!" Tobes was freaking out for Jim, making him smile. Blinky looked like he was about to say something else, but Jim stopped him as he walked over.
"I can't tonight, we have school tomorrow. But I promise I'll train with you. I'll do my duty as the Trollhunter."
"Master Jim." Blinky smiled broadly, his six eyes sparkling with pride and delight. "To be so accepting and ready for this calling, I am impressed by your courage."
"If the amulet chose me, then it's my destiny. Even if I'm afraid, I can't just run away from it." Jim clutched Merlin's amulet tightly, remembering how many times he truly had wanted to run from it all. To not be the Trollhunter. To have the chance at a normal life.
"Master Jim, this isn't a mantle forced on you without reason." Blinky reached out, placing a stony hand on Jim's shoulder. "Destiny is a gift. Some go their entire lives living existences in 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."
Jim smiled as he heard Blinky's speech. The same speech that had impressed on him so much at the beginning of his journey. A kind, fatherly speech that really had lifted him up to greater heights. All the fear he had experienced, that he had faced head on with his friends and overcome, had forged him into the person he was.
He had truly become.