At the Crimson Lion Kings headquarters, two junior members were watching over Thuggory while the rest of the squad was engaging outside.

"What in the world is happening out there?"

"I'm not sure, but we must keep Sir Thuggory safe."

Leon and the rest of the squad were flat on the ground as they were doing battle with their vice-captain, who had transformed into an elf. He looked about the same age as Thuggory and had a scar across his forehead.

"Is that the best you humans can do?" he said. "You're useless even as a group."

"What's gotten into you, Vice-Captain Randall? Please, stop this."

"Not going to happen; I'll keep fighting until every one of you humans has been destroyed," said Randall. "Besides, my name is not Randall, so stop calling me that."

"His magic power is insanely strong."

"Just as the Black Dragon Captain warned us about."

"It's no use, we can't win. We're dead."

"Don't give me that!" Leon yelled as he stood up. "Did you forget we were trained by the two greatest Magic Knight captains who ever lived? We are the proud and mighty squad known as the Crimson Lion Kings! Giving up and losing are two things we don't do!"

"Are you sure about that?" Randall asked, looking amused.

He then waved his hand and unleashed a powerful blast of air.

"I have saturated the entire area with Air Magic, and as such, you can't even cast a proper spell."

'Randall always used to add air to my Fire Magic to fan the flames and make my abilities more powerful,' said Leon. 'Who knew he would be such a tough enemy.'

He then clenched his fist, glaring up at him. "It doesn't matter, I'll win and bring you back to your senses." He then took a deep breath and began to focus. "Fire Magic: Spiral Flames!"

He then unleashed a tornado of fire straight at Randall.

"Look at that, you do manage it," said Randall, looking impressed. "But unfortunately, I have Air Magic: Air Blockade!"

He then raised his palm and unleashed a powerful gust of air that blew away Leon's attack.

"Don't bother with those puny flames; I'll just blow them out like a candle," he said, smirking. "Now Air Magic: Crushing Air Blast Technique!"

He then slammed a solid blast of air straight at Leon, which was strong enough to knock him to the ground.

"Leon!"

"Come on, be a good boy," said Randall. "It will be a lot easier if one of you dropped dead already."

"I'm not going to lose," said Leon, picking himself up. "The fire of the Crimson Lion Kings can never be put out. Not by you or anyone!"

The Crimson Lion Kings watched and were inspired as he stood there proud and strong.

"I'm with Leon on this one! We'll combine the strengths of all of our senior-ranked mages. Let's remind our vice-captain who he really is!"

"Right!" they nodded.

Randall looked at them, amused more than anything.

"Iron Creation Magic: Iron Bullets!"

"Fire Magic: Burst Javelin!"

"Stone Magic: Falling Rock!"

"We'll show you the valour of the Crimson Lion Kings!"

The Crimson Lions then charged at Randall.

Randall merely sighed. "You humans are a stubborn bunch. You're done for no matter how many of you come at me at once."

The Crimson Lions launched their attacks at Randall, but he easily dodged each of them.

"It's time to take care of the other side," said Randall as he landed behind them. He then launched himself straight at them. "Air Magic: Explosive Airway Palm!"

He then struck them with his palms, unleashing a contents force of air that struck them like a ton of bricks.

"He's so fast," said Leon, barely able to keep up with him.

"He moved his body through the sky by kicking, and then he attacked with an invisible chunk of the atmosphere. Talk about a solid strategy. No one can touch him."

"Air Magic: Crushing Air Blast!" Randall yelled, unleashing a powerful blast of air, which sent them all flying.

The junior knight could only watch as the battle unfolded as they guarded Thuggory.

"Even a whole team of senior-rank mages isn't enough to defeat him now. If only Sir Thuggory could help."

"Don't say that. Our skills are being put to the test; this time, we are the ones who need to protect him."

More than half the Crimson Lion Kings had already been taken down, and the others were barely able to hold their own.

"Stay strong, mages! If we can survive this barrage, then we have a chance to counter it!"

"No, you won't," said Randall as he suddenly appeared directly over him. "Found you!"

He then slammed his palm right down on top of him, knocking him out cold. Randall then hovered over the courtyard, looking at them disappointed.

"Trained by the best, huh? It sure didn't help you much," he said.

"That's it!" Leon yelled.

Suddenly, he unleashed several fiery tornadoes, all heading straight towards Randall, catching him by surprise. Randall quickly dispelled the tornadoes just as they struck him and landed before Leon.

"Thought you take me by surprise, did you?" he said. "It seems like you were beginning to cooperate, but you were just waiting for your shot. Here, this will show you…" He then placed his hands together. "…Air Magic: Crushing Air Blast!"

