Grim stood at the mouth of the cave and gulped. Hesitant of his role in the plan. The little monster yelled into the cave to lure the inky beast from the depths. The monster responded by emerging in a rage. Grim panicked at the sight of it.
"YUU! HELP!," the grey feline monster screamed, his blue flames shining.
Hoshi jumped from her hiding spot and used both pickaxes to strike the monster, tearing at its slimy flesh. She had a little trouble breathing, but did not let that shake her as she landed the powerful hits onto the beast. The monstrous abomination roared at the strike and swung its own Pickaxe to hit her, screaming that it would never let them have the magic crystal.
"Yuu! If we get hit, we'll die!," Grim wailed.
The girl avoided another swing from the monster, barely missing being struck by the lantern like growth on it.
The masked blonde teen ran with Grim following her, "Then let's not get hit. We need to lead it away from the cave long enough for this to work."
She removed the broken Magic crystal from her pocket and held it up for the monster to see, it more than likely did not have much mental power based on how animalistic its attacks were.

The monster followed her after seeing the crystal in her possession. The young woman saw the other two getting into position. The monster got closer and closer to her. After getting the black inky beast away from the mine, she held the pickaxes up to signal Ace. The scarlet eyed redhead summoned up a large gust of wind as Grim summoned a wall of flames. The combined magic whipped up a blue flaming tornado that trapped the monster in it. Hoshi's laughter mocked the monster. With her mask, she seemed absolutely mad.
"Taste our burning determination!," She howled with laughter.
The bells on her mask chimed with an eerie ringing sound. The blue fire lit up the teens and Grim's bodies.
"Look at that, my wind made Grim's feeble flames into a raging inferno!," Ace laughed.
Grim huffed, "Whatddya say?!"
"Not now, you two.," the blonde teen interrupted the two, "Deuce! Your turn!"
The dark blue haired young man took a breath and took aim, "The largest and heaviest thing I can think of.  Keep calm."
Deuce thought of it and held his hands put to the monster, "I summon thee! Cauldron!"
From above the monster, a huge black cauldron appeared. The massive cooking implement fell onto the monster. The monster was trapped and flattened by the cauldron.
"Now, go!," Hoshi yelled.
The group went into the cave quickly. The girl used her pickaxes to cleave at the rock around the crystal. Deuce grabbed another pickaxe and helped her. The roars of the beat increased as it was forced to watch the precious magic stone formation be mined. It began to struggle free from the restraints. It was almost out when Deuce noticed and summoned cauldron after cauldron to pile on top of the beast. Ace took a pickaxe from Hoshi and swung it to help free the stone from its confines.
"Is that the only thing you know how to do?!," Ace shot at the other young man.
Deuce did not take too kindly to that, "I'm already worked up, don't make me even worse!"
Grim shot a large fireball mixed with plasma, breaking the rock around the magic crystal.

"There! It's out! Now let's scram!," the blue eyed monster exclaimed.
Hoshi picked up the stone and put it in her pocket. The group ran as fast as they could out of the cave. They passed the monster as it cried out for the stone. But the teens did not stop. They made their way back to the cabin near the mirror gate. The masked girl saw a mirror mounted on a cliff face, their way back! Her relief gave way to more panic as the roars of the monster that was following them in a rage.
"Are you kidding me?! That damn thing is still coming!," Ace cursed.
It was catching up to them very quickly for an inky mass with no legs. Hoshi felt the adrenaline hit as she got her second wind. This adrenaline spike made her feel even stronger than before. Another feeling came with the adrenaline, she wanted that monster dead. It had almost killed her multiple times while she was trying to keep these boys in school.
"There's no choice then. We're gonna kill it!," the blonde teen yelled as her mask slip up a bit on her face, causing her voice to project louder and clearer.
"I'm right with you on that!," Deuce said in his delinquent voice.
"Let's send this bastard straight to hell!," Ace agreed.
Grim seemed to have his previous fears melt away, all of them felt it. It was all or nothing and their hearts seemed to feel each other's rage towards this monster that stood before them. Hoshi exhaled a breath violently and took a deep one. Grim exhaled blue flames as his fighting spirit flared with the other three.
A bond seemed to have been formed.
Hoshi avoided being hit by the pick that was swung at her and used the beast's now stuck arm as am opportunity to strike with the sharp pick she was holding. The power of her swing caused the pick she held to get embedded in the body of the monster. She let go of it and jumped back to avoid getting hit by the swinging lantern.

