Ordinarily, Astrid would never take the offer of a ride from a stranger, but she had Fishlegs, and the others consider she was virtually defenceless without her axe. Additionally, Chopper seemed rather excited about meeting this Doctor Hogback, but she still found the entire situation suspicious.

"Hey, I didn't get a good look at them, so maybe it was my imagination, but don't those horses seem a little strange?" Astrid asked.

"It's dark. Your eyes are playing tricks on you," said Hildon with a small chuckle.

Astrid was right about the horses. They weren't what you would call normal; one of them didn't even have a horse's head, and the other was a centaur. However, the one thing they had in common was that they had stitches across their bodies and bandages very similar to that three-headed dog they encountered.

"If you say so," said Astrid looking at him suspiciously.

"Anyway, thanks for saving us back there; we were in real bad shape before you showed up," said Fishlegs.

"It was nothing," Hildon smiled and presented them with a glass of wine. "Have a drink to calm your nerves."

He poured each a glass of wine.

"Now, this forest is filled with frightening creatures; it's dangerous to pass through here on foot."

Chopper nodded. "I was surprised; I thought Cerberus was just a legend, but there it was, three heads and everything."

"That thing must've been some kind of mutant," said Snotlout. "It just was a natural, we were lucky we got up and actually, but I was afraid that we would never come down again with that thing around."

"If you're hoping to wait for your friends, the mansion is the safest place," said Hildon. "Besides, they couldn't possibly miss it."

"Not only that, we get to meet Doctor Hogback too, right?" said Chopper excitedly.

"Is this Hog guy really that famous?" Snotlout asked.

"Are you kidding? Every Doctor in the world knows his name. He's one of the greatest surgeons ever; he can perform real miracles. They say that his operations have saved more people than there are stars in the sky. He has fame and fortune and every other honour that any doctor could hope for.

"The entire medical community looked up to him as a true hero, but then he just disappeared without a trace. Some people thought that he had an accident, and others thought that he was kidnapped, but in the end, since no one could find any clues, everyone gave up looking for him and bit by bit, we started to think of him as nothing more than a legend."

He then looked at Hildon excitedly. "That is the Hogback you're talking about, right?"

"Yes, indeed," Hildon nodded. "He's studying in seclusion; the doctor came to this island to conduct research beyond the scope of mankind."

"You think I can get an autograph on him?"

"I'm sure he can be persuaded to spare a moment for one of his fans."

Astrid looked outside and was rather stunned to see a lion outside. "No way this island has lions too?"

However, when the lion turned its head, she saw that it had the face of a man. She was so shocked that she jumped back and accidentally spilt her wine over Chopper.

"What's wrong, Astrid?" Fishlegs asked.

"I saw a lion, but he had the face of a man," she said.

"Don't be ridiculous," said Snotlout.

"Is it any more ridiculous than being chased by a three-headed dog?" Astrid counted. "You don't believe me? Take a look for yourself."

They all looked outside, and what they saw was even more bizarre. They saw a bunch of trees that had human faces on their trunks, and a few of them had limbs, and all of them were laughing. Among them was a multitude of creatures lapping as well which were mismatched of different animals.

They all stopped when they saw the four of them looking at them. Astrid and the others quickly rubbed their eyes and looked back and found that they were gone, but they all knew exactly what they saw and screamed.

"That was not right! That was definitely not right!" they yelled.

Astrid then turned to Hildon. "Stop the carriage right now, Hildon!"

"My goodness, what could have upset you so much?" Hildon asked. "Perhaps you also an illusion."

"What do you mean illusion? There was certainly something out there for sure!" Snotlout yelled. "This forest is freaking strange!"

"That much is true; it is a bit odd here," Hildon admitted. "The fog, for example, has strange qualities. It can even cause hallucinations for some."

"So you mean it was just the fog?" said Chopper relieved. "That's good."

Fishlegs frowned. "Illusion? Fog? No, that doesn't make any sense."

