Chapter 24: Birth Of The Riders.
ASTRID: That's more like it.
Dear Gods. " Stoick says, mumbling into his hands but he snapped out of it as The Vikings cheered. Stoick looked at his people in shock.
Were they actually wanting Dragons around? " He thought Again he caught the sight of two dragons, A Rumblehorn and a Thunderdrum, both were Eying him sadly.
EXT. OPEN SEA/DRAGON ISLAND - DAY
[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.]
Poor Toothless." several in the audience whisper.
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.
Enter comic relief to break up the tension. " Jack states.
I like that guy. " Mutters Fred as he chuckles despite the upsetting aura Around them as Everyone bursts out laughing.
Some crew you have there, Stoick. " Laugh Dagur.
Dagur cried, hands holding his stomach as he laughed.
Stoick grumbled at this.
[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?
Hiccup chuckles at Gobber's obvious nervousness and then he frowns- Gobber and Stoick are best friends, they shouldn't be afraid to speak their minds to each other!
STOICK: Find the nest and take it.
Hiro scoffed. " Wow, what a great plan! " He exclaimed Sarcastically.
Hiccup smiled at him. " Sarcasm! Who doesn't love sarcasm!? " He Proclaim.
GOBBER: Ah. Of course. Send them running. The old Viking fall-back. Nice and simple.
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.]
Okay that is actually a pretty smart idea." Jack says.
True If you're a good seamen that is." Hiro added.
[The ship barely misses a jagged outcrop that suddenly appears out of the soupy fog.]
The theater went stiff, even most of the Villains.
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.]
Which it appears that he is." Jack adds on.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - DAY
[Hiccup raises the bolt on the Monstrous Nightmare's pen.]
What are you doing? " Fishlegs asks.
FISHLEGS: (O.S.) If you're planning on getting eaten, I'd definitely go with the Gronckle.
Why a Gronckle. " Hiccup asks his peer.
Gronckles are cool. did you know… " Fishlegs starts to say before being shushed by the entire audience.
Though the future Meatlug perked up, glancing at her fellow dragons proudly. They all rolled their eyes.
[Hiccup turns to see his fellow recruits, watching him with folded arms.]
What are you guys doing? " Hiccup asks but nobody answers.
TUFFNUT: You were wise to seek help from the world's most deadly weapon.
TUFFNUT: (BEAT) It's me.
Everyone burst out laughing, even Val, albeit quietly.
HICCUP: Uh...
SNOTLOUT: I love this plan.
He didn't even tell you the plan! " yelled GoGo.
HICCUP: I didn't...
RUFFNUT: You're crazy. (SULTRY) I like that.
What is going on here! " Hiccup shouts but is once again unanswered by any in the audience.
However Astrid glared at Ruffnut as she smiles- so her future self likes Hiccup too! However her smile turns to a scowl as Astrid pulls her future self out the way.
ASTRID: So? What is the plan?
[Hiccup smiles, glowing in the support of his friends.]
Okay let's see how we are going to pair everyone up… " Hiccup says finally getting the gist of what's going on as a plan starts to form in his mind.
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.]
Is it just me or is this kind of freaking you out. " Anna says, breaking the tense silence in the room.
GOBBER: Ah. I was wondering where that went.
Some vikings chuckled, having Gobber with them was always great with his constant good humor and cheerful mood.
[A clicking buzz becomes audible, growing louder. It fills the sky, converging in one general direction. Stoick sniffs the air.]
Many dragons whimpered in fear.
Toothless and Stormfly growled at the screen.
Hiccup and Astrid gave each other worried looks before trying to calm their friends.
( Note: It will be explain on next break how The riders met their Dragons. )
STOICK: Stay low and ready your weapons.
So you really can smell the stench of the Red Death! And I thought it was just me… " Hiccup trailed off As he and the dragons began to laugh.
[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.]
Anna, Rapunzel, and several others have their hands covering their faces though it doesn't do much good since they are constantly peaking out from behind their fingers.
Why do I have a feeling this will not end well? " Asked Hiccup. " Oh wait, BECAUSE IT DIDN'T! " This did nothing to calm Aunt Cass and the girls nerves. Though Aunt Cass just began to stuff her face again.
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.]
Stoick tenses remembering what happened last time his son faced that particular dragon.
ON THE TEENS
[bewildered, in awe. Snotlout nervously reaches for a spear laying near his foot. Astrid stops him.]
ASTRID: (CORRECTING) Uh-uh.
No weapons. " Present astrid adds on.
[Hiccup slows to a stop in front of the teens, with the Nightmare inches from his outstretched hand.]
Val watched proudly, then slumped. She hadn't been there for him...
[He reaches over and grabs Snotlout's trembling hand.]
