The four of them found themselves in the woods where the Dwarf's Mine is. "Amazing. Reminds of the portals back home." (Y/n) smiled. She then noticed the scared expressions. "So this is the Dwarfs' Mine... Long ago, this mine was flush with magestones." Deuce explained. Grim hid behind (Y/n)'s leg. "Urgh... Who knows what lurks in there now?" Ace pointed at the house near them. "Look, I can see a house. Let's see what the people there have to say."

They all walked towards the house which was actually a Dwarf Cottage. Deuce goes up first and knocks on the door. "Hellooo? Is anybody home...? Must be empty. It looks like it's been abandoned." He then opens the door. As they all walked in Grim into a spider web. "Bwah! I got a spider web on my face! Ptchoo! Ptchoo!" He tried to take it off. (Y/n) helps take it off. "It's just a web, Grim." (Y/n) turns to Deuce. "You know, I think we didn't introduce ourselves. I'm Princess (Y/n)." (Y/n) held out her hand. Deuce smiled and shook her hand. "I'm Deuce Spade, but you already know that! Since you're a princess do I bow to you?" He bows his head. "No need for that." (Y/n) smiled. Then they continued to look around. As Ace looked around and spotted the furniture. "Look how tiny these desks and chairs are. Did children live here? One, two... Seven! It's like a clown car in here." (Y/n) placed her hand on his shoulder. "Ace, it's called the Dwarf's Mine for a reason." His eyes widen at the realization. Deuce continued to look around. "When the mine was flourishing, this house must have been a lively place." Ace was the first to walk out. "Well, this isn't getting us anywhere. If we're gonna find a magestone, it'll be inside the mine. Let's head inside and take a look."

Before they all could head inside the mine, they heard some rustling from the bushes. They all froze when the noise was getting closer. (Y/n) pulled out her tessen war fan as Grim hid behind the boys. "Hey! What are you doing?!" Ace whispered loudly. From the bushes, a bear cub and an adult bear came out. "Bears!" Ace and Deuce screamed. "Myaaa!! (Y/n)!! Run!!" Grim yelled out. Instead of being what he said, (Y/n) puts her weapon away and kneels at the cub's level. "Were the both of you making those noises?" She smiled at the animals. The bear cub happily nuzzled into (Y/n) stomach as the adult bear nuzzled on (Y/n)'s side. She giggled at their affection as the boys stared at her in shock.

"They're not attacking her..." Deuce whispered. "They're not eating her...." Ace nodded slowly. "That's somethin' ya don't see every day..."Grim's eyes widen. "Sorry if we startled you. We were on your way inside the Mine." (Y/n) scratched their heads. The adult bear then grunts at her as if it were talking to her. She nodded her head as she understood what they were saying. "I see. Thank you for the warning." Ace walked over. "You understood them?" (Y/n) nodded. "Of course, I can understand many animals. And he said that we have to be careful in the mine. There's something strange in there. Which many animals avoid." Deuce comes closer. "He?" He tilted his head. "Yeah. They're both males. They're brother bears." (Y/n) told. She then turns back to the bears. "Thank you for the warning. We'll be careful." She scratched the older brother bear's head. She looks at the bear cub. "You be good alright, and listen to your older brother." She patted the little bear's head. After they received affection from the princess, they happily went their way. (Y/n) stood up and led the boys to the entrance. "Never thought I'd see someone talking to a bear." Ace sweat dropped. "Let alone being affectionate towards them." Deuce added as Grim nodded.

At the entrance of the mine, they all paused as they stared at the entrance. "You wanna go inside THERE? It's pitch black!" Grim's eyes widen. "What, are you scared of the dark? Pathetic." Ace smirked. "Myah?! I'm not scared of anything! I'm taking the lead. You all follow me!" Grim marches forward and leads the way. As they all entered inside the mine. (Y/n) observed her surroundings. She tried to see if she could find a magestone but so far nothing yet. Deuce suddenly stopped as raised his arm in front of her. "Huh? Hold up!" Ace raised his brow. "What now?" Deuce pointed out. "There's something there!" Then just like he saw, ghosts of the mine appeared before them. "Myah?!" Grim hugged (Y/n)'s leg.

"Hee hee hee hee! Visitors! The first in ten years!"

"Do make yourselves at home... You can stay forever!"

