All Hiccup could remember was the intense heat at his back and the wind rushing past his face, so fast the cold air bit at his flesh.

The adrenaline during the battle with the dreaded dragon Queen that had enslaved hundreds of dragons for 300 years.

The rapid beating of his heart as the raging fire behind him chased after he and Toothless like Hel herself was trying to drag the two into the depths of her realm.

The fear as the artificial tail fin for Toothless burnt away and the two lost control, seeing the massive tail bludgeon of the Queen in their way and having no way of evading it.

"No." He felt his heart drop as he could do nothing but seemingly watch his own demise approach. "No! Uhh!" the two collided with the gigantic tail, sending them tumbling through the air as Hiccup was thrown off the saddle and dropping into the fiery abyss below.

All he could remember was the weightlessness as he fell and Toothless' screeches of desperation and fear. Hiccup prayed to whatever God may be listening to make sure that Toothless would be safe, that he'd be able to live his life. His own life didn't matter, all that mattered to Hiccup at that moment was his Brother in all but blood.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Toothless beat his wings with all his might, his eyes locked on the form of his brother, he cried out for Hiccup as he neared the boy. The fire was getting closer, surrounding them he was just within biting distance but he wouldn't make it in time!

And just like that, Toothless knew what he had to do, he could only pray to the Elder Dragons that it would save Hiccup and that he'd forgive Toothless for what he was about to do.

He opened his mouth, extending his neck as far as it could reach and snapped his jaws onto the closest limp he could get, the appendage entered his maw and with that, he sank his fangs into it. The bitter, iron like taste of blood intruded his taste buds, making him want to spit it out but he knew he couldn't. Muscles tore apart as his teeth sliced through the soft tendons and he felt the bone break & shatter. He was thankful that Hiccup was unconscious, he wouldn't be able to bare the screams of pain of his Brother.

He pulled at the limb to draw Hiccup in closer and then wrapped his bat like wings around the Viking, protecting him from the harsh blaze of the inferno and taking the brunt of the fall once they hit the ground.

The impact must have sent him in a daze, his vison was blurry and he had a ringing in his ears. He shook his head to try and clear it and tried to focus on what was happening.

The fight with the Queen, that had happened and he was somehow still alive. After all those years of serving under that monstrosity, he was now free and Hiccup was to thank for that.

He felt Hiccup's tiny form within his wings and could hear the faint heartbeat of the human. Toothless let out a breath of relief but a new fear grew, he knew that Hiccup was in bad shape and that if he wasn't treated, he would surely die.

"Hiccup?!" Toothless heard through the smoke and ash. It sounded like the fiery bearded Viking, the Alpha amoung Hiccup's flock, his scent was also a giveaway.

"HICCUP!" He heard again, the man sounding more afraid and distressed as he continued to search for the boy.

"SON!" The voice drew closer, then the same voice sounded off but it was quieter, smaller. "Hiccup." The pounding of footsteps drew near and the man's scent became more profound.

The man was just a few feet before him but he seemed to stop and a small thud was heard. "Oh, son." He said, his voice broken. "I did this."

Toothless let out a tired growl as he blinked his eyes open, now he could see the Alpha in front of him, on his knees and head lowered in grief, behind him were the mass of both Vikings and the few, now freed dragons that came back out of curiosity.

The Beast and Man locked eyes, toxic green into forest green, one cautious and the other devastated.

"Oh, son, I'm so sorry." The Viking Alpha weakly apologised. Not weak in sincerity, but in heart break. The grief the human showed was genuine and with that, Toothless revealed his human. He opened his wings to show Hiccup held safely in his legs.

Once the Viking saw the boy's form, he instantly rushed to the child and snatched him from Toothless' hold, though the dragon gave no resistance. "Hiccup!" he gasped and looked over his son's pale face, before he threw off his helmet and pressed his ear to Hiccup's chest. Even though it wasn't his ear up against Hiccup's chest, he could hear the rhythmic sound of his heart and it would seem the human Alpha did as well as he sagged in relief and choked out. "He's alive. You brought him back alive!" he sobbed.

The humans from behind gave their own cheers of joy at the news. The Alpha placed his hand on Toothless' head and nodded his head as a sign of gratitude. "Thank you for saving my son." He said as Toothless nodded in response.

Then the really smelly, yellow furred Viking with wood and metal limbs lumbered over and said. "Well, most of him." he said as he observed the boy's body.

The Alpha followed his gaze and gasped at the sight.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Darkness. That's all Hiccup could remember. Sometimes he would hear mumbled speaking, like he was trapped in a small box with people speaking outside. Some sounded familiar whilst others sounded like complete strangers.

