Written by Mike & Linda Teverbaugh
Transcribed by BlackRose108 & AvannaK
EXT. NORTH SEA - DAY
We dive into an overhead shot of Berk, descending through wispy clouds and skimming quickly around the mountains behind the village.
HICCUP (V.O)
This is Berk. For years it was Viking against dragon. The battles were ferocious...then one day, everything changed.
Toothless and Hiccup fly past the camera, shaking the view as the ascend back up into the clouds.
HICCUP (V.O)
I met Toothless, and together we've shown people here that instead of fighting dragons we can ride them...live with them, even train them.
Hiccup adjust Toothless's prosthetic tail fin as they fly, and the two soar effortlessly through the clouds, completely in sync.
They land softly on a nearby sea pillar where Snotlout, Astrid, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Fishlegs and all their dragons have also landed.
HICCUP
Okay guys, best trick competition, who's up first?
FISHLEGS
(hesitantly)
Uh...
SNOTLOUT
Me!
FISHLEGS
Actually I think it's...
SNOTLOUT
Me!
ASTRID
(annoyed)
Oh, sweet baby Thor in a thunderstorm, go!
SNOTLOUT
Oh don't worry, we'll go. And when we go, Hookfang and I are gonna light the sky with-
Hookfang jumps off the cliff with Snotlout in tow before he even finishes his gloating.
SNOTLOUT (CONT.)
-FIRE! Oh no!!!!
Hookfang soars low to the water, diving through the openings of he pillars and cliffs of the North Sea and taking enjoyment with Snotlout's frightened screams.
The dragon flies through the narrow opening between two pillars and Snotlout's helmet scrapes the side of the one of the pillars, his rider completely terrified at that point. Still, Hookfang finishes with diving under water before flying back up to where the other riders, thoroughly proud of himself for scaring Snotlout.
SNOTLOUT
I'm alive...? I'm alive!
Snotlout immediately tries to cover his frightened expression but no one's buying it.
He still tries anyways.
SNOTLOUT
Of course I am.
FISHLEGS
It's my turn!
(He readies himself on Meatlug)
Ready Meatlug? Here we go!
Seemingly getting ready to do something amazing, everyone is surprised to see that Meatlug and Fishlegs simply ride in a small circle around the pillar before landing again with a sheepish pride among their performance.
FISHLEGS
Yes! New personal best!
Fishlegs gives Meatlug an affectionate hug and Meatlug returns it by licking the side of his face.
RUFFNUT
My turn!
TUFFNUT
No, my turn!
Hiccup intervenes with a roll of his eyes.
HICCUP
Guys, same dragon.
TUFFNUT
Oh, right.
Ruffnut and Tuffnut "fist bump" before flying off on their Zippleback--Barf and Belch--but right from the start the two can't agree on which way to fly.
TUFFNUT
Go left!
RUFFNUT
No right!
TUFFNUT
N-no, right!
RUFFNUT
No, left!
Their inability to agree on a way to go causes the heads of their Zippleback to entangled and they get thrown off their dragon.
TUFFNUT
(In mid-air free fall)
Oh no! Whoa! This is awesome and scary! Ahhh!
Luckily Barf and Belch come to the twin's rescue and catch both Ruffnut and Tuffnut before they hit the water and land shakily.
RUFFNUT
(out of breath)
We almost died.
TUFFNUT
I know....go again!?
ASTRID
Hey! It's my turn.
(Turning to Hiccup smugly)
You might wanna take notes. Let's go!
Astrid flies off on Stormfly and the two being their practiced routine.
ASTRID (CONT.)
Okay, Stormfly prepare to flip! Now twirl! Quick, upward spiral!
Stormfly and Astrid fly perfectly in sync with Astrid's commands, ending their routine high up in the clouds.
ASTRID
Alright, Stormfly!
While everyone else is impressed as Astrid lands, Snotlout simply scoffs.
SNOTLOUT
Yeah, but can you do that without the dragon?
Astrid punches him in the shoulder
SNOTLOUT
Ow!
Astrid turns to Hiccup, giving him a silent okay to go.
Hiccup simply seems highly amused.
HICCUP
(To Toothless)
Looks like we've got our work cut out for us there, bud.
Hiccup and Toothless dive off the pillar heading nose-into the water before pulling up and soaring blindingly quick over the top of the water. They glide past and through pillars and cliffs before meeting an arched one, showing no fear to the stumbling block in their flight pattern.
Hiccup leaps off of the Toothless and runs across the top of the pillar while Toothless flies under the arch of it, before they come together again as Hiccup jumps back onto Toothless in a perfectly timed maneuver.
Everyone is visibly impressed--even Snotlout--and Hiccup and Toothless finish off their performance with a series of small fire shots that explode beautifully in front of everyone.
ASTRID
They're still the best.
Hiccup and Toothless descend as they still fly through the clouds.
HICCUP
Another win. Good job, bud.