(Y/n) quickly took out her tessen war fan and summons fire to scare them away. The boys followed her lead and put their pens to shoot out fire while Grim blew out fire. With the ghosts distracted by the fire, the four of them quickly ran off.

"I...I think the ghosts are what the bears were trying to warn us about." (Y/n) pants. "More ghosts?! They're floating around here too!" Ace yelled. "If we stop to fight, we'll never get anywhere. Let's just keep moving." Deuce told. "Sure, but don't act like we voted you team leader. The only reason we're here in the first place is because of that stupid stunt you pulled." Ace said. "Oh? I'm pretty sure this all started because you tried to shirk your window-cleaning punishment!" Deuce glares. "So, we're bringing up ancient history now? Then if you wanna get down to brass tacks, this all started when furball torched that statue!" Ace glared back as he pointed at Grim. "Myah?! Maybe you shouldn'ta made fun of me, then!" Grim yells back. (Y/n) got in between and separated them. "Would you all stop fighting like little children? We're all to blame for what happened and now we need to fix it! Remember?"

"She's right. We're in real hot water, remember?! If we don't come back with a magestone by morning, we're all being expelled!" Deuce nodded. "Yeah, which is why we don't need you ordering the rest of us around. It gets old real fast." Ace grumbles. "Good. Now that you all calmed down we can-" (Y/n) stopped when she heard a strange noise. "Did you all hear that?" She asked

"...iiivvv... ...oooouuu..."

The four of them were startled by the strange voice coming towards them. "Wh-where's that comin' from?" Ace's voice shook.

"...neeevvvaaa... ...iiivvv... ...ooouuu..."

"Sounds like... it's getting closer..." Deuce said as he and the other slowly stepped back. And it appeared. A huge monster with red clothing and a faded brown hat. It wields a pickaxe and a head of glass leaking ink. "Stooonesss... Stooonesss aaare miiiiine!" The monster roars. "Bwah! There it is!" The four of them screamed out. "Please tell me this is normal in this realm!!!" (Y/n)'s eyes widen. "Nooo!!!" Ace and Deuce quickly shook their heads. "Run!!!" She yelled as they quickly got away from the monster.

When they thought they had run far enough, they looked back to see if the monster was following them. "What is that?!" Deuce asked. "Myaaah! No one said there'd be monsters! Let's get outta here!" Grim cries out. "That thing's super creepy! But didn't it just say something about "stones"?!" Ace questioned. "Wait, what?!" Grim's ears perked up. They all turned back when they saw that the monster followed them. "Stooonesss... ...nevvva give stooonesss...!" It roared. The four eyes widen. Deuce smiled in relief. "So there ARE still magestones here!" Grim's eyes turned white in fear. "Myaaah... Even as a master sorcerer, I... I don't think I can take that thing down!" Deuce quickly took out his pen. "But we need a magestone or we'll get expelled! I'm going in!" He then rams towards the monster. "Deuce, wait!!!" (Y/n) calls out. "Are you outta your mind?!" Ace yells at him. "Deuce! It's too dangerous! You can't do it alone!" (Y/n) took out her tessen war fans. "I won't be expelled! No matter what!" Deuce yells back.

Deuce then strikes the monster with some spells and summons a cauldron to attack it. The monster then attacks back with its pickaxe. "Begone! Begone! Begooone!" The monster hugs Deuce with its pickaxe. Which results with Deuce sliding across the floor. "Deuce!!!" (Y/n) runs to help him. "Aw, crap! He's got Loosey-Deucey on the ropes! Not on my watch! Heeyah!" Ace runs up and pulls out his pen to attack. The monster roars at him and attacks Ace with its pickaxe. Ace was hit and slid next to Deuce and (Y/n). "Ace!!!" (Y/n) helps him up. Grim then cries out in fear. "Myaaah! Stay away from me!" He blues his fire but nothing worked. The monster continues to roar at them. "It's like nothin's even hurtin' it!" Grim panicked. (Y/n) summoned both wind and fire magic by using her tessen war fan to drive it back. As the monster was backing away from the sudden magic, (Y/n) noticed something sparkling. "I see something sparkling!!!" She yelled out. "Behind the monster! There's something sparkling in the mineshaft!" Ace pointed. "Could that have been a magestone?!" Deuce questioned. The monster then roars at them. "GWAAAAAAAH! Nooo giiive yooouuu stooooooone!"