He unleashed a powerful gust of wind directly at Leon, but he just stood there and began concentrating.

'Don't trust your eyes; feel it,' he said, quickly jumping out of the way.

"He dodged it!"

"Well…" said Randall impressed.

'With so much mana here, the most effective way to win against Air Magic is to read the mana itself,' said Leon. 'I may have been standing by, but it wasn't out of fear. I'm starting to observe more and more. I have come to understand the calm within the flame.'

"Don't get cocky over a little fluke," said Randall as he charged towards him. "Air Magic: Explosive Airway Palm!"

He then slammed his palm forward, unleashing a gust of wind, and Leon counted it by unleashing a fiery tornado. The two attacks collided and caused a small explosion. Randall jumped out of the way of the explosion, but Leon then quickly launched an attack at him. Sadly, it missed him and took a lot out of him.

"Your attack hit mine head-on, which cuts the damages in half," said Randall. "And you immediately cast the Flame Chaser as I dodged the impact. Perhaps it wasn't a fluke, then. Great skill and fast growth, just as I expect from someone with royal blood."

The Crimson Lion Kings then placed themselves in front of Leon.

"You can say that again."

"Leon, there's no doubt you're going to be the leader of this squad someday."

"So let us buy you a little time."

"Please get out of this place and live. Take the wounded with you."

"Guys, no!" said Leon. "We're teammates. I can stay and fight by your side."

"Run! Hurry!"

"Our squad is counting on you! We are the honourable and courageous Crimson Lion Kings! So, for the sake of our comrades and the nation we love, we will eliminate this threat without fear!"

The Crimson Lion Kings cheered in agreement.

"I can't just abandon you!" Leon yelled. "We'll all survive this battle together!"

Leon then found his strength growing. 'So close, I can almost reach out and touch it.' Leon then conjured flames within his hand, but all the strength in his body suddenly vanished. 'But my body won't.'

"Leon!"

Randall smiled, easily knocked the Crimson Lion Kings away, and then turned his sights upon Leon.

"Your breakthrough came a moment too late, I'm afraid," he said. "As you can see by your sudden inability to stand using an unfamiliar fighting style like that, it drains the old stamina. And you're supposed to be their leader someday? Well, I'll just ensure that day never comes."

'Damn it!' Leon cursed. 'No… come on, body, move!'

"Don't do it!"

Randall then raised his palm. "Soon, all humans will die brutal deaths, especially royals like you."

"I won't give up!" Leon winced. "How could I? I made a promise; there is no way that I'm going to die. Not now, not here! Come on, please stand up!"

Then, suddenly, everyone sensed something incredibly powerful.

"Whoa, what kind of weird mana is this?" Leon gasped.

Whatever it was, it was emanating from the entire base.

"Where did that come from?" said Randall, stunned, just like everyone else.

'More enemies?' Leon frowned and then saw someone walking outside. 'No, it feels warm like a flame that is enveloping everything.'

Everyone gasped as they recognised who was stepping outside, and it was none other than Thuggory, who had conjured flames over his severed arm to replace it.

"You fought well, Leon," he said. "I'm proud."

"I can't believe you're here!" said Leon with tears in his eyes.

"But you have much to learn," said Thuggory as he extended his flaming arm. "Stand back, I'll handle this."

Everyone stared open-eyed as he began to form over his arm.

'That mana… it feels so familiar,' Leon gasped.

Suddenly materialising out of thin air was Salamander.

"Salamander?" Randall gasped in shock. "But how did you—"

"As head of the Crimson Lion Kings and your older brother, I will be bested no more!" Thuggory announced.

A few moments ago, Thuggory conscious mind was wandering between life and death.

"Where am I?" he said. He then sensed his squad mates were fighting for their lives. "I can feel Leon's blazing mana and that of the others. I have to come to their aid; it's my responsibility as a Magic Knight and the captain of our brave squad."

He then winced in pain from his injury; even in this mindscape, you could still feel the wound when his arm was severed.

"Can you not endure?" he said to himself. "Is this the extent of your power, Thuggory Vermillion?"

Certainly, flames erupted right in front of him, and he could sense a powerful presence within. Then, within the shadows of the flames, he could see Salamander looking down at him as if judging.

"Could this be… the Fire Spirit Salamander?" he gasped.

Salamander then breathed fire, which was incredibly intense and a test to see whether he could endure the flames. Thuggory did not flinch and continued to walk through the flames, ignoring how hot they were.

