Wow. I figured I would wake up for work and maybe be partially to the goal of ten. Not well over it. Okay then. I'm glad that you all are enjoying this. I truelly am. Here's the next chapter. And I believe it's one a lot of you have been waiting for. Again, next chapter in ten reviews or one week.
Don't own HTTYD
EXT. WOODS/HIDDEN COVE - DUSK HICCUP, battered after another disastrous day in the ring. He studies the remnants of the discarded bola... revealing that he's back at the scene of the crime.
HICCUP (MUTTERED) So...why didn't you?
Gobber nodded "It's still a good question to be fair." he pointed out.
Hiccup nodded but he was smiling "Maybe he felt the connection even back then. I know I had." he said.
He drops the bola and presses on in the direction it flew off. He drops into a rocky crevice and follows it to an... ISOLATED COVE complete with a pristine spring pool. He scans the high stone walls... then notices a single black SCALE on the ground. He crouches and picks it up, studying it.
HICCUP (CONT'D) Well this was stupid.
"Of course it would be." Snotlout said smugly.
SUDDENLY, the NIGHT FURY blasts past him. Hiccup recoils, watching the massive beast struggle to climb the walls. It flaps violently, then peels away to a rough landing. The dragon is trapped. Hiccup grins, excited to see it again, and slips closer. He watches as the dragon, exhausted and frustrated, leaps into the air, beating its wings furiously.
Astrid frowned as she watched Toothless struggle. Now she could understand why Hiccup never talked about it.
Again and again, it rolls uncontrolled and CRASHES heavily. As if remembering to snap a photo, Hiccup pulls a leather- bound book and flips past drawings of weapons to a blank page. He sketches the dragon quickly, desperate to record the image.
Gobber shook his head "Always with your drawing supplies." he said.
Hiccup nodded "Even now. How else would I complete my map?" he asked.
The Fury claws at the steep rock walls, trying climb out of the cove. It SLIPS and falls hard, crushing several saplings. The Fury rolls back to his feet and slowly crawls to the water's edge. He spots fish in the shallow water and snaps at them... but comes up empty. He lowers his head, looking weakened.
Hiccup flinched, leaning forward to pet the night fury that lay in front of him. Toothless crooned, nuzzling his rider affectionatly. Hiccup smiled guiltily "Thanks bud." he whispered.
HICCUP (CONT'D) (MUTTERED) Why don't you just...fly away?
ON HICCUP as he spots the problem. He adjusts his drawing, carefully erasing one half of the dragon's tail. He accidentally drops the charcoal stick. It rolls off of the rock outcropping that hides him from view and bounces into the cove. TINK. TINK. TINK. The Night Fury raises his head, spotting Hiccup. They exchange a profound, unflinching stare.
Fishlegs sighed in disappointment "I was hoping you'd do the hand thing." he said softly.
Hiccup grinned "In due time." he assured.
DISSOLVE TO: INT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT A storm is brewing outside. The great doors rattle on their hinges.
GOBBER (O.S.) Alright. Where did Astrid go wrong in the ring today?
The recruits are seated at a table, eating dinner by the glow of the fire pit.
ASTRID I mistimed my summersault dive. It was sloppy. It threw off my reverse tumble.
Eye rolls from the group.
RUFFNUT (SARCASTIC) Yeah. We noticed.
Ruffnut shook her head "Some things never change." she said.
Tuffnut nodded in agreement "I concur my dear sister."
SNOTLOUT (grabbing Astrid's hand) No, no, you were great. That was so 'Astrid'.
GOBBER She's right, you have to be tough on yourselves.
CREAK. All eyes turn to Hiccup, entering the hall, sheepishly. Gobber glares at him.
GOBBER (CONT'D) (glaring at Hiccup) Where did Hiccup go wrong?
He tries to take a seat at the table...
RUFFNUT He showed up.
TUFFNUT He didn't get eaten. ...
Hiccup heard the masked figure scowl angrily and he placed a hand on her arm to draw her attention. Once he had he gave her a reassuring smile, making her relax.
but the recruits keep closing the gaps. Rolling his eyes, Hiccup sits at the vacant table next to them.
ASTRID He's never where he should be.
"I still stand by that statement. Only now we have tracker class dragons to find you." she said with a smile. Hiccup smirked.
