HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
Written by
Dean DeBlois & Chris Sanders
Final Draft
February 13, 2010
FADE IN:
EXT. NORTH SEA/VILLAGE - NIGHT
We skim above a dark, wild ocean. The camera turns toward a
lone island, Berk. It is a gigantic shard of rock jutting
straight out of the water.
HICCUP (V.O.)
This, is Berk. It's twelve days
North of hopeless, and a few
degrees South of freezing to death.
It's located solidly on the
meridian of misery.
The camera drifts over rolling hills to reveal a small
village nestled on an outcropping of sea mounts.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
My village. In a word, sturdy.
And it's been here for seven
generations, but every single
building is new.
The camera drifts closer, circling.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
We have fishing, hunting, and a
charming view of the sunsets. The
only problems are the pests. You
see, most places have mice or
mosquitos. We have...
Sheep graze peacefully on a hillside. Suddenly one is
snatched.
CUT TO:
INT. STOICK'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
A door is pulled open... as a DRAGON swoops directly toward
it, BLASTING FIRE. The door is SLAMMED. The fire shoots
through the slats of wood, illuminating HICCUP, a gangly
teenage Viking.
HICCUP
...dragons.
EXT. STOICK'S HOUSE
He reopens the sizzling door, as leaps off of the front
porch. He weaves through the erupting mayhem as Vikings pour
out of the buildings, ready for a fight.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 2.
More dragons swarm in, setting rooftops alight and hauling
off sheep.
HICCUP (V.O.)
Most people would leave. Not us.
We're Vikings. We have stubbornness
issues.
Vikings sound the alarm. Viking men and women pour out into
the streets, axes in hand.
ON HICCUP darting through alleys, staying under eaves, making
his way through the battle.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
My name's Hiccup. Great name, I
know. But it's not the worst.
Parents believe a hideous name will
frighten off gnomes and trolls.
Like our charming Viking demeanor
wouldn't do that.
Dragons sweep back and forth, dodging axes and blasting the
Vikings who throw them. A burly warrior gets tossed in an
explosion, knocking Hiccup to the ground.
VIKING
(FIERCE)
Arggghhhhh!
(cheery, insane)
Mornin'!
Hiccup gets to his feet and continues to rush past gigantic
men and women.
HICCUP (V.O.)
Meet the neighbors. Hoark the
Haggard...
HOARK
What are you doing out!?
HICCUP
... Burnthair the Broad...
BURNTHAIR
Get inside!
HICCUP
... Phlegma the Fierce...
PHLEGMA THE FIERCE
Get back inside!
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 3.
HICCUP
. Ack.
He passes a silent ox of a viking, picking his ear.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Yep, just Ack.
Enter STOICK, the biggest Viking of all. He yanks Hiccup from
the path of a strafing dragon and holds aloft to the crowd.
STOICK
Hiccup!?
(accusingly; to the crowd)
What is he doing out again?!
(TO HICCUP)
What are you doing out?! Get
inside!
The flames light up his scowling face and matted red beard.
He sets Hiccup down and turns to the sky, searching.
HICCUP (V.O.)
(IN AWE)
That's Stoick the Vast. Chief of
the tribe. They say that when he
was a baby he popped a dragon's
head clean off of its shoulders.
Do I believe it?
Stoick grabs a wooden cart and hurls it, knocking the
strafing dragon out of the sky.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Yes I do.
An EXPLOSION forces Vikings to DUCK. Stoick stands firm,
brushing flaming debris off of his shoulder.
STOICK
(barking; to his men)
What have we got?
VIKING #1
Gronkles. Nadders. Zipplebacks. Oh,
and Hoark saw a Monstrous
Nightmare.
STOICK
Any Night Furies?
VIKING #1
None so far.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 4.
STOICK
(RELIEVED)
Good.
VIKING
Hoist the torches!
Massive flaming braziers are raised on poles, lighting up the
night sky... and revealing swirling dragons of all types.
Below, Hiccup crosses an open plaza and ducks into an open
building with a tall chimney.
INT. BLACKSMITH STALL - CONTINUOUS
He crosses behind a counter, where a peg-legged, one-armed
hulk of a Blacksmith reshapes blades with a hammer and tongs
appendage.
GOBBER
Ah! Nice of you to join the party.
I thought you'd been carried off.
Hiccup dons a leather apron and starts to put away Gobber's
scattered appendages.
HICCUP
Who me? Nah, come on! I'm way too
muscular for their taste. They
wouldn't know what to do with all
this.
Hiccup strikes a bodybuilder pose.
GOBBER
They need toothpicks, don't they?
Hiccup gets to work, transferring bent and chipped weapons to
the forge as Vikings crowd the counter for replacements.
HICCUP (V.O.)
The meathead with attitude and
interchangeable hands is Gobber.
I've been his apprentice ever since
I was little. Well...littler.
EXT. VILLAGE - CONTINUOUS
ON STOICK
STOICK
We move to the lower defenses.
We'll counter-attack with the
catapults.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 5.
Armed men rush past, flanking others who carry sheep to
safety. Stoick follows up the rear as, overhead, a dragon
strafes the rooftops with Napalm-like fire.
HICCUP (V.O.)
See? Old village. Lots and lots
of new houses.
VIKING
FIRE!
In response, the fire brigade charges through the plaza --
four TEENS, tugging a large wooden cask on wheels. From it,
they fill buckets of water to douse the flames. One among
them is a cute, energetic Viking girl.
Hiccup leans out of the stall to watch her.
HICCUP (V.O.)
Oh and that's Fishlegs, Snotlout.
The twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut.
And...
(DREAMY)
Astrid.
A SLOW-MOTION explosion erupts behind her, framing her in a
sexy ball of fire. The others join her, looking awesome and
heroic.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Their job is so much cooler.
Hiccup tries to join them as they pass, but he's hooked by
Gobber and hoisted back inside.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(PLEADING)
Ah, come on. Let me out, please. I
need to make my mark.
GOBBER
Oh, you've made plenty of marks.
All in the wrong places.
HICCUP
Please, two minutes. I'll kill a
dragon. My life will get infinitely
better. I might even get a date.
GOBBER
You can't lift a hammer. You can't
swing an axe...
Gobber grabs a bola (iron balls connected by rope).
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 6.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
... you can't even throw one of
these.
A Viking runs by and nabs it out of Gobber's hand, hurling it
at a dive-bombing Gronkle. The bola binds its legs, sending
it into a heavy crash.
HICCUP
(ready with the answer)
Okay fine, but...
He rushes to the back corner of the stall and presents a
bizarre, wheel barrow-like contraption.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
... this will throw it for me.
Hiccup OPENS the hinged lid of the device. An arm springs up,
equipped with twin bows. They prematurely launch a bola,
narrowly missing Gobber... and taking out a Viking at the
counter.
VIKING
Arggh!
GOBBER
See, now this right here is what
I'm talking about.
HICCUP
Mild calibration issue.
GOBBER
Hiccup. If you ever want to get out
there to fight dragons, you need
to stop all...
Gobber gestures in Hiccup's general direction.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
... this.
HICCUP
(ASTONISHED)
But... you just pointed to all of
me.
GOBBER
Yes! That's it! Stop being all of
you.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 7.
HICCUP
(THREATENING)
Ohhhh...
GOBBER
(MIMICKING)
Ohhhhh, yes.
HICCUP
You, sir, are playing a dangerous
game. Keeping this much,
raw...Vikingness contained.
(BEAT)
There will be consequences!
Gobber tosses him a sword.
GOBBER
I'll take my chances. Sword.
Sharpen. Now.
Hiccup takes it begrudgingly and lobs it onto the grinding
wheel. He stews... fantasizing...
HICCUP (V.O.)
One day I'll get out there. Because
killing a dragon is everything
around here.
EXT. VILLAGE - LOWER PLAINS - CONTINUOUS
Nadders land, gathering like seagulls around a seemingly
vacant house.
HICCUP (V.O.)
A Nadder head is sure to get me at
least noticed.
The Nadders clamber onto the building, tearing the roof and
walls apart. Sheep pour out and SCATTER.
Elsewhere, hippo-like Gronckles pick drying racks clean of
fish and fly off like loaded pelicans.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Gronckles are tough. Taking down
one of those would definitely get
me a girlfriend.
A stealthy, snake-like dragon head peeks over a rooftop,
breathing gas into a chimney.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 8.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
A Zippelback? Exotic, exciting. Two
heads, twice the status.
A second head pokes through the door and lights it. KABLAM!
The two heads fly through the explosion, their necks zipping
together to reveal a single body.
It flies past Stoick as he climbs to the top of a CATAPULT
TOWER.
CATAPULT OPERATOR
They found the sheep!
STOICK
(FRUSTRATED)
Concentrate fire over the lower
bank!
CATAPULT OPERATOR
Fire!
Boulders are catapulted at the corralling Nadders...
Just as a huge red dragon whips past, spraying the base of
the catapult with sticky fire.
HICCUP (V.O.)
And then there's the Monstrous
Nightmare. Only the best Vikings go
after those. They have this nasty
habit of setting themselves on
fire.
It emerges from the flames, climbing the catapult with a
leering, toothy grin.
STOICK
Reload! I'll take care of this.
Stoick takes on the Nightmare, face to hammer.
Suddenly, a LOUD BALLISTIC MOANING streaks overhead. The
catapult crew ducks.
INT. BLACKSMITH STALL - CONTINUOUS
ON HICCUP, looking up from his work, reacting to the same
sound.
HICCUP (V.O.)
But the ultimate prize is the
dragon no one has ever seen. We
call it the--
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 9.
VIKING
Night Fury! Get down!
Vikings everywhere take shelter. The moaning sound BUILDS.
EXT. VILLAGE - CATAPULT - CONTINUOUS
The Monstrous Nightmare suddenly stops fighting and takes
flight. Stoick looks skyward.
STOICK
JUMP!
KABOOM! The Catapult EXPLODES as though hit by an artillery
shell... sending Stoick and the crew leaping for their lives.
HICCUP (V.O.)
This thing never steals food, never
shows itself, and...
The sound recedes, leaving the crippled catapult in flames.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
...never misses.
(BEAT)
No one has ever killed a Night
Fury. That's why I'm going to be
the first.
IN THE STALL
Gobber trades his hammer for an axe.
GOBBER
Man the fort, Hiccup, they need me
out there!
Gobber pauses. Turns with a threatening glare.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
Stay. Put. There. You know what I
mean.
Gobber charges into the fray, HOLLERING.
ON HICCUP, a smirk crosses his face.
EXT. VILLAGE - MOMENTS LATER
WHAM! Hiccup pushes his wheeled contraption through a wall of
clustered Vikings. He weaves through the ongoing mayhem, as
fast as his legs can carry him.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 10.
VIKING #6 (O.S.)
Hiccup, where are you going!
VIKING #7
Come back here!
HICCUP
I know. Be right back!
ON THE PLAIN BELOW
The Nadders have cornered the house-full of sheep. They close
in, ready to spring upon them.
Stoick suddenly appears, HURLING FISHING NETS over them. The
surprised Nadders are caught. Stoick and his men rush in.
A Nadder blasts a hole through its net. Stoick leaps onto it,
clamping his thick arms around its head, forcing its jaws
shut.
STOICK
Mind yourselves! The devils still
have some juice in them.
ON THE PLAIN ABOVE
Hiccup reaches a cliff overlooking the smoking CATAPULT and
drops the handles to the ground. He cranks several levers,
unfolding and then cocking the bowed arms of his contraption.
He drops a bola onto a chamber and then pivots the weapon on
a gimbal head toward the dark sky.
He listens, with his eye pressed to the scope, hand poised on
the trigger. He hears the NIGHT FURY approaching... and turns
his aim to the defense tower. It closes in for the final
strike, completely camouflaged in the night.
HICCUP
(TO HIMSELF)
Come on. Give me something to shoot
at, give me something to shoot at.
KABLAM! The tower topples. The blast of fire illuminates the
dragon for a split second. Hiccup pulls the trigger.
KERTHUNK! The flexed arms SNAP forward, springing the weapon
off the ground. The bola disappears into the sky, followed by
a WHACK and a SCREECH.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 11.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(surprised, then elated)
Oh I hit it! Yes, I hit it! Did
anybody see that?
Hiccup's victory is short-lived. A Monstrous Nightmare
appears, slithering up over the lip of the cliff.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Except for you.
ON STOICK, holding down the netted Nadders. He hears a
familiar HOLLER and looks up to see...
HICCUP running through the PLAZA, SCREAMING, with the
NIGHTMARE fast on his heels.
Alarmed, Stoick abandons the Nadders and runs off.
STOICK
(to his men, re: the
NADDERS)
DO NOT let them escape!
IN THE PLAZA
Vikings scatter as Hiccup dodges a near fatal blast. The
Nightmare's sticky, Napalm-like fire splashes up onto
buildings, setting them alight.
Hiccup ducks behind the last standing brazier -- the only
shelter available. The Nightmare blasts it, spraying fire all
around him. Hiccup peers around the smoldering post. No sign
of the Nightmare.
He turns back to find it leering at him, blocking his escape.
It takes a deep breath. Hiccup is finished.
Suddenly, Stoick LEAPS between them, tackling the Nightmare
to the ground. They tumble and wrestle, resuming their
earlier fight. The Nightmare tries to toast him, but only
coughs up smoke.
STOICK (CONT'D)
You're all out.
He smashes the Nightmare repeatedly in the face, driving it
away. It takes to the air and disappears. Winded, Stoick
turns to Hiccup.
HICCUP (V.O.)
Oh, and there's one more thing you
need to know...
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 12.
The burnt brazier pole collapses, sending the massive iron
basket crashing. It bounces down the hill, destroying as it
goes and scattering the Vikings who were holding down the
netted Nadders. The freed dragons escape... with several
sheep in tow.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Sorry, dad.
EXT. VILLAGE - UPPER PLAZA - CONTINUOUS
The escaped Nadders fly past with sheep in their clutches.
The raid is over. The dragons have clearly won.
The murmuring crowd eyes Stoick, awaiting his response.
HICCUP
(SHEEPISH)
Okay, but I hit a Night Fury.
Stoick grabs Hiccup by the back scruff of his collar and
hauls him away, fuming with embarrassment.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
It's not like the last few times,
Dad. I mean I really actually hit
it. You guys were busy and I had a
very clear shot. It went down, just
off Raven Point. Let's get a search
party out there, before it--
STOICK
--STOP! Just....stop.
He releases Hiccup. Everyone goes silent, staring
expectantly.
STOICK (CONT'D)
Every time you step outside,
disaster follows. Can you not see
that I have bigger problems?
Winter's almost here and I have an
entire village to feed!
Hiccup looks around. All eyes are upon him.
HICCUP
Between you and me, the village
could do with a little less
feeding, don't ya think?
A few rotund Vikings stir self-consciously.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 13.
STOICK
This isn't a joke, Hiccup!
(EXASPERATED)
Why can't you follow the simplest
orders?
HICCUP
I can't stop myself. I see a dragon
and I have to just... kill it, you
know? It's who I am, Dad.
STOICK
You are many things, Hiccup. But a
dragon killer is not one of them.
Sting. Hiccup looks around to see many nods of agreement.
STOICK (CONT'D)
Get back to the house.
(TO GOBBER)
Make sure he gets there. I have his
mess to clean up.
Stoick lumbers off in the opposite direction.
Gobber leads Hiccup through the walk of shame. They pass the
teen fire brigade as they snicker.
TUFFNUT
Quite the performance.
SNOTLOUT
I've never seen anyone mess up that
badly. That helped!
HICCUP
Thank you, thank you. I was
trying, so...
Hiccup avoids Astrid's glare and heads up toward a large
house, standing prominently on the hill above the others.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
I really did hit one.
GOBBER
Sure, Hiccup.
HICCUP
He never listens.
GOBBER
Well, it runs in the family.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 14.
