Hey reader people this ones all me ;-) not sure if that's good or bad... I'll let you decide haha
ON AN OPEN NOTEBOOK
A drawn map of the island, covered in X's.
Hiccup looks up from it and peeks over a gorge, expectantly.
Sees nothing.
He adds another 'X' to the page, then scratches his pencil
over the whole map in frustration.
Astrid laughs, a rich light sound.
Snotlout snickers, "wow, Useless, what did it ever do to you?"
Hiccup rolls his eyes, making no comment.
He snaps the book closed
and pockets it.
HICCUP Uggh, the gods hate me. Some people
lose their knife or their mug. No,
not me. I manage to lose an entire
dragon.
Stoick chuckles, he is a bit restless. Stoick is excited to see his son, who he had thought as hopeless, kill the fiercest dragon to have existed.
Hiccup WHACKS a low-hanging branch. It SNAPS back at him,
hitting him in the face.
Vikings chuckle, only Hiccup could make an innocent tree branch hurt him.
He looks up to see a snapped tree
trunk. His eyes follow it to a long trench of up-turned
earth.
He follows it to a downed, black dragon, its body and tail
tangled in a bola. It appears dead.
Hiccup's eyes fill and he turns to press his face into Toothless. Toothless coo's quietly in his ear, 'its alright. I'm fine. I'm glad it happened, it means I met you. my rider.'
Hiccup gives a watery smile against Toothless's neck.
Hiccup approaches, beaming.
Stoick's face mimics Hiccup's on screen.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(IN SHOCK) Oh wow. I did it. I did it. This
fixes everything.
(ELATED) Yes!
Snotlout scolds.
He strikes a victory pose, planting his foot on the fallen
Night Fury.
HICCUP (CONT'D) I have brought down this mighty
beast!
It suddenly shifts.
HICCUP (CONT'D) Whoa!
Hiccup springs back, terrified. He turns his blade on it.
Rattled, Hiccup creeps along the length of the weak, wounded
dragon, dagger poised to strike.
As he reaches the head, Hiccup finds the Night Fury staring
coldly at him. Hiccup tries to look away, but he's drawn back
to its unnerving, unflinching stare.
Hiccup presses tighter to Toothless, fingering the saddle, to reassure himself Toothless is still alive.
With the dragon safety tangled in the ropes, Hiccup jabs with
his dagger, puffing himself up with false bravado.
The Vikings are on the edge of their seat, this is it, this is the moment Hiccup the Useless becomes their most prized dragon killer.
HICCUP (CONT'D) I'm going to kill you, Dragon. I'm
gonna cut out your heart and take
it to my father. I'm a Viking.
Stoick puffs out his chest, he was the thought on Hiccup's mind as he killed this dragon.
(BEAT) I am a VIKING!
Hiccup raises the dagger, determined to prove his Viking-
ness. The dragon's labored breathing breaks Hiccup's clenched
concentration. He opens an eye, uncertainty leaking through.
The dragon holds the stare. Something profound is exchanged.
The Vikings take an indrawn breath. Tate's eyes sparkle, this is one of her favorite parts.
Finally, the Night Fury closes its eye and lowers its head,
resigned to its fate.
Hiccup's heart leaps at the sight. He whispers, "don't ever give up like that, not ever."
Toothless nudges him, 'I won't. then I had nothing to live for, there was nothing to keep me here. Now I will live, someone has to keep you out of trouble.'
Hiccup chuckles and rolls his eyes.
Hiccup tries to go through with it, holding the dagger
aloft... fighting himself... until finally lowering it with a
frustrated sigh.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Yell's Stoick, "YOU'RE SO CLOSE! YOU COULD EASILY KILL THE BEAST, AND BE RID OF ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PROBLEMS!"
Hiccup replies back, his voice slowly getting louder, "I'm making one Of tHE BESt DECISIONS OF MY LIFE! MY WHOLE LIFE I'VE BEEN BULLIED AND TOLD EVERYDAY THAT I WAS USELESS, THAT THE VILLEGE WOULD BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT ME, THAT I WAS WORTHLESS."
This sends the dragons into an uproar. they were outraged.
Hiccup continues over them, "that decision was the best thing I did in my entire life. He is the only one who cares for me," Hiccup thinks except for you, Astrid, " who would give their life for me in a heart beat. He is the only one I can truly trust, the only one I know who has my back."
This explosion staggers the Vikings, have they really been this hard on him? To have drove him to the enemy?
They are all breathless until Stoick hisses, "traitor."
