The Dragon Riders soaring above the scene watched attentively, shaking their heads in regret. It felt like all hope had drained. Hiccup seemed to have chosen sides. Whether it was Hiccup or the venom who'd chosen, it did not matter to them, because he'd abandoned Astrid's side and joined Viggo along with Krogan. It was a heart-wrenching scene to watch and no one knew how to react or what to do next. If they yielded, everything they ever fought for would have been in vain. Viggo would be victorious. He'd use Hiccup in every possible way imaginable just to knock down everything they'd built. Hiccup was the key to everything. Both the good and the bad. There was no doubt Viggo Grimborn would use him to destroy. They should do something – they had to do something, anything. But how?

They watched as Viggo, Krogan, and Hiccup turned their backs and walked away. Viggo led, followed by his two puppets.

"This can't be happening," muttered Heather, shaking her head in denial.

Hiccup followed the Hunter and Flyer closely, gaze fixed on the leader's back. A twist of the eye broke his neutral character, and the Rider was not hesitant for even a moment to snatch the dagger from the Dragon Hunter's sheath and wield the blade before his enemy. Viggo twisted around on his heels at the sensation of his weapon getting removed from his belt, clearly shocked by his puppet's behavior. Hiccup stood his ground, his toxic gaze burning into his.

"Hiccup," warned Viggo, lifting up his chin dominantly. Krogan stood still, unresponsive to the situation till the next order. "What are you doing? Stand down, now."

But Hiccup did not obey and swung the blade unmercifully at the man, missing only by an inch as the Hunter backed away rapidly. Viggo grunted in frustration and met Krogan's eye in a manner that instantly commanded the Flyer to take care of the situation. Hiccup stood before the Hunter and Flyer, skillfully swinging the dagger in his hand like he was confident it was all he needed to win this battle.

Viggo pulled out his jeweled sword, swinging it with a noise that could send shivers down one's spine while Krogan pulled out his massive battle-ax, holding it tight with both hands.

Hiccup took a step back, watching observantly as they each walked their own way around him, surrounding him from both sides. But Hiccup didn't show any fright or any emotion really. He simply observed, fixed on his one and only goal he'd attributed to himself right before he gave in to the venom drowning his mind.

Krogan dropped his heavy blade to the ground, letting the metal rattle against the stone and sending short-lived sparks trailing behind.

Viggo held his own weapon to his side in a much more refined manner. He sighed, shaking his head sideways slowly.

"Oh, Hiccup. What a shame," he said, disappointment painting his face. "You could have become so much more. I'll give you this though; you are hard to persuade. I suppose the only way to drown that flame will be to kill you."

Hiccup swayed, untouched by the threat. He was ready for them to bring it on.

"You aren't strong enough to take on the both of us, boy," said Krogan on his part, eyes locked on his form like a hungry predator. He turned to the Hunter. "Now, who goes first?"

"Why take turns?" prompted Viggo.

And without warning, Krogan swung his weapon, missing Hiccup by an inch as he leaped out of the path of the ax's teeth just in time. The blade kissed the ground. Viggo swung his sword, clashing with the Rider's dagger. Despite the difference in the blades' sizes, Hiccup was able to hold his ground and push against his adversary. Blows came and went, missing their target with every swing. It would normally be improbable for Hiccup Haddock to escape every lash... but there was no Hiccup. There were only a body and a goal, controlled by a corrupted mind that could not allow itself to be diverted by any other thought or distraction. He was faster, stronger – venomized. But… so was Krogan. Hiccup ducked every swing as Krogan swung his weapon, locking the Rider between him and the arena. Hiccup backed away, aware of the pit behind him. The Rider stood his ground, hearing the pebbles echo in the arena below.

Astrid's eyes locked on Hiccup's form, unbelieving the twist in the story, and did not waste a second to use the Hunters' inattention to struggle out of their grasp. She slammed her heel on a foot, threw her head back on a face, and hit her elbows against torsos, knocking the breath out of her captors. She slipped out of hands reached out to grab her as she made her escape, picking up her ax and swinging it at any other soldier who might want to try their luck. She watched a few flee, satisfied with the fear that had struck them. Stormfly squawked at her rider right before Astrid sliced the chains that had been swung over the Deadly Nadder's back, tugging her wings to her sides.

"Come on, girl," she said when her dragon shook herself free, her crown spines rattling. "We have to get out of here. I doubt Hiccup stands a chance against the two of them, even in his current condition." She turned her attention back at the battle happening above, watching Hiccup duck and strike as Krogan stood before him, merciless.

She grabbed onto the side ring of her saddle as Stormfly ducked for the exit and hopped on her Nadder's back the moment they were out, taking to the sky, free once again. She doubled back rapidly and joined her team hovering high in the air.

"Astrid!" called Heather, joining her side on Windshear. "What in Thor's name is going on?"

"I'm not sure," said Astrid, her eyes pulled back to the island below.

"Astrid," said Fishlegs, concern unmasked in his tone. "We have to do something. Hiccup won't stand a chance. His luck will run out!"

"I hate to say this but," said Snotlout, grabbing his Monstrous Nightmare's horns firmly. "I agree with Fishface."

"I know he's corrupted but," said Dagur, sharing a look with Heather. "He's still our brother. I'm not abandoning him, evil or not."

"But it's impossible to get in there," said Heather, studying the battle beneath their dragons' wings. "The area is way too restricted for us to intervene on dragonback. We can't risk it."

Astrid met her friend's gaze, understanding what she was saying. They couldn't risk everything, all of their lives, to help their friend. Astrid hated herself for thinking such a thing. She wanted to fly down there and swing her ax by Hiccup's side. She wanted to help, to fight, to do something, anything. But Heather was right. What kind of person would she be if she ordered her friends to fly down there and meet their deaths to save one life?

"You'd sacrifice everyone and every dragon on this island just to save me, wouldn't you? You'd spill as much blood as necessary if it meant sparing every drop of mine."

Had said Hiccup.

"Hiccup was right... You are ready to sacrifice all our lives just to save Hiccup's!"

Snotlout's voice echoed in the back of her mind like a haunting. She looked at him from where she hovered, knowing full well he was thinking the exact same thing. And for a moment, there was no hatred, no anger, and no strong emotions toward one another other than understanding.

This was the moment of truth, to prove herself to her team.

So they watched from above as Hiccup faced off their two greatest enemies on his own with nothing to back him up but toxin clouding his mind – clouding the only thing that made him Hiccup – and allowing the ruthlessness to flow through like a river breaking out of the ice.