Hey, guys. I'm back with the next chapter. With that, please enjoy the action.

Link and Ruby, brandishing their blades, carefully walked through the cold, rocky entrance of the mines. There were scattered mining helmets, pick axes, and carts littered around the tunnel. Up ahead, two giant double doors led to the rest of the mines.

Link went to open the doors, only found them locked, from the inside. Looking up, Link saw a large hole in the door above him, about a good dozen and a half feet away from where Link stood. Looking back, there was a mine cart, filled with dirt, a good advantage to boosting up to the hole.

"Mrs. Ruby, help me with that cart." said Link.

Working together, the two pushed the heavy, rusty cart towards the door. The way up to the hole was a little closer of reaching, but still not enough.

"Hmm. Mrs. Ruby, you're gonna have to boost me up." said Link.

"I don't know if that's a good idea, Link. Who knows what's on the other side of that door?" said Ruby.

"Well, I can't boost you up. How else are we gonna get it open?" said Link.

"Just be careful." said Ruby.

Ruby got into position, and boosted Link up the hole. Link crawled through, hopping down behind the other end of the doors, Navi flying after him. From where Link was, dozens of skeletal remains of Diamond Dog miners littered the hall.

"Well? Can you get it open?!" Ruby called.

"There's tons of miners over here, Mrs. Ruby. Well, what's left of them. Maybe, one of them has the key, or has. I'll look around." said Link.

Just then, the bones began to move, and reassemble themselves. Link gasped as the skeletal dogs picked up pickaxes, and charged at Link, letting out terrifying moans and groans.

Holding back his sword, Link charged his magic, and let a terrifyingly powerful spin attack, his most powerful move. Link brought down many of the weak monstrosities, but a few still remained. Link knocked them back with his shield, and clashed down on them a few, powerful jump attacks. Taking down the last skeleton, with a simple thrust, Link could finally take a breather.

Amongst the broken bones and dust, Link finally found the key, which he then unlocked the doors. Ruby burst in, worryingly, and found Link standing amongst a pile of dust and bones.

"Goodness, Link! I heard a lot of clashing! But, are you okay?! What happened?!" asked Ruby.

"Oh, nothing I couldn't handle." Link said, casually. "Sorry I couldn't leave one for you to fight with. Come on, let's keep moving."

"Is this what all humans are like? Even children?" Ruby muttered to herself.

The duo marched further into the cave, where they arrived at the main chamber of the mine. In the middle of the chamber, there was a stream of lava divided the floor in half. On the front end of the hall, there was a large door, with a golden lock, and a large bridge, drawn upward.

From where Link and Ruby were, two doors were on both opposite sides of the wall. Link noticed a sign on a pillar, where it showed a picture of two levers, and the bridge lowering.

"Looks like we got ourselves a puzzle." said Link.

"Good thing there's two of us. Those switches on the pillar are the only way we're gonna get across, and I'll betcha anything they're behind these doors. We'll split up. Navi, you go with Mrs. Ruby through the door on the right. I'll take the door on the left. Keep an eye out for the key, too."

"I don't wish to leave you alone, Link." said Ruby.

"Besides, you sure you don't want me with you?" asked Navi.

"Navi, I've done this longer than Mrs. Ruby. She'll need your help more than me. She's got a kid to watch out for, after all." said Link.

"Just be careful, young one." said Ruby.

"I will, ma'am. You too. See you ladies in a bit." said Link.

The three departed, entered the doors, and proceeded down their respective corridors. The doors slammed shut, with a thundering, echoing sound.

...

Link ran down the corridor, keeping his sword at the ready, in case any monster would dare spring at Link. Link stopped in his tracks, as his path was blocked by another stream of lava. Looking to his right, he could see a pool of lava, where a lone pillar poked out of the lake, with a crystal ball switch was right on top of the pillar.

Looking around, Link noticed a small chest. Relying on instinct, and a good guess, Link kicked the chest open. Sure enough, there were bombs right inside. Link collected the bombs, leaving one out to light. Link threw the bomb, and it blew up, hitting the switch. Just then, a set of several pillars emerged from the lava stream.