HICCUP
And when he does, it's always with
this... disappointed scowl. Like
someone skimped on the meat in his
sandwich.
(MIMICKING STOICK)
Excuse me, barmaid. I'm afraid you
brought me the wrong offspring. I
ordered an extra large boy with
beefy arms. Extra guts and glory on
the side. This here. This is a
talking fish bone.
GOBBER
You're thinking about this all
wrong. It's not so much what you
look like. It's what's inside that
he can't stand.
Beat.
HICCUP
Thank you, for summing that up.
They reach the doorway.
GOBBER
Look, the point is, stop trying so
hard to be something you're not.
Hiccup SIGHS heavily.
HICCUP
I just want to be one of you guys.
Gobber eyes him sympathetically. Hiccup turns and goes
through the front door.
And straight out the back door. He hurries off into the
woods, determined.
INT. GREAT HALL - DAY
A noisy din of PROTESTING VOICES leads to...
STOICK, glowering in the firelight. Surrounded by his men.
STOICK
Either we finish them or they'll
finish us! It's the only way we'll
be rid of them! If we find the
nest and destroy it, the dragons
will leave. They'll find another
home.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 15.
He sinks his blade into a...
LARGE NAUTICAL MAP, spread out on the table... the blade
pierces the middle of an uncharted corner, swirling with
painted sea monsters and dragons.
STOICK (CONT'D)
(DECIDEDLY)
One more search. Before the ice
sets in.
VIKING
Those ships never come back.
STOICK
(MATTER-OF-FACT)
We're Vikings. It's an occupational
hazard. Now who's with me?
Stoick throws up his fist. No one follows. The crowds shifts
in restless silence. Head scratches. Eyes averted.
VIKING
(FEEBLE)
Today's not good for me.
VIKING (CONT'D)
(EQUALLY FEEBLE)
I've gotta do my axe returns.
STOICK
Alright. Those who stay will look
after Hiccup.
Hands jut into the air, volunteers galore. Enthusiastic
murmurs of prep and packing fill the room.
PHLEGMA THE FIERCE
To the ships!
SPITELOUT
I'm with you Stoick!
STOICK
(DRY)
That's more like it.
The Vikings rush for the door, leaving Gobber and Stoick
alone. Gobber gulps back the contents of his tankard
attachment and scrapes back the bench.
GOBBER
I'll pack my undies.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 16.
STOICK
No, I need you to stay and train
some new recruits.
GOBBER
Oh, perfect. And while I'm busy,
Hiccup can cover the stall. Molten
steel, razor sharp blades, lots of
time to himself...what could
possibly go wrong?
Stoick sinks onto the bench beside Gobber, his brow burdened.
STOICK
What am I going to do with him
Gobber?
GOBBER
Put him in training with the
others.
STOICK
No, I'm serious.
GOBBER
So am I.
Stoick turns to him, glaring.
STOICK
He'd be killed before you let the
first dragon out of its cage.
GOBBER
Oh, you don't know that.
STOICK
I do know that, actually.
GOBBER
No, you don't.
STOICK
No, actually I do.
GOBBER
No you don't!
STOICK
Listen! You know what he's like.
From the time he could crawl he's
been...different. He doesn't
listen.
(MORE)
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 17.
STOICK (CONT'D)
Has the attention span of a
sparrow. I take him fishing and he
goes hunting for... for trolls.
GOBBER
(DEFENSIVE)
Trolls exist! They steal your
socks.
(DARKLY)
But only the left ones. What's with
that?
STOICK
When I was a boy...
GOBBER
(GRUMBLING)
Oh here we go.
STOICK
My father told me to bang my head
against a rock and I did it. I
thought it was crazy, but I didn't
question him. And you know what
happened?
GOBBER
You got a headache.
STOICK
That rock split in two. It taught
me what a Viking could do, Gobber.
He could crush mountains, level
forests, tame seas! Even as a boy,
I knew what I was, what I had to
become.
(BEAT)
Hiccup is not that boy.
GOBBER
You can't stop him, Stoick. You can
only prepare him.
(BEAT)
Look, I know it seems hopeless. But
the truth is you won't always be
around to protect him. He's going
to get out there again. He's
probably out there now.
ON STOICK, as Gobber's words hit their mark.
EXT. WOODS - DAY
ON AN OPEN NOTEBOOK
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 18.
A drawn map of the island, covered in X's.
Hiccup looks up from it and peeks over a gorge, expectantly.
Sees nothing.
He adds another 'X' to the page, then scratches his pencil
over the whole map in frustration. He snaps the book closed
and pockets it.
HICCUP
Uggh, the gods hate me. Some people
lose their knife or their mug. No,
not me. I manage to lose an entire
dragon.
Hiccup WHACKS a low-hanging branch. It SNAPS back at him,
hitting him in the face. He looks up to see a snapped tree
trunk. His eyes follow it to a long trench of up-turned
earth.
He follows it to a downed, black dragon, its body and tail
tangled in a bola. It appears dead. Hiccup approaches,
beaming.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(IN SHOCK)
Oh wow. I did it. I did it. This
fixes everything.
(ELATED)
Yes!
He strikes a victory pose, planting his foot on the fallen
Night Fury.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
I have brought down this mighty
beast!
It suddenly shifts.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Whoa!
Hiccup springs back, terrified. He turns his blade on it.
Rattled, Hiccup creeps along the length of the weak, wounded
dragon, dagger poised to strike.
As he reaches the head, Hiccup finds the Night Fury staring
coldly at him. Hiccup tries to look away, but he's drawn back
to its unnerving, unflinching stare.
With the dragon safety tangled in the ropes, Hiccup jabs with
his dagger, puffing himself up with false bravado.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 19.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
I'm going to kill you, Dragon. I'm
gonna cut out your heart and take
it to my father. I'm a Viking.
(BEAT)
I am a VIKING!
Hiccup raises the dagger, determined to prove his Viking-
ness. The dragon's labored breathing breaks Hiccup's clenched
concentration. He opens an eye, uncertainty leaking through.
The dragon holds the stare. Something profound is exchanged.
Finally, the Night Fury closes its eye and lowers its head,
resigned to its fate.
Hiccup tries to go through with it, holding the dagger
aloft... fighting himself... until finally lowering it with a
frustrated sigh.
He looks over the dragon's chaffed rope wounds.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(muttered, ashamed)
I did this.
He turns to leave. Pauses. And glances back at the dragon,
chest heaving.
Hiccup GRUMBLES. He checks over his shoulder to ensure that
no one is watching... then hurries back to cut the ropes.
The Night Fury's eye shoots open. With the dragon watching
his every move, Hiccup hurriedly saws through the bola ropes.
As the last rope falls free, the Night Fury suddenly POUNCES!
In a blur, the dragon is upon him, pinning Hiccup down,
grazing his neck. Looking like it's about to kill him. Hiccup
is paralyzed. The dragon's breath ruffles his hair. Hiccup
opens his eyes to find the Night Fury's wolf-like stare
boring into him. The exchange is intense, profound.
The dragon draws a deep breath, as though it's about to torch
him, then lets out an ear-piercing scream instead. It turns
and takes flight, flapping violently through the canopy of
trees. It bashes against a nearby mountain side, recovers,
and drops out of view some distance away.
Winded, Hiccup struggles to his feet, staggers a few steps,
collapses to his knees, and faints.
INT. STOICK'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Hiccup enters to see...
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 20.
STOICK, seated on a thick slice of tree-trunk. He is slouched
over the fire-pit, stirring the coals with his axe. Embers
waft around his beard.
Hiccup tries to sneak past, up the stairs to his room. Stoick
seems none the wiser, when...
STOICK
Hiccup.
HICCUP
(CAUGHT)
Dad. Uh...
Stoick stands, takes a deep breath.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
I, uh... I have to talk to you,
Dad.
STOICK
I need to speak with you too, son.
Hiccup and Stoick STRAIGHTEN at the same moment.
HICCUP STOICK
I've decided I don't want to I think it's time you learn
fight dragons. to fight dragons.
(BEAT) (BEAT)
What? What?
STOICK (CONT'D)
You go first.
HICCUP
No, you go first.
STOICK
Alright. You get your wish. Dragon
training. You start in the morning.
HICCUP
(SCRAMBLING)
Oh man, I should've gone first. Uh,
'cause I was thinking, you know we
have a surplus of dragon-fighting
Vikings, but do we have enough
bread-making Vikings, or small home
REPAIR VIKINGS--
STOICK
--You'll need this.
Stoick hands Hiccup his axe. Hiccup avoids taking it.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 21.
HICCUP
I don't want to fight dragons.
STOICK
Come on. Yes, you do.
HICCUP
Rephrase. Dad I can't kill dragons.
STOICK
But you will kill dragons.
HICCUP
No, I'm really very extra sure that
I won't.
STOICK
It's time Hiccup.
HICCUP
Can you not hear me?
STOICK
This is serious son!
Stoick forces the axe into Hiccup's hands. Its weight drags
him down. He looks up to see Stoick under-lit with firelight.
STOICK (CONT'D)
When you carry this axe... you
carry all of us with you. Which
means you walk like us. You talk
like us. You think like us. No more
of...
(GESTURING NON-
specifically at Hiccup)
... this.
HICCUP
You just gestured to all of me.
STOICK
Deal?
HICCUP
This conversation is feeling very
one-sided.
STOICK
DEAL?!
Hiccup glances at the axe in his hands. It's a no-win
argument.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 22.
HICCUP
(RESIGNED)
Deal.
Satisfied, Stoick grabs his helmet and duffel bag... and
heads for the door.
STOICK
Good. Train hard. I'll be back.
Probably.
HICCUP
And I'll be here. Maybe.
Stoick heads out the door, leaving Hiccup holding the axe.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - DAY
Gobber raises a massive iron gate at the entrance of a vast
stone arena.
GOBBER
Welcome to dragon training!
The recruits file through the gate, and out onto the arena
floor. They take it in like gladiators entering the
colosseum. The walls are covered in scorched silhouettes of
blasted Vikings. It's a grim yet awe-inspiring place.
ASTRID
No turning back.
TUFFNUT
I hope I get some serious burns.
RUFFNUT
I'm hoping for some mauling, like
on my shoulder or lower back.
ASTRID
Yeah, it's only fun if you get a
scar out of it.
HICCUP (O.S.)
Yeah, no kidding, right? Pain. Love
it.
The recruits turn to see Hiccup behind them. Groans all
around.
TUFFNUT
Oh great. Who let him in?
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 23.
GOBBER
Let's get started! The recruit who
does best will win the honor of
killing his first dragon in front
of the entire village.
SNOTLOUT
Hiccup already killed a Night Fury,
so does that disqualify him or...?
The recruits LAUGH and chatter in the background.
TUFFNUT
Can I transfer to the class with
the cool Vikings?
Gobber throws a supportive arm around Hiccup and ushers him
along.
GOBBER
(cheery, in confidence)
Don't worry. You're small and
you're weak. That'll make you less
of a target. They'll see you as
sick or insane and go after the
more Viking-like teens instead.
GOBBER stick him in line with the others and continues on
toward five massive reinforced doors. Terrible ROARS and
BELLOWS issue from within.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
Behind these doors are just a few
of the many species you will learn
to fight.
Fishlegs bounces and giggles with excitement, barely able to
contain himself.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
The Deadly Nadder.
FISHLEGS
(under his breath)
Speed eight. Armor sixteen.
GOBBER
The Hideous Zippleback.
FISHLEGS
Plus eleven stealth. Times two.
GOBBER
The Monstrous Nightmare.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 24.
FISHLEGS
Firepower fifteen.
GOBBER
The Terrible Terror.
FISHLEGS
Attack eight. Venom twelve.
GOBBER
CAN YOU STOP THAT?!
(BEAT)
And...the Gronckle.
FISHLEGS
(quietly; to himself)
Jaw strength, eight.
Gobber pulls a lever, raising the cross beam on the last of
the doors.
SNOTLOUT
Whoa, wait! Aren't you gonna teach
us first!?
GOBBER
I believe in learning on the job.
BAM! A GRONCKLE thunders out of its cave, charging into the
ring like an irate rhino.
The recruits scramble in every direction. Except for Ruffnut
and Tuffnut who rush toward it, like pumped-up rodeo clowns.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
Today is about survival. If you get
blasted, you're dead. Quick, what's
the first thing you're going to
need?
HICCUP
A doctor?
FISHLEGS
Plus five speed?
ASTRID
A shield.
GOBBER
Shields. Go.
The recruits scramble for shields, finding them scattered
around the ring.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 25.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
Your most important piece of
equipment is your shield. If you
must make a choice between a sword
or a shield, take the shield.
Hiccup STRUGGLES to lift his. Gobber helps him and sends him
running.
Ruff and Tuff stand amidst a dozen shields. But only one has
a skull painted on it. They both grab it.
TUFFNUT
Get your hands off my shield!
RUFFNUT
There are like a million shields!
TUFFNUT
Take that one, it has a flower on
it. Girls like flowers.
Ruffnut uses the shield to BASH Tuffnut in the face. He
doesn't let go.
RUFFNUT
Ooops, now this one has blood on
it.
The Gronckle takes aim at the distracted twins. Blam! The
shield is blasted out of both of their hands. Tuff and Ruff
SPIN like tops and go down.
GOBBER
Tuffnut, Ruffnut, you're out!
TUFFNUT
(DAZED)
What?!
RUFFNUT
(CONFUSED)
What?!
The Gronckle scoops up a pile of rocks and SWALLOWS them
back. The teens gather on the far side of the ring.
GOBBER
Those shields are good for another
thing. Noise. Make lots of it to
throw off a dragon's aim.
The kids scoop up weapons and begin hammering on their
shields. The Gronckle shakes its head at the clatter.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 26.
GRONCKLE'S POV - the teens targets become blurry and
scrambled. It's working.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
All dragons have a limited number
of shots. How many does a Gronckle
have?
SNOTLOUT
Five!
FISHLEGS
No, six.
GOBBER
Correct, six. That's one for each
of you!
FISHLEGS
I really don't think my parents
WOULD--
BAM! Fishlegs has his shield blasted away.
GOBBER
Fishlegs, out.
Gobber spots Hiccup hiding from the Gronckle's molten slugs.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
Hiccup, get in there!
ON ASTRID bouncing on her heels, ready to dodge a blast.
Snotlout appears, trying to hit on her.
SNOTLOUT
So anyway I'm moving into my
parents' basement. You should come
by sometime to work out. You look
like you work out--
She cartwheels out of the way, allowing a shot to shoot past
her and hit Snotlout's shield. He's blasted onto his back.
GOBBER
Snotlout! You're done!
Astrid ROLLS to a stop beside Hiccup, who stirs awkwardly,
trying to look cool.
HICCUP
(VOICE BREAKING)
So, I guess it's just you and me
huh?
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 27.
ASTRID
No. Just you.
Astrid ROLLS away. A split-second later a lava slug knocks
Hiccup's shield clear off of his arm. Hiccup is exposed.
GOBBER
One shot left!
Hiccup panics and chases after his shield as it rolls across
the ring.
The sudden movement sends the Gronckle chasing after him,
leaving Astrid in the clear.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
(WORRIED)
Hiccup!
The Gronckle drives straight toward Hiccup, pinning him
against the wall. It opens its mouth and cocks its tail,
ready to fire point-blank.
Gobber lunges in and hooks the Gronckle's mouth at the last
second, causing its head to jerk back and fire against the
stone wall above Hiccup's head.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
(rattled, but masking it)
And that's six!
Gobber wrestles the irate Gronckle back into his pen.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
Go back to bed, ya overgrown
sausage! You'll get another chance,
don't you worry.
Slam! Lock. Gobber turns to the recruits.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
Remember... a dragon will always,
(with a stern look to
HICCUP)
always go for the kill.
He hoists Hiccup to his feet and walks off. Hiccup looks
overhead to see a steaming pit in the solid stone wall.
