Chapter 39: A While Ago
Tropes That Appear In This Chapter:
- Badass in Distress: Toothless is considered the most dangerous species of dragon in existence. As a result, the Vikings chain him down and muzzle him so they can execute him. Luckily, Hiccup and the Nadder fly in just in time.
- Color Motif: Mirabel made Hiccup's new ruana blue because blue is the theme color associated with Julieta's branch of the family. She does this as a way of asking him to be her boyfriend.
- Costume Evolution: Hiccup wearing the blue ruana signifies his becoming an honorary member of the Madrigal family.
- Darkest Hour: At the beginning of the chapter, Hiccup has been locked in the Kill Ring and disowned by Stoick. Toothless has been captured and is going to be executed. There's little doubt in Hiccup's mind that he'll be killed as well.
- Heroic Sacrifice: Right when Stoick was about to kill Hiccup and Toothless, the Nadder flew down, burned off the chains holding Toothless, and distracted everyone long enough for the boy and Night Fury to escape. Unfortunately, it did so at the cost of its freedom (right after Hiccup had freed it). The two are about to dive down and help, but it refuses, warbling at them to go while they can.
- Mythology Gag: When Hiccup and Toothless leave Berk for what they believe to be the last time, the narrative describes how people talked about it later. The words sound familiar:They say he rode a dragon, and one day he disappeared.
- The Reveal: We find out that the day before Hiccup found the Encanto, Hiccup and Toothless had encountered a freak storm, characterized by a golden cloud that strikes them with lightning conveniently after he wonders if there is a place for them in the world, implying that their arrival at the Encanto was more than just coincidence.
- The Runaway: In order to protect Toothless, and himself, Hiccup has to not only leave Berk, but the archipelago entirely.
- Wham Episode: The episode ends with Mirabel asking Hiccup if he could be her boyfriend. He says yes.
- Whole Episode Flashback: Three-Fourths of the chapter is set right after Hiccup was found out harboring Toothless and their escape.
- You Can't Go Home Again: Right after escaping the execution and sheltering on a sea stack, Hiccup realizes that he can never live in or near Berk again, as Toothless would be killed by any Viking who saw him, while Hiccup would either be killed, or captured, handed over to Stoick, then killed. As such, they return one last time to Berk for supplies, then escape into the night.