His entire body felt heavy. Maybe he wasn't trapped in a box but instead a suit of armour. He couldn't lift his arms, his legs, he couldn't even open his eyes.

At times the voices sounded clearer and he could make out some of what was said.

"Can't be havin… damned beast…"

"Gothi says… it has to come off… I'm sorry Stoick

"…my fault, Gobber. If only I…"

"…like Valka… we ever thought…"

"Hiccup… please wake up…"

Hiccup didn't understand what was going on, he would fall in and out of consciousness and didn't remember what lead to this. He then felt something nudging his head and a warm breath wash over his face, the smell wasn't too pleasant either.

Then, a strange sound echoed through his head. It sounded like an echo in a cave, Hiccup followed that sound, using it to navigate through the darkness. He must have been going in the right direction as the sound grew closer and clearer. The strange noise then turned to soft growls, not a threatening or terrifying growl but one of concern, he neared the growling and through the darkness a light shone as he neared.

With what little strength Hiccup had, he used it to lift his heavy eyelids. He held war hammers lighter than this, and with great effort, Hiccup managed to finally open his eyes.

Everything was a blur at first, he blinked a few times to clear his vision and as his eyes slowly adjusted he noted that he was in a hut, his own hut it would appear. He realised he was laying on his bed but he was not in his room, judging by the fireplace that was before the foot of his bed, he realised he was downstairs. Why was his bed downstairs? He then noticed the large, black reptile hovering over his prone form, concern in its acid green eyes as it looked down on him.

It was Toothless!

Hiccup felt relief at the sight of his best friend. The Night Fury must have shared his relief as he nudged the boy with his head a couple of times and got in a few licks. "Hey, Toothless. I'm happy to see you too, buddy." He greeted warmly.

Hiccup then looked around once more and felt a sense of panic. "Uh, I'm in my house." Hiccup noted and then turned back to his friend who was slurping and licking his lips whilst seemingly vibrations in place, as though he was filled with unused energy and was eager to burn it off. "Uh, you're in my house." Hiccup said.

Toothless couldn't hold it any longer, he started to pounce around the living room, knocking over tables and chairs alike in his playing. "Does my dad know you're here?" Hiccup asked, afraid that should his dad see his dragon friend, he'd kill him without a moment's hesitation.

Hiccup still felt too weak to move and could only watch as Toothless made a mess of his house. "Oh, come on." He groaned and focused on trying to move his arms. Now that Hiccup was fully conscious, he actually noted how, while still hard to move, his left arm felt… oddly lighter than his right arm.

Hiccup then saw Toothless perched on top of a wooden beam. "Toothless!" Hiccup said in a stronger voice, though it was scratchy from lack of water. He willed his arm to move and reached out toward Toothless, as though it would stop the 500 pound lizard.

Then, Hiccup felt the air leave his lungs, only to stop in his throat, his heart dropped to his stomach and it was good that he was lying down already, for if he were standing, his legs would surely give out.

Because instead of seeing his left hand, all he saw was a stump.

Instead of a hand, the arm only reached roughly 4 inches past his elbow. The amputation was covered in bandages but the skin the peaked out from the wrappings had clear signs of burnt flesh scarring.

Hiccup could only stare at the stump, as if the rest of his hand would suddenly grow back into existence. He didn't know for how long he lay there staring at his arm… or what was left of it.

As he stared at his life changing scar, a wave of memories crashed into him, now he remembered the events that led to this, how Toothless saved his life before being captured by the Vikings, how his father had disowned him, how he watched his tribe sail off to their deaths unknowingly, how Astrid came to him and gave him the boost he needed when he was at his lowest, how he and the other teens flew on the backs of the captured dragons to save their tribe and families, how his father saved his and Toothless' lives before telling Hiccup he was proud to call him his son.

And the flames that came from the destruction of the tyrant that was the dragons' Queen, how the ferocious element chased after he and Toothless and when he was knocked off the saddle by the Queen's bludgeon like tail slammed into the pair.

It wasn't until he felt a small nudge did he blink and see Toothless look at him with worried and anxious eyes. Hiccup looked to Toothless and then back to his arm and back to Toothless as a horrifying realisation came to him.

He recalled being thrown off the saddle as he delved into the sea of fire and the sight of Toothless desperately trying to reach him before darkness consumed him.

So how else was Toothless meant to have saved him when he was falling?

Hiccup nearly cried at the thought as dread and bits of resentment filled his chest. Dread because another thing that made him an outcast amongst his own was the fact that he was left handed, possibly the only left handed Viking of Berk and that confused everyone for they all were right handed. Many saw the trait as unnatural and just another sign that he was a mistake on Berk, a Hiccup.

