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arcadianmoonshadowjedi · 3 years

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Let The Bells Ring (A Stricklake Wedding)

Good news everyone! I was finally able to motivate myself to finish this fanfic, which took me weeks due to work and weak motivation lol. Since I’ve been sick this week with not much to do, I was able to motivate myself to power through!

So this is a continuation of my Making Things Right fic, which is an alternate ROTT ending where the timeline is NOT reset and everyone lives and gets to attend the Stricklake wedding! This in general is how I imagine a Stricklake wedding going, regardless of the overall plot of ROTT. I got so much inspiration for this from throughout the fandom, including @bklily & @undeadchestnut <3 Enjoy!

~~~

In the weeks to come, the people of Arcadia and perhaps, the whole world would continue to recover from what would’ve been a large-scale apocalypse. To celebrate the end of this war and help everyone with healing, Barbara and Strickler felt that they should get married as soon as possible. Barbara nearly lost Strickler in his attempt to save Jim and stop the ice titan, and she was never more determined to tie the knot and be with him for the rest of her life. It was thanks to her excellent medical skills that both him and Nomura were able to recover from their life-threatening injuries, even though his wings were permanently damaged from the blast.

The day of the wedding arrived on a bright spring as the flowers began to bloom in the trees across Arcadia. Everyone was busy and super pumped getting ready for the big day. Claire, along with Aja, Darci, and Mary were all getting ready in her room. With Papa Skull music playing, they did their hair, nails, and makeup while also fooling around quite a bit. Aja sat right in front of the mirror back in her human form after a very long time.

“I’ve never been to a human marriage party before!” She squealed in excitement as her girlfriends did her hair and makeup.

“We’re so glad you can be with us, Aj,” Darci responded wholeheartedly as she pulled Aja’s light blonde hair into a beautiful, flowery updo with some loose hairs falling to the side. Claire and Mary both focused on getting her makeup done and when they were finally done, Aja gazed into the mirror in awe.

“Wow! I look.. I look soo..”

“Lively!” The girls cheerfully finished the sentence for her.

“Hey Claire Bear, Darc and I are gonna grab a few things from my car. You and Aja finish getting ready, ok?” Said Mary as she and Darci left the room. Claire helped Aja get into her hot pink strapless dress, and Aja couldn’t help but squeal in excitement and twirl around in her high-low skirt. Aja quickly enveloped Claire into a tight hug.

“Oh thank you so much Claire! This is amazing!”

Both girls chuckled and smiled at each other.

“Also,” Aja started. “It’s so nice to have another girl to fight side by side with, I don’t get to do that a lot. And your shadows of magic are so lively!”

“Thanks! And yeah same. Boys clubs can get pretty annoying, haha,” Claire joked. "We should definitely hang out more," Aja nodded in agreement and they both smiled warmly at each other.

“We’re back!” Mary said as she and Darci finally came back with more accessories. After they all finished getting ready, Mary took out her phone and they all posed for a selfie.

“Aw C-Bomb! It’s so good to have you back! We missed you like crazy when you left Arcadia! You and Aja!” She squealed cheerfully, squeezing Claire into a tight hug. Darci joined in and grabbed Aja as well. “Yeah girl! Don’t ever leave us out of nowhere like that again,” Darci said with a frown as she hugged Claire tighter. Claire chuckled and took both of their hands. “Don’t worry, I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. It would be nice to take a break once in a while, hopefully,” She assured her girlfriends and hugged them again.

Moments later, the girls rode in Mary's car to Jim's house. When Aja got out from the back seat, the front door suddenly flew open and Steve ran out to her.

"My royal, ninja-kicking angel is here!" He yelled.

Without any hesitation, he swung Aja up from her feet and spun her around as she screamed joyously. He kissed her so passionately that Aja eventually started pushing him.

"Steve!" She chuckled. "My makeup! You're going to mess it up!" Steve laughed and then they both pressed their foreheads together and smiled lovingly as they held each other.

Jim stood at the front door watching and shaking his head while the remaining girls chuckled and let out some "awws" from the car. Claire eventually opened the door and walked out from the front seat, and Jim couldn't help but let out a "woah."

Claire stepped out in glimmering heels and wore a beautiful, midnight dress with a slit to the side. She smiled at Jim and her smoky eyeshadow made her beautiful, brown eyes glow even more. She walked up to him and he gently took her hands in his.

"You ready to be the greatest best man?" She asked.

"Ready as I can get," Jim chuckled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. Claire smiled, then cupped his cheeks in her hands and leaned forward to press her lips against his. When she finally pulled back, she carefully stroked his hair and tucked it behind his ear.

"Good luck, I know you got this,"

Jim smiled and put his hand on hers, letting out a sigh of relief.

Toby and Aaarrrgghh walked out of the front door beside them and the three trollhunters smiled at one another. It's good they were all back together. And actually happy this time! Toby walked over to Jim and Claire for an affectionate group hug while Darci and Mary walked over.

"Toby!" Darci screamed as she ran over to hug her boyfriend. With a massive smile on his face, Toby hugged her back and held her tight.

"Oh TP! It's so good to have you back! I missed you so so much!" She started, her eyes tearing up. Toby on the other hand, after everything he went through, just wanted to revel in this moment

"It's good to be back, Darc," he responded softly.

Darci smiled at him and was totally digging his wedding look. "Looking good in a tux, TP,"

Aaarrrgghh nodded in agreement. "Mmm, Fancy,"

Toby put his hands on his hips and smirked. "Oh, well, yeah I do gotta look awesome-sauce for Dr. L's wedding, am I right?"

The gang laughed and finally went inside the house. Everyone headed towards the backyard except for Jim, who waited by the stairs. Toby and Claire looked back at him and gave him a nod of good luck before walking out the door.

Later that evening, more guests arrived and filled the seats in the backyard and Strickler waited for his bride at the altar. Blinky stood behind the stand mic with a piece of heartstone in his hand. Nomura stood by where Barbara soon would be. After all the help she's gotten and the time they spent together, Nomura became so close to Barbara that she gladly accepted her request to be her maid of honor. They were surrounded by a magical, embellished flower arch made by none other than Nari. Bright lights twinkled all around the place and soft, mellow tunes filled the atmosphere, played by both Krel on his keyboard and Douxie on his guitar. They high-fived each other for successfully setting a romantic mood.

Jim stood inside his house and then suddenly, he heard click-clacking from the stairs. It was his mother, so beautiful in her lace white dress. He couldn't help but tear up at the sight of his mom finally being happy again. She made it down the stairs and wrapped Jim in a warm hug.

"I love you so much, kiddo," Barbara told her son as her voice began to break. "I'm so proud of how far you've come and couldn't be any happier to be walked down the aisle by my beautiful boy,"

Jim held her even tighter as he chuckled lightly, tears falling down his cheeks. Barbara then looked at him lovingly as she wiped his tears. She leaned forward to kiss his forehead, then put her arms in his as they began heading towards the back door.

The guests looked around as the beautiful bride made her way down the aisle. Strickler couldn't stop gazing and smiling at his soon-to-be wife as she walked towards him, returning his smile. Barbara finally stood looking towards him and Jim stood by Strickler's side as his best man. Blinky finally cleared his throat and approached the mic.

"Greetings everyone. We are gathered here today to join our dearly beloved Barbara Lake and Walter Strickler in holy matrimony. After everything that has transpired in Arcadia over the past few years, what a blessing it is for all of us to congregate here to cherish and celebrate this union. Despite all the trials and tribulations that have been faced by this lovely pair, well of course the unusual beginning they’ve had..."

Strickler cleared his throat, interrupting Blinky’s speech. Jim couldn’t resist letting out a little chuckle. “Uh, Mr Blinky,” Barbara whispered. “We don’t need to go into all the details. What’s in the past can stay in the past. What’s most important is the here and now,”

“Right, right, right,” Blinky continued clumsily. “These two warriors have persevered through it all, the thick and the thin leading up to this very special moment. From this day forth, they will continue to strive and triumph together for the rest of their lives. Now may I have the rings?”

The audience clapped while Blinky signaled for Archie to fly over and bring the cushion that bore the rings.

“Now both of you place your hands on this heartstone as you say your vows. Do you, Walter Strickler, take Barbara Lake to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

Strickler took a deep breath, then smiled wholeheartedly and answered. “Yes, I do,” Followed by the clapping in the audience, Blinky turned to face Barbara.

“Do you, Barbara Lake, take Walter Strickler to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do” Barbara responded softly, with light tears in her eyes as she smiled brightly at her soon-to-be husband. They let go of the glowing heartstone, then took their rings and gently placed them on each of their left ring fingers. They finally held hands tightly in excitement and couldn’t take their eyes off of each other.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss,”

Strickler pulled Barbara closer to him and they finally leaned in for a warm kiss. Loud cheers spread throughout the audience with some sniffles of joy. Jim stood by wiping tears off his cheeks. Finally! Nothing brought more happiness into his heart than to see his own mother finally again, just as she deserved. And never did he expect that someone he once resented would eventually become someone so dear to both him and his mother.

Claire looked towards Douxie across the front row and they both nodded. Absorbing shadows from around her, she released a couple of black and purple shimmering doves into the sky and in turn, Douxie cast out beautiful blue sparkles to light up the scene even more. A round of oohs and aahs echoed was followed by a standing ovation.

A few moments later, Barbara turned around and was ready to throw the bouquet to a competitive crowd of single ladies of all ages and… Varvatos, who’s made it his quest to be the next in line for Nancy. As the bouquet suddenly flew into the air and was falling back down, out of nowhere, a shadow portal opened and swallowed it up. The audience gasped and looked around in confusion as another portal opened and the bouquet was caught by Claire. She glanced over at Jim whose eyes widened and cheeks turned pure red. In response, she winked at him as he sheepishly smiled back and waved. All the other ladies grunted and Mary and Darci approached her.

“Claire Bear! You’re not supposed to do that here! That’s cheating!” Darci told her with her arms crossed while Mary nodded in agreement. Claire chuckled and held the bouquet victoriously as she went to sit back down. “Um, I don’t remember there being a rule book for bouquet tosses as far as I’m concerned,”

“Preposterous!” Exclaimed Varvatos. “It should’ve been I who won this battle for Nancy!” He heard Nancy walk up to him giggling and grabbing his arm. “Oh Varvatos, you don’t need a bouquet to marry me! I’m way past that!” Varvatos’s eyes glew up and he let out a big smile. “Glorious!” He yelled. laughing maniacally.

Later that night, everyone got up and slow-danced to the sweet, charming tunes that Krel played. Douxie danced with Zoe, who he finally caught up with and they got to hunt niffins and grab burgers together as promised. Toby and Darci danced together and enjoyed their well-needed reunion, sharing a few kisses here and there. While Steve and Aja danced, they discussed their future plans and whether they would be together on Akiridion-5 or remain long distance.

“Well now, since we got wormholes and stuff, maybe I could come to you more often on Akiridion-5 while finishing college and who knows what will happen next?” Steve started as he held Aja and slightly dipped her. She smiled back at him and pushed her hair behind her ear. “You know, I really miss this mudball and seeing you more. I think maybe I too, should come visit and go on more Earth dates,”

Jim shared a short and sweet dance with mother then hugged her so tightly, before Strickler walked over to them and asked if could borrow his wife for another dance. Jim went over to Krel’s turntable and whispered something in his ears. Suddenly the music stopped as Krel plugged Jim’s phone to his turntable and pressed play.

Claire sat and chatted with Mary and a couple of friends when she suddenly froze. It was a familiar melody that took her back to the night of Spring Fling, her first ever dance with Jim. The guitar strings of Eres Tu played as she turned around and saw Jim hold out his hands to her. She looked up at him smiling and grabbed his hand. She got up and walked with him further away from the crowd until they were almost alone but could still hear the song. They started dancing as the Spanish lyrics began to be sung, while Jim sang along parts of the song, just like last time.

“Nice little trick you did back there with the flowers,” Jim joked as he spun her around. Claire chuckled and blushed a little. “Oh I bet you wanted me to be the one to catch it. But don’t worry, there’s no rushing into this. We just enjoy every moment together and take this all little by little, ok?” She assured him. He smiled back at her and stroked her cheek. It was so good that they finally got to enjoy this moment of peace without needing to defeat gumm-gumms or evil wizards trying to destroy the world. For both of them, it was a relief that neither of them felt the need to dread any upcoming battles hopefully for years to come. Without any further talking, they just danced together slowly reminiscing their beautiful memories they’ve had throughout their relationship, putting a warm smile on each of their faces. Jim spun Claire, then hugged her from behind and kissed her cheek, while Claire’s smile only got bigger and brighter.

From a distance, Barbara and Walter watched Jim dance with Claire while they too danced. “You’ve raised an amazing son, Barbara. Young Atlas has come so far in life and he wouldn’t have become the man he did without an amazing mother like you,”

“He’s also had a wonderful person like you come into his life and help him grow a lot. I couldn’t be more thankful he had you and Mr. Blinky help him become a strong trollhunter,”

The stars continued glimmering in the night sky as everyone enjoyed the rest of the wedding. A cool breeze blew through and the petals on the flowers and the twinkling lights slowly flowed along. The heroes of Arcadia have truly found an adventure worth telling for generations to come, whether it was on Earth, the caverns below, or on Akiridion-5. It was a one of a kind adventure that each hero will continue to remember and hold onto no matter what comes next. Despite all the trauma and heartbreak they all went through, they have also gained so much strength and wisdom, along with many great allies that will always stay together whatever comes next.

~~~

Thank you so much for reading this fic! I know this was super long but I definitely put in a lot of stuff that I wanted to see in the TOA series, including Aja and Claire bonding and a happy ending with a Stricklake wedding! I know this isn’t the best I’ve written and that I wasn’t able to give each character but I’m glad I was able to get it done! Stay tuned for more and hopefully more focus on other characters!

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daydream-believin · 3 years

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The Never-Ending Roadtrip (waffles)

summary: (part 1) or (part 5) <- reader joins douxie on his quest to protect nari. he’ll need company wont he. (part 6) do you like waffles? also appalachia and nj trollmarket fun. next-> (part 7)

warnings: swearing, fem! reader, maybe an alcohol mention, proof reading is for squares yo

word count: 3875

a/n: i’m sorry to anyone from PA but wtf. i also have no idea why this turned out the way it did. bon apetit.

no gif im trying to test something

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Y/n looked over at Douxie. The blue of his hair was starting to fade into a duller hue. While not as bright and bold as his personality, it was still very nice to look at. This muted blue was softer, almost comforting in a way. Y/n found herself running her fingers through it. It wasn’t just the color that was soft. Like feathers in her hand, she gently caressed the strands. The duller color made him look tired, older, and the permanent bags under his eyes didn’t help. She placed her hand on his face and ran her thumb over a said eye bag. He gave her a very subdued smile in return. His sunken eyes were so beautiful. Her favorite color. Or colors, one should say. They were like an earth toned opal. Y/n’s hand drifted down his face. She used her thumb to explore his cheekbones, tracing constellations in his freckles, and finally settled on his mouth, tracing his cupid’s bow. Douxie couldn’t help but break the stoic face he was trying to hold.

“As much as I hate to ask this, and I really do, but will you please cease what you’re doing, My Love. I’m trying to drive here.”

“Yes, I would also like to ask you to stop, miss L/n. Not wrecking the ship is worth you canning your pda for a while.” Archie added.

Y/n pulled her hand back and exaggeratedly pouted. She teasingly stuck her tongue out at Archie for good measure, but couldn’t help but dissolve into a snicker right after so it wasn’t very effective. But really, it wasn’t her fault that Douxie’s beautifully sculpted face was right there and demanding to be touched. She tried to distract herself by focusing on the scenery around them. North Pennsylvania was delightful, so it’d be a shame if she spent the whole time that they flew through it looking at nothing but Douxie. There was plenty of time for her to do that the rest of her life. It’s not like she didn’t have every freckle memorized already. Every single adorable little dot. Right, Pennsylvania. Appalachia. Y/n was a little disappointed they didn’t manage to go through West Virginia, being as north as they were. She really wanted to know what all the fuss was about. Country roads.

The mountains were hard to transverse through, so Douxie took the boat up high in the clouds. A little too high. The oxygen was thin. While this didn’t affect Archie the dragon or Nari the plant goddess, Douxie and Y/n were getting a bit woozy. Neither would get altitude sickness to the point of dying, thanks to that good ol’ curse of immortality, but their minds weren’t exactly operating at high speeds here. They passed through a low hanging cloud in a puff of fog.

Though they were over it, just being in the range of Appalachia felt odd. There was a presence that clung to the mountains. Even flying high up in the air, one felt as though they were being watched. Like the thousand eyes of the forest were upon them. Looking down below, hanging over the edge like Douxie hated her to do, Y/n saw a herd of deer that might as well be ants. Watching over the herd was a bigger, or maybe closer, stag on a peak of some sort. His antlers were covered in crimson. Y/n hoped he was just shedding.

There were pathways cutting through the trees below, some roads, some manmade trails, some rivers, some troll trails, and some deer trails. Some that wound around in endless curves, some that seemed to start from nowhere and stop at nothing, some that went round and round in a circle, and some that crossed over each other, effectively creating a maze of sorts. Y/n didn’t know why, but she was glad she was above the trees and not in them. Something within her gut told her that as beautiful as the scenery was, she did not wish to experience it first-hand. The deer below were beautiful, but there was something not quite right about them. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She wasn’t sure if she’d be able to turn down a game of ninepins either, and she could really go for a drink.

Douxie’s brain may have been foggy, but he could certainly see Y/n hanging over the edge again, tantalizing him. He couldn’t help but imagine 174 ways for it to end badly. He’d been pretty passive about this before but now that they were so high up, he had no choice but to be up front now.

“Y/n, My Love,” Y/n turned her attention to him, which also pulled her weight more towards the boat than the sky. Good. “do you mind being back near the center of the ship? I really don’t like you draping yourself over the railing like that.”

Y/n was getting sick and tired of people always trying to keep her away from edges, advising her not to climb the mountain, telling her to stay inside when there was only a light rainstorm. She could handle it. She wasn’t a fucking porcelain doll. She was not wearing a fancy gown that suffocated her, she could speak, her lips were not perfectly painted on. And she wouldn’t shatter. “Relax, Dewdrop. I’m fine. I’m not just gonna go skydiving for kicks. If anyone has had a penchant for falling through the sky recently, it’s been you, Hisirdoux. I can catch myself with anti-gravity spells, like you taught me. Besides, we walk across tall, crumbly, ancient non-osha compliant walkways all the time. You never had a problem then.”

“Well,” He huffed, “it would be one thing if I was there next to you, but I’m not, so could you please just try to stay safe when I can’t reach you?” Y/n was taken about at how quick his tone went from annoyed to desperate. She furrowed her brows. Doux sighed, “Look, it frightens me, okay. I know that nothing will happen, but what if it does? I can’t- I can’t lose you.” His tone got even feebler in his pleading. “And there’s so many ways to lose you. Especially with the Order on our tails. Please, just give me this peace of mind for at least one thing.”

Y/n stepped away from the railing, crossing over to Douxie. He opened his arm and she nestled into his side. Pressing her head against his chest, she mumbled, “Absolutely. I’ll just—I’ll just stay here then. Next to you. I’m sorry I worried you. That was the last thing I wanted to do.”

He leaned down to press a kiss to the top of her head. “Thank you, My Darling.”

~ ~ ~

The dipped down south to go through the top of Maryland and completely through Delaware to get to the south of New Jersey, in place of just going through Philadelphia. The city of brotherly love was not on the itinerary. Philly, and the top of New Jersey, were just too densely populated to take a magic boat through. The airspace was filled with airplanes and skyscrapers. It was easier to go the roundabout way.

As they passed between Philly and Lancaster, they went by fantastically named towns such as Paradise the city, where the girls are pretty, Bird In Hand, Blue Ball, and Intercourse. Stellar. Y/n was starting to really like Pennsylvania. It was cursed ground. She made sure to get photographic evidence of every road sign. Douxie was happy to pose with them.

They took a pit stop in a town called Peach Bottom before leaving Pennsylvania. Y/n wanted to go through New Texas, since she was curious how somewhere in the original colonies could be a new Texas, but Nari could sense a river nearby, and wanted to seek it out. Peach Bottom. It was a cozy little town with a power plant that was dumping it’s waste into the riverside it was built on. Toxic river. Fun. Y/n made Douxie explain to Nari why she couldn’t get near the river or touch any of the water. Y/n wouldn’t have been able to stay as calm as Douxie could. There was nothing happening in the rural Pennsylvanian town. Nothing special about it unless you counted their countless nuclear admissions. The locals didn’t care for strangers, and that was alright with them cause they didn’t want to be here for any more than necessary for a restroom break. Dinner could wait.

The top of Maryland was great. Lots of rivers to make it up to Nari. There was just, an incredibly large walmart near the line. Just absolutely humongous whopper walmart. A leach whose name doesn’t even deserve to be capitalized, thank you very much autocorrect.

It took less than half an hour to fly right through the top of Delaware. Hi Delaware, bye Delaware.

Soon they were on the coast of south New Jersey, headed for a sleepy town called Monty. Monty was a town along the Cohansey, split across it with quite an impressive bridge between the two sides. As soon as the bridge became visible on the skyline, Y/n grabbed Douxie’s sleeve and tugged excitedly. She looked up at him with a big smile. Rest. At last, they were going to get to rest. Y/n made herself busy calling Jim to let him know that they were there so he could call someone else to let them know that they were there and to wait by the entrance for them. Neither Douxie nor Y/n had a horngazzle on them at the moment. Y/n had had one in her possession back in Arcadia, being book club buddies with Blinky, but alas that was destroyed along with their bookstore.

They hid that damn magic boat in the forest. While they did plan on staying with the trolls for a few weeks, Douxie didn’t put it back in its glass bottle quite yet, cause they were in fact taking it into New York not tomorrow but the next day. He covered the ground around it with a few more wards than necessary. Y/n threw up an illusion spell around it, as she had been all the other times they’d just left it in the woods, and thought the wards were overkill but didn’t say anything. They started on the trek to the base of the bridge.

The troll at the entrance greeted them cordially. He was a dark green color, with two massive horns resembling those of a longhorn cow, chiseled stone tattoos, and no clothes other than a tiny loincloth which made everyone but Nari uncomfortable. He let them in with flourish, as if he’d always wanted to do this and practiced it.

“Welcome to NEW JERSEY TROLLMARKET.”

Y/n was surprised at how well the town had come along within the two months the trolls had occupied the cavern. It wasn’t the Trollmarket she had known, there was no Blinky and no library, but still marvelous. The new hearthstone glowed warmly, very much alive and not making zombies. While looking pretty similar to the old Trollmarket, with a multitude of shops and homes carved into the mineral covered walls and formations, there was a sort of human touch to it now. Claire definitely had a hand in the planning and maybe the decorative features too. Or perhaps Jim. Y/n wouldn’t put it past the boy to be the one who designed the very elaborate crystal art flower bed she was looking at. Or that weirdly steampunk bridge. Funny thing, a bridge under a bridge.

Dictatious met them soon after they came in to show them around and to where they would be staying. The tour he gave them basically just included him walking them through the main street, waving his arms to various places and vaguely saying that they were shops but not what they sold, pointing out the pub, and then took them straight to their accommodations. Since the home that had been occupied by Blinky, Jim, and Claire was now empty, they’d be staying there, with the place practically to themselves. Dictatious also lived in said home, but rarely stuck around it for long now that his brother was gone.

“Alright, here’s your nest.”

Since Dictatious still slept in the nest that he shared with Blinky, he had given them Jim and Claire’s. The nests were just rocky bowls carved into the floor of the room, with a few comfort items. Thankfully, Jim and Claire had left theirs full of pillows and a couple thick cushions they must have taken from a couch. Unconventional, but better than sleeping on literal solid rock. Speaking of couches, there were way too many couches spread across the apartment. This entire place only had two rooms, a large living area and a nestroom, and yet there were five couches. Not to mention the extra-large easy chair Dic was currently lounging in. Okay, so one of said couches was technically a love seat, but still. There was no kitchen, which was surprising due to this being Jim Lake Jr’s home, and no table besides the one that three of the sofas were gathered around and a paper-covered work desk against a corner. There were glowing crystal lamps all throughout, lighting the house. All in all, interesting interior design decisions. The kids had definitely been trying to make it a more homey human dwelling but had limited options.

