————<•>————
"I tried! But I kept chickening out"
————<•>————
We were gathered near the stone wheel in troll market, Jim pressed the Killstone against the wheel, sparks flying from the contact as Claire, Toby and I watched.
Blinky was explaining why Aaarrrgghh was in Trollmarket instead of with his own kind as Jim focused on the stone.
"Long ago, the old wars, Gunmar raided the Krubera Caverns. Gumm-Gumms kidnapped their young to list them for their army" Blinky says.
"If the Krubera are so sensitive to light, how come Aaarrrgghh isn't?" Toby asks.
"Aaarrrgghh! was forced to adapt in many ways, hardened to survive" Blinky explains.
"Is that why he doesn't speak as elegantly as they do?" Claire asks.
"Being ripped away from your home at such a tender age has a way of stunning one's potential" Blinky says as my eyes widen.
"Poor Aaarrrgghh" I mumble.
I walk over to Jim and watch as he inspects the stone.
"What are you thinking trollhunter" I mumble to him.
"Probably something stupid" he says back before pressing the back of the stone to the rapidly moving wheel.
The Killstone began to glow, Jim and I shocked at the sight.
Finally finished, Jim pulled it from between the metal tongs, inspecting it carefully. It had shrunk, a small light shining from within.
Toby couldn't help himself, he had shoved into Jim, trying to reach for it.
"Whoa!" Toby yells.
"Toby! Get back!" I scolded as I grab his arm, pulling him away from Jim.
"This is a delicate and sacred ritual and you're drooling all over it" Jim says as he rubs the stone with his hand.
"Look at that face ting" Claire says with wide eyes.
"Two stones and one more to go" I say as I look at the stone.
Jim's amulet opened, accepting the stone.
"And then we can give Gunmar the payback he deserves" Jim finishes.
We watched as the amulet lifted itself in the air, programming the new stone.
————<•>————
We walked into the hero's forge, looking around at the arena that Jim would have to fight in.
"So, how do we play this game? I really should have asked earlier" Jim chuckled as i grimace.
"Your not gonna like it" I say as I remember asking Blinky about it.
The crowd roared as the opposite team entered the ring, the two tossing the ball back and forth.
"Oh boy" Jim mumbles with a roll of his eyes at the other team.
Draal leaned closer to Jim and I, seeing that we're staring at the other team with wide eyes.
"The objective is simple" Draal says as he places a hand on Jim's shoulder "You and Aaarrrgghh need to get the gorb past the team and into the Scoothscryer"
"Yeah, but...where's Aaarrrgghh!?" Claire questions as we all start to look around.
"I thought he was with Tobias" Blinky says as Vendel stepped up to us.
"Blinkous, where is Aaarrrgghh!?" Vendel exclaims.
"He isn't here? I-I hardly noticed" Blinky stumbles with wide eyes.
"It is imperative that he play. You, the big-headed one, he likes you. Go find him." Vendel says to Toby.
"Yeah Toby, go fetch him" I mumble as I push him away.
"Draal, your in" Vendel says.
"It will be my honour to compete in the forge once again" Draal says with a bow.
"Not compete, win" Vendel says with a tense look on his face.
I didn't realise trolls took this so seriously.
"It is only a game Vendel" Blinky laughs.
"This isn't a game!" Vendel exclaims.
"Okay, Vendel, can I have my amulet back now?" Jim asks making me grimace.
"You didn't tell the boy? I thought I asked you to?" Vendel says to me making Jim look at me confused.
"I tried! But I kept chickening out" I sigh as Vendel rolls his eyes.
"In PyroBligst, combatants must earn their weapons. Including your amulet" Draal says to Jim as Jim's eyes widen.
"Great" Jim says with a frown as we look at his amulet hung up.
"Good luck Draal" I say as I pat his back.
"What? No good luck for me?" Jim asks making me roll my eyes.
"I was getting there" I laugh as I walk up to him.
I give him a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek before pulling away with a smile.
