When Jim left, the world went dark.

Not literally, of course, but it sure felt that way.

It wasn't the same. Nothing would ever be the while the rest of the world believed him to be missing, there were a few who knew better.

Perhaps it would have been better to believe a lie than handle the truth.

But life had to go on. They had school, work, and the responsibilities of everyday life.

But that didn't make it any easier.

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The last time Blinky had eaten was a week ago.

Granted, that didn't bother the troll much; he was used to long nights working non-stop. He knew, however, that he would not be able to hold out much longer in this condition.

There was much to be done; the funeral for Aargh, research, rebuilding Troll Market from

Angor Rot's attack, research, meetings with Vendil, and his ever-present favorite, research. Researching for..what, he constantly asked himself. He wasn't sure, but the books had never failed him before.

A week into his quest he found it. He was shuffling through an ancient tome, one of the many scattered on his broad table, when a certain passage caught his eyes. He perked up.

Among many of the old arts, scrying is perhaps the most astounding. Not only did ancient trolls use it to see things across the world and the Darklands, but a certain alteration to the original recipe can cause visions of the past and the future.

The reader should be warned that the books written about scrying were burned for a reason. Incorrect use can cause timelines to warp, death to the reader, and other unknown consequences. But if you deem the rewards to be greater than the risks, I have included the original spell below:

The further Blinky read the more hope he found. While this would not help him aid Jim, perhaps it was possible that they could check on Jim, just for their peace of mind.

He grabbed the book and raced to find Vendil.

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"Absolutely not."

Blinky sighed. "Vendil, please. We need to see how Jim is doing. I can't continue this way.

This wait is driving me crazy."

Vendil gave him a long look. " I know you are upset about Aargh- we all are- but you are not in the right state of mind to do anything short of breathing. Frankly, my friend, you look like death. Do you really think you can help the Trollhunter when you can't even keep all of your eyes open at once."

"My personal well-being is of no importance. Not when Jim could be hurt or-" he didn't dare say it. "You would have the Trollhunter lost in the Darklands? What if the amulet falls into Gunmar's hands?"

Vendil was silent.

"Let us just check. Just to see if he is alright. That's all I ask."

Vendil gazed into his bloodshot eyes, and sighed in defeat.

"Very well. I will allow you to do the spell, but not in Troll Market. I will supply you with the ingredients you need."

"Thank you, Vendil. I won't forget this."

He turned to go, but stop when Vendil cleared his throat. "One more condition. Get something to eat, and get some sleep." he patted Blinky's shoulder kindly. "You'll need your wits about you."

Blinkey nodded, and he couldn't contain his smile as he left to get some much-needed rest.

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Three days later saw Blinky, Claire, Toby, and Draal crammed into Jim's basement. It had been relatively easy, making sure Jim's mother wasn't in the house. She hardly lived in it at all; every corner seemed to remind her of her son.

It made them almost feel guilty about telling her the truth.

Tonight Barbara had the night shift, but they stayed in the basement just in case. Standing against the wall, the group watched as Blinky arranged the various ingredients in a perfect circle around the bowl of water in the middle, looking like ink in the low light.

Dusting off his hands, Blink stood. "All right, I think we're ready. I suggest you all stay back. I'm not sure how safe this thing is."

"If it's not safe, then why are we doing it?" Toby asked, eyes wide.

Claire slapped him on the arm. "Don't be a wuss. Don't you want to see if Jim's okay?"

She look at Blinky. "Let's do it."

He nodded and, pulling out the book, began to read the incantation.

For a few seconds nothing happened. Then suddenly a blinding light filled the room, blinding the occupants.

Fear pounded through Blinky's veins. "Something's wrong!" he shouted. "Everyone, get out! Don't look into the light!"

But even as he said this he felt himself collapse, and he remembered no more.

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When Blinky woke up, he was not in Jim's basement.

The room in which he lay was pure white light, fuzzy at the corners, almost like he wasn't in a room at all, but in the middle of a cloud. The only other noticeable feature, aside from his unconscious companions, was a strange machine. He recalled his time as a human. A television. Why was a human television here? Wherever here was, anyway. He stood, making his way to the others and gently shaking them awake.

Claire clutched her head as Blinky helped her to her feet. "Uggh. What happened?"

"I believe that the spell went wrong somehow. At least it didn't kill us."

"No," Toby agreed, "but what if we're stuck here forever? Personally, I don't want to be stuck in the same room with you guys for eternity." He paused, rethinking his words. "No offense."

Draal growled. "At least if I get hungry, I have a few snack to tide me over."

"Not funny, Draal," Claire said, glaring at the grinning warrior.

Before Draal could speak again, Toby pointed to something behind Draal. "Not that this hasn't been fun, but we got a bigger problem now."

"What could be bigger than being stuck in Cloudville?" Claire exclaimed, turning.

And immediately paled.

For emerging from the mist like, zombies, were humans.

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Upon closer examination, Claire realized that it was their class. And some teachers. And standing nonchalantly at the back of the crowd…

"It's Strickler," she growled softly.

Toby replied, "But look who's with him." She did so, and gasped.

Jim's mother.

This was not going to be good.

As the group moved closer the ones first in line stopped abruptly at the sight of Blinky and Draal until there was silence.

Neither group moved. Claire frowned.

"I don't like this," Draal growled. "They should all be terrified right now."

Toby crept closer, and waved a hand in front of a student's face. There was no response, the student staring blankly ahead.

"What the heck is going on?"

"They are under my control."

The group spun around. A troll stood before them, clad in white, flowing robes, as if they were carved from the wall of white. Two short horns poked from her head, and in her claws she wielded a simple staff, threads of dark green flowing through it like veins.

"Who...who are you?" Blinky asked, awed.

The troll turned to him, piercing him with her vibrant purple eyes. " I am Daedrallana,' she

Said, "guarding spirit of Time."

"Where are we," Claire asked.

"Nowhere, yet everywhere. For, you see, this is my realm. The realm of Time itself."

"So we are literally in Time?" Toby exclaimed. " That's so cool!"

Blinky rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "The instructions did say that there was a possibility that we could be dealing with something like this." He turned to the spirit. "But I've never heard of you."

"That is because I have made it so. I wish not to be seen, only to be." She paused. "I know what you were trying to do, mortals. I have seen many versions of you, sometimes your deaths, sometimes your victories. But on every path we reach this point."

"Wait a second," Clair said. "If you can see into the future..can you see if Jim is okay?"

"The Trollhunter. You wish to know where he is?" They nodded. "I can tell you that, and much more. But at a price."

"Name it," Draal snapped. "I will pay it gladly."

She eyed him. "This is not a price you can pay alone, young warrior. For this is my price; to see the Trollhunter, you must reveal yourself to these humans."

They gasped in shock. "We can't do that!" Claire shrieked. "They'll freak out!"

"Or kill us!" Toby chimed in.

"How do you know?"

They fell silent.

"Great Daedrallana," Blinky said, "why would you wish these humans to know? For centuries we have kept ourselves secret. You would endanger your own kind?"

She pondered. " Though you are very intelligent, Blinkous Galadrigal, there are some things best left unkown. All that should concern you is that this is a milestone in history, and that it must happen if history is to stay on its proper course."

Blinky closed his eyes. If this was indeed necessary..who was he to resist?

"All right. We will do as you ask."

The spirit smiled. "Prepare yourselves."

She raised her staff and struck the ground, and where her staff struck there appeared at first a head, then a chest.

The group shouted with joy. It was Jim! He was okay. But there shouting turned to fear when they ran closer.

It was Jim alright, but he wasn't moving.

And he was covered with blood.