#Kanjigar is trying

[sobie-is-scared]

I was listening to Godhunter by the Aviators, and it got me thinking about Jim again. But specifically about what is provably the most creative kill of the series - his final stand against Bular. It was stunning visually and really good choreography wise, but it got me thinking about another fight involving Bular. One of the very first things we see in the entire franchise.

The fight between him and Kanjigar. And why I think Kanjigar wouldn't even think of doing what Jim did in that final battle. It's fascinating how differently both trollhunters use Daylight, and I have my thoughts on it to share.

Let's start with Kanjigar. As we see in Wizards, he was a warrior long before getting chosen by the amulet, and it's safe to say he has been trained in using a sword. And so even when he fights with Daylight he treats it pretty much the same as a regular blade.

Like over here. He burns himself to reach for the sword, when we know that Daylight can be teleported straight into your palm. But it's not something Kanjigar would have had to use often because, as it's established, he is an excellent warrior. He probably is disarmed very rarely, if at all.

Not our Jim, though. He is a scrawny sixteen year old fighting giant creatures of living stone. The sword is flung from his hands constantly. And so he had to learn how to get it back in an instant or die. He is doing everything in his power to keep up with beings much stronger, bigger, and faster than he is, and so he is using this trick a lot.

So for him, the sword is much less of a physical thing, is what Im trying to say. And that allows him to come up with an idea for something like this:

Like he says in this scene, he is not a troll, and he doesn't fight like one. What a genius way to write a protagonist going against much more traditionally powerful opponents.

[albentelisa]

Hi! So here's an interesting ask.

What if Jim was born as a wizard, with Hisirdoux "Douxie" Casperan as his teacher?

Jim's magic woke up at five. Barabra is accepting of Jim's magic, but James Sr is disgusted at his son being a wizard and calls him 'an abominal freak of nature who should be wiped off the earth' which is what led Barabra to divorcing James.

I'll say that Jim's magic power seemingly came out of nowhere in this AU (well, his ancestors possessed magic, but Barbara for example had no idea magic was real). Jim's magic is too strong for someone born in this era. His element is light too, which is rather rare.

After her divorce, Barbara does her best, trying to find a good magic teacher for her son despite having no connections to the magic world. She does so because Jim's magic goes out of control frequently and she's scared he might harm himself. Initially, her attempts are futile as she only finds all kinds of con artists.

Barbara finds out Douxie by accident when she catches a glimpse of his magic and realizes that it's as real as Jim's. Initially, Douxie is reluctant to teach Jim (as he isn't a master wizard), but as he realizes that there is no one to show the kid the proper way to do magic, he accepts the mentor's role.

Jim likes Douxie tremendously, though he thinks of him as his big bro rather than his teacher (and well, Douxie is fine with that - he just fails to be strict or formal).

Toby learns about Jim's secret relatively fast - once Jim starts to believe that Toby will react adequately. After learning about the magic, Toby often joins Jim during his lessons at GDT Arcane Books (though he mostly fools around and annoys Archie).

Jim (and Toby too) tries to join Douxie in his occasional monster hunting, but it's where Douxie is really strict (as they are still kids and he feels responsible). Not that it changes a lot though as those two sneak out and hunt small creatures (like goblins) rather often. During one of those outings, Toby and Jim meet Blinky and Aaarrrgghh and befriend them. Another reckless hunt leads to meeting Kanjigar, who isn't happy about kids risking their lives. Kanjigar also learns that Douxie (who is Merlin's apprentice) is in Arcadia.

Since then Douxie, Jim, and Toby become regular visitors at the Trollmarket. Kanjigar is fine teaming up with Douxie sometimes, but it's a big no for Jim (and especially Toby) to join.

Ironically, that is the reason why Jim and Toby bond with Draal. Those three have a lot of secret missions together, which resulted in several changelings' deaths.

That activity picks up Strickler's attention. He knows that there's a wizard in Arcadia, but has no idea who it is. Still, he decides to awaken Angor Rot and use him as a bodyguard.

Strickler also decides to find and force Angor to train a shadowmancer to counter the unknown wizard's light magic. Angor picks up Claire and Strickler switches Enrique with NotEnrique to force her to cooperate (and have an overseer).

Meanwhile, like in the canon, Kanjigar dies. And in this AU Draal succeeds him as the next champion. Jim is obviously part of his team by that time - those two are basically brothers-in-arms. Draal is also more cooperative as he has learned to work in a team before becoming the Trollhunter.

Unfortunately, Strickler accidentally learns that the mysterious wizard is Jim (they are close in this AU too). He plans to use Claire to convince him to switch sides (as he knows about Jim's crush). Strickler also approaches Barbara to have a backup plan (and ends up falling for her).

Claire is conflicted once she learns that Jim is a wizard, like her. Because of her circumstances, she hates her own magic and sees it more as shackles. Initially, she thinks that Jim is also forced to practice magic, but soon realizes he is free. Since that moment, she starts to hope that Jim might help her to escape and gives him small hints (she cannot tell him openly as Angor is watching her from shadows). Alas, Jim is slow and doesn't catch those right away, but eventually realizes that Strickler is the enemy and Claire is also on the villains' side (initially, he doesn't realize she has no choice).

As for Draal, he discovers that Nomura is also in Arcadia (there is some more bonding between Jim and Draal as both fell in love with an enemy).

Claire manages to have a proper talk with Jim (which Angor deliberately 'ignores') and explains everything. They both have a plan that Claire works as an inside agent and helps the team defeat Bular. However, Strickler catches her and uses her as a hostage to lure Jim (he plans to use him against Draal later).

Jim seemingly cooperates only for the rest of the team to barge in and defeat Bular. Nomura still ends up in the Darklands (she is close to switching sides though) and Strickler escapes with the help of Angor.

Claire is now free and Jim promises her to free her brother. He is slightly concerned that Draal won't agree to open Killahead only to discover that Draal also wants to go there to save Nomura and kill Gunmar, no matter what everyone else is thinking. Draal asks Douxie to upgrade the amulet (he believes that Merlin's apprentice can do it), but Douxie thinks it's impossible for him. Meanwhile, Jim and Blinky discover the information about triumbric stones and the quest for Eclipse begins.

Strickler never leaves Arcadia in this AU. He lies low though as he's scared that both Claire and Jim will look for him to kill him (and even if those two forgave him, Draal wouldn't). Besides, Strickler doesn't believe that the Trollhunter and his team can defeat Gunmar - he thinks that they will only free him, which will result in disaster (for him as well as he failed Gunmar). Strickler decides to prevent them from opening Killahead and later dispose of the team (even though he regrets that Jim is among them). He also uses a binding spell on Barbara to ensure his safety.

Meanwhile, Angor contacts Claire and makes a deal with her. In this AU Claire knows that Angor is a victim of circumstances and can relate, so she isn't against freeing him.

As for her shadow magic, she is reluctant to use it as it's connected to her unpleasant memories, but as both Jim and Douxie (who took over as her magic teacher) encourage her, she is more willing to give it another try.

The Janus Order betrays Strickler (they also send some stalkings after him), and he is on the run. He has no choice but to come to Jim for help. Jim agrees to help him but asks to free his mother and Angor first.

Actually, Strickler half-expects that Jim won't keep his word so he's surprised when the Trollhunter's team actually gets rid of stalkings.

Barbara in this AU is aware of mostly everything minus the fact that Strickler is a changeling and about the binding spell (as Jim decided to keep it from her so that his mother wouldn't be heartbroken). Strickler confesses everything to her himself, seeking her forgiveness. While Barbara doesn't forgive him at once, she is willing to give him a chance to atone.

Despite the plan, Draal decides to go to the Darklands alone as he feels that it will be tough there for everyone else (and previous trollhunters kept reminding him that the Trollhunter should stay alone). Jim manages to tag along at the last second.

They find Enrique, and Draal sends Jim towards the exit. Jim gets Enrique out (like in the canon), but gets captured and ends the next cell to Nomura. Gunmar doesn't kill him for now as he plans to mind-control Draal and force him to kill Jim (and mind-break him entirely).

What Gunmar hasn't expected is that Jim teams up with Nomura and helps Draal escape. The other teammates arrive just in time to help them too.

Still, Gunmar is out of the Darklands like in the canon. Angor Rot goes alone to fight him and ends up mind-controlled. Gunmar also contacts the Janus Order and Usurna, starting to gather his forces. Gunmar contacts Morgana through Angor's mind as those two have a link and also takes over the Trollmarket.

Everyone who escaped is slightly desperate and decides to contact Merlin.

In this AU, Merlin doesn't destroy Jim's life, but he's pretty much willing to sacrifice Draal if that means defeating Gunmar for good (and Draal actually sees no problem with that until Nomura beats some common sense into him).

Jim and Claire decide to try and power up the amulet using their powers (as they both instantly dislike Merlin). It's rather dangerous for them as both are inexperienced and the power up is temporary, so Draal only has some limited time until it stops working.

Still he manages to win (with everyone's assistance).

[oliswamp]

TOA AU where…

When the Trollhunter receives their amulet, they hear the name of the next Trollhunter. It's to ensure they're properly trained before receiving the mantle.

And so when Kanjigar receives the amulet and activates its power for the first time, he hears “Jim Lake Junior”.

That… doesn't sound like a trollish name. That doesn't sound like a trollish name at all!

He consults Vendel and Blinkous and they come to a conclusion that it's a human name. Oh woe.

After days spent on trying to rip their horns off from stress because what if they're gonna be a changeling?? Huh?? Vendel whacks him on the head and tells him to stop worrying. Whatever comes, comes.

It's not until nearly four centuries later when he hears the name again. He was hiding from sunlight in a mini-forest near human dwellings when he heard a woman screaming “James Lake, you are not going to leave me here with our son alone!”

He watches, with batted breath as the male human does indeed leave. Feeling a pull of fate he sneaks into the house during night fall, and hears the woman talking to a sleeping child. “Oh Jim… how are we going to get through this…?”

He found him. He found Jim Lake Jr, the future Trollhunter.

