The Shadow's Bane

Jimhunters... Again

Claire's POV: 
Meanwhile back in Arcadia...

When Jim never showed up at Toby's house later that morning, I began to worry for him. "I'm sure he's fine," Toby said. Trying to reassure me, but failing. After all, Jim was my boyfriend. How could I not worry about him?

"Fine? Toby, one minute he was there. And then the next minute he wasn't. I'm pretty sure that's not fine," I said.

"That seems accurate," Toby agreed. "But if it's any consolation, we can always use your new Shadow Staff to portal to him. Don't worry, Claire. We got this."

I smiled at him, despite my constant concern for Jim right now. "And that red blur," I continued as we left Toby's place to head over to Jim's where Blinky and AAARRRGGHH!!! were. "Do you think there is something about it that Jim is not telling us about?"

"Who knows what's going on inside that brilliant young mind of his-"

"TOBY PIE. Mr Meow Meow PI hasn't returned yet. Do you know where he is?" Toby's Nana suddenly called from the kitchen.

Toby groaned before opening the front door. "Ask Dictatious, Nana. And binge watch another show. We're just going over to Jim's. Think about it this way, Claire. The poor guy... trollguy, hasn't had a break in forever. Let's just get to Blinky and ask him what he thinks about portalling to him."

"You're right, TP." It took less than a minute to reach Jim's house. When we reached the porch, I rang the doorbell. It was Barbara who opened it.

"Hey... Dr L," Toby said. "Is Blinky and AAARRRGGHH!!! here?"

"Hi Toby. Claire. Yes. Come in. I will make some tea so long. They're in the living room."

"Thank you Barbara," I said before walking in with Toby.

"Let me guess," Blinky said when he saw us. "This is about the missing whereabouts of Master Jim."

"Yes. But TP here might have a way of getting to him," I said.

"Really now?" Blinky asked.

"We can use Claire's Shadow Staff?" Toby explained. Then noticed Blinky's and AAARRRGGHH!!!'s unimpressed and concerned expressions. "Come on guys. Jim was right. Stop making that look when we all know that you're hiding something. We miss our friend. Whatever it is, it can't be worse than Donmar. Right?"

"No. Worse," AAARRRGGHH!!! said which could only mean trouble.

"Fine. Fine," Blinky said. "Back when you, Claire and Jim were searching for the red blur, AAARRRGGHH!!! and I went down to the ruins of Trollmarket where we might have found a reason for this red blurs very existence."

"You mean it has a way of travelling underground?" I asked, picking up on what Blinky was saying.

"Unlike you, I have no idea what you just said, Blink," Toby said.

"Precisely," Blinky said to me. "The Deep. I fear that Master Jim is not telling us something."

"The Deep?" Barbara asked as she brought in the tea.

"I'm not sure how," Blinky said. "But I think, like a labyrinth, it's a way of transportation."

"Which could explain the various cracks near the canals in Arcadia," I said. "We need to get to Jim."

"And we shall," Strickler suddenly said from behind us.

We turned to look at him. "Are we really doing this then?" I asked. "Going into the Deep where no troll except for Jim has ever returned?"

"I think we are. But everyone is just saying these things really fast that I don't know what is happening right now anymore. If so, I really hope that it's not like the Darklands because let's admit it, going to the Darklands is not on the top ten list of things that everyone must do once in their lives," Toby said.

"I agree," Strickler said. "Which is why once we are down there then and only then can we use Claire's Shadow Staff to activate a portal because in that way it will hold as a stronger anchor for Jim. We can leave at dusk."

"Then we should probably get Steve and Eli to wait for us in Trollmarket with Merlin to act as our emotional anchor back here in Arcadia," I said.

"Yes," Blinky said. "Claire is correct."

"The plan is set then," I said. "Without Jim, our plan of capturing this red blur is futile. And together we can get him back."

"Oh yeah... team Trollhunters. Kicking butt! Or should I say, Jimhunters?" Toby suddenly said, being the enthusiastic one that he always was. I laughed. Then he looked at me in silent agreement. "Let's go and get our friend back," he said.