Chapter 6: First day of training

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.

"EEUUWWW" could be heard from the dragons as they grimace.

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.

ASTRID

Yeah, it's only fun if you get a scar out of it.

"Are all you Vikings masochists?" Toothless asks.

"Yes they are Toothless" Hiccup tells him quietly.

HICCUP (O.S.)

Yeah, no kidding, right? Pain. Love it.

Toothless looks at Hiccup raising an ear. "I was being sarcastic" Hiccup exclaims.

The recruits turn to see Hiccup behind them. Groans all around.

TUFFNUT

Oh great. Who let him in?

"Gobber did, didn't you see him open the gates?" Hiccup replied.

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.

"Some honor" Hiccup says dryly.

SNOTLOUT

Hiccup already killed a Night Fury, so does that disqualify him or...?

The recruits LAUGH and chatter in the background.

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.

"Gobber seriously I'm getting you a how to book for pep-talks." Red says eying Gobber.

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.

"Why is he so excited?" A Deadly Nadder asks.

"He loves Dragons" Hiccup says quickly before glancing back at the screen.

GOBBER (CONT'D)

The Deadly Nadder.

FISHLEGS

(under his breath) Speed eight. Armor sixteen.

GOBBER

The Hideous Zippleback.

FISHLEGS

Plus eleven stealth. Times two.

GOBBER

The Monstrous Nightmare.

FISHLEGS

Firepower fifteen.

GOBBER

The Terrible Terror.

FISHLEGS

Attack eight. Venom twelve.

"Can you stop that!" A Nadder says, while eying Fishlegs.

"What do those things even mean?" One of the Terrors asked fluttering curiously about.

"We use them to measure the strengths of dragons in particular areas." Hiccup supplied.

"OH" Was collectively said by the dragons.

"Hey, I know." A purple Nadder exclaims. "Let's make a list of a Viking's likability." The Nadder promptly received a slap from a Nightmare's tail.

"It would be a very short list." The Nightmare huffed. "The hatchling is be the only one we like."

"True. Why would the other Vikings be rude to such a wonderful hatchling. Even his sire acts like he has no respect for him." A Gronkle grumbled, and the Vikings hung their heads in shame because the knew they had never made Hiccup feel welcome.

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!?

"Oh, Snotlout don't you know? Gobber believes in learning on the job." Hiccup says.

GOBBER

I believe in learning on the job.

BAM! A GRONCKLE thunders out of its cage, 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?

"That comes after" I say, "Well if you're still alive that is."

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.

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 Vikings, and dragons as a collective slap their foreheads at the twins actions.

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.

"Did you purposely target the shields?" Hiccup asks the Gronkle population hoping to find the one that was in the arena.

"Yes, I would never harm a hatchling." The Gronkle from the arena says coming forward to sit beside Hiccup.

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 did you purposely leave ammo for the Gronkle in the ring?" I said eying him, Gobber nervously rubs the back of his head.

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.

"That hurts you know?" said Gronkle yells at the Vikings.

GOBBER (CONT'D)

All dragons have a limited number of shots. How many does a Gronckle

have?

SNOTLOUT

Five!

FISHLEGS

No, six.

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!

"Gobber, that lesson was about survival. Wasn't I doing a pretty good job staying alive by hiding?" Hiccup asks sarcastically.

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-

A collective groan sounds through the theater.

She cartwheels out of the way, allowing a shot to shoot past her and hit Snotlout's shield. He's blasted onto his back.

At this point Hiccup is seen scratching the Gronkle, and saying "Good job girl."

GOBBER

Snotlout! You're done!

"Wait!" Snotlout yelled. "Useless lasted longer than me!"

"Yes he did Snotlout." I tell him. "Not so useless now is he."

At this point Snotlout sputters trying to come up with a reply.

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.

Astrid ROLLS away. A split-second later a lava slug knocks Hiccup's shield clear off of his arm. Hiccup is exposed.

"Why wasn't he out Gobber?" Stoick asks. "Well I thought I'd give the lad a second chance." Gobber says. "Why thank you Gobber, I'd love to get blasted all the time." Hiccup remarks.

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.

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.

Gobber eyes the Gronkle at Hiccup's feet. "Sorry hatchling, at that point I was pretty disorientated." The Gronkle says to Hiccup, and receives scratches from Hiccup.

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.

"Gobber, was that last line meant for me or the Gronkle?" Hiccup asks.

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.

Hiccup looks to Gobber raising an eyebrow. "Alright, alright, almost all ways" Gobber says.