[Izuku actually throws his head back and laughs this time.] You wouldn't be saying that if you'd seen me before I started training. [He knows how scrawny and physically weak he had been back then, even without having to look at the picture All Might had taken when he started the American Dream regimen.]
You're right, though... strategy counts for a lot. [It's nice, hearing that from someone who's been on the field longer than he has, especially after all the sneers his notes got in middle school.]
So...we're doing this? [Though Izuku had his own concerns about giving his quirk away--mostly it being the quirk that All Might had given him on top of all that explosive power--things in Chroma have never really worked the way he expected. Besides...it's only a for a day.]
[Straightening, Damian swaps the wooden staff from one hand to the other, offering out his right to Izuku when it's free.] Unless you're too scared. [He wiggles his fingers teasingly a bit.
That again? [Izuku half-laughs. But he shifts, crossing his legs under him when he faces Damian.
Then, he takes the offered hand, bracing himself for whatever might happen next. All he feels is a strange rush of warmth leaving him, though, and after a second of two, Izuku frowns.] I guess...that's it?
[It is quite like Percy's swap, too. Their hands clasps, and it's little more than a warm, tingling pair of palms and the rush of mysterious air by them which ruffles their hair and clothes.
Unfortunately, he's already had Percy's powers and, therefore, he can remember the feeling of having to pull it all up from within. Gentl clenching the hand he had used to shake, Damian lifts it by his chest. Also unfortunately, Damian's confidence and curiosity trump his inclination to be cautious.
He can feel the mounting pressure of the power running from his elbow to his palm, and the length of it goes brilliantly more paler and twines with the volcanic veins of strength and the crackling lightning of green, leaving behind the scent of ozone.]
Like someone is standing behind me. No... [That isn't right either. It isn't behind him. There's no drive to move forward physically.] It feels... as if... someone is standing within me.
Not with a body. With a spirit.
[He grips his fist a bit tighter, and the swathe of glimmering flesh and red creeps up his arm to his shoulder. He lets go of the staff so it drops to the ground, lowering his right arm to his side and lifting his left. Lightning springs from one joint of his body and hops quickly to the next. He can feel it. Some of the things he's capable of doing.]
[Oh...Oh. Though there's a flicker of recognition in Izuku's eyes at that description, he says nothing, chewing nervously on his bottom lip while staying silent.]
Yeah, I do--[Distracted, Izuku answers before he can think better of it, and his eyes widen.] Wait, Damian-kun, I don't think that's a good idea--!
[It doesn't matter. Damian takes Izuku's warning, but with less seriousness than he should. Even while Izuku is talking, Damian turns around and bends his knees low.
Power is snatched from his arms to his feet. It's a lot quicker than he is expecting, and it's a hell of a lot more powerful. The build-up isn't very gradual. It's more like a faucet, turned on or turned off, no trickle.
The ground crumbles beneath his feet, and his legs extend without much of his command, unable to remain coiled when the pressure had built. He takes off straight up, a crackling sparkle of green energy and heated core. A small, speeding jumping bean.
[In the second it takes Izuku to process this, it feels like he aged ten years from the stress alone. Is this how Aizawa-sensei feels when he's chasing after their class all the time? No wonder he's always so tired.]
Damian-kun!
[There's... no helping it. With his power in Damian's hand, all Izuku can do now is run and hope he's there to catch Damian if things go downhill. With his eyes on the distant figure above, Izuku starts running.]
[Percy hadn't been wrong. Damian really has to learn to stick the landings of the powers he absorbs. There was too much strength in his legs, and he shot way too high.
Coming back down, he tries to brace himself in some of the trees, one of the trees, and the branches crack under his force until he gets to sturdy bottom ones and they break his fall. Touching down rattles him from legs to forehead, clacks his teeth and spits a hiss of green lightning.
Okay. No high jumping. He gets it. High jumping is bad when the body isn't built to match the quirk. He can learn from his mistakes!
