Thursday, June 20, 2013

Short Film #2 Transcript - "Gift of the Night Fury"

Written by: Adam F. Goldberg
Transcribed by : IcelandicEel


EXT. NORTH SEA/BERK - DAY

We skim across a dark, wild ocean. Giant, ice-covered shards of rock jut out of the calm water. We approach an snowy island, Berk.

HICCUP (V.O.)
This is Berk, boasting the kind of balmy, fun-in-the-sun climate that will give you frostbite on your spleen.

We drift over a Viking village. It's empty, save for the smoke of early morning fires. We settle on Stoick's house.

HICCUP (V.O.)
The one upside is our annual holiday. We call it Snoggletog. Why we chose such a stupid name remains a mystery. But with the war long over...

EXT. STOICK'S HOUSE - DAY

A Viking bedroom. HICCUP is asleep in his bed, his Viking helmet sitting on the bedpost. There's a pounding, roaring from above. Hiccup's eyes snap open.

HICCUP (V.O.)
...and dragons living amongst us, this year's Snoggletog promises to be one to remember.

Hiccup sits up in bed, blindly reaches for the helmet.

HICCUP
Okay, okay. I'm coming.

EXT. STOICK'S HOUSE - DAY

Hiccup steps through the door into the cold air, shivering. It's early morning and the sun is up, but the town is still asleep. Hiccup looks up.

There's a Night Fury perched on his roof. Again.

HICCUP
Good morning, Mr. Bossy.

Toothless chortles, Hiccup mimics.

HICCUP
Do you always have to wake me up so early to go flying--!

Hiccup slips on an ice patch beside the house. He flies forward, about to fall, but miraculously, and against the rules of the physical world, Toothless appears just in time to catch him.

HICCUP
Stupid leg. Thanks, buddy. I'm OK. Yeah, we can go flying now.

Toothless gurgles lovingly... right in Hiccup's face.

HICCUP
Eww, eww! What?! Eww, Toothless!
EXT. SKY - DAY

A sleek black figure shoots through the clouds to the sky above. Toothless twists in the air, swooping across the cloud bank.
HICCUP
Come on! Let's see what you got today.

Toothless nosedives, parallel to mountain cliff, pulling up just before he would hit the water.

HICCUP
Yeah! Okay, you ready?

Hiccup unlatches his dragon seatbelt, stands ready.

HICCUP
Easy...

Hiccup leaps over a rock archway; Toothless flies through below him. Hiccup lands on Toothless's back on the other side.

Click of the pedal, snap of the tailfin unraveling. They are flying as one.

HICCUP
Yes! Finally!
EXT. BERK - TOWN SQUARE - DAY

Vikings scurry from house to house, preparing decorations, dragons beside them. In the center of the square, a "Christmas tree" made of painted wood and shields.

GOBBER yells out to a Viking hanging decorations riding a Gronckle.

VIKING WOMAN
Here?

GOBBER
Yes, yes... No, no. That one a wee bit higher.

VIKING WOMAN
Here?

GOBBER
There. That's the spot.

STOICK stands next to Gobber, approvingly slaps him on the shoulder.

A child in a dragon costume runs toward a Gronckle, roaring. The good-natured Gronckle roars back, sending the child into a fit of giggles.

FISHLEGS stands on a ladder, watching the Gronckle.

FISHLEGS
Attaboy, Meatlug.

BY THE SNOGGLETOG TREE

ASTRID holds a shield out to her Deadly Nadder.

ASTRID
Are you ready, girl?

She throws them. The Nadder whips its tail, throwing tail spikes that nail the shields to the tree.

Stoick and Gobber stroll side by side around the tree, watching.

STOICK
By Odin's beard, Gobber, Vikings spending the winter holiday with dragons. What would our fathers say?

GOBBER
They'd think we'd lost our minds.

STOICK
(chuckling; to the gathering crowd)
Well done. Well done. All of you. I never thought I'd live to see this day: peace on the island of Berk. This will surely be the greatest holiday we've ever seen.

The crowd laughs and cheers.

A distant moan from a dragon pierces through the cheering.

STOICK
What the...?

