Fel had taken them somewhere before he stopped in what appeared at the entrance of a cave as he let Alice get off his back first as they looked at it while Alice was confused and curious on why Fel had taken them there.
"Hey, Fel." Alice started, looking at the entrance cautiously. She doesn't understand why Fel had taken them there but she can take a guess it has something to do with training.
"What, uh... What are we doing here?" She decided to ask him, just to be sure.
"This is not a normal cave, but a dungeon." Fel explained as she turned to him in disbelief. A dungeon?! She figured would have taken to one for training one day but to do it so soon?!
"A dungeon?" She asked as she turned to him in disbelief. She never imagined that she would be seeing the entrance of one or getting to enter.
"I have nothing against going into one, but why?" Alice questioned him, needing clarification.
"They sometimes appear in places where mana is heavily concentrated. This dungeon was formed recently." He explained as she blinked, looking at the dungeon before looking back to Fel.
"Wait, hold on, Fel. That's not the- What am I here for then? So I can train?" She asked and he turned to her.
"Your training, correct." He told her.
"Your fire magic did not improve until you obtained real battle experience." He remembered that day. The last fireball she unleashed on those goblins the other day. It was more powerful than before, especially the blue color that came with it.
"We shall now do the same for your earth magic." He said before his ears twitched and he turned to her, seeing her walking off.
Not wanting her to leave before they can begin, he snagged the back of her shirt as she yelped in surprise and set her down on her feet, nudging her towards the inside of the dungeon and she gulped as she gripped her bag before looking to Fel.
"Fel, you know how I feel about diving headfirst into fights without a plan. Please don't make me go through that again. I'm not ready for a dungeon, Fel. I know you would take me to a dungeon one day but I don't wanna be minced meat in there." She pleaded as she looked at the dungeon. He looked down to her level as she gripped the strap of her bag, arms and hands shaking. Dratini and Sui peeking out, sensing her distress.
He sighed internally, lowering his head and nudging her arm gently. He doesn't want to put her through that again but he needs to at least teach her to improve her magic fully.
"Do not fear. I have already explored this dungeon and there are only weaklings within." He reassured her as she put a hand on his head, running her fingers through the fur, a silent gesture that she trusts him even though she's scared.
"Mayb they're weaklings to you but everything's either too strong next to me or are level higher." She said shakily as he sighed.
"I know and I would not have interfered had your results produced results. This was not the plan." He told her, still nudging her head hand which she didn't remove from his head.
"However, your current rate of improvement is not satisfactory." He said, his tone stern like a mentor which reminded her of a gym leader yet his tone has a level of reassurance which caused a bit of tension to leave her body.
"Do not worry. As usual, I will cast a barrier. However, there may come a time I am not able to do that for you." He explained and Alice realized the implications of why he's putting her through these hands-on experiences which made her think. What if Fel isn't by her side and his barrier isn't there? She has, no, she needs to train harder in order to become stronger as well to protect herself just in case he won't be there to cast the barrier to protect her.
"And if that time ever comes, you must be stronger now. Despite you having your Pokémon to help give you protection, I don't doubt that they can protect you for long if they're occupied by something which will leave you vulnerable." He told her and Alice stared into his eyes, seeing the sincerity along with a fierce flame of protectiveness in his gaze. Her heart hammered as she felt the weight of how he wants her to become strong just in case he won't be there. He was training her to protect her too.
Alice looked to Dratini and Sui who were looking up at her. She can feel something, Their auras surrounding her like a blanket of protection. A shield. Their eyes held a huge amount of protectiveness towards her. She took a breath and let it out slowly. She had been holding back too much but now she won't. She can't hesitate. Not now. She let out a breath and Fel's eyes widened when a large surge of aura came from her. It fueled her magic but he can also feel something. An unknown energy he had noticed was coming from her necklace that she had been wearing that he had noticed.
"Okay, then. I've got to at least prepare if I'm really going to tackle this dungeon." She finally agreed which surprised Fel. He never thought she would finally agree. He expected a bit more hesitance like before with the goblins but it looked like she wasn't and it made him proud.
"It's time for the magic of online grocery." She said, determined.
She had laid down a large blanket and ordered a lot of food from the online grocery after and everything was laid out as Alice was opening the last of the boxes as Lucario, who she had let out earlier, Sui, Dratini and Fel watched in confusion, mostly Fel. The food looks delicious but he was confused on why she ordered so many.
{Otherworldly Carry-Out}
"You wish to eat before the battle?" He asked her curiously as Alice was taking out the last remaining carry-out from the box.
"I forgot and I don't know why I didn't mention this to you but when you eat otherworldly food, you get stronger." Alice told him which made him curious. Does he get stronger when he eats food from the other world?
"How so?" Fel inquired as she turned to him.
"To me, it seems to make your stats go up significantly and temporarily." Alice explained as she opened the case of the cutlet, remembering the time he ate wagyu.
"That's right. Don't you remember the last time you ate otherworldly food? Specifically the wagyu? You even said something yourself." She said as Fel thought of that.
"Every time I eat your cooking, I feel a surge of energy flowing through me and more so today."
Those were his exact words.
"Your stats went up a lot that time." Alice said as she set the cutlet down.
"I was surprised too."
Fel hummed as he looked at the food. He understood it even a little.
"I think I understand now." He said before he looked at the food, salivating already. He wants to eat now too...
"So you plan to eat otherworldly food for a boost before entering the dungeon?" He questioned her curiously as she nodded.
"I honestly don't know which food will increase the stats I need, though. So I'll need to eat as many different foods as I can stomach." Alice explained as Lucario looked confused by what she meant but didn't pry though he was hungry for the food as she smiled at him.
"So, I'm going to try a lot. Will you four finish off whatever's left over?" She asked them. Sui bobbed happily, letting out a chirp. Sui will eat whatever Mama left. Dratini nodded with Lucario.