Astrid was just as sceptical. "Listen, Hildon, we really do need you to take us back to the coast right away. Even if it's dangerous, the four of us can manage somehow."

Chopper cried. "But I want to meet Doctor Hogback. It's not fair! I have to!"

"I know how you feel, but there's something off about this place," said Snotlout. "Either you can go and see the Doctor and die, or we can turn back right now and live. Which one is it going to be?"

"Of course, I don't want to die; that's scary," said Chopper.

"Oh, that's too bad," said Hildon looking disappointed. "Then, as you wish, I'll have the driver turn the carriage around for you. Wait a moment, and I shall return. Start the carriage!"

The moment the carriage came to a stop, Hildon jumped out.

Chopper just sat there looking immensely upset.

"Listen, Chopper, I know what this means for you," said Astrid gently.

"No, I understand; if I was strong and brave like Hiccup, I could just walk there by myself instead of sitting here and crying," said Chopper.

They waited for about 10 minutes, but still, the carriage hadn't turned around.

"How long sea plan to make us wait here?" Fishlegs asked.

"Don't know, but I just get a look outside again," said Chopper.

"He's only turning around; it should only take a sec," said Snotlout looking outside. When he poked his head outside, he couldn't see any trace of either Hildon or the horses. "There's nobody here! Not even the horses! Not only that, but they've left us in the middle of some scary graveyard!"

"You kidding me?" Fishlegs panicked. "But why?"

"That can't be right!" Chopper screamed.

"Hildon! Hey, where did you go?" Snotlout called.

Hildon was actually flying overhead, flapping his arms which had backed wings attached to them. He laughed as he began flying towards the mansion, and the strange horses that had been pulling the carriage were now galloping deeper into the woods.

"Leaving us alone at night is one thing, but come on, in a graveyard," Snotlout complained.

"Looks like our only option is to make our own way to the coast," said Astrid.

"What? But it's scary out there," said Chopper.

"Is it any scarier than being stranded in a graveyard at night?" Astrid asked, and then her eyes turned to Snotlout. "What now?"

"Is that… no…" Snotlout frowned as he saw movement.

Then suddenly, a hand shot out from the ground in front of the tombstone. Snotlout immediately screamed, and then more hands began to appear. The others popped their heads outside and saw the same phenomena as corpses began shooting out of the ground.

"Please tell me this is a dream," Fishlegs pleaded.

"I'm afraid not," said Astrid.

The others immediately began to scream. "Z-Z-Zombies!"

The zombies then started to walk towards them, groaning; one of them managed to grab Snotlout and pull him outside.

"Help me!" Snotlout cried.

"I'm coming!" Astrid yelled as she jumped outside.

"Snotlout! Astrid! No!" Fishlegs cried.

Fishlegs attempted to follow them but then came face-to-face with the zombie and quickly backed away as far as he could.

The zombies then began picking up the carriage.

"They're going to flip over the carriage!" Chopper screamed.

With one good heave, they flipped the carrot onto its side, causing Fishlegs and Chopper to fall out. Snotlout was screaming as he was being swarmed by zombies, and one of them actually bit him.

"It bit me!" Snotlout cried. "Oh, damnit, it's all over! I'm going to turn into a zombie now!"

"Pull yourself together!" Astrid yelled as she began punching and kicking the zombies out of the way.

All Astrid could really do was try to fend them off; without her axe, it was the only thing she could do.

"Hang in there, Snotlout; I'm coming!" Astrid yelled as she just kicked a zombie away. "Though it would be a lot easier with my axe."

Several zombies then jumped her and tried to hold her down, but Fishlegs came charging in with his clima-gauntlets on.

"Get away from her!" he yelled, punching them.

Chopper dashed towards Snotlout, who was now completely overwhelmed and transformed into his human form.

"Let Snotlout go!" he yelled and raised his fist. "Eat this!"

He then punched the largest zombie he could reach so hard that he took his head off. Chopper screamed and even screamed even louder when he saw the headland on the ground like a ball.

