???
"I...uh, um..." Tai stutters, unable to find a word as he watches the majestic being in front of him. His internal thoughts are in turmoil, wondering why Suicune is here.
'C-could it be...d-did my rants were fully heard by Giratina!?!? D-did he ask Suicune to take care of me!?!?' Tai thought, completely in panic. Suicune notices Tai's internal conflict and lets out a sigh.
"What's with human and their irrational fear of Pokemons? I'm merely asking a question, no need to panic about it." Suicune says in a soothing tone, getting Tai's attention. Tai lets out a gulp before looking at Suicune.
"U-um, of course!" Tai says while letting out a sigh. "But, just to be clear, this isn't a good meal. I-I cook this out of desperation to survive..." He mutters the last part but is heard by Suicune.
Suicune feels his gut twisted. To think he has just asked a child to share a food he desperately cooks for his survival. But, at the same time, his stomach was unable to handle another day without food.
He was on a mission traveling to Kanto due to his fellow Water Type Pokemons wishing him to visit the region due to the sudden increase in water pollution. When he arrives at the sea on Kanto's border, he has seen how bad it is and has been cleansing the sea for days without any rest.
Right now, he is starving and he wishes he could find something to eat. So, when he travels through the river, he smells a pleasant scent and decides to rush towards the source of the scent. To his surprise, it was from a food made by a human child no older than 10.
'Now I feel like a foul creature, demanding food from a child wanting nothing more but to survive...' Suicune thought, feeling bitter towards his attitude. He ponders a bit before he gets an idea.
"Child, wait here," Suicune says before rushing off, startling Tai. Tai stares at the retreating Suicune with a confused expression.
"I...don't think I could go anywhere else..." Tai mutters before looking at his food and lets out a sigh. To his surprise, piles of dead Magikarp fall right next to him with some plants he didn't recognize and banana leaves. He turns around to see Suicune letting out a tired sigh.
"You can use this as ingredients," Suicune says before looking at Tai. Tai looks at the Suicune before he notices that, like him, he is also starving, and from his appearance, he looks like he hasn't eaten for days.
Tai's pride as a chef-in-learning refuses to let someone starve, even if they're humans or animals. He was even late for some of his classes due to him busy feeding stray cats or dogs on the way. His experiences as a college student struggling with managing his finances in his early days and his current situation only solidifies his belief.
"...all right, thanks for the ingredient," Tai mutters before he looks at the ingredients. "You can rest assured, I'll cook food for you."
"T-thank you..." Suicune mutters, surprised at Tai's change of demeanor. He watches as Tai peels off Magikarp's scales with nothing but his hands before he washes its blood off, pulling out its bones and innards, and puts the plants and mushrooms into the Magikarp's body before wrapping it with the washed banana leaves. He places the wrapped fish into the pan and starts cooking it.
Suicune stares at the scene curiously as Tai cooks the food. Tai waits for a while, staring at the fish intently. Suicune furrows his brow and looks at Tai.
"...this should be enough..." Tai mutters before turning off the stove and tearing off the banana leaves. Suicune was surprised at how good it smelled, but he noticed how it wasn't as pleasant as before. Tai places his hand on the wrapped fish.
"Chef's Blessing..." Tai mutters before a glow emits from his hand and into the food. Suicune's eyes widen as the scent becomes so much more pleasant than before as Tai tears the whole leaf off and offers it to Suicune.
"There..." Tai mutters as he wipes his brow. Suicune stared at the food before he took a bite. His eyes widen in shock before he lets a blissful moan from his mouth. Realizing what he has done, he immediately closes his mouth and looks away, hiding his blushing face.
"A-apologies...the taste was too good..." Suicune mutters as Tai lets out a nervous chuckle.
"N-no worries," Tai says, glad that the Legendary Pokemon likes his food. He would've cooked better food than that, but given their current situation, he can't exactly do much.
If it wasn't for Suicune knowingly picking up parsley, bay leaves, and chives during his ingredient hunt, it would be bad due to Magikarp's biology. Parsley and chives provide flavors to Magikarp's tasteless meat, while the bay leaves help with Magikarp's fishy scent and provide a unique scent. The Chef's Blessing amplifies the effect by 11.
Tai continues to eat his food as Suicune notices him. He looks at some of the cooked Magikarp before using his tail to cut some of the meat and gives it to Tai, surprising him.
"This is a meal cooked by you. You should taste it as well." Suicune says as Tai looks at him in shock before he eats it, and he understands why Suicune lets out a moan just by tasting it. Out of curiosity, he uses his Appraisal skill on the dish.
[Perfectly Cooked Magikarp]
[Rank: B- ]
[A delicacy created by Tai Yasuno to feed a starving Pokemon. Cooked with care, its taste and scent are far better than how most chefs cook their Magikarps. Upon consumption, a full stomach is guaranteed.]