"If you insist." Fel agreed. He might as well wait for her to finish eating first before they dig in since they don't know which food will boost up her stats as she put it.
"Great. Then let's eat." Alice smiled as she snapped a pair of chopsticks apart and started to eat some bits of the food. Though she was feeling guilty for making them wait. She first tried the cutlet, chewing on it thoroughly before trying out the other meals from the carry out, making sure to leave the rest for Fel, Lucario, Sui and Dratini.
Fel had used appraisal on her to check her stats and was impressed by how her stats went up by eating some of the dish.
"Indeed. Like you said, your stats are increasing." He observed as she swallowed.
"Right." Alice smiled as she continued eating.
She gave the container that contained two dumplings to Suo who gave one of the dumplings to Dratini and they ate it with Sui practically chomping on the one dumpling and container, dissolving it as Fel observed.
"Sui is eating the containers as well." Fel told Alice who noticed with a smile.
"Do those work the same way?" He asked as Alice hummed. The food boosts Sui's stats up but items only seem to increase his level.
"No. It seems like eating non-food items levels Sui up instead and that's not temporary." She explained as Sui and Dratini looked at her.
"Excellent. Then Sui can level up as much as he wants." Fel said before looking at Dratini. He doesn't understand it but the food doesn't affect her growth but through training. Does leveling up different back in Alice's world?
As if reading his mind while she took a bite of pizza, Alice answered him.
"I wish cool stuff happened after you ate in the world I originally came from. But if you're wondering how Dratini levels up without the help of food, it's through battles/ Pokémon battles are a lot different yet it helps the Pokémon gain experience through each battle as well as learning new moves which are skills in this one apparently." She explained and Fel contemplated on this. Her world sounds so strange yet interesting.
Alice had gone through the meals which left a lot for Fel, Sui, Lucario and Dratini to finish off as Alice took two sweets last.
"The last course, dessert." She said before punching on the cake first before the bread. Fel, Lucario, Sui and Dratini finished off the rest of the food and Alice felt a little bloated with how much she ate as she rubbed her tummy, waiting for the food to digest as she drank some water.
"I'm too stuffed." Alice groaned, covering her mouth as she let out a small burp. Fel had eyed her while he munched on the meals she couldn't have finished and almost choked. She looked like she was carrying pups but she was only full from the food. His thought raised on how she would look like if they got together and her carrying pups. He shook his head. Now is not the time to think of pups! He has to be patient!
"Alright then. Let's check out my stats." She said, unaware of the inner turmoil Fel was going through as she opened her status.
[Name] Alice
[Age] 17
[Job] Accidental Otherworlder, Pokémon Researcher, Baby Slime's Mother
[Level] 6
[Strength] 120(+28)
[Magic] 120(+26)
[Defense] 84(+24)
[Attack] 86(+28)
[Agility] 84(+22)
[Skill] Appraise, Item Box, Fire Magic
[Familiars] Fenrir, Baby Slime
[Unique Skill] Online Grocery
Looks like her stats went up a lot too.
"Looks like my stats are up by about 20%." She noted as Fel came to her side, eyeing her stats as well. That was good in his eyes.
"What about you two?" She addressed Fel and Sui.
She then checked Fel's and Sui's to see how much their stats went up.
[Name] Fel
[Age] 1014
[Race] Fenrir
[Level] 906
[Strength] 9843(+2942)
[Magic] 9481(+2834)
[Defense] 9765(+2919)
[Attack] 9036(+2700)
[Agility] 9684(+2895)
[Skill] Wind Magic, Fire Magic, Water Magic, Earth Magic, Ice Magic, Lightning Magic, Sacred Magic, Barrier Magic, Rending Claws, Body Reinforcement, Magic Attack Resistance, Appraisal
[Blessing] Goddess of Wind; Ninrir's Blessing
[Name] Sui
[Age] 6 days
[Race] Baby Slime
[Level] 16
[Strength] 56(+13)
[Magic] 54(+12)
[Attack] 50(+11)
[Defense] 56(+13)
[Agility] 54(+12)
[Skill] -
Fel was surprised. Seeing his stats had gone up was surprising even after Alice had told him that his stats went up that time.
"You were entirely correct. Indeed, our stats have both increased. Sui has gone up in level too." Fel told her before he leaned his head to her, smiling slyly.
"Looks like someone is ready for the dungeon." He said playfully but Alice sensed something else in his tone and she flushed lightly and pushed his face away.
"Oh, hush up, fluffball." She said in embarrassment though a blush was on her face which made Fel smile more as he nudged her arm. She huffed but smiled and patted his head. Lucario has observed the interaction between Fel and his trainer, surprised when he sensed how Fel's magic was wrapping around Alice's aura like a blanket and protection.
'But I still have a bad feeling about this.' Alice thought, doubt in her mind but she shook it. They cleaned everything up as she put her bag and picnic sheet in the item box before taking out the short sword she had received when she first registered.
She unsheathed the sword, holding it firmly in her hands as they faced the dungeon. She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
"Let's go." She said, tone firm and determined as they stepped inside but she paused as she looked at Fel.
"Um, Fel, I know this isn't much but can you cast the barrier please?" She asked him politely as he eyed her but complied, knowing that it was best to be safer than sorry later. And if he's being honest, he had expected her to ask that.
Sui and Dratini went on ahead while Fel and Lucario were by Alice's side with Sui hopping ahead with Dratini following as Alice trekked carefully. Alice was a little slow as Fel nudged her back slightly to get her to walk a bit faster.
"Fel, don't push! I might trip and fall." She scolded him. Fel didn't mean to be impatient but when he had pushed her back earlier before they arrived, he had caught a whiff of her scent again and he was determined to burn the memory of her scent of fresh apples and spring.
"I'm going, Fel. I just don't want to trip over loose rocks." She said as Fel had nudged her forward before a noise caught their attention and Alice tense with Lucario and Fel while Dratini and Sui paused where they were in front of Alice, looking to where the noise came from.