Berk's dragons chitter and screech. They look into the sky. Eyes narrow. Claws extend. Animal nature is taking over.

GOBBER
What in Thor's name?

A Monstrous Nightmare perched on a roof lets out a savage roar. SNOTLOUT yells out to it:

SNOTLOUT
Come back! What are you doing?

FISHLEGS
Oh! Meatlug!

Worry spreads across the crowd, they yell to each other:

RUFFNUT
What's going on? 

TUFFNUT
What's happening?

We focus in on Astrid, who's looking up to the skies in search.

ASTRID
Where's Hiccup?

EXT. SKY - DAY

Hiccup and Toothless fly through an ominous looking storm cloud. Hiccup looks back at Toothless.

HICCUP
What do you say, bud? Wanna go again? 

Suddenly, they are surrounded by dragons flying in the opposite direction. Toothless swerves in the sky to avoid them.

HICCUP
Whoa, whoa!

A Nadder's wing nicks Hiccup's head, pulling off his helmet.

HICCUP
Oh, no, my helmet!

It drops toward the sea. Toothless, noticing, dives after it. Hiccup pulls on the reins.

HICCUP
Whoa! Toothless, no, no, no! Whoa, wait! Toothless Stop!

Toothless pulls up just in time, still scanning the water for the helmet.

HICCUP
We'll get it later, bud. We need to get back and find out what's going on.

Reluctantly, Toothless pulls away from the water back into the sky.

EXT. BERK - DAY

All across Berk, the Vikings' dragons are taking flight. Vikings try to stop them, but to no avail.

VIKINGS
What's the matter? Where are you going?

Astrid's Nadder--Stormfly--waddles away and leaps into the sky.

ASTRID
No, no! Don't leave, Stormfly. Don't go! Please?

Toothless lands on Berk. Hiccup jumps off and runs to Astrid.

HICCUP
Astrid!

ASTRID
Hiccup! What's going on? Where are they going?

Confused and desperate Vikings approach Hiccup, the dragon expert, demanding answers.

VIKING MAN
Why did they leave?

VIKING WOMAN
What's happening?

VIKING MAN #2
What if they never come back?

HICCUP
Stop, please!

Stoick easily brushes the crowd aside to get to Hiccup.

STOICK
Calm down! Give him a chance to speak! Hiccup, where are all of our dragons going?

HICCUP
Dad, I don't know.

Stormfly leaves the pack to urge Toothless to come along. But Toothless can't. She flies away.

Hiccup watches in dismay.

EXT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT

A dark, cavernous room covered in drawings of conquered dragons. Vikings surround the central fire pit, talking loudly in groups.

VIKINGS
Where'd they go? Snoggletog is ruined!

Stoick climbs into the center of the room.

STOICK
It's not ruined! We're Vikings! Now we've been perfectly happy celebrating without dragons for generations, and there's no reason we can't do it again.

In the corner, the teens are sulking. They're not exactly soaking up Stoick's optimism like the others.

STOICK
Now we don't know where they've gone off to, but we have to have fail that they'll be back soon. Am I right?

GOBBER (O.S.)
You're right! We are Vikings! We're tough!

Gobber stands in the corner of the room, wearing decorated antler horns and a bell-covered arm. The bells jingle.

GOBBER
...Most of the time.

The teens sigh and leave.

VIKING (O.S.)
Let's sing some Snoggletog songs!

EXT. BERK - TOWN SQUARE - NIGHT

The teens walk side by side in the streets. It's night on Berk, but the streets are unusually quiet without the dragons. The teens complain.

RUFFNUT
That was depressing.

ASTRID
I know. I was looking forward to spending the holiday with Stormfly.

But Fishlegs ignores them, whistling to himself.

TUFFNUT
(to Fishlegs)
What are you so happy about? Don't you miss Meatlug?

Fishlegs puts on a show of sadness for the recruits, fake tears and all.

FISHLEGS
Me? Oh, yeah. I miss him so much.... Well, good night!

He breaks character and runs off. Weird. The teens ignore him.

ASTRID
I've got an idea. Let's come up with a bunch of new holiday traditions. You know, to bury the sadness.

