Chapter 11:

EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - MORNING

GOBBER (O.S.)

Today is about teamwork. Work together and you might survive.

ON A DOUBLE-WIDE DOOR. Gas seeps through the cracks. It BLASTS OPEN. A cloud of smoke engulfs the ring, swirling around the paired-up teens. Astrid with Ruffnut. Snotlout with Tuffnut. Fishlegs with Hiccup. All carry buckets of water, poised to throw them.

GOBBER (CONT'D)

Now, a wet dragon head can't light its fire. The Hideous Zippleback is extra tricky. One head breathes gas, the other head lights it. Your job is to know which is which.

The smoke encircles them, cutting them off from each other.

The teens LISTEN and WATCH for any sign of the dragon.

FISHLEGS

(muttering to himself)

Razor sharp, serrated teeth that inject venom for pre-digestion. Prefers ambush attack, crushing its victims in its...

HICCUP

(TENSE)

Will you please stop that?

"You know it's serious when Hiccup tells you to shut up." Red and I laugh.

ON SNOTLOUT AND TUFFNUT

Moving nervously through the fog, back to back. Snotlout is singing to himself to calm his nerves.

"Hmmm, who knew Snotlout could hold a tune?" Red ponders.

"Maybe we should hold karaoke night." I suggest.

"Ah hell no, with Gobber trying to sing" Red exclaims.

"Hey, at least I can carry a tune!" Gobber says, and points to Stoick. "His singing would have the valkyries running from Valhalla."

A set of Terrible Terrors start to croon making the dragons groan, and cover their ears.

"Now those Terrors are doing a better job than our dear Chief." Gobber points out, causing Stoick to try, and make himself as small as possible (not really working) out of embarrassment.

SNOTLOUT

If that dragon shows either of his faces, I'm gonna-

(spotting an approaching shape, terrified)

-There!

Snotlout and Tuffnut HURL their water into the fog.

ASTRID

Hey!

RUFFNUT

It's us, idiots.

Astrid and Ruffnut are soaked.

TUFFNUT

Your butts are getting bigger. We thought you were a dragon.

At Tuffnut's statement every man in the theater gives themselves a head slap, while the women were glaring daggers at Tuffnut.

SNOTLOUT

(TO ASTRID)

Not that there's anything wrong with a dragon-esque figure.

"It's a dragon slaying Viking village. Everything should be wrong with having a dragon-esque figure." Hiccup states earning glares from Astrid and Ruffnut.

"But Snotlout was very very wrong stating that you ladies have a dragon-esque figure." Hiccup holds his hands up in a 'I-do-not-want-to feel-your-wrath' gesture as he adds this statement nervously.

"Nice save laddie" Gobber tells Hiccup while chuckling.

Astrid ELBOWS Snotlout in the face. Ruffnut DROPS Tuffnut with a PUNCH to the throat.

ASTRID

Wait.

They FREEZE. A tail SWEEPS out of the fog, taking them down. Their buckets spill.

ON FISHLEGS AND HICCUP coming across them. They see the puddles of spilled water.

TUFFNUT

Oh, I'm hurt. I am very much hurt.

FISHLEGS

Chances of survival are dwindling into single digits now...

HICCUP

Look out!

A Zippleback head emerges out of the smoke. Fishlegs hurls his water at it, completely dousing the head. It leers and opens its mouth, spewing gas into the area.

FISHLEGS

Oh. Wrong head.

GAS FLOWS around their legs. Fishlegs flees in a panic.

GOBBER

Fishlegs!

Beat. A clicking sound comes from behind them. Sparks flash in the smoke.

GOBBER (CONT'D)

Now, Hiccup!

The other head sweeps out of the smoke. Hiccup hurls his water with all his might. It arcs and drops short of the dragon's sparking mouth. The dragon grins, savoring the kill.

"You know hatchling, if I had been lower you would have won." The Zippleback says.

"Sorry about what comes next." Hiccup says earning a light chuckle from said dragon.

"You are forgiven." Both heads say at the same time.

HICCUP

Oh, come on!

GOBBER

RUN, HICCUP!

Gobber COVERS his eyes.