"Good luck troll hunter" I laugh as I ruffle his hair before walking over to Blinky and Claire.
"Cute" Claire comments as I stand next to her.
"Shut up" I mumble as I push her shoulder lightly.
We watch as they walk into the middle of the hero's forge, facing their opponents.
The arena floor spun, the Scoothscryer appearing from the ground and out shot the ball, the Krubera team charging for it, easily catching the Gorb. However, they didn't get far before Draal had tackled him making the metal ball bounce away.
Jim followed it's trail, the other Krubera had chased as well, quickly cutting the distance between him and Jim.
"Oh no" I mumble as I grab Claire's arm tightly.
"Relax, he's fine" she reassures.
Right as Jim was going to grip the ball, he was grabbed by the waist and tossed back like a ragdoll. The said Trollhunter flying through the air and skitting over the edge, screaming as he managed to get a grip on the ledge.
"He doesn't look fine" I say with wide eyes.
I quickly go to run over but Blinky and Claire grabbed my arms, pulling me back.
"You mustn't Miss Y/n" Blinky says as i sigh and instead grab Claire's hand tightly.
As the Krubera got a hold on the ball, Draal had chased after them, hoping to knock them down but sadly missed.
The other team scored, and a red flame erupted from the top of the Scoothscryer.
With a victorious roar to the crowd, the rest of the Krubera had cheered.
"Oh for fu-" I stay before Claire puts her hand over my mouth, making me lick it as she groans in disgust.
The scorekeeper sat near a table, grabbing a Gnome with a red hat and pierced the shield with the Gnome's sharp tip, the said pint creature celebrating as well.
Draal had finally made it to the Cliffside, helping Jim who was trying to pull himself up. With a few grunts, the Trollhunter was finally safely pulled up and he caught his breath as the massive troll leaned to his height.
I sigh in relief as I see Jim pulled up and squeeze Claire's hand tightly.
"How was that hit legal? He nearly killed him!" Claire yells at Blinky with wide eyes.
"Unfortunately, killing is fairplay in Pryoblixtz" Blinky says.
"This game is so stupid" I say making Claire nod as we watch the game.
The Krubera rolled throughout the Forge, up a wall and arming himself with a mace.
Down below, Jim was chasing the ball, doing his best but barely getting a grip on it.
"Come on Jim" I mumble.
The Gorb rolled in the direction of the armed Krubera who swung at it like a baseball game, knocking it from Jim's path and to the other Krubera who had a hammer. Draal tried his best to block it, missing it by a hair and the other team scoring.
The Krubera team was now up by three points, the Gnomes chatting while the two trolls had collided weapons.
The Gorb had shot out, signaling the next round. The Krubera had bounced it off his chest and into the air before wacking it with the hammer. The other troll had hit it back, giving it to his teammate who had instantly been tackled by Draal.
"Yes Draal!" I yell as me and Claire cheer.
The blue troll eyed an awaiting axe before running to retrieve it. The Krubera troll sat up with a growl, noticing his teammate swinging at Jim who ducked and dived from the blow.
Standing and ready to throw, the Krubera followed his teammate, aiming but Draal had suddenly appeared swinging the axe and knocking him to the floor.
Jim took the signal and took off in the direction of the amulet. The other Krubera had rolled in the same direction, hoping to stop the boy from getting the amulet. With his eye on the amulet, Jim smiled before he had caught sight of the rolling body of the troll coming at him.
"Come on Jim!" Claire and I yell as Blinky starts jumping around from nerves.
The said troll leaped with a yell, raising his mace and ready to strike Jim. However, luckily Jim had leaped from the blow, landing on the Troll's head and using it to propel himself up in the air. Getting a hold on the amulet, Jim dropped from the air.
"Yes! Yes!" I clap as Claire and Blinky high five.
"For the Glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command!" He yelled, twisting in air as the armor appeared, landing in a crouch. Instantly standing as Trollmarket cheered, the armored Trollhunter wasted no time to get to the ball, the angry Krubera following after him.