EXT. THE PLAZA - DAY
Hiccup and Toothless land in the plaza.
HICCUP (V.O)
Yep...dragons. Most people on Berk would say life here is better since we made peace with them. Unfortunately Dragons are still, well, dragons.
Hiccup dismounts Toothless and walks up into the plaza, being passed by a fair amount of chaos.
A woman is having a piece of meat stolen by a Terrible Terror as she tried to tug it away from the little dragon.
VIKING WOMAN #1
Let go of my food! Drop it pesky dragon!
(the dragon makes off with her food anyways.)
Dragons!
VIKING MAN #1
(Yelling at a dragon perched atop his house)
Get off my roof, you pest!
A man is having a tug-of-war with a dragon for a bag of apples. But to no avail.
VIKING MAN #2
Let go of that! These are my apples!
Another dragon runs through a woman's hanging laundry, snatching it off in the process.
VIKING WOMAN #2
Give me back my dainties, dragon!
More villagers all scatter around, looking up at the sky, horrified and annoyed. Its three o'clock and that means it's time for the dragons to leave their droppings.
VIKING MAN #3
Incoming!
VIKING MAN #4
Look out!
VIKING MAN #3
Dragon poo!
They all run for cover as if their life depends on it.
HICCUP
(backing away for cover)
Ew, gross, gross, gross. Oh poop. Oh, that's disgusting.
He back up right into Bucket and Mulch, who are both standing calmly with "umbrellas"--which is more like shields perched on sticks--over them.
HICCUP
Hey Mulch. Hey Bucket.
(He points upwards)
Sorry about the...uh...
BUCKET
Every day at three. They're regular at least. A tip of the cap.
MULCH
Better then the days when it was 'kill or be killed'.
(to Hiccup)
Hey, we've got some fish for that father of yours. Bucket, give the boy the cod.
Bucket holds up a small sack but it has a gaping hole at the bottom. Obviously the fish isn't in there.
BUCKET
I ate it already...? Did I enjoy it?
HICCUP
Um, no, uh, actually Bucket...I'm afraid the uh...
Hiccup directs their vision over to the Terrible Terror who is making off with the fish, devouring it quickly.
HICCUP (V.O)
Most of us here on Berk are willing to take the good with the bad. But there are those who will never accept the dragons and will do anything to drive them away.
EXT. MILDEW'S HOUSE - NIGHT
We skim over the village and settle behind the mountain holding the Great Hall. Atop a large cliff resides a small house nestled within the cliff, a vast field of cabbage in front of it.
Fade into Mildew's house, where he sleeps quietly before a disturbing banging atop his roof wakes him. The shaking causes the axes he has hanging from the ceiling to drop and almost cut his sheep--Fungus--in half. The sheep 'screams' and scurries into the snuffed out fire pit.
Mildew, thoroughly annoyed, wakes up and stomps outside, mumbling to himself.
He stops to see there is, in fact, a dragon on his roof, snoring blissfully.
MILDEW
Dragons, I should've known.
He picks up a picked over piece of cabbage and scowls.
MILDEW
Helps himself to my roof and my cabbage.
He looks over at the field to see four more dragons eating up all of his cabbage.
MILDEW
My whole field! Gone!
(Growling)
That tears it Fungus.
Mildew grabs his walking staff, his helmet, and Fungus and proceeds to walk out of his house...again.
EXT. STORAGE HOUSE - DAY
The next day where Stoick and Gobber are overseeing the storage of food for the winter.
STOICK
Store the rest of it in the back, the fishing boats just came in with a big catch.
MILDEW
Stoick!
GOBBER
Ah, here's Mildew with the complaint of the day.
STOICK
You picked a bad time, Mildew, I'm in the middle of storing food. The freeze is coming.
MILDEW
(Ignoring Stoick's brush off)
It's those dragons again. Those demons are not fit to live among civilized men.
GOBBER
Neither are you, Mildew. Why do you think we built your house so far outside of town?
MILDEW
Ah, very well, make your jokes. Meanwhile these dragons are in our village's cod! Turn people's houses into piles of rubble!
Mildew's loud words seem to grab some of the villager's attention and support, for they begin gathering around the storing house.
VIKING MAN #4
Mildew's right!
MILDEW
They even disturb an old man's rest. Can't you see these bags under me eyes?
VIKING MAN #5
Go on, Mildew!
GOBBER
(referring to Mildew's previous comment)
He's right, he's hideous.
MILDEW
These are wild and unpredictable beasts!
VIKING MAN #6
Right you are!
MILDEW
(to Bucket)
They even cracked this man's skull. Like an egg.
BUCKET
Egg, I like eggs! Scrabbled! Over easy! Poached!
MILDEW
(To Stoick)
You need to put those dragons in cages.
VIKING MAN #7
I agree!
MILDEW
If you don't they'll eat us out of house and home and destroy the entire village!
The surrounding villages all shout their agreements with Mildew before Hiccup steps in, fed up with listening to the conversation on the sidelines.
