AU where Kanjigar dies nine years earlier and instead of getting picked up by Jim Lake the amulet gets picked up by harried single-mom-trying-to-get-her-kid(s)-to-school Barbara Lake.Ā
Barbara Lake who has a fulltime job, one mysteriously missing (soon to be ex) husband, and less sleep than a medical student. Barbara Lake whoās just trying to keep seven year old Jim and Toby from accidentally killing themselves when they get left with Mrs. Domzalski. Barbara Lake who has no time for magic or destiny, but who gets stuck with it anyway. Barbara Lake who will fight for her childās future, but who also swore a Hippocratic oath and is going to do her best to Do No Harm, right up until someone threatens her family.Ā
Barbara Lake, Trollhunter extraordinaire and local ER doctor, running off of coffee and prayers. It turns out Trollmarket has some excellent babysitters.Ā
Toby and Jim get clued in early and mostly sworn to secrecy, but theyāre still way too willing to pick a fight for Jimās mom. Jim is also a burgeoning master chef, who keeps experimenting with troll cuisine and nearly burning his face off trying to make dinner for everyone.Ā
No one knows why little James is so determined to feed everyone, Barbaraās cooking is wonderful by Troll standards.Ā
Barbara is a brilliant lady with a good grasp of anatomy once she gets her hands on some troll medical books, thanks Vendel! Sheās definitely a pragmatist, willing to go for weak points and low blows, but she tries not to do permanent damage.Ā
She and Blinky end up as nerdy BFFs remarkably quick, and he and Arrrgh adopt the kids.Ā
The confrontation with Draal goes down much as in canon, except Draal is even more of a dumb teenager and Barbara is surprisingly sympathetic. She ends up taking him under her wing, and heās the cool older brother Toby and Jim need. He knows how hard a Trollhunter parent is, and has lots of emotions about the fact that Barbara isnāt pushing her kid aside.Ā
One of the things that does change from canon is that Strickler is principal of the elementary school- probably filling in as a favor to someone on the school board. Heās surprisingly good with kids, even if he does keep quoting classical literature to them. Also, heās really popular with the PTA parents.Ā
It takes he and Barbara even longer to figure out each otherās identities, and before they do they strike up a friendship over worrying about Jimās nascent martyr tendencies. Post reveal there are lots of awkward parent-teacher meetings. Strickler has a not-so-tiny nemesis crush.Ā
Jim adores Strickler, who takes him very seriously and treats him like a tiny adult. Barbara doesnāt tell the kids that Strickler is evil at first, to keep them from doing anything rash. Itās a legitimate concern, when Jim and Toby figure out they get suspended for trying to jump their principal in the teacherās parking lot.Ā
Claire is the most popular girl in the second grade, if something of a tomboy at seven. Jim and Toby are in awe of her, but they become friends fast after Strickler encourages them to talk. Sheās also Barbaraās favorite patient who has racked up quite the broken bone count over the course of her childhood. Sheās still settling into her more controlled grown self, but everyone agrees sheās going to be formidable when sheās older.Ā
Claireās dad is the head of the PTA, so the Nunezs get involved quickly. Claire sees her little brother get stolen by monsters mid-season and investigates on her own for a while before getting clued in and joining Team Lake.Ā
Draal and Nomuraās relationship is much more current, and definitely had something to do with Kanjigarās death. Draal has Issues. Barbara, who is all too aware how relationships can go wrong, just wants the kids to be happy. As an adult, sheās also more leery of the anti-changeling prejudice, and keeps trying to win Nomura and Strickler over to the side of good. She probably eventually suceeds.Ā
The Trollmarket is still hesitant to accept a human Trollhunter, but they warm to Barbara in time. Sheās a mother, just like Deya the Deliverer once was. Maybe sheāll finish Deyaās work.Ā
Barbara is just trying to save the world, not get fired, keep all three kids now in her care alive, and finish filing her divorce papers. She triple brews her coffee these days.Ā
Her co-workers are really concerned about her because she keeps coming in late with strange injuries. On the other hand, weird accidents in Arcadia Oaks are at an all time high, and they need every hand on deck they can get.Ā
Warrior medic Barbara Lake, out of her armour and ready to start treating collateral injuries immediately. No wonder Strickler is smitten.Ā
Whatever happens to James Lake is eventually relevant and there is so much drama.Ā
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