Alice glanced around before she tensed when she noticed a slime. This one was bigger and a darker color than Sui.
"A... A slime?" She was surprised and confused but she hesitated as it jiggled slightly, its form not round enough like Sui.
'Sui's with us since he was only level 1 and it almost makes me not want to attack this one recklessly but this one's hostile so I shouldn't hesitate.' She thought reluctantly as Sui and Dratini stared at the hostile slime before Sui did something unexpected before she can even attack as Dratini used thunderwave and Sui spat out a liquid that hit the slime, melting it when it became paralyzed by Dratini's thunderwave.
She was taken aback with how it melted when Sui shot it with what she can tell was a high concentrated acid.
"What an excellent attack, Sui, Dratini." Fel said, impressed by how Sui and Dratini worked together. Alice turned to Fel, a question in her eyes and he saw it.
"That was a potent acid. Considering Sui's current attack power along with Dratini's, both may be stronger than most others of their species." Fel answered truthfully and Alice nodded. She was surprised but she grew even more surprised. Could hatching in this world has helped Dratini be stronger than most Dratini back home.
She watched as Sui bounced happily, proud of himself as he huffed in happiness with Dratini swaying happily. But they couldn't celebrate yet as two other slimes were heading towards them and Alice readied her sword.
"Now it's your turn to fight them." Fel insisted and Alice nodded.
"Right!" She channeled mana into her free hand. Time to use earth magic in battle.
"Stone bullet!" She shot her hand out and a stone appeared and it hit one of the slimes.
Alice was surprised but started to smile even Fel was impressed, proud that she didn't hesitate this time.
"Good." He said as Lucario shot a small yet weak energy ball at the second slime which tried to bounce away.
"This must be from the food earlier." Alice told him as she looked happy but became confused when the melting puddles of the slimes seem to be disappearing.
"Did it, um..." She hesitated to ask.
"A dungeon is much like a living creature." Fel started to explain, watching the puddles slowly disappear until there was no trace left of the slimes.
"It will absorb anything that dies inside. Matters not, whether monster or human." So dungeons use the bodies of monsters as food? The thought made Alice shudder. Yup, she definitely needs to train and Fel's barrier to avoid that.
"I definitely don't want to be a dungeon snack. So I better get stronger." She said, more determined to become stronger now.
They proceeded forward and Alice was surprised that there were stairs already which brought them down to the next floor.
"There are horned rabbits on the next floor. Try not to get impaled." Fel told Alice as she gave him a look as they descended the stairs carefully with Sui and Dratini in the lead. For a baby slime and a Dratini who are too young, they're brave.
Alice was taken by surprise as the horned rabbits immediately charged at her and she moved out of the way before using her sword as defense.
"Just use your magic against them." Fel told her but she was too caught up that it slipped her mind.
"Kinda hard to do that if it weren't for the fact they have literal horns on their forehead!" Alice shouted, managing to beat the horned rabbits
"Next up, you'll fight goblins." He said as Alice looked at him in disbelief.
"Again?! Seriously?!"
They descended to the next floor and sure enough, there were goblins there and Alice instinctively used fire magic on them.
"Fireball!"
"You were supposed to use your earth magic!" Fel exclaimed in disbelief.
That experience completely shook up Alice a lot as they descended the stairs once again. She looked to Fel apologetically.
"Sorry, Fel, I guess I got too hung up on not dying here." She said and he hummed but accepted the apology.
"Now that I think about it though, why are the monsters here even attacking when I'm with you? Did you make them angry or something?" Alice asked him as they descended the stairs.
"They didn't come near us when we were in the forest." She pointed out and Fel knew he can't lie to her since she just wants to know the reason.
"They're dungeon monsters. They consider anything that enters an enemy. They do not care whether you are weak or strong." He explained as Alice looked skeptical but took his word for granted.
"Well, they kind of remind me of Sharpedo, Dragalge and Gyarados. They're total sweethearts if you don't mean any harm or you don't trespass into their territory." Alice explained and Fel was curious about those that she mentioned.
"But I think anyone that wants to enter a dungeon for real without caution, Information and preparation is out of their mind." She admitted before Fel's ears twitched as he sniffed the air. The next monsters are near.
"Deeper down, you will fight kobolds." He informed her though his tone held weariness and concern for her safety and she wondered why.
"And what is a kobold?" She asked him as they entered an opening only for Alice to be met with growls and she looked to the side, freezing immediately as two kobolds that reminded her of Lucario and Zoroark came charging towards her, snarling, and she ran immediately to get away while Lucario, Dratini, Sui and Fel watch, worried but they had to trust her.
"You're not going to be able to outrun them!" Fel called out to her and decided a risky move as she used her sword, stabbing the ground and used it to launch herself to the other side, keeping a tight firm grip on her sword. She slid on the ground before calling for Lucario.
"Lucario, bone rush!" She shouted before looking at the kobolds. She shot her hand out, channelling her mana
"Stone bullet!" She casted and instead of one stone, three stones came flying out and Lucario charged, instincts as he manifested a bone out of energy and used it to bat against the stones, giving it a lot of momentum to hit the kobolds square on the forehead.
Alice was surprised as she breathed as Fel, Sui and Dratini came to them as Lucario landed beside her as the dungeon started to absorb the bodies of the kobolds. He didn't expect Alice to call to one of her Pokémon but they showed excellent teamwork when Alice used stone bullet and Lucario used that move he used, bone rush, to hit the stones to give it more momentum.
"This was excellent experience." Fel praised as Sui and Dratini excitedly went to Alice and she caught Sui in her arms as Dratini climbed onto her shoulders. The two youngsters were happy for her as Lucario grunted happily to help Alice.
"It is. And just like old times too." She said, looking to Lucario who nodded, knowing what she meant.
"We really showed them, didn't we?" Alice said and Fel agreed but they weren't done yet though.
