I'm alive! I'm sorry about how long it's taken!
I don't own HTTYD! Never have never will!
Enjoy!
Last time: Everyone is impressed by what Hiccup is suggesting.
Now:
Hiccup gets a horrible feeling in his stomach, this would not end well.
EXT. DRAGON ISLAND - DAY CLOSE ON
Tree 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.
As one all the teenagers along with Matt and Slayer shouted, "We didn't need to know that Gobber!"
Stoick TURNS to face the men.
STOICK: No matter how this ends, it ends today.
He walks toward the base of the volcano wall, back by several hundred warriors. He raises his arm and drops it.
Everyone holds their breath, not sure how this will end.
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.
Every single dragon tenses up, and as one they all think, 'There's no way she will come out. Please don't let her come out.'
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!
The Terrible Terrors look at the Vikings with fear. As one they all say, "You've just made your own graves."
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.
The room is filled with a thousand different voices growling.
GOBBER: Beard of Thor...what is that?
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!
Hiccup looks horrified and shouts, "No! As stupid as it sounds get closer to her! She can't see close up!" Fishlegs nods his head, despite being whiter than a sheet.
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.
Stoick looks up and down the beach for an answer.
STOICK (GUILT-RIDDEN): I was a fool.
Despite herself Slayer couldn't help but say, "Ya think!?"
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 sees what Stoick has planned and goes white, "Stoick don't be stupid! You'll get killed!"
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 looks just as determined as his friend, "Aye! And I can double that time."
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.
Slayer looks at both of the Vikings and sighs, "You both know that no matter how distracting you are that dragon could take you out with a single fire breath right?" All of the Vikings pale at this.
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 Red Death remains focused on Stoick - this is it. It rears back and inhales. Gas begins to amass, when...
Everyone closes their eyes fearing the worst.
KABLAM!
That makes everyone open their eyes, Stoick isn't dead!
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.
All of the teens whoop and holler at seeing themselves on the backs of dragons. The future teens smile broadly, remembering their first flight.
HICCUP: Ruff, Tuff, watch your backs! Move Fishlegs!
All of the teens eyes shine like a kid in a candy store, after eating nothing but Spinach for a month.
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.
And yet again everyone is forced to see Hiccup as a very capable leader.
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.
With a cheeky grin future Tuffnut says, "And then some!"
Stoick is speechless.
IN THE AIR
The group circles over the dragon's head.
HICCUP: Fishlegs, break it down.
Fishlegs is excited that someone actually wants him to explain a dragon to them!
FISHLEGS: Okay. Heavily armored skull and tail made for bashing and crushing. (MORE)
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 and Tuffnut at the same time go, "That's my specialty!" And almost resulted in a fight between the two, except for the fact that Slayer pulled them apart and told them to behave, all while giving them a death glare. (A.N./ If you want an example, my inspiration is Erza Scarlet from the anime Fairy Tail, breaking up a fight between Natsu and Gray. Comment if you know these characters)
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.
Snotlout watches the movie, all while thinking, 'He's actually a pretty good leader.'
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.
Eret, who hadn't seen or heard of this fight before asks, "Where's he going?" future Astrid smiles and answers, "He has to get his dragon."
TUFFNUT: Troll!
RUFFNUT: Butt Elf!
TUFFNUT: Bride of Grendel!
All of the dragons laugh at the sight of the Queen being called the '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.
Some of the more squeamish children shudder at the sight of a dragon doing that.
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.
"You idiot! And you yell at me for doing dangerous stunts!" Astrid yells at Hiccup, if only to disguise how scared she is for him.
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.
Matt sighs, "It's working a little too well. Did you two forget the fact that you're on dragons?
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.
Everyone laughs a little at Fishlegs.
BACK TO SNOTLOUT
... who eyes the Red Death's gigantic, veiny eyes. He raises the hammer...
All of the dragons start nodding, and some even start chanting, "Hit the eyes. Hit the eyes. Hit the eyes."
SNOTLOUT: I can't miss!
... and hammers the monster's eyes, playing whack-a-mole.
Slayer smiles and says, "Largest game of whack-a-mole ever!"
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!
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.
Everyone holds their breath, and are suddenly very aware of the fact that of the future teens, there isn't a Hiccup.
He looks up to see...THE RED DEATH blasting at the teens, enraged. The 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 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. Suddenly, a meaty hand grabs Hiccup. STOICK explodes to the surface, pulling Hiccup to the shoreline through flaming debris. He lays him down, under the shelter of an overhanging rock.