Unanimous groan. 

Astrid gives Hiccup a cold stare, urging him to agree. Hiccup immediately perks up.

HICCUP
Actually, Astrid might be onto something.

TUFFNUT
Easy for you to say. Your dragon can't go anywhere without you.

RUFFNUT
(to Hiccup; venomous)
Must be nice.

Hiccup looks off into the distance, watching Toothless as he stands on the very same cliff. Does he want to fly off himself? Hiccup frowns, thinking.

EXT. BERK - NEXT DAY

Viking children are building a snow-Gronckle, a sad replacement for the real thing. A girl hugs it.

Astrid walks past them, cheerily, carrying mugs on a stone tray.

ASTRID
Yaknog! Get your Yaknog! Come on, get a frothy, delicious cup of cheer!

She spot Snotlout, Tuffnut, and Ruffnut walking casually. Astrid runs up to them.

ASTRID
Hey, you guys! Try this tasty new beverage I made for the holiday.

TUFFNUT
What's the smell?
(to Ruffnut)
Is that you?

ASTRID
It's yaknog.

Astrid pours him a mug of Yak-flavored sludge of delight. Tuffnut stares at it in disgust.

TUFFNUT
Ew, if I drink that, I'm gonna yaknog all over the place.

ASTRID
Maybe you'd rather taste a punch in the face?

SNOTLOUT
Astrid, it sounds delightful. I'd love a mug.

He grabs a mug and takes a large gulp. He gags.

SNOTLOUT
(straining)
Uh, you can really taste the yak.

Fishlegs pushes Ruffnut out of the way.

FISHLEGS
Yum! What is that?

ASTRID
You wanna try some? It's my new traditional drink.

Snotlout pops behind Astrid, shakes his head, warning Fishlegs silently not to drink it. Fishlegs carefully backs away.

FISHLEGS
Oh, you know, um, I have suddenly and, uh, inexplicably changed my mind.

ASTRID
Well, you don't know what you're missing. I bet Hiccup will love this.

Snotlout is holding his stomach in pain.

RUFFNUT
Are you crying?

INT. BLACKSMITH SHOP - DAY

Astrid enters the shop happily, carrying the tray of yaknog.

ASTRID
Hiccup?

HICCUP
Yeah, I'm over here, Astrid! Coming!

ASTRID
Here. Happy holidays. From me to you.

Hiccup is engaged in his work, but smiles gratefully and takes a mug of yaknog.

HICCUP
Thank you, m'lady.

ASTRID
What are you up to?

HICCUP
Okay, you're gonna think I'm crazy, but I just couldn't stop thinking about what Tuffnut said last night. Toothless can't come and go like the other dragons, and that's just not fair. I was up all night, and I think I found a way to fix that.

Hiccup pulls a lever and a system of gears twists into life, opening and closing a tailfin. He grabs the mug of yaknog and takes a drink. He coughs, eyes widening.

ASTRID
No way! You built him a new tail? So he's gonna be able to fly without you?

HICCUP
(mouth full)
Mm-hmm!

ASTRID
What a great gift!

Hiccup looks into the mug, wondering what enticed Astrid to make it. He places it down on the table, far away from him.

ASTRID
What if he never comes back?

Hiccup snaps a worried gaze over to her, eyes wide and mouth still full.

ASTRID
What am I saying. Of course he will.

Hiccup holds the yaknog in his mouth, unable to swallow.

HICCUP
Mm-hmm.

ASTRID
Well, I'm gonna go spread some more holiday cheer. You're amazing!

Astrid runs off. As soon as she's gone, Hiccup spits out the yaknog, wiping his mouth on his sleeve.

Hiccup turns to the new tailfin and sighs. He picks it up and walks out of the shop.

EXT. STOICK'S HOUSE - DAY

There's a Night Fury perched on the roof. Again. Toothless jumps up and down, dislodging shingles.

Hiccup walks past, holding the new tailfin.

HICCUP
Toothless! Come on down, bud, I've got something for you.

Toothless leaps down and approaches. He sniffs, curious.

HICCUP
What do you think of that? Yeah!

