Hi guys! How are you all? A short filler chapter here just to set the scene. I have an exciting announcement coming at chapter 23, so stay tuned for that! In the meantime, shoutouts:

HttydBellatrxxx- I know right?! Hahaha. Cliffhangers are what I do! You shouldn't be shocked at this point haha ;p.

Pipmama- Thank you so much :D Your feedback is so detailed! I really appreciate it.

KinglyRoom5639- Thank you! And I just wanted to apologise for my irregular posting schedule of late. It should be back to normal now... hopefully...

DANIELA123- The final battle may or may not be next chapter ;p Enjoy!! Also, I love how you keep referring to Hiccup as a demigod :DD

SyrupWriter- They most certainly haven't!

httydfangirl123- That is such a good point! I would never have thought of that! Thank you so much for the tip xx

PipDaddy- Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed it x

Sunfire16- Right?! :DD

My apologies once again for my posting schedule. The last few days of school have been overwhelming, and then I took some time to myself. Should be once or twice daily from now on.

I really hope you enjoy this mini-chapter, and keep reviewing! *Throws you virtual banana bread*

His long, black dreadlocks hung behind him, tied in a tight, low ponytail, as if to serve a purpose more extreme than keeping it out of his face. With his clothes stained with blood, (not his own, Hiccup presumed), and his false arm hanging limply by his side, he looked more ragged than ever. Despite all this, he had a face of thunder and determination for the one-to-one battle they were preparing for, which Hiccup matched with ease. If looks could kill, both would be dead 100 times.

Hiccup himself wasn't looking his best; his already messy, thick, brown hair was matted and entwined with dirt more than usual. His body was standing weakly, but ferociously and his weapon, Inferno, was drawn, standing high beside him, as if searching ravenously for a fight. The young Chief's clothes were ripped to shreds, especially around the area were the blade pierced his stomach, and were coated in a thick layer of ash and blood. His face was streaked with small cuts, and was as dirty as it gets, but yet he stood in front of his worst enemy, the man who killed his father, with immense and unbelievable strength.

"Stand down, Drago," Hiccup stepped forward, and deranged maniac instinctively raised his axe higher.

"No! For once you listen to me! I AM THE DRAGON MASTER! Not you, but ME. Alone. You need to realise that, or it will be the end of you!" If he was shocked about Hiccup's appearance, (which you would think he would be, if he had just stabbed him, and here he was, magically not-bleeding, dead, r unconscious and looking for a fight), he didn't show it. In fact, Hiccup thought he looked even more furious and raring for battle than ever.

"You've said that before!" Hiccup signalled to the stab wound made by the man not so long before. "It's not that easy to get rid of me, or any Berkian for that matter. You'll never defeat us."

"But, can't you see Hiccup? I already am," Drago sneered as he motioned to the island behind Hiccup. t was burning. Not just slightly, but smoking, ash filling the sky above. Everything was demolished. Barely any buildings stood, and those that did were severe damaged. The healers were unable to attend to everyone Hiccup had seen lying on the ground before, plus new Vikings, so many were groaning i pain, or lying motionless. Those still standing were battling ferociously for the remains of their island, but Hiccup thought even they knew it was a losing battle. He saw the twins, blasting flyers into the sky as i it's ease, but son struggling to keep up with the numbers surrounding them. Astrid, Snotlout and Valka were enclosed in a circle, where they hopelessly blasted to escape, but were soon forced to hover, watching the events taking place on the boat below them in the docks. Fishlegs and the A-Team made an attempt to free the hers from where they were bound, only resulting in Fishlegs being blasted right besid his head, knocking off his balance, and sending him plummeting to the Rubble-covered ground below, to be narrowly caught by Meatlug. The riders stopped, and joined the stare at the boat where Drago and Hiccup stood.

It was horrifying. Everything he ever knew... gone. Everyone he ever loved... surrounded. Everyone he swore to protect... dead, frantic or injured. It was his fault. All his fault...

What happened next even shocked Hiccup himself. the emotions bubbling in his chest, were suppressed instantly, until buried away into his chest. Never before had this happened. Never before had he the ability to stop their emotions, just like a viking should. Stoick would be proud.

Well make him proud, Hiccup thought. Make him proud, and do exactly what you are meant to do, as chief.

"WHat you don't see, Drago, is my people's ambition. You don't see their will to fight. You don't see their standards falling even though they think I am dead. You don't see their lack of surrender. We will never let you win this war. Never. So, forfeit, or let's battle."

"You should know by now, I never surrender, Dragon Master."

Hiccup took a deep breath as he held Inferno out in front of him. The noise from the battle raging behind was drowned out by the powerful thoughts in his head.

You can do this, He thought, as he steadied himself, taking one last look at the puncture in his stomach. Just hold on a little longer.

He was ready. He could do this. For his father. For the people. For Berk. For himself.

"DEATH OR GLORY!" He yelled, and the two blades met, powered by ambition and fury.