He sneaks out, the same way he sneaked in, and goes to consult Vendel.

“He is but a whelp! A human whelp at that!”

“Well, we're gonna have to work with that. Somehow.”

They decide to wait a few more years until the kid looks like he could pick up a training sword and not fall over, and then they reveal themselves to his mother and him.

Barbara Lake is a demon in human skin, Kanjigar swears. The woman is protective as all hell towards her son, and she proved that by breaking a broom over his head. Kanjigar briefly entertains a thought of her being a Trollhunter but drops it quickly. Amulet chose Jim.

And oh Great Gronka Morka is Jim different. He's a soft, empathetic boy who doesn't shy away from them. Sure, he was scared at first, but curiosity and wonder won. And when he learnt about being tasked with protecting a race he hadn't known existed a few hours earlier? He took it in stride, saying he'll do this.

———

Essentially Jim gets three troll dads (one dies, sorry) and learns how to be Trollhunter much earlier on.

[winter-leftovers]

Til The End Of Eternity || Chapter three: Win Lose or Draal (3/?)

(Douxie Casperan x f!reader)

Summary: Y/n is trying to figure her life out but is going to be hard since her brother is the new trollhunter and she is plagued by dreams and feelings she doesn’t understand.

Chapter Summary: Jim wins a new ally.

Word count: 1046

Warnings: nop

(Season 1 Episode 6)

Song?: Glory And Gore by Lorde

Previous — Next

Masterlist

Trollmarket was beautiful. The underground city was full of colorful lights, even with the market empty the place looked alive. Immediately, Y/n’s eyes found the heartstone. The gigantic cristal and it’s warmth light left her completely speechless, even made her forget, for a moment, the possibility of her brother dying.

“Where’s everyone?” Y/n asked. She was excited to meet Jim’s new friends and the creatures his book depicted.

“Probably waiting for the fight” explained Toby.

“Oh, right” she took her eyes from the heartstone and looked at her brother “Don’t worry if you die I’ll bring you back” she joked.

Jim gave her a half smile. They were both terrible at hiding their fear.

“Master Jim! Welco-ah! Witch” Blinky stopped mid greeting.

“Blinky! This is my sister Y/n!”

“Oh! My apologies, I must've confused her with someone else!”

“You know a lot of humans?” Y/n lifted her eyebrow confused.

“Oh…well” Blinky’s arms fell down to his side but he put them back up fast “Come on, master Jim. A…great warrior always…shows up in time…” he started pushing Jim to the hero’s forge.

At the forge all the trolls were already excited, filled with the rush of battle.

“Hey, I… I want you to have this” Jim gave a letter to Y/n and another to Toby.

“What’s this?” Asked Toby.

“It says everything I want to say”

“You promised me tacos”

“Now is not the time for lunch, Tobes” Jim scoffed.

“Last week, the three of us went for tacos. I paid. You said, ‘Next time on me’ You’re going to get this letter back unopened after the fight, and when you get back, we’ll get tacos”

“He’s right, Jim. You owe him tacos” Y/n smiled.

“Tacos sound good” Jim laughed.

—

“Draal, son of Kanjigar, son of Tarigar, Draal “the destroyer”, come forth.” Vendel, the white troll announced.

A spiky blue rock started rolling down a path, jumping in the air transforming into a big blue troll with six horns.

“That’s Draal?” Y/n whispered to Toby “He’s huge”

“Yeah” he sounded as worried as her.

“And now, Draal’s combatant, James Lake Jr, son of…Bar-bu-rah. Come forth human trollhunter”

The crowd started booig the second they saw Jim.

“Fight from your heart, Master Jim. It’s strong, stronger than any rock” screamed Blinky.

They close the arena and Blinky said quietly to himself “And certainly, stronger than mine”

But Y/n heard him.

“Don’t worry, he’ll be fine.” she reassured “He has to”

Y/n could hear Toby, Aaaarrrgghh and Blinky speak but she couldn’t pay attention to anything they were saying, only the troll trying to kill his brother.

“And, I am Jim, son of Barbara and the amulet choose me”

The flying axes send Draal over the edge of the arena.

“Yes! He did it!” Celebrated Toby.

“It’s not over yet” explained Blinky.

“He has to finish the fight” completed Y/n without taking her eyes off her brother. She had studied the book all night alongside Jim. She knew what her brother had to do next, what the crowd was asking him to do next, they were screaming for death.

Jim grabbed his sword and Y/n closed her eyes. She couldn’t look at her brother killing someone.

Suddenly the crowd was booing again. Y/n opened her eyes and saw her brother standing next to Draal.

“Look, I may not have followed your rules, but neither did the amulet when it chose me. Right now, over our heads, changelings are in Arcadia..”

Fear and confusion filled the room.

Blinky and Toby ran to Jim before he could unveal the secret.

“What is he talking about?” Screamed Vendel.

“You’ll need a Trollhunter who doesn’t have to live in the shadows. This is a time to work together. They’re building the Killahead—“

“STOP! Say no more! We must leave this instant!” Blinky grabbed Jim by the arm.

“Killahead” Y/n repeated. The word left a metallic taste in her mouth.

—

“Oh, praise! You’re alive!” Toby hugged Jim like he would disappear

“And sore. Ease up” Jim chuckled

Aaarrrgghh and Blinky were called by Vendel before they could celebrate the trollhunter’s victory.

“He opened the letter” Y/n laughed.

“I can tell”

“I didn’t” Y/n smiled and gave Jim back the envelope “You can tell what you wrote if you want but I can’t read the words you thought would be your last message to me”

Jim took the letter and smiled back at her.

Y/n turned and started walking. The tears were escaping from her eyes and she didn’t want to be seen like that, especially now, when they were celebrating.

—

“Remember just a normal teenager and his older sister and their normal life” Jim said more to himself than to Y/n.

“Hi, mom. We’re back!" said Y/n while she took her jacket off. A shiver ran through her spine.

‘Strickler?’ She thought. The same uneasiness she felt when she met him was running through her spine again.

She walked behind her brother and saw that it wasn’t Strickler with her mother but a woman.

“In here. Jim, guess who brought tea?”

Jim stopped in front of the woman that was accompanying her mother. Y/n recognised fear flashing in her brother’s eyes but his face suddenly shifted back and started kicking Nomura out. Y/n wanted to stop his brother but Barbara passed out before she could do anything.

“Mom?” She ran to her mother.

“That speech was very moving” The woman left the table “Too bad she won’t remember it when she wakes up and find your body”

She grabbed Jim and threw him to the kitchen.

Y/n hug her mother trying to protect her from the fight.

“What’s going on?” She screamed.

“Go upstairs!” Jim told her sister.

“Jim I won’t …”

“Go!” He screamed while grabbing his backpack looking for the amulet.

She went and hid in the bathroom, her brother quickly joined her.

The troll whistled a song letting them know she was close.

“Not creepy at all” whispered Y/n.

“Yes! Thank you!” Jim grabbed the amulet from behind the mirror.

Before the troll could open the bathroom door someone grabbed her. Y/n and Jim shared a look and went out to investigate. In their backyard, Draal was fighting the troll.

“What are you doing here?” Screamed at the woman-troll.

“Delivering you pain again, Nomura” Draal answered, shielding Y/n and Jim “Do not touch the Trollhunter”

“Suddenly you’re honorable? Sorry to hear about daddy. Bular always liked the way he screamed”

The fight started again and quickly finished when Draal threw Nomura through the air.

“You were right”

“So, you’re not here to kill me?” Jim asked with his sword in his hand.

“Not kill. Protect” Draal looked at Y/n. She smiled at him.

Jim thanked the troll.

Draal quickly started to walk around the house looking for a place to stay.

“Since I can’t go back to trollmarker I’ll stay here, guard your home”

“I don’t think my mom would be down for that” said Jim.

Draal went downstairs to the basement. Eating a piece of coal and taking a couple more out of the heater he said “This is nice. Here I shall protect you, your witch and your fleshbag mother, Bar-bu-rah”

“What did you call me?” Y/n started walking up to him half confused and half offended. Why were the trolls calling her a witch?

Jim stopped his sister from fighting his new protector “Mmmh close enough” he laughed.

“Your mother will awaken soon. I protect. I don’t clean”

Y/n rolled her eyes and went upstairs along side Jim.

[aerkame]

OK if requests are open how about jealous draal x fem troll reader(who’s a warrior) so at troll market trolls try to get at reader like telling her how awesome, cool and amazing she is for her skills and draals just in the corner, drinking his drink and he’s not the SUPER jealous type (but he is so close to exploding because the other trolls won’t stop touching reader; like her muscles)

Apologies for the late posting! Please ignore spelling errors, I'm not really all there today.

____________________________________________________

This was the fifth time today that another troll came up to you to ask about touching your well defined arms. Something that just did not sit right with Draal.

The grip tightened on his drink as he huffed in annoyance, watching yet another stout looking troll touch you in such a way, praising your form and masterfully crafted sword that stayed hilted on your back... Really, he should be the one doing that, not some whelp of a troll. He wasn't overly jealous, Draal knew better through experience that it was not healthy to let himself get carried away in his emotions like this. But there was a twinge of anger that did nag at him constantly, it was annoying, like the many other trolls that had approached you before, all annoying and in the way of your attention being on him. Draal slammed his drink down letting out a displeased grunt, enough was enough, he's had it with listening to this all day. Your conversation was abruptly cut short as Draal made his way over, making sure to shove the smaller troll to the side with his shoulders. If he can't get to you the way he wants, then he'll make you come to him instead! "Well if you really are as strong as everyone says you are, I take it you'd be up for a sparring match? Unless you're not up for a challenge against Kanjigar's own kin?" Several trolls throughout the area turned to look at the scene before them, some whispering the usual gossip in Troll Market about the former Trollhunter's son. You felt flustered momentarily, Draal just challenged you in a sparring duel...there were few trolls aside from the human Trollhunter that could catch Draal's attention in such a way. Maybe this will be fun, besides you could really use a partner to test your limits. "Alright, let's duel."