'From now on, I won't allow anyone to stand in my way,' he said determinedly. 'Though I may have lost my arm, though flames may scorch my body, as long as there are people waiting for me, the captain of the Crimson Lion Kings, Thuggroy Vermillion, will press on!'

He was now standing face-to-face with Salamander, and the flames began to wrap around him, but they were not burning. In fact, the flames were actually entering his body, empowering him with a strength he had never experienced before.

'What is this?' he said as strength surged into his body. 'It feels me with both life and mana.' He then used the flames to create a new arm. 'Perhaps there is something that I need to do… is that what you're telling me?'

Thuggory heard how Hiccup bonded with his Night Fury and wondered if something similar was happening to him. He outstretched his hand, and Salamander lowered his snout, placing it against his palm.

Back in the present, Thuggory was now standing outside facing Randall.

"Fire Spirit, mark my words; I swear to use your power well," Thuggory vowed. He then turned and looked at the rest of his squad. "I apologise for the delay."

"It's all right," said Leon, smiling. "I knew my brother wouldn't let a scratch like that keep him away forever."

"All of you have fought valiantly, even while I was deep in slumber," said Thuggory. "The brilliant blaze of your mana was able to reach me."

The Crimson Lion Kings felt their spirits being renewed.

"Thank goodness you're alive."

Leon then looked at Salamander. 'Right, that's the fire spirit Salamander. Dak said it used to be partnered with a top member of the Eye of the Midnight Sun. Then, it vanished after she was defeated. My brother is honest and determined; he has a trusted reputation as a Grand Magic Knight and the eldest son of House Vermillion. When you put all those things together, why wouldn't Salamander want him?'

Randall was still stunned by what had just happened. "A human for a partner? How is that possible? And a royal at that, they are the most corrupt of them all?"

"Randall!" Thuggory yelled. "I've just awakened, so my flames may be unruly. Stand firm so that you won't be consumed."

"Is that so?" said Randall as he held out his hands. "Even if you were chosen by the spirit, you're still pathetic human trash. No matter what you do, you'll never outmatch an elf!"

He then unleashed a barrage of air palm strikes at Thuggory.

"You've got this!" Leon yelled at his brother.

"Fire Spirit Magic: Salamander's Breath!" Thuggory yelled.

Salamander then unleashed a burst of flames from his mouth, and it slammed straight into Randall. He was able to create a winning barrier that blocked him from the attack, but he was unable to stop the heat from the flames snuffing in the air around him.

'These flames are too powerful,' he said as he struggled to keep his barrier up. 'I can't blow them out; I'm about to choke from the heat. The air, he's taking everything from me.'

It was then that he realised he was about to be defeated. "Damn you, royal!"

"Fire Binding Magic: Leo Palma!" Thuggory yelled.

The flames surrounding Randall then suddenly turned into lion paws and restrained him, who was now unconscious.

"I had to stamp out this evil, even if the Vice-Captain's body was damaged," said Thuggory regretfully.

The Crimson Lion Kings then burst into cheers.

"Your back!"

"Thank you."

"We're saved!"

"Sir Thuggory, you truly are the greatest Magic Knight there is!"

"Hurry, help the injured!" Thuggory ordered.

"Right!"

'That was awesome,' said Lion as he picked himself up. 'My brother still got it. I'm going to be even better one of these days, though.'

"As your captain, I solemnly row that you will return to your former self," Thuggory promised Randall.

"Oh, yeah," said Leon. "Our sister became the captain while you were out of commission."

"She what?!" Thuggory gasped in disbelief. He then turned to the rest of the Crimson Lion Kings. "Is this true?"

"Uh, yes, sir."

"That's what happened, former Captain Thuggory," everyone nodded.

A small smile then appeared on his face. 'My sister, ah. She should have been our captain in the first place, but she couldn't even be bothered to join the Magic Knights. Seems like I forced her to act out of character.'

"There's something else, big bro," said Leon. "Captain Hiccup of the Black Dragons sent a message to all Magic Knights squads. He says that the Wizard King was gravely wounded battling the Eye of the Midnight Sun leader and that he was put in temporary command."

"What?" Thuggory stared.

Leon nodded. "He then ordered all Magic Knights to prioritise protecting civilians, say not to engage with the enemy unless it was absolutely necessary. Additionally, he ordered all non-possessed Magic Knight captains to make their way to the capital."

"I see," said Thuggory, turning his eyes towards the capital. 'Salamander has made me aware of the sinister nonhuman magic power that has been permeating the Royal capital. Hiccup's message was also a warning informing us that the sinister magic has also possessed Magic Knight captains. It seems that while I slumber, the situation intensified a great deal.'