Grim screams as he pulls on (Y/n)'s leg. "(Y/n), we need to book it, and fast! That thing's gonna pound us into tuna paste!" (Y/n) quickly created a fire circle to keep it trapped for a while. She then helps Ace and Deuce up. "We have to retreat!" They didn't need to be told twice as they ran off as the monster roared at them

The four of them finally made it outside the mine. They were panting from exhaustion. Ace and Deuce were more exhausted because of their injuries. Deuce was cut by his ribs and Ace had a cut on his chest. "This should be far enough, I think?" Grim pants. "Owww...What was that thing? No one said there'd be anything like that!" Ace hissed from the pain. "That was no normal ghost, that's for sure." Deuce held his cut. "I believe that was what the bears were truly warning us about." (Y/n) pants. She then walked over to them. "Let me heal your wounds." She then summons a blue flame. They freaked out at first until she explained that it could help heal their wounds. Deuce decided to go first. (Y/n) used her blue flames to heal Deuce's wounds. Instead of burning him, it felt warm and his wound was slowly healing. After healing his wound, Ace went up next. And it didn't take long for their wounds to heal thanks to her powers.

"Let's just give up and go home. I'll happily take the expulsion if it means never having to fight that thing again." Ace told as he rubbed his head. "What?! Nuh-uh, not happenin'! I'd rather die than get expelled from Night Raven! How can you give up when the stone is right there?" Deuce questioned. Ace scoffs at him. "Pfft. Big talk from someone who's not even half the mage I am. You want that stone so bad, go get it yourself. I'm out." Before he could walk away, Deuce yelled out, "Oh YEAH?! Fine, go back to your coop, you big chicken!" Ace stopped in his tracks and walked back to Deuce. "Whaaaaat?! Who're you callin' chicken, huh?!"

Grim hops on (Y/n)'s shoulders. "Whoa, Deuce... Is it just me, or did you, like, turn into a totally different person just now?" (Y/n) nodded in agreement. "Yes, a different person." Deuce realizes he lost his composure and coughs to cover it up. "Sorry... Lost my cool for a second there." (Y/n) looks back at the mine. "What must we do now?"

"Can't you guys just blow that thing up with magic?" Grim asked. "Using magic at a greater scale, or using different types of magic - those things require training." Deuce explained. "Yeah, that's why magic academies exist. It takes a lot of training before you can snap your fingers and turn your thoughts into magic. And the more flustered you are, the more likely you are to make mistakes." Ace added. "So in this realm, your abilities are limited just like back home." (Y/n) said. "Yeah, although if the magic's your specialty, you can use it more intuitively." Ace added. "Anyway, we need to find some way to defeat that creature and get the magestone." Deuce spoke. "Yeaaaaah. Just like the time with the chandelier, right? You "found some way," and now here we are. We just fought that thing and it creamed us. So what exactly is your plan here, genius? Because I sure don't trust you to improvise!" Ace reminded with a smirk. Deuce got up on Ace's face. "What?! You're the one who-"

"Aaand they're at it again." Grim's ears went down. (Y/n) growled in frustration. She walked over to Deuce and Ace, and karate chop them on the heads. "Would the both of you stop fighting like little children and learn some respect?!"

Grim's eyes widened as Ace and Deuce cried out in pain. "Where'd that come from?" His eyes widen. (Y/n) let out a sigh. "Yes, you made it clear that we can't beat that creature." Grim tilted his head. "M-myah..." Deuce then shakes his head in frustration. "Urk... But... But what are we going to do then?!" (Y/n) crossed her arms. "The only way we can beat this creature is to work together." Ace just stared at her. ""Work together"... Is that some kinda joke? You always say the lamest things with the straightest face, (Y/n)." (Y/n) rolled her eyes before she spoke. "Agreed. No way could I work together with him." Deuce agreed. "Yeah, but... Gettin' expelled on the first day... That's pretty lame too. Maybe even lamer." Grim spoke up. "W-well..." Ace stuttered. Not even Deuce had words to speak. "Yes, your reputation could be tarnished because of this." (Y/n) kicked her feet on the dirt. She looks up at them to see if they finally agree. Ace finally spoke up. "Gah... Fine. Let's just get this over with, then. All right, (Y/n). What's the plan?" He smiled. (Y/n) smiled back. "Alright, here's the plan..." She walked closer to them and explained her plan.

