بخش هفتم

All right.

Do your worst.

Ha!

Whoo-hoo!

It slices!

It dices!

That was amazing!

All right, what else you got?

Mmm.

You know, we probably should recycle these.

On the other hand, shredding them is more fun!

It’s less environmentally conscious, but more fun!

Pull!

Oh!

Home run!

Whoo!

It’s like a ticker tape parade of awesome!

What is this mockery?

Oh, hey, Draal.

Just working on some sword fighting skills.

The Sword of Daylight is not a toy to be played with.

It is a hallowed obligation I have spent my entire life training to be worthy of.

You want to take it for a spin?

Huh?

Sorry.

I forgot.

If my destiny is to not hold the sword, perhaps it is to teach you how to properly wield it.

Your blade is but an extension of your body, and your body, an extension of your eyes.

Mimic my movements, Trollhunter.

That kinda hurts.

A real fight is never predictable, Trollhunter.

You have to expect the unexpected and learn to embody the armor, force it to do what you want.

Wow.

Shoot!

We’re supposed to meet Blinky at the museum now.

Ah!

We’ll work on this more later, okay, Draal?

Let’s go, Tobes!

Mmm.

Hmm?

Mmm.

Good, Blinky left the window open.

I hope he took care of the cameras.

Oh, geez.

It’s true.

You always return to the scene of the crime.

They try to rehabilitate us, but the big house only made us better criminals.

The goblins are all gone.

Ridiculous garment.

You’re late.

Sorry.

Draal was training Jim.

Draal?

Training?

Yeah, he sorta made a home in my basement to look out for the place.

Of course.

When a troll is defeated in combat, it’s completely natural for them to take refuge in the victor’s domicile.

So, you understand?

I understand such an arrangement could only end in disaster.

Utter disaster!

Are we simply waiting here to be discovered?

Or were you planning on showing me this thing you believe to be the Killahead Bridge?

The Trollhunter was just about to show us the way.

And as we were chasing away the goblin pack, we ran past this closed exhibit, and there it was: the Killahead Bridge.

Me.

Oh, no.

That is not a bridge.

But it was right here!

You saw it, Tobes.

You took a picture of it.

It was, eh.

It was out of focus, and I did forget to turn on the flash.

We were running so fast.

We were being chased, you know?

Maybe we only thought we saw it.

Blinkous Galadrigal, I’ve not left the Heartstone in a century.

I only did so tonight because of the grave peril the Killahead Bridge represents.

For you to invoke that danger without just cause.

If Master Jim says it’s so.

You will be only too quick to believe him.

You’ve never met a conspiracy theory you didn’t like.

I hate conspiracies.

That is why I am dedicated to rooting them out.

Like you rooted out the plot to rid Trollmarket of all its cat meat?

That was a misunderstanding.

Or the time you were convinced we were infested with flea trolls?

Precaution is the soul of virtue.

Everyone in Trollmarket thinks you’re paranoid.

If it’s everyone, it must be a conspiracy!

It would seem your pupil is desperate to play the hero, while you are desperate to see danger where none exists.

Aaarrrgghh, take me home.

It was right here.

Perhaps Vendel’s right.

Perhaps I have flooded your imagination with flights of fancy.

I blame myself.

Not you, Blinky.

You have to believe me.

I know what I saw.

If the proof isn’t here, it has to be somewhere.

You worry about your studies.

I’ll worry about this.

Say what we saw wasn’t just an illusion and they really did move it.

How could we possibly find it?

Well, I don’t think we’re gonna be lucky enough to stumble on it again, Tobes.

But one thing’s for sure.

That curator did not move it by herself.

Maybe she had help!

Other changelings, perhaps?

Later.

Oh, no.

Claire.

Claire?

A changeling?

No.

When I thought I was gonna die, I wrote Claire a letter, too, and told her everything.

Everything?

Everything.

There you are!

Hey!

What’s up, Nunez?

Hey, Colby.

It’s Toby.

Not that it matters.

You can call me whatever you want.

You’ve been looking for me?

You didn’t run into Ms. Janeth yet, did you?

Is she mad I couldn’t make rehearsal yesterday?

Something kinda came up.

Steve filled in.

That’s what understudies are for, right?

Uh, you haven’t heard?

Steve isn’t the understudy anymore.

You are.

She’s tired of you never showing up, so she made Steve Romeo.

Come on!

But I memorized all my lines!

Doesn’t matter.

Ms. Janeth is on the warpath for you.

I’d watch out.

I have algebra with her, too.

Right now!

As it is true for any such equation.

For instance, let’s take 3X.

So, you won’t come to rehearsal, Mr. Lake, but you arrive to class.

I saved you the best seat, front row.

Loser.

Of course.

