The grounds have been transformed. Banners and flags flap in the morning sun. Surrounding the ring, a festive crowd had gathered. All of Berk has turned out for the event.
Stoick (aloud to the crowd): Well, I can show my face in public again.
LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE
"What did he mean by that and why did everyone laugh?" Valka asked
Stoick (playful): If someone had told me that in a few short weeks, Hiccup would go from being, well... Hiccup, to placing first in dragon training... I would've tied him to a mast and shipped him off for fear he'd gone mad. Yes! And you know it! But here we are. And no one's more surprised...
On Hiccup standing at the entrance to the ring, listening, looking burdened.
Stoick: ... or more proud than I am. Today, my boy becomes a Viking. TODAY, HE BECOMES ONE OF US!
"More like we became like you after you ended the war." Gobber said
CHEERS and ROARS.
Astrid approaches Hiccup.
"Is Astrid going to do her motivation speech to raise Hiccup's sports?" Heather asked
"No that's later on." Gary said
Astrid: Be careful with that dragon.
Hiccup (re: the roaring crowd): It's not the dragon I'm worried about.
"My father had the anger of ten Mounstrous Nightmares." Hiccup said
Astrid (worried): What are you going to do?
"This is the first time Astrid was worried for Hiccup before they dated." Heather said
Hiccup: Put an end to this.
"That didn't go well did it." Astrid said as Hiccup shook his head
She eyes him, dubious.
Hiccup: I have to try. Astrid. If something goes wrong... just make sure they don't find Toothless.
"You did try, it went wrong and they did find Toothless. Tuffnut said
"Thank you Tuffnut for that observation." Hiccup sarcastically said
"No problem Hiccup." Tuffnut said not knowing Hiccup was sarcastic
Astrid (grim): I will. Just promise me it won't go wrong.
"I'm guessing since it did go wrong Hiccup didn't promise." Fishlegs said
Hiccup can't. Gobber approaches.
Gobber: It's time, Hiccup. Knock him dead.
Hiccup puts his helmet on and enters the ring.
On the Teens hooting and hollering from the stands.
Tuffnut: Show 'em how it's done, my man!
Hiccup locks eyes with Stoick. Stoick nods with a smile. Hiccup returns a half-smile. Takes a deep breath. He hoists a shield onto his forearm and selects his weapon from a rack of many - a small dagger.
Stoick (muttered): Hrmph. I would've gone for the hammer.
"Daggers can still make damage to a dragon, aim for their wings cutting it up and stabbing inside the mouth would still hurt. While the hammer makes the fight end faster don't you Viking's love fights that would go on for a long time." Gary asked
"Yeah, but not with dragons since they never get tried, unlike the enemies we fought over the years." Astrid said
Hiccup turns to face a bolted, heavy door. Takes a deep breath.
Hiccup: I'm ready.
The door bolt is raised. The crowd grows quiet... BOOM! The doors blast open with a stream of sticky fire. Followed by a Monstrous Nightmare, coated in flames. It tears out of its cave like an irate bull - as the crowd roars and jeers. It climbs the walls and chain enclosure like a bat, hissing at the provoking crowd and blasting fire. It spots Hiccup and descends, leering and licking the flaming drool from its lips. The crowd grows silent, bracing for the big fight. With the Monstrous Nightmare's eyes locked upon him, Hiccup deliberately drops his shield and dagger stepping away from them. The dragon pauses, confused.
On Stoick, also confused.
Stoick: What is he doing?
"Something I should've done 30 years ago." Valka said
The dragon presses closer, snorting. Hiccup extends his open hand. It snarls.
Hiccup (whispered): It's okay. It's okay.
The dragon continues to pace, focused on... Hiccup" helmet Hiccup realizes, then reaches up and removes it. Taking a breath to acknowledge the point of no return, he tosses the helmet aside. It hits the ground.