EXT. WOODS/HIDDEN COVE - DUSK
HICCUP, battered after another disastrous day in the ring. He
studies the remnants of the discarded bola... revealing that
he's back at the scene of the crime.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 28.
HICCUP
(MUTTERED)
So...why didn't you?
He drops the bola and presses on in the direction it flew
off. He drops into a rocky crevice and follows it to an...
ISOLATED COVE complete with a pristine spring pool. He scans
the high stone walls... then notices a single black SCALE on
the ground. He crouches and picks it up, studying it.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Well this was stupid.
SUDDENLY, the NIGHT FURY blasts past him. Hiccup recoils,
watching the massive beast struggle to climb the walls. It
flaps violently, then peels away to a rough landing. The
dragon is trapped.
Hiccup grins, excited to see it again, and slips closer.
He watches as the dragon, exhausted and frustrated, leaps
into the air, beating its wings furiously. Again and again,
it rolls uncontrolled and CRASHES heavily.
As if remembering to snap a photo, Hiccup pulls a leather-
bound book and flips past drawings of weapons to a blank
page. He sketches the dragon quickly, desperate to record the
image.
The Fury claws at the steep rock walls, trying climb out of
the cove. It SLIPS and falls hard, crushing several saplings.
The Fury rolls back to his feet and slowly crawls to the
water's edge. He spots fish in the shallow water and snaps at
them... but comes up empty. He lowers his head, looking
weakened.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(MUTTERED)
Why don't you just...fly away?
ON HICCUP as he spots the problem. He adjusts his drawing,
carefully erasing one half of the dragon's tail. He
accidentally drops the charcoal stick. It rolls off of the
rock outcropping that hides him from view and bounces into
the cove. TINK. TINK. TINK.
The Night Fury raises his head, spotting Hiccup. They
exchange a profound, unflinching stare.
DISSOLVE TO:
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 29.
INT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT
A storm is brewing outside. The great doors rattle on their
hinges.
GOBBER (O.S.)
Alright. Where did Astrid go wrong
in the ring today?
The recruits are seated at a table, eating dinner by the glow
of the fire pit.
ASTRID
I mistimed my summersault dive. It
was sloppy. It threw off my
reverse tumble.
Eye rolls from the group.
RUFFNUT
(SARCASTIC)
Yeah. We noticed.
SNOTLOUT
(grabbing Astrid's hand)
No, no, you were great. That was
so 'Astrid'.
GOBBER
She's right, you have to be tough
on yourselves.
CREAK. All eyes turn to Hiccup, entering the hall,
sheepishly. Gobber glares at him.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
(glaring at Hiccup)
Where did Hiccup go wrong?
He tries to take a seat at the table...
RUFFNUT
He showed up.
TUFFNUT
He didn't get eaten.
... but the recruits keep closing the gaps. Rolling his eyes,
Hiccup sits at the vacant table next to them.
ASTRID
He's never where he should be.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 30.
GOBBER
Thank you, Astrid.
Gobber stands.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
You need to live and breathe this
stuff.
Gobber lays a giant book in the center of the table.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
The dragon manual. Everything we
know about every dragon we know of.
A RUMBLE of thunder shakes the hall. Rain pours down outside.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
No attacks tonight. Study up.
Gobber EXITS into the storm, leaving the teens staring at the
book.
TUFFNUT
(you've got to be kidding)
Wait, you mean read?
RUFFNUT
While we're still alive?
SNOTLOUT
Why read words when you can just
kill the stuff the words tell you
stuff about?
FISHLEGS
Oh! I've read it like, seven times.
There's this water dragon that
sprays boiling water at your face.
And there's this other one that
buries itself for like a week...
The teens stare as Fishlegs goes on too long.
TUFFNUT
Yeah, that sounds great. There was
a chance I was going to read
that...
RUFFNUT
...but now...
Snotlout gets up to go.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 31.
SNOTLOUT
You guys read, I'll go kill stuff.
The others follow, with Fishlegs in tow.
FISHLEGS
Oh and there's this other one that
has these spines that look like
trees...
Astrid is the last to go.
HICCUP
So I guess we'll share--
ASTRID
Read it.
She pushes it toward him and leaves.
HICCUP
All mine then. Wow, so okay. I'll
SEE YOU--
Slam.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Tomorrow.
SIGH.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. GREAT HALL - LATE NIGHT
ON HICCUP'S HAND
OPENING the massive book. Thunder BOOMS outside. The hall is
vacant and dark, but for the few candles he's pulled
together.
Hiccup pours through page after page of strange and
frightening dragons.
HICCUP (V.O.)
Dragon classifications. Strike
class. Fear class. Mystery class.
Hiccup turns the page.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Thunderdrum. This reclusive dragon
inhabits sea caves and dark tide
pools.
(MORE)
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 32.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
When startled, the Thunderdrum
produces a concussive sound that
can kill a man at close range.
Extremely dangerous. Kill on sight.
Hiccup's eyes drift to a lurid illustration of decapitated
Vikings. Another page, another dragon.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Timberjack. This gigantic creature
has razor sharp wings that can
slice through full grown
trees...extremely dangerous. Kill
on sight.
The illustrations seem to take on a life of their own,
shifting and squirming in the candlelight.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Scauldron. Sprays scalding water at
its victim. Extremely dangerous.
The storm outside rages against the shuttered windows. Hiccup
is startled, but presses on.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Changewing. Even newly hatched
dragons can spray acid. Kill on
sight.
He begins flipping through the pages. A blur of dragons...
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Gronckle. Zippleback. The Skrill.
Bone Knapper. Whispering Death.
Burns its victims. Buries its
victims. Chokes its victims. Turns
its victims inside-out.
Extremely dangerous. Extremely
dangerous. Kill on sight. Kill on
sight. Kill on sight...
Hiccup finally lands upon the page he's been looking for.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Night Fury.
It's BLANK -- no image, save for a few, sparse details.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Speed unknown. Size unknown. The
unholy offspring of lightning and
death itself.
(MORE)
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 33.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Never engage this dragon. Your only
chance, hide and pray it does not
find you.
Hiccup pulls his sketchbook out of his vest and opens it to
his drawing of Toothless. He lays it over the book's blank
page and considers it.
CLOSE ON the drawing of Toothless...
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. HIGH SEAS - DAWN
A painted DRAGON, with a sword run through it. It's the
billowing sail of Stoick's ship.
Stoick hovers over the familiar nautical map -- his eyes on
the uncharted corner, swirling in mist and illustrations of
dragons.
STOICK
I can almost smell them. They're
close. Steady.
Stoick raises his gaze to...
AN EPIC FOG BANK, towering from sky to sea like a bruised,
daunting curtain, beyond which nothing is visible. The three
ships drift alongside it, skirting its solid edge, looking
for an opening.
ON DECK the crewmen mill nervously, all too aware of what
Stoick is considering.
STOICK (CONT'D)
Take us in.
The helmsman steers Stoick's ship into the fog. The men draw
their weapons, prepping for the worst.
VIKING
Hard to port... for Helheim's gate.
The first ship disappears into the whiteout, followed by the
other two.
A BEAT
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 34.
Suddenly a flash of light. A silhouette of a dragon. Hollers.
Sounds of splitting and shattering wood. Plunges into the
water. Another bright flash.
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - RING - DAY
CLOSE ON a DRAGON painted onto a shield. Hiccup runs his
finger over its outline.
HICCUP
You know, I just happened to notice
the book had nothing on Night
Furies. Is there another book? Or a
sequel? Maybe a little Night Fury
pamphlet?
KABLAM! A blast takes the axe head off of Hiccup's hilt,
leaving a smoking hole behind him. Hiccup YELPS and RUNS.
GOBBER (O.S.)
FOCUS Hiccup! You're not even
trying.
CUT BACK to reveal a Deadly Nadder, loose in a maze-like
arrangement of moveable walls. Gobber calls orders from
above.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
Today... is all about attack.
The Nadder hops from wall to wall, sending the recruits
scurrying.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
Nadders are quick and light on
their feet. Your job is to be
quicker and lighter.
The teens move in, stumbling over Hiccup and his unwieldy
shield. The Nadder spots Fishlegs' ample rear hiding behind a
wall. It whips its tail of spikes. Fishlegs SCREAMS and lifts
an entire wall to shield himself from the spray.
FISHLEGS
I'm really beginning to question
your teaching methods.
GOBBER
Look for its blind spot. Every
dragon has one. Find it, hide in
it, and strike.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 35.
Ruff and Tuff rush in, diving and rolling up to the Nadder's
nose. The Nadder sniffs the air -- it can't see them. Tuff
and Ruff are smashed together - too close for comfort.
RUFFNUT
(WHISPERED)
Do you ever bathe?
TUFFNUT
If you don't like it, then just get
your own blind spot.
RUFFNUT
How about I give you one!
Ruff and Tuff SHOVE each other, till their movement and noise
gives them away. The Nadder ATTACKS, SNAPPING at both of
them.
GOBBER
Blind spot? Yes. Deaf spot? Not so
much.
Hiccup wanders up to Gobber, while the others dart past.
HICCUP
Hey, so how would one sneak up on a
Night Fury?
GOBBER
None one's ever met one and lived
to tell the tale. Now get in there.
HICCUP
I know, I know, but
hypothetically...
ASTRID
(WHISPERED)
Hiccup!
She puts her finger to her lips and gestures for him to hide.
A moment later, the Nadder leaps over the walls, surprising
them by landing in front of her.
Astrid somersaults into its blind spot, confusing it. She
rears back to strike -- just as Snotlout LEAPS IN,
protectively SWEEPING Astrid behind him.
SNOTLOUT
Watch out babe. I'll take care of
this.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 36.
ASTRID
Hey!
Snotlout MISSES. Astrid glares at him.
SNOTLOUT
(DEFENSIVE)
The sun was in my eyes, Astrid.
What do you want me to do, block
out the sun? I could do that, but I
don't have time right now!
The Nadder tears off after her, knocking down walls in
pursuit. She leaps and dives like a highly trained gymnast.
Hiccup wanders up to Gobber again.
HICCUP
They probably take the daytime off.
You know, like a cat. Has anyone
ever seen one napping?
GOBBER
Hiccup!
ASTRID
--Hiccup!
Hiccup spins around to see the maze walls collapsing like
dominos toward him. Astrid comes flying through the dust and
crash-lands on top of him, laying him out in a limb-tangled
mess.
TUFFNUT
Oooh! Love on the battlefield!
RUFFNUT
She could do better.
The Nadder closes in, emerging through the cloud of dust.
HICCUP
(struggling to untangle)
Just... let me... why don't you...
The Nadder spins around and races back toward them like a
Raptor.
Astrid untangles herself and tries to pull her axe from
Hiccup's shield... which is attached to his limp, gangly arm.
She PLANTS her foot on his torso and YANKS the axe free,
still burrowed into the shield.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 37.
She SPINS and SWINGS the axe and shield, scoring a DIRECT HIT
on the oncoming Nadder's NOSE. It yelps and scurries off.
GOBBER
Well done, Astrid.
Gobber hobbles off to wrestle the Nadder back into his cave.
Hiccup gets to his feet -- all eyes are upon him. He turns to
find Astrid glaring at him, winded.
ASTRID
Is this some kind of a joke to you?
Our parents' war is about to become
ours. Figure out which side you're
on.
She grabs her axe and stomps off. Hiccup watches, stung.
CUT TO:
EXT. COVE - MAGIC HOUR
CLOSE ON
A fish... being thrown into the cove. It hits the ground and
slides. A moment later, Hiccup peeks through a gap in the
rock, looking around cautiously. Nothing.
Hiccup squeezes through and enters the cove.
A BEAT, then Hiccup hears a SNORT from behind him.
Hiccup turns to see the Night Fury, crouched on a rock like a
stealthy panther. It descends, approaching him... ready to
pounce.
Hiccup swallows his fear and offers the fish. Doing so
reveals the dagger at his waist. The dragon sees it and
hisses. Hiccup reaches for it, eliciting a growl. He pauses,
carefully lifts it by the handle, and tosses it away. The
dragon calms.
As it approaches the fish, Hiccup notices that it's missing
teeth.
HICCUP
Huh. Toothless. I could've sworn
you had...
A set of razor sharp teeth emerge from its gums to grab the
fish. Toothless snatches and gnashes it up, swallowing it.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 38.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
... teeth.
The teeth retract again.
Toothless presses closer with an expectant look. Hiccup
retreats nervously.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Uh, no. No, I don't have any more.
The Fury backs Hiccup against a rock, placing himself the
same position as before. The dragon closes in over him,
staring blankly.
A tense moment passes... then Toothless regurgitates a chunk
of fish onto Hiccup's lap. They exchange stares. Hiccup
realizes what Toothless wants him to do.
Hiccup crouches slowly and squeamishly picks it up.
The dragon waits expectantly. Hiccup gags and gnaws off a
bite of the slimy fish. He forces a smile. Toothless mimics
him.
Amazed, Hiccup sits up and tries to touch him. Toothless
HISSES and flaps off to a crash on the other side of the
cove. He BLASTS the mossy ground to a red-hot temperature...
and curls up on it like a giant dog.
He turns to find Hiccup seated beside him. Toothless
tolerates his persistent presence... until Hiccup tries to
touch his damaged tail. Toothless SNAPS at him. Hiccup takes
the hint and leaves.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. COVE - LATER
It's MAGIC HOUR. Toothless wakes, hanging upside down from a
tree. He spots Hiccup sitting on the other side of the cove.
Sketching in the sand.
CLOSE ON a sketch of Toothless. Hiccup draws with a stick,
minding his own business. Toothless appears behind him,
watching carefully. Aware of his presence, Hiccup continues,
trying not to scare him off.
Toothless walks off. A moment later, he reappears with an
entire sapling, drawing lines in the sand. He rushes here and
there, making haphazard lines in every direction.
Finally, Toothless drops the tree and inspects his work. He
seems pleased.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 39.
Hiccup stands and takes in the sprawling scribble, amazed by
it. He accidentally steps onto one of the lines, eliciting an
instant growl from Toothless. He steps on it again. Toothless
growls again. Realizing how sensitive he is, Hiccup steps
carefully between each line, turning round and round until he
unwittingly bumps into Toothless.
Toothless snorts. Once again, they're face to face. Hiccup
slowly extends his hand. Toothless hesitates. Hiccup turns
his head away and closes his eyes. To his amazement,
Toothless bridges the gap and presses his muzzle against
Hiccup's hand.
In a flash, the dragon is gone, leaving Hiccup astounded.
EXT. VILLAGE - NIGHT
Gobber and the recruits are seated at the top of an abandoned
catapult tower, toasting campfire food around a roaring
bonfire.
GOBBER
...and with one twist he took my
hand and swallowed it whole. And I
saw the look on his face.
(can't deny it)
I was delicious. He must have
passed the word, because it wasn't
a month before another one of them
took my leg.
FISHLEGS
Isn't it weird to think that your
hand was inside a dragon. Like if
your mind was still in control of
it you could have killed the dragon
from the inside by crushing his
heart or something.
SNOTLOUT
I swear I'm so angry right now.
I'll avenge your beautiful hand and
your beautiful foot. I'll chop off
the legs of every dragon I fight,
with my face.
He postures to Astrid. She rolls her eyes.
GOBBER
(with a mouthful)
Un-unh. It's the wings and the
tails you really want. If it can't
fly, it can't get away. A downed
dragon is a dead dragon.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 40.
ON HICCUP hiding his horrified look form the others.
Gobber stands and stretches.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
Alright. I'm off to bed. You should
be too. Tomorrow we get into the
big boys. Slowly but surely making
our way up to the Monstrous
Nightmare.
(playful, taunting)
But who'll win the honor of killing
it?
He hobbles off. The teens reflect.
TUFFNUT
(very matter of fact)
It's gonna be me.
(BEAT)
It's my destiny. See?
Tuffnut rolls up his sleeve to reveal a red dragon on his
arm.
