Ch. 10: Return to the Familiar Forest

It was early December, and nearly two months had passed since Hisashi moved back into the apartment with his family, and things were going smoothly. Hisashi and Inko were as close as ever, and the former very much enjoyed the thought of Asia being their foster daughter.

Occasionally, Hisashi took part in watching over Izuku and Asia's training, throwing in the training regimes that he went through when he joined the Mystic Keepers. One aspect of his son's training that Hisashi was heavily involved in was the dragon mode, which Izuku named Boosted Dragon mode, based on what the Sacred Gear called out.

"So, how's your training treating you guys?" Chacha asked Izuku and Asia. Class had ended a few minutes earlier and most of their classmates had already gone home.

"I've been mostly doing training with my Quirk: growing vines, controlling them, and other things," Asia replied.

"I'm working on increasing my maximum limit on my Boosted Gear," Izuku said, then his thoughts turned to a different matter. "Even so, I barely know much about it. Like the voice I heard while fighting Vector, and the Boosted Dragon mode which gives me dragon traits. And, according to Buchou, there's a Transfer ability that can let me pass the stored-up power to someone or something else. That would be useful, sure. For example, if I Transferred the power to Asia here, maybe her Twilight Healing's healing ability would be amplified, I wanna try that, but I should get the hang of it before I put it into practice. And Buchou has advised me not to try too many things at once so I don't overwork myself…"

"There he goes again…" Chacha and Asia sighed in amusement as they watched Izuku mumble. "By the way, how is it like now that your father's back?"

"Oh, yeah, it's been great. He came up with a pretty solid training plan, and he even suggested more nutritious meals for my mom to cook up," Izuku replied, and then he asked her the same question back. "How about you, Chacha? How's your training coming along?"

"Pretty well. I'd say," Chacha replied. Like Izuku and Asia, Chacha had her own goal to be a Hero. Izuku had already heard about it back when they became friends, and Asia found out when it came up in a conversation not long after the Bellios Gang incident.

Then, Asia had her own question. "So, Chacha, how'd you adjust when you became a Devil? I imagine you didn't cause yourself nearly as many headaches as I did due to forgetting not to pray to God."

"Actually, I wouldn't know what to tell you because I was born a Devil."

Izuku and Asia did a double-take. "You were a Devil to begin with?!"

"Well, Half-Devil, to be precise. See my mother's human, that's how I have a Quirk, and my father is a Devil. He took her last name when they married, so that's why I have a Japanese-sounding family name."

"Oh, I see, that's interesting," Izuku said. The three continued to walk toward the school gate where Yumi was waiting. "That's our cue," Izuku said to Chacha. "See you tomorrow, Chacha."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow." Chacha watched as Izuku and Asia met up with Yumi. Seeing Asia so close to Izuku sparked a bit of envy in her, but it also gave her resolve. 'I won't lose,' she internally declared. She would make it into U.A. as well. Initially, she never thought too much about which Hero School she planned on attending, though she did think about U.A. because Latia went there. However, she now had a bigger motivation to aim specifically for U.A. 'If she's going to U.A. with Izuku, then I'll do the same!'

At the ORC room, Rias revealed some upcoming plans in the next few days. "It's almost the night of the full moon again, and I checked to make sure there are no other Devil Peerages with the same plans, so you know what this means."

"Uh, what does it mean?" Izuku asked, clueless.

"We're going to the Forest of Familiars again, silly," Akeno informed. "To hopefully find you a familiar."

Izuku then recalled their last visit to the Forest of Familiars two months ago, and how only Asia was able to get a familiar, the Sprite Dragon Razuku. Last month, they didn't go because it was Sona's group's turn to get a familiar for Saji, and he got an awesome one, according to what he heard. "Oh yeah, that's right. I didn't get one last time."

"Maybe this time, you can get one that suits you, Izuku," Yumi said encouragingly.

"Yeah, I hope I do. I really wouldn't want to have to go there a third time," Izuku said.

"If you do, that would be embarrassing," Koneko commented.

"Ah, don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll find one that's a perfect fit," Eijiro reassured. Izuku noticed the rhyme and couldn't help but compare it to Zatouji.

"In my opinion, I don't think you should be in such a hurry to make the first thing you find your familiar. Get to know many of them, then you're bound to find the right one," Itsuka advised.

"Yeah. I don't really know much, but it sounds to me like it's almost like choosing a pet. You can't always expect to find the one you want at first glance," Mina added.

That night after Inko had gone to sleep, Izuku and Asia were in the living room, doing their homework while thinking about their second trip to the Forest of Familiars.

Then, Hisashi came into the room. "Hey, kids. Doing homework, I see?"

"Hey Dad, how was it on your walk?" Izuku asked.

"Just fine. No supernatural shenanigans or much crime," Hisashi replied. "A nice casual walk around the city under the almost full moon night."

