EXT. North Sea/Berk - Day
We race across Berk's seas and turn upward to see Hiccup free-falling through the sky, his face turned to the sky. His body is relaxed and rested, spinning gently in the wind. His eyes are closed in rapture.
Hiccup (v.o)
As you fly through life it's always good to know who you can trust...
His eyes peak open and he flips his body to face downward.
Hiccup (v.o)
...and who you can't.
We hear the distant roar of a dragon just before Toothless swoops in from off screen. Hiccup makes a smooth landing into the seat of his saddle just as Toothless glides beneath him.
Hiccup
Nice catch, bud.
Hiccup looks over his shoulder to see how close to the water he had come.
Hiccup
A little close...
Hiccup (V.O.)
I know I can always count on Toothless.
He shifts the tailfin. They jerk back from their direction and loop upward.
Hiccup (v.o)
And it's important for him to know... that no matter what... he can count on me.
They fall in line with the rest of the teens as they fly.
Hiccup
(to Fishlegs)
It's your turn. Jump!
Fishlegs
(hysterical)
I don't want to jump! I--!
Hiccup
You have to believe she's gonna catch you! It's a trust exercise.
Fishlegs
I like to do my trusting on the ground, thank you very much!
Snotlout
Like this, chicken-legs.
Snotlout throws both hands in the air with an exuberant whoop! and slides sideways off Hookfang. Hookfang continues flying forward, ignorant to his lack of rider.
From his Zippleback head, Tuffnut leans in towards his sister.
Tuffnut
So...should we mention something to Hookfang?
Ruffnut
Let me sleep on it.
Astrid
Hookfang! Get him!
Hookfang looks over to Astrid and the other dragons. Toothless roars something to him. The Nightmare looks down and his eyes widen. He realizes Snotlout is no longer on his neck and is instead falling towards the ground below.
Snotlout
(flipping through the air)
Not feeling the trust!
With a screech, Hookfang makes a desperate dive. He manages to catch his rider under the wide bridge of his snout. Snotlout clings to Hookfang's horns and screams at the fast approaching ground. They're too close to avoid it.
Snotlout
AH! Coming in too hot! AHH!
They crash through the roof of Mildew's home.
Inside, dust sprinkles down on the collapsed pair. While still on top of his dragon, Snotlout slowly lifts his head and glances around his surroundings. He spies axes and various other blades decorating a stone wall. He gulps... and continues to look around until he notices Mildew standing over him.
Mildew glares.
Snotlout
Mildew!
From outside, we see Hookfang shoot through the roof back into the sky - accompanied by Snotlout's screams - further damaging the home in his haste to escape.
Mildew
You'll pay for this!
A loose board falls down and strikes Mildew on the face.
From the sky, the Hiccup looks down, put out.
Hiccup
Ohh... something tells me we're gonna hear about this...
INT. Haddock house - Night
Stoick slams a damaged roofing shingle from Mildew's home down on the table in front of Hiccup and Toothless.
Hiccup
(sarcastic)
Shingle again? Didn't we have roofing material for dinner last night?
Stoick glares down at his son. He's unamused by the joking attitude.
Hiccup
It was an accident, dad. I'm sure Mildew's making it sound worse than it is.
Stoick
A dragon and a huge, obnoxious boy crashed through his roof... twice!
Hiccup
Well, sure, it sounds bad if you're gonna... stick to the facts.
Stoick gestures to outside.
Stoick
Of all the houses on the island, a dragon had to crash through Mildews! You know he hates dragons more than anyone else!
Hiccup
Eh-I know...You might wanna talk to him about his attitude.
Stoick
Listen to me, Hiccup. I gave you the responsibility of training those dragons. Everyone knows that! All eyes are upon you son.
Hiccup glances to the side towards Toothless. He knows this is true.
Stoick (o.s)
Whatever those beasts do reflects on you.
Stoick
And whatever you do reflects on me.
Stoick slaps a hand to his chest.
Hiccup
I'm sorry, dad. You're right.
Hiccup stands from his seat.
Stoick
You and your friends are gonna go back to Mildew's and fix that roof.
(he points to Toothless)
Without your dragons!
Toothless warbles. Hiccup turns and runs a hand over the Night Fury's head. Toothless looks up at his rider with affection.
Hiccup
Got a break there, bud.
Stoick (o.s)
Ah!
