Hiccup and the others were flying as fast they could back to the capital.

"So what kind of trouble is Astrid in?" Heather asked.

Hiccup grimaced. "I don't know. In my vision I just knew that she needed our help."

Ragnar looked greatly troubled. "Part of me is wondering the Jade Vipers are behind this, it's very possible that they are still loyal to Lambert."

That's when they saw something down below them moving back towards the city at an alarming pace.

"What is that?" Fishlegs asked.

They flew down close and discovered that it was Snotlout, preparing himself forward on a mound of earth.

"Snotlout, what are you doing outside the wall?" Hiccup stared.

Snotlout looked at them. "Turned out the message wasn't from Ida, but the group of no good bounty hunters. I could do with a ride."

Meanwhile deep below the city, Devi was addressing the Jade Vipers.

"The Earth King and the Council of Five do not trust the Jade Vipers," she said looking down at them. "They imprisoned your leader, Chancellor Lambert. Soon they will turn on all of you and eliminate you, seizing power today is a matter of life and death."

She then began to approach the Jade Vipers and some of them were extremely nervous.

"This coup must swift and decisive," Devi continued. "The Earth King and each of the five generals must be taken out simultaneously. Lambert has placed you in my command while we overthrow the government, if I sense any disloyalty, any hesitation, any weakness at all…" She then turned towards the Jade Viper, "I will snap it out. That is all."

The Jade Vipers then left, feeling immensely relieved of getting away from her.

"Nice speech, Devi," said Talia as he poured some tea. "It was pretty poetic, but scary in a good way."

"Yeah," May smirked. "I thought you were going to make that one guy pee his pants."

"There are still a few loose ends, the Avatar and my brother and uncle," Devi pointed out.

Eret and Bjorn soon exited the carriage and were now standing in front of the Palace.

"Many times I imagined myself here," said Bjorn as he looked at the Palace. "At the threshold of the Palace, but I always thought I would be here as a conqueror. Instead we are the Earth King's personal guests, here to serve him tea. Destiny is a funny thing."

"It sure is uncle," Eret nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile Hiccup and the others had just reached the outer wall. Snotlout was now riding on Skull and looked directly at Hiccup.

"So how did everything go with the Druid?" he asked. "Did you master the Avatar State?"

"Uh…" said Hiccup looking at the Ragnar and Fishlegs, who bit their lips.

Heather looked at him. "Is something the matter?"

"Nothing, everything went great," Hiccup lied. "I completely mastered the Avatar State."

Eret and Bjorn were guided towards a small tearoom and were pouring tea as they waited for the Earth King.

"What's taking so long?" Eret frowned.

"Maybe the Earth King overslept?" said Bjorn.

Then suddenly entering the room were several Jade Vipers and immediately knew that something was wrong.

"Something's not right," said Eret.

Then suddenly making her appearance was none other than Devi.

"It's tea time," he said smiling at the two of them.

Eret immediately got to his feet. "Devi!"

"Have you met the Jade Vipers?" Devi asked. "They're Earthbenders, but they have a killer instinct that is so Firebender, I just love it."

Bjorn then immediately grabbed the cup of tea. "Did anyone ever tell you how I got the nickname the Dragon of the West?"

Devi looked at her fingers. "I have no interest in a lengthy antidote, Bjorn."

"It's more of a demonstration actually," said Bjorn as he took a sip of tea.

Eret smiled and immediately moved behind Bjorn just as he unleashed a burst of fire from his mouth. This caused the Jade Vipers to defend themselves rather than to attack and Eret blew a hole into the wall. Then both he and his uncle escape through it down the corridor as quickly as they could.

Two Jade Vipers immediately shot out and began firing their stone fingernails towards them. However, Eret and Bjorn ran around the corner and avoided the attack and then Bjorn unleashed a burst of lightning that shot right through the wall.

Bjorn then immediately jumped and found that he was falling about 50 foot, fortunately he landed in a bush. He then immediately looked up at Eret, who was standing at the very edge of the hole.

"Come on! You will be fine!" he called.

