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. Emberswaft around his beard. Hiccup tries to sneak past, up the stairs to his room. Stoickseems none the wiser, when
Stoick: Hiccup.
"Busted! Twins sang
Hiccup (caught): Dad. Uh.
Stoick stands, takes a deep breath.
Hiccup: I, uh... I have to talk to you, Dad.
Stoick: I need to speak with you too, son.
"Uh oh, looks like they going to talk over each other." Gobber said boredly as he has seen this happen so many times
"I decided I don't want to/ I think it's time you learn to/ fight dragons" Hiccup and Stoick said together
Stoick: You go first.
Hiccup: No, you go first.
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-
"Couldn't you say "I want to still work for Gobber since he's getting quite old for his age" then your father would have agreed to that." Gary said
"Oi, who are you calling old, I'm still the same as I was back then." Gobber said
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.
Stoick: It's time Hiccup.
Hiccup: Can you not hear me?
"Clearly not." Mala said
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: 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 nonspecifically at Hiccup)... this.
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.
Hiccup (resigned): Deal.
"Now I know why you broke out of the deal with your father when you trained Toothless." Gobber said
"Yeah since the deal was on him instead of me." Hiccup said
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.
"You look weird hold an axe." Astrid said
"I prefer a sword since I'm quick on my feet." Hiccup said
Gobber raises a massive iron gate at the entrance of a vast stone arena.
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.
"That place looks creepy." Atali said sounding scared
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: Yeah, no kidding, right? Pain. Love it.
After Hiccup heard what he said on the screen he put his hand on his left leg just above the stump and Astrid saw him, what he was doing so she put her hand on his shoulder to comfort him
"It's alright honey, your prosthetic shows that you survived." Astrid said as Hiccup gave her a smile
"Thanks, Milady." Hiccup said as he kissed Astrid's cheek
The recruits turn to see Hiccup behind them. Groans all around.
Tuffnut: Oh great. Who let him in?
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.
"Does the Red Death count as Hiccup's first dragon kill in front of the whole village?" Gary asked
"The Red Death was no dragon, it was a monster." Spitelout said
Snotlout: Hiccup already killed a Night Fury, so does that disqualify him or...?
The recruits laugh and chatter in the background.
Tuffnut: Can I transfer to the class with the cool Vikings?
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.
Gobber sticks him in line with the others and continues on toward five massive reinforced doors. terrible roars and bellows issue from within.
Gobber: 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.
Off-screen Fishlegs was also bouncing in joy
Gobber: The Deadly Nadder.
Astrid smiled and patted Stormfly's nose
Fishlegs: Speed eight. Armor sixteen.
Fishlegs said the same thing off-screen as each dragon was said
Gobber: The Hideous Zippleback.
Tuffnut and Ruffnut headbutted each other at the same time as their dragon
Fishlegs: Plus eleven stealth. Times two.
Gobber: The Monstrous Nightmare.
Hookfang lit himself on fire as Snotlout shouted out his catchphrase
Fishlegs: Firepower fifteen.
Gobber: The Terrible Terror.
Fishlegs: Attack eight. Venom twelve.
Off-screen people said shut up to Fishlegs as he said the stats a bit too loudly
Gobber: CAN YOU STOP THAT?! (beat) And...the Gronckle.
Fishlegs smiled as he patted Meatlug
Fishlegs: (quietly; to himself) Jaw strength, eight.
"Couldn't help yourself there Fishlegs." Heather said as she laughed
Gobber pulls a lever, raising the cross beam on the last of the doors.
Snotlout: Whoa, wait! Aren't you gonna teach us first!?
"He believes in learning on the job." Hiccup said
"It got the job done didn't it." Gobber said
"That quote only works while working in the forge but we were facing a dragon that could have killed us so you could have reached us first." Hiccup said
"The other recruits I trained over the years survived with no injures." Gobber said as the oldest berkians gasp in shock at what Gobber said
Gobber: I believe in learning on the job.
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.
Gobber: 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?
"Sorry Hiccup that's after training." Heather said
Fishlegs: Plus five speed?
Astrid: A shield.
Gobber: Shields. Go.
The recruits scramble for shields, finding them scattered around the ring.
Gobber: Your most important piece of equipment is your shield. If you must make a choice between a sword or a shield, take the shield.
"There are ways to get through the shield defenses." Gary said
Hiccup struggles to lift his. Gobber helps him and sends him running.
"That shield I made was perfect for me since it was light and easy to carry." Hiccup said
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.
