The lobby of the Granda Musutafu Hotel was quieter than usual, empty except for two. The only sounds were the soft hum of lobby music and the rapid taps of the fingers dancing over a computer's keyboard. The concierge, Fumihito, adjusted his tie anxiously as he processed the check-in for the woman standing on the other side of the counter. "All right, ma'am," he confirmed. "Your suite is ready for you."

The woman flashed a confident smile, her fiery eyes gleaming. "Thanks, kid. I'm sure it'll be great."

Fumihito's heart pounded. It was little surprise, given who had graced their fine establishment with her presence. "Here you are, then," he said, handing the guest her key. "We do hope you enjoy your stay. Is there anything else you need, Miss Usagiyama?"

The woman chuckled, her laugh spirited and lively. "Nah, I'm all good. Just keep doing your thing." With a final nod, she turned and strode back to the entrance. The automatic doors slid open, and she stepped through them into the sprawling cityscape.

Musutafu was alive with activity, the streets full of citizens of all ages going about their everyday tasks. The woman's fierce grin widened as she surveyed the urban expanse. The thrill of the hunt surged through her veins. There were villains out there that needed a good thrashing, and she was just the hero to deliver it. "Alrighty. Where to first?"

The wind picked up, as if in answer to the question. Her long, white hair blew right, whipping sideways in the breeze. Her head perked in the direction of her fluttering hair—west. "That way, huh?" she said aloud. "Good enough for me." With a powerful leap, she launched herself into the air, her muscular legs propelling her skyward with ease, the ordinary hustle and bustle below turned instantly distant and insignificant. With the wind whipping through her hair and adrenaline coursing through her veins, her sharp red eyes scanned for any sign of trouble as she soared above the buildings, ready to hop headfirst into whatever challenge and adventures awaited.

"Okay, Musutafu," Mirko said to herself, her grin never fading. "Let's see what you've got for me today!"

The local time was 10:57 P.M. when a sudden jingle pierced the quiet of the Cage household. Luke Cage stirred beside his wife, groaning as he reached out to silence the intruding noise. He fumbled for a moment before finally grasping his buzzing cell phone. With a groan, he sat up and looked at the screen, squinting at the bright light in the dark of his bedroom.

The name that illuminated the display brought a mix of surprise and relief to Luke's tired face. As quietly as he could, he slipped out of bed and made his way out of the room, leaving his pregnant wife where she lay. When he finished ten long steps away from the bedroom door, he answered the phone and lifted it to his ear. "Danny, man, is that you?"

Danny Rand's voice issued through the speaker. "Hey, Luke. Yeah, it's me." There was a second-long pause. "You almost sound worried."

Luke clicked his tongue. "Of course I was freakin' worried! You said you were gonna be gone a couple days. That was a week ago! What gives?"

"Well, there's good news and bad news," Danny told his friend. "The good news is I found and wrecked the A.I.M. squad and their weapon shipments. I even got some help when M.O.D.O.K. showed up, so we're all good there."

Luke gave a soft sigh of relief. "Okay, great. What's the bad news?"

"That bad news is there's this new group in Japan that A.I.M.'s been selling to," said Danny. "They call themselves the League of Villains, and by all counts they're gonna be a headache."

"Sweet Christmas…" Luke muttered. "Okay, I gotcha. Buyin' from A.I.M.'s a big time red flag." He stopped for another second, then snorted. "'League of Villains'? The hell kinda name is that?"

"Batgirl made the same joke," Danny said with a brief touch of amusement. "But they've even got Tony and my new friend All Might worried, so I'm gonna be sticking around for a while to try and track 'em down."

Luke perked. "All Might? That big, buff cat with the antenna hair?"

"That's the one."

Luke gave a low whistle. "That's one hell of a new friend. I've seen him a whole lot on the news. Damn strong guy."

"You're not lying," Danny said. Then Luke heard him sigh "But the bad guys aren't even my biggest issue. This whole pro hero culture they've got over here still has my head spinning."

Luke's eyebrows bunched. "Yeah, I've heard Ben and Carol deal with a couple of 'em before. Matter of fact, I think the FF did a whole thing with that Star and Stripe chick one time. It's that crazy?"

"Picture what it'd be like if Heroes for Hire got the Avengers-level celebrity treatment, with a limitless supply of Power Man and Iron Fist plush toys to boot."

Danny's dry tone and the rather absurd mental picture made Luke laugh. "Plush toys, huh? Sounds pretty wild." He took a moment to pull himself together. "I mean, I'm all for good pay for a hard day's work, but I dunno how I'd feel about that kinda thing."

"But here's the rub," Danny said, sounding less chipper. "There's more rules and regulations to everything than a HOA, and everyone from the cops to pros sees us unlicensed vigilantes as no better than common criminals. You can imagine the average opinion about me."

Luke's eyes widened slightly as he heard the tone shift. From that description, he knew it couldn't be all sunshine and roses for Danny in Japan. "Yeah, I bet… Still, there's gotta be some of 'em with an open mind about you, right?"

"All Might's been pretty cool," Danny said, sounding a little better. "And luckily, Katana is nearby too. She got me out of a couple PR jams. But I think I'm in for an uphill battle."

