Author's Note:

Hello everyone and welcome to the next chapter and sorry for the very long wait for this one. Apart from the last section, there's been very little that's been changed in this chapter but I was quite happy with how it was. Thank you for your continued support (and patience) and I hope you enjoy the chapter.

I own nothing.


The Duel

As axe and sword collided silence, barring the clash of metal upon metal, fell over the two ships as they watched the two chiefs battle it out.

Though far stronger than Dagur, Stoick knew that his opponent was quicker and more agile than him so he drew on his many years experience in combat and tried to keep the younger chief on the defensive. For his part Dagur realised he'd underestimated the older man's skill and he found himself working hard to continue dodging, ducking and avoiding the axe swings and thrusts of Stoick.

Outcasts and Berserkers pressed against the ship's sides to avoid the combatants as they fought up and down the ship, Savage was positioned right beside where Snotlout was hanging from the stern while the Berkians looked on from their vessel. The dragons seemed to have sensed the importance of the fight and were hovering some distance away, watching alongside their riders.

Suddenly Dagur surged forwards and Stoick found himself on the defensive as his opponent went more offensive. He used the long handled axe like a quarterstaff to block the Berserker chief's quick sword strikes waiting for an opening, it came when Dagur briefly faltered in his strike due to tiredness and Stoick took the chance. He shot the handle butt sharply forwards striking the younger chief sharply in the stomach with the blunt end. As his opponent doubled over in pain and surprise the chief of Berk quickly adjusted his grip on his weapon and swung the axe blade down.

Dagur recovered just enough to dive to the side at the last minute causing the axe to bury itself deep into the deck leaving Stoick without a weapon. Seizing the opportunity Dagur dived towards him sword ready to strike, Stoick hopped backward and spun grabbing an oar in the progress and used the momentum of his spin to swing it hard towards his foe. Again Dagur narrowly avoided the strike by diving to the ground as the makeshift weapon swung overhead. As the younger chief stood again Stoick adjusted his grip on the oar and held it like a staff, both fighters were tired and they slowly circled each other looking for openings in the other's defences which would let them finish the fight quickly. Stoick deliberately created an opening and was rewarded when Dagur took the bait and pounced.

Quickly sidestepping Stoick swung the oar into his opponent's back as the younger man's own momentum carried him past, causing the Berserker chief to be thrown forwards onto the deck. Taking advantage of his foe's temporary inability to move the Berkian chief dived towards his axe, still embedded in the deck, and ripped it from the timbers. He quickly spun and thrust his axe head forward making it collide with Dagur's sword point which the younger chief was attempting to stab into his back. The blade was caught by the double-bladed axe head and Stoick sharply twisted his wrist causing the sword to be ripped from his opponent's grasp. As Dagur briefly stared in shock at his sudden disarmament Stoick struck out with his left fist sending the Berserker chief flying onto his back. Before Dagur could recover the chief of Berk was up and pinned him with his axe, with his opponent helpless Stoick growled right into his face,

"Let Snotlout go!"

Dagur spat back scornfully, "Why do you care about that brat so much? He's not even related to you!"

Stoick didn't bother to answer, knowing that it would be beyond the mind of his foe, and he simply pressed the axe blade down harder, "Release him NOW!"

"Okay, okay you win!" Dagur yelled.

He then smirked slyly, "Savage, release the boy!"

Stoick sharply turned to the stern just in time to see Savage cut the ropes holding the sack to the ship, causing it to plunge into the ocean.


The freezing cold was the first thing Snotlout felt as he hit the water and he barely had enough time to take a breath before he sank below the waves.

He could feel himself rapidly sinking as water flooded into the sack. He struggled desperately against his bonds, ignoring the stinging salt water as the ropes cut his body. Water surrounded him and the added weight of the soaked sack pulled him down even faster.

His lungs burned, desperate for air, and panic began to set in making him struggle wildly. Then his body reacted to its need and tried to take a breath, water soaked the cloths that made up his gag, making them feel like they were expanding, blocking his airways. The sea filled his nose and mouth and water poured down his throat. His struggles grew even wilder as his panic dramatically increased and he unintentionally tried to roar in frustration.

So this was it? He was going to drown, bound, gagged and trapped in darkness. He wouldn't even go out fighting, just tied up like a criminal unable to do anything about it. Everyone's last memories of him would be of a terrified boy entirely useless in this whole event, who could only sit around and wait for someone else to save him, a boy who was completely helpless.

As his consciousness rapidly fled from him and his struggles weakened and halted, one thought crossed his mind.

He didn't want to die helpless.


PS-So there we go, one one-on-one fight over. Please tell me what you thought and I'll try to update soon.