The Vikings would cheer if a terrifying fact hadn't just dawned on all of them. They haven't seen a future Hiccup.
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.
Toothless has a wicked dragon smirk on as he thinks to himself, 'It's about time I get a whack at the dragon!'
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.
Slayer is holding her heart like the feels are getting to her.
STOICK: Hiccup. I'm sorry...for everything.
HICCUP: Yeah...me too.
STOICK: You don't have to go up there.
HICCUP: We're Vikings. It's an occupational hazard.
All the Vikings smile broadly.
They exchange smiles.
STOICK: I'm proud to call you my son.
Everyone smiles, after hearing 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.
IN THE AIR
Astrid sees Toothless streaking through the sky, gaining altitude.
ASTRID: He's up!
The Vikings cheer.
She turns to Ruffnut and Tuffnut, who are ARGUING and THROWING PUNCHES at each other.
Hiccup sighs, "You're annoying the wrong creature!" Making the twins laugh.
ASTRID (CONT'D): Get Snotlout out of there!
IN MID-PUNCH, the twins look over to see Snotlout stranded on the monster's head. They eye each other.
TUFFNUT RUFFNUT: I'm on it! I'm on it!
TUFFNUT: I'm on it first! I'm ahead of you.
Snotlout rolls his eyes, "You're on the same dragon! Now get me out of there!"
The twins spot Snotlout on the giant dragon and steer their Zippleback in his direction.
RUFFNUT: Hey! Let me drive!
The twins peel off, ARGUING as they race each other to the monster. Snotlout sees the Zippleback diving toward him and DASHES down the Red Death's head. He runs up the end of its horn... As the twins sweep past, both missing him... but perfectly snatching him where the necks merge. Ruff and Tuff eye each other, surprised and impressed.
"I can't believe that worked!" The twins say, causing Snotlout to punch them both.
TUFFNUT: I can't believe that worked.
The Red Death spots Astrid and INHALES, preparing to blast. She and her Nadder get caught in the suction, pulled toward the monster's gaping mouth.
ON THE GROUND
The Vikings watch with dread. They hear the familiar whir of the...
GOBBER: Night Fury! Get down!
The Vikings look on fondly for a small moment. They've all heard that shout so many times, it's basically a game to the children.
IN THE AIR
A massive BLAST jolts the Red Death's head sideways. Astrid is thrown clear of its mouth... AND her Nadder. She tumbles through the air. The ground races toward her, when... She's suddenly CAUGHT by the leg. She looks up to see Toothless.
HICCUP: Did you get her?
Toothless looks smug, "I never miss, remember?" Causing the Vikings to recall his first description.
Toothless grunts.
ON THE GROUND
They fly over the crowd of Vikings and set Astrid down, mid- run. They circle back to re engage - a black speck against the clouds.
ASTRID (BREATHLESS): Go.
IN THE AIR
Hiccup and Toothless rocket past the Red Death's head and climb, higher and higher.
HICCUP (TO TOOTHLESS): That thing has wings! Okay, let's see if it can use them!
All the dragons tense, this is it.
Hiccup pulls Toothless into a turn. They plummet, gaining tremendous speed. The wind buffets them as they target the Red Death as super sonic speed. KABLAM! Toothless unloads a fireball against the Red Death's head. It goes down with a rumble as they climb anew.
ON THE GROUND
The Vikings shield themselves from the dust of the fallen monster... as its wings unfold and extend.
Everyone sucks in a breath, it can fly!
IN THE AIR
Hiccup looks back as they put distance between them.
HICCUP (CONT'D): Do you think that did it?
"Oh yeah. That did it."
Suddenly, the enraged behemoth RISES into frame... flapping its wings furiously. A daunting sight.
HICCUP (CONT'D): Well, he can fly.
Hiccup and Toothless DIVE into the tangled sea stacks - they weave through the rock like rabbits through a briar. The Red Death SNAPS at them, but cannot reach them. Hiccup and Toothless PULL AHEAD. The Red Death SMASHES through the canopy of rock and pulls in behind Toothless. He BURSTS THROUGH fifty-foot formations like they were saplings.
ON THE GROUND
Stoick, Gobber, and the Teens watch as Hiccup and Toothless streak past, weaving through sea stacks.
TEENS: Woohoo! Yeah!
A moment later the Red Death SMASHES the sea stacks to dust in hot pursuit. The Vikings mood is quenched.