Ace saw the injury she had made on the monster and aimed his magic attacks at it. Deuce took Ace's lead and shot magic attacks at the inky black creature. The monster pulled at the pick embedded in its body, ignoring the stuck arm. Grim shot out many fireballs at the beast. Hoshi saw some of Deuce's magic coming for her and used her pick to deflect it and direct it to the monster. She was able to make it hit the monster's blind spot on the back of its head. This caused the monster to turn its attention back to her, giving the other three time to fire off more spells. Ace used his winds to enhance Grim's blue fireballs while Deuce shot off random magic.
They were finally able to kill the beast, causing it to burst and evaporate. The four were out of breath at then end. They had survived. Hoshi dropped the other pick she held and ran to the two boys, grabbing them into a tight hug.
"We did it!," She laughed.
Ace and Deuce started smiling, feeling the same rush of joy that their companion felt.
Grim got in their squeeze with a wide smile on his little fuzzy face, "Let me in on your celebrations!"
Their relief was immeasurable. Hoshi realized how comfortable she felt with these two. Like they had known each other for a long even they had just met.
"I can't believe we won!," Deuce laughed.
Ace was grinning, "We won! It's dead!"
"We couldn't have done it without being friends like this!," the masked girl laughed and fixed her mask back onto her face.

She felt ace pull on her hair a bit, "Slow down with that cliche."
"Yeah, I don't think it had anything to do with that.," Deuce agreed.
"No, it's because I'm a magic genius.," Grim huffed as they separated from their embrace.
The little fuzzy monster perched himself on Hoshi's shoulder.
"I hate to admit it, but it's your plans and absurd ideas that saved us.," Ace smiled, "You're something else. I'm not sure someone would think to use mining picks as weapons against a monster."
"Yeah, it's your cool headed planning that let us get the crystal.," Deuce added, "Speaking of, where is it?"
The masked teen pulled it from her pocket and let them see it. It was beautiful with the multiple colors it had. The three were amazed with how beautiful it was.
"I've never seen one like this.," the spade marked boy breathed out, "I've happy we have it, now we're not getting expelled and you can stay in campus."
"We got it from working together.," Hoshi smiled under her mask and put the stone back into her pocket, "I'm just glad none of us are hurt."
"Yeah yeah. You're so sappy. We learned our lessons. Let's go.," Ace sighed.
"I'm so hungry. All those spells made my belly empty.," Grim whined, "Yuu! Let's go get something to eat! Ah.."
The feline monster hopped off of the blonde's shoulder and picked up a black rock. It was where the monster they killed last was.
"I think it might be from the monster we just beat.," Deuce mused, "It looks like a magic stone, but it's pitch black. I've never seen anything like it."
Grim sniffed it and his mouth began to water, "It smells amazing."
Ace was disgusted, "Dude, stop!"
"It must be candy for monsters! That stupid thing was keeping this from us as well!," Grim cheered, "I wonder if it tastes as good as it smells."

"Thanks for the snack!," Grim chimed and shoved the rock into his mouth.
"Ack! Don't eat that!," Hoshi knelt down and tried to pry Grim's mouth open, "Spit it out! Spit it out! Bad kitty!"
Grim's face turned into one of shock.
Deuce became worried, "Grim?! Are you okay?! Are you choking?!"
"That's what you get for eating shit off the ground.," Ace clicked his tongue.
"Oooooo! It's delicious!," Grim exclaimed with happy tears in his eyes.
"Huh?!," Deuce and Ace were in shock.
The teen girl was also surprised at her monster friend.
"It's sweet and rich, like flowers in bloom! A whole field of them!," the blue eyed feline monster grinned.
"Eww. Monsters are wierd.," Ace gagged.
"At least we can agree on that.," Deuce sighed.
Hoshi picked up Grim, "Promise to not eat anything else off the ground? You could get sick and we both know we don't have the money for that."
"I don't have a weak stomach like humans, don't worry.," Grim laughed in her hands.
"You'll stop laughing later when you're doubled over and throwing up.," the reddish haired boy sighed.
Deuce patted Hoshi's back, "Come on, let's get this stone to the headmage."
The four stepped through the mirror portal together. The familiar room before them was a great sight to see again. The headmage was standing before them, as if he was waiting.
"You're back I see.," Crowley said and folded his arms, "I'm surprised you went to the mine to look for a Crystal."

