In the outskirts of the Shivering Shores, both Ragnar and Lyon were face-to-face with their former master, Ur.
"So, you ready for more training?" she said.
"Ur?" the two of them stared.
Orara was facing against Zancrow.
"Yo, if it ain't old Orara," Zancrow sneered.
"Zancrow?" Orara stared.
Heather meanwhile was face-to-face with Keyes.
"What is this? They're dead?" said Heather.
"Not wandering corpses, but memories of foreign rivals given form," said Keyes looking intrigued.
In the city, Merrill was face-to-face with Ezel and behind her was Shanyla cradling Stormfly in her arms.
"Wow, who is that?" Shanyla asked.
"Shanyla take Stormfly and run, right now," said Merrill.
Alvin was still sore with his battle with Wall and approaching him was Hel.
"This has got to be some kind of joke," he said.
Astrid meanwhile was on the flagship facing against three of her worst adverse areas and Kyôka then grasped ahead.
"Wow, the pain you experience will be absolutely exquisite," Kyôka smiled.
In the outskirts, Ur had just sent Ragnar flying and Lyon was rather reluctant to fight their old master.
"How pathetic," said Ur. "That's it after all these years, dear boys it obvious that you'll never going to surpass me."
"Ur," said Ragnar clutching his chest and looked at Lyon. "Don't fall for it, that's not Ur."
"I realise that it's just a spell to throw us off," said Lyon as Ur put our hands together. "But still…"
"Rose Garden!" Ur yelled unleashing a barrage of form covered roses made of ice at them.
"She has the same skills and power level," said Lyon as they withstood the attack.
"Maybe, but you and I both had more than we had back then remember," Ragnar pointed out.
Ragnar then quickly retaliated by firing a shot of ice directly at Ur, she moved her head but the attack did leave a scar on her cheek.
"You have to get over it, Lyon," said Ragnar. "She's just an enemy that looks like Ur."
Lyon was still reluctant to fight. "But Ragnar…"
"We can't let her defile are masters memory like this."
Orara was still shocked to see Zancrow appearing in front of out of nowhere.
"But you're dead, you never made it off that island!" Orara yelled creating a barrage of magic swords and aimed them straight at him.
Zancrow easily countered her attack with his black flames. "Oh yeah, I died on Cove Island that's why seeing you…" He then unleashed a powerful burst of black flames directly at her causing her to scream in anguish. "…and finding out that you made it when I didn't totally piss me off."
Keyes was hovering directly above Heather.
"The voices of the dead once again reverberate across the battlefield," he said. "Now I find myself as the puppet within this scene, how fascinating."
"The dead shouldn't be playthings for anyone," said Heather angrily.
"Those alive once again are plagued with memories of their past struggles. This is a joyous occasion indeed."
In the city, Ezel had just struck Merrill with an overwhelming force sending her crashing into a building.
Merrill gripped her leg, she was still injured from her fight with Griselda. "Oh no, I can't walk."
Alvin was also having difficulties with Hel as she fired her magical chains directly at Alvin. Alvin two was still injured from his battle with Wall and haven't fully recovered.
"I get it, of course, the founding members of Dragon Tail wouldn't just stay in their graves, but damn," he said panting.
On the flagship, Astrid was fighting against three foes at once and for a extremely powerful ones. Both Arnora and Kyôka had just attacked her and she barely blocks them with her battleaxe. However, she was unable to avoid Agnar's attack behind her and it stuck with an immense force.
"I can't believe the pitiful show that Griselda and Wall put on," said Neinhart enjoying the scene below him. "Overpowering these buffoons is an easy task, that is for me at least."
Astrid looked at the three of them and then switched her battleaxe with a pair of twin swords. Arnora made the first move swinging her blade and Astrid quickly blocked it and then jumped back, she then quickly turned and began blocking Kyôka's claw whips.
She then looked above her and saw Agnar and then quickly jumped up towards him, but he managed to avoid her attack and punched her selling her crashing into the deck.
"Isn't this fun?" said Kyôka as she struck her with her claw.