FISHLEGS
(GASPS)
Your mom let you get a tattoo?
TUFFNUT
It's not a tattoo. It's a
birthmark.
RUFFNUT
Okay, I've been stuck with you
since birth, and that was never
there before.
TUFFNUT
Yes it was. You've just never seen
me from the left side until now.
SNOTLOUT
It wasn't there yesterday. Is it a
birthmark or a today-mark?
Hiccup gets up and walks away from the group. Astrid watches
him as he leaves the bonfire.
DISSOLVE TO:
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 41.
INT. BLACKSMITH STALL - MOMENTS LATER
Hiccup enters a small room at the back of the stall. It's
covered in drawings of weaponry and scale models. He lights a
candle and lays his sketchbook out on the desk, opening it to
the drawing of Toothless.
With a look of determination. Hiccup picks up a charcoal
stick and re-draws the missing tail.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. BLACKSMITH STALL - LATER
CLOSE ON
... a creaking leather bellows. The stone forge glows with
every pump. Tongs pull intricate iron pieces from the coals.
They're dropped onto the anvil, twisted, lightly hammered,
and dunked in a barrel.
The pieces are carried to Hiccup's workbench and laid out in
place on a one-to-one schematic. It's a sketch of a
mechanical fin.
EXT. HIDDEN COVE - DAWN
Hiccup arrives, winded, straining under the weight of a full
basket. He clicks the scale he found (like a jar top).
Toothless approaches, sniffing him.
HICCUP
Hey Toothless. I brought breakfast.
I hope you're hungry.
Hiccup drops the basket and kicks it over. Fish spill out.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Okay, that's disgusting.
Toothless approaches, settling in to devour the feast.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Uh..we've got some salmon...
Toothless swallows it.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
... some nice Icelandic cod...
Swallows those too.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 42.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
... and a whole smoked eel.
Toothless nabs it, chews a few times, then spits it out. He
shakes his head violently, snorts and scrubs his massive
tongue on the sand. Hiccup takes note.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
No, no, no! It's okay. Yeah, I
don't like eel much either.
Toothless focuses on the remainder. With the dragon
distracted, Hiccup unwraps his prosthetic fin and opens it
like a fan.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Okay. That's it. That's it, just
stick with good stuff. And don't
you mind me. I'll just be
back...here. Minding my own
business.
Hiccup cautiously approaches the injured tail, but every time
he gets near it, Toothless sweeps it away like a cat.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
It's okay.
Hiccup drops a knee on top of the tail. Toothless' head juts
up, slows its chewing to a halt.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Okay...okay..
The dragon tenses, slowly spreading his wings. Hiccup straps
the prosthetic fin in place. He cinches the straps.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(PLEASED)
There. Not too bad. It works.
Toothless BOLTS! He snaps his massive wings and takes to the
air, carrying Hiccup with him.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Woah! No! No! No!
Hiccup struggles to hold on to the tail. As the ground speeds
away, Toothless immediately TIPS into a uncontrolled bank and
dive.
Hiccup sees the folded fin rattling uselessly in opposition
to its flared counterpart. Flap as he may, Toothless can't
correct his trajectory.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 43.
Hiccup swallows his fear and crawls toward the folded
prosthetic. He reaches it and YANKS it open. The flared, fan-
like appendage catches the air, stabilizing the twisting
tail.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(excited, terrified)
It's working!
Toothless arcs just short of the water and climbs... high
into the air.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Yes! Yes, I did it.
He glances back at Hiccup, busily holding the tail open while
trying to hold on. They're going to crash.
Whoomp! Hiccup is suddenly thrown from the tail in the
intense force of a turn.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
AAAAAGGGGHHHHH!
He bounces across the water's surface and takes a dive.
Without Hiccup to operate the tail, Toothless does the same,
plunging in a massive cannonball.
Hiccup resurfaces, roughed up, but beaming. Toothless appears
seconds later.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Yeah!
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - MORNING
GOBBER (O.S.)
Today is about teamwork. Work
together and you might survive.
ON A DOUBLE-WIDE DOOR. Gas seeps through the cracks.
It BLASTS OPEN. A cloud of smoke engulfs the ring, swirling
around the paired-up teens. Astrid with Ruffnut. Snotlout
with Tuffnut. Fishlegs with Hiccup. All carry buckets of
water, poised to throw them.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
Now, a wet dragon head can't light
its fire. The Hideous Zippleback is
extra tricky. One head breathes
gas, the other head lights it. Your
job is to know which is which.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 44.
The smoke encircles them, cutting them off from each other.
The teens LISTEN and WATCH for any sign of the dragon.
FISHLEGS
(muttering to himself)
Razor sharp, serrated teeth that
inject venom for pre-digestion.
Prefers ambush attack, crushing its
victims in its...
HICCUP
(TENSE)
Will you please stop that?
ON SNOTLOUT AND TUFFNUT
Moving nervously through the fog, back to back. Snotlout is
singing to himself to calm his nerves.
SNOTLOUT
If that dragon shows either of his
faces, I'm gonna--
(spotting an approaching
shape, terrified)
--There!
Snotlout and Tuffnut HURL their water into the fog.
ASTRID
Hey!
RUFFNUT
It's us, idiots.
Astrid and Ruffnut are soaked.
TUFFNUT
Your butts are getting bigger. We
thought you were a dragon.
SNOTLOUT
(TO ASTRID)
Not that there's anything wrong
with a dragon-esque figure.
Astrid ELBOWS Snotlout in the face. Ruffnut DROPS Tuffnut
with a PUNCH to the throat.
ASTRID
Wait.
They FREEZE. A tail SWEEPS out of the fog, taking them down.
Their buckets spill.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 45.
ON FISHLEGS AND HICCUP coming across them. They see the
puddles of spilled water.
TUFFNUT
Oh, I'm hurt. I am very much hurt.
FISHLEGS
Chances of survival are dwindling
into single digits now...
HICCUP
Look out!
A Zippleback head emerges out of the smoke. Fishlegs hurls
his water at it, completely dousing the head. It leers and
opens its mouth, spewing gas into the area.
FISHLEGS
Oh. Wrong head.
GAS FLOWS around their legs. Fishlegs flees in a panic.
GOBBER
Fishlegs!
Beat. A clicking sound comes from behind them. Sparks flash
in the smoke.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
Now, Hiccup!
The other head sweeps out of the smoke. Hiccup hurls his
water with all his might. It arcs and drops short of the
dragon's sparking mouth. The dragon grins, savoring the kill.
HICCUP
Oh, come on!
GOBBER
RUN, HICCUP!
Gobber COVERS his eyes.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
Hiccup!
Beat.
The Zippleback hesitates. SNIFFS. Then retreats.
The teens get to their feet, watching transfixed. Gobber
peeks through his fingers to see...
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 46.
The Zippleback backing away from Hiccup. He stands and holds
his hands out, as if controlling it.
HICCUP
BACK! BACK! BACK! Now don't you
make me tell you again!
The Zippleback retreats through its door and into its cave,
hissing.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Yes, that's right. Back into your
cage.
Hiccup slyly OPENS his vest, revealing the spotted smoked EEL
from earlier. He TOSSES it inside the door, then SLAMS it
shut.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Now think about what you've done.
Hiccup turns to the teens and Gobber. They stare, slack-jawed
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Okay! So are we done? Because I've
got some things I need to...
Hiccup jogs out of the ring, past the speechless group.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Yep...see you tomorrow.
Astrid SNEERS. Something's going on.
EXT. WOODS/COVE - SUNSET
BEGIN MUSIC MONTAGE
INT. BLACKSMITH STALL - HICCUP'S CLOSET - CONTINUOUS
Hiccup cuts and stitches leather, draws and shapes steel. He
works by candlelight. An overhead shot reveals what he's
building: a harness, complete with handles and foot pedals.
EXT. COVE - DAY
Hiccup appears before Toothless, holding the new prosthetic.
Toothless runs off as Hiccup chases him down.
HICCUP
Hey!
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 47.
EXT. COVE - DAY
Toothless and Hiccup are zooming over the ocean. The tail
breaks free sending Hiccup flying.
HICCUP
Yeah! Whoa!
INT. BLAKCSMITH STALL - LATER
Hiccup adjusts the harness and uses a metal clamp to affix
himself to Toothless' saddle.
EXT. SKY/FIELD - DAWN
Hiccup and Toothless zip through the air -- his rudimentary
harness and tail controls are working, barely. They crash-
land in an open field.
Hiccup recovers to find Toothless still rolling around in the
tall grass. Hiccup discovers that it's a patch of ‘dragon-
nip.' Toothless writhes on his back, tongue wagging, in
complete bliss.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - MORNING
Hiccup grabs the head as instructed, then discreetly pulls a
fistful of ‘dragon-nip' and presses it up to the Gronkle's
nose. It immediately stops struggling and goes weak in the
knees. Hiccup drops the handful of dragon-nip to the ground.
The Gronkle goes down with it, whimpering and blissful.
From Gobber and the recruits' point of view, Hiccup is
controlling the Gronkle with no more than a limp arm.
EXT. WOODS - AFTERNOON
The recruits walk home together, surrounding Hiccup and
BOMBARDING HIM WITH QUESTIONS.
FISHLEGS
Hey Hiccup, I've never seen a
Gronkle to that before.
TUFFNUT
How'd you do that?
RUFFNUT
It was really cool.
He squirms and invents an excuse.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 48.
HICCUP
I left my axe back in the ring.
He turns and hurries back.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
You guys go on ahead and I'll catch
up with you.
Astrid watches, suspicious.
EXT. COVE - LATER
Hiccup rubs Toothless behind the ear, causing him to relax
and fall over.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - LATER
An angry Deadly Nadder approaches Hiccup. Just as Astrid
moves in to strike, Hiccup performs his special rubbing
technique, which sends the Nadder down. Astrid and the other
kids look on from the sideline in amazement.
INT. MEADE HALL - CONTINUOUS
Hiccup sits down at a table to eat. The other recruits notice
him and move over to his table to talk to him -- leaving
Astrid alone.
FISHLEGS
Hey Hiccup!
SNOTLOUT
What was that? Some kind of trick?
What did you do?
TUFFNUT
Hiccup, you're totally going to
come in first, there's no question.
EXT. COVE - LATER
Hiccup is using a mirror-like object to create a patch of
light on the ground. Toothless claws and chases the light
patch like a cat chasing a laser pointer.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - DAY
A beam lifts from the door of another dragon pen.
GOBBER
Meet the Terrible Terror.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 49.
A tiny, pint-sized dragon steps out and moves toward the
recruits.
TUFFNUT
Ha. It's like the size of my--
Tuffnut is taken down in a blur.
TUFFNUT (CONT'D)
Get it off! Get it off! Oh! I'm
hurt, I am very much hurt!
Hiccup stops the Terrible Terror with the same light-patch
trick he used earlier with Toothless. The tiny dragon
retreats back to it's cage. The teens approach him yet again
as Astrid looks on with suspicion.
TUFFNUT (CONT'D)
(TO ASTRID)
Wow, he's better than you ever
were.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOREST - MOMENTS LATER
Astrid furiously hurls her axe at a nearby tree. She notices
Hiccup walking by in the distance, carrying one of his
trademark harnesses. She quickly tries to follow, but he
loses her in the woods.
She HUFFS, frustrated.
EXT. COVE - LATER
Hiccup straps a newly designed harness onto Toothless. With
Toothless tied to a nearby post with a rope. Hiccup rides him
in the air -- while stationary. Toothless looks like a giant
kite tied to a tree stump. This harness seems to work.
EXT. SKY - MOMENTS LATER
The rope breaks and the pair CRASH into a tree. Hiccup's face
is red.
HICCUP
Oh, great.
EXT. BERK - NIGHT
The streets are empty save for a lone Viking who crosses
Hiccup's path.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 50.
VIKING
Hiccup.
Hiccup nods, trying to look casual. Once the coast is clear,
he covertly steers Toothless into the Blacksmith's stall.
Toothless PRESSES himself inside, rooting through stuff and
making a racket. Astrid, walking nearby, is alerted.
ASTRID (O.S.)
Hiccup?
Hiccup FREEZES. Then frantically tries to pry the ring off
the saddle hook. It won't budge.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Are you in there?
Too late - she's right outside.
ON ASTRID walking along the outside of the Blacksmith's.
Hiccup JUMPS OUT the window and CLOSES the shutters behind
him. Hiccup's harness line is stretched through the window,
still attached to Toothless' saddle.
HICCUP
Astrid. Hey! Hi Astrid. Hi Astrid.
Hi Astrid.
ASTRID
I normally don't care what people
do, but you're acting weird. Well,
weirder.
Toothless spots a nearby sheep and makes a move toward it. As
a result, Hiccup is suddenly PULLED TIGHT against the window
shutters. He STRIKES A POSE to compensate... then gets PULLED
THROUGH the shutters. They snap back in Astrid's face.
Astrid reopens them and finds nothing but an empty stall.
In the distance, Toothless and Hiccup slip off unseen.
EXT. DOCKS - DAWN
A lone, battered ship is pulled into a slip, overloaded with
equally battered-looking men. They disembark to a crowd of
onlookers, looking like a team of hometown heroes who just
had their butts kicked.
Gobber hobbles through the MUMBLING crowd to find Stoick --
last to disembark and glowering with battered pride.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 51.
VIKING
Where are the other ships?
SPITELOUT
You don't want to know.
Stoick lumbers past Gobber, leaving him staring at the
trashed ship.
GOBBER
Well, I trust you found the nest at
least?
STOICK
Not even close.
GOBBER
Ah. Excellent.
Gobber follows Stoick up the ramp and snags his duffle bag
with his hook appendage, sharing the burden.
STOICK
I hope you had a little more
success than me.
GOBBER
Well, if by success, you mean that
your parenting troubles are over
with, then... yes.
Stoick stops. What does that mean?
A group of merry villagers rush past.
VIKING #1
Congratulations Stoick! Everyone is
so relieved.
VIKING #2
Out with the old and in with the
new, right?!
VIKING #3
No one will miss that old nuisance!
VIKING #4
The village is throwing a party to
celebrate!
Stoick is stunned, overwhelmed by the insensitivity. He turns
to Gobber.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 52.
STOICK
He's... gone?
GOBBER
Yeah...most afternoons. But who can
blame him? I mean the life of a
celebrity is very rough. He can
barely walk through the village
without being swarmed by his new
fans.
Stoick is doubly confused.
STOICK
Hiccup?
GOBBER
(BEAMING)
Who would've thought, eh? He has
this...way with the beasts.
CUT TO:
EXT. SKY - AFTERNOON
Toothless and Hiccup soar through a perfect blue sky.
Billowing clouds rise like mountains. The ground seems miles
below them.
HICCUP
Okay there bud, we're gonna take
this nice and slow.
Hiccup checks a leather cheat sheet, clipped onto his
harness. Inscribed upon it are several tail positions and
their pedal position equivalents.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Here we go. Here we go...position
three, no four.
He presses the pedal, causing the tail to flare. They roll
off into an arcing bank, gloriously lit by the late afternoon
sun.
Hiccup tucks tight against his neck, thrilled that his new
harness and vest are holding. The foot controls make the tail
appendage quick and responsive. He watches Toothless' every
fluctuation, trying to match it with the prosthetic.
Hiccup sizes up a target -- a towering arch of stone, rising
from the sea.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 53.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Alright, it's go time. It's go
time.
They dive toward it, lining up to pass through the arch.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Come on. Come on buddy. Come on
buddy!
They zip through the arch. A perfect maneuver.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Yeah! Yes, it worked!
The triumph is short-lived. They smack into one of several
sea stacks as Hiccup tries to keep up with the turns.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Sorry.
They hurtle into another rock pillar. Toothless grumbles.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
My fault.
Toothless swats him with his 'ear' plate.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Yeah, yeah, I'm on it.
(referring to the cheat
SHEET)
Position four, no three.