He then began to think back to when the Royal capital was attacked a few months ago.

'When the Eye of the Midnight Sun ransacked the city that day, I knew I was the person they were targeting. That's why I decided to play right in their hands.'

He remembered being swallowed by the spatial magic and found himself in an unknown location. There was nothing they gave him any indication of where he was; he was even certain he was in the Royal capital itself.

"Strange, what is this place?" he said.

He heard footsteps, and when he turned, he was face-to-face with Vangeance. This was the first time he had seen him without his mask, and he could see the cursed scars covering his face.

"It's you?" he gasped. "This mana… William Vangeance? I don't understand."

"It appears you've arrived," said Vangeance regretfully. "I had hoped you would surmise our plan and not come here. I prayed for that."

"Please explain yourself," said Thuggory confused. "Tell me the truth, what plan?"

"You will see," said Vangeance. "Quite soon, in fact."

Suddenly, his hair grew long, and his scars disappeared as Patry took over his body.

"What is happening to you?" Thuggory asked, even more confused than before.

"No one knows my secret," the two of them said together. "Not even the Wizard King when he gave me my mask. But you will understand things when you see the other me."

"Enough of this nonsense!" Thuggory baked, realising he was talking to a completely different person now. "Who are you? And what have you done to William?"

"Interesting," Patry smiled. "The captain of the Crimson Lion Kings, you're normally so collected, but even now, you seem shaken." He then suddenly disappeared and reappeared directly behind him. "All I need is an instant."

Thuggory quickly turned and, on instinct, raised his arm. A split second later, Patry created a sort of light and sliced through it with one good, clean cut. Thuggory fell to his knees and winced in pain as he watched Patry grab his necklace, and then he lost consciousness.

'I have so many questions,' said Thuggory. 'Why did he kill me when he had the chance? Who was that person? And what has become of William? However, I won't tell anyone of this until I can ascertain the truth. Hiccup may know more.'

He then turned to face the rest of his squad. "Crimson Lion Kings, Clover Kingdom is in great danger. We must enter this bloodshed! We will follow the orders that Captain Hiccup has issued! The fires of strength and pride burn deep within our hearts, and we will strive to vanquish this enemy!"

The Crimson Lion Kings then burst into cheers.

'The real fight is just beginning,' he said as he turned towards the capital.

Meanwhile, at the Golden Dawn headquarters, every single one of its members had been possessed by elves.

"Hmm, these outfits are awfully similar to that garment worn by that human Royal," said the David Swallow. "That's strange, isn't it?"

"I'm sure the person who gathered us here made that decision," said Letolie Becquerel. "Talk about a sick sense of humour."

"I'm not sure that I follow you," said David.

"They obviously expect us to wipe out the human race," Letolie explained.

"Right, that's simple enough," said David. "After all, the humans killed us, and they've been living the good life ever since without a care in the world. We've got more than enough reason to be upset if you ask me."

"Oh, I see you made it," said Letolie as Langus arrived.

"Well, well, the gang's all here," he said. "I was trapped in a pretty strange place when I awakened, but I had fun getting out. Humans infuriate me; always so smug in their stupidity."

"I'm assuming that your cousin is the one who brought us together, right, Ratri?"

"Correct, this is all Patry's doing," Ratri nodded. "Birds of a twisted feather flock together, I suppose. I know I'm itching to get my hands around the throat of those despicable Royal scum. The Midnight Sun is set; it is time to show humankind, the rapper, a brand-new Golden Dawn."

Finral was still asleep and dreaming about his brother.

"Brother… are you there?" said Langus, who was floating right in front of him.

"Langus," said Finral, rushing over to him. "You're back to normal, I'm so glad!"

Langus then smiled and walked away.

"Wait up!" Finral yelled, desperately reaching out to him. "Come back! Please don't leave me… Langus!"

Finral then awoke when he felt someone shaking him.

"What the?" he said as he shot up. "Where am I?"

"You're in the medical centre," said a voice.

Finral turned and saw Hiccup standing over him. "Captain Hiccup?"

His eyes then turned to the window, where he saw buildings on fire and could hear screams coming from the streets.

"As you can see, things aren't going too well out there," said Hiccup. "You felt it, right? That evil, inhuman power your brother was giving off. The stuff is everywhere now."

Finral then removed the bandage wrapped around his forehead. "Okay, then, let's go."

His thoughts then turned to his brother. 'Langus, I'm going to save you this time.'