He looks over to his father. Stoick is in his chair. He leans forward and reaches down.
Stoick
Not so fast! Aren't you forgetting something?
His lips pull back with a snarl and Stoick release a loud grunt as he tugs the boots from his feet. He gives them light whiff.
Stoick
It's boot night!
Stoick stands from his seat and hands the boots over to his son.
Stoick
They need to be aired out.
Hiccup
(disgusted)
UGH!
Hiccup grimaces, pinches his nose and holds the boots away from him in Toothless's face. Toothless sniffs the boots and quickly turns away with his own look of disgust.
Hiccup begins to walk outside, still holding the boots as far away from his face as he can.
Hiccup
I think it's going to take more than... air.
Their door opens and he drops the boot on the front step to air out in the night. Hiccup stands, still looking disgusted, and spies the other Berk teens doing the same with their own parents' boots.
Fishlegs
Uck. I hate boot night!
Ruffnut and Tuffnut are each trying to make the other smell a boot.
Tuffnut leans away from the boot his sister is holding to his face.
Tuffnut
Why is his left foot always so much smellier than his right?
From the Jorgenson front step, Snotlout stands with his father's shoes held at arms-length. His stomach makes threatening noises.
Snotlout
Oh no...
He pauses, his cheeks puff out with the threat of vomit, and he swallows it back. He gargles and throws the boots on the ground. Around the fallen shoes, snow begins to fall.
For a while, Berk appears peaceful with the gentle snow fall in the night. We zoom in on a pair of boots. A clawed foot steps down next to them and swipes them off screen. Another pair of boots are swiped. And another.
Dawn arrives and vikings begin to step out of their homes, intent on grabbing their shoes. One by one, they look down and realize their boots are nowhere to be found.
Stoick the Vast steps out of his home, barefoot and yawning, and reaches down to grab his boots. His fingers grasp air.
Stoick
(muttering to himself)
Where are my boots?
Bewildered, he looks up to see three sets of bare feet approaching - two sporting peg legs. Gobber, Bucket, and Mulch are all missing their shoes as well.
Stoick
Where are your boots?
Stoick walks toward them with narrowed eyes.
Gobber
They've all been stolen! Every last one!
Bucket
Oh! That explains why me feet are so cold.
Mulch
Who could have done such a thing?
Hiccup follows his father out of the house just as Mildew draws near.
Mildew
All I know is that they left a mighty big footprint.
He points to dragon prints set in the snow with the bone head of his staff.
The other Berk teens climb the hill to see the commotion for themselves. Fishlegs stands over a print and points at it.
Fishlegs
Oh! Those are Zippleback tracks.
Hiccup steps forward, Toothless at his back, and glances uncertainly at Mildew.
Fishlegs
You can tell by the half-moon shaped arches. That's dragon 101 guys, I don't gotta fill you in on that.
Hiccup
So a dragon walked through here - a Zippleback, according to my friend, Fishlegs. But that doesn't mean he took everyone's boots.
Mildew
Well, there's just one way to find out. Follow the footprints.
He gestures innocently in the direction of the footprints before giving Hiccup a sly look.
ext. Kill Ring - Day
A Zippleback sleeps in the center of the Kill Ring, buried beneath a mountain of destroyed boots.
Stoick and Hiccup approach the sleeping beast.
Hiccup
(optimistic)
So there's a bunch of boots piled around a Zippleback. That doesn't mean--
Stoick bends down to pick up a shoe and holds it out to Hiccup. Hiccup recoils at the obvious damage.
Hiccup
(defeated)
Okay, fine, he took the boots.
Other vikings have gathered in and around the Kill Ring. All are barefoot and all are disgruntled.
Viking #1
How are we supposed to do any work in this weather without our boots?
Viking #2
This is outrageous!
Mildew hobbles on scene and steps in between Hiccup and Stoick
Mildew
Now how long before something's done about these creatures, Stoick?
(to the villagers-shouting)
How much more can we stand?!
The other vikings mutter and shout in agreement, many mimicking Mildews own words.
Gobber stomps up to them, annoyed.
Gobber
Listen to yourselves...
(whiny)
My feet are cold!
(angry)
You're Vikings! Everything is cold! I'll fix your boots for yeh. You'll be back to work in no time.
Stoick
(loudly)
You all heard Gobber. You'll be getting your boots back as good as new.
