The armada coasts toward a shroud of heavy fog, hung like drapes from a low-hanging, ominous sky. The ships enter, one by one. Visibility drops immediately. Flanking ships becomes ghosts. The armada disappears, drawn into the blinding mist. Complete whiteout. Nothing remains but the eerie creaking of wood on water. ON STOICK at the bow of his ship. He taps his fingers on the gunwale, then looks back at Toothless impatiently. Weighed down with chains, Toothless seems unresponsive.
STOICK Sound your positions. Stay within earshot.
Shouts pour in from all directions.
VIKING #1 Here. VIKING #2 One length to your stern.
VIKING #3 On your starboard flank.
VIKING #4 Three widths to port.
VIKING #5 Ahead, at your bow.
VIKING #6 Haven't a clue.
ON STOICK straining into the fog as the calls continue. Massive, jagged sea stacks begin to emerge, threatening to rip the ships to shreds. Gobber approaches him, speaking under his breath.
GOBBER Listen... Stoick... I was overhearing some of the men just now and, well, some of them are wondering what it is we're up to here - not me of course, I know you're always the man with the plan - but some, not me, are wondering if there is in fact a plan at all, what it might be?
"Smooth Gobber,smooth" says Kat.
STOICK Find the nest and take it."Is that even a plan?"asked the Nabber.
GOBBER Ah. Of course. Send them running. The old Viking fall-back. Nice and simple."And stupid" said Toothless and the dragons along with the teens tried to hide their laughter.
STOICK Shhh.Stoick notices that Toothless' ear plates are at the alert, quietly reacting to inaudible sounds. Stoick crosses to the stern of the ship and grabs the tiller, moving the helmsman out of the way. STOICK (CONT'D) Step aside.
Stoick pulls the ship into a turn, covertly following Toothless' head movements. The ship barely misses a jagged outcrop that suddenly appears out of the soupy fog.
VIKING Bear to port.
The order is called out from ship to ship. CRUNCH! The bow barely makes it past another sea stack. Stoick continues to follow Toothless' cues, undeterred.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - DAY
Hiccup raises the bolt on the Monstrous Nightmare's pen.
FISHLEGS (O.S.) If you're planning on getting eaten, I'd definitely go with the Gronckle.
Hiccup turns to see his fellow recruits, watching him with folded arms. Tuffnut steps forward with a scowl.
TUFFNUT You were wise to seek help from the world's most deadly weapon. (BEAT) It's me.
HICCUP Uh...
SNOTLOUT I love this plan.
"I never said what the plan is."
HICCUP I didn't... RUFFNUT You're crazy. I like that."Um..." says Hiccup, unsure.
ASTRID So? What is the plan?Hiccup smiles, glowing in the support of his friends.
EXT. FOGGY SEA - DAY
The ships follow in line through the gauntlet of rocks as orders are whispered from ship to ship. A dragon head looms out of the fog. The men recoil... only to discover that it's a wrecked ship, impaled high on a gnarled sea stack.
GOBBER Ah. I was wondering where that went.
A clicking buzz becomes audible, growing louder. It fills the sky, converging in one general direction. Stoick sniffs the air.
STOICK Stay low and ready your weapons.
Stoick's ship suddenly JERKS to a halt as the keel burrows into shallow black sand. Stoick hops overboard, landing on a sprawling beach. The BUZZING suddenly STOPS. Above him, a craggy volcano towers into the gloom.
STOICK (CONT'D) We're here.
Behind him, several dragon-headed bows pierce the fog.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - RING - DAY
Hiccup steps back from the door, drawing the Monstrous Nightmare out of its cave. It snorts, stepping into the ring, calmed by Hiccup's outstretched hand - focused on him. ON THE TEENS... bewildered, in awe. Snotlout nervously reaches for a spear laying near his foot. Astrid stops him.
ASTRID (CORRECTING) Uh-uh.
Hiccup slows to a stop in front of the teens, with the Nightmare inches from his outstretched hand. He reaches over and grabs Snotlout's trembling hand.
SNOTLOUT Wait! What are you...
HICCUP Relax. It's okay... it's okay.