"I wondered what Hookfang was thinking when he saw Hiccup dropping his weapons and helmet?" Mala asked
"I was thinking is this a ploy so he can kill me but when he raised his hand and told me it was okay then I knew he wasn't going to kill so I had to make sure he wasn't joking that's why I looked up at his helmet which made him get the message so he took it off and throw on the ground dissolving his allegiance to the Vikings but to us." Hookfang explained
Hiccup: I'm not one of them.
Gasps and murmurs race through the crowd. On Stoick, as all eyes turn to him. He's welling with upset. Hiccup avoids Stoick's glare and remains focused on the Nightmare, holding his hand out. It paces around him, calming down.
Stoick: Stop the fight.
Hiccup: No. I need you all to see this.
The crowd gets restless.
Hiccup: They're not what we think they are. We don't have to kill them.
"That's what I have been saying when you were still a newborn that they are not what we think they are and we don't need to kill them." Valka said as the old Vikings looked down remembering the day.
Stoick: I SAID STOP THE FIGHT!
Stoick whacks his hammer against the iron enclosure, rattling the arena with a terrible reverberating clatter. Spooked, the Nightmare snaps at Hiccup's outstretched hand. Hiccup yelps and springs backward. The spell is broken. The Nightmare reacts to Hiccup's sudden movements and blasts another stream of fire. Hiccup screams and barely dives out of reach.
"If Dad didn't hit his hammer against the arena bars I would have shown them the truth about the dragons instead of going through all that." Hiccup said
On Toothless. His ear plates shoot up. Panic flares in his eyes.
"I have a question. How can he hear that from all the way in Raven Point?" Gary said
"Night Furies have excellent hearing they can hear from miles away." Fishlegs said
"But still how can he hear Hiccup's screaming among the loud noise in the arena." Gary said
Hiccup scrambles around the ring. The Nightmare pursues, snapping and springing from ground to wall. Stoick pushes through the crowd, rushing to the doorway.
Stoick: Out of my way!
Astrid: Hiccup!
"Worried for your future boyfriend were you Astrid." Heather teased
Astrid wedges her axe under the arena gate and squeezes through.
Toothless bounds to the cove walls, clawing them in desperation. It seems he's as trapped as before, but with an incredible burst of effort he hooks a claw over the upper lip of the stone wall.
"Why didn't Toothless try that when he got stuck inside the cove?" Atali asked
"I was panicking to get out which clouded my judgment while I was running on adrenaline to save my new friend from being killed. Toothless said
A narrow stream of fire narrowly avoids Hiccup as he continues to dash around the ring, evading the Monstrous Nightmare. Desperate, he goes to the weapon rack in an attempt to arm himself, but the Nightmare quickly destroys the rack and closes in on him.
Toothless tears through the woods, bounding like panther and taking to the air in short bursts.
"Even on the ground, he's fast." Thork said
Stoick wrenches the grated door to the arena and jumps through. The Monstrous Nightmare is only a few feet behind Hiccup. Astrid is now in the ring.
"What were you thinking, you could have killed yourself saving Hiccup." Heather said with fear in her voice
"I was trying to save him so he doesn't get killed plus someone needs to fly Toothless and kill the Red Death and I also loved him as well." Astrid said
Astrid: Hiccup!
She picks up a hammer and hurls it at the Monstrous Nightmare, hitting it in the head. It turns its attention to Astrid, and begins chasing her. Stoick raises the arena gate, waving her toward it.
"How can you lift something heavy when you are nearly the same height as Hiccup and have the same skinny arms?" Gary asked
"I maybe looked like a Hiccup but I was training since I was 5 which made me grow slightly taller than Hiccup." Astrid said
Stoick: This way!
Astrid makes it through, but the Nightmare blasts the doorway, cutting Hiccup off. It pounces on him and prepares to finish him off. Suddenly, a terrible roar pierces the din.
"Smart." Mala said
Gobber: Night Fury! Get down!