"No," said Eret strongly. "I am tired of running, it's time that I faced Devi."

Bjorn facepalmed himself and cursed his nephew stubbornness.

Eret immediately faced Devi and the Jade Vipers.

"You're so dramatic," said Devi. "What? Are you going to challenge me to a Dragon Sword?"

"Yes," said Eret not lowering his gaze. "I challenge you."

"No thanks," said Devi.

Eret then immediately spread his arm up with unleashing a burst of flames, but two Jade Vipers immediately jumped in front of Devi and raised the barrier blocking the blast. Then the moment they lowered the barrier they fired their stone fists and immediately grabbed Eret's feet trapping them in place. Another one then fired a stone fist that grabbed his hand a minute to the ground.

Devi then immediately turned her back on him and the Jade Vipers fired another set of stone fists at him.

Meanwhile Hiccup and the others had finally arrived at the Palace and immediately made their way to meet with the Earth King and his daughter.

"I assure you that Astrid is fine," said Earth King. "You have nothing to worry about."

Hiccup looked concerned. "But in my vision I was so certain that she was in danger."

"She met with the Council of Five and then met up with the Defenders of the Wing," the Earth King informed him.

"If she's with Mala, then we got nothing to worry about," said Fishlegs reassuringly.

"If it makes you feel any better will have the guards keep a lookout for her and inform you that anything happened," Atali added.

Ragnar looked at Hiccup. "Might I suggest that we wait at our apartment, we can wait for news there."

Hiccup nodded, but he couldn't help but feel concerned for Astrid.

Astrid meanwhile found herself in some sort of crystal cavern and clearly the only way to escape it is by Earthbending.

She then heard a rumbling sound and saw light emerging from above her and could see the shadows of two Jade Vipers carrying someone.

"You've got company," said one of them.

The Jade Viper then pushed that somebody down into the tunnel and he landed right in front of her feet. She was completely shocked to find that it was in fact Eret.

"Eret?" Astrid stared.

Hiccup and the others meanwhile landed back at the apartment, but found no trace of Astrid.

"Looks like we're completely alone," said Snotlout.

"Then Astrid must be in trouble," said Hiccup. "I knew it!"

"Oh no," Fishlegs panicked.

Snotlout stood up straight. "Wait, someone is at the door." Seconds later they heard someone knocking. "And I know who it is, in fact I think all of us know who it is."

He then made his way to the door and open it and they all stared to find Bjorn standing there.

Bjorn looked at them. "I need your help."

Ruffnut stared at Snotlout. "Your friend Bjorn?"

"The same guy that has been teaching the guy was been hunting us?" Tuffnut stared openmouthed.

"You remember when we had our spat?" Snotlout asked. "We met each other after I knocked him down, he then gave me tea and some very good advice. I assure you that he is not after us."

"May I come in?" Bjorn asked.

Snotlout then entered in the closed the door behind them.

Bjorn then looked at them gravely. "Princess Devi is here in Meridian."

"Then she must have Astrid," Hiccup concluded.

"She has also captured my nephew," Bjorn added.

"Then will work together to fight Devi and save Astrid and Eret," Hiccup nodded.

Heather immediately stared at him. "Wait, you want us to rescue the guy who's been hunting us on day one?"

Bjorn raised his hand. "I understand what you may feel about my nephew, but believe me when I tell you there is good inside him."

"Good inside of him is not enough!" Heather snapped. "I would feel much more comfortable if it was outside of him!"

Ragnar placed a hand on her shoulder. "Astrid is in trouble and all of Meridian. The only way we can stop this is by working together."

Heather looked at him, but nodded.

"I brought someone who might be able to help us," said Bjorn as he led them outside.

When they got outside they found a Jade Viper bound and gagged, Snotlout then immediately slammed his foot into the ground and pinned the Jade Viper by two pillars.

Bjorn then removed the gag. "Devi and Lambert are plotting a coup, they are going to overthrow the Earth King."

Heather immediately bend the water from her gourd and took in the form of an ice fear which he pointed directly underneath the Jade Viper.

"And where are you keeping Astrid?" she threatened.

