I know…I introduced the story and disappeared again. I haven't given up, I assure you! In fact, I planned out the story…to an extent. Enough that I can keep writing without writer's block or need for a hiatus. Good news, yeah?

Review Replies:

Angryhenry: Yep. Yay!

Guest (anonymous): Well, it wasn't soon, but…I tried.

Guest (anonymous): Well, I've got some ideas…mainly from the "challenge" but…yeah…we'll see where that gets the story first.

That One Guy Over There: Thanks. Strangely enough, I never thought of this scenario until I was given the "challenge".

Guest (anonymous): I'm updating it now.

fanfictionmakermachine: It's real. Merry Christmas. I never plan to discontinue stories. I will say that. If I do, it's because it just happens. This one should not go that route because I have some plans already typed up and plotted for it.

Chapter 2: The Fated Day (Part 1)

"Wake up, Son! Your breakfast is on the table!"

Hiccup awoke the next morning to his father's booming voice as it climbed the stairs to the loft bedroom where the boy slept. At first, Hiccup blinked and stared up at the wooden ceiling high above him. Strange. Dad never makes me breakfast. In fact, he usually just leaves. Why is today any…?

Memories flooded back as the hazy veil of sleep continued to disappear. Oh, that's right… Today's that day. Hiccup was not looking forward to today's big event. He had not been able to think of a suitable plan to use in The Kill Ring. Guess that I'll just have to train the Nightmare. Hopefully, that will be enough to convince everyone else that the dragons aren't the monsters we think they are.

Reluctantly leaving the bed, Hiccup dragged himself downstairs and to the table where a plate sat waiting for him. Sitting down, Hiccup tried to eat but found that he could not. Instead, he pushed the food around and pretended to eat.

His father noticed. "Nervous for today, aren't you, Son?"

Inside, Hiccup felt like screaming. He was frustrated and did not want to be forced into that arena later. Outside, though, he just nodded. It was easier to just convince Stoick that he was nervous than to try to explain his true feelings.

Stoick gave a short laugh. "You'll be fine, Hiccup. Gothi chose you specifically because she was certain that you could succeed. You will make everyone proud today."

I don't want to make anyone proud! Hiccup screamed inside his head. I wish you and everyone else could just…understand. "I'm sorry, Dad," Hiccup spoke up instead. "I'm just not hungry," he finished.

Stoick shrugged. "Okay then. Well, I have to get down to the arena. Make sure you are there early."

Without another word and not waiting for a reply from his son, Berk's Chief left the house and Hiccup was alone again. Knowing that there would be no getting out of today's show, Hiccup sat at the table and continued to push his breakfast around on his plate. He had hoped that the motion would calm his nerves, but, of course, no such luck.

When Hiccup left the house, he was, at first, surprised that he was not immediately mobbed by excited villagers. Then, he remembered that they all were at the arena. Every year, the villagers would arrive early in hopes that they could snag the best area from which to view the show.

On his way to the arena, Hiccup did pass Astrid. She said nothing, only giving him a sharp glare before racing ahead. Clearly she was still upset that it was he, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, (and not her) who would be fighting the dragon today. Hiccup almost wished that it was her who had been hand-chosen by the Elder. Astrid would've been ruthless to the captive Monstrous Nightmare but she would've put on a good show for the gathered villagers. Not to mention that he could have pretended to go to the arena and then just sneak off to the cove to be with Toothless.

No, that never would've happened. If Astrid had been chosen, he probably would've snuck into the arena under the cover of night and freed the Nightmare from its prison and gruesome fate. Not like any of that mattered now. He was the one who had been chosen to kill the Nightmare and he had to at least act as if he was going to go through with it.

In his hands, Hiccup clenched the helmet his father had given him the night before he and Astrid had vied for the coveted victor's role of slaying the Monstrous Nightmare. Hiccup waited in the tunnel entrance to the arena floor. As he waited, he listened to his father's opening speech. The boy's heart tugged a little as his father spoke about how proud he was that Hiccup had been chosen to slay the Monstrous Nightmare.

"Today, my boy becomes a Viking. Today, he becomes ONE OF US!"

Before Hiccup had much time to think over these words, Gobber appeared from the arena floor. "It's time, Hiccup. Knock 'em dead."

Hiccup gulped and walked into the arena, placing the helmet onto his head as the gate came thundering down behind him. Slowly, he walked over to the arrangement of weapons displayed for all to see. He knew that he would have to take one. If he didn't take a weapon, the villagers would suspect something and Hiccup wanted to make sure the moment was right before he set his plan into motion.

On the rack of weapons sat a small dagger much like the one he had thrown into the lake in the cove at Toothless's silent request. Hiccup didn't plan to use the weapon anyway, so, without thinking about it, he just picked up the small dagger and took a deep breath, steadying himself. "I'm ready."

Up ahead of Hiccup, the lever on the Monstrous Nightmare's cage lifted slowly. I don't know if I actually am ready for this. Oh, Gods, take pity on me this time! Please! Before Hiccup had time for any other thoughts, the dragon burst forward, out of the cage, in a display of fire and flames.

In its rage, the dragon raced through the arena, shooting flames toward the spectating Vikings. Climbing the chains that covered the top of the arena, the dragon looked down and finally noticed Hiccup. The Vikings looking on from above grew silent, anticipating the epic battle that was beginning to play out.

The Monstrous Nightmare dropped to the ground and walked toward Hiccup. Each step the Nightmare took toward Hiccup, the young Viking took one back away from the dragon in return. Well, I guess it's now or never, then. As Hiccup stepped backwards, he slowly dropped the dagger and shield and brought his hands in front of him, showing the dragon that he was weaponless and meant no harm. I really hope this works…

I know…nothing happened in this chapter. Within the next two chapters or so, the plot will become to deviate and the real story will begin. Don't give up yet! I plan to see this through!

Thanks for reading and supporting Flame!

Posted: January 10, 2015