Atali, Nadia and Minden were still quite shocked by Hiccup's actions.
"Is it all clear now?" Hiccup asked.
"It looks like everyone is left," said Astrid.
Hiccup nodded and removed himself from Nadia's back.
"Are you all right, Nadia?" Minden asked.
Nadia and Minden returned to their human forms. After Nadia wrapped a cloth around her breasts, they immediately bowed before Atali.
"Please forgive us, Atali," Nadia pleaded.
"We lost and were rescued by our enemy," said Minden.
Astrid looked at Hiccup, who was repositioning Margaret so she was standing. "What was all that about?"
"It's a long story," he said. He then looked towards Atali. "What now? Are you fighting next?"
Atali clenched her fist but took in a deep breath. "We're done. I'm not in the mood to fight."
"And what about them?" Hiccup asked, gesturing to Margaret and the others. "Are you able to turn them back to normal?"
Their eyes widened as they stared at him.
"What?" said Atali.
"You heard me," said Hiccup. "You are able to free them, right?"
"It's not like they did anything wrong," said Astrid. "If anything, you should praise them for their honesty."
"Of course, I can," said Atali. "I can easily reverse the effects if I choose to do so. But to be clear, did you say you wanted to go somewhere by ship?"
"Yeah, we need to get back to our crew," said Hiccup.
"I see, I have bad news. You must decide. As a kind gesture, I will allow the girl beside you to leave the island, but you have a choice. I can either turn them back to normal or help you reach your destination. Choose one and forget the other; that is all I am willing to do."
The three of them smiled, having a good idea which he would choose.
"Awful, just awful," said Zera.
Astrid looked at Hiccup. "Hiccup, whatever you choose, our support you."
Atali smiled. 'You can't fool me. Now we'll see your true nature.'
Hiccup took a deep breath. "Then my decision is simple; I want you to return them to normal."
Their eyes widened in shock, for they believed he would be selfish and choose to leave the island, abandoning those who helped him.
"They try to help me; it's only fitting that I tried to help them," said Hiccup.
Astrid shook her head, expecting no less.
Nadia and Minden looked at Atali, who was still shocked by his choice.
"That man, he has such an immensely powerful Haki but didn't hesitate to save those he owned," said Zera, looking at him intrigued. She then looked at Astrid. "And the girl has a strong warrior spirit and trusts him completely. Incredible."
"My lady," said Nadia.
"Your Majesty?" said Minden.
Astrid looked up directly at Atali. "You hurt him; now you can make good on your word?"
Atali then rose to her feet and went down to the arena, walking past Hiccup and Astrid.
Outside, the Wing Maidens were still trying to understand what just happened.
"It doesn't make sense. The man defied us and then risked his life to protect us?"
"And the girl did not hesitate to defend and fight alongside."
"It is strange," Veronica admitted. "But unfortunately for them, I doubt the Snake Princess will dismiss the rude behaviour even after what they've done. And it is even more unlikely that she will forgive the others."
They then heard the arena doors opening and were shocked to see Margaret and the others emerging from them.
"Look, it's Margaret!"
"Penelope!" said Lila.
"And Camie!"
"Hey, everyone," Margaret waved. "I was wondering where you went."
"How wonderful she reversed the petrification!" said one of the maidens, quickly grasping Margaret's hands. "I were also worried; I just couldn't believe it when you defended that man!"
"None of us could, and then he returned to stone," said Lila. "It was awful."
"Stone? Huh?" Margaret blinked.
The others looked just as confused.
"What happened to us?" Camie asked, looking down at Penelope.
"Most peculiar, I have no recollection," she said.
"You can't remember a thing?" said Lila.
"No," Margaret frowned. "I came too, and the man seemed so happy, and there was a girl next to him who I didn't recognise."
"What a relief," said Hiccup. "I was scared that you guys were going to die."
"You shouldn't have paid for our crimes," said Astrid.
Margaret just looked at them, confused.
"Where is everyone?" Camie asked, noting the stands were empty.
"Is the trial over?" Penelope asked.
Hiccup looked at Atali, who was walking back to her throne. "Thank you."