Draal raised the gorb in the air, the other Krubera rolling to corner Jim. As the two rolled from each direction, Jim ran to a nearby blade, leaping onto the sharp edge and easily climbing up it.
Jim made it to the tip, the Kruberas trying to reach him yet, he had flown from the blade and into the air, Draal throwing the ball in Jim's direction.
Jim had easily caught it and aimed it in the goal, throwing it in as he passed and epicly landed in front of it, scoring the first goal for Trollmarket.
Blue smoke finally poured from the Scoothscryer, Trollmarket finally cheering and the blue hatted Gnomes couldn't contain their excitement.
Claire, Blinky and I jump around excitedly as we get our first goal.
One was lifted from the bunch and thrown at the blue painted shield, chatting happily but the red Gnomes paid no mind.
"They're getting better" Claire comments as we watch the game.
"Thank Merlin for that" I laugh.
The Scoothscryer had released the Gorb again. Draal imediately took it and curled into a ball and started rolling.
He passed it to Jim before getting knocked over by a Krubera.
"Do you think he's alright?" Claire asks as we watch Draal.
"He's tough, I'm sure he's fine" I say back.
Jim grabbed it but before he could do anything, the other Krubera knocked him out of the way with his weapon, causing Jim to lose grip of the Gorb. The Krubera took it and threw it into the Scoothscryer for their fourth point.
The Scoothscryer shot red flames. The Krubera watching from the stands all cheered. The two playing roared.
Claire and I groan as everyone cheered.
"We need Aaarrrgghh" Blinky comments as we nod in agreement.
I quickly run over to Jim and Draal, and throw my arms around Jim in a tight hug.
"You did great!" I say as I pull back with a smile.
"Thanks" Jim says with a soft smile.
"Y/n is right, well done, Master Jim. And by well done, I mean at least you haven't completely embarrassed yourself, or died" Blinky comments.
"Thanks Blink" Jim says with a smile.
"Aaarrrgghh still isn't here!?" Vendels voice yells out as we start walking to our side.
"I've tried Toby. No answer. Aaarrrgghh might not make it back." Claire says with a sigh.
"We must win!" Vendel exclaims.
"I know, for the Glory of Trollmarket" Blinky says with a happy smile.
Vendel shot it down, seriousness over his features, like always.
"Fools play for glory. We are playing for Aaarrrgghh" Vendel says as everyone's eyes widen.
"What?" Blinky says in shock.
"What do you mean?" I ask hesitantly.
"If they win, they are taking Aaarrrgghh away forever" Vendel says.
"Wait, like forever, forever?" I ask as Vendel nods sadly.
"Forever, forever" He confirms.
"They can do that?" Jim cried out as he turns to Blinky who gently rested his hand on Jim's shoulder.
"Why would they do that?" I ask as Claire grabs my hand.
"What! Why! Where, doesn't matter! Just win the match" Vendel scolded, seeming stressed out by the matter. Saying nothing more to us, the Elder troll turned and stepped off, leaving the team to figure out the issue at hand, realizing how much more serious this game had actually been.
"We're not gonna win" Jim stressed, as he slumps in defeat.
"We may be down but we're not out! This is the Forge, where Heroes are born" Draal exclaims.
"We're down four to one" Jim says.
"And we're going to be down one more if we give up on Aaarrrgghh!!! My father watches us from above. Let us make the Trollhunters of the past, proud. Let us make Trollmarket proud. Let us show our guests the humbling they deserve!" Draal says fiercely.
"Fools play for glory. But we play for Aaarrrgghh!" Blinky cried, the name fueling Jim's determination, his eyes narrowing at the sight. They were ready with a whole new purpose and a lot more confidence.
"For Aaarrrgghh!" Jim yells.
————<•>————
Claire, Blinky and I were back to the side as Jim and Draal went to the arena.
As they stepped to the center, smoke shot from the cracks in the Hero's Forge, loud rumbling was the only thing interrupting the silence of the arena.