The vikings begin to mutter to one another once more. This time they are far more placated. Mildew is still disappointed in the result.
Mildew
(to Stoick)
That's it? No consequence for these dragons?
Stoick
They took our boots, Mildew. The world isn't coming to an end!
Mildew
Oh, don't be so sure. Dragon's are wild beasts. There's no telling what else they'll do behind our sleeping backs.
Hiccup can't stand by silent any longer.
Hiccup
They don't destroy things on purpose!
Mildew
Dah!
Hiccup
But you do have a point, Mildew.
MIldew
(bewildered)
Uh-whuh?
Hiccup
They are wild animals.
Hiccup walks up to the slumbering Zippleback. His father and Mildew watch from the background.
Hiccup
And they need us to keep an eye on them.
(voice echoing)
And rest assured we will do just that!
The Zippleback peaks an eye open, noticing Hiccup speaking over them.
Hiccup
(in a heated whisper to the Zippleback)
Will you get out of there?
It shoots up from the ground and stomps off screen.
Hiccup notices the footprint it left in the snow. He looks between the fresh one and one of the ones he followed into the Kill Ring. His eyes widen as he spots the difference.
EXt. watchtower - Day
Hiccup
We're going on night patrol.
Hiccup and the other teens are gathered on the watch tower for a meeting he's called.
Tuffnut
Night patrol! I love it!
(calmer)
What is it?
Hiccup
It's where we patrol... at night. To keep an eye on the dragons. Make sure they don't get blamed for anything else.
Fishlegs
Um, have you cleared this with our parents? Because some of us might not be allowed out after a certain hour.
Snotlout leans in with a sneer.
Snotlout
Not allowed?
(taunting)
Or afraaaaid?
Fishlegs
Hey!
(hushed)
Things happen after dark.
hiccup
Guys! We have to do this. You heard Mildew: he wants the dragons banished.
Ruffnut brandishes a hand in a firing motion.
Ruffnut
Permission to shoot first and ask questions later?
Tuffnut knocks his sister's hand down.
Tuffnut
Permission to skip the question?
Hiccup is quick to disabuse this line of thinking.
Hiccup
We're just patrolling! No one is shooting anyone!
Tuffnut
(raises hand)
I have a question!
(annoyed)
What's fun about that?
Astrid
It's not supposed to be fun. It's a "Hiccup" idea.
She gestures to Hiccup before crossing her arms.
Hiccup
(pointing at Tuffnut)
Exactly.
(pauses and looks at Astrid)
What?
EXT. Berk - Night
A full moon bathes Berk in a bright, nighttime light. Astrid knocks on a door. It opens, and she stands back, her D.U.M.B stash worn proudly across her torso.
Astrid
(confident)
Hello sir!
A large woman stares down at her, chewing listlessly from a drumstick grasped in her left hand. In her right is a tankard of mead.
Astrid is quick to correct her error.
Astrid
(less confident)
Ah, umm, ah--ma'am.
The woman takes another bite of her food, uncaring.
Astrid
My name is Astrid and I'm with the Dragon United Monitoring Brigade.
The woman points at Astrid's sash with the drumstick
Woman
Dumb?
Astrid
(unenthusiastic)
Yes. That is correct. Not my idea...
(optimistically)
But it is easy to remember. If you have any dragon-related problems, contact us. Just cup a hand on either side of your mouth and at the top of your lungs yell-
The door slams in Astrid's face before she can finish speaking. She jumps back. Her shoulders drop and she turns, looking annoyed.
Astrid
(flatly)
Dumb.
Elsewhere, Snotlout is walking through the streets of Berk with Hookfang following in the shadows. Snotlout holds a lantern out in front of him as he struts. He looks pleased with being given authority.
Snotlout suddenly turns to his left and shouts at something offscreen.
Snotlout
Halt! Who goes there!
We see Gobber walk out of the shadows. He isn't pleased with being hollered at.
Gobber
Take a wild guess.
Snotlout steps forward with swagger.
Snotlout
I don't think I like your attitude.
Gobber
Right back at yeh.
Snotlout
Yeah... but I'm the one with the sash.
He jerks a thumb to his sash. In the background, Hookfang wanders offscreen after something of interest.
Gobber
Let me take a closer look at that.
He catches Snotlout's sash under his hook and lifts it closer to his face for inspection. Snotlout is lifted along with it, now helpless in the air.
