EXT. NORTH SEA/BERK - DAWN
Resting peacefully on a shot of dawn cracking over Berk, a Monstrous Nightmare flies towards the village.
HICCUP (V.O)
Here on Berk we made peace with the dragons.
The Nightmare swomps down into the plaza, civilian Vikings smiling happily and going about their early morning chores, finally, with the help of the dragons.
HICCUP (V.O)
We're finally living and working together...and it only took us three hundred years.
Overhead one of the houses, though, a Nadder and Nightmare are beginning the first throngs of a fight, scrapping at each other when they bump heads flying.
HICCUP (V.O)
There's one slight problem...
The fight between the Nadder and Nightmare continues, flying in a chase and still scrapping along the way pettily.
HICCUP (V.O)
...We forgot to tell the animals.
The Nightmare unknowingly flies down too close to the ground and nearly has a collision with some grazing sheep, luckily it's averted, but the sheep are too stunned and all quiver at the edge of the fenced grazing grounds while the dragons finally land to settle their fight.
Not a moment too soon, Mulch and Bucket run up with calm annoyance. This has obviously happened before.
Mulch shoos the dragons away.
MULCH
Oh, not again. You go on now...you get, get, shoo!
Mulch backs the Nightmare away over the fence while Bucket takes care of the Nadder. And the two dragons willingly listen, but the fight was delayed...not over. The two dragons give off one last warning growl.
MULCH
Now you know you're not supposed to be in here.
With that 'tragedy' averted, Mulch takes a bucket and walks over to the yaks.
MULCH
Alright everybody, time to earn your keep.
Bucket goes over to the chickens, pulling one out of it's coop and looking at an empty nest. A place where eggs are supposed to be.
BUCKET
It's chickens who lay eggs, right?
MULCH
Do we really need to go over this again?
Bucket stands innocently, trying to convince Mulch that he doesn't need it to be explained.
BUCKET
No...
He picks up a sheep and looks under it.
MULCH
Apparently we do. Well, pay attention Bucket.
Mulch walks over to the animals, point respectively at each one he names for their provisions.
MULCH
(pointing to sheep)
Wool.
(pointing to chickens)
Eggs.
(pointing to yak)
Milk. Was that so hard now, see?
Bucket looks around, obviously confused.
MULCH
Ugh. Observe.
(walking over to yak)
Just grab the utter, like so, and pull.
Nothing comes out!
MULCH
Uh...pull
Still nothing.
MULCH
Pull!
The yak--fed up with being violated--snuffs Mulch away.
MULCH
Uh oh. I think we're empty. That's not good.
EXT. RAVEN POINT MOUNTAIN SIDE - DAY
Later that morning on the side of the mountain of Raven Point. It's heavily covered in snow and there are two figures gliding down it.
It's revealed to be Hiccup and Astrid, "dragon boarding" down the side of the mountain on Toothless and Stormfly.
HICCUP
Ya ho!
ASTRID
Hahaha!
The two glide quickly and effortlessly down the mountain side, regarding each other with playful smiles the whole way.
Astrid then gives a slightly sinester glance over her shoulder, wanting to have a little "harmless fun" with Hiccup.
Stormfly whips her tail around, poisonous spikes diving into the snow right in Hiccup and Toothless's path of flight. Luckily, the two narrowly avoid all of them.
HICCUP
Whoa! Hey, Astrid!
ASTRID
(playfully)
Oops, did I do that?
Hiccup smiles and decides to have some fun of his own, speeding up to fly next to her while Toothless's right wing fans out in front of Astrid and Stormfly, blocking their vision.
ASTRID
Hey! Not fair! Ah!
Being blocked from vision makes her unaware of the branch coming towards her until it's too late. She goes crashing into it, snow covering her face completely.
She dusts it off angrily.
ASTRID
Oh, so it's gonna be like that, huh!?
HICCUP
I have no idea what you're talking about...
Toothless gives Astrid a sly side glance.
Astrid glowers before giving Stormfly a small gesture and the Nadder shoots a fireball at a nearby pile of snow. It explodes in front of Hiccup and Toothless, sending them into a tumbling spiral.
HICCUP
Whoa! Hey!
ASTRID
(pointing to Stormfly)
It was her idea. But I approve...haha!
Hiccup gives a small smile before a loud break in the background enters his ears. He turns to see a large rolling cloud of snow approaching them quickly, wrapped in a rumbling.
HICCUP
Uh oh...