HICCUP
They don't mean any harm, they're just dragons being dragons.
STOICK
Look, Mildew, if there's a problem I'll deal with it.
MILDEW
Oh, there is a problem Stoick.
(He proceeds to walk away)
And I think I speak for everyone when I say you better do something about it.
Mildew leaves the chaotic scenes of the villagers all shouting at
Stoick.
INT. HADDOCK HOUSE - NIGHT
Stoick paces in front of the fire pit while Gobber carves a duck with his knife hand and Hiccup and Toothless sit comfortably in the corner.
STOICK
We can't just let dragons run wild like they own the place.
(He thinks...)
Hey, we could put up signs!
GOBBER
Signs...for dragons?
STOICK
No! For the people.
GOBBER
Signs...for Vikings? We're not big readers, Stoick.
STOICK
Then we'll build a huge net and stretch it around the plaza.
GOBBER
Nets? You do know they breath fire?
STOICK
I know very well they breath fire, Gobber.
(he groans)
Maybe Mildew was right?
He flips a chair behind him which Hiccup turns back over, announcing his idea.
STOICK
We have to figure something-
HICCUP
No, no, wait Dad. What if I deal with the dragons?
STOICK
(unsure)
You?
HICCUP
Who else? If anyone can control them, I can. I'm the best man for the job.
STOICK
You're not a man yet, Hiccup.
HICCUP
Not if you don't give me the chance to be!
Stoick and Gobber regard each other with contemplative looks, before Stoick finally gives in.
STOICK
Fair enough, you'll have your chance...starting tomorrow.
EXT. THE PLAZA - DAY
Hiccup walks up with confidence in his stride, smiling broadly.
HICCUP
Okay gang, there's gonna be some changes around here.
In the distance a Viking woman is being harassed by a Nadder trying to steal her bread.
VIKING WOMAN #3
Get out! Shoo! For the last time, get your nose out of my bread!
She runs into her house and the Nadder still sniffs after the bread.
Hiccup runs up to help.
HICCUP
Hold on, I'll help you! Just...
The Nadder turns towards Hiccup and he reaches out his hand to the dragon's nose.
HICCUP
(Sternly)
No!
The Nadder immediately calms down and Hiccup smiles in his success.
HICCUP
Alright.
But his victory is short lived when a Gronckle crashes his way through the plaza, making all the surrounding dragons go haywire.
HICCUP
Okay...
Hiccup looks up on a nearby ramp to see a Nadder and Nightmare beginning a fight. And coming down the ramp are screaming sheep, one of them is even on fire!
Hiccup, already overwhelmed, runs towards the sheep.
HICCUP
Toothless, stop that fight! I'll put out the sheep.
Toothless obeys without hesitation and hops up to the two fighting dragons.
Hiccup runs into the center of plaza, trying to find a bucket of water for the flaming sheep, but ends up getting caught in the cross-way of dragons and people fighting and flying everywhere!
HICCUP
Okay, okay...whoa!
He pauses for a moment, completely lost of what to do.
A man pushes him out of the way, chasing down a Nadder who's stealing his food cart.
VIKING MAN #8
Get out! Get back here with my cart!
VIKING MAN #9
Enough of these dragons!
Meanwhile, on one of the old watch towers, the other Viking teens are watching chaos unfold overhead and Hiccup failing to manage it.
SNOTLOUT
What's he doing?
TUFFNUT
Uh, I think he's helping the dragons break stuff...?
RUFFNUT
Cool.
Back on the ground, Hiccup has finally gotten a bucket of water and runs up to the terrified, burning sheep, but it ends up knocking him down instead and Hiccup slides down the hill, watching the scene before him in even more dismay.
Astrid watches overhead, worried.
ASTRID
Wow, he could really use our help.
TUFFNUT
We'll get to it.
RUFFNUT
In a minute.
On the ground the burning sheep still runs around scared out of it's fur before Hiccup finally succeeds in putting it out.
The sheep collapses in relief.
HICCUP
Sorry about that.
Right on time, the dragons flying overhead begin to drop their 'droppings' over the plaza.
ASTRID
And...it's three o'clock.
The droppings continue to fall over the plaza, one of them coming right toward's an exhausted Hiccup's face. Sadly, though he's too tired to move and just accepts the fate coming to him.
HICCUP
Oh...no.
INT. HICCUP'S ROOM - NIGHT
Hiccup sits on his bed with Toothless next to him, stretching his arm.
HICCUP
Oh, everything hurts...
He takes off his prosthetic leg.
HICCUP (CONT.)
...Even this.
ASTRID (O.S)
Hiccup!?
Hiccup perks up when he hears Astrid's voice and puts his leg back on, standing quickly and dusting himself off.
HICCUP
Astrid? Perfect.
(to Toothless)
I don't look too beat up do I?
Toothless simply gives Hiccup a good once-over glance and growls, trying to be supportive, but Hiccup sees straight through the
Night Fury's good intentions.