Luke smiled at the mention of Katana. "That's cool. And you know what? I'm sure those pros will warm up to you eventually. You might just be the first to bring our whole style over there. You'll be alright, bud."

Danny's sigh issued through the phone. "I hope so." A few moments of silence passed, enough to make Luke wonder what was on his old partner's mind. Finally, Danny spoke again, his tone careful. "I know this comparison might be pushing towards insulting… but is this a little of what it could be like for you?"

It was Luke's turn to stay quiet for a couple of moments. The comparison… wasn't as bad as it could be, but it was treading a rather fine line. Still, Danny was his friend, and it hurt Luke's heart to hear how alienated the martial artist was feeling. He thought about it for a bit longer, then said, "Yeah. 'Specially starting out? Hell yeah. Still feel like that sometimes, if I'm being honest."

Danny must not have known how to reply. The silence lingered, broken only by the blonde's dry scoff. "Sorry to drag you down with my dreariness."

"Nah, man, you're good," Luke told him. "Better you tellin' me how you feel than bottling things up."

Danny took another short breath. "Guess I went and jumped in without knowing what I was getting into. Like usual, huh?"

"Hey, you've always been that kinda guy when it came to savin' the day," Luke said in his most compassionate tone. "But you're doin' the right thing. One of us has to be the gung-ho bleedin' heart around here." The sound of Danny's laugh made Luke's chest feel lighter. "Now listen. Don't let a few schmucks get you down, okay? They'll appreciate you sooner or later. And if they don't, then they're all just dumbasses and we'll laugh about it when you get back."

When Danny spoke again, he sounded a little more at ease. "Thanks, brother."

Luke smiled, glad to have cheered his friend up a little. " Any time, champ. You know I've got your back. Don't matter if you're in Harlem, Japan, or Timbuktu. If you need me, just call and I'll be there in a New York minute. Stay safe out there, all right?"

"Got it," said Danny. "Thanks again, Luke. Say hi to Jessica and Misty for me."

"Will do," Luke told him, his voice turning strong. "Give 'em hell, Iron Fist."

Atop the corner of a flat rooftop, Danny clicked his phone to hang up the call. The sun hung high in the clear blue sky over Musutafu, a soft breeze blowing the long tails of his yellow mask gently to his right as he looked over the hum of activity below. Even after his talk with Luke, the warm air and pleasant weather of the late morning were still a strong contrast to his mood.

His thoughts returned to his recent interactions with Japan's residents. The pro heroes of this superhuman society knew nothing of him, regarding the Iron Fist as an out-of-control thug who, for some reason or another, was given approval by their Public Safety Commission to fight crime. All while still not being part of the proper professional hierarchy. To them, he was an outsider with no official standing. An anomaly at best, a danger at worst. Except for All Might, every pro he'd come across looked at him with a mix of bewilderment, suspicion and disdain.

Danny gazed blankly at the streets below. He'd jumped headlong into another fight against evil and landed in a culture that seemed collectively offended by his existence. And he was still no closer to his goal. "You're not alone," Katana had told him. Well, alone was exactly how Daniel Thomas Rand-K'ai felt right now.

Mentally, he shook his head. He couldn't let himself get bogged down like this. Closing his eyes, Danny took a deep, mindful breath, coming back home to himself. "You're not alone," he said, repeating Tatsu's words out loud to himself. He opened his eyes, spotting an emptier place on the ground below before he moved. With a silent grace, Danny dropped from the rooftop and grabbed onto a nearby window ledge, his strong fingers finding purchase on the cold stone. He moved swiftly, navigating his way down the building's face using the network of grips and ledges that only the most highly trained could see and use before finally reaching the ground.

Danny paused on the sidewalk, taking a moment to look around at the city, at the people moving busily about their business. M.I.S.T. was still narrowing down on a lead for Invisible Wall. So for now, he had little else but his usual routines to occupy his focus. He stood quietly, contemplating his next move.

His brooding was interrupted by a loud crash and several screams. Flipping his gaze down the street, Danny spotted a menacing figure emerging as if from nowhere. A Mutant type villain resembling a snapping turtle, complete with a thick shell, sharp claws and sharper teeth. He lumbered out into the road as the citizens fled.

The dragon's muscles tensed instinctively. Personal gripes aside, he wouldn't hesitate when it came to defending the innocent. He tightened his fists, ready for action. But before he could make a move, a blur of motion descended from above with surprising speed. A powerful, precise kick slammed down on the turtle villain's head, sending him crashing down with enough force to crack the pavement. The criminal was unconscious before he even had a chance to react.

More of a surprise to Danny than the sudden knockout was the person who delivered it: a tan-skinned woman with long white hair. She was on the short side, but her slender frame was as curvaceous as it was athletically toned. She wore a sleeveless white leotard with dark purple trim around the shoulders and waist, a wide yellow crescent moon on the chest, with white gloves and tall purple boots as compliments. A metal almost-belt was around the midsection. Similar plating on her heels and toes added an animalistic vibe; which was far surpassed by the tall ears and a short, round tail, each covered in white fur that gave her the appearance of a rabbit.

Her crimson eyes flashed as bright as her fierce grin, confidence and determination radiating from her every movement. "That's what you get for causing trouble on my turf!" she announced, landing gracefully beside the KO'd turtle man.

