Chapter 9: Eye on the Prize
[This chapter contains scenes from Episode 4: Gnome Your Enemy, and Episode 5: Waka Chaka! from Trollhunters]
The next few days passed by without much worry. Jim trained with Blinky in Trollmarket, learning troll lore and the history of their battle with Gunmar and the Gumm-Gumms. Toby was super into it and Jim could appreciate learning troll history this time around as he wasn't as worried about his Spanish presentation with Senior Uhl. Though reading through the entirety of A Brief Recapitulation of Troll Lore would have to wait until later.
They did have to help Bagdwella with her gnome problem, and Jim thought back fondly on his initial meeting with Gnome Chompsky. It was much easier to deal with the mischievous little gnome this time around, and they didn't even need to use the Furgalator. Though he did make sure to state up front to Blinky that he would be doing things his own way, making sure Chompsky would be safe in Toby's Nana's dollhouse.
It was busy work, but Jim was also managing to remember rehearsals and attend them, keeping a good impression with Claire and Mrs. Janeth. His schoolwork was going well too, though it did feel strange trying to settle back into his old life when he knew what the future held.
So many dangers lurked in the shadows of Arcadia. Evil trolls, goblins, stalklings, mad mages. Morgana was sealed within the Heartstone of Trollmarket and the Arcane Order was out there, biding their time. Compared to them, Steve's continued bullying, the stress of Senior Uhl's strict lessons, and even the threat of Bular didn't feel as important.
Jim was still lost in thought as he continued his training with Blinky, honing his skills further and training his body to keep up with what his mind already knew. The Hero's Forge was full of the sounds of swinging blades and whirring gears as Jim's training was intense and thorough.
"Always be afraid. Fear heightens your senses. Fear keeps you alive." Blinky instructed as Jim maneuvered around one of the many troll-like stone dummies shooting fire or projectiles at him. "Arrogance gets you killed."
"Got it, Blinky." Jim sighed, taking a short break as he sheathed Daylight on his back.
"Master Jim, you are doing remarkably well despite how little time you've had as Trollhunter. Though I fear you are not fearful enough. Facing Draal is one thing, but it is as if you have no sense of danger." Blinky's six eyes were filled with worry as he looked down at Jim.
"I promise, I'm not being arrogant." Jim put a hand on Blinky's arm. "I understand Draal is strong, but there are other things I'm more afraid of."
"You said that before, Master Jim. What are these ' other things' you refer to though? Is it Bular?"
Jim glanced over to where Toby was jogging in place alongside AAARRRGGHH, obsessing over his Chubby-Tracker. Blinky followed his gaze and Jim couldn't help but look back up at the knowledgeable troll. He was still a surrogate-father to him, even though things hadn't gone exactly as they had the first time. He desperately wanted to tell him everything, to reveal the secrets of the Time Stone and his return, but he couldn't do that yet.
"I just don't want to lose the people important to me." Jim stated simply and vaguely, pulling his emotions back in check. As he did, he glanced over to the entrance of the Hero's Forge and saw Draal and another troll stride in.
The craggy blue troll snarled as he saw Jim, bearing his fangs as he stomped past. "Training won't do you any good, worm. I'll still crush you regardless."
Draal snarled again, showing Jim out of the way and walking past as he said something in trollish to his friend.
Blinky quickly put a hand on Jim's shoulder, watching Draal as he walked away. "Master Jim, I understand that fear. But as Trollhunter, you have a sacred obligation to protect all of Trollmarket."
Jim forced a smile onto his face as Blinky spoke. He knew that. He knew it deeply, and that weight was still on his shoulders.
The class field trip to the museum did little to distract Jim from his worries. In fact, seeing Nomura there only made him more concerned. The Changeling was, by far, the most difficult project on hand. She was a fast follower of Gunmar, worshiping the leader of the Gumm-Gumms and striving for nothing more than to free him from the Darklands. It wasn't until she was imprisoned by Gunmar and forced to fight in his arena that her mindset changed.
"Jim, something on your mind?" Strickler walked alongside Jim as they strolled through the museum.
"Just thinking about Nomura." Jim sighed.
"Caution, Young Atlas." Strickler glanced around casually, as if keeping an eye on the rest of his students but Jim knew he was truly making sure they weren't being observed. "Things will be difficult. Keep a level head, and a steady heart. We will get through this."
Jim nodded, doing his best to stay positive as he peeled away from Strickler and joined Toby on the upper levels of the museum once more. As his friend chatted about his rewards from his Chubby-Tracker, Jim noticed Claire standing not far off, gazing at an elegant dress displayed behind a glass case.
"Hey, hey, hey, Jimbo. Things going well?" Toby elbowed Jim as he noticed his gaze. "I can't believe you're juggling taking care of your mom, school, the play, and the Trollhunter gig, all on top of dating Miss Juliet."
"Tobes, I'm not dating Claire." Jim laughed awkwardly, having to pull his mind away from all the time he had spent with Claire in the original loop. The quiet moments that both warmed his heart and sent a chilling loneliness through him.
"Not yet." Toby smirked with his brace-filled mouth before sauntering over, pulling Jim along before depositing him right next to Claire and disappearing faster than Jim thought his tubby friend could.
"Oh, hey Jim." Claire glanced back to where Toby was a moment ago before looking back at him. "Enjoying the museum?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I am." Jim smiled softly, swinging his arms a little nervously as he looked back at the dress behind the glass case. "I wish our play had these costumes."