As I was saying, every algebraic equation requires balance.

Not unlike, say, actors in an ensemble!

For instance, every piece of this equation plays an important role.

That is, unless variable X is a zero.

X has no role.

X doesn’t show up.

X lets the equation down.

Then, the entire play.

I mean, equation.

falls apart!

It becomes impossible!

Mr. Lake, how would you solve this mathematical problem?

Ooh.

Bye!

Hey!

I see you survived Ms. Janeth’s “Math Class of Doom.

And, now, she’s given me a mountain of homework I hardly understand.

You know, I did honors algebra last year and was pretty okay at it.

What if you came by my place for a study sesh?

Wow!

Really?

Why would you do that?

I screwed up your play.

Promoting Steve to Romeo wasn’t your idea.

And, honestly, I’d rather be on stage with you, even if you are a total flake.

See you at six?

Yeah, totally.

See you at six.

The matter at hand, Master Jim.

Master Jim?

Master Jim!

Yes, sorry.

Paying attention.

Paying attention!

As I was saying, assuming that Killahead Bridge was in Arcadia, and it was indeed, as you say, delivered to a clandestine location, that would mean more changelings, scavenging, assembling and disassembling.

If we prove that the museum curator wasn’t working alone, then Vendel might start believing that you saw the Killahead Bridge.

So, we find another changeling.

Stop saying that so loudly.

Do you mind?

Whatever.

Changelings have not been heard or seen in Trollmarket for centuries.

The mere word could cause hysteria.

Then how do we find one?

RotGut’s.

Whoa!

Purveyor of fine charms, totems, and spells.

Follow my lead.

Ailment or curse?

Oi, numbskull!

I’m supposed to answer it!

But I already did answer it.

What is not clear about “I deal with the customers, you handle the wizardry”?

Hold a tick.

Good, Rot.

Stick with that.

Welcome to RotGut’s.

How may we service you?

Totem, my good troll.

We suspect one of these fleshbags may be a changeling.

Hmm?

Other fleshbags.

You’re gonna need a gaggletack.

Unfortunately, you see, we’re running a bit short on those.

Very hard to get.

But I’ve got a bag of them right here.

What in the world?

If you’ll excuse us for one moment.

Ey, what are you doing?

I’m trying to drive up the price over here.

I thought we were trying to help these nice lads.

Gaggletack?

Rare artifact.

Exceedingly rare.

An object of great mystery.

With physical contact, it reveals the true nature of a changeling.

Why don’t you open the door.

Step back, please.

our hard-earned bits and bobs?

It hurts!

It’s a horseshoe.

Made of pure iron.

Why would you put such a precious thing on a horse’s foot?

Huh?

Beware.

Changelings are swapped with their human counterparts at birth.

So, it is likely these troll-pretenders have dwelt amongst you for decades.

They could be anyone.

Used car salesmen, tax collectors, television executives.

Dentists.

Yes, especially dentists.

So, who do we start with?

Oh, I’ve got a few ideas.

Domzalski!

Drop down and give me 50.

Um.

Hi, Jim!

Oh!

Thank you!

Step right up!

Toss a horseshoe!

Win a prize!

Step right up.

Toss a horseshoe.

Win a prize.

Check out the freakshow!

Shall I hear more, or shall I speak.

Steve!

Hey!

Who did that?

What?

Your turn.

Nope.

Nope.

Hey!

Weirdo.

Any luck?

Nope.

Yeah, I struck out, too.

I don’t believe that’s appropriate school attire.

You, uh, try this out on Mr. Strickler?

Come on.

You really think he is one?

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Now?

I don’t want to embarrass ourselves.

You just don’t want to admit that Strickler.

I don’t want you to upset anyone who grades our final exams!

Fine!

Okay, we’ll do it later.

Whoopsy!

Slipped.

Sorry.

Uh, mind picking that up for us, Mr. S?

And waste such idle hands as your own, Mr. Domzalski?

Our backs.

Coach Lawrence put us through the wringer this morning.

Here you go, Mr. Strickler.

Here’s your horseshoe back.

Thank you, Ms. Nunez, but that belongs to Mr. Lake.

Oh.

Well, that would explain the flying horseshoes.

So not going to ask.

Take care of your back, Young Atlas.

Such is the danger of carrying the world on one’s shoulders.

Very suspicious.

Suspicious?

Claire.

Still here.

What’s up?

You’re still coming home with me, right?

Oh, right!

Claire and I are gonna go to her house. .. for math stuff.

And, now, my horseshoe-shaped little friend, we expose the definite changeling in our midst.

It must work.

Why aren’t you working?

Why don’t I take that, sweetie?

It’s not very hygienic.

Ay-yay-yay.

Hey!

Nice, um, casa.

