Please Read This Note!

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Author's Note:

WE HAVE A SURPRISE! The second season, all episodes that Jim is in the Darklands for, from Escape from the Darklands all the way to Homecoming will be published all at once! We figured since there was a long wait and these are everyone's liked episodes, we might as well bring them out together.

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IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR REACTIONS FEATURED, YOU MAY!

You can react to any episodes in season 2 that you would like, but we are changing it up! And yes, as many episodes as you want, doesn't matter if it is all in one comment or not.

Now, we need this information:

Name or Username (whichever is preferred)

Gender

Episode You Would Like to React to

The Part You Are Reacting to

Reaction

We had a small but a lot of good reactions from you guys so we are definitely keeping this Insert Your Own Reaction deal.

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Side Notes

This will be one of the longest chapters with tons of feels at the end. Hopefully you guys like this and before anything happens, yes, big things will happen, no, nothing will be affected, just the theater plot.

Get ready for the most reacted chapters in your lives! Well, this one, not so much.... For some reason this was the hardest one to do and it had the most action!

Enjoy!

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Within a cage suspended in the air, Strickler laid eyes closed as he grunted and shifted in his sleep, voices all around him.

"Think fast," a brute voice called out, laughing as something had clanked against the bars of the cage, the only protection Strickler had from their throwing. A metal tankard had woken the Changeling up, his body flying straight off from the floor of the cage and peering down at the one who threw it.

"What a great thing to wake up too. I'm actually surprised they are letting Trolls even go in there to harass the prisoners."

"Well, Strickler is a Changeling, makes sense that they could care less. No offense Strickler."

"None taken."

Three trolls stood below, staring at him with wicken grins. "Only an Impure would be stupid enough to raise Angor Rot," ther darker troll scolded as the green one had slapped his hand with an awaiting object, ready to be thrown. The smaller troll had laughed, while the darker one had continued to taunt the man.

"Gunmar can't save him now," they laughed, eyes burning with fury as they mocked him.

"Not so tough without your assassin," more object came hurtling towards the cage, Strickler ducking behind the bars to avoid any collision with his head and injuring him further.

"Guilty Changeling!"

"You throw like a sloth!" Strickler called out, his head quickly moving back inside the cave when a much larger object was thrown at him. The green troll finally spoke, his voice deep and scratchy.

Jim narrowed his eyes in confusion, that was an interesting way to insult trolls who most likely have no idea what a sloth is. Well, he wouldn't say it like that, but it was understandable on what he was hinting at.

"Let's get him down from there and really have some fun!" He stepped off to the lever, now the eeriness rose in Strickler, eyes larger than saucers.

"Jim." The cage began to lower, Strickler's pleas growing louder. "JIM! James Lake Jr." His voice echoed through the prison, other trolls watching him as his cage was lowered into the hands of the trolls.

"I like how he tried insulting them and now as they take his only defense away, he's crying for Jim."

"This is why you don't feed the fire when you have nothing to defend yourself with!"

"Well, he protected himself with Angor, since that didn't work, now he wants Jim."

"I am right here. I understand my mistakes." Strickler said harshly, trying not to grit his teeth. The students said no more, not trying to anger him especially if he is proving himself in the show.

The said boy had been standing in front of a worried and saddened Claire as Vendel's voice was heard, scolding them for letting Angor get a hold of the only protected wall of Trollmarket.

"She allowed Angor Rot to obtain a Horngozel, the very key past Trollmarket's defenses!" The three teens watched in silence, regret and nervousness written on their features while Vendel's voice grew louder with every word.

"It's not Claire's fault, it's mine," Jim stated, "I should have gone to the school for the incantation, I should have faced Angor Rot. Not them," He gestured to Claire but the girl quickly defended him as well.

"He's protecting her from Vendel! I need a man like that!" Jim smiled and looked at Claire. Vendel didn't seem as mad as he appeared on the screen, which was good. However, he wouldn't let anyone yell at Claire for something that he needed them to do. She had offered to go and took that risk.

The guilt hit him like a truck when she and Toby had faced Angor. They did amazing but he shouldn't be throwing his friends in a battle with no protection.

"It was in my purse. Toby and I were dangling off the roof, he cut it off and left." She rubbed her arm, facing away from Vendel's harsh gaze.

"It was a great everyday purse. It went with everything," Toby added, placing a hand on Claire's shoulder.

Everyone chuckled, Toby was hilarious, especially when it camr to fashion.

"We might have time, Angor Rot rarely attacks during the day--" Jim started but Vendel had cut him off.

"Angor Rot is unpredictable at best and if there isn't anything to stop him from creating havoc in Trollmarket, then you have just put more than yourselves at risk." The teens flinched as he spat out his words, right before they were alerted to the echoing cries of Strickler.

"Trollhunter! Help!" The three teens quickly fled while outside, Strickler had been dangling upside down in a Troll's grasp, Blinky and Aaarrrgghh guarding the only exit to Trollmarket. Aaarrrgghh's eyes were narrowed, his fists planted in the ground as he stood in their way.

"So what did they do to him? I'm curious."

"Out of the way Aaarrrgghh."

Aaarrrgghh's fists slammed against the stone as Blinky readied his fists, "no."

"Let us discuss this matter like reasonable trolls," Blinky started, running in front of them, only for a stone to collide with his forehead. "Ruffians! who threw that?!" Blinky yelled out as the crowd gathered, their murmurs growing louder.

Someone chuckled and Blinky looked at the student in a bit of shock, "I am so sorry but that was kind of funny."

"Where's Jim? He gave me his word!" Strickler said desperately, his question being answered when Jim's voice was heard off to the side, the words being spoken with hardness.

"Put him down. He helped save my mother. He's... with me," Jim said, stepping in front of his troll friends, Claire and Toby joining him.

"Can we all appreciate the fact that he makes a promise and he goes through with it? A lot of you guys don't do that." Someone said, nodding in approval.

"He tried to release Gunmar!"

"Get him out of here!" Strickler was lifted higher into view, his face covered in worry.

"Changelings ain't right in Trollmarket," Bagdwella added, pushing through the crowd and stepping up to them.

"Get rid of him!"

"It's not going to make a difference, Angor Rot wants me too and the protective barrier won't stop him." Jim defended, the trolls turning to look at one another, trying to understand what Jim had meant.

Blinky spoke for them, stepping up. "Ah, what do you mean?"

"He has...." Jim scratched the back of his head, "a horngozel." Chaos immediately began at the news, Jim closing his eyes and tensing as objects rained down on him. He turned, ready to please the trolls despite the terrible news. "Look, you have the right to know."

Everyone winced as Jim took the flying trash without fighting it. Jim just sighed, he knew the trolls would not take something like that lightly, and they had a reason to be upset.

"Let's throw them both out!" The crowd raged, fists in the air as tension rose. A troll had stepped up, grabbing Jim and holding him just like they had done with Strickler. They stomped to the stairs as his friends grew defensive.

"Really? Throw out your Trollhunter? You guys really don't think about the situation at hand?"

"No, we move on instinct. No need to think when you are guided by rage." Draal replied, "if someone ran at you with a weapon, you wouldn't sit and think. You fight for your life."

"He has a point."

"Jimbo!"

"It's not his fault!" The trolls didn't seize their movement, pushing past Aaarrrgghh and Blinky. However, the chanting stopped, so did the trolls that were ready to throw both the Changeling and their Trollhunter out when Vendel had been heard.

The elder perched himself on top of the dead car, "when you finish throwing them out. Come back, and throw me out too! Yes, the boy has made grave errors, but he's come through for us more times than I give him credit for. Trollmarket is in danger and our greatest defense has always been our Trollhunter. He's earned my trust, he should have earned your's."

"Aw, thanks Vendel." Jim jokingly said, the trolls just smiling and giving him a nod.

"Fantastic job Fleshbag, I guess I must show a bit of appreciation despite the need not too when I don't feel like it."

"It's the thought that counts," Jim shrugged. "I can't believe they were willing to throw me out."

"You just took it though," Darci joked, pointing to the screen.

Blinky had joined Vendel on the car, "you can throw me out too!"

"And me," Aaarrrgghh said, slamming his fist on the car.

"Us too! Well, technically we don't live here, I'm just saying." Toby said, Claire rolling her eyes at Toby.

