Ruby and the others had all the injured back to Gothi in order to tend to their wounds. She was able to stabilise both Ragnar and Heather, but Hiccup was another problem. Brandish had just attempted to shrink the tumour down, but she was unable to for some reason.
"These two have serious injuries, but they should pull through," said Gothi.
"Luckily I was able to shrink their wounds," said Brandish.
"That's great, thanks a lot," Ruby smiled with relief.
"And if it weren't for Merrill we could have lost Heather," Gothi added.
"The main concern is with Hiccup," said Stormfly.
"No kidding," said Toothless.
"I'm certainly not getting any better," Hiccup winced.
"Early I was able to shrink the mass inside of him, but my magic seems to have lost its effect on it," said Brandish. "Whatever that is, I'm not powerful enough to counteract it."
"That's quite alarming, considering we have seen you able to shrink an entire island the size of a pebble," said Stormfly.
"I wonder what could possibly be that resistant?" said Rubbella. "It boggles the mind."
"He was immune to the time-stopping spell and flew into a violent rage when it was cast," said Gothi. "I hate to admit it but I'm completely at a loss."
"He's a demon, that's the only way to truly describe him," said Griselda.
'A demon… Dragrach,' said Toothless.
"You're wrong about Hiccup! That's a lie!" Ruby snapped.
"And you believe you know him to his very core do you?" Griselda smirked.
"I know him way better than you ever will, I can guarantee you that."
"How naïve, you can never truly know a person. Even so-called friends have something they hide away from each other right Randy?"
Brandish just remained quiet.
"I have no doubt that Hiccup has been honest about who years deep down, he's practically the reason I was able to join Dragon Tail in the first place, I'm grateful."
They had been so busy talking that they failed to notice that Hiccup was no longer awake, they only realise this when suddenly smoke shot out from his body.
"What's happening?" Stormfly stared.
"I've never seen someone just give off smoke," said Rubbella.
"I'm afraid it might be related to that strange mass growing inside of him," said Gothi.
"Actually it's his own doing," said Toothless.
Ruby looked at him. "What?"
"He's slowed his heart rate and breathing, also that he could enter into a trance. I'm afraid he won't be responsible for quite some time."
"Hiccup!" Ruby cried.
Hiccup found himself in what can only be described as a barren wasteland, there are no signs of any kind of life. Also, it appeared to be rain ash from the sky, there was so much of it that it was blocking out the sun.
"Where am I?" he wondered and then he sensed a presence behind him. "If somebody there?"
"It's just me, Hiccup," said Drago's voice.
Hiccup spun around and immediately saw standing behind him was none other than Drago. However, he knew that all this was inside his mind and that this Drago was just a figment of his imagination.
"Out of all the people my subconscious could have created it had to be you," said Hiccup narrowing his eyes.
Drago merely smiled. "Attempting to thwart Dragrach's control through meditation?"
"We both can't have the same body," said Hiccup. "After what nearly happened when he had temporary control I am not about to let it happen again."
"Why not? You would probably have the power needed to kill me or are the other me."
"And go on a blood rage against everyone I hold dear?" Hiccup glared. "No thanks!"
"Regardless you lose control anyway, this is the end for you."
Hiccup looked at him. "Maybe, but I'll hold on until the very end."
"Fighting a lost cause, you're so much like your ancestor."
Hiccup looked at him. "Why do you resent my ancestor so much?"
"I imagine he's told you to some degree on how we met," said Drago.
"He said that you were his student 1000 years ago, your family had been killed by dragons. You then began researching ways of bringing back your sister, but your research finally forced the board to expel you."
"Back then there was a lot of segregation of against us humans, it wasn't until the end of the Dragon Wars that the elves finally lost power allowing us humans to rule instead. I lived on the borders and they had so little protection against the dragons and the Elven Empire did not see any need to provide aid if they had then my family would have lived."
"But my ancestor wanted equality between elves and humans, he admitted he went to the Academy for that very reason. It was only because you wouldn't accept your sister's death when things got out of control."