"I'm sorry!" he screamed.

A zombie then picked up the head and tossed it to its owner. "Here you dropped this."

"Oh, thanks," said the zombie putting the head back onto his shoulders.

Astrid had just managed to free herself from the zombies with Fishlegs' assistance. The two of them then rushed over to help Snotlout and Chopper, but more and more zombies were approaching them.

"If only I had some kind of weapon on me," said Astrid.

"If we can't beat them, let's get out of here," said Fishlegs.

"At this point, we might as well make our way to the mansion. Says it's closer than the shore," said Snotlout.

"Sounds like a good idea to me," said Chopper.

With that agreed, they immediately ran towards the mansion as quickly as they could.

"Although zombies following us?" Astrid asked.

"Don't worry, we're fine," said Snotlout looking back. "So long as we're able to keep up the pace, no way those beans can catch us. Even if they are strong and don't get tired, they shamble along really slowly when they move."

At first, it looked as if Snotlout's theory was true, but 10 seconds later, the zombies sprinted towards them at an incredible pace.

"What? Were they just lazy?" he said incredulously.

The zombies were able to keep this up for about 30 seconds until they became exhausted.

"They're tired?" Snotlout stared.

"Don't just stand there they!" Astrid yelled.

"Right!" Snotlout nodded.

Hiccup and the others, meanwhile, were having difficulty of their own, the waves had suddenly become rather fierce, and they were dragging them away from the shore.

"We're drifting away; can't you do something, Ragnar?" Toothless asked.

"I would love to, but the steering wheel won't move an inch!" Ragnar yelled.

"Even if we use the paddles, those ways are too high," said Eret.

"We have no choice but to go with the current and hope that we do reach the shore," said Hiccup.

"So let's just sit back and enjoy the ride," said Tuffnut.

"Yeah, we'll reach the shore sooner or later," said Ruffnut.

"And what about Astrid and the others?" Ragnar questioned.

"What is that?" said Heather noting something ahead of them.

Hiccup turned and saw something that appeared to be a giant spider's web.

"Is that a spider's web?" Toothless frowned.

A powerful wave then hit them in the rear, pushing them even closer to the web.

"At this rate, we're going to be trapped," said Heather.

"Hurry, use the paddles quick!" Eret yelled.

"It's too late; we're already caught."

Heather was right, and a few moments later, they got caught in the spider's web, not just their share but Skull's as well.

"Damnit, now what?" said Eret looking up and saw that the mast and sails were completely entangled in the wedding. "The ship didn't take any damage, but it's like we can sail any more. And by the way, I hate to see the spider who spun this thing. It's freaking huge."

Astrid and the others had managed now making their way to the main gate to the mansion, and the zombies then seemed to be following them any more.

"They aren't following us, right?" said Snotlout looking back. "Man, what is with this island? Hath the stuff here isn't even supposed to be real. And by the way, I start turning into a zombie and go after your brains, then just kill me."

"That is a very tempting offer," Astrid smiled. "But how would we tell the difference?"

"Shut up, Astrid," Snotlout glared.

"And why do you think you will turn into a zombie in the first place?" Fishlegs asked.

"If you get bit by a zombie, you turn into one and eat brains," said Snotlout. "I read in the book, so it must be true."

Astrid rolled her eyes. "I don't think you're mature enough for horror novels. You should stick to children's books."

"I never understood the fascination with horror novels myself," said Fishlegs. "I mean, I like to enjoy reading, and what's so enjoyable about being scared to death?"

They kept on walking until they reached the main gate to the mansion.

"Well, here we are," said Snotlout. "I sure could go for a glass of water."

"I can see him after all, lucky me," said Chopper excitedly.

"If he's crazy enough to live here, I get the feeling is not going to be quite as welcoming as you hope," said Astrid.

"So long as he gives us lodging, I don't care how welcoming he is," said Fishlegs.

They then opened the main gates and stepped inside.

"Excuse me, is this the mansion of Doctor Hogback by any chance?" Astrid yelled. "We're travellers, and we lost our way, so can we take shelter in here until morning?"

