Author's Notes Mk 2: Wow! I can't believe all the support on my first chapter! I just want to thank you all so much, all your reviews and comments really mean a lot to me, as for how long it took to update, I'm really sorry, my parents have had my buried under revision notes pretty much 24/7. GCSE's suck. ):

Disclaimer: Do I own the movies in this story? No. Do I own the idea for this story? No. Do I wish I did? Heck yea but I guess that's just one of life's disappointments.

Chapter 10: To war with Hell

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 judgment.

The boys in the theatre cringe at the discouraging scene, glancing to their Viking companion who stares at the screen with fearful eyes.

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.

STOICK

The dragon? That's what you're worried about? Not the people you almost killed?!

Jack puts his hand on the skinny boy's shoulder, offering comfort as his on-screen father berates him.

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

-Their island? A collective "Oh crud" rises from the theatre audience, who stare wide-eyed and panicked as- 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's 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 -as do Hiro, Jack, Flynn and theatre Hiccup, who begins to mumble things like "No" and "Please don't" as his companions try and calm him- Stoick stomps toward the doorway.

HICCUP (CONT'D)

Oh no. No, Dad, No!

Hiccup chases after him, panicked.

"Listen to him!" Flynn calls out.

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.

"C'mon Hiccup…" Jack pleads, his bare foot bouncing rapidly with nerves.

HICCUP (CONT'D)

Dad. Please. I promise you that you can't win this one.

Nothing.

HICCUP (CONT'D)

No! Dad, No, gah! FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE WOULD YOU PLEASE JUST LISTEN TO ME?!

STOICK throws Hiccup off of him, SWATTING him to the floor. There's an icy stillness –as the audience (sans Hiccup who is too shocked to do more than stare) gasps- Hiccup stares back at him, 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 waiting ships. Children and the elderly gather 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.

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.

The movie is paused as Hiccup stares forward in shock, he had been disowned, or would be when this was over, his best friend is good as dead and his father is going to die trying to defeat an unbeatable foe. Flynn gets up to stand in front of him as Jack's hand returns to the Viking boy's shoulder and Hiro holds his arm.

"Man, I'm so sorry" Jack says as Hiccup bows his head, Flynn kneels down on his haunches, putting his hand over Hiccup's as he tries to talk to him.

"Hey, kid, look at me. It's gonna be alright." Hiccup raises his head a bit, his eyes slightly glassy as Hiro continues, "It's ok Hic, you'll think of something, it'll all work out-" "How?" the devastated boy interrupted, "How is this gonna get better?! My Dad just disowned me, my best friend is being held captive and half the village is gonna get killed trying to take out that… that monster!"

Tears begin to gather in the Viking runt's emerald eyes as he slumps forward, utter hopeless depression rolling off him in waves.

Suddenly, Kit steps out of the shadows looking somber, the three other boys turn to her angrily.

"You!" Jack snarls as he stands from his seat, "How could you and those other girls do this?!" "Why would you make him watch something like that?!" Hiro continues as he stands on his seat.

"Hiro was right" she announces, making the boys pause as Hiccup hopefully raises his head, "Things will work out, and I know it must be hard for you to watch this, but please calm down. I can't tell you anything else but I promise it will work out, please just sit down and watch." She pleads gently before turning on the spot and disappearing with a loud crack.

The boys sit in silence for a moment before turning to face their Viking friend. "Do you want to carry on?" Flynn gently asks, Hiccup sits with his head bowed in contemplation for a minute before giving a determined nod. Flynn copies him and returns to his seat. As the picture starts to move again, Jack and Hiro return to comfortingly holding the boy's arms as he gives a small, grateful smile before turning back to the screen.

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. The three other boys glare at the seemingly tactless blonde

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.

Hiro squeezes the older boys arm, reminding him they are all there for him as he looks down sadly

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. Jack freezes for a moment, wondering what this girl is planning.

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? Flynn and Hiro glance at each other as they notice her carefully thought out wording

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! The boys moved to comfort him before-

ASTRID

You said "wouldn't" that time. They pause as they realize she's right.

HICCUP (BLOWS UP)

Whatever! I wouldn't! Three hundred years and I'm the first Viking who wouldn't kill a dragon!

(BEAT)

ASTRID

First to ride one, though.

Hiccup blinks. As does his off-screen self He never looked at it that way before.

ASTRID (CONT'D)

So...

HICCUP (REALIZING) as does his off-screen counterpart

...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.

(BEAT, PROVOKING)

What are you going to do about it?

The boys lean forward

HICCUP

Probably something stupid.

ASTRID

Good. But you've already done that. "She's sorta right there" Flynn admits

(BEAT)

HICCUP (REALISATION FORMING)

Then… something crazy.

He runs for the village as Astrid smiles along with the now excited boys in the cinema.

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. As do the boys spirits, as they become nervous for the dragon and villagers on board.

Flanking ships becomes ghosts. The armada disappears, drawn into the blinding mist, which creates a 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, the Night fury seems unresponsive. Hiccup looks at his restrained friend sadly.

STOICK

Sound your positions. Stay within earshot.

Shouts pour in from all directions.

VIKING #1

Here

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

The boys let out a weak chuckle

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?

The teens couldn't help but snicker a little at the peg-legged Vikings' transparent cover story

STOICK (STONE-FACED, DETERMINED)

Find the nest and take it.

GOBBER

Ah. Of course. Send them running. The old Viking fallback. Nice and simple. *Copious amounts of eye-rolling*

STOICK turning to face his friend, noticesthat Toothless' ear plates are at the alert, quietly reacting to inaudible sounds

STOICK

Shh…

The audience tenses again. 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. 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. The boys are leaning forward intently. STOICK continues to follow Toothless' cues, undeterred.

EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - DAY

Hiccup raises the bolt on the Monstrous Nightmare's pen.

FISHLEGS

If you're planning on getting eaten, I'd definitely go with the Gronkle.

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. There's a collective snort of laughter from the off-screen group

HICCUP

Uh...

TUFFNUT is pushed out of the way by SNOTLOUT…

SNOTLOUT

I love this plan.

HICCUP

I didn't...

…Who is then shoved aside by RUFFNUT…

RUFFNUT

You're crazy.

(SULTRY)

I like that.

… Who is then pulled away from the inventor by ASTRID

ASTRID

So, What's the plan?

Hiccup smiles, glowing in the support of the other recruits.

As do the boys in the theatre, Hiccup has a plan and they can all tell that come hell or high water, nothing will stop him from saving his people and his best friend.

Author's Notes Mk2: Hope the long chapter makes up for the long wait a little.

I'll be doing my best to update more regularly from now on, Hiccups part should be done before 2019 for those who were concerned.

Again, sorry for the wait and I hope you enjoyed the chapter,

Best wishes,

KitKat816

xx