"Gobber, did you seriously just cover your eyes!" Stoick yells.

"What I don't want to watch as my favorite recruit gets roasted." Gobber says.

"Hey!" The other teens yell. "How come he is your favorite?" Snotlout asks.

"The better question would be, would he want to watch you guys get roasted." Hiccup says as he smirks, causing Gobber to sheepishly rub the back of his head.

"You know we wouldn't have killed the hatchling right." The zippleback says.

"Wait, what, why not." One of the vikings ask.

"Because it isn't right to kill someones young!" Another dragon exclaims.

"There are rules to warfare you know" A deadly Nadder says.

"There are?" A Viking in the crowd asks with a scrunched up face like he is trying to recall what the rules are.

"Well they are only basic ones like, never kill a hatchling, you can steal them though, only fight healthy warriors, and a few others" A few Gronkles tell the Vikings.

"Oh" could be heard from all over the Viking side.

"Then what would you do to Hiccup?" Gobber asks.

"Oh you know, probably hug him" One of the Zippleback heads say, while the other adds "He is just so cuddly."

"Well get over here then." Hiccup says surprising several of the Vikings.

The Zippleback trots down the aisle between the dragons, and wraps its heads around Hiccup, and lifts him up in a hug. "Ahhh, so fluffy." The Zippleback remarks as he sets Hiccup down.

GOBBER (CONT'D)

Hiccup!

Beat.

The Zippleback hesitates. SNIFFS. Then retreats. The teens get to their feet, watching transfixed. Gobber peeks through his fingers to see...

The Zippleback backing away from Hiccup. He stands and holds his hands out, as if controlling it.

"How?" Drago asks, his eyes wide as he watches the events.

"We finally get to see how Hiccup did this." Fishlegs exclaims gleefully.

HICCUP

BACK! BACK! BACK! Now don't you make me tell you again!

The Zippleback retreats through its door and into its cave, hissing.

HICCUP (CONT'D)

Yes, that's right. Back into your cage.

Hiccup slyly OPENS his vest, revealing the spotted smoked EEL from earlier. He TOSSES it inside the door, then SLAMS it shut.

"An EEL!" Was all that was shouted through the theater.

The dragons shudder…..and throw hissy fits.

"Who would have thought that dragons would be scared of such a small critter, not that I like eals either" Hiccup says earning a few chuckles from the vikings, and some grumbles from the dragons.

"What's the deal with that anyways" Hiccup asks while looking at the dragons.

"THEY ARE THE DEVIL'S SPAWN!" The dragons exclaim. "Most of us are allergic."

"What do you mean by most?" Fishlegs asks.

"Well see those Noise Makers over there." A Snafflefang points to a group of Thunderdrums looking hungrily at the eel on screen. "It's like a delicacy for them." A Nightmare tells us.

HICCUP (CONT'D)

Now think about what you've done.

Hiccup turns to the teens and Gobber. They stare, slack-jawed

HICCUP (CONT'D)

Okay! So are we done? Because I've got some things I need to...

Hiccup jogs out of the ring, past the speechless group.

HICCUP (CONT'D)

Yep...see you tomorrow.

Astrid SNEERS. Something's going on.

"How is it that Astrid was the only one to notice something going on?" Stoick asks the teens.

"Maybe because the rest, except Fishlegs, who was just wanting to know how, are idiots" Red say nonchalantly.

"Oh, yes that does explain it." Stoick replies while glaring at Snotlout.

"Why is he looking at me?" Snotlout says nervously twiddling his thumbs.

"Maybe because the twins are behind you with a bucket of water." Hiccup says with a grin.

The twins proceed to dump said bucket of water onto Snotlout's head.

"Oh, come on guys!" Snotlout exclaims.

The twins stand there snickering until Snotlout stands up, and turns to face them. The twins run fearing for their lives, Snotlout dashes after them not wanting to be outdone, and trips a wire trap Red must have set up, covering him in tar, and feathers.

"Red, why the trap?" I can't help but ask.

"It is simple my dear Watson, you must be prepared for all comedic purposes" Red says in a mock British accent.

