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WHO: Izuku & You!!
WHERE: Around the town!
WHEN: Throughout August
WHAT: training, feeding people, making friends, and probably quests later
WARNINGS: None for now!

A. Training

[After his brush with the creature in the forest going incredibly wrong, Izuku throws himself back into training, knowing that he has to get stronger and be able to hold his own in similar fights. Guren isn't going to conveniently be there to take a hit for him every time he's in danger, and he shouldn't have to be.

And so, anyone passing by the edge of the forest near Flavo might see Izuku training in the open space, wearing a dark grey tank top that doesn't cover the many obvious scars on his arms for once. They'll find him sitting on the ground, eyes closed, as green energy sparks over his skin. Instead of looking relaxed, though, he's clearly shaking from the effort of keeping his quirk activated at this level. There's even a pained sort of grimace on his face.]

B. Sharing the goods

[Being able to grab some things from the portals means that Izuku had access to a lot of things that he hasn't been able to in a while. Of course, that means...making sweets and sharing them!

Once the candy apples are done cooling, he'll be walking around the town with a tray of them and waving down the people he comes across.]

Would you like one? [With a bright smile, Izuku offers one of the apples, keeping a tight grip on the tray with his other hand.] I just made them! You should eat it while it's fresh.

C. Sew, a needle pulling thread

[When Izuku isn't running around town to feed people or training intensely, he finds a shady spot in the Flavo gardens that he settles down in to work on another project of his. This time, he's surrounded by a little pile of fabrics--mostly in various shades of grey.

Of course, it's not easy to sew when the fingers on your dominant hand are a bit crooked. The little plush (is it a bunny or a cat? It's hard to tell when it's kind of lopsided...) is coming along, but every so often, Izuku hisses and shakes out his left hand when he accidentally pricks himself with the needle.

It's been happening a lot. He might need some guidance with this.]

D. Wildcard!

(If there's something else you'd like to do, just send me a PM! I'd be happy to plot!)

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[Izuku's already waiting for him at the gardens when he gets there, since he was in Flavo already to begin with. When he spots Damian, he gives a little wave.]

Hey. On the way here, I kind of realized there was a third option we could take. That quest about Pit...it sounds like something that involves fighting monsters, don't you think?

[Don't be shocked, Izuku... Damian actually takes his hand out of his pocket and waves back ever so slightly.]

It's possible. It said to become "Champion," though. You're only called a champion when you surpass something in a contest. Typically.

[Izuku taps at his cheek with a hum.]

If it's a contest... maybe whoever defeats the most monsters becomes the Champion.

Guessing isn't going to get us any quicker to completing it. We can worry about it after. First, we spar. Come on.

[Follow him into the woods, Izuku!! Not sketchy at all.]

Sounds good to me. [Seems like they're both interested in the quest, so they can look into doing it later!

Meanwhile, Izuku's just going to follow Damian into the forest, almost bouncing with anticipation. They were able to fight together last time with the Chimera, but they still haven't sparred each other yet. He's curious to see how they match up skill-wise.]

[Izuku is too wholesome to be hanging with someone like Damian...]

Watch your feet. Let's find a clearing. [But also somewhere Damian can have a good advantage... He told Izuku to watch his feet, but was he watching his own? At least... he thought he had been?

Nothing cracks to give them any warning. In fact, there's not much noise at all until it's already happening, and even then, it's simply the growl of parting dirt. The earth splits beneath they feet, just vanishes, crumbles away.

Immediately, he halts and tries to back pedal, half runs into Izuku, but the ground is gone too fast. His yell isn't scared so much as surprised, and it's short lived. There's no edge for him to grab, so... he just falls. Falls until he lands with a wuff then rolls over once to spring back to his hands and knees.]

Izuku?!

[The ground gives way too fast for them to get away in time, and the only noise that escapes Izuku is the startled huff of air that escapes him when he hits the ground. He forces himself to jump to his feet quickly, quirk already sparking to life.]

I'm okay! What about you, Damian-kun?

[Before he can turn around and look at him, though, Izuku breathes in sharply as he spots the faeries in the stands.] What...? What is this?

I'm fine. [Likewise, his eyes dart up toward the lighter shadows of the edge of the pit. Stands? Not only stands, but filled stands.

FAE.

Gritting his teeth, he straightens a little but remains vigilant. He isn't sure if the banquet food is tied to this at all. It could be coincidence. But fairies.]

A ring.

A...ring? [Izuku's expression darkens once the knowledge strikes him.]

A fighting ring. We must've accidentally stumbled on the quest afterall. [Warily, he keeps his quirk activated, dropping into a defensive position.] And I guess they're here to watch us. Be careful! We don't know what they'll send after us!

I'm keeping an eye out. [His arms come up, likewise defensive. If it's as much of a gladiatorial ring as he's thinking it seems, then, sure--he can only imagine what's going to come out.