Resentment for it was Toothless, his best and only friend, that done this to him. His own people treated him poorly just because he was different and un-Viking like, he found solace and acceptance from his people's worst enemy and fear, the unholy offspring of lightning and death itself. Yet his tribe never done anything to break him, only Snotlout had really been rough and physical with him but even the arrogant boy knew his limits. It was the one person he found love from that had seriously injured him. Hiccup looked ready to snap and scream at the dragon until he took a good look at Toothless.

The usually proud Night Fury seemed to shrink from Hiccup's eyes and was trying to merge with the floor by how low he cowered. Toothless looked remorseful, as though he was filled with a great shame and even looked scared of Hiccup, as though he had predicted the rage Hiccup would feel towards him.

Hiccup then caught the sight of Toothless' tail fin, or what was left. And Hiccup remembered that it was he himself who took away a part of the Night Fury, that it was he who took away the flight from the might beast of the sky.

Hiccup had crippled Toothless for glory and recognition, whereas Toothless crippled Hiccup to save his life. One was done out of selfish desire whilst the other was done out of love.

Hiccup moved to get out of bed but his legs had yet to gain their strength and he tumbled to the floor. He would have had a painful meeting with the wooden floor if it wasn't for Toothless lunging in time to stop Hiccup from his rapid descent, catching him with his head.

Hiccup managed to right himself and saw that, even in his self-loathing, even when in fear of him, Toothless still went to help Hiccup.

Hiccup felt tears gather in his eyes once again but this time, it was out of disgust of himself. How could he ever blame Toothless for this and act as though he were a monster? Hiccup hugged the dragon's head and pressed his forehead against Toothless' own as tears fell freely.

"Oh, Toothless. I am so sorry. How could I ever blame you? You saved my life and how do I react? Like an ungrateful brat. How could I forget so easily that I hurt you first? How could I be so selfish when you saved my life despite me ruining yours?" Hiccup cried.

Toothless grew wide eyed at what Hiccup said and pushed him to the ground before burying his head into the young boy's chest. NO! Toothless wanted to yell at his friend. NO! You are the best thing that happened to me! You had me dead to rights and yet you spared me and you could have left me to die in that cove but you risked yourself to give me back my flight! I love you, brother.

Unfortunately, the Night Fury could respond verbally in Hiccup's tongue so he resorted to showing Hiccup how he felt.

Hiccup sobbed out a laugh as he managed to interoperate what his brother was trying to tell him and hugged the dragon all the more harder.

The pair laid there for only Thor knows how long. It wasn't until Hiccup started to feel better that the pair got off from the floor and headed for the door. Hiccup stood and made to move forward but suddenly started to tilt to his right and nearly lost his footing until Toothless caught him once again.

"Thanks, bud." Hiccup said in appreciation. Without the weight of his left arm, he felt unbalanced, uncoordinated. His right side felt heavier and it made him tipsy. Great, he wouldn't even be able to walk straight until he got used to this.

Hiccup reached for the door with his left arm but stopped short as he didn't feel his hand grasp the door handle and once again only saw a stump in its place. He took a deep breath to hold back the moisture that clouded his vision. "This will take some getting used to." He muttered before opening the door with the arm that was still intact.

Hiccup took one look outside before the roar of an up close Monstrous Nightmare made him slam the door back shut and retreat behind the large frame. What was going on? A dragon attack? But they killed the Queen, why were they still attacking?!

"Toothless, stay here." Hiccup ordered. Now one would think the skinny boy would want to have the deadliest dragon by his side if he were in danger, but Hiccup was more afraid that if dragons were truly attacking the village, a passing Viking might try to attack Toothless. Opening the door once more and at a slower pace, Hiccup was greeted to the sight of the Nightmare still flapping its large wings just outside though now that he looked closer, Hiccup noted Snotlout on the back of the Nightmare.

"C'mon, guys. Get ready!" Snotlout called out to whoever was behind him as he and the Nightmare took off into the open blue sky. A Gronkle and Deadly Nadder followed behind along with the Vikings on their backs.

Hiccup stepped outside his home as he stared on in amazement. All around the village, dragons either flew by, wandered around or sat perched on a household, no screeches and cries of war, no yells or shrieks of pain and no blazing fires.

For seemingly the first time in Berk's history, the village of Berk was at peace while said village was filled with dragons.

Hiccup couldn't comprehend what he was seeing and had only one logical conclusion. "I knew it. I'm dead."

Laughter came from his right, the source came from one Stoick the Vast, his father. He chuckled and placed a meaty hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "No, but you gave it your best shot." Stoick then gestured to the town and asked. "So, what do you think?" the pair walked closer to the plaza as people and dragons alike took notice that their Hero had finally awaken.