This is a pretty good plan if I do say so myself.. " Hiccup says while reclining into the toothless back.
What plan.. " several ask, especially those from Berk.
Hiccup just smirks and says, " You'll see. " He said as I also smirked.
[He reaches over and grabs Snotlout's trembling hand.]
SNOTLOUT: Wait! What are you...
What, are you SCARED? " Teases GoGo. Snotlout snorted.
As for The Twins They laughed. Snotlout pouted like a baby.
Ha! Snot is scared! " Ruffnut laughed, punching her brother on the shoulder.
Yeah! " Her brother replied, punching her back. " That is awesome! " He Exclaimed.
They kept laughing and punching each other until they suddenly got serious and actually started to fight.
We're not going to get in the middle of that.
HICCUP Relax. It's okay... it's okay.
Dagur tilted his head like a confused puppy. " Were you talking to the dragon or Snotface? " He asked.
Hiccup stared at the screen, also pondering over his words.
You know, I'm not sure. But I'll go with Snotface. " Mused Hiccup.
Another muffled scream was heard.
[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. Hiccup turns and walks away.]
Another scream.
Everyone had to cover their ears this time.
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.]
Elsa grinned in anticipation and all of the teens yelled out in joy.
Tuffnut stood on his seat facing the Vikings.
Ya hear that! We're gonna ride dragons! We're gonna ride them and save y'alls butts! Woohoo! " Tuffnut Cheered.
He dropped back down into his seat and head-butted his sister, both still cheering in victory.
This is going to be good. " Jack says.
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.]
Amd we're back at the tense side of things." The winter spirit pipes up again.
STOICK: When we crack this mountain open, all hell is going to break loose.
GOBBER: In my undies. Good thing I brought extras.
'Eeewww' rang out through the audience.
I on the other hand Facepalmed. " TMI Gobber! TMI! " I said.
Gobber merely blushes and chuckles in embarrassment though wasabi asked.
What is with you and undies?! " cried Wasabi.
DON'T ASK! " Yelled the teens.
[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.]
This is not going to end well." Bunny says which surprises everyone has he hasn't spoken that much so far.
[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.]
I wonder how long that took to build." Hiccup said, mournfully. Val sighed.
I know. It looks as though it's been there for centuries." she whispered.
[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.]
Whoa… " murmured everyone.
Several people noticed that the temperature in the room has started to drop.
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.]
Mala snorts. " Oh, Vikings are so strong are they? None of you have hit one, but yet the smallest and weakest member of the tribe hits a Night Fury! " She Exclaimed.
Hiccup gives her a playful scowl.
Jee, thanks for that Mala. " Hiccup mused.
The Queen played along with a big smile.
My pleasure, Sir Hiccup." Smiled Mala.
GOBBER: Is that it?
I don't even have to change my undies. " Present gobber adds on to his future self's train of thought.
Nope! " yelled Fred after Gobber said that.
[Above the island, dragons POUR from every crevice, fleeing to the sky. The sound of screeching dragons fades.]
VIKINGS: (Cheering as one)
The dragons began to whimper and growl again. They were long from over.
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.]
Oh no. " Hiccup muttered, realizing what was going to happen. Astrid realized it as well, and gasped, as did Val.
Idiots. Get put of there! " she said.
And now An Angry Mama Titan Is loose. " I said causing everyone to look at Confuse and I stare wide eyes. " Oh shoot sorry. " I facepalmed Realizing my mistakes.
[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.]
Aunt Cass' popcorn is gone. She started chewing on her fingers until another bucket popped through the ceiling.
Many screams rang out throughout the room. That dragon was even bigger than they thought.
Oh, and there went Mildew again. Gothi keeps looking at me as if she wants me to do something. Aw, isn't that cute? Fungus is being a good nurse and licking his patients face! Actually, that's kinda gross ...
Gothi! Stop that sheep! " I yelled, covering In my eyes at the grossness.
Gothi huffed but made her way to the old man.
GOBBER: Beard of Thor...what is that?
Hiccup scowled. " The Red Death. " I nodded as I added.
Titanus Akai shi. " I Shivers.
STOICK: (AGHAST) Odin help us. (BEAT) Catapults!
Odin help you indeed! " I said, a bowl of Doritos randomly appearing in her lap. I got a lot of weird looks.
[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.]
Now several flurries have started to appear, but people are so focused on the movie that they go mostly unnoticed.
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.]
Bunny notices the little flurries. " Jack now is not the time. " He scolds and wonders even more why many would pick him to be a guardian.
It's not me. " Jack says defensively. Bunny just rolls his eyes wondering when he would grow up.
GOBBER: Heh. Smart, that one.
[Stoick looks up and down the beach for an answer.]