Worse than the chimera? Fire-breathing geese? The Bogeyman? What kind of fae-incarnate mythological animal is going to bust out of the sidelines?

Carefully, he turns to keep his back to Izuku's own, making their circle small, giving them a three-sixty view. No bell rings. No gates open? They wait, but nothing appears to be coming out for them.

The crowd of fae in the stands starts partially booing.] Nothing's coming.

[Nothing's coming, and yet the crowd's starting to jeer at them. "Fight!" some of them call down, looking displeased that there's no action yet.]

"Fight"...? [Izuku echoes, brows drawing together in confusion.] Fight what? There's nothing here!

[...except him and Damian, that is. As soon as the thought occurs to him, Izuku stiffens.] Oh. Oh no.

[He doesn't want to believe that this is what the quest was asking for, but all the evidence points to that. At least two people to undertake the quest, no limit on how many. Champion of the pit... a pit without monsters. It all makes sense, as much as Izuku doesn't want it to.]

Fight each other.

[It dawns on Damian about the same time it dawns on Izuku. He glances over his shoulder, lips pulling tight, fists tightening. He really doesn't want to have to fight Izuku in earnest. A spar set up by Guren, sure. Simple. It's a spar.

This? This is for victory, for freedom.

Damian doesn't know if he or Izuku is more against this kind of initiative. He's not afraid. Not for himself, at least.]

It's a gladiator free-for-all ring. We're going to have to fight.

[Another look around the stands makes Izuku's expression turn grim.]

...looks like it. I don't think there's a way to get out of it.

[If it were a monster fight, like usual, then they'd be able to leave at any point, but they were literally dropped into this ring by magic, and Izuku has a feeling they're not going to leave until one of them has been named champion.

When he looks at Damian again, there's obvious reluctance in his eyes, the way he holds himself.]

[Dammit. The look on Izuku's face wilts his resolve briefly. It makes him mad. Is this... pity? Is Izuku too scared to fight him because Izuku believes there's no chance for him?]

If you give up now, I'm going to punch your nose in the back of your face, Midoriya.

[His fists tighten enough to turn the knuckles white. Looking away, he won't give Izuku another glance yet. His eyes burn a stare into the audience of fae.]

Stop being a coward and fight me if we're required to fight. Just because you have special abilities doesn't mean I'm afraid of you or that I can't win. I'm not going to let you stand around and feel sorry for me.

[All at once, he turns on Izuku, winding his fist back.] FIGHT ME! [He's going to punch the shit out of the other poor boy unless Izuku dodges or blocks, and he's absolutely aiming for the face.]

[Midoriya... Izuku flinches at that. They'd just begun to call each other by first names--he knows the use of his last name is deliberate, something Damian's throwing out to draw a reaction from him.]

That's...that's not what I think at all, Damian-kun! [But it's already too late. Damian's jumping right into the fight, and Izuku barely dodges out of the way, skidding a little on the ground before he comes to a stop.

Though it's probably foolish, Izuku still hesitates to attack. Admittedly, he's a little hurt that Damian would jump to that conclusion about him, and he has no idea what he's done to give that impression at all.]

[Good. Good. Izuku dodged, and Damian is relieved beyond measure. Taking the hit just means Izuku isn't going to fight back, and that would have probably pissed him off more.]

I'm not an idiot. We fell in this hole and have to fight, but you don't want to--it was in your eyes. The way you looked at me. [He balls his fists up again, and then he relaxes them straight and rigid as he lifts them to protect his chin and face. His legs fall into a prepared stance. Both eyes pierce Izuku from between both sets of fingers.] Is that what Guren told you, too? When he put us together for sparring.

That you'd have to go easy on me? Give me a head start? [Even considering this, regardless of the validity ramps him up. He goes in for another attack, hating Izuku's reluctance.] I don't need any of that! [His punch isn't forward enough even though it looks deadly. It's a ruse.

He drops down low on the ground and instead swings his leg out to try to trip Izuku at the knees.]

What? [Seriously, what? His confusion only grows, frustration beginning to well up inside him as Damian continues lashing out.] Sensei didn't say anything like that? Wh-where are you even getting all this from? Sensei matched us up because he thought we could learn from each other!

[Even as Izuku talks through his indignation, he can't help but feel the tickle of dejavu, like he's been here before.

I can't stand that fucking attitude of yours, like you're looking down on me!

For a second, it's not Damian that Izuku sees, it's Bakugou. And that afterimage distracts Izuku enough for Damian to get his attack in. Down he goes with a grunt, as his legs are swept out from underneath him.]

[He's aware of what Guren said to him about it--the sparring. That Izuku shouldn't be underestimated. And Damian has seen it. With the chimera in the woods. With the passion of other things.

But he has no clue what Guren, the man who loves to tease him so often, could have said to Izuku. Naturally, he assumes it's the worst.]

No? Then wipe that look off your face.

