Edward sighs slightly as he stretches to ease some tension in his muscles while he waits for Twilight. The mare in question steps beside Edward as she yawns lightly.

"H-how do you feel, Twilight?" Edward asks, blushing as he looks at the princess.

"A tad better than before, but I still feel my magic slowly building again..." Twilight sighs deeply as he looks at her chest.

"Do you have any idea what could be causing your magic to build to such unstable levels?" Edward asks wearing a concerned expression.

Twilight ponders this for a moment before thinking back to the pinch she felt on her neck when they first encountered the slime.

"I've no evidence, but it might have something to do with the object that hit my neck before... If I had to theorize, it might have been a dart designed to cause one's magic to flux and build out of control. If left untreated the build-up would cause the magician to explode with the force of their maximum mana capacity." Twilight folds her arms and stroked her chin in thought.

The cavern they are in suddenly becomes engulfed in a dense purple magic aura which morphs it into a stone decorated room with a fountain rather than a natural water source where Twilight washed up. Edwards clothes morph into the form of a black button up top, black trousers and boots complemented by a long, flowing brown coat that bears gold trim accompanied by a pair of brown leather gloves. Meanwhile, Twilight's clothes have morphed into an intricate emerald green dancer's bra with a knot at the front combined with a pair of emerald briefs and dancer's sash of the same colours.

"This is an interesting development..." Edward states as he muses at his clothes.

"That's alright for you to say!" Twilight states blushing profusely at her clothing.

"Oh my..." Edward blushes a very bright shade of red as he stares at the mare in question.

"There you two are." The pair turn around to see Chris standing in the entrance to the cavern.

The man in question wears a brown leather tunic atop a white shirt, brown leather pants, pointed leather shoes with a quiver strapped across his back accompanied by a pure white intricately engraved bow. Adorning Chris's head is a triangle shaped, slanted hat much like that of Robin Hood.

"Chris? Seriously? What are you doing here?" Edward questions as he looks very confused.

"I believe I can answer that." Jerry's voice states as an orb hovers by and lands on the ground to form the man himself.

"Reaction shot?" Edward asks as the three turn to Jerry.

Jerry folds his arms and nods slightly before looking at the pair.

"I can understand that, but if you'll allow me to explain the situation. This is how we normally compose our regular D&D sessions, which no doubt Alexander was forced to inform you about. This time I have two reasons for forming my dungeon during this dire situation. One: It'd be a shame to waste a beautiful Thursday evening by not developing our story further. Second: The formed 'room' allows the players to contact me via a function called 'DM Support' through their menus." Jerry begins explaining before floating two more orbs over to scan Edward and Twilight.

"I can see the tactical benefit of said plan... Though I do have one serious query." Twilight states folding her arms.

"Oh? Do tell." Jerry prompts the mare.

"Why the buck am I wearing this outfit?!" Twilight states shaking her fist and frowning at Jerry.

"Ah... I have a problem, sorry..." Jerry chuckles lightly before clapping his hands.

Twilight's clothes glow and slowly re-morph to form a flowing midnight blue tailcoat with purple and gold trim while bearing her cutie mark upon the chest, black stockings and pure white gloves.

"I'd hate to think what you made Starlight wear." Edward comments which earns him a glance from Twilight.

"Oh that one was much more- it was a tad more-" Jerry pauses a couple of times as he tries to think of a suitable sentence, "it wasn't much more modest than that if I'm entirely honest with you."

"Figures I guess... So, what do we have to do here?" Edward asks as the sheets form in front of them.

"Please fill out these sheets and I'll let Chris guide you in today's session which is floor 99 of the Gorgons Tower. Your goal is to proceed to the deepest waterfall cavern which serves as the exit to the next floor. I wish you all luck and will be seeing you later." Jerry states before vanishing.

"I guess we have no choice with that slime around..." Twilight muses as she looks over the sheet and they begin to fill them in.

"You'll find the sheet should display your skill levels for various stats which are a representation of our actual magical ability." Chris explains before moving closer to help them.

"So, I imagine that's what these all are... Any idea what an 'Elder Red Magus' is?" Twilight asks as Chris glues himself to her sheet, reading it carefully.

"A Red Mage is generally a mage specialized in multiple schools of magic without being specifically tied down to one. I'd imagine 'Elder' would refer to your level of magician within this class... Which is true, I believe that's the second highest mage class available. Alexander will be so depressed to hear this." Chris sighs deeply.

"That would explain why I have such a variety of spells from various fields in my abilities section." Twilight nods in understanding.

"Also, it should be noted that a Red Mage is also more psychically able than their other counterparts often wielding a melee weapon alongside their magic." Chris explains as Twilight browses her inventory.

Musing over the contents of her bag she notes one item in particular and decides to equip it as a rapier forms on her hip.

"Are you sure using that is a good idea?" Edward asks as he looks puzzled.