STOICK: (GUILT-RIDDEN) I was a fool.
Yes, yes you are. " Hiccup says from his spot not even looking at his dad, " I tried to tell you but did you listen? of course not! " He scolded at his father.
Ouch, I know how ye feel. " Merida says.
Me too. " Rapunzel says.
Me three. " Adds on jack.
I know what it's like to be completely ignored. " Anna says glancing at her sister.
Hiccup looks around at all of them, " We should form a club. " he says.
As for Mala and Throk both snorted but said nothing.
Dagur kept his eyes trained on the screen, his face emotionless.
Yep. " Dagur said putting an Arm around his wife's shoulder.
[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.
Said Viking glances at Stoick doubtedly. " You really think I'm gonna go with them? " He asked.
SPITELOUT: Right. (turns to the others) Everybody to the far side of the island!
GOBBER: I think I'll stay, just in case you're thinking of doing something crazy.
The apple doesn't fall to far from the tree ye. " North says hoping to break up the tension just a little bit.
To be honest all Haddocks are always crazy. " deadpanned Astrid but smile as she lay her head on his shoulder as Hiccup snake an Arm around his Waist who chuckle at her remark knowing she's right.
STOICK: (placing his fist out)- I can buy them a few minutes if I give that thing something to hunt.
[Gobber grins, grabbing Stoick's arm.]
GOBBER: Then I can double that time.
Hiccup had to smile. He knew that they would do anything for each other, even if it meant dying.
Friends to the bitter end. " said Anna. " Too bad I can't have that. " Elsa winced guiltily.
As for Merida turn to her father. " Good form. " Merida whispers to her father.
Aye. I'd give 'im either a nine or a ten. " he replies before his wife swats him on the arm.
[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 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.]
YEAH! " Yelled Hiro, pumping his fist.
[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.]
HICCUP: Ruff, Tuff, watch your backs! Move Fishlegs!
Stoick watched in interest. His son had the makings of a true chief!
[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.]
Nope, not far at all. " North says to himself smirking
TUFFNUT: Look at us, we're on a dragon! We're on dragons, all of us!
The twins head-butted each other so hard this time they just sit there in a daze.
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.
Stoick grinned.
[Stoick is speechless.]
Ye could say that again. " Spitelout says from his seat next to the chief.
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.
(MORE)
FISHLEGS: (CONT'D) Steer clear of both. Small eyes, large nostrils. Relies on hearing and smell.
See? My knowledge comes in handy! " said Fishlegs this causes his future wife Heather who sends Fishlegs a smile making the lad blush a crimson color.
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.
That's probably the only job they can do! " said Elsa.
YES! " The twins shout pumping their fist in the air before head bumping each other.
RUFFNUT: That's my specialty.
TUFFNUT: Since when? Everyone knows I'm more irritating. See.
[IRRITATING SOUNDS]
Wasabi and GoGo face-palmed as Honey Lemon and Eugene sighed.
Though Ruff scoff at her Brother. " Yeah nuh uh! " Ruffnut says before making her own 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!
Tuff got a lot of weird looks.
What the heck is 'Bride of Grendel'? " asked Atali
Tuffnut did nothing but let out an evil laugh at the screen. This left a lot of people weirded out as Their Mother scoff at this.
If you two weren't saying that to a gigantic dragon, I would ground you for life! " yelled the Thorston twin's mother.
[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.
It has six eyes. " Hiro snarky said . " What did you expect? " He sneers.
Yeah Things just got real. " Eugene says.
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.]
Brave. " complemented Eugene.
HICCUP: (CONT'D) (TO ASTRID) Go help the others!
Astrid grabs Hiccup's hand and gives it a hard squeeze, a worried look plastered on her face. Hiccup frowned at her and returned the gesture, his face showing worry as well.
[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.
Gobber snorted. " Oh really? Look at your dragons! " Scolded at the two.
[The huge beast starts to sway its head dizzily.]
FISHLEGS: Yeah! It's working.
The Vikings cheer.
Um I don't mean to pop your bubble but… " Kristoff began.
[PAN DOWN to reveal that the noise is also confusing the Gronckle and the Monstrous Nightmare. Both dragons lose their bearings.]
Doesn't making noise distract all dragons. " Kristoff says.
Hiccup nodded, now realizing his mistake.
[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.]
Fishlegs laughed. " Ha! I stayed up longer than you did, Snotlout! " Taunt Fishlegs.
Snotlout was out of his bindings now. How? I have no clue.
Oh really? " Smirk Snotlout.
SNOTLOUT: Agghh!
[Fishlegs' Gronckle goes down in a spin of confusion.]
HA! IN YOUR FACE FISHLEGS! " Fishlegs pouted.