Chapter 23: Reincarnated Bonds — The Tempest Brothers Form
As the blinding light faded, Drake slowly opened his eyes and scanned his surroundings. A deep frown settled on his face.
"Seriously? Another goddamn cave? Did I really travel to a different world?" he muttered. "System, where the hell am I?"
But instead of an answer, a black screen flickered in front of him.
SYSTEM UPDATING… TIME REMAINING: 06D 24H
Drake clenched his fists. "Are you serious?! You're updating now? Ugh, useless system. Everyone, come out."
His Pokémon materialized around him, each stretching or looking curiously at their new environment. Drake glanced around, taking in the massive, sprawling cave. Strange, glowing stalagmites pulsed with powerful magical energy.
As they moved closer, a small notification popped up:
MAGIC CORE
Without hesitation, Drake stored the core and led the group deeper into the cave. Soon, they arrived at a vast underground lake. Greninja, without hesitation, dove into the water, relaxing with a satisfied sigh.
Drake smirked—until a massive splash erupted from the lake's center.
A round, blue figure flew from the water at blinding speed. Instinctively, Drake and his Pokémon sprang into action. Greninja and Infernape stepped protectively in front of him.
But as the figure bounced closer, Drake noticed something odd—it wasn't hostile.
"Hold up!" Drake shouted. "Infernape, Greninja, stand down. He's not attacking."
The blue figure blinked. "Um… hello? Can you understand me?"
Drake stared at the round creature in disbelief. "Wait… you can talk?"
"Yeah. At least, I think I can now," the slime replied. "I don't really have a name. I was killed and reincarnated as a slime. I was still adapting to this weird body and testing out a new skill when I ended up in that lake."
"A reincarnator too, huh?" Drake said. "Name's Drake. Nice to meet you… Slime."
"Thanks. According to the 'Great Sage,' I can communicate with you because you're unconsciously using a skill called Magic Perception. Pretty cool, huh? By the way, what are those things beside you?"
Drake gave a toothy grin. "They're called Pokémon. Don't ask how, but they're my companions now. We've been through a lot together."
The slime stared at the Pokémon, completely awestruck. "You're kidding… you got reincarnated into a fantasy world and scored a whole team of Pokémon? That's so unfair!"
Drake chuckled. "Comes with its own chaos, trust me. But enough about me. What's this 'Great Sage' you mentioned?"
"It's a unique skill I got after reincarnating. It helps analyze stuff and gives advice. Oh! Great Sage says I can evolve my senses to actually see now!"
Suddenly, a surge of magical energy surrounded the slime. Moments later, two glowing orbs appeared—eyes. The slime blinked and gasped, now seeing Drake's towering tiger-like figure and his team of Pokémon.
"AHHH! What the hell are you?! You look like a tiger walking on two legs—"
His gaze shifted to the Pokémon.
"Wait… are those actual Pokémon?! WHAT?!"
Drake shrugged smugly. "Like I said—long story. Let's find a way out of here. You coming?"
They walked together, swapping stories—though Drake did most of the talking while the slime listened, wide-eyed.
"Looks like your punishment wasn't too bad if you ended up here," the slime said.
As they advanced, Drake noticed more magic cores embedded in the walls. Just as he reached for one, the slime leapt ahead, engulfing it in his gooey body. Moments later, the core dissolved.
"What the hell was that?" Drake asked.
"That's my second skill—Predator. I can absorb things and gain their properties or abilities."
Drake grinned. "Now that's convenient."
Eventually, they came upon a massive dome-like chamber. But a green, translucent barrier sealed its entrance. As they examined it, a thunderous voice echoed through the cavern.
"Who goes there? Why have you come?"
A massive shadow loomed from behind the barrier. As it stepped forward, both Drake and the slime were left speechless.
A gigantic black dragon with a white underbelly emerged. Scars etched across one of its glowing eyes. It glared at them.
"A slime… and a tiger-beast? Did my magnificent presence steal your voices?"
Drake snapped out of it. "The name's Drake. This little one hasn't picked a name yet. We're just… exploring. What about you? How's a mighty dragon end up here?"
"THAT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, INSECTS!"
The dragon's roar shook the cavern. Drake sighed. "Okay, grumpy. C'mon, Slime. Let's leave him alone."
"Wait!" the dragon growled. "I didn't mean it. I've just… been so bored all these years."
The two turned, eyeing him incredulously.
"You insult us, then ask us to stay? Wow…" the slime deadpanned.
"I am the proud Storm Dragon—Veldora!" the dragon bellowed.
"Yeah, proud and lonely," Drake muttered.
The slime scoffed. "The first guy who can talk and he's a tsundere dragon. Perfect."
Veldora huffed. "So… you're both reincarnators, right?"
"How'd you know?" the slime asked.
"Well, reincarnated beings are common… but monsters like you two are rare. Especially you, Drake—your energy is incredibly potent."
Drake grinned. The slime suddenly hopped forward. "Hey, Mr. Veldora, wanna be friends?"
"Me? A friend to a slime and a striped feline?" Veldora snorted.
"Alright, your loss. Drake, let's go," the slime said, turning away.
"W-Wait! I was kidding! Let's be friends—no, brothers! I'll even give you both a family name and a proper name for you, little slime!"
The slime paused, then shouted, "I got it! From now on, we'll be the Tempest family!"
"Tempest, huh? I like it!" Veldora roared. "Then you shall be Rimuru Tempest, and you, Drake Tempest! And I am Veldora Tempest!"
A rush of powerful magical energy surged around Drake and Rimuru. They both felt themselves strengthen and smiled at each other.
"From this day forward," Veldora declared, "we are the Tempest Brothers! AHAHAHA!"