Margaret and the others immediately fell to their knees before her.
"Snake Princess!" said Margaret.
"We…" said Penelope.
"Hmm," said Camie.
"Continue to dedicate yourselves to the protection of our nation," said Atali and walked away.
The three of them looked at her, confused, unsure of what happened.
"That's all I can remember," said Margaret.
"It's fine."
"You're not the first to have trouble remembering after you've been turned to stone," said Veronica. "Don't worry. I'll catch you up on the details of what happened later."
"But what did happen? And what did she do with the man and the girl?"
"You really need to ask?" said Daisy. "She just turned that the stone and went on with her day."
"Well, I could be mistaken, but it looks like they took them to the Palace."
All of them stared at them, shocked.
"What?!" they yelled.
Hiccup and Astrid were at the Palace, sitting before the throne. A large screen was in front of the throne room, though Hiccup and Astrid had no idea why.
"Why do you think they brought us here?" Hiccup asked, looking at Astrid.
Astrid shrugged. "No idea, but I think we've made progress. I mean, they no longer want to kill you any more."
Nadia then approached. "Just so you know, I'm grateful for what you did. Thank you."
"There was no problem," said Hiccup.
"If anyone had seen what was on our backs, it would have been the end of us," said Minden. "We would have been cashed out, never to return."
"You may enter," said Atali.
Hiccup and Astrid looked at one another, shrugged, and left behind the screen. However, what they found was incredibly shocking as Atali sat there completely topless.
Hiccup instantly covers his eyes. "Why are you removing your clothes?"
Astrid smirked. "You've really made progress."
"You might as well look; you've already seen me naked," Atali pointed out.
Astrid slowly turned her head towards Hiccup with a menacing death glare. "Care to explain?"
"It was an accident," he said.
Astrid scoffed. "Some accident."
"Take a look," said Atali.
They watched Atali, who looked like she was in great pain, as she slowly turned around. When she did, they saw that on her back was some sort of burn, which resembled a dragon's claw mark.
"The mark on my back, you said you had seen it before," she said. "I need to know. Take a closer look. Where have you seen it? Do you know what this mark means?"
As did Astrid, hiccup looked at it closely, but now he had a good look at it. Hiccup didn't recognise it, though it looked familiar.
"It's not the same, but it does remind me of the one I've seen before," Hiccup admitted.
Astrid nodded. "There is a resemblance."
"We have a Fishman friend called Octon," said Hiccup.
Atali looked up. "A Fishman."
"Yes, he does have a mark kind of like that," said Astrid. "Actually, all of Arlong's men wore similar marks. It sort of resembles the sun."
"As for the mark on your back, we've never seen it before or know what it means," said Hiccup.
"If they don't know what it is, tell them," said a voice.
All eyes turned and saw Zera had entered the throne room.
"Granny Zera!" said Nadia and Minden.
"Why are you here?" Atali yelled.
"Snake Princess, be honest. You know you can trust them by now," said Zera. You have seen with your own eyes that they have good hearts. Do not fear, child; your secret is quite safe."
Atali then backed down.
Zera then turned her head towards Hiccup. "You, your, the notorious pirate Hiccup D Haddock, correct? And you young lady, I believe your name is Astrid?"
"That's us," said Hiccup. "But how do you know who we are?"
"You do seem like a decent young man despite your reputation," she said as she pulled out today's newspaper. "Just take a look at this newspaper. Just a few days before he arrived, he caused an incident on the Sabaody Archipelago. It was an incident with dire repercussions; he opposed the Celestial Dragons and punched one of them."
Everyone's eyes widened in shock.
"Y-You must be insane," said Atali.
"By some miracle, he and his crew were able to escape the central forces that unleashed to capture him and his crew," Zera continued. "And just as miraculously, they travelled from that far location to here in a few short days. Both of these things are beyond my comprehension."
"No, that's impossible," said Minden.
"We know it's hard to believe, but it did happen," said Astrid. She then looked at Atali. "Your fellow Warlord, Kuma, sent the crew flying in different directions, but for some reason, he sent both Hiccup and me to this location."