Nari nestled into the nest, happy that there were no blankets to smother her. Not even a minute passed and she was out like a light. Douxie and Y/n sat on one of the couches in the nestroom, watching the veggie lady snooze. Archie made himself comfy in Douxie’s lap, who absent mindedly stroked his familiar’s fur. They were underground now. Surrounded by inorganic matter. Some of that inorganic matter could fight, would be willing to fight, would probably be disappointed if there wasn’t a fight. The little devil on Douxie’s shoulder wasn’t really having to work hard. His stomach growled. They had opted to just not stop for dinner in favor of plowing right through their trip route. It was late, and dark, and Douxie really just wanted them to have a roof over their head before midnight. And now they did.

He looked over at Y/n. They had been a couple for an entire day now and he had yet to take her on a proper date. What a bad boyfriend he was. It’s not like Archie would want to come with them or anything either, since he filled himself with birds that didn’t know what hit them while they traveled. The dragon had even caught a hawk at one point, which wasn’t as impressive as it sounds, since Archie was a much faster flyer. He would be happy to watch Nari for them, surely. And Dic had given them a horngazzle so they could come and go as they pleased. It was settled then.

“Arch, watch Nari for us, please, we’ll be back in a pinch,” He grabbed Y/n’s hand to pull her off the couch, “C’mon, My Love, we’re going on a date.”

~ ~ ~

Turns out the only thing open past midnight in small town New Jersey was a waffle house. The perfect date. Y/n had thought it funny to watch Douxie try and deactivate all the fresh wards he had put around the boat. He had to be careful where he put his feet, and it was like he was doing a silly little dance. Ward trap ballet of his own barely thought-out design. At one point he stepped backwards to admire his work, triggering the ward behind him, and Y/n had to free him from the net. Lucky it was just a net one.

Entering the waffle house, they slid into the nearest booth, the one near the jukebox. They ordered what else but waffles. The food of kings and hungover college kids. Not just plain waffles, though. Douxie got chocolate chip and Y/ got strawberry, and they were going to combine them to make chocolate covered strawberry waffles. Everyone knows chocolate covered strawberries were the most romantic food, why else would they push them so hard around Valentine’s.

Douxie leaned in with his head in his hand. “So, tell me about yourself.”

Y/n laughed, decided to play into this bit. “Oh, I’m just a California lass, on her way to New York. Things have been crazy lately. Went to a very convincing renaissance faire, I’m harboring a fugitive, my roommate keeps hitting on me. Very stressful. Sure am lucky I came across you, Mr. Handsome.”

“Lucky indeed.” Doux snickered.

Y/n pointed to the jukebox behind Doux, which he twisted around to see. “Have you ever heard ‘Last Night I Saw Elvis At Waffle House’?”

“No?”

“Oh, it’s a banger.” She got out of the booth and put a coin in the juke, making her selection. She slid back in with a Cheshire cat grin and Doux was kind of scared now, actually. As the current song ended and the song that they were waiting for began. Well, it was a song. About seeing Elvis in a waffle house. With a country tune he supposed someone thought was catchy in order for them to have recorded this. Douxie didn’t know what he had expected.

“Uh, wow.”

“Yeah, Ain’t it something. I loved this song when I was knee high to a grasshopper. All the waffle house jams really.”

“Your aunt let someone bring you to a waffle house? That’s not very proper.” Douxie chuckled.

“Oh, no, actually. Um, this was before my dad passed and my mother, ah, slipped.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

Douxie rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry I mentioned it.”

“No, no. I’m fine Dewdrop. I can talk about it, really. And, like you said the other day, I’ve been focusing on the Now Love.” The silly waffle house themed song was still playing despite the air of seriousness that had fallen over the duo. It helped keep Y/n from getting too sad and dwelling on the memories she had just brought up. It was comical, really. A waffle house song keeping her grounded. She rubbed the palm of Douxie’s hand. “I still mourn my family, but it’s been so long that the pain’s but a dull ache now. As long as I don’t think too hard about it. If anyone knows about mourning it’d be you, Doux. I can’t imagine meeting hundreds of friends over my lifetime just to watch them all grow old and die while you just have to go on living.” She paused, eyes drifting downwards, “But I suppose that’ll be my fate anyways.”

Douxie reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s actually not that bad, once you get used to it. You just have to enjoy every bit of time you get. That’s what makes other magic friends so valuable, there are some permanent players on your team.” He let his hand linger under her jaw, pulling her face closer to his, “You have me. We have each other. We’re family. We always have been.”

“So I hate to interrupt, but, waffles.” The server put the plates she had been holding down onto the table. Douxie and Y/n pulled away from each other quick as lightning, sitting up straight in their seats. “Again, sorry guys.”

“Thank you.” The two chorused to their fleeting form in embarrassment. Their faces were fire engine red. Archie was right, they did get a little carried away with the pda. It may have been 12:28am in a waffle house but they were still in public. Grabby hands needed to be kept to themselves.

After dinner, neither Doux nor Y/n could bring themselves to go home quite yet, despite the nagging feeling to return to Nari. They loitered around woods, unsure of what to do. Leaning against the parked boat, Douxie got an idea. He put on the music on his phone, turning the volume all the way up and positioning it so it’d put out a better sound the best he could. The playlist he selected was actually the one he had of songs that reminded him of his beloved. Copying what Y/n had done last night, he held out his hand.

“Come on, dance with me, My Darling.”

Douxie twirled Y/n around in the night breeze that blew through the trees. This song was much faster than the one they danced to last time, and there was more energy between them. Y/n’s laugh echoed through the forest. This was a lot of fun, she could do it all night. Honestly, she could do anything all night if it was with Douxie. He lifted her up, like she weighed nothing. Seriously, how strong was this noodle armed wizard. She threw her arms around his neck, looking down to meet his eyes, a rare thing. Y/n kissed his nose, eliciting a happy giggle from his mouth.

He should have put her back down by now. Instead, he still held her up, transfixed by her face ringed in moonlight, like a halo. She noticed the awestruck look on his face, kissing him properly, yet it did nothing to pull him out of his stupor. He had one thought running over and over in his mind. Marry me. But, he couldn’t say that. A proposal had to be special, not after a waffle house date. Their first date, mind you. He couldn’t possibly jus-

“Marry me, Dewdrop?”

Well apparently he couldn’t but she absolutely could.

It took him a moment to take in her words, shocked out of his overthinking. The biggest grin spread across his face as he giddily spun her around in his arms. He finally put her feet back on the ground, crashing his lips into hers. Y/n brought a hand up to drag through his hair and left the other to slide down his back. No battle for dominance, Douxie’s tongue was definitely the one leading here. He just couldn’t believe it. It was if she had read his mind. It was still hard for him to believe she wanted him in the first place, but this much? If this was the afterlife he must surely be in heaven. One makeout session later, Y/n rasped “So I’m guessing that’s a yes?”

“Let’s sign the papers tomorrow.”

~ ~ ~

Despite the uneasy feeling they had both had about leaving Nari alone for so long, she was perfectly fine. In fact she hadn’t even moved an inch form the spot they left her in. Like they never left at all. Archie was asleep on that couch, as peaceful as ever. They’d tell him the news in the morning.

Y/n climbed into the nest and dragged Douxie down with her. After getting comfy on the array of cushions, he opened his arms and she nestled into his chest. She could feel his hands rest on her back. Perfect. It was calming, listening to his heartbeat, being lulled to sleep with the rhythm that gave proof that her beloved was alive. A steady beat that reassured her he was there, he was there. He wouldn’t leave her again.

*** check notes for chapter illustrations lmao

#douxie x reader #douxie x y/n #hisirdoux casperan x reader #hisirdoux x reader #douxie casperan x reader #douxie imagine #douxie casperan imagine #hisirdoux casperan imagine #hisirdoux imagine #tales of arcadia x reader #douxie #toa douxie #hisirdoux casperan #toa hisirdoux #douxie casperan #my writing

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writings-of-a-daphodil · 4 years

Text

Fire Keeper: Chapter 1

I'm trying out this fanfic/imagine thing so here goes:

Douxie x fem reader

You are Jim's older sister who is taking a break from college and has moved back home to Arcadia. You end up joining Jim and his friends on their adventures.

Masterlist in bio!

"Here, Jim, let me do that. I don't want you to be late," you said picking up some trash and putting it into the bin.

"Thanks, Y/n. You're the best." Your little brother grabbed his bike and got on as Toby rode over.

“Hey Y/n,” Toby said then turned to Jim, “We’re late for school, Jimbo.”

They went on to talk about their lunches and whatnot. You smiled at them and checked your watch. “Hey guys, doesn’t your school start at eight?”

“Oh were going to be so late!” Jim groaned, he hopped on his bike and rode off. “Bye Y/n!” "See you later, Y/n!" Toby called out as he took off after Jim. You smiled at them as they rode away, you were very glad to be home. You turned your attention back to the trash that was scattered across your driveway and sighed. Raccoons were so annoying. It didn't take too long though and you quickly checked on your mom, grabbed the lunch Jim had made for you and locked up the house. It was a short drive to Mr. Benoit's and you arrived just as the lunch rush was about to begin. You quickly got to work and soon enough it was over. As you made your way out of the bistro you were sidetracked by an odd shadow in a nearby alley. Just as quickly as it appeared, the shadow disappeared from your sight. Normally an odd shadow wouldn't concern you, but there was something about that one. You kept your eyes glued to the alley and burst out the bistro doors. With your attention elsewhere, you hadn't bothered to check if anyone was coming inside. You collided with someone and you fell to the ground, landing hard. It would definitely leave a bruise. You looked up to see one of your coworkers, you believed his name was Douxie or something like that. You knew it was something old and English, but the two of you had rarely ever talked. "Sorry," he said in his charming accent. He offered his hand and you took it. "No, I'm sorry. I was... distracted." You turned your attention back to the alley and realized that what ever had been there was long gone by now. "Y/n, right?" He asked drawing your attention back to him. He had a lazy smirk on his face and you gave a small smile in return. "Yes, and you're Douxie?" "Yeah," he said. His lazy smirk had turned into a confused frown and you quickly realized the two of you were still holding hands. You took yours away quickly and looked at your watch. Jim was probably home already and maybe even working on dinner. You had to get going. "Well, it was nice running into you," you called to him as you left the bistro. You glanced towards the empty alley and then back at Douxie. His smirk had returned and you waved at him before getting into your car and driving away. There were no lights on in your house when you pulled into the driveway. It wasn't dark out yet, but your house didn't let in much natural light. You looked at the side of the house and saw Jim's bike in it's spot. You were still a little cautious as you walked through the unlocked door. Jim was sitting on the couch staring at his phone. There were no lights on in the living room except that from the tv. You rolled your eyes at your little brother, it wasn't like him to completely ignore life and stare at his phone like that. "Hey Jim, I'm hoooommme!" You called in a sing-song voice as you hung up your purse. He jolted and almost falling off the couch in an attempt to put his phone away. "Hey, Y/n/n, I 'll, um, get started on dinner now." You gave him a quick hug as he made his way to the kitchen. "Ugh! Raccoons!" Jim sighed. "I'll handle it." "Okay, be safe, those things are nasty. I'll heat up something quick in the microwave." He nodded and made his way towards the basement as you walked into the kitchen. You rummaged through the freezer and found frozen chicken taquitos which you popped into the oven. You set a timer on your phone and plopped down on the couch.

It felt nice to sit down after being on your feet all day. You weren't able to rest long though. A scream came from the basement and you leaped off the couch, startled. You grabbed an umbrella from the stand by the front door and held it in front of you like a weapon.

You quickly made your way down the stairs only slowing when you heard voices. You held in a scream when you saw two large beasts in your basement. One was blue and facing away from you, but it appeared to have four arms. The other was facing you and was much larger. It was gray and had green fur with sharp teeth. It looked like it could kill you with no effort.

You took a deep breath, mentally preparing yourself to attack and at least attempt to save your little brother. You would have the element of surprise on your side.

You stopped yourself though when the blue one began speaking in a refined and dignified voice. “Master Jim you have been chosen. The Amulet of Daylight challenges you to the most sacred of offices.”

“Orifices? What Orifices?” The big one asked and you got the impression that although he talked slower, he was still very smart.

“Offices. It means responsibility,” the blue one explained, then turned back to Jim. “Unbeknownst to your kind, there is a secret world, a vast civilaization of trolls lurking beneath your very feet, hidden from view. ”

“Tro… Tr-trolls?” Jim stuttered and it took all of your strength not to go save Jim that moment. But you were curious, so you stayed hidden, ready to leap out and help him if the brutes tried anything.

“Trolls. Yes, trolls! And it is now your charge to protect them. For you, Master Jim, are the Trollhunter.”

“Trollhunter,” the big one said, which didn’t do much to explain.

“This honor is yours to accept. So, what say you?” The blue one asked. Jim’s eyes widened and he fainted.

“Is that a yes?” The big one asked and even though the two beasts, or trolls, hadn’t done anything to Jim you decided to attack.

You let out a battle cry and charged at the strange creatures, umbrella raised. The two turned to face you, looks of shock and surprise on their faces. The blue one—whom you could see had six eyes, a large orange nose, and fangs of his own—moved to stand in front of Jim.

“Get. Away. From. My. Brother!” You yelled, swinging your umbrella like a sword.

“‘Brother?’ Oh dear, you are the Trollhunter’s older sister, yes?”

“Yes,” you growled breathing heavily. “And I said get away from him!”

With those words, your hand glowed an orange color and the glow traveled along the umbrella like a fire rushing to burn. The glow left the umbrella and flew at the big troll as if you had managed to throw a fireball at him.

The two of you flew back and he hit the opposite wall, making cracks appear in the cement. You hit the staircase and fell hard to the floor, if you hadn’t earned yourself bruises earlier, you had now.

You watched stunned and unable to move as the blue one got closer to you. “I am known as Blinky and this is Aaarrrgghh and I suppose now is not the best time to talk. We will speak later. Goodbye sister of Master Jim.”

The two trolls left and you sat in the nearly pitch black basement for a while, trying to process what had happened. You heard the timer on your phone go off in the distance and pulled yourself from your thoughts.

You looked over at Jim and found him to be out cold. You quickly took care of the food and somehow managed to drag Jim to the couch.

You took a seat next to him and sighed. Whatever had just happened was momentous and would definitely impact your lives in many ways. You couldn’t stop thinking about how you had let out that orange blast of what could only be described as magic. Your thoughts also were buzzing with worry for your little brother. Destiny had chosen the both of you for something and whatever it was, it was important.

****

I hope I did a good job and this is only part one of hopefully many. I hope y'all like it. :)

P.S. The title will make sense eventually

Chapter 2: https://writings-of-a-daphodil.tumblr.com/post/626946338019590144/fire-keeper-chapter-2

#wizards #wizards imagine #douxie x reader #douxie imagine #toa #toa imagine #trollhunters #trollhunters imagine #tales of arcadia #tales of arcadia imagine #douxie #toa douxie #wizards douxie

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peachlolitasevillacourtstuff · 3 years

Text

Stratos and Oona (story part 4)

* A week has passed since the last part of the president's story, Pac, cyli, spiral, they were still very puzzled by the attitude of the president in the end, Sir.c was suspicious about the date of birth of cedrick, he kept watching doubtfully to the president *

Pac: Sir Sir.c, Still still baffled

Sir.c: yes pacman, I still doubt that the behavior of the president...

Pac: and I haven't asked him

Sir.c: no, I don't want to be reckless with my friend, but I don't know if you want to talk to me..:v

Pac: and if we ask his mom

Sir.c: I don't think you know ..

PAc: neither his sister, nor Elli

Sir.c: elli and arimette I don't think they will respond to that either ... I think we have to leave it at that.

Pac: good * says discouraged *

*outside*

Pinky: hello pac chan ... x3 how's my favorite yellow doing x3

Pac: very discouraged guys ..

Clyde: what's up dude? * asks as usual in his slimy eyes *

Pac: it's about the president's son

Inky: Are you talking about that boy who looks like a dwarf betrayus?🙄

PAc: uh .. yes ..

Blinky: hey pacman do you remember the day we met that boy?

Pac: HAHAHAHA That was a crazy adventure

Pinky: and when I looked at him I wanted to give him lots of kisses and hugs ..> 3 <

Clyde: you always want to give kisses and hugs, fresona yandere

Pac: changing the subject, he has betrayus in his hands again: c

Blinky: well you know how to always try to steal the warehouse ..

* in the round house *

Stratos: Yes, collapse that place, it has been there for almost nine 9, I know it was a commander base and it is a historical area, but it is already forgotten, I do not care! just destroy that betrayus base and now!

* Sir.c enters *

Stratos: hello Sir.c !? How can I help you..

Sir.c: well friend I have no other things to do, but tell me what you do

Stratos: well, I ordered the demolition of a base by my brother, since that base had been inactive for 9 years now, it seemed too stupid to continue having it there.

Sir.c: which base do you mean, hey, was that base where you went to check some more men, to discover all the observatories of Commander Betrayus' tactics?

Stratos: hehe yes ... now if you'll excuse me I'm going to have dinner, together with my son, if you don't mind of course ..

Sir.c: yes of course .. there is no doubt. Heh ..

* betrayus looking from his slimy camera *

Dr.Buttocks: haha without a doubt the very heavy of your brother barely knows how to hide .. xD

Betrayus: It is incredible that after almost 10 years I continue to cultivate that story, although when I think about it I never get to know crush, although the name oona is not so well known to me

Buttler: there is love, the sweet love of the old man

Betrayus: nobody asked your opinion buttler ¬-¬

Buttler: you have to be rude 7-7

Betrayus: well let's see what my older brother is holding * laughs evilly *

*in the dinner*

Cedrick: Dad for dinner

Stratos: toasted bread, and fruit jam ..

Cedrick: again? Why don't we have dinner like Molly's family? >:T

Stratos: no complaints drick, it's all we'll eat ..

Cedrick: oh so bad, do you think we can have a mashed potato tomorrow?

Stratos: I'll see, now he has dinner * he says while eating his toast *

* in his bed late at night *

Stratos: shit .. what do I do with my son and my past .. * she says looking at the ceiling while her past recovers in her mind *

"stratos"

Stratos: OONA!

Oona: I see you very anxious, because you can't sleep

Stratos: Tomorrow Sir.c, the sergeant spheria and more soldiers who do not know will go to a new platoon, which would be a death sentence, in which one of them will not return .. and the worst thing is that it will last 7 days and 7 nights indefinitely

Oona: it's good that you don't go, I don't know what our baby would do without you, or without me

Stratos: oona when all this is over we will get married.. and we will form a great and perfect family I feel it inside me * he says as he touches oona's belly *

* The next morning Stratos had risen early to make simple coffee, he was looking at the cloudy morning of the day, the sky seemed to be depressing, today would start that platoon in which his friend and the sergeant would fight to the death *

Stratos: I wonder how others will go without me * he says taking a sip *

"NGH! S..STRATOS"

Stratos: oona !?

Oona: ngh .. I think it's time .. it's time ..! ngh!

Stratos: OH in the name of world pac! the baby is already to come!

Oona: PLEASE! TAKE ME TO THE HOSPITAL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! * she says while amniotic fluids and a little blood come out of her crotch *

Stratos: Don't worry, everything will be fine! just hold on!

Oona: Ngh! Thank you..

*at the hospital*

Stratos: Someone help! my girlfriend is going to give birth!

Doctor: So soon! please take Oona winefrida to the delivery room!

Stratos: you will be fine love and you will be with our baby

"MR. PRESIDENT"

Stratos: WAAAAAAHH! What happens!

Guard: Mr. President, it is already 9 am .. your son did not go to school and the worst thing is that the alarm has been ringing for almost an hour ..

Stratos: oh hell .. I was having a very deep sleep ..

* eight hours later *

Cedrick: SIIIII, THREE DAYS WITHOUT CLASS

Stratos: good son (damn it was my fault it wasn't, tomorrow I will have to give a summons to the school principal)

Pac: good morning Mr. President

Cyli: because cedrick is not at school

Stratos: I fell asleep from more boys ... I really sleep like a wintering bear ^^;

Pac: Well we are 2

Spiral: and that counts again sir

Stratos: not at all guys? and how was it in this mission against the underworld

Pac: as always sir ..

Stratos: I'm glad to hear that

Pac: But we hear they demolished an abandoned base of Commander Betrayus.

Cyli: yes and as soon as we found out that on that same base you and a group of other soldiers investigated that place.

Spiral: what was it like to be in that place ...

Stratos: terrifying, it was as if my brother caught me with his shadow of death on my back ..

Pac, cyli and spiral: woaaaa ...

Stratos: We found all the plans and strategies of this same one ... which fortunately were discarded before they came to light ...

Pac: or that sounds great

Stratos: hehehe .. yes ..

Sir.c: and speaking of that mission ... I also heard that in that same place there was an area where there were probably experiments that are currently unknown.

Stratos: I had forgotten that, but at the same time it was disgusting.

*after that the boys and the president continued with their daily routines of the day, stratos still could not sleep because of what Sir.c had said, experiments on that basis, stratos knew what it meant*

Stratos: god of pac-world kill me ..

"stratos ..."

*said a calm voice in the background*

Stratos: who is!

"many years have passed.."

Stratos: that voice, it seems so familiar to me ..

"That's right, it's me, you remind me"

*suddenly a ghostly light appeared, its color was white and it had the appearance of a fish, she approached stratos carefully*

Stratos: oona! it's really you! are you her spirit

Oona: s stratos, they have let me come to the surface world to see you but my time is limited...

Stratos: where are you now?

Oona: in the heavenly kingdom, it is a wonderful place, only pac-worldes who were good in your life are welcome ..

Stratos: Oona, why are you here?

Oona: I see that you don't sleep well, you don't think clearly, but you can't stay like this at will.

Stratos: cedrick what have you seen? even if it's not your blood and flesh ..

Oona: although it is not my blood and my flesh, I love it, although it does not replace the pain we have been through since our baby was born.

Stratos: I ... I still remember that fateful day, I was supposed to be the happiest, but fate took it from us ...

Doctor: Mister spheros ..

Stratos: how is she doing?

Doctor: even at rest, sir, but there were many complications in childbirth.

Stratos: what happened? she and the baby?

Doctor: the baby is a girl, but how strong is it ..?

Stratos: how strong am I, well how strong to face the commander ^^;

Doctor: I'm very sorry sir .. look at it for your own eyes ..

Stratos: those words froze me, when I entered the room I could find you resting, while next to you our baby in her crib, but when I held her, I realized that her tender and soft cold skin told me that nothing was right with she .. couldn't even hear any single heartbeat in her. Because I wasn't crying ...

Doctor: I am sorry to tell you, Mr. Spheros, the girl died within oona 2 days before birth. We have analyzed it. You and Winefrida were not compatible with having children, it is hard but they must overcome it.

Stratos: Incopatible! ..

Doctor: .. you cannot have children with another person ..

Stratos: I .. no .. * he says as he hugged his crying baby *

Continue...

#pmatga #pac man and the ghostly adventures #pacman and the ghostly adventures #fanfic #cedrick #spheros

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a-solitary-marshmallow · 4 years

Text

Please Don’t See Me - Chapter 5

This chapter is a bit longer than the others, but I didn't want to split it up! It was written in a hurry because I was excited to get it out to y'all, so let me know if I've made any typos or mistakes. As always I adore your comments so feel free to tell me what you think.

______________________________________________________________________

“You should come down to Gravity Falls!”

Ford didn’t quite think about the words before he blurted them. His close (and only) friend from college had mentioned in their weekly phone call that he and his family were thinking about taking a holiday from his would-be small computer business, and Ford had reacted without thought.

He laughed nervously, leaning back against the kitchen counter. Rebus padded through the kitchen with the click-click-click of claws that Ford had become accustomed to over the last month.

Ford cleared his throat. “If you want to, of course. I would love to show you some of the research on anomalies I’ve been doing, and I think Tate and Emma-May would like it here. I have plenty of space in my house.”

“Well sure Stanford, if you don’t mind.” Fiddleford said cheerfully. “I’ve been meanin’ to visit for a while now. Course, I don’t wanna get in the way o’ yer research if you’re busy.”

“Not at all.” From the other room Rebus let out a bark, and Fiddleford squeaked.

“What was that?”

“Oh, just my dog. There are probably some Manotaurs passing by.”

“Ya have a dog? When did that happen?”

“A month or so ago. His name is Rebus.”

Fiddleford huffed out a laugh. “Well, at least ya got yerself some company. That dog sounded mighty fearsome; ya sure he’s safe? I don’t wanna bring Tate around if e’s gonna bite.”

“Oh, Rebus is a sweetheart.” A savage growl issued from the other room. “He’s great with kids. When he accompanies me into town he will often play with the children in the playground.”

