Toby awoke to something poking him.

"Goc'w lowhar," He grumbled. "Raswucg."

"Come on Tobes! It's nearly noon."

Noon, huh? Despite not getting home until early morning, he technically might have had enough sleep… He should probably get up. Toby opened his eyes and squinted at the outline of his friend standing over him. Nope. Too bright. Too early. He rolled over and buried his head under his pillow.

"Seriously?" He heard Jim grumble.

There was a long pause and for one blessed moment he thought that he might be allowed to continue sleeping.

Something very cold and wet slid down his shirt.

Toby shrieked and launched himself out of bed. He batted wildly at his back as the cold thing dropped farther down his shirt. Finally it fell out. An ice cube! Of all the dirty tricks…

Now fully awake he shot Jim a death glare. The annoying human had the nerve to laugh at him. This called for revenge.

He swooped down and grabbed the cube and then lunged for Jim who dodged out of the way still snickering. Unfortunately for Toby, Jim's training was paying off and he managed to evade him until the ice cube melted. Toby settled for trapping him with the blanket instead.

"By the way, where did you put the gnome?" Jim asked once they'd calmed down. "I was thinking we could try to convince him to show us where he put the amulet."

Toby stilled. He knew he had forgotten something.

He quickly scrambled toward the closet and yanked open the door. The cage was gone. He cursed quietly under his breath.

"Toby?"

"I need to check something. Be right back!"

Toby quickly scrambled down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Hey Nana? Nana?"

The portly woman glanced up from where she was just setting out a set of solitaire cards on the table.

"Yes Toby-pie?"

"Did you move a cage out of my closet?"

"Why yes!" She flipped over the final row of cards before giving him a sad look. "I know Mr. Meow-Meow P.I. gets into your stuff sometimes but you really shouldn't lock him in a cage like that."

Did she seriously mistake a gnome for a cat? As convenient as this was, they really needed to get her a new set of glasses… or cataract surgery.

"Sorry Nana, I won't do it again."

He ran back up the stairs.

"Jim we might have one teeny tiny problem…"

Finding the gnome proved to be impossible. There was definite evidence of its presence: chewed books, missing nugget nummies, a few pieces of concerning graffiti that were definitely not of goblin origin, but the gnome itself they couldn't find.

"We could try the raccoon trap?" Jim finally suggested with a shrug.

"Sure, why not," Toby sighed.

With any luck it would either leave or get trapped. Toby had no idea how goblins and gnomes did with each other. He really hoped they couldn't communicate. He did not want to explain to Kracka and the others why he had been in Trollmarket… Actually he should start thinking up a lie to explain why the gnome was here in the first place. They probably wouldn't ask him, but better safe than sorry.

They arrived at Trollmarket at about two in the afternoon and, after a quick stop at the library to pick up Blinky and Aaarrrgghh, they made their way through the busy crowd to Hero's Forge.

"So who do you think our new trainer will be?" Jim asked as they passed under the neon sign depicting Daylight.

Toby shrugged, he didn't really know enough about the Trollmarket trolls to say.

They walked into the arena and came to a stop fast enough that Aaarrrgghh bumped into them. Toby didn't particularly care. His stomach seemed to have turned to lead. Draal was standing beside Vendal in the center of the forge.

"Why are you…" Blinky started to ask. "Oh."

"He can't be serious!" Toby turned around and hissed urgently to Blinky. "Draal tried to kill us last time we fought!"

Jim nodded faintly in agreement, not taking his eyes off Draal. He looked rather pale.

"He wasn't trying to kill you," Blinky protested weakly.

"Horrifically maim, grind to dust, shatter… I don't care what you want to call it," Toby said impatiently. "The point is he has it out for us."

Aaarrrgghh cocked his head, watching Toby, as Blinky started wringing his hands.

"I'm sure Vendal…"

"Ah-Hem!" They were brought back from their discussion by the sound of Vendel pointedly clearing his throat.

Beside him, Toby heard Jim swallow loudly.

The four of them moved to stand before Vendal and Draal. The blue troll was staring down at Jim with a barely concealed sneer but made no move forward. Toby subtly shifted his weight to the balls of his feet, just in case.

"As Blinky will be occupied with attempting to retrieve the amulet, Draal will be taking over your training for the time being," The Elder informed Jim.

Draal smirked and gave a mocking bow.

"I look forward to teaching you how a real troll fights fleshbag."

Toby stilled, muscles suddenly going tense. He bit down a sense of nausea as his breathing picked up.

"Draal, please keep in mind what we discussed," Vendal said pointedly.

Draal gave a grudging nod and then the Elder turned and moved toward the side of the arena, close enough to the exit that he wouldn't be caught in its mechanisms should it activate. Blinky glanced back and forth between Jim and Vendal before he quickly scurried after him.

Aaarrrgghh watched him go and then settled down where he was; ears forward and alert.

"Vendal! Vendal!"

"Yes, Blinkeous?" He sighed.

