Passing the Torch

by Robert Teague

This story is written solely for the entertainment of Trollz fans, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story may be reproduced, provided no changes are made, and you let me know.

Author's Note: There is a lot of story potential in this cartoon, and to that end I have been recreating maps, posters, and books from the series to add to the background and help writers with continuity. Much of it has been uploaded to my deviantART account, under the name "Penumbrus". In addition, I've started the forum "Trolz Writers Resources" which is part of it.

Chapter One

The BFFL, that is, Best Friends For Life: Ruby Trollman, Amethyst van der Troll, Sapphire Trollzawa, Topaz Trollhopper, and Onyx von Trollenberg, had been friends since they were very small. When they were fourteen they got their magic, and that had been a busy year.

During an experiment casting a spell together they accidentally released an old danger to the troll world, and discovered that together they formed a group able to wield the Magic of the Five. They had become apprentices to the Ancients who were the last such group: Obsidian, Mr. Trollheimer, Amethyst's grandmother, Zirconia and Spinell, who were married.

This danger was the gremlin Simon and his henchman, a swamp mutt named Snarf. The pair looked like the proverbial 'boy and his dog', but they were dangerous, ruthless, vindictive, and totally evil.

Simon had been responsible for the destruction of the troll city in what was now the Haunted Woodz. The Ancients had defeated him and banished him to the shadow realm some three thousand years earlier, but over time the spell grew weak and was broken accidentally by the BFFL.

Simon's schemes to escape the shadow realm and take all the magic he could were surprisingly subtle, and he generally succeeded in his quest to rule (and ruin) Trollzopolis. The BFFL confronted and defeated him each time. Their last encounter ended when they cast a spell sending him and Snarf away for a thousand years.

Four years had passed since the BFFL had stopped the volcano named Krakatrolla on Trollhiti from erupting and destroying the entire island. That had happened during spring break of their freshman year in high school. Now they had graduated high school and stood on the brink of adulthood.

Ruby Trollman sat behind the counter at Obsidian's Spellz in the Trollzopolis Mall reading a magazine. She was bored to tears, but her shift didn't end until the mall closed.

She glanced around at the counters and shelves, checking to see if a customer had come in. She'd been trying for years to get Obsidian to put in one of those electric eyes that rang a bell if someone came in, but the old woman refused, saying that it would break the contemplative mood a troll needed to be in when deciding what spell beads she needed.

Ruby suspected she really wanted to make sure she was paying attention. Well, it worked this time because just then her Ancient mentor and the owner of the shop, Obsidian, came downstairs.

"Ruby, I needed to tell you something," she started.

"Yes ma'am?" was the answer, the young troll-woman stood up.

Obsidian waved her to sit again, and came over behind the counter, sitting on another stool to one side with a grunt and a sigh.

"We're closing the store early today. The other Ancients will be meeting here about seven," she said. "I need you to call your friends and make sure they attend."

Ruby looked concerned. "What's going on?"

Obsidian shook her head, standing up. "It should be discussed when everyone is together. Close up at six-thirty, please."

"I'll take care of it," Ruby promised.

"And let me know if someone can't attend. I've already called the other Ancients," Obsidian added, turning to the stairs leading up to the lab where she made spell beads.

"I will," was the reply, watching as the old troll slowly made her way back up the stairs. Was it her imagination, or was Obsidian having more and more trouble moving around?

As soon as Obsidian disappeared up the stairs, a customer came in. Ruby's eyes widened. It was Coral Trollarwise, an obnoxious troll girl who had been head cheerleader when the BFFL were freshmen at Trollzopolis High School. She and her friends had caused them a lot of trouble. She had hair a lighter red than Ruby's and pink eyes.

Coral didn't notice Ruby, but instead grabbed a basket and headed over to the shelves of spell beads.

"Hi, Coral," said Ruby in a cool voice. She didn't like the other much, but there was no sense in losing a customer.

The twenty-something troll woman turned at the greeting. She was surprised to see the redhead behind the counter.

"Ruby Trollman? That you?" she asked, coming over to the counter.

"Yep, it's me," was the reply, crossing her arms.

"Wow, I haven't seen you since, like, I graduated," said Coral, putting out a hand, "Nice to meet you again!"

Ruby blinked, then slowly reached out and took it. After a brief squeeze, Coral let go.

"So, you work here now?" asked the other red-haired girl.

"Uh, yeah, since last year, actually," said Ruby.

"Really? I haven't seen you here before," said Coral, looking a bit confused.

"Just a coincidence, I guess. I have been spending more time here since I graduated, though," answered the redhead.

"Hey, that's great! Maybe you can help me, then. My little boy keeps getting a rash from something in the house, but I can't figure out what it is," said Coral, looking at the shelves behind Ruby.

"You're married and have a son now?" asked Ruby, completely surprised.

"Yeah, I married my high school sweetheart. You wouldn't know him, since he graduated two years before I did," she explained. "So, what about you?"

"I'm still going with Rock Trollhammer," answered Ruby, thinking about Coral's problem.

"Oh, yeah, that jock. I remember him. Not married, though?" asked Coral.

"Nah. I like him a lot, but there's no hurry. He's so dim sometimes it makes me want to scream," answered Ruby.

Coral laughed. "Know that feeling. I dated jocks back then too. More trouble than they're worth, sometimes."

"Um, anyway, about your problem. Could it be an allergy?" said Ruby, changing the subject.

"It might be. The doctor wasn't sure," said Coral. "It comes and goes."

"Okay, then, let's try this," said Ruby. She turned and got a glass jar off the shelf. It was filled with orange spell beads. "This is a disinfecting bead. It will do a more thorough job than most cleaners (a lot faster, too), and will affect the entire house."

"How long will it last?" asked Coral, picking one up. It was the size of a marble, and transparent.

"Oh, a month, give or take. Depends on your gem's power," said Ruby.

"That's fine. Give me a dozen, then," said Coral, putting down the basket.

Ruby put a dozen of the beads in a small paper bag. "Anything else I can help you with?"

"I... don't think so. Things are going pretty well otherwise," answered Coral. She swiped her card and Ruby finished the transaction.

Coral picked up the bag. "It's been great seeing you again, Ruby. You still have those same friends?"

"Oh, yeah," the red-eyed troll answered with a grin, "We aren't called the BFFL for nothing."

Coral actually laughed. "Must be great to have such good friends."

Ruby gave her an odd look. "What about.. what were their names? Opal and Jade?"

Coral sighed. "I don't hear from Jade very often, and not at all from Opal. We had a falling out when we started college."

"Sorry to hear that, I always thought you were pretty close," said Ruby.

Coral sighed again. "Things changed after we graduated."

Ruby's eyes grew wide. "What happened?

I d... better not say. It s kinda personal," Coral answered.

"Oh. Sorry for prying," said Ruby.

Coral looked a bit sad. "I do miss them, though. Opal was a lot of fun." She brightened. "Well, it's all in the past, anyway. I've found some new girlfriends at Trollzopolis Community College, and they're for real," said Coral with a smile. She picked up the bag. "I need to go. But if you don't mind, I'd like to talk to you some more some time."

Ruby was utterly shocked. "Uh... okay, I think I'd like that too."

"Great! See ya!" said Coral, and headed out the door.

Ruby sat down. "I guess trolls really can change," she thought, and went back to her magazine. She and Topaz usually met for lunch, so she would tell her about the meeting then.