At the sight of dynamic entry, exactly one thought went through the sixty-sixth Iron Fist's head: 'Hello, miss ma'am.' Danny watched from the distance as this new heroine posed amidst the grateful citizens. He was instantly captivated by her strength and beauty. A fleeting thought flickered in his mind; an impulse to approach her. He started forward, his course of action coming almost instinctively. He'd introduce himself, strike up a conversation, and then maybe if she had some spare time—

But as quickly as the idea arose, Danny jerked to a stop, a wave of doubt washing over him. He had to remind himself this was another pro hero. The societal barriers between sanctioned professionals like her and unlicensed vigilantes like him were as clear and tangible as the mask across his face. She was almost guaranteed to view him with the same suspicion and contempt as the others.

Still… As his gaze lingered on the woman's striking figure, his mind went back through the profiles he'd had M.I.S.T. list out for him of local Musutafu pros. He didn't think he'd seen her on it… He was pretty sure a rabbit woman would have stuck out in his memory. Was she from out of town? In which case, maybe she hadn't heard of him. Maybe this was a chance for a fresh start without his bad rep in Japan getting in the way.

'I mean, there isn't a big chance she'll know who I am if she's not from Musutafu, is there?' Danny rationalized in his head, his eyes tracing the heroine. 'Sure, she's a pro, but she doesn't look so bad. With her flowing hair, and buff arms, and… Are those thigh-highs?'

…Yeah, no way. Danny couldn't help himself. He had to try.

Mirko beamed triumphantly as the defeated villain lay unconscious at her feet, the nearby civilians cheering her name with grateful smiles. As was tradition after a victory, she struck a pose with one hand on her hip and the other arm raised to flex her bicep. No good pro would neglect boosting the morale of the people, to make them feel safe and comforted.

"S'cuse me, miss rabbit?"

Mirko's ear twitched at the new voice. Raising an eyebrow, she looked over her shoulder. "Hmm?"

She was greeted with the sight of a five-foot-eleven man in a black and yellow outfit standing a few feet away. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the yellow dragon icon on his chest. Her gaze traveled up, taking in his half-covered face and the loose blonde hair coming out the back of his yellow mask. Said mask had eyes resembling white slits with curling black-edged borders, a toned, clean-shaven jawline making up the visible part of his face.

"Sorry to bother you," the man said politely. "Hope it's no trouble?"

'A foreigner?' was Mirko's first thought upon seeing the stranger and hearing his mannerisms. She gave him a quick up-and-down glance, an easygoing expression settling across her features. He seemed pleasant enough. "Nah, no trouble here," she said, turning to face him. "What can I do for ya, blondie?"

"Just being friendly," he said amicably. "I don't think I've seen you around Musutafu before."

Mirko shrugged her shoulders casually. "Yeah, can't say I come by often." Her lips curled into a smirk. "I'm guessing you're not from around here either?"

"You guessed," he smiled. "I'm a visiting hero from America."

Mirko's head gave a slight tilt. It wasn't often that a foreigner approached her so casually. "An international guy, huh? Nice." She stood straighter, puffing herself up proudly. "The name's Mirko the Rabbit Hero! Number Six Hero of Japan."

Danny's surprise was evident. The Number Six? Just a few places behind All Might? "Number six in the whole country?" he marveled. "Wow, I didn't think I'd be meeting a celebrity today."

Mirko chuckled, the praise going straight to her ego. "Yeah, I'm kind of a big deal," she said, her ears wiggling. "You got a name, blondie? Or am I just gonna have to call you Captain Visitor?" she teased.

He gave a loose chuckle of his own. "My name's Danny, but I also go by Iron Fist."

Mirko blinked as the name left his lips, her expression cooling; she'd seen it before. There were several rumors and discussions on the Hero Network about a masked foreigner calling himself Iron Fist. He'd been involved in at least one high-profile incident with a local villain. More concerning was the fact that this foreigner was supposedly a vigilante—a pretty serious taboo in Japan. No one seemed to know what he was all about, and most of her fellow heroes were none too pleased with the situation.

The rabbit looked at him intently, her brows furrowing slightly. "Iron Fist, huh?" she said, taking a small step closer. "Yeah, I've heard some stuff about you. You've been making quite the impression around here."

It was quick, almost too quick to see, but Danny's frame gave the faintest hint of a twitch. His lip flattened out, his shoulders going rigid. God, sometimes he hated being right. "Oh… My infamy precedes me already, huh?"

Mirko blinked again. She could see the stranger's sudden tension; the vanished smile, the stiff body language, the almost dispirited tone of voice. It wasn't the reaction she'd been expecting. It seemed like she'd touched a nerve. "Yeah, pretty much," Mirko admitted, her face softening a bit. She almost felt bad for being so blunt with him, but she wasn't one to sugarcoat things, either. "A lot of pros here in Japan aren't exactly fond of outsiders, especially if they're unlicensed vigilantes like you."

"I've noticed…" Danny said carefully. "One of those cultural differences, I guess."

The rabbit woman arched a brow. It wasn't hard to tell that the American was suddenly being a lot more cautious with her. She even picked up on the slow, subtle way his frame and footing were shifting away from her. A minute ago he'd been open and friendly. Now he just looked like wanted to be somewhere else. Anywhere else. For some odd reason, that bothered Rumi a little. She closed her eyes, sighing softly before looking back up at the foreigner. "You can relax, y'know? I'm not gonna bite you. Just curious, that's all."