"Wrong thing to say Tuffnut." Hiccup said
"What do you mean wrong thing to say?" Tuffnut asked
"Not all girls like flowers, like Astrid she likes different weapons as gifts." Hiccup said
"Don't forget about all the other gifts you made for me that made me feel like royalty." Astrid said
"I wanted to spoil my girlfriend with nice things." Hiccup said
"You got yourself a keeper Astrid and why didn't you tell me about these gifts, Hiccup gave you." Heather interrogated
"They weren't important to tell." Astrid said
Ruffnut uses the shield to bash Tuffnut in the face. He doesn't let go.
Ruffnut: Ooops, now this one has blood on it.
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.
"Those two were really annoying that I had to get them out so I don't hear their voices again." Meatlug said
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 did you leave ammunition in the arena for the Gronckle to eat so it can fire live rounds at the teenagers." Valka said
"She didn't injure anyone." Gobber said
"She almost killed me when I was corned." Hiccup said as Gobber waved his arm to deni that he was going to dir then Valka smacked over the head with Gothi's stick then she gave it back to Gothi
How is she still alive?" Dagur asked as he stared at Gothi who was still alive
"We're still confused as to how she is still alive." Hiccup said
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.
"That sound was really annoying." Meatlug said
Gronckle's POV - the teens targets become blurry and scrambled. It's working.
"So that's what it looks when we bang our shields against the dragons." Fishlegs said as he patted Meatlug
Gobber: All dragons have a limited number of shots. How many does a Gronckle have?
Snotlout: Five!
Fishlegs: No, six.
Gobber: Correct, six. That's one for each of you!
Fishlegs: I really don't think my parents would-
"Hiccup how did you survive his training in the forge if that's what his training is like?" Mala asked
"I still ask that question to this day, I was very lucky I still had my limbs while working in the forge." Hiccup said
BAM! Fishlegs has his shield blasted away.
Gobber: Fishlegs, out.
Gobber spots Hiccup hiding from the Gronckle's molten slugs.
Gobber: Hiccup, get in there!
"Wasn't the lesson about survival so I was surviving by hiding and surveying the dragon so I can think of a plan to defeat it." Hiccup said
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-
"Why are you flirting with Hiccup's girl?" Heather asked
"I wasn't Hiccup's girl back then." Astrid said
She cartwheels out of the way, allowing a shot to shoot past her and hit Snotlout's shield. He's blasted onto his back.
"You deserved that for flirting with Hiccup's girl." Heather said then she laughed as Astrid denied that she wasn't Hiccup's girl yet again
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?
"Did you guys hear Hiccup's voice breaking when he tried to talk to his girl." Dagur said as the people around him laughed
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.
"Did you guys notice that the Gronckle was aiming at your shields and not at your bodies." Mala said
"This was during the 300-year dragon, Viking war they didn't know the dragons were peaceful until Hiccup ended it." Heather said
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 (worried): Hiccup!
"Why didn't you say your out to Hiccup?" Alvin asked Gobber who just shrugged his shoulders
The Gronckle drives straight toward Hiccup, pinning him against the wall. It opens its mouth and cocks its tail, ready to fire point-blank.
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.
Gobber: (rattled, but masking it) And that's six!
Gobber wrestles the irate Gronckle back into his pen.
Gobber: Go back to bed, ya overgrown sausage! You'll get another chance, don't you worry.
Slam! Lock. Gobber turns to the recruits.
Gobber: Remember... a dragon will always, (with a stern look to Hiccup) always go for the kill.
"But Toothless just roared in Hiccup's face so doesn't that "dragons always go for the kill" obsolete." Atali said
"We didn't know that Hiccup survived the Night Fury." Gobber said
He hoists Hiccup to his feet and walks off. Hiccup looks overhead to see a steaming pit in the solid stone wall.
"I know that face Hiccup's doing, I'm going to do something stupid face." Astrid said
"I didn't do anything stupid." Hiccup defended himself
"We'll see Hiccup." Heather said
Hiccup: (muttered) So...why didn't you?
"Of course, he would go back to where he freed the Night Fury as I tell you, that face he did was I'm going to do something stupid
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: Well this was stupid.
"Of course it was you are going after a wild Night Fury that wasn't trained." Mindin said
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. Again and again, it rolls uncontrolled and crashes heavily. As if remembering to snap a photo, Hiccup pulls a leatherbound book and flips past drawings of weapons to a blank page. He sketches the dragon quickly, desperate to record the image. 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: (muttered) Why don't you just...fly away?
"Because it was missing a tail fin that would help to fly. A dragon that can't fly is a dead dragon." Thork said
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.
"That must be scary to have a stare-off with the Night Fury?" Atali asked
"No, I was very intrigued by the Night Fury, but I couldn't stay for long, but it started raining." Hiccup said
