Rias, Akeno, Asia, Issei, Kiba, Koneko, and Ryusei stood in front of a hunched, odd-looking man with a hat.
"I am Zatouji, the Familiar Master!" the man boomed with a dramatic swirl of his cape. "I shall guide you through this sacred forest to find the creature that is destined to bond with your soul!"
"Ash Ketchem?" Ryusei muttered under her breath.
The group followed Zatouji deeper into the forest, Issei practically bouncing with excitement. "I'm gonna get a water spirit! I heard Undines are total babes!"
Minutes later...
"H-HEYYY!!! That's not what they look like in manga!!"
Issei's scream echoed through the trees as a group of burly, muscle-bound, pink-toga-wearing grandmas emerged from the undergrowth. They flexed in perfect unison, making kissy faces at him. A single flower popped out of the ground next to them, blooming instantly in sheer admiration.
"Ah yes," Zatouji said proudly, "real Undines."
Rias rolled her eyes. "Let's keep moving."
Elsewhere in the Forest...
Ryusei had strayed from the group, guided by an odd tingle in the air and her [Six Eyes] flaring faintly with awareness. She stepped over mossy roots and ducked beneath low-hanging branches until she entered a quiet glade shimmering with soft blue light.
Then, she saw it.
A small figure stood by a stream-its red armor-like body faintly glowing, tiny blue flames licking at its head. But what really caught Ryusei's attention were its blue eyes.
"Is that a fucking shiny?" she whispered, eyes wide.
The Charcadet turned at her voice, its body tense, clearly ready to bolt.
Ryusei slowly crouched down, her voice soft and calm. "Hey, little guy..."
The Pokémon blinked.
She reached her hand out, palm up. "It's okay. I won't hurt you."
It backed up slightly, hesitant but curious.
Ryusei didn't move, only smiled faintly. "How did a little Pokémon like you end up here?"
The flames on its head dimmed a little. Charcadet took a cautious step forward. Then another.
"That's it... I've got you," Ryusei whispered gently.
———————————————————
[New Familiar Bond Detected]
Familiar: Shiny Charcadet
Type: Fire (Potential Evolution: Ceruledge/Armarouge)
Loyalty: Curious (Growing)
———————————————————
Ryusei sat on a moss-covered, in her arms, the shiny Charcadet nestled in closer, its small, armored body warm with flickering heat. Its ember-like flames dimmed to a calm flicker, soothed by her presence.
She looked down at the Pokémon, a soft, reflective smile crossing her face.
"You and I are kinda alike in a way..." she murmured.
"We both don't really belong in this world, huh?"
Charcadet tilted its head up toward her, those striking blue eyes locking with hers. It gave a small, content sound-a muffled chirp-and rubbed its helmeted head against her chest.
"I take it that you'll be my familiar then?"
The Charcadet gave an enthusiastic nod, followed by a playful puff of flame that didn't burn her, just warmed her hands like a cozy campfire.
Ryusei chuckled quietly and gently ran her fingers over the top of its head.
"I promise to take good care of you... like you're my own."
As if understanding her words completely, the Charcadet closed its eyes and curled up in her arms with absolute trust.
At that moment, a soft chime rang in her head:
———————————————————
[Familiar Bond Complete]
Familiar: Shiny Charcadet
Loyalty Status: Devoted
New Skill Unlocked: [Familiar Link]
You and your familiar can now share senses and combine skills for unique effects.
———————————————————
She felt it immediately-like a second heartbeat syncing with hers. A subtle warmth flowing into her magic reserves, blending with her own power.
Ryusei looked back up at the forest canopy, stars barely peeking through.
"Guess I'm not alone anymore..."
She stood, holding her new partner gently but firmly in her arms, and began walking back toward where the others were.
Back with the Occult Research Club, Rias furrowed her brow and glanced around the Familiar Forest. "Where's Ryusei?" she asked, realizing their group was one member short.
Before anyone could answer, a small growl echoed through the woods. The group came to a clearing where a baby Sprite Dragon was curiously flying about.
Issei's eyes lit up.
"Oh man! That's a baby Dragon! I call dibs!"
But just as he took a step forward to approach it, a bizarre gurgling sound sloshed from behind a bush. A orange slime slithered out of its hiding spot.
"Wait... is that-?" Issei's jaw dropped. "A slime?! Like... that kind of slime?!"
Before anyone could react, the slime launched itself like a bullet toward the girls. In a series of unfortunate globs and slurps, the slime wrapped around Rias, Akeno, Asia, and Koneko-dissolving parts of their clothes with horrifying precision.
"KYAAA!" Rias screamed, shielding herself.
Akeno blinked. "Oh my... how bold."
Koneko's eyes burned with silent fury. "I'm going to kill it."
Asia squeaked in embarrassment, trying to cover herself.
Issei, on the other hand, was beaming. "This slime... it's perfect!"
"Issei!" Rias barked, hair frizzing with magical energy. "You pervert! You absolute idiot! Destroy that thing!"
"But it could be my ultimate familiar!" Issei whined, arms flailing. "Think of the potential! I'll raise it right! I'll train it!"
"You'll train it to be worse," Koneko muttered.
Before anyone could act further, the slime-still trying to cling to Asia-was suddenly engulfed in a burst of flame.
FWOOOSH!
A small fireball exploded in the middle of the clearing, reducing the slime to ashes with pinpoint precision.
The group turned to see Ryusei walking into the clearing, her newly-bonded Charcadet perched on her shoulder.
Smoke wafted through the clearing. The girls caught their breath. Issei moaned in the bushes.