Danny paused at her words. His lip twitched downward. Realizing he was being a little childish, he gave a quiet sigh of his own. "Sorry. I haven't had the best experience with most pro heroes. Only one I can think of has been at all welcoming."

Mirko's head gave another tilt. Most of the impressions and comments she'd seen from her colleagues about the American had been anything but polite. But so far at least, this Iron Fist guy didn't bother her too much. Maybe he was a little forward, but nothing harmful. She was sort of a misfit too, so she could relate. "Uh-huh. That sounds about right." A hint of a smirk touched her face. "But some of us don't mind people who go their own way." Her eyes flicked over his costume again. "But seriously, what's with the color choice? You a fan of bees or something?"

A soft approximation of a laugh left Danny's lips. Some of his smile returned, like a hint of sunshine around the edge of a dark cloud. "If it's good enough for Bruce Lee, it's good enough for me."

Mirko chuckled at his response. Seeing him loosen up made her more relaxed in turn. "Ah, a Bruce Lee fan. Classy." She took another small step forward, her red eyes shimmering with intrigue. "So you're American, huh? That explains the loud attitude."

"Ouch," said Danny, but without sounding offended. "Eh, I guess that's fair. We Americans can be pretty impudent. Or at least that's the gist I'm getting from your fellow pros."

A grin spread across the Rabbit Hero's face. "You got that right. Especially 'cause they've been having to clean up your messes."

"I'd say it's more the other way around, but that's just me."

Mirko resisted the urge to laugh loudly. She was almost surprised at how she was enjoying the banter. "Cocky! I like it." She had to admit, the more heard from this Iron Fist, the more she liked him. "So what's up? Did ya need something?"

"Actually," Iron Fist said slowly, "I was hoping to challenge you to a little sparring match."

Rumi was caught completely off guard, her look of amusement morphing into one of genuine surprise. It took her a few moments to reply. "You… You wanna fight me?"

"I saw how you one-shotted that big turtle guy," Danny told her. "You've got some serious strength. I'd love to check it out for myself."

Mirko couldn't help another smirk. 'So he liked what he saw, huh?' It did feel good to hear her skills acknowledged. Her gaze traveled over him, sizing him up; she wasn't too impressed. If you asked her, the stranger was a little on the skinny side. "Thanks for the compliment, but you do know I'm out of your league, right?" she boasted.

"Maybe. Maybe not." Danny's head cocked slightly to the side. "Only one way to find out. You got some time to kill?"

The casual response took Rumi slightly aback. He sure sounded confident… It was almost annoying. Still, her competitive spirit lit a spark inside her. After a few seconds, she gave another small shrug. "All right, guess I've got nothing better to do," she said, giving the foreigner a sassy look. "Just don't go crying when you end up on your ass."

"Fair enough." Iron Fist glanced around, his eyes stopping on something a few seconds later. He lifted a finger to point off into the distance. "How about over there? Out of the way with plenty of space."

Mirko's gaze followed his finger to spot a wooded area of gold-leafed ginko trees a few blocks to the west. It looked like the local park. "Looks good to me," she told him, her eyes glinting. "Lead the way, Fist Man."

It was a short, quiet walk over to the park grounds. The rabbit woman shot a sideways glance at her American counterpart. She couldn't help but be intrigued by him, so boldly challenging her of all people. She'd clearly told him she was one of Japan's top heroes, yet he seemed so sure of himself. Was he just being cocky? Either way, an eagerness to show what she could do swelled up inside Rumi. The visitor was probably in for a surprise.

Golden leaves fluttered around the two heroes as they entered park. Iron Fist walked past her as they reached the middle of the trees, putting himself ten paces distance from her and turning around. He rolled out rolling his shoulders and wrists, starting to warm up. "Didn't I see this in a samurai movie once?" he joked.

Mirko rolled her eyes with a scoff. "You've been watching too many martial arts flicks." She leaned from side to side, stretching out her legs. "Any ground rules, mister international?"

"How about we just start with no Quirks?" Iron Fist told her. "Other than that, everything's fair game."

The Number Six hummed to herself. "Slow and steady, huh? That's fine. I'm pretty good even without it." She rolled her neck a few times and threw a few experimental kicks. Her red eyes locked on Iron Fist as he hopped on the balls of his feet. She was pretty sure this would be a piece of cake… but there was something about him she couldn't quite describe. The looseness of his posture, the spring in his step, and that smile… That damn smile.

"You're looking pretty hyped for this," Mirko said, challenge flaring in her eyes. "You really think you can handle me?"

With one more deep inhale and exhale, Iron Fist slid into a stance, his rear foot angled back forty-five degrees. His right arm lifted to his side with a curled fist, his left arm extending with open fingers. The long tails of his mask floated sideways in the breeze, leaves of the same bright yellow swirling around the two combatants. He brought his gaze to the Rabbit Hero, and his face brimmed with anticipation. "Why don't you get over here and find out?"

A wide grin spread across Mirko's face. She lowered into a half-crouch, ready to pounce. "You asked for it!" With a sudden motion, she charged. Her feet left the ground in a dynamic leap and she lashed at Iron Fist's head with a powerful roundhouse kick.