There was no answer.

"Hello, is anyone there?"

Still, there was no answer.

"Well, there's nothing stopping us from going in," said Snotlout. "Though I don't like the look of this tunnel."

"I can see the courtyard on the other side," said Chopper.

"Is that Doctor home?" Astrid yelled once more.

"What if no one lives here?" Snotlout asked.

"It beats the zombies; I say we give it a look," said Fishlegs.

They didn't take more than a single step when suddenly a spotlight shone down at the nearby well.

"The lights just turned on," said Chopper. "That's a good sign, right?"

"But why would they shine a spotlight on this old well? It's weird?" Snotlout asked.

Then suddenly, the chain began to move in they got the sense that something was coming out of the well.

"What is it now?" Fishlegs whimpered.

"I don't know, but be ready for anything," said Astrid as she raised her fists.

Then suddenly emerging from the well was a pale blonde-haired woman in a black skintight dress with a red fur scarf around her neck. In her hand, she was carrying about 10 plates, and she looked at them with a cold expression.

"Welcome," she said without an ounce of emotion.

Everyone apart from Astrid immediately screamed.

"One… two… three…" she said and began tossing plates at Snotlout. "…and four… five…"

"This crazy woman is throwing plates!" Snotlout yelled.

"…six… seven…"

"Why are you only attacking me?" Snotlout yelled indignantly.

"Why you ask? Because you alone are allowed to enter the mansion," she said simply and then pointed at the others. "You three are just fine, though."

"Uh, I'm confused," the three of them said in unison.

The crazy plate-throwing woman then pointed at Snotlout. "Now you get out! Eight… nine…"

She then continued tossing plates at Snotlout for reasons unknown.

"Stop it, that's enough!" said a new voice.

"What?" said Astrid.

"Please, nothing scary," Chopper pleaded.

The door the mansion then opened, in stepping outside, was a rather bloated man who possessed quite a devilish grin. He wore a fishnet bodysuit, and around his shoulders, he sported a purple fur cape.

"Hope doesn't throw plates," Snotlout groaned.

"We can make an exception just this once, can't we, Cindry?" said the strange man. "Forgive me if we start you; you must excuse her, you see. She was once engaged to a wealthy man, but to test his love, she shot 10 plates from his cherished dining set. Sadly, he then called off the engagement. Cast out of our home in disgrace, she has become my personal servant with a boundless plate grudge."

"Yeah, I don't really care," Snotlout grumbled.

"As you may have already surmised, I am the long-missing world-famous surgeon Doctor Hogback. A genius in the eyes of many."

"Ten!" said Cindry tossing the last plate at Snotlout.

"Snotlout!" Astrid cried.

"Hey, Cindry, we went over this!" Hogback yelled. "I suggest he can come inside; when you don't listen to me, then I look like a fool in front of our guests."

Cindry looked at him with those emotionless eyes, which was enough to bring a shiver down his spine.

"I wish for every last plate in this world will disappear," she said.

"I got it!" he yelled back. "You don't have to tell me; I just got done explaining it, didn't I?"

Chopper just looked at Hogback with awe and wonder, the others not so much.

"Chopper? That you were talking about?" Fishlegs frowned.

"D-Doctor Hogback," said Chopper breathlessly. "It's really him!"

Astrid wasn't particularly impressed with Hogback's appearance; nothing about screamed at her as Doctor, let alone world-famous.

"Doesn't look like a genius to me," she said under her breath.

"Shut up, Astrid!" Chopper snapped.

Cindry then began to walk away. "I'll make an exception just this once. All four of you may enter, and we can continue our conversation inside. Follow me."

"Uh, end there, you have it," said Hogback. "Please, make yourselves at home."

"I still don't get why she hated me so much, but whatever," Snotlout grumbled. "I guess we can at least go in now."

"Right, anything beats that creepy forest," Astrid nodded.

