بخش شانزدهم

The teeth tear and chew, grinding the food into paste before it’s swallowed.

Then, it travels down the wind pipe.

I mean, esophagus.

So the reason you were late and covered in dirt was because you were fighting a “mud monster”?

While there was some gnarly troll watching you?

Talk about creepy.

I know.

It was like he was studying me.

To the guts, where the juices break it down into a bubbling nasty soup.

What are you gonna do?

I don’t know.

I haven’t figured that out yet.

So after it weaves through this mess, it comes out the old.

You know,”the back door.”

Coach?

Yeah, thank you.

Don’t mean to “butt” in, but I’d like to “gas” a question?

Hey, poo’s laughing?

Watch it, Palchuk!

This is serious!

Hey, why don’t you shut your hole, Steve?

Oh, that’s it.

That’s it, jokers!

Both of you, principal’s office, now!

You think you can out-poo-pun me, Lake?

How could I do that when you are the biggest piece.

Young Atlas, getting into trouble again, I see.

Ahem, Principal Strickler, this has been a huge misunderstanding.

You have a lot of nerve showing your face around here, Strickler.

I’ve decided I’m not done with you.

Your education has just begun.

Oh, good.

Maybe I’m a slow learner.

Because I can’t figure out why you’d come back after I dropped a bomb all over your big parade.

For the record, I just want to say he’s not speaking on my behalf.

Shut up, Steve!

Shut up, Steve!

I’m in a position to make your life truly miserable.

I could take you out right now.

And I could do far worse.

Are you ready for that?

I’m sorry about the poop jokes!

They really weren’t that funny!

Detention.

For both of you.

Now get out of my office before I change my mind.

I should have pulled Daylight on him right then and there.

Steve would’ve gone bananas.

It’s probably good you waited.

I imagine murdering your principal looks pretty bad on your college application.

I’ll just have to wait and get him alone.

What’s wrong?

I just got a weird feeling.

I have those all the time, it’s usually after the school lunch.

Come on.

Blinky said he had something urgent he wanted to tell us.

Hmm.

I’ve spent nights poring over the legend of the stones, decoding its hidden meanings.

Endless, sleepless nights.

The Triumbric Stones.

You found something?

At first, I combed every library for insights, but there is nothing written.

Rumors say they are tied to Gunmar’s life force.

So I searched for stones that would have a significance to his past.

Birthstone.

Indeed.

Such as Gunmar’s Birthstone.

Why is it so powerful?

Long ago, trolls lived underground, blissfully unaware of humankind above.

Inevitably, our worlds collided.

Trolls and humans each wanted the world as their own and fought for it.

Blood was shed, and our First Heartstone rotted from within.

And from it, Gunmar was born.

Birthstone, okay.

Where would we find that?

Birthstone gone.

It was plundered before any good could come from it.

But then I remembered this passage.

“Three forces Elemental thou must seek in marshland, caverns deep, and mountain’s peak.”

Ah.

Which is elusive, but the clue.

Is hidden in the final stanza mountain’s peak.

It’s so obvious!

The stone is hidden in a mountain.

Sorry.

I’m a riddle dork.

Yeah, I’m not getting it.

Gatto’s Keep!

Deep in the realm of the Volcanic Trolls is a vault of the greatest treasures untold.

Treasures too powerful for the underworld to possess.

Treasures kept locked up by Gatto himself.

Treasures like.

The Birthstone.

So this Gatto has the stone that will help us get Enrique back?

If I could just finish a thought.

When do we leave?

Wait, this sounds like a quest.

This is a quest!

Guys, we’re going on our first official Trollhunters quest!

Pack your bags.

There’s more to see in this world than you know.

Oh, my!

Oh, my!

Oh, my!

Trollhunter quest!

Going somewhere?

Um uh, yes, yeah!

A camping trip with Tobes, Claire, and a few others.

And when were you gonna ask me?

What if I said no?

Sorry, it just kind of sprung up.

I was gonna leave a note, but.

Well, you can’t go.

I have to.

Then you’re grounded.

Okay, well, you can ground me when I get back.

Jim.

I’m sorry, Mom.

Whoa.

You’ve never taken us this far before.

Because out here, Tobias, there is no protection.

Beyond the barriers of Trollmarket lie unforgiving realms, ripe with lawlessness.

Aha!

We’re here.

Did everyone come prepared?

Yeah, I’ve got my flashlight, horngazel, amulet.

I’ve got a first-aid kit, matches.

And I got tacos!

Extra spicy!

What?

I get hungry on a quest.

What’s wrong, wingman?

Hate gyre.

What’s a “gyre”?

Come with me and prepare to be amazed.

Seriously?

You brought tacos?

I brought enough for everyone!

That’s the coolest troll-y trolley I’ve ever seen!

Gyre.

Yes.

A gyre.

Our kind’s quickest form of transportation.