"You can't possibly be planning to leave Master Jim's training to… to…" Blinky paused wringing two of his hands while gesturing back at Draal with the others. "That brute!"

He had respected Draal. The young troll was a capable warrior, but his arrogance strong and Blinky couldn't abide the way he was treating the humans.

"It's already decided," Vendal said firmly. "If you wish to change things I suggest you work hard on finding the amulet…" He paused and then muttered: "Deya knows the boy will need it."

"But Draal loathes him! We both observed how he conducted himself in that sparring match!"

"I'm well aware, but if the human is to survive as Trollhunter, he must learn to handle himself and fast. Your soft handed training could get him killed."

"And so could Draal's…"

"Enough," Vendal barked. "I have had enough of your impertinence Blinkeous. I believe you have a task to see to."

Jim stared blankly at the weapons rack. He had no idea what he was looking for and also was fairly certain he was on the edge of a nervous breakdown. Most of the swords were as big as him and looked to be about as heavy. Jim grabbed one of them with shaking hands.

A hand came to rest on his stopping him from taking it down.

"Here, try this one," Toby said.

The sword was actually a reasonable size for a human to wield. Now that Jim thought about it, he had seen a few human-sized trolls. He hefted it experimentally and grimaced. It felt unwieldy compared to Daylight and the grip was a little thicker than was comfortable. He glanced back at the weapons rack… The sword he had been trying to take down fell of its hook with a loud clang… He flushed and quickly turned away from the weapons rack.

Yep the one Toby gave him would have to do.

"Okay, let's do this." Preferably before he came to his senses…

Toby nodded and hefted his axe up to rest on his shoulder.

Draal was waiting for them in the center of the forge with his arms crossed. He blew out an exasperated sounding snort through his nose when they finally came to stand in front of him.

"Vendal has tasked me with teaching the Trollhunter, to properly fight," He said giving, Toby a pointed look. "I am not responsible for what happens to you."

Toby didn't budge.

"Very well then," The troll clapped his hands together and the smirk was back. "We are going start with a light spar to see what Blinky has taught you."

He regarded them for a moment.

"Move to the side, short one. You are not the one I am testing."

Toby let out a little huff and narrowed his eyes. The image of Toby pinned down in Draal's stone grip passed through his mind and Jim quickly turned toward him.

"It's okay. I'll be fine for just one spar." Maybe. He hoped.

Toby didn't look convinced. His hands tightened on the handle of his axe.

"No dice, Jimbo," He said, eyes not leaving Draal. "Remember last time. He was totally trying to…"

"Last time, I had no training. I actually know how to wield a sword now."

Barely, but that wasn't the point. The giant troll would probably get more aggravated if Toby didn't do what he wanted and Jim didn't want to see his friend get hurt again. Anyway this time he had actually been assigned to train him… So maybe it wouldn't be as bad?

"But…"

"Please, Tobes?"

"…Fine."

Toby stalked back to the side of the arena and settled down a few yards away from Aaarrrgghh, shoulders tense and jaw clenched. He didn't set his ax down.

Jim swallowed and turned back toward Draal.

"So…" He started to ask.

Draal charged him. Jim let out a yelp and rolled out of the way.

"Excellent," Draal laughed. "You at least have learned how to dodge, now let's see your blade work!"

Draal slid to a stop by the weapons rack, pausing for a moment to snatch up a long pole. He came back at Jim and brought the weapon down in a sweeping arch. Jim barely managed to bring up his sword in time to block it. The force of the blow pushed him down; he stumbled out from under it. His arms were now screaming with pain but he had no time to worry about them as Draal came back around to attack again.

This fight was almost as one-sided as the first; at least this time Jim had some idea of what he was doing. He really missed Daylight; it fit him so much better. He was also realizing now that the amulet enhanced his blows. Without its power it felt like he was trying to chop wood with a hammer.

At least Draal didn't seem to be trying as hard to kill him this time.

Jim tried to roll out of the way of the pole again but wasn't quick enough. The edge of it caught his shin and he went down hard, his sword hit the ground about an inch away from his face with a sharp clang. He started to try to give up but immediately curled in on himself, grabbing his leg with a hiss. That was definitely going to bruise… Actually forget bruising, he needed a bandage; a dark patch was appearing on his jean around a small tear in the fabric.

"Disappointing," Jim flinched and looked up to see Draal leaning over him. "I still cannot believe the amulet chose such a weak whelp."

He paused and glanced behind him. At Vendal, Jim realized. He snorted and turned away. "Your leg is injured. I shall give you tomorrow to recover and then we shall start training the weakness out of your body."

He leaned forward and grabbed Jim by the arm. Jim felt himself freeze up as the troll's rancid breath hit him. Those teeth were the size of his fingers.

"Or perhaps you can do us all a favor and go face Bular now. It will save us the trouble of finding the amulet you lost," He sneered quietly before adding in a louder voice. "Take your new weapon home an familiarize yourself with it."

He drew away and set Jim on his feet. Jim barely managed to stay upright. At least he hadn't broken anything; it just really really hurt.

"Jim! Jim!"