HICCUP
Oh great, dragon pity.
Astrid makes her way up the steps and into Hiccup's room, wearing a worried expression.
HICCUP
Hey, Astrid, what a nice surprise!
ASTRID
(A little awkwardly)
So, how was your day?
HICCUP
Uh, uneventful. Hung around the plaza...you know...
ASTRID
Yeah I do know....we saw you out there
Astrid picks a piece of rubble off of Hiccup's vest, scrutinizing it before flicking it away.
ASTRID
It's hard to believe you're still standing.
Hiccup lets out an exhausted sigh before falling back on his bed, finished.
HICCUP
I'm gonna be seeing flaming sheep in my dreams for the next month.
STOICK (O.S)
Hiccup!
Hiccup immediately stands when he heard his father's tone of voice as Stoick comes up the stairs and enters his room.
STOICK
Hiccup, what's going on out there? The plaza looks like a war zone.
HICCUP
I know it looks bad-
ASTRID
(whispering)
Really bad.
HICCUP
Yeah but this is only "phase one" of my master plan.
STOICK
(relieved)
Oh, so you do have a plan?
HICCUP
(putting up a front)
I do...of course I do. It's very complex. Lots of drawings, several moving parts. Yeah, it's, uh, pretty wild.
STOICK
Uh huh. Well, this better real because Mildew's stirred up the whole island. And if you don't get those dragons under control, they'll be calling for their heads.
Hiccup walks over to a worried Toothless, scratching behind his ear to reassure him.
HICCUP
(softly)
Don't worry, bud, your head's not going anywhere.
ASTRID
You do realize there are, like, a bazillion dragons out there and only one of you. I hope you really do have a plan.
EXT. KILL RING - DAY
We zoom in on the dragon training arena from above.
RUFFNUT
(off screen)
That's your plan? Train dragons?
The teens stand in the arena, their dragons at their side.
TUFFNUT
Here? Where we used to kill them?
Hiccup carries a basket of baguettes to Toothless.
HICCUP
Right... because we don't do that anymore.
Hiccup sets the basket down, which Toothless begins to sniff. Hiccup turns to address the teens.
HICCUP
That's why it's available.
ASTRID
Actually, the dragons do seem a little nervous.
Astrid strokes Stormfly's beak reassuringly.
FISHLEGS
That's because they're very sensitive.
Fishlegs rests his cheek against Meatlug and strokes her face.
FISHLEGS
Meatlug especially. She lost a cousin here.
He leans towards Astrid conspiratorially.
FISHLEGS
(whispers)
We try not to talk about it.
Astrid steps away from Stormfly and approaches Hiccup.
ASTRID
It's amazing your dad just gave us the arena.
HICCUP
Well, it would be, if he did, yeah, but, he didn't, so that's another thing we should try not to talk about.
ASTRID
(Suspiciously)
Wait, so we're going behind your father's back?
HICCUP
There you go! Talking about it! Uh...
Hiccup walks away from Astrid, rubbing his head in a nervous gesture, and turns to address the other teens, pacing back and forth.
HICCUP
Alright. Everybody, here's the thing. The dragons are out of control. We want them to live in our world without destroying it but they can't without our help. They've been blowing things up in the village... we've gotta do something about that.
TUFFNUT
Got it! Help dragons blow things up. We can totally do that.
Ruffnut nods beside him, looking smug.
HICCUP.
No. I believe I said--
RUFFNUT
Here's how we're gonna do it:
She knocks Tuffnut in the shoulder, who looks as excited as she does.
RUFFNUT
First, we make them really, really angry...
TUFFNUT
No problem. We anger everybody.
HICCUP
(Frustrated)
No, you guys, this is serious. Mildew wants all of our dragons caged. And I don't know about you but that's not okay with me.
TUFFNUT
You're right.
(pointing to Ruffnut)
She's sorry.
Ruffnut glares at her brother.
HICCUP
Okay then. Next problem...
Hiccup walks to the basket and pulls out a baguette. Toothless immediately licks his chops as soon as the bread is in sight.
HICCUP
The dragons are eating everything in sight. Now, when a dragon grabs something it's not supposed to have...
He walks to Toothless and holds out the baguette. Toothless chomps down on the bread.
HICCUP (CONT.)
You can get him to drop it by giving him a little scratch just below the chin.
Hiccup reaches under Toothless' jaw and begins to scratch. Toothless' eyes roll in pleasure and his mouth slackens. Hiccup gently takes the bread out of Toothless' mouth, his demonstration a success.
Snotlout saunters up to Hiccup.
SNOTLOUT
Ememememeuh!
Snotlout snatches the rescued baguette from Hiccup's hand.
SNOTLOUT
Maybe that works for you and Toothless... But Hookfang and me? We do things a little different.
Snotlout throws the baguette off screen. Hookfang catches it in his jaws, leaving the bread protruding half out of his mouth. Snotlout walks up to his dragon, confident.