"Kuma?" said Atali stared. "That would certainly explain how you got here, but it does not explain why he would do such a thing. Kuma is known to serve the World Government without question; this is the first time I've ever heard him define their orders."
"I still can't believe you punched the Celestial Dragon," said Nadia, looking at Hiccup.
"I don't feel any regret punching a Celestial Dragon face," said Hiccup. "I'm betting that newspapers don't mention that he was in an auction house buying slaves, one of them being a mermaid. He then shot my friend without a moment's hesitation."
"Then it's true," said Atali. "Are you telling me that you actually struck a Celestial Dragon?"
Hiccup nodded.
"Honestly, I was considering doing the same thing," said Astrid.
"I'm amazed," said Atali with tears in her eyes. "I truly had no idea that there could be such a wonderful fool left in this world. To challenge the World Nobles and risk your life… you're just like he was."
"He who?" Hiccup frowned.
Atali composed herself and looked directly at them. "I will tell you everything there is to know. I can even tell you why your Fishman friend has that emblem and what it means."
"Octon's mark?" Astrid stared.
"This brand is the claw of the Celestial Dragon, the emblem of the World Nobles," she said as she put her shirt back on. "The Celestial Dragons mark those they take as slaves, a marking to steal your humanity and claim you as their property."
"And they mark you?" Hiccup stared.
"All of you?" Astrid asked, looking at Minden and Nadia.
All three of them nodded.
"You see, the three of us were…" Atali clenched her arm as if the words themselves were tearing them apart. "…we were once slaves of the World Nobles."
Hiccup and Astrid eyes widened.
"You were their slaves?" said Hiccup, shocked.
"It happened when I was 12 years old," she said.
Atali began thinking back to 12 years ago, when she, Minden and Nadia had finally become full-fledged members of the Wing Maiden Pirates. It was rare for young children to venture into the world, but the three proved their mettle.
"Okay, starboard clear!" Minden yelled.
"Same here! Port all clear, too!" said Nadia.
Atali was sitting on top of one of the sea snakes and was looking at the horizon through her telescope. "Bow, all clear and visibility is high. All is calm."
"Careful you don't fall into the ocean," said a veteran Wing Maiden.
Another Wing Maiden laughed.
Atali narrowed her eyes at them. "Don't make fun of me. Geez, I'm a warrior now, aren't I?"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Don't worry, we trust you."
The two of them made their way below deck with their supplies.
"You tell them, Atali!" said Minden.
"You know we believe in you!" said Nadia.
The three of them were unaware that something was hiding beneath the waves.
About 10 minutes later, the Wing Maiden made her way back on deck with a tray of food.
"You hungry? I brought a snack out for you."
However, she looked around and saw the deck was completely deserted.
"Hey, Atali!"
"Minden! Nadia! Where are you?"
All that was left on the deck were spots of seawater and Atali's telescope.
"The three of us had been abducted from a Wing Maiden Pirates ship in broad daylight no less, and then we were sold," said Atali. "From that point on, we were submitted to hell that we can never forget."
Atali then began to relive the horrible memories that haunted her to this day. She remembered she and her friends had been captured and sold to the Celestial Dragons, who then branded them with their mark.
"The first men we have encountered were nothing but figures of cruelty and horror," she said.
Nadia then went into a fit state and collapsed to the ground, clutching herself.
"Nadia!" Minden cried. "It'll be okay."
"The memories will always haunt us," said Atali.
"You don't have to continue, not if it causes you this much pain," said Hiccup.
"It was also awful," Atali continued. "Our world was not but despair, and we prayed for the mercy of death, but after four years of that misery, there came a night that shocked even the World Government to its core.
"It was accepted as a rule of the world that no one would ever dare challenge the Celestial Dragons, but on that fateful night, there was a man who scaled the Red Line with his bare hands and slipped into Meridian, the holy land of the Celestial Dragons. This man was an adventurer who later led the Fishman Pirates, Fisher Tiger. He arrived with the sole purpose of releasing his fellow Fishmen, who suffered as slaves. He wreaked havoc upon the World Nobles without reserve."
