Written by Jim Cooper, Art Brown & Douglas Sloan
Transcribed by Super3dcow, BlackRose108, and AvannaK
EXT. BERK - NIGHT
The scene begins showing Berk at a distance. Three sheep and a lone buffalo are grazing quietly.
The buffalo looks up from eating with a confused expression, and glances around briefly. It's suddenly pulled into the ground, with rocks shooting up from the force. The three sheep, one with the usual uninterested expression, all get sucked into the ground, one by one, with the bored-looking sheep last.
Everything is still for a moment, when suddenly the ground begins getting torn up as something underneath tunnels through. After zigzagging through the village, it passes through the town square, and disappears underneath the hill where Hiccup's home resides.
HICCUP (V.O.)
Everybody has a past...
INT. HICCUP'S ROOM - NIGHT
Hiccup sleeping in his bed, and a small candle lit on a table next to him.
HICCUP (V.O.)
Even dragons...
Toothless walks around the room, hissing and growling angrily at the floor, with his horns pointed high.
HICCUP (V.O.)
And sometimes, the past can come back to haunt them...
Hiccup groggily wakes up from Toothless's noises.
HICCUP
Ugh, Toothless, go back to sleep.
Hiccup throws his head back onto his pillow. Toothless looks up at him briefly with a calm expression, and returns to growling.
EXT. THE PLAZA - DAY
The next morning, there's a large hole in the plaza and Bucket is down inside as some vikings staring down into it.
HICCUP (V.O.)
And when it does... you're gonna need to be there for them.
Hiccup and Toothless walk up next to Stoick and Gobber to look down the hole.
Toothless peers angrily down the hole, sniffing and searching. He then rears back into the air with an angry roar.
HICCUP
Whoa, hey! Come on it's just a hole, bud.
BUCKET
It's not just a hole! It's like an underground village!
MULCH APPEARS AT THE TOP OF THE HOLE, SIGHING IN RELIEF.
MULCH
Bucket! There you are. I've been lookin` for you all night!
BUCKET
Sorry Mulch...
SOMETHING INSIDE THE TUNNEL PEERS AROUND IN THE DARKNESS, AND SPOTS MULCH STANDING IN THE LIGHT.
BUCKET
But I think I finally found it...
(Creepy whispers are heard)
My happy place!
A HUGE GUST OF WIND AND DIRT FROM INSIDE THE TUNNEL SEND BUCKET FLYING UP AND OUT OF THE HOLE. STOIC AND HICCUP RUN OVER TO HIM
STOICK
Are you alright Bucket?
BUCKET
(Looking frightened)
I'm not so happy anymore.
STOICK
What happened?
BUCKET
Something pushed me out! Something's down there. Something, big!
Toothless is still standing over the hole. He roars angrily, and jumps inside. He begins looking around when the strange whispers return again. Toothless then leaps into a side tunnel.
Everyone runs back to the hole, along with Astrid now, standing there confused as they listen to the whispers.
ASTRID
What is that sound?
GOBBER
Eh, whatever it is, it's giving me the willies.
Everyone slowly backs away from the hole. Everything begins to rumble and shake. Theres a small growl, when a huge dragon bursts from the earth, and hovers in the sky as it lets out a monserous roar.
SNOTLOUT
Whoooooaaaaa, look at the size of that thing!
FISHLEGS
(Frightened)
Do I have to!?
ASTRID
Dragons! Everyone!
everyone but Hiccup get on their dragons. The new unknown dragon hisses and stares down at each of the dragons, with its distorted red vision, and creepy, pupiless, white eyes.
SNOTLOUT
Uhhhhh I don't like the way it's eyeballing me.
FISHLEGS
Uh, don't worry, it's not just you.
SNOTLOUT
(sarcastically)
Thanks, big relief!
The Whispering Death then maniacally dives back underground.
ASTRID
What, was, that?
TUFFNUT
Whatever it was... I want one!
FISHLEGS
If I had to take a guess, I'd say that was, a Whispering Death.
TUFFNUT
Woah, great name.
He holds his hands over the Zippleback's ears and whispers.
TUFFNUT
So much better than Zippleback.
BUCKET
Where'd it go? Why's it here? What's it gonna do to us!? Why aren't you slapping me to snap me out of this!?
Bucket and Mulch are each standing on a barrel.