"You were passable. Nearly shooting out three stones is nothing to be smug about." He said though he was teasing her which she can tell as she smirks a bit.
"Not to be too smug huh? How about the monsters you have hunted which I still need help with the guild on the next town to process for their meat? You were pretty smug about that." She said, teasing back which surprised him as he huffed and looked away, a small blush under his fur.
"I did say I have lost myself on the hunt." He reminded her as she laughed and came to him before petting his fur gently and he found himself leaning to his touch, tail wagging slightly.
"I know." She said softly.
"I'll be sure to shoot four or five or a hundred if I have to until I finally master the spell." She told him and he nodded.
"Just don't overexert yourself." He told her as they continued onward, heading for the next and hopefully the next floor.
"Now the next floor is the last in this dungeon. There's a large open space. When I checked before, there were ten kobolds gathered. Fight hard." Fel told her and the number made Alice wary. Ten kobolds? Is he serious? He said that he checked before and there might be a lot compared to when Fel last checked.
Alice looked around the corner, to see how many there are and the sight made her gulp as her eyes widened. Fel said there were ten before but there's way too many!
"Uh, Fel, that looks like a few more than ten to me." Alice said warily. Fel was surprised as well and was in disbelief. Last he checked before returning to Alice, Sui and Dratini, there were only ten but it seemed they had multiplied.
"That's correct." He agreed but Alice can sense the surprise in his tone. He turned her, which made Alice look at him. She was wary and doubted herself if she could do this.
"And it would seem that you have quite a fight on your hands too." He said, tone shifting into wariness, wondering if Alice was ready to take on so many.
"Fel, I don't know if I can fight all of them." She said which he agreed on but she needs to take them on. He'll intervene if necessary.
"Just have Sui and Dratini help you take care of them for now. And you are also protected by the barrier." He told her which relieved her a bit.
"Lucario and I will help if you are in any danger." He reassured her as Sui raised a tentacle fist, showing he was ready to fight with Dratini agreeing with a determined look and Alice was surprised with how eager they were.
"Sui and Dratini seem ready." Fel said as Alice laughed warily.
"Um, Sui, Dratini, why are you two so excited about all this? Please tell me you two aren't combative for this." She asked them both but knew they couldn't answer as Fel was impressed by how ready they were.
"Rather impressive. These little ones are much ready than you." He said as Alice couldn't help but agree. They are ready to fight though.
He then nudged her towards the fight with Sui and Dratini following as she stumbled slightly.
"Now go fight!" He exclaimed as the trio fell to the ground and Alice had lost her grip on the sword before she caught herself as she fell into a sitting position.
She winced before looking up, seeing the kobolds had noticed their presence as she froze on instinct. She didn't have a weapon now and all eyes of the kobolds were on her. Alice stood up shakily, eyes darting at each kobold to see which ones would make the first move as their yellow eyes were full of hostility even their auras were hostile and they were all growling.
A few charged towards her and she braced herself but they hit the barrier before they could reach her before Sui and Dratini didn't hesitate as Dratini used a new move she learned, twister, with Sui shooting acid bullets to fight. The sight of the kobolds who were hit by Sui's acid bullet grossed her out as the dungeon slowly absorbed them.
"Gross..." She shuddered.
"Go on! Now join in the fight!" Fel told her and she agreed and got ready. She may have lost her sword but she still can use magic.
She can see more kobolds charging and she channeled magic through her body to cast the spell.
"Stone bullet!" She casted as three stones appeared, hitting three kobolds at once but she has no time to waste as a large group were heading her way and she casted the spell once more.
"Stone bullets!" Alice used both hands this time, shooting more stones at the incoming kobolds as Sui and Dratini helped to take down the kobolds. The fight exhausted Alice as she breathed heavily but was relieved that they had defeated a lot of kobolds.
Fel and Lucario had come to her side as Sui and Dratini were delighted they had defeated so many bad guys.
"We've... We've taken a lot of them down..." Alice said as she wiped her forehead.
The two remaining kobolds immediately retreated with their tails between their legs, immediately realizing they were outnumbered. They would have gotten far if it weren't for one problem.
The group only heard what sounded like yelps and howls and Fel immediately tensed with Lucario sensing that something even more dangerous was approaching before the two kobolds who ran away was thrown in their direction before they just exploded into smoke much to Alice's shock before a loud bellow came from somewhere in the dungeon and she instinctively stepped back while Fel and Lucario stepped forward in front of her. Whatever let out that angry bellow finally came out and Alice realized that this one was way bigger, stronger than the kobolds as it growled while welding an axe and it had blue markings around the eyes. It lowered the axe which hit the ground before it let out a loud roar as Alice covered her ears with how loud it was. Even Fel winced as the roar was too loud.
"What the hell is that?!" Alice asked Fel, shouting through the roar.
"That is a kobold king. It makes sense why there was such a large pack now. Not unexpected. It came to fight since you killed so many of its subjects." Fel explained, knowing that they, mainly Alice, was in much deeper trouble now. He shouldn't have brought her down here.
"Fel, next time warn me about these things before dragging me here!" Alice scolded him before she took a breath as she faced the kobold king.
"Guess I'll have to kill this one too." She said but tensed when it lifted its axe before charging towards her and she knew she had to run.
She jumped out of the way with Fel, Sui, Lucario and Dratini moving to the other side when it swung its axe down at the spot where they were but its focus was mainly on Alice as it chased after her when she ran.
"You'll be killed if all you do is run." He told her and she turned around a bit, running a bit more to at least put some distance.
"Stone bullets!" She casted but the stones just bounced off it and it seemed to have angered it more.
Her breath hitched and stopped and used both hands to cast the spell repeatedly, barely putting damage on the thing and the kobold king raised the axe, preparing to bring it down.
"This guy is tough..." Alice muttered fearfully as her eyes widened before she moved out of the way just as it brought the axe down on where she was standing.