She was pretty fast, Danny noted, even without the user of her Quirk. And he could sense the power in her muscled legs. But he was fast too. As her foot whipped right, he backstepped left, simple but efficient. Her foot swung wide, missing by several inches.

Mirko's eyes widened; he was quicker than she'd expected. Spinning to face him as she landed, the Number Six's crimson gaze measured the vigilante for half a heartbeat. Then she went in for a heavier assault, sweeping and snapping at him with a barrage of kicks. Iron Fist gave ground, lifting his fists in a defensive motion. He flowed with her strikes, formless and shapeless, a fluid economy of motion. No attack was blocked or taken full force, either stepped around or parried, the brunt of the Rabbit Hero's impressive power deflected away from him. At the same time, he was studying her, learning her style and preferences.

Rumi's mind was a mix of shock, annoyance, and mild fascination. Every kick she threw was almost effortlessly avoided. It was like trying to beat up water. 'Damn, he's fast… and slippery. I underestimated him.' As the masked man dodged backwards, she went into a cartwheel to swing both legs at him in a pair of unorthodox high-to-low kicks, then snapped another one at his knee.

Iron Fist was off the ground before the third attack completed its arc. He flipped over Mirko, the tails of his mask passing just over her ears. He ducked a hook kick as he landed and sent a punch at her gut. Mirko's dodged around it, then her leg snapped out to score a side kick to his midsection. It was strong enough to knock the K'un Lun champion off his feet. His back met the ground, but Iron Fist turned it into a roll that landed him on one knee, just in time to lift both arms and block the axe kick that swung down at his head. His frame trembled slightly with the force of the tension as he held the attack off.

He looked up into Mirko's eyes, his face beaming. "Oh, you're good."

That eye contact did something for Rumi. Her fighting spirit stirred a heat inside her, her heart pounding with the thrill of battle. "I know I am, blondie," she said through her grin. "You ain't so bad yourself."

Iron Fist threw a sudden low kick that took out Mirko's one standing leg. She reacted quickly, twisting to catch herself on both hands and flip away to regain her footing, just in time to see the foreigner coming swiftly at her. She leaned and dodged this way and that to avoid a set of punches and chops. Mirko jumped away again; the vigilante was a foot from her the moment her feet touched the ground. Iron Fist sidestepped around her reflexive front kick, a punch snapping out with a speed that surprised Mirko. Her forearm lifted just in time to block the blow. Stumbling back a step from the force, the Rabbit Hero moved in again and whipped another kick at his midsection, but the American's own forearm shunted it aside with surprising ease. His follow-up palm strike landed a clean hit to her midsection.

"Agh!" Mirko grunted from the light pain of the strike. The force slid her back a few yards, but she stayed on her feet. Even as she rubbed her stomach, her face sparkled with excitement as she stared her opponent down. This was turning out fun after all. "Not too shabby, cowboy. Didn't think you had it like that."

"Thanks," Iron Fist pleasantly, holding his position with a defensive stance. "You've got some real power, but you telegraph it a little. You step your front foot forward before you throw most of your kicks."

Mirko's eye twitched, her expression going from gleeful to indignant in an instant. She was one of the top pro heroes in the country, and this stranger was here critiquing her like she was some rookie?! "Oh, shut up!" she shot back. "You don't know what you're talking about!" Her leg muscles tensed, coiling like springs beneath her skin before she threw herself at Iron Fist again.

The vigilante let her come, foregoing a reply. An intense exchange of blows followed as Mirko assaulted Iron Fist from all fronts with a vicious array of kicks. But the American angled back smoothly, his palms and forearms flashing left and right to send each kick gliding away. When a stronger kick swung for his hip, Iron Fist lifted his leg to block the strike with his knee. While a faint sting shot through Mirko's shin at the impact, the attack's raw force knocked him off balance. But instead of falling, the foreigner he went with the motion, dropping so his palms met the ground and twisting to throw a compass crescent kick for the rabbit's head. Mirko hopped away, avoiding it by inches; then Iron Fist was flying at her, twisting in midair and landing three spinning kicks on the Number Six's instinctive guard in the blink of an eye. The barrage sent Mirko reeling, just barely staying on her feet.

The rabbit fixed her gaze on Iron Fist, loosely shaking out her arms. Her thoughts swirled. The stranger's blows struck with a power that belied his thin build. And his technique… She recognized traces of it. Wing chun, muay thai, capoeira, taekwondo. To her ever-growing surprise, the guy appeared to be highly trained in multiple martial arts disciplines, seamlessly mixing different techniques into a hybridized personal style. She'd never fought someone so versatile before. It was clear now he was no ordinary fighter.

Rumi snorted, rolling her eyes. "Okay, fine," she conceded, almost reluctantly. "Maybe you do know what you're talking about." Seeing her sparring partner's increasingly sassy expression made her own grow sharper. "Oh, quit looking so full of yourself! Don't you count me out, or I'll kick that smirk right off your face!"

The dragon only looked more excited. "By all means, try."