"Same for me!" Bagdwella said, Jim struggling beside her until she had stood up for him. "I've always stood with our Trollhunter." She patted Jim's chin, the said boy looking at her with a glare of disbelief.

"Look at Jim! He is so unamused and I love it!"

"Let's talk about Bagdwella and what she just said. She literally wanted to throw him out a second ago."

"Yeah, okay." Toby hissed, Bagdwella facing him with a glare. Vendel, Aaarrrgghh, and Blinky stood, listening to the crowd change their mind.

Everyone laughed, Toby had no filter with that one and they enjoyed it. They were all thinking the same thing anyways.

"I have to admit, it's true," the trolls holding Strickler said, the other one agreeing. The two dropped their captives, none too gently on the stairs, stepping back into the crowd.

"What now? Our infallible leader." Strickler asked as Jim stepped a little higher, readying the crowd.

"Wow, that's the nicest thing he had said to Jim in a long time. Good job Strickler."

"Now, we get ready to give Angor Rot the fight of his life!" Jim cried out, raising his fist as the crowd cheered, their mood completely changing as they supported him.

Trollmarket wasted no time to prepare themselves, stacking tons of staticed televisions in a vast pile and barricading entrance ways with crates and boxes. The gnomes were even guiding where to set weapons, only to be knocked over in the process. Curtains were closed as trolls shout out commands, carts being pushed through the plaza and revealing Jim comforting a crying troll.

"Don't worry, just stay indoors. Not everyone has to fight," the Trollhunter said. The troll sniffled before letting out a louder cry, throwing his head back before stepping off, letting another one pass.

"Whatever," the orange troll spoke, Jim speechless throughout the moment.

People laughed at Jim, his face explained everything in that one moment. The fact that something so simple, maybe a bit chaotic, was amusing to everyone.

Claire and Toby, however, were hidden out in the library, their voices quiet even after Toby had told Claire to shush gently.

"Toby," she started, "we have to tell Jim." Speaking of the boy, Jim had popped up from behind the wall, curiosity striking him.

"Tell me what?" The two teens gasped and turned, blocking Jim's view from the table at the sound of him. However, that didn't stop Jim, he continued forward as NotEnrique climbed upon Claire's shoulders.

"When the hell did NotEnrique get into Trollmarket?"

"Tell who what?" He asked but Jim had slightly moved his friends to the side, neither of them fighting it. "Nothing to see here."

From confusion, Jim's face morphed into happiness, excited to see, "Chompsky! No way, when did he get out?!" The said gnome had been perched on a cup, gulping every drop he could before lifting his head and gasping, trying to catch his breath.

"Oh dang, I totally forgot about Chompsky again! And the fact that they never told Jim! What the heck?!"

"A little while ago, we were going to tell you but with everything and your mom," Claire mentioned, none of them smiling despite Jim's happiness radiating in the room.

"Why would you hold back the great news? He escaped the Darklands!"

Toby sighed, "technically, he didn't. Gunmar... let him out to deliver a message." Jim's face was unreadable before his direction turned to Claire when she called his name.

"Jim, Gunmar knows you killed his son."

"Are they managing to communicate to Gunmar?" Eli asked curiously. "Or perhaps he has not heard or seen Bular after and understood."

"They must be communicating somehow, perhaps Goblins. Just because we have the fetch in our possession means nothing, they still can come through without our knowledge."

"And he promises to make a river," Not Enrique started, standing next to Chompsky who had been babbling to him, making hand gestures to help communicate. "No, an ocean of blood from your loved ones, and he's going to make a throne with their-- I think he said bones."

"Whoa, Gunmar is... I have no words, how do I react to something like that." Jim sighed, that message didn't seem like something to take so lightly, it worried him. He was meant to be put in harm's way, Gunmar was dangerous, his friends didn't stand a chance since they weren't armed so properly.

Claire and Toby felt the tension pour off of him, their hands moving to his shoulders. "Dude, you could break a bone sitting that tight."

Chompsky had taken off his hat, Jim's eyes growing in shock at the sight but also at the news he was receiving. Not Enrique and Chompsky had both turned in Jim's direction, blinking when the boy said nothing.

"His words, not mine." The young Changeling said, pointing a finger at the small Gnome. Chompsky turned and growled causing Not Enrique to flinch, leaving the teens to their conversation.

"And he..." Toby sighed, "and he included a list." Not Enrique turned to a chattering Gnome, naming off everyone Gunmar had mentioned.

"Tobias, Claire, Barbara, Blinkous," as he continued to name off names Jim did not want to hear in the same conversation with Gunmar, Claire had put a hand on Jim's shoulder.

"We knew what we were getting into, after we find the last stone, we'll find my brother. End this once and for all. Jim said nothing, turning back to face the two still perched on the table.

"Draal, Coach Lawrence..."

Coach perked up at that, he was on the list of people that Jim cared about?

"How the hell is Coach on there?!"

"Jim cares about everyone, it means nothing!"

"I am still taking it, I have the chance," Coach said. His smile was wide and teasingly, causing the Trollhunter to playfully roll his eyes.

"It goes on for a while. You don't need to listen to this." Toby said, trying to talk over Not Enrique's so Jim wouldn't hear the rest.

"It's like you said," Claire began a warming smile on her face, "we shouldn't be focused on the fight tomorrow, but the fight today."

"It's just too bad we've been wasting our time collecting stones to kill Gunmar and not Angor Rot," Toby said, deflated.

"Or so you think," Strickler's voice echoed from the tunnel, startling the teens. He appeared from around the corner, book in hand as he cut the distance between the teens and him. "Maybe you do have a stone. Angor's eye."

"How long has that turd been listening!?" Someone called out and Strickler titled his head at the name, silently repeating it with a questioning tone.

Jim turned back, reaching to grab the jar which still contained the said eye. "You're saying I can use this in my amulet." Not ENrique had climbed onto Jim, pulling the jar from the boy's hands and inspecting it.

Toby gasped, "Jim, you're going to level up again!"

"If cut with the proper guidance," Strickler said, Jim getting a stern smile on his face.

"Show me where to cut." As the camera zoomed in on the eye, the scene had changed to the Trollhunter standing beside the rapidly spinning wheel, concentration on his face as he pressed the eye against the moving stone, sparks emitting from the new stone.

"Unlock its dark power and you'll be able to ward off his magics. Cleave here, ever so gently." Jim lifted the eye from the wheel, positing it to where Strickler had mentioned. As the Trollhunter was readying himself, so was Angor.

The said assassin wore his usual smirk, turning to face the numerous stone figures he had carved. He placed the last one before swiping them in a sack, laughing. He leaped through the sewers, finally on his way to Trollmarket.

"Every time I see his face, I want to reach through the screen and smack him upside the head."

"Hey, he's a good guy gone bad, yes, I agree but we have to give him some credit."

"WHO'S SIDE ARE YOU ON!? JIM DO YOU HEAR THIS!" The Trollhunter let out a chuckled, the two students bickering at one another on why they could have mixed feelings on the assassin who threatened to kill almost everyone.

Trollmarket's famous residents, Blinky and Aaarrrgghh were also getting prepared. Blinky had been holding an ancient Viking hammer while Aaarrrgghh had wrapped his hand in a bandage, slamming the dead limb into a nearby rock, a large crater forming on the side.

Blinky laughed in success, the two fist bumping. Claire wasn't far, her staff wielding a portal, her control over it, growing. Toby, however, wasn't doing so well with his own weapon, struggling to lift it off the ground.

"Stubborn hammer, we're supposed to be on the same team!" He gritted out, Claire running to his side and helping him lift it with her staff. Toby let out a victorious "ah" but it had only lasted a second before he had lost his balance, the weight of his hammer growing to be too much.

"I'm really nervous about that hammer, you never seem to be able to control it." Darci added, her eyes were filled with worry, "what if it knocks out the wrong troll?"

"Can we talk about how we are really watching the least popular kids that we pushed around, prepare for one of the biggest battles of their lives?! I'm sorry to state something that has been said so much but I can't get over how weird this is!"

The boy toppled over, Claire looking surprised and concerned as she reached out to him. All while the Trollhunter and Strickler were still leaned over the wheel, Strickler still guiding the boy on where to cut.

"Follow that facet there, careful now. You only have one chance at this."

"Don't pressure him!"

Outside, three trolls were gathered around a barrel that had been lit on fire, mocking Angor and ready to go to battle.