Toothless bounds over the crowd and blasts a hole through the chain enclosure. He flies through it and disappears in the boiling smoke. The Vikings rush to railings... in time to see a flurry of wings cutting through the dissipating smoke. Toothless and the Nightmare tumble into the clear, locked in a toothy, vicious fight. Toothless kicks the Nightmare off and plants himself between Hiccup and it. The Nightmare snarls, circling them. Toothless lunges and roars... causing the Nightmare to relent and back away. To everyone's shock and horror, Hiccup gets to his feet and grabs Toothless protectively.
"Why haven't the other dragons done that shoot at the chains so they can escape?" Gary asked as the dragons who were locked in the arena looked down
Hiccup (panicked): Alright, Toothless, go. Get out of here!
The crowd is gob-smacked, growing livid.
Vikings: Night Fury!
"The one dragon no one has ever seen before." Spitelout said
Hiccup tries to shoo Toothless away in vain. Vikings begin pouring clambering through the enclosure and dropping into the ring.
"They got their weapons fast." Atali said
Hiccup: Go! GO!
Viking: Take it alive!
Stoick grabs an axe and charges into the arena. Astrid calls out to him, panicked.
Astrid: Stoick no!
Hiccup: Dad! No! He won't hurt you!
The other Vikings surround and attack Toothless. He tosses them aside like rag dolls, his eyes focused on Stoick.
"I can't believe the Night Fury has beaten Vikings who killed dragons their whole lives." Mindin said as the people around her laughed
Hiccup: No, don't! You're only making it worse!
Stoick raises his hammer as he charges for Toothless. Toothless ducks and pounces on him. They tumble end over end.
Hiccup: Toothless! STOP!
He pins Stoick and inhales. The familiar hiss of gas builds.
"So this wasn't the first time Toothless tried to kill Stoick." Valka said
Everyone braces...
Hiccup: NO!
Toothless swallows back the blast and turns to Hiccup, not understanding.
Viking: Get him!
The crowd rushes him, piling on, and taking Toothless down. Astrid holds Hiccup back.
"So they now capture him after the dragon has put down his defensive." Mala said
Hiccup (desperate): No! Please...just don't hurt him. Please don't hurt him.
"You should be more worried about what they going to do to you." Heather said
Stoick gets to his feet, fuming, shaken. A Viking presents Stoick with an axe. He eyes Toothless a moment, then pushes the axe back into the Viking's hands.
Stoick: Put it with the others!
His burning glare turn to Hiccup.
INT. GREAT HALL - DAY
On Hiccup. Being shoved into the dank, dimmed hall. Slam! The massive doors rattle and echo. Stoick pushes past him. He paces against a backdrop of shadowy tapestries and carved pillars - a legacy of heroes, all peering down in angered judgement.
"Mom what happens during these scene's please don't get mad." Hiccup said
"What do you mean don't get mad?" Valka asked
Stoick: I should have known. I should have seen the signs.
"Did Mom do the same thing when we were still babies? How come we didn't hear about it?" Hiccup asked
"We didn't like to talk about that dark day when we lost the chieftess." Spitelout said
Hiccup: Dad.
Stoick: We had a deal!
"One-sided more like." Mala said
Stoick pauses to say something, but stops short. He snorts and resumes pacing, repeating the cycle.
Hiccup (flustered): I know we did... but that was before... ughh, it's all so messed up.
Stoick: So everything in the ring. A trick? A lie?
He stomps toward Hiccup. Stops short and points, fighting back words.
Hiccup: I screwed up. I should have told you before now. Take this out on me, be mad at me, but please... just don't hurt Toothless.
"You almost did back in the forge." Atali said
Stoick: The dragon? That's what you're worried about? Not the people you almost killed?!
"They were fine, maybe their pride was hurt after they got defeated by the Night Fury." Mala said
Hiccup: He was just protecting me! He's not dangerous.
Stoick: They've killed HUNDREDS OF US!