Hiccup replaces his outstretched hand with Snotlout's, putting him in control of the massive beast. The Nightmare snorts, but remains calm. Snotlout, by contrast, chuckles nervously - it's at once terrifying and amazing. The others watch, spellbound.
"Um,Hiccup I don't think giving Snotlout a Monstrous Nightmare is a good idea" says Astrid.
"No,they're perfect for each over confident,cocky,iretating, but you can relie on them when you need" he says.
"Yes,I have a rider!" yells the Nightmare.
"Yes,I have a dragon!" yells Snotlout.
SNOTLOUT Where are you going?!
Hiccup pulls a bundle of rope from a supply box.
HICCUP You're going to need something to help you hold on.
The teens eye each other apprehensively, and look up to reveal... ALL THE DRAGONS standing in the ring, facing the teens expectantly.
The teens smile.
EXT. DRAGON ISLAND - DAY CLOSE ONTree trunks, being sharpened and planted into the sand at angled rows. Boulders being loaded into catapult baskets. And a war plan being scratched in the sand. STOICK looms over it, looking determined. His generals are at his sides.
STOICK When we crack this mountain open, all hell is going to break loose.
GOBBER In my undies. Good thing I brought extras.
"Eww,thanks for the image Gobber"says Kat.
Stoick TURNS to face the men.STOICK No matter how this ends, it ends today.
"Like heck it will"says Kat.
He walks toward the base of the volcano wall, back by several hundred warriors. He raises his arm and drops it.A line of catapults UNLEASH their two-ton loads into the cliff wall. It cracks and flakes away. Several more hits tear away at the hollow shell of hardened lava. A final boulder shatters the fractured wall, creating a deep, dark opening to the cavern within. Silence. Stock raises his hand, makes a gesture. A flaming bushel is launched into the dark, lighting the wall... CHOKED
WITH DRAGONS. Stoick pulls his hammer and rushes into the cave, brazen.
STOICK (CONT'D) (War cries and slashing efforts)
In a chaotic flurry, the dragons suddenly rush out like bats from a cave. The take to the air, bypassing the axe-swinging Vikings and fleeing the island in a mass exodus. The battle-ready Vikings drop their weapons, confused.
GOBBER Is that it? Above the island, dragons POUR from every crevice, fleeing to the sky. The sound of screeching dragons fades.
VIKINGS (Cheering as one)
SPITELOUT We've done it!
Stoick doesn't celebrate. Something is not right. He HEARS something. Stoick turns to peer down the dark throat of the cavern. A deep, rumbling ROAR echoes from the cavern. The ground underfoot TREMBLES. The ships rock. Their sails fill with a blast of air. The cheering stops. Stoick's expression sinks.
STOICK This isn't over. Form your ranks! Hold together!
The men SCRAMBLE to organize themselves.
STOICK (CONT'D) Get clear!
The ground CRACKS. Stone tears away, cascading like an avalanche. And through the settling debris, the silhouette of a gargantuan dragon emerges - THE RED DEATH. Stirred and furious.
Seeing the whole size of the Queen, eveyone is terrified.
"I need new undies"says Cobber.
STOICK (AGHAST) Odin help us. (BEAT) Catapults!
The Vikings score direct hits. The burning stones BOUNCE off the dragon's skin. The Red Death focuses on the catapults. It crushes the first one - smashing it and its crew, rattling the beach underfoot. Stoick races toward the second catapult. He LEAPS and pushes a Viking out of the way just before the dragon crushes him under his forepaw. The Vikings scramble in all directions.
VIKING #3 Get to the ships!
STOICK No! NO!
The Red Death BLASTS the ships like a mile-long flamethrower. The sails are torched. Vikings dive overboard and masts come down. Gobber Joins Stoick.
GOBBER Heh. Smart, that one.
"Smart?She's as dumb as a rock!" says Toothless.
Stoick looks up and down the beach for an answer.STOICK (GUILT-RIDDEN) I was a fool.
"Thanks God,he admited it!" yelled Kat to the skies."I would say idiot,jerk,moron,asshole but fool is good enouf."