He was in motion again, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat and pressuring the Rabbit Hero with a chain of strikes. Mirko pivoted around them and leaped away, gaining enough breathing room to dart back in from another angle. Iron Fist weaved and ducked the first two kicks aimed at his head. The third came so fast that he almost didn't get his guard up in time. He blocked with his forearms, the force rattling through his bones. The Living Weapon countered quickly, grabbing Mirko's shin and shoulder, tripping out her opposite leg in the same motion and putting the rabbit woman's back to the ground with a judo maneuver. She kicked him in the chest to drive him off, using the momentum to roll backwards into a ready crouch.

Mirko's red eyes burned brightly. The reality of a facing worthy opponent only upped the thrill. 'This guy's good! He's got counters for everything I throw at him. I might have to get tricky.' As Mirko came at Iron Fist again, she jumped to throw some aerial spin kicks that he flipped away from. She hit the ground running, her feet snapping out in a lightning-quick barrage for his face and body. Narrowly back-stepping his swinging back fist, she feinted high and twisted low, shooting out her other leg for a mule kick.

This time her attack slipped through Iron Fist's guard, catching him full in the chest. He was sent fifteen feet through the air, his back smacking into a tree hard enough to crack the trunk. He slumped where he'd landed, a grunt of pain leaving his lips. "Augh…"

Rumi's smile was instantly gone. She'd put more force into that attack than she meant to. "Oh, crap!" She took a tentative step forward. "You all right?"

"I'm okay…!" Danny called after a second, shifting and steadily pulling himself back up. He shook his head, looking a little dazed, but unharmed. "I'm okay."

The Rabbit Hero's tension eased a bit, but she stayed cautiously still. "You sure? Sorry, wasn't trying to hit you that hard."

"It's fine," Iron Fist told her, rubbing a hand on his back and rolling his shoulder. "I promise I've been hit a lot harder."

Rumi breathed a soft sigh of relief. For a second, she was worried she'd caused some major damage. He was more durable than she gave him credit for. "If you say so. Good to know you're not made of glass." The heroine crossed her arms under her chest, her grin returning. "So, impressed yet?"

Dusting the traces of bark off his shoulder, Iron Fist showed another smile. "Impressed? I think I'm in love."

Once again, Rumi was caught totally off guard. Her eyes widened and her mouth hung slightly open. His response was so out of left field it left her legitimately stunned. 'Did he seriously just say that?' She stared, unable to process the words for several long moments before she finally started belly laughing. "You've really gotta work on your pick-up lines, dragon boy!" she said as her laughter subsided, turning a fiercer look back on the martial artist. "And don't think any smooth talk is gonna make me take it easier on you!"

"Doesn't have to," Iron Fist replied evenly, striding back out to ready distance. "I like a challenge."

Mirko had to fight back another laugh. "You know what? I like that attitude." She got back into a stance, her expression taking on a cocky edge. "Ready for round two, hotshot?"

"You ready to stop holding back?" Iron Fist countered eagerly.

A warm buzz crept up Mirko's spine. So he was ready to let loose? That was more like it. "You want it, you've got it!" She hunched into a ready position, her leg muscles pumping up with power as she triggered her Rabbit Quirk.

The martial artist looked delighted. "Let me show you why they call me Iron Fist." Sinking into another stance, he brought his right hand to chest level and curled it tight. Power gathered within it until it became like unto a thing of iron. His fist glowed with a flame the color of the sun, the bones of his hand appearing black through the translucent shine.

Mirko's eyes widened briefly as she focused on the golden light. 'So this is his Quirk, huh? Interesting… Let's see what it can do!' She licked her lips, her smile turning feral. "You ready for this, blondie?!"

Iron Fist didn't hesitate. "Come get me."

The rabbit didn't need to be told twice. She charged like a bull, the pound of her footsteps like rolling thunder. A jump carried her ten feet in the air; she spun like a top, driving an axe kick straight down at her opponent's head with enough force to split the ground. The dragon's glowing fist flew out to meet it, their collision echoed by a blast of wind and a golden flash. Iron Fist's attack was stronger than Mirko expected, repelling her several meters through the air. But she instinctively tucked into a backwards flip and landed on her feet.

It was a surprise for Mirko, to be sure, but a welcome one. This stranger got more interesting every moment. Grinning madly, she rushed at him. This time her opponent darted in to meet her. The Rabbit Hero was a whirlwind of motion, attacking and counterattacking, lashing out with viciously strong kicks from every angle. She was relentless, and still the Living Weapon matched her blow for blow, giving as good as he got. He'd dodge and parry her kicks with almost no difficulty, his own feet and hands shooting out like lightning.

Rumi's blood sang in her veins. She couldn't remember the last time someone had kept up with her like this. It was more than she could have hoped for. She pushed even harder, reveling in the fight. Narrowly avoiding a palm strike aimed at her chin, she leaned backwards and did a back handspring, one of her metal toe platings catching Iron Fist solidly on the chin. The blow lifted him the off the ground, but he tucked and somersaulted to land evenly.

And now that he had some distance, the dragon began a new counterattack. Sliding his back foot out at an angle, he cupped his hands and brought them to his right side. The golden power around his fist started to gather between his palms.

Righting herself in time to see the gathering energy, Mirko's expression went from thrilled to flummoxed. "What the fuck?!"

A forward thrust of Iron Fist's hands fired a concentrated orb of chi. The Rabbit Hero's eyes stretched wide as the blast flew at her; she leaped to the left on nothing but reflex. Rumi felt the heat on her skin and the wind in her hair as the bright ball flew past, her adrenaline spiking at the near miss. She watched as the attack trailed off into the distance, fading out of existence before it hit anything.

