"Maaaan..." Ace groans out. "How'd I end up in this mess? I swear I have the worst luck..."

You sigh with a shake of your head. "Well, if you never tried to get out of washing the windows or never bullied me and Grim, we wouldn't be in this mess, would we? Eres un chico imprudente y tonto..."

Ace gives you a glare. "I speak Spanish too y'know!"

You raise an eyebrow. "What in the name of Arceus is a "Spanish"? I'm speaking in Paldean."

"What's a "Paldean"?" Deuce asks in confusion, his eyes widening slightly in surprise.

"My home region." You respond with a raised eyebrow, before remembering Paldea doesn't really exist in this world. "I- uh- where I live. It's pretty neat."

Deuce pauses, before nodding slowly and looking like he has absolutely no idea what to even say. Why? You don't know. Seems kinda nervous around you though.

You break your gaze away from Deuce to glance at Grim in your arms. He's still recovering from his fall and is being quiet and looking dazed. Moonstone's tail flicks, the Umbreon opting to stay out of her Pokéball when Chompers decided to leave this mess. You don't blame him, you wish you could leave this mess too.

"We don't have time to complain!" Ace huffs out as you three- four- five? Stop in front of one of the mirrors in the Mirror Chamber. "Dark Mirror! Take us to the Dwarf's Mine!"

The mirror ripples as though it was made of disturbed water unlike glass, and a faint light glows from the mirror. It envelops you and your group and drags you in.

Arceus no- not again!

WHY DOES MIRROR TRAVEL EVEN EXIST!?

You feel your feet land on soft grass, pretty wet from how it brushes against your legs. Sorta like the dew on it never evaporated.

Okay, so were in a wet and cold environment now. Joys...

You look around in amazement at the now misty forest you're located in with the boys, only lit by the light of the moon and faint glows from Moonstone's rings.

"Uh- your dog-thing's glowing..." Deuce says nervously as he gives Moonstone a concerned glance.

"Oh yeah, that's normal." You respond casually, as for you it is normal.

Ace and Deuce give you concerned glances before looking away.

"Also, she's an Umbreon, and her name is Moonstone." You continue casually. "Also, uh, this is the Dwarf's Mine, hm? Looks more like a forest than a mine..."

"Well, it has to be nearby... right?" Deuce looks slightly worried.

"Look, I can see a house over there." Ace gestures over at a small cottage a reasonable distance away, peeking out through the trees. "Let's see what the people there have to say."

Your group approaches the cottage. It's about 183 centimeters, so a good 30-ish centimeters taller than you, which isn't much.

"Looks abandoned." You comment. "But in much better condition than Ramshackle..."

Grim groans. "Myugh... Don't remind me of how terrible that place is, human..."

You shrug. "Perhaps someone does live here. Might as welk check to make sure."

You gently rap your knuckles against the door. "Excuse us? Hello?" No answer comes though.

Deuce steps up next to you and knocks a fair bit louder than you did. "Helloooo? Is anybody home?" Still no answer. "Uh- yeah Y/N, you're right. Does seem abandoned..." Deuce opens the door with ease- so the doors unlocked? This place must've been purposefully abandoned or the lock just wore through over time, if there was a lock at all- and steps in. Everyone quickly follows suit.

You glance up at the ceiling that's merely 3 centimeters taller than you. You're lucky you didn't bump your head...

"Bwah!? I got a spider web on my face!" Grim sneezes as he tries to paw off the web.

"Oh! Sorry Grim..." You sheepishly apologize as you pick off the spider web from the frustrated cat-monster's face.

Ace looks around with his hands on his hips. "Look how tiny these desks and chairs are. Did children live here? One, two... seven! It's like a clown car in here."

You glance around, raising an eyebrow. "Er... from what I read last night, aren't dwarves fairly short? Perhaps this is where they lived..."

"Oh! You must be right, Y/N!" Deuce gives you a wide-eyed look. "Wow, you're smart!"

You shrug a bit, feeling your face flush slightly. You get lots of compliments, but not usually just because of your observations. "Thank you."

Deuce hesitates, looking unsure of what else to say.

You give him a polite smile. "Just talk to me like how'd you talk to any other guy. I assure you, I'm not that different than anyone you may be comfortable talking too."

Deuce blushes furiously as he realizes you know he probably sucks at talking to most girls and nods quickly.

Ace scoffs in annoyance. "Well, just standing here and chatting 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."

You all leave the cottage and wander around a bit, before finding the entrance to the Mine not too far from the cottage. The forest was fairly dark and eerily quiet, but the cave was much more so. It gave you a sinking feeling in your chest as Grim actively leaned away from the cave and into your chest.

"You wanna go inside there?" Grim frantically shakes his head no. "It's pitch black!"

You shrug a bit, trying to ignore the feeling. You have to help Deuce, it's your fault he's even here...

"Look, let's just go in there, get the Magestone, and get out. What's the worse that can happen? But just in case... Ko!"