"Angor Rot, what's that old fossil going to do? There's three of us and one of him." it had been the same three trolls that had been bothering Strickler and nearly kicked him and their Trollhunter out of Trollmarket.

"Okay, hear me out," a student started, "these Trolls remind me of those kinds of kids in school who think they're so tough and pick on everyone but they are all bark and no bite. There's always those kinds of kids!"

"Yeah, I'm not going to lie to you, it is true. I mean, Steve is the only one who would actually try to fight someone. Aka, he tried to fight Jim."

"Yeah, remember that dweebs!" Steve said but his voice wasn't intimidating as it usually was. That was noticed by the whole student body who quickly shook it off, knowing Steve was trying to change but didn't want people to think he was in the wrong before, or weak.

The smallest one had spoken up, "I'm going to break him over my knee. Backbreaker!" The small troll had slammed the handle of his axe on his knee confidently, only for his knee to nearly break not the handle.

He yelped in pain, holding his sore limb as his team laughed at him, this time, the third speaking.

"And when he's trying to get up, power bomb!" He slammed his fists into the concrete making a bomb sound effect, "and he's like 'oh no, stop!' and I'll be like---" His voice drowned out in the background, their laughters growing louder. The troll grunted with every fist while Toby was behind them, stacking another T.V on the pile.

"This is sad to watch...."

"What is the point of those tv's? I doubt Angor would shrivel under them and turn into dust."

Below him, Gnomes were lined up, chattering as they threw rocks and cans near Toby's feet.

"When you have no idea what to do and it probably won't benefit anyone but you need the participation points."

Within the Hero's Forge, the camera panned down from Kanjigar's statue to Draal who had been speaking to his father despite getting no reply.

"I am not afraid of death, father. For the afterlife, I shall see you again." Draal had been kneeling, his weapon placed in an honoring way as he bowed. Jim was finally shown again, the eye smaller than it had been at.

"This episode will make me cry! GOD DANG IT JIM!"

"How is it my fault?"

"YOU HAVE TO MAKE ME SO ATTACHED TO YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS! ALL OF YOU ARE JUST LOVING!"

"Uh, thank you." Jim smiled lightly and turned to Claire who shrugged.

He inspected the small speck, smiling as he pulled it from the tongs and letting his amulet consume the stone. The amulet floated, blue smoke pouring from the ancient device as the two watched.

After the amulet had accepted the stone, Strickler and Jim were seen walking to the Gyre, the Trollhunter escorting the man to the large trolly.

"Are you sure there isn't anything more I can do?" The Changeling asked.

"The other trolls don't trust fighting alongside you. And honestly, neither do I." Jim stated, stepping in front of him.

"Oof, Jim isn't wrong. I mean, you proved your point but..."

Strickler sighed, "understandable. I might as well calm now, if Jim and I will be allies in the future, there will be no need to cause issues now for no reason."

"Maybe we won't go after each other's throats for now, we'll see what happens once we leave this theater but for now, truce?" Jim asked, turning in his seat to face him.

"Deal, Young Atlas. I admire your loyalty."

"You kept your word, and after everything I've done. Once again you've proved why you are," Strickler let out a small laugh, seeming to be serious as Jim smiled in his direction. "The hero and I am--"

"HE DID IT! HE'S BEING A SOFTY AND BEING NICE TO JIM! THIS IS IT GUYS, THE WORLD IS ENDING!"

"Wow, I thought you were going for something nice..." Strickler added in.

"Not yet, my good sir."

"Someone who can change," Jim fixed.

"Your idealism is nearly contagious. My gratitude cannot be enough," Strickler said, holding out his head and revealing a glowing blue stone.

"Jee. A friendship rock?" Jim said, faking excitement but was also mildly confused.

Everyone laughed, loving how sarcastic Jim was and the fact that he didn't even try to fake a happy tone.

"After you're done with Angor's eye, I thought you could use Gunmar's. You need the last Triumbric stone to defeat Gunmar. I've been holding onto it for centuries. I kept it close, in case you drove a hard bargain to protect me."

"Quick, I need a water bottle!" Someone cried, holding out their hand. The host compiled, handing them the drink and the theater watching as the student had sucked in as much water as possible, just to spit it out and letting it rain down on the other students.

"YOU DIRTY LITTLE MASTERMIND!"

"Dude, you just spit on us!:

"But if I kill Gunmar..."

"Save the children. Yes." Strickler quickly said, "if you rescue my Familiar then I'll be trapped in my troll form forever but there is nothing left for me in the human world. It's not like I'll ever have a future with your mo--"

Jim quickly cut him off, holding out a hand. "Ah, don't."

Barbara snorted, her son amused her. She loved the protectiveness that Jim had when it came to such a sensitive subject like that.

"I have overstayed my welcome," Strickler said, stepping up to the command center in the Gyre.

"Thank you," Jim stated, holding up the eye and inspecting it. The gears began to turn on the large rusting machine as Strickler's voice was once again heard.

"You may not believe me, Young Atlas, but I do wish you luck and hope we meet again one day." The man said with a genuine smile on his face.

"Goodbye Mister Strickler." With no other words exchanged, the Gyre began to move, the gears surrounding it began to spin. Strickler didn't look back as he activated it, the transportation flying through the tunnels, leaving nothing but a blue streak of light. The camera focused on the eye while Strickler departed.

From the glowing blue of the eye, the scene changed to the same blue hue that radiated off the stairs of Trollmarket's entry. Thudding echoed down to the group waiting below, small pebbles falling to the ground and the inhabitants of Trollmarket were alerted, their bravery long gone as a small crowd screamed, fleeing off in different directions.

"Hurry! Protect yourselves, everyone!" Vendel commanded, all the trolls ducking and nearly tripping in fear, taking cover from possible death.

"Weren't all these trolls, excited, prepping, and ready to fight him earlier?" Eli questioned, surprised to see all of them running after they acted tough and tried to throw Strickler and Jim out. It wasn't that surprising since they had a protector and rarely knew how to fight but these trolls were indeed all bark no bite.

"Is he knocking?" Toby asked in disbelief, now sporting a pot with a flashlight connected to it. "Is that some sort of Troll war indicant."

"Toby. What on Earth are you wearing?" Mary asked, "how come with every major battle you are showing up with the most ridiculous uniforms ever."

"Yeah, like i'm still wondering where you got that locker door." Toby paid no mind, he was too busy seeing how this played out, hopefully it was the end to Angor Rot.

"I believe he's attempting to intimidate us!" Blinky cried out.

"He's expecting us to hide, I say we take the fight to him. Draal, hold the stairs, Blink, Claire, Tobes, protect Trollmarket, Aaarrrgghh, NotEnrique, you're with me." Jim commanded, each of his friends taking their posts respectfully.

People cheered, "look at Jimmy! So grown up and being a wonderful leader. I think I'm going to cry."

"Uh, I'm rather comfy where I am." NotEnrique started but Draal wasn't having it. He had shoved the small Changeling in Jim and Aaarrrgghh's direction. NotErique followed after his given team, yelling out, "you brute," to Draal.

It didn't take long for them to reach the entrance, NotEnrique hopping from Aaarrrgghh's back, looking more nervous than before. Jim tossed the key to the Changeling who gulped as he was handed the key.

Jim said nothing, simply nodding for the Changeling to open the door. NotEnrique leaped from Jim's shoulders, beginning to draw out the door.

"Ha, they're making NotEnrique do everything!"

"For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command." The purple border was drawn around JIm's lifted figure, the boy landing perfectly back onto the ground and readied himself. He donned his sword as the gate opened, revealing large purple creatures instead of Angor.

"We're not letting him past us... what the...." Jim ducked beneath the fist of the Animus Totem, crying out. "Watch out!" Aaarrrgghh was quick to slam his fist into the chest of the beast, ripping its heart from it's body and crushing the stone doll. He roared as he watched the Totem crumble into nothing, spitting out the head of the doll which he had managed to pull off with his teeth.

The crowd cheered at Aaarrrgghh's strength, proud of him. Aaarrrgghh smiled, happy they were accepting him and his more dangerous side, especially when his past haunted him daily.

"Wowza, big guy, let's keep it PG," NotEnrique said, Jim ignoring them and stepping to the open entrance, finding nothing. "Where's Angor Rot?"

"It's a diversion! He must be coming in another way!" Jim stated, taking off, his group following.