Hoping down onto the ground, he takes off again. This time, rather than spring directly up, he springs forward like a rabbit, a pinball. Actually, he's faster this way, it's easier to work with.
And unfortunately, Izuku is made-up of nothing more than highly athletic normalcy. Running after him luckily doesn't put Izuku out of breath. It's not hard to appreciate the training Damian has put into his body, his stamina, his reflexes. It may not be supernatural, but it's pretty incredible for a thirteen year old.
Anyway, yeah, bye, Izuku. Damian leaves the other boy in the dust.
But then, not to worry, ends up returning in the same manner after a handful of minutes bouncing around this section of the town with Midwestern Legs.]
[Izuku skids to a stop, heart still pounding from both worry and the chase. Relief floods through him when he gives Damian a once-over and doesn't see the tell-tale discoloration on the skin anywhere.
It's then that he finally allows himself to relax a little, and even smile.]
[Ground crumbles and dirt flies when Damian skids to a stop by Izuku. The strength of the power diminishes, leaving him “normal,” but flexing his hands.]
Not bad. I can get why your body wouldn’t be able to withstand its power. [Lower his hands, Damian looks up... and then away... and then back once more. Surprisingly, he seems a little... impressed maybe.] I can’t believe I’ll admit I’m shocked you have little more than scars to show for it.
[He's never been the best at handling compliments to begin with, but with it coming from Damian of all people, the flustered reaction seems all the more inevitable. Izuku can feel himself pinking up.]
It'd be a lot worse if we didn't have Recovery Girl healing me when things went wrong. [Izuku lets out a soft, shaky laugh.] I got pretty close to permanent damage even with her help, though.
That's because, like Jon, you're a goody idiot. You rush in thinking about others instead of yourself.
[It doesn't sound like Damian thinks this is necessarily a bad trait, just an annoying one he's had to balance with his own personality. With being friends with Jon.]
So. [Now that he's run amok with the damn thing.] Tell me about your quirk, I guess.
[Though Izuku has the good grace to at least look a bit guilty about it, he still gives a tiny shrug.] I don't regret it... helping people's what I'm supposed to be doing.
[Back to business! Izuku figures he should at least give Damian the basics if he's going to be stuck with the quirk for a day or two.] Well...you've already seen the boost in speed and power for yourself just now. If you focus, you can create windpressure with things like punches and kicks for long range attacks, too.
Oh! It's easier to spread the power all over your body and regulate it that way... I don't know how much your body can handle, but I can only use about 25% of the full power without too much backlash right now.
[Damian can at least admire Izuku for the hero fortitude.]
Twenty-five percent is small. [Just in terms of power. In terms of physically handling it, twenty-five percent is pushing it, Damian thinks.] But you got the scars you did from trying to push it further, didn't you?
Y-yeah. [Izuku looks away, mouth going wobbly with lingering embarrassment.]
When I first got my quirk, I didn't have any control at all... I kept the power at 100% every time I used it because that was all I could do at the time.
[Exasperatedly, Damian sighs loud enough to be heard.] Idiot. [This is like wrangling Jon. Damn.] It's astounding you are even in a single piece for the town to have even yanked you here at all.
It explains the modifications to your suit, however. [Damian looks thoughtful, eyes dropping down to himself.] Your quirk feels entirely different from the powers to had acquired for a short duration.
Don't worry. Recovery Girl made sure to chew me out whenever I did anything stupid. [Lightly, Izuku reaches up to touch his right arm.] And yeah...I needed extra support for my arms even after I switched my fighting style to kicks instead of punches.
[He looks at Damian curiously.] Yeah? Different how?
The way it feels. [He's not sure how to describe it yet, so he doesn't say anything for some time. Flexing his fists doesn't exactly do anything, but it gives him focus.
He doesn't feel it there.] It isn't physical. There's something else. Mine were merely powers. The will to fly, unbreakable flesh, more stamina, more strength. [He glances up at Midoriya, eyes narrowing gently.] There's something you aren't telling me about your quirk.