The force sent her flying and she hit the ground, rolling a bit before stopping as she panted heavily and Fel knew this was wrong but he has to do it even if it means earning her ire later.
"I forgot to mention, its attack is quite powerful. My barrier may not hold, so be careful!" He told her which made her heart lurched as she stood up. She hoped he was just lying to help her cast the spell more but at a time like this, her flight and fight instincts were going nuts.
It raised the axe once more and her eyes widened. She put her hands together and put every ounce of mana into this one attack, hoping it would be enough to take it down.
"Stone bullet!" She casted and a larger stone appeared and the force of it shooting at the kobold king made her stumble slightly.
It hit the kobold king right on the forehead, catching it off guard and making it drop the axe as it started to fall back but caught itself as it refused to fall down and Alice was in shock. It's not going down?!
"Wait, I-I thought I had it..." She said shakily, eyes wide in disbelief and shock. Without the axe, it resulted in physical attacks as Alice tried to get it to stop before it lifted its claws to swipe it down and she had to attack it back before it got the chance.
"Stone bulle-" Alice was about to cast again before a wave of exhaustion like when her fight against the goblins went. No... She can't be out of mana now!
"My magic… is out... This is… not good..." She muttered in exhaustion as she fought to keep herself standing. The kobold king swung its claws down on Alice and she braced herself before it was stopped as Fel stood in front of her, baring his teeth at it. The barrier held strong, stopping the attack from reaching the two.
"Fel..." She whispered in awe.
"My barrier could never be breached by such a feeble attack as this one." Fel said with a growl and she knew that his barrier breaking was impossible and she held onto his side as she gripped her necklace that held the key stone. She caught Lucario's eyes and they both nodded as she closed her eyes, using what little energy and strength she had left.
"Key stone, hear my call. Let this bond between Pokémon and trainer unite and strenghten." She said, voice tired yet strong and Fel looked back at her, surprise as the stone on the necklace glowed and Lucario lifted his arm, showing an armband that held his mega stone which responded to the keystone.
"Lucario, mega evolve!" She exclaimed and Lucario let out a loud howl and his form changed and Fel was taken aback. The increase in power had grown significantly from Lucario.
Mega Lucario let out a loud cry and charged towards the kobold king, bone rush in his paws as he attacked with precision as Alice was close to passing out but she held onto Fel who was watching the entire thing in awe. This feeling... It was a power he had never encountered or felt before. Mega Lucario moves out of the way before delivering a powerful aura sphere to it before he grunts loudly and moves out of the way and Alice looks up just in time to see Sui and Dratini.
"Sui! Dratini!"
Sui jumped into the fray with Dratini delivering a strong thunder wave before Sui delivered the finishing blow, shooting a large amount of acid at the kobold king who was paralyzed from Dratini's thunder wave and it started to melt before collapsing into a pile of sludge. Alice watched in disorientation as Sui bounced happily with Dratini as Lucario reverted back to his normal form.
Alice turned to Sui when he started to glow and she doesn't understand what it means as her body finally let exhaustion take over completely.
"Sui...? What?" Was all Alice could say before collapsing and Fel caught her on his back immediately as she had fainted.
The entire fight was something that shook them but they were done and had finally decided to leave the dungeon.
Alice was still unconscious as she was resting on Altaria's fluffy wings before something cold was patting her cheek which caused her to stir slightly. Alice grunted as she opened her eyes before she gasped and sat upright.
"The dungeon!" She exclaimed and Lucario came to her side with Dratini. Altaria crooned worriedly as she absentmindedly petted her head. Alice realized they were outside the dungeon now and she regained her breathing.
"W-What?" She whispered in confusion as she held her head.
"What happened?" She then looked down at Sui who was bigger than before now.
"Sui?" Alice whispered and Sui reached two tentacles to her face, touching her cheeks worriedly as she turned to her Pokémon as Altaria was using heal pulse to help her regain some energy.
"Were you all worried about me?" She asked them softly and they nodded with Dratini crawling to her, nudging her hand as she petted her head.
"I'm alright now, guys." She said as Sui retracted his tentacles back before doing something unexpected. Alice heard a soft, airy child-like tone speaking in her mind.
"Sui is relieved." The voice said happily in relief.
"Are you and the others okay too?" Alice asked, not realizing that it was her second familiar talking.
"Yeah, okay too." The voice said as Alice smiled softly.
"I'm so glad. Thank you. You and Dratini saved me with Lucario." She said in relief before realization came crashing down as she looked at Sui in disbelief. That voice... Was that Sui?! Lucario, Altaria and Dratini were trying to hide their amusement as Alice picked up Sui, staring at him in shock.
"That voice... Is it really you, Sui?" Alice asked him, needing to see if it was actually him that just talked.
"Yeah, it's Sui." Sui replied, revealing that he can finally talk now though it was telepathic.
"What...? How can...?" She started to ask. Sui wasn't able to talk before until now. Did something happen?
"We beat the big furry one, and then after that, Sui could talk." Sui explained and Alice realized how his voice sounded like a child's.
"Mama?" That caught Alice off guard. Did Sui call her Mama now? She knows that Sui had essentially imprinted on her but to actually hear it was shocking.
"Mama, is that me?" She asked Sui for clarification.
"Uh-huh. Sui's mama!" Sui said and Alice felt tears in her eyes as she held Sui close.
"Arceus... If you were cute when we first met, your voice is even cuter! I can't believe that you can talk now too!" Alice lamented as her Pokémon were in agreement before Alice remembered.
"Oh, right!" She pulled Sui back to look at him.
"You and Dratini fought so well in there too. I bet you two leveled up a lot. Let's see." Alice said as she used appraisal to check their levels and stats.
[Name] Sui
[Age] 14 days
[Race] Slime
[Level] 7
[Strength] 157
[Magic] 151
[Attack] 149
[Defense] 152
[Agility] 153
[Skill] Acid Bullet
His stats improved but Alice was surprised to see that he wasn't a baby slime anymore. Maybe that's why Sui can talk now?
