We see Dimitri, Ashton and Naofumi looking at the girl in the cage.

Berouka: Boys, over here.

They turned and saw Berouka who was seen next to a cage.

Berouka: I recommend this for a high-class gent such as yourselves.

They then walked to the cage as Berouka removed the tarp as they saw a wolf beast in it.

Berouka: It's at level seventy-five.

Dimitri: That's twenty times our level.

Naofumi: How much do you want for it?

Berouka: It is high and capable in battle and very rare, how does fifteen gold pieces sound?

Dimitri: I see, showing us your most expensive slave knowing full well we might not afford it.

Berouka: Indeed, you three are gonna be my best customers. I got a nose for these things and I gotta make sure you three have a keen eye if you catch my drift. Since you three have seen my best, what kind of slave are you in the market for?

Naofumi: One that's cheap and obedient.

Berouka: In other words, a demi human if I understand right. These aren't much suited for combat or manual labor.

Naofumi: Doesn't matter if we need them in battle, we'll train them.

Berouka: That's an amusing response, when you don't believe in people.

Dimitri: Oh, we do. We just want to help make them strong.

Berouka: Ah, you got me there. So, make your picks.

We then see the two looking through the cages as they saw some cages had a woman with the lower half of a snake, a woman with the legs of a horse, a woman with the lower half of a spider, a slime girl, a girl with one single eye, a girl who's body seems to be stitched together a purple skin girl and a ghostly blue girl.

Ashton: We'll take them along with the blue lady I saw.

Dimitri: And the wolf girl too.

Berouka: I see, and how do you mind paying.

Dimitri then reached into his pouch and held up a small hand full of jewels.

Dimitri: I assume these jewels would be payment enough? Along with the girl Naofumi saw.

Berouka: Perfect.

We then later see the girls along with the demi human girl as we see Dimitri, Ashton and Naofumi sliding their fingers through a knife blade as their blood drips into bowls of black ink.

Berouka: Let's begin.

We then see Berouka coming to the girls as he came to the young girl and then lowered her shirt to reveal a crest as he used a paint brush on it as we see the crest glow as steam came off of it as she looked like she was in pain as he did the same with the others.

Ashton: Are they gonna be alright?

Berouka: Nothing to worry about, the pain will dissipate soon. Those slave crests embranded on their chests makes it impossible for them to defy you three.

In their vision they then saw a message saying contract as they saw five names appear in Dimitri and Ashton's vision as Naofumi.

Ashton: Huh? Set as companions.

Berouka: There ya go gentlemen, they're all yours.

Dimitri: Thanks. (Gives Berouka the jewels) Here's your payment.

We then see Dimitri, Ashton and Naofumi walk to the girls as they see them.

Ashton: I guess we need to know what your names are right?

Naofumi: (Looks at the young girl) So what's your name?

Raphtalia: I'm called Raphtalia.

Ashton: Alright, so what about the rest of you?

Raven: Raven.

Ashton: A beautiful name for a beautiful lady.

Raven: Oh, thank you.

Miia: I am Miia.

Centorea: I am Centorea.

Rachnera: My name is Rachenra.

Sibella: And I am Sibella.

Ashton: Enchante my dears.

Dimitri: Alright, so what about the rest of you.

Suu: Suu.

Manako: I'm Manako.

Zombina: Name's Zombina.

Polt: Polt.

Phantasma: And I'm Phantasma.

Dimitri: Well we are happy to have you all here. Let's go.

We then see them walking through town as they then see Patrick who was at a bulletin board.

Dimitri: Patrick what are you doing?

Patrick: Looking for quests? But where were you guys?

Ashton: We had to lay low cause we were framed.

Dimitri: Yeah, me, Ashton and Naofumi are innocent.

Patrick: Really? If you three are really innocent, then what's the secret password?

Dimitri, Ashton, and Naofumi: (Look at each other in confusion) Uh...

Patrick: Correct! You guys are innocent. But why weren't you guys doing your adventures?

Ashton: We wish we were, but something terrible happened.

Patrick: Yeah, the king is saying you guys did something bad.

Dimitri: No, that's not what happened. We were framed, we're forming a team to help clear our names.

Patrick: A team? Oh, pick me, pick me.

Dimitri: Ok, you can be in, just for now go along.

Patrick: Alright.

We then see them walking to the weapons shop as we see them talking with Erhard.

Ashton: Hey Erhard, you got anything for our new friends?

Dimitri: We need them ready for training.

Erhard: Have a look.

We then see Raphtalia come out wearing a new outfit.