The connection to me is deeper than being attached to my body. [A pause. He thinks about Kaoru's request.] Todoroki believes you're All Might's illegitimate son. I think that's foolish, for the record.
Still. [He comes the Bat in him.] You have an obsession with All Might. He's a teacher at your school, and he's here. He's important to you. You received your quirk late.
[It's in that moment that Izuku realizes what a bad idea the power swap actually was. Even on a bad day, Damian's already incredibly perceptive. Give him clues like these, and he's bound to put the pieces all together.
Even as Izuku squirms internally at all the uncomfortable details Damian's picking up on, he has to huff out a soft sound of amusement.]
Of course he does. I've been telling Shouto for a while now that All Might isn't my dad, but I don't think he'll ever believe me.
[He pauses now, looking away.] All Might...our quirks are really similar. That's why we work so closely together.
[While Damian doesn't believe that's all there is, he surprisingly doesn't pursue any line of questioning. There's no catch to grab onto, and he'd only be making educated assumptions.]
It isn't bad. [The fists unfurl, and he hangs his arms by his sides.] Your quirk. You're a glass cannon. It's dangerous, but powerful.
And coupled with the fact you're a self-sacrificing idiot, I'd say it's even more dangerous.
I'm not that bad. [It's a half-hearted protest at best. When you've been called a problem child by Aizawa, it's hard to argue these things.]
And...thanks. It might be dangerous, but it's the quirk I have to work with. I already made a promise to be more careful, so... [He shifts from foot to foot uncomfortably.] I'll keep working until I can harness 100% without damaging myself.
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You're right, though... strategy counts for a lot. [It's nice, hearing that from someone who's been on the field longer than he has, especially after all the sneers his notes got in middle school.]
So...we're doing this? [Though Izuku had his own concerns about giving his quirk away--mostly it being the quirk that All Might had given him on top of all that explosive power--things in Chroma have never really worked the way he expected. Besides...it's only a for a day.]
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Shake on it, and give him One For All.]
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Then, he takes the offered hand, bracing himself for whatever might happen next. All he feels is a strange rush of warmth leaving him, though, and after a second of two, Izuku frowns.] I guess...that's it?
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Unfortunately, he's already had Percy's powers and, therefore, he can remember the feeling of having to pull it all up from within. Gentl clenching the hand he had used to shake, Damian lifts it by his chest. Also unfortunately, Damian's confidence and curiosity trump his inclination to be cautious.
He can feel the mounting pressure of the power running from his elbow to his palm, and the length of it goes brilliantly more paler and twines with the volcanic veins of strength and the crackling lightning of green, leaving behind the scent of ozone.]
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Whatever his initial misgivings had been, he can't deny that this is an opportunity that most likely won't come up again.]
How does it feel?
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Not with a body. With a spirit.
[He grips his fist a bit tighter, and the swathe of glimmering flesh and red creeps up his arm to his shoulder. He lets go of the staff so it drops to the ground, lowering his right arm to his side and lifting his left. Lightning springs from one joint of his body and hops quickly to the next. He can feel it. Some of the things he's capable of doing.]
You use it to jump, right?
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Yeah, I do--[Distracted, Izuku answers before he can think better of it, and his eyes widen.] Wait, Damian-kun, I don't think that's a good idea--!
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Power is snatched from his arms to his feet. It's a lot quicker than he is expecting, and it's a hell of a lot more powerful. The build-up isn't very gradual. It's more like a faucet, turned on or turned off, no trickle.
The ground crumbles beneath his feet, and his legs extend without much of his command, unable to remain coiled when the pressure had built. He takes off straight up, a crackling sparkle of green energy and heated core. A small, speeding jumping bean.
Goodbye, Izuku...!]
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Damian-kun!
[There's... no helping it. With his power in Damian's hand, all Izuku can do now is run and hope he's there to catch Damian if things go downhill. With his eyes on the distant figure above, Izuku starts running.]
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Coming back down, he tries to brace himself in some of the trees, one of the trees, and the branches crack under his force until he gets to sturdy bottom ones and they break his fall. Touching down rattles him from legs to forehead, clacks his teeth and spits a hiss of green lightning.