"You aren't a baby slime anymore." She noted before she checked Dratini's level and she had leveled up to 14 too. Alice then thought how Sui can talk now and not before. The last thing she remembered before passing out was... Sui glowing after beating the kobold king.
"So Sui grew up?" She wondered and Lucario and Altaria nodded before she looked at Sui's stats again.
"And you're already level 7 too." Alice said in joy as she read his stats once more and realized he can use acid bullet as a skill now. Was that what he used?
"It says you can use Acid Bullet now. And me?" She said in wonder before she opened up her stats to see how much she improved.
[Name] Alice
[Age] 17
[Job] Accidental Otherworlder, Pokémon Researcher, Baby Slime's Mother
[Level] 8
[Strength] 144
[Magic] 142
[Defense] 124
[Attack] 126
[Agility] 126
[Skill] Appraise, Item Box, Fire Magic, Earth Magic
[Familiars] Fenrir, Baby Slime
[Unique Skill] Online Grocery
"Looks like I'm at level 7 and earth magic is under my skills too." Alice was ecstatic, she was glad she had mastered earth magic now before she stopped as she compared her stats and Sui's noticing the difference.
"Hold on. My stats..." She felt disappointed. After all that trouble...
"I can't believe a two week old slime has better stats than me?" She lamented as she sighed as Sui looked up at mama. Is she mad? Lucario patted her back as Altaria put her head on her lap as Dratini nudged her hand comfortingly.
"Mama, are you upset that Sui got stronger?" Sui asked innocently but she shook her head with a reassuring smile. Of course not.
"No, no, don't worry. I'm just happy that you've grown. You're doing so well, Sui." Alice reassured him which made Sui bounce happily.
"Yay!" Sui cheered happily as Dratinit came to him, resting on top of him before Alice noticed that someone was missing. Where's Fel?
"Where's Fel?" She asked as Lucario grunted and pointed to the forest.
"He went out to do something." Sui explained as she hummed and nodded.
"I see. I hope he gets back though. So that means you can talk to Fel too?" She asked and Sui bobbed slightly, being mindful of Dratini.
"Sui can." Sui said before Alice, Lucario and Altaria stared at Sui who stared back slightly in confusion.
Alice has been wondering what type of slime Sui is and now that he can talk, maybe he can answer.
"Hey, Sui. Are you some special kind or type of slime?" Alice asked him curiously and she could sense the confusion in his eyes.
"Sui doesn't know. Sui is Sui." Sui answered honestly and Alice sighed softly. She can't really expect much since Sui is still young.
"Well, you're only two weeks old after all. I can't expect for you to know immediately." She reassured him, petting his head before a familiar voice them looked up to the source.
"You are finally awake." Fel said as he came into view and Alice smiled.
"Oh, hey, Fel. Did you carry me out of the dungeon?" She asked but paused at what she was seeing. Is that...
His muzzle was stained red and she already knew the answer before she can ask but her brain short-circuited.
"I don't want to ask but, what is with all that red stuff on your mouth?" She asked him wearily as she moved to stand up with Lucario helping her as Fel flicked some of it.
"You have been asleep for quite some time. I was hungry so I got a bite to eat." He explained though his eyes were scanning her for any injuries she might have sustained and Alice could see that his body was tense when he came back but he had assessed that she had no injuries, he let himself relax fully.
"I see." She said as Fel licked the rest of the blood off his mouth as Alice looked at him.
"Did you carry me out of the dungeon?" She asked him again and he nodded.
"Indeed I did, though I do not know how to summon one of your Pokemon, Lucario did it for me and Altaria appeared and I left to hunt after telling them not to leave you, Sui and Dratini alone." Fel explained and Alice sighed as she approached him, putting a hand on the side of his muzzle and he found himself leaning against her touch and their foreheads pressed together like before but this time not by the familiar contract.
They stayed like that for a solid moment, just soaking in each other's presence before Alice and Fel pulled apart though Alice had a blush on her face while Fel cleared his throat, tail wagging slightly and his ears twitched as he looked away. Sui saw that and tilted a bit to the side while Lucario's tail wagged happily. Dratini smiled with Altaria. The Pokémon had sensed something profound was forming though.
"However, your food is tastier and I like it better. So make me something." Fel said, changing the subject from the slightly awkward silence and his tone was complimentary and a bit teasing.
"You unlocked your earth magic because of me. I do not mind an otherworldly feast as thanks." He added but she crossed her arms at him, giving him a look which made him backed up slightly.
"Hold on a second there, Fel." Alice started, crossing her arms while giving him the same look.
"Did you lie back there and tell me that your barrier might break against the kobold king when you jumped in just when I was out of mana?" She questioned him and his ears lowered apologetically.
"I did. But then you used your full earth magic power. So I apologized for that." Fel said though he apologized in the end as Alice sighed. She just can't stay mad at him since his apologies and reasoning were sincere and genuine. Though it did help her gain the earth magic skill.
"I'm still upset from that, but I can let it go. I guess I can cook us lunch." She said and Fel's tail wagged immediately which made her smile
She had set up the table and opened up the online grocery page. She can't cook anything heavy and greasy for the moment though.
"I'm still exhausted from using so much magic. I should definitely get something more nutritious." Alice muttered as Fel, Sui, Dratini, Lucario and Altaria watched and waited.
"What's a healthy ingredient?" She checked another page on the online grocery and found eggs. Those are easy yet nutritious to cook.
"Eggs are good." She purchased a carton of eggs before picking other items.
"I haven't had them in a while either. I'm sure they'll like the lunch." She smiled as she glanced at the group, catching Fel's eyes and her gaze softened before getting back to work.
"Great. I've got it. Now let's see." Alice checked her item box and found the rest of the ingredients that were left over.
"We still have some onion, sugar and mirin. So I definitely need the fish stock soy sauce. And rice too." She purchased everything and she rolled up her sleeves to start cooking.