Arnora then struck her with her blade and Agnar blasted her with a powerful explosion. She was sent flying skidding across the deck until she finally came to a stop.
"That raging your eyes, is delicious," said Neinhart. "I have no doubt that you will make someone a lovely Historia once we're finally done with you."
"Pull here up, would you dear?" said Kyôka to Agnar.
Agnar did as he was told and wrapped tree roots around Astrid's arms and legs lifting her off the deck.
Astrid tried to struggle to break free, but they were too strong and she was out of strength.
"Well, this takes me back Astrid," said Kyôka with a sadistic look. "To our time in my torture chamber, you remember my lovely Curse don't you?
She then immediately whipped Astrid with one of her claws sending a massive amount of pain through her body.
"I've amplified your sensitivity to pain, now I wonder if I should raise it more," she said as she placed her hand on her chest and began to squeeze. "Or should I introduce a hint of pleasure instead? I'm actually starting to believe that I might have missed you, Astrid."
"That so, because I have grown quite weary of this little reunion," said Astrid fiercely taking Kyôka aback. "It is true that all of you were once powerful foes and obstacles to my progress. However, each of you also fell by my hand."
A powerful or and began to cover Astrid's body it was extremely fierce enough to send shivers down their spines and even Neinhart was taken aback.
"Shut your mouth!" Kyôka roared whipping her immensely with her claws.
However, the only thing she appeared capable of doing was increasing the intense force coming from Astrid's body.
"Get out of my sight, you damn ghosts before you feel the bite of my blade again," Astrid spat.
The aura exiting Astrid's body slammed into them like a ton of bricks and Arnora and Agnar began to fade away.
"Such ferocity," said Kyôka.
"What's happening?" Neinhart panicked as Arnora and Agnar faded completely. "I can't believe this!"
"Damn you, Astrid!" Kyôka roared as she faded away like the others.
With them gone restraints also vanish and she collapsed onto the deck of the ship.
Neinhart just stared at her. 'She was able to defeat my Historias with mere intimidation? Who is she?'
It was that point that Jellal and Camicazi arrived.
"Astrid!" they both cried.
Neinhart looked at Astrid closely and there was something familiar about her. 'Wait a second…'
"She's badly injured," said Camicazi laying her down on the deck gently. "Astrid, talk to me!"
She then turned to Jellal and saw the rage in his eyes which were all directed towards Neinhart.
Neinhart appeared to be sweating, though wasn't because of Jellal rather that of Astrid. 'Her name… her golden blonde hair… her immense power… It all adds up, but could she really be Irene's—?'
"Please, Astrid open your eyes," Camicazi pleaded.
"It seems there's one final sin I must commit," said Jellal.
Camicazi looked at him. "What do you mean?"
Neinhart then sensed something directly above him and saw a massive portal directly above him with stars shining through it it was so large and feathered it was covering every single one of the ships.
"No!" he yelled. "What happened to the sky?"
Camicazi was confused as well. "Has nightfall?"
Everyone in the area could see the stars.
"The stars, harbingers of blessing or misfortune?" Keyes pondered.
"What's going on?" said Heather.
"This is Jellal's magic," said Orara next to her.
"Really?" said Heather.
Dagur nodded. "But I've never seen him use this amount of power in one go, something must have really upset him."
"Who even gives a crap about the stars in the sky," Zancrow snapped.
Orara then held out her arm and her link appeared. "Heather… Link with me again."
"If that'll help, but how?" Heather asked.
"When people who trust each other share their senses, their power is multiplied too," Orara explained as she raised her hand and both Heather and Dagur raise their hands revealing links on their wrists.
"So now it's something good?" Heather smiled.
"This is what the spell intended to be used," Orara explained.
"We've used quite a few times and it has proven to be effective," said Dagur.
"What you call mutual trust is nothing more than pitiful dependency," said Keyes.
"And that means you're both feel more pain when I post you alive," said Zancorw.
Elsewhere Ragnar and Lyon were still facing against Ur they were using all their strength against her.
The rest of the Allied forces within the city could feel the cold all the way from where they were standing.
"Does anyone else feel a little chilly?"