The monster raises its head to the sky and BELLOWS. The sound SHAKES the beach, knocking Vikings off their feet. This island is his. Stoick stops a Viking General.STOICK (CONT'D) Lead the men to the far side of the island.
SPITELOUT Right. (turns to the others) Everybody to the far side of the island!
The Vikings scatter into the rocks like ants. Satisfied with the ships destruction, The Red Death turns its attention back to the Vikings. They seem to have vanished. It SNIFFS the air, searching for their scent. Gobber drops in beside Stoick, like two soldiers in a trench. Fire blasts over head, causing them to duck.
STOICK Gobber, go with the men.
GOBBER I think I'll stay, just in case you're thinking of doing something crazy.
Stoick grabs him.
STOICK (EMPHATIC) I can buy them a few minutes if I give that thing someone to hunt.
Gobber removes Stoick's hand. Clenches his forearm, determined.
GOBBER Then I can double that time.
Stoick grins. Friends to the bitter end. They BREAK COVER and dash into the open, SPLITTING UP. Stoick rips a sharpened post from the ground and hurls it into the monster's face.
STOICK HERE!
GOBBER NO, HERE!
It spots both of them. He fuels up to fire, glancing back and forth between the two men. He focuses on Stoick.
GOBBER (CONT'D) Come on! Fight me!
STOICK No, me!
The dragons laught hysterical,they can't help,it's hillarious!
The Red Death remains focused on Stoick - this is it. It rears back and inhales. Gas begins to amass, when...KABLAM! A BLAST explodes against the back of The Red Death's head. It turns distracted, as... ... a Nadder punches through the flames, banking across the sky. Followed by a Monstrous Nightmare, a Zippleback, and a Gronckle. They roll in unison, revealing the recruits riding on their backs. Hiccup leads, with Astrid clinging to his waist. GOBBER AND STOICK, watch slack-jawed, in awe.
"See?Even thought you treated him like shit all those years he came to save your assws.I think he deservs a thank you" says talks.
"It wasn't a request,it was a him all you'll end up like the pillow."
And with that, all the Vikings,except the teens,thanked Hiccup.
The monster shakes off the blast and snaps in their wake. Hiccup directs his squadron out of harm's way. They climb out of reach and circle each other.
TUFFNUT Look at us, we're on a dragon! We're on dragons, all of us!
HICCUP Up, let's move it!
The dragons climb past the Red Death.
ON THE GROUND Gobber hobbles over to Stoick.
GOBBER Every bit the boar-headed, stubborn Viking you ever were.
"HEY!"yells Hiccup and Stoic together.
"Don't be like stubborness is the only thing I'm sure you got from your father" says Kat.
IN THE AIR The group circles over the dragon's head.
HICCUP Fishlegs, break it down.
FISHLEGS Okay. Heavily armored skull and tail made for bashing and crushing.
FISHLEGS (CONT'D) Steer clear of both. Small eyes, large nostrils. Relies on hearing and smell.
HICCUP Okay. Lout, Legs, hang in its blind spot. Make some noise, keep it confused. Ruff, Tuff, find out if it has a shot limit. Make it mad.
RUFFNUT That's my specialty.
TUFFNUT Since when? Everyone knows I'm more irritating. See. (IRRITATING SOUNDS)
HICCUP (EXASPERATED) Just do what I told you. I'll be back as soon as I can.
TUFFNUT Don't worry, we got it covered!
FISHLEGS Yeah!
Hiccup and Astrid peel away. The teens bank and dive toward the monster, splitting up. The Twins race alongside the monster's head, taunting it. TUFFNUT Troll! RUFFNUT Butt Elf! TUFFNUT Bride of Grendel! The Red Death unloads a spray of fire at the twins. They barely dodge it. Fishlegs and Snotlout hang behind its eyes, banging away at their shields, making a racket. The Red Death opens all SIX of its eyes, spotting them. FISHLEGS Uh, this thing doesn't have a blind spot.
ON HICCUP AND ASTRID
... searching for Toothless. Hiccup spots him among the burning ships.
HICCUP There!
He steers the Nadder over the deck and hands Astrid the reins. He lines up his jump... and hops off, guarding his face from the flames. He lands on the burning deck.