Link hopped across the pillars, reaching towards another door. Link passed through, into another chamber, which looked more like a fighting arena. the door slammed behind him, along with metal bars. Just then, two Dodongos, a small one and a medium-sized one, dropped onto the arena.

Link brandished his sword and shield. Two Dodongos, against one of him. With Navi, he'd help focus on one enemy, and warn him about others. But, she was with Mrs. Ruby. Link would have to manage on his own.

The medium Dodongo charged first. Link jumped, and landed on it's back. Link ran down it's back, and jump attacked on it's tail. The Dodongo roared in pain, and then turned swiftly for a spin attack with it's tail. Link blocked it with his shield, but the attack did knock Link back a good distance away from the beast.

The small Dodongo had already snuck up behind Link, and was about to use it's fire breath, but Link did a back flip to dodge the beast's attack. Link charged behind the Dodongo, and swiped at it's tail. The beast roared, then turned for a spin attack, but Link raised his shield again. Link deflected the attack, only skidding back slight less than before, due to the size of the beast and it's tail attack.

Link did a backflip, just as the Dodongo was about to charge it's fire breath, then Link landed a mean jump attack on it's tail. The Dodongo fell, and then exploded. With one adversary down, Link could focus on the big guy.

Link charged up, and threw a bomb as it sucked in to use it's fire breath. The Dodongo was stunned by the bomb's explosion from the inside. Link took his chance, rushed behind the beast, and performed a charged spin attack. The Dodongo fell, and Link rushed back to avoid the bigger explosion the defeated Dodongo made.

With both enemies beaten, the doors opened, and Link continued down the path. The last chamber Link entered, it brought him right to the switch from the pillar on the pedestal. Link pulled the chain lever, and something clicked.

"Guess that's that." said Link. "Gotta get back to the others."

...

"Oh, I hate splitting up." said Ruby. "I hope Link's okay."

"Don't worry, Mrs. Ruby. Me and Link have done this plenty of times." said Navi.

"I guess it's the mother-child instinct in me." said Ruby.

"Say, I've been meaning to ask, what happened to Rocky's father?" asked Navi.

"Oh... that. Well, I..." Ruby said, discomfortingly.

"On second thought, never mind. Sorry I asked." Navi apologized.

"No, dearie. It's fine." said Ruby.

"It's not a memory I'd like to remember. My husband, Silver, was the bravest Diamond Dog I've ever met. I first met him when we were both kids. We both ventured out into the surface. Then, these mean unicorn ponies, a white and brown maned male, and a pink and purple maned female, tried to take our gems. However, Silver, even for a pup, was brave enough to scare off those unicorns with throwing rocks. It was even his favorite rock collection he gave up to protect me. Ever since then, we've always been together. We grew up together, got married, and had Rocky. Then, one day, he left and never came back. We found out later that he was trying to mine near the kingdom of changelings. They caught him for trespassing and stealing from their soil. All we could find was his ring. His wedding ring."

Ruby held out her necklace. Two golden rings hanged from the chains.

"We thought they executed him, and took his body. All I know is that the love of my life, and the only father my boy would ever know, was gone forever." Ruby concluded her story. Navi sniffed, sadly.

"Now, now. No need for tears. It was quite a long while ago." said Ruby. "Come, we must find that switch."

The two continued down the corridor, where Ruby was faced with a trap of sorts. Giant spinning pillars, covered with spikes, ran up and down the wall. The pillars were about a few feet apart, but the length of the spikes were the real danger. Navi helped time the pillars, as Ruby rolled and dodged the pillars. Ruby made it to the next door, and hurried through.

Ruby entered a chamber that looked like a battle arena, when suddenly, the door slammed shut behind, and metal bars sealed the doors. A swarm of ten Dodongo larvas popped out of the ground. Brandishing her dagger, Ruby got into a fighting stance.

"Navi, what are these things?!" said Ruby.

"Dodongo larvas! They're the earliest mature stage of a dinosaur named Dodongo." said Navi. "Just be careful. You kill one, they explode."

"You're quite informative, for a fairy." said Ruby, as she slashed as a larva, bringing it down.

"When it comes to battle, Link says I'm always a big help." said Navi. "Oh, great. Now I'm worried about Link, fighting enemies on his own."