Toothless, interested more in what Hiccup's holding than what he's saying, follows the fin as Hiccup tries to line it up with his tail.

HICCUP
Would you just settle down? Toothless, come on bud, let me get this on you.

Hiccup closes the latches on the fin.

HICCUP
Yeah, you are going to love this. Okay?
Toothless roars, swinging his tail around wildly.

HICCUP
No, no! Toothless, stop. Please, wait. Toothless, please!

SNAP! The tail unfurls by itself. Toothless freezes, wide-eyed. He tests the new tail, gears whirring as he sweeps his wings in and out.

HICCUP
There you go. See? Got it?

Toothless stares deeply into Hiccup's eyes, a kind of animal communication both familiar and feral. Hiccup stares back.

HICCUP
Toothless... Whoa!
Toothless turns, pushes off the ground and into the sky. Hiccup watches as he files away and disappears into the clouds.

INT. STOICK'S HOUSE - HICCUP'S ROOM - DAY

Hiccup lies in bed sleeplessly. There's a familiar rattle from above. He sits up. Another rattle. He pulls back the covers and jumps out of bed.

HICCUP
Toothless!

EXT. STOICK'S HOUSE - DAY

Hiccup runs outside.

HICCUP
I knew you'd come back! Whoa!

He looks up, again slipping on the patch of ice beside the house. He slips, falls on his back.

There is no dragon on his roof. Just his father.

STOICK
Morning, son!

HICCUP
Oh, hey, Dad.

STOICK
Glad you're up. I was looking for your helmet.

HICCUP
My... my helmet?

STOICK
Odin needs a place to put your goodies.

HICCUP
Yeah, right, I'll... get on that. Great.

STOICK
Hold on! Hold on. All right, come on. What's on your mind? Out with it.

HICCUP
Well, it's just...it's been three days, Dad. I just thought Toothless would be back by now.

STOICK
I'm sure he's with the other dragons.

HICCUP
Yeah? I wish I could be that sure.

STOICK
Listen, I know what it's like to miss someone you love this time of year. But what do we do when they can't be here for the holiday? We celebrate them. And I imagine that's exactly what Toothless would want you to do. Right?

HICCUP
You're right.

STOICK
Good!

Stoick gives his son a friendly shove, almost knocking Hiccup off balance. He begins to walk away, getting away from the situation quickly.

STOICK
Now go get that helmet. We've had enough disappointment around here.

EXT. BERK - TOWN SQUARE - DAY

Vikings walking around, talking, no dragons to be seen. Hiccup carries a set of oars through the village until...

He bumps into Fishlegs, who is carrying a giant basket of fish.

HICCUP
Oh, Fishlegs, you hungry? There's enough fish there to feed a dragon.

Awkward pause. Fishlegs breaks into nervous laughter.

FISHLEGS
A dragon? That's...

Fishlegs turns runs. He quickly slips through the door to his shed. Hiccup watches with a raised eyebrow.
Fishlegs opens the shed door a crack, peers out. He quietly slips out, without the fish. Hiccup approaches the shed, placing his oars by the door and slowly opening it to find...

An angry Gronckle flying straight for him. CLINK! The chain securing Meatlug to the wall snaps and and Meatlug collides head-on with Hiccup. Together they soar over the edge of the cliff.

HICCUP
Meatlug?!

Astrid watches from the island. She ducks as they pass over her.

ASTRID
Whoa, Hiccup? Where are you going?

HICCUP
I have no idea...!

FISHLEGS
Meatlug! What about presents? Hey!

INT. FISHLEGS'S SHED - DAY

The teens, minus Hiccup, are standing inside the prisonous environment of Fishlegs's shed.

FISHLEGS
(re: Hiccup)
I can't believe him!

ASTRID
You can't believe him? You kidnapped your dragon!

FISHLEGS
That makes it sound so mean.

TUFFNUT
Hey, guys...

ASTRID
He flew away the second he was unleashed!

Meanwhile, Ruffnut and Tuffnut uncover a pile of hay. They gasp.

FISHLEGS (O.S)
I'm seventy-two percent sure he wanted to stay.

TUFFNUT
Guys!

FISHLEGS

Whoa, Meatlug barfed up a pile of rocks!