Hiccup adjusts the controls of Toothless's saddle and tries to hoist them higher up to avoid the avalanche but something's hindering them from ascending.
Hiccup looks back to see that Toothless's prosthetic tail is frozen over and unable to open or close.
HICCUP
His tail's frozen!
He looks back at the avalanche as it draws nearer and looks over to Astrid, who's still unaware of what's behind them.
HICCUP
Astrid!
She turns around and looks back in horror, immediately taking advance of the slight slope ahead of them and using it to rear upwards into the sky with Stormfly.
Hiccup, on the other hand, still falls back down into the snow. Gliding over the down-slope with the avalanche closing in on them.
ASTRID
Hiccup!
Desperate to make it out, Hiccup abandons his saddle and crawls down Toothless's tail, yanking on the prosthetic to try and break the icy coating off. But to no avail.
Astrid hovers up in the sky with a worried expression, overlooking the scene before she realizes there's a deep trench in Hiccup and Toothless's flight path.
ASTRID
Ah, hold on!
She and Stormfly fly back down to the mountain side and fly next to Hiccup and Toothless. Astrid reaches out her hand.
HICCUP
No! Go back!
But he makes no small movements to grab her hand, and Astrid tries to pull him up.
But it's too late. The avalanche buries them as they all fall into the trench...
EXT. BOTTOM OF THE TRENCH - DAY
Cut to a pitch black scene. All that penetrates is the sound of Hiccup's shivering.
Astrid makes a small groan, catching Hiccup's attention.
HICCUP
Astrid?
ASTRID
Over here....Hiccup I'm freezing.
HICCUP
Come here! Where are the dragons?
As soon as they're mentioned the screen is lit up for a brief moment as Toothless emits a small fire burst upwards at the snow that encases them, Hiccup and Astrid hold each other for warmth.
HICCUP
Toothless?
Stormfly shots off a fire burst as well, slowly melting the snow.
ASTRID
Stormfly?
The dragons continue to make small fire bursts until a hole is finally made in the encasement of snow, blanketing the scene in a small fraction of light.
HICCUP
Whoa.
ASTRID
Yeah...
HICCUP
I see daylight!
Toothless shots a fire ball up to the next layer of ice that traps them, making a path for them to get out while Stormfly continues to melt the ice around them.
ASTRID
We're gonna get out of here!
Hiccup and Astrid both look around, finally seeing that Stormfly and Toothless spread their wings out and around their riders, blocking the falling snow to form the encasement.
HICCUP
Look what they did...
ASTRID
They saved our lives...
Hiccup and Astrid turn to face each other, not aware of how close they're holding each other until their faces are only centimeters apart.
In the awkward wake of the moment, the two quickly break their hold on each other and scoot away to a respectful distance. Fidgeting nervously.
Hiccup scratches the back of his head.
HICCUP
Uh, um...that was...so...
Astrid clears her throat multiple times, smoothing her hair away and smiling gently to herself.
HICCUP
...So, we're good now?
ASTRID
G-good as new...
Astrid looks around a bit before brightening the moment by lightly punching Hiccup's shoulder.
HICCUP
Ow!
But he still smiles at her, while the dragons look down at their riders.
EXT. FARM LANDS/BERK - DAY
GOBBER (O.S)
Ah, uh...there it is, mm hmm!
Gobber is underneath a yak, "inspecting things".
GOBBER
Just what I thought.
He rolls out from under the yak.
GOBBER
She's not giving milk...none of them are.
STOICK
We know that, Gobber. We want to know why.
GOBBER
This reminds me of the time I moved my mother in with my goat. She was mean, ornery, ate everything in sight. The goat was so sacred of her, she couldn't give milk.
STOICK
So, what are you saying, Gobber?
GOBBER
Mothers and goats don't mix. Same with farm animals and dragons. We stopped fighting dragons, so now they're around all the time. The animals are spooked.
To emphasize his point, a nightmare flies over the farm animals grazing lands and the sheep and yaks scatter and the remaining sheep just faint.
GOBBER
Like I said, spooked.
The realization is cut short when Bucket lets out a groan in pain, holding his bucket and his feet swerve in pain.
MULCH
Uh oh. You're bucket's not tightening up on ya, is it?
BUCKET
No, I'm just...
(another wave of pain hits him)
Fiiiiiiine!
He collapses and Mulch quickly makes his way over the Bucket's side.
MULCH
Well whenever his bucket gets tight it means a storm is coming.
BUCKET
(in a strained voice)
No storm, everything's fine.