MULCH
Because I'm scared too, Bucket.
The Whispering Death then explodes out of the ground again, roaring.
GOBBER
Thaaaat looks angry. (To Hiccup) Why don't you do that think where you touch its nose and feed it grass?
HICCUP
Okaaaay! (Gives Gobber annoyed look) Uh, Fishlegs, what do we know about the Whispering Death?
FISHLEGS
Boulder class: Razor sharp teeth, incredibly strong, hunts from underground.
TUFFNUT
Now I really want one!
SNOTLOUT
So, how do we deal with this thing?
STOICK
Stand back everyone!
Stoic comes soaring down on Thornado from the sky.
STOICK (CONT.)
Thornado's got something to say to this beast!
Thornado uses it's sonic roar at the Whispering Death, but has no effect, and it just roars right back at him.
GOBBER
I don't think its got its listening ears on.
ASTRID
Alright, let's run this thing out of here!
Everyone takes flight and groups up with Stoick.
Toothless pounces out of the hole, and glares up at the Whispering Death. He then looks back at the group, and roars at the other dragons, who cower a bit and back off.
SNOTLOUT
What is Toothless doing!?
ASTRID
I think he wants us to back off.
FISHLEGS
No problem here.
(backs away)
(backs away)
Toothless and the Whispering Death stare each other down for a moment, ready to engage in battle.
HICCUP
Toothless!
The Whispering Death Swoops down, and Toothless dodges. Toothless then lunges, and tackles the Whispering Death to the ground, but is quickly rolled off. Toothless shoots some fireballs at it hovering in the sky, but they miss. He begins trying to fly up to it, but can't without Hiccup. The Wispering Death looks at Toothless's tail, and then flies away.
HICCUP
Toothless can't fly without me. He's a sitting duck.
STOICK
Gobber, man the catapults, and when that thing is clear of Toothless, Fire!
HICCUP
Dad wait! (To Toothless) Just let me help you bud.
Hiccup tries to climb onto his back, but Toothless pushes him away, and runs off.
HICCUP
What? Toothless, what... what's wrong?
Toothless stops running, pauses to look back and fourth between Hiccup and the Whispering Death. He then roars at Hiccup and continues running.
ASTRID
What was that all about?
HICCUP
I have no idea.
The Whispering Death whips its tail, firing a bunch on needles from its body. One of them hits Toothless's back right leg. Toothless get's angrier.
STOICK
Gobber!
Gobber pulls the catapult lever and hits the Whispering Death with a large rock. We see the cloudy sky with a hole for sunlight as it gets brighter.
Gobber fires and hits it with another rock as a streak of light begins to shine down on it. The Whispering Death shrieks and dives back underground. It shoots through the ground, tearing it up as it heads out of the village.
Hiccup runs over to Toothless and sees the big needle.
HICCUP
Oh no, you're hurt!
He looks at Toothless, who's staring and growling where the Whispering Death went. Toothless looks at Hiccup, his eyes get big as his anger leaves him, and stares at Hiccup. Hiccup grabs the needle, and Toothless braces himself a little as Hiccup pulls it out. Toothless immediately runs off after the Whispering Death.
HICCUP
Toothless wait!
ASTRID
Where's he going?
SNOTLOUT
Probably running away to lick his wounds, heh hah hah hah.
HICCUP
It's not funny, he could've been killed. He can't fly, remember?
SNOTLOUT
(Tauntingly)
And who's fault is that?
ASTRID
(On edge)
Seriously, did you just go there?
SNOTLOUT
Hey, I call it like I see it.
FISHLEGS
Um, does anyone want to talk about what in the name of Thor just happened?
TUFFNUT
Uh, Dragon fight? Just another day on Berk.
FISHLEGS
Uhh not really. It seemed like there was way more to it than that.
HICCUP
He's right. The whispering Death, singled Toothless out.
ASTRID
And Toothless wanted that dragon all to himself.
HICCUP
Yeah he certainly did... but why?
TUFFNUT
Uhhh, are we going to be tested on this, because I'm completely confused.
RUFFNUT
Well, don't look at me.
Hiccup wonders what he's going to do, while looking at Toothless up on the edge of a small cliff, who is looking off in the distance.
INT. HICCUP'S ROOM - NIGHT
Hiccup is rubbing Toothless's leg where he was wounded.
