Trollhunters: Becoming

Shadowmagic and Spying

"Alright. So I have no idea if this is going to work," Claire began, pacing back and forth in the forge. Jim and Toby were sitting criss-cross apple sauce on the floor watching her. It was the next day and Claire was trying to perform shadow magic.

"Just try opening a shadow portal, first," Jim suggested.

"But what if---"

"If that happens we'll be able to recognize the signs and stop it before she even gets the chance to use you," Jim cut in. "But Claire, this is your power now. Not hers. You made that power your own."

"What are you two talking about?" Toby asked.

"When Claire first started out, she used a magical weapon called a shadow staff. It belonged to Morgana. At one point, Claire created a very big portal to save us that could have killed her. She lived but she got possessed by Morgana herself. Eventually, we freed her. In a fight against Morgana, Claire destroyed her shadow staff banishing Morgana to the shadow realm. Later on, Claire discovered she could still do shadow magic without the staff," Jim summarized.

"Cool! Not the whole getting possessed thing but the magic thing is cool!" Toby exclaimed. Claire smiled and relaxed her shoulders a bit.

"Okay. I can do this," Claire reassured herself. Jim gave two thumbs up.

Claire remembered Douxie teaching her how to open a shadow portal. First, she needed an emotional anchor. She glanced over to the two boys. She would try to portal behind them. Second, she needed to concentrate. Focus.

She held her hands out, and let the magic swirl around her. A small back portal slowly began to form. It was difficult, she was working up a sweat but she didn't let that stop her.

Flashes of Nomura, Strickler, Nari, Archie, and Toby flashed through her eyes. Asking her why didn't they help them. Claire shook her head. This was her guilt manifesting. She wouldn't let it get to her.

Claire persisted and she let go of any guilt she had and focused even more.

A portal opened and it maintained its size. Excitedly, Claire ran into the portal and it closed right behind her.

Toby and Jim sat in silence for a moment before Jim heard a familiar sound of a portal and felt Claire jump on his back.

"I did it!" Claire exclaimed excitedly. Jim grinned and stood up, Claire still attached to his back and hugging his neck excitedly.

"You did it, Claire!" Jim cheered.

"That was so cool, Claire!" Toby exclaimed, hopping up and down. Claire grinned and jumped off of Jim's back. Jim turned to look at Claire's face when he noticed something interesting.

"Claire...your hairstreak," Jim noted. "It's white again."

Claire frowned and brought her hand up to touch it.

"Huh. That's weird," Claire mumbled. A worried expression crossed Jim's face.

"You don't think it's Morgana do you?" Jim fretted. Claire looked to be in thought for a moment before shaking her head.

"No. I don't feel her. Like you said before, this magic is my own. I think the hair thing is just an effect of me using my magic," Claire answered truthfully. Jim smiled and nodded. He brushed his hand against her cheek.

"It suits you," Jim whispered. Claire giggled.

"Gosh you two really are sappy," Toby teased. Jim rolled his eyes and looked at his best friend.

"I'm going to keep practicing my magic," Claire stated, pulling away from Jim.

"I need to go call my mom," Jim brought up.