Gobber and Stoick look at each other in suspicion.
MULCH
Bucket...
BUCKET
I don't want there to be a storm! If lighting strikes me bucket I could end up less intelligent.
Bucket cries out in pain again and Mulch places a hand on his bucket.
MULCH
Oh, ho ho! That's one tight bucket. And the tighter the bucket the bigger the storm.
STOICK
But that's crazy. Storms don't hit this early in the season.
GOBBER
And besides, who ever heard of predicting the weather with a bucket? That's what chicken bones and goose feet are for.
MULCH
If you recall that bucket of his predicted the blizzard of Olaf!
BUCKET
That was a bad one! It took us a week just to dig Mildew out.
MULCH
And the rest of our lives to wonder why we bothered.
(to Stoick)
Trust the bucket, Stoick.
STOICK
You trust the bucket. I want a second opinion.
Stoick and Gobber walk away.
EXT. GOTHI'S HOUSE - DAY
Gobber and Stoick go up to Gothi's house which resides high above the village built up on wooden stilts far to high to be safe.
STOICK
Gothi, I've come for your council. Is there going to be a storm?
Gothi puts down a sand bag and grabs her staff, writing in a pile of dirt conveniently placed on her porch with it.
STOICK
What's she saying, Gobber?
GOBBER
She says: "what do you think?" Huh?
Both Stoick and Gobber look at each other in confusion, obviously not following.
Gothi rolls her eyes and points over to her house. Sand bags are placed by the door and windows are pinned shut.
STOICK
How can you be so sure? Was it the chicken bones? Or the goose feet?
Gothi begins to write in the dirt again.
GOBBER
She says she could hear Bucket screaming from way up here.
EXT. WATCH TOWER - DAY
Hiccup, Astrid, Snotlout, and Fishlegs are sitting on one of the unused dragon watch towers. Stormfly and Toothless sitting happily behind their riders.
HICCUP
...And then the dragons used their wings to block the snow.
FISHLEGS
I've never heard of anything like that. Not even in the Book of Dragons.
ASTRID
I know! It was incredible. It was as if their protective instincts just kicked in!
HICCUP
Who'd believe it? The dragons we fought for years came to our rescue.
ASTRID
Yeah, if it weren't for them, we would've frozen to death.
FISHLEGS
You know what? You could've used your own bodies to keep each other warm.
Once again stuck in an awkward realization, Hiccup and Astrid look at each other, shocked and embarrassed, before scooting to opposite sides of the bench they share, giving nervous glances to each other.
They both try to cover their tracks, though it's hardly convincing.
ASTRID
Um...
HICCUP
Who would do that?
ASTRID
That's crazy...
SNOTLOUT
Hey, Astrid. If you're still cold...
Snotlout opens his arms out wide and kisses the air, beckoning her to him.
But Astrid is far from amused, and simply hits the side of the snow-filled catapult above him, burying him in snow.
SNOTLOUT
Hey!
TUFFNUT (O.S)
Hey, Hiccup!
Everyone looks down at Ruffnut and Tuffnut on the docks.
TUFFNUT
Your father's looking for you.
RUFFNUT
He looked angry.
HICCUP
(standing)
He's looked angry since the day I was born...But I'm sure there's no connection.
Hiccup gets up on Toothless and flies off towards his house.
INT. HADDOCK HOUSEHOLD - DAY
Stoick paces the floor before a cooking cauldron, concerned about impending storm. Hiccup, Gobber and Toothless stand in the background, watching.
STOICK
There's a bad storm comin'. We could be locked in. We might not be able to hunt or fish for months!
HICCUP
But it's way too early for a storm. We're in the middle of winter! Devastating Winter isn't due for another month!
STOICK
Not according to Gothi.
HICCUP
Well, what am I supposed to do? I can't control the weather!
STOICK
No... but you can control dragons. If they don't stop scaring the animals we won't have any provisions to live on.
A door opens off screen. Hiccup and Stoick both turn to see Bucket and Mulch enter their home.
STOICK
Ah! Any luck?
Stoick grabs the bucket from Mulch's hand and turns it over. He shakes it. Nothing comes out.
MULCH
Not a drop. And this is after yankin' on that poor yak for three hours!
Stoick, shocked, immediately looks at Hiccup with the silent implication that the dragons are responsible for this.
Alarmed, Hiccup shares a helpless glance with Toothless.
HICCUP
(defensive)
But it's not like the dragons are trying to be scary. I mean, they don't even eat farm animals. They eat fish!
