Twisted Wonderland 2

I Learned One Thing

Having to face off against all the boys, the ink monster never stood a chance. A blast of magic shoots through the monster's glass head and it shatters. Ink flies everywhere as the monster crumbles to the ground, dissolving into a puddle of ink.

Ruggie pants as he stares at the ink. "Is... is it over?"

Leona places a hand to his hip. "Looks like it."

"Wheeew. I am BEAT." Ruggie wipes his brow. "Things got dicey for a moment there. Everybody make it through?"

Sebek scoffs. "I would never lose to a creature whose basic nature I cannot even discern."

"Wish it would've stuck it out a bit longer." Floyd complains.

Deuce lets out a breath. "Now I can finally leave this tunnel. Wcame back for the pickaxe, and that thing attacked me. I fled further into the mine, summoned a cauldron, and jumped inside. But I think... I've had enough..."

Deuce's legs shake and he nearly collapses before Ace catches him. "Whoa there, Mr. Wobbly Legs. Are you okay?"

Jack flicks an ear. "Were you hiding in that cauldron this whole time? You must be exhausted."

A loud rumble echoes through the mine and Deuce sheepishly clutches his stomach.

"Myahahah!" Grim bursts out laughing. "Was that your STOMACH? That was loud enough to cause a cave in!"

Deuce glowers at the cat. "Look, I haven't eaten since yesterday! What do you expect?"

"Boy, way to make a fool of yourself." Ace smiles. "But hey, at least you're okay."

Jack nods. "Yeah. I'm glad we decided to come. I wouldn't have been able to sleep if we'd left you in the lurch."

You wrap your arms around Deuce and hold him close. "I'm so glad you're alright."

Deuce chuckles and hugs you back. "Thank you for coming to get me."

Leona folds his arms. "You guys done yet? We need to get back before our clubs get disbanded."

Sebek's eyes widen. "I completely forgot! If we don't make it back to the cottage in time, all our hard work will have been for naught!"

Ruggie glances further down the mine with a frown.

"What's with the scowl, Sharksucker?" Floyd grins. "Aw, lemme guess: You don't wanna go back? You sad that camp's over?"

Ruggie rolls his eyes. "Of course I don't wanna go back. I've come this far. I just CAN'T leave without snagging some magestones!"

Floyd tilts his head with amusement. "So you'd be okay with your club getting shut down AND losing out on the prize?"

Ruggie doesn't take long to think about it. "Yeah, I could live with that. Sure, our club might get disbanded, but if I dug up a decent number of magestones and sold 'em... My return would more than make up for it!"

Ace scoffs. "Wow, he really doesn't care about anything but his bottom line."

"He'd actually be okay getting the Spelldrive Club abolished?" Deuce shakes his head. "Talk about scary."

Sebek glares at the hyena. "How self-serving can you be? We have no time to indulge your avaricious fantasies. The rest of us are leaving!"

"But I can't just leave him after he came to rescue me." Deuce says.

Floyd sighs dramatically. "Okay, now I'm annoyed. We took down the monster. There's nothin' left to do. I'm tired of standin' around in this cramped, dingy cave. Hey, Sharksucker?"