"Yeah, a full moon… this time I'm gonna get a familiar!" Izuku declared.

"Oh, so you're getting a familiar, huh? Asia too?" Hisashi asked.

"Actually, I already have one," Asia replied.

"Wait, Asia has one but you don't? How come, Izuku?"

"The last time we went, we ran into a few troubles, including slimes, and by then, only Asia was able to get one," Izuku replied.

"Ah, that's unfortunate. So, can I see?"

"Sure. But you better get back, because he doesn't like other males," Asia warned.

"Oh, is it a Sprite Dragon or something?" Hisashi asked.

"Yeah," Izuku replied, getting some distance from Asia.

"Ah," Hisashi noted as he also put some space between himself and Asia.

Asia then used the summoning magic to call upon Razuku. Upon appearing, Razuku cuddled up to his master. "Oh, Razuku. I'm happy to see you too."

"I've heard how rare Sprite Dragons are. To think that you managed to find one to make it your familiar is quite an accomplishment," Hisashi said as he observed Razuku from a distance. "I don't know if you'll be able to find a familiar as rare as that, Izuku, but I'm sure you'll find one that suits you."

"Thanks, Dad," Izuku said.

Then, the night of the full moon arrived again, and the whole Peerage met up in the clubroom to make their departure.

"Okay, Izuku. We're heading back. Are you ready?" Rias asked.

"Yeah, I'm ready," he replied.

"Alright, here we go," Akeno called out.

"This time, I'm going to make sure I find a familiar," Izuku repeated to himself as the Peerage warped away.

"The forest where the familiars dwell. It looks the same as it's ever been," Izuku commented on the forest's appearance again.

Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Yumi, and Asia summoned their familiars to let them roam around in their old habitat.

Then, the familiar gruff voice of the Familiar Master Zatouji greeted their ears. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the team of Gremorys? This sure brings back memories." Zatouji then hopped down from the treetop he was on to greet the returning guests. "A strong one, one that soars, or one with an excellent kick? Tell me, boy, which one will you pick?"

"Uh, well, to be honest, I'm not exactly sure what kind of familiar I want," Izuku sheepishly admitted.

Hearing Izuku's indecisiveness, Zatouji waved his index finger at him in disapproval. "Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. This is why amateurs always annoy. If you want yourself a familiar, you better make up your mind, my boy."

Izuku took the criticism to heart and thought of one that might suit him. "Well, what do you have in mind for a strong one?"

"Strong one, you say? I know where plenty of them dwell, so this might be your lucky day." Zatouji looked on with approval at Izuku coming to a decision. "I've already got something in mind for ya. Try your luck with this one, why dontcha?"

"What is it?" Izuku asked.

"The Chaos Dragon King Tiamat, the only female among them, no Devil has been able to tame this one yet. However, if you can succeed, no doubt she'll serve you well, I'll bet!"

For some unknown reason, Izuku felt the chills as his senses told him to pick anything but her. "Uh, maybe something else?"

"Then what about a hydra, a mighty nine-headed snake that carries a deadly venom that no Devils can endure? Not only is it immortal, but it can even kill its master; the worst creature for sure!"

"Um, how about we skip all the ones that could potentially kill their users? Because I do not feel like getting killed by the creature that's supposed to help me!" Izuku said.

"Yet another request, though it's only fair, you know yourself the best," Zatouji said. "What about an Undine? They pack quite a power, and they like to dwell at a lake so serene."

"An Undine, huh? You should try it, Izuku. Undines are female sprites, and if you had a feminine familiar, maybe it can help you with your shyness around unfamiliar girls," Rias suggested.

"Well, I guess it couldn't hurt to try… Sure, why not?" Izuku agreed.

Zatouji soon brought the group to a calm lake in the middle of the forest. "This lake is awesome. Righteous and right. At the bottom, you'll find a magical sprite."

Then a spot on the water began to glow.

"Whoa! Check out the lake!" Yumi said.

"Here we go. Looks like a sprite is about to show!" Zatouji said.

Then, a feminine humanoid figure emerged from the lake. She had some muscles and bandages wrapped around her ankles and she wore a pink dress that accentuated her figure, her hair was blonde, styled into curls at the bottom. However, her face was anything but girly as it looked more like that of a male bodybuilder, complete with her eyes being obscured by a shadow to add more to the masculine image. The Undine let out a battle cry as she turned around to face the Devils.

"Take a look. That's off the hook!" Zatouji commented. "Undine are rare water sprites with megawatt power! A familiar like that would make your enemies cower!"

"I think I'll have to decline. She looks like she could pick me up and break me in half!" Izuku said. "Plus, I don't think she can really help me become less shy around girls, and not for the reason you might be thinking."

"If she doesn't fit your groove, then I suppose onward we should move," Zatouji said.