Gobber
(reading)
Dumb.
(to Snotlout)
Well that suits you.
Snotlout
(weakly)
Okay, I think we're done here.
Elsewhere, Fishlegs and Meatlug walk through the village side-by-side. They both stop with a jump as a wide, twisted shadow reaches across the ground towards them.
Fishlegs
Oh!
(whispers to Meatlug)
What was that?
Unknown to Fishlegs, the twins are at the base of the shadow with raised, wiggling fingers. Ruffnut and Tuffnut burst into alternating sniggers, unable to contain their delight in tormenting Fishlegs. Neither notice Hookfang approaching from behind and lift his head to observe them, curious about what they're doing.
The shadow the twins cast becomes even more sinister with the addition of Nightmare horns. Fishlegs shrieks and throws himself across Meatlug's back. Meatlug flitters off with her rider, equally as terrified.
Ruffnut and Tuffnut are pleased and impressed with the effectiveness of their prank. Neither notice Hookfang crawl back into the shadows.
Tuffnut
Woah...
Ruffnut
Woah.
Twins
(to each other)
Did you see me scare him?
Ruffnut jumps in Tuffnut's face.
Ruffnut
No, I scared him!
Tuffnut jumps back at her.
Tuffnut
No, I scared him!
Ruffnut shoves her brother.
Ruffnut
No me!
TUFFNUT
No, no, no!
He shoves her back.
Tuffnut
Hey! Ugh!
They both head butt each other and grab the other's helmet.
RUFFNUT
It was me! I did it!
tuffnut
Clearly me!
The pair are left to scuffle in the ally between houses.
Hookfang toddles past the other dragons, who sleep against a brazier. Hiccup and Toothless fly overhead, observing the sleeping village from the sky.
Hiccup
(To Toothless)
Well, Mildew will be happy to know what dragons do at night: they sleep like everyone else.
Toothless rumbles in agreement. Together they fly further up the village, passing the Great Hall.
Int. Great Hall - Night
The doors of the Great Hall are thrown open by an unseen force. They rock on their hinges as wind howls through the opening. The large claw of a Nightmare suddenly snaps around the corner of one of the doors.
The same Nightmare claw swipes deep gouges into a support beam. Crashes are heard off screen. The claw returns again to tear through a hanging tapestry. Then it digs into the wooden table surrounding the ever-lit hall fire. The nearby pile of fish are left untouched.
Another crash is heard, the sound of furniture being overturned, and the scene goes dark.
int. Great
hall - day
Vikings wander around the hall, inspecting the damages.
Fishlegs looks more closely at a set of scratches.
Stoick and Gobber stand behind Hiccup, watching the others.
STOICK
Who could have done such a thing?
FISHLEGS
Oh, it looks like a dragon to me!
HICCUP
We don't know for sure, Fishlegs!
FISHLEGS
Sure we do. Look at these claw marks. It was obviously a Monstrous Nightmare. The spacing of the talons is dead on.
HICCUP
Once again, thank you, Fishlegs!
FISHLEGS
Oh, stop, it's just basic stuff.
ASTRID
But how could this happen? We had every dragon accounted for at all times! Right, guys?
SNOTLOUT
(with appropriately placed air quotes)
When you say, "at all times," and "every dragon," what exactly do you mean?
HICCUP
Okay, what happened, Snotlout?
SNOTLOUT
Well, I was detaining a suspect who wasn't showing sufficient respect to the sash.
Snotlout eyes Gobber menacingly.
GOBBER
I think I showed sufficient respect to a sash that says "dumb."
ASTRID
We've got to change that name.
SNOTLOUT
Anyways, as I was questioning said suspect, Hookfang may have -- and I'm not saying he did -- but it is possible he wandered off for a few...
RUFFNUT
Seconds?
TUFFNUT
Minutes?
SNOTLOUT
Hours.
TUFFNUT
Oh, that's way longer than minutes.
The doors to the Great Hall slams loudly. The group turns around to see Mildew.
MILDEW
Oh no, it's true! The Great Hall! So many memories. My three
weddings, their three funterals. Oh, the funerals!
GOBBER
A dragon must have gone on a rampage. I hate to say it, Stoick, but you're going to have to--
STOICK
I know what has to be done, Gobber.
MILDEW
So do I!
Stoick turns to Hiccup.
STOICK
Starting tonight, every night, I want all the dragons put in the Academy under lock and key.
