بخش ششم

What kind of nerd breaks into a museum?

Move to the middle.

Pose.

Okay, come on.

No, stop!

Next!

I can’t thank you enough for coming to the station.

They are so lucky she didn’t press any charges.

Ms. Nomura is a personal friend.

She agrees with me that this was nothing more than reckless youth run amok.

I mean, who else do you think is hiding an evil troll face?

Coach Lawrence?

Steve?

What if Strickler’s one of them?

Strickler’s been teaching history at Arcadia Oaks High since the dawn of history.

If he’s one, I’m one.

I know where I’ve seen this bridge.

It’s the same one that Blinky was talking about.

What?

The Killa-thingy Bridge?

That’s, like, ancient history, right?

They’re trying to break Gunmar out.

This is bad, Tobes.

Like, “Goodbye, Arcadia” bad.

As soon as we get home, we’re going to Blinky.

You really didn’t have to go through all this trouble, Mr. Strickler.

Please, “Walter.

” I’m sorry we had to meet under this unfortunate circumstance.

There must be some way I can repay you.

Coffee?

Dinner?

Appendix removal?

I.

Coffee would be a delight.

And a rain check on the appendectomy.

Looking forward to it, Walter.

Watch yourself, Young Atlas.

Next time, the consequences could be more severe.

Did you actually just ask my teacher out on a date?

Don’t you make this about me.

You guys broke into a museum!

And for this?

You are grounded until you apologize to that woman.

You got me?

Yes, Mom.

Yes, Dr. Lake.

Arthur!

Here, boy!

Sorry, Mom.

Are you certain?

Are you unquestionably, unequivocally.

I’m certain.

Could be anything.

I concur.

Tobias’ photographic skills are less than exemplary.

Okay, it’s a little blurry!

You try taking a picture while hauling butt, mister!

Okay, well, what about the curator?

How could a person just change like that?

What?

What is it?

Changeling.

Not helping.

Sorry.

Changelings haven’t been talked about in quite some time.

Do you mind?

Whatever.

In the Old World, Gumm-Gumms..

Fine.

stole our young and did something unnatural to change them.

Their sole purpose:

to spy on the world above.

What did they do to them?

Nasty business.

Very messy.

These are the very reasons I doubt your certainty.

I don’t question you saw a bridge, but Killahead?

It would take years to collect all of the stones.

Decades, even.

You would need an army of changelings.

I know what I saw.

These are serious accusations, Master Jim.

Without proof, absolute bedlam will ensue.

Well, we have to tell someone.

This is our city, too.

Who?

Our court-appointed psychiatrist?

They’re never going to believe us.

Well, if it isn’t the piece of flesh I’ll pound into pancakes tomorrow.

I look forward to your pain and I’ll drink to your death.

Death?

What is he talking about?

I thought this was only a rematch.

To challenge a troll’s honor can only end in ruin.

It’s all right there in chapter three of A Brief Recap.

You still haven’t read the book.

Now, hold on.

This fight, I don’t know, maybe we can, um.

postpone it?

Postpone, you say?

What a trainer!

Does everyone in your company forget how to fight?

There are things that have been brought to our attention.

Things that have serious implications.

No, no, no, Master Jim!

Shh!

By Kanjigar’s honor, I would have made your death swift and painless, but, for that act of cowardice, I will show you no mercy when I take back what’s rightfully mine.

Bid farewell to your loved ones, Jim “the Dead Meat.

I’m going to die tomorrow.

What was I to do?

The boy turned them on me.

The goblins were supposed to hide our tracks, not lead them to us!

I will see to it that your mess is cleaned up.

I’m sorry.

You’ve been compromised.

Please, Bular, spare me.

Groveling, Impure?

You need me.

If you dispose of me, who will replace me?

The boy already knows I’m a changeling.

How long do you think it will take for him to find out Strickler is one, too?

We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

without you.

Wait!

I’ve acquired the Fetch!