The appearance of the man startled everyone.
"I honestly didn't think you would.," the crow mask wearing man said.
Hoshi took the stone from her pocket and showed it to him, "We found one like I said we would. Will this be enough to keep them from being expelled?"
Crowley looked even more shocked, "You actually found one?! Oh my, sweet Yuu, You actually went through that trouble to make sure they didn't get expelled? And I was preparing all night for your expulsion."
This made Grim's fires flare up again, "WHAT?! While we were almost killed by a monster while getting this stone, you were expelling us?!"
The monster's words caught the man's attention, "Monster?"
"Yeah, it was big and ugly. Plus Yuu got sick just being near it!," Ace added, "We could have died!"
Hoshi held up her hands that were covered in the inky residue, "I still have some on me."
"Please, follow me. I want you to tell me this story in detail.," the headmage said and had the children follow.
As they walked, Hoshi relayed the story with the other two adding in details as well. She made sure to tell Crowley how the creature made her sick and the feeling she got when she sensed it approach. The man listened to the story in its entirety. He took the young woman's hand to look at it and saw black staining her nails. He had her sit down in a chair in his office as they finished the story. He took the new magic crystal from her and allowed her to keep the old one.

"You four teamed up and worked together to take it down?," the headmage asked before bursting into tears.
The group was surprised again by this man bawling like a baby. He took the girl's hands in his own.
"In all of my decades of working at this school, this is the first time the students have joined forces to defeat a common enemy!," the man smiled through his tears, "I'm so happy! Students hand in hand!"
"No! No! No way in hell am I joining forces with that guy!," Deuce rebuked and motioned to Ace.
Ace was just as reproached, "There's no joining hands with anyone! And how old are you anyway?!"
"At this moment, I am so moved. I have no words to express it!," Crowley held one arm around Hoshi, "This has proven my hope has been justified! YUU! You are indeed in possession of the talents of a beast master or tamer!"
"Beastmaster?," Hoshi asked.
"All the students who are chosen by the Dark Mirror have exceptional talents and potential!," the headmage explained, "But talent usually comes with pride and egos, so they are self centered and never consider cooperating with each other."
The blonde teen wriggled out of his hold and her mask slipped up a bit, having her mouth and cheeks exposed. This let Crowley grab either side of her face with a gleeful manner. He seemed so overjoyed about his discovery.
Grim did not seem to like what the headmage was saying about mages.
"But you have no magic, Yuu. But in spite of it, or maybe because of it, you can tame those who DO have magic!," the dark green haired man said, "You are exactly what this school needed! Someone who can balance out the extraordinary with your ordinary!"

Crowley leaned in close to whisper quietly, "Also your being a female adds a touch that is necessary. Just be careful, some of our boys can be unsavory."
"That does not sound very good, headmage.," Ace interjected.
"Yuu. I am convinced that you were called here by the Dark Mirror to be our tamer for our students.," the mask wearing headmage said, "That said, I rescind your expulsions. Trappola, Spade, you are once again students. Furthermore..."
He leaned in closer to her face, "Yuu, I am granting you status as a student from here on out. I know, it's very kind of me."
He released her squished face and let her fix her mask. The two boys and monster were surprised by the news.
"But, I don't use magic. This is a school for magic users.," Hoshi said.
"Ah yes, about that. Since you don't have magic and Grim does, you with share a single enrollment as a student.," Crowley explained.
Grim began to cry, "Yuu. I'm finally... able to be a student!"
The masked girl picked up the monster from his seated position on the floor beside her and hugged him to her chest. The monster was so happy that he did not care.
"I look forward to being your partner.," the teen said.
Grim's eyes looked through the holes of her mask and met hers. The headmage held up a small crystal.
"Here, I will now bestow upon you a magic crystal given to all students.," the yellow eyed man smiled and placed a crystal onto the ribbon that Grim had on.
The feline like monster was shocked by it.
"Usually we give it attached to a pen, but I don't think you can hold such a tool with those paws.," Crowley explained, "so wearing it like this is a perfect solution for you."

Grim began to celebrate, jumping from Hoshi's arms and jumping around her legs. He was not listening to the headmage.
"Ahh. He's not paying attention. Yuu. You need to keep an eye on him and keep him on a tight leash.," the man smiled.
"Wow, what a promotion! From a janitor to a prefect in just a day.," Ace chuckled, "This is a first. A magic less prefect."
"Oh, since your dorm is just you two and some ghosts, you're in charge, making you the prefect.," Deuce smiled, "It works."
"I'll do my best.," Hoshi nodded.
"Haha! Good luck.," the reddish haired young man punched her shoulder lightly.
"I guess that does make you a prefect. That is wonderful! I just so happen to have a job for you.," the older man smiled, "Congratulations!"
He handed her an old looking camera. The camera itself was a box shape that was easy to hold. The colors were cream and dark brown, mixed with bronze.
"It's a ghost camera.," the headmage said.
"It's heard of 'em. Grandma told me about them. They are old magic items.," the scarlet eyed boy said, "Like really old."
"It's not that old. Is it?," the headmage asked before returning to his train of thought, "But they may have been invented when your Great Grandmother, or Great Great grandmother was a child. It was made with a special kind of magic."
Hoshi looked down at the camera.
"It not only captures the subject's physical form, but also parts of their very soul.," Crowley continued.