Koraidon instantly comes out of it's Pokéball in it's Limited Build, it's tail wagging with a dopey grin on it's snout. Deuce and Ace reel back in shock and Grim's eyes go wide. You give the boys a serious look you know Moonstone mimicks.

"If anything goes wrong, we will get on Ko's back and leave. You hear me? No trying to be a hero, that's my thing."

Both boys not quickly, looking startled. You make a satisfied nod and step towards the cave. Grim immediately frowns and starts squirming. "Uh- no human! Too dark in there!"

Ace rolls his eyes and gives Grim a smug look. "What, are you scared of the dark?" He scoffs. "Pathetic."

Grim immediately stills and gives Ace a furious look. "Myah!? I'm not scared of anything! I'm taking the lead! You all follow me!" Grim immediately hops out of your arms before you can stop him and starts walking to the cave.

You don't bother stopping him. You know the moment something scares Grim he'll be on Koraidon or running away as fast as he possibly can. Ko gives you a concerned look of, 'is this normal?' And you nod in response. Ko frowns and uses their tail to gently pat your back.

You smile in response. All your Pokémon- even Pecharunt and the Loyal Three on occasion- are pretty great Pokémon.

Though you do give Ace a look of slight annoyance. "Do you always have to upset Grim like that?"

Ace grins at you. "It's fun."

You cross your arms. "Well, just don't do it all the time. You don't want a repeat of earlier, hm?"

The color immediately drains from Ace's face at that, and he vigorously shakes his head no. Deuce looks startled.

"Uh- what happened earlier?"

Ace immediately hisses out. "Y/N I swear to the Seven if you tell him I will not let it slide."

You shrug, a teasing smile crossing your face. "Eh, I'll respect Ace and not tell you Deuce, sorry."

Ace relaxes slightly, but keeps glancing at you in suspicion as you all walk into the cave.

Your group walks through the cave, as it slowly grows darker and darker with each step. The only light comes from Moonstone's rings, causing beautiful red, green, and blue gems to faintly sparkle. You watch as Grim's confidence falters with each step, before he scampers up your leg and takes shelter in your arms.

This ruins your already faint confidence as you move towards Deuce simply because he has hands, probably would actually fight something (unlike Ko. You love them, but they haven't fought once since Area Zero, and haven't even entered their Apex Build since the Terapagos incident), and magical ability. Deuce immediately senses your worry and gently grabs your free hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze, which eases you slightly.

Ace however, watches from slightly behind as the boy feels a random spark of jealously ignite inside of him. He doesn't even understand why, doesn't he not care about you? Ugh, this is frustrating...

Deuce stops suddenly, and you pause the moment he does. Ko also stops walking and looks over at you. Ace doesn't notice you stopping and crashes into your back. You stumble a bit, almost dropping Grim, but Ace quickly grabs you by the upper arms and steadies you.

Ace shoots Deuce an annoyed glare. "What now?" You note how he doesn't let go of you, though you're standing upright and still again.

Reminds you a bit of how all your friends kinda oddly like doing stuff like holding your hand or- in Arven's case at least- patting your head. You don't question it too much, as that's probably what friends do, but you've never had a stranger keep a lingering touch on you...

Weird...

Deuce nervously glances around, putting a hand in front of you in a protective fashion. "There's something there!"

"Myah!?" Grim shrinks back into you and you ready to order Moonstone into battle.

A white shape with a blue glow whizzes past the group. Then another. And then one more. You immediately know what they are from Ramshackle and your new friends(?) (Are the ghosts your friends? They seem fairly nice in all honesty, helping you find clothes and such). "Ghosts!"

Mischievous and shrill laughter fills the cave from all sides. "Visitors! The in ten years!"

"Do make yourself at home! In fact, you can stay forever!"

You look at both boys as they sheild you from either side. Ace sends a blast of magic at the ghost, but when it disappears another just takes it place.

Many more ghosts than in Ramshackle...

"If we stop to fight, we'll never get anywhere! Let's get moving!" Deuce immediately starts running deeper into the mine, dragging you with him slightly. You shrug at Moonstone and run along with him, Koraidon immediately running up to your pace and helping you onto their back as they bound at the same pace as Deuce.

Deuce gives you an amazed look, and you shrug because you usually ride on Ko or Mi's back. This is normal.

Ace keeps close onto your and Ko's other side, looking annoyed. You set Grim down on Koraidon just in front of you, and Ace instantly grabs your other hand. Holy Arceus these people are touchy...

"Sure, but don't act like we've voted you team leader. The only reason we're here in the first place is because of the stupid stunt you pulled!" Ace gives the blue-haired boy an annoyed look.

Deuce gives the same annoyed look back at Ace. "Oh? I'm pretty sure this all started because you tried to shirk your window-cleaning punishment!"

 Ace scoffs. "So, we're bringing up ancient history now? Then if you wanna get down to the brass tacks, this all started when the furball torched the statue!"

Grim growls a bit and swats at the air in Ace's direction. "Myah? Maybe you shouldn'ta made fun of me then!"