"In the crystal catacombs of old Meridian, deep beneath the Palace."

They wasted no time and immediately made their way back to the Palace.

The Jade Viper was informing Lambert of everything that was transpiring from outside his cell.

"The movements of all the generals in the Earth King have been plotted out, step-by-step," the Jade Viper informed.

"Good," Lambert smiled. "And the Fire Empire Princess is cooperating?"

"Oh, yes," says his second-in-command. "More than cooperating, she has really taken charge. She is terrifying and inspirational at the same time. It's hard to explain."

Then immediately walked off and Lambert could tell that Devi was having an effect on his men.

Meanwhile Astrid and Eret were trapped together inside the crystal catacombs.

"So Devi has been after you since the North Pole?" Astrid asked.

Eret nodded. "They blame my uncle for the debacle of the invasion."

"If memory serves the two of you had nothing to do with the invasion," Astrid frowned.

Eret looked at her. "Both commanding officers were taken down, the Emperor needed a scapegoat. My family was the perfect candidate, you should know that more than anyone."

Astrid nodded. "Your family was the only one still in the Senate? Drago immediately banished the Hoffersons after he took the throne. What sickens me is that your family stayed loyal to him and the top it all of you are after the one thing that could bring hope to the world!"

Eret sighed. "My honour was tarnished, you know what are means for our people?"

Astrid looked at him and nodded. "Don't I know it? Yet you still maintained that honour, you never harmed any civilians during your hunt."

"What was there to be gained?"

"Because attacking defence civilians is dishonourable," said Astrid looking at him.

Meanwhile aboveground Hiccup and the others were in the Palace and Snotlout had a hand on the ground.

"Well, what do you know, there is an ancient city down there," he said looking back to the others. "But it's deep."

He then immediately spread his arm upwards and the earth beneath them began to part revealing a tunnel.

"We should split up," said Hiccup. "I'll go down there with Heather and Bjorn to look for both Astrid and Eret. Ragnar you go with the others and won the Earth King about Devi's coup."

Soon Hiccup, Heather and Bjorn were starting to make their way down the tunnel. Hiccup was bending the rock away while Bjorn held out a ball of fire so they could see.

Hiccup looked at Bjorn. "It's only been a long time, hasn't it?"

Bjorn smiled. "You mean to the days where I was training you. It most certainly was."

Heather looked at the two of them. "I forgot that the two of you had history."

Hiccup shrugged. "That's what happens when you get frozen in a block of ice."

Bjorn looked at Hiccup. "My old teaching instinct tells me you have something you wish to ask?"

Hiccup sighed and nodded. "I met up with this Druid, who was supposed to help me master the Avatar State and control this great power. But to do it I had to let go of someone I loved and I just couldn't."

Heather stared at him. "When were you going to mention this?"

"Just now," said Hiccup nervously.

Heather sighed. "Very funny."

Bjorn chuckled and then looked at Hiccup. "Perfection and power are overrated, I think you are very wise to choose happiness and love."

Hiccup kept on bending the rock away. "But what happens if we can't save everyone and defeat Devi? Without the Avatar State, what if I'm not powerful enough?"

"I don't know the answer," said Bjorn. "Sometimes life is like this dark tunnel, you can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving…" Hiccup then immediately began moving block again and they were welcomed by a bright light indicating they had reached the catacombs, "you will come to a better place."

They soon found themselves in some sort of underground reservoir with crystals glowing out in all directions and tunnels at the sides of the walks.

Ragnar was leading the others as quickly as they could to the Palace and soon they saw Brendan emerging from the Palace gates.

"There's General Rendon," Fishlegs pointed.

Ragnar immediately sensed something was off and dragged all of them away. It was a good thing he did because then jumping out of nowhere were Jade Vipers, they then fired clams directly at General Rendon and they immediately clapped onto his hands preventing him from moving.

He immediately glared as a Jade Viper jumped in front of him. "What is going on here?"

"You are under house arrest," the Jade Viper.

Ragnar looked at them. "The coup is happening right now, we have to warn the Earth King."