Hiccup: And we've killed THOUSANDS OF THEM! They defend themselves, that's all! They raid us because they have to! If they don't bring enough food back, they'll be eaten themselves. There's something else on their island dad...it's a dragon like-
"You should have shut up after you said Thousands of them, now he's going to know you have been to the island." Heather said
"I know but this is what happens when we both get into any arguments we both don't shut up and the truth comes out which is happening right now." Hiccup said
Stoick HUFFS
Stoick: -Their island?
He stomps back... pointing an accusing finger.
Stoick: So you've been to the nest.
Hiccup: Did I say nest?
"No you said Island." Fishlegs said
Hiccup goes silent - he said too much.
"Oh, now you shut up after revealing to much information." Heather said
Stoick: How did you find it?!
Hiccup: No... I didn't. Toothless did. Only a dragon can find the island.
"And it only took 300 years to figure that out." Gobber said
Stoick glares. A moment passes, then an idea takes form on his face. His eyes flare. Hiccup watches, realizing. Stoick stomps toward the doorway.
Hiccup: Oh no. No, Dad. No.
Hiccup chases after him, panicked.
"Here comes the scene that going to make Mom very angry." Hiccup whispered to Astrid
Hiccup: Dad. It's not what you think. You don't know what you're up against. It's like nothing you've ever seen.
"If Stoick listened to Hiccup there we would have been better prepared for the Red Death." Spitlout said
He grabs Stoick by the arm, tugging with all his might. He has no effect whatsoever.
Hiccup: Dad. Please. I promise you that you can't win this one. Nothing.
"We did, the only thing that was lost was your foot and almost you." Gobber said
Hiccup: No. Dad. No. For once in your life, WOULD YOU PLEASE JUST LISTEN TO ME?!
He throws Hiccup off of him, swatting him to the floor. Icy stillness. Hiccup stares back, stunned.
Stoick: You've thrown your lot in with them. You're not a Viking. You're not my son.
After Stoick said the room temperature got cold as everyone saw Valka getting mad
"He did not fucking say that to my son! He's lucky he's dead or I would have bashed his skull in for what he did to Hiccup! Valka shouted as she seethed in anger
While in the other room Stoick who got resurrected winced at what Valka said
"I'm sorry darling." Stoick said
Stoick pushes through the door, leaving Hiccup alone, devastated.
Stoick (calling out): Ready the ships!
Stoick staggers on the steps, breaking inside.
"At least he has remorse at what he did." Valka said as she calmed down but she was still angry
Broken-down catapults and trebuchets are bundled up and lowered from the cliffs. Below on the docks, Vikings load the heavy artillery into the hulls of awaiting ships. Children and the elderly gather to on the walkways to wave apprehensive farewells to the departing warriors. Lastly, Toothless is loaded aboard Stoick's ship, chained down to a palette, muzzled, and restrained with a weighty neck ring. He looks exhausted, miserable.
"Did Stoick at least leave some warriors on the Island in case Alvin decided to invade Berk while he went off to the nest?" Gary asked
"No, he took every warrior to fight at the nest." Gobber said
"Alvin, why didn't you take Berk while they had no protection?" Gary asked
"We were cleaning up after the dragon raid we had so we didn't think about invading Berk until after the Dragon War ended." Alvin said
Stoick crosses to the bow as the ship pushes off and joins the amassed armada of ships adrift in the harbor. Stoick's brow is furrowed, all warmth drained away. He turns west and glares at the horizon with cold determination.
Stoick: Set sail! We head for Helheim's Gate.
He then notices Hiccup watching from his familiar cliff-side perch beyond the village. Their eyes meet, full of hurt and regret. Hiccup slowly shakes his head in warning. Stoick breaks the stare and turns to Toothless, fuming.
Stoick: Lead us home, Devil.
On Hiccup. Watching. He's powerless to stop what is happening, but won't leave.
On Hiccup. Still standing there. The ships have cleared the horizon. crane up to reveal Astrid is standing behind him. She approaches cautiously and stands beside him in silence.