"He was never on my side," Drago growled furiously. "He even went as far as allying with our enemies, the dragons to stop me. He even managed to get my own sister involved and with the help of Sapphire, the first Celestial Viking, he was able to send your mental along with the other dragons train future warriors that would one day stop both me and Acnologia."
Hiccup turned around and saw images of these conflicts appearing along with the vision of his ancestor, Ingeel, the Chronicler and Sapphire making their plans.
"When the five dragons entered into our time period they located as almost immediately and began training us," said Sting's voice.
Hiccup turned around and found him standing there where Drago had been standing a few moments ago.
"Sting?" he blinked.
"And then of course after our mentors disappeared you started to tutor me," Sting smiled.
"Mind asking why you're here now instead of Drago?" Hiccup asked.
"Why ask me it's your subconscious," Sting shrugged.
"When I started this meditation I never imagined things would turn out this way," Hiccup sighed. "I only wanted to prevent Dragrach from taking control of my body again."
"You are, your subconscious mind is just trying to keep you sane."
"You call this sane?" said Hiccup looking around.
"Just follow me, then maybe we can find the answer to stop Dragrach together," said Sting as he walked off.
Meanwhile, Sting was rushing towards the battlefield as quickly as he could.
"Well thanks to Fenris I was able to get this far," he said and began looking around. "Now where's Rogue and Hookfang? I hope they're okay…" Then he smelt familiar scent. "Wait, that scent."
Larcade was still using his magic against Vala and she was starting to reach her limit with the overwhelming pleasure she was feeling.
Camicazi was still alive, but was in no state to fight. "Don't give up, please."
"Try to hang in there," said Hookfang.
"Not sure how much more this week intake," Skull panted.
Vala was utterly exhausted. 'I can barely think right now.'
"Sting, you've got to help us," Hookfang pleaded. "I know you're out there, we need you!"
Then suddenly they saw Sting jumping out completely out of nowhere and immediately swung kick directly at Larcade.
"Sorry I'm late, you guys," said Sting.
"Oh, you made it!" said Vala with relief.
"I knew you would come for us, buddy!" Hookfang yelled.
"Perfect timing," said Skull.
"What's going on here?" Sting asked. "Looks like you been giving my guild members a hard time."
"What a surprise, seems yet another fool has joined us," said Larcade.
Sting then swung her fist directly at him, but Larcade maintained his stance and was just pushed backwards slightly.
"If you truly want to hurt me, then try harder," he said and then unleashed his like tendrils at him.
"Be careful Sting, don't let them touch you!" Vala yelled.
However, to everyone's shock Sting then began absorbing the tendrils.
"What is this? It tastes kind of funky but feels good in some weird way," he said as he ate. He then looked up directly at Larcade. "Holy Magic has no effect on me, after all, I am the Holy Dragon Slayer."
Larcade merely smiled not looking worried in the slightest and the two of them just stood there facing one another.
Sting then narrowed his eyes. "What's your deal? Something pisses me off. To make it worse you smell like Hiccup. Just who the hell are you anyway? Why do you and Hiccup at the same scent?"
"Well, according to him his last name is Haddock," said Hookfang.
"He's told us a lot of things, but I'm not sure we can believe a single word of it," said Vala. "He claims to be Hiccup's son."
Sting stared. "That doesn't make any sense to me."
"Considering their both the same age that would be an understatement," said Skull.
"It just doesn't add up the way this guy smells," said Sting. "If he's telling the truth then him and Hiccup having the same scent is weird. He doesn't just smell like Hiccup, he smells exactly like him. Everyone has their own scent, it's not genetic or anything. True there are similarities in families, but not to this extent. If I had my eyes closed I will be able to tell him and Hiccup apart from his scent."
"Things are not so simple," said Larcade and then fired blades of light directly at him.
However, Sting just absorbed each and every single attack.
"What did I tell you?" said Sting as he places hands together forming an orb of light. "Holy Magic does not have any effect on me… Holy Ray!"
He then fired a powerful being directly at Larcade and this time he was struggling to hold it back. Then suddenly appearing directly in front of him was Sting.
"Holy Nova!" Sting roared as he swung a glowing fist directly at him.
He struck with so much force that he literally sent him flying backwards.
