Hiccup collapsed as the pain eased, his skin tone pale and stained of smoke. He couldn't do this anymore. This was more powerful than him. Dagur was too much. He rose his gaze once more in challenge to his brother who stood tall over him, his form blurry from the thick dust floating around them from the crumbling cave. It didn't even look like a cave anymore. He could see the blinding light from the sky above as the roof opened up to reveal the blue. Bright white eyes glowed before him and before Hiccup could do anything to defend himself, the Berserker fired another lightning bolt, one after the other. It sent him backwards every blow until he had his back to a large boulder, putting a stop to his backing. His consciousness was fading and when darkness enveloped them again, he thought he was passing away, but he quickly noticed the details of the new ceiling. A boulder had crumbled on top of them, creating a tiny cave amongst the pile of rocks. Hiccup felt limp, his eyes closing to slits. He felt Dagur's rough hand grabbing his jaw, forcing him to look at him. But he could barely keep his eyes open, let alone fight Dagur any longer.
''Now you get it?'' said the man through gritted teeth, a light laugh proceeding. ''You will never win. It's the way it is, brother. You were always the weakest. Mother said it herself. She thought you wouldn't survive all those years ago. And you know what? She was right!''
Another blow was fired at him. Hiccup fell on his side and next kicked in the guts, unable to prevent from hurting. Everything was going blurry and Hiccup doubted he'd hold on for much longer. Maybe it was better this way…
''We could've been great you and I. Ruling the world with such powerful magic!" continued Dagur, and Hiccup could do nothing but listen. Dagur paced around madly, his eyebrows furrowed angrily. Then he stopped before his downed brother. ''But I guess you were just another disappointment… Only I could have ever truly loved you, you know? But you chose a lie over the truth.''
Love.
The world suddenly went silence to Hiccup. His emerald green eyes widened, and he saw a grin growing on Dagur's face followed by a mute laughter. Hiccup straightened himself, kneeling. His eyes reached up to his brother, who thought he was finally getting it, but that was not it. He felt something more now. He'd been telling this to Dagur since the beginning, yet he'd never used it himself. Enjoyable memories flashed before his eyes. He remembered the proud look in his father's eyes after he'd defeated the Red Death, Gobber's endless support, when he'd meet Toothless for the first time and how they developed their powerful friendship. There was his first kiss with Astrid, his teammates' trust in him, the sunsets he'd watch with his best friend. The moments of laughter amongst his friends, the love of his family proven over and over again even after they'd discovered who he really was…
He slowly returned to the present, the memories fresh in his mind as he faced his enemy. Hiccup tightened his fist and a light twirl of dust circled around him with his eyes glowing pale blue. He looked up at his brother, feeling the renewed energy running through his veins, ready to take whatever he'd throw at him. Dagur gazed down at him in disbelief and took cautious steps backwards, raising his arms.
''Okay, Hiccup. Calm down now.'' ordered Dagur slowly, but panic rang clear in his voice. ''You don't wanna do this.''
But he wasn't backing down now. No words Dagur might say would stop him. This was his moment, and nobody would take it away from him. Hiccup deepened his glowing gaze into the person before him, the storm around him only growing.
''This is what you get for dealing with the Dragon Riders!" was Hiccup's reply.
With energy even more powerful than Dagur's, Hiccup took off, body-slamming his brother in the process, taking him along. The dust that had settled down was suddenly brought back up as they burst through the heavy boulder above their heads. It was pierced by an amazing force, sending it crumbling into pieces. The duo climbed in the sky, powered by Hiccup's magic that enveloped him from the waist to his feet, glowing of the brightest blue. It twirled around him like a tornado, taking where he liked. He still had his hold of Dagur, who thrashed to be free of his grasp.
The man gritted his teeth angrily at his younger brother, understanding that he wasn't about to let him go. His eyes going wild, he balled his fist tight and smashed it in Hiccup's jaw but the rider only returned it. They spiraled up and up, unaware of how high they were. It didn't matter to either of them at the moment; they were locked in ripping each other apart. Dagur sent another blow in Hiccup's guts, which loosen his grip at the Berserker's collar. An idea suddenly came to him, and he let go of his adversary completely.
Dagur hovered in the air for a moment after the rider had retrieved his hand, and soon enough, he was going the other way. Shouts of fear filled Hiccup's ears as he watched his brother falling out of the sky, much higher than he'd fallen from with Toothless during their very first test flight. He almost felt sorry for the man for it really was a scary thing to experience.
Narrowing his eyes, Hiccup shot downwards, going at full speed to catch up with Dagur who twirled wildly. The rider slammed into the Berserker, putting an end to his spiraling. He pushed down on him, the source of his flying going full power downwards.
A hot bubble enveloped them both, burning Dagur's back. But the Berserker didn't register the heat and clawed at the boy above him, kicking him in the middle but he refused to back off. Smoke trailed behind them, and when Hiccup focused back on their distance left until they reached the ground, it was too late to slow his own fall.
…
Astrid had collapsed before the pile of boulders she thought Hiccup was buried beneath. She wiped the tears from her eyes, aware of the other riders behind her grieving as well. The world went silent around her, only her gasps of disbelief to be heard. That was until the same overcharging noise as she'd heard back on Dragon's Edge from Hiccup while he had no control over his powers reached her and her teammates.
Astrid looked up at the pile, a heavy cloud of dust settling down. Then as quick as lightning flashing in the sky, Hiccup and Dagur shot out from the top, sending the whole thing to collapse ever more than it already was. She looked up in disbelief as the duo climbed up to the sky, bright flames encircling her leader, powering him up.
''Hey!'' shouted Tuffnut in excitement, waving his fists in the air. ''It's Hiccup!''
''And he's… flying?'' said Ruffnut, following her brother's gaze.
''Unbelievable...'' whispered Heather, taking her place at the front of the group.
Hiccup did have the most powerful magic of them three. Dagur didn't stand a chance.
It didn't look as if the two up there knew how high they were now, but soon enough, they both shot back downwards, going faster than a Night Fury at top speed. They were getting close to the ground now, and it didn't seem like they were slowing down or even aware how fast they were reaching the ground.
''He's not slowing down..!'' said Heather, balling her fist. She widened her eyes in fright as she could only watch her brothers go down at high speed, unable to do anything.
And as if time slowed down, they watched their leader and enemy crash down on the far side of the island. A huge explosion followed, similar to the Red Death's death. A devastating wave of blinding blue light reached the riders, knocking them off their feet.