"Here come's Astrid motivational speech." Gary said
Astrid: It's a mess.
Hiccup doesn't respond.
Astrid: You must feel horrible. You've lost everything. Your father, your tribe, your best friend.
Hiccup: Thank you for summing that up.
Hiccup: Why couldn't I have killed that dragon when I found him in the woods. It would have been better for everyone.
"Yeah, but it wouldn't have been better for Toothless if you ended his life." Mala said
Astrid: Yep. The rest of us would have done it. So why didn't you?
Hiccup just shakes his head - he really doesn't know. Astrid's eyes glimmer. She wants something.
"Did Astrid's eyes just tinkle or something?" Heather asked
Astrid: Why didn't you?
Hiccup: I don't know. I couldn't.
Astrid: That's not an answer.
Hiccup (becoming irate): Why is this so important to you all of a sudden?
Astrid: Because I want to remember what you say right now.
Hiccup: (angry, loud): Oh for the love of - I was a coward! I was weak. I wouldn't kill a dragon.
Astrid: You said 'wouldn't' that time.
Hiccup (blows up): Whatever! I wouldn't! Three hundred years and I'm the first Viking who wouldn't kill a dragon!
"Correction you were the second one on Berk not to kill a dragon." Valka said
Astrid: First to ride one, though.
"Still second to do that." Valka said
Hiccup blinks. He never looked at it that way before.
Astrid: So...
Hiccup (realizing): ...I wouldn't kill him because he looked as frightened as I was. I looked at him and I saw myself.
"That's what I saw in Cloudjumper. You have been becoming like me, while I thought you were going to grow up like your father." Valka said
Astrid turns to face the open sea.
Astrid: I bet he's really frightened now. (provoking) What are you going to do about it?
Hiccup: Probably something stupid.
"Can't believe I said the same thing to you 10 years ago." Astrid said
Astrid: Good. But you've already done that.
Hiccup: Then something crazy.
"Well done Astrid you have started Hiccup's craziness over the years." Snotlout said
Astrid smiles.
"I love when Astrid smiles which made me love her even more
Astrid: That's more like it.
"So Astrid's inspirational speeches to Hiccup are just pesting him until he gives in and tells her what she wants now I can see why they love each other." Heather said
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.
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.
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?
"That's why I always call Gobber Uncle since he's been part of the family for a long time." Hiccup said
"What about me, since I'm still your parental uncle." Spitelout said
"On my Mom's side Uncle Spitelout." Hiccup said
Stoick: Find the nest and take it.
"That didn't work because of that monster." Gobber said
Gobber: Ah. Of course. Send them running. The old Viking fall-back. Nice and simple.
"More like they sent us running instead." Spitelout said
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: Step aside.
Stoick pulls the ship into a turn, covertly following Toothless' head movements.
The ship barely misses a jagged outcrop that suddenly appears out of the soupy fog.
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.
Hiccup raises the bolt on the Monstrous Nightmare's pen.
Fishlegs: If you're planning on getting eaten, I'd definitely go with the Gronckle.
Hiccup turns to see his fellow recruits, watching him with folded arms. Tuffnut steps forward with a scowl.
Tuffnut: You were wise to seek help from the world's most deadly weapon. It's me.
Hiccup: Uh...
Snotlout: I love this plan.
"I didn't tell you the plan yet." Hiccup said
"Astrid told us what you were doing and thought you had a plan." Snotlout said
Hiccup: I didn't...
Ruffnut: You're crazy. (sultry) I like that.
"Did you just flirt with Astrid's man." Heather said
"He wasn't my man." Astrid said
"Yet." Heather said
Astrid: So? What is the plan?
Hiccup smiles, glowing in the support of his friends.
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.
Gobber: Ah. I was wondering where that went.
A clicking buzz becomes audible, growing louder. It fills the sky, converging in one general direction. Stoick sniffs the air.
Stoick: Stay low and ready your weapons.
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.