Lying in the hay are a dozen or so small, blue, rocky spheroids. Astrid grabs one and holds it up.

RUFFNUT
You're such an idiot. Those aren't rocks. Your dragon laid eggs.

ASTRID
Hey, wait. I bet that's why the dragons left. To lay their eggs.

FISHLEGS
But boy-dragons don't lay eggs.

RUFFNUT
Yeah, your boy-dragon is a girl-dragon.

FISHLEGS
Okay. That actually explains a few things.

Astrid pops up in front of the teens and dashes off.

ASTRID
Hey! Everyone's missing their dragons, right?

SNOTLOUT
Ugh, here it comes.

Astrid snags a ribbon, wraps it around the egg.

ASTRID
I've got an idea. It'll be another new Snoggletog tradition!

Astrid holds it up for all to see: it's a Gronckle egg wrapped in a red ribbon.

EXT. BERK - DAY

The teens sneak out of the shed, arms full of Gronckle eggs with red bow ties. They break apart, each heading for a different section of the village.

ASTRID
Oh, this is gonna be so good!

MONTAGE: Each teen sneaks into a Viking home and places their egg in an empty Snoggletog helmet.

EXT. SKY - DAY

Hiccup is sitting upright on Meatlug, who is flying uncontrollably though a thick fog. Giant rock columns appear out of nowhere, and Meatlug narrowly misses them.

HICCUP
Whoa! Meatlug, where are you taking me?

The mast of a shipwrecked Viking boat suddenly appears out of the fog. Hiccup pulls up violently on Meatlug, and they soar upward, into the clouds.

The cloud cover dissapears, and Hiccup looks down at a giant, rocky ocean island. It's a beautiful multicolor cove, with the intensity of the Yellowstone Prismatic Spring.

Meatlug descends, skims across the water, and lands, skidding to a stop on the island. Hiccup dismounts. He looks around.

Huddled around the water on several rock tiers of the cliff are hundreds of dragons: Gronckles, Zipplebacks, Nightmares, and all their babies.

HICCUP
You guys come here to have babies.

A Deadly Nadder -- Stormfly -- waddles over to her nest, full of chirping baby Nadders, as Hiccup looks on.

HICCUP
Whoa... 

Hiccup notices a Gronckle knocking a couple of its eggs into a hot spring. He slides down the side of the rock to get a better look, narrowly missing some baby dragons playing running past him.

The Gronckle eggs drop to the bottom of the hot spring, fizzling. Then, suddenly, they burst open, releasing a bubble of flames. Baby Gronckles swim back to the surface and tumble out onto land in front of Hiccup.

HICCUP
Aww, wow.

Except there's one more egg, unhatched, lying next to the opening. Hiccup notices.

HICCUP
Hey, look over here. You missed one.

BLAM! The egg explodes in a giant ball of fire, knocking Hiccup back onto the ground. The baby is launched into the air, and falls a few seconds later by Hiccup's feet. It yawns.

HICCUP
Man, it's a good thing those don't hatch on Berk.

INT. BERK - VARIOUS HOUSES - DAY

Empty helmets galore, and so many eggs to fill them with! Ruffnut, Fishlegs, Snotlout, Astrid, all place their remaining eggs.

EXT. BERK - TOWN SQUARE - DAY

Now finished, the four teens meet back with Astrid.

ASTRID
Wasn't this a great idea?

FISHLEGS
Uh-huh. Everyone is gonna be so surprised!

BLAM! A baby Gronckle bursts through a nearby door in a ball of fire, hitting Fishlegs on the head and knocking him back.

SNOTLOUT
Surprise!

But who cares? The teens crowd around the Gronckle, watching it blink and yawn.

Everyone except Astrid, who looks at the egg with wide-eyed fear.

ASTRID
The eggs explode?

BLAM! A second Gronckle bursts out of an attic. BLAM! Another one through a house's roof. Yep, they explode.
ASTRID
The eggs explode!

BLAM, BLAM, BLAM! Vikings run, yelling, from their houses, into the town square.

ASTRID
I'm sorry! Sorry!