With that, the group left the lake behind to look for familiars elsewhere.

"Well, this isn't going that well," Izuku lamented.

"Cheer up. We've only just begun," Akeno said.

"Yes, we might have hit a few bumps, but that's no reason to be down in the dumps!" Zatouji added.

Then, Asia felt something slimy on her body, and so did the other girls. It was something they remembered all too well, a shower of slimes.

"Why are there slimes here?! I thought we're far away from the spot we saw them last time!" Yumi yelled in a panicked tone as she got pelted with the green gelatinous globs.

"Ah, something I should've mentioned but forgot. The slimes, they've temporarily migrated to this very spot," Zatouji explained.

The girls started having their clothes dissolved again, but this time, they knew what to expect and reacted much quicker to get the slimes off and eliminate them. In the end, the damage to their clothes wasn't anything too significant, to their (and Izuku's) reliefs. Zatouji then got a gut punch from Koneko for failing to warn them.

Then, they all heard the sound of something being kicked and hitting another object.

"What was that?" Asia asked.

"Let's go find out," Rias said.

When the group followed the noise to its source, they found an anthropomorphic rabbit-like creature. It was mostly white with some green on its ears, neck, and toes, its eyes were black with green highlights, and it had lighter green pads on the bottom of its feet with a yellow band shape resembling a bandage across its face. The rabbit kicked several rocks at a tree hitting one particular spot with excellent precision.

"The Ace Striker, a familiar of the uncommon variety known for their amazing kicks. Once they mature, their feet can easily shatter bricks," Zatouji informed.

"Aw, it's cute!" Asia said.

"What do you think, Izuku? Think that'll make a good familiar for you?" Yumi asked.

"Yeah, it just might," Izuku said, then he began to approach the Ace Striker. The Ace Striker stopped its kicking session to notice Izuku. "Uh, hi?"

The Ace Striker narrowed its eyes before scurrying off.

"Looks like it was not meant to be," Koneko commented.

"My, that Ace Striker is quite a fickle being, but there's plenty more, so let's get back to sightseeing," Zatouji said.

After a few more minutes of walking, the howling and snarling of wolves were heard.

"What was that?" Izuku asked.

"Ooh, that sounds like Dire Wolves, always traveling in a pack. And for them, an Ace Striker might as well be an afternoon snack."

Izuku then remembered the Ace Striker from earlier, and despite it rejecting him, he still wanted to make sure it was okay. "I'm going after them. I'm worried about that Ace Striker."

"Even though it didn't seem to like you?" Koneko asked.

"Yeah, I still can't ignore it if it might be in trouble!" Izuku said as he summoned his Boosted Gear and ran toward the direction that the sounds came from.

[Boost!]

"Dire Wolves are among the familiars that can kill their masters. Careful my boy, or else in your future, there will be plenty of disasters," Zatouji said as he followed after Izuku, followed by the other young Devils.

The Ace Striker looked worn out, it had visible wounds on its body and a few scrapes. It panted as it looked at the Dire Wolves that had it surrounded. Although it managed to fend off one or two, ultimately, it couldn't handle the entire pack.

The Dire Wolves eventually cornered their prey and were ready to attack when suddenly, Izuku arrived on the scene in his Boosted Dragon mode.

[Boost!]

With another Boost to add to his current strength, Izuku punched a Dire Wolf away with his Boosted Gear arm.

"Are you okay?" Izuku asked the Ace Striker, who was surprised to see the boy it had rejected earlier coming to its rescue.

Then, another Dire Wolf lunged at Izuku, but a lightning bolt stopped it in midair.

"Look at you, already saving the day like a real Hero," Akeno said.

Then, Koneko slammed her fists into a Dire Wolf's side, and Yumi cut down another with a few swings of her sword.

"Don't let that be the death of you," Koneko said.

"Ah, don't worry about it, Izuku. I think it's admirable of you," Yumi said.

Then, Asia grew out her hair into vines to ensnare some of the Dire Wolves and Rias blasted them with magic energy.

As the Peerage started beating the Dire Wolves, they began to retreat.

"My, taking on Dire Wolves is no easy feat. Congrats on not getting turned into mincemeat," Zatouji commented.

However, there was still one left, lurking in the shadows undetected. As the Devils were getting ready to go, the Dire Wolf leaped out from its hiding place right at the Ace Striker.

"Watch out!" Izuku leaped at the Ace Striker to get it away from the Dire Wolf, and when he made contact with the rabbit familiar, he instinctively tried something with his Boosted Gear.

[Transfer!]

The Boosted power stored in Izuku's Sacred Gear then moved to the Ace Striker, making it stronger. The Ace Striker then ran up to the Dire Wolf and landed an empowered kick on its face, sending it flying back.

"Hey, it worked!" Izuku said.