Then all freezes, all except for Toothless.
Toothless stalks out from behind Hiccup and Astrid. Hiccup tries in vain to get Toothless back over to him. Toothless is growling, loud and low as he approaches the boundry. Whispering, 'How dare you, one who murders without thought, you who belittles and casts out their own hatchling, call my rider, my best friend a traitor. If only you had spent a little amount of time to get to know your hatchling you would not call him those things, because unlike the other little ones, Hiccup is smart, smarter than all of you combine. He is strong willed, and kind and caring. He is Fast and agile. he is to reckless for his own good and desperately needs someone to look over him,' Hiccup snorts at this. 'You better be glad this barrier is between us, you sorry excuse for a parent.' Toothless blows out his nose and smoke comes out. The Vikings stare at him in anger, as Tate had felt the need to allow everyone to understand him. Toothless had come close enough for them to see him well enough.
Stoick glares at him but in his mind, somewhere, he knew the dragon was right. Stoick opens his mouth to reply when Tate yells, "enough!" Everyone silences. "Toothless go back to your spot, NOW. There will be no violence. Though, Stoick, I hate to say I agree with him. Now you all will sit and watch the movie." She chuckles, "then at the end of it we will see how you feel then."
Toothless sanders over to his spot. hiccup pets his head when he settles.
The movie, which had been paused by an irritated Tate, resumes playing.
He looks over the dragon's chaffed rope wounds.
HICCUP (CONT'D) (muttered, ashamed)
I did this.
Snotlout snorts, "no kidding."
He turns to leave. Pauses. And glances back at the dragon,
chest heaving.
Hiccup GRUMBLES. He checks over his shoulder to ensure that
no one is watching... then hurries back to cut the ropes.
The Night Fury's eye shoots open. With the dragon watching
his every move, Hiccup hurriedly saws through the bola ropes.
As the last rope falls free, the Night Fury suddenly POUNCES!
Having momentarily forgotten the argument, the Vikings take in a sharp breath.
In a blur, the dragon is upon him, pinning Hiccup down,
grazing his neck. Looking like it's about to kill him. Hiccup
is paralyzed. The dragon's breath ruffles his hair. Hiccup
opens his eyes to find the Night Fury's wolf-like stare
boring into him. The exchange is intense, profound.
The dragon draws a deep breath, as though it's about to torch
him.
Everyone but Tate, Toothless and Hiccup are on the edge of their seat.
then lets out an ear-piercing scream instead.
"You know, that hurt bud," Hiccup whispers. Toothles nuzzles him.
It turns and takes flight, flapping violently through the canopy of
trees. It bashes against a nearby mountain side, recovers,
and drops out of view some distance away.
Winded, Hiccup struggles to his feet, staggers a few steps,
collapses to his knees, and faints.
Most the Vikings snort and wince as Tate glares at them.
INT. STOICK'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Hiccup enters to see...
STOICK, seated on a thick slice of tree-trunk. He is slouched
over the fire-pit, stirring the coals with his axe. Embers
waft around his beard.
"That's going to catch fire someday," Hiccup says.
Hiccup tries to sneak past, up the stairs to his room. Stoick
seems none the wiser, when...
STOICK Hiccup.
HICCUP
(CAUGHT) Dad. Uh...
Stoick stands, takes a deep breath.
HICCUP (CONT'D) I, uh... I have to talk to you,
Dad.
STOICK I need to speak with you too, son.
Hiccup and Stoick STRAIGHTEN at the same moment.
HICCUP STOICK I've decided I don't want to I think it's time you learn
fight dragons. to fight dragons.
(BEAT) (BEAT) What? What?
Vikings grin, leave it to those two to change their minds at the same time.
STOICK (CONT'D) You go first.
HICCUP No, you go first.
STOICK Alright. You get your wish. Dragon
training. You start in the morning.
HICCUP
(SCRAMBLING) Oh man, I should've gone first. Uh,
'cause I was thinking, you know we
have a surplus of dragon-fighting
Vikings, but do we have enough
bread-making Vikings, or small home
"Bread-making Vikings?" Astrid teases.
"Shut up, I'm not good under pressure." Hiccup responds, Toothless barks out a laugh.
STOICK -You'll need this.
Stoick hands Hiccup his axe. Hiccup avoids taking it.
HICCUP I don't want to fight dragons.
STOICK Come on. Yes, you do.
HICCUP Rephrase. Dad I can't kill dragons.
STOICK But you will kill dragons.
HICCUP No, I'm really very extra sure that
I won't.