Rebus growled again, a growl Ford was reasonably certain was aimed at him for daring to imply that the wolf had a heart. Not that Ford had been lying – the kids in town loved Rebus and he delighted in running around with them while Ford ran errands. He was a veritable gentle giant.

“Tate would love him.” Ford continued, unconcerned with the wannabe threat display. The stubborn wolf reminded him of his brother sometimes, all bark and no bite.

…except when he did bite.

“If yer sure.” There was rustling on the other end of the line. “That sounds like a mighty fine idea, Stanford. I’ll have to check with Emma-May, of course, but I’d love ta see some of these anomalies you’ve told me about. Check that yer not crazy, at least!”

“I assure you, these things are one hundred percent real. You’ll be able to see for yourself.” Ford assured him.

“Does Friday afternoon work fer ya? We figured we’d go on the weekend so Tate doesn’t miss much school.”

“Yes, that’s fine. I’ll prepare the spare room.” Ford said excitedly. “It’s been quite some time since I had company.”

“Ah – Stanford?”

“Yes?”

“Exactly how long has it been since you talked to someone?”

“A few hours.”

“Other than yer dog I mean.”

“Oh, only a week or so.”

There was a pause. “Was that ‘someone’ me?”

“Er…”

“When was the last time you talked to a human being aside from myself?”

Ford laughed nervously. “Ah, it seems the connection is breaking up I’ll call back another time-”

“Stanford-”

“Say hello to Emma-May for me bye!”

He hung up.

Stan heard the car approach first, the approaching rumble of its engine dragging him from a light doze in that ever-illusive pool of light in the hallway. His ears picked up and he let out the beginnings of a warning growl at the intruders.

That was, until he remembered that they were supposed to have visitors. He yawned and stretched, slightly annoyed at having his nap interrupted but more curious to see who it was that Ford had been expecting. Being the local canine, people didn’t usually run names and stuff by him.

All Stan had been able to tell was that whoever was coming Ford was pretty excited to see them, judging by the way he had hustled and bustled to prepare the spare room. It had been pretty nice, these past few days, to just chill and watch Ford buzz around the place. In those years apart he’d missed Ford’s relentless energy; the way he bounced on his heels when excited, and the little flapping, and the excited gleam in his eyes, the way he could never quite hold still. It was pretty hilarious to watch the nerd get all wound up.

God, Stan hoped it wasn’t a family member. If Pa walked through that door…

Maybe it was that guy Ford was always calling, Fiddlesticks or something? Seemed likely. From what Stan could tell, his brother had a maximum of two friends. And one of them was a wolf.

He padded out to watch Ford open the door for… a small family? The man shook Ford’s hand while the woman chatted and held a small child on her hip.

“It’s great to see you again, Stanford. Thank you for letting us stay in your home.”

“Oh, it’s no problem, I have plenty of space.” Ford assured her.

“And Fiddleford said you had a – oh sweet Mother Mary-”

Stan was used to the usual ‘Oh my god is that a wolf?’ song and dance. He stepped forward and wagged his tail helpfully. Scaring kids and dames was only funny when you were trying to scare them. When you weren’t, it got old pretty quick.

The strange man leaned down and hesitantly offered one hand, and Stan allowed himself to be petted. Show of goodwill, and all that. The guy was short and twiggy and he smelled of engine grease and metal and root beer and straw. Stan decided that he liked the guy. The lady, too. Her suspicious gaze had mellowed out and now Stan could see the smile lines around her eyes. The kid, however, seemed… sticky.

Aaaand the kid had fussed to be placed down and was now trying to touch Stan’s tail. He whisked it out of reach but the sticky brat was laughing and already chasing after it.

Oh, hell no. Kid wanted to get its grubby mitts all over his coat? Think again. Stan darted out of its way and weaved past the adults to try and throw it off. Ford didn’t even try to help, the smug bastard.

Alright kid. You think you got stamina? Let’s see about that.

The kid.

Would not.

Stop.

Tate, as it turned out his name was, seemed to have boundless energy. The two kept up their game of cat-and-mouse all afternoon until Stan flopped on the porch, panting for breath. Tate squealed and rushed forward to bury his hands in Stan’s thick fur.

You win this round, pipsqueak.

A part of him wanted to place the kid on a high shelf where he couldn’t get in the way, and leave him there. Another part of him… wanted to lick his face and wag his tail. C’mon, mighty hunter and all that! Stan was supposed to have more dignity than like… a Labrador or whatever.

His traitor tail wagged anyway.

Ford and the dame, Emma-May or something, stepped outside to join them, Ford glancing over his shoulder and biting his lip as he went. Stan wondered idly where his nerd friend was.

“Oh, don’t worry, Fiddles hardly ever electrocutes himself!” Emma-May said cheerfully. “He’ll be done with his tinkering in no time.”

“…I was worried for my toaster.”

Emma-May flapped her hand. “Oh, it’ll be fine. I think he said something about making it like ours.”

“How has Fiddleford improved your toaster?”

“I dunno, but it has a lot of blinky lights and sometimes it smells like burning sugar!”

“…I feel like you’re trying to be reassuring?”

Stan should probably be on the lookout for smoke. He scented the air and got a whiff of something like burning plastic from inside…

…and curdled wrongness.

He wrinkled his nose. The air smelled weird and it was vaguely familiar, like he’d smelled it before, but never this strongly. There was something oily and metallic and… squirrelly?

Stan shook Tate’s clingy hands from his coat and stood to scan the house yard. Nothing looked out of the ordinary. But it just didn’t smell right.

The faintest scrape of claws on wood made him snap around. There – clinging to a house support and evidently trying to climb up to the roof was what might have once been a squirrel. Emphasis on once. Its front limbs were bulkier than the back ones with claws like tiny steak knives buried into the wood grain. Its fur hung off in patches and it was big – more raccoon-sized than squirrel-sized. The extra weight seemed to be giving it grief because it was struggling to make headway.

Fat bastard, Stan thought petulantly.

“Err – Stanford?” Emma-May piped up. “What on god’s good earth is that?”

Stan glanced across to follow her pointing finger. Apparently he wasn’t the only one to notice the thing.

Ford squinted and stepped closer to the rodent, which started hissing around overgrown teeth like a stepped-on snake with a lisp. “It… it appears to be another mutated creature. I’ve been finding them around the place since I got here. My hypothesis is that they’ve been somehow affected by the size-changing crystals in the forest.”

“The what-nows?”

Ford’s eyes brightened. “Oh, in the forest there are natural crystal formations that, when light is shined through them, have the ability to change an object or organism’s shape. The majority of the mutant sightings have been around that area. I’ve been meaning to investigate but a freak blizzard recently ruined my plans. Now, if I can just capture this specimen here…”

“Throw a blanket over it?” Emma-May suggested.

“Perhaps. I have a number of size-appropriate cages in my shed, would you mind keeping watch over the creature while I retrieve one?”

“Sure thing.”

Ford went to walk past but the movement seemed to startle the squirrel, which launched itself wildly into the air and latched onto Ford’s sleeve, scurrying up his arm. He yelped and flailed. Fortunately Emma-May smacked it and sent it flying. Unfortunately it skidded across the ground and took off towards where Tate was playing in the grass.

Fortunately, that was also where Stan was.

He lunged forward and snapped up the rodent in one bite before it could get close to the kid. Its tiny body gave out with a single, pathetic crunch. Weird-tasting blood exploded in his mouth.

Ford coughed. “Well.”

Stan spat out the creature, wrinkling his nose. The thing tasted – wrong. Like its blood was tainted with seawater and oil slick with an added hint of burning rubber. He spluttered and swiped at his tongue to try and get rid of the rancid flavour.

Ugh, were squirrels so corrupted by the weight of their sins that it seeped into their blood?

“Is it dead?” Ford asked curiously. Emma-May walked over to scoop up her child and prod the body with her shoe.

“Depends. Can these mutant things live with a snapped spine?”

“Dead, then. Still! It’s a specimen to study. I’ll get – oh, I suppose I won’t be needing that cage anymore.”

Nothing blew up that weekend. Stan took that as a win.

The McGuckets were… a different sort of folk than he was used to. They smiled so easily. Those two dopes of parents looked at their kid like he was the moon and the sun and everything in between, like they wouldn’t kick him out onto the streets no matter what dumb mistakes he made. Damn. Imagine that.

The Sunday night before they were set to leave Emma-May retired to bed early and Fiddleford and Ford settled onto the couch to talk, with cans of beer in hand and Tate playing happily with his Legos. Stan dropped onto the carpet to keep a watchful eye on the little brat. The fire crackled softly and cast a warm light across the room, its heat pressing against his fur.

A month or so ago he would never have let himself relax like this. He would be watching the window, ears pricked for any sign of…

Huh. He couldn’t remember the name of the man chasing him. When he thought hard there was a flash of scarred hands and packets of white powder and the taste of blood in his mouth. That’s right, the guy Stan had used to run drugs for a few years back, the guy who was now after him. Why couldn’t Stan remember his name?

Ford and Fiddleford’s murmuring rose slightly above the crackle of the fire and the clinking of Legos.

“-ya mean Shermie?”

“No, my… other brother. My twin, Stanley.” Ford said quietly.

It took Stan a moment to remember that that was his name. He rested his chin on his paws and tuned into the conversation.

“Ford, ya never told me ya had a twin.”

“No, I probably didn’t. You see, Stanley and I parted on… unpleasant terms. I haven’t seen him in almost a decade.”

“A decade?” Fiddleford squawked. “Why in the blazes not?”

“It’s complicated. Fiddleford, do you remember when I told you how I was rejected from West Coast Tech?”

“When you were drunk outta yer mind and I had to drag ya back to our dorm? Yes, I do recall.” Fiddleford said dryly.

“Yes, well. It was Stanley who sabotaged my project. He insisted it was an accident, but…” Ford sighed.

“Why do you bring him up?” Fiddleford tipped his head. Ford sighed and pulled off his glasses to polish them on his sleeve.

“I was hoping to get your advice, actually. Recently he’s been coming to mind more and more. I thought that, perhaps, he might have grown up over the last decade, and it might be worth getting in contact and seeing how he’s doing. Do… do you think people can change that much?”

Change. Had Stan changed much? Except for the whole werewolf thing…

It was like trying to think through sludge. Stan hardly remembered what it was like to be human. Or… human-shaped. Jeez, how long had he been Shifted for? Time was slipping away from him in this little bubble of happiness. Stan had never been in wolf form for this long before.

A chill shivered through him. The nerds’ talking continued but it was background noise to the humming of his thoughts. He stood and padded into the hallway, ignoring Tate’s whine. Stan shouldered through the (thankfully unlocked) front door and trotted outside.

He glanced around warily before slipping into the trees. Once a quick scan showed that he was alone, he Shifted.

Or… tried to.

The change that had once been liquid and effortless now felt like trying to shove a square peg through a circular hole. His skin prickled. Stan shook himself and tried again with a small growl.

The Shift swept across him with the popping of joints and the crackle of cartilage; creaky, like a neglected machine that had acquired rust from years of disuse. Stan gritted his newly-flat teeth and waited for the agonizingly slow Shift to pass.

He ended up crouched on the damp earth, breathing hard and squinting through suddenly blurry vision at the dark, hazy world around him. His skin felt itchy and it pinched in all the wrong places, like a suit that didn’t quite fit.

Well, shit. Note to self: don’t stay in wolf form for weeks at a time.

Stan flexed his hands, trying to reacquaint himself with having fingers and opposable thumbs. Being human. Or human-shaped, at least.

Because he was still a person. No matter what he looked like he wasn’t just some – some pet. He had a life to get back to.

Except… he didn’t. Not really.

Stan chewed over that piece of information for moment. Before he could really think about it a voice called his name. With a final stretch he slipped back into an awkward Shift, easier than before, and trotted after his brother’s voice.

#werewolf stan au #werewolf!stan #my writing #gravity falls #chapter 5

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yellowmagicalgirl · 4 years

Text

A Different Sort of Rage

“Why does tragedy exist? Because you are full of rage. Why are you full of rage? Because you are full of grief.“ – Anne Carson

Toby grieves Claire. He also helps to save the world, again.

You know, at least once while writing this, I asked myself why I’d even bother. Claire doesn’t affect 3Below Season 2 at all, so why would that change because she’s dead? Well, Toby deserved better.

That’s right, almost a year later, the 3Below Interlude to Juliet Dies in This has been completed! That being said, you don’t need to have read Juliet Dies in This to understand this story; you just need to know it’s an au where Claire didn’t make it out of the Shadow Realm during the Eternal Night.

If you did read Juliet Dies in This, then this takes place between chapters 3 and 4.

Trigger/spoiler warning: there is drowning, mild body horror, and talk of suicide in this fic.

AO3

FFN

Toby clung to a set of wooden planks with one arm; the other was wrapped around Jim’s unconscious body. Saltwater slammed against his lower body, cold and angry. On the other side of the planks was Claire and a heavy anchor connected to a length of chain. With each moment that passed, the planks splintered just a bit more. Too much longer, and there wouldn’t be enough wood to hold on to.

“Can you keep the planks steady for me?” Claire asked. “Then I can shove the anchor into the ocean, and we won’t have to worry about it.”

“Be careful,” Toby said, adjusting his grip on the planks and Jim. Claire hoisted her entire body onto the planks. With a grunt she lifted the anchor and began to scoot it to the ocean.

She was about to drop it when the chain glowed gold and wrapped around her.

Toby didn’t let go of Jim, who would surely drown with no one holding onto him.

Toby didn’t let go of the planks, because he wasn’t a strong swimmer even without a friend to hold on to.

Toby didn’t grab Claire. Instead, he watched in horror as she fell into the cold ocean, her hair indistinguishable with the blackness that she was pulled into.

And then Toby woke up. It had been a while since he last had nightmares about drowning and sinking boats. He had had one or two back when Jim had been in the Darklands. Most of this species of nightmare had occurred before he started puberty but had been old enough to really understand just what had happened to his parents.

“Wingman okay?” AAARRGGHH!!! asked.

“Yeah,” Toby said. “It was just a dream.” He glanced at his clock. 12:51 am. He loved having a semi-normal sleep schedule again, but with most of his friends being nocturnal phone calls weren’t always easy. Oh, well. He was awake anyways; may as well call Jim and Claire.

Wait.

Claire didn’t go to Jim and Blinky to find a Heartstone in New Jersey. Claire had disappeared into a black void and Toby had been the one to lock her in.

So that was why he had that dream.

Toby put a reminder on his phone to look into what mental health options his nana’s health insurance had and then went back to sleep. Or at least, he tried to.

Sunshine streamed through the stained-glass windows of the Catholic church that Claire’s funeral was held in, which meant that even if trolls were allowed to go, they couldn’t have. Claire had family outside Arcadia, and to them she had died because she got trapped under rubble in the freak earthquake-and-tornado that had occurred. To them, Claire was inside the coffin, though badly mutilated by rocks that had slammed into her.

Her body was probably mutilated by Morgana, come to think of it.

Toby tugged at his tie. This felt so stupid. Claire was a hero, and her extended family wasn’t allowed to know. He understood, though. They didn’t want to get anyone from the government involved, at least, the non-local government, since obviously Claire’s mom and thus the rest of the city council involved. The trolls were weakened, and Toby didn’t know if they were bulletproof.

It was probably for the best that trolls weren’t allowed to attend the funeral, but that didn’t mean that Toby wasn’t angry with the situation. AAARRRGGGHHH!!! had been Claire’s friend, too. He should be here. Besides, he hadn’t been the one responsible for this mess.

The unsettling calm in the week-and-a-half since the Eternal Night had given Toby a lot to think about. Specifically, how everything had gone wrong.

He should have smacked Morgana into the Shadow Realm with his warhammer and then destroyed the staff. He should’ve been smarter. He had been fighting alongside Claire for months; surely, they could’ve come up with something so that she would be either in Arcadia or on the road to New Jersey.

There was one thing about this funeral that wasn’t a farce: Claire was dead. Toby didn’t think Morgana would be interested in keeping Claire alive. After Merlin cleared away the Eternal Night, Jim had proposed going to Trollmarket to see if there was anything in Blinky’s library to see if it could help them save Claire. Blinky had told them that he had had one book on constructing magic items, but it was among the first of Dictatious’s books he had burned. Strickler, for all the dark magical knowledge he had from the Book of Ga-Huel, had nothing on making a new Shadow Staff. Probably to keep the changelings from rebelling against their Lady Creator, the former history teacher had mused.

To Toby’s right, Darci and Mary and their families stood for a prayer. Toby’s eyes traveled upwards to the rafters. One troll, or rather, changeling, had made it despite the odds. NotEnrique would probably deny the fact that he had been crying later.

“Dude, you sent me a thousand texts, what is your data plan?” Toby asked as he crawled through Eli’s window. It was easier than he had expected, despite his gym pass not feeling as intense of a work-out as fighting trolls and sparring Jim and – sparring in the forge. That was, that was pretty good, actually, he wouldn’t be the reason for anyone else getting hurt or worse if he tried to keep getting stronger.

“Some of them might’ve been queued up,” Eli said, shrugging as he held up a flashlight under his chin. “I… this is important, but I thought I could’ve gathered more evidence and, well…” Eli frowned and dropped the self-important tone. “I wanted to give you some time, since the funeral was a couple days ago.”

The light returned to Eli’s eyes, or maybe it was just the flashlight glinting off his glasses. His voice once more took on an air of self-importance. “Now, Tobes, are you ready for me to rock. Your. World?”

Toby glanced over at his girlfriend and Mary, who was complaining about boredom. Toby’s hands curled into fists. They had been friends with Claire for longer than he had been, how could they be so, so normal?

“TP, come here! I wanna talk to you about something!” Steve called from where he was leaning against Aja and Krel’s house.

“Don’t call me that.”

“I mean, it means vaguely the same thing as buttsnack but nicer?” Steve said as Toby made his way over to the house.

Toby rolled his eyes. Well, at least one person realized why he hadn’t wanted that nickname. If only Claire had realized that, before she, before she, before she had spread it around the school.

Toby blinked several times, trying to get the stinging sensation out of his eyes. “What do you want?”

“Dude, relax,” Steve said quietly enough as to not let Mary and Darci hear from their spot by the pool.

“Relax? Relax?” he whisper-shouted. “How am I supposed to relax when we’re in the middle of a war that will decide the fate of not only Earth, like the one with Gunmar and Morgana, but also Aja and Krel’s planet too? I relax, people die. If I’m not alert, someone else has to take the hit for me. If I don’t pay enough attention, then I’m the one responsible for trapping someone in an alternate dimension!”

Steve just looked at Toby for what felt like five insufferably long minutes.

“Stop freaking out,” Steve said, pinching his brow. “Or else you’ll be so high strung that you’ll end up swinging your oversized mallet at the wrong thing.”

“Warhammer,” Toby corrected, even though Steve did have a point.

Toby’s therapist said that it was important to have hobbies. Between trollhunting and school, Toby was used to having to be constantly alert and vigilant, and that may have been helping to contribute to his restless mind. Granted, Toby hadn’t told his therapist about the ruthless Akiridion dictator trying to attack Earth because that probably fell into the “I will alert the authorities if you’re going to harm yourself or others” clause in the doctor-patient confidentiality forms he and his nana had signed. However, filmmaking was both a good way to bond with his friends as well as maybe destress.

Pretending that he was only interested in making a short film made him seem vapid, like less of a threat. He didn’t trust these military goons, but he also knew they probably underestimated him. What could a short, fat kid with a warhammer possibly do to them?

Rule One of Trollhunting was to always be afraid, with the caveat of goblins. If Area 49-B was unafraid of Toby, then they’d underestimate him.

Besides, these people wanted to capture all sorts of extraterrestrials. Who knew what they’d do to trolls?

Toby still didn’t know if trolls were bulletproof or not. He got the feeling they wouldn’t be laser-proof.

Angor Rot hadn’t been laser-proof, if that’s what Morgana’s magic had been.

Angor had been their enemy, but he had saved them, too.

Tronos had been their enemy, but he had just saved the entire world.

“Get in my phone!” Toby yelled at the armored extraterrestrial as the Area 49-B goons approached, clearly interested in his warhammer. It reminded him a little of the robbers who had kidnapped them.

“What?”

“You did it before! I’m not letting anyone else die.”

Toby and Tronos barely escaped with the others.

“Okay, so, just so that we're clear, by ‘Earthly forces’, you mean me, Eli, Steve…” Toby said, covering his mouth to hide the sound from Darci. He didn’t want to worry her.

“And the brute,” Zadra said. “Yes.”

“Technically, AAARRRGGHH!!!’s a troll.”

“I'm not confident about your chances, but these are desperate times.”

“Well, not even the word ‘hopeless’ is void of hope, I guess,” Toby said.

“What?”

“Trollish saying. I, we’ll do our best.” The call ended; Toby turned to his girlfriend. “Hey, babe, you seem like you got this stapling thing down pat.”

Darci crossed her arms, suspicion in her eyes. “Toby, what’s going on?”

“It’s… a long story.”

“Then start talking.”

Toby looked away from his girlfriend.

“Is it more troll stuff?” she asked.

“No…”

“Then what’s. Going. On?” Darci grabbed his hand. “Toby, I’ve been to enough funerals this year. I don’t want to go to any more of them, and I really don’t want to have to go to another funeral angry that the person I cared about lied to me about the supernatural battles they were fighting. Not when I could’ve maybe helped.”

Toby sighed. “Okay, to make a long story short, there is life on other planets, including a planet called Akiridion-V. That’s Aja and Krel’s home, but it was taken over.” Toby tugged his hand away from Darci’s, giving her an apologetic look. He grabbed his warhammer and expanded it. “And the guy who took it over is going to attack their house so I really gotta go make sure they’re safe so bye I promise I’ll tell you more later!”

Between all the other problems of his life, having a creative outlet was a great way to destress. Usually. Theoretically. Considering that Chompsky broke character on every take, this was really just another source of stress.

His film wasn’t as important as the Akiridions in orange pods.

“Are those your parents?” he asked Aja and Krel. “Do you want me to help?”

“No, we’ve got it!” Krel shouted, waving him off as he, Aja, Varvatos, and Stuart set up the daxial array.

“What are you doing?” Aja asked.

“Well, while I was holding down the fort, I thought I’d finish my director’s cut.” Toby scowled. “But then Chompsky started acting out.”

There was chattering that only one who had lived with a gnome for months would understand. He was almost surprised that Bagdwella never learned how.

“No, I can’t make you taller in post!” Toby had a realization as he walked away from the gnome. “Wait, does this mean you’re going home soon? Back to Akiridion-V?”

“Of course,” Krel said with a glance towards his parents. “That was always the plan.”

Right. The plan. Aja and Krel were going to leave him. They had more important things to do than live a life in Arcadia Oaks. They were royalty from another planet.

“But wait, not yet!” Toby protested. He wanted more time with his new friends, and maybe he had just the thing to get them to stay. “I’ve got good news! Captain Kleb is going to premiere before Gun Robot 7 at the local drive-in!”

“That’s amazing,” Krel said, sounding surprised. He gave an almost incredulous chuckle. “All our friends are going to be there!”

Not all of Toby’s friends, but a good portion of them.

“Yeah,” Toby said, less enthusiastic than he was a moment before. “We’ll be local celebrities.”

Maybe they city would dedicate a nice park bench to him, for all his combined work as a filmmaker, trollhunter, and crook-catcher. He didn’t deserve an entire street, even though Domzalski Drive had a nice ring to it. Besides, Jim Lake Lane and Claire Court sounded better, more fitting.

“Your moving picture party will be the perfect way to celebrate after we stop Morando,” Aja said, breaking Toby out of the beginnings of yet another depressive spiral.

Toby turned to Aja, Krel, AAARRRGGHH!!!, and Varvatos. Sure, the crystal staircase didn’t light up with each step, but they were about to see the most incredible place ever! It deserved every bit of gravitas that he, Jim, and Claire had been given. “Welcome,” he said in his best impression of Jim and Blinky, “to Heartstone Trollmarket!”

Toby gasped.

“This is ‘the most incredible place ever?’” Krel said.

“Was,” Toby sighed, “before the Eternal Night.”

It was probably a good thing, that Blinky and Jim went to New Jersey so they wouldn’t have to see it. That Claire, Draal, and Vendel would never have to see it. The darkened, broken heartstone and the rubble-strewn streets were horrible to see; this was a place that Toby had considered to be practically a second home. He could only imagine just how terrible his Wingman must have felt at the sight of it.

“I know what it’s like, to lose one’s home,” Aja said as they passed by Bagdwella’s old shop. She was better at comforting AAARRGGHH!!! than Toby himself was. Probably Krel and Varvatos, too. They had left behind their homeplanet, and their house was gone, too.