For the last 200 years, trolls have used the vast network of subterranean sewers to get to any part of the world in record time!

Wait, Gatto isn’t in Arcadia?

Of course not.

He lives under what you humans call Argentina.

Argentina!

That’s a whole other continent, Blinky!

How long is it going to take to get there?

Less time than you’d think.

Let’s burn some tunnel!

Ha-ha!

A new record!

You see?

Was that so bad?

Yes.

Yes, it was.

Hate gyre.

Gross, Toby.

Out of curiosity, have either of you ever met this Gatto?

Uh, no, Master Jim.

In fact, I’ve done everything in my power to avoid him.

Very few ever return from his keep.

So.

Stay close.

Agh!

It’s so hot.

Why is it so hot?

Because we’re in a volcano, aren’t we?

Welcome to Ojos del Salado, the home of Gatto.

“Ojos del Salado”?

Well, that’s not gonna be good for my mobile plan.

Uh, you there, we would most graciously request an audience with Gatto.

Thank you, kind friend.

You bring news?

They’re going to Gatto’s Keep.

For what purpose?

I wasn’t close enough to see, but they seek one of his treasures.

I know of Gatto.

If the hunter is foolish enough to deal with him, I doubt they will return.

Did you bring the charm I require?

Do you know what to do with it?

Don’t patronize me.

Of course I do.

How does it work?

Once you both drink its essence, then the woman’s fate will be tied to yours.

He just keeps disappearing on me for hours at a time.

And today, I told him he was grounded.

And then he walked right past me.

As if I had no say in the matter.

I just I don’t know what to do.

You’re doing the best you can.

I just feel like I’m losing control.

Barbara, sometimes, you have to focus on what you can control over what you can’t.

I know, Walter.

You’re right.

Thank you.

I really like spending time with you.

Oh, I’m sorry.

Hold on.

It’s the hospital.

Of course.

Well, I do have to get back to work, but I’ve got a few more minutes.

Mmm.

This tea is really nice.

Yes.

I’d say it has a certain enchanting quality to it.

Finally!

Are you serious?

Okay, where’s Gatto?

They said he’d be here.

Gatto’s a real butt-snack.

Who has awakened Gatto?

Oh, no!

Holy sheesh-kebob!

I am so sorry I called you a butt-snack.

A human Trollhunter?

How interesting.

How unique.

To what do I owe this pleasure?

We’ve sorry, we’ve come for.

Agh!

Did he just eat a troll?

You must excuse me.

I never talk business without something to eat.

Go on.

We need we need the Birthstone.

The Birthstone of Gunmar.

Very powerful.

Why should I give it to you?

Because we are going to destroy him.

Why do I care?

Why should I give it to you?

He’s negotiating, Master Jim.

What do you want for it?

Ooh.

An answer to a little riddle.

That’s all?

Whew.

I thought Claire was a goner.

Answer it correctly, the Birthstone is yours.

Answer it incorrectly, I eat you all.

Eat?

Did he say “eat”?

Yes, humans.

I hear they have a gamey taste.

He said “eat.”

Master Jim, we must not enter into this binding agreement.

I’m beginning to catch on why so few trolls ever leave this domicile.

We’ll play.

We need it to save Claire’s brother and, besides, she’s good at riddles.

Not “bet-our-lives” good!

You’re a straight-A student!

When do we go to “riddles” class?

Ah, I am savvy with words.

Gatto, do your worst.

Riddle away.

What begins and has no end, and ends all that which begins?

I have absolutely no idea.

Those words mean nothing.

Indecipherable.

Everyone, start thinking.

We can do this!

“What begins, has no end.”

Begin, end.

Begin, end.

Oh, head hurts!

School bus?

Meatloaf?

Hair!

Ten more seconds.

You didn’t tell us we’re on the clock!

Kangaroo!

Golf!

Socks!

Magic!

Warhammer!

Baby deer!

School buses with hobos driving full of macaroni and cheese!

I don’t know!

A loop begins and has no end, but it doesn’t end when it begins.

Shoot, it’s not that.

What is it?

Wait, wait, wait!

I got it!

The answer is a riddle!

No, that’s stupid.

Could you repeat the question?

Tick-tock, tick-tock.

Five seconds.

Prepare the chimichurri!

There is no answer.

The answer is nothing.

What if there is no answer?

There’s always an answer.

Then what is it?

“What has a beginning.”

You know this.

Three, two.

You have to know this one.

We’re gonna die!

Time is up.

Death!

Death is the answer.

It begins and has no end.

And ends all things that begin.

“Death.”

What?

No one has ever answered that before.

Oh, my gosh!

Yeah!

And lived to tell about it.

No!

You were never going to give it to us!

You horde treasures only to lure those into your literal trap!

Oh, come now.

A mountain has to eat, you know.

For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command!

Oh-hh!

What do we do now?

I don’t wanna be food!

Hold on!

Master Jim!

No!

Aaarrrgghh!