SNOTLOUT
When I want this big boy to do something I just get right in his face and--
(shouting)
DROP THAT RIGHT NOW! YOU HEAR ME?
Hookfang lowers his head for a moment, appearing chastised, before throwing the bread aside with a jerk of his head. Then he chomps down on Snotlout's head and torso, releasing a snarl with the action.
He gives Snotlout a light shake. Snotlout's arms and legs jiggle uselessly, but otherwise the boy remains motionless inside his dragon's mouth.
SNOTLOUT
(muffled)
See? He dropped it...
The teens watch, unimpressed but amused.
TUFFNUT
(chuckling)
Heh heh. Should we help him?
ASTRID
Yeah. In a minute.
HICCUP
(calling for attention)
Alright. We've got a lot of training to do, but together--
Hiccup reaches into the basket and pulls out two more baguettes.
HICCUP (continued)
--we can keep these dragons under control.
Astrid starts forward to begin Stormfly's training. The twins share a look and follow suit. Hookfang maintains his hold on Snotlout, who is left hanging several meters above the ground in the jaws of a Monstrous Nightmare.
SNOTLOUT
(muffled)
Uh... can somebody do that chin scratchy thing? Hello?
Hookfang shakes Snotlout again.
SNOTLOUT
(whimpering)
You guys still there?
EXT. CENTRAL BERK - DAY
We zoom in on the village, coasting over the sea. The Berk kids are walking through the village center with Hiccup in the lead. They pause and glance around the suspiciously quiet area.
FISHLEGS
Huh. No dragons.
RUFFNUT
(shrugging)
That was easy.
SNOTLOUT
Lunch?
HICCUP
That's weird. If the dragons aren't here, where are they?
There's a loud boom and a scream. A cloud of fire and smoke billows upward from behind some houses. The teens stare in it's direction, dumbfounded.
ASTRID
Something tells me that way...
EXT. STORAGE HOUSE - DAY
With a bird's eye view of the village, a cloud of dark smoke mushroom from the northern side. A Zippleback flies toward away as the smoke below disperses. In the distance other dragons circulate the area.
Angry vikings and commotion are heard from below.
VIKING Man #9
Ow! Stop it! Give me that--that's mine!
Hiccup and the others run onto the scene. They look concerned as shock and disappointment spread across their faces.
ASTRID
(uncertain)
Stormfly?
Stormfly and Hookfang are bent over several overturned fish barrels and eating the fish. Stormfly looks up as her name is called, confirming Astrid's suspicions.
SNOTLOUT
Hookfang!
Hookfang looks up as well.
Hiccup runs up the steps of the food storage unit. The doors are thrown open and unhinged. The wreckage of crates and barrels litter the area.
Stoick is inside attempting to clear the mess. He lifts a broken support beam on his shoulders and throws it off to the side with an infuriated roar. Noticing Hiccup, Stoick marches outside.
STOICK
They've eaten everything! We've got nothing left for the freeze!
Mildew sidles up to Stoick as soon as he steps outside.
MILDEW
I warned you Stoick. But did you listen to me? No. You put a bunch of teenagers in charge.
Mildew glares reproachfully at the teens. They look stricken and scornful as they glare at Mildew in turn.
Mildew turns back to Stoick.
MILDEW (CONT.)
Now look what the dragons have done! Caging is too good for those beasts.
HICCUP
(desperate)
Dad, I swear I can fix this. We-we were just starting to--
STOICK
Enough, Hiccup! How can I trust you to control all the dragons, when you couldn't even control your own?
He gestures off screen to Toothless.
Toothless pulls his head out of a fish basket, the tail of a fish hanging from his mouth. He warbles at the attention and finishes off the fish, looking pleased.
HICCUP
(Sighing with disappointment)
Ah, Toothless...
INT. STORAGE HOUSE -- DAY
Stoick re-enters the food storage building and begins to collect the now emptied baskets.
STOICK
Butcket! Mulch! Man the boats! We need another catch!
Stoick throws four baskets off screen. They fly into the arms of Bucket and Mulch, each catching two.
MULCH
It's too late Stoick. It took us six months to catch all that fish.
Bucket and Mulch set down the baskets. Stoick, who had moved off to collect more materials, spins around to face them, annoyed.
STOICK
Don't tell me it's too late! We've got to try!
MULCH
Of course we do!
He laughs weakly and reaches over with his hook to pull Bucket down by the beard.
MULCH
(to Bucket)
Uh, don't tell the chief it's too late.
Mulch hits Bucket on the helmet with his hook.
MULCH
You're always so negative!
BUCKET
I don't know what it is with me...
Stoick leaves the storage building. He carries a barrel over one shoulder and slings a basket over the other by a leather strap. Hiccup runs after him. Gobber approaches along side Hiccup at a much slower pace.
HICCUP
Dad, please! You gotta listen to me. I know dragons better than--
STOICK
Not now, Hiccup.