HICCUP
I-I really wish you could just tell me what was going on out there today.
Stoick comes walking up the stairs to the room. Toothless gets startled and gets ready to attack.
HICCUP
Whoa whoa whoa easy bud, it's just my dad.
STOICK
How's our wounded warrior?
HICCUP
He's still on edge.
STOICK
Dooon't worry Toothless-
(he pets Toothless's nose affectionaly)
-I think we showed that dragon a thing or two about uninvited guests on Berk. I don't think he'll be coming back any time soon... at least I hope not.
He then turns and proceeds down the stairs.
HICCUP
Yeah, me too... Okay that should do it bud-
(he rubs Toothless's leg again)
-You just need to take it easy.
Toothless climbs onto his rock bed, blows some warm fire, and lays on it.
Hiccup slowly climbs into bed, and closes his eyes.
A moment goes by before Toothless opens his eyes. he walks to Hiccup's bed, and looks at him squinty-eyed. He then gazes upward at the night sky through a ceiling window.
Toothless flies out of the roof window, and lands in front of the house. He sniff the ground and runs off. Toothless stops briefly as he catches the scent, and stares somewhere with determination.
The next morning, Hiccup's in bed. He wakes up and rubs his eyes, noticing that Toothless isn't there.
HICCUP
Uh... To-Toothless?
EXT. HADDOCK HOUSE - DAY
The door flies open and Hiccup rushes out.
HICCUP
Toothless!... Oh no.
He stares at the empty village.
HICCUP (CONT)
He went after him....alone.
EXT. DRAGON TRAINING ACADEMY - DAY
The teens are all gathered in the academy, preparing for a journey.
SNOTLOUT
(cruelly jesting)
Maybe Toothless just went for a morning flight? Oh, that's right...he can't.
He laughs spitefully and Hiccup regards with with a glower but Astrid is finished with his teasing. She rears up to Snotlout, ready to punch him.
ASTRID
Really? You're going there again? Now!?
Hiccup sees her about to go for the kill and places an authoritative hand in front of her, halting her motions. Astrid does rear back, but is still thoroughly peeved.
HICCUP
Toothless must be looking for the Whispering Death. We find it, we find Toothless.
FISHLEGS
(worriedly)
What do we do if we find the Whispering Death first?
HICCUP
Well, we train him...
TUFFNUT
You know he's got "death" in his name, right?
Hiccup walks by Tuffnut, his words not phasing him.
HICCUP
Fishlegs, is there anything about the Whispering Death in the Book of Dragons that can help us?
FISHLEGS
(looking through the book)
It can shoot razor shop spines from any part of it's body.
ASTRID
And how's that gonna help us?
FISHLEGS
Well it would help if we stayed away from those.
TUFFNUT
Or we can get near them and use Ruffnut as a human shield.
Ruffnut takes issue with that comment and kicks Tuffnut square in the kneecap, he hunches over but smiles widely.
TUFFNUT
Ow, my kneecap, that's new....I like it.
HICCUP
This dragon must have a weakness...
FISHLEGS
Actually no. Yeah, it says right here: "no known weaknesses".
TUFFNUT
Heh, I really love this thing.
HICCUP
(dismissive)
Okay, great, uh, can we go now, please?
He runs over to Stormfly and hops on, helping Astrid up in front hurriedly.
HICCUP (CONT.)
We don't know how much time we have.
ASTRID
(comforting)
Don't worry, Hiccup. We'll find him.
Stormfly and the others fly off.
EXT. RAVEN POINT FOREST - DAY
The teens and their dragons fly over a clearing in the forest.
Hiccup spots two holes in the clearing, familiar to the one back on Berk. He pats Astrid's shoulder, pointing downwards.
HICCUP
(to Astrid)
There, down below.
They all land and Hiccup jumps off Stormfly immediately, going towards the holes but there's nothing near or inside them.
HICCUP
Toothless!? Toothless!?
Snotlout looks down into one of the holes as well.
SNOTLOUT
How do we even know the Whispering Death made these holes?
ASTRID
So you think it might be the other 2,500 pound, rock eating dragon we're following?
Astrid gives Snotlout a snark smile--maybe getting a little payback from earlier--while Snolout's eyes dart around, confused, for a moment.