Dimitri: That's better. Here. (holding a dagger) You need something to defend yourself.

Dimitri was seen holding an orange balloon monster.

Dimitri: Here, I want you to stab it.

Raphtalia: No.

Naofumi: That's an order.

Then the slave crest on Raphtalia began to glow and electrocuted her as she winced in pain.

Naofumi: You're only hurting yourself by refusing, do it.

Dimitri: Please, he means please do it.

Raphtalia then looked at Dimitri as she held the knife up and charged at the balloon monster but was pushed away.

Dimitri: Try again, but with more muscle.

Raphtalia then charged at the balloon and stabbed it as it popped as she then gained fifteen exp as Dimitri and the others noticed Naofumi gained exp too.

Ashton: Naofumi gained experience points too?

Dimitri: Huh, I think it was when we made the slave contracts it registered them as companions.

Ashton: Cool. (Starts scratching his knuckles)

Dimitri: You ok Ash?

Ashton: My knuckles feel itchy. (Starts scratching even harder)

Dimitri: Ash, if you need to see a doctor about it we could-

Then three metal claws pop out of Ashton's knuckles

Ashton: Whoa, ok, that's new.

Dimitri: Ash, maybe you should check your skill status.

Ashton then looked at his skill status and sees a skill called "Wolverine"

Ashton: Wolverine, sweet.

Dimitri: Seems like there are skills we can unlock when we get to higher levels.

Ashton: Well I like this one, that way I'll have something to pierce through enemies

Dimitri: Well let's get them some food.

Ashton: Right.

We later see them at a restaurant as they were seen eating food.

Ashton:There we go, just what you girls need.

Dimitri: Yeah, you all can't fight on an empty stomach.

Phantasma: So what are you guys like?

Ashton: Well we are just good people that want to help others.

Sibella: Well I think you did a good thing taking us, you got us out of that place.

Ashton: Helping others is our specialty.

Dimitri: Yeah, after this we should head out and train.

We later see the others at the meadow as we see Dimitri fighting a red balloon monster as Raphtalia was running towards it as Dimitri grabbed the balloon and held it as she then popped it as we see them gain exp as we see Dimitri and the others fighting some mushroom monsters as Raphtalia then slashed then killing them as they gained exp from it as we see them at a fire as Raphtalia as we see Dimitri looking at his scythe as he was seen going through the types of scythes he has gained as he looked at Raphtalia and sees her cough.

Dimitri: Here.

He then handed her a cup with a green liquid in it.

Dimitri: I made a medicine for ya, it should help you with your illness.

Raphtalia then took the cup and drank it and then spat it out.

Raphtalia: So bitter.

Dimitri: I'm sorry, but you have to drink it. It's to help you get better.

Ashton: He's right, you can't fight if you're sick.

We then see Raphtalia looking mad as we later see everyone around the fire asleep as Dimitri was seen looking at his scythe and at a tree.

Dimitri: Let's try this now. (looks at the tree) Wind slash!

Dimitri then swung his scythe as it created a powerful air slash as it then sliced the tree in half as it fell down.

Dimitri: Well, so far so good.

Dimitri then walked into the woods as he was seen swinging his scythe around and slashing logs into pieces as he then struck a log downward slicing it in two.

Dimitri: I'm doing pretty good.

Shoutmon: Nice swings.

Dimitri turned and saw Shoutmon.

Dimitri: How long have you been here?

Shoutmon: Whole time.

Dimitri: So what brings you here?

Shoutmon: It's just I came to give ya this.

Shoutmon then handed Dimitri a device as it was red with gold highlights.

Replace the silver with red

Dimitri: What is this?

Shoutmon: A digivice, I was told to give this to someone who will be my partner and you definitely are my partner. And that's called a master digivice.

Dimitri: Really? What makes you say that?

Shoutmon: Back when you saved me and Renamon from that monster, I felt like it was a sign that we were meant to be partners. And with you and me together, I bet we can beat anyone.

Dimitri: So you're saying if I partner with you we'll get stronger together?

Shoutmon: Yeah, we'll beat anyone.

Dimitri: Hmmm, seems this way it'll be a quicker way to level up.

Shoutmon: So was that a yes?

Dimitri: Yeah.

Shoutmon: Sweet! Great to be with ya, partner.

Dimitri: Me too.

Dimitri then watched as the digivice become a phone

The next day we see the others in town as they were seen selling some things as they were seen looking at a map.

Dimitri: Erhard told me that the only place for the equipment we have is a village called Riyute that has a mine.

Ashton: Oh, that's a good place to get materials.