He looks to Gobber for confirmation.
GOBBER
True... but they're huge, they breath fire, and now that we've made peace with them, they're everywhere. The animals are terrified of them.
Stoick walks on screen behind Gobber.
STOICK
(to Hiccup)
Here's where you jump in and say 'I'll fix this'.
HICCUP
Okay... But how long do I have before the storm hits?
MUCKET
About a week.
HICCUP
No problem. More than enough time--
Bucket suddenly grabs his head and moans in pain.
MULCH
Correction: three days, six hours.
HICCUP
Uh, okay... less time... might be more of a problem?
EXT. KILL RING - DAWN
Across troubled seas, the first hints of an approaching storm.
HICCUP (O.S)
Come on, big boy.
In the kill ring/training academy the farm animals are placed with the two feuding dragons from earlier. Hiccup and Astrid slowly coax a yak toward the pair of dragons.
HICCUP
(to yak)
You can' do it. Come on.
Hiccup's pulling the yak by the horn and nose, panting and groaning with the effort.
HICCUP
You'll really like them if you get to know them.
Pushing from the back end of the yak, Astrid lends her own encouragement.
ASTRID
The dragons look scary but they're just big, scaly reptiles.
TUFFNUT
Just like Snotlout.
Tuffnut's snicker is cut short when Snotlout grabs him by the shirt, lifts him in the air, and rears back a fist, ready to punch Tuffnut in the face. He pauses and looks Tuffnut up and down.
SNOTLOUT
(threatening)
You're the guy, right?
TUFFNUT
(high voice)
No!
The Nightmare and Nadder snap and screech at each other, each annoyed by the other's proximity. The yak Hiccup and Astrid had been coaxing is startled and runs off screen. Hiccup and Astrid are left with an air of defeat.
FISHLEGS
Okay, what if we look at this from an animal's perspective?
He gets down on all fours and begins crawling around on the ground. He circles the ground in front of the Nightmare.
FISHLEGS
Oh, hello, Mr. Dragon! I'm just a little sheep here... walking... doing sheep things... Baaa!
Three sheep stand by, watching Fishlegs imitate them. They are unamused.
FISHLEGS
Baaa!
(muttering to the other teens)
You know he doesn't really seem so big and--
The Nightmare, fed up with Fishlegs' shenanigans, releases a deafening roar at the boy. Still on all fours, Fishlegs scrambles to safety and cowers underneath Meatlug, speaking to Hiccup and Astrid.
FISHLEGS
(shaky)
Sorry! But I'm siding with the sheep on this one.
HICCUP
Look, I've learned that once you have a positive experience with something you're afraid of...
He grabs the baby sheep that tries to run off.
HICCUP (CONTINUED)
...it isn't so scary anymore.
He herds the three sheep towards the dragons.
HICCUP
(to sheep)
Okay, here you go boys...over here.
(to teens)
And that's what we'll have to do with these sheep. We gotta prove to them that they have nothing to fear--
The Nightmare sniffs at the sheep curiously. Its nose is tickled by the wool and it sneezes, releasing a short flame from its nostrils. The sudden action scares the sheep off. And the littlest one even catches fire!
Astrid catches the alight sheep and Hiccup runs up to quickly pat it out.
HICCUP
(frustrated)
Ooh-aaah-at this rate we'll never get any milk or eggs.
EXT. BERK - DAY
Dark, stormy clouds roll in the sky. The reeds surrounding Berk are wild in the pre-storm winds.
Stoick gives off an aggravated sigh as he and Gobber walk around the village, boarding up homes and storage in preparation for the storm.
STOICK
Just as I feared. We haven't had time to fully stock the food store house!
He grabs a plank of wood from the ground and holds it across two doors.
STOICK
If this storm is as bad as I think it is, we're never going to survive!
Gobber approaches with a hammer.
GOBBER
Not with this inventory.
STOICK
We're going to need everything we can get from those chickens and yaks.
He grabs the hammer from Gobber's hand and begins nailing the doors shut.
GOBBER
I'm not really comfortable putting my fate in the hands of a brainless bird and a big wooly beast that sleeps in its own dung.
STOICK
Well luckily our fate isn't in their hands.
(confident)
It's in my son's.
EXT. KILL RING - DAY
The Kill Ring is chaotic. Hiccup stands amidst hysterical chickens, hopping from foot to foot. He tries to slow down the yaks running back and forth.
In the background, the other teens watch, confused and uncertain. The dragons are bemused.