They pierce the clouds. For the first time, Hiccup can see
the whole of the island below them. It shrinks with every
passing second. He SWALLOWS hard and tightens his grip on the
handles.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Yeah! Go baby! Yes! Oh, this is
amazing! The wind in my...
He spots the leather guide tearing free in the turbulence.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(PANICKED)
... CHEAT SHEET! STOP!!
Hiccup grabs frantically for the airborne sheet...
HICCUP (CONT'D)
No!
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 54.
... and NABS IT before it's carried out of reach. Toothless,
however, obeys the command and suddenly STOPS beating his
wings.
As they slow to a stop, Hiccup goes weightless. The rings of
his vest float off of the harness hooks. Hiccup suddenly
finds himself detached, free-falling.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Oh gods! Oh no!
Without Hiccup, the tail loses control. Hiccup and Toothless
spiral downward. Toothless FIGHTS to get back under Hiccup.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(trying to calm Toothless)
Alright, okay. You just gotta kinda
angle yourself. No, no...come back
down towards me. Come back down--
Hiccup extends his arms and legs, giving himself as much
surface area as he can. He angles back towards Toothless as
the tumbling dragon WHACKS Hiccup with his wing.
After a few more misses, Hiccup finally GRABS HOLD of the
harness and manages to lock in -- just in time to pull
Toothless out of his dive... barely shy of the tree tops.
They careen past the wooded cliff and directly into a
treacherous slalom course of jutting sea stacks.
Hiccup pulls the cheat sheet from his teeth and attempts to
check positions. It flaps violently in the turbulence, making
it impossible.
With no time to think, Hiccup throws it away and steers
Toothless' tail on instinct... with perfect intuition.
Together, they manage a tight, hair-rasing series of split-
second turns, making it to the open water, unscathed.
Hiccup takes a breath and glances back at the death-defying
obstacle course, now safely behind them. He beams, relieved.
He sits back and throws his arms up in victory.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
YEEAHHH!
Toothless concurs with a happy SQUEAL and a fireball.
Hiccup's glee turn to dread as they fly directly into it.
ON HICCUP'S FACE
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Ah, come on.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 55.
EXT. BLACK SAND BEACH - SUNSET
Hiccup and Toothless lounge on a sprawling, deserted beach,
snacking of freshly caught fish. As Hiccup cooks his over a
fire, Toothless suddenly regurgitates a fish head. Hiccup
smirks with forced politeness.
HICCUP
Uh..no thanks.
(gesturing to his fish on
A STICK)
I'm good.
Several Terrible Terrors land like seagulls, hissing and
nipping at each other as they approach Toothless' pile of
fish.
One grabs the regurgitated fish head and drags it away.
Another attempts to steal it from him. They face off and last
fire balls at each other to settle the fight. Hiccup and
Toothless watch, amused. That is until...
Toothless spots one of his fish leaving the pile. A stealthy
Terrible Terror is exposed as the thief. They tug on the
fish, and it snaps back into Toothless' mouth. He swallows it
back tauntingly.
Irate, the little dragon paws at the ground and blast
Toothless. He opens his mouth, the gas hiss comes, and
Toothless fires a tiny flame straight into its mouth, causing
the gas to backfire into the little dragon. It coughs up
smoke and staggers away, looking ill.
Hiccup laughs.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Not so fireproof on the inside, are
you?
Hiccup throws the hapless Terror his freshly cooked fish.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Here you go.
The appreciative little dragon gulps down the meal and
approaches Hiccup cautiously. He curls up next to him. Hiccup
is amazed.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(PENSIVE)
Everything we know about you guys
is wrong.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 56.
Hiccup carefully pets him... sending the Terror into an
immediate, blissful sleep.
INT. BLACKSMITH STALL - HICCUP'S CLOSET - NIGHT
HICCUP is lost in thought, his head laid of a desk full of
Toothless drawings. Burdened with the weight of the world.
Suddenly, STOICK appears in the doorway. Hiccup jumps and
quickly covers up his desk.
HICCUP
Dad! You're back!
He skirts the bench, blocking Stoick's view of Toothless, the
prosthetic fin, and other drawings.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Gobber's not here, so...
He strikes an awkwardly casual pose, trying to cover up as
much as possible.
STOICK
I know. I came looking for you.
HICCUP
(CAUGHT)
You did?
STOICK
(STERN)
You've been keeping secrets.
Hiccup's legs give out. He slides, dragging the table's
contents with him.
HICCUP
I...have?
STOICK
Just how long did you think you
could hide it from me?
HICCUP
(IN VAIN)
I don't know what you're...
STOICK
Nothing happens on this island
without me hearing about it.
HICCUP
Oh?
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 57.
STOICK
So.
(BEAT)
Let's talk about that dragon.
Blood drains from Hiccup's face.
HICCUP
Oh gods. Dad I'm so sorry. I was
going to tell you. I just didn't
know how to--
Stoick starts laughing. Big, booming. Hiccup stares, baffled.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
You're not...upset?
STOICK
What?! I was hoping for this!
HICCUP
Uh...you were?
STOICK
And believe me, it only gets
better! Just wait til you spill a
Nadder's guts for the first time.
Hiccup's elated expression sinks.
STOICK (CONT'D)
And mount your first Gronckle head
on a spear. What a feeling!
Stoick laughs and smacks Hiccup on the shoulder, sending him
into the wall.
STOICK (CONT'D)
You really had me going there, son.
All those years of the worst Viking
Berk has ever seen! Odin, it was
rough. I almost gave up on you!
Hiccup gets back up, grimacing in the irony of it all.
STOICK (CONT'D)
And all the while, you were holding
out on me! Thor almighty!
Stoick grabs a stool and sits. His massive frame nearly fills
the tiny room.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 58.
STOICK (CONT'D)
(RELIEVED)
Ahhhhh. With you doing so well in
the ring, we finally have something
to talk about.
Pregnant pause. Hiccup averts his eyes nervously. Stoick
adjusts, awkwardly clearing his throat.
After a long, uncomfortable silence...
STOICK (CONT'D)
Oh, I... brought you something.
He presents a horned helmet.
STOICK (CONT'D)
To keep you safe in the ring.
HICCUP
(SINCERE)
Wow. Thanks.
Hiccup accepts it, looking it over.
STOICK
Your mother would've wanted you to
have it.
(HEARTFELT)
It's half of her breast plate.
Stoick taps his own helmet and smiles.
STOICK (CONT'D)
Matching set. Keeps her close,
y'know?
Hiccup eyes the mismatched helmets, grimacing.
STOICK (CONT'D)
Wear it proudly. You deserve it.
You've held up your end of the
deal.
Stoick beams with pride. Hiccup squirms. He forces a YAWN.
HICCUP
I should really get to bed.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 59.
STOICK HICCUP
(talking over each (talking over each
OTHER) OTHER)
Yes! Good! Okay. Good talk. See you back at the house.
We should do this again. I'm Great. Thanks for stopping
glad I stopped by, I hope you by. And for the... the uh,
like the hat. breast hat.
STOICK
Well..uh..good night.
Stoick leaves the room awkwardly, leaving Hiccup looking more
burdened than ever.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - AFTERNOON
A Gronckle hovers above the ring, hunting victims as the teen
recruits scramble.
Astrid ducks behind a barrier to find Hiccup already there.
She forces her axe at his throat.
ASTRID
Stay out of my way! I'm winning
this thing.
HICCUP
Please, by all means.
She darts off, CLOSING FAST on the dragon. The crowd above
cheers her on.
VIKING IN CROWD
You got it Astrid!
Hiccup stands and looks around. Amidst the crowd of
onlookers, Stoick watches keenly, beaming with pride.
He locks eyes with Hiccup, giving him a nod of encouragement.
Hiccup adjusts his new helmet and forces a half-hearted
smile.
Unbeknownst to Hiccup, the Gronckle spots him and makes a bee-
line toward him.
BACK TO ASTRID
... as she catches her breath behind a barrier. She scowls,
focused, determined.
ASTRID
This time. This time for sure.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 60.
With a FIERCE BATTLE-CRY she LEAPS from cover, axe cocked to
throw.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Aaaaaaaaaa...
And as she clears the barriers, she sees that Hiccup has
already laid the Gronckle out.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
...aaaaaaauGGGGGHHHHHHHH! No! No!
Hiccup shrugs, as unhappy with the situation as she is.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
NO! NO! SON OF HALFTROLL RAT EATING
MUNGE BUCKET!
A loud CLACK ring out. From the crowd above, Gothi, the
village elder, steps forward, tapping her staff. Everyone
lights up excitedly.
STOICK
Wait! Wait!
HICCUP
So, later.
Gobber snags Hiccup as he attempts to leave.
GOBBER
Not so fast.
HICCUP
I'm kinda late for--
ASTRID
(LIVID)
What? Late for what exactly?
Stoick holds out his hands to silence the jabbering crowd.
STOICK
Okay quiet down. The elder has
decided.
Thrilled, Gobber stands behind Hiccup and Astrid. He points
to Astrid as the crowd waits in silent anticipation. Gothi
shakes her head 'no.' The crowd 'Oooohs.'
Gobber then points to Hiccup. The elder nods an affirmative
'yes.' The crowd erupts in cheers.
Astrid turns a seething, deadly glare on Hiccup.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 61.
GOBBER
You've done it! You've done it,
Hiccup! You get to kill the dragon!
STOICK
Ha, ha! That's my boy!
Hiccup is hoisted onto the recruits' shoulders and carried
out to the cheering spectators...
HICCUP
(MASKING PANIC)
Heh, heh. Oh yeah! Yes! I can't
wait. I am so...
EXT. HIDDEN COVE - DUSK
HICCUP
... leaving. We're leaving. Let's
pack up. Looks like you and me are
taking a little vacation, forever.
Toothless is nowhere in sight. Hiccup sets down his basket
and opens it up, his head clouded with troubles.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Oh..man...
SHINK! Hiccup looks up to the sound of...
ASTRID, sitting on the rock right in front of him, sharpening
her axe.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(SHOCKED)
Aggh! What the--
(RECOMPOSING)
What are you doing here?
She hops off the rock and back him down, spinning her axe
threateningly. Hiccup's eyes dart around nervously, searching
for Toothless.
ASTRID
I want to know what's going on. No
one just gets as good as you do.
Especially you. Start talking! Are
you training with someone?
HICCUP
Uh...training?
She grabs him by his odd-looking harness.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 62.
ASTRID
It better not involve... this.
HICCUP
I know this looks really bad, but
you see...this is, uh...
They hear a RUSTLE coming from the other side of the cove.
Astrid DROPS Hiccup to the ground and sets off to
investigate.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(PANICKED)
You're right! You're right. I'm
through with the lies. I've been
making... outfits. So you got me.
It's time everyone knew. Drag me
back. Go ahead. Here we go.
He puts her hand back on his harness, getting her to 'drag
him back.' Astrid BENDS Hiccups hand backwards, driving him
down.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
AAAAUUGGGHHH! Why would you do
that?!
ASTRID
That's for the lies.
Astrid pounces the hilt of her axe off of Hiccup's laid-out
body.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
And THAT'S for everything else.
Hiccup's YELP is answered with A GROWL, coming from the other
side of the cove. Astrid looks up to see...
A NIGHT FURY. Toothless pounces toward them, snarling.
HICCUP
(FEEBLE)
Oh man.
She dives onto Hiccup.
ASTRID
Get down! Run! Run!
Astrid pulls her axe, ready to take on Toothless.
HICCUP
No!
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 63.
Hiccup knocks Astrid's cocked axe to the ground, out of
reach, then stops Toothless short of crushing her.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
No. It's okay! It's okay...
Toothless pulls up short and lands hard, SPRAYING Astrid with
sand.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(CALMING)
She's a friend.
Toothless snorts in disagreement. Astrid is frozen. Toothless
looks from her to Hiccup and back to her, confused.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(TO ASTRID)
You just scared him.
ASTRID
I scared him!?
Hiccup makes a “be quiet” motion.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
(INTENSE WHISPER)
Who is him?
HICCUP.
Astrid, Toothless. Toothless,
Astrid.
Astrid backs away, eyeing Hiccup and Toothless together with
pure disgust. She turns and RUNS for the village.
HICCUP
We're dead.
Satisfied with Astrid's departure, Toothless turns away.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(TO TOOTHLESS)
Where do you think you're going?
EXT. WOODS - MOMENTS LATER
ASTRID races through the trees. A large shadow overtakes her.
She is suddenly SNATCHED into the air. Astrid SCREAMS.
ASTRID
Oh great Odin's ghost, this is it!
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 64.
Hiccup and Toothless fly Astrid to the top of a towering
pine. It bows and creaks under their weight as Astrid dangles
a hundred feet in the air.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Hiccup! Get me down from here!
HICCUP
You have to give me a chance to
explain.
ASTRID
I'm not listening to ANYTHING you
have to say!
HICCUP
Then I won't speak. Just let me
show you.
Hiccup extends a hand.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Please, Astrid.
She eyes him and the dragon, then the ground far, far below.
After a moment, she swats Hiccup's outstretched hand away and
reluctantly climbs over the pedal, lines, and harness. She
settles behind Hiccup, avoiding as much contact as possible.
ASTRID
Now get me down.
HICCUP
Toothless? Down. Gently.
Toothless leers mischievously. He spreads his wings slowly.
With a WHOP, they fill with the updraft. Toothless releases
the tree, tucks in his legs, and HOVERS in place.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
See? Nothing to be afraid of.
Toothless suddenly LAUNCHES straight upward. Astrid SCREAMS.
The acceleration is tremendous. Every downbeat bucks the
saddle, heaving them into the sky, doubling their speed like
a rocket. Astrid is thrown backward. She SCREAMS and hugs
Hiccup for dear life, squeezing the breath out of him.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Toothless! What is wrong with you?!
Bad dragon!
(mortified; to Astrid)
He's not usually like this. Oh
no...
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 65.
Toothless ROLLS and PLUMMETS toward the coastline far below.
Astrid SCREAMS.
Toothless rockets over the ocean waves, deliberately dipping
them in the froth.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Toothless, what are you doing?!
We need her to like us!
Toothless rockets skyward and begins tumbling head over tail.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
And now the spinning. Thank you for
nothing you useless reptile.
Astrid clamps her hand over her eyes.
ASTRID
Okay! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just
get me off of this thing.
Astrid is defeated, her aggressive energy gone. Satisfied,
Toothless relents.
They level off and head up into the clouds. Astrid opens her
eyes again, and looks out over a world she'd never dreamed
of. She reaches out and touches clouds, pierces columns
ablaze in golden hues, and floats over a vast, alien sky-
scape. Her terror is replaced by wonder. She grins, despite
herself.
Toothless rises above a blanket of clouds...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. SKY - NIGHT
...and levels off under a starry sky. They emerge from a
blanket of clouds under the dancing Northern Lights,
shimmering in ribbons across the vast sky.
Below them, Berk's torches flicker in the inky darkness. The
new perspective is breathtaking.
Astrid tucks her arms into Hiccup's vest, burying her chin
into his shoulder. The moment is not lost on either of them.
Hiccup smiles nervously.
Toothless climbs past Berk's tallest peaks and heads out over
open water, leaving the village lights behind them.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 66.
ASTRID
Alright I admit it. This is pretty
cool. It's... amazing.
(BEAT)
He's amazing.
Astrid carefully reaches down and pats Toothless' side.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
So what now?
Hiccup groans. It's a problem without an answer.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Hiccup, your final exam is
tomorrow. You know you're going to
have to kill...
(WHISPERED)
... kill a dragon.
HICCUP
Don't remind me.
A strange, unearthly din approaches. Toothless' ear plates
suddenly stand on end. Panicked, he abruptly dives, dipping
into cloud cover.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Toothless! What's happening? What
is it?
Toothless BARKS at him. 'Quiet!'
Suddenly, out of the dense cloud, a Monstrous Nightmare
emerges.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Get down!