The platforms lifted, raising the goal even higher, the movements never ceased, the axes swinging and the floors twisting.
Jim and Draal readied themselves, now having one thing in mind to make sure they win.
On cue, the Scoothscryer had spit out the ball, the object falling and the other team didn't hesitate to chase after it, jumping easily through the swinging and falling axes.
The Krubera trolls rolled across the arena, metal contraptions shooting from the ground and spitting fire at Jim and Draal who avoided the rapidly fired arrows.
Draal lifted Jim and threw him as he flys through the air.
However, the ball was beyond his reach so Jim gripped the axe, using it to flip off and onto a platform, running after the metal ball.
The said object collided with the side of a platform ricocheting off and the other team managing to get their hands on it. With a grunt, the one Krubera threw the ball, his other teammate appearing from a higher platform, catching it with ease.
Draal leaped towards the other troll, missing him but not giving up, the two fought above on the platform, Draal climbing onto the Krubera's back and holding him in a choke hold, the ball slipping through their grips.
As the other teammate rolled and climbed to the ball, Jim was running, breathing heavily but no where near exhausted. His adrenaline pumped through him, his glare hardened. With courage, Jim leaped off the high raised platform, his amulet glowing.
A shield unfolding, the design of a moth-like creature was carved in the center. As the Krubera was spinning through the air, close to scoring, Jim had collided with him, a blue ring of smoke came from the collison. The opponent lost his hold on the ball, where it went was no longer seen as the blue and vibrant smoke covered the screen.
"A shield! I knew it!" I yelled as Claire and I jump around.
When it was clear, Draal had flown through it, catching the purple ball and finally scoring. The horn blew and the crowd cheered at the epic transition and scoring. Jim had finally landed on his feet, inspecting his new shield with a smile.
"Since when does Jim have a shield?" Claire asks Blinky.
"He's unlocked the power of his second stone!" Blinky says with a wide smile.
"We might actually win this!" I exclaim.
Another blue hatted Gnome was thrown into the shield right next to the other and they shared a hug chattering excitedly.
Through the flames, the Krubera troll had gotten a tight hold on the ball, the fire licking at his arms as he had reached up to grab it. Draal didn't hesitate, roaring as he and the other troll fought, sparks emitting when their backs collided.
Winning the ball, Draal took off, leaping high into the air and landing beside the goal. Raising the ball in the air, he yelled for Aaarrrgghh before scoring.
"Yes!" Claire and I cheer as Blinky happily claps.
The next score for the Trollhunters was Jim riding on an axe, the ball between his arm and side as he also cried out Aaarrrgghh's name.
He tossed the ball into the mouth of the Scoothscryer, one of the Krubera missing it completely. More blue smoke erupted, the crowd was stomping their feet, all chanting.
Everyone in the arena started chanting Aaarrrggghh making Clare, Blinky and I join in.
Back to the scoreboard, more Gnomes were added to the blue side, their side still chatting, some even mocking the Red side which wasn't amused in the slightest.
The other team prepared themselves, ready to leap when Draal had passed, chasing the ball. They rolled up the wall, Draal peeling himself away from the solid surface and throwing the ball away, since the opponents were too close for comfort.
It bounced off near Vendel and Usurna, the two flinching before their attention turned to Jim who grunted when he had caught it. The boy didn't waste time, he took off, using his shield as a mirror and spotting a Krubera behind him, cutting closer.
Jim twisted, the ball flying from his hands and bouncing off the wall, right.
Draal had almost got a grip on the ball but the Krubera had knocked him from the sky, slamming him into the floor.
The ball had fallen into the abyss and Queen Usurna's troll members had cheered this time.
Claire, Blinky and I quickly ran over to Draals limp form as Jim was trying to wake up Draal.
"Draal! Are you okay?" Jim asks as I lay my hand on his shoulder.
Draal groaned as Blinky gently pulling Jim aside before resting near Draal who still wasn't coherent with the world around him.