All around the city the Jade Vipers made their move on the Council of Five and successfully captured each and every single one of them.

Soon Ragnar and the others made their way to the Palace where they found the Defenders of the Wing, the Earth King and Atali inside.

"Looks like were just in time," said Ragnar.

"In time for what?" The Earth King asked.

Fishlegs looked at the Defenders of the Wing and frowned. "I don't recognise you two?"

Ragnar's eyes widened he immediately pressed his hand forward unleashing a burst of air at one of them. However she amazingly somersaulted into the air and avoid the attack altogether.

"They're not the real Defenders of the Wing," said Ragnar as he readied his staff.

"Sorry to disappoint you," said May and immediately tossed several daggers at Snotlout.

Snotlout quickly created a barrier blocking the daggers and then sent the barrier straight towards May. She immediately dodged avoiding the attack and then began dodging all the columns that Snotlout created.

Talia then jump down onto the ground began to engage Ragnar, who began blocking all her jabs with his staff. Fishlegs and the twins quickly made their way over to the Earth King and Atali to rescue them, but then found several Jade Vipers in front of the throne and Devi had the Earth King hostage.

"This fight is over," she threatened as he extended two fingers and playing shot out of them.

Knowing they were beaten Ragnar and the others immediately raised their hands. Talia then quickly jumped over towards them and gut them a few quick jabs in the immediately fell to the ground unable to move their bodies.

"Get them all out of my sight," Devi ordered something the Earth King and Atali to the Jade Vipers.

May, Talia and the Jade Vipers immediately began to escort Ragnar and the others out of the throne room.

Then approaching the throne was none other than Lambert.

"Now comes the part where I doublecrossed you," said Lambert with a small smile. "Jade Vipers arrest the Fire Empire Princess!" However to a sudden shock none of the Jade Vipers made a single move. "I said, arrest her!" Again they did make a single move. "What is wrong with you?"

"It's because they haven't made up their minds," said Devi smiling down at him. "They are waiting to see how this is going to end."

"What are you talking about?" said Lambert looking up at.

"I can see your whole history in your eyes. You were born with nothing, so you have to struggle and connive and crawl your way into power. But true power, the divine right to rule, is something that you're born with. The fact is they don't know which one of us is going to be sitting on that throne, and which one is going to be bowing down, but I know and you know."

Devi then immediately sat upon the throne. "Well…?"

Lambert was sweating as he looked up at Devi, who showed no bit of concern in the slightest. Lambert then closed his eyes and went down on one knee.

"You have beaten me at my own game," he said.

"Don't flatter yourself, you were never even a player," said Devi.

Astrid and Eret were still in the crystal caverns, and still talk to one another.

"My mother told me what it was like before Drago took the throne," said Astrid sadly. "She said that it was the golden age of the Empire, we were prospering and technological advancement was bound to put us down in the history books. Back then the Empire was good to its people, the commoners were not so poor and the nobles were not so noble."

"My dad said the same," Eret nodded. "He hoped that taking a seat in the Senate would be able to slow Drago down. It didn't work, the Emperor always had a majority no doubt out of bribes or fear. My mother vanished five years ago, then my father was forced into a duel with the Emperor and lost, he then banished me."

"Well my family decided to form a resistance, but there are just too few of us now to mount a coup," said Astrid looking at the ground. "My mother knew that we didn't stand a chance, not unless we found the Avatar so she sent me to find."

Eret looked at her. "Slightly ironic that we were both sent for the same thing."

Astrid chuckled slightly. "I never thought of it that way. The biggest problem the resistance faces whose take charge after we take down Drago. Hiccup may be the son of the previous Emperor, but he is also the avatar and therefore cannot stay sit on the throne. None of my family are Firebenders so we can't take the throne, I'm hoping to find someone in the military who shows the strength of restoring one's honour."

Eret looked at her. "If you be able to find someone like that?"

Astrid looked at him. "If they knew what had to be done."

Then suddenly they heard a massive shattering of crystal and immediately turned and frowned Hiccup, Heather and Bjorn emerging from a hole in the wall.