SNOTLOUT
I know what you're-
(he thinks a little bit more)
Don't try to confuse me.
Hiccup bends down and picks up a sharp object he sees on the ground.
HICCUP
What's this...?
It's a dragon's tooth.
HICCUP
He must've lost a tooth.
TUFFNUT
Is it sharp? If it is I want it! I like sharp!
RUFFNUT
Yeah, sharp is good!
FISHLEGS
Think about this: hundreds of those spinning together, ripping through dirt and tree roots. Discarding rock like it's not even there!
Suddenly, all the dragons become restless, wriggling around in some kind of heighten alertness.
ASTRID
Stormfly, what's wrong?
TUFFNUT
What's wrong with you, dragon?
RUFFNUT
Barf, settle down!
HICCUP
Stop!....Listen....
Everyone remains silent for a moment until Tuffnut breaks it...
TUFFNUT
Listening for what!?
RUFFNUT
I don't hear anything....What are we listening for!?
ASTRID
(annoyed)
Be quiet!
TUFFNUT
How are we supposed to hear anything over her yelling-?
ASTRID
Shhh!
In a distant range of sound a slight whispering-like noise can be heard coming from underground.
FISHLEGS
The whisper...
SNOTLOUT
Looks like we beat Toothless.
ASTRID
Yeah...we win....
The Whispering Death barrels out of the ground, right next to Fishlegs
FISHLEGS
(scared)
I'm not feeling like a winner...
The Whispering Death goes right up to Fishlegs, staring him down.
FISHLEGS
(nervously)
Hi...um....
The Whispering Death looks at Fishlegs a little more deeply, realizing he's not who he was looking for
FISHLEGS
I like the teeth....
The Whispering Death backs off of Fishlegs, looking around to the other dragons....none of which are Toothless. He grows impatient, and barrows back into the ground, going back angrily to his hunt.
SNOTLOUT
I hate it when he does that! Can you at least tell me why he does it!?
The ground around the the teens begins to shake violently. Everyone looks to Fishlegs, all seeking the answer to Snotlout's question.
FISHLEGS
Maybe to hunt...? Maybe because it's cooler...? Maybe to look for water...?
Everyone continues to stare at him, still seeking the answer. Fishlegs grows agitated, speaking in one big mouthful.
FISHLEGS
(hysterical)
And maybe because he can't stand the pressure of everybody always expecting him to have the answers!!!!
TUFFNUT
He's losing it.
RUFFNUT
I know...it's awesome.
The Whispering Death charges out of the ground again, still right next to Fishlegs and he runs off screaming.
TUFFNUT
(enamored)
Somebody hold it still. I wanna pet it!
Tuffnut begsin to walk up to the Whispering Death but Ruffnut grabs her brother, not wanting him to get hurt.
Hiccup stares at the dragon in thought and begins to move slowly towards it.
ASTRID
Do you actually have a plan, or are you just trying to get yourself killed?
HICCUP
If I can train it, it'll leave Toothless alone...
SNOTLOUT
(jeering)
Right, so you are trying to get yourself killed?
Hiccup still moves slowly towards the Whispering Death as it digs slightly above ground, and moves faster at Hiccup's presence near him. The dragon moves quickly towards Hiccup, looking like he's ready to pounce and kicks up a dusting a dirt around them.
When it clears Hiccup has his arm outstretched and the Whispering Death sniffs his hand, surprised and confused by his motives. Still, though, the dragon dives back down into the ground, though leaves Hiccup unharmed.
Hiccup immediately runs after it, looking down into the hole and contemplates going in.
HICCUP
O-kay.
ASTRID
(cautiously)
Um, I know what you're thinking, and the answer's no.
Hiccup jumps in despite Astrid's disapproval.
ASTRID
(annoyed)
Why does he always do that?
The teens walk up to the edge of the hole, looking down in it.
FISHLEGS
Oh, man. I am so glad I'm not down there with him right now.
Like clockwork, Snotlout pushes Fishlegs in, laughing to himself as Astrid glares at him.
He shrugs.
SNOTLOUT
Oops.
INT. WHISPERING DEATH'S CAVES - DAY
Fishlegs falls in, landing with a thud at the bottom of the hole. Hiccup is relieved someone else came down with him.
HICCUP
Thanks Fishlegs. I kinda figured you'd be the last one to volunteer.