“Your friends, Jim, Blinky, and the trolls are safe, and that’s what matters the most,” Krel said. Toby was about to thank him for the reassurance – he had gotten good at dealing with human feelings – when rocks collapsed.

Varvatos was right. There was definitely an aura of death and decay. Stupid Morgana, ruining everything.

“That looks… deep.” Varvatos said.

“How do we get down there?” Aja asked.

“We don’t!” Toby said. Memories of watching Jim’s cage fall filled his mind. “If you go down there then you face your deepest fear!”

“Why would anyone want to do that?” Krel asked. The light from the Soothscryer came back up again insistently.

“It’s a long story,” Toby said as the light spiraled downwards once more. “Jim made it out alive, and unfortunately, he’s the only one who has.”

“We don’t have much choice,” Aja said. “We have to find Gaylen’s core before Morando.”

Krel held two of his arms in front of his sister. “I’ll go!”

“No, if we have to fight then it’s better to have safety in numbers. We’re stronger together,” Toby said.

“But you and Varvatos need to fight whatever’s coming,” Krel said as Aja pulled out her hoverboard.

“We will,” AAARRRGGHH!!! said. He raised his voice to a slightly higher pitch. “So, fight!” he imitated, before lowering his voice. “Make proud, Wingman.”

“Will do.” Toby pulled out his warhammer and followed the Tarron siblings down into the Deep.

Unfortunately, Toby followed them straight into a stony wall.

Toby stood on a dock, watching a cruise ship sail away. His nana waved good-bye to him, along with two relatively young adults. They were familiar, just like the ship was. They were familiar from blurry memories and from morbid curiosity because at age twelve, Toby wanted to know just how his parents died.

“Don’t go,” Toby pleaded softly, but he knew it was no use. He looked over his shoulder and caught Jim’s eyes.

“Well, bye, then,” Jim said flippantly. He began to walk away, and Toby realized that so did all the other trolls. Darci, and Dr. Lake, and pretty much everyone Toby knew walked with them.

Toby tried to catch up, but each step was a herculean effort. Eventually, everyone passed beyond the horizon. It started to rain, and Toby realized that he had managed to find his way to the bridge where everything always went down.

A dark sliver appeared in the thin air in front of him. It widened, and Claire stepped out of it. Except “stepped” wasn’t quite the write word, not with how her limbs and neck bent at all the wrong angles. Golden manacles with small lengths of broken-off chains were attached to her wrists and ankles. A noose connected her neck to the Shadow Realm, and when the portal closed Claire collapsed, almost like a puppet whose strings were cut. She caught herself at the last second, dust swirling off the bridge to reform the Shadow Staff in her hand. She stretched each of her limbs as they popped into place with the sound of crunching bones and scraping metal. She then rolled her neck, the noose catching on one of the spikes of her helmet. It didn’t seem to bother her, but it added a gruesome effect.

Claire’s brown eyes opened, going from blank to full of hatred in the span of an instant. “You,” she said. Her voice echoed above the sound of rain and distant thunder. “You let me die!”

She lunged for him, and Toby found that the sluggishness to his limbs was gone as he jumped out of the way.

“You killed me!” she screamed, disappearing through a portal. She came out from almost directly above him, staff pointed to skewer him.

Toby caught it with his warhammer, sending it away from himself. “You, you told me to. You told me to break the staff,” Toby said.

Claire attempted to stab him in the back. “And you didn’t think to wait, did you? You didn’t think that maybe you should have waited for Blinky to have saved me?”

“There was no time, and you know this.” Toby knocked the Shadow Staff out of her hands. It crumbled into ash. “It’s not my fault that you didn’t think of any other way to end Morgana. It’s… it’s not my fault that you’re dead!”

The rain stopped, and the clouds started to part. As Claire looked up to the sky, Toby realized that he was crying.

The sun was eclipsed by the moon and then by even darker clouds. Claire closed her eyes as it began to rain again, this time even harder than before.

“You want to know what’s the best part of being dead?” she asked in an eerily soft voice.

She opened her eyes. They were purple and black. “I don’t have to look at your stupid fucking face anymore.”

Claire lunged for him, knocking his warhammer out of his hands. She pinned him down with one hand. “No one wants to have to look at it. And I’m going to be the fucking martyr that makes sure no one will ever have to again.”

And then she began to punch his face, the edges of her clawed armor piercing him. With each punch more cracks began to grow on her face and hand, but Claire didn’t seem to notice them. She didn’t look like she was in pain like the last time she had grown those cracks. If anything, the lightning glinting in her eyes made her look sadistic.

And then Toby woke up.

“I did it,” Krel said, overjoyed. “I did it!”

“I’m proud of you, little brother,” Aja said, rubbing at her arms. She sounded spooked. “Congratulations, you probably beat me by half a mecron. What… what did you see?”

“Morando destroying Arcadia Oaks and everyone in it, which he’ll do if he gets Gaylen’s core,” Krel said with a slight frown. “And you?”

“The same, but with Akiridion-V,” Aja said. The two of them turned to Toby.

They were going to have to leave anyways; they didn’t need to know that Toby’s worst fear was a combination of Claire hating him in her dying moments and everyone he cared about leaving him.

“Oh, well…” Toby gave a slight chuckle, and hoped that they’d believe the fat stigma. “Dieting.”

They had no time to question his lie because Varvatos and AAARRRGGHH!!! came crashing in.

“Purple. Pretty,” AAARRRGGHH!!! said, gazing at the altar to Gaylen’s core.

“Claire would have loved to have seen this,” Toby sighed, and then startled with a realization. “Kanjigar, do you know if Draal and Claire are, you know, resting in peace?”

Unfortunately, the previous Trollhunter had gone back to the void.

Toby supposed it didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, not with Aja and Krel being shot down. Still, closure that his friends were okay in the end would have been nice.

“Where’s Krel and Varvatos?” Toby asked as he dismantled yet another OMEN. “Would be nice to get a little more help.”

“Krel’s working on getting us some reinforcements,” Aja said, “and Varvatos is protecting my parents and Stuart. I trust him enough to not try to power the canon with my parents’ cores twice.”

“Wait, why would he do that? He’s not evil enough to power things up using unwilling people!”

“I thought that too, but since two royal cores are needed it’ll be Krel and I and not my parents.”

“No.” Toby brought his warhammer down enough that deep cracks were left in the concrete where the OMEN once stood. “Aja, you can’t. That’s suicide.”

“It’s not suicide, Toby. It’s sacrifice. Of all people, I thought you understood that.”

“Oh, trust me. I understand that. I also understand that those two look really similar sometimes. Aja, promise me that I won’t have to attend any more of my friend’s funerals this summer.”

“I can’t, but that’s why Krel’s working on reinforcements. I don’t want to do this, but I will if that’s what it takes.”

Toby would have argued had an OMEN not thrown a truck at a random kid. There had to be another way, one that wasn’t trying to fight a losing battle. One where all his friends made it out.

“He’s too strong,” Toby said. “He’s stronger than…”

No.

Morando was not stronger than Morgana. He couldn’t let himself believe that. They were all going to live, and no one was going to sacrifice their life for the good of everyone else, even if they were on the very same bridge where Angor and Claire died.

And Toby had legitimate hope when Zadra and various ships from Akiridion-V came through the wormhole.

Except they weren’t enough. Morando grew red wing-like appendages and created a massive explosion of red light.

“Morando is too powerful,” Krel said.

As the Tarron siblings hugged each other for what shouldn’t be the last time, Toby tried to think of another way to kill Morando.

“Go back to town,” Aja said. “Make sure everyone’s safe! And… I’m sorry, Toby. There’s a reason why I didn’t promise.”

“On it!” Steve said. “Please don’t get stepped on!”

“You too, my Palchuk!” Toby couldn’t tell if it was cruel or not for Aja not to say goodbye.

There had to be a third option.

“What are you waiting for, give me a ride!” Steve shouted. Toby fired up his warhammer.

Morando was at least as strong as Morgana. Maybe he was stronger. Two people would die. Someone’s hand would get cut off by a –

There was another way.

Toby set Steve down and began to fly off in the opposite direction.

“Where are you going, buttsnack?” Steve shouted.

“To save your girlfriend’s life!” Toby began searching through his phone to find the number for Akiridion-V. They could try to open a portal from within Morando’s body, and hopefully Akiridion anatomy was such that it would kill him.

It was probably a good idea that Toby had used his warhammer instead of the Shadow Staff. Too gruesome.

He was on the second ring when he watched Aja and Krel fire the canon.

He felt relief, and then guilt.

It was over.

Toby didn’t know what to say. Aja, Krel, and everyone else from Akiridion-V were leaving. So were the Foo-Foos and Eli.

“Do you have to leave?” It was selfish. Of course they had to leave. Toby closed his eyes and tried to drown out Deep-illusion-Claire’s words. They weren’t leaving because of him; Aja and Krel had to go and rule an entire planet.

“Thanks for keeping that promise about me not going to your funeral”? Too selfish. It put the focus too much on him.

“Being an orphan isn’t so bad, just look how I turned out”? Too insensitive, considering that he could barely remember his parents.

“Sorry about your parents, but I’m glad they’re dead instead of you”? That wouldn’t stop the guilt.

Except, Krel was staying.

Toby would figure out something comforting to say, eventually.

The world was going to end. Again. And this time, Toby’s new allies were a talking, bipedal cat and a pair of teenagers who were currently going through their emo phase. Said emo teens were about a year older than Toby, and supposedly they were wizards, but honestly? Aja and Krel seemed more competent than these two.

At the very least, Aja and Krel were better at lying. The minute after the cat had called them out on “experimenting unsupervised”, Zoe had started rambling about college apps, which had segwayed into summer homework, which somehow turned into how she and Douxie could make non-exploding potions without Archie’s supervision.

It was a little creepy, just how exasperated the cat looked.

Douxie stared at Toby quizzically before interrupting his friend’s rambling. “Your friend – the possessed one. Is she okay?”

A cold sort of rage crept into Toby’s bones, and with it, came the desire to scream at Douxie for having noticed that Claire wasn’t okay, and not having really done anything. Storm out of the apartment, telling Steve to tell Toby anything important, but refuse to work with the wizards.

But Claire made her decision. There was nothing that Toby could’ve done to change that, much less a guy who went to their rival school.

So instead of yelling, Toby took a breath, and said coldly, “Let’s just say that Claire’s at peace now.”

23 notes · View notes

maribatshipper · 3 years

Text

Trollhunting Lantern Chapter 3

Previous part:

“This is incredible.” Oriel whispers.

Scarlett nods, “Yep.”

“Woah.” Crystal gasps.

“Pretty much.” Bracha smiles.

“Trollmarket is home and hearth and sanctuary for all good trolls.” Blinky smiles.

Scarlett tries get a grasp of all the beauty within Trollmarket.

“This way, ladies. There is much to see.” Blinky smiles.

Oriel said, “And I thought caves just had normal stones. Not giant awesomeness.”

“Stay close, ladies. Trolls haven’t been the most kind about humans being around. They have grown used to Claire and Tobias; no others have been in Trollmarket.” Blinky warns.

Claire nods, “Yeah, they’ll grow used to you after they find out about you being the Trollhunter.”

Scarlett sees a book in a stall and sneaks a peak at the cover, seeing a dragon on it. She plans to ask Blinky for some books later.

“Hey, Scarlett, look at this!” Oriel exclaims.

Scarlett runs over to her sisters and sees Oriel looking at a living, breathing gnome.

“It’s so amazing!” Oriel smiles.

Crystal sighs, barely amused, then suddenly, the gnome bares incredibly sharp teeth.

“What on earth?!” Oriel exclaims and jumps back.

Blinky stamps near the gnomes. Crystal is now excited.

“Scum of the earth!” He yells.

“I want one now!” Crystal smiles.

Scarlett exclaims, “You want anything that ends up being dangerous! Blinky, what exactly was that?”

“Gnomes are vermin. Pickpockets, scum of the earth. We only tolerate them for their grooming services.” Blinky frowns.

Claire mumbles, “Chompsky wasn’t.”

Bracha raises her eyebrow, but ignores the sentence and plans to ask about that later.

“I’m not even gonna ask if you groom like apes or humans.” Crystal mumbles.

Bracha suddenly takes notice of the biggest crystal in the cave.

“What’s that?” She asks.

Claire smiles, “That’s the Heartstone, the lifeforce of Trollkind. I’ve been here so long that I have grown… attuned to the effects it has on trolls. I’ve been told that it’s the means that keeps trolls from crumbling to stone. It’s also a source of light and sustenance.”

Scarlett stares at the Heartstone. She walks closer to it. Bracha tries to scan the Heartstone without anyone noticing. She looks at the results of the scan. She sighs and puts away the scan. She’ll look over it with her friends later.

“What are more Fleshbags doing here?!” They hear a troll exclaim.

Scarlett asks, “Is Fleshbag an insult?”

Blinky ignores her as more trolls complain.

“Puny humans!”

“Where’s the Trollhunter?”

Crystal sighs, “We attracted paparazzi.”

“There is no need to be afraid, friends.” Blinky exclaims.

Another troll exclaims, “You brought more humans! It’s a disgrace! Why were you made leader again?!”

Scarlett clears her throat and smirks, “Probably because he was one who was a very close acquaintance of the previous Trollhunter, and therefore has a right.”

All the trolls shut up. The human girl had a point. The previous Trollhunter had done some questionable things, but they turned out being the right choices in the end.

“Now, we must start her training, for this young girl is our new Trollhunter.” Blinky smiles.

The trolls stare in shock. One of them mutters “Bushigal” as they all part and let them through. The girls and troll walk through.

“Okay, so what as that about? Why don’t they like you?” Scarlett asks.

“They have always persecuted me for my intelligence, although it has lessened after I have become the leader.” Blinky replies.

Crystal giggles, “So you’re a nerd.”

Scarlett scolds, “Crystal!”

Crystal sighs, “Sorry.”

Scarlett then realises something.

“Wait a cotton-picking minute!” Scarlett exclaims.

“I am unfamiliar with that term, Lady Scarlett.” Blinky frowns, confused.

“If you have all this in New Jersey, and have to protect the Trolls in New Jersey, why were you in Australia in the first place?” Scarlett asks.

Blinky pauses, clearly not prepared for this question.

Claire answers, “You see, when we were in the previous Trollmarket, the Heartstone there was kind of killed by Gunmar the Black. So we heard talk of a Heartstone in Australia, and we went there-”

Scarlett then interrupts, “So you could prepare a new Trollmarket in Australia if anything ever happened to the Heartstone in New Jersey!”

Blinky and Claire stare in shock.

“Yeah, she does that a lot.” Bracha smirks, clearly used to it.

Blinky shakes his head and smiles, “Well, you are correct, Lady Scarlett, but now is the time for your training.”

***

“This is our new Hero’s Forge!” Blinky smiles.

The girls stare at the stadium-like place in front of them. They look up, and sure enough, there are places for people to stand and watch. Scarlett notices some statues being put on pedestals inside the Hero’s Forge. She looks carefully, and something inside tells her they aren’t statues.

“Are those-?” Crystal asks.

Claire sighs, “Trollhunters. Your predecessors. Actually, it took us forever to move them here away from Arcadia. We’re lucky only Unkar got broken.”

Suddenly, a giant arm falls right next to Bracha. She wipes dust off her face and moves away from the pedestal she started leaning against.

Blinky smiles, “They are a line of heroism that reaches back to the age of Merlin,” He then mumbles, “before he came back.” But it was too quiet for the girls to hear. “This is the final resting place for Jim, the Gunmar Slayer. One day, there will be a statue of you here, Lady Scarlett. One day far in the future, of course.”

Bracha smirks, “Nice save.”

Blinky ignores her, “We must start Lady Scarlett’s training now. Step back, please.”

Scarlett walks backward, grabbing both her sisters, and noticing some pillars are not ones for placing Trollhunters, making her go back a little farther than necessary. Blinky pushes a button and giant blades come out of the Forge. The girls scatter, dodging the swinging axes. Oriel and Crystal immediately rush to Bracha, who has a giant force-field around herself. She opens it to let the sisters in. Scarlett runs over to Blinky.

“Excellent reflexes, Lady Scarlett.” Blinky praises.

“Yeah, I don’t know how troll physiology works, but being hit with a giant axe is not ideal for a human!” Scarlett exclaims.

Suddenly, Blinky sees something and turns off the Forge, much to the siblings and Bracha’s relief. A human man walks up to Blinky and Claire.

He frowns, “So, he’s gone, isn’t he, Blinkous?”

Claire frowns, “Yes. But not that it’s any of your business, Merlin.”

Bracha and the siblings stare at each other, then towards the man, then back towards each other, then back towards the man.

“MERLIN!? You mean the guy that was a wizard a thousand years ago and was with King Arthur and his knights at the round table?!” Crystal exclaims.

Oriel nudges Crystals ribs, causing Crystal to stop talking.

“Yes, I am he. I’m also the one that created the amulet that your sister now possesses, young one.” Merlin smirks.

Scarlett stares in shock.

“Wait, back up. There is no way you’re Merlin. A human’s lifespan is quite short, we only live a hundred years, if we’re lucky. Admittedly, that was different a thousand years ago, but you shouldn’t be alive according to any human lifespan. Unless you were put into a stasis chamber or something, because if you’ve been asleep with nothing around you except air, you would’ve decomposed ages ago! It’s basic science you learn as a child!” Scarlett frowns.

Claire stares at Scarlett in shock, then realisation, then facepalms.

“Trollhunter, I got other magic users to cast a spell around my body, so I never decomposed.” Merlin replies.

Scarlett mumbles, “Spells wear off.”

“So, my amulet chose not just a human, but one with attitude. Maybe she’ll end up like Unkar, Blinkous.” Merlin frowns.

Scarlett turns to Blinky, waiting for an explanation.

Claire sighs, “Blinky trained a different Trollhunter. Unkar the Unfortunate.”

Bracha asks, “Do I even want to know?”

“His first night out, he got torn… Limb from limb.” Claire finishes.

Merlin frowns, “Remember what Vendel did for the previous Trollhunter? Maybe we should do that.”

Claire and Blinky glare at Merlin.

“Lady Scarlett hasn’t had a minute’s training!” Blinky exclaims.

Scarlett puts her hand on Blinky’s shoulder and smirks, “I’ll be fine. I just need to know what to do.”

Merlin points right in front of him on the floor, where Scarlett sees a place for Troll feet. She puts her feet there and brings out her amulet. A giant statue-like thing comes out of the ground, and it looks much like a Troll head with shark teeth in the mouth.

“This is the Soothscryer. It will judge your true spirit. Insert your right hand.” Merlin smirks.

“You mean in the mouth with rows of teeth?” Scarlett asks.

Merlin nods. Bracha comes over and uses her willpower to make a platform for Scarlett to stand on so she can reach to put her hand in. As soon as Scarlett gets high enough to put her hand in, the mouth no longer looks like a shark’s, but a Whispering Death’s mouth because the teeth are spinning. She throws her hand in, and the Soothscryer clamps around her hand, seeming to squish it. Her face contorts in pain, and she doesn’t scream, but let’s out a yelp in surprise. Bracha makes green pillows underneath Scarlett, and the Soothscryer finally lets go of Scarlett, causing her to fall on the pillows. She checks her arm.

“Well, I was hoping I wouldn’t lose that. That would’ve been the biggest lie to make up.” Scarlett jokes.

“You aren’t in pain?” Claire asks.

Scarlett giggles, “Life is pain, Claire. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.”

Crystal walks forward and asks, “Well? What’s the giant stone say?”

Merlin shrugs, “Inconclusive.”

Scarlett stares at him, then groans, “Do I have to do that again?”

“No. There’s only ever been one human Trollhunter. It needs time to render its judgement. Let’s hope you live long enough to see.” Merlin replies.

Scarlett imagines throwing something at him.

***

“What have we gotten ourselves into?” Scarlett asks as the girls walk home from the portal.

Crystal smiles, “Something that can take us from Australia to New Jersey in 5 seconds flat, Trolls, underground city, shiny stuff, am I missing anything?”

“Yes actually. The risk of death.” Scarlett frowns.

Bracha smiles, “It’s not that bad, Scar. I have the risk of death every time I go into space. My ring could go flat while I’m up there if I don’t charge it, thus exposing me to the vacuum of space.”

Scarlett nods, “You’re right. Besides, if Blinky fails to train me well, you can train me. I may even use my sword as a baseball bat. But we’re gonna do it all in your house. Mum will get suspicious of a punching bag hanging from the roof.”

Oriel frowns, “Mum and Dad are home.”

Scarlett looks at her phone. 9:47 p.m.

“We are so dead.” Scarlett frowns.

“I’ll tell your mother that it was my fault. We say we went shopping for clothes for me and I needed your opinions, and we’re just exhausted and trudged back, and that’s why you’re so late home. Besides, I need to put some info into your computer.” Bracha quickly plans.

“How do you always come up with good excuses?” Scarlett whispers, glad she went through with this plan before they went into the house.

They open the door, and immediately, Scarlett apologises.

“I am so sorry we’re late home, Mum!” Scarlett exclaims.

Heather walks towards the girls and smiles, “I’m just glad you’re home. Ahh, miss Gilthoniel, what are you doing here? You know what, never mind, come in. You can tell us later. Aaron is here.”

Scarlett suddenly looks behind her Mum to see that Aaron is indeed sitting in the loungeroom. He has been a family friend for years.

“Please tell me he didn’t bring his kid.” Scarlett whispers.

Crystal rolls her eyes.

“Jonas isn’t here. Just go say hi.” Heather whispers back.

The girls walk forward.

“Hi, Aaron. What’s up?” Scarlett asks.

Aaron smiles, “There’s a singing competition coming up. I know how much you three girls love to sing. Besides, if you all go separately, you get more chances to win. Even if you’ll only go in to show them some old songs.”

Scarlett smirks, “Like Ego Is Not A Dirty Word?”

“Exactly.”

Michael laughs, “My daughter has the best songs in mind for the perfect occasion. For arguing with her brother, she’ll have a song. For doing the dishes, she’ll have a song. For sword fighting, even! I’m sure she’ll have the best songs that exist in that talent show.”

Oriel lists, “Do What You Gotta Do from Descendants 3, Something Better from Muppets Treasure Island, and Bad Reputation. In that order.”

Scarlett nods, “Yep, I just need to change the words slightly for that first one. Other than that, it’s inconceivable for me to not have a song for arguing with my brother.”

Heather exclaims, “Don’t you dare!” to Michael.

Michael ignores her. He suddenly speaks in a Spaniard accent.

“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” He says in the accent.

Everyone has a good giggle.

“Princess Bride is the best movie.” Crystal smiles.

Suddenly, the door opens and in wobbles Nicholas. Scarlett grabs Crystal before she can punch his face out again. He wobbles to his room, not speaking to anyone.

“I should be going. Have a lovely evening, Atkin Family.” Aaron smiles.

Scarlett smiles, “Have a great night, Aaron!”

Aaron walks out the door and Heather turns to the girls.

“So, full story, girls.” Heather frowns.

Scarlett smirks, “You want the fun story, or the normal story?”

Michael hasn’t heard Scarlett say this for years and perks up, ready to hear the fun story.

“Fun first!” Michael says excitedly.

Scarlett says, “We were chased by an evil troll! I fought him off with a sword while Crystal was playing Bad Reputation from my phone! Then he was crushing me, Bracha body-slammed him, we ran into a portal, where a good troll was ready to protect my sisters, and we hopped into a giant hamster ball and went to New Jersey at Flash speeds, then we came home!”

Bracha stares, wondering why Scarlett’s telling her parents this.

“And the normal story?” Heather asks.

Scarlett turns to Bracha.

Bracha sighs, “It was actually my fault we were late. I dragged the girls shopping for me and I needed their opinions. I didn’t want to look bad, and some clothes you just can’t tell anymore until someone else looks at it.”

Heather raises her eyebrow, then looks at Michael.

“Only one of those stories is true. You pick which one.” Crystal smiles.

The girls walk upstairs, and Bracha whispers, “What was that?! You basically told them everything!”

Scarlett sighs, “When I was younger, when I did something wrong, I always asked if they wanted the fun story or the normal story. It became… a tradition. Dad loved fun stories. Of course, mum hated that I made up that a velociraptor came into the kitchen and broke the ceramic plates I was putting away. But she was proud that I did tell her the truth afterwards. I found a way to tell them everything and give them a story they’d believe. Now, if something happens and they find out, they’ll know I have told them.”

As Scarlett puts away most of her things, Bracha raises her eyebrow, never hearing this story before.