The Fetch?

More changelings?

But we are nearly finished.

What good would it be to bring another.

Be quiet, Impure.

Go on.

Think how proud your father will be to see his legion grow.

Prepare the exchange.

In case we’re ever one changeling short.

“Dear Claire, you’re receiving this letter because I’ve most likely been slaughtered by a troll.

“Claire, I don’t know how to tell you this, but let me try.

“What lady is that, which doth enrich the hand of yonder knight?

She doth teach the torches to burn bright!

It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel.

“Beauty too rich for use.

For earth too dear, so shows a snowy dove trooping with crows.

Did my heart love till now?

Forswear it, sight.

For I never saw true beauty till this night.

“My bounty is as boundless as the sea.

My love as deep.

The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.

She’s good, isn’t she?

Yeah, she’s great.

I hear.

I hear some.

Goodbye, Claire.

something.

Ah, fudgeknuckle!

Juliet, find your mark.

Blueberry waffles?

Bacon mac and cheese?

Shrimp cakes?

What is this, a last meal?

Well, I wanted to bake cookies, I decided to make your favorite, and then… eh, all your favorites.

If you think this is going to get you out of apologizing to Ms. Nomura.

Hey, can’t we just have dinner?

We’ve both been so busy.

When’s the last time we’ve really sat down and talked?

I’ll set the table.

Oh!

That was delicious.

I don’t know what I’d do without you, kiddo.

I’d be ten pounds lighter, but.

Well, you deserve it.

Shrimp cakes?

Gosh, I haven’t had those since.

Since.

Dad made them for us?

I didn’t think you were old enough to remember.

Oh, I remember enough.

I remember how his beard would scratch my face when he hugged me.

How he used to make you laugh.

But, most of all, how much he hurt you when he left.

Jim, where is this coming from?

No matter what happens to me, I would never leave you like that.

At least, well.

not by choice.

You’re an amazing person, and I just want you to know I’ll always love you.

Don’t you start that talk with me.

I’m still hoping you’ll end up close at an in-state college.

Now, help me clear the dishes.

We are going to wrap these up for tomorrow.

You have to give me that waffle recipe.

If there’s anything I could eat forever, it’s waffles.

It’s here when you need it.

Whoa.

Huh.

Whoa.

What?

“Weak points.

Rule three:

Kick him in the gronk-nuks.

Identifying your opponent’s weakness.

Hey, Jimbo.

You up?

Yeah.

How can I sleep?

What are you doing?

Reading.

Tomorrow’s a pretty big day.

You ready?

Mmm.

nope.

Yeah, me neither.

Night, Jimbo.

Good pep talk, Tobes.

Huh.

Then, Hector turned to the masses of Troy and said.

Gathered trollkind!

The Trollhunter has laid a challenge before the son of his predecessor, and you shall all bear witness to the ensuing battle, which will be one for the ages.

if not remarkably painful and short.

Hey, I.

I want you to have this.

What’s this?

It says everything I want to say.

You promised me tacos.

Now is not the time for lunch, Tobes.

Last week, we went for tacos.

I paid.

You said, “Next time on me.

You’re going to get this letter back unopened after the fight, and when you get back, we’ll get tacos.

Tacos sounds good.

Draal, son of Kanjigar, son of Tarigar, Draal “the Destroyer,” come forth.

It’s time to put everything I’ve ever said to you to practice.

With a little luck, he’ll trip and fall.

Now, tell me: rule one.

Always be afraid.

Rule two.

Always finish a fight.

Rule three?

About that.

I was reading, when the Venerable Bedehilde fought the Hydrabeast, there were no gronk-nuks, but there was a weakness under its scales.

You read the book?

So, it got me thinking.

Does Draal have a weakness?

He read the book.

He read the book!

Books tasty.

And now, Draal’s combatant, James Lake Jr.

son of.

“Ba-bu-rah.

Come forth, human Trollhunter.