HICCUP (CONT'D) (TO ASTRID) Go help the others!
She and the Nadder take off. As Hiccup fights his way to Toothless. He unbuckles the muzzle. Toothless shrieks.
HICCUP (CONT'D) Okay, hold on. Hold on.
He gets to work on the chains.
ON SNOTLOUT AND FISHLEGS They clang their weapons against their shields, making the monster wince.
SNOTLOUT It's working.
The huge beast starts to sway its head dizzily.
FISHLEGS Yeah! It's working.
PAN DOWN to reveal that the noise is also confusing the Gronckle and the Monstrous Nightmare. Both dragons lose their bearings. The Red Death thrashes, knocking Snotlout off of his dragon and onto the monster's gigantic head. Snotlout bounces across the top and comes to a stop just shy of the hundred foot drop.
SNOTLOUT Agghh!
Fishlegs' Gronckle goes down in a spin of confusion.
FISHLEGS I've lost power on the Gronckle. Snotlout! Do something!
He hurls Snotlout his hammer. The Gronkle crashes and skids to a stop...
FISHLEGS (CONT'D) I'm okay! ... then flips over, crushing Fishlegs.
FISHLEGS (CONT'D) (FEEBLE) Less okay.
Fishlegs blushes and the hall laughts.
BACK TO SNOTLOUT... who eyes the Red Death's gigantic, veiny eyes. He raises the hammer...
SNOTLOUT I can't miss!
... and hammers the monster's eyes, playing whack-a-mole.
SNOTLOUT (CONT'D) What's wrong buddy, got something in your eye?
Astrid flies by on her Nadder, catching Snotlout in all his heroics.
ASTRID Yeah! You're the Viking!
"You shouldn't have said that" says Kat.
Snotlout grins, finally vindicated in her eyes. In his distraction, he gets thrown and lands heavily on one of the Red Death's spines - clinging precariously. A close call.SNOTLOUT Whoa!
ON THE GROUND
The monster's tail sweeps across the burning ships, snapping masts like twigs. We follow one down as it crashes onto a deck, revealing...
HICCUP Working at the chains. He can't budge them. Fire licks at his clothes. He looks up to see... THE RED DEATH blasting at the teens, monster's giant foot crashes through frame, smashing the bow under its impressive weight. Hiccup and Toothless are thrown into the water in a maelstrom of burning planks and rigging.
UNDERWATER Hiccup swims toward Toothless. They're both caught in a mess of rigging, being dragged down. The heavy palette settles into the rocky bottom like an anchor. Toothless has stopped struggling. Hiccup takes one more hopeless tug at the chains - he's almost out of air.
"Hiccup you have to go,you can't hold your breath for much longer"say Toothless worried.
"No,I'm not leaving you bud."
HICCUP (OVERWHELMED) Dad...
Stoick dives back into the water between flaming flotsam.
UNDERWATER ON TOOTHLESS, drowning. Stoick appears in front of him. Toothless freezes. Stoick tears the chains off of the yoke and lets it float free. Momentary stillness. They eye each other, through the churned up bubbles. Toothless lunges out of the bars - grabbing Stoick. BOOM! In an explosion of sea water, Toothless lands on the shore, setting Stoick down and releasing him. Hiccup is awed. The ground rumbles underfoot. The monster screeches. Its massive claws stomp around in the smoke. Stoick gives way as Toothless mounts the rock and raises his wings. He turns to Hiccup and SNORTS - 'Let's go.'
HICCUP (CONT'D) You got it, bud.
Hiccup climbs onto Toothless and buckles himself in. Stoick grabs his arm.
STOICK Hiccup. I'm sorry...for everything.
"I truly am."
HICCUP Yeah...me too.STOICK You don't have to go up there.
"Um,actually,I do."
HICCUP We're Vikings. It's an occupational hazard.They exchange smiles.
STOICK I'm proud to call you my son.
"Never thought I'd hear that."
Hiccup beams, taken aback.HICCUP Thanks dad.
Stoick lets go of Hiccup's arm. Hiccup spurs Toothless on, charged with his father's belief in him. They rocket into the sky as Stoick watches.