FISHLEGS
Yeah! I didn't want you to have to face that thing all alone.
There's a loud and hissing whispering vibrating throughout the caves and Hiccup and Fishlegs rear back a bit in reaction.
They look at all the different connecting tunnels in the caves.
HICCUP
This things been busy.
FISHLEGS
Quick question: why are we down here again?
HICCUP
This is where it spends all of it's time. There's gotta be something down here that can help us.
The dragons travels through a nearby tunnel, moving swiftly through it thought not noticing Hiccup and Fishlegs just yet.
HICCUP
There it goes, let's follow it.
Fishlegs stands around, fidgeting nervously and not making eye contact with Hiccup until the weight of his eyes on him gets to him.
FISHLEGS
Oh, you were talking to me...?
HICCUP
Fishlegs, new dragon. You love this stuff!
FISHLEGS
I hate that about me!
The two walk through the tunnels slowly, looking at how perfectly carved out it all is, and noticing the roots that spiral across the ceiling.
In one of the darker tunnels there are two eyes shining through, staring right at them. Hiccup and Fishlegs rear back, but only a lone sheep that had been dragged down there pops out, baa-ing dryly before it scurries out.
Hiccup and Fishlegs continue walking through the tunnels before the Whispering Death pops out from another tunnel, the two immediately run for cover in another tunnel and, thankfully, go unnoticed by it.
The Whispering Death snakes around a bit of sunlight peaking in from an opening in the ceiling and Hiccup and Fishlegs give a sigh of relief.
FISHLEGS
(whispering)
Hiccup, did you see-?
The Whispering Death hears something, and turns back around, it's spines erecting and Hiccup clasps a hand over Fishlegs' mouth, quieting him.
HICCUP
Can it wait?
The Whispering Death slithers past them, but it's long body takes a while to clear the tunnel. They stand still and wait.
HICCUP
Let's just hope it keeps going....
On cue, it stops moving.
FISHLEGS
How'd that work out for us?
Fishlegs notices something on the Whispering Death and nudges Hiccup, calling his attention to it. It looks like it's bite marks lodged into it's side.
Just as Hiccup reaches out to get a closer look, the dragon slithers off again, finally clearing the tunnel for exit again.
FISHLEGS
Did you see that!?
HICCUP
Is that a bite marks?
FISHLEGS
No just any bite mark, that's a night fury bite mark. I think I know why these two are looking for each other...
HICCUP
(in realization)
They have a history.
FISHLEGS
A grudge.
HICCUP
If that's true, how long to dragons carry a grudge?
There's a tension in the silence as Fishlegs thinks for a moment, before he gasps.
FISHLEGS
To the death...
They both suddenly feel very uncomfortable being down there...
HICCUP
Let's get out of here before it comes back.
FISHLEGS
That is a really good idea.
The two run through the main tunnel until the Whispering Death comes up on them, and it's not very happy. They manage to evade it's first lunge forward and begin to run back to the hole they entered through. The Whispering Death rears back from the peak of sunlight coming in and turns away, though hasn't given up the chase for them yet.
EXT. RAVEN POINT FOREST - DAY
Meanwhile, above ground, the other teens stay by the rim of the hole and wait, though Astrid is becoming particularly impatient.
ASTRID
They've been down there forever.
She bends down and calls into the hole.
ASTRID
Hiccup! Fishlegs!
They both show up in the opening of hole on cue.
HICCUP
Yep, right here.
TUFFNUT
Did you see the whispering death? Was it cool?
RUFFNUT
Did you touch it?
TUFFNUT
I wanna touch it!
FISHLEGS
Can we talk about this later? We really need to get out of this hole!
Astrid looks over at a nearby rumbling. The Whispering Death is coming from another angle, but coming nonetheless.
ASTRID
Yeah, you do.
The rumbling continues in the cave as well.
HICCUP
Fishlegs, you go first.
FISHLEGS
No argument here.
Hiccup lifts Fishlegs up slightly and Astrid reaches down to help him up.
ASTRID
Grab my hand!
The rest of the teens help Astrid pull up Fishlegs' weight.
Astrid hurriedly rushes over back to Hiccup as the rumbling gets closer and closer.
ASTRID
Hiccup hurry!
She reaches down to help him but Hiccup isn't tall enough to reach her hand.