Stoick throws the barrel and basket into a wheelbarrow.
STOICK
I have a village to feed. The dragons have done enough damage. By tonight, I want every one of them caged. Understand?
Hiccup takes a breath, looking like he's about to argue but Mildew shuffles in from behind.
MILDEW
Bah! You can't just cage these dragons! You need to send them away now!
Angry vikings gather in the background. They show their agreement with Mildew with a cacophony of angry shouts.
VIKING man #10
Stoick! Mildew's right!
Viking Man #11
Get 'em out of here!
Stoick holds up his hands, placating.
STOICK
You're right, Mildew. You'll cage them tonight, and in the morning-
(apologetic to Hiccup)
-Hiccup will send them off the island.
Hiccup looks at his father, heartbroken. Toothless pads up behind Hiccup and nuzzles his nose head under Hiccup's arm in a comforting gesture. Hiccup stares down at his dragon, looking lost.
STOICK
I'm sorry, son.
Stoick turns and marches off screen. Hiccup watches his father leave, obviously upset. He shares a concerned look with Toothless, who knows something is very wrong.
INT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT
We approach the village as night arrives. Waves can be heard crashing against the crags of the island. Cutting to the Great Hall, where the teens poke at their dinner completely miserable about the day's events and the night's fate.
SNOTLOUT
I can't believe we have to send them away.
ASTRID
It's gonna be weird.
Astrid pulls the spoon she was stirring her porridge with from the bowl. The contents mix and swirl before coming to a stop, where we can make out the likeness of a Nadder in the food.
ASTRID
(dejected)
I got used to seeing Stormfly's face being the first thing I see every morning.
FISHLEGS
(forlorn)
Every night before I went to sleep, Meatlug would lick my feet.
Ruffnut and Tuffnut share a look at Fishelegs' admission but neither choose to say anything.
Fishlegs dramatically throws himself forward on the table.
FISHLEGS
Who's gonna do that now?!
RUFFNUT
I volunteer Tuffnut!
Ruffnut nudges her brother, trying to be playful but Tuffnut doesn't rise to the bait. He stares down at his crossed arms, obviously depressed over the situation at hand.
TUFFNUT
Whatever. What time should I be there?
ASTRID
Come on, guys. Let's get this over with.
Astrid stands from the table and walks off. Fishlegs follows her.
FISHLEGS
This is the worst day of my life! We're never gonna see our dragons again!
The teens weave through the tables as they leave the Great Hall. Hiccup separates from the group and heads towards Toothless, who naps by the Great Hall's central fire.
HICCUP
(determined)
We can't let that happen!
Hiccup kneels down by Toothless and begins to stroke his head reassuringly.
HICCUP
Toothless is the best friend I've ever had.
Toothless blinks his eyes open and purrs.
MILDEW (o.s)
(mocking)
Oh! Toothless, I'm gonna miss you so much...
Hiccup and Toothless get to their feet as Mildew approaches. Both look annoyed by the old man's presence. Toothless growls but stays at bay.
MILDEW
You know what your mistake was? Thinking dragons could be trained. A dragon's gonna do what a dragon's gonna do. It's their nature.
Hiccup stares at Mildew, steadfast.
MILDEW
And nature always wins.
Mildew walks away from Hiccup and Toothless having said his piece. He's very smug.
Hiccup scowls after him while Toothless growls his sentiments.
Two vikings enter the Great Hall, pushing both doors open. A heavy wind fills the Hall and blows out the central fire encasing the hall with darkness. Toothless shoots a plasma bolt into the pit and rekindles the flames.
VIKING WOMAN #2
Oh! Thank you, Toothless.
Hiccup appears enlightened.
HICCUP
You know what? Mildew is absolutely right!
(To Toothless)
Come on, bud!
Hiccup runs out of the Mead Hall with Toothless following.
EXT. KILL RING -- NIGHT
The teens fly down towards the darkened arena, their silhouettes highlighted in the night by the torches they carry.
They land before the arena's gates. Both riders and dragons appear dispirited. The teens bid their dragons farewell.
SNOTLOUT
Goodbye Hookfang.
ASTRID
I'm sorry Stormfly
She rests her free hand on the Nadder's cheek, regretful
ASTRID
Now go.
Astrid gestures to the open arena gate with the torch she holds. Stormfly obeys, dipping her head as she walks into the threshold. The other dragons follow.
Snotlout makes a noise of pain.
SNOTLOUT
Mmgh. Feels like big sharp teeth are tearing at this... thing inside my chest.
ASTRID
(sadly)
That's what it feels like when your heart is breaking.
SNOTLOUT
I don't have a heart! I'm not a girl.
The gate lowers slowly. The twins and Fishlegs look on in misery as the chains clank in the background. In the torchlight, we see the dragons stare back from the arena, mirroring the expressions on their riders' faces. The shadow of the gate obscures our view of them as the it drops.
