Disclaimer: I Do Not Own How To Train Your Dragon.
Destiny: Hiccup
25. Hiccup's Battle
... 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.
Astrid felt herself blushing and quickly looked around to make sure that no one noticed. Unaware to her, Gobber noticed and he silently cheered to himself. It was about time Hiccup's life took a good turn after all the hurt the teenager had suffered ever since his mother was taken.
GOBBER AND STOICK, watch slack-jawed, in awe.
HICCUP Ruff, Tuff, watch your backs! Move Fishlegs!
Stoick's eyes widened. Hiccup was showing the signs of being a chief, or at least the beginnings of the sign of a leader. And the teenagers, who had spent years belittling him were following with no issues.
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!
The twins cheered for themselves while their parents signed. Their children would only be more destructive now.
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.
Gobber laughed in agreement with his future self. He, of course, had always been able to see it. Having been a key part of raising the boy, Gobber had come to recognise parts of both Stoick and Valka in their child. Clearly demonstrated on the thing called a screen, Gobber felt all the way down to his undies that Hiccup had Valka's heart when it came to Dragons and Stoick's stubborn head to make everyone see that what they were doing was fighting the wrong villain. Berk clearly needed a Hiccup.
Stoick is speechless.
IN THE AIR The group circles over the dragon's head.
HICCUP Fishlegs, break it down.
FISHLEGS Okay. Heavily armoured skull and tail made for bashing and crushing. 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)
Their parents only sighed. While it was clearly obvious that Hiccup was using his team's best attributes, using Ruffnut and Tuffnut to annoy the creature would make them more determined to be followers of Loki.
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!
Many of the adults were shocked. They had spent years trying to get the twins to do as they were told and this tiny Viking comes along and they jump to follow his orders.
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!
Ruffnut turned to her brother.
"Bride of Grendel! That's a good one, why haven't you used it before?" She asked.
"I was saving it for your wedding" he answered. Ruffnut punched him in the face.
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 gulped. That was a lot more eyes than his future self thought.
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!
Toothless groaned. Hiccup was not fireproof. Toothless was mostly fireproof. Hiccup was an idiot.
She and the Nadder take off.
Toothless came to the conclusion that humans, as a species, was mostly idiots.
As Hiccup fights his way to Toothless. He unbuckles the muzzle. Toothless shrieks.
The dragons knew that the future Night Fury was urging his rider to leave him.
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!
Snotlout would deny that he whimpered to the end of his days.
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 winced. That looked like it would hurt.
BACK TO SNOTLOUT
Snotlout eyes the Red Death's gigantic, veiny eyes. He raises the hammer...
SNOTLOUT I can't miss!
Snotlout 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!
Astrid pulled a face. Clearly the battle was getting to her head.
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, 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 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. 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.
Gobber released the deep breath that he was holding. He did not want Hiccup to die. Especially for their mistake. The fact that it was Stoick that saved him should hopefully not mend their relationship, but set the onto the right path.
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.
A few dragons thought that the Night Fury was a better dragon than them. They would have left him. The Dragon Rider would make a far better chief.
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.
Many villagers held their breath. This would the moment. The moment that may define their village for the future. Gobber crossed the fingers and toes on each of his foot and hand. This conversation should, definitely, make his life so much more easier. No more being the middle man.
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.
They exchange smiles.
STOICK I'm proud to call you my son.
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.
A few of the Berkians cheered as quietly as they could. Considering the fact that they were Vikings, this would not quiet at all. Both Hiccup and Stoick just ignored them. Toothless growled at them to shut up.
IN THE AIR Astrid sees Toothless streaking through the sky, gaining altitude.
ASTRID He's up!
She turns to Ruffnut and Tuffnut, who are ARGUING and THROWING PUNCHES at each other.
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.
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.
TUFFNUT I can't believe that worked.
That got a few chuckles, but many eyed the night fury. They did not want to make it angry.
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.
Astrid ignored the looks from those around her. It was a battle after all. Stuff happens.
ON THE GROUND
The Vikings watch with dread. They hear the familiar whir of the...
GOBBER Night Fury! Get down!
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 grunts.
ON THE GROUND
They fly over the crowd of Vikings and set Astrid down, mid- run. They circle back to reengage - a black speck against the clouds.
ASTRID (BREATHLESS) Go.