Ruby wasn't one to fight, but that didn't mean she had the skill, potential and cleverness. Ruby slashed at two more larvas, then kicked them towards other several more larva, and were caught in the explosions. Ruby finished the short-lived battle, by doing her own version of a spin attack, bringing down the last three larva.

The doors opened again, and Ruby and Navi rushed through the next one. In the next chamber, Ruby found the second chain lever, and pulled. Another clicking noise could be heard.

"That's that. Let's get back to Link." said Navi.

...

Link, Ruby, and Navi regrouped with each other, as the bridge came lowering down, and setting into place. Just then, two lizard humanoid creatures, Lizaflos, burst onto the bridge. Link and Ruby got into fighting position.

Link and Ruby clashed blades with the swords of the Lizaflos. Link and Ruby had to go onto the defensive, as the Lizaflos were jumping, and trying to attack from behind. Just as one Lizaflos jumped to attack Link, Link rolled underneath, catching the creature off guard, and Link delivered a big spin attack, bringing the creature down.

Ruby copied Link's strategy, rolling under the Lizaflos' jump, and then brought a spin attack, knocking the Lizaflos back. However, Ruby's spin attack wasn't as strong as Link's, as the Lizaflos got back up, but Link finished the Lizaflos with a jump attack. The Lizaflos was down.

"Thanks, Link." said Ruby. Link nodded, returning her thanks.

Just then, a golden chest appeared in the middle of the floor. Link opened it, and found the big key. Taking the key, Link unlocked the door, and he, Ruby, and Navi rushed through the big door.

...

Link and Ruby carefully stepped into the large chamber, ready for any type of enemy that would try to ambush them again. In the chamber, there was a small chest, and a giant hole right behind it.

Link opened the chest, and got more bombs, knowing they'll come in handy. Looking down below the hole, it was pitch black. Link kicked a stone down the hole, and the sound of the stone hitting a floor echoed below.

"You should stay here, Mrs. Ruby. The sword piece has to be down there, but something else might be waiting, too." said Link. "This way, you won't get hurt."

"No sir. I'm coming, too." said Ruby. "Sure, I might be dog chow to whatever could be lying in wait down there, but I'm with ya, son."

Link and Ruby jumped down the hole, landing onto the dirt floor. Navi flew next to them, her light brightening up the dark. Link looked to see the entire floor almost looked like a racing tunnel.

"Now, this is curious." said Ruby. "I didn't think my ancestors had made this tunnel."

"That's because they didn't." said Link, ominously. "This tunnel was just recently made."

"By what?" asked Ruby.

A low, but loud growl answered Ruby for Link.

"By that." Navi pointed out.

A gigantic Dodongo, the king of the Dodongos, slowly advanced towards the three. The dinosaurs claws, teeth, and hot breath definitely meant business. That's when it curled into a ball, and started rolling towards Link and Ruby, with terrifying speed.

"RUN, MRS. RUBY!" Link cried.

Ruby didn't need to be told twice, as they ran down the corridor of the looping tunnel. The King Dodongo was catching up to the duo. Link spotted a hole in the wall, up ahead. Grabbing Ruby's wrist, Link ran towards the hole, and they ducked into it, just in time for the King Dodongo to roll past them.

"Okay, we need a plan." Link panted, trying to catch his breath.

"Okay, Ruby. I'm gonna give you some bombs. I'll distract the King Dodongo, and when we come around, throw one. That'll stun it, and then I'll go in for the kill. Navi, help her target where she needs to throw. Got it?"

"Link, you've put yourself through enough dangerous jobs for a while. Let me handle the dinosaur." said Ruby. "Besides, among the other Diamond Dogs, I'm the fastest in my village."

"You've got a son to protect." said Link.

Link and Ruby turned to hear the Dodongo coming back around, again.

"No time to argue." Ruby said, running out of the hole before Link could stop her.

Ruby ran down the loop, running on all fours, like a true dog. The Dodongo King was hot on her heels, rolling like a boulder. Ruby made a sharp turn around the corner, while the Dodongo King bumped into the corner, sending a few boulders from the ceiling to tumble. Luckily, Link and Navi were out of their way, but Ruby had to evade the boulders falling onto the track. Still, Ruby was able to make it back around the loop, towards the hole Link was in.