Wingman!

Blinky!

He ate them!

They still could be alive.

Coach Lawrence told us how long it takes to digest something, or someone.

That doesn’t make it better!

Must leave!

Come on!

Let’s get out of here!

Get them!

We appear surprisingly unscathed by that ordeal.

Unscathed?

We’re in a stomach right now!

I feel very “scathed”!

Great Gronka Morka!

Gatto’s Keep it’s his belly!

That means the Birthstone must be here somewhere.

Yeah, along with a bunch of lava acid, that’s rising!

Then we should make haste!

Contact Jim!

Tell him we have found Gatto’s Keep.

What?

I don’t have an international plan.

The rates will be crazy!

I’ll cover the charges!

They’re okay!

Wingman, Blinky, okay?

Yeah, they say they’re going for the Birthstone, and they’re gonna try to find a way out!

Good!

You’re alive!

Happy face!

Tell them to meet at the gyre!

Look at all this gold!

Careful, Tobias.

I encourage you to keep your hands to yourself.

We’re already in a stomach.

What’s the worst that can happen?

Boils and disembowelment, for starters.

Magically cursed objects are often disguised as the most ordinary items to lure unsuspecting victims..

Oh, glorious me, a Roman penny!

I haven’t seen one of these in ages.

Uh.

Gunmar’s Birthstone must be here.

Okay.

Let’s see, if I was a Birthstone, where would I be?

Forget about the Birthstone!

We must leave now!

Make haste!

We can’t possibly climb out of here.

I’m afraid we are without an exit.

Blinky, there may be another way, but you’re not gonna like it.

If this is his stomach, then there must be a “back door” too.

“Back door”?

What is.

Oh, no!

No, no, no, no, no, no.

If we upset the stomach, we may have a chance to be passed through.

I’d rather die in a stomach than go out through a an alternate route.

Come on, help me out!

Throw in every gut-buster you can find!

Blinky?

Are you okay?

I’m okay, I’m okay.

Sounds like it’s just helium-based.

Oh, dear.

Good thing that wasn’t permanent.

Is that.

Blinky?

Have you found it?

Strange.

They found the Birthstone!

“Meet you at the gyre.”

Send!

Jim!

Watch out!

Oh, no!

Hurry!

Get them!

It’s not working!

We need something more, something that will really upset his stomach.

We must move!

We can use this!

Hop on!

We’re not gonna get out of here, are we?

I fear we are doomed, Tobias!

And that this will be our final.

What?

I’m stress eating.

Don’t judge.

Tobias, your tacos!

My tacos?

Are you crazy?

What are my tacos gonna do?

Tobias, I’ve had your tacos.

I know what they do to the insides of a troll.

No!

Those were Diablo Maximus!

Oh, dear.

And that’s the one.

Uh-oh.

Not tacos.

Blinky!

The back door, it’s open!

I hate to repeat myself, but it might be apropos.

Let’s burn some tunnel!

Jim, get to the gyre!

We’re coming out the back door!

Whoa!

Stop!

Got it!

Smiley face, smiley face and send!

Hold on!

Where did the rest of the trolls go that were here?

I think they knew this place was gonna blow.

Okay, Toby says they’re gonna go out the back door.

What’s the back door?

Oh.

There they are!

Start it up!

Start it up!

Start it up!

Leave it to me!

You infernal piece of agh-hh!

Aaarrrgghh!

Hate gyre!

Never in my wildest dreams did I dare think I would ever see such a sight.

I’m never gonna look at food the same way again.

Indeed.

We were all quite the intrepid heroes today but a special accolade to you, fair Claire, master of riddles.

It was a team effort.

Besides, we still have two more stones to find.

The next ones might not be so easy.

Easy?

We were eaten!

I’m pretty sure I was technically digested and then.

Tobias!

The less said about our escape, the better.

Gorgus forbid we are remembered for that in the history.

That was almost grosser than.

Don’t say it!

You okay, Blinky?

I’ll be fine.

Seems I may have been allergic to something in Gatto’s belly.

But nothing a good night’s rest won’t fix.

Ah-hh-choo!

Ooh!

Are these salty niblets?

What happened to never eating again?

This is troll food, not human food.

There’s a difference.

Mmm.

Not horrible.

Mmm!

Young Atlas, is that.

Uh.

If I ever see you near her again.

I expected this time would come.

Oh, yeah?

Give me one good reason not to do away with you right now.

Did you happen to spot my companion watching you the other day?

He’s my assassin with.

how should I put this?

Enchanting abilities.

That was you?

What do you mean “enchanting”?

He entwined your mother’s fate with mine.

Any harm you do to me will be done to your mother.

Ouch.

Ow!

How did that happen?

Oh.

What strange magic.

Mm.

What happens to me happens to her.

You’ve hurt your mother enough, Jim.

So, what will it be?

Huh.

Oh!

Hm?

Great Grumbly-Gruesome!