"I wonder how the volcano hasn't erupted after you guys defeated the Red Death?" Gary asked
"It wasn't active it was more dormant then active." Fishlegs said
Stoick: We're here.
Behind him, several dragon-headed bows pierce the fog.
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. On the teens... bewildered, in awe. Snotlout nervously reaches for a spear laying near his foot. Astrid stops him.
Astrid (correcting) Uh-uh.
Hiccup slows to a stop in front of the teens, with the Nightmare inches from his outstretched hand. He reaches over and grabs Snotlout's trembling hand.
Snotlout: Wait! What are you...
Hiccup: Relax. It's okay... it's okay.
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.
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 Rise of Berk's Dragon Riders." Gary said
The teens eye each other apprehensively, and look up to reveal... All the Dragons standing in the ring, facing the teens expectantly.
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.
"Dragon Island was dead of life when the Red Death was alive but after we killed it life returned to the island." Fishlegs said
Stoick: When we crack this mountain open, all hell is going to break loose.
"You were right about that Stoick." Gobber said
Gobber: In my undies. Good thing I brought extras.
"Too much details Gobber." Astrid said
Stoick turns to face the men.
Stoick: No matter how this ends, it ends today.
"It did with almost everyone still alive." Gobber said
He walks toward the base of the volcano wall, back by several hundred warriors. He raises his arm and drops it.
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. 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 with Dragons.
"How were you guys going to defeat all of those dragons?" Gary asked
Stoick pulls his hammer and rushes into the cave, brazen.
Stoick (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.
Gobber: Is that it?
Above the island, dragons pour from every crevice, fleeing to the sky. The sound of screeching dragons fades.
Vikings (Cheering as one)
Spitelout: We've done it!
"We should've known it wasn't easy." Spitelout said
Stoick doesn't celebrate. Something is not right. He hears something. Stoick turns to peer down the dark throat of the cavern.
"At least Stoick knows what's up." Mala said
A deep, rumbling roar echoes from the cavern. 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: 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.
"Holy Fuck! Everyone except for the New Berkians who already seen it shouted
"What the fuck is that thing?" Atali asked
"That is the Red Death the cause of the raids we have been suffering for 300 years." Hiccup said
"We may be a Dragon-loving tribe but that thing is no Dragon." Mala said
Gobber: Beard of Thor...what is that?
Stoick (aghast): Odin help us. Catapults!
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.
"So catapults are no use." Heather said
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.
"Fuck it's smart." Alvin said
Gobber Joins Stoick.
Gobber: Heh. Smart, that one.
Stoick looks up and down the beach for an answer.
Stoick (guilt-ridden): I was a fool.
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.
"I'm glad it doesn't have wings due to its size." Atali said but she saw the 6 dragon riders look down
"Are you telling me that monster has wings that lift its fat arse!" Atali shouted in shock
"Yes, it did." Fishlegs said
"So it could have left the island any time and attacked any of yous village's and you guys wouldn't be able to defeat it." Atali said
"Yeah we would have been wiped out." Gobber said
Stoick: Lead the men to the far side of the island.
"What's that going to do?" Mala asked
"Stoick was going to distract it for us to escape." Spitelout said
"I'm glad that didn't happen since Hiccup came flying in on dragons." Gobber said
Spitelout: Right. (turns to the others) Everybody to the far side of the island!
The Vikings scatter into the rocks like ants. Satisfied with the ship's destruction, The Red Death turns its attention back to the Vikings. They seem to have vanished. It sniffs the air, searching for their scent. Gobber drops in beside Stoick, like two soldiers in a trench. Fire blasts over head, causing them to duck.
Stoick: Gobber, go with the men.
Gobber: I think I'll stay, just in case you're thinking of doing something crazy.
"What do you know it runs in the family." Alvin said
Stoick grabs him.
Stoick (emphatic): I can buy them a few minutes if I give that thing someone to hunt.
Gobber removes Stoick's hand. Clenches his forearm, determined.