Atali remembered everything burning at night as slaves removed their chains and ran outside. She and her friends followed them as quickly as possible to escape the cruel masters.
"Despite his hatred of humans as a species, he freed every one of us, saving thousands of slaves regardless of who or what they were. And so we fled more than willing to risk death."
As Atali ran for her life, she ran right past Fisher Tiger, who stood there staring at the burning city and could not resist looking back.
"We all an eternal debt to Fisher Tiger," said Atali. "In the end, Tiger unleashed an army of Fishmen and swarmed the oceans, but they were cursed to wear the Celestial Dragon's mark of slavery. The world government relentlessly hunted Tiger, so he brought the fugitives together to form the Pirates of the Sun and sailed far and wide across the seas. To erase the last trace of their bondage, the former slaves made a new brand over the claw of the Celestial Dragon, changing them into a symbol of the sun."
Hiccup and Astrid just stared as she finished her tale.
"There you have it; by necessity, my brand bears a similarity and design," she said. "That is why you mistook it for the symbol of the Sun Pirates before."
Hiccup nodded. "The mark on Octon's forehead does look like a sun."
"Alrong's crew also had that symbol," said Astrid. "Does that mean that he and his crew were all slaves?"
"Possibly, although not necessarily," said Nadia.
"Not all of Tiger's pirates were former slaves, but they were all branded with the same symbol to hide their comrades' past," said Minden. " Which is why, former slaves or not, it is safe to assume that this Arlong and his crew must have sailed with the Sun Pirates at some point."
"Fisher Tiger has been dead for some time now," said Zera. "Upon his passing, the Sun Pirates disbanded and split into several factions."
"Explains why Octon wanted to hide that mark on Sabaody," said Hiccup, thinking back. "I mean, I knew he had a chequered past, but Geez."
"Must have been too painful for them to ever speak of," said Astrid, shaking her head. "Arlong never once mentioned this when I was part of his crew."
"It's sick the things they made us do as slaves," said Atali. "They forced me to eat the Love-Love Fruit and force Nadia and Minden to eat Snake-Snake Fruits for their amusement. Ironically, this allowed us to hide our secret from the Wing Maidens. They praise our powers because they misunderstand them, but if you haven't covered Nadia's back in the arena, the ugly truth would be apparent to them."
She then burst into tears. "I can't stand anyone to know of our past, and I shall make any sacrifice to ensure that. Even if I must deceive my people, I won't let anyone control us again. I fear my own subjects. I can't let anyone come close to me, or they might know the truth."
Zera smiled. "Well, on the bright side of things, it's been years since you've displayed even the most faint adaptation of an emotion. But I welcome your tears as they proved that our sweet Snake Princess heart has not frozen over."
Atali then brushed her tears and glared at her. "You mock me! You're the one who left this nation behind!"
"That's neither here nor there!" Zera scolded. "Have you already forgotten where you would be without me? Yes, you escaped the Celestial Dragons, but you neglected to mention that you didn't know how to get home. Tell me, would you have seen Valkyrie Lily again if I hadn't gone to the outer seas? You would have starved to death hiding in the cracks of the Red Line if it wasn't for me."
Atali turned her back on her. "A small kindness you'll never let us forget."
"What do you say?!" Zera yelled.
Nadia and Minden then grabbed her and pulled her back.
"Please, granny," they said.
"I've watched over the three of you as if my own daughters!"
"Yes, yes, yes. We know you have."
"And you have the gall to dismiss all that I have done for you as a small kindness," said Zera. "Put me down! Nadia! Minden!"
"I suppose you find me repulsive now you know that I was a slave," said Atali.
Hiccup sighed. "Don't tell me you're serious. I hate the Celestial Dragons."
"And you and I are not too dissimilar; I was dragged into a form of slavery against my will," said Astrid. "I'm not saying it was the same sort of hell you went through, but I can empathise."
Atali laughed as she looked at them. "I decided that I like the two of you. You said that there was some way you needed to go, yes? Well, my ship is in your command. Name the place."
"You mean it?" Hiccup beamed.
Atali nodded.