"Hmm? I don't see why not. My brother made sure to teach me some form of combat to defend myself in case I was unable to use my magic." Twilight informs him as she expertly draws it to inspect its quality.

"Well, we should press forward if we hope to find them in time tonight. We will be encountering many mobs on the way just to warn you both." Chris explains as he walks past them.

The pair nod as Twilight sheathes her rapier and they begin to follow Chris through this mine turned dungeon.

Twilight flicks her rapier several times in the air to draw an intricate red sigil. Once complete she spins around before plunging the tip of the blade into the centre, casting the level 3 inferno spells to obliterate the skeleton soldiers down the hallway from them.

Edward and Chris are standing a slight way behind her feeling a little underequipped in comparison.

"Well... With her mana pool, I doubt we'll be needed at all till we reach the exit." Chris states to a stunned Edward.

"So hot..." Edward states randomly making Chris raise an eyebrow before sighing deeply.

Twilight wipes her forehead and walks back over to them looking happy with her work.

"So, can we expect any stronger enemies in this dungeon?" Twilight asks before looking at Edward.

"Depends on Jerry's mood I guess." Chris shrugs.

"Is Edward okay?" Twilight asks raising an eyebrow at the man in question.

"I'm doing grape- I mean great! I'm doing great." Edward coughs a little and stretches to look innocent.

Twilight blushes slightly and finds it difficult to formulate a response before blinking and shaking her head.

"Okay then... I'm just a little disappointed at the level of opponents here, it's great therapy~" Twilight sings a little, perhaps with too much enthusiasm.

The whole group hear a 'ping' sound ring throughout the dungeon as Chris pales slightly and sighs deeply before drawing his bow.

"You talk way too much..." Chris deadpans at Twilight who looks confused.

Suddenly the hallway shakes as roaring can be heard further down. After several seconds a Minotaur just barely able to fit in the hallway begins charging towards them with a big metal axe in its hands.

"Oh shit." Edward states swallowing hard as he steps back a little.

Chris gets an intricate monocle out of his chest pouch and looks at the enemy before gasping and choking.

"It's a fucking level 150 Minotaur! Why, why did you have to say anything about the enemies?!" Chris backs away slowly.

Twilight moves her muzzle around slightly as she stares at the creature slightly. She then flicks through a list of sigils that she apparently knows and stops on one she finds interesting. Holding up her rapier in preparation before starting her mid-air drawing of an ice blue sigil.

"If you two could just hold it back for a little bit, that'd be great~" Twilight hums as she continues drawing with grace.

"She is enjoying this a tad too much..." Chris states before moving in front of the sigil to fire arrows at the charging Minotaur.

Edward briefly flicks through his inventory before spotting an item of interest and equipping it before joining Chris in front of the sigil.

"I think I found something which might be of some use in my bag." Edward states as he calls out a lance-type weapon with a drill atop it.

"That's an unconventional weapon, to say the least..." Chris looks more than a little nervous.

Edward tries experimenting with the weapon, inspecting it closely before finding a mechanism which springs the thing to life, spinning up the drill like a motor. The man in question then charges at the Minotaur and holds it back slightly by making contact with the flat face of its axe. The creature continues holding its charge at a slower pace but is clearly being affected by the drill pushing against it.

"You can move now." Twilight states as she jumps back to perform her lunge, giving Edward and Chris a small window to get out of the way.

Once clear, Twilight lunges forward the same as before while mouthing the incantation labelled 'Diamond Dust' which adds another layer onto the sigil. The resulting cast sends a bone-chilling whirling blizzard down the hallway into the Minotaur freezing it solid as its charge is halted. The spell continues past their vision as it travels down the hallway. The purple mare walks over to the Minotaur and taps it with the tip of her rapier, causing it to shatter into ice dust before she continues past it onwards to the exit. Chris and Edward pull themselves up from the floor and put away their weapons before Chris looks at Edward who is staring at Twilight.

"Is it abnormal for a magician to marry a familiar..?" Edward asks dazed again.

"I don't think so... Though I wouldn't know for sure." Chris replies as he sighs again.

"Okay..." Edward simply follows Twilight as Chris brings up the rear.

Alexander exits the hallway with his group as they come out into a large decorated cavern which holds a large waterfall as its centrepiece with a decently sized crystal glowing above them. Starlight sits down against the wall and pants lightly, soon joined by Alexander.

"If I find whoever chatted shit to get that bell rung, I'll kill 'em myself..." Alexander states as he calms his breathing.

"Chris... It has to be." Taylor comments as she folds her arms.

"Possibly, but you remember that one time he did and then bugbears everywhere?" Vinny adds waving a stick of dynamite around.

"Either way... I think I'll take a massage after this nightmare is over..." Starlight states as she looks up at the crystal.

"That can be arranged... That crystal isn't part of the illusion, by the way, it's a proper magical crystal. There are two we know of within the mine, one sits in the DM chamber Jerry created where he hosts the D&D sessions. The other is up there in the ceiling of this cavern." Alexander explains before standing up.