Fight from your heart, Master Jim.

It’s strong, stronger than any rock.

And certainly, stronger than mine.

Prepare for battle.

Here we go.

I am doing this.

Begin!

Whoa!

I never taught him that.

Did you?

He’s a natural!

And there goes that move.

Ten whole seconds!

He’s not dead!

That’s a fortuitous sign.

Don’t jinx.

Jim!

Look away!

We will not remember him like this.

He’s getting killed!

Do something!

Forget being a pacifist!

Save Jim!

He cannot.

This is Jim’s fight.

Rule number three.

Huh?

What?

Huh?

By Deya’s grace, he found it!

Found what?

His weakness!

Draal’s blind spot!

You cannot be the Trollhunter!

You’re a boy!

I am the son of Kanjigar!

And I am Jim, son of Barbara.

And the amulet chose me!

Yes!

He did it!

It’s not over yet.

He has to finish the fight.

Finish the fight!

Finish the fight!

The fight is to the death.

House rules, not mine.

Come on, man.

Don’t make it weird.

You should have killed me.

Look, I may not have followed your rules, but neither did the amulet when it chose me.

Right now, over our heads, changelings are in Arcadia.

What is he talking about?

You’ll need a Trollhunter who doesn’t have to live in the shadows.

This is a time to work together.

They’re building the Killahead.

Stop!

Say no more!

We must leave this instant!

They have a right to know.

And you have a right to listen!

Ours is an ancient race.

It will take time to win hearts and minds.

Why are they treating him that way?

You spared his life, but destroyed his honor.

He will never be able to show his face in Trollmarket again.

Hmm.

Oh, praise!

You’re alive!

And sore.

Ease up.

Just one more minute.

Aaarrrgghh, Blinky.

a word.

Good fight.

Yes!

Very good fight, Master Jim.

I’ll handle Vendel.

You get home and rest.

Tomorrow, we shall join you for these.

What do you call them?

Ah, yes, “tacos.

Mmm, tacos.

You opened the letter.

When I read I was your best friend, it took our relationship to just a whole new level.

Just an average teenager after an average teenage day.

Hey, Mom, I’m home.

I’m just going to head upstairs to get a jump on homework.

In here.

Guess who brought tea?

Oh, not Strickler again.

Don’t you have something to say to Ms. Nomura?

I’m sorry, Ms. Nomura.

I should have never gone into the museum in the first place.

It’s an unforgivable offense and I deeply apologize.

That’s more like it.

But not as sorry as you’re going to be for coming into my home, with my mother.

So, you’d better leave now, or else we’ll both be sorry.

Jim!

She’s our guest.

What’s gotten into you?

Mom!

That speech was very moving.

Too bad she won’t remember it when she wakes up and finds your body!

Looking for these?

Yes!

Thank you!

You can’t hide forever.

Trust me.

I would know.

What are you doing here?

Delivering you pain again, Nomura.

Do not touch the Trollhunter.

Suddenly you’re honorable?

Sorry to hear about daddy.

Bular always liked the way he screamed.

Impure.

You were right.

So, you’re not here to kill me?

Not kill.

Protect.

Be quiet or I’m calling the police!

Take it.

Don’t make it weird.

You going to be okay?

I am.

But, are you?

Your battles won’t always be waged in arenas.

You won’t have time to prepare, to study your opponent for weaknesses as you did me.

You are the Trollhunter.

It is time to start being afraid.

Since I cannot go back to Trollmarket, I will guard your home.

I.

I don’t think my mother would be down with that.

This is nice.

Here I shall protect you and your fleshbag mother, Bar-bu-rah.

Mmm.

close enough.

Your mother will awaken soon.

I protect.

I do not clean.

Right.

Yep.

I’ll get right on that.

Fleshbag.

Maybe you’ll make a good Trollhunter, after all.

When that time comes, I will be proud to fight by your side.

Thanks, Draal.