HICCUP
(strained)
I can't reach!
He continues to jump up, trying to grasp her hand while Astrid reaches down as far as she can without falling in herself. They finally have a stroke of luck and Hiccup is able to jump high enough to grasp her hand. But the grip is loose and Astrid can't manage to pull him up.
ASTRID
(strained as wel)
Hiccup...
The Whisperng Death continues to get closer and Hiccup's hand slips from Astrid's grasp. He falls back into the hole and the Whispering Death closes in on him.
The ground shakes, trees topple over, and dirt explodes upwards in a worm-like pattern.
Hiccup is inside the Whispering Death's underground maze of tunnels. He struggles to reach Astrid's hand as the Whispering Death approaches him.
The other teens watch worriedly behind Astrid.
ASTRID
Just... a little more!
HICCUP
I'm trying!
Their hands are still too far apart. From the darkness behind him, a giant, ominous cloud of dust hurtles towards Hiccup.
Hiccup turns to face it and braces himself.
HICCUP
(shouting upward)
Everyone stand back!
The teens scatter. Hiccup is sent flying straight up out of the tunnel under a powerful stream of dirt.
HICCUP
Wooaah!
TUFFNUT
(to Ruffnut)
Wow, I bet he can see our house from up there.
Hiccup loses momentum and begins to fall back to the ground from a dangerous height. The Whispering Death springs from the hole with its mouth open wide, intending to devour Hiccup.
ASTRID
Stormfly!
Stormfly flies up and catches Hiccup in her talons just before he falls into the Whispering Death's mouth. The Whispering Death snaps at the air and falls back into the hole.
Stormfly drops Hiccup on his feet with the other teens.
HICCUP
Thanks Astrid
The Whispering Death rears back and roars at Hiccup.
TUFFNUT
I don't think he likes you in its hole...
HICCUP
(exhasperated)
Yeah, I got that.
SNOTLOUT
Can we get out of here!
(whimpering)
Please?
HICCUP
(determined)
No. I know I can train this thing. Anybody got some dragonnip?
Immediately, two different hands load dragon nip into Hiccup's arms. Hiccup pauses to give each provider a suspicious look. He begins to approach the Whispering Death.
HICCUP
Don't be afraid... I'm a friend. Here--
He offers up the dragonnip.
HICCUP
You'll love this. All the dragons love this.
The Whispering Death stares at him and Hiccup smiles hopefully. The dragons roars and blows all the dragonnip from Hiccup's hands and back at the other dragons. One by one, all of the teens dragons fall to the ground in a blissful trance.
Snotlout stares down at Hookfang.
SNOTLOUT
Oh, great. Now we're defenseless.
The Whispering Death roars. Hiccup backs up next to Fishlegs.
HICCUP
Any ideas? I'm throwing it wide-open to the group.
SNOTLOUT
I got an idea... RUN!
The teens turn tail and begin to run away. The Whispering Death follows. It singles Hiccup out as he begins to fall behind the group. It snaps twice at him before it is knocked off course by something.
ASTRID
Toothless!
Toothless rolls around, wrestling with the Whispering Death before kicking it off into some trees. The two dragons square off and trade roars. The Whispering Death looks around and sees the other dragons have come-to and are circling it. It's outmatched.
Toothless bounds forward. The Whispering Death turns tail and dives back into its hole. Toothless pauses and Hiccup takes this opportunity to try and get on the saddle. Toothless knocks Hiccup back and growls at him.
Hiccup holds out his hands placatingly.
HICCUP
Hey bud. It's me. I know what's going on with you and that other dragon.
The snarls falls from Toothless' face and his pupils dilate.
Hiccup reaches out to him.
HICCUP
Let me help you.
Just before his hand touches Toothless' face, Toothless turns and runs off. Hiccup tries to chase him down.
HICCUP
(shouting)
Toothless, come back!
Toothless pauses in his running to fire a plasma bolt at Hiccup. It hits the ground just in front of Hiccup, forcing him to stop and shield his face from dirt. He stares at Toothless, shocked and hurt.
Toothless gives Hiccup one last look, gurgles, and returns to his pursuit of the Whispering Death.
Hiccup's shoulder's slump but he stays put. Tuffnut sidles in from the right.
TUFFNUT
(sing-song)
Awkward...