[Effect: Full Stomach. Strength Boost. Low Durability Boost. Stamina Recovery. Slight Disease Resistance]
Tai choked as he read the effect and started coughing, startling Suicune.
"Are you alright, child?" Suicune asks in concern as Tai controls himself and nods rapidly.
"Y-yeah, just eating too fast..." Tai says sheepishly as Suicune sighs.
"Be careful..." Suicune says before he looks around. "Child, why are you here alone?"
"..." Tai ponders, should he tell him the truth? He did consider it, but given how Suicune casually detects his fear, he will immediately catch his lies. So, he decides to tell him the truth. As Suicune listens, he can't help but be surprised at his story.
"That...is surprising," Suicune says before pondering a bit. "But, to think Lord Giratina was responsible for all of it. I expect Mew to be responsible."
"Y-you believe me...? Just like that?" Tai mutters in surprise. He did assume Suicune could sense his emotions, but he did expect Suicune to be more skeptical.
"You're not the first human who got transported to this world. And given the streak, the culprit has always been Mew." Tai gapes, he isn't the only victim and Mew's the one responsible for it!?! "And I know my words won't be enough, but I'm sorry for what happened."
"N-no need. Y-you're not the one responsible for it." Tai mutters, waving his hands. Besides, he can't blame all of the other Legendary Pokemons just because one of them is responsible for his current predicament.
"Very well, then..." Suicune says with a nod before looking at Tai. "You don't have a Pokemon yet, do you? Are you planning to travel around?"
"Umm, no...and yeah...I'm somewhat curious at this world's culinary..." Tai mutters, confused at why he asks such a question. Suicune stares at him before he lets out a sigh.
"Then, I shall accompany you on your journey." Tai was surprised at the words.
"Wait, what!?!? You want to come with me!?!? B-but, why!?!" Tai asks in shock.
"First, as an apology and a thank you for your earlier situation. Second, Lord Giratina's actions reflect every Legendary Pokemon's actions, and that 'System' wasn't enough compensation for you to survive this world alone. Third, I plan to travel around Kanto to cleanse the increase of water pollution in this region." Suicune says as he stares at Tai. "If we travel together, you will be protected from any wild Pokemon and the dark forces brewing in this region while also providing more ingredients for food."
'Dark force!? You mean, Team Rocket!?!' Tai knows a lot about the evil teams in the Pokemon world, and he hates each of them with every fiber of his being. Their goals are just too selfish for Tai's taste, even if some of them have sad backstory. Risking the entire world just for their goals is too much.
Before Tai could answer, he saw Suicune's tails wag like crazy. He looks at Suicune, and he can't help but sweatdrop; his eyes are wider than usual, and drool is escaping his snout. He then remembers the last part of Suicune's statement and finally realizes his intention: he wants free food.
But then again, Suicune proved that he won't do it for free. He offers protection and collects ingredients. And he'll be stupid to refuse it.
Also, Suicune is one of Tai's favorite Pokemon, so that's a plus.
"Okay," Tai says with a smile. "I'll be in your care."
"Great! I promise you won't regret it!" Suicune says happily as they shake each other's hand, or paw in Suicune's case. All of a sudden, Tai receives a notification.
[You have 'Suicune' as your partner Pokemon. No trainers shall be able to capture Suicune from now on.]
"..." Tai's eyes bulge out of his socket as he reads the notification. Suicune sees the screen and tilts his head in confusion.
"What are you reading, Tai?" Suicune asks, snapping Tai out of his shock.
"Wait, you can see it!?" Tai asks as Suicune nods. Tai lets Suicune read the message, and Suicune widens his eyes before he perks up.
"This is great! That means I won't be stuck in a damn ball, and no one can capture me!" Suicune exclaims excitedly before he tackles Tai and nuzzles him. "You are the best partner I could ask for!"
"I-I'm pretty sure I'm the only partner you ever had..." Tai mutters.
"True, but who cares!?!?" Suicune exclaims excitedly, causing Tai to laugh. Suicune realizes what he just did, decides to stop, and lets out a cough, his face turns red. "A-apologies..."
"N-no need, Suicune..." Tai says before he pauses. "Suicune...do you prefer a new name?"
"Sure." Suicune says immediately. "It should be a sign of our partnership!"
"Well, then." Tai ponders a bit. "How about Yuuki? The kanji used means companion/friends and waves?"
"Yuuki, huh...it's a nice name." Suicune, now Yuuki, says with a gentle smile. "Very well, from now on, you can call me Yuuki."
"Then, call me Tai. That's my name." Tai says with a large grin.
This is the start of a beautiful partnership.
To be continued