"Other way?" Aaarrrgghh asked.

'The Gyre station!" The Trollhunter responded as the entrance sealed itself, the other one opening and revealing Angor. The scene changed as the entrance closed behind the assassin, the said troll sneaking around and dropping his creations within the piles of gems, none of the fleeing Trolls noticing him as he popped up behind the counter of a shop.

"I swear, this guy! How is he that sneaky in a marketplace full of alert trolls!"

"He's silent but deadly!"

He let more dolls drop, sneaking off in different directions and placing them in random spots, secretly building his army while listening to the whimpers around him.

Jim, Aaarrrgghh, and NotEnrique had finally joined their awaiting team down below, skidding to a stop at the base.

"What happened, where's Angor Rot?" Claire asked.

"There he is," a troll pointed out, their finger in the direction of the stairs across from the Hunters. There stood the assassin, presenting himself to the market. The trolls raised their weapons, the one in front calling out to the rest of their team.

"Let's do this boys!" With battle cries, they all charged at Angor, one troll missing and tripping on the stairs, while the skinnier one had been impaled by the dagger and being pushed off the side of the bridge, his cry dying out and scaring his friend.

"So much for the Backbreaker..." A student deadpanned, rolling their eyes.

"Power bomb," the green troll whimpered, dropping his weapon and running off, leaving Blinky and Toby. Jim tried to pry the assassin's attention off his friends, calling out his name. The assassin grinned, pulling more totems from the sack and lying them all around.

"What did I tell you, all bark no bite." Another said, clapping for their own success. Everyone shook their heads, it was sad to see the three trolls that had been causing issues as if they were tough, fail in such a fight. That was also less numbers against Angor, not like it made much of a difference with all the Golems.

"Trollhunter, I have some friends I'd like you to meet." Finally emptying the sack, he tossed it and the totems down the large cavern. It wasn't long before the ground shook beneath their feet, a troll even crying out that it was an earthquake.

"HE HAD MORE OF THEM!?"

Out came the Golems, the horde of creatures rising and instantly surrounding the market. Trolls did their best to fight against them, but one had been socked in the face, amusing Angor. Jim and Draal had held off two, Jim looking at them.

"You handle Angor, we got this!" Claire cried out and Jim instantly ran down the stairs, right in Angor's direction. Draal had punched a nearby Golem right before ducking as something had helped aid the troll in his fight. He grinned at the perfect time, reaching and and shattering the heart of the totem.

Aaarrrgghh was preoccupied, trying to take out a pink one while another blue one had charged him as well. Easily, Aaarrrgghh had pulled the heart out of the pink beast and threw the other over his head. He split the heart in two, the pink one crumbling beneath his feet, leaving a pile of gems.

One had cut off Jim, the Trollhunter spawning his shield and protecting his head from an unfortunate blow. The arm of the beast shattered at the contact, right before Aaarrrgghh had aided his friend, tackling the beast and continuously punching it.

Up above, a troll had been cornered, receiving blow after blow from the Golems, while another troll had their weapon aimed, already backed into a small space but not afraid to fight their way out.

Toby and Claire had been pushed up against each other, the two staring at their opponents before giving one another a nod. The two ducked beneath each other and took out the opposite opponent. Toby let out a battle cry, turning the golem into nothing but a pile of gems, Claire doing the same.

"Wow, this is amazing! The fact that all of you guys are doing so well!"

Jim had finally caught sight of Angor who was unsurprisingly taking down a nearby troll. However, before Jim could approach the assassin, Angor had spotted him first, mocking him.

"HE RUINS EVERYTHING! MY GOODNESS!"

Many people agreed, he had always shown up at the worst time, ruining every moment of happiness but it was expected as the show continued on.

"When will you learn that Daylight is mine to command," His eyes flashed a bright orange, the balde pulling from Jim's hands and right to Angor's. As he readied the blade with an epic grin, Jim's armor had begun to smoke, the blade also coating itself in the orange blaze.

This time, the blade was pried from Angor's hands, back into Jim's awaiting ones. "NO!" The assassin cried, Jim giving his weapon a familiar swipe for taunting the troll back, having the upper hand.

"Guess I should thank you for giving me the stink eye."

"No way, I mean i shouldn't be shocked because you guys always figure things out that others couldn't but that was awesome!"

"Who knew, his eye was the key to removing the curse he put on Jim."

"My eye!" Anger rose from Angor, letting out a loud moan and charging at the boy, only for the Trollhunter to dive out of the way. The two epicly flipped and twirled, both dodging each blow the other had tried to inflict on them.

Leaping from his crouch, he let out a fierce scream, nearly impaliling Angor with his blade. Nearby, the Gnomes had gathered in a corner, telling each and everyone to quiet down right before loud footsteps met their ears.

A golem had made its way towards the group of Gnomes, but it never frightened the fierce creatures. Each pulled off their hats, arming themselves with the sharp tip beneath the hat. They launched at the Golem, causing the vast gem creature to stumble back with every hit it took.

"Gnomes are one of the smallest but craziest creatures I have ever seen. Remind me never to make one mad if I come across one."

"Dude, did you see how they all just flew at the thing and took it down so easily. Half the trolls won't even do that, some ran!"

Beside them, more Gnomes gathered around, one conducting with a toothbrush while the others readied themselves, slingshotting until the Golem bursted into nothing but bits and pieces.

The Gnomes celebrated, sliding back on their hats with excited chatter. The happy occasion only lasted a few seconds as the scene changed to Claire who had nearly avoided a blow to the head by a Golem.

As she leaped from side to side, dodging the raining fists, Toby had come to her rescue, calling out: "for the wrath of the War hammer!" His plans had only failed as his feet lifted from the ground, his body slowly raising in front of the Gem totem, making him an easy target to the fist that was being readied.

Jim winced, not liking the sight of Toby being so vulnerable because of his weapon choice. He was glad that his friend had found what he wanted to use during battle, it made him happy when he found it, however, the control the hammer had over Toby was frightening. Jim prayed it didn't endanger Toby's life against something more threatening.

Toby simply shrugged, his hammer was unexplainable, he didn't even have it yet, but seeing that it was unexpected when it came to the weight, he really couldn't fight it.

"No, no, no, no, no, no!" The boy cried right before he let out a pained grunt, colliding with the floor after the Golem had knocked him from his decent height. As the beast tried to land another hit, Claire had twisted her shadow staff, aiming it beneath Toby.

"Watch out!" With that, she had opened a portal, pulling Toby away from any harm that would come to him. Toby's scream echoed around the market, her head whipping in the direction behind her, only to find the vortex opening and Toby droppin from it.

Everyone breathed out, thank goodness that Claire had been there to keep Toby out of harm's way.

The pudgy boy bounced from the cloth of the store umbrella, right onto the head of a Golem who was instantly distracted by the sudden weight upon its head.

"Oops, sorry!" Claire cried, not expecting him to land in such an unfortunate area. However, as the Golem began to swing at Toby, the boy crying out and wacking it, it had provided Vendel enough time to aim his staff, impaling the Golem with the tip, instantly turning it into a pile of nothing but gems.

"Excellent work, pudgebag," Vendel stated, lifting Toby onto his feet and brushing the boy off. Distracted, Claire hadn't noticed the pair of arms reaching for her, gasping when they finally gripped onto her.

Toby grinned, turning to Vendel who was keeping a straight face throughout the whole scene. "Don't get used to it Fleshbag, for now."

"He did call you a pudgebag..."

"Who cares Eli!" Toby fought back. "I'm taking it."

She struggled with all her might, trying to pry herself from the Golem's hold. NotEnrique had caught the whole thing, his eyes narrowing into a glare as he hopped from store to store.

"Hey! No one lays a hand on my sister!" The tiny Changeling leaped onto the Golem, the said beast trying to swing at him with no avail. As NotEnrique poked and prodded at the face of the beast, Claire screamed some more, the Golem finally annoyed with the two and tossed them across the room.

"Holy dang! Look at that, he's actually being nice to me!" Claire said shocked, lightly smacking Jim in the arm.

"I know, it's a little freaky but adorable." Jim teased.

Claire lifted her head back, looking at her Changeling brother. "You saved my life, bro."

"Let's not get sentimental," NotEnrique stated, still never turning himself upright after being thrown into a wall.