Toby skidded to a halt next to him, Aaarrrgghh close behind.

"Are you okay?"

His friend hovered uncertainly. Jim gave him a weak smile.

"I'm fine Tobes, just a little beat up." He doubted he sounded very convincing with how shaky his voice was. "Let's get home."

"I can't believe these…." Toby snarled, his eyes darting first to where Draal had just been and then over Jim's shoulder. Jim glanced back and saw Vendal leaving the arena through the other exit. "Training… oh please! They just want to beat on you to make themselves feel better."

"Toby," Jim cut him off. He appreciated his friend's concern, but right now… "Let's just go home."

Barbara was actually home on time. She changed out of her scrubs with a great sense of relief. With any luck she would actually be able to have a nice dinner and sleep a full night for once. Jim wasn't home yet so she poured a glass of wine and settled down into her favorite chair. She tugged the novel she had been trying to read for the past three months out of the bookshelf and noted that the bookmark had left an indent in the page.

She shrugged and took a sip of her wine. Now where had she left off? Oh yes the protagonist… was it Simon? Yes it was Simon... had just found a note the victim had left behind which had lead him to the mansion at the edge of the forest…

Barbara nearly spilled her wine as the back door abruptly slammed open.

That would be the boys. Their voices carried over from the next room but she couldn't make out what they were saying. After debating with herself for a moment, she set down her wine and replaced her book mark.

"So how did school go…"

She trailed off as she rounded the corner into the kitchen and caught sight of Jim perched on one of the chairs with his pant leg rolled up. There was a large bruise forming across his shin. The skin in the center was torn.

"What happened?!" She exclaimed.

Jim and Toby, who had been fishing the medical kit out from under the sink, stared at her wide eyed.

"I crashed my bike," Jim blurted out at the exact same time Toby said. "He fell in the ditch."

There was a moment of awkward silence as they stared at each other.

"I crashed my bike into the ditch," Jim said finally. "I'm mostly okay. I just skinned my knee and have a couple bruises."

Barbara frowned. He was definitely lying but why?

"Well let me take a look at that. It looks pretty nasty." Toby moved out of the way and handed her the medical kit. "It doesn't look like you will need stitches," She said, gently examining it. "Hold still; this will sting."

Jim inhaled sharply and flinched when she started cleaning the wound but otherwise stayed still. As she finished that and began bandaging the injury, she tried to subtlely look him over. He did look pretty bumped up, but not dirty like he would if had actually fallen into the ditch. In fact, aside from a few tears and the blood from his knee, his clothing was completely clean.

Her frown deepened was he being bullied? It had happened a few times back in middle and elementary school.

"You know that you can tell me anything right?" She said as she finished securing the bandage.

She rested her hand on his knee and tried to catch his eyes. They remained downcast and shifted to the side. His shoulders hunched.

"…Yeah."

Barbara sighed, holding back her frustration. It was okay, she could wait. Hopefully he would tell her on his own. But if he didn't, and something like this happened again, then she would try to force the issue.

She shifted her gaze to Toby, making sure that he wasn't injured as well. Her eyebrows went up.

"Is that a sword?"

It was indeed a sword and, now that she was looking, Barbara noticed there was an ax behind Toby too.

"Why do you have those?" She asked with a frown.

Toby briefly glanced over at Jim and then met Barbara's eyes and smiled sheepishly.

"Well…" He said drawing out the word. "It was supposed to be a surprise, but me and Jim were…"

"Helping out with Romeo and Juliet!" Jim interrupted.

Toby shot him an annoyed look.

"Yeah we're helping out with the props. We got these swords at this cool second hand store and need to do some maintenance before they can use them."

Barbara tilted her head. She wasn't entirely surprised that Toby was helping out with the theater, he had always had an interest in magic shows and the like, but she was surprised Jim was.

Wait…

Hadn't he mentioned that Claire was in the drama club at some point? She feigned adjusting her glasses to cover the little smirk that had formed on her lips. She would bet her best stethoscope that was what this was about. It was good to see him taking some initiative.

"Well I hope it goes well," She said once she'd gotten her poker face back on. She patted her son's shoulder. "As the saying goes: Break a leg!"

Jim grimaced. "Hopefully I won't."

Barbara glanced at Toby in puzzlement as he made a choking noise and started coughing.

Author Notes:

This chapter did not want to be written, but hopefully things will flow better now that it's out of the way.

I was rewatching the first few episodes of Trollhunters and Jim and Toby actually horse around a bit with each other.

The training felt a little bit repetitive, but I'm still working on trying to get a good grasp upon how Draal would act if he had been ordered to train someone he neither liked nor respected. Based on what I can surmise from cannon I'm going to say that he would probably actually give good training but it would be really harsh, because his sense of pride at wanting his student to succeed because it reflects on him would be clashing with his sense of that person being beneath him. Thoughts?

Toby is annoyed with Jim for interrupting his excuse because he was going to claim they were trying to make a movie and now their excuse will be ruined if Barbara were to check with the drama club.