"Here he comes, Link! Get ready!" Ruby called.

Link took out a bomb, lit the fuse, and threw it onto the ground, right in front of the King Dodongo. The bomb exploded on colliding with the Dodongo King, blinding the giant dinosaur, as it skidded on it's stomach to a halt. Link charged in, and landed a powerful spin attack.

However, the Dodongo King got back up, and started to curl back up into a ball, again. Ruby pushed Link back into the hole, and began running.

"Man, I forgot how tough these big guys get." said Link, taking out another bomb. "Well, this time we'll get him."

Ruby started to run faster, as the Dodongo King picking up the pace, smashing into more walls, and bringing down more boulders. Ruby had to jump sometimes to avoid some boulders.

As Link saw Ruby come around the corner again, he prepared another bomb. As the Dodongo King came around the corner, Link threw the lit bomb. But, the Dodongo King suddenly stopped, just before it could hit the bomb.

"No way! It avoided the bomb!" said Link.

The Dodongo King turned towards Link, and started to inhale for it's fire breath. This Dodongo King seemed faster and a little more smarter than the last Dodongo King Link faced, back in Dodongo's cavern a year ago. But, Link was faster and smarter since then, too.

Link quickly took out another bomb, and threw it into it's mouth. The bomb exploded, and the Dodongo was down.

"Mrs. Ruby! Jump attack, now!" Link called.

Link and Ruby jumped, holding their blades high, then bringing them down onto the dinosaur in a powerful combo. The Dodongo roared and then fell, defeated. Then, it's body started to glow, indicating it was gonna blow. Link, Ruby, and Navi dashed as far as they could, before the Dodongo King exploded.

As soon as the dust and rumbling settled, no more loose ceiling boulders this time, the three looked to be in the clear. Looking back, they could see the explosion had blown a giant hole in the wall. Something was glowing inside the hole.

Link, Ruby, and Navi approached the light, and found a glowing piece of crystal. On the top of a pedestal, the crystal was glowing clear, blueish-white. It was also shaped like the handle of a sword.

"This has to be the first piece of the Sword of Harmony." Link said, as he held up the sword piece in his hands. "Just two more to find, and then we'll have the key to saving the kingdom."

Just then, a blue light appeared in the floor, behind the trio.

"Ah, just in the nick of time." said Link. "Come on, Mrs. Ruby. We can use that to get out of the mines."

Link, Navi, and Ruby entered the light, and it lifted them up into the air.

...

The light teleported them back out into the entrance of the mine, and they landed on their feet, with gentle ease.

"Well, Link. I must say, you are quite the formidable lad. I say that as a compliment, of course." said Ruby.

"Thanks, Mrs. Ruby. You're pretty good, too." said Link. "We all make a great team. Right, Navi?"

Link turned to his fairy friend, but didn't find her flying next to him.

"Navi?"

"Oh, no! Link! Ruby! Over here!" Navi cried, hovering near the cliff.

Link and Ruby rushed to the edge, and gasped. The center of the valley was gone. A big hole was now in full view. Black smoke was rising from the hole. It was the same, exact spot where the Diamond Dog village was located.

"The village!" Link cried.

"My baby!" Ruby cried.

"Spike and Flurry Heart!" Navi cried.

"Come on! We gotta get down there! Now!" said Link.

"I know a shortcut, back down." said Ruby.

Ruby pointed to a mine cart, on a rail going down the slope, back towards the valley. Link and Ruby climbed into the cart, while Navi flew into Link's hat. The cart took down the slope with great speed. The heroes could only hope it was enough to get to the village, and save their family, friends, and the villagers in time...

Welp, guys. There's the first dungeon level chapter. Gonna end this off on a cliffhanger. Next chapter will have more action, like a chase scene kind of action. Hope you also liked the backstory I gave to my OC, Ruby.

I own nothing, except a few OC's. All rights go to original owners. No copyright intended. Thanks. Stay tuned for more of this crossover fanfic. Hope you enjoyed it.