MILDEW
What? That's it? Look what they did!
HICCUP
This just doesn't make any sense! A dragon wouldn't just come in here and destroy the place! I mean, none of the food was even touched!
STOICK
I don't know why dragons do what they do, but I'm not going to let them do any more damage.
Stoick, Gobber, and Mildew turn to leave. The door slams
behind them.
The other Riders weirdly crowd behind Hiccup, tableau-style.
ext. sky -
day
Hiccup and the other Riders sail over Berk on their dragons.
Hiccup looks down. Stoick and Gobber are looking back at them.
Stoick looks to Gobber sadly.
GOBBER
You had to cage the dragons, Stoick. You had no choice.
STOICK
I know. But to Hiccup, when I punish them, I'm punishing him.
GOBBER
Yeah, that boy thinks the dragons can do no wrong.
STOICK
I just hope he understands that while a father does what's best for his son, a chief must do what's best for the village.
ext. dragon arena - dusk
Fishlegs sings to Meatlug while petting his head:
Cut to the Arena, filled with the teens saying goodnight to their dragons.
FISHLEGS
Sleep, little Meatlug in your bed, where yummy little boulders dance in your head.
Meatlug shakes him off.
FISHLEGS
That usually works! Our whole bedtime routine is upset! She won't even lick my feet, thanks to--
SNOTLOUT
Watch it, Fishlegs! At least my dragon doesn't need a lullaby and a blanky.
RUFFNUT
Actually, it's your fault that all our dragons have to sleep in jail.
TUFFNUT
Yeah. You don't see our dragon going on a rampage and wrecking stuff.
Hookfang snarl at Barfbelch. Barfbelch responds, and steps
forward. Their claw smashes a crate into wood fragments.
TUFFNUT
Well, not any good stuff.
HICCUP
I don't think a dragon wrecked the Great Hall or stole the boots.
ASTRID
None of us wants to believe it either, Hiccup, but you saw the proof.
HICCUP
What proof? You saw the footprints, too. They were supposed to be made by a Zippleback, but they were no deeper than mine. Look at these! I could lie down in them!
FISHLEGS
Well, there could be a lot of explanations why a dragon made shallow footprints.
RUFFNUT
Like, hello, he was trying to be sneaky!
ASTRID
All right. Well, how do you explain the Great Hall?
Hookfang leaps toward Barfbelch, bursting into flames.
HICCUP
Snotlout, do something about him, please? We're trying to think over here.
TUFFNUT
Yeah, I gave up thinking. Never been happier.
HICCUP
Snotlout!
SNOTLOUT
I'm not the boss of him. He always does that when he gets angry!
Hookfang presses his foot against the ground. When he removes
it, there's a burn mark left on the stone.
HICCUP
Or goes on a rampage. That's how I can explain the Great Hall! I've got to tell my dad about this!
Hiccup leaps onto Toothless and they take off.
INT. GREAT
HALL - night
All around, Vikings are repairing the hall. Stoick watches
over them.
hiccup
Just hear me out, Dad. When a Monstrous Nightmare gets mad, his whole body bursts into flames. Look at these walls! Not one single scorch mark.
STOICK
Hiccup, until I have solid proof that it was something else, the dragons stay where they are.
ext. great
hall - night
Toothless is napping outside the door to the Great Hall.
Suddenly, he hears a scuffling noise. He perks up and
looks around. Toothless climbs down the steps leading to the hall. When
he reaches the bottom, he sniffs the air and growls.
The armory door creaks open.
Toothless walks into the armory. A Viking watches him from afar.
Toothless looks around the armory. A window burts open. Toothless jumps up and looks through the window. He sniffs.
Snarling, Toothless turns around. A barrel is on fire. Toothless' eyes widen and he leaps down from the window and jumps out of the armory, just before the barrel explodes.
The building is engulfed in flames.
CROWD
Fire, fire!
STOICK
The armory! Grab some buckets!
STOICK
Toothless?
VIKING man
It was him! He set the armory on fire!
viking WOMAN
How dare he?
HICCUP
Toothless?
EXT. Armory - night
Everyone begins to gather around the remaining skeleton of what was once the armory. The fire is out, but the remains are little.
Stoick
Every one of our weapons...gone!
In the middle of the burnt down remains, Gobber picks up what's left of a sword, kneeling over it affectionately.
gobber
Prudence! My poor darling, I'm so sorry.