Back in the center of the market, Jim was still going against Angor, grunting as he dodged any blow the assassin tried to lay on him. The two used all their weight, trying to fight for dominance in the defensive stand, Angor speaking as Jim simply narrowed his eyes.

"You destroyed my soul, Hunter. Now, I shall harvest your's!" The threat died in his throat when the beeping of a car was heard, tires screeching. Barbara's car was seen driving through the empty pathway - minus the two trolls fighting Golems -- Blinky in the driver seat, screaming out the window.

"That is a bit harsh."

"How is her car still running after everything it has been through so far?" A student asked in shock, even Barbara was questioning it. Angor had done a number on it and she was already racking up the bills in her mind, afraid to see how she'd handle hearing about a damaged car.

"Oh, I enjoy this horn!"

"Can we all just be as carefree in serious moments like Blinky who is just feeling delighted by honking a horn."

"It's not Hunta, Angor," Jim mimicked as the car continued barreling in their direction. "It's Huntas!" The camera changed to inside the car, the cracked windshield only growing worse when Blinky managed to hit the Troll with the vehicle, Angor's body quickly flying from view.

Jim had managed to run out of the way, turning back once the car had stopped, only to see Blinky peek his head from out the window. "I drove! Did you see!? I drove a human automobile! What a Thri--!"

"Blink! We're happy for you but please focus on the fight!"

His excitement died rather quickly when Angor lifted the car off of him, Blinky hanging upside down inside. "Blinky," Jim mumbled right as a Golem swiped at him. Angor tossed the car, the blue mobile spinning 360 in the air, Blinky was pressed against the glass.

"Out of the way! Out of the way!" The car smashed against the stairs, landing upside down. Blinky, a little scathed at the ordeal, held his head as he sat upright, groaning.

Some people chuckled at how hilarious Blinky had looked pressed against the windshield, not even worried as he flew through the air, just simply screaming at the other trolls to move.

"You thought I could be defeated that easy," Angor growled, tossing more Totems to the sides. "That your human contraption, could kill me!" Jim was corned by tons of Golems but had no problem turning them into piles of rubble. As the numbers grew against the inhibitors of Trollmarket, Vendel, Draal, Claire, and Toby were all seen battling ones, even Vendel being pushed to the floor had also been in view.

"This doesn't seem good, all of them are being cornered and knocked down." A student pointed out, everyone growing nervous as they watched the fight continue. Everyone seemed so distracted and busy with their own battles that something was bound to happen and no one wanted to see it occur.

Aaarrrgghh had protected Claire, gripping onto the wrist of a Golem and swinging the beast into the air. It flew into the nearly bottomless pit, right as Blinky called out to his brute friend, trapped in the hold of the car while Golems surrounded him.

"Aaarrrgghh! We require your strength!" The former Krubera grew angry, his eyes glowing green from the blackness. He ripped his bandage from his arm and charged at the Golems that threatened Blinky.

"Guys, I'm scared. Something feels off."

"Let's talk about how angry Aaarrrgghh is that he ripped off his bandage and just charged at everyone."

All well, Angor had been easily defending himself from any Trolls that dared to cross him, even tossing one to the side by their jaw. Toby had floated past the assassin, crying out for his hammer to stop as it lifted and dragged Toby around. He begged the hammer, despite it being a simple object, only to be dropped to the floor suddenly, the hammer impossible to lift.

"DARN IT! Toby, please forget about the hammer and run!" People tensed as they watched the scene play out, every movement Angor made was making their hearts pound faster than ever. Toby watched with nervousness, this was the first time Angor singled him out when the assassin had a clear shot at his actual target.

Not that Toby wanted Jim to be Angor's center of attention, but Toby was scared, he wasn't having luck with the hammer and he couldn't die like that. He would fight to his death with Jim, but not when he was distracted, then he couldn't help Jim at all.

"Tobes..." Jim said lightly, Toby already knowing what he was thinking, Jim was regretting it despite it not being his fault.

"Don't worry Jimbo, whatever happens, I would do it again for you and our other friends. I just wish I looked more epic and actually fighting." Jim chuckled at Toby and shook his head but the concern was still heavy.

"Please don't," was Toby's plea, while Angor watched him struggle, giving him the perfect target. He pulled his dagger from his belt, grinning and chuckling. The assassin was ready to throw his dagger, but Jim had caught sight of them right as he cut through a Golem.

"Toby!" Jim's voice cracked in a desperate attempt to catch his attention, but the Trollhunter was punched in the gut, his body flying back farther away from his friend. The dagger was thrown, Aaarrrgghh hearing Jim's cry and turning to look. He gasped, dropping the car and bounding over to his wingman.

"Oh god no!"

"Did you hear Jim, his voice...." Toby had heard Jim's desperate cry, he rarely called him Toby unless it was serious. What was worse was the fact that Aaarrrgghh was running to him and Toby prayed that he made the right decision.

As the dagger, coated in green sped through the air, nearly close to it's target, Aaarrrgghh's blurred form appeared within the air, the sound of the blade cutting through his stone skin was heard but wasn't shown.

The theater fell silent, everyone processing what just happened, their eyes darting from the screen, to Toby, to Aaarrrgghh, then back to the screen. Aaarrrgghh didn't react, in fact, he already knew what he was going to do when he saw Angor aiming at Toby on the screen.

He was going to die either way, they would have to deal with it one way or another and he accepted it completely.

He just wished his friends didn't see it.

The only thing you could see was Aaarrrgghh's green eyes wider than anything, full of realization. The brute troll dropped to the ground, landing in a stance as he watched the blue light coat his body.

He reached a hand out to Toby, the boy yelling and dropping the hammer, "no!" Jim tried to turn to his friends, calling out Aaarrrgghh's name but was distracted by the Golem who had tried to grab him.

Toby ran up to Aaarrrgghh's stilling form, desperately calling out his name. However, the color from Aaarrrgghh's skin had faded into nothing but grey, the troll speaking right before his lips froze in place.

"Wingman," he mumbled, the simple grey stone finally consuming all of Aaarrrgghh. His bright green eyes fading and leaving nothing but a statue.

"WAIT!" Someone cried out and the theater erupted in chaos.

"NOOOOO!" A student by the name of Alora_White_Stag had cried out, standing up and pointing a finger at the screen, as if Angor could hear them. "YOU TAKE THAT BACK RIGHT NOW AND JUST LEAVE THE TROLLHUNTERS ALONE! HAVEN'T YOU PUT THEM THROUGH ENOUGH NOBODY LIKES YOU ANYWAYS, DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?"

Another kid, user24571703 stood up, cradling their stomach and covering their mouth as they ran to the bathroom, not minding to close the door as they threw up, causing a chain reaction, other kids running to a corner and emptying their own stomachs.

"AAARRRGGHH!" Toby yelled, Claire turning to see their friend gone. She gasped, freezing in her spot, luckily, as a Golem tried to attack her, Draal was there, protecting her. She tried to go to Toby and Aaarrrgghh, but Draal had gripped her arm.

"We are still in battle," he reminded.

"Aaarrrgghh!" Claire and Draal ran to Blinky's aid, pulling him from the car. The troll's eyes, however, never left Aaarrrgghh's still form, wide and full of pain.

"Oh no," Blinky mumbled. Angor laughed at the scene, making Toby wipe his nose and run to his hammer, anger fueling him. As if rage made it easy to lift the stubborn hammer, Toby had picked it up with no issue, charging at Angor.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" He tried to swing at the assassin, the said troll simply laughing and stepping out of the way from the path of the hammer. Toby kept swinging, letting out an angry yell each time, only for Angor to find it amusing.

Everyone yelled out, agreeing with Toby on the screen while Aaarrrgghh sat there, his body stiff and eyes wide as they drifted over the theater. The fact that he had managed to cause a decent amount of issues due to the future was absolutely surprising.

As he readied his magic, ready to send a blast at Toby, Jim's thigh blades were thrown, knocking the assassin in the face.

"I DESTROYED YOUR SOUL!" Jim screamed, "YOUR FIGHT IS WITH ME! NOT THEM!" Angor growled, preparing another blast and not hesitating to fire, Jim instantly blocking it with his shield. Each blast, Jim had knocked to the side once it collided with his protective barrier.