You roll your eyes and immediately yank both your hands out of the boy's hands, moving them to grip Koraidon's handles.

"Everyone, stop yelling and bickering! Fighting with eachother won't help anyone get the Magestone! And let me remind you all, if we don't get this Magestone, we're all expelled!"

Moonstone makes an annoyed "Bree!" In agreement with you, glaring at the boys.

Both boys go quiet and Grim immediately looks down and sits down again.

"...iiiivvv... ooooooouuuu..."

You pause at the strange and distant voice as you pull Koraidon to a stop, raising a hand.

"Wait." You say as Deuce and Ace immediately stop. "There's something there. And it doesn't sound like a ghost..."

"...neevvaaaa... iivvvvv... ooooouuuuu..."

Ace looks startled as he quickly looks around frantically. "Wh- where's that coming from?"

Deuce moves a hand in front of you protectively, despite the fact you're sitting on Koraidon, a giant prehistoric Cyclizar. "Sounds like... it's getting closer."

A figure comes out of the shadows. It was tall, wearing ragged clothes and a sagging brown hat. It floated in the air, black ink swirling around it's body. Instead of a head, it's head was a large vial filled with the same black ink, with a large crack in the front where ink dripped from.

"Stoooonnneeeeesss..." It hisses out, seemingly furious. "Stoooonnneeeesss arrreee miiinneee!"

You have never seen something like this before. Not even Giratina that one time.

You look down at Grim, who looks terrified. "Run?"

Grim doesn't even hesitate. "RUN! MYAH!"

You quickly grab both Deuce and Ace, dragging them onto Koraidon behind you, and Koraidon immediately starts sprinting to the exit, seemlessly turning into their Sprinting Build.

You feel Ace's arms wrap around you as the boy tries desperately to hang onto to you on the speeding Paradox Pokémon.

"Uh- Y/N? How are you so calm!?" Deuce looks startled at you.

"Eh." You shrug in response, holding onto Ko's handles. "After nearly dying like a total of... what, twelve times now? I'm used to this now!"

They give you horrified looks. Like, more horrified then everyone's faces when you got-

Uh- nevermind.

Ace quickly clears his throat. "Uh- that thing is super creepy! But didn't it just say something about stones?"

Grim peers over his shoulder at the creature. "Wait, what?"

The creature hisses out. "Stooonneeeess... neeevvaaa giivveee stoooneeesss..!"

"So there are still Magestones here!" Deuce grins before rolling off Koraidon. You immediately pull the Pokémon to a stop and give Deuce a concerned look.

"Deuce- no! It could just be referring to the gems in the wall- DEUCE STOP!" You try to hold out a hand to grab Deuce, who's moving towards the creature, but you miss by a long shot.

Ace glances at you and then at Deuce, and then back at you with a quizzical expression like he's asking, 'what just happened?' Silently.

"Myah..." Grim facepalms as his ears droop down. "Even as a master sorcerer, I- I don't think I can take that thing down!"

"Are you outta your mind!?" Ace yells at Deuce.

You stare in horror as the monster quickly approaches Deuce, and the blue-haired boy stands his ground.

"Yes, Ace- DEUCE GET OVER HERE, I SWEAR TO ARCEUS, YOU'RE GOING TO GET MAIMED!"

Deuce doesn't even glance at you. "I won't be expelled, no matter what!" He started firing spells at the monster, but they don't affect the monster at all.

You silently look at Ace, and gently nudge his arm. He looks at you, and you muster your pleading eyes from earlier to ask Ace to help deuce silently.

Ace groans a bit, finding himself unable to stay no. "Oh for the love of-" Ace sighs- "Deuce, wait up!" Ace hops off Koraidon and runs at the monster, looking determined as he also fires spells at it.

You also hop off Ko. "Toto!" The Rotom-phone immediately slips out of your bag and into the air, grinning as it looks ready to take pictures. "Is there anyone who wants to fight the-"

You don't even get to finish the sentence as Chien-Pao's Pokéball immediately forms and the Pokémon pops out, having a maniacal grin on it's snout.

"Oh, okay then Chien-Pao. Thank you." You smile at the Sword of Ruin, who nods in reaponse. Grim makes an annoyed meow as he leans over.

"Human, what're you doing!?"

"Helping them." You respond casually. "We kinda have to, pequeño gato de fuego."

Grim crosses his arms and looks annoyed. "We ain't have ta do nothing! They only got is in more trouble!"

You give Grim an annoyed look and look at Chien-Pao. "Okay- uh- ignore the pequeño gato de fuego, let's go help the bastante estúpido boys."

You run at the boys, and Chien-Pao follows you swiftly. Grim hesitates for a moment, before scurrying off Koraidon and running after you. His tail lashes a bit in annoyance, frustrated with himself for staying for some human.

"Chien-Pao, use Ruination!" The Pokémon races forward and uses the move, it's blue eyes narrowing in determination as Grim blasts fire at the creature. With all the attacks being thrown at the monster, it seems mostly unfazed.

This is going terribly, you swear...

Oh dear Arceus, please help you.