Hiccup glares at him.
EXT. CLOUDY SKIES - DAY
The teens are all flying over the forest on their dragons. Hiccup sits behind Astrid on Stormfly.
SNOTLOUT
So Toothless has an arch-enemy...
(to Hiccup)
Kind of like you and me.
HICCUP
(exasperated)
Snotlout! You're not my arch-enemy!
SNOTLOUT
Well you're mine!
Snotlout points two fingers at his eyes and jabs them at Hiccup in a "I'm watching you" gesture.
ASTRID
(to Hiccup, about Toothless)
He's just trying to protect you.
SNOTLOUT
That's not what it is!
(lecturing)
Toothless doesn't want you around because this is between him and the other guy. He's a fighter. Like me.
Snotlout thumps himself on the chest twice.
SNOTLOUT
Not... whatever you are.
HICCUP
(thoughtfully)
I... never thought I'd say this, Snotlout, but I think you're right.
SNOTLOUT
Wait... huh?
(looking around)
You guys heard that, right?
HICCUP
It's not a fair fight! If Toothless is gonna win, he has to fly. And he can't fly without me!
ASTRID
So, what are you saying?
HICCUP
I'm saying we need to find him. And soon.
Astrid faces forward with renewed determination and Stormfly gains a burst of speed.
EXT. RAVEN POINT FOREST - DAY
We race along the forest floor weaving between trees. Toothless gallops through the forest in pursuit of the Whispering Death. He looks around as he runs and eventually comes to a tell-tale hole in the ground. He roars, finding it empty, and darts off towards the next one.
The teens on the dragons are following close behind now.
HICCUP
(pointing)
There he is!
(to Astrid)
Get me down there.
The dragons dive down and land just behind Toothless, who is still sniffing out the Whispering Death. Hiccup jumps from Stormfly's back and approaches Toothless with caution.
Toothless senses him and turns around with a small grown. His expression quickly softens as Hiccup calmly and slowly reaches out to him.
Toothless gurgles and presses his crown into Hiccup's outstretched hand. Hiccup is relieved by the familiar gesture.
HICCUP
Hey Bud!
He hugs Toothless's head.
HICCUP
You had me so worried there for a while.
He pulls away and looks Toothless in the eye.
HICCUP
You haven't been yourself lately. Good to see you're still you.
The ground shakes from a rumble in the distance. The Whispering Death erupts from a hole in the ground and roars at them.
Toothless starts to growl at it.
HICCUP
You can just walk away from this, bud!
The Whispering Death roars at them. Hiccup is alarmed by the return of Toothless's aggression and quickly attempts to climb onto the saddle.
HICCUP
Let's just go home-
Toothless knocks Hiccup from his shoulders and charges the Whispering Death. Fishlegs and Astrid are behind Hiccup.
FISHLEGS
You were so close. I thought you had him!
Toothless leaps at the Whispering Death and fires a bolt at it. The Whispering Death dodges and smacks Toothless aside with its tail. They face off again. Toothless tries to fly up to meet the other dragon but his immobile tail-fin makes it impossible. The Whispering Death shoots Toothless back to the ground with a fire ball. Toothless is struggle to keep up.
HICCUP
(to Astrid)
He needs our help.
Astrid is already atop her Nadder and she pulls Hiccup up behind her. She and the other dragons begin to follow Toothless on foot, but Toothless growls at them to stay put. None of the dragons disobey him.
ASTRID
(to Stormfly)
Come on, girl!
SNOTLOUT
Hookfang won't budge!
TUFFNUT
I think ours is broken.
FISHLEGS
They know this isn't their fight, guys.
The Whispering Death and Toothless continue to duke it out. The Whispering Death manages to hit Toothless hard with a stream of its fire. Toothless is sent tumbling backwards to the edge of a canyon. Toothless rights himself and roars. The Whispering Death uses its digging abilities to take out the land connecting the cliff's edge to the rest of the ground. Tons of earth falls away and Toothless is left stranded on a tall rock-stack, surrounded by a gorge on all sides. He can't fly himself to safety.
The Whispering Death flies up again and begins to fire at its trapped target.
Hiccup runs forward and reaches out desperately.
HICCUP
Toothless!
Toothless struggles to dodge on his limited ground.
HICCUP
(mumbling)
Buddy...