EXT. WOODS/COVE - SUNSET

BEGIN MUSIC MONTAGE

INT. BLACKSMITH STALL - HICCUP'S CLOSET - CONTINUOUS

Hiccup cuts and stitches leather, draws and shapes steel. He works by candlelight. An overhead shot reveals what he's building: a harness, complete with handles and foot pedals.

"Clever." Is all Gobber says.

EXT. COVE - DAY

Hiccup appears before Toothless, holding the new prosthetic. Toothless runs off as Hiccup chases him down.

HICCUP

Hey!

"Bud, seriously." Hiccup turns to Toothless.

"You had to work for it." Toothless says.

The dragons roll over laughing. "He just wanted to play tag hatchling." Night Strikers are very hyper.

"You know, that explains a lot." Hiccup looks at Toothless who is sulking, because his ruse was revealed.

EXT. COVE - DAY

Toothless and Hiccup are zooming over the ocean. The tail breaks free sending Hiccup flying.

HICCUP

Yeah! Whoa!

INT. BLAKCSMITH STALL - LATER

Hiccup adjusts the harness and uses a metal clamp to affix himself to Toothless' saddle.

EXT. SKY/FIELD - DAWN

Hiccup and Toothless zip through the air - his rudimentary harness and tail controls are working, barely. They crash- land in an open field. Hiccup recovers to find Toothless still rolling around in the tall grass. Hiccup discovers that it's a patch of dragon-nip.' Toothless writhes on his back, tongue wagging, in complete bliss.

"Soooooo….. not a giant cat?" Hiccup asks to no one in particular.

EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - MORNING

Hiccup grabs the head as instructed, then discreetly pulls a fistful of dragon-nip' and presses it up to the Gronkle's nose. It immediately stops struggling and goes weak in the knees. Hiccup drops the handful of dragon-nip to the ground. The Gronkle goes down with it, whimpering and blissful. From Gobber and the recruits' point of view, Hiccup is controlling the Gronkle with no more than a limp arm.

"We need to find that patch of grass again Bud." Hiccup says as he scratches Toothless.

"Do you guys want to come too?" Hiccup asks the rest of the dragons.

Choruses of "YESSS" could be heard from the dragons at the thought of dragon-nip.

EXT. WOODS - AFTERNOON

The recruits walk home together, surrounding Hiccup and BOMBARDING HIM WITH QUESTIONS.

FISHLEGS

Hey Hiccup, I've never seen a Gronkle to that before.

TUFFNUT

How'd you do that?

RUFFNUT

It was really cool.

He squirms and invents an excuse.

HICCUP

I left my axe back in the ring.

He turns and hurries back.

"Wait, you didn't have an axe." Tuffnut says, finally catching on.

"Now you realize that!" Hiccup says facepalming.

HICCUP (CONT'D)

You guys go on ahead and I'll catch up with you.

Astrid watches, suspicious.

EXT. COVE - LATER

Hiccup rubs Toothless behind the ear, causing him to relax and fall over.

EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - LATER

An angry Deadly Nadder approaches Hiccup. Just as Astrid moves in to strike, Hiccup performs his special rubbing technique, which sends the Nadder down.

Astrid and the other kids look on from the sideline in amazement.

INT. MEADE HALL - CONTINUOUS

Hiccup sits down at a table to eat. The other recruits notice him and move over to his table to talk to him – leaving Astrid alone.

"Someones jealous." Red says in a sing-song voice.

FISHLEGS

Hey Hiccup!

SNOTLOUT

What was that? Some kind of trick? What did you do?

TUFFNUT

Hiccup, you're totally going to come in first, there's no question.

"Oh, Tuffnut. I really wished you were wrong." Hiccup sighs.

EXT. COVE - LATER

Hiccup is using a mirror-like object to create a patch of light on the ground. Toothless claws and chases the light patch like a cat chasing a laser pointer.

"That was what it was!" Toothless gives Hiccup a glare. "I was chasing that thing all afternoon!"

"Yes, and that was totally not cat-like." Hiccup says sarcastically earning a chuckle from several vikings.

EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - DAY

A beam lifts from the door of another dragon pen.