GOBBER Thank you, Astrid.
Gobber stands.
GOBBER (CONT'D) You need to live and breathe this stuff.
Gobber lays a giant book in the center of the table.
GOBBER (CONT'D) The dragon manual. Everything we know about every dragon we know of.
A RUMBLE of thunder shakes the hall. Rain pours down outside.
GOBBER (CONT'D) No attacks tonight. Study up.
"Didn't then. Still won't now." Snotlout said firmly.
Gobber EXITS into the storm, leaving the teens staring at the book.
TUFFNUT (you've got to be kidding) Wait, you mean read?
RUFFNUT While we're still alive?
"Can you read when your dead?"
SNOTLOUT Why read words when you can just kill the stuff the words tell you stuff about?
FISHLEGS Oh! I've read it like, seven times. There's this water dragon that sprays boiling water at your face. And there's this other one that buries itself for like a week...
"Yeah. How do you think Scauldy is doing?" Ruffnut asked.
Snotlout shrugged "Probably with a girlfriend by this point." he said suggestively. He was ignored.
The teens stare as Fishlegs goes on too long.
TUFFNUT Yeah, that sounds great. There was a chance I was going to read that...
RUFFNUT ...but now...
Snotlout gets up to go.
SNOTLOUT You guys read, I'll go kill stuff.
The others follow, with Fishlegs in tow.
FISHLEGS Oh and there's this other one that has these spines that look like trees...
Astrid is the last to go.
HICCUP So I guess we'll share-
ASTRID Read it. She pushes it toward him and leaves.
HICCUP All mine then. Wow, so okay. I'll SEE YOU- Slam.
Astrid winces, turning to Hiccup and mouthing sorry. Hiccup smiled his reassurance. He had long since forgiven Berk after all. They had more than made up for it.
HICCUP (CONT'D) Tomorrow.
SIGH. DISSOLVE TO: INT. GREAT HALL - LATE NIGHT ON HICCUP'S HAND OPENING the massive book. Thunder BOOMS outside. The hall is vacant and dark, but for the few candles he's pulled together. Hiccup pours through page after page of strange and frightening dragons.
HICCUP (V.O.) Dragon classifications. Strike class. Fear class. Mystery class.
Hiccup turns the page.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D) Thunderdrum. This reclusive dragon inhabits sea caves and dark tide pools.
Stoick nodded "Thornado was a good companion." he said, petting Skullcrusher.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D) When startled, the Thunderdrum produces a concussive sound that can kill a man at close range. Extremely dangerous. Kill on sight.
Hiccup's eyes drift to a lurid illustration of decapitated Vikings. Another page, another dragon.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D) Timberjack. This gigantic creature has razor sharp wings that can slice through full grown trees...extremely dangerous. Kill on sight.
"To be fair they are still pretty dangerous." Fishlegs perked up.
The illustrations seem to take on a life of their own, shifting and squirming in the candlelight.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D) Scauldron. Sprays scalding water at its victim. Extremely dangerous.
"I still miss Scauldy." Ruffnut said sadly.
The storm outside rages against the shuttered windows. Hiccup is startled, but presses on.
HICCUP (CONT'D) Changewing. Even newly hatched dragons can spray acid. Kill on sight.
He begins flipping through the pages. A blur of dragons...
HICCUP (CONT'D) Gronckle. Zippleback. The Skrill. Bone Knapper. Whispering Death. Burns its victims. Buries its victims. Chokes its victims. Turns its victims inside-out. Extremely dangerous. Extremely dangerous. Kill on sight. Kill on sight. Kill on sight...
"Creepy imagination you got on ya." Gobber commented.
Hiccup finally lands upon the page he's been looking for.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D) Night Fury.
It's BLANK - no image, save for a few, sparse details.
HICCUP (CONT'D) Speed unknown. Size unknown. The unholy offspring of lightning and death itself. (MORE)
HICCUP (CONT'D) Never engage this dragon. Your only chance, hide and pray it does not find you.
Hiccup pulls his sketchbook out of his vest and opens it to his drawing of Toothless. He lays it over the book's blank page and considers it. CLOSE ON the drawing of Toothless...