[Fortunately, Damian is a man of honor no matter how dirty he sometimes fights. His true aim is winning, but he wants the battle to be fair--no, he wants both sides to show consent, to show want. Winning over an unwilling opponent isn't winning at all.

The only follow-up to the fall form the kick is his foot coming down on the center of Izuku's chest. It isn't a stomp or a kick. It's light. But the weight pushed in once it's there is a warning.] Get up.

I know there's more to you than you let on. I saw it in the woods when we fought the chimera. If you're so excited about having special powers like the rest of those idiots from your world, then prove it.

Show me what you can really do. Because, honestly? If you can't beat me here, then you don't deserve to be on the defense force.

[Part of Izuku still isn't sure what the heck could have flipped Damian's switch when they've gotten along pretty well before this--at least, Izuku had thought so.

Despite that, something finally sparks in him at the challenge, and Izuku braces his elbows against the ground to push himself up. There's defiance burning in his eyes when he narrows them at Damian.]

I have no idea what brought all this on, Damian-kun, but if it's a fight you want, then I'll give you one.

[Bakugou hadn't taken no for an answer back then, and Izuku has a feeling that Damian won't either, even if they weren't in the middle of a quest. He's far from happy about it, but there's obviously something going on, and Izuku's going to get the bottom of it.

Quirk suddenly activated, Izuku grabs the foot that's on his chest and yanks, tripping Damian up enough just so he can dart away.]

[For now, this way is fine. He's not use to apologizing, but he'll apologize later for getting up in arms about a look when his pride is sensitive and using it as fuel to get Izuku to finish the pit fight.

Maybe this spar was a long time coming.]

Stop talking and start fig--

[Oh. As soon as Izuku lights up, he realizes his mistake. The trip startles him, and he lands down on the ground in purposeful roll, hopping right back up to his feet and swinging his arms around at the ready. Guarding his chin, his neck.

There's a new fire in his eyes. A little excitement, a little paranoia.]

Why are you running, Midoriya?! [The only pressing forward he does amidst a cacophony of cheers is a slow walk.] Are you scared? Have you ever even been in a fight? [Having a smart mouth has always been a part of Damian.

But now he can use it to his advantage. Is Izuku the type to be easily goaded?]

Maybe your powers aren't all they're cut out to be.

[The first few taunts roll off of him easily--it's nothing that Izuku hasn't heard before, nothing as bad as what he's had thrown at him while he was growing up. But as soon as he hears the jab at his power--All Might's power--something in his expression shifts.]

Take that back. [With his voice dropping low, it's all the warning that Damian gets before Izuku's launching himself forward. With the blink of an eye, he's closed the distance he put between them before, aiming a kick at Damian's midsection.]

[Better.

Already knowing he won't be fast enough to dodge Izuku completely, he plants his feet solidly into the ground and braces for the impact. He uses both forearms to block instead of one, but the power behind the kick is too strong for him to have time to hook the leg and lift it up.

He goes flying to the side, scraping his feet to slow him down, stumbling, digging his feet back in steadily.

So the powers--Izuku is sensitive to them being ridiculed. Because they were late? No, Damian had taunted the strength of them. The usefulness. Getting defensive means Izuku struggles sometimes not with tardiness, but the result of tardiness: control.] Guess I was right.

Your kick wasn't strong enough. I'm still standing.

[Damian earns himself a sharp glare this time, even if Izuku doesn't lunge at him immediately like before.]

What's going on, Damian-kun? Why are you acting like this?

[Though Izuku had wondered if Damian was simply goading him into fighting for the quest like before, that doesn't seem quite right. It feels like there's something else, another reason for Damian's sudden and sharp change in attitude.]

I always act like this. [For now, he won't relent. Not when Izuku is showing him some determination.] You're just gullible.

Haven't you ever heard the saying, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer"? [It's frustrating to him that Izuku is actually taking the time to bother asking--not just deter him, not just fight him. Wanting to know how he's feeling.

He hates it because it's so pure.] In here, you're my enemy. Only one of us is going to crawl back out of this hole, and it's going to be me because your powers are a fraud. [Not that he would ever leave Izuku behind, even unconscious... but Izuku doesn't have to know that right now!!]

If you're a hero, start acting like one!

[Despite the strong friendships he's formed with the people here in Chroma, a part of Izuku still struggles with the fear that something, even the tiniest mistake could lead him to losing them. Or worse, he fears that the people he's grown to care for don't feel the same way. Damian's words easily find their way through Izuku's defenses, leaving wounds that hurt more than they should.

But...no. Damian wouldn't have told him his identity if he didn't trust him to some extent, nor would he have shown him the batcave just a few weeks before either.]

...I don't believe you. [He'll just have to go with his gut on this one.] What part of being a hero involves fighting like this?

[If anything, if there's real danger involved, wouldn't it be more like a hero to let Damian have the win?]

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