“You serious?” Bracha asks.

Crystal sighs, “Yeah, I followed in her footsteps. Dr Seuss helps me come up with good stories.”

Bracha shrugs and smiles, “Well, that explains that.”

“Pizza’s here! There’s even some for your friend!” Michael yells.

The girls exchange glances, then Oriel and Crystal run downstairs. Bracha and Scarlett just laugh and walk down to eat something.

***

Meanwhile, in Washington

“Listen to this, guys! According to these readings, there have been strange magical energy spikes in Australia, Queensland. The exact location can’t be tracked, though!” a guy in a red suit and a lightning bolt symbol on the front exclaims.

A man in a bat costume frowns, “Has Zatanna had any shows there, Flash?”

“Nope. No one we know of has been there, Batman. Plus, the magic readings are different. It reads as ancient magic, like Captain Marvel’s, but different.” Flash replies.

Batman frowns, thinking, “And it’s around the same place that Bruce Wayne will be judging a talent show.”

A man with a similar outfit to Bracha’s walks over and frowns, “That’s around the place one of our lanterns lives. I’ll check in with her this evening.”

Flash asks, “Why this evening, Hal?”

Hal responds, “Time difference, remember? It’s night-time over there right now.”

“Well, I’ll be visiting Australia anyway, I may as well check what’s going on.” Batman frowns.

Hal asks, “Should I get Martian Manhunter?”

Batman doesn’t respond as he walks away, leaving the room to assume his secret identity.

“Yeah, I’ll get Martian Manhunter.” Hal frowns.

***

Morning in Australia, but in New Jersey

"Wider stance, keep your frame." Blinky corrects Scarlett's fighting stance. "No, that's good, that's good. All right, fine. That's better. Raise your sword, Lady Scarlett. Head up, chin out, stomach in.'

Scarlett has her armour on with her hair tied up, but one strip of hair escaped and is hanging in front of her face in a ringlet. Her sisters, Claire, and Bracha stand off to the sides.

"Can she get that stomach in any further? If it gets much smaller, she won't have one." Crystal jokes.

Oriel bumps Crystal, making Crystal shut up. Claire rolls her eyes.

"The Trollhunter lives and dies by three rules. Rule 1, Always be afraid." Blinky explains.

Scarlett nods, "That makes sense. I don't think it'll be much of a problem. I just- woah!"

Scarlett dodges as Claire throws a rock towards her. Bracha catches the rock, quite surprised.

"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 smiles as he throws rocks at Scarlett.

Scarlett sighs, "Well, if you let certain people up there know you're scared, they will do everything to make you so scared you quit. So, be scared, just don't show it. How's that?"

Claire and Blinky blink in surprise.

Claire smiles, "That actually makes sense. Anyway, rule 2, Blinky?"

Blinky nods, "Of course. Rule 2, always finish the fight. An opponent must be given no mercy."

Suddenly, Bracha, Oriel, and Scarlett pale. Crystal raises her eyebrow in confusion. Scarlett dodges more rocks.

"Uh, okay then. My sisters are not allowed on my missions then. They can only watch me train." Scarlett immediately orders as she dodges.

Oriel says, "That's OK with me." At the same time Crystal asks, "Why not, Scarlett?"

Scarlett doesn't answer but gives Bracha a signal to cover Crystals ears. Bracha covers both siblings' ears with green soundproof earplugs.

"First off, I don't think it's appropriate for my little sisters to see me... dispose of my enemies. It could ruin their lives worse than it's already been ruined by my brother. Plus, with Crystal having autism, she won't be able to understand that you can't go around killing things. Mum's even gone so far as to not let any of us watch any international news while Crystal's nearby because of all the people going around getting rid of people in other countries. Plus, I'm not very comfortable with it. Even pretending some troll or other thing is a rodent, like a rat or I'm hunting an animal to eat may not help me. Especially if the thing looks humanoid." Scarlett frowns.

Blinky sighs, "Our's is an unforgiving world, Lady Scarlett. I understand you will have hesitations, but you will need to vanquish your enemies. Hence, the third rule: When in doubt, always kick in the gronk-nuks."

He makes a move, raising his foot up, and Bracha gets rid of the earplugs.

"Gronk-nuks? That's a new word for them. That is a rule we can all use in self-defence." Scarlett smirks. "So, a third of being a Trollhunter is kicking someone... there? Easiest rule to follow."

"Ahh, so the New Trollhunter's training begins!" A troll exclaims.

Scarlett looks at the troll, confused as to why the troll cares when training begins.

"I thought the great Trollhunter might accept my services as a sparring partner. Part of your training regiment, isn't it?" He continues.

Scarlett quickly analyses him. He stands well above her, purple stone skin, giant spikes on his back, horns on his head, and a nose-ring. She knows that if she were to go against him, he could easily win. Blinky looks like he's about to say something, but Scarlett speaks first.

"Well, as much as I would love to learn how to dodge a troll much bigger than me and quite obviously would have the advantage, given size, strength, and how long they've been fighting the troll way, I have to decline, because I am not experienced enough to go up against someone who has been in glorious battles, while I have been in none." She tactfully refuses.

"Why wait?" Merlin's voice echoes.

Scarlett looks up to see him standing in the stadium-like seat part.

"I am eager to see her demonstrate her mettle." Merlin continues.

Scarlett mentally facepalms. Did he not just hear what Scarlett said?

"Let them spar!"

Scarlett gulps and grabs her sword, following Blinky.

"What do I do now, Blinky?" Scarlett asks.

"Hit him as hard as you can." Blinky says.

"I can't do that. He's made of stone. If I hit him hard, I'll break my hand! He'll only feel a tickle! Does he have any weaknesses?" Scarlett frowns.

"Only that of a normal troll." Claire answers.

"Not helping."

"You fought Venjo, although quite briefly, and it was glorious!" Blinky responds.

Scarlett facepalms, "I was using moves from dancing and spy movies, and they don't actually teach you how to knock your enemy out by just touching their necks!"

"Exactly! The fight is within you, Lady Scarlett. Trust yourself. One hit!"

Scarlett growls, getting ready.

"Begin!" Merlin’s voice orders.

The troll growls and suddenly rolls at her, spikes digging into the ground.

"HE'S BLOOMING SONIC THE HEDGEHOG!" Scarlett thinks as she dodges his attack.

He rolls to attack her again, and without any thought, throws her sword towards the incoming spike ball. He hits the sword, unrolls and grabs her chest, bringing her over to the seemingly bottomless pit. She then grabs his nose-ring and pulls as hard as she can. If Scarlett can't punch, she can certainly give this troll some nasal discomfort. He groans in pain and drops her, only being saved by the nose-ring she still has a grip on.

"Let go!" He grumbles.

She tightens her grip and frowns, "Only if you walk back onto firm ground. I'm not letting go until my feet are at least 5 feet away from the edge, Rocky!"

The troll grumbles and pulls back 3 troll feet. Scarlett lets go and takes a gasp for air, something she hasn't had a chance to do yet. She gives the troll a glare as he walks off, the spar over. Scarlett holds her chest in pain, the armour protecting her partly. She pulls off the amulet and groans, her sisters and Bracha running towards her.

"I think that's enough training for one day. I'm going back to Australia. I'm exhausted." Scarlett sighs as she walks towards the Gyre.

Bracha smiles, "So you messed up a little. Like you said, you haven't had any experience."

Blinky smiles, "I concur with Lady Bracha. You've barely had a day’s training. There's no shame in what just transpired."

Scarlett glares, and Oriel whispers, "Bad choice of words."

"I heard that!" Scarlett hisses.

Claire winces at the hiss.

"And, by the way, if you think there was absolutely no shame there, you must be blind as a bat! There was certainly some shame there! The only reason I survived was because I pulled his nose-ring! It may not have been enough to hurt him, but it was enough to irritate him!" Scarlett practically screams.

Claire sighs, "It could've been worse. Jim didn't even think to grab Draal's nose-ring. He was just dropped and threatened."

Scarlett sighs, "I don't care at the moment. All I know is that I need rest before midday in Australia. Come on girls. Claire, you can come too if you want."

Claire sighs, "I have things to do in Trollmarket. Sorry."

Scarlett just grabs her sister’s arms and drags them to the Gyre. She hops in and taps a few buttons, already knowing how to use it. Bracha jumps in a few seconds before the gyre zooms back to Australia.

***

“Okay, we try out for this competition, and go during the day, while at night, Trollhunting. We’ll just say we are practicing our singing far away at night. Unless we don’t get in. Then we’re gonna have to sneak out, or make up some gigantic stories, or tell the truth.” Scarlett explains the plan, seemingly forgetting about her previous failure.

Bracha sighs, “Let’s focus on the here and now.”

Suddenly, Bracha’s ring makes a beeping noise. The sisters sit down and watch the sky, Crystal naming things she sees.

“Hello, is this a bad time?” A voice asks from the ring.

“No, I’m just hanging out with friends. What’s going on, Hal?” Bracha replies.

“The League found odd magical readings around your location. Have you noticed anything different?” Hal asks.

Bracha pauses, Scarlett getting an idea.

“Hey, B! You got any strange rocks to add to my collection?” She exclaims loud enough for Hal to hear, winking.

Bracha gets the idea.

“It could be some strange rocks. My friend loves collecting the weirdest objects. I swear I’ve seen some Kryptonite in her collection. She told me she had a mask that turns green if put on at night. I’ll scan her objects later and send you through the readings.” Bracha smirks, actually being half honest.

“Good. I’ll check back in five hours, got it?” Hal asks

“Got it. We have a competition to enroll in, so we’ll be busy there for now. Seeya, Hal.” Bracha smiles.

“Bye, Bracha. Don’t get into any trouble.” Hal hangs up.

“Too late.” Bracha frowns.

Scarlett asks, “You serious about Kryptonite being in my collection?”

Bracha nods, “Yep. Anyway, more important at the moment what songs are you going to sing? Are you going in as 1 big team, 1 team of 2 and a solo, or 3 solos, how are we gonna do it?”

“I thought you were gonna sing with us? Aren’t we doing that?” Scarlett asks.

Bracha sighs, “I can’t do it. I can’t sing as well as you girls.”

Scarlett sighs, “Come on. You have more knowledge of music than Twisted Sister and Taylor Swift. My Dad’s exact words about her were, “She may think she can sing, but she’s rubbish.” And honestly? I kinda agree with him. If you really don’t want to be in the big picture with us, you can be a back-up singer later, and the music/tech person. Would be helpful.”

Oriel whispers, “I don’t want to be alone.”

“I have an idea! Let’s draw straws. Whoever can draw an amazing looking straw wins and chooses how many teams we have!” Crystal exclaims.

Bracha, Scarlett, and Oriel exchange glances.

Bracha sighs, “That’s not what drawing straws is.”

***

“You ready?” Oriel asks, completely worried.

“I am. Thanks for drawing the short straw and having us compete at the same time. Why are you worried, Oriel?” Scarlett asks.

“Bruce Wayne is a judge.” Oriel gulps.

All the girls stare at Oriel in shock, then look through the curtains on the stage.

“Which one’s Bruce Wayne?” Crystal asks.

Bracha sighs, “The one that has bags under his eyes, next to Jessica Mauboy.”

Scarlett sees him, and Bruce’s and her eyes lock. She doesn’t dare look away, feeling a fear go up her back and a familiar sensation covering her body. Bruce gets tapped on the shoulder, and he’s the first to break eye contact and talks to Jessica Mauboy. Scarlett closes the curtain.

“Scar, can you take off the armour? It’s not a good time.” Bracha whispers.

Scarlett looks down and jumps about six feet in the air.

“Not now. We’ve already rented costumes for this! I’m not changing my outfit choice before the show! I’ve already gone through enough stress for you today.” Scarlett glares at her amulet.

She tries pulling it off, but it doesn’t work.

“Good thing a few other people go on before us. That’ll give you time to take it off and leave the magic amulet with Bracha so it doesn’t go weird again.” Oriel suggests.

Scarlett nods and runs into the costume change room, the girls following her. She pulls outfits out of her bag. She tosses them to each girl.

“I made sure they were just right.” Scarlett smiles.

Oriel unfolds a purple outfit that looks sort of like Princess Jasmine’s animated version of her outfit. Crystal unfolds a red outfit very similar. Scarlett unfolds a blue one. Bracha unfolds a green one.

(Like this, only different colours.)

“Which one, sis, Prince Ali or Friend Like Me?” Crystal asks, not very amused.

Scarlett flips a coin, “Friend Like Me.”

Now that Scarlett’s relaxed, her armour disappears. Another person walks in as Scarlett smiles and moves into a room to change. The others follow suit.

“This is gonna be fun.” Scarlett smiles.

They all come out wearing the outfits, looking absolutely stunning. The other person stares in shock.

“What? Never seen a person dress up for a singing competition before?” Crystal suddenly snaps.

Scarlett smiles, “Sorry about my sister. She’s protective. Come on girls. It’s almost our time.”

***

With Bruce Wayne

Bruce nods politely. Most of these singers are singing popular songs, like Taylor Swifts songs. He frowns, thinking of the person who managed to make eye contact with earlier. He could tell it was a girl, her eyes said she was at least 16. He couldn’t tell much because of how much of her body was obscured by the curtains. She was hiding something. Suddenly, the lights turn down. Another singer maybe? Suddenly, 3 girls roll out as the music starts. They all stand up, and Bruce locks eyes with the one in blue for a split second and recognises that it’s the girl he saw. Looking at her, she looks like she’s 13. Suddenly, the girls start singing and dancing, being extremely dramatic. (Go crazy with your imagination here, guys.)

youtube

S: MASTER! I don’t think you quite realise what you got here!

C: So why don’t you just ruminate

O: Whilst I illuminate the possibilities!

B: Watch this. Here I go. Uh, ooh, woo! Back up! Uh, Watch out! Uh, You done wound me up! ‘Bout to show you what I’m workin’ with!

C: Well Ali Baba had them forty thieves,

Scheherazade had a thousand tales

S: But, master, you’re in luck, ‘cause up your sleeves

You got a brand of magic never fails

B: You got some POWER in your corner now

Heavy ammunition in your camp!

You got some punch

C: Pizzazz!

S: Yahoo, and how?

All: See, all you gotta do is rub that lamp!

B: And then I’ll say,

Mister-

C, S, & O: Aladdin, sir.

B: Whatever, what will your pleasure be?

C: Let me take your order, jot it down!

You ain’t never had a friend like me!

Life is your restaurant

And I’m your maître D!

All: Come on, whisper to me whatever it is you want

You ain’t never had a friend like me!

O: Yes sir, we pride ourselves on service

C & O: You’re the boss, the king, the shah!

B & S: Say what you wish, it’s yours! True dish

How ‘bout a little more baklavaaaa?

B: Have some of column A,

B & S: Try all of column B!

I’m in the mood to help you dude!

You ain’t never had a friend like me!

O: Wah wah wah!

C & O: Oh my!

O: Wah wah wah!

C & O: No, No!

O: Wah wah wah

C & O: wah ah ah!

O: Wat ba bado ah!

B: Can your friends do this?

C: Can your friends do that?

S: Can your friends pull this

C, & O: Out their little hat?

Can your friends go-

B: *Beatboxes*

C: Well, looky here!

B: I’m the genie of the lamp

I can sing, rap, dance if you give me a chance! Oh!

C & O: Well don’t just sit there, slack jawed, buggy-eyed!

I’m here to answer all your midday prayers!

C & S: You got me bona fide, certified

Got a genie for your charge d’affaires

O: I got a powerful urge to help you out

So what you wish? I really wanna know

S & O: You got a list that’s three miles long, no doubt

Well, all you gotta do is rub like so, ay ohhhhh!

B: Mister

S, C, & O: Aladdin!

B: Yes, have a wish or two or three!

C, S, & O: I’m on the job, you big nabob!

You ain’t never had a friend, never had a friend

B: You ain’t never had a friend, Never had a friend

C & O: You ain’t never!

B: Never!

C & O: Had a

B: Had a

C & O: Friend

B: Friend

C & O: Like

B: Like

All: Meeeeeeee!

You ain’t never had a friend like me!

Everyone claps, glad for something different.

“Well, it seems that everyone likes you. What are you called?”

The one wearing the blue outfit smirks, “We are known as the Lantern’s Daylight! I’m Scarlett, the one in red is Crystal, and the one in purple is Oriel.”

Bruce asks, “Wouldn’t it make more sense for you, Scarlett, to wear the red?”

The girls exchange glances and giggle.

“Yeah, if I tried to do that, Crystal here would rip off my arm and hang it above her bed.” Scarlett jokes.

Oriel frowns, upset by that comment. Bruce notices that as Scarlett hugs Oriel and whispers something in her ear.

Jessica Mauboy smiles, “I assume that you are competing together?”

The girls look at each other and shrug, “We’re flexible. As long as Oriel gets to team up with one of us, we don’t care if one of us is a solo.”

“Well, you three are through to the next round!” Jessica Mauboy smiles.

The girls hug each other and do a strange handshake.

“Hi five! Shoulder bump, hip bump, shimmy shake!” Scarlett giggles as they do those moves.

The girls walk backstage and Bruce Wayne thinks carefully about those girls. Something’s different. They’re hiding something. Bruce shakes his head. He should focus on finding the energy readings.

***

“You guys were awesome. I swear that if I had to choose a winner, it’d be you three!” Bracha smiles.

Scarlett smirks, “Aren’t you a little biased? Being our friend and all.”

Bracha lightly punches Scarlett’s arms. Scarlett pulls her hairband out letting her hair flow.

“Who cares? I say we were 20% cooler than everyone else!” Crystal smiles.

Bracha and Scarlett roll their eyes. Crystal was always so over the top.

“I’m gonna hang around here for a while longer. Could you escort my sisters’ home, Bracha? For safety reasons.” Scarlett requests.

Bracha nods, “Of course, Scar. Be careful. If he shows up, call me.”

Scarlett nods. She pulls out her phone, seeing it’s 85%.

“Seeya.”

Scarlett walks towards a tree and leans against it. Australian sun is just too hot. Even in spring near sunset, it’s too hot.

“You’re Scarlett, right?” a male voice asks.

Scarlett asks, “Who’s asking?”

“Bruce Wayne.” The voice says.

Scarlett looks over to him and notices he’s still wearing a suit.

“Don’t you feel a little hot, mate?” Scarlett asks.

She’s already changed into a shirt that says, “Installing Muscles, please wait” and some denim shorts.

“Yes, but it’s good to keep up appearances.” He responds.

Scarlett sighs, “Please, Mr Wayne, don’t. Our prime minister doesn’t always wear a suit. He wore Budgie Smugglers for crying out loud.”

Bruce tilts his head in confusion. Scarlett rolls her eyes, remembering that not everyone understands the lingo.

“Right, Aussie slang. He wore just a pair of swimming pants. Can’t say I blame him. After all Australian weather, feels too hot to be natural.” Scarlett shrugs.

She suddenly tenses. The sun is going down much faster than she’d like. She hopes she doesn’t run into Venjo.

“I actually wanted to ask you about something, Miss Scarlett.” Bruce says.

“Well, ask away, Mr Wayne.” She responds.

She then looks around and realises, she’s in a park with only Bruce Wayne nearby. She feels her fear rise, but she pushes it down. Maybe Venjo can smell fear and she may lead him straight to her.

“Are you okay? You seem to be jumpy. You’re not worried about an ex, are you?”

Scarlett sighs, “Just heard some disturbing reports a while ago. And an ex? Please! I am staying away from that kind of relationship until I’m 20 or 30. Decided that when I was 10.”

“Okay… Has anything strange been happening around here?” Bruce asks.

Scarlett suddenly looks at him and scoffs, “Please! Strange? Mate, we’re Australians. Anything that’s strange is actually pretty normal. If someone hangs from a tree like a bat, we’re ok with it. If someone likes going under bridges for the sake of it, we’re ok with that. If someone wanted a Medusa wig to totally freak people out, we’re ok with that. Heck, some of us have even had our snakes come out of the toilet. I've even seen a guy dressed up as Santa here. The whole shebang, in hot, Summer, Aussie heat, at Wet'n'Wild. You want strange, you came to the right place.”

She then realises it’s very dark.

Scarlett smiles, “Ya know, I’d love to stay and chat, but my mum’s gonna kill me if I’m not home by 10:00.”

Bruce nods, “I understand. Be careful. Wouldn’t want one of the singers to disappear right after her first performance.”

Scarlett nods, “Thanks for your concern Mr Wayne. I’m think I’ll be fine. Seeya.”

Scarlett walks off, a bad feeling in her stomach.

***

Bruce Wayne changes into his Batman outfit and follows Scarlett for a few blocks. She’s hiding something and he’s curious what it is. Plus, he picked up some of the previous energy readings on her. He follows on the rooftops. She stops every now and then to look around.

“Why follow her? Shouldn’t you be investigating the magical energy, Batman?” Martian Manhunter asks, appearing behind Batman.

Batman frowns, “She’s hiding something. I think she’s connected to the readouts. I picked up some energy on her.”

Scarlett turns around again. She has fear written in her eyes. She then looks towards the roofs of the houses. Batman ducks from her sight. She looks straight up as well, which both men found odd.

“Why is she scared?” Batman mumbles.

“It could simply be she’s broken up with someone and she’s worried he’ll show up.” Martian Manhunter suggests.

Batman frowns, “No. This is a different fear. She said she’s staying away from romance until she’s older. She’s paranoid, like something is going to come from anywhere to attack.”

Suddenly, a buff man comes near to her. He makes some suggestive comments.

“I’m not that desperate, and you’re not that lucky.” Scarlett shuts him down.

He suddenly grabs her and drags her to an alley. Batman and Martian Manhunter jump towards them.

“Leave me alone, you creepy, barbarous, brainless, cold-blooded, animalised jerkazoid!” Scarlett hisses.

“I don’t think so, pretty. We’re gonna have a little fun!” The man smiles.

Scarlett looks him up and down and says, “Dude, your and my definition of fun are 2 very different things. And I’m not gonna be a victim again! How about you go back to Hell!”

Scarlett grabs at air next to her, then facepalms.

“I think now would be a good time to intervene, Batman.” Manhunter suggests.

The man punches Scarlett, making her fall to the ground. She goes to get up and he kicks her. She groans in pain. She moves her hand to her pocket.

“You’re gonna feel more of that if you resist, worm.” The man says.

Suddenly, Scarlett turns around and gives him an uppercut, then kicks him where the sun don’t shine.

“No one calls me worm, you little piece of troll poo!” Scarlett hisses.

He growls, “You’re gonna regret that you #*&%$!”

“Wash your mouth out with soap!” Scarlett orders.

Batman decides enough is enough and throws a batarang in between the two people. Scarlett looks up and sees both Batman and Martian Manhunter. She mumbles something Batman doesn’t catch.

*From Scarlett’s point of view; earlier*

Scarlett stops and looks around. Someone’s following her. She’s sure. Her guts are going haywire. She remembers rule number 1. Always be afraid. She’s afraid now, and she swears someone’s around. Could Venjo be around? She looks to the roofs. She thinks she sees something, but it could’ve been just the shadows. Scarlett then looks up.

“Why am I looking up? Trolls can’t fly, can they? I’m gonna ask Blinky for a list of troll species now.”

Suddenly, a buff man walks towards Scarlett. He makes a suggestive comment.

“Today just isn’t my day.”

She scoffs, “I’m not that desperate, and you’re not that lucky.”

*Trigger Warning!*

The man grabs her and drags her into an alley. She struggles against him.

“Leave me alone, you creepy, barbarous, brainless, cold-blooded, animalised jerkazoid!” Scarlett spits.

“I don’t think so, pretty. We’re gonna have a little fun!” The man smiles.

“Ugly jerk.”

Scarlett looks him up and down and says, “Dude, your and my definition of fun are 2 very different things. And I’m not gonna be a victim again! How about you go back to Hell!”

She grabs at her bag, only to realise she gave it to Bracha earlier. No pepper-spray to use this time. She facepalms. Suddenly, the man punches her in the guts. Scarlett collapses. She tries to get up, only to get kicked. She holds in tears.

“It’s Nicholas all over again.”

“You’re gonna feel more of that if you resist, worm.” The man says.

Something clicks in Scarlett’s brain. She feels pure, hard anger and hatred. She turns around and gives him a good, hard, uppercut, then kicks him in the Gronk-nuks.

“No one calls me worm, you little piece of troll poo!” Scarlett hisses.

He growls, “You’re gonna regret that you #*&%$!”

“Wash your mouth out with soap!” Scarlett orders.