STOICK It's time Hiccup.
HICCUP Can you not hear me?
The teens are silent, is this really how every conversation is with his father?
Stoick's eyes drift to the floor, do I really do this?
STOICK This is serious son!
Stoick forces the axe into Hiccup's hands. Its weight drags
him down. He looks up to see Stoick under-lit with firelight.
STOICK (CONT'D) When you carry this axe... you
carry all of us with you. Which
means you walk like us. You talk
like us. You think like us. No more
of...
(GESTURING NON- specifically at Hiccup)
... this.
The dragon's roar, this is the second time they demand change.
HICCUP You just gestured to all of me.
STOICK Deal?
HICCUP This conversation is feeling very
one-sided.
Stoick closes his eyes, finally hearing himself.
STOICK
DEAL?! Hiccup glances at the axe in his hands. It's a no-win
argument.
HICCUP
(RESIGNED) Deal.
Satisfied, Stoick grabs his helmet and duffel bag... and
heads for the door.
STOICK Good. Train hard. I'll be back.
Probably.
HICCUP And I'll be here. Maybe.
Stoick heads out the door, leaving Hiccup holding the axe.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - DAY
Gobber raises a massive iron gate at the entrance of a vast
stone arena.
GOBBER Welcome to dragon training!
The recruits file through the gate, and out onto the arena
floor. They take it in like gladiators entering the
colosseum. The walls are covered in scorched silhouettes of
blasted Vikings. It's a grim yet awe-inspiring place.
The dragons watch in disgust.
ASTRID No turning back.
TUFFNUT I hope I get some serious burns.
RUFFNUT I'm hoping for some mauling, like
on my shoulder or lower back
"How does the area effect anything? And why would you want pain?" Hiccup asks frustrated and confused beyond belief.
ASTRID Yeah, it's only fun if you get a
scar out of it.
"That was sarcasm by the way," Astrid tells Hiccup. He smiles and gives her a glance, which tells her he guessed as much.
HICCUP (O.S.) Yeah, no kidding, right? Pain. Love
it.
The recruits turn to see Hiccup behind them. Groans all
around.
TUFFNUT Oh great. Who let him in?
Tuffnut shifts uncomfortably.
GOBBER Let's get started! The recruit who
does best will win the honor of
killing his first dragon in front
of the entire village.
"Honor," spits Hiccup.
SNOTLOUT Hiccup already killed a Night Fury,
so does that disqualify him or...?
The recruits LAUGH and chatter in the background.
Snotlout's face pales.
TUFFNUT Can I transfer to the class with
the cool Vikings?
Gobber throws a supportive arm around Hiccup and ushers him
along.
GOBBER (cheery, in confidence)
Don't worry. You're small and
you're weak. That'll make you less
of a target. They'll see you as
sick or insane and go after the
more Viking-like teens instead.
"Ya and that makes me feel sooo much better." Hiccup throws out his sarcasm.
Gobber winces.
GOBBER stick him in line with the others and continues on
toward five massive reinforced doors. Terrible ROARS and
BELLOWS issue from within.
GOBBER (CONT'D) Behind these doors are just a few
of the many species you will learn
to fight.
Fishlegs bounces and giggles with excitement, barely able to
contain himself.
GOBBER (CONT'D) The Deadly Nadder.
FISHLEGS (under his breath)
Speed eight. Armor sixteen.
The teen's sigh as the adults look confused.
GOBBER The Hideous Zippleback.
FISHLEGS Plus eleven stealth. Times two.
GOBBER The Monstrous Nightmare.
FISHLEGS Firepower fifteen.
"gods that's annoying," mutters Tuffnut.
GOBBER The Terrible Terror.
FISHLEGS Attack eight. Venom twelve.
GOBBER
CAN YOU STOP THAT?!
(BEAT) And...the Gronckle.
FISHLEGS (quietly; to himself)
Jaw strength, eight.
Gobber pulls a lever, raising the cross beam on the last of
the doors.
SNOTLOUT Whoa, wait! Aren't you gonna teach
us first!?
"I believe in learning on the job." pips Hiccup with a sigh.
GOBBER I believe in learning on the job.
Many eyebrows raise.
BAM! A GRONCKLE thunders out of its cave, charging into the
ring like an irate rhino.
The recruits scramble in every direction. Except for Ruffnut
and Tuffnut who rush toward it, like pumped-up rodeo clowns.
GOBBER (CONT'D) Today is about survival. If you get
blasted, you're dead. Quick, what's
the first thing you're going to
need?