Okay. No high jumping. He gets it. High jumping is bad when the body isn't built to match the quirk. He can learn from his mistakes!
Hoping down onto the ground, he takes off again. This time, rather than spring directly up, he springs forward like a rabbit, a pinball. Actually, he's faster this way, it's easier to work with.
And unfortunately, Izuku is made-up of nothing more than highly athletic normalcy. Running after him luckily doesn't put Izuku out of breath. It's not hard to appreciate the training Damian has put into his body, his stamina, his reflexes. It may not be supernatural, but it's pretty incredible for a thirteen year old.
Anyway, yeah, bye, Izuku. Damian leaves the other boy in the dust.
But then, not to worry, ends up returning in the same manner after a handful of minutes bouncing around this section of the town with Midwestern Legs.]
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It's then that he finally allows himself to relax a little, and even smile.]
Having fun?
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Not bad. I can get why your body wouldn’t be able to withstand its power. [Lower his hands, Damian looks up... and then away... and then back once more. Surprisingly, he seems a little... impressed maybe.] I can’t believe I’ll admit I’m shocked you have little more than scars to show for it.
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It'd be a lot worse if we didn't have Recovery Girl healing me when things went wrong. [Izuku lets out a soft, shaky laugh.] I got pretty close to permanent damage even with her help, though.
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[It doesn't sound like Damian thinks this is necessarily a bad trait, just an annoying one he's had to balance with his own personality. With being friends with Jon.]
So. [Now that he's run amok with the damn thing.] Tell me about your quirk, I guess.
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[Back to business! Izuku figures he should at least give Damian the basics if he's going to be stuck with the quirk for a day or two.] Well...you've already seen the boost in speed and power for yourself just now. If you focus, you can create windpressure with things like punches and kicks for long range attacks, too.
Oh! It's easier to spread the power all over your body and regulate it that way... I don't know how much your body can handle, but I can only use about 25% of the full power without too much backlash right now.
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Twenty-five percent is small. [Just in terms of power. In terms of physically handling it, twenty-five percent is pushing it, Damian thinks.] But you got the scars you did from trying to push it further, didn't you?
...Have you ever used it at one hundred percent?
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When I first got my quirk, I didn't have any control at all... I kept the power at 100% every time I used it because that was all I could do at the time.
[It's as horrifying as it sounds.]
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It explains the modifications to your suit, however. [Damian looks thoughtful, eyes dropping down to himself.] Your quirk feels entirely different from the powers to had acquired for a short duration.
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[He looks at Damian curiously.] Yeah? Different how?
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He doesn't feel it there.] It isn't physical. There's something else. Mine were merely powers. The will to fly, unbreakable flesh, more stamina, more strength. [He glances up at Midoriya, eyes narrowing gently.] There's something you aren't telling me about your quirk.
The connection to me is deeper than being attached to my body. [A pause. He thinks about Kaoru's request.] Todoroki believes you're All Might's illegitimate son. I think that's foolish, for the record.
Still. [He comes the Bat in him.] You have an obsession with All Might. He's a teacher at your school, and he's here. He's important to you. You received your quirk late.
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Even as Izuku squirms internally at all the uncomfortable details Damian's picking up on, he has to huff out a soft sound of amusement.]
Of course he does. I've been telling Shouto for a while now that All Might isn't my dad, but I don't think he'll ever believe me.
[He pauses now, looking away.] All Might...our quirks are really similar. That's why we work so closely together.
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It isn't bad. [The fists unfurl, and he hangs his arms by his sides.] Your quirk. You're a glass cannon. It's dangerous, but powerful.
And coupled with the fact you're a self-sacrificing idiot, I'd say it's even more dangerous.
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And...thanks. It might be dangerous, but it's the quirk I have to work with. I already made a promise to be more careful, so... [He shifts from foot to foot uncomfortably.] I'll keep working until I can harness 100% without damaging myself.