The Trollhunter took off running as Angor responded, "as you wish, Trollhunter." As they ran through the graveyard of trolls, Jim never looked back while Angor gave chase, bouncing from wall to wall while continuously shooting at the boy.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. You're telling me that some all powerful assassin could not hit Jim once who was running in a straight line?! Usually they tell the people running from a man with a gun to run side to side at random times to throw them off but Angor's blasts were more off-course."

"Maybe because he was blinded by so much rage that he forgot how to aim or was extremely desperate in that moment to take Jim down."

"True, but come on!" Jim was lucky as he watched the show and listened to the kids speak, he was very lucky to avoid any of those blasts. It was agreed that it was pretty pathetic to watch Angor miss him every time though.

Jim ran beneath the sign of the Hero's Forge, skidding around the corner as he ducked from a blast. Jim summoned his thigh blades as Angor cut the distance between them, laughing. The Trollhunter threw his weapon, the blade piercing the button that activated the course within the Forge, the gears turning and the pieces of the floor lifting higher compared to others.

"YEAH JIMBO! SHOW THAT RUTHLESS MURDERER WHO'S BOSS!" The anger within the theater was powerful. Jim could feel the venom in everyone's voices as they cheered him on, wanting to see the end of Angor Rot a lot more quicker now.

Jim leaped, grabbing onto the ledge of the vast platform. Clearly, Angor was not expecting the getaway nor the arena moving itself as he dove to the ground, avoiding an axe that had shot up from the ground, nearly impaling Angor before sliding back into its slot.

"Clever hunter!" Angor praised as he landed on his hands and knees. He watched as Jim jumped from platform to platform, getting higher with every step. Angor grinned, blasting the exits and sealing him and Jim alone within the forge.

"Just you and me, now." The assassin taunted, launching his blasts up towards Jim who jumped and dodged each one, Angor finally joining him up in the air, making this a deadlier fight. One blast had finally managed to collide with Jim, the body grunted as he skidded off camera.

The platforms tipped once Jim had gotten himself back up, sword in hand as he watched his surroundings, which appeared to be empty. Angor was nowhere in sight until he let out a fierce cry, leaping from his hiding spot and knocking the Trollhunter to the floor.

"The Hero's Forge," Angor started, looking around at the statues. "More like a coward's grave!" Jim had finally stood, his glare hardening and he let out a battle cry, charging at the troll. The two swung and dodged each other. Jim's armor, the almost seeming whispering that came from Angor's palms that were colored in purple, and their grunting was the only thing heard.

"I am so sorry, but that was extremely clever.... Not that they aren't cowards." The student fixed when they saw Draal tense gaze locked on them. Jim was speechless through the scenes, ever since witnessing Aaarrrgghh die and seeing Toby become a reck on and off screen, he couldn't say anything. He had no place too.

Jim blocked his face from any impact right before he had been kicked back but never lost his footing. Instead, he slid backwards, sword flying off in another direction. Jim breathed heavily as he watched his weapon disappear, right before Angor had shot another blast at the boy who blocked it with his shield.

He tried to use his miniature blades, only for Angor to leap from its path and kick the boy down. Jim groaned as he tried to sit himself up. Angor gave him no time, the troll levitated in the air, his hands once again glowing an eerie purple.

"Alright, the fact that there was no music at all, and all you could hear was Jim's armor and the swooshes of air, I have to say, that was the most satisfying scene I have ever watched. I mean, minus Jim battling Angor alone but you get what I'm saying."

"Enough of your games!" He chanted as Jim turned to face the troll, watching as pebbles floated into the air. The camera had shown the whole arena, Angor was surrounded by a ball of blue light, only for it to explode in silence but managing to still the gears within the forge, turning everything off without warning.

The theater was full of tense figures as they winced, not liking that Jim was now at his lowest against Angor Rot. They didn't want to see Jim suffer the same fate as Aaarrrgghh did.

The platforms dropped, Jim screaming as he flew through the air, Angor still safe from the fall. Jim grunted when his body slammed into the floor, Angor lowering himself while the Trollhunter held his ribs, trying to pick himself up.

"Do you ever wonder how you lived this long?" Angor asked, stepping closer to Jim and blasting the boy. Jim's body flew backwards, right into the view of his friends who had finally caught up, stopping at the gate and reaching their hands through the small gaps.

"BECAUSE HE IS A BEAST! THAT'S WHY! WHY ARE YOU LIVING THIS LONG?!"

Jim smiled as the student cried to the screen, their face red as their fist raised.

"No! Let us in!"

"Jim!"

"Let us in!"

"Master Jim!" They all cried. Jim didn't seem to hear them as he panted, on his hands and knees for a split second before Angor shot at him again, his body bouncing off the floor and rolling out of view.

"The only reason you're alive is because you let your loved ones fall in your place." Angor stated, Jim finally lifting his head to look at the assassin, once again being shot at, this time, he had rolled from each blast Angor sent after naming someone off.

"Your teacher, the Changeling, your mother!"

"Don't use that against him you jerk!"

"No! Jim!" Claire cried out, his friends watching with worry and unable to do anything.

"Claire, you have a Shadow staff, why won't you use it?" Claire just shrugged. The answer was unclear to her, maybe it was in spite of the moment but if she had used it right away, she probably wouldn't have to witness another death.

"And now your simple friend, Aaarrrgghh, is dead!" He grinned as he stated the news, Jim lifting his head and screaming.

"NO!" He raised his sword at Angor, purple and blue mixing together and covering the room in a blinding light. However, when it cleared, Jim had dropped to the floor as his breaths grew heavy, no longer having energy to fight.

"Wait, did he not see Aaarrrgghh die?! I swear, everyone has seen it!"

Angor pulled out his dagger, ready to finish the fight. "But where are your loved one's now, Hunter?"

"Up here Rot head!" Toby's voice was heard, Angor looking up only to find Toby falling through a portal above him, hammer readied. Angor grew distracted, his hand accidentally moving the dagger as his body turned to look at Toby.

"Now she uses it!"

Taking the chance, Jim kicked his foot out, the dagger slicing through Angor and piercing his heart, if there was one beneath his rock skin. Angor's cry of pain echoed as the scene moved in slow motion, Toby's cry of anger also mixing in.

Right as Angor finished turning into stone, Toby's hammer smashed into it, knocking the assassin's statue into nothing but shards of stone. Another burst of white light appeared, silence growing right before the scene cleared, Toby hunched over a pile of stone, panting as Angor's dagger had landed within the mess, green fading from the blade.

No one said anything for a few seconds before they all began to clap, cheering for the team that finally had defeated Angor. They were scared but they knew they could do it, especially when Jim had been so determined from the start.

Barbara was proud of her son, granted she hated the idea of him risking his life but she couldn't stop him now. She smiled, he was strong and brave and she was so happy that he was doing something he enjoyed with his life. Not that limping home with countless bruises was a treasured hobby but he didn't seem to give up the mantle... anymore.

Jim turned back, looking at the portal that finally closed, Claire still standing in the pose she had used to open it, her face twisted in many emotions. Out in Trollmarket, NotEnrique was fighting against the weight of a Golem, trying not to be crushed but all of the Golems began to freeze, crumbling despite no one touching them.

Vendel stepped up, turning to the trolls who survived. "Angor Rot is defeated! Trollmarket is protected once again." The crowd cheered, everyone coming out from their hiding spots. Jim had finally gathered himself, groaning and holding his head before standing and stepping over to his friend.

Toby gasped when he felt Jim's hand on his shoulder, saying nothing, the boy slammed his axe down on Angor's body, Jim flinching and looking shocked. Draal had finally managed to lift the entrance open, letting the team run through and to Jim and Toby.

"Jim!" Claire yelled, breathing as she ran to Jim's side, placing a hand on his torso. The two shared a look before they pulled each other into a hug.

"Is he really gone?" She asked, turning to the pile in disbelief.

"Better be," Jim replied, turning to Toby who had kicked one of the stones.

"Yeah, he better be," Toby repeated. Blue smoke began to pour from Angor's remains, shocking everyone, even Jim had shielded Claire. Whispers of relief were heard as blue orbs of light surrounded the team, all gathering in the center of the arena forming a transparent ball.

"Finally. Our souls are free."

"I think he is still alive, hit him once more."

"That better not be sarcasm."

"It is."

"We return to our brethren." More whisperers were heard, Claire coming into view.

"What, I mean, who are they?" A voice had answered her question, a familiar silhouette appeared, following the voice.