"You're more than capable for then I realised, but still…" said Larcade and then suddenly a magic circle appeared directly beneath Sting. "Famished Soul!"
Sting's stomach then growled and he suddenly felt hungry.
"What's wrong Sting?" Vala frowned.
"The hunger you feel will be impossible to endure," said Larcade.
His statement was starting to prove true as Sting had never felt this hungry before. It was as if he hadn't eaten for several days, as a result, he was now feeling absolutely weak from starvation.
"Oh man, I'm starving all of a sudden," he groaned.
Larcade then grabbed the cross that was attached to his back and slammed it directly at Sting. He was so weak from hunger that he was unable to move and so he was unable to dodge it in time.
"Stay strong buddy!" Hookfang yelled.
"I'm trying!" Sting yelled back.
"You can beat this guy, just hang in there!"
Sting then looked at him with a hungry look, because in his mind Hookfang looked like a big plate of meat.
"You look so freaking tasty," he said.
"Wow, Sting! It's me!" Hookfang panicked as Sting approached him.
"Master Sting, what has come over you?" an ice pop asked with Vala's voice.
"Don't you dare look at me like that!" said a stick of dumplings with Camicazi's voice.
Sting just stood there licking his lips.
"Yes, go and eat your fill," said Larcade.
Sting then picked up Hookfang and then bit down on top of him.
"Sting, cut it out!" Hookfang cried. "It Hookfang, I'm your friend, not your food!"
"Must have meat, my belly is crying," said Sting.
"Come to your senses!" Camicazi yelled.
Then suddenly Vala then bit down on her shoulder.
"Vala?" Camicazi stared.
Vala looked up at her with a hungry expression, clearly, Larcade's spell hadn't just affected Sting, but all of them.
"So hungry, I can't take it any more," she said. "I feel like I'm going to starve to death."
Camicazi then found herself been affected by the spell. "Oh please, save me some."
She then began biting down on her shoulder and Hookfang was now biting down on Sting's arm.
Skull just stared them. "This is getting weird now."
Elsewhere both Minerva and Rogue had finally regained their senses, Larcade's spell was no longer affecting them but they were still reeling from the side effects.
"Hey, Rogue are you still able to move?" Minerva asked as she lifted herself up.
"I can get around somewhat, but I think I've taken too much damage to do anything beyond that," she said as she stood up.
"I feel the same, it's like my resources are gone. This battle has taken nearly all the strength I had left in me and we can probably assume that the others had their powers drained as well. Which means Sting and Vala are in trouble."
"Whoever casts that spell is quite powerful indeed. Milady are you able to determine their location?"
"I can definitely sense their power from here, seems to be coming from that way," said Minerva shifting her head slightly. "Wouldn't be very much a journey to reach them."
Rogue then turned around and started to make her way towards that direction.
"You shouldn't go alone, I can come with you," Minerva offered.
"Please stay, I believe you should remain here," she said looking back at her.
"I can go!"
"You've taken quite a bit more damage than I have today. In the event that something happens to me, it would be better for our side if you were to stay behind and avoid the fight."
Minerva didn't like it, but she knew that she was right.
Larcade was still enjoying the spectacle as Sting and the others attempted to eat each other.
"The world of man is filled with desires," he said. "May you devour each other and meet your ruin."
Skull was suffering from the same effects of the spell, but he was resisting. "If you think we will devour each other, you're sorely mistaken. We will not eat our friends!"
Skull's words managed to reach Sting and he immediately pulled away from Hookfang.
"I know you're dying of starvation, pal," said Hookfang looking up at him. "So this is the only thing that will save you?"
Sting closes eyes and raised his fist. "I gotta do what I gotta do." He then punched him right on top of the head knocking him out cold and then approached Vala and Camicazi. "Sorry, ladies I don't have a choice!" He then punched them and knocking them out cold and then finally made his way over to Skull. "Sorry Skull."
He then knocked him out cold.
Sting was still worn out, but he wasn't an alleged something as simple starvation stop him from taking down Larcade.
"This is the only way I can think of to fight against my appetite," he said.
"That so? But how do you plan to stave off against those crippling hunger pains?"
"I'm just going to have to eat you!"