Still trying to maintain some semblance of control, Hiccup continues with his "lesson".
HICCUP
Another way for the animals to overcome their fear is to show them that dragons are afraid of things too.
The twins and Snotlout stare at Hiccup looking unimpressed. Fishlegs looks nervous.
ASTRID
(to teens)
Remember Magnus the Merciless? He was a pretty scary guy.
Fishlegs shudders.
ASTRID
I was afraid of him until I learned that he was afraid of the dark!
TUFFNUT
So during the day: merciless
He waves his hands majestically.
RUFFNUT
And during the night... Tuffnut!
Tuffnut roughly elbows his sister.
RUFFNUT
Ow!
TUFFNUT
(embarrassed)
Hey! That's a real problem.
ASTRID
I'm just saying: Knowing he was afraid of something made him less scary to me.
HICCUP
Yes,
He reaches into a basket and pulls out two eels.
HICCUP.
So lets show the yaks that dragons are afraid of things too.
Standing between two yaks, Hiccup holds up the eels. The effect is immediate: the Nadder and the Nightmare rear back from the eels.
The yaks share contemplative looks.
ASTRID
(sing-song)
I think it's working!
Hiccup smiles at her. His brief distraction causing his grip to slacken on one of the eels and it slips from his grasp. The eel slithers on the ground towards the Nightmare. Frightened, the Nightmare spins to get away. Its tail accidentally strikes a sheep, sending the animal flying into a wall.
Hiccup grips his head in his last throngs of frustration and moans. Astrid approaches and puts a comforting hand to his back.
ASTRID
(softly)
Don't worry.
Hiccup snaps his head up.
HICCUP
(jittery)
Worried? I-I'm not worried! Do I look worried?
His expression isn't very convincing.
EXT.GREAT HALL - DAY
Lighting crashes across dark skies. Vikings climb the Great Hall steps for refuge, burdened by their belongings.
STOICK
Bring in everything you need! We down know how long we'll need to be hunkered down!
Mulch drags Bucket up in wheelbarrow, taking one step at a time. Bucket is unable to do more than moan and grip his head.
Gobber and Stoick look down at them with concern.
STOICK
How's Bucket doing?
MULCH
Look at him! He usually loves a wheelbarrow ride.
Bucket continues to whimper. He can't focus on anything but the pain.
Another round of lightning lights up the sky. The vikings pause in their travels to watch and worry grows. They are running out of time.
STOICK
Mulch, I'll take care of Bucket. You and Gobber go find the kids and bring them here.
Gobber and Mulch nod and set to task.
EXT. KILL RING - DAY
Now dragons and animals are panicked in the Ring.
Hiccup chases around chickens, trying to catch them, whilst Astrid focuses on the dragons.
ASTRID
(to Nightmare)
Hey! Calm down! Get back over here!
She pushes the Nightmare back by they snout. Hiccup walks up with two chickens under each arm.
HICCUP
You know what I'm learning from all this? Chicken are really, well, chicken.
FISHLEGS
What if we showed them how much they have in common with the dragons?
Astrid and Hiccup stare at Fishlegs. They can't follow his logic.
FISHLEGS
They both lay eggs right? A Terrible Terror laid one last week!
He reaches down off screen and pops back up with a Terror egg. He sets it down on the ground. Three chickens see the egg and run to it. One jumps up and settles on top of it.
HICCUP
(to chickens)
Alright, see? An egg's an egg, right ladies?
Molten cracks begin to form along the egg's shell. It is the only warning before it explodes. The chickens are sent flying and Hiccup and Astrid duck for cover.
HICCUP
Until it explodes...
The animals are started again and once more run amuck in the Kill Ring.
Gobber and Mulch walk through the entrance.
GOBBER
Everybody out, the storm is here!
Right on cue, a light dusting of snow begins to fall slowly yet steadily.
HICCUP
Ah, wha-wait! We haven't made any progress with the animals!
Gobber ignores him and goes about collecting the animals and herding them out of the Ring.
GOBBER
Your father wants everyone in the Great Hall!
HICCUP
Take the others. I need to stay and keep working with the animals. They're...still afraid.
GOBBER
Yeh can't get eggs from a frozen chicken! We've got to get the animals in the barn!
EXT. BARN - DAY
Lightening opens the scene. The barn is buried under snow and frozen shut.
GOBBER
So much for the barn.
MULCH
There's no other place to hold them!
The animals, the dragons, and the teens are all outside. They are at a loss on what to do next. Hiccup suddenly points off screen.