"And the curiosity was born. Look out world, Hiccup is loose." Astrid joked
MATCH CUT TO: EXT. HIGH SEAS - DAWN A painted DRAGON, with a sword run through it. It's the billowing sail of Stoick's ship. Stoick hovers over the familiar nautical map - his eyes on the uncharted corner, swirling in mist and illustrations of dragons.
STOICK I can almost smell them. They're close. Steady.
Hiccup scrunched his nose up "To be fair the Red Death hadn't bathed in three hundred years. She had to have been smelly." he commented to his dad.
Stoick nodded "Aye. She was." he said solenmly, the edge of his lips twitching.
Stoick raises his gaze to... AN EPIC FOG BANK, towering from sky to sea like a bruised, daunting curtain, beyond which nothing is visible. The three ships drift alongside it, skirting its solid edge, looking for an opening. ON DECK the crewmen mill nervously, all too aware of what Stoick is considering.
STOICK (CONT'D) Take us in.
The helmsman steers Stoick's ship into the fog. The men draw their weapons, prepping for the worst. VIKING Hard to port... for Helheim's gate. The first ship disappears into the whiteout, followed by the other two. A BEAT Suddenly a flash of light. A silhouette of a dragon. Hollers. Sounds of splitting and shattering wood. Plunges into the water. Another bright flash.
Snotlout whistled, impressed "And you only lost two ships?" he asked.
Stoick frowned "Unfortunetly." he said.
MATCH CUT TO: EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - RING - DAY CLOSE ON a DRAGON painted onto a shield. Hiccup runs his finger over its outline.
HICCUP You know, I just happened to notice the book had nothing on Night Furies. Is there another book? Or a sequel? Maybe a little Night Fury pamphlet?
The teens shot im incredulous looks but Hiccup shrugged "He didn't seem dangerous. I was curious. I honestly didn't think I was the first one to find a night fury." he said in defense.
KABLAM! A blast takes the axe head off of Hiccup's hilt, leaving a smoking hole behind him. Hiccup YELPS and RUNS.
GOBBER (O.S.) FOCUS Hiccup! You're not even trying.
CUT BACK to reveal a Deadly Nadder, loose in a maze-like arrangement of moveable walls. Gobber calls orders from above.
GOBBER (CONT'D) Today... is all about attack.
"You mean it wasn't always?" Snot lout asked in genuine surprise.
Gobber nodded "The first lesson was defense." he said wisely.
The Nadder hops from wall to wall, sending the recruits scurrying.
GOBBER (CONT'D) Nadders are quick and light on their feet. Your job is to be quicker and lighter.
The teens move in, stumbling over Hiccup and his unwieldy shield. The Nadder spots Fishlegs' ample rear hiding behind a wall. It whips its tail of spikes. Fishlegs SCREAMS and lifts an entire wall to shield himself from the spray.
FISHLEGS I'm really beginning to question your teaching methods.
"Just barely?" Astrid teased.
GOBBER Look for its blind spot. Every dragon has one. Find it, hide in it, and strike.
Ruff and Tuff rush in, diving and rolling up to the Nadder's nose. The Nadder sniffs the air - it can't see them. Tuff and Ruff are smashed together - too close for comfort.
RUFFNUT (WHISPERED) Do you ever bathe?
TUFFNUT If you don't like it, then just get your own blind spot.
RUFFNUT How about I give you one!
Astrid smirked, looking over at her dragon affectionatly "Stormfly doesn't appreciate the noise." she said easily.
Ruff and Tuff SHOVE each other, till their movement and noise gives them away. The Nadder ATTACKS, SNAPPING at both of them.
GOBBER Blind spot? Yes. Deaf spot? Not so much.
Hiccup wanders up to Gobber, while the others dart past.
HICCUP Hey, so how would one sneak up on a Night Fury?
"I'm still pretty sure you're the only one who knows how." Gobber said.
GOBBER None one's ever met one and lived to tell the tale. Now get in there.
HICCUP I know, I know, but hypothetically...
ASTRID (WHISPERED) Hiccup!
She puts her finger to her lips and gestures for him to hide. A moment later, the Nadder leaps over the walls, surprising them by landing in front of her. Astrid somersaults into its blind spot, confusing it. She rears back to strike - just as Snotlout LEAPS IN, protectively SWEEPING Astrid behind him.