She turned back to her opponent with a smirk. This vigilante was just full of surprises. "Busting out the Ultimate Moves on me, huh?"

Iron Fist smirked back at her, shifting his stance. "Ah, you can take it. You're a big girl." He gave a deliberate glance over her frame. "In a manner of speaking."

Mirko bristled at the comment. Did he just call her small? "Oh, now we're doing short jokes?!" she snapped.

"Sorry," Iron Fist replied playfully. "Gotta even out the tall jokes I used on the hyena girl last week. You know, balance."

The heroine scoffed, but couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. "You cheeky punk." She took a moment to collect herself, then flew back into the fight.

Neither warrior gave an inch, each blow met with equal and opposite force. Flipping over a thrust kick, Iron Fist spun to strike out with a double-handed palm thrust. Mirko dodged, whipping out a low kick. The martial artist lifted his leg away into a crane stance, shooting out a side kick at her face. Mirko hopped away to the left, dashed around in a circle at his back, and the brutal dance kept going. Purple-booted legs and glowing fists kissed multiple times per second, tree branches shaking and dirt scattering from the dragon and rabbit's every clash.

Rumi was loving it. This was where she belonged. This was what made her feel alive. The vibrations through her legs on contact, the pulsing heat in her muscles, the sound of her heart in her ears. It was just the best feeling in the world. Her foot swung in a wide arc for Iron Fist's head. His arm rose to block it, her white hair and the tails of his yellow mask whipping wildly in the resulting gust of air.

Rumi met the martial artist's gaze and found him smiling like he was having the time of his life. All she could do was grin back. 'This guy… He's enjoying this as much as I am.'

Flipping away from another sweep, Iron Fist caught himself and darted headlong at the Rabbit Hero. He slid under her next high kick, whirling around and lunging at her unprotected back, his index and middle fingers reaching out for a pressure point strike that would leave her numb from the waist down, bringing the fight to an end.

His attack never reached. With reflexes as sharp as her kicks, Mirko jumped clear and did a split, the blow passing harmlessly beneath her. In a blink, she snapped her legs back together, clamping her thighs around the foreign fighter's head. Caught by surprise, Danny had time only to look up with surprise into the upside-down face of the Rabbit Hero, her grin almost murderous. Before he could react, the heroine twisted around to his front and swung herself backwards. Danny's feet were pulled off the ground and the world went upside down as the Rabbit Hero snapped him forward with a forceful yank of her legs, announcing her attack like a war cry: "Luna Tijeras!"

The impact was thunderous, the earth shaking from the force as Danny's back slammed into the unforgiving ground. Pain exploded through him, and for a moment, the color white blasted away his universe. Only belatedly would Danny think he hadn't been hit that hard in quite some time. If he hadn't reflexively exhaled at the last moment, the attack probably would have knocked him out cold. As his vision stopped swimming, he became more conscious of the weight pressing down on him. Then he perceived the Rabbit Hero straddling his midsection, still wearing that savage grin.

Mirko's chest heaved from adrenaline. Punctuating the fight's end with the theatrical flare of one of her favorite Ultimate Moves made the sweet taste of victory all the sweeter. Now she had him pinned, one fist tightly gripped on his shirt, the other reared back and ready to throw if he tried anything. "Aw, look at you," she snarked. "No fight left in ya."

Iron Fist's expression turned crafty. "Look again."

Rumi's pleased expression slipped as she cocked an eyebrow. Glancing down, she finally noticed the glowing right hand held just below her chest. The knuckle of her opponent's middle finger was extended, two inches from her solar plexus. Her breath hitched; that definitely wouldn't tickle. 'When did he—?! Damn. He's got some crazy reflexes.'

"Maybe… we could settle for a draw?" Iron Fist suggested.

Mirko's eyes came back up to his masked face, her ears twitching. She was a competitive firecracker. The thought of backing down didn't sit well. But she hadn't counted on him being quick enough to recover and have a counterattack lined up. In any case, she'd be lying if she said the whole thing hadn't had a blast. Finally, she laughed softly and lowered her fist. "Not bad, dragon."

Iron Fist returned the smile she gave him, deactivating his namesake and letting his arm drop to his side. "You're pretty good yourself, rabbit."

Rumi gazed down at the man, her red eyes glittering. She couldn't remember the last time someone had matched her in a fight like this, let alone gotten the same kind of kick out of it. Going in, she'd expected to give the slick-talking newcomer a humbling surprise. Instead, the American had surprised her every step of the way. She thought this would be a fleeting, unremarkable distraction from her norm. But in this chance meeting with this foreign stranger, she'd found something much more.

A kindred spirit who also lived for the thrill of combat. A warrior whose soul mirrored her own.

And the longer she stared at his masked face, the more her curiosity grew. "How about I get a little prize?" she said slyly. She brought her hand up, slowly reaching her wiggling fingers towards his face; slow enough for him to raise any objections if it was crossing a line. Without really understanding why, she hoped he wouldn't. Some deep part of her wanted to see him—to know him.

Iron Fist's head perked. He seemed to consider for about two seconds, then gave a half-hearted shrug of his shoulders.