"Hiccup! Heather!" Astrid stared.

She then immediately rushed over to the two of them and gave them a big hug which they gladly gave back. Bjorn then immediately rushed over to Eret and hugged him in relief, but no one could sense the tension coming between Hiccup and Eret.

"I knew you guys would come," said Astrid looking at Hiccup and Heather.

Eret looked at his uncle. "Uncle what are you doing with the Avatar?"

"Saving you?" Hiccup reminded.

Bjorn then placed a hand on his nephew shoulder. "Eret, it's time we talked." Bjorn then looked at Hiccup and the others. "Go and help your other friends, we will catch up with you."

Hiccup and Heather immediately ran out of the tunnel Hiccup had made, but Astrid can help but look back at Eret, who had a very solemn face.

"What is it you want to talk about uncle?" Eret asked unable to look at him.

"You are not the man you are used to be, Eret," said Bjorn. "You are stronger and wiser and freer then you have ever been. And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny, it is time for you to choose. It is time for you to choose good."

Suddenly the ground began to shake and crystal erupted on the ground and trapped Bjorn in place. Eret immediately raised his hands just as he saw Devi and the Jade Vipers emerging from us another tunnel.

"I expected this kind of treachery from Bjorn," said Devi looking directly at Eret. "But Eret… Captain Eret, you are a lot of things but you are not a traitor. Are you?"

"Release him immediately!" Eret commanded.

"It is not too late for you Eret," said Devi. "You can still redeem yourself."

"The kind of redemption she offers is not free you!" Bjorn yelled.

Devi looked at him. "Why don't you let him decide, General?" She then turned her attention back onto Eret. "I need you Eret, I have plotted every move to this day. This glorious day in Empire history and the only way we win is together, at the end of this day you will have your honour back, my father will restore your family's holdings, you will have everything you want."

Bjorn looked at Eret. "Eret… I am begging you, look into your heart and see into your heart what you truly want."

"You are free to choose," said Devi as she raised her hand telling the Jade Vipers to stand down.

The Jade Vipers then immediately made their way back through the entries they came through and Devi began walking down the tunnel where Hiccup and the others escaped.

Eret merely just stood there solemnly.

Hiccup and Heather soon lead Astrid back into the catacombs.

"We have to find Ragnar and the others," said Astrid.

Suddenly Hiccup sense heard lightning heading straight towards them and he immediately jumped backwards and began to circle his fingertips. He then immediately fired a bolt of lightning which clashed with Devi's lightning bolt cancelling each other out.

Devi was just standing there at the entrance of the tunnel Hiccup had created and Heather immediately bend the water in the canal and sent it straight at her. However, she quickly blocked it with a burst of fire evaporating it and that's when Heather created a massive tidal wave. Devi merely slammed her hands into the ground and created a firewall turning the water into steam.

Then suddenly they saw Devi jumping out of the steam directly above them and she fired a couple of fireballs directly at them. Hiccup and Heather together and bend the water and shielded the three of them. Devi then added stone column and the moment the water fell to the ground, Hiccup began moving his wrists and immediately shattered the column.

Devi then landed between the three of them and took up a fighting stance looking between the three of them. Then suddenly a fireball struck into the ground and they all turned and found Eret standing there, he looked at all of them making it impossible to tell who he was siding with.

Then suddenly he thrusted his fist and aimed a fireball directly at Hiccup, who then quickly created a shield of air blocking the attack. Devi smirked and fired a fireball directly at Heather and Astrid, who quickly bend the water and blocked the attack.

Meanwhile Ragnar and the others were inside a metal cell, Ragnar was keeping looking through the bars for any guards.

"Any Jade Viper agents nearby?" Fishlegs asked.

"It's all clear," he said and turned to Snotlout and nodded.

Snotlout cracked his fingers and made his way to the door, he then placed his hands upon it. He then ritually tore the door off its hinges and sent it flying forwards.

"Let's go," said Ragnar grabbing the Earth King.

"We need to get our dragons first," Fishlegs reminded.