"Am I...in the void?" Draal asks breathlessly making me quietly laugh.
"Father? Father!" Draal exclaims as he reaches his hand to the sky.
"Sorry blue dude, your still alive" I say as I pat his shoulder.
"It'll take time for that hit to wear off" Blinky says as he inspects Draal.
Claire looked frantically at their opponents and pointed her finger in their direction.
"Problem is, he doesn't have time" Claire points out.
We turned to the Krubera, watching as the ball flew into their hands, giving them the upper hand that Trollmarket desired to have.
The gorb came out of the abyss and one Krubera grabbed it.
"We'll never find a suitable replacement. You'll have to take them both on" Blinky says as Jim groans.
"By myself? For Pete's sake!" He exclaims as I pat his back.
"Not for Pete. For Aaarrrgghh" Blinky said, clearly not understanding what the trollhunter meant.
I sigh and place my hand on Jim's shoulder, squeezing it as a sigh of encouragement making Jim smile at me before running off into the arena.
The Krubera kept passing the gorb to each other and made their way to the Scootscryer for the winning point, with Jim closely behind them.
He summoned his sword and continued to chase. One Krubera passed to gorb to his mate and turned around to face the trollhunter.
Jim slid under him and threw his sword at the Krubera with the gorb. The sword with the gorb out of the trolls arms as Jim jumped to grab it.
He then made his way up. Looking up, he was arriving at the Scoothscyer. But the two Krubera hadn't given up yet. Both were rolling towards Jim.
Knowing he was going to be flattened into a pancake, he bent down with the Gorb and held the shield above his head. But at that moment, Aaarrrgghh had arrived and held down the two Krubera.
"Aaarrrgghh!" Blinky exclaims as we all cheer.
"Yeah!" I yell as Claire grabs onto Toby's arm.
"What fortunate timing, Tobias. The Bligst is nearly over" Blinky says happily.
"I have no idea what's happening. Is that a good thing?" Toby asks turning to Claire and me.
"If they score, yes. If the other team scores, no" Claire explains.
It was still game on. Jim had the Gorb and ducked while trying to avoid the two Krubera. One of them jumped back of a wall and hit Jim, who fell while throwing the Gorb to Aaarrrgghh!
Jim hit the ground roughly, his armor then disappearing.
I gasp as Toby, Claire and I watch in shock.
Aaarrrgghh grabbed the Gorband began to make his way up.
The former Krubera roared, the other trolls chasing him relentlessly. Aaarrrgghh had finally made it to the goal, ready to win for his team until the other Krubera had dogpiled him.
Angered, Aaarrrgghh's eyes were filled with nothing but green and black, the chanting growing louder and their feet stomping faster.
Aaarrrgghh roaring fiercely as he turned in the direction of the mouth, the trolls still piled on top of him. The Krubera takes off Aaarrrgghh's bandage.
Aaarrrgghh made the score, the Scoothscryer shooting out red and blue smoke, fireworks pouring from the top and lighting up the Hero's Forge.
"Yes!" We all cheer as we realised we won.
The scorekeeper reached for the blue gnome but it scurried under his hand and impaled the shield itself, too excited.
The platform lowered, the arena settling as Aaarrrgghh stood in the middle, doing a celebration pose while the other two walked off in defeat, clearly not happy.
We all quickly run over to Jim and Aaarrrggghh laughing.
"You did it!" I exclaim as I throw my arms around him in a hug "you played great!"
"Thanks" Jim says breathlessly as I pull away with a smile.
"What a rush!" Claire exclaims as she pats Jim on the back.
"Well done you two!" Blinky exclaims.
"Trollmarket is victorious!" Queen Ursurna says as her and Vendel walk over to us.
"The time has arrived that we bid our ends farewell" Vendel says looking at Ursurna.
"But first, one last order of business" Queen Ursurna says as she looks at Aaarrgghh.
"Aarghaumont..." She says softly.