He places the sword - "Prudence" - into the ground, honoring it's downfall.
gobber
You should've had a long, blood-letting life.
mildew
She didn't have to die, Gobber. Hiccup's dragon left us utterly defenseless.
The crowd around the fire begins to chatter again, still agreeing with Mildew.
Hiccup
Dad, you know Toothless wouldn't do this.
Mildew
Sure, listen to your boy, Stoick. That's what got us into this mess!
Mildew leans in closer, making sure no one else hears his next words but Hiccup.
mildew
See what happens when you leave your dragon all alone to wait outside?
hiccup
What..did you say?
Gobber holds up another ruined sword, mourning it.
gobber
Cindy! Oh, I guess your throat slicing days are over.
Stoick overlooks the scene once more before sighing heavily and touching Hiccup's shoulder to get his son's attention.
Stoick
These dragons have done too much damage. It's not longer safe to have them on Berk. I want them gone.
Hiccup
What!?
mildew
Finally!
stoick
(still sighing)
Round them up, and take them all to dragon island.
Despite the confused and saddened look on Hiccup's face, Stoick walks over to the rest of the gathered villagers.
stoick
By the end of the day tomorrow, there will be no more dragons on Berk!
The rest of the teens all gasp at the unexpected news, and all around mutters from the villagers can be heard.
Hiccup tries to get his father's attention once more, but Stoick's mind is made up.
mildew
Oh, what a glorious day that will be...
(he lets out a long, satisfying breath)
Party at my house!
The gathered villagers still continue to mutter amongst themselves as they walk away, and Hiccup haphazardly tries to get their attention, despite already knowing it's a lost cause.
mildew
Don't forget, boy. Right after you drop off your dragon, you'll be fixing my roof.
Mildew walks away, and Hiccup is soon surrounded by the other teens, all still shocked by the news.
Hiccup
This is wrong...
Astrid
I know, it's horrible. It's the worst day of my life...
hiccup
No, Astrid. Something here doesn't add up.
fishlegs
All I know is I'm losing my dragon.
Fishlegs walks away, dismayed and not even willing to listen to Hiccup's rebuttal.
hiccup
For now...yeah. Okay, but I-I just need time to fix this.
Snotlout
What are you talking about? It's over.
Snotlout walks away, Ruffnut and Tuffnut following.
Ruffnut
Forget it, it's over.
Tuffnut
Yeah, forget it.
ext. dragon island - dusk
A boat sails over the North Sea as the teens fly overhead with their dragons. There's a somber air about them all as they land.
Astrid removes Stormfly's saddle, hugging her dragon close.
Astrid
I'm gonna miss you....
Stormfly chirps in an unhappy response.
Ruffnut and Tuffnut share a similar goodbye, each hugging both Barf and Belch's heads.
Fishlegs piles up some large rocks and stones in a tidy pile, sighing heavily before hugging Meatlug.
fishlegs
Okay, Meatlug. There's plenty of rocks if you get hungry....
He removes Meatlug's saddle.
fishlegs (continued)
...and don't eat any limestone. You know it doesn't agree with you.
Fishlegs walks away, continuing to sigh in an attempt to be strong. But Meatlug becomes confused as she sees her rider walking away, and when the realization hits her that he's not coming back...she collapses, exhausted an abandoned.
Snotlout then gives Hookfang a hug.
sntolout
Be strong, buddy...I know you're gonna miss me.
Hookfang returns the hug, looking just as hurt until a bird flies by and immediately grabs his attention. The Nightmare runs off, Snotlout forgotten and obviously hurt.
snotlout
(quietly)
Okay...
Hookfang continues to run off.
Snotlout
He's crying....he's crying on the inside!
Hiccup takes off Toothless's saddle, bringing the dragon's eyes up to him and giving him a stern look.
hiccup
I'll be back for you. I promise.
Hiccup lets out a breath before separating, walking away slowly. But Toothless continues to follow Hiccup, still not understanding.
Hiccup hears the dragon's footsteps behind him and tries to push back his emotions before turning around, placing a hand in front of Toothless to stop him.
Hiccup
No bud! You've gotta stay here...and take care of the other dragons...
Toothless finally understands, but his eyes are saddened. He gives Hiccup a heartsick look, begging him not to leave.