HICCUP
The Great Hall!
MULCH
So, we're gonna have the dragons and the animals under the same roof?
(scoffs)
We know that won't work.
HICCUP
We have no choice, let's go.
With no further arguement, the group sets off. They struggle to move through the worsening storm whilst keeping animals from panicking around the dragons.
MULCH
Alright, keep 'em separate!
Astrid runs to block a sheep from wandering off path.
ASTRID
(to sheep)
This way!
FISHLEGS
(to sheep)
Come on, come on! Let's go! Oh, this way guys!
A sharp bolt of lighting strikes down and hits a tree. The tree snaps in half, falling in front of the Nadder. Startled, the Nadder's tail spikes eject and it whips the Nightmare across the face. The Nightmare's body ignights as it roars in pain. All of the animals are startled. The yaks and sheep run off towards the hills in different directions.
Snotlout sees the yaks coming his way and takes a ready stance, bracing his hands out before him.
SNOTLOUT
Hey, I got this under control!
The first yak charges Snotlout and uses its horns to toss the boy over its head. Snotlout cries out as he's airborne and lands on his stomach in the snow. Three more yaks trample over his body.
SNOTLOUT
Ow! Ow! Ow!
He slowly reaches behind him and holds his lower back, wincing.
SNOTLOUT
(moaning)
Ooooh... ow! Okay, everything hurts.
Fishlegs is spun around in his attempt to stop yaks and sheep from running every which way. He falls to the ground. Two sheep run over his body, as does Ruffnut. She runs straight into a flying chicken that clings to and flaps against her face.
Hiccup makes a leap for a nearby sheep but he miscalculates and ends up clutching snow. The sheep runs off into the storm, disappearing along with the rest of the livestock. All the teens have failed at stopping the animals from escaping into the storm.
HICCUP
Aww..
He stands up and stares into the abyss for a second. Then he sets his jaw forward and a determined look crosses his face.
Hiccup turns and runs towards Toothless.
GOBBER
Where are you going?
HICCUP
I'm going after them!
He pauses only to point back to where the animals went.
GOBBER
Forget it Hiccup! We'll never get them rounded up in this storm!
HICCUP
(confident)
With Toothless I can! I have to try.
He hops onto Toothless' saddle.
HICCUP
If I don't, we starve to death.
GOBBER
No! Your father will kill me if I left you out here--!
HICCUP
Sorry Gobber!
Not willing to hear any more, Hiccup takes off, leaving Gobber in the snow.
GOBBER
(to the sky)
Hiccup! Come back here!
(to Astrid)
Astrid, will you talk some sense--
From the corner of his eye, Gobber notices Astrid running to Stormfly.
GOBBER
Ah--No, no, not you too!
Astrid and Stormfly take off after Hiccup.
GOBBER
(to the sky)
ASTRID! You're not going with--
All around him, the other teens are taking off on their dragons. Gobber spins trying to target any single teen and fruitlessly reaching out to them.
GOBBER
Ach! Get back here all of you!
The teens are gone and Gobber is left in the storm, dumbfounded, and unable to complete the task Stoick assigned him.
INT. GREAT HALL - DAY
The storm patters heavily outside.
Inside, the Vikings huddle around the fire pit trying to keep warm. Large torches blaze in the corner of the room, providing light and warmth.
Without warning the massive wooden doors of the hall burst open, the freezing wind whistling in.
STOICK
Move those tables against the against the doors!
Stoick gestures to two vikings standing beside him. They rush forward each with a wooden table under arm to brace the door. Just as the door has been braced shut, Gobber burst in.
GOBBER
Stoick! The barns been destroyed! The animals have scattered!
STOICK
Where's Hiccup and the others?
GOBBER
I tried to stop him Stoick. They went after the animals.
Gobber gestures towards the door with his hook. Without a word Stoick dutifully walks toward the door.
The door of the hall swings open again suddenly; this time it's Mulch accompanied by two yaks.
MULCH
I caught these two. I figured at least with these we'd be able to start a new herd.
Stoick and Gobber exist the hall, passing Mulch and the yaks. As they leave, Gobber gestures to the yaks.
GOBBER
You might want to take another look, Mulch.
Mulch bends over to inspect the yaks' "private regions", apparently surprised by what he sees.
MULCH
Oh! Uh, never mind boys!
Mulch waves the the two vikings watching the door and walks away. The two vikings each push one side of the hall doors closed.