The teens stand, side-by-side, helpless as their dragons are locked away. We close up on Astrid, who sighs, defeated.
HICCUP (o.s)
Don't close it!
Astrid perks up.
In the full moon of the night sky the silhouette of Toothless swoops in, swinging over the teens heads and landing before the gate.
Hiccup launches from the saddle and rushes to the gate lever. Using his entire body, he forces the lever in reverse. The gate begins to rise.
HICCUP
We are not locking them up.
ASTRID
What happened? Did you change your father's mind?
(suspicious)
Or are we going behind his back again?
Hiccup shifts guiltily as the dragons exit the arena.
HICCUP
(evasive)
Uh... one of those.
(assertive)
Look. The dragons are gonna do, what they're gonna do. It's their nature. We just need to learn how to use it!
The other teens look intrigued and hopeful.
EXT. NORTH SEA - DAY
Bucket and Mulch lean over the siding of a ship, hauling an empty net out of the sea.
MULCH
(disappointed)
Ah, the nets are empty again.
Bucket strokes his beard in contemplation.
BUCKET
Did I eat them already? Did I enjoy it? Oop--am I being too negative?
Hiccup and Snotlout hover above the ship on their dragons.
HICCUP
Snotlout! Scare us up some dinner!
Hiccup trust that Snotlout will follow his order and flies off screen. Hookfang and Snotlout preform a straight dive into the sea.
Bucket
(Screaming upon seeing Hookfang)
Dragon attack!
Hookfang crashes into the sea just next to the ship. He circles the boat underwater with Snotlout holding onto his horns. Together they scare the fish into Mulch and Bucket's net.
When the net is full, they burst from the sea and back into the sky.
SNOTLOUT
Woohoo!
MULCH
Hey! Thanks dragon!
SNOTLOUT
That's right! That just happened!
EXT. MILDEW'S HOUSE - DAY
Hiccup, Astrid and Fishlegs fly towards Mildew's home.
HICCUP
Come on! Follow me!
We zoom in on Mildew tilling his garden soil. Mildew looks up, dumbfounded, at the approaching dragons.
MILDEW
Huh?
ASTRID
Afternoon, Mildew!
Stormfly glides over Mildew's fields, dragging her tail through the dirt and over turning the soil. She leaves a groove in her wake.
Hiccup follows on Toothless with an overturned bag of seed to fill in the groove.
Mildew inhales the unsettled dusts and coughs. He's completely wrong-footed by this unexpected turn of events.
HICCUP
Three o'clock! Time for the fertilizer!
MILDEW
Eh?
Mildew turns to his left to see a horde of dragons approaching. In the middle is Fishlegs atop Meatlug.
FISHLEGS
Okay, Meatlug. Let 'er rip!
Meatlug makes a face of exertion.
Mildew jumps as dragon droppings hail down on his garden. Hiccup observes his handiwork from a safe distance above, pleased.
HICCUP
Smile, Mildew! We just saved you three months of work!
EXT. RAVEN POINT FOREST - DAY
Trees crash down on one another as something hidden within their branches knocks them over. A loud, but brief, explosion startles a yak off screen. A herd of wild boar come screaming from the tree-line just as Ruffnut and Tuffnut on their Zippleback break through after them.
Hiccup flies in and fires a plasma bolt to scare the boars into veering right. They continue to run away from the pursuing dragons straight into a village barn, which Gobber waits beside. Gobber closes the barn doors as soon as the boars are inside.
One by one, the teens and their dragons land, excited after a successful execution of Hiccup's plan.
FISHLEGS
Whoohoo! That was awesome!
Astrid looks to Hiccup, who is the last to settle on land.
ASTRID
(amazed)
How did you know that was gonna work?
HICCUP
Because they're dragons, and they're gonna do what dragons do.
Hiccup dismounts from Toothless, who shakes his shoulders from bearing Hiccup's weight.
HICCUP
We just have to work with them and not against them. You know who we should actually be thanking--?
MILDEW (O.S)
There they are, Stoick!
Hiccup's face falls into annoyance. He turns to see Mildew and his father approaching.
MILDEW
Those dragons don't look like they're in cages to me.
STOICK
(to Mildew)
No.
(to Hiccup)
This is not what I asked for.
EXT. THE KILL RING - DAY
From a bird's eye point of view, we see Gobber and Stoick approach the arena. Villagers gather at the spectator stands.
Everyone is interested in the teens' fate.
The gate lifts and Gobber and Stoick descend into the arena. We see the teens standing in a line on the other side, their dragons caged behind them.
FISHLEGS
(fearful)
Oh no! What's Stoick gonna do to us?
RUFFNUT
I'm too pretty for jail!
TUFFNUT
Hah, where'd you hear that?
Stoick looms toward them. Gobber limbs at his side, looking menacing.
STOICK
you all disobeyed me orders... and there will be consequences.
Astrid's arms are crossed and she looks annoyed. She leans towards Hiccup.