She’s not going to be his victim. She’s going to be her own hero. A boomerang suddenly goes in between the two. Scarlett notice the shape is of a bat and looks up and sees 2 figures. One green and one black. She recognises them as the American superheroes Batman and Martian Manhunter.

*Trigger ending*

“Bushigal.” She mumbles.

“Only spent a day with them and I’m already using Trolls words!”

The guy runs away after seeing the boomerang.

“Hey, hey! I’m not through with you, Ugly!” Scarlett calls after the crook.

Batman jumps in front of him and knocks him out.

“Never mind.” Scarlett sighs.

Batman frowns, “You shouldn’t be alone at night.”

Scarlett sighs, "Shouldn't you be in America, where all the supervillains are? Or are you on Holidays?"

Batman raises an eyebrow in what seems to be surprise.

"Why else would you two be in Australia if you weren't having a break? I don't remember the Joker being in Australia." Scarlett smirks.

"Just investigating something." Martian Manhunter replies.

Scarlett frowns, "And I suppose that you just happened to be passing by while I'm going home and just happened to see me almost get abducted by a guy like him?"

Batman deadpans, "Yes."

Scarlett frowns, "And I suppose you weren't following me?"

Batman doesn't respond.

"I had a feeling." Scarlett frowns.

"Did he pick up on the Amulet? Maybe it gives off magic radiation. That sounds silly. But maybe?"

"Okay, you know what? You can follow me home if you are so worried. And if you need to question me about stuff, like whatever you are investigating, give me a number to call to arrange a date, time, and place to answer your questions. But please bring in a girl. Being around just a guy who ya don't know is enough to set a girl on edge, ya know?" Scarlett suggests.

Batman looks to Martian Manhunter and they seem to be speaking telepathically, discussing the matter. Scarlett then gets bad memories about her brother. She shakes the memories out of head, putting her hands in her pockets, holding the Amulet in her right. Its’ cool surface surprisingly calms her.

"Agreed." Batman suddenly speaks, snapping Scarlett out of her thoughts.

"Great!" Scarlett smiles and suddenly turns to walk home.

She feels the smile fall from her face. Then it comes back, and she giggles slightly. She hums "Giggle At the Ghostly" while swaying side to side.

"There goes my logic tonight. Wonder if he's reading my thoughts?"

She looks behind her to see Batman and Manhunter have already disappeared. Probably hiding in the shadows, because Batman just walking behind her would draw suspicion. She suddenly finds herself at her house.

"That trip went by fast." Scarlett mumbles.

She goes to open the door, but it's locked. She pulls out her phone, notices it's actually 11, and rings her Mum.

"Yes?" Her mother's tired voice answers.

"I have a good excuse, Mum." Scarlett says guiltily.

Heather hangs up and opens the door.

"What happened, Scarlett?" Heather asks.

Scarlett hesitates, "I was attacked, but I got away from him."

Heather suddenly pulls Scarlett inside and checks Scarlett all over for any cuts, scratches, and bruises.

"Mum, calm down, I'm fine. Look, I'm here, aren't I? And he didn't even get far. Just a few bruises, nothing more." Scarlett reassures her paranoid mother.

"You should be more careful, honey! What would've happened if he kidnapped you, or worse?!" Heather exclaims.

Scarlett puts her hand over her mother's mouth.

"Do you want to wake Dad up? Doesn't he have a 3 o'clock start in the morning?" Scarlett asks.

Heather sighs, trying to calm herself down.

"We're talking about this tomorrow." Heather orders.

Scarlett nods, then realises she has unfinished business in New Jersey.

"I'm going to bed Mum. Seeya in the morning." Scarlett smiles, knowing she probably won't be able to wake up until midday.

She walks into her bedroom, to see her sisters still awake. She sighs and tucks them both into bed.

"We can't sleep, Scar." Oriel sighs.

Scarlett sighs and sings Aladdin's Desert Moon to lull them to sleep. She searches her pants pockets for her amulet and finds a piece of paper with a bat symbol on it. She reads over it.

3:00p.m. Wivenhoe Dam, Tomorrow.

Scarlett sighs. She's glad she only has Trollhunting training on tomorrow. When she's sure her sisters are asleep, she stuffs pillows and toys under her blanket. The girls don't have to know about this sneak out. She changes her shoes into Roller shoes.

***

"I was going to kill her, but I couldn't make up my mind as to how! Then she grabbed my nose-ring! That irritating Fleshbag. She isn't worthy of the amulet. I could've killed her then and there. But where's the fun in that?" The troll laughs.

Blinky grumbles at another table, drinking his glug. Claire sighs and rolls her eyes.

"If only Lady Scarlett had managed a single hit! She would've been changed forever." Blinky grumbles.

"All I want is to wail on that Fleshbag again!" The troll laughs.

Suddenly, Scarlett rolls in on her heels. She nudges the troll she sparred with, making him spill his drink.

"That was a wonderful spar earlier. Very enlightening. I'd love to do it again sometime! As long as neither of us die in our next spar, I'm sure we can be wonderful, glorious allies! I'm sure with some training with you, after a while, I will be a glorious warrior, fighting battles and will have the most honourable death!" Scarlett smirks as she rolls over to Blinky and Claire's table and sits down, an evil smile on her face.

"What happened in Australia?" Claire asks.

"Let's just say, I gave a jerk what he deserved." Scarlett smiles, still looking evil.

A few trolls move away from the table, and Blinky and Claire stare in shock.

"Changed forever." Claire whispers.

"Oh, by the way, I never got his name." Scarlett asks.

“Yavo.” Blinky says, still in shock.

#Trollhunting Lantern #Trollhunters #Green Lantern #Crossover

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elizabethemerald · 4 years

Text

While he was in the Darklands (Part 2)

Toby sat on the couch in Jim’s living room, his arm casually thrown over Claire’s shoulder. Barbara was home but he wasn’t wearing the glamour mask. In the past week he had gotten really skilled at slipping the mask on quickly, so now he didn’t have to wear it all the time, only when Barbara was in the room.

He and Claire were both pretending to study. He knew Claire wasn’t actually studying because she had been staring blankly at the same page for the last several minutes, her eyes not even moving. He wondered if her mind was a full as his was. At least she got the chance to actually see Jim. However briefly.

Jim had been so close. Toby, Claire, Blinky and Draal had tried to hold the Krubera back from the Killahead bridge. Claire had gotten her brother back, but Jim was now trapped in the Darklands again, this time there may not be a way to get him out.

Toby and Claire had adamantly refused to discuss the possibility that they would never see Jim again. However the thought weighed heavily on their minds. Especially while they were sitting in his house, on his couch, and hiding the fact that he was gone from his mother. They had both been crying for hours before Barbara got home.

Fortunately, when she did get home, he could put on the glamour mask and there was immediately no sign of his tears. Claire had spent some time in the upstairs restroom to freshen up, before coming down and joining him on the couch.

Toby’s arm across Claire’s shoulder felt more personal now than it had before. Sure he did it partially because they had to play the part of boyfriend and girlfriend. He also did it because they both needed the comfort. She leaned into his side a little more, and he gave her a reassuring squeeze.

At the sound of one of the steps down to the basement creaking Toby quickly pressed the glamour mask to his face. The flash of green light faded before Jim’s mom walked into the kitchen. She was carrying an empty laundry basket under her arm.

“Hey Kiddo, can I get you two something for lunch?” Barbara said as she walked through the living room.

Toby could feel his stomach gurgle with hunger, but he knew Barbara’s attempts at cooking far too well. He glanced at Claire but she held her stomach as if the very idea of food made her sick.

“Uh, I think we’re good. Thanks Dr, uh, mom!” He started sweating under the mask at his slip up.

“Thanks for the offer Dr Lake.” Claire said softly.

“Claire you can call me Barbara if you like.” Barbara said as she started to ascend the stairs. Toby barely heard her whisper to herself. “Dr mom. That’s a new one.”

Once she was up the stairs Toby slipped off his mask. He bumped Claire’s shoulder with his own.

“When was the last time you’ve eaten?” He whispered to her. Claire gave him a sad look.

“Do you mean the last time I’ve eaten, or the last time I was able to keep it down?” Toby sat forward concerned and Claire leaned forward and put her face in her hands with a sigh. “I’ve been so worried about Jim, and trying to maintain this whole lie that I’ve been getting sick after I eat.”

Toby grabbed her and hugged her tight while she pressed her face against him. He could tell, even without seeing her face that Claire was trying her best to fight down tears. He gently rubbed her back while he held her. Then an idea came to him.

“I know I’m not chef Jim.” He said softly. “But maybe we can make something together? Something that will be easier on your stomach. Maybe that will help you keep it down.”

Claire kept her face leaned against his shoulder for a few seconds then she nodded. Toby grabbed the mask and walked with it into the kitchen. Together they grabbed ingredients out of the fridge and utensils out of the drawers.

While they worked together to prepare food Toby did what he was best at. He told jokes, mimicked Jim and Strickler and anyone else they both knew, And just generally helped Claire feel happier. He knew it was only temporary. That sooner or later the stress and anxiety of losing Jim would resurface but for just this moment they could just hang out together and have fun.

Toby heard Barbara start to walk down the stairs and slipped his mask back into place. He noticed for once Claire didn’t flinch when she saw him transform into her missing boyfriend. Instead she continued to look at him fondly. He smiled back at her. The smile was half Jim’s crooked smile and half his own open mouthed smile.

Dr Lake was dressed in her scrubs, ready to head for work. As soon as she was gone they could head down to Trollmarket to talk to Blinky and try to work on a plan to free Jim. They only had to play their parts for a few more minutes. As she walked in, Claire leaned on her tip toes to give Toby a kiss on the cheek.

“Thanks Jim. I’m sure I’ll love this sandwich.” She said. Then she took her sandwich they had made and returned with it to the living room.

Barbara smiled at him, nudged him with an elbow, then shot him a not so subtle wink. Toby didn’t have to fake the blush that crept up his cheeks. He smiled back at her before hurrying to follow Claire.

Only a few short minutes later Barbara’s car was just pulling away. Toby relaxed and removed his mask, carefully returning it to his backpack. He sighed with relief and wiped his face. The inside of the mask always made him sweat.

Claire looked at him for a moment, then pressed forward and gave him another kiss on the cheek.

“Thanks TP. For everything. I really mean it.” Claire said softly.

“Ha, of course! We’re in this together! How could I not?” He laughed, but the laugh didn’t reach his eyes.

He and Jim had found the amulet together. They had faced Changelings, gnomes and Bular together. Toby had thought for a long time that they would do every part of this adventure together. Just the two of them.

Then Claire’s brother was taken. Then she was quite literally dragged into the world of Trolls one night. Then she got the shadow staff. Toby had been jealous of Claire at first, afraid that she would come in between him and Jim, but eventually he realized that she fit in with them so well. Maybe it could be the three of them saving the world together.

Until Jim went into the Darklands by himself. He left his best friend behind. He left his girlfriend behind. Now it was just Toby and Claire, trying to cover for his absence, trying to find some way to free him, trying so, so desperately to support each other, keep each other from falling apart.

He knew he knew Jim better than Claire did, but he was starting to wonder if he would soon know Claire better than Jim did. Would Jim ever find out that Claire was so worried she was throwing up her food? Would Jim ever find out how stressed she was from lying to his mom? Would Jim ever find out that Claire had kissed Toby, several times now, and for the first not when Barbara was around?

Claire finished eating her sandwich and Toby ate his as well. It looked like being able to actually relax and have fun had helped settle her stomach enough that she would be able to keep the food down. He grabbed his hammer and she whirled her shadow staff.

As they stepped through the portal together into the heart of Trollmarket Toby put a comforting arm on Claire’s shoulders. He gave her a light squeeze before she ran forward to Blinky’s library. Jim was gone. And Toby needed to work tirelessly to support Claire, so together they could bring him back. Once he was back, everything would be right again.

#toby domzalski #claire nunez #jim lake junior #Barbara Lake #jlaireby #Trollhunters #tales of arcadia #writing emerald #hammer sword and staff #while he was in the darklands

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magic-and-moonlit-wings · 5 years

Text

Chapter 46: Dinner Party

Becoming The Mask

+=+

Ultimately, Barbara did not ask Draal to leave. She wanted to, but she didn't want to make Jim feel insecure about whether he would be permitted to stay in the house or if Barbara was going to kick him out again.

Then they showed her the hole in the wall, covered by another tarp.

"You're filling that in," she said.

"How else am I supposed to get around during the day?" asked Draal.

"It's a good emergency escape route," Jim lobbied.

"You said there are lots of tunnels under Arcadia, right?" They both nodded. "I don't want random trolls wandering into my house because they got lost. That hole needs a proper door."

"Mr Strickler might know some warding spells," said Jim. "'Authorized personnel only'."

Once these matters were settled, Draal and Jim helped Barbara find her canvases and easel. She backed her car into the driveway and set up her painting supplies in the garage.

That space would probably be easier to air out than the basement anyway. She'd just have to move or cover any works-in-progress before opening the garage door in bad weather.

Barbara breathed a sigh of relief when Jim put down the last paint cans he'd carried for her and left the garage, shutting the door behind him. She opened a colour at random – green – dipped in a wide brush, and started to fill the white canvas with a new background colour in wide, rough strokes.

Filling in a background colour was how Barbara warmed up. Move your arm from the shoulder. Don't worry about being precise. Long lines. Loose curves. Something tighter now, to fill in that blank spot.

Barbara went over the edges of the canvas and painted the sides stretched over the frame as well. She gave those a minute to dry, then rotated the canvas ninety degrees so all four sides were painted. This was why she often started by orienting her rectangular canvases landscape-style, longer side up, when she usually painted portrait-style.

She rinsed her brush in a mug of water and selected orange paint, next. On a piece of cardboard she thought would make a decent palette, Barbara mixed the orange with yellow, a bit at a time, to lighten it until she got the shade she wanted.

She began slashing streaks of orange through the green. It was like lava rippling through a jungle, or amber peaking out of a moss-covered stone.

Barbara had created a tangle of orange streaks and was rinsing her brush while considering her next colour when she realized Jim had called her 'Mom' earlier. She dropped her brush into the water.

He hadn't called her that since she'd kicked him out. She'd been avoiding asking why. Barbara didn't want to push Jim to forgive her for kicking him out if he wasn't ready, or to keep lying to her if he genuinely didn't see her as his mother. (That thought made her chest hurt.)

Had he realized what he was saying? It had been a very charged moment, with her afraid and Jim and Draal both in pain. But he said it more than once …

It could have been a reflex, after sixteen years of habit.

It could have been to manipulate her emotionally, finally hearing it again as he was asking her for something. Barbara discarded this thought almost immediately and felt terrible for having it cross her mind. Jim had heard her screaming and thought she was in danger, and then he had been in pain. It was far more likely he didn't realize what he was saying than that he'd planned out that entire encounter.

Barbara steadied her breathing and picked up the brush, wiping it on some old newspaper to coax out the excess water.

She would wait and see if Jim called her 'Mom' again. She would not be pushy. She wouldn't mention it until and unless he did.

She picked blue for her next colour.

+=+

Jim didn't realize, until after everyone was calm again and Barbara was painting in the garage, that he had slipped up and called her 'Mom'.

Several times.

It had been only a matter of time, really, since he thought of her that way half the time. Hopefully she hadn't noticed.

Jim had avoided addressing Barbara as 'Mom' since she found out he was a Changeling. He couldn't stand the thought of her telling him not to call her that. Likewise, he had been avoiding physical contact so he wouldn't have to risk her flinching from his touch.

If she still wanted to touch him, she would initiate it. If she wanted him to call her 'Mom', she'd … bring it up at some point, whenever she noticed he'd stopped. Jim wasn't quite willing to call her 'Barbara' or 'Dr Lake' to her face to prompt that conversation, though … just in case she really didn't want him to call her 'Mom' anymore.

Avoidance. A Changeling life skill.

He curled up on the couch and pulled up one of the seat cushions to hug it. A seat cushion was more substantial than a throw pillow. Jim had some stuffed animals in his room still, but he didn't feel like going upstairs.

He really missed how casually he and Barbara had hugged before she found out about trolls. Jim had hugged Toby and Nana and those of Nana's cats which enjoyed that kind of thing while he was staying with the Domzalskis, but it wasn't the same, and Toby was inconsistent about whether he was willing to get hugged in public so Jim had fewer opportunities for contact now that he was back home.

Jim looked at the windows. There shouldn't be any witnesses …

But it was still light out, and the curtains were open today.

So, ultimately, he didn't switch forms. His sense of smell while human-shaped wasn't that bad; he could still tell that his mother had been on this couch recently, even if the scent wasn't as clear.

He huddled on the couch hugging the cushion until his stomach rumbled.

+=+

There was a knock on the door connecting the garage to the house.

"Come in?" Barbara wasn't surprised to see Jim, but she was surprised he'd knocked instead of just opening the door.

"Should I make dinner, or did you want take out?"

She hadn't realized she was getting hungry until his question reminded her of food.

"… How about you cook?"

He grinned hugely.

+=+

"Draal taste-tested and confirmed it; trolls officially love your cooking."

"I'm not sure how to feel about that," Barbara admitted. It had been two days since she'd met their basement lodger, and now Draal and some other trolls from Trollmarket were going to join her and Jim for dinner.

It was also the first time in years that she and Jim were cooking together. Trolls apparently enjoyed a number of things which Barbara would consider unfit for consumption. So, although gratifying to hear her cooking complimented, it was unflattering to have it fall into the category of 'troll food'.

They were making quiches as the main dish. One was set aside for Barbara. Several others were baking in disposable foil baking pans, which Jim explained would be considered part of the entrée. The Lakes had purchased extra cutlery at a thrift store, since that would likely end up eaten too.

The quiches were in large rectangular pans, except for the human-safe one Jim baked that morning in a traditional round pie pan. The pie crust was based on Nancy Domzalski's recipe. Barbara cracked four dozen eggs for the larger egg pies, which looked more like egg casseroles, and blended the eggs with heavy cream. Cheese, mushrooms, and spinach followed. She sprinkled the crushed eggshells on top like a garnish and put the first two in the oven.

Jim put together some appetisers, which Barbara thought looked distinctly unappetizing. A bunch of cut-up plastic of various types, coffee grounds, and crumpled labels from recycled cans and jars had been arranged inside the clear jars like parfaits, while the metal cans were filled with wadded newspaper around a 'meaty centre'.

He also sliced some vegetables into disks and arranged them into dainty little sandwich-like stacks for Barbara and himself.

Barbara thought about dressing up, since they were having guests, but in the rush after work to help with dinner she didn't have time to change out of her scrubs. Jim would've taken care of the meal on his own, she was sure, but Barbara had issued the invitation, Barbara was the hostess, and by golly Barbara was going to cook at least some of the food.

She switched the first two quiches for the second two, and then she and Jim went downstairs to wait with Draal. Their guests were coming in through the basement tunnel, which still didn't have a proper door.

When Blinky and AAARRRGGHH arrived, Blinky in pants and suspenders with no shirt and AAARRRGGHH naked, Barbara was glad she hadn't had time to change. The trolls might not have known enough about human culture to notice, but she would've felt overdressed.

"Welcome to our home." She smiled and hoped showing teeth wasn't threatening in troll body language or something.

"It's an absolute delight to be here," said Blinky. He proffered a box. "We brought a small contribution to the meal. These are called 'salty niblets'. The young humans seem to enjoy them," which implied they should be safe for Barbara to eat.

"Is Vendel coming later, or could he not make it?" asked Jim.

"I … to be honest, I elected not to pass on your invitation," Blinky admitted. "It was almost guaranteed to be declined. Vendel has not left the Heartstone in over a century."

"Sure he has. I've seen him all over Trollmarket."

"To leave Trollmarket is to leave the Heartstone. You've felt how its power extends even to the entrance. Beyond the boundaries that its magics are harnessed to maintain, the Heartstone becomes more difficult to sense, even for the magically adept. One of Vendel's many duties as the market's Elder is to tend the Heartstone. He would only leave that post under circumstances of great urgency."

"Like talking down a human who might be considering exposing the existence of trolls?"

Barbara flushed. She wanted to demure, to set her guests at ease, but Jim had a point. She still wasn't convinced that hiding trolls from humans was the best course of action.

"We're eating upstairs," she said instead. "The curtains are all shut." It was night, but there could be passersby.

The stairs proved to be a challenge. AAARRRGGHH, the last to climb up, was … very large, and struggled with the doorway at the top. Barbara cringed as the stairs groaned and hoped the steps weren't going to give way under the troll's weight. But he extracted himself with only minor incident – the vibration through the wall knocked down a picture, luckily one without a glass covering – and they all made it to the table. Jim had set up cushion piles in lieu of chairs.

"Nice house. Pretty," said AAARRRGGHH. He sampled a vegetable hors d'oeuvre. It was comically tiny between his fingers, each finger being bigger around than Barbara's arm.

"Thank you." Barbara tried one of the salty niblets. They had a pleasant crunch.

"AAARRRGGHH couldn't get inside when we came to inform Master Jim of his calling," said Blinky. "Draal's tunnel is a great convenience." The six-eyed troll had a few eyes on their living room through the door. "I see you're an avid reader, Dr Lake."

"When I have time." A significant number of their books she hadn't actually read in years, or she had received as gifts but never gotten around to reading, but she couldn't bring herself to give them away in case of that mythical day when she would have time for them. Her reference books and a few favourite novels were opened most often. "I remember you had quite a library?"

"One of the largest collections of troll lore in the world. Curated by my brother," said Blinky proudly, then seemed to freeze. He frowned and added, ominously, "before."

His hands clenched. Blinky's hands were much closer to human-sized, although not scaled the same. His forearms were nearly as broad as his hands, with barely any indentation denoting his wrists, and his fingers were quite short.

"Well, there's a loaded word," said Barbara, trying to lighten the mood and back away from what was clearly a sensitive topic. "And Jim says you train him. I assume that's somewhere else."

"The Hero's Forge," said Draal, attempting to raise his fist dramatically and nearly punching the ceiling before catching himself. Actually, Barbara noted, none of the trolls present had much distinguishing where their hand met their forearm. Draal had the most, in the form of a strip of leather tied around one wrist.

"It's something of an arena," said Blinky, "as I'm sure Master Jim has mentioned. But the Forge serves not only as a training ground and memorial to the fallen – many grand events take place there. For example, have you ever heard of Pyrobligst?"

It was a sport, apparently. The description Blinky and Draal gave, punctuated by occasional comments from AAARRRGGHH, sounded like a mix between basketball and gladiator combat.

"Between the first and second half is the Scalding Hour," said Draal.

"You do what now-er?" Jim asked, looking deeply unsettled.

"When competitors seal their wounds with burning hot metal."

"Is that normal troll medicine?" asked Barbara, "or another part of the competition?"

"Oh, no, metal sealant is quite commonplace, should a troll be injured enough to need it," said Blinky.

"Hold stone together," said AAARRRGGHH. "Strong, but … can move. Won't chip. Can stretch." He looked at Blinky, who said "Flexible" softly, and AAARRRGGHH repeated it. "Flex-able. And minerals help, heal faster."

"I assume different metals would have different properties for this?" said Barbara, intrigued.

"Oh, yes," agreed Blinky, "depending on the troll's own mineral type and the nature of the injury. It's not just to prevent deep fractures from splitting further. A surface coating of aluminum, for example, can speed the healing of sunburn."

"Humans use aloe vera for that."

All the trolls turned to her and leaned closer, eyes wide and mouths slightly open. Barbara stepped back from the abrupt scrutiny. Was aloe poisonous to trolls or something?

"Humans sunburn?"

"Not the way you're thinking," said Jim. "It takes a few hours of direct exposure and it's usually just skin damage. Uncomfortable, but not fatal." To Barbara, he said, "Sunburns for trolls are more like … third-degree burns for a human."

She grimaced. Working in the ER rather than a burn ward, she didn't see burns that severe on a regular basis, for which she was grateful.

"And speaking of burning things," Jim continued, "we made quiche for dinner, and some of them just might be a little burnt."

Barbara didn't consider that an appetizing segue, but Blinky and AAARRRGGHH apparently did because they both had their ears twitch upwards. She assumed that meant 'excitement'. Draal didn't have noticeable ears – maybe they were hidden by his horns – but he tilted his head back and sniffed the air appreciatively.

Blinky was the only guest to bother cutting his quiche into smaller pieces. Draal and AAARRRGGHH simply picked the pans up and bit into them, as Barbara might with a brownie.

Jim, with a wary look at everyone, switched to his troll form and cut himself a slice of the quiche that had been intended for Vendel. Barbara jumped when he transformed – everyone did, she realized after the fact, and everyone carefully did not comment on it.