SNOTLOUT Watch out babe. I'll take care of this.
"Again, I swear I'm over her." Snotlout begged.
ASTRID Hey!
Snotlout MISSES. Astrid glares at him.
SNOTLOUT (DEFENSIVE) The sun was in my eyes, Astrid. What do you want me to do, block out the sun? I could do that, but I don't have time right now!
Tuffnut leaned towards his sister "Can he really do that?" he whispered.
Ruffnut grinned evilly "How about we tie him up and make him do it?" she asked. Tuffnut nodded eagerly at that, both twins plotting against the dark haired teen.
The Nadder tears off after her, knocking down walls in pursuit. She leaps and dives like a highly trained gymnast. Hiccup wanders up to Gobber again.
HICCUP They probably take the daytime off. You know, like a cat. Has anyone ever seen one napping?
"To be fair they are definetly cat like. Or bat like. It really depends." Hiccup commented.
GOBBER Hiccup!
ASTRID -Hiccup!
Hiccup spins around to see the maze walls collapsing like dominos toward him. Astrid comes flying through the dust and crash-lands on top of him, laying him out in a limb-tangled mess.
TUFFNUT Oooh! Love on the battlefield!
Gobber smiled "Ah it brings back memories." he said, teasing Stoick.
Stoick just smiled sadly "Yeah. It does." he said, thinking of his late wife.
RUFFNUT She could do better.
The Nadder closes in, emerging through the cloud of dust.
HICCUP (struggling to untangle) Just... let me... why don't you...
Hiccup and Astrid blushed, recalling the times when they were just getting to know eachother. And before she actually liked him back.
The Nadder spins around and races back toward them like a Raptor. Astrid untangles herself and tries to pull her axe from Hiccup's shield... which is attached to his limp, gangly arm. She PLANTS her foot on his torso and YANKS the axe free, still burrowed into the shield. She SPINS and SWINGS the axe and shield, scoring a DIRECT HIT on the oncoming Nadder's NOSE. It yelps and scurries off.
Astrid winced, petting the nadder in apology and earning a croon.
GOBBER Well done, Astrid.
Gobber hobbles off to wrestle the Nadder back into his cave. Hiccup gets to his feet - all eyes are upon him. He turns to find Astrid glaring at him, winded.
ASTRID Is this some kind of a joke to you? Our parents' war is about to become ours. Figure out which side you're on.
She grabs her axe and stomps off. Hiccup watches, stung.
Astrid glanced at him curiously "Out of curiosity...When did you end up picking your side?" she asked.
Hiccup smirked "To be fair it was a little bit later before I completely sided with the dragons. At that point I was actually torn." he said.
CUT TO: EXT. COVE - MAGIC HOUR CLOSE ON A fish... being thrown into the cove. It hits the ground and slides. A moment later, Hiccup peeks through a gap in the rock, looking around cautiously. Nothing. Hiccup squeezes through and enters the cove. A BEAT, then Hiccup hears a SNORT from behind him. Hiccup turns to see the Night Fury, crouched on a rock like a stealthy panther.
Astrid couldn't help but shiver before she turned to Hiccup "You are either insanely crazy or insanely brave." she said.
Hiccup grinned "I like to think of myself as a bit of both." he told her.
It descends, approaching him... ready to pounce. Hiccup swallows his fear and offers the fish. Doing so reveals the dagger at his waist. The dragon sees it and hisses. Hiccup reaches for it, eliciting a growl. He pauses, carefully lifts it by the handle, and tosses it away. The dragon calms. As it approaches the fish, Hiccup notices that it's missing teeth.
HICCUP Huh. Toothless. I could've sworn you had...
A set of razor sharp teeth emerge from its gums to grab the fish. Toothless snatches and gnashes it up, swallowing it.
HICCUP (CONT'D) ... teeth.
Tuffnut grinned "And you make fun of the names we've picked." he said. Hiccup shrugged, completely okay with Toothless's name.
The teeth retract again. Toothless presses closer with an expectant look. Hiccup retreats nervously.
HICCUP (CONT'D) Uh, no. No, I don't have any more.