"That sounds a little suspect.," Deuce chimed in.
"Is that safe?," Hoshi inquired.
"These pictures are called memories. Here's the special part. If the subject has a strong attachment or soulbond to the one taking the picture.," the man explained, "The image will start to move! It will look like a movie of that memory."
"Bond?," the teen girl asked.
"When you grow close, the movement on the images will start.," Crowley continued, "There's a rumour that sometimes the photographs slip off the paper and take corporeal form. Isn't that incredible?"
"Isn't that like ghost photography?," Deuce asked.
"Yes, hence the name of ghost camera.," The headmage said, "It was supposed to be a way to capture moving images in an age before video cameras. As Spade-Kun mentioned before, the people in the old days thought it was pranks made by ghosts. Many people were afraid of being photographed as a result."
"It sounds like this is more trouble than it's worth.," Ace said.
"Yuu. I want you to photograph Grim and the other students. You can make and memory album that way and make a record of your life at this wonderful school.," Crowley said, "And especially take pictures of students and their mischief caused by their poor self control. Do show me and other teachers those pictures. It'll be easier than writing lengthy reports. And this is not just for your dorm, but also extends to others. My kindness is endless, isn't it?"
"Thank you.," the young woman bowed to the headmage.
"Sounds like you're just another set of eyes for the headmage and the teachers.," Ace huffed.
"Now, it is very late. And I suspect all of you are exhausted from what you have been through.," Crowley said, "Go back to your dorms and get some rest."
"Yes sir. Goodnight!," Deuce said.
"'Night.," Ace grinned.
"Goodnight, sir.," Hoshi bowed and followed her companions.

They all walked down the hallway. Hoshi was looking out into the courtyard as they walked. She saw a blue light as what looked like flames flickered in the darkness. The blue color was oddly beautiful. She looked closer and saw it was a mass following a human shape. It had to be another student, the girl remembered seeing some unique looking boys in orientation. But someone with blue flaming hair would stick out to her. She wondered if she would be able to meet him as she watched him disappear from view. Beside her, she heard Ace and Deuce bickering and teasing each other.
"Yuu. Tomorrow we start our school year, together. I look forward to spending it with you.," Deuce spoke and got her attention.
Hoshi nodded, "Thank you. I look forward to spending more time with the both of you."
"So what's your dorm like?," Ace asked, "You weren't put in ours or any others."
"Ours is called the ramshackle dorm, it fits it's name as it is run down and dusty.," Grim spoke up, "Just us and some mischievous ghosts."
"Sounds like you've got a lot of room to move around.," the heart marked boy said, "And you don't have to look at this guy's scowling face all day."
"Like your stupid grin is better.," Deuce shot back.
Hoshi watched them walk away and chuckled, they were already pretty close based on how they bickered. She walked with Grim back to her dorm, she opened the door and walked in. It was quiet. The ghosts were not about. Perhaps they were behaving? The young woman took off her mask and went to the bathroom to wash her face before bed. She took the toothbrush she had been given earlier that day and ran it over her teeth. She would need to thank that young man again. What was his name again? Trey?

After brushing her teeth, she slipped the jumper part of her clothes and kept the undershirt on. She unwrapped her body of the bandages and let her real form breathe. It was constricting to keep her chest wrapped so tight. But she needed to have it tight, otherwise she'd be found out. She wiped the mirror clean and looked at herself in the mirror. Those eyes of hers looked back. Those disgusting eyes that she hated. That damn on was said to have eyes similar to hers. That curse was the cause of her misery and disgusting body. The young woman held her arm under her chest to prop her breasts up like she was wearing a bra. She wondered if she could even get a bra in this place. Perhaps not.
She looked at the bruises and welts on her skin. From the whipping by the headmaster and that monster. Hoshi looked to her hand and saw it had not cleaned off. The black stain was still on her fingers and nails. Like it was embedded in the skin itself. She couldn't help what she looked like now. She yawned and crawled Into bed. Grim hopped up onto the mattress and laid beside the teen. His small body pressed against hers. She felt at peace with it and went to sleep.