ASTRID
(grumbling)
I told you we were gonna get in trouble.
She rolls her eyes. Her face falls into one of regret and she sighs.
ASTRID (CONT.)
(whispering)
Ugh, you never listen to me!
Hiccup steps forward.
HICCUP
Dad, if anyone's going to get in trouble it should be me.
STOICK
Nope. You all had a hand in this.
Mildew watches the event from outside the arena with the other villagers. He is smug.
MILDEW
Oh this is going to be great, Fungus. It's about to get ugly.
Below, Stoick paces in front of the teens. He paints an imposing figure.
STOICK
You took over this place without asking. You released the dragons against my wishes. Things are going to change around here. That's why I--
Gobber pops into screen, interrupting Stoick's speech.
GOBBER
You're getting a dragon-training academy!
Mildew leans back, shocked.
MILDEW
Wha--?
STOICK
(indignant)
Gobber! I wanted to tell them!
The tension in the teen's shoulders drops. Hiccup and Astrid look at each other, relieved.
GOBBER
I'm sorry. You're right.
He bows his head and gestures to the teens.
GOBBER
Go ahead.
STOICK
(sill upset)
Well you told most of it!
GOBBER
You can tell him the part about how proud you are of him!
STOICK
Gobber!
Stoick sighs and realizes there is no point in continuing to bicker. He clasps his hands and turns to Hiccup.
STOICK
Hiccup--well--what he said. You've all made me proud. This dragon-training academy is for you all.
Stoick walks to the gate lever and pulls it down. The doors swing open to reveal the dragons, waiting patiently.
Snotlout rushes forward forst.
SNOTLOUT
Hookfang! My buddy!
Hookfang catches Snotlout by the back of his vest and carries him off.
Astrid meets Stormfly and throws her arms around her head.
ASTRID
Hey Stormfly! I missed you so much!
Meatlug barrels into Fishlegs and pushes him off screen.
FISHLEGS
Meatlug! Oh, who's daddy's little baby? Oh, who's daddy's little fluffy...
Toothless pads up to Hiccup more calmly than the other dragons.
HICCUP
Hey bud!
Hiccup hugs Toothless, cradling his head. Toothless closes his eyes, content.
Outside the arena, Mildew knocks his fist against the arena's barrier and scowls down at the happy reunion.
MILDEW
(grumbling)
Oh... I'll get those dragons yet.
He stalks off screen. Fungus watches him leave but doesn't immediately follow. He shifts over to the spot Mildew previously occupied and resumes watching.
Back in the arena, Stoick walks up behind Hiccup as Hiccup pulls away from his embrace with Toothless.
STOICK
Now all you have to do is train 'em.
HICCUP
Not a problem dad. After all, I've got him.
He rub's Toothless' snout with affection.
ASTRID (o.s)
ah-hem
The other teens stand by their dragons. The twins each sit atop their preferred Zippleback head and Hookfang still holds Snotlout in the air by his vest. All of them stare at Hiccup expectantly.
HICCUP (o.s)
And... them, too.
INT. HICCUP'S ROOM - NIGHT
Hiccup puts the finishing touches on a picture of the dragon trainers and their dragons.
Satisfied, he looks up to his rafters, where Toothless watches on.
HICCUP (v.o)
Dragons can't change who they are.
Toothless leaps from the rafters down onto a slab of rock in Hiccup's room. He circles the rock, bedding it with fire as he does so. He settles down onto the warmth.
Hiccup watches on fondly.
INT. FISHLEG'S ROOM - NIGHT
Fishlegs sleeps soundly. A low-burning candle a cup of water sit at his bedside.
HICCUP (v.o)
But who would want them to?
Meatlug licks Fishlegs' exposed feet.
INT. ASTRID'S ROOM - day
Astrid's room is dark. There's an axe under her pillow. She stirs slightly in her bed just before light floods in along with a brisk squawk.
Astrid sits up to see Stormfly's staring in at her from her window. She smiles and throws off her covers.
EXT. THE PLAZA - DAY
Astrid flies with in a netful of fish clutched in Stormfly's talons. Fishlegs and Meatlug join her carrying the same.
HICCUP (v.o)
Dragons are powerful, amazing creatures.
They swing down and drop their catch into a community unit as the village looks on.
Hiccup flies in as well, overseeing their progress. From the ground, Stoick and Gobber watch him. Pride is clear on Stoick's face.
EXT. KILL RING - DAY
Snotlout and Fishlegs, along with their dragons, lift the new academy sign over the entrance. Hiccup and Astrid observe from a distance.
ASTRID
Berk Dragon Academy. I like the sound of that.
She punches Hiccup's shoulder and smiles. Hiccup rubs the area and smiles back.
EXT. CENTRAL BERK - DAY
We follow Hiccup and Toothless as they fly through the village.
HICCUP (v.o)
And as long as it takes me I am going to learn everything there is to know about them. Wouldn't you?
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