They then followed Cindry inside, and the doors closed behind them, leaving Hogback outside alone.

"Uh, hey, wait…" he said, looking awfully hurt. "…I'm still here."

Once Hogback entered back into the mansion, he led them to the dining hall.

"It's quite rare for me to receive guess," he said. "But my, you certainly are filthy. Was it a stressful trip?"

"You could call it that, but it is an extremely long story, but…" said Astrid looking at Chopper.

"Go ahead, Astrid; I can talk about Doctor stuff later," Chopper assured her.

Astrid nodded and looked back at Hogback. "We were attacked by a bunch of zombies in the forest, so we ran away and came here to take shelter."

"Zombies, huh?" said Hogback.

"We also saw a bunch of crazy monsters that were straight out of a horror story," Snotlout added.

"What the heck is up with this creepy island?" Fishlegs asked. "I mean, you live here, right? You got to know something."

"So these zombie beasts were chasing you, were they, and yet you still made it here in one piece, quite impressive," said Hogback. "But as for your question, I don't know much about those creatures either, which is precisely why I'm here."

"Oh, you mean you're studying zombies?" said Chopper looking intrigued. "That's a brand-new realm of medical research!"

"Yes, indeed!" said Hogback as he stood up. "Most people associate zombies with fear, but what if you think of them in terms of someone coming back from the dead? Then it's a miracle! The dream of all doctors! Everyone in this world has a loved one they would like to see come back to life; why that's human nature.

"And yet the medical community condemns it! Madness, they call it! And act against the Gods, they say! That is why I disappeared from society so that I could continue my research in seclusion on this island without interruption."

"Oh, wow," said Chopper. "So I finally found out the truth, but just think, if your research here is a success, then you're going to bring happiness to thousands of people all over the world. As a doctor myself, sir, I'm behind you all the way."

"How open-minded," Hogback smiled. "Why thank you, Doctor Chopper."

Chopper immediately blushed and looked away. "Even if you acknowledge me as a doctor, you won't get on my good side, you big dum—" He then quickly stopped himself and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. "Could I have your autograph?"

"Oh, of course," said Hogback, gladly signing the sheet. "'To my dear Doctor Chopper…'"

"So, do you think you can give me a little talk of your lab later?" Chopper asked hopefully.

"No one, and I may know one, can look inside my lab!" Hogback yelled furiously.

Chopper nodded, now looking quite scared.

Cindry returned with some flans and placed them on the table without a plate.

"Come on here, Cindry, can't you at least put the flan on a plate?" Hogback groaned. "Is that too much to ask?"

Cindry gave him a dark look. "I wish every last plate in this world would disappear."

Hogback laughed a little uneasily as he looked back at everyone. "Well, this sort of thing tends to happen, so rest assured, I'm always quite adamant about having the tablecloth cleaned."

"Okay, I'll eat then," said Snotlout and Chopper.

The two of them then began eating the flans without any spoons, much to the disgust of Astrid and Fishlegs.

"You could still use a spoon, you know," said Fishlegs looking appalled.

They just ignore him, and Hogback soon joined them.

"It's so sweet. I love it," said Chopper.

Fishlegs looked at Astrid, who merely shrugged.

"Waste of breath," she said.

Cindry then returned. "I have prepared a bath for you. Since you're all filthy, you should take one before you go to bed."

Snotlout then looked at Hogback. "I almost forgot to ask you; there's someone else who came to this island before us. This may sound crazy, but have you seen the skeleton roaming around today?"

Hogback, who was busy licking the tablecloth, suddenly stopped. "A skeleton?"

"Yeah, he was a drake and was in a really good move for a dead guy. Of course, even for this place, I know it would still be weird to see a skeleton walking around and talking. So you sure he didn't come by?"

Hogback immediately became sweaty as memories of Skull pointing his sword beneath his chin flooded into his mind.

"Never seen him," he said.

"All right then, it's no big deal," Snotlout shrugged.

'Is it really him?' said Hogback, panic-stricken. 'No, it couldn't be.'