Hiccup tries his hardest to muster up the best smile he can even in the midst of the goodbye.
hiccup
It's gonna be okay, Toothless. Trust me...
Acceptance falls over the dragon's features, but Toothless stills seems lost on what to do, his eyes still pitiful.
In a last effort, Toothless closes the distance between them and places his nose in Hiccup's hand. Hiccup is immediately broken down from this and pulls Toothless into his arms, hugging him close.
Toothless simply leans into the hug, not wanting his rider to leave when Hiccup finally pulls away and continues to walk to boat. Toothless follows after another few steps before stopping when he sees Hiccup place his saddle down.
The two share one last glance before Hiccup breaks their eye contact and walks away, visibly broken.
On the boat, Hiccup still watches the island until he can no longer see Toothless, who is simply sitting at the edge of the island, watching the boat drift away.
All the teens seem to themselves, watching the island as the boat departs.
Astrid stands from sitting against the mast and turns towards Hiccup for a few seconds before leaning against it instead, her eyes forward.
Hiccup looks over in her direction, contemplating whether to console to her before he gives in and leans against the mast as well, grabbing her attention when he speaks.
hiccup
There's something Mildew said that I can't stop thinking about....h-he said 'see what happens when you leave your dragon to wait outside.' He knew Toothless wasn't with me just before the armory fire.
astrid
So...?
hiccup
So...so he leave lives on the other side of the island. What was he doing in town? And how would he know where we were before the fire?
Astrid's eyes widen as Hiccup's words sink in. She steps closer to him.
astrid
You really think he set that fire?
hiccup
I think he did all of it. And I think he did it so my dad would get rid of all the dragons...
They both resume their leaning positions against the mast, and Hiccup looks over to Astrid as she takes her time responding, thinking deeply at his words.
astrid
That's a pretty serious accusation. How are you gonna prove it?
She looks over at Hiccup while he's now deep in thought.
ext. Mildew's House - Dusk
Hiccup's working on Mildew's roof, nailing down some shingles before he looks around, noticing he's alone.
He spits out a nail from his mouth and looks down through the hole in Mildew's roof into his house. Throwing down a rope, he climbs down into Mildew's house, looking around for any evidence he can find.
Mildew's house is decorated with a "mural" of a viking killing a dragon, a fake dragon head, and various weapons all over the walls.
Hiccup finally lands on four shields on the wall, each depicting one of Mildew's three wives.
hiccup
Wife...wife...wife...
The last shield shows Fungus - Mildew's sheep.
hiccup
(shuttering in disgust)
Hmmm....well Mildew definitely has a type.
Hiccup continues to search around, smelling a pot over the fire and turning away at the horrible smell.
Finally he sees something peculiar behind a curtain and pulls it back, seeing a pair of boots fashioned to look like the feet of a zippleback as well as a fake dragon claw.
hiccup
What the...?
Suddenly, there's a rumbling at the door. It's about to open. Hiccup freezes, knowing he has to hide himself quickly.
The door opens with a loud thud and Mildew walks in with Fungus in tow. Mildew walks up to the pictures of his wives.
mildew
I'm home, ladies!
He cups a hand behind his ear.
mildew
What's that you say...? Nothing? Perfect.
Mildew walks over to the curtain, noticing one of the zippleback boots at slightly misplaced and opens the curtains roughly. Luckily, everything is in it's proper place, and he picks up the boots and the fake claw.
mildew
Ah, these served us well, didn't they, Fungus? Shame we have to get rid of them.
Mildew walks off, revealing Hiccup to be suspended above Mildew's field of vision, hanging onto the rope he used to climb down.
Hiccup tries not to move a muscle, yet a single bead of nervous sweat rolls down his face and falls right onto Fungus's head, revealing his position to the sheep.
Fungus lets off many "ba's" to get Mildew's attention, but Mildew continues to walk, paying no attention to his sheep and not noticing Hiccup as he walks out the door.
Hiccup sighs in relief and climbs up the rest of the rope back onto the roof, watching Mildew carefully.
Mildew and Fungus make their way to the edge of the cliff, and Mildew throws the boots and claw over the edge, watching them until they fall into the water with a light splash.
Mildew claps his hands, a deed is done.
Unbeknownst to Mildew, though, Hiccup is still on the roof, overseeing everything. Surprise and contemplation switching off on his face before a resting emotion of anger washes over him.
Fade to black.