Dimitri: Then let's train Raphtalia a bit then we'll head there.

We then see Raphtalia as she was seen fighting some mushroom monsters as she defeated them.

Dimitri: Nice work, let's all go get some new stuff.

Then rustling was heard as they then saw a rabbit creature come out as a cursor showed it was an enemy.

Dimitri: A rabbit enemy?

They then see the rabbit leap at them as Dimitri grabbed it and held it.

Naofumi: Raphtalia, go!

Raphtalia: I can't, I don't like blood.

Dimitri: Raphtalia, do it. Sometimes we all have to do things we don't want to do but you have to trust me, I will hold it long enough for you to end it.

Ashton: She doesn't want to kill the rabbit.

Dimitri: Alright.

Dimitri then let it go and let it loose into the forest.

Dimitri: We'll let you off for now Raphtalia, but remember, when you face something scary sooner or later you're gonna have to defend yourself, got it?

Naofumi: He's right. You can't avoid it forever.

Raphtalia: Ok, I'll try next time.

Dimitri: Let's go.

We later see them going to Riyute village as Dimitri looks at Raphtalia.

Dimitri: Here Raphtalia.

He then handed Raphtalia a short bladed sword.

Dimitri: Seeing how much you used a knife, a sword should help you improve.

Rephtali: Thank you.

Dimitri: (Ruffles Raphtalia's hair) Anytime.

We then see them going to a mine entrance as Dimitri and Naofumi were in a building as Naofumi now had a shield made from rope.

Dimitri: A rope shield? Interesting.

Naofumi: Let's try this. Air Strike Shield!

We then see a green shield appear as they see it.

Ashton: That is really amazing. Now let's go.

We then see them enter the mine cave as they look around.

Dimitri: Careful guys, I heard after the first wave came this place has become a home to some nasty monsters. So keep your guard up.

Ashton: Right.

We later see them in the cave as we see Ashton using a pickaxe as he was mining the crystals as Shoutmon looked to the left and saw what looked like footprints on the ground.

Shoutmon: Footprints? Huh and by the looks of it they look like... pawprints.

Dimitri: Why would there be... (Realizes) Oh no.

Dimitri then heard growling and saw a two headed hound creature coming out of the shadows as Raphtalia saw it and froze in fear.

Dimitri: Watch out!

Dimitri then ran to Raphtalia and grabbed her before the hound could get to them and was hit by a fireball as it turned to see Shoutmon.

Shoutmon: You want some more? Well go fetch! Fiery Fastball!

He then threw a fireball at the hound hitting it in the face as Dimitri looked at Raphtalia.

Dimitri: You ok.

Raphtalia: (Nods yes)

Dimitri: Alright, we need to take it down. (Brings out his scythe) Remember what I said, you need to defend yourself, even if it means killing this. Got it.

Raphtalia: Alright.

Dimitri then ran at the hound and used his scythe to hold the hound back as we see the second head was about to strike Dimitri until Ashton came and slashed it in the face as it had a slash mark on it's eye as it tried to bite him as Ashton used his staff to keep it's jaw from coming at it as they both were keeping the hound in place as Shoutmon looked at Raphtalia.

Shoutmon: Raphtalia, now's your chance, you have to help them. Just because you're scared, doesn't mean you're not strong.

Raphtalia then looked and saw Dimitri and Ashton holding the hound back as she then came at the hound and stabbed one of the head's neck as it then reeled back in pain and looked at them as it came at them.

Naofumi: Air Strike Shield!

Then the shield appeared and made the hound crash into it.

Naofumi: Raphtalia! Now!

We then see Raphtalia come and stab the hound in the chest as Ashton and Dimitri come and stab the hound's heads with Dimitri's scythe and Ashton's claws as it fell limp as the others came.

Sibella: Are you two alright?

Dimitri: We're fine.

Centorea: You defeated the hound.

Ashton: Well if anything, I think Raphtalia did most of the work.

Dimitri: Yeah, let's get moving after Naofumi feeds that hound to his shield.

Sibella: Good call.

We later see them at the town as they were seen in an inn as Ashton saw Renamon and Dimitri came to him.

Ashton: What are you guys here for?

Dimitri: Well Renamon has something to give you since Shoutmon gave me something.

Renamon then handed Ashton a digivice which resembled the one Shoutmon gave Dimitri but the colors to it were black with blue highlights as it turned into a black phone.

Ashton: What's this?

Dimitri: A digivice, with it you and Renamon are now partners.

Ashton: Nice, now we can stop the waves together.

Renamon: And I am pleased to see you are my partner.

Ashton: Me too.

End.