"All right, let's do this." Despite being exhausted from the fight, she felt energized enough to cook them all lunch.
'First cut the onions into thin slices.' Alice started with the onions, using the knife to make sure they're thin enough before moving to the Rockbird meat.
'Then cut the Rockbird meat into bite-sized pieces.' She sliced the Rockbird meat into the size of a chicken nugget before she cracked all of the eggs and started to mix the eggs together until they're scrambled eggs.
'Crack the eggs in a bowl and whisk them lightly.' She then moved to the pan once she was done.
'Add the fish stock, soy sauce, mirin and sugar into the pan and then turn on the heat.' She turned on the stove after adding the three ingredients into the pan that she had put water in before she added the onions and Rockbird meat into it.
"When it's cooked, add half of the egg and simmer everything together on low heat." She poured half of the eggs in the pan and set the stove into low heat.
She covered it with the lid before she lifted the lid up once she made sure the egg inside was cooked now.
'Once the egg is cooked, add the other half of the eggs and immediately turn off the stove. The residual heat will finish the cooking process.' She had poured the rest of the eggs into the pan and covered it with the lid once more before turning off the stove to let the residual heat finish cooking it up. She moved to the other gas stove and checked if the rice was cooked and smiled after lifting the lid before putting everything together.
"Just put the mixture on a bowl of hot rice, and it's done." She announced after adding the finishing touches.
{Soft-Simmered Rockbird Oyako-don}
"Hey, it's ready." She called as she turned and was fairly surprised to see everyone was behind her, Sui was jumping excitedly and Fel was salivating and his tail was wagging. Nevermind the prey he had hunted and eaten earlier, Alice's food is the meal he always goes to.
She served everyone their lunch and let's just say, they were delighted at the meal.
"So eggs can be eaten in this manner as well. The meat is perfectly coated by the silky yolks." Fel said in delightly, eating his portion happily.
"Mama, Sui thinks this is delicious too." Sui said, tilting the bowl slightly so he can eat happily and Alice smiled as Lucario, Altaria and Dratini ate theirs happily as they formed a circle of each other.
"I see that you love it, Sui. I'm so glad." She smiled before Fel offered his empty bow.
"Another serving." He said as Alice looked to him curiously but didn't decline when he wanted more but she had to ask.
"Fel, didn't you go out and find something to eat earlier while I was passed out?" She asked him as he was chewing on the lunch before Sui looked up.
"More, please." He said politely and Alice laughed softly.
"You're not even done with that one yet, Sui. Finish it up first so I can get all of us another serving." She told him with a smile.
"Sui will eat it after finishing this bowl." Sui said as he did so. Her pokemon had finished their servings and were ready for another one as Alice smiled.
"Honestly, my Familiars and Pokémon have really big stomachs." She admitted before eating hers finally.
They had finished all of the oyako-don and were resting so their bodies can digest the meal. Dratini was resting against Altrai who was watching Sui jumped and bounce around with Lucario as Alice was leaning against Fel's side who was resting.
"So, Fel, have you talked to Sui already?" Alice asked him softly since she noticed that he wasn't surprised that Sui can talk now as the slime jumped around and spun a bit.
"Indeed while you were still unconscious." He told her, liking how her warm body leaned against his body. It brought nothing but comfort as Sui hopped to them as they looked at him once he started to talk.
"Sui talked a lot with Uncle Fel, Big Brother Lucario, Auntie Altaria and Sissy Dratini after we got out of the dungeon." Sui said honestly and Alice burst out laughing immediately while Lucario looked proud and Dratini nodded while Fel's expression was more mortified and embarrassed.
"Uncle Fel, huh?" Alice asked, tone teasing as she looked at Fel who was looking at Sui, pure embarrassment on his face. Only an innocent kid or someone very young like Sui can do this much damage with how honest he is.
"Do not laugh!" He exclaimed but Alice couldn't stop her snickers from escaping as Fel looked to Sui.
"Sui, I've already told you, you are not to call me Uncle Fel!" He told him but Fel was more or less embarrassed by being addressed as such especially in front of Alice who was looking at them with pure amusement.
Alice covered her mouth to try and stop her laughter but it just escaped.
"Just let him call you uncle." Alice told Fel with a chuckle.
"Sui is only 14 days old after all." She added as she continued to laugh.
"You're most definitely an uncle. An uncle to him, right, Uncle Fel?" Alice teased him as he looked to her in disbelief which made her laugh even more.
"If I am uncle, then you should be considered an auntie or something as well!" He exclaimed, pure embarrassment on his face but Alice waved him off.
"I'm only 17 years old. The best case scenario is Sui calling me Sissy instead. I'm still young compared to you." Alice told him with a smile as he grumbled.
"Mama is mama." Sui said, sticking to what he already calls Alice by.
"Sui calls me and sees me as his mother." Alice said as Fel was still embarrassed by being called uncle in front of his future mate.
"Sui, listen. You are only to call me Fel. Understand?" Fel said and Alice could sense where this was going, her eyes widening.
"But Sui likes Uncle Fel-" Sui tried to say but Fel practically yelled which sounded more of a roar.
"Do you understand?!" He exclaimed which scared Sui even Dratini, Lucario, Altaria and Alice jumped in disbelief.
Alice stood up and gave Fel a stern look, not liking how he yelled at Sui.
"Fel, stop it. You didn't need to practically yell at Sui just because he called you an uncle." She scolded him which made him back down. He didn't mean to yell at Sui but he was just embarrassed at being called that in front of her.
A whimper from Sui caught their attention and they turned to see his entire form quivering and if he had tears, he would already have them gathering in his eyes and it made Fel feel more bad now.
"Uncle Fel is Uncle Fel..." Sui whimpered before he jumped into Alice's arms who caught him as he started to whimper and cry softly. Alice petted his head gently, letting him cry against her.
