So this chapter is personally my favorite and if I understand correctly...one you've all been looking forward to. I really hope I don't disapoint. Ten reviews or a week, as always.
Don't own HTTYD
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - DAY 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.
Valka's icy stare turned to Stoick once more. She could not believe that he had actually treated their son like this. She knew she'd have a few choice words when they got out of here.
LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE
STOICK (CONT'D) (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! (BEAT) But here we are. And no one's more surprised...
Stoick only flinched as the temperature seemed to drop a little.
ON HICCUP standing at the entrance to the ring, listening, looking burdened.
STOICK (CONT'D) ... or more proud than I am. Today, my boy becomes a Viking. TODAY, HE BECOMES ONE OF US!
CHEERS and ROARS. Astrid approaches Hiccup.
ASTRID Be careful with that dragon.
HICCUP (re: the roaring crowd) It's not the dragon I'm worried about.
Stoick couldn't even stop his groan of dismay. This was the worst moment in his life. Worst even than when Valka was taken from him.
ASTRID (WORRIED) What are you going to do?
HICCUP Put an end to this.
She eyes him, dubious.
HICCUP (CONT'D) I have to try. (BEAT) Astrid. If something goes wrong... just make sure they don't find Toothless.
Astrid shook her head "Always putting him first." she whispered.
ASTRID (GRIM) I will. Just promise me it won't go wrong.
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.
The teens cheered in response, waiting to see the destruction.
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.
Stoick groaned, wishing he could have gone back and changed it all.
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... Beat. 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.
Valka was tense but her smile was proud as she watched her son. Was this why they had dragons on Berk? She even noticed Stoick and Gobber had a dragon. She almost couldn't believe it but she wanted...no needed to know how it happened.
STOICK What is he doing?
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'S 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.
HICCUP (CONT'D) I'm not one of them.
Hiccup flinched knowing it wasn't the best wording to use. Seeing that Astrid grabbed his hand "To be fair you still aren't. Your a dragon rider. Not a viking. That's so much cooler." she said, earning a small smile.
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 (CONT'D) They're not what we think they are. We don't have to kill them.
Hiccup couldn't stop his small smile. He wanted to keep the peace.
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.
Stoick froze. Nobody ever talked about that day and he had never allowed himself to think of why Hookfang had gone so far out of control. But now he could see clearly "It was all my fault. Everything was my fault." he said in anguish.
Hiccup's eyes turned back to his father sharply but they softened at seeing the pain on his face "Look, dad. It may have been your fault Hookfang got out of hand but you didn't know. And lets be honest. If events had happened any other way we don't know that we'd be here now. Things happened for a reason and now Berk has become one of the most succesful tribes in the Archipeligo. This needed to happen. And...I needed to understand that I can't train every dragon. Not the first try at least." he said softly.
Stoick nodded but he still looked guilty.
EXT. COVE - CONTINUOUS ON TOOTHLESS His ear plates shoot up. Panic flares in his eyes.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - CONTINUOUS 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!
Astrid wedges her axe under the arena gate and squeezes through.
Hiccup groaned at seeing Astrid putting herself in harms way.
EXT. COVE - CONTINUOUS 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.
Hiccup raised an eyebrow "How is it you can get out of the cove if I'm in danger but not any other times?" Hiccup asked his dragon. The night fury warbled in annoyance.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - CONTINUOUS 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.
Valka felt terrified as she watched the screen, occasionally glancing at Hiccup's missing foot. She knew the damage a rampant nightmare could cause.
EXT. COVE - CONTINUOUS Toothless tears through the woods, bounding like panther and taking to the air in short bursts.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - CONTINUOUS 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.
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.
Stoick shook his head. It was all his fault.
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.
Hiccup flinched, moving to the floor to lean against Toothless for reassurance. The night fury curled protectively around his rider, remembering the day in painful clarity.
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.
HICCUP (PANICKED) Alright, Toothless, go. Get out of here!
Finally Hiccup turned away, pain crossing his face. He couldn't watch the rest. Not any more.
The crowd is gob-smacked, growing livid.
VIKINGS Night Fury!