"I know, right?" Claire responded with immediate enthusiasm, her face lighting up as she clutched her hands together. "With the school budget, I'll end up doing the balcony scene in my bathrobe."
"Hey, if anyone could pull it off, it'd be you. You're the only one on stage who looks like they know what they're doing." Jim looked at Claire fondly, enamored by her passion.
"Really? This coming from the expert actor himself?" Claire teased as she turned around, leaning on the railing overlooking the first floor. "It's like you've already rehearsed the play dozens of times over. I don't even know why you show up for practice, you're a natural."
"There's no way I'd ever miss rehearsal." Jim snapped back quickly, but became embarrassed equally as quickly as he realized how immediate his response was. "What I mean is… it's important. And I wouldn't want to let you down."
Claire blushed slightly, brushing a lock of hair back behind her ear as she smiled. "Thanks, Jim. You've been nothing but reliable. It's been fun spending time with you too."
Jim felt his heart race. He wanted nothing more than to take Claire in his arms and kiss her, telling her everything that he'd been through. Confiding in her and letting himself break down for just a moment. But he needed to hold himself back. He had to remember while it was Claire, they also weren't where they used to be. Or rather, would eventually be.
"I like spending time with you too." Jim kept his smile, though his voice was tense and hoarse as he answered. He wanted to keep chatting but Toby suddenly pulled at his arm, breaking the two of them up. "What is it, Tobes?"
"Jim, we've got a problem." The chubby boy whispered, pulling him aside.
"Oh… right." The memory clicked in Jim's mind as he thought back on what happened originally. Turning back to Claire, he made a gesture to Toby. "He wanted to check out another exhibit. I'll see you at rehearsal?"
"Wouldn't miss it." Claire smiled brightly, waving them off.
Jim racked his mind, thinking back to their first encounter with the goblin pack. A lot of it had been a blur, he just knew they somehow ended up back at the museum, discovering the Killahead Bridge and fighting Nomura for the first time. At the very least their stakeout of Eli's house went off about as well as it could. Though they were still found out by the pack of goblins as they came to devour the truck.
Jim managed to conquer his fear of the little green vermin long ago, but Toby wasn't so lucky. The odor of his fear, or maybe his perspiration, alerted the goblins to their presence and once again they had to flee from the pack of lurking menaces, fleeing to Toby's house. Once again, Jim was unbelievably thankful for AAARRRGGHH and his strength, carrying them all on his back to safety.
Blinky shared more wisdom on trolls and goblins, and criticisms on gnomes as he saw Chompsky, once they settled in. Jim knew they would need to find the nest, but he had conflicting feelings about how to approach things.
If he and Toby went to the museum like they did the first time, they would run into Nomura as they discovered the Killahead Bridge. It was important they found the bridge and reported to Blinky but, at the same time, he really wanted to avoid getting arrested this time around. He could go it alone, but he didn't want to leave Toby behind after everything. He had always been at Jim's side through their adventures. Just because he was more capable and put together now didn't mean he didn't need his best friend's help.
Jim continued to ponder over what to do well into the next day as he made his way to Strickler's office once more. The two of them sat down again, Jim still pondering what to do as he shared all he could with his mentor.
"So, things are in place for you to discover the bridge, but I'm also prepared to move it once you do." Strickler clicked his pen cap several times as he sat behind his desk. "If you go tonight, I can ensure Bular isn't anywhere near the museum, so it will just be you and Nomura."
"At least that keeps things simple." Jim nodded along. "I'm going to bring Toby along as well, maybe Blinky and AAARRRGGHH too."
"Do you think that's a wise idea?" Strickler raised an eyebrow. "Were they there the first time you discovered the bridge?"
"No, but I figured it might be better if they saw it. Plus, it gives me backup for dealing with Nomura." Jim admitted. "And then it gets Vendel on our side sooner. He's more open towards me because of the Soothscryer, but it's not 100%."
"If you believe it will help, do it. Have faith in your decisions, Jim." Strickler nodded firmly.
"Do you think we're going to have to open the bridge? Like what happened the first time?"
"... It may be necessary for Nomura's sake." Strickler bit his lip. "But our battle there was chaos. I'd rather not risk releasing Gunmar if at all possible. You still don't have the Eclipse armor, and I don't think you'd be able to take him on in your current state."
Jim agreed. He was still growing physically, and he had Merlin's potion turn him into a half-troll to fight against Gunmar originally. While he didn't fully want to admit it, human Jim just wasn't up to the task of defeating the leader of the Gumm-Gumms.
"At the very least, I can give you this in advance."
Strickler reached into his suit pocket and produced a glowing blue gemstone, studded with several spine-like protrusions. It pulsated with a pale light and Jim immediately recognised it at the Eye of Gunmar, one third of the Triumbric Stones.
"I retrieved it once you restored my memories. Better to have it early, Young Atlas." Strickler smiled and Jim gratefully took the eye.
"Thanks. This'll make things easier down the road." Jim quickly took the eye and slotted it in the back of Merlin's amulet, feeling the power of the gemstone alter his armor.
"Focus on the museum and bridge for now. One step at a time, lest we trip along the way."
"Got it." Jim nodded. "I'll head to the museum with Toby and find the bridge. Then we'll start making plans for what to do after."