Hiccup and Astrid duck. The Nightmare calls out. A Zippleback
appears to the other side of Toothless, boxing him in.
ASTRID
What's going on?
HICCUP
I don't know.
(BEAT)
Toothless. You've got to get us out
of here, bud.
Toothless HISSES.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 67.
Other dragons, previously invisible in the thick clouds,
appear all around them. HUNDREDS of them, all carrying fish
and game in their talons.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(WHISPERED)
It looks like they're hauling in
their kill.
The Zippleback eyes them ravenously.
ASTRID
What does that make us?
The dragons BANK and dive in formation, plummeting through
the thickening fog and weaving between towering, craggy sea
stacks.
They emerge at the base of a massive volcanic caldera,
glowing with rivulets of lava. The flock of dragons fall into
rank, funneling through a crack, and zipping through a
winding tunnel.
It gives way to a vast, steamy inner chamber, tiered with
pocky shelves. Dragons of all breeds lay about, nested in
hordes.
The arriving dragons fly in, dropping the fish and game into
a central pit, glowing red and shrouded in mist.
Hiccup is amazed.
HICCUP
What my dad wouldn't give to find
this.
Toothless peels away from the procession, landing on a small
shadowy shelf to keep a low-profile.
Hiccup and Astrid peek around, taking in the busy hive of
sorts. They watch as the food continues to be dropped into
the pit.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
It's satisfying to know that all of
our food has been dumped down a
hole.
ASTRID
They're not eating any of it.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 68.
Last to arrive is a dim-witted Gronckle. It hovers over the
pit and regurgitates his paltry contribution -- a pathetic
little fish. As it falls into the steamy pit, a terrible ROAR
rings out.
The Gronckle tries to flee, but before it can, a gargantuan
dragon head juts from the steamy pit and SNAPS it out of the
air. Swallowing it back whole.
Hiccup and Astrid recoil, terrified.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
What is that?
The monstrous beast SNIFFS the air, seemingly aware of them.
It nears the ledge where Toothless is hiding... and ROARS.
Several dragons take flight in fear.
HICCUP
Alright buddy, we gotta get out of
here. Now!
Toothless takes flight, barely evading the monster's snapping
jaws.
The behemoth dragon lunges for them, snatching a Zippleback
out of the air instead.
Toothless disappears into the winged exodus as thousands of
dragons flee the caldera in fear.
EXT. HIDDEN COVE - NIGHT - LATER
Toothless glides into the cove and touches down on the
moonlit beach.
ASTRID
(her mind reeling, talking
Hiccup's ear off)
No, no, it totally makes sense.
It's like a giant beehive. They're
the workers... and that's their
queen. It controls them.
She leaps off of Toothless and runs toward the village.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Let's find your dad.
HICCUP
No, no! Not yet. They'll... kill
Toothless.
(BEAT)
(MORE)
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 69.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Astrid, we have to think this
through carefully.
Astrid eyes him, incredulous.
ASTRID
Hiccup, we just discovered the
dragons' nest...the thing we've
been after since Vikings first
sailed here. And you want to keep
it a secret? To protect your pet
dragon? Are you serious?
Hiccup stands firm, resolute.
HICCUP
Yes.
Astrid's taken aback.
ASTRID
Okay.
(BEAT)
Then what do we do?
HICCUP
Just give me until tomorrow. I'll
figure something out.
ASTRID
Okay.
Astrid PUNCHES Hiccup in the arm.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
That's for kidnapping me.
Hiccup looks to Toothless for support. Toothless SNORTS,
dismissive.
Astrid grabs him. He braces for another hit. She KISSES
Hiccup on the cheek.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
That's for, everything else.
In the awkward wake of the moment, Astrid hurries off...
leaving Hiccup RUBBING his cheek, stunned.
Toothless hobbles up, eyeing him.
HICCUP
What are you looking at?
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 70.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - DAY
The grounds have been transformed. Banners and flags flap in
the morning sun. Surrounding the ring, a festive crowd had
gathered. All of Berk has turned out for the event.
STOICK
(aloud to the crowd)
Well, I can show my face in public
again.
LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE
STOICK (CONT'D)
(PLAYFUL)
If someone had told me that in a
few short weeks, Hiccup would go
from being, well... Hiccup, to
placing first in dragon training...
I would've tied him to a mast and
shipped him off for fear he'd gone
mad. Yes! And you know it!
(BEAT)
But here we are. And no one's more
surprised...
ON HICCUP standing at the entrance to the ring, listening,
looking burdened.
STOICK (CONT'D)
... or more proud than I am. Today,
my boy becomes a Viking. TODAY, HE
BECOMES ONE OF US!
CHEERS and ROARS.
Astrid approaches Hiccup.
ASTRID
Be careful with that dragon.
HICCUP
(re: the roaring crowd)
It's not the dragon I'm worried
about.
ASTRID
(WORRIED)
What are you going to do?
HICCUP
Put an end to this.
She eyes him, dubious.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 71.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
I have to try.
(BEAT)
Astrid. If something goes wrong...
just make sure they don't find
Toothless.
ASTRID
(GRIM)
I will. Just promise me it won't go
wrong.
Hiccup can't. Gobber approaches.
GOBBER
It's time, Hiccup. Knock him dead.
Hiccup puts his helmet on and enters the ring.
ON THE TEENS
HOOTING and HOLLERING from the stands.
TUFFNUT
Show 'em how it's done, my man!
Hiccup locks eyes with Stoick. Stoick nods with a smile.
Hiccup returns a half-smile. Takes a deep breath.
He hoists a shield onto his forearm and selects his weapon
from a rack of many -- a small dagger.
STOICK
(MUTTERED)
Hrmph. I would've gone for the
hammer.
Hiccup turns to face a bolted, heavy door. Takes a deep
breath.
HICCUP
I'm ready.
The door bolt is raised. The crowd grows quiet...
Beat.
BOOM! The doors blast open with a stream of sticky fire.
Followed by a Monstrous Nightmare, coated in flames. It tears
out of its cave like an irate bull -- as the crowd roars and
jeers.
It climbs the walls and chain enclosure like a bat, hissing
at the provoking crowd and blasting fire.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 72.
It spots Hiccup and descends, leering and licking the flaming
drool from its lips.
The crowd grows silent, bracing for the big fight.
With the Monstrous Nightmare's eyes locked upon him, Hiccup
deliberately drops his shield and dagger stepping away from
them. The dragon pauses, confused.
ON STOICK, also confused.
STOICK
What is he doing?
The dragon presses closer, snorting. Hiccup extends his open
hand. It snarls.
HICCUP
(WHISPERED)
It's okay. It's okay.
The dragon continues to pace, focused on... HICCUP'S HELMET.
Hiccup realizes, then reaches up and removes it. Taking a
breath to acknowledge the point of no return, he tosses the
helmet aside. It hits the ground.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
I'm not one of them.
GASPS and MURMURS race through the crowd.
ON STOICK, as all eyes turn to him. He's welling with upset.
Hiccup avoids Stoick's glare and remains focused on the
Nightmare, holding his hand out. It paces around him, calming
down.
STOICK
Stop the fight.
HICCUP
No. I need you all to see this.
The crowd gets restless.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
They're not what we think they are.
We don't have to kill them.
STOICK
I SAID STOP THE FIGHT!
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 73.
Stoick whacks his hammer against the iron enclosure, rattling
the arena with a terrible reverberating clatter.
Spooked, the Nightmare snaps at Hiccup's outstretched hand.
Hiccup YELPS and springs backward.
The spell is broken. The Nightmare reacts to Hiccup's sudden
movements and blasts another stream of fire. Hiccup SCREAMS
and barely dives out of reach.
EXT. COVE - CONTINUOUS
ON TOOTHLESS
His ear plates shoot up. Panic flares in his eyes.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - CONTINUOUS
Hiccup scrambles around the ring. The Nightmare pursues,
snapping and springing from ground to wall.
Stoick pushes through the crowd, rushing to the doorway.
STOICK
Out of my way!
ASTRID
Hiccup!
Astrid wedges her axe under the arena gate and squeezes
through.
EXT. COVE - CONTINUOUS
Toothless bounds to the cove walls, clawing them in
desperation. It seems he's as trapped as before, but with an
incredible BURST of effort he HOOKS a claw over the upper lip
of the stone wall.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - CONTINUOUS
A narrow stream of fire narrowly avoids Hiccup as he
continues to dash around the ring, evading the Monstrous
Nightmare. Desperate, he goes to the weapon rack in an
attempt to arm himself, but the Nightmare quickly destroys
the rack and closes in on him.
EXT. COVE - CONTINUOUS
Toothless tears through the woods, bounding like panther and
taking to the air in short bursts.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 74.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - CONTINUOUS
Stoick wrenches the grated door to the arena and jumps
through. The Monstrous Nightmare is only a few feet behind
Hiccup. Astrid is now in the ring.
ASTRID
Hiccup!
She picks up a hammer and hurls it at the Monstrous
Nightmare, hitting it in the head. It turns its attention to
Astrid, and begins chasing her. Stoick raises the arena gate,
waving her toward it.
STOICK
This way!
Astrid makes it through, but the Nightmare BLASTS the
doorway, cutting Hiccup off. It pounces on him and prepares
to finish him off.
Suddenly, a terrible roar pierces the din.
GOBBER
Night Fury! Get down!
Toothless bounds over the crowd and BLASTS a hole through the
chain enclosure. He flies through it and disappears in the
boiling smoke.
The Vikings rush to railings... in time to see a flurry of
wings cutting through the dissipating smoke. Toothless and
the Nightmare tumble into the clear, locked in a toothy,
vicious fight. Toothless kicks the Nightmare off and plants
himself between Hiccup and it.
The Nightmare snarls, circling them. Toothless lunges and
ROARS... causing the Nightmare to relent and back away.
To everyone's shock and horror, Hiccup gets to his feet and
grabs Toothless protectively.
HICCUP
(PANICKED)
Alright, Toothless, go. Get out of
here!
The crowd is gob-smacked, growing livid.
VIKINGS
Night Fury!
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 75.
Hiccup tries to shoo Toothless away in vain. Vikings begin
pouring clambering through the enclosure and dropping into
the ring.
HICCUP
Go! GO!
VIKING
Take it alive!
Stoick grabs an axe and charges into the arena. Astrid calls
out to him, panicked.
ASTRID
Stoick no!
HICCUP
Dad! No! He won't hurt you!
The other Vikings surround and attack Toothless. He tosses
them aside like rag dolls, his eyes focused on Stoick.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
No, don't! You're only making it
worse!
Stoick raises his hammer as he charges for Toothless.
Toothless ducks and pounces on him. They tumble end over end.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Toothless! STOP!
He pins Stoick and inhales. The familiar hiss of gas builds.
Everyone braces...
HICCUP (CONT'D)
NO!
Toothless swallows back the blast and turns to Hiccup, not
understanding.
VIKING
Get him!
The crowd rushes him, piling on, and taking Toothless down.
Astrid holds Hiccup back.
HICCUP
(DESPERATE)
No! Please...just don't hurt him.
Please don't hurt him.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 76.
Stoick gets to his feet, fuming, shaken. A Viking presents
Stoick with an axe. He eyes Toothless a moment, then pushes
the axe back into the Viking's hands.
STOICK
Put it with the others!
His burning glare turn to Hiccup.
INT. GREAT HALL - DAY
ON HICCUP
Being shoved into the dank, dimmed hall.
SLAM! The massive doors rattle and echo. Stoick pushes past
him. He paces against a backdrop of shadowy tapestries and
carved pillars -- a legacy of heroes, all peering down in
angered judgement.
STOICK
I should have known. I should have
seen the signs.
HICCUP
Dad.
STOICK
We had a deal!
Stoick pauses to say something, but stops short. He SNORTS
and resumes pacing, repeating the cycle.
HICCUP
(FLUSTERED)
I know we did... but that was
before... ughh, it's all so messed
up.
STOICK
So everything in the ring. A
trick? A lie?
He stomps toward Hiccup. Stops short and points, fighting
back words.
HICCUP
I screwed up. I should have told
you before now. Take this out on
me, be mad at me, but please...
just don't hurt Toothless.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 77.
STOICK
The dragon? That's what you're
worried about? Not the people you
almost killed?!
HICCUP
He was just protecting me! He's not
dangerous.
STOICK
They've killed HUNDREDS OF US!
HICCUP
And we've killed THOUSANDS OF THEM!
They defend themselves, that's all!
They raid us because they have to!
If they don't bring enough food
back, they'll be eaten themselves.
(BEAT)
There's something else on their
island dad...it's a dragon like--
Stoick HUFFS.
STOICK
--Their island?
He stomps back... pointing an accusing finger.
STOICK (CONT'D)
So you've been to the nest.
HICCUP
Did I say nest?
Hiccup goes silent -- he said too much.
STOICK
How did you find it?!
HICCUP
No... I didn't. Toothless did.
Only a dragon can find the island.
Stoick GLARES. A moment passes, then an idea takes form on
his face. His eyes flare. Hiccup watches, realizing. Stoick
stomps toward the doorway.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Oh no. No, Dad. No.
Hiccup chases after him, panicked.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 78.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Dad. It's not what you think. You
don't know what you're up against.
It's like nothing you've ever seen.
He grabs Stoick by the arm, tugging with all his might. He
has no effect whatsoever.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Dad. Please. I promise you that you
can't win this one.
Nothing.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
No. Dad. No. For once in your life,
WOULD YOU PLEASE JUST LISTEN TO
ME?!
He throws Hiccup off of him, SWATTING him to the floor.
Icy stillness. Hiccup stares back, stunned.
STOICK
You've thrown your lot in with
them. You're not a Viking.
(BEAT)
You're not my son.
Stoick pushes through the door, leaving Hiccup alone,
devastated.
STOICK (CONT'D)
(CALLING OUT)
Ready the ships!
EXT. GREAT HALL - CONTINUOUS
Stoick staggers on the steps, breaking inside.
EXT. DOCKS/OPEN SEA - DAY
Broken-down catapults and trebuchets are bundled up and
lowered from the cliffs.
Below on the docks, Vikings load the heavy artillery into the
hulls of awaiting ships. Children and the elderly gather to
on the walkways to wave apprehensive farewells to the
departing warriors.
Lastly, Toothless is loaded aboard Stoick's ship, chained
down to a palette, muzzled, and restrained with a weighty
neck ring. He looks exhausted, miserable.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 79.
Stoick crosses to the bow as the ship pushes off and joins
the amassed armada of ships adrift in the harbor.
Stoick's brow is furrowed, all warmth drained away. He turns
west and glares at the horizon with cold determination.
STOICK
Set sail! We head for Helheim's
Gate.
He then notices HICCUP watching from his familiar cliff-side
perch beyond the village. Their eyes meet, full of hurt and
regret. Hiccup slowly shakes his head in warning. Stoick
breaks the stare and turns to Toothless, fuming.
STOICK (CONT'D)
Lead us home, Devil.
ON HICCUP
Watching. He's powerless to stop what is happening, but won't
leave.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. CLIFFS - LATER
ON HICCUP
Still standing there. The ships have cleared the horizon.
CRANE UP to reveal Astrid is standing behind him. She
approaches cautiously and stands beside him in silence.
ASTRID
It's a mess.
Hiccup doesn't respond.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
You must feel horrible. You've lost
everything. Your father, your
tribe, your best friend.
HICCUP
Thank you for summing that up.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Why couldn't I have killed that
dragon when I found him in the
woods. It would have been better
for everyone.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 80.
ASTRID
Yep. The rest of us would have done
it.
(BEAT)
So why didn't you?
Hiccup just shakes his head - he really doesn't know.
Astrid's eyes glimmer. She wants something.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Why didn't you?
HICCUP
I don't know. I couldn't.
ASTRID
That's not an answer.
HICCUP
(BECOMING IRATE)
Why is this so important to you all
of a sudden?
ASTRID
Because I want to remember what you
say right now.