Asia looked up at Ryusei in awe. "T-thank you... again."
Ryusei sighed and dusted her hands. "I turn my back for ten minutes and you guys are already starring in a low-budget hentai."
Akeno giggled behind her hand, Rias simply turned away, cheeks pink with embarrassment.
Just as the last bit of slime clung to Asia's clothes, Issei dove to shield it.
"No! Spare this last bit-it chose meeee!"
Zap!
A jolt of electricity arced through the clearing, frying the slime with a sharp pop!
Everyone turned to see the baby Sprite Dragon, hovering in the air and sparking with pride after dealing the final blow.
"Whoa...!" Asia gasped as the tiny dragon landed gently on her shoulder, rubbing its snout affectionately against her cheek.
The Familiar Master walked over, scratching his head.
"Looks like it's chosen her. Congratulations, young lady."
Asia blinked in surprise, then smiled and gently petted the baby dragon's head.
"Rassei. That's what I'll call you. After Ryusei and Issei."
Charcadet chirped proudly, flexing his small armored arms.
The Familiar Master raised an eyebrow.
"Huh? What's that? I've never seen that little guy before."
Ryusei grinned, holding Charcadet up like a prize.
"This is Charcadet! He's agreed to be my familiar."
"Look! Our eyes even match. Cool, right?"
"Awwww!" A chorus of admiration rang out from Rias, Akeno, Asia, and even Koneko.
Issei, however, was not so thrilled.
He pointed a shaking finger at Charcadet.
"That thing murdered my familiar! He set it on fire!"
"It was a slime, Issei," Ryusei replied flatly.
"A pervy one."
"It had potential!"
"So does this little guy," Ryusei said, ruffling Charcadet's helmet.
As the group followed Zatouji through the Familiar Forest, Rias and Ryusei hung back a few paces from the others. The rest of the group walked ahead-Issei muttering something about unfair matchups and dragon favoritism, while Asia and her new Sprite Dragon giggled together.
Rias's blue-green eyes were focused more on Ryusei than the path. She watched how Ryusei walked calmly, gently supporting her Charcadet, who was lounging in her arms like he'd belonged there all along.
There was a softness in Ryusei's eyes, a quiet strength wrapped in care. Rias found herself smiling despite the confusion stirring in her chest.
"I see you two bonded quickly," Rias said, keeping her voice casual, but her eyes lingered on Ryusei's face for a moment longer than they should have.
Ryusei looked down at Charcadet, who nestled closer to her chest with a pleased hum. "Yeah... It just kind of clicked. Like he's always been waiting for someone to come find him."
Rias tilted her head slightly, noticing again how Charcadet's brilliant blue eyes mirrored Ryusei's perfectly. That same calm intensity. "He's even got your eyes," she noted aloud, a soft laugh in her voice. "Must be destiny that you two met today."
Ryusei raised a brow and smirked playfully. "Destiny, huh? Don't start sounding like a romance manga."
Rias flushed faintly, but quickly covered it by leaning in to peer at Charcadet. "Still... it suits you. You seem... lighter, when you're with him."
Charcadet suddenly stirred in Ryusei's arms and reached his small, armored arms out toward Rias with an inquisitive little chirp.
Ryusei glanced down and chuckled. "I think he wants you to carry him."
Rias blinked in surprise. "Me?"
"Yeah," Ryusei smiled. "You're a good person. He can tell."
There was a pause. Rias hesitated, as if unsure how to respond to the little Pokémon's gesture but then she gently reached out and lifted Charcadet into her arms. The familiar let out a happy fwoomp of fire from its head crest.
Rias looked down at the small creature in her arms, then up at Ryusei again.
"He's warm..." she murmured.
As they continued walking through the forest path, Asia looked back over her shoulder. Her bright green eyes settled on the scene just a few steps behind the group-Ryusei and Rias walking side-by-side, laughing quietly as Rias carried Charcadet in her arms like a proud mother showing off her child.
The way Rias looked at Charcadet-soft, warm, protective-contrasted with how she usually carried herself: confident, poised, and often commanding. But next to Ryusei, something about her had softened. It made Asia's heart flutter a little.
"Issei, look," Asia whispered, tugging at Issei's sleeve and pointing back with a small smile. "Don't you think they look like a family?"
Issei, still grumbling to himself about slimes, stolen familiars, and how that fire gremlin had ruined everything, didn't even look back at first.
"I guess…" he mumbled, clearly still holding a grudge against the perfectly blue-eyed Charcadet.
Asia giggled softly, turning back around as she cuddled Rassei, the tiny Sprite Dragon familiar now clinging comfortably to her shoulder.
"I really hope we can be like that with Rassei one day!" she said, her cheeks pink with innocent excitement.
Issei's eyes went wide.
"W-what?! L-Like a family?!"
He immediately started coughing, having choked on his own breath at the sudden image in his head—him and Asia living together with their dragon "child." His brain overloaded. Too soon! Too soon!
Asia tilted her head, completely sincere. "Well… yeah. Don't you think Rassei would like that too?"
Issei coughed even harder, turning red. "W-We haven't even—! I mean, it's not like we're—!"
Up ahead, Kiba overheard the commotion and smirked knowingly, while Koneko simply muttered, "Pervert," under her breath, despite Issei's current suffering.
Meanwhile, back behind them, Rias glanced at Ryusei and said quietly:
"You know, they probably think we're a couple now."
Ryusei blinked. "Let them think whatever they want. Doesn't bother me."
Charcadet chirped happily in Rias's arms, shooting a few sparks of heat that made her smile—and blush just a bit more.