Gobber: Then I can double that time.
"Brother's to the end." Gary said
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.
"So close to stabbing the Red Death's eye." Gary said
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: 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. 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.
"If you arrived another minute we would have been toast." Gobber said
Gobber and Stoick, watch slack-jawed, in awe.
Hiccup: Ruff, Tuff, watch your backs! Move Fishlegs!
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!
"Why did we give them dragons again?" Astrid asked
"Their dragon chose them." Hiccup said
Hiccup: Up, let's move it!
The dragons climb past the Red Death.
Gobber hobbles over to Stoick.
Gobber: Every bit the boar-headed, stubborn Viking you ever were.
Stoick is speechless.
"The last time Stoick was speechless was when he saw me the first time." Valka said
The group circles over the dragon's head.
Hiccup: Fishlegs, break it down.
"How would know the stats of the Dragon since this is the first time he's seen it?" Mindin asked
"Just by looking at it, I know what stats it would have." Fishlegs said
Fishlegs: Okay. Heavily armored 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.
"It didn't have a blind spot or a shot limit either this was the first dragon that was almost hard to beat." Astrid said
Ruffnut: That's my specialty.
Tuffnut: Since when? Everyone knows I'm more irritating. See. (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!
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.
"Did this Dragon ever had a weakness?" Atali asked
"Yeah look at the sky." Hiccup said
"Dark clouds?" Mindin asked
"Perfect element for Toothless." Hiccup said
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 (to Astrid): Go help the others!
"Your brave to do that." Mala said
She and the Nadder take off. As Hiccup fights his way to Toothless. He unbuckles the muzzle. Toothless shrieks.
Hiccup: 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.
At least we know it had the same weakness as the other Dragons." Heather said
Snotlout: It's working.
The huge beast starts to sway its head dizzily.
Fishlegs: Yeah! It's working.
"Don't forget about your dragons as well." Thork said
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.
"Told you to keep an eye on your dragon as well." Thork said
Snotlout: Agghh!
Fishlegs' Gronckle goes down in a spin of confusion.
Fishlegs: I've lost power on the Gronckle. Snotlout! Do something!
"What is he going to do up there?" Dagur asked
He hurls Snotlout his hammer. The Gronkle crashes and skids to a stop...
Fishlegs: I'm okay!
... then flips over, crushing Fishlegs.
Fishlegs (feeble): Less okay.
Back to Snotlout ... who eyes the Red Death's gigantic, veiny eyes. He raises the hammer...
"I see Snothat was brashing the Red Death's eyes." Dagur said calling Snotlout a different name which made him mad
"My name isn't Snothat it's Snotlout." Snotlout said
Snotlout: I can't miss!
... and hammers the monster's eyes, playing whack-a-mole.
Snotlout: 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!
"Oh no Astrid just gave Snotlout a compliament." Heather said in horrior
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!
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.
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.
Hiccup (overwhelmed): Dad...
Stoick dives back into the water between flaming flotsam.
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. 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: You got it, bud.
Hiccup climbs onto Toothless and buckles himself in. Stoick grabs his arm.
Stoick: Hiccup. I'm sorry...for everything.
"I'm glad he apologized for that but I'm still going to give him a whack for disowning you." Valka said
Hiccup: Yeah...me too.
"For what you didn't do anything wrong." Mala said
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.
"I'm glad he made you his son again." Valka said
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.
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: 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.
"What were you two idiots thinking about?" Snotlout asked as he saw the Twins smile which made him get scared
Tuffnut: I'm on it!
Ruffunt: I'm on it!
Tuffnut: I'm on it first! I'm ahead of you.
"Are they not on the same dragon?" Mala asked
"They idiots Mala-poo." Dagur said
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.
"You guys are both idiots if that failed I would have fallen to my death." Snotlout shouted
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.
The Vikings watch with dread. They hear the familiar whir of the...
Gobber: Night Fury! Get down!
