EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS – AFTERNOON
[A Gronckle hovers above the ring, hunting victims as the teen recruits scramble.]
[Astrid ducks behind a barrier to find Hiccup already there. She forces her axe at his throat.]
Astrid:
Stay out of my way! I'm winning this thing.
Hiccup: Please. I don't want want to kill a dragon.
They continued to watch.
Hiccup:
Please, by all means.
[She darts off, closing fast on the dragon. The crowd above cheers her on.]
Viking in Crowd:
You got it, Astrid!
[Hiccup stands and looks around. Amidst the crowd of onlookers, Stoick watches keenly, beaming with pride. He locks eyes with Hiccup, giving him a nod of encouragement. Hiccup adjusts his new helmet and forces a half-hearted smile.]
[Unbeknownst to Hiccup, the Gronckle spots him and makes a bee-line toward him.]
BACK TO ASTRID
[… as she catches her breath behind a barrier. She scowls focused, determined.]
Astrid:
This time. This time for sure.
FA: Or so I thought.
They were stunned but continued to watch.
[With a fierce battle-cry, she leaps from cover, axe cocked to throw.]
Astrid:
Aaaaaaaaa…
[And as she clears the barriers, she sees that Hiccup has already laid the Gronckle out.]
Astrid:
…aaaaaaaauGGGGGHHHHHHHHH! No! No!
[Hiccup shrugs, as unhappy with the situation as she is.]
FH: And there it is.
Future Hiccup laid his head in the palm of his hand and continued to watch.
Astrid:
NO! NO! SON OF HALFTROLL RAT EATING MUNGE BUCKET!
Astrid's mother: ASTRID!
Astrid: It hadn't happened yet and I was upset.
[A loud clack ring out. From the crowd above, Gothi, the village elder, steps forward, tapping her staff. Everyone lights up excitedly.]
Stoick:
Wait! Wait!
Hiccup:
So, later.
[Gobber snags Hiccup as he attempts to leave.]
Gobber:
Not so fast.
Hiccup:
I'm kinda late for-
Astrid (Livid):
What? Late for what exactly?
FH: The axe really was a bit much.
FA: It's just my thing.
Danny: Remind me to never get on a female's bad side. Especially a viking.
Adrien: Same here.
They continued to watch.
[Stoick holds out his hands to silence the jabbering crowd.]
Stoick:
Okay quiet down. The elder has decided.
[Thrilled, Gobber stands behind Hiccup and Astrid. He points to Astrid as the crowd waits in silent anticipation. Gothi shakes her head 'no.' The crowd 'Ooohs.']
[Gobber then points to Hiccup. The elder nods an affirmative 'yes.' The crowd erupts in cheers.]
[Astrid turns a seething, deadly glare on Hiccup.]
Gobber:
You've done it! You've done it, Hiccup! You get to kill the dragon!
Stoick:
Ha, ha! That's my boy!
[Hiccup is hoisted onto the recruits' shoulders and carried out to the cheering spectators…]
Hiccup:
Heh, heh. Oh yeah! Yes! I can't wait. I am so…
Tuffnut: What are you going to do?
FH: You'll see.
Hiccup: I have a feeling about what I planned.
Eliza: Let's continue.
They continued to watch.