A New Beginning

Chapter 18 More Parental Guidance Needed

Jim's POV:
(Written by @Kodbro)

Oh dear, was all I could think as Eli, Darci and Mary's parents continued to stare at us as if we were from out of this world.

How they knew we were here? That was confirmed by Vervatos guiltily standing next to them. "What?" He asked. "Vervatos told them that their children are in good hands and that they didn't need anymore parental guidance."

"Appreciated Vervatos," Krel said from behind me.

"Jim," Eli's mom said. "While we might know about you and what you are-"

"Trollhunters," Eli interrupted. Earning a glare from his mom.

"-We can't just allow our children to rush into battle. Especially not after what Vervatos told us about Morgouse," she said.

"Not to mention that you almost died at the hands of Morgana herself," Darci's dad added unhelpfully.

"Thanks for that, Detective," I said.

"Anytime Lake," he said.

"As for what you're all wearing?" Who I assumed Mary's mom asked us.

"Armour," Mary replied. "It's simple really. We will be toast without it."

"And you will be toast without training in this battle with or without it," her dad said.

Mary rolled her eyes.

"We still have to help them," Darci said. "They're our friends. We can't just leave the battle to them-"

"Really? If I didn't know any better I would say that Jim is the Trollhunter here. Not all of you," Detective Scott said, pointing a finger at each of us.

"You're right Detective Scott. Yes I am the Trollhunter. But so is Claire, Toby, Steve, Eli, Mary, Darci and... Douxie," I hesitated at that last name. Despite him with us now, I still wasn't sure who's side he was standing on. I wouldn't be sure until we were on the battlefield together.

"You have nothing to fear," Merlin suddenly spoke out. Putting a hand on my shoulder as he did. "They will be stronger together. I have seen it before myself."

"And this isn't a one person one job situation," I added. "We need everyone we can get to stop Morgouse, Steven and my father. Before Morgouse can destroy the world with something worse than the Eternal Night."

None of my friends' parents looked happy at my words. But then again, what choice did they have? We had a war to win here.

"What's your plan then?" Detective Scott asked me.

I smiled.

🔵🔵🔵

"Because we know where Morgouse is hiding out and because we have Claire's new Shadow Staff, we now have the element of surprise," I explained that afternoon when we had gone back down to Trollmarket.

That included the parents as well as my own mom and Strickler. Stuart and Vervatos included. It was only fair that everyone weighed in.

"If there's anything that I learned from fighting with Morgana, it's that we must catch Morgouse when she is at her weakest." I looked at Merlin when I said this.

Nothing was a game anymore.

"That's tonight. Merlin's right. I can't fight everyone on my own. That's why I need Claire, Toby, Mary, Darci, Steve and Eli's help. To fend off James and Steven and distract the guards while I go for Morgouse. With Midnight, she will be vulnerable against me. Has everyone got the plan then?" I asked.

Everyone nodded, even if they didn't approve of it. "We will go through the portal together-"

"And us?" My mom asked. "Jim. We can't just abandon our children. It's our duty to help as well."

I sighed as I looked at her. This was what I loved about my mom. Being so accepting of everything. She didn't deserve James. "Well if Detective Scott could warn the locals of Morgouse's invasion, I guess if you're that willing, you can come with us," I said.

"Not alone she won't," Strickler said, smiling at me.

"That makes me feel a bit better, I must say," Mary's dad said, earning a friendly punch in the shoulder from Mary's mom.

"Better? They're our children. What better about allowing them to fight in a war that is millenia old?" Mary's mom asked.

And as much as I hated to admit it, she was right.

"Fear not, mother of Mary. For with our Trollhunter, there is much hope to have." Blinky couldn't have stepped in at a better time. I silently thanked Deyre for him.

"We will meet at the forge tonight then," I said, finalising everything.

"Another calling. Lively!" Aja agreed.

🔵🔵🔵

While I was in the Forge practising my moves with Midnight, the person who I would least expect came up to me.

"Jim," he said. "If I can have a moment."

I turned to see Douxie walking towards me. At his presence I allowed Midnight to dissappear. "What's up?" I asked him.

"Listen. I know you don't like me. And if I didn't know any better, I would say that it has to do with Claire. You have a thing for her. What I'm trying to say is, don't worry. She's all yours. In fact, if I had to admit, there is someone else here that I fancy."

"Is that all?" I asked, still wary of him.

"No. Actually, I came here to tell you something else. Something about your amulet," he admitted.

Okay. He had my attention.

"What about it?" I asked.

"Remember how I told you that I am Merlin's assistant?" He said. "Well, I'm actually the one who helped him forge your amulet."

What...? Oh... suddenly everything just seemed to click together. It explained his accent considering the fact that he went to Arcadia Oaks Academy. His sudden appearance only now...

"You don't mean to say..." I started.

"That I'm a wizard like Merlin? Yes. That's how I can help you, Jim. Please. You have to believe that I'm on your side. Even before back when we first met, I knew who you were. The very Trollhunter himself," he said.

Before I could answer him however, Stuart in his human guise, suddenly came rushing into the Forge. Out of breath by the time he reached us.

"Stuart?" I asked. "What is it?"

"Do you have anymore flour?" He asked.

Okay...? Was all I thought as I let him resume.

"Gruesome," he said. "Blinky told me. Walking amongst Arcadia. Everyone is terrified."

"Looks like it's the perfect job then for training for Morgouse. Jim has already showed us some moves-"

"Yes, but perfecting the skill of sword fighting in war takes time and patience, Douxie," I said. "Not even I rushed into battle on the first opportunity I got. The Darklands taught me well."

"So you're just going to leave everyone up there in danger?" Stuart asked me.

In the end it looked like I didn't have a choice.

"No," I said, bringing out Midnight. "We go out there together."

"Then you will need this as well," Douxie said as he demonstrated a ball of green magic that floated in his hands after casting the enchantment.

I couldn't say that I wasn't surprised when he showed us just what I assumed was only a taste of his magic.

"Let's do this," I said.