Twisted Wonderland: Princess of Outworld

Chapter 7 Dwarfs' Mine

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.