The Fury backs Hiccup against a rock, placing himself the same position as before. The dragon closes in over him, staring blankly. A tense moment passes... then Toothless regurgitates a chunk of fish onto Hiccup's lap.
Everyone, even the masked figure flinched a little in disgust.
They exchange stares. Hiccup realizes what Toothless wants him to do. Hiccup crouches slowly and squeamishly picks it up. The dragon waits expectantly. Hiccup gags and gnaws off a bite of the slimy fish.
"Ew. I can't believe you actually ate that." Astrid said.
Hiccup shuddered "Niether can I." he said.
He forces a smile. Toothless mimics him. Amazed, Hiccup sits up and tries to touch him. Toothless HISSES and flaps off to a crash on the other side of the cove. He BLASTS the mossy ground to a red-hot temperature... and curls up on it like a giant dog.
He turns to find Hiccup seated beside him. Toothless tolerates his persistent presence... until Hiccup tries to touch his damaged tail. Toothless SNAPS at him. Hiccup takes the hint and leaves.
Astrid smirked "You never learn. Do you?" she asked.
Hiccup shook his head "Never." he answered.
DISSOLVE TO: EXT. COVE - LATER It's MAGIC HOUR. Toothless wakes, hanging upside down from a tree. He spots Hiccup sitting on the other side of the cove. Sketching in the sand. CLOSE ON a sketch of Toothless.
Astrid couldn't help but be in awe at Hiccup's skill in such a small sketch. He never did cease to amaze her.
Hiccup draws with a stick, minding his own business. Toothless appears behind him, watching carefully. Aware of his presence, Hiccup continues, trying not to scare him off. Toothless walks off. A moment later, he reappears with an entire sapling, drawing lines in the sand. He rushes here and there, making haphazard lines in every direction.
Hiccup rolled his eyes in amusement while Fishlegs leaned forward eagerly "You never said Toothless liked to draw!" he said.
Hiccup chuckled "That's because I'm still trying to figure out if it's a night fury thing or a Toothless thing." he said.
Toothless perked his head up, warbling something before looking thoughtful. He then puffed out his chest proudly and nodding, looking proud. Fishlegs grinned "I'd say a Toothless thing." he said, earning chuckles from the others.
Finally, Toothless drops the tree and inspects his work. He seems pleased. Hiccup stands and takes in the sprawling scribble, amazed by it. He accidentally steps onto one of the lines, eliciting an instant growl from Toothless. He steps on it again. Toothless growls again.
Stoick could only groan at his sons recklessness. Of course only he would agitate a dragon.
Realizing how sensitive he is, Hiccup steps carefully between each line, turning round and round until he unwittingly bumps into Toothless. Toothless snorts. Once again, they're face to face. Hiccup slowly extends his hand. Toothless hesitates. Hiccup turns his head away and closes his eyes. To his amazement, Toothless bridges the gap and presses his muzzle against Hiccup's hand. In a flash, the dragon is gone, leaving Hiccup astounded.
For a moment everything was silent until suddenly the masked figure leapt at Hiccup once again, hugging him tightly. Everyone glanced at her in confusion again but ignored them. The figure then pulled back, placing both hands on his shoulders "I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry." she whispered, her voice shaky.
Hiccup frowned "I do know you. Don't I?" he asked.
But to his surprise she shook her head "No. But...a mother never forgets." she whispered.
Hiccup looked at her, absolutely stunned. He couldn't stop his gasp as he slid shakily into his chair. Stoick stood in concern but Hiccup held out a hand, looking at the woman in shock "You've known the whole time. Haven't you?" he asked.
She nodded sadly, keeping silent. Hiccup felt he could barely breath. His mother was alive? But was she truely his mother? Slowly he stood, placing a hand on the bottom of her mask "May I?" he asked.
She nodded hesitantly and Hiccup slowly lifted up the mask, revealing her face. Immediately Stoick felt his own heart stop as he looked at the woman. "Valka?" he asked.
Valka however held up a hand to stop him "I think I would like to finish the movie before discussing everything." she said, her eyes flashing angrily.
So far she was not impressed with his treatment of their son. Stoick looked hurt but nodded, taking a stunned seat, quickly followed by his son. Valka followed but more hesitantly. She tensed as a hand touched her elbow but seeing Hiccup giving her a small even if hesitant smile made her relax again.