Staying then charged at him swinging his fist, but Larcade just sidestepped out of the way and then struck him in the back with his palm.
"Have you forgotten how weak this hunger has made you?" said Larcade.
"How could I forget?" Sting growled as he picked himself up and then swung his fist. "But still!"
Larcade then spun around and struck him with his palm once again. "There's no point in trying."
"I'm Sabretooth's master, I've gotta save my guild," said Sting.
"Hmm, never heard of them before."
Larcade's cross then spun out of nowhere and struck him on his right shoulder. It struck him with so much force that he was forced to fold to his knees.
Larcade then looked down at him. "Why would you bother getting involved in such a fight if you're not a member of Dragon Tail?"
Sting then rose to his feet. "Because their Guild needs help right now and that's what allies do for each other! Because they helped us change for the better and because I owe it to Hiccup!"
"Don't agonise in owing him, his spirit will be freed of concern once he has been released from this world. I have taken up the responsibility of killing him with my own hands."
Vala then suddenly vanished and in her place appeared Rogue.
Sting stared at her. "What that…" He then realised what had happened. "… Milady's Territorial Spell."
"Territorial?" Larcade blinked. "That space swapping magic."
Minerva had used the last of her strength in order to switch Rogue and Vala around.
"Vala?" said Minerva as she bent over her.
Vala then started to regain consciousness. "Oh, I didn't see you before."
Then suddenly and to Minerva's bewilderment, Vala began biting down on her leg.
"What are you telling?" Minerva stared. "Cut that out this instant!"
"I just can't help myself, you look so yummy," said Vala and she continued to bite down on her leg.
"What the hell is wrong with you!" Minerva yelled trying to push her away. "I'm not some dinner on tray. Please, stop!"
Meanwhile, Sting was pleased to see Rogue as she had arrived just in time.
"Wondered where you were," he said smiling.
"I don't have enough strength left to fight alongside you," she said regretfully. "But milady sent me for delivery so eat me."
Larcade stared confused.
Sting was also rather confused. "Say what? You mean…"
Rogue then unleashed his shadows and they made their way towards Sting. "You're hungry aren't you? So I want you to consume the rest of my magic power."
"But I can't eat a different type of magic, it's not going to work!" He then remembered that Hiccup and Eret had been able to absorb different kinds of magic and at this point and had much of a choice. "Might as well try some sense I'm starving!"
Rogue smiled as Sting began to eat his shadows.
"There are three primary desires that drive all living things first one is sex… then there's food… they are then all eventually followed by sleep," said Larcade. "That is the final desire that I shall grant you, the gift of sleep. To be more precise what I offer is eternal slumber."
"I've heard about another of your crap!" Sting roared.
Sting had finished absorbing Rogue shadows and now one half his body was covered in light scales by the other was covered in dark scales. His eyes had become slits and his fangs were much more visible now. Rogue had now collapsed with exhaustion after depleting his entire magic reserves.
"And I hate the way you smell!" Sting continued. "It's burning up the hair my nostrils!"
"The fact that a weak and significant person has the gall to challenge me makes me want to vomit," said Larcade.
"Hey, Rogue! Thanks for the power!" said Sting.
"Now go Holy Shadow Dragon," said Rogue weakly.
"I'm all fired up now," said Sting as he took up a fighting stance.
"Onto the next desire, the one that you will not be able to resist," said Larcade. "This spell is known as Rest in Peace."
"Call it whatever you want, but you're still going to lose."
"Once I have ended your life Hiccup Haddock's will be the next want to perish," Larcade promised.
"Are you trying to get me more fired up, because whether you like it or not that's what's happening!"
The two then poised ready for final clash and it was planed everyone that only one would be left standing.
Elsewhere Hiccup was doing his meditative trance, though Rubin the others were now starting to get worried.
"Hiccup, come on just open your eyes," Ruby pleaded.
"This is bad, if he stays in this trance longer it might very well become permanent," said Gothi.
"No!" Ruby cried.
"Come on, you can fight this," said Toothless.
Hiccup just laid there with steam exited from his body, to them it looks as if he was in a coma rather than a trance and they had no idea whether he would wake up or not.