[an-autistic-dweeb]

Building Bridges 1/2

Part 1| Part 2

WARNINGS!: mentioned main character death, drunkness, hateful speech, use of fantasy slurs (impure), Draal’s a bit of a dick, grief, hurt/comfort.

Kanjigar has been felled. He died in the early morning, at Bular’s blade. He died a hero. Elliot really had no other relationship with Kanjigar other than him occasionally preventing a hate crime, but that didn’t mean they respected him any less. A few of the more hateful citizens of Trollmarket accused Elliot of assisting the murder. A situation quickly defused by Vendel. What Elliot was really concerned about was Draal.

Even if their relationship was more estranged than anything, Draal still looked up to and loved his father. Elliot understood that they didn’t really know the feeling of losing a parent. But they did know loss. They heard whispers of Draal getting absolutely wasted and simply followed the scent of alcohol and depression.

They found Draal, sat up on a ledge, drunkenly grumbling to himself. They approached with a few steps, their hooves clicking on the ground as they raised their hands to show they weren’t an immediate threat (not like that would help). Draal turned around and let out a low growl at the realization of who he was looking at.

“What do you want, Impure?” He spat coldly, clearly not happy to see them. Elliot sighed and crossed their arms. “I came to check up on ya. I’m sorry for your loss.” They said softly. Elliot didn’t like Draal any more than Draal liked Elliot, but it was the least they could do. Draal only sneered in response

“What would a filthy half-breed like you know..? Why would you care..?” He slurred, looking away from Elliot. Elliot hesitantly walked closer to Draal, sitting next to him and shrugging. “I know more than you’d guess.” They sighed and sat there in silence for a minute before speaking again. “And I care because I basically owe your father my life. He had my respect.”

Draal looked away, clearly a mix of sad and angry.

“Had your respect…” He repeated Elliot’s last sentence bitterly. He let out a deep sigh, some of his anger fading as he continued. “My father… was an idiot… he had no business fighting. No business sacrificing himself like that…” Draal mumbled crudely. Elliot sighed as they spoke “He was the Trollhunter. That was his fate from the moment that amulet called out to him and made it that way.”

Draal let out a bitter scoff at their statement.“Fate.” He said bitterly. Another deep sigh. “He deserved a better fate than that. He should’ve been able to die when he was old and wrinkled. Not… not…” He trailed off, clearly trying to hold back tears again.

Elliot sighed and tried to help Draal up, only to be coldly brushed off by the blue troll. “C’mon big guy… let’s get ya home… “Don’t want… to…” Draal struggled to speak without slurring. “Come on… think about your image here.” Draal reluctantly stood up and let Elliot lead him back to his den. They calmly led him to his bedroom and plopped him down on his nest. Before Elliot could leave, Draal mumbled drunkenly, “thank you… thank you…”

Elliot sighed and nodded. “You’re welcome…” and they left.

[crystal-grotto]

For how long this blog has been around I've never actually sat down and typed out how my collection of muses see eachother. Each arrow below breaks everything down and most of these have years of characterization and Discord plotting behind them.

-> Kanjigar

Draal is his only son. Kanjigar loves him with every fiber of his being, even though he did have to distance himself for so long while doing his duty as Hunter. He harbours many regrets for his actions but has been given a second chance, so he's working towards making any amends possible so they both can have a chance to heal.

Jim is new - but full of promise. Even though there have been hiccups here and there, Kanjigar likes and respects the youth enough to offer what wisdom he has to make sure Jim can survive, and be a more elder voice of logic in rough times.

Hagel is one of his closest friends out of the entirety of the OC crew. She was one of his first and only Gumm-Gumm Reformers, and throughout the years he grew to trust her through repeated contact. Their physical interactions are always in amicable light, sharing tea and food as well as stories even though Hagel is not required any longer to see him regularly.

Renjai is a troll of reputation. She's someone that he's not had a lot of interactions with - yet he has seen plenty of her work ethic as well as heard enough tales of her exploits from Draal to hold her in high esteem. In his opinion any Kiltar is a good thing to have in defense of Trollmarket; but it's even better to have one as decorated as Razorback there.

When it comes to Alex and Sturm, Kanjigar knows they are local as he has seen them around. He is also aware they interact with his son, but he's had little experience with them both himself so far, thus he has formed no defined opinions. That being said he is certainly more wary of Sturm compared to Alex as he suspects the electromancer is another Gumm-Gumm underneath those traveler robes; as neither cause issues in the Market, however, the old hunter has had no official reason to confront or persecute them.

-> Draal

Draal is very much his father's child. His love and devotion to Kanjigar runs deep - even though many wounds have been given throughout the years with his sire being distant. Now that the Fates gave him back, and offered a second chance, and the duo are making amends whenever their schedules align.

Jim may be tiny, but he is mighty and determined. Everything he's done so far has defied odds, making Draal all the prouder to be associated with him both as an ally and in family. Wherever the human Hunter decides to go, Draal will most likely be someplace nearby to keep a protective eye on him.

Renjai is a troll that Draal is a huge fan of when it comes to her professional life. He's attended a lot of her fights, and cheered her on many times both in the Kiltarheim and Trollmarket. He's even more delighted that he managed to achieve friendship with the pit fighter. She's a rarity in trolls that outmatch him - and he hopes maybe one day he can match her in combat capabilities. (Dependent on verse, he's crushing on her - ship tag: renjaal).

Alex, to Draal, is an odd one - in a good way. A changeling, but one that defies it's nature, is unheard of in the troll world. After causing him and her many levels of conflict after the female's status discovery, he's still somewhat surprised that she weathered it all and is a loyal friend. Shes a voice of calm compared to most of his circle; while Draal is not exactly sure what brings so many creatures of her ilk into his life, she's the only shapeshifter that has earned (and kept) his protective axe.

Sturm is a little bit of an enigma Draal is trying to unravel. After temporary butting of heads in Market encounters, tensions were smoothed away and tolerance allowed - and now the tinkertroll bull is a source of curiosity for the fighter. He's never known any troll to have magic like the hybrid does, nor such a understanding of machinery like him; and through much conversation Draal has managed to pry back a bit of the shell to secure a friendship with the other. He very much likes socializing with the other and listening to them talk about whatever topic is on hand - unlike Blinky. (Dependent on verse, he's crushing on him - ship tag: Sturaal).

-> Jim

He's had very little interactions with anyone aside from Kanjigar and Draal, as well as Alex.

He's in awe of the skill Kanjigar possesses, so he holds him up on a somewhat 'superhero'-ensue pedestal that he can learn from in his tenure of Trollhunter; he's not yet come to learn this version of Kanjigar is a Revenant. Draal on the other hand he loves to pieces as a elder (troll) sibling and takes everything he does with thoughtfulness and care - and subjects him/is subjected to his fair share of shenanigans.

When it comes to Alex, the young Hunter is clueless to her nature. He simply thinks she's a cool library/teacher's assistant that has an interest in the sciences and arts. He appreciates that she's relaxed and approachable, and that holds true as well in the rare instances he finds her in Trollmarket selling her hunts or herbs in her true form.

Renjai he admires at an arm's length. She's terrifying and powerful in the same way Draal was when he first saw him; Jim has not worked the nerve to talk to her yet.

He's only recently gotten wind of Hagel, so soon they may become good friends.

Jim has no idea that Sturm exists yet.

-> Renjai

Everyone has head the stories of the great Kanjigar the Courageous. To meet him in the flesh was not something Renjai expected to do, and yet she has maintained her composure and given the Revenant high esteem and wonder even if they have not spoken too much aside from the pub. He's earned it.

Draal, in her eyes, is everything a honourable Kiltar should be. Proud, skilled in the art of combatives, and mighty. The admiration is something that is a wayside bonus from her popularity and a source for amusement sometimes - but she much prefers the brawler as a friend and drinking companion over a fan as he's one of the few who can keep up with her, and one of the few of her species that she can allow herself to put faith in. (Dependent on verse, she crushes on him. Ship tag: Renjaal)

Renjai watches Jim's progress from afar, and marvels at how quickly he adapts and grows. At the same time she pities him - as he is but a child wearing the responsibilities of adults to kill and defend. In the near future, she's decided, she will approach him and offer her trainings just like Draal and Kanjigar have already done.

Much like Draal, after Renjai learned what Alex was, she gave her much grief. Renjai fully wanted her dead, once upon a time, before the small shapeshifter proved herself worthy of not finding her demise at the end of a spear. Now there has been gained respect and friendship to the point of forgiveness and defense if ever necessary. If anyone ever asks: yes, even Renjai is baffled in her turn of emotions.

Hagel is a good troll. Even if she was a Gumm-Gumm once, she Reformed at the hands of Kanjigar. Renjai deals with her from time to time, and shares a polite word and a meal. It's almost like being around one of the kinder Kiltar smith elders back home.

She's not very sure about Sturm. Renjai has seen him lurking about once or twice, but has never actually seen his face from the traveler's garb he chooses to wear each time he is in Market. She's got her eye on him if anything ever goes sour though.

-> Alex

Alex is the one who is somehow on good terms with nearly every muse.

The only person she's not managed to befriend in any way is Kanjigar - and that is mainly due to the fact that she's wary of his previous status of Trollhunter and his life experiences. She keeps her head down around him and minds her business; yet she also respects everything he's achieved and held together in the world of trolls by himself. He's a mighty individual, even without amulet.

With both Draal and Renjai it took some time to earn their friendship as the taught prejudice of changelings runs deep. She was scared of them at first, for they could kill her without effort; yet with enough time, proximity, and trials, she eventually proved herself as on the side of good to the warriors and developed an amicable bond with them. She appreciates their companionship more that she'll admit out loud and counts them in her small circle of true friends

Jim is a good kid. She likes talking to him whenever she can, and just relaxing whenever the youth can take a moment to himself and breathe. He's genuinely curious and she's happy to teach and has befriended him to an extent in the human world - but is internally fearful of the day he figures her out. She does not know how he'd respond to even more of her kind in his life.