BLAM! A ball of fire bursts through a roof, leaving a giant hole. Another Gronckle soars past the tip of the Snoggletog tree, setting it alight.
VIKING MAN
Save us!
One by one, as if on a timer, three houses explode in a row. Gronckles crash through the Snoggletog tree, ripping off wood and lighting giant patches of fire.

Astrid is paralyzed with fear. The others watch in awe.

RUFFNUT
Awesome.

TUFFNUT
Wow.

SNOTLOUT
This is your best idea yet!

Stoick and the other Vikings crowd around the Snoggletog tree, which is slowly burning to the ground.

STOICK
What in Thor's name is going on?!

ASTRID
The eggs explode.

BLAM! The final egg explodes in a house behind her. Astrid winces.

EXT. ROOKERY - DAY

Hiccup is wandering around the Rookery, looking for Toothless desperately.

HICCUP
Toothless? Toothless?

No answer.

HICCUP
Come on, Toothless, where are you?

He wanders a little more before he makes it to the edge of the cliff, Hookfang and Stormfly reside there with their children. Hookfang's head snaps up, noticing Hiccup first.

HICCUP
Hookfang!

He runs up to hug Hookfang before making his way over to Stormfly, who greets him happily.

HICCUP
Oh, you have no idea how happy I am to see you guys.

He notices Stormfly's babies to his left. He walks over to them openly, chuckling.

HICCUP
And you have... babies? Aw, look at you guys, all happy together! Who knew you were leaving to celebrate your own, sort of... holiday?
(realizing)
I should get back to my holiday.

He looks over at Hookfang.

HICCUP
So, what do you say, Hookfang? You think you can give me a ride home?

Hookfang growls in agreement and Hiccup climbs on before Hookfang takes to the skies, hovering over the island.

HICCUP
I'll see you all back on Berk when you're good an ready, okay gang?

All the adult dragons immediately take flight, hovering over the island as well.

HICCUP
Oh no. No, no! I think I just started the return migration. Well, if you insist.

The dragons beckon their babies to fly as well, and few of the baby dragons spread their wings and jump from the clip, flapping rapidly to stay in the air.

HICCUP
Come on... 

But it's not enough. A strong gust of wind blows the baby dragons back on the land. They tumble in defeat.

HICCUP
Ugh, boy, this is never gonna work. Oh, hold on, I've got just the thing.

He pats the side of Hookfang, and the two fly off.

EXT. BERK - TOWN SQUARE - NIGHT

A dozen or so baby Gronckles lie sleeping beside a house. Vikings are walking across the town with wood and supplies, helping each other clean up.

Stoick and Gobber look on with dismay.

STOICK
Gobber, this is a disaster.

GOBBER
It's not so bad.

STOICK
Not that bad? The village is destroyed, the dragons have gone and left us.... Let's face it: this holiday is a complete....

Stoick walks right into a crowd of Vikings. They're all looking up into the sky. A dark figure appears from behind the clouds.

STOICK
What are these people looking at? What is that?

It's the mast of a Viking ship. Held up by hundreds of flying dragons. And piloted by a very familiar Viking.

STOICK
It's Hiccup!

ASTRID
And our dragons!

The crowd cheers. The ship drops lower and lower in the sky until it crashes down onto the icy ground of 
Berk. The ship scrapes to a stop in front of the crowd. The dragons release the ropes holding it up.

Baby dragons emerge from all over the ship to an aww-ing crowd. The teens run up to meet them.

VIKING #1
Welcome back, laddie.

VIKING #2
Good job. Yeah! Whoo-hoo!

Meatlug hovers over to her sleeping babies. Fishlegs greets her.

FISHLEGS
Meatlug!

Astrid runs up to her Nadder, gives her a hug.

ASTRID
Stormfly! You're back! Oh, and there are babies!

Stoick lifts Hiccup off the ground in a giant, chest-compressing hug.

STOICK
(chuckling)
Well done, son.

HICCUP
Thanks, Dad.

STOICK
Everyone, grab your dragons. To the Great Hall! We finally have something to celebrate!

Vikings and dragons cheer.

INT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT

It's a giant party, lit by the glowing candle-balls and decorated with shields and wreathes. And best of all, dragons are invited.