Back at the entrance of the mine. Grim stood nervously as (Y/n) pulled up her mask and readied her weapons. "(Y/n)... Is this plan of yours really gonna work? I'm sca- I mean, I'm a little... uh, hungry." Grim quickly corrected himself. (Y/n) nodded with determination. "I believe this plan will work!" Deuce nodded in agreement. "It really could. Let's go, (Y/n)!" Then they all walked in to face the monster and win this time. "H-hey, monster! I'm uh... I-I'm over here!" Grim yelled out. "Grrraaawrrr! BEGOOOOONE!" The monster noticed them and roared. "He's comin' our way, (Y/n)!" Grim screamed. (Y/n) throws her tessen war fan at the monster. It roars in pain from the blades. Once they flew back to her, it roars in anger. "Come and get us!" (Y/n) yelled. Then she and Grim quickly ran as the monster chased after them. "Grrurgh? Thieeef thiiis waaay tooooo... Neeevvva giiive stooones! Neeevvvaaa!" It punches the floor near them. "Eep! If it lands one of those punches, we're toast!" Grim shrieks. "Just keeping running, we need to lure it far from the cave!" (Y/n) yelled as she and Grim continued to run. "Begooone! BEGOOOOOOONE!" The monster was getting close.

According to plan, they were able to make it far enough so the monster wouldn't be inside the cave. "We got him a good distance away from the mine!" Grim told. "Ace! Now!" (Y/n) yelled. Ace had his pen ready. "You bet. I got this! One extra-large gust of wind, comin' up!" Grim then got next to Ace. "With a side of Grim's blazin'-hot fire! MYAAAH!" Once the fire and wind combined into a flaming tornado, the monster screamed in pain and tried to get away. (Y/n) throws her tessen war fan again to keep it from running away back inside. "How's that taste?! With my winds fanning them, even Grim's feeble flames can become an inferno!" Ace bragged. "Whaddaya mean "feeble"?! Ya really don't know how to shut yer mouth, do ya?" Grim glares. "Deuce! Now!" (Y/n) called out. Deuce had his pen out and took a deep breath in. "Just stay calm, aim carefully... and pull out the biggest, heaviest thing I can think of...Get 'em, cauldron!" Then a cauldron appeared and crushed the monster. It roared in pain. "Gwaaah?!"

"Nailed it! The plan's workin'! Look, (Y/n)! That monster got smashed flat by a falling cauldron, just like Ace did!" Grim smirked. "Coulda done without the reminder, thanks! This has been one drag after another." Ace pouts. Deuce runs up to them. "Quick! While it's distracted, we need to get that magestone!" Then the four of them quickly ran inside the cave to retrieve the mage stone. "Guh?! Waaait! Nooooooo!" The monster roared. The four of them quickly ran toward where they found the sparkling stone and they were right. It was a mage stone "That's it! That's a magestone!" Deuce exclaimed. (Y/n) then used her tessen war fan to try to dig it out. "I almost have it out!"

The monster would see what the four of them were trying to get the mage stone. Then it tried to wiggle itself free. "Dooon't tooouch thaaaaat!" Ace's eyes widen. "Uh-oh! Looks like it's nearly wriggled free!" Grim pulled on Deuce's leg. "Hey, Deuce! You gotta add more weight!"

"Y-you mean something heavier? Uh... I summon thee, cauldron!" Deuce summoned a cauldron. "And also, uh... Um... Another cauldron! And a cauldron on top of that! All the cauldrons!" He summons more cauldrons to stop the monster and it roars as the cauldron keeps landing on it. "Is that the only thing you know how to summon?!" Ace questioned. "Pipe down already! I'm worked up enough as it is!" Deuce yelled. With the magestone sticking out more, (Y/n) quickly pulled it out. "I got it!" She cheered. "Now, let's get out of here!" She held the mage stone. "Roger that!" Ace playfully saluted. Then the four of them quickly ran outside. "MYYY STOOOOOOONE!" The monster used its strength to push the cauldron off it and rams after them.