HICCUP A doctor?
Toothless snorts before he could stop himself.
FISHLEGS Plus five speed?
ASTRID A shield.
GOBBER Shields. Go.
The recruits scramble for shields, finding them scattered
around the ring.
GOBBER (CONT'D) Your most important piece of
equipment is your shield. If you
must make a choice between a sword
or a shield, take the shield.
Hiccup STRUGGLES to lift his. Gobber helps him and sends him
running.
Ruff and Tuff stand amidst a dozen shields. But only one has
a skull painted on it. They both grab it.
TUFFNUT Get your hands off my shield!
RUFFNUT There are like a million shields!
TUFFNUT Take that one, it has a flower on
it. Girls like flowers.
The twins' parents sigh and shake their heads, will they ever get along?
Ruffnut uses the shield to BASH Tuffnut in the face. He
doesn't let go.
RUFFNUT Ooops, now this one has blood on
it.
The Gronckle takes aim at the distracted twins. Blam! The
shield is blasted out of both of their hands. Tuff and Ruff
SPIN like tops and go down.
GOBBER Tuffnut, Ruffnut, you're out!
TUFFNUT
(DAZED) What?!
RUFFNUT
(CONFUSED) What?!
The Gronckle scoops up a pile of rocks and SWALLOWS them
back. The teens gather on the far side of the ring.
GOBBER Those shields are good for another
thing. Noise. Make lots of it to
throw off a dragon's aim.
The kids scoop up weapons and begin hammering on their
shields. The Gronckle shakes its head at the clatter.
GRONCKLE'S POV - the teens targets become blurry and
scrambled. It's working.
GOBBER (CONT'D) All dragons have a limited number
of shots. How many does a Gronckle
have?
SNOTLOUT Five!
FISHLEGS No, six.
Fishlegs smiles at his knowledge.
GOBBER Correct, six. That's one for each
of you!
FISHLEGS I really don't think my parents
WOULD- BAM! Fishlegs has his shield blasted away.
GOBBER Fishlegs, out.
Gobber spots Hiccup hiding from the Gronckle's molten slugs.
GOBBER (CONT'D) Hiccup, get in there!
ON ASTRID bouncing on her heels, ready to dodge a blast.
Snotlout appears, trying to hit on her.
SNOTLOUT So anyway I'm moving into my
parents' basement. You should come
by sometime to work out. You look
like you work out-
Spitlout sighs, when will Snotlout figure out that she's not interested?...
She cartwheels out of the way, allowing a shot to shoot past
her and hit Snotlout's shield. He's blasted onto his back.
GOBBER Snotlout! You're done!
Astrid ROLLS to a stop beside Hiccup, who stirs awkwardly,
trying to look cool.
HICCUP
(VOICE BREAKING) So, I guess it's just you and me
huh?
ASTRID No. Just you.
"I meant that you were the one getting out," Astrid stutters, Hiccup grins at her and she punches his arm.
Astrid ROLLS away. A split-second later a lava slug knocks
Hiccup's shield clear off of his arm. Hiccup is exposed.
"Hey! How come I wasn't out like the others?" Hiccup exclaims, outraged.
Gobber chuckles in reply.
GOBBER One shot left!
Hiccup panics and chases after his shield as it rolls across
the ring.
The sudden movement sends the Gronckle chasing after him,
leaving Astrid in the clear.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
(WORRIED) Hiccup!
The Gronckle drives straight toward Hiccup, pinning him
against the wall. It opens its mouth and cocks its tail,
ready to fire point-blank.
Toothless growls, said Gronckle cowers and whispers to Hiccup, 'I'm sorry. I did not know you were friend to the dragons.'
Hiccup smiles in acceptance.
Gobber lunges in and hooks the Gronckle's mouth at the last
second, causing its head to jerk back and fire against the
stone wall above Hiccup's head.
Stoick is shaken at how close it was.
GOBBER (CONT'D) (rattled, but masking it)
And that's six!
Gobber wrestles the irate Gronckle back into his pen.
GOBBER (CONT'D) Go back to bed, ya overgrown
sausage! You'll get another chance,
don't you worry.
The dragons wince.
Slam! Lock. Gobber turns to the recruits.
GOBBER (CONT'D) Remember... a dragon will always,
(with a stern look to
HICCUP) always go for the kill.
He hoists Hiccup to his feet and walks off. Hiccup looks
overhead to see a steaming pit in the solid stone wall.
"No," whispers Hiccup where no one but the dragons and Astrid could hear, "not true, not at all."