"These are the spirits of our fallen brethren. Trollhunters who lost both soul and life to Angor Rot. Our brothers and sisters will take their proper place in the Void and rest in peace, thanks to you, James Lake Jr." Jim looked shocked at that. "And your friends, you were right, you are stronger together. We are in your debt but the day will come, Trollhunter, when you must finish the fight, alone."

Everyone was shocked to say the least, "hold on, is Kanjigar actually agreeing with Jim and being nice to him!?"

"I know, it's sad that Jim had to prove himself again and free the Trollhunter spirits to actually be trusted that he was being the best Trollhunter he could be."

"That's sad." Draal had tuned out everyone's conversations, listening to his father and sucking in the moment. This was rare to actually get to see his father out of the void so he would relish it now and still enjoy this moment in the future.

Draal stepped up, reaching a hand out, "father."

"My son," Kanjigar mirrored his son's actions. "I am so sorry for pushing you away. I am so proud of you," He nearly began to cry as Draal faltered, shocked to hear that coming from his father.

Draal broke at that, granted he didn't cry but his posture slackened and his eyes had grown wide. His mind tuned out the rest of the show, repeating his father's words. All this time, he had blamed his father and grew sour at the thought of the amulet choosing Kanjigar and ruining their relationship, but now, those cracks had healed and he couldn't function.

Blinky placed a hand on his colleague's shoulder, smiling as he watched Draal deflate. It was a sweet moment despite the more heartbreaking scenes that they were constantly getting reminded of.

"This is the cutest thing I have ever seen. I'm glad Kanjigar is being the bigger person right now."

"Father," the hand began to retreat, Kanjigar vanishing from view, "father, father!" More whispered endured as Draal reflected on the moment, holding his hands close to him. Back out in the center of Trollmarket, Aaarrrgghh's death was reminded as he came into view, Claire, Jim, and Toby gathered around him.

Jim kneeled on one knee, honoring Aaarrrgghh in a proper way while Toby silently whimpered to himself. The whole team grieved as Jim placed his hand against Aaarrrgghh's nose, backing up, giving Toby the space to move closer to his wingman, crying.

"That's it, I can't hide my tears anymore! Dang it!"

"HOW WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO HIDE THEM IN SUCH A TENDER MOMENT!"

"Toby, hold onto that anger, save it for the Darklands." Claire mumbled, Jim reflecting on her words. Suddenly determination took over Jim, his eyes narrowed and he stepped off, Claire not realizing his absence till a second later.

"Jim," she stated, eyes widening as she connected the dots. Jim's voice echoed as the scene changed, the boy standing in front of the gates leading to Killahead bridge and stepping into the room when granted access.

"What is this? Jim, what is going on!?" Jim sucked in a breath, his friends kept their gaze locked on the screen while Barbara had been staring at both Jim and the show. She tried to soak in as much knowledge as she could to understand what her son had been roped into, and she easily figured out what he was planning, her heart shattering in many pieces.

In darkest tide, when Daylight darest wane, the Myrddin Wylt obscured a shadow's bane. Three forces elemental thou must seek. In marshland, caverns deep and mountain's peak. Where worthy perish, ye'll prevail in night. And eclipse all who quarry with thy might.

He pulled out his amulet, letting the eye of Gunmar suck into it, joining the rest of the stones. The amulet began to glow red, the hands spinning rapidly as a new incantation appeared, Jim reading it.

"For the doom of Gunmar! Eclipse is mine to command!" Three small balls of red energy flew from the amulet and straight to Jim's heart, more following and letting a burst jolt through Jim's body. Red swarmed the boy, the Eclipse armor twisting and connecting to the awaiting Trollhunter.

"Wait a damn minute! Eclipse?! The one that was in that weird poem!"

"This isn't good. Jim ran off to the bridge, alone, and is now calling for the ECLIPSE ARMOR! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!"

The boy landed, red and black now coating his armor. Jim clenched his fingers, inspecting the new armor he was granted with. He stared at the bridge pieces, pulling the amulet from its socket and preparing himself.

That was until he heard familiar voices, well, Blinky's. "Master Jim!" The Trollhunter ran up to the switch, clicking it as the rest of his team had already caught up to him. The doors began to close, cutting Claire, Toby, and Blinky off.

"Dude, what are you doing?" Toby asked.

"Jim, don't!" Claire cried, Jim disappearing behind the doors. "Jim, no! You promised we'd go together!" Her fist pounded against the door as Jim leaned on the other side, voice breaking.

"The amulet chose me. I can't lose any more of you." He pushed himself away from the door, running to the bridge. Claire and Toby pounded against the door as Blinky inspected it.

Claire understood where he was coming from, after witnessing Aaarrrgghh die must be traumatic enough, even when he was still alive with them at the moment. However, guilt crashed into her like a wave. He wouldn't be so hooked onto defeating Gunmar and running in there, willingly to his deathbed if it wasn't for her.

She wanted her brother back, she loved her brother too much to let him rest in the Darklands forever. Yet, she wished she hadn't made it Jim's number one priority like she had.

In fact, she could see the hopeless gaze in Toby. He was losing another close friend, she had been the reasons why. If Angor never had gotten a hold of her purse, they'd be fine in Trollmarket, giving the Trollhunter team more time to say goodbye to the brute.

Jim turned to face Claire, he could see the gears turning in her head. He wanted to ask what was wrong, but most likely knew the answer to that. Instead, he pulled her close, mumbling the word sorry over and over again.

She smiled lightly, curling into him as he apologized to Toby as well, saying he already hates leaving Toby like that.

"Maybe I can manually override the lock." As Blinky attempted, Jim raised the amulet, the device floating and twisting until it locked itself into the bridge. It shot out a blue stream of light, the bridge magically building itself as blue lightning shot from the amulet, causing Jim to shield his face.

"Whoa," Jim breathed out, now standing in front of a complete bridge, the portal finally open.

"Come on Jimbo, we're a team. Don't do this!" Toby cried through the door.

"I'm sorry! I have to finish the fight, alone." He began to step to the portal, Kanjigar's words clouding his mind. "But the amulet chose me." He looked down, readying himself right as the doors began to open.

"What...." People became breathless, their bodies tense and Jim could feel every pair of eyes drift from him to the screen and back. He could easily tell that his friends had lost their positive attitude and he was afraid for what came next.

He knew he'd pull something like this but with everyone else who thought completely differently on something as sensitive as this, he knew it would end badly.

Blinky, Claire, and Toby came charging in, hoping to stop him.

"Jim!" Claire yelled.

"I'm sorry," Jim added before he let his body fall through the portal, Claire's voice still reaching him.

"No, Jim!" Jim landed with a grunt, now surrounded by a dark abyss, his friends' voices echoing to him, the Trollhunter beginning the big journey.

"Jim!" Toby yelled.

"Master Jim, what have you done?" Jim stepped to a cliffside, peering down at the vast world in front of him, a vortex formed farthest away. He donned the Eclipse blade, letting it circle in his hand. He slid the sword against his back and clenched his teeth.

"Get ready, Gunmar." From Jim's determined face, it changed to the amulet which its arms were spinning rapidly, giving the viewers a clue right as the episode ended.

No one dared to speak, their jaws to the floor, eyes glued to the screen. Jim had tensed, freezing as he gulped, realizing what he had just done. He dared not to face anyone, knowing he would instantly crumble beneath their gaze. The tension was already extremely heavy in the air, who knows how much more it would grow when he actually looked at someone.

That was until he heard frantic heavy feet behind him, the weight was too heavy to be a human so he knew this wasn't good. He jumped when a blue hand grabbed his arm, nearly dragging him from his seat and pulling him aside, an empty room being their destination.

"Blinky..."

"Do not." Blinky cut him off, closing the door behind them and pacing around the room. The silence was long and Jim grew ansty, watching his trainer nearly wear a hole in the floor from his frantic pasing.

The door was pushed open, freezing Blinky in his tracks, Claire and Toby joining them. Aaarrrgghh insisted not to come, he was already shaken up from the chaos events that he was taking some time to himself.

"Guys..." Jim started again and Blinky quickly turned to him, holding up a finger.

"Kanjigar got into your head, he made you think that you had to do it alone! For Deya's Grace! As if the future was already hard enough with Aaarrrgghh's unfortunate passing but you! You depart without us! Are you insane!?"

"Yeah, Jimbo, we are a team. I know we are going to lose Aaarrrgghh, however, we can't lose you either man."