As the four of them ran into the woods, they saw that the monster was following them. "Are you kiddin' me?! It's still coming! It pushed off all that weight!" Ace screams. "Ooooooooogh...! Giiive it baaaaack...!" The monster was catching up to them. "It's too fast! It's about to catch us!" Deuce yelled out. (Y/n) pulled out her weapons. "It's been weakened by us. Now it's time to finish it!" Ace groans and pulls out his pen. "Aw, fine! Let's just smash the thing. Try not to wet yourself, Deucey!" Deuce pulled out his pen. "Same to you, Ace!" Grim got ready to fight back. "I'm gonna show ya why they call me Grim the Great!" He blows his fire at the monster to stop it from coming closer. The four of them attack the monster with their spells as the monster tries to get the stone back from them. (Y/n) would dodge and teleport away from the monster as it tries to hit her with its pickaxe. She uses her weapons to blow it back with her Edenian wind magic. Seeing that it's far enough from her, she throws her tessen war fans at its head. The monster shrieks in pain as a small crack appears dripping more ink. It tries to keep the ink from falling out. (Y/n)'s eyes widen in realization. That's its weak spot. "Ace! Deuce! Grim! We need to aim for the head! That's its weak spot!" They didn't want to argue so they listened to her and aimed for the monster's glass head. The monster tried to fight back and cover its head, but it was getting weaker and weaker. Seeing that the monster is going down, (Y/n) lights her weapons on fire and throws them at the monster's head. The monster roars as its glass head breaks into pieces. Then its body turns into black ink which stains the forest floor. (Y/n)'s weapons flew back to her as she shook off the ink. Everyone was panting from exhaustion. "Is it...over?" Ace asked. "I...I believe so!" (Y/n) puts her weapons away and pulls down her mask. "I think... we won? I think we did it!" Grim cheered. "All right!" Deuce happily raised his fist in the air. "Woohoo!" Ace cheered. "Gimme a victory high-five!" Grim held up his paw. The four of them celebrated with a victory high five. "Yeeeah!"

(Y/n) couldn't help but giggle at the three of them. "Shared adversity sure brings people together, huh?" Deuce quickly straightened himself up. "Uh... I don't think that had anything to do with it." Ace crossed his arms. "Yeah! Spare us the clichés, (Y/n)!" Grim then pointed at himself. "There's no "together" here! We won 'cause of me! This is all from me bein' a magical genius!" Ace smiled and walked closer to (Y/n). "Y'know... I hate to admit it, but... We mostly won because of your plan." Deuce smiled and joined in. "Yeah... if you hadn't managed to keep your cool and tell us all what to do, we never would have got this magestone. Now I won't get expelled. And wow, is THAT a relief!" He sighed in relief. (Y/n) smiled at them. "Learning how to defend is what this princess is trained for.  And we won because we've worked together." She patted their backs. "Yeah, yeah, lessons were learned, et cetera. Can we just go home already? I'm wiped." Ace wipes some sweat from his head.

"Usin' all that magic made me hungry!" Grim then sniffs the air. He walked over to where the monster was and pulled out a black stone. "Huh? What's this?"

Deuce looks at the stone. "Is that a part of the monster we just beat? It looks like... a magestone? But it's black as coal! I've never seen one like that before."

Grim continues to sniff the stone. "What IS this? It smells amazing!" Ace's eyes widen. "Are you insane?"

"Must be some kinda fancy monster candy that it was hidin' from us! If this tastes half as good as it smells..." Grim then chomps down the black stone. "Grim! That's disgusting! Spit that out this instant!" (Y/n) karate chop him on his head. Grim's eyes widen white. "Are you okay?!" Deuce asked. "That's what you get for eating trash!" Ace scolded. "Oooooogh... Urrrgggh... That... was AMAZING!" Grim happily jumps around. "What?!" Ace, Deuce, and (Y/n) yelled out. "Rich in flavor and full-bodied... Like sweet, fragrant flowers burstin' into bloom on my tongue.A whole field of 'em! Right in my mouth!" Grim happily skips around. Ace gags in disgust. "Gross. Monsters must have real weird tastes." Deuce nodded in agreement. "You might be onto something there...Most humans don't take random stuff they find on the ground and just pop it into their mouths." (Y/n) placed her hand to her mouth. To keep herself from gagging. "That is disgusting. Is this normal in this realm?" She asked Ace and Deuce. They slowly shook their heads no. Grim laughs. "Myah ha ha ha! Man, was that great! Don't worry about me. I don't got a weak stomach like you humans do." He brags. "Hmph. We'll see if you're so smug when you're sick later tonight." Ace said. "Okay, let's pull ourselves together. We need to get this magestone to the headmage!" Deuce smiled. (Y/n) carefully took out the magestone. "Let's get back then."