EXT. WOODS OUTSIDE BERK - NIGHT
A dark winged shape glides through the storm. From the shape burst a blinding pulse of light, illuminating the snow-covered trees to either side. It's Toothless and Hiccup, followed closely by Astrid and the others on their dragons.
HICCUP
You find as many as you can. We'll herd them back to the Great Hall.
FISHLEGS
Can we swing by my house? I'd like to get my heavy coat.
Fishlegs shivers and rubs his arms in an attempt to get warm.
TUFFNUT
(to Ruffnut)
Check this out!
He slaps himself in the face hard.
TUFFNUT
I'm so cold I can't feel my face.
Ruffnut slaps his face with a grunt
TUFFNUT
Didn't feel it!
RUFFNUT
That takes all the fun out of it!
Hiccup and the group clear the forest. Below, among clusters of trees the farm animals can be seen against the snow.
HICCUP
They they are! Come on!
Toothless dives forward. The other dragons ans riders follow suit, herding the scared animals from the air.
FISHLEGS
Yaks to the left!
SNOTLOUT
Chickens to the right!
Snotlout swoops in from behind Fishlegs, sending Meatlug spinning like a top in mid air.
SNOTLOUT
Hey! I'm flying here!
Snotlout guides Hookfang beside the panicking chickens. He gestures for the chickens to follow him.
SNOTLOUT
(to chickens)
Chickens! Over here! Follow me this way. Come on!
Hookfangs eyes narrow as she veers of course flying straight toward a tree.
SNOTLOUT
(to Hookfang)
Wait. Where are you going? Ahhhhh!
At the last moment Hookfang glides to the right, narrowly avoiding a collision. While near the ground Fishlegs herds the sheep from the back of Meatlug.
FISHLEGS
(to sheep)
Sheep! Hey sheep, this way! Baaahh! Baah! Baah! Hey, it's working! Baah!
The sheep follow Fishlegs directions. They flock below a fallen tree. Fishlegs and Meatlug follow but get jammed between the tree and the snow covered ground. He can only watch as the sheep run away.
FISHLEGS
(hopelessly)
Baahh!
From behind the fallen tree swops Astrid and Stormfly in hot pursuit of the sheep.
ASTRID
I got them!
Stormfly catches up to the sheep and level out above them.
ASTRID
Now!
At Astrid's order Stormfly sends a barrage of tail spikes flying toward the sheep. The spikes form a perfectly oval pen enclosing the sheep.
ASTRID
Gotcha!
The celebration is short-lived as Snotlout flies by on Hookfang, knocking half the tail spikes over. The sheep scatter in all directions.
SNOTLOUT
Duuuhh! Gaaahhhh!
ASTRID
Snotlout what are you doing? You're all over the place!
SNOTLOUT
You try herding chickens with a dragon that doesn't listen to you!
Astrid spots three sheep on the ground ahead. She points them out to Hiccup as he soars past.
ASTRID
Hiccup! Three sheep!
Cut to the sheep traversing a snow covered ledge. As they turn a corner the smallest sheep loses traction and slips over the edge. It lands on an icy ledge below and begins sliding toward the brink on the cliff. Helplessly the sheep falls of the cliff, plummeting to it's death.
A dark shape soars past, catching the petrified sheep. It's Toothless and Hiccup. Toothless looks down at the sheep with a reassuringly friendly smile. Gently Toothless puts the baby sheep down safely.
HICCUP
Good job, bud.
The sheep's parents look up gratefully at Toothless and give an appreciative BAAH.
Astrid flies in, barely visible at first through the worsening storm.
ASTRID
Hiccup, the storm is getting worse! I can't see anything!
HICCUP
(to Toothless)
Come on bud. Give us some light.
Toothless shoots a bright white fireball into the distance, illuminating the snow covered ground. In the distance two large figures can be seen.
HICCUP
Stray yaks twelve o'clock!
TUFFNUT
I see them and they are huge.
The twins dive down and pick up the supposed yaks in one clean swoop.
TUFFNUT
I got the yaks.
STOICK
Put me down right now!
The twins share and quick glance and comply, releasing Stoick and Gobber on to the snow below beside a real yak.
GOBBER
Do I look like a yak to you?
Unfortunately for Gobber he does somewhat resemble a yak. The yak beside him snorts and walks away.
Toothless lands in front of Stoick, and Hiccup dismounts. Slowly he approaches his dad, defeated that he couldn't do what was asked of him.
STOICK
You shouldn't be out here Hiccup.
HICCUP
(his voice breaking)
Dad, I'm sorry I let you down.