"Hey, look, it's Hiccup!" one said as others started to cheer at the sight of him. A huge contrast to before when the sight of Hiccup only gained scowls or sighs of annoyance.

Everyone gathered around the pair but thankfully maintained their space as to not overwhelm the poor boy. Even his uncle, Spitelout, had a Terrible Terror perched on his shoulder and didn't mind the creature's occupation on his body at all.

Hiccup couldn't keep the shock and awe from his face as he looked on. Stoick released him and smiled down at Hiccup. "Turns out all we needed was a little more of… this." Stoick gestured to Hiccup entirely.

Hiccup stared back at his father in astonishment. "You just gestured to all of me." Hiccup said for the third time in his life. The first time was when Gobber had told Hiccup to stop being all 'this'. 'this' being himself but while it stung, Hiccup managed to turn it into a joke, and in order to hide how he really felt at the time.

The second time was when his father had signed him up for dragon training and told Hiccup to stand, talk and think like a Viking and that there'd be no more 'this' as he gestured to all of Hiccup. That time it hurt Hiccup even more, because it was just a reminder that his father couldn't see past Hiccup's faults and would constantly compare him to the son he always wanted but never had.

But this time, Stoick, Gobber and everyone of Berk finally saw what all 'this' truly was and the good he could do.

For the first time, everyone saw 'this' as a good thing.

"Well… most of you." Gobber bluntly said as he lumbered over. The fat blacksmith looked at Hiccup's left arm with a look of guilt. "I'd make you a prosthetic, lad, but I don' think any normal prosthetic would do for someone with yur' flare. Though I already got a few idea's in my noggin' if yur willing to drop by the shop sometime soon." Gobber invited.

Hiccup smiled in appreciation at his teacher and second uncle figure. He would need a new prosthetic after all, to help keep his balance if anything.

Then, out of nowhere, Astrid pushed through the crowd of Vikings and slugged Hiccup in the right shoulder, taking him by surprise. He went to rub the spot of pain with his left hand but his stump only waved in the air, this made Hiccup frown in annoyance at the stump, growing tired of forgetting how he no longer had his dominant hand. During this, he missed the look of guilty horror Astrid had as she had inadvertently reminded Hiccup of his disability.

She threw on a more stoic face before he could see in an attempt to avoid any potential awkwardness. "That's for scaring me." While Hiccup may not have picked up on the slight hitch to her voice, those close to her, like her parents, noted it.

Hiccup looked at her, incredulous. It's not like he planned on nearly dying! "Wh-what? Was- is it always going to be this way? 'Cause-…" Hiccup was cut off from his irritated rant by Astrid as she reached for his collar and pulled him into a kiss.

Okay, if he wasn't dead then he must be dreaming. Seriously, Astrid Hofferson was actually kissing him. And not a peck on the cheek like before (Holy shit, that was two times Astrid Hofferson kissed him!), it was a full on, lip on lip contact kiss. And in front of tons of people too!

The pair separated as Astrid held a shy smile while Hiccup looked dazed. "…I could get used to it." He finished, making the crowd laugh at the cute scene.

Gobber then carefully handed something to Hiccup. It was a new tail and saddle for Toothless. "Welcome home." Gobber said with a smile, one Hiccup mirrored.

The sound of a door opening was heard before someone cried out. "Night Fury!" though the cry lacked the fear they'd have whenever a Night Fury was spotted.

"Oh, get down!" another warned as Toothless jumped on the Vikings in excitement, knocking down a few due to his weight, Spitelout included. The ebony reptile landed before Hiccup and Astrid with a playful growl. Both Hiccup and Astrid shared a sheepish smile as the latter laughs along.

Sure Hiccup's life will be different, for better or worse. He may have lost an arm but he gained a brother, friends, and a home.

And if it was in the name of peace, so that children didn't have to fear losing their parents, so that Vikings won't lay awake at night in fear of another raid, so that others didn't have to lose parts of themselves?

Then Hiccup would gladly give an arm to end the war.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

A/N: Hello and welcome to a new story of mine, Httyd is a favourite series of mine and I just love it, the characters, the setting, and the stories of both the films and the TV series.

But this story was inspired by an artist with a Tumblr page called: Baisleyarts. I highly recommend seeing their works and following them on Tumblr and any other social media they may have. They do brilliant HTTYD fan art and even a few art pieces based on AU's and "What if" scenarios, like "Dragon God Hiccup" or "Hiccup and Dagur role reversal" and more.

I thought that Hiccup losing his left arm instead of his leg would make a huge difference to the series and wanted to give my interpretation of that, I plan to make Hiccup OOC but not largely, just enough to fit the AU and make the scenario more unique. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter and will see you all later.