Chapter 5
Stoick angrily pushed off his seat, nearly toppling his seat over. He whipped around, squinting through the dark, attempting to make out his son's tiny form. After a couple seconds of darkness and no Hiccup, he took a step forward only to realize that he was unable to move further from his seat. Was it that girl's doing?
"Hiccup, I know you can hear me. What in Thor's name possessed you to do that? You could've been killed! Have you finally gone insane? I can handle you nearly destroying this village every raid, but this? THIS is far beyond redemption!" Mumbles of agreement spread through the crowd, still full of disbelief and anger.
"No dad, what I did was the best decision I ever made in all my years as a Viking." Hiccup's voice rang out, slightly tinged with fear. Ali stood up with her new dragon friend and said, "And I double agree!" The Vikings in the second to last row turned around, attempting to make out the village traitor and girl in the dim light, and all let out a collective gasp.
Hiccup was standing shakily, one hand on Toothless' head to steady himself as Ali was with her Monstrous Nightmare. The dragons were glaring at the angered crowd in front of them and let out low warning growls. The Vikings who could see Hiccup and Ali were at a loss for words. Hiccup was actually touching a Night Fury, and Ali was with a Monstrous Nightmare and they were acting like they were protecting Hiccup and Ali from them! "Odin's beard…" one Viking whispered, wishing that what he saw in front of him was a dream.
The other dragons in the back grew restless, uncomfortable by the growing animosity that was being thrown in their direction.
Stoick glared angrily in front of him, frustrated that he couldn't see Hiccup the way those in the back could. "You never fail to disappoint me and village, son." Hiccup didn't reply, but Stoick could feel the hurt stare Hiccup would've given him. Gobber and the teens remained silent, either still processing the information or rendered speechless. Ali whispered to Hiccup, "Don't listen to him, lovey." Hiccup smiled at her as Snotlout was the first to snap out of his trance.
"H-hey! I think we broke the screen! It's not moving!" The other Vikings turned around and saw that the screen had indeed stopped moving, stuck on the image of Hiccup collapsed on the ground after the Night Fury flew away. Ali said, "Do not worry, I simply paused the movie. It will continue when I say so. I had a feeling that there would be some… disagreements at this point."
"Lass, let me move and talk to my son!" Stoick growled threateningly at the girl, even more annoyed that he couldn't touch the lady who held so much power over him at the moment without being killed by her Nightmare. Ali calmed her dragon down as she said, "Due to your recent outburst, you don't even get to say anything to Hiccup!" Stoick looked in shock as the girl continued, "In due time, you will, but all your concerns will be answered if you watch the rest of this movie. Now if everyone could sit back in their seats and can it!"
With an irritated huff, Stoick fell back into his seat, the rest of the Vikings following suit. He'd deal with Hiccup later, once this blasted girl finally lets him move. The dragons immediately stopped stirring, relaxing once the hostility was no longer directly at them.
In the back, Hiccup silently slid back down, the words his father threw at him still stinging. Why couldn't his dad understand that dragons and Vikings could work together? He angrily swiped at small tears that were forming in his eyes, refusing to show more weakness than he had. Ali bent down to Hiccup's level and gave him a tissue as she whispered, "Dry your eyes." Hiccup took it and discreetly wiped his eyes with it.
Toothless, noticing his rider's distress, felt anger stirring within him. How dare those annoying humans treat Hiccup that way! He should blast them all. Except for that small human Hiccup was with last night. The one with blonde hair and blue eyes. He liked that girl, along with his new ally. The new girl was treating Hiccup and every dragon like equals. Ali's dragon came and gave it a wing telling him, 'Don't, that man isn't worth your time anyway.' Toothless knew better than to kill anyone right now, Hiccup would never forgive him for that. So he did the only thing he could, which was curling his tail closer towards Hiccup and nuzzle his rider, attempting to provide some comfort. Hiccup sniffed and leaned into Toothless, grateful for his support. He collected himself as they saw Ali's new dragon came and gave Ali friendship as Ali gave it a good rub as she said, "That's my girl." Hiccup stared at her as she said, "Dragon rider to the end." Hiccup smiled, he gained two new friends. Together, he, Toothless with Ali and her new friend watched the screen again for what was to come.
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. Hiccup tries to sneak past, up the stairs to his room. Stoick seems none the wiser, when...