Meanwhile Eret was dealing a massive barrage of shots directly at Hiccup, who kept on trying blocking them with wind and fire. He then unleashed a powerful burst of flames directly at Eret so powerful that he was sent flying. Hiccup then immediately jumped into the air and swung his fist forward firing a fireball, but Eret rolled out of the way and avoided the attack.

He then tried to strike Hiccup with a fireball, but he immediately jumped into the air and began jumping from column to column. Eret kept on firing of larger fireballs to keep them off-balance and eventually Hiccup landed on a crystal. Eret then release a giant burst of flames directly at him and Hiccup immediately raised the crystal the shield.

Unfortunately the attack was so strong it shattered through the crystal sending him crashing into the wall. Eret then began to move the flames around him like a couple of whips and then guided them towards Hiccup. Hiccup immediately jumped out of the way and the web sliced through the crystals, Eret then kept on attacking preventing him from recovering.

Devi meanwhile was engaging Astrid and Heather and now we avoided getting sliced to pieces by Astrid's axe, if she hadn't sidestepped in time.

Eret were still unleashing his fireworks at Hiccup, who began jumping around on the ceiling. Hiccup then immediately forced himself towards a large stalactite and then immediately separated from the cavern walls. He then jumped down after it and slammed his fists on top of it and the moment it struck the ground he created a massive shock wave that knocked Eret off his feet.

Astrid and Heather were still battling Devi and started to get the upper hand. Devi was too busy avoiding Astrid acts to notice Heather covering her body in water. Devi then quickly spun around and thrusted her fist forward unleashing a burst of flames, but Heather had already extended the water and doused the flames and covered her entire right arm. Heather then swung her left arm and completely embraced Devi's left leg just as it was about to fire flames.

Heather then raised her into the air and Astrid deal the final blow when Eret spun around and unleashed the slash of fire from his legs. Astrid barely had enough time to block it with her axe and she was sent flying backwards, the flames also sliced through the water Heather was bending freeing Devi.

Devi smiled and saw Hiccup emerging from the crevice he made earlier and immediately ran towards him. Astrid and Heather on the other hand turned to face Eret, who immediately began firing fireballs at them and Heather quickly neutralise them with her water.

"I thought you had honour," said Astrid looking disappointed.

Eret looked at her. "After this my honour will be restored."

Eret and Heather then continued to clash with flame and water.

Devi was now facing Hiccup, whose clothes were now burnt and torn. Devi placed her hands behind her back and immediately propelled himself forwards with a massive burst of flames. Hiccup then immediately ripped it crystals into the air and place them around his body had a sort of armour.

He then immediately charged towards her at full speed, but before they made contact Devi came to a sudden stop and unleashed a burst of flames at him. Hiccup barely had time to cover his face and his crystal armour shattered upon impact and Hiccup was sent flying into the air and crashed into the wall.

May and Talia were currently in the throne room and May was watching as Talia was playing with the dragons.

"Come on, it's easy," said Talia smiling at Toothless. "You merely stand on your front claws like this."

She then immediately stood on her hands and began walking, but then suddenly she found her hands trapped within the earth. Then when she put her feet onto the ground earth covered them trapping her in place.

"That is a nice trick," Snotlout smirked.

They then all immediately turned to May, who looked at them dully.

"Just take the dragons," she said dismissively.

The dragons then immediately ran up to their riders.

"Now let's get Hiccup and the others," said Ragnar.

Meanwhile in the catacombs, Heather was doing everything she could to fend Eret off. Then suddenly Devi appeared out of nowhere and began to engage her, Heather quickly shielded her and Astrid with her water to block their fireballs.

Unfortunately was just too much, and they broke through the shield and Heather was sent flying into the crystals. Astrid's ponytail has come on down through the battle, but she remained strong in raised her axe towards them.

However before Eret and Devi could do anything they heard a rumbling sound and turned and found preparing himself into the air was Hiccup. He then immediately propelled himself towards them with fire shooting out of his feet, Eret and Devi immediately turned to engage him.