HICCUP
(angry, loud)
Oh for the love of -- I was a
coward! I was weak. I wouldn't kill
a dragon.
ASTRID
You said 'wouldn't' that time.
HICCUP
(BLOWS UP)
Whatever! I wouldn't! Three hundred
years and I'm the first Viking who
wouldn't kill a dragon!
A BEAT.
ASTRID
First to ride one, though.
Hiccup blinks. He never looked at it that way before.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
So...
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 81.
HICCUP
(REALIZING)
...I wouldn't kill him because he
looked as frightened as I was.
(BEAT)
I looked at him and I saw myself.
Astrid turns to face the open sea.
ASTRID
I bet he's really frightened now.
(PROVOKING)
What are you going to do about it?
Beat.
HICCUP
Probably something stupid.
ASTRID
Good. But you've already done that.
Another beat.
HICCUP
Then something crazy.
Astrid smiles.
ASTRID
That's more like it.
EXT. OPEN SEA/DRAGON ISLAND - DAY
The armada coasts toward a shroud of heavy fog, hung like
drapes from a low-hanging, ominous sky.
The ships enter, one by one. Visibility drops immediately.
Flanking ships becomes ghosts. The armada disappears, drawn
into the blinding mist. Complete whiteout. Nothing remains
but the eerie creaking of wood on water.
ON STOICK at the bow of his ship. He taps his fingers on the
gunwale, then looks back at Toothless impatiently. Weighed
down with chains, Toothless seems unresponsive.
STOICK
Sound your positions. Stay within
earshot.
Shouts pour in from all directions.
VIKING #1
Here.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 82.
VIKING #2
One length to your stern.
VIKING #3
On your starboard flank.
VIKING #4
Three widths to port.
VIKING #5
Ahead, at your bow.
VIKING #6
Haven't a clue.
ON STOICK straining into the fog as the calls continue.
Massive, jagged sea stacks begin to emerge, threatening to
rip the ships to shreds.
Gobber approaches him, speaking under his breath.
GOBBER
Listen... Stoick... I was
overhearing some of the men just
now and, well, some of them are
wondering what it is we're up to
here -- not me of course, I know
you're always the man with the plan
-- but some, not me, are wondering
if there is in fact a plan at all,
what it might be?
STOICK
Find the nest and take it.
GOBBER
Ah. Of course. Send them running.
The old Viking fall-back. Nice and
simple.
STOICK
Shhh.
Stoick notices that Toothless' ear plates are at the alert,
quietly reacting to inaudible sounds.
Stoick crosses to the stern of the ship and grabs the tiller,
moving the helmsman out of the way.
STOICK (CONT'D)
Step aside.
Stoick pulls the ship into a turn, covertly following
Toothless' head movements.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 83.
The ship barely misses a jagged outcrop that suddenly appears
out of the soupy fog.
VIKING
Bear to port.
The order is called out from ship to ship.
CRUNCH! The bow barely makes it past another sea stack.
Stoick continues to follow Toothless' cues, undeterred.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - DAY
Hiccup raises the bolt on the Monstrous Nightmare's pen.
FISHLEGS (O.S.)
If you're planning on getting
eaten, I'd definitely go with the
Gronckle.
Hiccup turns to see his fellow recruits, watching him with
folded arms. Tuffnut steps forward with a scowl.
TUFFNUT
You were wise to seek help from the
world's most deadly weapon.
(BEAT)
It's me.
HICCUP
Uh...
SNOTLOUT
I love this plan.
HICCUP
I didn't...
RUFFNUT
You're crazy.
(SULTRY)
I like that.
ASTRID
So? What is the plan?
Hiccup smiles, glowing in the support of his friends.
EXT. FOGGY SEA - DAY
The ships follow in line through the gauntlet of rocks as
orders are whispered from ship to ship.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 84.
A dragon head looms out of the fog. The men recoil... only to
discover that it's a wrecked ship, impaled high on a gnarled
sea stack.
GOBBER
Ah. I was wondering where that
went.
A clicking buzz becomes audible, growing louder. It fills the
sky, converging in one general direction. Stoick sniffs the
air.
STOICK
Stay low and ready your weapons.
Stoick's ship suddenly JERKS to a halt as the keel burrows
into shallow black sand.
Stoick hops overboard, landing on a sprawling beach. The
BUZZING suddenly STOPS. Above him, a craggy volcano towers
into the gloom.
STOICK (CONT'D)
We're here.
Behind him, several dragon-headed bows pierce the fog.
EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - RING - DAY
Hiccup steps back from the door, drawing the Monstrous
Nightmare out of its cave. It snorts, stepping into the ring,
calmed by Hiccup's outstretched hand -- focused on him.
ON THE TEENS... bewildered, in awe.
Snotlout nervously reaches for a spear laying near his foot.
Astrid stops him.
ASTRID
(CORRECTING)
Uh-uh.
Hiccup slows to a stop in front of the teens, with the
Nightmare inches from his outstretched hand.
He reaches over and grabs Snotlout's trembling hand.
SNOTLOUT
Wait! What are you...
HICCUP
Relax. It's okay... it's okay.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 85.
Hiccup replaces his outstretched hand with Snotlout's,
putting him in control of the massive beast. The Nightmare
snorts, but remains calm. Snotlout, by contrast, chuckles
nervously -- it's at once terrifying and amazing.
The others watch, spellbound.
Hiccup turns and walks away.
SNOTLOUT
Where are you going?!
Hiccup pulls a bundle of rope from a supply box.
HICCUP
You're going to need something to
help you hold on.
The teens eye each other apprehensively, and look up to
reveal...
ALL THE DRAGONS standing in the ring, facing the teens
expectantly.
EXT. DRAGON ISLAND - DAY
CLOSE ON
Tree trunks, being sharpened and planted into the sand at
angled rows.
Boulders being loaded into catapult baskets.
And a war plan being scratched in the sand.
STOICK looms over it, looking determined. His generals are
at his sides.
STOICK
When we crack this mountain open,
all hell is going to break loose.
GOBBER
In my undies. Good thing I brought
extras.
Stoick TURNS to face the men.
STOICK
No matter how this ends, it ends
today.
He walks toward the base of the volcano wall, back by several
hundred warriors. He raises his arm and drops it.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 86.
A line of catapults UNLEASH their two-ton loads into the
cliff wall. It cracks and flakes away.
Several more hits tear away at the hollow shell of hardened
lava.
A final boulder shatters the fractured wall, creating a deep,
dark opening to the cavern within.
Silence. Stock raises his hand, makes a gesture. A flaming
bushel is launched into the dark, lighting the wall... CHOKED
WITH DRAGONS.
Stoick pulls his hammer and rushes into the cave, brazen.
STOICK (CONT'D)
(War cries and slashing efforts)
In a chaotic flurry, the dragons suddenly rush out like bats
from a cave. The take to the air, bypassing the axe-swinging
Vikings and fleeing the island in a mass exodus.
The battle-ready Vikings drop their weapons, confused.
GOBBER
Is that it?
Above the island, dragons POUR from every crevice, fleeing to
the sky. The sound of screeching dragons fades.
VIKINGS
(Cheering as one)
SPITELOUT
We've done it!
Stoick doesn't celebrate. Something is not right. He HEARS
something. Stoick turns to peer down the dark throat of the
cavern.
A deep, rumbling ROAR echoes from the cavern. The ground
underfoot TREMBLES. The ships rock. Their sails fill with a
blast of air.
The cheering stops. Stoick's expression sinks.
STOICK
This isn't over. Form your ranks!
Hold together!
The men SCRAMBLE to organize themselves.
STOICK (CONT'D)
Get clear!
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 87.
The ground CRACKS. Stone tears away, cascading like an
avalanche. And through the settling debris, the silhouette of
a gargantuan dragon emerges -- THE RED DEATH. Stirred and
furious.
GOBBER
Beard of Thor...what is that?
STOICK
(AGHAST)
Odin help us.
(BEAT)
Catapults!
The Vikings score direct hits. The burning stones BOUNCE off
the dragon's skin. The Red Death focuses on the catapults.
It crushes the first one - smashing it and its crew, rattling
the beach underfoot.
Stoick races toward the second catapult. He LEAPS and pushes
a Viking out of the way just before the dragon crushes him
under his forepaw.
The Vikings scramble in all directions.
VIKING #3
Get to the ships!
STOICK
No! NO!
The Red Death BLASTS the ships like a mile-long flamethrower.
The sails are torched. Vikings dive overboard and masts come
down.
Gobber Joins Stoick.
GOBBER
Heh. Smart, that one.
Stoick looks up and down the beach for an answer.
STOICK
(GUILT-RIDDEN)
I was a fool.
The monster raises its head to the sky and BELLOWS. The
sound SHAKES the beach, knocking Vikings off their feet.
This island is his.
Stoick stops a Viking General.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 88.
STOICK (CONT'D)
Lead the men to the far side of the
island.
SPITELOUT
Right.
(turns to the others)
Everybody to the far side of the
island!
The Vikings scatter into the rocks like ants. Satisfied with
the ships destruction, The Red Death turns its attention back
to the Vikings. They seem to have vanished. It SNIFFS the
air, searching for their scent.
Gobber drops in beside Stoick, like two soldiers in a trench.
Fire blasts over head, causing them to duck.
STOICK
Gobber, go with the men.
GOBBER
I think I'll stay, just in case
you're thinking of doing something
crazy.
Stoick grabs him.
STOICK
(EMPHATIC)
I can buy them a few minutes if I
give that thing someone to hunt.
Gobber removes Stoick's hand. Clenches his forearm,
determined.
GOBBER
Then I can double that time.
Stoick grins. Friends to the bitter end. They BREAK COVER and
dash into the open, SPLITTING UP. Stoick rips a sharpened
post from the ground and hurls it into the monster's face.
STOICK
HERE!
GOBBER
NO, HERE!
It spots both of them. He fuels up to fire, glancing back and
forth between the two men. He focuses on Stoick.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
Come on! Fight me!
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 89.
STOICK
No, me!
The Red Death remains focused on Stoick - this is it. It
rears back and inhales. Gas begins to amass, when...
KABLAM! A BLAST explodes against the back of The Red Death's
head. It turns distracted, as...
... a Nadder punches through the flames, banking across the
sky. Followed by a Monstrous Nightmare, a Zippleback, and a
Gronckle. They roll in unison, revealing the recruits riding
on their backs. Hiccup leads, with Astrid clinging to his
waist.
GOBBER AND STOICK, watch slack-jawed, in awe.
HICCUP
Ruff, Tuff, watch your backs! Move
Fishlegs!
The monster shakes off the blast and snaps in their wake.
Hiccup directs his squadron out of harm's way. They climb out
of reach and circle each other.
TUFFNUT
Look at us, we're on a dragon!
We're on dragons, all of us!
HICCUP
Up, let's move it!
The dragons climb past the Red Death.
ON THE GROUND
Gobber hobbles over to Stoick.
GOBBER
Every bit the boar-headed, stubborn
Viking you ever were.
Stoick is speechless.
IN THE AIR
The group circles over the dragon's head.
HICCUP
Fishlegs, break it down.
FISHLEGS
Okay. Heavily armored skull and
tail made for bashing and crushing.
(MORE)
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 90.
FISHLEGS (CONT'D)
Steer clear of both. Small eyes,
large nostrils. Relies on hearing
and smell.
HICCUP
Okay. Lout, Legs, hang in its blind
spot. Make some noise, keep it
confused. Ruff, Tuff, find out if
it has a shot limit. Make it mad.
RUFFNUT
That's my specialty.
TUFFNUT
Since when? Everyone knows I'm
more irritating. See.
(IRRITATING SOUNDS)
HICCUP
(EXASPERATED)
Just do what I told you. I'll be
back as soon as I can.
TUFFNUT
Don't worry, we got it covered!
FISHLEGS
Yeah!
Hiccup and Astrid peel away. The teens bank and dive toward
the monster, splitting up. The Twins race alongside the
monster's head, taunting it.
TUFFNUT
Troll!
RUFFNUT
Butt Elf!
TUFFNUT
Bride of Grendel!
The Red Death unloads a spray of fire at the twins. They
barely dodge it.
Fishlegs and Snotlout hang behind its eyes, banging away at
their shields, making a racket.
The Red Death opens all SIX of its eyes, spotting them.
FISHLEGS
Uh, this thing doesn't have a blind
spot.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 91.
ON HICCUP AND ASTRID
... searching for Toothless. Hiccup spots him among the
burning ships.
HICCUP
There!
He steers the Nadder over the deck and hands Astrid the
reins. He lines up his jump... and hops off, guarding his
face from the flames. He lands on the burning deck.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(TO ASTRID)
Go help the others!
She and the Nadder take off.
As Hiccup fights his way to Toothless. He unbuckles the
muzzle. Toothless shrieks.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Okay, hold on. Hold on.
He gets to work on the chains.
ON SNOTLOUT AND FISHLEGS
They clang their weapons against their shields, making the
monster wince.
SNOTLOUT
It's working.
The huge beast starts to sway its head dizzily.
FISHLEGS
Yeah! It's working.
PAN DOWN to reveal that the noise is also confusing the
Gronckle and the Monstrous Nightmare. Both dragons lose their
bearings.
The Red Death thrashes, knocking Snotlout off of his dragon
and onto the monster's gigantic head. Snotlout bounces across
the top and comes to a stop just shy of the hundred foot
drop.
SNOTLOUT
Agghh!
Fishlegs' Gronckle goes down in a spin of confusion.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 92.
FISHLEGS
I've lost power on the Gronckle.
Snotlout! Do something!
He hurls Snotlout his hammer. The Gronkle crashes and skids
to a stop...
FISHLEGS (CONT'D)
I'm okay!
... then flips over, crushing Fishlegs.
FISHLEGS (CONT'D)
(FEEBLE)
Less okay.
BACK TO SNOTLOUT
... who eyes the Red Death's gigantic, veiny eyes. He raises
the hammer...
SNOTLOUT
I can't miss!
... and hammers the monster's eyes, playing whack-a-mole.
SNOTLOUT (CONT'D)
What's wrong buddy, got something
in your eye?
Astrid flies by on her Nadder, catching Snotlout in all his
heroics.
ASTRID
Yeah! You're the Viking!
Snotlout grins, finally vindicated in her eyes. In his
distraction, he gets thrown and lands heavily on one of the
Red Death's spines -- clinging precariously. A close call.
SNOTLOUT
Whoa!
ON THE GROUND
The monster's tail sweeps across the burning ships, snapping
masts like twigs. We follow one down as it crashes onto a
deck, revealing...
HICCUP
Working at the chains. He can't budge them. Fire licks at his
clothes. He looks up to see...
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 93.
THE RED DEATH blasting at the teens, enraged.
The monster's giant foot crashes through frame, smashing the
bow under its impressive weight.
Hiccup and Toothless are thrown into the water in a maelstrom
of burning planks and rigging.
UNDERWATER
Hiccup swims toward Toothless. They're both caught in a mess
of rigging, being dragged down. The heavy palette settles
into the rocky bottom like an anchor. Toothless has stopped
struggling. Hiccup takes one more hopeless tug at the chains -
he's almost out of air.
Suddenly, a meaty hand grabs Hiccup.
STOICK explodes to the surface, pulling Hiccup to the
shoreline through flaming debris. He lays him down, under the
shelter of an overhanging rock.
HICCUP
(OVERWHELMED)
Dad...
Stoick dives back into the water between flaming flotsam.
UNDERWATER
ON TOOTHLESS, drowning. Stoick appears in front of him.
Toothless freezes. Stoick tears the chains off of the yoke
and lets it float free.
Momentary stillness. They eye each other, through the churned
up bubbles. Toothless lunges out of the bars -- grabbing
Stoick.
BOOM! In an explosion of sea water, Toothless lands on the
shore, setting Stoick down and releasing him. Hiccup is awed.
The ground rumbles underfoot. The monster screeches. Its
massive claws stomp around in the smoke.