GOBBER

Meet the Terrible Terror.

A tiny, pint-sized dragon steps out and moves toward the recruits.

TUFFNUT

Ha. It's like the size of my-

Tuffnut is taken down in a blur.

"Tuffnut, never ever finish that sentence." Hiccup pleads.

TUFFNUT (CONT'D)

Get it off! Get it off! Oh! I'm hurt, I am very much hurt!

Hiccup stops the Terrible Terror with the same light-patch trick he used earlier with Toothless. The tiny dragon retreats back to its cage. The teens approach him yet again as Astrid looks on with suspicion.

TUFFNUT (CONT'D)

(TO ASTRID)

Wow, he's better than you ever were.

"Tuffnut, why do you want to make Astrid angrier!" Hiccup says exasperated.

"Because sweet chaos always follows." Tuffnut exclaims happily.

CUT TO:

EXT. FOREST - MOMENTS LATER

Astrid furiously hurls her axe at a nearby tree. She notices Hiccup walking by in the distance, carrying one of his trademark harnesses. She quickly tries to follow, but he loses her in the woods. She HUFFS, frustrated.

"You know I was hiding behind that rock right?" Hiccup asks Astrid.

"HOW DID I MISS THAT!" Astrid exclaims giving Hiccup her famous 'I-will-cleave-you-in-half' glare.

"Astrid please calm down." Hiccup tries to pacify her, it doesn't work, she gets even madder.

"Hiccup why must you make your mate mad?" Toothless asks exasperated. This statement causes Astrid, and Hiccup to blush.

"I have told you before that she will never go for me!" Hiccup exclaims. The dragons merely give both teens knowing looks.

Drago huffs. "There is definitely something there."

"Oh come on! Not you too!" Hiccup yells in exasperation.

EXT. COVE - LATER

Hiccup straps a newly designed harness onto Toothless. With Toothless tied to a nearby post with a rope. Hiccup rides him in the air - while stationary. Toothless looks like a giant kite tied to a tree stump. This harness seems to work.

EXT. SKY - MOMENTS LATER

The rope breaks and the pair CRASH into a tree. Hiccup's face is red.

HICCUP

Oh, great.

EXT. BERK - NIGHT

The streets are empty save for a lone Viking who crosses Hiccup's path.

VIKING

Hiccup.

Hiccup nods, trying to look casual.

"Hiccup, you need acting lessons." Gobber says.

Once the coast is clear, he covertly steers Toothless into the Blacksmith's stall.

"What is wrong with you all." Stoick turns to the guards. "You are supposed to notice a dragon!"

"Well he is your son, he shouldn't have a dragon" One of the guards say.

"Valid point" Stoick grumbles.

Toothless PRESSES himself inside, rooting through stuff and making a racket. Astrid, walking nearby, is alerted.

ASTRID (O.S.)

Hiccup?

Hiccup FREEZES. Then frantically tries to pry the ring off the saddle hook. It won't budge.

"Busted!" Drago comments gleefully.

ASTRID (CONT'D)

Are you in there?

Too late - she's right outside.

ON ASTRID walking along the outside of the Blacksmith's.

Hiccup JUMPS OUT the window and CLOSES the shutters behind him. Hiccup's harness line is stretched through the window, still attached to Toothless' saddle.

HICCUP

Astrid. Hey! Hi Astrid. Hi Astrid. Hi Astrid.

"Seriously lad, you need acting lessons!." Gobber states again. "When we get back I'm going to teach ya. Stoick hasn't even figured out that I'm the one who drinks his mead."

"….I said that out loud didn't I" Gobber asks earning nods from both Vikings, and dragons, and a glare from Stoick.

ASTRID

I normally don't care what people do, but you're acting weird. Well, weirder.

Toothless spots a nearby sheep and makes a move toward it. As a result, Hiccup is suddenly PULLED TIGHT against the window shutters. He STRIKES A POSE to compensate... then gets PULLED THROUGH the shutters. They snap back in Astrid's face. Astrid reopens them and finds nothing but an empty stall. In the distance, Toothless and Hiccup slip off unseen.

"ERGGG, I almost had you." Astrid says frustrated.