However before he got anywhere close to them a Jade Viper appeared out of nowhere and raise a rock pillar right underneath Hiccup causing him to be shot into the air. Hiccup land on the ground and skidded a few feet, he tried to pick himself up and he winced as his left leg looked badly injured.

He raised his head and saw entering the catacombs were more Jade Vipers, probably about 50 of them. They immediately surrounded Astrid and Heather and soon the two girls faced them, ever bend the water and formed an octopus formation.

Hiccup on the other hand was facing Eret, Devi and even more Jade Vipers. Despite the pain in his right leg Hiccup raised himself onto his feet and took up a fighting stance, but he knew that there was too many of them.

He then remembered what Eradic had told him before he left, about how he was going to master the Avatar State.

'The only way is to let her go,' said his voice.

"I'm sorry Astrid," said Hiccup.

He then immediately created a barrier crystal around himself and to cover meditation position. He then began to focus on unlocking his final Charka.

It in take long to find himself facing the shadow of himself and being consumed by the burst of energy in his shadows palms. Suddenly a bright light began to surround him and it shone through the crystals, making everyone uneasy.

Hiccup then opened his eyes which were now glowing and a bright light exiting from the crystal barrier he created shattering it into pieces. Everyone then watch as emerging from the crystals was Hiccup, now surrounded by a burst of light energy.

Astrid and Heather smiled at the site, but before Hiccup could do anything he suddenly felt a massive surge of pain through his body.

Devi had snuck behind him and shot him in the back with a bolt of lightning, this resulted in him losing his concentration and the shadow figure of himself fell and faded away. The pathway that his consciousness was standing on also faded away and Hiccup felt himself falling into darkness.

In reality, Hiccup was falling and crashed towards the ground Astrid just stared at him with tears forming in her eyes and Heather was utterly speechless. Heather then immediately began bending the water around him lifting both she and Astrid into the air and they raced over towards Hiccup.

The tidal wave struck the Jade Vipers and Eret, who were just too stunned to notice her movements and Astrid caught Hiccup as he fell. The two girls then saw both Eret and Devi surrounding them, but then suddenly a burst of flames blocked their path.

Everyone turned and saw Bjorn standing there on one of the ledges, he then jumped down onto the ground and landed directly in front of Astrid and Heather.

"You've got to get out of here," he said. "I will hold them off as long as I can!"

Astrid and Heather nodded and the two girls each took an arm as Bjorn began firing bursts of flames from his hand at Eret and Devi. The Jade Vipers had recovered and began firing stone fists at him, but he stood strong and unleashed another burst of flames.

Astrid and Heather managed to reach the waterfall and Heather immediately bend the water propelling them upwards towards the surface. Once he knew that they were safe, Bjorn immediately stopped his attacks and the Jade Vipers encased in crystal.

Bjorn looked at Eret and then turned his face in disappointment.

Astrid and Heather had rejoined with Ragnar the others and immediately flying as quickly as they could out of the city. Heather had no choice but to tend to Hiccup's wounds on Skull who was also carrying the Earth King and Atali.

Heather immediately pulled out flask of spirit water, knowing that it was the only hope for Hiccup. She bend the water out of the flask and onto her hand, she then placed the water on Hiccup's smouldering back and everyone watched in desperation.

At first it didn't look as if it succeeded, but then they heard Hiccup groan meaning that he was alive.

Devi and Eret were now in the Palace and Devi was sitting on the throne.

"We have done it Eret… it has taken 20 years, but the Empire has conquered Meridian," said Devi joyously.

"I betrayed my uncle," said Eret.

"No, he betrayed you," Devi corrected. She then immediately got to her feet and looked at him. "Eret, when you return home my father will welcome you as a war hero."

"But I don't have the Avatar," Eret reminded. "What if the Emperor does not restore my honour?"

Devi placed her hand on his shoulder. "He doesn't need to, Eret. Today you restored your own honour."

Eret however did not feel so certain.

Astrid and the others looked back at Meridian, knowing that the last stronghold had fallen to the Empire.

"The Earth Kingdom has fallen," said the Earth King sadly.

They then continue to fly into the night and flew over the outer wall.