Jim looked at them, his eyes redding. "Jim, I want my brother back but we knew what we were getting into. Aaarrrgghh sacrificed himself and we will do the same." Claire pitched in, her arms crossed as she rubbed her elbows.

"Look, I'm sorry. Whatever decision I make in the future that lead to it, is stupid. I already feel something is going to go wrong, but what if Gunmar took one of you guys. I can't live with myself. I am the Trollhunter, I am willingly putting my life on the line so you guys can live. If one of you died with Aaarrrgghh, I'd break. Kanjigar made it clear, he doesn't want a team and maybe he is right, the more I lose you guys, the more I will have to push away and maybe that is better."

"No!" Blinky yelled, "Kanjigar made it clear we are stronger together! Master Jim, you are the Trollhunter but you also don't deserve to die! Aaarrrgghh made that choice and it is clear that we have made ours. Draal was miserable due to his father's actions, it's smart to push away, but it is not the answer!"

"You think we would do this with you if we didn't want to sacrifice our own lives!?" Toby cried out.

"I faced Angor for you! I made sure you were okay, I spent endless nights training so I could protect you from Gunmar!" Claire fought, Jim flinching at her tone. "You think I would do all that and want to be pushed away!?"

Jim looked to the floor, his shoes becoming more interesting than the conversation. He could feel the tears but held them in. He couldn't lose his friends because of something he was forced into, they had a choice. He knew they made these choices but if they didn't return to their parents, he'd live with that guilt.

As if Toby read his thoughts, the boy started with, "what if you never came back from the Darklands? What if you left your mother without her knowing you could never come back! I know, we had to keep it a secret from her, but now that I think about it. It's stupid! Alright! If you died and she is left alone...."

Jim's head shot up in Toby's direction, knowing that he was right. His mind conflicted with his heart, aches pounding against his skull as he let the thoughts rampage through his mind.

"Why is it different with me and not with you guys!? Why is it so different that you guys could get hurt but if I sacrifice myself it is the end of the world!? I was chosen!"

"BECAUSE! NO ONE WOULD HAVE DIED IN THE DARKLANDS BECAUSE WE ARE A TEAM! IF WE WENT TOGETHER WE COULD PROTECT ONE ANOTHER!"

"That doesn't mean we all make it out alive! It's Gunmar!" Jim argued back, looking down at Toby.

"So, it's alright for you to face him alone! Jim, I understand what you are trying to say but you aren't trying to understand us." The Trollhunter deflated, "you are my best friend, the only one I have! The one who protected me when I was vulnerable! I can't lose you either!"

Jim froze, understanding what he was hinting at. Without hesitation, Jim pulled Toby into a hug, the two boys quietly crying after the anger was spilt.

"I'm sorry, Tobes. I never wanted any of this to happen. I can't lose you either."

"It's alright, Jimbo." Blinky and Claire turned to face each other before joining in on the hug, the moment was gentle and the guilt and rage was washed away.

"Master Jim, you are one of the best Trollhunters I have laid my six eyes upon. In fact, we are closer than I have been with any of the Trollhunters, I must admit, I would go after Gunmar myself if you had died from his hands. So, no matter the decision, we die with you anyways."

Claire pulled away from them, "can I have time with Jim please?" The two nodded, quickly leaving the room, Jim and Claire staring at one another as the silence once again grew. Claire somberly stepped up to the boy, her hand resting on his cheek. Jim covered her hand with his own, smiling sadly.

"You stubborn idiot," she mumbled.

"I made a promise, and you know about my crush on you, I would do anything for you. I'm sorry that you had no choice in losing your brother. It was because of me."

"Hey, I know you keep your promises. Also, I'm glad I was dragged into this, you would have no other courage to speak to me and I'd be missing out on a great guy." Jim blushed at that, Claire smiling in response. He looked at her, studying each of her features. She still seemed angered at Jim's decisions but she and the rest of them had the right to be.

Speaking of courage, it had hit him like a tidal wave and his body moved without his command, his arms wrapped around her waist, drawing her in close and his lips instantly connected to her's, Claire faltered for a second before she followed his movements, deepening their kiss.

After a minute or two, the teens pulled away, breaths heavy as their lips were slightly swollen. Claire gently combed a finger through Jim's hair as their foreheads pressed together, the moment tender.

"Hey," Claire breathed out.

"Hi."

"You have the choice to let the theater keep their memories or not. Have you thought about it?"

"I have, I just don't know what to do. The decision keeps changing every episode." He held onto her free hand, sighing. "I don't want to lose the connection between us or anyone else either. What if it never happens?"

Claire played with his fingers, "listen to me. The connections, the secrets being out, everything that's happening, I think no matter what answer you come up with, it will all end up back to where we are now, no matter what decision you make. I will admit it now, I have feelings for you, we'll end up together no matter if it is now, or when the future dictates us too. Some of it is written in stone and I know for a fact, all of this will become the future."

Jim processed her words, keeping his gaze on her face. He wanted to trust her words, he would be willing to start over if it meant he and Claire would still end up together. Besides, reliving through the days and knowing what would happen would be endless torture. He would let his life play out instead of rushing it, knowing that one day, Enrique would return, his mother would know his secret, and Claire' parents actually respected him.

However, something clicked, an idea forming in his head. He smiled at Claire, "I've got it."

"What?" Jim hovered to Claire's ear, mumbling the answer to her and she looked at him in shock, smiling once she thought about it.

"I think that's the perfect answer. Come on, let's go tell the host." Claire smiled, lacing her fingers through his and gently pulling him along, the host watching the chaos erupt through the theater. Jim ignored the cries and screams, the dramatic hair pulling that came from the students on their knees and started speaking to the host.

With a smile and a nod, the host wrote the decision he made down. Jim lightly thanked her before he and Claire stepped off, ready to speak to Aaarrrgghh. The said troll had been accepting his fate, comforting his close friends, and promising them it would be okay. After the yelling, Toby resorted to crying, the stress of both his friends sacrificing themselves was hitting like a ton of bricks.

Beside them, Steve had kept his eyes locked on Toby's defeated posture, his teeth playing with his bottom lip. His eyes moved from the pudgy boy he constantly bashed, to Jim and Claire who were now standing closer together as they spoke to Barbara. Then his eyes finally made it to a smaller boy who was pacing as he finally had a chance too. The boy who had seen it all, the one who Steve had shoved in numerous lockers because of.

He didn't know if it was because he saw Jim in a whole new light, but something made him regret the actions he had done that involved Eli.

He let out a small grumble and stomped to his target, pulling Ei aside before stuttering over his words as he struggled to apologize now that the proof of Trolls was real. Eli had crossed his arms at first, tapping his foot impatiently while Steve held his forehead, trying to speak.

"It seems hard for you to apologize." Eli said, breaking the silence.

"Cause this is weird, alright!" Steve whimpered, "the fact that I'm picking on a kid who just risked his life by running in to kill some deadly troll, and the fact that you were right and all I did was bash you for an imagination. Man, I'm a jerk! What's wrong with me, I am not a softy!"

Eli softened at Steve's posture and sighed, "look. It is weird, but what's even weirder is the fact that you are admitting this."

"Shut up Pepperjack! I just, I am trying to be the bigger person since everything is changing. It's already hard for me to do this, don't make me regret it!"

"Alright, alright. Apologize to Jim as well, however, he can't do this alone, granted he has a team but he needs a bigger one and while he is in the Darklands, someone needs to help them care for Arcadia. Will you be willing to help?"

Steve froze, "you mean? Help save the world and become famous? Heck yes!" Eli rolled his eyes and held out a hand, ready to seal the deal and their newfound bond.

"Well, I have a name in mind. The Creepslayerz are in action." He waited for Steve to accept the invitation.

"You know what, I like it." Steve added, shaking Eli's hand but ended up smacking the boy upside the head. "Doesn't mean I'm still going to pick on you." He cackled as Eli rubbed his sore spot and followed Steve back to the seats.

Finally as things had calmed, everyone's throats raw after they voiced their worry about Jim, people began to seat themselves, now excited that Jlaire was now official but also filled with anticipation for Jim in the future.

Despite the hardships, Jim leaned into Claire's touch, smiling as she buried herself into his hold. Jim was ready to see what the Darklands held for him, even if it meant disappointment.

He was ready.