FISHLEGS
This is the best holiday ever! Who's a baby? Who's a cutie baby?

Hiccup watches the others with a smile. Fishlegs hugs the baby Gronckles. Snotlout jumps back as his baby 

Nightmare releases a burst of fire. Kids play with a tiny Zippleback. A young girl squeezes a Terrible Terror into a hug.

Hiccup's smile fades. Where's his dragon? Astrid spots him, walks over.

ASTRID
Hiccup, I know this must be really hard for you, seeing everyone with their dragons. But you really did a wonderful thing! Thank you.


Without warning, Astrid reaches over and kisses him. She pulls him into a hug.

HICCUP
Astrid, where did Toothless go?

ASTRID
I don't know.

Very quietly, the door opens and closes behind Hiccup, drawing Astrid's attention. Toothless peeks into the hall. Astrid grins.

ASTRID
Wow, man. Wouldn't wanna be you right now. I mean, you brought back everyone's dragon except yours!

HICCUP
Yeah, you know, this is not helping at all.

Astrid pushes Hiccup just in time to see a Night Fury run at him.

HICCUP
Toothless! Hey, bud!

Hiccup wraps his arms around Toothless's neck. Stoick laughs. Gobber points something out to Stoick.

HICCUP
Bad dragon! Very bad dragon! You scared me to death. Don't ever stay away that long again. And what is in your mouth?

Toothless deposits a very slimy Viking helmet onto Hiccup's head. Dragon saliva drips down into Hiccup's hair.

HICCUP
Yeah, you found my helmet.
(realizing)
Hey! You found my helmet! That's where you've been? Buddy, thank you. You are amazing.

Hiccup gives Toothless a second hug. Stoick and Gobber look on, chuckling. In fact, a whole crowd is watching.
ASTRID
Happy Snoggletog!

INT. STOICK'S HOUSE - NEXT DAY

Hiccup is asleep again, his helmet resting on the bedpost. Suddenly, the entire house shakes, and Hiccup gets out of bed. He looks up, wiping the tiredness from his eyes.

EXT. STOICK'S HOUSE - DAY

Hiccup steps out into the cold and looks around. Berk is covered with a fresh new layer of snow, and the town is sleeping peacefully. Hiccup hears a groan from above.

HICCUP
I'm coming, Toothless. All right, bud, come on down. I was just....

Except Toothless isn't on Hiccup's roof. He's on the ground, with the old tail and saddle in front of him. He looks between them and Hiccup.
HICCUP
Toothless, what'd you pull this out for? You don't need this any more. Come on, let's get going.

Toothless groans, and walks around Hiccup, gesturing again to the saddle and tailfin.

HICCUP
Would you quit fooling around? You have your new tail now. Toothless!

Toothless extends his new tailfin with a whir of gears. He then begins to bash it against the snowy ground. Pieces of the tail fly everywhere.

HICCUP
Toothless, stop! What are you doing?!

Finished, Toothless drags out the old saddle. He paws at it, his eyes meeting Hiccup's. Suddenly Hiccup understands.

EXT. SKY - DAY

Toothless hovers above the clouds in an updraft, Hiccup hanging on. Hiccup unsnaps his dragon seatbelt.

HICCUP (V.O.)
Winter in Berk lasts most of the year. It hangs on with both hands and won't let go. And the only real comforts against the cold are those you keep close to your heart.

HICCUP
Okay bud, you ready?

Toothless grunts, yes. Hiccup jumps from the saddle and dives headfirst to the ground. Toothless pulls in his wings and follows beside him.

While falling, they exchange a glance. Toothless paws at Hiccup, spinning him around in the air. They close their eyes and let the wind rush past.

HICCUP (V.O.)
Turns out that was the best Snoggletog ever. That year, I gave my best friend a pretty great gift.

Hiccup grabs hold of Toothless's saddle, and clicks the pedal. Toothless's wings extend, and he pulls up just in time. His wings slice snow off the top of two trees on the ground.

Toothless roars with excitement.

HICCUP (V.O.)
He gave me a better one.

FADE TO WHITE

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