Hiccup tries to shoo Toothless away in vain. Vikings begin pouring clambering through the enclosure and dropping into the ring.
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!
Valka flinched, horrified. She couldn't help but glance from her son to her husband and seeing them both looking as though in pain. It made her sick as she realized it could only get worst.
The other Vikings surround and attack Toothless. He tosses them aside like rag dolls, his eyes focused on Stoick.
HICCUP (CONT'D) 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 (CONT'D) Toothless! STOP!
He pins Stoick and inhales. The familiar hiss of gas builds. Everyone braces...
Everyone flinched, nobody even dared speak.
HICCUP (CONT'D) 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.
HICCUP (DESPERATE) No! Please...just don't hurt him. Please don't hurt him.
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.
Stoick held his breath in anticipation of the next scene. He had never told anyone. Not even Gobber of what transpired. As for Hiccup...he had only ever told Astrid. And both were terrified to have it relived in front of so many others.
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.
STOICK I should have known. I should have seen the signs.
Stoick couldn't help but sneak a glance at his wife, remembering her dedication to the peace. Just like her son.
HICCUP Dad.
STOICK We had a deal!
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?
Astrid frowned, remembering what they had seen. In all reality it wasn't a lie. A sort of trick, yes. But not on intended to hurt. But to help. Even in the arena he had been trying to save the dragons.
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.
STOICK The dragon? That's what you're worried about? Not the people you almost killed?!
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. (BEAT) There's something else on their island dad...it's a dragon like-
Valka flinched, her face growing pale in horror.
Stoick HUFFS.
STOICK -Their island?
He stomps back... pointing an accusing finger.
STOICK (CONT'D) So you've been to the nest.
HICCUP Did I say nest?
Hiccup goes silent - he said too much.
STOICK How did you find it?!
Hiccup stroked Toothless's head. But this time it was to reassure himself.
HICCUP No... I didn't. Toothless did. Only a dragon can find the island.
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 (CONT'D) Oh no. No, Dad. No.
Hiccup chases after him, panicked.
HICCUP (CONT'D) Dad. It's not what you think. You don't know what you're up against. It's like nothing you've ever seen.
Stoick trembled, earning a concerned look from Gobber. But he shook his head. He knew exactly what was coming. his greatest moment of shame.
He grabs Stoick by the arm, tugging with all his might. He has no effect whatsoever.
HICCUP (CONT'D) Dad. Please. I promise you that you can't win this one. Nothing.
HICCUP (CONT'D) 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.
Everyone froze. They were all horrified. Even Astrid who had been told briefly what happened was frozen in fear. But nothing compared to Stoick's next words.
STOICK You've thrown your lot in with them. You're not a Viking. (BEAT) You're not my son.
Valka's hands immediately flew to her mouth in horror. Stoick had disowned him. Disowned their son. Immediately her anger began to build.
Stoick pushes through the door, leaving Hiccup alone, devastated.
Valka could not stop her anger from building at her husband. But then she noticed Hiccup stand without a word. He didn't say anything, just walked towards his father.
He then placed both hands on Stoick's shoulders, forcing the devestated chief to look his son in the eyes "I forgave you the moment you apologized. Now I think it's time for you to forgive yourself." he said softly.
Stoick let out a shuddering breath "How can I? What I did was unforgivable." he said.
Hiccup shook his head, smiling ever so slightly "No. You leaving me to deal with Ruffnut and Tuffnut when we found out they owned Dragons Edge. That was unforgivable. I mean seriously do you have any idea how miserable they were?" he asked, earning chuckles from everyone.
But then he smiled "But this only made me stronger." he said.
Stoick nodded at that, straightening up as the guilt finally left his face. Hiccup nodded at that with a smile, noticing the screen had stopped. He walked quickly to the front, head held high as he settled back against Toothless's side, ready to watch the rest.
Seeing that Valka glanced from her husband to her son, feeling conflicted. This was not something she could see as being easy to forgive but he did. Finally she sighed, turning to the movie. Perhaps finishing it would clear up what was going on. But right now...she couldn't look at Stoick. She just couldn't. Not without doing something she may come to regret.