He looks up and roars helplessly at Hiccup. The Whispering Death continues firing at Toothless. Hiccup turns to the rest of his friends.
HICCUP
He's gonna knock Toothless into the canyon.
Toothless is nearly blown into the canon and Hiccup's expression becomes one of determination. He steps up to the edge of the canyon and Toothless looks over at him.
Hiccup holds out his arms and steps off of the cliff's edge. He drops into the canyon. Astrid races forward.
ASTRID
(aghast)
Hiccup!
Toothless follows Hiccup's descent with his eyes. The Whispering Death fires at Toothless in his distraction, but the Night Fury turns away and leaps into the canyon after his rider.
As Hiccup falls his eyes are open and focused on Toothless. He readily maneuvers his body as Toothless sails underneath him and swings into the saddle. His metal foot clicks into the pulley stirrup and flexes the tail-fin.
They're too close to the ground. The falling rocks around them strike the bottom of the canyon and they disappear in the resulting dust cloud. From within the cloud Hiccup cries out and Toothless roars.
The other teens watch from the top of the ledge in horror.
The beating of wings can be heard from the billowing dark cloud of broken rock. Toothless and Hiccup emerge, flying as one.
Astrid pumps her fist.
ASTRID
Yes!
HICCUP
(to Toothless)
You save me. I save you. That's the way it is.
They bank left to face off the Whispering Death.
The Whispering Death roars and sends its spines at them, then a spiral of fire. Both are dodged by the two boys. Hiccup and Toothless climb the skies for momentum before diving. Toothless fires a plasma bolt at the Whispering Death. It slithers out of the way.
The clouds part and the Whispering Death gets hit in the face by a ray of sunlight. It screeches and retreats back into the earth.
Fishlegs observes this with scrutiny.
Hiccup flies back to the group after seeing the Whispering Death is out of reach again.
FISHLEGS
The sunlight, Hiccup! That's its weakness!
Hiccup nods resolutely.
HICCUP
(to Toothless)
Okay, bud. Keep him above ground.
Hiccup and Toothless sweep over the forest. Toothless blasts plasma bolts into all the holes they pass. The fire from them fills the tunnel and erupts back out of other connected holes. The forest is filled with exploding rocks and beams of blue fire.
The twins watch from atop their Zipplebacks in rapture.
RUFFNUT
This. Is. Amazing.
Tuffnut pats Barf on the neck.
TUFFNUT
(to Belch)
We've got to find you an arch-nemesis.
The Whispering Death is thrown from its tunnels by Toothless' firepower. Hiccup and Toothless are ready for it, hovering in the air. Toothless swings down and pins the dazed Whispering Death to the ground. He stands atop its head, victorious, and roars down at it.
HICCUP
Toothless! No!
Toothless pauses in his strike, but he continues to trade roars with the defeated Whispering Death. He quiets and observes the other dragon. Then he climbs off it.
The Whispering Death immediately slithers away back into one of its holes.
Hiccup and Toothless fly back and rejoin the other teens and dragons.
SNOTLOUT
Aw, man! Toothless could have finished him off!
HICCUP
Well, I guess all dragon grudges aren't to the death.
FISHLEGS
(happily)
I guess I'll have to change that in the book.
Fishlegs flies off on Meatlug. The other teens follow him. Hiccup pauses to smile down at Toothless and pat his head.
HICCUP
Hey, bud. What do you say we go home?
He and Toothless follow the rest.
EXT. BERK - SUNSET
We pan in from the skies towards the Island of Berk. Everything looks peaceful, even the waters in the setting sun. A dragon cry can be heard in the distance.
Hiccup and Toothless are flying through the sky. Toothless has a large boulder clutched in his front paws. Hiccup is looking around on the ground for left over Whispering Death holes.
HICCUP (V.O.)
When our past rears its ugly head, it usually doesn't have six rows of razor-sharp teeth and a bad attitude.
Hiccup spies a hole between clusters of trees, smiles, and pats Toothless on the side to signal it. Toothless released the boulder. It drops straight down onto the hole, plugging it.
HICCUP (V.O)
If it does, you're going to need a great friend who has your back.
Hiccup and Toothless, having completed their task, fly back home toward the setting sun.
HICCUP (V.O)
I will always have Toothless's back. And he will always have mine.