Alex adores the things Hagel can do, and how nice she is. Such a friendly troll is a rarity - and she loves to trade with the giant Gadag whenever there's the chance. She's got the sneaking suspicion Hagel has probably adopted her at this point, but she doesn't overly care.

Sturm is... Like her, in many aspects. They both came from the same place, knew similar horrors, and knew similar pains for not being 'normal'. After working through a jagged start of simple trades, suspicion, and polite words into something more amicable the two quickly became good friends. She's more than grateful that he became another of her circle instead of an enemy.

-> Sturm

His default is cautious when it comes to others. Sturm is well aware of the threat he can be perceived as, and as such, has had very limited contact with the collective muse group; the only two he's had sustained interaction with is Alex and Draal.

Kanjigar is suspicious of him, and Sturm knows it. He actively avoids being in the older bull's line of sight to mitigate the risk of conflict, and the same goes for most other muses.

As he's heard the whisperings of Renjai's exploits the electromancer does not trust that she will not target a Gumm-Gumm in the Market in the name of it's defense. He keeps a wide berth from the she-troll whenever she roams.

Now that Jim is present, Sturm tries to keep to himself as he has no idea how a human would react to someone such as himself. So far it's been going well enough - coupled with the fact he only goes to Trollmarket once or twice a year.

Alex is what would be considered his best friend. They both suffered in the Darklands, but prevailed against all odds - and happen to be tinkertrolls in different veins. She trades many things with him and spends a decent chunk of her free time in his presence. In turn the bull has done similar, and has crafted gifts from time to time in gratitude for being someone he feels he can put his confidence and comfort in.

Draal... Dependent on verse that's a pile of complicated feelings that Sturm is still working on sifting through. Both of them are on agreeable terms, friends even though the Kiltar is the son of the previous Trollhunter. Sturm admires many of the fighter's traits - and hopes eventually he can be just as confident as Draal is in certain aspects of his own self. (Dependent on verse, Sturm is crushing on him - ship tag: Sturaal).

Hagel is only known to him as a chef troll. He's never walked that far into Market to see her, or figure out who she is in relation to him.

-> Hagel

This troll is on friendly terms to almost everyone, just like Alex.

Kanjigar is held in high esteem - mainly as he gave her a chance to change her life and make a place for herself someplace where she could actually do some good rather than harm. Even though her Reformer trials are over, the she-troll is happy to continue the tradition of visiting whenever time permits.

The son of the Trollhunter might be a touch gruff still, but neither of them bear ill will towards eachother and are rather friendly at this point in time.

Renjai is another that Hagel on good terms with - but so far the duo do not visit too much aside from business in association with a good cooked meal. Hagel understands and is simply happy that she is trusted.

Alex trades good supplies to Hagel and is very polite! Hagel suspects the Leodarin is not a true troll, and yet finds that she does not care terribly about that. Anyone who is on agreeable terms, makes an effort to be a friend, and sometimes even cooks alongside her, is more than welcome in her home.

So far the Gadag has only seen Jim in passing. As soon as Hagel learns he is a cook though then the she-troll is going to be delighted that he's not just a fighter. Overjoyed, even, and she'll want to share recipes with the youth and learn if human methods compare to the Gadag way.

Her and Sturm have not been reunited yet. She holds constant guilt about the series of events that happened, and thinks he is still lost to the Darklands. Hagel fails to notice the other Gadag in the instances he does make trips to Market as he never comes close enough to her dwell.

[crackship-connoisseur]

Captain James “Jim” Lake Jr. Age: 27 Pronouns: He/Him Height: 5’6 Affiliation: Captain of the Arkadios Species: Human Personality: - Backstory: His father abandoned him when he was five years old, and he lived alone with his mother in a cozy seaside trading town. When he’s around 10 years old, Gunmar and his crew attack the town, and take him and his mother hostage. His mother manages to escape, but Jim is left behind, and forced to work as part of the crew. One of the crewmates, Kanjigar, takes him in as his own, and he grows close with Kanjigar’s biological son Draal over the years, after an initial rocky beginning. 

When Jim is 16, a mutiny breaks out, and the crew is divided, resulting in a huge fight, and in the midst of the chaos, Jim kills Gunmar. No one knows this except for Kanjigar and Draal, and Kanjigar ends up taking the blame. Gunmar’s son, Bular, takes off with his share of the crew, vowing to return and seek revenge. Kanjigar becomes captain of the remaining crew. 

When Jim is 19, revenge is indeed sought, and Bular comes back full force, and decimates almost all of Kanjigar’s crew, including himself, and Jim and Draal are the only survivors. Jim is anxious to try and find his mother after all these years, and begs Draal to let him captain his own crew to go and search for her. Draal, with some hesitancy, agrees, and becomes his second-in-command.

Some point later, Jim ends up in kahoots with Morgana, an extremely powerful wizard-turned-pirate who seeks a magical amulet. Jim hopes to turn a profit from it, and ends up stealing it from Morgana, landing him on her hit-list. Jim had been romantically involved with Morgana’s second-in-command Claire, who now seeks revenge for his betrayal. 

After that encounter, he remains on loose, trying to avoid Morgana at any cost, while simultaneously searching for his mother, who he hopes isn’t dead. 

[9firefly9]

PLS DRAAL X FEM WARRIOR READER LIKE DRAAL JUST SO IN LOVE WITH HER LIKE FRIKIN WORSHIPS HER

(ISTG DRAAL IN SO UNDERRATED AND FOR WHAT I NEED MORE OF HIM😭)

Thank you for sending me your request! I had a lot of fun writing it. I hope you like what I’ve written! I apologize if Draal does not act like he does in the show. I haven’t watched the show in a long time and unfortunately could not remember exactly how he acted, so I guessed. I hope you still enjoy reading it! :)

Until we meet again

“Get your own gem!”

“No, it’s mine!”

“If you don’t leave me alone I will make sure your head is mounted on my wall!”

The argument sounded like it was happening near me and I knew I should go and stop it. Trollmarket is not a place for arguments. I turned the corner and saw a tall, strong looking lady troll with deep purple skin arguing with a small plump lady with dark pink skin holding a purple gem high up in the air away from the shorter ones grasp.

“Hey! Stop that!” I yelled trying to get both of their attentions before the argument turned into a fight.

I was too late.

The purple troll raised her other fist up high and smashed it onto the small trolls face. I watched as the women winced in pain and staggered slightly to the side. My heart stopped. Whoever this woman is I think I love her. She turned to the side and it was then that I made up my mind. The woman standing in front of me was the coolest and prettiest women I’d ever seen. She wanted something and wasn’t afraid to show it. This woman was powerful.

After a moment they both seemed to notice me standing there and they turned around to look at me. The small pink plump troll looked over at me with tears in her eyes. She looked terrified of the other lady. It was clear she desperately wanted my help. But my attention was on the brave purple troll. She was wearing armour made of what looked like silver. Her hand was hovering over a long sword attached to her belt. Her cat like eyes were filled with suspicion as she scanned me up and down.

“Fighting’s not allowed in the Trollmarket. If you’re going to fight do it somewhere else.” I said to them coldly as I tried to ignore the butterflies in my stomach every time the purple troll and I make eye contact. The purple troll scoffed before asking “And who are you supposed to be?” I stood up taller making sure she could see my puffed chest as I answered “I am Draal the Deadly, son of Kanjigar the Courageous. Son of the earlier Trollhunter.” I answered proudly. “Who are you?” I asked trying to act like I didn’t care. The purple troll rolled her eyes as she answered “My name is Y/n the Brave. I, like my mother, am a warrior. Now if you don’t mind I’d like to take what’s mine” she waved around the gem in her hand “and get out of this place.” She looked around at the market with a look of disinterested written on her face. She was amazing. Every single thing she said, she did, was that of a true warrior. If she wanted that gem she would have it. Nothing could get in her way. Not even me.

She went to walk away and the pink troll tried to stop her. “H-hey wait a minute! What about my gem?” But Y/n didn’t stop. In fact she didn’t even show that she heard the pink woman. The pink woman looked over at me with an ask for help on her face, but all I did was shrug as watched the beautiful Y/n walk away.

I decided I couldn’t let her get away without talking to her more. I had to make sure I’d see her again. I chased raced through the Trollmarket as I chased after her. When I finally got closer to her I spoke up. “Hey! Wait, Y/n!” I called out. She stopped walking and looked over her shoulder. I felt a lump form in my throat as I began to get nervous. I hadn’t thought my next move through. “I really liked the way you punched that other lady. You’re clearly very powerful.” I said hoping I was saying the right things. Her facial expression hadn’t changed a bit. All that was there was a emotionless look. “Maybe we could train together sometime and see who’s better?” I saw her lip quirk upwards the smallest bit as she turned to face me completely. After a moment of what felt like awkward silence she replied “I’d like that.”

She walked up to me and whispered into my ear “You better train extra hard, because we both know I’ll win.”

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I felt her breath touch the side of my face.

With that she turned back around and walked through the rocks leaving behind the Trollmarket. But hopefully not for long.