"It's because Ragnar and Lyon are doing their thing."
"The enemy is on their last legs, we've almost won!"
"Ice-Make: Geyser!" Ragnar yelled unleashing a barrage of ice spikes directly at Ur.
"Ice-Make: Volcano!" Ur yelled countering his attack with her own spell.
An ice volcano then immediately erupted beneath their feet and send a burst of cold air at them sending them flying.
"There's no way we can win, not against Ur," said Lyon.
"I told you that thing isn't Ur!" Ragnar yelled. "Ur's dead, you hear me? She's dead and it's my fault, you know that Lyon."
Lyon closed his eyes. "You had to walk a long road to get where you are now, Ragnar. That road took you to a place where you could heal yourself. Where you could get over what had happened with Ur… that journey I never had the chance to take it."
Ragnar then turned and faced Ur and grabbed the hem of his shirt and lifted him up. "Well, you have a chance now. Don't let it go to waste."
Lyon just stared at him in shock.
"Listen, my journey didn't just happen to me, I only made it this far because I never stopped. I kept on pushing forward, get moving right now."
"Why even bother? You might as well give up," said Ur.
In the city, Merrill was still clutching her leg as Ezel slivered his way towards her slowly.
"This is bad, how my supposed to fight like this?" Merrill winced.
"Merrill!" a voice yelled.
Merrill looked up and saw running towards her were Shanyla and flying beside her was Stormfly.
"It's Shanyla and Stormfly?" she said surprised. "Keep back!"
"No way, we'll help you," said Shanyla
"Merrill, I could never leave you!" Stormfly cried. "I'll help you fly! Let's stay together forever and always, Merrill!"
"Yeah," said Merrill with tears in her eyes.
Stormfly grabbed Merrill and they took off into the sky just before Ezel slammed his fist into the ground where she had laid a few seconds ago.
"Now Merrill, let's go!" Stormfly yelled.
"Right," Merrill nodded.
They then flew down directly towards Ezel at high speed.
"Sea Dragon's Crushing Fang!" Merrill yelled punching a hole right through Ezel's body.
Alvin had also gained his second wind and practically head-butted Hel in the head.
"You belong in the past you old hag!" Alvin roared and then he immediately unleashed a burst of lightning. "So apologised to the First Master and then go back to Hell!"
He then grasped his fists together and struck Hel on the back of the head with all his might. "Lightning Dragon's Jaw!"
Outside both Heather and Orara were performing a Unison Raid.
"Ready?" Heather yelled.
"Let's do it!" Orara yelled.
"Guilty Water!" the two girls yelled unleashing a barrage of magical swords and a wave of water.
Both Ragnar and Lyon had removed their shirts and were standing in front of Ur barechested.
"Here's the first step," said Lyon.
"Oh yeah and we're going to take it all the way," Ragnar nodded.
Ur merely smiled placing her hands together.
"Ice Demon's Zero Longsword!" Ragnar yelled swinging a massive longsword made of solid ice.
"Ice Blade Swan Wings!" Lyon yelled unleashing a barrage of ice birds with razor-sharp wings.
Back on the flagship, Jellal had places hands together and was about to finish Neinhart off once and for all.
"May the seven stars bring judgement upon you," he said.
Neinhart do look too worried. "Oh, Jellal… we've already seen your Historia today…" He then waved his hand and then suddenly appearing directly in front of him was Olaf. "…Olaf, your old friend. The one you murdered after all he had done for you, you can't do it again. How could you? The Guild… could you live with that burden."
Jellal knew that it was not Olaf and just some sort of projection, but still, he was very hesitant.
Then in a surprising move, Camicazi jumped into the air and drew her sword and then struck Olaf with it.
"This thing is not my brother," she said.
Neinhart just stared in shock as Olaf faded away.
Camicazi then closed her eyes. "Jellal… strike him down!"
"Grand Chariot!" Jellal roared.
Seven stars then immediately glowed brightly and then beams of light rained down upon all the ships within the harbour obliterate all of them. Neinhart screamed as he fell into the sea and with that, the Battle of the Shivering Shores came to an end for a victory for the Alliance.