"Brother, we know you are not well, but battled on honorably. Will you return with us, your family? Or fight your last days here amongst your friends?" Queen Ursurna says as we all tense.
"Last days" I whisper as we all look to Aaarrrgghh.
"What does she mean, 'his last days'?" Toby asks.
No one replied as Aaarrrggghh hung his head low.
"The choice is yours" Queen Ursurna says.
We all look at the mark on Aaarrrgghh's arm and finally everything starts to make sense.
"Your wound, Creepers sun poisoning" Blinky said, cradling it but Aaarrrgghh let out a small grunt of pain, pulling away.
"Oh, Aaarrrgghh!!! Why did you not tell us?" Blinky asks.
"Didnt want worry" Aaarrrggghh says.
"We're your friends Aaarrrgghh, that's what we do" I sigh.
"Angor Rot must've cut him" Claire says as she places a hand on Aaarrrgghh.
Jim stepped up, also placing his hands on the wounded and dead limb.
"This is my fault. It should have been me that got hurt" Jim says sadly.
I feel tears well up in my eyes as I try and wipe them away.
"Not Jim's fault. Don't want to leave" Aaarrrgghh says, instantly turned to his partner in crime who was sniffling uncontrollably.
Not able to look, Toby turned away from him and Blinky had pulled Aaarrrgghh's attention back to him.
"The only way you'll be able to survive is with your own kind. You must return with them" Blinky says sadly as he holds back tears.
"We can always visit" Jim says making me frown.
"Actually we can't, only the Krubera can live in the Deep Caves" I whisper as Jim grabs my hand.
"Oh, Well... If it means you'll live..." Jim struggles to say as I squeeze his hand.
"Aaarrrgghh!!! What sort of a friend would I be if I demanded you stay?" Blinky exclaims.
"I... will go" Aaarrrgghh says sadly.
Toby gasps at the news making me feel even worse for Toby.
"Goodbye" Aaarrrgghh says.
He smiled sadly as the four of us looked like we would shatter under Aaarrrgghh's touch. Jim sighing as he hugged Aaarrrgghh's hand that still rested on his shoulder.
"The times of laughs..." Blinky says.
Claire leaned over, hugging Aaarrrgghh as best as she could, the troll looking shocked but also sad at the sight.
"I'll miss you big guy" Claire whispers before letting go.
"You look after yourself alright? Don't worry about us, we'll be okay" I whisper to Aaarrrghh as I hug his arm while he pats my back.
Draal stepped up, patting the troll on the back.
"Goodbye, old friend. I shall protect them in your stead" Draal says.
We all turned to Toby who still hadn't looked but let out a loud breath. Aaarrrgghh tried to wear a smile, in hopes that his close friend would look at him. Aaarrrgghh held out his fist.
"Wingman?" Aaarrrgghh asks.
Toby looked at the fist then to Aaarrrgghh but could barely hold his gaze. He reached out shakily but something had stopped the crying boy.
"Oh" Aaarrrgghh whispers sadly.
Toby whimpered, his tears falling faster before he ran, Aaarrrgghh breaking at the sight. Toby didn't look back as he ran to the exit which hurt the troll even more.
He sighed sadly before turning to Jim and I, leaning close to us.
"Get Gunmar... for me" Aaarrrgghh says as we nod our heads.
Jim smiled sadly and placed his hand on Aaarrrgghh's hand which gently gripped his shoulder.
"Be well, big guy" Jim whispers.
"We'll miss you" I say quietly as he softly pats my head.
I lean my head on Jim's shoulder as he leans his cheek against the top of my head as we watch Aaarrgghh walk over to the Queen.
"Tell Wingman, he family. I, family" Aaarrrgghh says one last time before walking away with a sad face.
————<•>————
Authors note:
This was a long chapter oops
I know there wasn't much in it other then Jim and Draal fighting other trolls so I'm sorry about that
Next chapter I have a plan that will include more Jim and Y/n moments so yayyy
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!