[trollamulet]

the alarm clock rouses jim from his sleep. the sun streams in to his early start of six am. blue eyes blink as he sits up. it's not the usual energetic start fifteen-year old jim would be - determined to make a delightful meal for his mother to wake up from her late night with, as well as her meal for her shift, as well as making sure toby had something halfway decent to eat. jim moves to his laptop to look at the time and the recipe he'd had open the night before. he stares at the date stamp on the lower right hand bar of the screen.

september 17, 2016. the day that kanjigar dies. in another time, in another life - this is the day that jim would assume the role of trollhunter by retrieving the amulet from the rubble of his body. but this life is a new chance.

the akaridion amulet did come back with him, and it glows innocently beside him on the desk. jim cannot reject this one. after all, he is the trollhunter, will always be the trollhunter. though, this time he intends on one of his friends assuming the role, hopefully the amulet calls out for them instead of jim. maybe it'll sense he has no need for merlin's silver and onyx and sword and service - because he's already fighting for the good of all.

the trouble is the sword, but he could make do. excalibur remained in that ruined timeline, all he needs is to sneak into trollmarket, and he can find something there to use. his body isn't as coordinated as it was - given the fact he wouldn't be training the same way, but he reckoned a spear would serve in place of sword. or maybe he'd luck out and there would be some funky sword that conjured from it - but then again, when krel and the rest of the team worked on the design, jim had opted for the ability to use gemstones. he did still know how to cleave like a troll - he could just experiment with gemstones until something worked.

he lets himself think - wonder - as he cooks, finishing up breakfast for himself quickly and making his mom's breakfast while the meatloaf for his meatloaf sandwiches cooks. (he leaves out the cardamom that toby complained about before.) he needs to make sure everyone doesn't know what's going on, what he knows.

and when he and toby bike through the canal - he glances down to the pile of kanjigar's remains - knowing draal will be out there after sundown to gather his father's corpse to reassemble in the hero's forge... he doesn't see the amulet.

jim swallows, and continues to school - trying not to let it get to him. maybe claire was through there? compelled by some fateful predestiny, but he doubts it. and he doubts their shadowed enemies could have gotten to it first.

[cf8wrk4u-us]

Ben 10 Trollhunters Crossover

(based on the amazing AU made by @sonicasura , please check out their blog and AUs)

Becoming~

Despite what the songs and sagas would have you believe about Kanjigar, things didn’t come easy for the current Trollhunter. 

He’s had his own share of problems and dilemmas. And might as he tried to carry them on his own, to keep the weight of his responsibility from others there were things he couldn’t solve or dispher on himself.

One example being the current vision that had plagued him.

It had been a long few days of patrolling the streets and forest surrounding Arcadia, negotiating peace treaties between different clans of trolls, and chasing  Bular. The latter of which seems to take sweet sadistic joy in making the current Trollhunter run after him.

He knew Bular was up to something, the Gum-Gum prince hinting as such and thriving on Kanjigars frustration as he struggled to comprehend what.

So yes, it had been a frustrating few days.

That's why when Kanjigar finally removed his armor and collapsed in his and Draals shared den, with Blinky and Aaaarrghhs prompting, he found himself resigned  to enjoy a restful few hours of sleep.

Only instead of being welcomed by a void of nothing Kanjigar was plagued by images and visions he could barely comprehend.

Of an infinite starry night.

A celestial body that was surrounded by a ring of floating rocks. 

Two vessels made of metal that could fly and were doing battle.

Fire and explosions lighting up through the darkness of its space.

A silvery sphere being launched into space, towards a world of bright greens and blues.

His world.

Kanjigar awoke in a panic, stone chest heaving. 

Besides him he eyed the Amulet of Daylight glowing a frantic blue.

“Was this your doing”? He found himself asking “Were these visions of a prophecy”?

Kanjigar knew he would get no answer in this state but could potentially find it elsewhere. Quick on his feet he donned his armor and made his way out of his den.

“Father”?

Kanjigar looked to see son Draal standing by the door way, slug over his shoulder was what sounded like scraps of metal and glass. The older troll found himself warmed that his son would go through the trouble of getting him a snack but realized he couldn’t let himself be distracted.

“I’m off to see Vendel, son” he answered brisky as he made his way to the entryway.

Draal though continued to block his path “But arn’t you supposed to be resting, you’ve gone without sleep for too long-”

“A Trollhunter doesn't always get the leisure of rest”! He snapped before gently but firmly pushing Draal away.

But even as he made his way into the streets of Trollmarket Kanjigar could hear the crash of the bag of food hitting against the wall and the aggravated growl of Draals.

He was only trying to help you, a quite voice whispered.

But Kanjigar shook them away though.

Reminding himself that this was for the best, the farther away Draal was from Trollhunter business the safer he would be.

“And are you sure that's what you saw?” asked Vendel.

The leader of Trollmarket and overall elder of his tribe, Vendel was quite proficient at his craft of deciphering prophecies.

“Yes” answered Kanjigar.

Vendel pulled at his beared thoughtfully as he paced back and forth in his workshop.

“Visions of the stars, flying ships of metal” the troll elder finally stopped “You don’t think….that another visit from the stars is at play here”?

Kanjigar furrowed his brow.

The last time they had been visited from worlds beyond it was to assist the two royals of House Tarron in hiding away their most precious relic. Kanjigar unconsciously tapped his foot on the floor, reminding himself that under their feet is where the great item of power layed sealed away by his own hands.

“I can’t be sure, the last visions of the King and Queen were clear enough�� said the Trollhunter “But now…”

A part of Kanjigar wondered how the royal couple has fared these last centuries. He hoped nothing for the best from them, their families, and their people.

 But if the visions were about them….

Kanjigar lightly shuddered as he remembered the devastating attack between the two flying ships. But not seeing the royals in his visions overall did serve to reassure the Trollhunter that the king and queen were well.

Still though.

“I’m just not sure how to make sense of them” admitted Kanjigar.

Vendel only nodded “Visions show so much and show so little” he said “Prophecies of what could come and what danger they present, but still leaving us with so many questions” the elder troll looked to the Trollhunter “But still at least we are presented with one clue”

“Really”? Asked Kanjigar for clarification. 

Vendel huffed “We can already tell where its coming from” before stretching his ancient neck to look to the amber ceiling “We have only to look to the heavens”

______________________________________

Jim groaned as noticed the sun finally dipping over the horizon over the tree-line.

He should be home by now getting meal prep done for tomorrow's lunches and dinners. But  here he was instead, basically searching blind through the bushes for his phone.

The reason?

Psycho Steve.

His legal name being Steve Palchuck, the schools resident bully and today he had chosen Jim as his target for today. Granted it was Toby that Steve had been trying to aim for, only for Jim to try to shield his friend and call Steve out on his jerky behavior.

“It's ridiculous! Could you at least try being original for a change? You've been doing the same old bully routine since the second grade, Steve! It's tired. Making fun of Toby for his weight? Seriously”?

This had gotten him a furious look from the blond jock before morphing into a sadistic smile. He had guessed he was going to be paid back for the comment in some way, but as the rest of the school day passed he had hoped Steve's neanderthal brain squeezed Jims comment out of his thought process.

But when he and Toby began to bike their way home Steve and his lackeys slid up to them like a shiver of sharks. 

Jim and Toby had hurriedly sped up on their bikes to try to get away, but unfortunately Palchuck and his gang were some of the school's top athletes so it took them little time to catch up to the pair.

“I’m coming for you Lake”! jeered Steve “You dead meat”!

With those words Jim found himself slightly grateful that Steve's anger seemed to be directed on him specifically and not Toby, given that at the moment the pudgy teen was already gasping for breath as he tried to speed up.

Because of that Jim made a quick decision, eyeing one of the alleyways that faced the forest Jim swerved his bike towards it. Steve made a startled sound before it turned into an enraged grunt.

“Get back here Lake”! Jim heard the bully shout.

The pavement soon gave way to more uneven dirt as Jim raced his bike through the slopes of the woods. His bike jostling along but the teen skillfully keeping his balance, unlike Palchuck and his friends.

Jim couldn’t help grinning as he stared back and saw the boys struggling to keep up.

Steve and his friends maybe some of the top athletes at school but Jim grew up in these woods. 

Heck! Him and Toby were Mole Scouts at one point!

“You're dead, Lake”! Steve yelled “When I catch-up to you, your gonna wish-”

But at this point Jim thankfully couldn’t hear him.

The teen didn’t stop till he was at the canal.

Huffing and out of breath, Jim reached for his phone to text Toby that he was okay but froze when he felt his jacket pocket was empty.

He felt around his jeans, but still nothing.

Jim looked to the forest, wincing.

“Oh, no….”

Now Jim was stuck in the woods looking frantically for his phone. 

A part of him reasons he should just go to Tobys to ask his friend for help but was still weary of Steve prowling around. So he grit and beared the task of trying to find his phone on his own. But as the last bit of sunlight kissed the horizon Jim had to accept he might not find it tonight or worse, never.

Jim groaned again, he didn’t want to ask his mom for a new one or use his Vespa savings to buy another, but the hard truth was that he may have too.

It was getting dark and he didn’t want to be stuck in the woods at night on his own, even if he was still close to the urban areas.

It just didn’t feel safe…

Jogging through the growing darkness of the woods to make his way back home something caught the teens eyes.

Squinting up at the dark sky Jim was shocked to see something glowing bright in the night. 

At first Jim guessed it was an airplane or even hopefully a shooting star.

(something he could use to wish on to help him find his phone)

Only for the bright object to worryingly grow in size and intensity as it flew towards him.

“What the-” Jim started only to scream as the “shooting star” zoomed right at him!

The teen dove out of the way just in time for the burning object to race by him, his whole back side flushed with warmth by the speed of the falling thing.

There was a loud crash and hunks of rocks flew everywhere!

Jim stayed tucked under the underbrush, only looking up when the last of the debris fell away. The air was filled with dust and Jim coughed as he slowly sat up. His eyes widen when he saw a crater and curiously the teen took a step forward.

Another gasp left his mouth as he saw the devastation the crash left a good portion of the forest

Peering down into the center of the crater Jim could almost make out a small dark object.

“A meteor”? He asked out loud.

Going back to his sixth grade science knowledge, he heard meteors that crashed to earth usually broke apart in the earth's atmosphere and rarely did they cause any damage of this sizable amount.

Despite the devastation, Jim couldn’t help but be excited at the prospect of finding a real meteorite. 

Imagine the reaction of his classmates if he came to school tomorrow with a real piece of space-rock! 

He be a school legend!

And maybe….

Jim's thoughts immediately turned to a pretty browned-eyed dark haired girl from history class. So lost in thought the teen didn’t know that the ledge he was standing on was beginning to come apart till he was already falling into the crater.

Groaning Jim stood back up, while getting his bearings he came face to face to what was in the crater. 

The item was round and seemed to be made of some dark metal, parts of it platted like a shell or even a rolly-polly. 