STOICK: Hiccup.
HICCUP: (CAUGHT) Dad. Uh...
"Ha, you suck at sneaking around, Hiccup!" Snotlout called out, chuckling at Hiccup's misfortune. Ali's dragon growled, shutting Snotlout up.
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?
Even with all the chaos that had just happened, the Vikings found themselves chuckling. Leave it to Stoick and Hiccup to both change their minds at the same time!
STOICK: (CONT'D) You go first.
HICCUP: No, you go first.
Ali said, "In retrospect, maybe you should have gone first." Hiccup sighed and said, "I know."
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 repair Vikings-
The teens burst into laughter, even Astrid cracking a smile. Hiccup was probably the only person on this island that wanted to be someone with a domestic job like a bread- making or home repair Viking! Ali shrugged, "Meh, better than a killer." Hiccup said, "She has a point."
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.
It was then Stoick realized why Hiccup had suddenly developed an aversion to killing dragons. He thought it had been nerves, but Hiccup really couldn't bring himself to kill one, just like he couldn't kill the Night Fury! But then how in Thor's name did he place first in dragon killing? Stoick's mind was spinning, but kept his eyes glued to the screen.
STOICK: It's time Hiccup.
HICCUP: Can you not hear me?
"Of course not, you never do." Hiccup grumbled to himself, not wishing to relive this conversation. Ali said, "Pfft! That's what every dad always does: NEVER listen to reason."
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.
Gobber finally let out a chuckle. He and Stoick sure thought alike!
HICCUP: You just gestured to all of me.
STOICK: Deal?
HICCUP: This conversation is feeling very one-sided.
STOICK: DEAL?!
Hiccup glances at the axe in his hands. It's a no-win argument.
Astrid couldn't help but feel bad for Hiccup's situation. He couldn't even get his own say in it, and even if he did, his father just disregarded it. Ali said, "I wonder if that's why Valka left him." Hiccup heard her and asked, "Wait, my mom? Hold on, you know my mom?" Ali simply said, "Hush, Spoilers."
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.
Ali said, "Meh, Levi's stadium is a lot bigger than that." The Vikings stared at Ali, like she was talking crazy.
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.
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.
HICCUP: (O.S.) Yeah, no kidding, right? Pain. Love it.
Hiccup grinned. He always found his sarcastic remarks amusing, and hearing it from another view made it even better. Ali laughed quietly as she smiled.
The recruits turn to see Hiccup behind them. Groans all around.
TUFFNUT: Oh great. Who let him in?
"Obviously the door did, idiot!" Ruffnut replied, amazed at how her twin could be so dumb sometimes.
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.
SNOTLOUT: Hiccup already killed a Night Fury, so does that disqualify him or...?
The recruits LAUGH and chatter in the background.
Snotlout, now knowing the truth about Hiccup actually hitting a Night Fury, was slightly embarrassed by his remark. Just slightly. Ali said, "Jerk."
TUFFNUT: Can I transfer to the class with the cool Vikings?
Ali said, "You idiot, Berk has only one class!" Tuffnut pouted.
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.
"Gee thanks, Gobber! That made me feel so much better!" Hiccup called out, laughing. He still appreciated Gobber's efforts to make him feel more comfortable, no matter how he worded it.
Gobber grinned. "Anytime, lad!" Ali laughed as her dragon laughed too.
GOBBER sticks 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 Nadders' ears perked up. What was speed eight, armor sixteen? Whatever it was, it sounded powerful! Ali said, "It is." The dragons looked at her in shock, can she understand them?
GOBBER: The Hideous Zippleback.
FISHLEGS: Plus eleven stealth. Times two.
Some Zipplebacks grinned. Double the stealth! And eleven of it at that!
GOBBER: The Monstrous Nightmare.
FISHLEGS: Firepower fifteen.
The Nightmares puffed up, looking around importantly. Firepower was always important in a dragon. And they had fifteen of it!
GOBBER: CAN YOU STOP THAT?! (BEAT) And...the Gronckle.
FISHLEGS: (quietly; to himself) Jaw strength, eight.
"Do you always have to do that?!" Tuffnut blurted, slightly annoyed at the constant facts thrown out by Fishlegs. Fishlegs seemed unfazed by the complaint, liking his knowledge of dragons as he stared excitedly at the screen. Ali said, "Word of advice, Fishlegs: no one likes a smarty pants."