"Oh, sounds very nice." Starlight states as she is helped up by Alexander.

"Wasn't there a third smaller crystal in the mine?" Taylor asks looking at the group.

"Oh, you mean that really nice red one with the smooth edges and beautiful engraving craftsmanship?" Vinny asks as he puts away his dynamite.

"Yeah, that one." Taylor asks again.

"Went boom." Vinny replies holding his hands out either side of him.

"Vinnnyyyy! That was a wonderful crystal!" Taylor complains as she sighs deeply.

"What? I didn't expect it to still hold any charge when I wired up a magicore 3000 dynamo explosive conduit to the thing..." Vinny shrugs.

"Dude... What... It's a magical explosive being hooked up to a magical crystal core... What did... How..?" Alexander struggles to figure out his exact motives as he stares at Vinny.

At that moment Twilight and her group walk through into the cavern from another hallway which leads off the room. The group wave at each other before the slime drops down from the ceiling to land in front of the waterfall before roaring.

"Shit! What is that thing doing all the way down here?!" Starlight contemplates before looking up to see the crystal core is gone.

Looking back at the creature, she can see the core is floating around inside the slime as it absorbs the magic held within.

"Well... This is a pickle, isn't it." Jerry states as he stands between the two groups.

"Took you long enough to join us." Alexander states glancing at Jerry.

"I had to finish my dinner and then wrap up the session. Not to mention I was distracted trying to take down that mare over there..." Jerry glares at Twilight who looks innocent.

"You!" Alexander points dramatically at Twilight who looks even more confused.

"Me?" Twilight points at herself.

"Her?" Edward asks even more confused.

"Slime?!" Starlight draws their attention back to the growing slime in front of them.

"I hate to concur... However, given the situation, Starlight is right... Our most pressing matter is the creature before us." Jerry states as he looks around.

The dungeon that formed around them slowly returns to the normal setting of an abandoned mine and Jerry leans against the wall for support.

"Jerry?" Chris asks as he strafes over to the shaded man while keeping an eye on the slime.

"I'm fine... Just it seems it was absorbing my magic through the illusion of the dungeon. I have a large mana pool but I'm not an infinite source." Jerry explains as the slime roars again.

Edward hops on the spot slightly in panic before looking to Alexander who looks back at him confused.

"Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed?!" Edward asks quickly.

Alexander looks at the slime and weighs something up slightly before looking back at Edward.

"Maybe, but do I look like I have a fire extinguisher?" Alexander replies as he holds his hands up before looking quickly at Starlight.

"What?" Starlight raises an eyebrow at the man.

"Cold bitch, any ice-based spells?" Alexander asks in shorthand making Starlight deadpan.

"I might do... Though why should I do shit for you after that comment?" Starlight folds her arms and looks away from him.

"Massage." Alexander states bluntly.

Starlight sighs deeply and groans as she nods before using her horn to channel magic, casting an ice spell.

"Do you have any balls left?" Alexander asks Edward who reaches into his pocket.

"Smooth..." Taylor comments as she chews on a bit of strawberry gum.

Edward brings out his case and curses under his breath as it's empty.

"I'm all out..." Edward replies before sighing deeply.

Alexander stands in his regular stance but changes it slightly to where his legs are further apart and his arm is raised a little higher. He then begins clicking his fingers repeatedly forming a funnel of wind in front of him which grows with every click of his fingers. Glancing back to Starlight, she takes that as her cue to start channelling the ice magic into the wind funnel which chills it to below freezing.

"Jerry?" Alexander asks as he looks back at the man in question.

"Yeah, yeah... 'Room'." Jerry states placing his hand onto the nearby wall creating a black human-sized oval shape.

"Any non-essential magicians, please vacate through the portal." Alexander states before slapping his feet together and lowers his arm with a final click of his fingers to release the torrent of wind upon the slime.

The creature in question begins to slowly freeze and become immobile as the chilling wind rushes around it, keeping it contained. The group slowly begins to go through the portal one by one till just Alexander, Starlight, Edward and Twilight are left.

"Will that hold it?" Twilight asks as the four move closer to the oval.

"Not for long I imagine, it's freezing the outside of the slime as the core within will keep it warmed up with magic. Eventually, it will expand and the wind funnel will run out." Alexander explains before grabbing Starlight and leaping through the portal.

"Hey-" Starlight is cut off as they go through.

Twilight stops for a moment and spares some time thinking about the slime while looking sad before she and Edward pass through the oval portal as it slowly closes behind them.

Author's Notes:

Finally the end of that little D&D escapde. The Smooze arc doesn't have that many chapters left, although we don't really have a set amount of chapters per arc. So, the arcs pretty much get as many chapters as are written to tell the story for that arc. We hope the character development and story progression is good enough to keep you all satisfied chapter to chapter. We shall see you soon in the next chapter.