Definitely not a meteor in Jims books.

“Is this a part of a satellite or something”? The teen asked out loud.

Maybe it was a piece of a satellite or even a rocket ship, still pretty cool and-

The round object suddenly opened and Jim was engulfed in a bright green light. Inside was a strange looking bracelet or watch, the thing was made up of black and gray material with white lines detailing the surface and in the center was a green and black symbol that reminded Jim of an hourglass.

As if in a trance Jim walked towards it, stretching his arm out when he was only a foot away.

All of a sudden the thing actually jumped!

"Ahhhh"!!! he screamed as the thing wrapped firmly around his wrist, he flayed his arm around trying to throw the strange thing away from him.

"Get off! Get off"!!! Jim shouted over again, he did everything he could think of to get rid of the watch. From trying to pry it off with his hands, rolling on the ground, to then grabbing a fallen branch and trying to wedge it underneath the watch. 

Only for it to snap in half.

   "You gotta be kidding me”! Said Jim as he kneeled down on the dirt.

Jim started at the strange watch again, studying for some kind of seam or lock he could pick at. Looking at the circular center where the hour-glass was, curiously Jim twisted it and surprisingly the watch beeped and a portion of the watch lifted up. Not releasing Jim’s wrist but strangely the hour-glass symbol shifted revealing a vague black figure.

Curious and without thinking Jim pressed on the dial.

The moment that the center of the watch was press though an emerald light enveloped the space around him, blinding the teen.

Jim felt something strange come over him, a strange surge of energy course throughout his body.

He felt his skin crack open, his bones stretched and broadened, a feeling of intense warmth came over him that left his head feeling dizzy!

What was happening!?

What was this watch doing to him!

He gave a gargled choke before everything finally seemed to settle down, by then the light was gone.

Jim cracked his eye unsteadily, the nervously lifted his hand up.

Only to Jims horror his skinny wrist had been replaced with a large bright fiery arm. His skin was cracked and speckled with hot red rocks like magma. His digits a glowing yellow like the embers of a deep furnace.

He..he was..

"I'm on fire" he breathed before screaming, "I'M ON FIRE"!!!!

He slapped at his arms trying to extinguish the flames and blowing on them with his non-existent breath, but nothing worked.

The only reason he stopped was when he didn’t feel the expected agonizing pain that stories his mom told from work warned him about.

Stopping Jim studied his new hands.

Again there was no pain.

“Hey, I’m on fire” he said “And I’m okay”

Feeling a certain pressure on his fingertips Jim flicked his fingers and immediately sparks of flames danced on his palms.

“Check it out”! he found himself laughing “I’m totally hot”!

Jim eyed a tree behind him, then using the same pressure he made a finger gun motion and sent a sphere of fire that practically snapped the tree in two.

“Now thats what I’m talking about”! cried Jim.

Whatever the watch was, whatever it did to him, just made his life so much more interesting!

This was amazing!

Incredible! 

“I gotta tell Toby” he realized

Jim in his new fiery body, quickly made his way out of the woods.

His path was far more illuminated now.

_______________________________________

Kanjigar looked worryingly down at the metal casing in front of him.

Just as Vendel had suggested he kept his eyes on the heavens, leaving Trollmarket he still had doubts in the visions he had received but those all evaporated as he saw something glowing fly through the air and land somewhere in the forest of Arcadia.

Quickly getting his bearings the Trollhunter navigated through the woods to where the light fell.

He found the crater and traveled down into it.

Seeing the casing he studied it and from a distant memory realized this was no material made on earth, but from the stars.

This was his vision!

Only….the case was worryingly empty.

“What were you holding” asked Kanjigar as he lifted the item up “And where is it now”? 

[ksiondzkanexkiii]

I Will never leave you again | Angor Rot

Fragment

To find the full story go to wattpad or neobook

CHAPTER FIVE

Chapter six

Chapter Four

The widow has spent the last few hours meditating to regain the calm that has always flowed through her veins however since last evening she can't seem to get it together and the anxiety and premonition that something bad is about to happen

Of course she was stressed about the mission that the troll hunter had imposed on himself, however, she calmed down a bit when he told her that his group of friends consisting of Aaarrrgghh, Toby, Blinky and Claire would help him fight Gunmar although she calmed down more gently, anxiety still coursed through her veins.

The former troll hunters had shown quite bluntly that Jim might not be able to cope with the fight against Gunmar and the mission he had signed up for was extremely dangerous and would lead to the painful death of anyone who joined Jim's ranks.

When the widow heard footsteps approaching her she opened her eyes still sitting on the ground of her cave, when she looked towards the entrance to the hollow of her cave she raised an eyebrow seeing the troll hunter - Jim? - She called out to the slightly confused widow getting up from the ground, when her hooves stood more securely on the ground she straightened up and joined her hands behind her back - What brings you to me? - She asked emerging from the shadows

Seeing the young troll hunter's lips tighten into a thin line the widow's eyebrows rose even higher as anxiety flooded her veins further agitating the blood that flowed, she felt the calm she was trying to achieve quickly evaporate only to have the storm in her mind return - Well, I was wondering - The boy began uncertainly rubbing his knuckles

Anoana canted her head as she turned to walk over to the table and sit in the chair next to it gesturing for the boy to sit across from her which he quickly did without another word, as the boy and the troll sat across from them an awkward and tense silence filled the widow's nest - What is it Jim? - She asked more quietly and a blush appeared on the boy's cheeks and ear tips

The widow smiled gently waiting for the boy to finally say what was bothering him at the same time he himself didn't know how to form the words even in his own head - It's about this - He began his sentence - Kanjigar believes that once we enter the land of shadows we won't come out of it again until we kill Gunmar - Murmured the teenager walked away Anoana sensed the lie and bypassed the topic he came for originally.

- Since when do you listen, fallen trolls? - She raised an eyebrow - They can say what they want because they say what they believe in - The widow said quietly - Besides, you know your worth and you know better if you can do it or not - She shrugged her shoulders as she said this at the same time she waved her hand reluctantly getting up from her chair to approach one of the tables to start preparing something. Jim looked at the widow's back and then at the ground pondering his next question or defending himself over the spirits who might be talking right

At the same time, it is the widow who may also be right

The widow smiled under her breath sensing the troll hunter's mood gauntly she had to hide her surprise that he had come to her and not Blinkous or Tobes on this matter that was preoccupying his mind, but she felt he must have a valid reason why he had come to her - But that's not why you came to me, is it? - She finally asked, turning toward him and in her hand she held for the mugs

Approaching the table again Jim nodded slightly - It's about Claire - He finally said nodding his head in thanks for the drink she put in front of him, Anoana raised her eyebrows she should have expected it, that matters of the heart would come to her after all she is the only woman he knows. Besides her mother and Claire, or maybe she knows another girl? Anoana shrugged her shoulders however she smiled as she sat down across from the troll hunter again - So what's the matter? - She asked again with the same question

- The spring ball is coming up - Murmured Jim - I wanted to invite her but I have no idea how to do it - Irritated, he ran his hand over his face while sighing heavily, the widow meanwhile sipped her tea quietly as she closed her eyes enjoying the taste of the drink

The widow and Jim exchanged glances as the troll took another sip of the drink - I'm surprised you're coming to me with such a matter - When she spoke she didn't look at the troll hunter only looked at the mug, which she set down on the wooden table with a quiet knock that issued when the stone mug made contact with the board - At the same time it's nice that you're coming - She would add not to discourage the teenager from coming to her for advice.

Jim swallowed hard as he looked inside his mug at the same time sniffing the suspicious decoction not knowing what it was at the same time fearing it was the slime that trolls drink - It's a tea made from cherry blossoms and mint leaves - She said as she saw the boy looking at the drink - I suspected your tea recipe and prepared it myself - She bragged and Jim nodded slightly in understanding at the same time gently glad he didn't have to drink the slime

- But as for Claire, I can't give you advice - She said as she twirled the mug in her hand tilting her head - Women are different - She interrupted - Just like every creature, everyone likes something different. Invitation to a date -.

- For a ball, not a date. Just a ball - The teenager interrupted her, the widow had to refrain from giggling - An invitation to a ball should come out elegantly at the same time without any friction. I don't know about human women, but we trolls, when looking for a chosen one, look for a troll we will love and one who will defend us in critical moments - She said as her voice became quieter and quieter as she dully watched the liquid in the cup swirl around

The teenager listened to her words at the same time trying to decipher them - This helped on average - He muttered while burying his face in his hands at the same time groaned not satisfied. The widow this time giggled seeing the dilemmas of the young teenager - When I met my beloved - she began her story slowly Jim did not change his position, however, if the ears of people allowed themselves to rise Jim's ears would certainly do so

- At that time he was not yet my husband nor was he my boyfriend at the time, he came to my nest one time in the middle of the night and took me to the woods - Recalled the widow as she spoke slowly and nostalgia and longing permeated her words and her eyes drifted away in nostalgia as she recalled - We liked to race especially in the trees, jumping from branch to branch. We did the same thing when he took me out of the nest we played at our best not minding that the moon was at the top of its path -.