Then, the Ace Striker took a small rock from the ground and kicked it into the air before hitting it with another kick to shoot it at the Dire Wolf, striking its abdomen. This caused the Dire Wolf to flee like the rest of its pack.

"Wow. I'm impressed. Even though you haven't had much practice with Transfer, you managed to use it to give the bunny the power it needed to beat that wolf," Rias complimented.

"Yeah, I guess I did, didn't I?" Izuku said, then he turned to the bunny in question. "Well, we'll be off now, take care of yourself." Izuku barely took a few steps forward when the rabbit familiar clung to his leg. "Wait. Do you want to come with me?"

"Well, you did save its life. I think you've made a friend," Rias said.

"I think it's wonderful, Izuku!" Asia said.

"Good job," Koneko gave him a thumbs-up.

"Nothing less for an aspiring Hero," Yumi added.

Hearing this, Izuku turned to the Ace Striker. "So, how about it? Do you wanna be my familiar?"

The Ace Striker grinned and hopped happily.

"Well, I think we have a winner. Now, let's hurry along, 'cause I gotta make dinner," Zatouji said.

Then, one familiar contract ceremony later, the Ace Striker had become bonded to Izuku as his familiar.

"Now then, I guess I should give you a name," Izuku said as he kneeled down to face his familiar at face level. "What do I call you? Nothing comes to mind. Ah, shoot!"

The Ace Striker's ears rose upon hearing the word "shoot."

"Did you see that?" Akeno asked.

"Yeah, I did. 'Shoot!'" Izuku repeated, and the Ace Striker hopped excitedly. "Hmm, okay. I think I'm getting somewhere… Shoot. Shoot. How about 'Shooter?'"

The familiar jumped up and did a flip before smiling at its master.

"Okay then, from now on, your name is Shooter!" Izuku said.

Shooter smiled and held up a paw. Izuku recognized the gesture and held up his hand, but rather than the paw it held up, Shooter instead used its foot for the high-five. Regardless, Izuku recognized the gesture and smiled.

"Aw, look. They already have their own special high five," Akeno said.

As Shooter climbed onto his shoulder, Izuku smiled at his new companion. He was another step closer to climbing the ranks of Devils.

"The next time you get new members, come back anytime. And I'll try to keep you away from the nasty slime," Zatouji bid farewell to the Gremory group as they left the forest.

The next day in the club room, Izuku summoned Shooter for Itsuka, Eijiro, and Mina to see.

"Aw, it's a rabbit! It's so cute!" Mina gushed at how cute Shooter was as she petted its chin.

"So its species is called Ace Striker for their specialty in kicking, huh?" Itsuka asked. "I'd like to see it in action."

Upon hearing this, Shooter picked up an empty water bottle from the sofa table, and after juggling the bottle with its feet, kicked the bottle into a trash can that was halfway across the room.

"Whoa! Now that's a kick! So manly!" Eijiro said.

Akeno then picked up Shooter and looked over it. "Yep. I'd say that's quite manly, alright. As this little bunny is in fact, a male."

Shooter then leaped down from Akeno's arms and headed over to his master. Izuku held out his hand, and they did their signature high-five.

"Wow, you guys already have your own high-five? That's adorable," Mina commented.

"Well, technically, he came up with it," Izuku said.

"All that aside, the most important thing is, I'm proud of you. Keep it up, okay?" Rias said, stroking Izuku's chin.

"Y-Yeah, o-of course!" Izuku stammered. Asia sent a jealous look his way, and Mina grinned excitedly at the potential romantic drama.

In a large mansion in Devil territory, a young girl was preparing tea and sweets on a round table. Her blonde hair was tied in twintails with large, drill-like curls, and blue ribbons keeping them in place. The front of her hair had several bangs hanging over her forehead, with a V-shaped fringe hanging over the bridge of her nose. She wore a long, pink dress with white frills and a magenta bow in the front. She wore matching pink shoes and light pink stockings. In layman's terms, she looked like a teenage princess. "Riser, the tea is ready," she said to the other occupant in the room, an older man in a sharp suit who also had blond hair. He was sitting on a chair by a wall, looking at a photo of a 14-year-old Rias Gremory wearing a white dress.

"Is that you, Ravel?" Riser asked without taking his eyes off the picture. Ravel decided to let him be as she poured herself a cup of tea.

"How are the wedding preparations coming along?" Ravel asked as she blew at the tea to cool it down.

"…Aah," he smirked, "As if anything could possibly go wrong."

So Izuku has a familiar now, a rabbit-like creature called Ace Striker that he names Shooter. It specializes in kicking and has the word "shoot" in its name. Now why does that sound familiar?

Appearance-wise, think of Scorbunny, but with a white and green color scheme rather than white and red. A Shout-Out to Daiki Yamashita's role as Goh in Pokémon Journeys.

See you next time. Go beyond! Plus Ultra!