STOICK
It's not your fault, son. I'm taking you back.
In the background Astrid and Stormfly land and Astrid dissmounts. Gobber approaches.
GOBBER
Which way?
STOICK
Follow our tracks.
Stoick points toward the direction they came. There are no tracks, only snow and trees in what can bee seen through the snow.
The storm rages all around them, making it impossible to see very far at all.
GOBBER
So much for that idea.
Fishlegs approaches alongside Astrid, both of them shivering. And they're not the only ones.
FISHLEGS
Sir? What do we do now?
Stoick observes as the teens shiver and hold their arms for warmth. They are going to freeze to death out here. Gobber notices the same dilemma, and glances at Stoick for his say so.
STOICK
Everyone, come together.
The teens don't waste any time forming a circle and huddling in together. Around them their dragons observe nonchalantly until Toothless gets their attention.
Hiccup looks up from under his fathers arm to see the dragons form their own circle around them. They extend their wings around the vikings, protecting them from wind and snow. The vikings watch in amazement.
STOICK
What are they doing?
HICCUP
They're protecting us.
ASTRID
It's their natural instinct.
Each dragon takes a turn breathing flames into the middle of the huddle, providing warmth and light.
Outside the circle the sheep watch as they huddle together protecting the baby sheep. Toothless notices and bounds over quickly. The parent sheep scatter in fear, but the baby simply closes his eyes and cowers into the snow.
Toothless stops right beside the baby sheep. When the sheep opens it's eyes he gives it a friendly look and gently pushes it towards the group of vikings. Toothless gestures toward the group with a reassuring purr. The other dragons and vikings watch silently as the baby sheep decides to join them. With Toothless by it's side the sheep joins the circle cautiously. When they see it is all safe the baby sheep gives a small BAAH to the other sheep, prompting them to join the huddle as well.
More animals join the growing circle for warmth. The sheep and chickens huddle together, while a pair of yaks cuddle in on each side of the twins.
The baby sheep cuddles up in front of Toothless. An unspoken bond has been made and the animals can finally feel safe with the dragons.
STOICK
Your dragons are really something, son.
HICCUP
Yeah, they are.
With a grin Toothless shoots a celebratory shot of fire into the air, illuminating the snowy night sky. The other dragons follow suit. Toothless shoots the final shot, which explodes in a glorious halo of blue light.
EXT. WOODS OUTSIDE BERK - SUNRISE
The dragons and vikings wake to the sun peeking out over the horizon. The storm is over and an arctic fog overlooks the North Sea. They made it through the night.
The dragons shake snow off their wings.
Hiccup and Stoick watch the sun rise. Stoick turns towards his son and gives him a brief and gentle nod, brimming with pride. Hiccup returns it with a proud and hopeful smile, feeling accomplished.
Outside the Great Hall, the Vikings ascend the steps outside the hall with sheep slung over their backs. Behind them, yaks and dragons follow with more sheep mounted on the dragons backs.
INT. GREAT HALL - SAME TIME
The doors of the great hall swing open, revealing the vikings and farm animals. The happy chatter of the other vikings in the hall can be heard as the teens enter. Mulch and Bucket turn away from the fire pit to greet the survivors.
MULCH
They're back! And they're alright.
BUCKET
And the animals are alright too!
MULCH
Uh oh. Here come the dragons.
Hookfang enters with a quiet roar, bowing down to allow the family of sheep riding on her back to disembark. Hookfang gives them a loving stare, which they return with a thankful BAAH.
MULCH
Will you look at that.
ASTRID (O.S.)
Hey everyone!
She gestures and arm towards Hiccup as he enters with Stoick and the last of the farm animals. Under his right arm is a chicken. He raises his left hand triumphantly, in it a chicken egg.
HICCUP
The chickens are laying eggs again!
The crowd cheers happily.
BUCKET
I was right. Chickens do lay eggs.
Hiccup places the chicken on the ground and watches the crowd, his dad by his side. There is finally harmony among the farm animals and the dragons.
HICCUP (V.O.)
We made our peace with the dragons when we saw that we could trust them.
Gobber throws a fish the Barf and Belch, who catches chews it up.
HICCUP (V.O.)
Turns out they actually have instincts to protect us. All of us.
Stormfly folds a wing over a couple of sheep protectively.
HICCUP (V.O.)
Life on Berk just got a little warmer.
Hiccup and Stoick exchange smiles before turning to watch as the doors the great hall close.
The doors finish closing and the camera pans out as it snows lightly.
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