The starry sky then faded away revealing a beautiful sunset and everyone immediately celebrated.
"It was just the middle of the night and now it sunset?" Alvin smiled.
Astrid merely smiled. "Jellal's power is out of this world when he protects his friends."
She then fell unconscious.
Meanwhile, at the Guildhall, everyone was discussing what to do with August.
"We need to do something about August before he gets here," said Hiccup.
"And what do you suggest we do?" Garon asked.
"We could meet him halfway and try and stop him," Hiccup suggested.
"In that case, I'm coming with you," said Ruby.
"Same here," said Toothless.
Stoick folded his arms. "I don't know."
Hiccup looked at his father. "Dad, we can't just sit around and wait for him to get here."
"I agree, but if we're fighting the strongest of the Twelve we have to be ready," said Stoick.
"He's not the strongest," said a voice.
Everyone then immediately turned into their astonishment they saw Brandish standing there.
"To be more accurate, he's only one of the strongest," she continued.
"She's one of the Drake Twelve," said Gustav.
"What is she doing out of her cell?" Garon asked.
"Because I let her out," said Hiccup.
"What?"
"I thought she might have some suggestions."
Ruby looked at Brandish. "You're saying there's another just as strong as he is?"
"Yes, exactly," she nodded. "August is powerful, hardly anyone else in the Twelve can compare to him but there is another that rivals or maybe even succeeds his magic power. You could say that if he is the strongest man, then she's the strongest woman… Irene a Viking also known as ka the Blonde Despair."
At the Shivering Shores, the Allied forces there had managed to take back the entire city and were now tending to the injured.
Astrid began to stir and when she opened her eyes she saw Camicazi looking down at her smiling.
"You're finally awake," she said.
"Camicazi," said Astrid as she sat up, but then immediately regretted it.
"Don't exert yourself," she said steadying her.
"Your wounds were pretty bad so it's gonna take a little time before you're completely healed up," Merrill explained.
"But don't worry there shouldn't be any scarring," Stormfly assured her.
Ragnar smiled at the two of them. "Looks like the two of you went through the wringer yourselves."
"Thank you," said Astrid and then immediately remember the battle. "What's going on now with the battle?"
Ragnar smiled. "We were able to liberate the Shivering Shores and take back control of the port. There are still a few soldiers left hanging around, but Jellal and his team are taking care of them."
"That's great," said Astrid relieved.
"We're going to head back to the Guildhall soon."
"They probably still need our help back home," said Heather.
"Luckily our friends from Valkyrie and Thor will look after everything here after we leave," said Merrill.
"I should return too," said Astrid.
Camicazi looked at her strictly. "You need to stay put into your well."
"You know I can't just lie here," she said removing the blanket and then noticed Alvin sleeping close by. "What's the matter with Alvin?"
"He had two big fights back to back so he will be out for a while."
"Knowing my old man, he'll be up and about soon," Ragnar assured her.
Meanwhile outside, Shanyla was sitting on the pavement hugging herself when Lyon joined her.
"Hey, are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
Lyon had heard what had happened. "Quite the reckless move."
"It was pretty stupid, wasn't it?" she said as tears began to form in her eyes. "Because now I have lost my magic."
Lyon then sat down next to her. "That maybe, but you traded it for something far greater… a future for all of us."
Shanyla continued to cry, but she was smiling.
Griselda had been taken and who are cell within the town and district guard, they didn't take any precautions when restraining her. She was strapped to a wooden chair with seal stone surround her heels and ankles.
The fact that she was imprisoned was humiliating for her as she remembered what he had said just before the battle started about Brandish being captured. Now she was suffering the same fate as her and was no doubt been mocked.
Back at the Guildhall, everyone was still rather surprised that Brandish was giving them some useful information.
"So you're finally willing to divulge some information?" Stoick asked.
"Just this once, don't let me give you the wrong idea. I don't intend to completely betray my homeland, I'm not going to start fighting for your side." Her eyes then turned towards Ruby. "But I do owe a debt to Ruby."
Ruby was rather shocked by this announcement.