Stoick looked over at Astrid. Who was trying to hide her red cheeks. She would make a great second to Hiccup one day. Gobber's grin said that he clearly agreed.
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!
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.
"It actually has wings!" a random Viking shouted in shock with many shouting random words in their shock.
IN THE AIR Hiccup looks back as they put distance between them.
HICCUP (CONT'D) Do you think 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.
Stoick was freaking out. On the inside. He did not want Hiccup or any of the other teenagers to see him freak out. How was his tiny son going to survive this? Would he make it out in one piece?
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.
Toothless PULLS into a steep climb, heading toward the clouds.
HICCUP (CONT'D) Come on bud!
The Red Death follows, closing in fast.
The nails on Gobber's hand are being bitten roughly as the blacksmith panicked.
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. 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.
Spitelout and Astrid both frowned. Hiccup clearly had a plan. He wasn't going for the kill. The young Viking was clearly plotting something.
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.
Stoick leaned forward. He was no longer hiding how worried he was.
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 jack knife 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.
HICCUP (CONT'D) Stay with me buddy. We're good. Just a little bit longer.
'What are you planning?' Astrid thought to herself.
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.
"Of course" Astrid said out loud just as Hiccup shouted...
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. 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 head.
The Red Death HITS the ground, head-first. It EXPLODES like the Hindenburg.
The dragons roared in excitement. They were going to be free! Some of the Vikings cheered but most were still watching the wall as Hiccup and Toothless now have to get out for their survival.
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.
Stoick sucked in a deep breath. He was about to lose his only child.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
No. No.
Hiccup and Toothless can't manoeuvre - 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.
"No. No. No" Gobber and Stoick started muttering. The rest of the room was completely silent.
Toothless STRUGGLES with all his might to reach the unconscious Hiccup. But the fireball swallows them both.
Toothless growled and covered Hiccup with his wing once again. Hiccup who was paler than usual and his breath was stuttering.
ON THE GROUND
The Vikings watch in horror as Hiccup and Toothless disappear into the boiling inferno.
DISSOLVE TO: A whiteout of ash. And through it comes...
STOICK Hiccup? Hiccup!?
Stoick appears, searching desperately. Everything is scorched. Even the ground is smoking from the terrible heat.
STOICK (CONT'D) Hiccup!? Son!?
Through the ash, Stoick the motionless silhouette of Toothless.
Toothless keeps an eye on the screen and an ear on Hiccup. He had moved his wing a little so that Hiccup could still hear what was going on but not see.
STOICK (CONT'D) (GRAVE) Hiccup.
He hurries to the dragon's side. Toothless is roughed up, but conscious. His scorched saddle, however, is vacant.
Stoick looks to the sky in despair. He buckles at the knees, overwhelmed by the loss.
Stoick starts crying. Gobber kept his eye on the screen. Surely they wouldn't been shown this just for the hero to die.
STOICK (CONT'D) Oh son...I did this...
Astrid pushes through the crowd, her eyes welling up. Followed by Gobber. They flank Stoick as he kneels, slumped over.
Behind them, a ring of Vikings form, keeping a respectful distance. As the dust and smoke clear, a ring of wild dragons can also be seen, gathering just behind and between the Vikings. Toothless stirs and groggily rolls his head toward Stoick. Their eyes meet.
STOICK (CONT'D) I'm so sorry...
Toothless unfolds his wings, revealing Hiccup, unconscious, clutched safely against his chest. Stoick's eyes widen.
Toothless lowered his wing. Hiccup saw what was going on the screen. He frowned.
STOICK (CONT'D) Hiccup.
He scoops Hiccup into his arms. Listens to his heart. Bursts into relieved laughter.
STOICK (CONT'D) He's alive! (TO TOOTHLESS) You brought him back alive!
The Vikings cheered but Gobber, Stoick and Hiccup all frowned. Something else was going on.
The crowd roars. Followed by the dragons. The Vikings look around to find themselves surrounded.
Stoick leans close to Toothless, meeting him eye to eye.
STOICK (CONT'D) (PRIVATELY) Thank you... for saving my son.
Gobber looks Hiccup up and down.
GOBBER Well, you know... most of him.
"Most of him?" Spitelout shouted and all the vikings stopped celebrating. Something else was going on. What had happened to Hiccup?
Stoick glances back at him. Gobber shrugs, redirecting his eyes toward...