Hiccup grinned, Fishlegs was a good guy. He really seemed to like learning about dragons; he would probably be one of the easier people to show that dragons weren't the terrifying killers they thought they were.
Gobber pulls a lever, raising the cross beam on the last of the doors.
SNOTLOUT: Whoa, wait! Aren't you gonna teach us first!?
Ali said imitating Gobber, "I believe in learning on the job."
GOBBER: I believe in learning on the job.
Everyone turned in shock at Ali as she asked confused, "What? Come on, it's kind of obvious."
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.
"YEAH! That day was so much fun!" Ruffnut and Tuffnut cackled.
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?
FISHLEGS: Plus five speed?
"Really, Fishlegs?" Astrid grinned. Fishlegs grinned in response, turning a little red in the face.
Ali said, "A shield, duh."
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 achoice between a sword or a shield, take the shield.
Hiccup STRUGGLES to lift his. Gobber helps him and sends him running.
Stoick frowned slightly. Hiccup could barely lift a shield, how was he supposed to hold both a shield and a weapon?
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.
"That actually hurt!" moaned Tuffnut. Ruffnut grinned and elbowed him playfully. "That's what you get for underestimating girls, doofus!" Ali called out, "Amen to that, Ruffnut!"
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.
The dragons in the back of the room shake their head, distracted by the clanging of metal against metal. What was that awful noise? Make it stop!
GOBBER: (CONT'D) All dragons have a limited number of shots. How many does a Gronckle have?
"Six! Six!" Fishlegs cried out excitedly.
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.
Some of the Vikings looked on, slightly disappointed at the lack of skill demonstrated by the teens. They were soon to be a part of the dragon war, but they get so distracted easily! Ali said, "That's the new generation of Berk?" Hiccup replied, "I know, right?"
Gobber spots Hiccup hiding from the Gronckle's molten slugs.
GOBBER: (CONT'D) Hiccup, get in there!
Stoick slumped slightly at Hiccup's frightened form. How on earth did this boy rise to the top of the class, surpassing even Astrid?
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-
She cartwheels out of the way, allowing a shot to shoot past her and hit Snotlout's shield. He's blasted onto his back.
Snotlout groans, embarrassed that everyone saw his attempts at hitting on Astrid fail so miserably. The rest of the teens laugh, Hiccup smirking in the back of the room. Ali said, "Dude, you have a lot to learn about getting a dame, cause' you suck at it!" The other teens and Hiccup, including Ali laughed harder as Snotlout turned red.
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?
Gobber smiled at Hiccup attempting to appear admiring in front of Astrid. Ah, young love.
Hiccup cringed at his behavior. He probably looked so dumb in Astrid's eyes! However, Astrid eyed Hiccup on the screen carefully. She didn't know Hiccup actually liked her that much! Now that she thinks about it, he's actually kind of cute, in a dorky kind of way…
Ali thought, He's too good for her, she'll never appreciate him. If I was younger now, I'd date him.
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.
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!
Stoick and Astrid both tensed, worry and guilt dawning on each respective face. Astrid silently scolded herself for leaving Hiccup seemingly at his death like that. He's Hiccup, he could barely lift a shield minutes ago! She should've helped him at least!
The Gronckle drives straight toward Hiccup, pinning him against the wall. It opens its mouth and cocks its tail, ready to fire point-blank.
All the Vikings held their breath, assuming the worst.
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.
A sigh of relief fell over the audience. As annoying as Hiccup could be at times, he was still one of their own. Although some weren't too sure after seeing his new alliance with dragons earlier. Ali said, "Oh, now you care for him? My god, you lot just don't know their first thing on feelings."
After hearing that, the Vikings felt a bit pity on how slow they were on treating 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.
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.
"Not always! That Night Fury didn't kill Hiccup!" Fishlegs pointed out, the other teens nodding in agreement. Gobber coughed awkwardly. "Well, it was always before that."
Hiccup smiled and relaxed onto Toothless' side. Still, a hint of worry nudged at him. Considering the reaction he had gotten from freeing Toothless, how were they going to react when they saw him actually trying to befriend the dragon?
The gods truly hate me.