He had five fingers like this, Barbara observed, and his hands were noticeably wider than his forearms – she had noticed the four-fingered hands of her guests and been trying to remember whether Jim had five fingers as a troll or if she was conflating his troll-form hand and human-form hand in her memory.

To avoid staring at Jim, Barbara turned to Blinky and AAARRRGGHH and voiced another thing she'd been wondering about. (It wasn't really any of her business, but even awkward conversation had to be better than everyone staring silently at Jim.) The two trolls were obviously close, but the finer details eluded her.

"At the risk of being rude, I'm curious; what exactly is your relationship with one another?"

"Dating." AAARRRGGHH put down his quiche and bumped Blinky's upper shoulder with his knuckles. Blinky reached up and put his hand on AAARRRGGHH's, the three eyes nearest AAARRRGGHH turning to look fondly at him.

"We've been romantically involved for almost two centuries now."

"Wow." Barbara's mind boggled at that time span. And you couldn't make it to ten years, sneered a nasty voice in the back of her mind that she forcefully pushed down. "How'd you meet?"

+=+

Previous Chapter (Barbara finds Draal in the basement)

Table of Contents

Next Chapter (Glug tells the story of the Shattered King)

I'm not going into AAARRRGGHH and Blinky's backstory yet because I haven't decided whether I want to use how the comics claim it happened or go with something else; sorry. I have, however, officially decided they are not married yet, so I can do a wedding story arc later – I will presumably recap their relationship at some point during the engagement.

According to Wikipedia, 'entrée' outside of North America refers most often to food served prior to the meal, also called an 'appetizer' or 'starter', or as one of the early courses in a multi-course meal. Inside North America, which is the context I am familiar with, an entrée refers to the main dish of the meal.

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tigereyes45 · 5 years

Text

Should Be

Entry for @infogremlinmelise ‘s contest.

Prompts used: Dark prompt Lost, and slightly some Injury

Ship: Angor Rot/Draal

Draal doesn’t remember waking up. He also doesn’t remember how he ended up above all the water in the crystal cave. Why the cave was almost filled completely with water was another question. Where the others were, was his largest. He sits alone, hugging his legs to his chest with his remaining arm. The cave was filled with the echoes of air from outside. It almost sounded like humans moaning. When they get loud he thinks of them.

He thinks of training Jim in the backyard. Of Toby always trailing right behind the trollhunter. Even when he didn’t have a weapon. He thinks of Claire and how easily she impressed Trollmarket. He thinks of Blinky and Aaarrrgghh!!! watching after the humans. They did so with such an air of care. He knew they could be gentle. Draal had just never seen so much of it from other trolls before.

He misses his family. Searching the filled-in cave for his arm was slowly driving him insane.

____________________________________________

Angor Rot woke up in darkness. It wasn’t the first time. He had been locked in darkness for so many years before. His soul trapped inside of Morgana’s grasp. Angor flinches. He isn’t sure if it is at the thought or the neverending quiet. Now he knows that his soul is no longer hers. He became his own again. Whole, with just a sliver of her power that he had asked for in the beginning.

This isn’t The Shadow Realm. He knows that much at least. It doesn’t feel like he’s swimming. The dark is there, but there is no substance in it. He couldn’t really move. There was nothing. Angor tries to move his limbs. Stretching was all he could manage. This place was an absence. A black hole where anything unlucky enough to fall in is sealed away. It’s not where Morgana went. So at least she was somewhere else. He knows it could be worse.

He should be dead. The trollhunters must believe he is. So why wasn’t he?

____________________________________________

Draal doesn’t know how long it was before he got up. He never found his arm. So he climbed out alone. He fell into the water a few times. Even as he left he could still hear the sounds of his splashing vibrating off the walls. The water sings a song as he runs into a caved-in entrance.

The water forms a beat along with his moves. He would throw a rock away, then a wave would smack the wall. Another rock more waves. It almost lulls him into a trance. The only thing that keeps Draal from falling into a dull sense of living was a bit of sunshine. It caught on his horns before ever gracing his eyes. Yet the flash was just enough to pull his attention away from his work.

It was at the very top. Just a little crack at the top of the cave in. It was the first time he had seen natural light. The glow of the crystals had begun to feel normal. Now Draal remembers how ethereal they were the first time he saw them. When he realizes what the light means, Draal’s chest falls. He would have to wait for nightfall, or else he would die as soon as he escapes.

He sighs out of frustration. If he had both hands he would have slammed them together. Instead, all Draal can do is slide his back down a wall, and the back of his arm into it. He was trapped.

____________________________________________

Angor Rot covers his eyes when a bright light appears. It was as bright as the sun on a hot afternoon. He would never understand humans. The light grows larger. It replaces all the darkness in this realm. He thinks to run from it, but remembers he could not move. The dark was empty. Angor Rot was sure the light would be just as empty.

As it engulfs him he burns. His skin grows hard as the light swallows him whole. He has no idea what was happening, but this must be his way to die. This would finally kill him.

____________________________________________

Draal crawls out of the cave as soon as there was enough space. He wouldn’t say it was slipping out as much as scraping his body over the pile of stones. Besides a few sparks, scratches, and his teeth aching, it was over quickly. Relatively painlessly. Blinky would have something for him. If the pain even lasts that long. Draal imagines it is a long walk back to Trollmarket. Especially since he has no memories of how he got here.

Days were spent wandering around aimlessly. He chose to go opposite of the waterfall. Following the stars he recognized. They were just as strange as this place was.

____________________________________________

Angor woke up in the middle of a forest. A leaf landing in his empty eye socket startled him up. He threw his arm out. An attempt to push back any enemy. The leaf falls gently into his lap.

It was an ugly crusty brown. There were small holes scattered throughout it. It was dead and decaying. Just like him. He had been the leaf for hundreds of years now.

A crash through the trees and Angor was back on the ground. Pinned under a large blue troll he is stuck on his back. He reaches for his knife. Grasping at empty air he realizes it must have gone where Morgana had.

"Who are you?" He asks cautiously growing still. He could not fight if he could not get up. Already his strength refused to move the giant troll.

The troll shifts slowly above him. Careful to avoid the sunspots breaking through the leaves. His large horns have speckles of grey in them now. He was burnt.

The apologetic look on Draal's face quickly changes to disdain.

"You!"

____________________________________________

Draal was angry. How had he found Angor Rot here? Did the assassin stay behind to make sure he was dead? The caves were a few days travel away now. If that was his job he was doing poorly at it.

Draal pins the ancient troll's hands down. He would have no tricks from him today. "Why are you out here Angor Rot?"

"I could ask you the same thing, but I assure you I have no idea."

The confusion he felt must have been clear as a full moon on his face. Angor's eye rolls in its socket. "You've been gone for a while. Were you lost little warrior?"

He squeezes his arms tightly. Once he hears the slight cracking Draal lessens his grip. The other troll looks unbothered. If anything he was only slightly annoyed. “Do not talk down to me,”

“Hard to do from on the ground. If you want to get back to the trollhunter then get off.”

“You know where Jim is?”

“Last time I saw him, he was in Arcadia.”

“So do you know where we are?”

“No,” Angor Rot admits looking mildly bored now. “But I have ways to find out.”

Draal sneers and pushes his face closer. “How do I know this isn’t one of Gunmar’s tricks?”

“Gunmar is dead.”

That was enough to cause Draal to lax his hold. He falls back a little as the news settles in. Gunmar was dead? How long had he been trapped? How had he survived Angor Rot’s poison? Draal’s world felt as if it was collapsing in on him. He needed to get back to his friends. Now.

____________________________________________

Angor jumps out of Draal’s hold. The larger blue troll looks stun. He brushes off some of the dead forest remains. The troll must have been lost and alone for days at least. The last time he had seen him was, wait.

“How did you survive?”

“I woke up in the crystal cave. It was filled with water. I spent so much time alone, watching my reflection in the water, trying to find my,” his words drift off as he looks at the stump.

“H-how did Gunmar die?”

“The trollhunter killed him.”

“He did?” A bit of pride slips into his voice. His body straightens up a bit. Draal seems to forget all about the fact that they were enemies.

“Yes,” Angor looks around the forest. The sun was beginning to sink. “Where are the caves from here?”

Draal gestures towards the SouthEast of them. He looks up at the setting sun with annoyance. With how many sun poison spots he had, it had caused him plenty of grievance today.

“Why did he not kill you?”

It was a reasonable question. Angor had expected it to come sooner. “I betrayed Morgana.”

His eyes grow wide and Draal once again grabs Angor with his good hand. “Morgana! She was freed? Jim, was he-”

“Fine son of Kajingar. Jim was fine. The girl, Claire, sealed her away.”

A smile spreads over Draal’s face as light fills his eyes. He wraps his arm around Angor and lifts him up with ease. “Great news! That, that is just great news!” He drops him and cheers. “I must get back. The trollhunter has had quite an adventure during my absence.”

With curiosity he watches Draal cheer. “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do you need to get back? The trollhunter is doing fine without you.” He didn’t know the changes Jim had gone through. Or how Arcadia has changed. Would any of them still be there? After all, neither of them know how long they had been away.

“It doesn’t matter if he needs me. I swore to protect the trollhunter. So I will return to do just that.”

“Do you have any idea where you’re going?”

Draal’s silence answers all of his questions.

“You would never make it back. The sun would take you before then.”

“I must try!” There was the temper Angor was used to. It was the first familiar thing he had experienced since returning. Maybe the light had a reason for freeing him. Perhaps some greater power wanted him he. Or this could all be another trick from Morgana. If she had found a way to still manipulate the world with her powers from the Shadow Realm then she truly was unstoppable.

“Do you know the way?” Draal asks watching him suspiciously now.

“Yes,” he lies.

“Then show me.”

“Why?”

Draal looks down at his arm. He couldn’t think of a reason.

“If I help you back then I want a guarantee.”

“A guarantee?”

“From the trollhunter. A guarantee that I can go and be left alone. I don’t want to fight anymore. WIth Gunmar dead and Morgana sealed I have earned my peace. You are his guardian. You can convince Jim to make the promise.”

“How do you know he will keep it?”

Angor raises an eyebrow. The trollhunter was a lot of things but he had only ever broken his word once. To simply leave someone alone, well that was a simple task for him to keep.

Draal laughs. “True.” He had said nothing, and yet Draal knew the truth. Jim was honorable. More so then most of the trolls he surrounds himself with. He holds out his hand.

“We have a deal?”

“Yes.” Draal agrees and Angor pushes his hand down.

“Follow me son of Kajingar. Or else we will be lost in these woods forever.”

Without argument, he falls behind Angor. Silence fills the air between them as they move from shade to shade. They had until sunrise to find safety. As well as several days journey to make it back. It would be agonizing, he is sure. He had never known the warrior to be quiet save for when he was under Gunmar’s control. He would have questions. After all, Angor had been the one to try and kill him. He was also the one who betrayed his own side at the last minute. Draal had no idea what happened after the cave.

He knew nothing about Merlin or Morgana. Had no idea of Gunmar’s defeat or Jim’s change. These days would be filled with Draal asking questions. With Angor deflecting most of them. In a way, he was looking forward to seeing the other trolls face. It would be interesting, to say the least. If he survives the long journey ahead with Angor.

#Angor Rot/Draal #I know this is almost late #I kind of forgot about the contest #Sorry haha #But I'll use any reason to write these two #I love this ship #Angor Rot #Draal #Trollhunters #toa #Tales of arcadia #fanfiction #fanfic #ff #ao3 #Draal/angor rot

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im-the-king-of-the-ocean · 5 years

Text

Recipe for Success

Inspired by an ask sent in by @eurydykakaput some time back where Aja proposes to Jim and they get engaged (I started writing this soon after the ask but I had to break from it to ensure my Morgana story would be ready for posting on time).

Anyway, here’s a short story where, soon after Fialkov and Coranda (Aja’s parents) fully recover, they have a ‘meet the parents’-type dinner.

“So, my Akiridion may be a little rusty, but I’m fairly certain this means we’re supposed to let it cook for twenty minutes.” Stuart looks up from the recipe page in his interplanetary cookbook.

“Cook or simmer?” Jim, not for the first time, asks for clarification. He’s learned by now that he should.

“Yeah, so technically, it says we should let it ‘energize’ for twenty mekrons, but we don’t have an Akiridion Energizer, so I’d say the oven is our best bet.” Stuart scratches the back of his head. He smiles reassuringly at Jim. “It’s worth a try. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen?”

Wordlessly, Jim points to Attempt #6, still clinging adamantly to the ceiling.

“I see your point. But, we know what went wrong there, so we won’t make the same again. This’ll all work out. You’ll see, Jimmy.”

“Don’t.” Jim winces. “Call me ‘Jimmy’.”

“Okay, yeah, didn’t sound right coming out of the mouth.”

Jim sighs. “It’s fine.” He runs a hand over one of his horns.

“Hey, something wrong?” Stuart walks over to Jim and reaches up to place a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Other than, you know, my poor choice in attempted nicknames? I know we don’t know each other that well, but you can talk to me.”

Jim brushes off Stuart’s hand. “Just nerves, I guess. I want—I need—this to go well. I really like Aja.” He pauses. “I don’t exactly have a good track record of getting girlfriends’ parents to like me, and they’re royalty.” He throws out his hands in front of him. “They can literally command she never see me again and it’ll actually mean something. This has to go well.”

“Ah, but you are forgetting,” Krel says as he walks in Stuart’s kitchen. “Just how stubborn Aja is. All because we are royalty, it doesn’t mean she will listen if she doesn’t want to.” He examines Stuart’s oven. “This isn’t going to be enough to do what you want it do. But.” He took out something that looked like a screwdriver but wasn’t from his pocket. “Give me a horvath, I’ll see what I can do.” He grins at Jim.

“You haven’t been returning any of my texts, how did you—?”

“It’s an old Akiridion tradition to let our siblings’ significant others struggle a bit before helping them. Also, listening in on your rather humorous attempts to make Akiridion food without the proper equipment was quite enjoyable.” Krel unscrews the oven door. He takes a glowing ball out of his pocket, pokes it so it’ll grow from its traveling size to its regular one, and sets it to start emitting music. “Now, out. Both of you. I need time to work without you two cluttering up my workspace.” He shoos them out of the kitchen.

...

Jim looks up at the familiar lights of his house, and gulps. His hands tighten protectively around the dish he, Stuart, and Krel prepared.

This is it.

Aja appears in the doorway, and then runs out to wrap her arms around him. “I’m so glad you’re finally here,” she whispers in his ear before kissing his cheek. “I think Mama and Papa freak out your mother.”

“Oh,” Jim responds. “Be careful!” He quickly follows up with, as Aja almost knocks the dish out of his hands. “We spent hours making it!”

“What is it?” Aja pokes the dish’s lid.

“A surprise. For dinner.” Jim grins.

Aja tries to pry the lid off.

Jim stops her. “I told you, it’s a surprise.” He clamps a hand down on the lid. “So, you aren’t allowed to see it.”

“Pleeeease?” Aja pouts. “For me.”

“It is for you.” Jim sidesteps around Aja. “You’ll see it when we sit down to eat.” He heads into the house, purposefully ignoring how Aja harrumphs after him.

Inside, both Jim and Aja’s parents are on the couch. Fialkov and Coranda tower above Barbara, who, given her body language, is indeed unnerved. Just a little bit. Though, it’s more likely that’s because her potential in-laws are royalty rather than extraterrestrials.

Yesterday, she’d tried to pick Jim’s brain for all he knew on how to properly welcome Akiridion royalty into one’s home. Jim reassured his mom; because they were on Earth, far, far away from Akiridion-5 and its courts, Aja’s parents were perfectly fine with a dinner that followed human traditions. Or, at least, that’s what they told Aja to tell Jim to tell Barbara.

Regardless, it is clear Jim’s mother isn’t completely comfortable, but she’s doing her best.

“Jim’s here!” Aja rushes up beside him and yells. One of her hands reaches for the lid over his dish again, and he has to maneuver away from her a second time. “And he brought a surprise.” She gestures to the dish.

All eyes turn to Jim. He gulps, and decides perhaps it is the best time to reveal what he’s made after all.

Jim removes the lid. “In your honor,” he speaks to Fialkov and Coranda. “I’ve made yuuxurki.” He shows them the food. “Made with substituted ingredients indigenous to Earth and with help from Krel and Stuart of Durio.” After quickly glancing at Aja’s parents, he adds, “As a way to merge Akiridion and Earth cuisine. It probably won’t taste the same as what you’re used to, but I hope you enjoy it.”

Gently, Coranda takes the yuuxurki from Jim. She smiles at him. “It looks delicious. Thank you, James.” She holds up his offering so Fialkov can examine it too.

“You could have told me that outside,” Aja whispers to Jim while their parents are distracted.

Jim whispers back, “I was planning on having a better reveal, but you drew attention to it too early.”

“You should have told me that’s what you were going to do.”

“I did. I told you it was a surprise. You’re just impatient.” Jim gives her a pointed look.

“I am not.” Aja blushes. A dark turquoise color Jim finds cute takes over her cheeks. “So, maybe I am. But, if you are to be my Prince Consort, you must learn to tell me things before everyone else.”

“So, I can never surprise you?” Jim teases. “I thought you like my surprises.”

Aja retorts, “I do. You are being impossible.”

“Oh, I-”

“Don’t stop. I like it.”

“Ahem.” Barbara coughs to get their attention. “We should probably sit down before everything gets cold.”

“No, no, let them continue.” Fialkov joins the conversation. “Personally, I would like to see how far they’d go.”

Coranda adds, “Their banter is rather cute.” She turns to Fialkov. “Reminds me of us when we were young.”

“Mama!” Aja groans.

Jim takes her hand in his and squeezes. “Don’t listen to them,” he whispers in her ear. “We can tease them back over dinner.”

“You have a plan?”

“I was hoping you’d help me come up with something, since, you know, you’re more creative.”

Aja grins at Jim. “Of course.”

Together, they walk over to the dinner table.

…

Jim stretches as he prepares for bed. Barbara offered him the chance to sleep in his old room, and he’d taken her up on that.

A knock on his window makes him jump. Jim spins around in time to see a blue hand disappear up onto the roof. He smiles, and then climbs out the window after it.

“Aren’t you supposed to be home?” Jim asks Aja as he sits down beside her.

“But this is my home too.” Aja laughs. She stops and says, “I think that went well. Don’t you?”

“I think your parents like me,” Jim answers. “They didn’t seem to not like me, anyway. And I know my mom already likes you a lot.”

Aja strokes his arm. “They do. They think you’re brave and kind and patient, which will be good for me.” She rolls her eyes. “Papa already wants to start teaching you how to be a good Prince Consort.” Suddenly, her expression turns serious. “Jim, can you promise me something?”

“Yes. Anything.”

“Before we settle down into the royal life, we’ll go adventuring together. Anywhere we want. Just you and me.”

Jim kisses the tip of her nose. “I know for a fact Blinky would love to help us build our very own spaceship.” He cups her cheek. “I will follow you anywhere.” He quickly pecks her on the lips and then lays down beside her. “I would like to see a planet other than Earth sometime in my life too.” He pauses. “But maybe not Durio.”

Aja giggles. “You did not just assume the first planet I’d take you is Durio.”

“Maybe I did.”

“You’re impossible, Mr. Troll Boy.”

“Well, so are you, Girl From Beyond The Stars.”

“So, we’re impossible together.”

“It would appear so.”

#trollhunters #3below #ajim #aja tarron #jim lake jr #blue omelettes #moments of connection #short and fluffy #barbara lake #queen coranda #king fialkov #stuart of durio #krel tarron #whirls writing

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hantheheart · 5 years

Text

A Boy And His Dog

Chapter 4

The next morning, Jim and Lacey are running out to the dentist’s office, the boy desperate to talk to someone about the whole madness of the last few days.

He pulls his bike up to the small office building and heads inside, Lacey plopping herself on the bench outside to watch the birds flying over head. She can hear the people inside talking through the walls. Her boy is clearly freaking out in there, trying to talk to his best friend over the whirring of instruments that make the dog’s ears hurt.

She whines loudly and covers her ears as the whirring gets louder and Toby screams.

---___---

“Eight hours!” Jim fusses, pacing the kitchen floor. Toby moves his jaw about, running his tongue over his teeth. “I can’t believe it takes eight hours!”

Lacey sits by the back door, watching the two boys talk until Jim pulls the amulet from his bag. Her ears perk up and she trots over.

“Are we gonna show him the cool thing?!” She asks excitedly and Jim grins down at her.

“Yeah, hang-” He stops and looks over at Toby as if just realizing something. “Hey, uh, Tobes?”

“Hm?” Toby raises an eyebrow skeptically, looking between the two.

“Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

Jim frowns and glances back down at Lacey who whines and paws at his jeans. “So you don’t…”

“I told you! It’s that thingy! It lets you hear me!” She yips and circles his legs before standing beside him excitedly. “C’mon, show him the cool thing!”

“She’s acting kinda weird today Jimbo, is this what you’re worried about?” Toby holds a box of frozen pizza to his face.

“Wha- no, no Lacey… Lacey’s fine.” Jim sighs and ruffles the fur atop her head. “It’s this amulet Tobes. Just watch for a sec.” He takes a deep breath and stares at the amulet. “For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine-”

The microwave dings and Toby pulls a piece of pizza out to eat. He stops midway to his mouth and clears his throat. “Go on.” He encourages.

Jim sighs and rubs the back of his head with a sigh. “It worked yesterday.”

Lacey sighs and sits by the door as Toby struggles to shut the microwave. “Are you punking me right now?”

“Okay. Wait, wait, wait, wait.” Jim closes his eyes as Toby turn to lean against the counter. He takes a deep breath and the amulet begins to shake in his grasp.

The little wisps of light appear from the amulet and fly to Jim’s chest and he begins to float as Toby gasps. The armor materializes and slams together around Jim yet again. He lands with a surprised gasp, taking a step back and grinning.

“How cool is that?!” Jim exclaims, gesturing down at the armor and looking to Toby. The other boy gapes, a breathless “what?” he draws out as Jim steps closer.

“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!” Toby says quickly, inspecting his friend’s new coverings. “So cool! So cool! So cool!”

“That’s what I said!” Lacey yips, bounding over.

“Yeah! A-and Tobes!” Jim gestures to Lacey with a grin. “She can do it to! A-and I can talk to her!”

As if to prove it, lights fly from the amulet on Jim’s chest to the pup who levitates slightly as armor appears for her. She drops back to the ground and bounds around the two, excitedly barking.

“We’re so cool!” Lacey stops beside Jim and nudges his hand with her head. “Right?”

“You can talk to your dog?!” Toby gapes and looks down at Lacey. “Like, actually actually talk to her?!”

“Like words!” Jim grins as Toby drops to his knees to look at the excited dog’s armor. “And I think it’s cause of this amulet!”

“This is awesome dude!” Toby gets back up, putting a hand on the amulet to inspect it slightly closer. “You know what this means, right?” He puts a hand to his mouth thoughtfully. “You have a sacred responsibility here!” He walks away, Jim grinning toothily.

“That’s what they said!”

Toby excitedly spins around, laughing under his breath as he exclaims some more, only stopping to take a bite of pizza. “You have to use these new powers for the benefit of all mankind!” He takes another, aggressive, bite of pizza. “You have to use this to kick Steve’s butt!”

Jim narrows his eyes, frowning slightly. “Really? I show you a glowing sword-” He turns, pointing over his shoulders at the blade. “And a suit of armor-” He gestures down at himself, Lacey barking in agreement “-that can only be magic! And that’s how you respond?!”

Toby grins. “Seriously! It’s butt kickin’ time!” He makes some chopping motions and mimics a move that he must’ve seen a movie, then looks down with a realization, a hand on his own hip. “These pants are so elastic. Wait, also-” He stands face to face with Jim. “Who’s they?”

“Well that’s the part that I’ve been freaking out over!” A loud knocking interrupts the boys, Lacey barking loudly and putting herself between the two and the door. In the back door’s window, appears the four eyed blue troll from the night before, waving excitedly and smiling.

Toby gasps and points at the door. “Wh-what the heck is that?!” Lacey growls and lowers her front to the ground. “D-don’t open the door!” Just as the troll bursts in with a laugh.

“Master Jim!” He gestures at Jim grandly. Toby yelps and ducks behind Jim for a moment.

“I-I’m calling 911!” He stutters only to scream in terror and grab Jim’s shoulder as the other troll from before tries to get in the door. “No, animal control!” Toby yells and ducks behind the kitchen counters.

Lacey barks at the blue troll, snapping her teeth as she bounces at him and then away with a loud growling. He frowns and shakes his leg at her as if that would shoo her off before turning back to Jim.