IN THE AIR
Hiccup and Toothless can't slow the monster down. Hiccup eyes the clouds above. An idea hits him. He locks eyes with Toothless.
HICCUP: Okay Toothless, time to disappear.
There's a mix of fear and excitement.
Toothless PULLS into a steep climb, heading toward the clouds.
HICCUP (CONT'D): Come on bud! The Red Death follows, closing in fast.
HICCUP (CONT'D) (hearing the gas): Here it comes!
BLAST! They narrowly dodge a column of flame and smoke. They reach the low-hanging clouds and pierce them. The monster follows, immediately losing them in the hampered visibility. It roars irritably. From out of nowhere, Toothless DIVES at the huge dragon, BLASTING and PUNCTURING a hole in its wing.
No one besides Hiccup can see what he's planning, that worries them. Even Hiccup himself, knowing what he has planned, is thinking, 'I don't know if this will work.'
Toothless and Hiccup are gone again before the dragon can get a shot at them.
ON THE GROUND
The Vikings stare up at the sky listening to the resounding BOOMS and watching FLASHES light up the clouds. Gobber places a hand on Stoick's shoulder.
IN THE AIR
HICCUP and TOOTHLESS dive in again and again, using the clouds to hide and surprise as they puncture the monster's wings. It BELLOWS in frustration and WHIRLS around, unleashing fire blindly, in all directions. Hiccup sees the glow of fire cutting towards them.
HICCUP (CONT'D): Watch out! The random blast CLIPS Toothless' tail. It's heavily damaged.
Hiccup closed his eyes. This is the moment of truth.
HICCUP (CONT'D): Okay, time's up. Let's see if this works.
He pulls Toothless into a turn. They fly directly into the Red Death's face, taunting it.
HICCUP (CONT'D): Come on! Is that the best you can do!?
Toothless utters an insult too, and they jackknife into a steep dive. The Red Death pursues. Toothless PUMPS his wings, racing faster than he's ever gone before. Hiccup and Toothless stay just ahead of the Red Death - no longer trying to evade it. Hiccup glances back to check the tail - it's disintegrating.
Fishlegs has caught onto what Hiccup has planned. He looks over at the other teen and sees Hiccup with his eyes closed, not daring to watch the next scene.
HICCUP (CONT'D): Stay with me buddy. We're good. Just a little bit longer.
The Red Death closes the gap. Hiccup tucks in and holds Toothless steady - allowing the monster to set its sights on them. It narrows its eyes.
HICCUP (CONT'D): Hold, Toothless.
The Red Death OPENS his mouth. The familiar gas HISS emanates from his throat - ignition is coming.
HICCUP (CONT'D): NOW!
Hiccup HITS the PEDALS HARD as Toothless extends one wing. They PIVOT in place, hurtling directly into the Red Death's mouth. Toothless FIRES point blank down the monster's throat. Its amassing gas is ignited, BACKFIRING into the monster, erupting in a chain of blasts throughout its body. Hiccup and Toothless BURST from the clouds, the Red Death hot on their tail, exploding from within.
Everyone is tense, trying to will everything to happen faster.
It glances forward and sees the ground rushing up. It throws open its wings, attempting to put on the brakes, but the punctured, damaged wings can't stop its momentum. As the Red Death chokes on the expanding fireball, he sees Toothless suddenly pull out of the dive, streaking up, past its Red Death HITS the ground, head-first. It EXPLODES like the Hindenburg. Hiccup and Toothless weave through the monster's massive back plates, wings, and flailing legs - a high-speed recall of the FREE FALL slalom run. The expanding fireball races toward them, about to swallow them. They manage to clear the obstacles. Hiccup glances back. They're outrunning the fireball. He looks forward just in time to see the monster's massive club tail careening toward them. He tries to shift their direction. The last shreds of Toothless' tail tear away. Hiccup's pedals go DEAD.
Only one word is running through Stoick's mind, 'No.'
HICCUP (CONT'D): No. No.
Hiccup and Toothless can't maneuver - they're dead in the air. The giant club tail CLIPS Toothless, TEARING Hiccup from the harness and sending him tumbling against the backdrop of the fast-approaching fireball. Toothless STRUGGLES with all his might to reach the unconscious Hiccup. But the fireball swallows them both.
Now Stoick shouts that word, "NO!"
Ya know sometimes I really think I'm evil. Oh well!
Hope you liked the chapter!
Blackdragonslayer signing off!