Author's Note:

Hello and welcome to another story set in the 'Differently Similar' verse. Sadly this is not the sequel to 'Homo-Dragonis' but is instead another plot that came to mind. I think it'll be set before 'Glacial Bloom' in terms of timeline so the characters are still the ages they are in 'RoB' and 'DoB'.

The main feature of this story is unashamedly taken from a couple of 'The Legend of Zelda' games so I only really came up with the implementation of it in the HTTYD verse but seeing as I already have a cross-over between the two verses it's probably okay. I hope you all enjoy the start of this new story.

I do not own any aspect of 'How to Train Your Dragon'.

The Dangers of Gems on Pedestals

Snotlout should've learned the dangers of curiosity by now.

After being poisoned, kidnapped (several times) and turned into a dragon he should've been far more wary and cautious but he still somehow managed to find trouble. In fact, both Hiccup and Snotlout should be far more cautious by now but the two cousins always seemed to end up in ridiculous situations in some way.

Then magic started to stick its oar in and make things so much more complicated.

Snotlout being turned into a baby dragon, while quite funny at times, had been a bit of an issue. He had of course found a way to make the most of his situation and took full advantage of his cuteness to initiate several plots but it had got more dangerous when the Outcasts became involved.

That really should've been the end of any magical adventures but, naturally, Snotlout had got himself affected by magic once again.

All the Academy Riders had been out on a training exercise when they'd come across an old entrance into a mountain on one of the islands. Hiccup being…well…Hiccup, had decided that they should investigate and they all headed into the mountain together.

The inside was fairly square and straight, indicating that it had been deliberately constructed, it ran into the mountain and there were old, burnt out torches sitting in ancient scones along the walls. Hiccup and Fishlegs held one of these torches each and they led the way down the passage once Toothless had lit them. Fishlegs was of course excited by the whole thing and he babbled away joyfully as they headed onwards, "This passage was definitely made by people, it's far too straight and square to be natural. We might find evidence of some lost civilisation, or some ancient temple of our ancestors…"

"Or some long lost mountain of treasure!"

Snotlout had called out excitedly from somewhere near the middle of the group and Hiccup gave him an amused look, "Wasn't finding the lost treasure of Hamish the Second enough for you?"

The younger boy shrugged, "Technically that was mostly you and everyone decided to leave it buried."

"Because it would've only attracted unwanted attention from everyone else in the Archipelago."

"I know, I know. But it still would've been nice to keep some of it."

At this point the Tuffnut joined in, "If there's any awesome weapons, we call dibs!"

"Yeah," Ruffnut agreed, "I'm running out of things to hit Tuffnut with, a frying pan is only funny so many times."

"And mom stopped us using axes and swords." Her brother added.

Now well experienced with the twins, no one deigned to respond and Astrid eyed the way back, "Is it wise to go this far in right now? Maybe we should head back and return better prepared, we don't know what could be lying ahead of us."

Fishlegs answered reassuringly, "I think we're actually near the end, the passage widens up ahead."

True to his word the passage did indeed widen as it opened into an underground hall, it wasn't nearly as big as the Great Hall on Berk but it was still an impressive size. The walls were all stone and carved with a load of patterns and writing, Fishlegs immediately ran over to the nearest wall and began studying intently, "I think I've seen writing like this before!"

As he became absorbed in the carvings, the rest of the riders focused on the single pedestal in the middle of the hall. It wasn't that special to look at but the gem on top was, glittering with some internal light it attracted the attention of all who looked at it. Moving closer they could see what looked like swirling patterns of colour inside it and its many faces caused the torchlight to dance off it.

Tuffnut groaned in annoyance, "A rock! Is that it!? Where's the awesome weapons!?"

Astrid stared at him in disbelief, "Seriously? This is one of the most amazing gems Berk has ever seen and you're complaining that there are no weapons?"

Hiccup eyed the gem, "It is pretty amazing."

Snotlout leaned forward eagerly, "So let's take it back to Berk! Think how impressed everyone will be when we turn up with this!"

Hiccup looked doubtful, "Leaving something like this in the middle of the room is obviously a trap, we should wait to see what the carvings say before we touch it." He looked in Fishlegs' direction, "Fishlegs, do the carvings mention anything about this gem?"

The older boy was far too absorbed in said carvings to actually notice anyone addressing him and, with a sigh, Hiccup headed in his direction to get his attention. Snotlout took a few steps towards the gem and Astrid spoke to him warningly, "Snotlout…"

He glanced back and held his hands up innocently, "I'm just taking a closer look, I won't touch it, promise."

She frowned at him and he grinned briefly before looking at the gem once more, moving closer he began to see that there was only four colours swirling inside and he leaned forward to get a better look.

Then it freaked out.

With a rumble the whole place began shaking and the gem pulsed with light, Hiccup whirled around in shock, "Snotlout!"

The younger boy jumped away from the pedestal in a panic, "I didn't touch it! Honest!"

The light grew in intensity and it flashed all around them as the room continued shaking, stumbling to maintain balance, Hiccup quickly shot out commands, "Everyone, get out NOW!"

Needing no second bidding, everyone charged for the exit with their dragons helping them stay upright. They stampeded up the passageway as the gem continued to pulse with light behind them, just as they were about to get outside, the light suddenly surged up the passage and collided with them. A force threw them forwards and well out of the passage to land in a heap outside before it was seemingly sucked back in, the mountain shook and trembled and then the entire passage collapsed and an avalanche of rock and dust slid over the entrance, sealing it off entirely.

Groaning, Hiccup got up from where he'd been flung face first on the ground, he spoke groggily to the others, "Is everyone okay?"

There was a series of affirmatives but Hiccup's ears picked up a missing voice, "Snotlout?"

There was more groans and then an answer, "Yeah…I'm good."

Hiccup sighed in relief and looked in his cousin's direction ready to find out exactly what he'd done, however the words died on his lips as he gaped in complete and utter shock at what was before him. All the other riders did likewise as they saw their youngest member and even the jaws of the dragons dropped.

Four Snotlout's looked back with confusion in their eyes as they answered in unison.

"What?"

PS-Four Snotlouts, what could possibly go wrong? Please let me know what you thought and I'll hopefully update soon.