- We believed that Hestia was watching over us and would make sure we didn't get lost - She paused as a smile adorned her face - We ended up in a clearing where we rested and later became our meadow - She muttered, grinning - We came every night to fool around.... come one time he took me to the meadow, when he came he was stressed I didn't know what he meant - She paused as the memories raided her head as the nostalgia became greater and greater and made the widow feel as if she was drowning in a lake of memories

- At the time I didn't know what he meant however he took me to a clearing, wove me a garland and then instead of playing as usual we just lay and looked at the stars - She winked smiling at her reflection in the tea, Jim listened to Anoan's story quietly sipping his tea afraid to make any sound for fear that if he interrupted the widow's story she would stop telling - When we were about to return he gave me a ring - She winked pulling off said ring to hand it to the boy so he could look at it

- Reading a little about your human customs I know that this is how you propose - She smiled gently as the boy's blue eyes examined the gold ring that was interlaced with brown leather in the middle making the leather surrounded by two gold hoops in the center of the ring were carved two letters , “AA” Jim could guess that these were the initials of Anoan and her husband however he did not know his name

But he surmised that it began with , “A”

Logical

- However, in our language it is a question of whether we want to enter into a romantic relationship - She gently smiled as she picked up the ring from the teenager putting it back on her ring finger covering the imprint that had formed after not taking the ring off for a long time - I agreed, out of that joy we started dancing in that meadow - At this mention she giggled shaking her head at the fact that she had strayed from the subject

- But that's not what you asked - She muttered when she finished giggling - I'm telling you about it because you can use the same idea - She said quietly - Find a beautiful place where you feel safest and there ask her to go to the ball with you - She smiled gently as she continued to twist her wrist at the same time holding a mug of tea, which had managed to cool as well as Jim's tea

Jim mused slightly - But where can I find such a place? - He asked quietly in thought, the widow didn't even know if it was her he was asking or himself - You know Arcadie even better than I do, surely you know some romantic place - The widow joked, tilting her head as she looked at the boy with curiosity and calmness at the same time

Anoana shook her head at the boy's helplessness and seeing the cogs in his head churning as he thinks not only about dating Claire and inviting her to the ball, but thinks still about Gunmar and the lack of time for such things as date preparations - I can find such a place - The widow suggested raising an eyebrow - I fly out every morning anyway to get alchemical ingredients so I can go a little off course - She suggested

The widow's offer fell on Jim almost as if from heaven, because he immediately nodded his head - If it's not a problem - He muttered after a while crooking his face - No! it should be me who finds it - He wanted to argue but the widow silenced him by raising her blue hand - Jim, it's not a problem for me - She argued further - I will help you - She smiled gently

- Yes I can only repay the debt I owe you - She replied after a while, when the silence relaxed to make it more comfortable come from the words of the widow Jim slightly surprised she deduced it from the way he furrowed his eyebrows and his lips parted - For your sacrifice and the killing of Bular - She explained to him

- But - He wanted to argue again however the widow again interrupted him by raising her hand in a gesture that he should remain silent

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

Fragment To find the full story go to wattpad or neobook

[albentelisa]

Hello! What if when Jim used the Khronosphere, he somehow ends up on Camelot Castle with Nari instead of waking in his room?

To make matters worse, he is in his half-troll body and with some help from Nari, finds out he time traveled to a year before Kanjigar falls.

Hi! I really like plans-gone-wrong kind of scenarios!

So, here the time travel is screwed, misplacing Jim and accidentally giving him the body he had at some point in time. Even the burden of knowing about the different timeline is heavy and here Jim has it even worse as there is nearly no one he knows to be by his side and giving the comfort unknowingly.

Jim tells Nari his story (without expecting her to believe him) and surprisingly she believes as the Kronisfere is something only a selected few know about.

After discussing the matter with Nari, Jim decides to go to the Trollmarket and be the onlooker until the right time comes. He still has his new amulet and Excalibur for some reason, and Nari believes that it may help to bring the change.

The trolls at the Trollmarket initially have some mixed feelings about the newcomer, but Jim quickly wins their hearts. He becomes Blinky's assistant at his library. Jim doesn't reveal his amulet though as he isn't sure how trolls will react to it. He also hides his origin, inventing a fake backstory about being from New Jersey.

The first complication starts when Jim realizes that he has bonded with Kanjigar too much and simply cannot let him die now (not to mention that because of Jim's intervention, Draal and Kanjigar finally manage to talk and go back to normal father-son relationship).

Jim's plan ends up to be saving Kanjigar and becoming his helper while trying to make everything work. The thing is - it doesn't work as planned as Jim miscalculates the supposed date of Kanjigar's death (it happens a day earlier).

And there is another thing Jim hasn't considered (or more like deliberately omitted thinking about it) - namely, his own human life. There is only one Jim in this timeline, so from humans' point of view, Jim Lake disappeared a year ago.

Both Barbara and Toby are devastated, never giving up on finding Jim. Strickler is upset too, but unlike Toby and Barbara, he believes that Jim is dead (between Bular, other changelings, and goblins, there are too many possible suspects who love human flesh too much). Strickler meets Barbara when she comes to the school looking for clues. Initially, he helps her with the investigation out of concern that she might stumble upon the supernatural, but gradually falls for her. Barbara starts to have feelings for Walter too and feels guilty for finding her personal happiness while Jim is not around.

Toby, on the other hand, gets close to Eli and starts believing in creeps, suspecting that those might be the reason for Jim's disappearance. Toby tries to stay positive, but deep inside he wonders if his best friend is still alive.

Toby and Eli snoop around a lot. Steve tries to follow them one day for a nasty prank - and ends up learning about the supernatural stuff too. He's still mean to both Toby and Eli, but joins them in their investigation (he is a self-proclaimed leader).

Those investigations lead the boys to the location of Kanjigar's death and Toby picks up the amulet. When Jim discovers that, he is devastated (even though it was his initial plan to have Toby as the Trollhunter). Jim comes to Toby's house together with Blinky and Aaarrrgghh, hoping to be a secret helper.

Toby, however, finds out Jim's true identity really fast. Jim has no choice but to confess, though he omits the time travel part and tells Toby he has no idea why he transformed one day. For now, Toby promises to keep it secret, even though he thinks that Jim should at least tell his mom he's fine.

Eli and Steve become a part of the team early on as Toby kinda drifts away from their previous activities after becoming the Trollhunter and they start investigating why which leads to them discovering everything. Eli is obviously excited to learn more about 'creeps', but Steve is annoyed that he isn't the chosen one. He grows a better person only after getting into several troubles and being saved by Toby and Jim.

Ironically, Steve is the second one to learn Jim's true identity and the first one who finds out about Jim's amulet as Jim is forced to use it to save him. After this, Jim tells the entire truth to his team (which consists of Toby, Eli, Steve, Blinky, Aaarrrgghh, Draal, and Vendel by that point).

There's also an issue regarding the situation with Enrique and his potential kidnapping, and Jim patrols near Claire's house hoping to prevent it. However, he doesn't know that the switch has already happened in this timeline (as Strickler discovered Nomura's Snatch earlier and used it to get himself another subordinate). Claire also starts to notice oddities with her brother earlier, which leads her to discovery of changelings' existence. She lands herself in trouble as she has discovered Strickler's true identity, but as Strickler prefers not to have another misterious disappearance, he just manages to silence her with blackmail. Strickler also uses Claire to investigate who is the human Trollhunter as he himself has no idea.

Claire accidentally notices Jim who is roaming near her house. Initially, she thinks he's one of the bad guys (as she has no idea there are good trolls and assume that all of them are on the same side as NotEnrique and Strickler). That is how Jim learns that he's failed to prevent another one of events he would rather avoid and Claire realizes that not every troll is evil. She propose the alliance and suggests leaking info on Strickler to Jim's team. While Jim is slightly reluctant at first (not wanting to endanger her life needlessly), he remembers that Claire is competent and smart enough so her plan should work.

Claire, however, tries to go beyond her initial plan and ends captured. Strickler uses her as the bait to lure the Trollhunter. There's the clash between the two sides. Jim fights Strickler, but (obviously) refuse to kill him, so Strickler escapes. Meanwhile, the rest of the team deals with Bular and Nomura. Bular is killed, and Nomura is captured.

While Strickler is out of Arcadia, and the team is planing entering the Darklands to save Enrique, Jim decides to contact Douxie and recruit him to the team. Douxie agrees after learning about everything and starts to teach Claire.

Jim isn't that worried about Strickler most likely freeing Angor as his plan is to have a proper talk with his teacher and set everything straight. Besides, Jim is sure that Strickler won't do anything dumb like using the binding spell in this timeline (as he has no idea that the half-troll who defeated him is Jim).

However, Jim hasn't considered that Strickler feels cornered and rather paranoid because Gunmar won't be kind to him and he has no tight bonds with the current Trollhunter Toby. Strickler believes that he is on his own now - and there's nothing to lose, so he is even more hostile and manipulative than in the original timeline, but it also leads to more missteps - including Angor getting free on his own and Barbara discovering Walter's secret.

Angor is deadset on killing Strickler, and only Jim's involvement stops him. Angor agrees that now that he's free, he has no reason to act like a villain and leaves to sort his feelings. Strickler is indebted to Jim though he still has no idea why this odd youngling has saved him. Jim has no choice but to tell him everything in hope to earn his trust.

Barbara is another person who figures Jim's identity herself. Initially, she is seriously upset that her son hasn't come to her once the transformation happened, but she forgives Jim eventually.

Now, that everyone is together in this, there is some thorough planning regarding the mission to the Darklands. After all, Enrique isn't the only one they will save, but other familiars too. Besides, they plan to talk to Dictatious and make him remember how he used to be (Blinky already knows about the situation and had enough time to make peace in his mind with this fact).

Strickler contacts other members of the Janus Orders (those who he believes to be willing to change sides) and warns them that they will lose their familiars soon. However, he misgudges some and those find the way to contact Gunmar and warn him too. Obviously, Gunmar doesn't care about the changelings, but for him it looks like the perfect opportunity to escape. He also has an ally in Usurna - and it turns out that some trolls at the Trollmarket would rather pick Gunmar's side too.

So, when the team marches into the Darklands, there is a riot at the Trollmarket and Vendel is imprisoned. The Trollhunters seemingly meet no resistance at the Darklands (minus several Gumm-Gumms and goblins) and save the familiars, but can't locate Dictatitious (as he isn't there at the moment). After some thinking, they decide to go back for now and return for the second time (as everyone is sure they have been stealthy enough).

Meanwhile, Gunmar has passed through the bridge with a good chunk of his elite forces and is greeted by his supporters who have control over the Trollmarket. So, when the Trollhunters are back from the Darklands, they get a nasty surprise. They manage to escape only because Claire summons a shadow portal (it's the first one for her in this timeline as she has learned different magic from Douxie). The lack of practice shows here and Morgana gets a link to Claire's mind.