Stoick gives way as Toothless mounts the rock and raises his
wings. He turns to Hiccup and SNORTS - ‘Let's go.'
HICCUP (CONT'D)
You got it, bud.
Hiccup climbs onto Toothless and buckles himself in.
Stoick grabs his arm.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 94.
STOICK
Hiccup. I'm sorry...for
everything.
HICCUP
Yeah...me too.
STOICK
You don't have to go up there.
HICCUP
We're Vikings. It's an occupational
hazard.
They exchange smiles.
STOICK
I'm proud to call you my son.
Hiccup beams, taken aback.
HICCUP
Thanks dad.
Stoick lets go of Hiccup's arm.
Hiccup spurs Toothless on, charged with his father's belief
in him. They rocket into the sky as Stoick watches.
IN THE AIR
Astrid sees Toothless streaking through the sky, gaining
altitude.
ASTRID
He's up!
She turns to Ruffnut and Tuffnut, who are ARGUING and
THROWING PUNCHES at each other.
ASTRID (CONT'D)
Get Snotlout out of there!
IN MID-PUNCH, the twins look over to see Snotlout stranded on
the monster's head. They eye each other.
TUFFNUT RUFFNUT
I'm on it! I'm on it!
TUFFNUT
I'm on it first! I'm ahead of you.
The twins spot Snotlout on the giant dragon and steer their
Zippleback in his direction.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 95.
RUFFNUT
Hey! Let me drive!
The twins peel off, ARGUING as they race each other to the
monster.
Snotlout sees the Zippleback diving toward him and DASHES
down the Red Death's head. He runs up the end of its horn...
As the twins sweep past, both missing him... but perfectly
snatching him where the necks merge. Ruff and Tuff eye each
other, surprised and impressed.
TUFFNUT
I can't believe that worked.
The Red Death spots Astrid and INHALES, preparing to blast.
She and her Nadder get caught in the suction, pulled toward
the monster's gaping mouth.
ON THE GROUND
The Vikings watch with dread. They hear the familiar whir of
the...
GOBBER
Night Fury! Get down!
IN THE AIR
A massive BLAST jolts the Red Death's head sideways. Astrid
is thrown clear of its mouth... AND her Nadder. She tumbles
through the air. The ground races toward her, when...
She's suddenly CAUGHT by the leg. She looks up to see
Toothless.
HICCUP
Did you get her?
Toothless grunts.
ON THE GROUND
They fly over the crowd of Vikings and set Astrid down, mid-
run. They circle back to reengage - a black speck against the
clouds.
ASTRID
(BREATHLESS)
Go.
IN THE AIR
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 96.
Hiccup and Toothless rocket past the Red Death's head and
climb, higher and higher.
HICCUP
(TO TOOTHLESS)
That thing has wings! Okay, let's
see if it can use them!
Hiccup pulls Toothless into a turn. They plummet, gaining
tremendous speed. The wind buffets them as they target the
Red Death as super sonic speed.
KABLAM! Toothless unloads a fireball against the Red Death's
head. It goes down with a rumble as they climb anew.
ON THE GROUND
The Vikings shield themselves from the dust of the fallen
monster... as its wings unfold and extend.
IN THE AIR
Hiccup looks back as they put distance between them.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Do you think that did it?
Suddenly, the enraged behemoth RISES into frame... flapping
its wings furiously. A daunting sight.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Well, he can fly.
Hiccup and Toothless DIVE into the tangled sea stacks - they
weave through the rock like rabbits through a briar. The Red
Death SNAPS at them, but cannot reach them. Hiccup and
Toothless PULL AHEAD.
The Red Death SMASHES through the canopy of rock and pulls in
behind Toothless. He BURSTS THROUGH fifty-foot formations
like they were saplings.
ON THE GROUND
Stoick, Gobber, and the Teens watch as Hiccup and Toothless
streak past, weaving through sea stacks.
TEENS
Woohoo! Yeah!
A moment later the Red Death SMASHES the sea stacks to dust
in hot pursuit. The Vikings mood is quenched.
IN THE AIR
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 97.
Hiccup and Toothless can't slow the monster down. Hiccup eyes
the clouds above. An idea hits him. He locks eyes with
Toothless.
HICCUP
Okay Toothless, time to disappear.
Toothless PULLS into a steep climb, heading toward the
clouds.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Come on bud!
The Red Death follows, closing in fast.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(hearing the gas)
Here it comes!
BLAST! They narrowly dodge a column of flame and smoke. They
reach the low-hanging clouds and pierce them. The monster
follows, immediately losing them in the hampered visibility.
It roars irritably.
From out of nowhere, Toothless DIVES at the huge dragon,
BLASTING and PUNCTURING a hole in its wing. Toothless and
Hiccup are gone again before the dragon can get a shot at
them.
ON THE GROUND
The Vikings stare up at the sky listening to the resounding
BOOMS and watching FLASHES light up the clouds.
Gobber places a hand on Stoick's shoulder.
IN THE AIR
HICCUP and TOOTHLESS dive in again and again, using the
clouds to hide and surprise as they puncture the monster's
wings.
It BELLOWS in frustration and WHIRLS around, unleashing fire
blindly, in all directions.
Hiccup sees the glow of fire cutting towards them.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Watch out!
The random blast CLIPS Toothless' tail. It's heavily damaged.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 98.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Okay, time's up. Let's see if this
works.
He pulls Toothless into a turn. They fly directly into the
Red Death's face, taunting it.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Come on! Is that the best you can
do!?
Toothless utters an insult too, and they jackknife into a
steep dive. The Red Death pursues.
Toothless PUMPS his wings, racing faster than he's ever gone
before. Hiccup and Toothless stay just ahead of the Red Death
-- no longer trying to evade it.
Hiccup glances back to check the tail - it's disintegrating.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Stay with me buddy. We're good.
Just a little bit longer.
The Red Death closes the gap. Hiccup tucks in and holds
Toothless steady -- allowing the monster to set its sights on
them. It narrows its eyes.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Hold, Toothless.
The Red Death OPENS his mouth. The familiar gas HISS emanates
from his throat -- ignition is coming.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
NOW!
Hiccup HITS the PEDALS HARD as Toothless extends one wing.
They PIVOT in place, hurtling directly into the Red Death's
mouth.
Toothless FIRES point blank down the monster's throat. Its
amassing gas is ignited, BACKFIRING into the monster,
erupting in a chain of blasts throughout its body.
Hiccup and Toothless BURST from the clouds, the Red Death hot
on their tail, exploding from within. It glances forward and
sees the ground rushing up. It throws open its wings,
attempting to put on the brakes, but the punctured, damaged
wings can't stop its momentum.
As the Red Death chokes on the expanding fireball, he sees
Toothless suddenly pull out of the dive, streaking up, past
its head.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 99.
The Red Death HITS the ground, head-first. It EXPLODES like
the Hindenburg.
Hiccup and Toothless weave through the monster's massive back
plates, wings, and flailing legs -- a high-speed recall of
the FREE FALL slalom run. The expanding fireball races toward
them, about to swallow them.
They manage to clear the obstacles. Hiccup glances back.
They're outrunning the fireball.
He looks forward just in time to see the monster's massive
club tail careening toward them.
He tries to shift their direction. The last shreds of
Toothless' tail tear away. Hiccup's pedals go DEAD.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
No. No.
Hiccup and Toothless can't maneuver - they're dead in the
air. The giant club tail CLIPS Toothless, TEARING Hiccup from
the harness and sending him tumbling against the backdrop of
the fast-approaching fireball.
Toothless STRUGGLES with all his might to reach the
unconscious Hiccup. But the fireball swallows them both.
ON THE GROUND
The Vikings watch in horror as Hiccup and Toothless disappear
into the boiling inferno.
DISSOLVE TO:
A whiteout of ash. And through it comes...
STOICK
Hiccup? Hiccup!?
Stoick appears, searching desperately. Everything is
scorched. Even the ground is smoking from the terrible heat.
STOICK (CONT'D)
Hiccup!? Son!?
Through the ash, Stoick the motionless silhouette of
Toothless.
STOICK (CONT'D)
(GRAVE)
Hiccup.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 100.
He hurries to the dragon's side. Toothless is roughed up, but
conscious. His scorched saddle, however, is vacant.
Stoick looks to the sky in despair. He buckles at the knees,
overwhelmed by the loss.
STOICK (CONT'D)
Oh son...I did this...
Astrid pushes through the crowd, her eyes welling up.
Followed by Gobber. They flank Stoick as he kneels, slumped
over.
Behind them, a ring of Vikings form, keeping a respectful
distance. As the dust and smoke clear, a ring of wild
dragons can also be seen, gathering just behind and between
the Vikings.
Toothless stirs and groggily rolls his head toward Stoick.
Their eyes meet.
STOICK (CONT'D)
I'm so sorry...
Toothless unfolds his wings, revealing Hiccup, unconscious,
clutched safely against his chest. Stoick's eyes widen.
STOICK (CONT'D)
Hiccup.
He scoops Hiccup into his arms. Listens to his heart. Bursts
into relieved laughter.
STOICK (CONT'D)
He's alive!
(TO TOOTHLESS)
You brought him back alive!
The crowd roars. Followed by the dragons. The Vikings look
around to find themselves surrounded.
Stoick leans close to Toothless, meeting him eye to eye.
STOICK (CONT'D)
(PRIVATELY)
Thank you... for saving my son.
Gobber looks Hiccup up and down.
GOBBER
Well, you know... most of him.
Stoick glances back at him. Gobber shrugs, redirecting his
eyes toward...
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 101.
INT. STOICK'S HOUSE - DAY
CLOSE ON
HICCUP, asleep, his head on a pillow. Healing scars on his
face show that maybe a week or two have passed.
Toothless hovers over him, WHINING and GRUMBLING impatiently.
Hiccup stirs. Opens his eyes.
HICCUP
(GROGGY)
Oh, hey Toothless.
Toothless excitedly nuzzles and nudges Hiccup.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Okay, okay! I'm happy to see you
too, bud. Now just--
Toothless steps on his groin, causing Hiccup to sit BOLT
UPRIGHT with a YELP.
He looks around, confounded. He's in his bed, moved beside
the fire pit on the main floor of his house.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
I'm in my house.
(re: Toothless, leaning
over him, excited)
You're in my house.
Toothless TEARS around the room, knocking things over, far
too big for the space.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Uh...does my dad know you're in
here?!
Toothless pauses at the foot of the bed, tongue wagging. He
eyes the rafters... and LEAPS UP onto them, brimming with
'happy dog' energy.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
(DISTRESSED)
Okay, okay -- no Toothless! Aw,
come on...
Hiccup shifts to get out of bed... then pauses... sensing
that something is wrong.
He peels back the covers slowly. What he sees startles,
horrifies, and overwhelms him -- all at once.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 102.
ON THE BARE FLOOR
His booted foot touches down. Followed by a mechanical
prosthetic in place of his second leg. It's an ingenious
spring-loaded replacement, made of wood and iron.
Toothless lands by the bed and approaches calmly, sniffing
the new leg. He raises his eyes to meet Hiccup's, seemingly
aware of what Hiccup is going through.
Hiccup braces himself on the bedpost and tries to stand on
it. He winces and stifles the pain...
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Okay...okay...
... but STUMBLES with the first step. Toothless catches
Hiccup's fall with his head... and slowly lifts him up,
stabilizing him.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Thanks bud.
Hiccup leans on him like a crutch. They take a few steps
together.
Their missing parts form a poetic silhouette as they make
their way toward the door.
Hiccup pries it open (as he did in the opening scene),
revealing a MONSTROUS NIGHTMARE flapping outside the door.
Hiccup YELPS and slams the door closed. He turns to
Toothless, alarmed.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Toothless? Stay here, bud.
Hiccup pauses... and cracks the door open again. He peeks
outside, his eyes widening. He allows to door to swing open,
revealing...
... the Monstrous Nightmare, carrying Snotlout on its back.
SNOTLOUT
Come on guys, get ready! Hold on
tight! Here we go!
A class of newbie dragon riders follow him through frame on a
variety of dragons, pulling back the curtain on an amazing
vista in which:
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 103.
Vikings and dragons mill about by the dozen, basking on the
rooftops, weaving along the plaza. No one seems upset, there
isn't a sword in sight.
Under the framework of a MASSIVE BARN, a Nadder BLASTS fire
onto a metal brace. It steps back to let a Viking hammer it
into shape. Nearby, a Gronkle lands, carrying a tree trunk in
his mouth. He shows a Viking what he's found. The Viking pats
his head. Another Viking backs a Zippleback into a stall to
check it for size.
Hiccup takes a step outside, finding Stoick waiting for him
on the step.
HICCUP
I knew it. I'm dead.
Stoick laughs.
STOICK
No, but you gave it your best shot.
He puts his arm around Hiccup, steadying him. He gestures to
the transformed village.
STOICK (CONT'D)
So? What do you think?
Hiccup just shrugs, amazed.
Below, the plaza, villagers take notice.
VIKING #1
Hey look! It's Hiccup!
They rush over, surrounding him with a hero's welcome.
VIKING #2
Hiccup, how you doin' mate?
VIKING #3
It's great to see you up and about.
STOICK
(SWEETLY)
Turns out all we needed was a
little more of...
(GESTURES NON-SPECIFICALLY
AT HICCUP)
... this.
HICCUP
(PLAYING ALONG)
You just gestured to all of me.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 104.
GOBBER (O.S.)
Well. Most of you.
Gobber pushes through the crowd, beaming proudly.
GOBBER (CONT'D)
(re: the prosthetic leg)
That bit's my handiwork. With a
little Hiccup flare thrown in.
Think it'll do?
HICCUP
(bittersweet, coming to
TERMS)
I might make a few tweaks.
Astrid appears and jabs Hiccup in the arm. Hiccup recoils
with a grumble.
ASTRID
That's for scaring me.
HICCUP
(PROTESTING)
What, is it always going to be this
way? Cause I...
She grabs him aggressively... then kisses him. Hoots and
hollers follow.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
... could get used to it.
Gobber presents Hiccup with a rebuilt saddle, rigging, and
tail.
GOBBER
Welcome home.
Suddenly, Toothless pounces on the crowd, crushing several
unsuspecting Vikings under his weight.
VIKING
Night Fury, get down!
Toothless eyes the new tail excitedly, tongue wagging. Amidst
the groans and grumbles, Hiccup and Astrid exchange a
sheepish grin.
CLOSE ON
CLOSE ON
Hiccup's prosthetic foot, snapping into the modified stirrup.
"Dragon" DeBlois/Sanders Final Draft (Rev.19) 02-13-2010 105.
The two pieces click together, forming a single shape.
Astride Toothless, he's whole again. He rotates the pedal.
The new tail opens. Bright red with a skull and Viking horns
emblazoned on it. Hiccup approves.
CUT BACK TO REVEAL...
Hiccup and Toothless, saddled up and ready to fly. Astrid
backs her Nadder into position.
HICCUP
(TO TOOTHLESS)
You ready?
Toothless SNORTS an excited 'yes!'
From his mount, Hiccup looks out over the changed world.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
This... is Berk.
(BEAT)
It snows nine months of the year...
and hails the other three.
They LEAP into the bright blue sky, together as one. Astrid
follows, giving chase.
HICCUP (CONT'D)
Any food that grows here is tough
and tasteless. The people that grow
here are even more so.
Hiccup and Astrid race their dragons through the village --
under eaves, over rooftops, down cliff-sides, and between
ship masts. It's a high energy, romantic dance of sorts.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
The only upsides are the pets.
While other places have...ponies or
parrots, we have...
Their fellow recruits join them as they take to the open sky,
rocketing far above the village. The Northern sky swirls with
blazing, multicolored dragons.
Hiccup and Toothless break from the pack, spinning into the
blinding sun.
HICCUP (V.O.) (CONT'D)
(PROUDLY)
... dragons.
FADE TO WHITE
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