Chapter XI:

Cheers from Kerk and Dean's supporters echoed around the pits. The anticipation was almost overwhelming for them. It was not every day that they got to witness a battle between their leader and a Nightfury. And there were two of them. It was sure to be a battle long remembered. "Crowds getting mighty restless out there." Dean said as he put a chainmail top on over his head. "Aye. That the are, brother." Said Kerk, who was sharpening an axe absentmindedly with his claws. "Are you ready for this, Dean? It's gonna be a tough battle. Unlike any you've ever faced. Nightfury are among the most ferocious dragons there is."
"I'm ready." Said Dean confidently. "It is my destiny." Kerk smiled, putting a hand on Dean's shoulder. "As is it is mine." He said. "Let it be done then." The two brothers walked out onto the arena, causing the cheers to grow louder. Kerk and Dean waved enthusiastically at their fans. They stopped in the center of the ring. Dean took several deep breaths, clutching a sword tightly in his hands. "RELEASE THE NIGHTFURY!" Kerk shouted above the uproar. The cheers grew even louder, as the large cage door opened in front of them. Several Vikings walked onto the ring, each pulling a rope tied to either Toothless or Titan, both of which were thrashing around, fighting to free themselves. "Steady, brother." Kerk said to Dean, holding his axe ready. The Vikings removed the ropes from the dragons, and made to leave the ring. But one of the Vikings was not fast enough, as Titan snapped down on his head. The crowd exclaimed, some shouted in outrage, while others laughed. Titan thrashed his head around, flinging the Viking in his mouth like a rage doll, then spat him into the dirt. Toothless laughed as the Viking got to his feet, and ran out of the ring, screaming.
"Which one do you want?" Dean asked. Kerk watched the two dragons snarling at them for a moment, then said "I'll take that one." Pointing his axe at Toothless. "Very well." Said Dean. "Then I'll take the runt." Said Dean, swinging his sword with one hand. They both moved up to there marked target. Toothless and Kerk began to circle each other, Toothless baring his teeth at him. Dean patiently stood in front of Titan, who was pacing back and forth, trying to decide the best way to strike. With a loud battle-cry, Kerk ran at Toothless, brandishing his axe. The crowd cheered as Kerk swung his axe at Toothless, who jumped out of the axe's path, and pounced Kerk. Kerk kicked Toothless off of him with his legs and swung again. Toothless jumped backwards, then shot a plasma ball out of his mouth. Kerk, dove from the blast and rolled away. He then pulled a knife out of his boot, and threw it at Toothless. The crowd cheered louder than ever as the knife pierced Toothless in the leg. Toothless roared in pain, then yanked the knife out of his leg with his teeth, and spat it into the dirt.
Meanwhile Titan, growing impatient of Dean just standing in front of him, ran at him, preparing to attack. This is what Dean was waiting for, however. As Titan drew nearer, he pointed hi sword directly in Titan's path. Toothless, who saw what about to happen, if Titan pounced Dean, quickly turned from Kerk and ran at Dean instead, knocking him aside so he could not run his sword through Titan. "HEY!" Kerk shouted in outrage, as Dean shoved Toothless off of himself. "That's MY Nightfury!"
"Well, you try telling HIM that!" Dean snapped at his brother, getting back to his feet. Toothless put himself between Titan and the two Vikings, giving a loud roar, baring his teeth at them. Both Dean and Kerk laughed. "Seems this one is a little protective, doesn't it?" Said Kerk. "Fine! We'll take them both together Dean! First this one, then the runt!" Dean nodded in agreement. "We'll take him on three." Said Kerk. "I'll attack from the right, you flank me. I'll distract him, you go in for the kill. But watch out for the runt." Dean nodded again. "Ready? One." Dean and Kerk clutched their weapons tightly in their hands. "Two!" Toothless and Titan both crouched down, ready for the Vikings to attack. "THREE!" But before either of them could run at the dragons, both Kerk and Dean were knocked to the ground, as Hiccup and Gen ran onto the ring, and slammed into the two Vikings. The crowd booed disapprovingly. Excitedly, Toothless ran over to Hiccup, who hugged Toothless in relief. "Boy am I glad to see you, Bud." Said Hiccup, holding Toothless tightly. Gen ran over to Titan and practically flung herself at him as she too hugged her dragon. Kerk got to his feet and saw what was happening. "NO!" He roared, brandishing his axe at Hiccup. "You will not take my Nightfury!" Toothless roared at Kerk, but that only provoked Kerk, who flung his axe at him and Hiccup. "Get down!" Hiccup shouted, diving away from the axe as it spun in his direction. Toothless ducked just in time, as the axe flew over his head.
Dean stood up and dusted himself off. He then saw Hiccup standing right behind him, his focus still on Kerk. He slowly picked his sword up off the ground, an made to plunge it into Hiccup's back. "NO!" Gen ran forward and grabbed both of Dean's arms, pulling the sword out of his hands. Hiccup turned around to see what happening. Gen was now pointing the sword at Dean, who laughed. "Stupid girl!" He said, pointing his claws at Gen. "Do you really think I need a sword to hurt you?! I'm gonna enjoy gutting you, like I did the REST of your clan!" He ran at Gen, who jumped aside, swinging her sword. It made contact with Dean's arm, leaving a long cut. Dean shouted, clutching his bleeding arm. Gen spun her sword in her hand, now circling Dean. Dean roared and Lunged at Gen. This time she was not fast enough, Dean slammed full force into her, knocking Gen to the ground, her sword landing several feet away. Chortling, Dean picked Gen up by her neck and lifted her off the ground. Gen choked and gasped, trying to free herself. Grinning toothily at Gen, Dean raised his free hand, preparing to slash. With a shout of rage, Hiccup ran at Dean, activated his flame-sword, and brought it down on the arm holding Gen. Dean screamed in pain, clutching his bleeding stump of an arm. Kerk watched in terror at what had just happened, frozen where he stood. Hiccup extended a hand to Gen who had fallen when Hiccup cut off Dean's arm. She took it pulling herself up. Breathing heavily in frustration, Dean made one final desperate attempt to kill. He ran at Gen and Hiccup, yelling madly, and holding his remaining clawed hand aloft to strike. Seeing what was about to happen first, Gen pulled Hiccup's flame-sword out of his hand that was not holding hers, and plummeted it into Dean's chest. The crowd shouted and booed, Kerk screamed in outrage, and Dean coughed and gagged, as he fell to his knees at Gen's feet. "That is for my family." Said Gen, removing the sword from Dean's chest. Dean kneeled there for a moment, staring disbelievingly at Gen, then fell to the ground, dead. "I think we'd better get out of here now." Said Hiccup, taking the sword from Gen, and watching Kerk run over to his brother's body. "I think you maybe right." Gen agreed. They both mounted on their dragons, who jumped into the air, and flew from the scene.
Kerk kneeled down, and threw himself on top of his brother. "Dean." He sobbed. "I'm so sorry, brother." He laid there for a moment, hugging Dean's body. Then he got to his feet, breathing heavily. "I WILL AVENGE YOU!" He shouted into the world. Several of the Viking guards ran onto the arena, waiting orders. Kerk turned to them. "I will destroy them all!" He said. "You know what to do. Release my battle dragon! Release the HELLFIRE!" The guards hesitated, worried. "YOU HEARD ME!" Kerk roared at the guards, who nodded, and reluctantly ran to do as they were told.