Jim knows that Morgana can be redeemed but feels conflicted when he sees that Claire goes through the events leading to her possession for the second time (it's something he would rather prevent). Not to mention that Angor isn't that willing to forgive Morgana.

Jim contacts Nari, hoping that she might have an idea how to help Claire, but Nari admits that shadowmancy is beyond her competence (actually, beyond everyone's but shadowmancers). Jim decides to propose Morgana to possess him instead as he thinks that he might have a better resistance (spoiler: he hasn't).

Morgana uses Jim's body to come and bargain to Gunmar, reminding him about their alliance.

Meanwhile, Claire and Toby with Angor's assistance go to the shadow dimension to save Jim. On their way, Claire has a fight with Morgana and barely manages to win due to some quick thinking. Toby, Claire and Angor reach Jim and manage to break him out of the possession.

The team decide to fight Gunmar before Morgana starts the Eternal Night. The clash happens at the Trollmarket (some former members of the Janus Order, trolls from different clans and some local wizards come to help too).

After the fight is won, Jim realizes that they still need to reach Merlin and think about the further actions against the Arcane Order. And well, when Merlin is awake and learns about the time-travel, he isn't happy as he thinks that messing with the time has already lead to some horrifying consequences. He also isn't happy to learn that Jim still hopes to free Morgana and refuses to cooperate (which change nothing as Claire steals his staff).

Jim tries to talk with Morgana for the second time after she is free, trying to appeal to her former ideas about co-existence and asking if she actually wants to have the world destroyed. It works this time.

The team also contacts Aja and Krel when they arrive to the Earth, finally reuniting with the rest of the guardians and forming the united front. Together, they have less trouble dealing with Morando and later, Green Knight. Nari sees it as an opportunity to talk to Bellroc and Skrael and appeal to their common sense as the times have changed and humans proved to be able to co-exist with inhuman beings. Bellroc and Skrael are still skeptical but agree to wait and see.

As the peace is reached, Claire joins efforts with Morgana in the attempt to find the solution for Jim (and to some extent all the changelings who changed sides) to change forms and be able to enjoy human life.

[gentleeclipsey]

Care to share any Draal headcanons?

Of course!

I believe Draal is a tad more feral than most other trolls, mostly due to the fact both his parents were a bit distant as he grew up. I've noticed there's times where he just doesn't talk very much, and he's more hot-headed than others, I believe this is due to the fact he just never had a good support system as a kid.

Alongside that, he idealized his father because everyone else did. Draal doesn't feel much towards his mother, but i feel that's more likely because he convinced himself that she likely regretted him somehow, and without her around to deny that he's detached himself from her.

But I also feel Ballustra never wanted Draal to leave, and it's likely Kanjigar created a rift to get Draal to come with him for some unknown reason. I feel if Ballustra had a way to find her son and get to him she would absolutely show the fuck up because Draal is alone.

When Kanjigar further removed himself from Draal's life after taking up the Trollhunter mantle, I feel this really caused Draal's temper to get worse and when Kanjigar died Draal was angry with him because he's now been abandoned by what was left of his family.

We see Draal has honor among trollmarket, but we don't see if he has many friends so it can be assumed he doesn't and it's likely part of that public image comes from being Kanjigar's son. We can assume Vendel is somewhat close to Draal but even then he seems to care more about Blinky and ARRRGH than Draal.

I believe those scars Draal has when we meet him come from accidents that were caused by his father when he first got the Amulet. We know Draal was grown when he left Europe with Kanjigar, leaving his mother behind, so when Kanjigar did get the Amulet it's likely Draal got hurt helping his father and trying to get closer to him. This resulted instead with Draal being further removed from his dad's life.

I feel Draal fully resents Bular because Bular has Gunmar, but I also believe Draal and Jim bonded as brothers because neither had a real father or mother in their lives. Jim had his mom, yes, but he cared for her, he became the protector and caretaker of his mother even before the Amulet, and Draal felt kinship with Jim through this.

Draal is depressed 2k23.

[karlyanalora]

Rinse & Repeat

Read on AO3

Day 1 Take 2

It’s not like Jim to set Barbara up on a date. In fact, he’s never done it before. But she won’t complain. Walt seemed to be very nice.

-------------------------------

Day 1 Take 5

“I love you, Mom.”

Jim hugged her for a long time, and she hated to break it off, but “Jim I’m going to be late for work.”

Jim pulled away, and there were tears in his eyes. She frowned, taking a moment to wipe them away. “What’s wrong?”

He grasped her hand for a moment and leaned into the touch. “Nothing, Mom. Be safe, okay?”

“Sure, honey.” All through the drive, she can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. He wasn’t like that yesterday.

-----------------------------------

Day 1 Take 10

Barbara felt sick to her stomach and rushed to the bathroom. Things weren’t much better a few hours later, and she called the hospital to tell them she’d be out sick. She’d say she had food poisoning if she didn't know better.

“Where’s Toby?” she asked Jim when he got home from school. 

Jim shrugged, seemingly unconcerned by her apparent illness. “He had to go home early. He wasn’t feeling well.”

Her son seems cold, calloused even. Seeing him wield a knife so expertly makes her shiver as he carves a ham. He’s carved ham before, but it’s different this time. She can’t put her finger on it, but it’s unnerving.

--------------------------

Day 1 Take…

Barbara jerked awake to the sound of the front door slamming closed. She looked out the window to see Jim tearing out of the garage on his bicycle. He wasn’t wearing a helmet, and it was still dark out. She couldn’t tell you why, but he seemed so desperate in that fleeting glance, that it had her chasing after him in the car. Instinct had her pulling the car off the road at the bridge and peering over into the canal just as the sun rose fully. Jim was kneeling in front of a pile of broken stone, shaking, and she could hear his wails from here. Even over the roar of some sort of monster on the underside of the bridge. She ignored the monster and awkwardly stumbled down the canal wall to Jim’s side.

She knelt next to him and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. He sobbed into her shirt, clinging to her tight enough to leave bruises. “I don’t want to do this again, Mom.”

“Do what, Jim?”

There, on the pavement, as the sun beat down on them, Barbara learned about a life she hadn’t lived yet. About love found, lost, found, and lost again. About trolls, wizards, and aliens. About a dead Toby and her brave son’s chance to save them all.

“But it just got worse,” Jim blubbered. “Every time, the harder I tried, the worse it got.”

“So you thought you could fix it all by saving the Trollhunter before you, Kanjigar was it?” Barbara concluded, and Jim nodded.

“But I couldn’t.”

She cursed her future self for allowing him to start this horrible cycle. “Jim, you can’t save everyone.”

“I know, Mom,” he snapped. “And don’t give me that stupid doctor lecture again.”

Well, there went that plan. “Jim, if you go into this trying to save everyone you love, you’ll find yourself doing just about anything.” Jim didn’t go stiff, exactly, but “You’ve made a lot of compromises, haven’t you?”

“I did what I had to.”

She pulled back to look him in the eye with all the sincerity and love inside her. “What you have to do is the right thing. If the world burns, it burns; you did the right thing with the knowledge you had. You have more knowledge now, but that means making harder choices. It means letting people go.”

“I can’t let them die again!”

“We can try to stop it, but promise me, no more forgoing the right thing.” She paused for a moment, staring at the stones. “Your father…when he served, he did that. Foregoing the right thing for the option that saved the most people or those he cared most about. Often those are one and the same, but when they aren’t…well, we both saw the results. I don’t want that for you.”

“I don’t know if I can anymore,” Jim admitted softly. “But I’ll tr-I’ll do my best.”

She pulled him close again, resting her chin on top of his head. How she wished she could take this burden from him, but Jim had learned through hard-won experience it had to be him who wielded the Amulet. “That’s all I can ask for. But…” how to put this gently, “I think I know why you’re failing.”

“Oh? Because I’d sure like to know.”

“You’re trying to have everything.” She felt him try to pull away, but she held him tighter. “Hear me out. Tell me, do you always try to set me up with Mr. Strickler?”

“Well, yeah. You guys are in love!”

“We were in love, in another life. Mr. Strickler and I may have fallen in love before, but right now he is our enemy and he may stay that way.”

Jim yanked out of her arms. “No! I’m not giving up on him. I know he’s good-”

“You know he can be good,” Barbara pressed. “Those are different things.”

“Fine then. What next? You want me to ditch Tobes and Claire too?”

She shook her head softly. “No, don’t push away the friends you have. Besides, I don’t think Toby would let you and you definitely can’t keep this a secret from him. And new friends may come to, like your two troll trainers. But just because they were your friends before doesn’t mean they will be again. People get to choose and they may not make those same choices. Nomura only became your friend after the Darklands, and without that, and that will not happen again, she may never be your ally. You have to let people choose and not assume you know them. If you want to rekindle what you had with Claire, you need to be upfront with her. Her relationship with you, even if it’s just friends, will actively put her in danger. She needs to know the risks.”

Jim dropped against her chest. “I can’t lose Claire. She’s going to think I’m nuts..”

“Being a hero means making sacrifices.”

Sobs shook Jim again. “It’s all gone. It’s really gone.”

“So build something new.” She stood and pulled Jim up with her. “We’ll go home and plan as best we can. You’re not alone in this. We’ll do the right thing this time and leave it at that, okay?”

Jim nodded and shuffled away. “Hey, aren’t you forgetting something?” she tried to say cheerfully. He turned to look at her as she bent to move the stones aside. Just as the blue light peeked through as the last stones fell, they both heard the Amulet speak.

“Barbara Lake.”

The look of horror and defeat on Jim’s face would be forever burned into her mind.

Day 1, Final Take

This story is complete for now, but I have more ideas I'd love to explore in it. So if you want to read more, let me know.

[hammert-fitzerald]

Giratina entered the void again to revive Kanjigar and take him out as he did with Gogun in reviving him, the souls of the fallen Trollhunters try to stop him but they cannot, Kanjigar was surprised to see that Giratina points at him, indicating that he is the next to be revived. giratina has good intentions