"What exactly did you do for her?" Toothless asked.
Ruby was as confused as he was. "Uh… I—"
"Here's the deal, I'm willing to negotiate with August on your behalf," she said.
"What?" Stoick gasped.
"But your allies?" Garon frowned.
"What you mean by that?" Gustav asked.
"Tell us," said Hiccup.
"There isn't a Viking alive who would have a snowballs chance in hell against August in battle except Irene that is," said Brandish. "Back at Alvarez August is known as the Calamity while Irene is called the Blonde Despair. I don't have a relationship with Irene so I wouldn't be much help there, but August and I have been close ever since I was a little girl, no promises but I might be able talking out of an attack."
Many of the Guild members were delighted upon hearing this.
"Oh wow!"
"For real?"
Stoick was rather taken aback. "Uh, thank you… that's an incredible thing to offer."
Garon, on the other hand, was still suspicious. "No way! It's just a ploy, she is not trustworthy! She's trying to escape!"
"You can believe me or not, that's totally your call," she said looking at him.
"I think we should trust her guys," said Ruby.
"Ruby?" Garon yelled.
"It settled, Ruby and I will company her to negotiate with August," said Hiccup.
Garon just continued looking at Brandish with suspicion.
Meanwhile, up at the North, a beautiful blonde-haired woman dressed like a witch was standing in the snowy mountains. Her hands somewhat resembled claws and she was holding a staff within one of them. She had long golden blonde hair that reached all the way down to her back and tied in one massive ponytail with two more covering her chest.
"So this is Zarc the sacred mountain," she said looking at the large mountain in front of her. "Where the heavenly black-and-white maidens fought long ago. As the white maiden claimed victory snow began to blanket the peak and still falls to this day."
Standing behind her were two young girls, one wearing a white jacket, called Juliet while the other a black leotard named Helen.
"Wow, Lady Irene, I'm impressed you know so much about this country's old legends," said Juliet.
"Idiot, she's actually from Septem remember," Helen reminded her.
Irene looked at her darkly.
Juliet smirked. "I think you may be an idiot for bringing that up."
"Please forgive me," said Helga quickly.
Irene merely smiled. "The heavenly white and black maiden reminds me of the two of you."
"I called dips black!" Juliet announced.
"I'm obviously the black one, dummy," Helen glared.
"If you two were to do battle, I wonder which one of you would merge the sector?" Irene pondered.
The two girls immediately looked at her fearfully.
"I'm joking," she said much to their relief. "The initial conflict between those two maidens began because the two girls were fighting over a man. A darling little tale, but as lovely as it maybe I can't stand the chill."
She then tapped the bottom of her staff and the snowy surface.
Elsewhere Dragon Tail was doing battle with the northern forces and they had managed to free a good chunk of Sabretooth and Blue Pegasus though some of them were still out cold.
"Come on, Sting! Wake up!" Eret roared.
Sting winced looked up at him. "All the others? Are they still alive?"
"Safe and sound, don't worry," Eret assured him.
"What a disgrace," said Sting with tears in his eyes. "We didn't stand a chance, we're weak."
"Don't beat yourself up, we'll get revenge for you. They'll be picking their teeth off the ground."
"What's happening?"
"Eret!" said Fishlegs.
Eret looked up and you what Fishlegs was getting at and Sting felt the same thing.
"Something's not right," he said.
"You can see that again," said Eret.
All around them the snow was beginning to melt and flowers began blossoming.
"It's so weird, the snow is melting," said Fishlegs.
At the hillside with Irene, Juliet was cheerfully dancing around the middle of flowers that had blossomed.
"Hey, Lady Irene! You're amazing!" she cheered.
"It's warm now," said Helen.
"It appears we have some more guests joining us," said Irene and then turned towards two shadowy figures behind. "Has everything been prepared Ragnar… Larcade…"
Elsewhere Sting was still crying after the defeat and was afraid of the three Drakes in the area.
"Dammit! What are we going to do?" he said. "They've got those three monsters on their side."
"Then it's a good thing that we have six monsters of our own," said Eret.
Fishlegs blinked. "You're including me?"