"Whoa, that looks fast." Atali said
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.
They fly over the crowd of Vikings and set Astrid down, midrun. They circle back to reengage - a black speck against the clouds.
Astrid (breathless): Go.
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!
"Possibly hasn't used them for 300 years." Mindin said
Hiccup pulls Toothless into a turn. They plummet, gaining tremendous speed. The wind buffets them as they target the Red Death at supersonic speed. KABLAM! Toothless unloads a fireball against the Red Death's head. It goes down with a rumble as they climb anew.
"That was one powerful blast." Heather said
The Vikings shield themselves from the dust of the fallen monster... as its wings unfold and extend.
"DAMN! Those wings are massive." Mala said
Hiccup looks back as they put distance between them.
Hiccup: Do you think that did it?
Suddenly, the enraged behemoth rises into frame... flapping its wings furiously. A daunting sight.
"One wrong move by you Hiccup and it would be game over for you and every tribe in the Archipelago." Atali said
Hiccup: 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, 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 Viking's mood is quenched.
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: Come on bud!
The Red Death follows, closing in fast.
Hiccup (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 dive 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.
"So you used Toothless's ability to disappear to your advantage." Mala said as Hiccup nodded
"That's smart." Throk said
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.
"It was a scary sight watching it on the ground and not doing anything to help." Astrid said
Hiccup and Toothless dive in again and again, using the clouds to hide and surprise as they puncture the monster's wings. It bellows in frustration and whirls around, unleashing fire blindly, in all directions. Hiccup sees the glow of fire cutting towards them.
"I guess it hated that so it had to use it's flames to bring you out of hiding which it did." Heather said
Hiccup: Watch out!
The random blast clips Toothless' tail. It's heavily damaged.
"OH NO! Everyone shouted
Hiccup: 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: Come on! Is that the best you can do!?
Toothless utters an insult too, and they jackknife 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.
"I'm glad I made the tail fireproof now." Hiccup said
Hiccup: Stay with me buddy. We're good. Just a little bit longer.
"What are you waiting for?" Atali asked
"It's downfall." Hiccup said
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: Hold, Toothless.
The Red Death opens his mouth. The familiar gas HISS emanates from his throat - ignition is coming.
Hiccup: 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.
"So you waited until it was going to fire then you fired you one fireball into its mouth which would cook the inside of the Dragon." Mala said as Hiccup nodded
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. Hiccup and Toothless weave through the monster's massive backplates, wings, and flailing legs - a high-speed recall of the free falls 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.
"Well done Hiccup you ended the 300-year war and made peace with dragons." Atali said
"I don't think I can watch the next part." Astrid said as she cuddled up into Hiccup with her head in his chest with tears in her eyes
Hiccup: No. No.
Hiccup and Toothless can't maneuver - 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. Toothless struggles with all his might to reach the unconscious Hiccup. But the fireball swallows them both.
"This is why I hate massive dragon tails since that's how I lost my foot." Hiccup said as he rubbed Astrid's hair to soothe her
The Vikings watch in horror as Hiccup and Toothless disappear into the boiling inferno.
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.
"Damn, the Red Death did all that on her death." Mindin said
Stoick: Hiccup!? Son!?
Through the ash, Stoick the motionless silhouette of Toothless.
Stoick (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: 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: I'm so sorry...
Toothless unfolds his wings, revealing Hiccup, unconscious, clutched safely against his chest. Stoick's eyes widen.
Stoick: Hiccup.
He scoops Hiccup into his arms. Listens to his heart. Bursts into relieved laughter.
Stoick: He's alive! (to Toothless) You brought him back alive!
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 (privately) Thank you... for saving my son.
Gobber looks Hiccup up and down.
Gobber: Well, you know... most of him.
"What did he mean by that?" Mindin asked
"He was referring to my mangled leg." Hiccup said then he heard Astrid cry harder after he said that
Stoick glances back at him. Gobber shrugs, redirecting his eyes toward...