Thanks.

Make yourself at home.

I’m just making a little snack.

Uh, okay!

Hey, and you must be Enrique.

Enrique, hey!

Look at this.

For the Glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to make babies ogle.

I hope you like guacamole.

I put a little milk in it.

Secret family recipe.

Wow!

He really likes you.

Hoo!

I’ve never seen a bathtub of guacamole before.

I wish!

I would totally take a bath in guac.

It’s so good!

Mm!

Oh, this is the best thing I’ve ever had.

You’re not just saying that?

You know what?

I hang up my chef’s hat.

You are the avocado master!

Okay.

Patient’s ready for clean-up.

Good night, Gladys.

Have a nice evening, Dr. Muelas.

Stupid horseshoe.

I really thought he would have been one.

What’s that, sweetie?

Nothing.

Wow, this novocaine you numbed my mouth with is really strong.

I can’t even feel my hands.

That’s because I didn’t inject you with novocaine, dear.

I hit you up with a potent paralyzer.

Why would you do that?

Well, it’s not every day someone comes in with a gaggletack.

I had to do something to keep those chubby, little legs from running away.

Huh?

Oh, my!

We have to get you back in your seat.

We have a lot of work to do.

See, the equation only contains powers of X that are non-negative integers.

Does that make sense?

Is it supposed to?

Nah.

That’s why it’s called algebra.

Hey, thanks again for this.

I-I feel.

I feel really bad about what’s happening with the play.

I know it means a lot to you.

You know, I was super mad at you,but then, I realized you’ve got a lot more going on than people think.

I do.

I do?

Come on, Jim.

You didn’t think I invited you here just for algebra, did you?

Um.

You can’t just write a letter like this and not expect a conversation.

You have to battle monsters?

“Saving the world in which we know”?

Uh.

What monsters are you battling?

Um.

I mean, we all have stuff we’ve got to go through.

But are you in some kind of trouble?

I.

Yeah!

Metaphoric.

I was.

in an exploring stage.

Not successful.

Your words are beautiful, Jim.

Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

I don’t know.

There’s some sentimental stuff at the end which I thought was.

kinda sweet.

Really?

If you ever need someone to talk to about “the monsters,” you can talk to me.

It can be our secret.

Uh.

Yeah.

That would be great.

So, on to problem 42?

Nomura warned me about you kids.

Tell me, who else knows about the bridge?

That’s why you’re here with a gaggletack, isn’t it?

To find out what we’ve been up to?

Don’t evade.

Who else knows what we’ve been up to in Arcadia?

Halt, changeling!

Or else my giant friend will tear you limb from limb!

Maybe later.

Um.

Oh, it burns!

Oh, it’s just a painting.

Prepare to meet doom!

Aha!

Not bad for a historian!

What’s that?

Laughing gas.

Ooh!

You foul-mouthed wench!

Hey!

Ha!

Have you thought about telling Ms. Janeth about whatever you’re going through?

Maybe she’d reinstate you as Romeo if she knew about it.

Well, that could be.

It’s really hard to explain.

Oh, one sec.

Hello?

Uh, yeah.

Uh, okay.

It’s for you.

Someone named Woby?

Woby?

I have to go.

Thanks for the guac.

Fighting monsters again?

Who are you, Jim Lake?

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

What in the world?

Jimbo!

Uh.

The Trollhunter!

Die!

Perish, you worm!

Die!

There goes proof.

Oh, my gosh!

She’s in my mouth!

Oh, my gosh!

Oh, no!

I killed our only evidence of changelings in Arcadia.

And my dental hygienist!

You finished the fight, Master Jim, and in self-defense, for that matter.

Vendel may continue to have his doubts, but we continue to have our lives.

A fair bargain, I’d say.

Just out of curiosity, what are you guys doing in Toby’s dentist’s office?

I thought it was possible that danger may come to either of you should you cross paths with the wrong changeling.

So, we followed Tobias as a precaution.

And curious.

About what?

You humans have a concept that is quite foreign to us.

Oral hygiene.

Mm.

Looks like we’re officially out of laughing gas.

We should depart.

Hey!

Uh, excuse me, wait!

Look at this place.

Do you have some magic artifact that can clean up this mess?

Yes.

I believe it’s called a “Tobias.

I was afraid you’d say that.

I’ve just confirmed the worst.

Gladysgro has been slain.

Well, then the impure served her purpose.

She already brought us the stones from Madagascar.

Her job was done.

I’d advise you to care for those you employ.

Care?

I only care to find the stones so my father can escape this wretched prison.

Once we have them all, I will crush this troll-pretender myself.

And then, every fleshthing in this horrid world will know.

It appears Nomura has gotten her way.

Another changeling has been chosen.

And look who it is.