"There, there now. Don't worry about what Fel said and did, Sui." Alice shushed him gently before she turned to Fel.
"Fel, you made Sui cry." She told him, eyes pleading as she continued to hold and comfort Sui.
"I can't believe you would yell at Sui like that just for calling you uncle. You're older than him so he has his reasons." She told Fel as Sui just cried more now which made Fel feel even more bad at himself. He is clearly older than Sui by a century and he shouldn't have acted as such.
"And you're probably just a big stomach with no heart." Alice mumbled though there was an undertone of teasing as Sui's cries just got louder. Her eyes says even her Pokémon were looking at him. He sighed heavily. If it makes Sui happy...
"I have a heart as well as a stomach." He grumbled, giving in.
"I will only allow Sui to call me uncle." Fel said which made Alice smile as she petted his head which made his tail wagged as her Pokémon were satisfied as Alice turned to look at Sui.
"You hear that, Sui? Fel said he'll let you call him Uncle Fel." She told him and Sui's cries slowly calmed down as he looked up at her hopefully.
"R-Really?" He asked her hopefully as she turned to Fel who caught her eyes and he nodded.
"Yup." She nodded as she turned Sui to Fel as the slime bobbed happily.
"I'm happy, Uncle Fel. Thank you." Sui said sweetly which made Fel's heart soften a lot. Maybe Sui calling him uncle wasn't so bad. If it makes Sui happy, then it's enough.
"Thank you, Fel." Alice smiled as Sui nuzzled her as she held Sui close while petting Fel's head who loved the shared attention. She's not gonna favor anyone. She would rather give everyone equal love, especially Sui and Fel.
Moments prior earlier before Alice woke up to discover Sui had talked...
Fel emerged from the now conquered dungeon with Sui, Lucario, Dratini and Altaria who Lucario called out before laying Alice who had been unconscious on his back on the ground carefully.
"Oh dear. How troublesome." Fel muttered worriedly as Lucario grunted to Altaria who nodded and Lucario lifted Alice's head so she could rest on Altaria who used heal pulse as Sui hopped to Alice who was breathing softly.
"Oh no. Is mama okay?" Sui asked worriedly but Fel, Lucario, Dratini and Altaria were surprised that he could talk now.
"She's okay, right?" Sui hopped over to Fel who looked at Sui curiously, surprised that he can talk now then before.
"Sui, how is it that you can talk now?" Fel asked him curiously as Sui perked up. He can talk now?
"Does that mean you can hear Sui's voice?" Sui asked innocently as Fel and Lucario nodded.
"Yes, we can." Fel said and it made Sui happy. Seeing Sui becoming happy at being able to talk made Fel smile as he lay down by Alice's form.
"Really?! That means Sui can talk now like mama! Yay! Sui can talk to everyone! And everyone can talk to Sui!" Sui cheered excitedly as he hopped away but stayed close, still happy at the fact that he can talk now.
"That's certainly new." Fel admitted with Lucario nodding even Dratini agreed as she snuggled against Alice who was still unconscious.
"Yay! Talking. Talking. Talking with mama..." Sui paused on his celebration, hopping back to the group and he quivered sadly, noticing that Mama hasn't woken up yet.
"Sui wants to talk with Mama now..." He whimpered sadly and Fel couldn't help but feel bad for the youngster. It was clear that he sees Alice as his mother.
"Do not worry. She will wake soon." He reassured Sui who perked up hopefully.
"When? When will she wake up?" Sui asked, hopping towards him. Mama seems really close to him. There must be something special between him and Mama.
"Soon, I'm sure and we can talk until then." Fel said and Sui agreed.
"Got it. Mama is sleeping and while we wait for her to wake up, Sui will talk to Uncle Fel, Big Brother Lucario, Auntie Altaria and Sissy Dratini." Sui said innocently as Fel nodded but his entire body froze. Did... Did he just call him uncle?!
"Did-Did you just say Uncle?" He questioned Sui in shock and disbelief.
"Uncle Fel." Sui said truthfully, calling him uncle once more, confirming his question much to his embarrassment.
"Wait, why did you call me uncle?!" He asked in embarrassment while Lucario, Dratini and Altaria watched in amusement while Sui remained oblivious to the embarrassment Fel is in but Sui has his reasons as to why.
"Cause you're older than Sui." Sui explained honestly.
"And you're big, and strong, and cool, and powerful, and protect us and you're always with us. And kind, and warm. That's why uncles are so great. That's why you're Uncle Fel." Sui explained, looking up at him, admiration in his eyes and Fel looked taken aback and was surprised. Is that how Sui perceived him?
"So, Sui, are those things you think makes someone a good uncle?" He asked him and Sui bobbed happily.
A brief silence came over them before Fel looked proud at being called that. He can't deny it but seeing how Sui sees him as such makes him feel proud as he chuckled before he realized that Alice's Pokémon were watching him with clear amusement in their eyes much to his embarrassment.
"No, no, no, no, no!" He shook his head as he stood up. He needs to get out of here!
"Again, do not call me your uncle, Sui!" Fel told him and Sui was confused.
"Why?" He asked in confusion and Fel didn't have an answer. He can't just say that he's embarrassed or that he likes it.
"Because I said so." He said before he moved to leave.
"I have grown hungry. I'll be back." Fel told him as Sui bobbed.
"Sui will stay with Mama." He said sweetly.
"Good! I would not take you!" He shouted which scared Sui a bit before he dashed off only to return much to Sui's and the Pokémon's confusion. He has his reasons to come back quickly and that's their safety.
"The forest is very dangerous. Do not venture outside of the barrier until I return. Okay?" Fel told them who complied.
"Yes." Sui agreed and that's all Fel needed to dash off once more, leaving an unconscious Alice with Sui and her Pokemon.
"Uncle Fel is so protective and Mama loves him too." Sui said happily. Her Pokémon didn't stop him. They had seen how Alice and Fel act around each other. It will only be a matter of time and place.