“I knew it was but a matter of time before the amulet called to us!”

“Called to you?” Jim asks, surprised.

“Actually, no.” The blue troll leans closer to Jim and puts hand close to his mouth like it would make this more secret. “We’ve been spying on you.”

“Spy on you.” The bigger troll, still stuck in the door, emphasizes by making an ‘eyes on you’ gesture and chuckles, then attempting to get in through the door.

“Weellll, keeping a close watch.” Blinky corrects himself as Lacey plants herself firmly between him and her boy, growling softly. All three jump slightly as AAARRRGGHH finally makes it through the door with a loud thud.

“Door small.” He says with soft huff and an apologetic look at Jim.

Toby’s voice is easily understandable as he panics, begging the animal control woman that answered his call to send help. AAARRRGGHH leans over the counter to look down at him. Lacey whines and moves closer to Jim, sticking her head under his hand.

“You told your stout little friend about us?” Blinky clasps one set of hands and gestures to Toby with the other, frowning nervously.

“Um… is that a problem?”

“Well it’s our problem so he can fuck right off!” Lacey barks, snapping her teeth at Blinky with bared teeth, the troll yelping and trying to shake her off.

Jim balks for a moment and looks at Lacey with concerned surprise. “Where the heck did you hear that from?!”

“You mom!” Lacey turns to Jim with a lolled tongue and happy eyes. “She says stuff like that all the time!”

“Well you can’t just say stuff like that!” Jim kneels down to hold her face between his hands. “Especially not in front of people!”

“They can’t heaaarrr mee!” She whines, putting a paw on his shoulder. “You couldn’t either till yesterday so why’s it matter?!”

Jim sighs and shakes his head. “You can’t say stuff like that anymore. Period. Okay?” She whines loudly and leans her head into his hand, a muttered ‘fine’ the only answer she gives.

“Uh, Jimbo?” Jim and Lacey both look up. Both Trolls and Toby looks at Jim with frowns and drawn down brows.

“She’s cussing!” Jim explains, his voice’s pitch raising as he remembers no one else can hear her.

“Master Jim.” Blinky clears his throat and continues on with his speech. “We Trolls have gone to great lengths to keep our existence a secret from your kind, lest there be panic.”

They glance over as AAARRRGGHH picks up Toby and deposits him on the counter, the boy getting to his feet and panicking, holding up a ladle like a sword.

“Like that.” Blinky sighs as Jim moves over to calm his friend.

Lacey pads over to AAARRRGGHH and gingerly sniffs his arm as Jim convinces Toby to calm down. The big troll looks down at her then leans down to sniff her as well. Lacey yelps and ducks, whining. AAARRRGGHH sits down carefully and lifts one to gently pat the pup’s head. She tenses nervously at first, then blinks once, twice, and looks up the troll with an excited lolling of her tongue. She yips happily and hops up to place her paws on his chest and sniffs his face excitedly.

“Wait,” Jim speaks up and catches Lacey’s attention. She pads over as Jim asks Blinky who, exactly, he was protecting.

“Us.” AAARRRGGHH says.

“And mankind!” Bliny pipes in. “From bad trolls. As well as goblins, gruesomes and the occasional rouge gnome.” Toby prods the blue troll with the ladle as Lacey whines and turns to Jim, her tail curling behind his legs. She shoves her head into his hand and paws at him as Toby nervously drops the ladle after Blinky’s shout about said prodding.

“The mantle of Troll hunter,” Blinky continues, leaning closer to Jim as he speaks. “Is a sacred responsibility, one that has never been passed to a human before. This is a momentous occasion!”

Jim’s eyes are wide as he leans away from the troll. A car honks and genuine dread becomes apparent as Jim, Lacey and Toby all turn towards the door.

“It’s my mom!” Jim shouts. “Uh, upstairs, quick!” The two trolls and two humans rush upstairs, Lacey whining as she quickly sits herself at the bottom of the stairs. She looks up after them as they bolt, AAARRRGGHH coming back down to fix the banister and running back up just as Doctor Lake enters through the front door.

Lacey barks and trots up to the doctor as she tosses her keys on the end table by the door. She opens her mouth to greet the dog when a loud thud upstairs makes her look up in confusion.

“Jim? She calls. “It’s me.”

Lacey wags her tail as earnestly as possible as the doctor starts up the stairs. “I forgot my phone. Are you okay in there?”

Lacey genuinely began to wish she could ‘facepalm’ as Jim makes up some excuse about his stomach acting up, weird noises like water splashing echoing as Jim says something about food poisoning.

The dog decides her boy, as much as she loves him, really doesn’t need her help in making a fool of himself in front of his mother. She turns and trots down the stairs and Barbara makes her way to get medicine from one of the kitchen cabinets.

Lacey plops down on the dog bed by the back door, watching as Doctor Lake makes her way back upstairs. She can hear her two people argue for a moment about the situation and whines loudly.

“Jim you’re a fuckin idjit.” She huffs to herself, smiling smugly over the fact that he couldn’t scold her for her language if he couldn’t hear her say it. She puts her paws over her face as she hears a Jim and his mother move around upstairs, a “Found it!” called just before the two come downstairs.

“Alright sweetie, I’ll be home late.” Barbara says as she and Jim stand by the front door. “Are you sure you don’t need me to get you anything? I can tell them something came up.”

“I’m fine mom.” Jim smiles and give his mother a hug. “No worries. I’ll see when you get home.” Barbara sighs but him back, placing a kiss atop his head before they part and she heads out, waving behind her.

Jim waits and watches until she’s left the driveway to wave the other three to come downstairs. Lacey huffs and growls as the bigger troll starts knocking things around.

“Your cave. Too small!” He says, rubbing his head. Lacey huffs and watches her boy clean up the mess these trolls are making. She’s not sure how she feel about all this mess, watching the four armed one ask her boy if he was ready to take up this job of protector.

Jim wasn’t supposed to protect people, she was supposed to protect Jim! She wanted to take that stupid amulet and hide it away where it couldn’t make Jim do any sort of “TrollHunting”. Maybe the amule would let her be the one to do this instead! Even as he tried to explain to Blinky how he couldn't do this, she felt the fur on her back stand on end.

Every last nerve in her body didn’t like this, didn’t want her boy to get involved with this mess. Her tail curled and uncurled against her leg, raising one ear to keep tabs on what they were saying.

“You mean this Bular could hurt people?” Oh, her boy was so good, worrying for others’ safety. It made the pup wag her tail in pride.

“Like you.” AAARRRGGHH says, pointing at Jim and Lacey sits up, looking from the big troll to her boy. Blinky says something she doesn’t pay attention to, more focused on getting up from her bed and trotting over to Jim.

Blinky explains, to her horror, how this “Bular” would come for Jim as long as he had the amulet. Lacey whines and looks at the amulet with narrowed eyes.

Well now she couldn’t let her boy keep this, it was far too dangerous!

“Maybe what Jim needs is a little time to process all of this.” Toby butts in, walking over and putting his arm around Jim’s back. “You know, you laid a lot of heavy stuff on him tonight.”

Blinky thinks for a moment, then sighs. “Fine, fine. We shall return tomorrow then, to begin your training.”

“Awesome sauce.” Toby smiles, though Jim’s expression is much more somber and she hates how worried he looks.

---___---

She sits at the top of the stairs, listening to the trolls leave, Blinky giving Jim another speech before they disappear into the night. The boys talk for a few minutes, too quietly for her to understand, before Toby heads home. She watches as Jim locks the door behind his friend, turn off the lights, then make his way slowly upstairs.

She whines and reaches one paw out towards him. He runs a hand idly over her head as he passes her, walking right towards his bedroom. She whimpers and follows, head low as he climbs into bed and lets the covers settle over his body.

She climbs up and crawls her way up to snuggle beside him, resting her chin on his hand.

“This is nuts.” He mutters, staring at her with sad eyes, running his hand through the fur on her head. “This is crazy. I can’t… I can’t believe I’m actually gonna go through with this.”

“I wish you didn’t have to.” She whined softly, licking his cheek. “But, me and Toby’ll be with you so at least you’re not by yourself.”

His expression brightens slightly as a small smile crosses his lips. “Right. You and Toby. We can do this. Right?”

“Right.” She nuzzles up closer and he hugs her body closer to bury his face into her fur. “I’m not gonna let anything happen to you. I promise.”

#trollhunters #trollhunters au #lacey the trollhunter's dog #A Boy And His Dog #a wild lisa writes

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archaeopter-ace · 5 years

Text

the epigraphs in Metamorphosis

Picking up where this post left off, I’m gonna ramble about my choice of Kafka quotes.

Because apparently I love to make things difficult for myself, I wanted to find quotes that would be considered ‘bad advice’ in these circumstances, to tie it back to ‘don’t listen to kafka’ - but if you ever become a notable literary figure, the sorts of quotes you’re remembered for tend to be the ones with some underlying human truth, not ones that offer bad advice. So I had that working against me. But I figured if nothing else I’d certainly find pessimistic quotes tangentially related to something in the chapter. Those would fit my concept then, because the inverse message would be ‘you don’t have to pessimistic about this.’

Time to break ‘em down!

“I usually solve problems by letting them devour me.” - Franz Kafka

I put this one in the story summary because I think it expresses how overwhelmed Barbara and Jim are feeling about this whole mess. Also I find it very relatable on a personal level, aha, a missed deadline is resolved and there’s some relief to be found in that. It was originally going to go as a chapter epigraph later in the story, but I really liked it as a summary of the whole story because - spoiler alert for the most recent chapter - the solution to Jim’s problem, i.e. turning into a troll, is, in fact, to do nothing and let the change happen. Only once his human self is completely consumed by his troll self will he be able to regain his human body. So maybe, just this once, Jim actually could Listen To Kafka. (I thought putting an epigraph in the summary might mean I couldn’t also do a dictionary-style definition in stylistic parallel to Autoeponym, but then I just decided why not both? and rolled with it)

Chapter 1: "One advantage to keeping a diary is that you become aware with reassuring clarity of all the changes which you constantly suffer."

I picked this one for chapter one because it carries this notion of cataloguing changes, which the narrative does quite a bit at the start since there’s been a time skip since Autoeponym and we’ve got to set the stage. In fact, in the original draft Barbara was a lot more active in keeping a journal and writing everything down, but then I realized that that would be really uncomfortable for Jim, and thus the line about “dialing back Dr. Lake as much as possible, and pushing Mom to the foreground” was born. I kept the chosen epigraph, even if the diary aspect got nixed, because I think it still fits from an ‘ack, too many changes!’ angle. [Jim should not listen to Kafka because it’d be better for him to just focus on the changes he’s going through, and not frame it as something that he must suffer]

Chaper 2: "So long as you have food in your mouth, you have solved all questions for the time being." This quote is from his short story, Investigations of a Dog, told from a dog’s POV (not to be confused with Mark Twain’s A Dog’s Tale, also told from a dog’s POV). The chapter connection in this one is with food, because it is the dinner scene. [Jim is unlikely to listen to Kafka in this instance because boy does he ever have a lot of unresolved questions]

The other food-related quote I considered for this chapter was “Now I can look at you in peace; I don’t eat you anymore,” which could maybe have been commentary on Stickler’s potentially-shifting allegiances, but really just seemed to bring Aaarrrgghh’s past up completely out of the blue. (original quote context: Kafka went vegetarian)

Chapter 3: "I am a cage, in search of a bird."

Oh man, there were so many quotes I considered for this chapter I couldn’t even remember which one I went with off the top of my head and had to look up the posted chapter. The themes I wanted to play with involved imprisonment (hence “a cage”) and the toxicity of Strickler’s manipulations. The ‘don’t listen to kafka’ aspect of this one is cautionary, warning Barbara away from Walter.

Other quotes I toyed with:

"You can choose to be free, but it's the last decision you'll ever make”

“I am in chains. Don’t touch my chains.”

“Kill me, or you are a murderer.”

“Start with what is right rather than what is acceptable.”

“My guiding principle is this: Guilt is never to be doubted.”

"There is an infinite amount of hope in the universe... but not for us."

“Association with human beings lures one into self-reflection.”

Something that helps to understand why some of these were considered is knowing that in the early drafts, Strickler was going to try to manipulate Jim into letting him go by arguing that Jim should just kill him, it would be much more merciful than the death Bular would give him for failing in his mission. I had some really nice dialogue mapped out, but then I rewatched Mudslinging and reconsidered in light of Strickler’s thirst for revenge on Jim. By his own admission, Strickler seems to have made out pretty well from the failure to open Killahead, so the idea of revenge for ruining a plan that maybe wouldn’t have been his first choice if he’d had free choice... it seems a little bit of a stretch. He does mention wanting to stop Jim from releasing all the familiars from the Darklands, and he believes the only way to stop Jim from ever doing that is to... murder him brutally.

I think the revenge Strickler seeks is really for ruined pride, rather than any material damage incurred. So given that I’m dealing with season 1 Strickler and not season 3 or fanon Strickler, the scenes I had written no longer seemed as in-character. He wasn’t quite backed up against the ropes enough for him to be throwing himself on the Trollhunter’s mercy, even if it was a ploy. He’s got other approaches he can take first to talk his way out, ones that keep his dignity more intact.

Chapter 4: "People label themselves with all sorts of adjectives. I can only pronounce myself as 'nauseatingly miserable beyond repair'."

Jim finally has a label for what he is! And he’s having a pretty crummy day, so ‘nauseatingly miserable beyond repair’ also fits. This is one of the chapters I’d considered using the ‘devoured’ quote for. Another one I considered for this chapter was “I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself,” which absolutely fits Jim’s mood, but therein lies the problem: there’s not really a way to see how ‘don’t listen to Kafka' fits. Also it’s not quite as pithy as the one I went with ;P [Jim shouldn’t listen to Kafka because if he labels himself as only miserable, it will be that much harder to feel something other than miserable].

Chapter 5: “I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound or stab us.”

In my original outline, chapters 5 and 6 were combined into one chapter, and then this quote fit very well because part of the chapter would take place in Blinky’s library (full of books). I think it still fits just 5 though, and in the absence of anything better I went with it. Here, the ‘books’ are symbolic of knowledge, and its capacity to inflict plain - in this chapter, Jim learns a lot of painful truths. [Jim shouldn’t listen to Kafka because of course Jim can read fluffy stories as well if he wants to, not all books have to rip your heart out. And more symbolically, not all knowledge has to be painful; though neither can you avoid all the knowledge that is.]

And finally, as a spoiler-free sneak-peak at the next chapter, I will give you the next epigraph!

Chapter 6: “How about I sleep a bit longer and forget all this nonsense.”

I almost used this one for chapter 4, but when I realized I’d probably have to split up chapter 5 I saved it for later. It is my favorite line from Kafka’s Metamorphosis, and it is Gregor Samsa’s first reaction to waking up and discovering that he now a giant cockroach (it actually does take him a while to figure it all out - he can’t move his head so he can’t see himself all that well, and he naturally thinks that he must be dreaming still at first). Jim would very much like to just go to sleep and forget all this nonsense, please

#talking about writing #my fic #metamorphosis #tales of arcadia #don't listen to kafka #quotes #Barbara Lake #walter strickler #jim lake jr #writing #longpost

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tsuncoon · 6 years

Text

Sentimental trolls

Pt: 1 of 2

Read the full fic here! https://archiveofourown.org/works/14804051

This fic ended up being too long to fit into one post so I'm uploading it in two parts.

This fic has Spoilers for season three! Do read it unless you have watched the final season all the way through or don't care about spoilers.

This part is SFW (aside from minor troll nudity near the end) the second part is NSFW.

-----

“Arrrgh put that down they will be here any second!" Toby said as the gentle giant anxiously stares at his phone

“oh Toby Pie I remember when you were a teenager. Always on your phone”

Nana! I’m still a teenager! And I am Not always on my phone!”

“you are a teenager? Oh you grew so fast"

The sunset had just finished, the light sinking below the horizon, leaving sky red and orange.

Over that same horizon came a small shilloet that was almost human. Just a little too tall with horns. Toby screamed with joy “There they are! There they are!!” the noise caused Arrrgh to look up in alert.

From the horizon came two more figures. Arrrgh recognized each of them instantly “Jim! Claire! Blinky!” he tossed Toby and nana into his back, something she’d gotten use to whenever arrrgh would aid her in transportation or to the market.

He galloped towards the group at top speed. The three returning trollhunters prepared for impact, standing their ground as Arrrgh wrapped his giant arms around them.

“awk. We missed you too big guy" Claire choked out while being squeezed. Feeling like an empty bottle of tooth paste.

Jim laughed, no longer having the same human concerns as Claire had. “you always gave the best hugs!” he commented while the trio was place on the ground. Toby quickly slid down Arrrghs shoulder to give Claire and Jim their own loving embrace.

Once Arrrgh’s eyes were fixated on the librarian he couldn't look away. “Hi" he forced out, becoming very tongue tied.

Blinky smiled sweetly, as if he’d just been given the most flattering complement “Arrrgh is that really how you greet an old friend?" Blinkys voice had been missed so deary over the few months apart. Not a dream went by that he didn't hear it’s unforgettable ring as if he was in bed right next to him.

Arrrgh wrapped his arms around the smaller troll, who had a surprised look in his eyes as he was scooped up off the ground. They weren't exactly prone to public displays of affection, but they’d both been starved for it.

Once Blinky had recovered from shock he rested his head against Arrrghs shoulder, his short arms hugging back as best they could.

“I have missed you greatly Arrrgh" Blinky closed his eyes, letting that familiar Krubera scent surround him once again.

“I feel same. Missed Blinky so much" he rumbled out of his throat, purring loudly.

“let’s hope we never part again, no matter how briefly"

Arrrgh hummed in agreement “mmm agree" Arrrgh turned his head, burying his nose in Blinky’s neck, feeling the soft tickle of his hair.

“jeez guys. Get a room" Jim joked, the trio had long since finished their long overdue reunion. For Arrrgh and Blinky it felt like only seconds had passed, but they'd been hugging for a few minutes and things were beginning to get awkward.

“not my room!” Toby stipulated, joking around with the happily reunited couple.

“Some human customs continue to baffle me Arrrgh. We have seen Claire and Jim smush faces on many occasions but discussing our mutual longing is deemed to be a private affair” he said he climbed out of Arrrgh’s arms

“Toby kiss Darcy often" Arrrgh added with a nod, staying by Blinkys side

“we do not do it often…” Toby blushed as Claire and Jim eyed him

“like you're one to talk!”

“We didn’t say anything” Jim defended while Claire whistled an innocent tune.

The old gang walked back into town together with nana riding on Arrrgh’s back. It was nice not having to hide anymore. Word had gotten out about troll kind and opinions were… very divided. But luckily any violent protests ended after the first few attacks. When it became apparent fighting a troll wasn’t a wise decision.

They spent a few short hours together before the gang began to split. Claire’s parents were eager to see their daughter again, and she had missed Enrique during her time away.

Barbra had planned a nice dinner with the help of Strickler, who had more experience with troll diets. Toby joined them, Barbra needed a human to appreciate her cooking.

Blinky had also been invited, but insisted he had some personal business to take care of that night. He’d left his library in the dusty rubble of his old home and planned on seeing what he could save from it.

Arrrgh and Blinky walked together to the old canal. The hole had long since been patched up, but the familiar bridge still stood.

“I won’t lie. I miss this place" he said, hand lifting to rest on Arrrgh’s arm. “Our new home is nice, but its missing some friends and memories” there was a hint of longing in his voice before he shook it off, not wanting this visit to be a sad one. “Dictatious was right. I am sentimental” he joked while pulling out his old Horngazel.

Blinky hadn't expected to see the bright beautiful crystal staircase lite up, alive and glowing the way he remembered. But to his surprise the caverns inside were ablaze, the natural lights had died with the heartstone but there was a path of dimly lite candles spiraling down the staircase. It wasn’t the same, but it was a new kind of beautiful he could still appreciate.

“Arrrgh did you do this?” he asked as he stepped into the small space, growing more Impressed by the number if candles he could see decorating the area.

“Toby and Darcy help” it would explain how such monstrously large hands lite such tiny candles.

“Arrrgh you didn't have to-" Arrrgh put a finger to Blinky’s lips. He rarely interrupted the other, but there was still more to see.

“not done yet” he scooped Blinky into his arms and walked down the staircase carrying the Tribe Leader bridal style.

Blinky wrapped his arms around Arrrgh, hoping he wouldn't fall being so top heavy. Once they had made it to the bottom of the staircase Arrrgh put the other down. He watched with pride as the historian looked over his old home. Expecting to see rubble and chaos, but it wasn’t as he expected. It was clean, the larger boulders moved to one giant pile, the dust had been wiped off the pathway. There was still internal and external damage and most the old shops had been caved in past repair but it looked far closer to home then he remembered. Giant boulders too large to move have crushed a multitude of their favorite hang outs, including the bar.

Arrrgh held one of Blinkys hands, walking him through the rubble to their old home. Blinky’s eyes went wide looking at the library. There was damage, but it was standing and in tact.

He walked further into their home. At first glance it looked the same. His books though tattered and old were ordered alphabetically on the bookshelf. His old heirlooms where he remembered leaving them, with only a few missing from their place, like the old gramophone.

“it’s like we never left it” he smiled fondly towards Arrrgh, wondering the small space to take in the little details he’d missed “We had such good times here. I wish we would have discovered cameras sooner”

“We make new memories. Take new photos" Arrrgh reassured him.

“yes. But I’ll always remember our old ones so fondly” he says while he runs his fingers over what books Arrrgh salvaged. Blinky could see a few charred papers obviously from the books Blinky had tried to burn. He wondered if Dictatious would want them back or if he’d truly come to terms with them being lost to history.

“I miss old times. Started coming down here when lonely. Thought lots of you"

“you are sentimental too. I guess that’s why we go so well together"

“let’s make memorie here. One last time?”

Blinky had come with a task to bring everything he could back to the surface for transport, but that could wait a little longer. He leaned into Arrrgh and kissed his lips softly. It had been a while since their last so Blinky made sure to indulge a little longer then was expected.

Not wanting the moment to end Arrrgh put one hand on Blinky’s back and pushed him in close to his body.

Having delt with so many fragile humans over the course of their adventure Blinky noticed how delicately he was being treated, how gentle Arrrgh could be when he really put his mind to it. Not that Blinky needed the giant to treat him as glass, but it was a romantic welcomed gesture.

As they parted Blinky felt a surge of satisfaction, he hadn't realized how much he had craved Arrrgh’s kisses. It felt like he’d just gotten to the end of a very informative and satisfying book.

Arrrgh felt like a small emptiness in his otherwise happy life had been filled. Blinky was back with him, where he ought to be. Everything was back to normal, or as close at it could come to normal after the war.

He lead Blinky further into the den where Arrrgh had laid out an old deer pelt on the low stone bed they use to sleep on.

It was also surrounded by candle light, burning smooth in windless caverns.

With one of his hands holding Arrrgh the others unhooked the smaller trolls suspenders. His heavy pockets aiding in the removal of his shorts that fell to the ground with a thud.

Although there was nothing about the trolls nude form that was considered lude it was so rare to see Blinky without pants that Arrrgh still managed to become bashful at the sight.

After realizing he had been staring at the historians gorgeous blue stone long enough to make it weird he slapped his large hands over his eyes.

“Arrrgh there is no need to be bashful” Blinky put his smaller hands on Arrrgh and pulled them away from his eyes “I love it when you look at me like that” he cooed.

“like.. What?” Arrrgh asked, wondering how his gaze differentiated from any other

“like I’m worth giving your attention to" Blinky said in total adoration.

“You are, Blinky very special to me" Arrrgh looked into Blinky’s eyes, full of affection and urgency.

Blinky chuckled “I know Arrrgh. As I am to you, you are to me. When I am with you no measure of time is long enough”

Arrrgh leaned in more aggressively then before, just enough to push Blinky onto their bed. He climbed over top of the historian, keeping their lips together , entangling Blinkys many hands with his.

It wasn’t long before the candles began bleeding wax, dripping over shelves and countertops until reaching the end of the wick and slowly dying out

Arrrgh looked down at the other, his blue stone looked grey in the darkness of their old den. Given his Krubera hiritage he could see in the near pitch blackness. The only light was the faint yellow glow emitting from his mates six eyes.

Blinky looked up blindly, his gaze wondering with nothing to focus on in such a dark setting. His own species hadn't the best eyes in spite of having the most. Arrrgh moved in closer, resting his forehead on Blinky’s. The light accented Arrrgh’s features, so Blinky could see clearly the content smile on his friends face

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