Rumi's grin widened with satisfaction, basking in another small victory. 'Hell yeah.' She reached out and carefully plucked the yellow cloth between her thumb and index finger. Her heart beat fast with anticipation, pulling the mask up to reveal his face.

Yet again, she was surprised. The full picture of his face was almost boyish. A mop of chin-length blonde hair hung loosely about his head. From the way he fought, she was half expecting the stranger to be on the older side. Instead, he looked right around her age. And his bright blue eyes seemed to twinkle at her crimson ones. Her expression shifted as she looked at him. 'Damn… This blondie's kinda handsome.'

Rumi took her time, running her gaze over his features. "Huh. Not what I was expecting," she said at last, her smirk returning. "But not so bad."

"'Not so bad'?" Danny replied, faking an offended tone as she finally got up. He took the hand she offered out and climbed back to his feet. "I'll have you know I was on Rolling Stones' list of hottest Avengers back in the day." He paused, bobbing his head sideways with a lopsided smile. "Okay, I was number seventy-seven, but it's still something, right?"

Mirko chuckled, shaking her head. He was strong, attractive, and funny? Now that just wasn't fair… And did he say he was an Avenger? "Seventy-seven, huh?" the Rabbit Hero said, adopting a playful grin. "Gotta say, I would have expected a lower number."

"Augh…" Danny grasped his heart, pretending like he'd been shot. "You wound me, Lola."

Mirko laughed again at his antics. "Oh, you've got all the jokes, don't you Iron Fister?"

"There's a lot of quippy people in New York," Danny replied. "Guess they've rubbed off on me." He scoffed softly. "But please, please no fisting jokes. Those are my eternal pet peeve."

Mirko snorted, her face turning mischievous. "Sure, sure, whatever you say." Her head tilted, her eyes running over his frame. "I gotta admit. You're pretty fun, dragon boy."

"Glad you think so," Danny said, touching and craning his neck. His back still stung. "I'll admit I wasn't expecting a super-powered hurricanrana."

"Oh, you like that one, huh?" Mirko chortled. "Count yourself lucky I held back, or I would have taken that pretty little head off your shoulders."

A dry smirk quirked Danny's lip. 'So I'm pretty, huh?' he thought to himself. "Lucky me," he said out loud. He took a few seconds to roll his shoulders. "Mmm, that was a workout and a half. You're a hell of a fighter… Mirko, you said your name was?"

"And don't you forget it!" the Number Six crowed. Pausing briefly, and deciding she'd had a good enough time with the foreigner to warrant it, she chose to go a touch more personal than usual. "But my actual name's Rumi Usagiyama." Rumi lifted her hand, offering it to her friendly new rival. "Nice to meet ya, Danny…?"

"Rand," Danny answered, shaking the Rabbit Hero's hand. "The pleasure's all mine."

Rumi's eyebrows lifted as she heard the surname. "Hang on, Rand? As in the family that's got all that cash?"

Dannys' face turned slightly sheepish. He touched his hand to the back of his neck. "No need to get into all that. My last name's on the building, but that's it. I'm just Danny."

"Oh, so you really are a rich kid," Rumi teased, a smirk tugging her lips. But she didn't harp on it. For all the playful banter, her respect for her fellow fighter was genuine. "All right, I'll let you off the hook for now."

"You're too kind," Danny laughed softly. He studied the rabbit woman for a moment, a new look passing through his eyes. "You know, since that match was just about a draw, shouldn't I get a prize too?"

Rumi's ears twitched. So he wanted something in return for his effort? The rabbit crossed her arms under her chest, smiling with intrigue. "Oh? What'd you have in mind, dragon boy?"

Now, Danny chose to throw his gambit. "Well, how about I get to take you out for lunch?"

Rumi went silent a moment, taken slightly aback. Her eyes narrowed as a devious look spread across her features. "You trying to ask me out on a date?"

Danny cracked a self-deprecating smirk. "If you're prepared to lower your standards a little."

That got Rumi to laugh out loud again. God, this guy couldn't take anything seriously. "Oh, quit fishing for compliments!" She studied the foreign hero, her grin firmly in place. "Okay, I guess I can humor you. But you're buying."

Danny felt a small warmth radiate through him. He was about to say something else when both sharp-eared fighters suddenly caught the sound of a loud crash somewhere in the distance. Their heads turned at once, and they could make out a couple of distant screams coming from further into town.

Danny snorted, his blue eyes meeting Rumi's red ones for a moment of commiseration. "A hero's work is never done," he said with just a hint of annoyance.

Rumi's lips twitched at the interruption, but her smirk quickly came back into place. "Does that mean lunch is off the table, dragon boy?"

Danny shrugged casually. "Five minutes there, punch a bad guy in the face, and then it's back to our regularly scheduled programming."

"Or kick, you mean!" the Rabbit Hero replied, her face stretching into her trademark grin. She rolled her shoulders and neck to crack them, turning in the direction of the noise. "All right, let's give 'em hell! Just hope you can keep up!" With a flex of her activating Rabbit Quirk, she leaped clear of Danny and high above the trees in a single bound, ready to bring the pain to whatever sorry villains needed it.

"Hey—!" Danny called, reaching out uselessly. But she was already gone. The champion of K'un Lun scoffed, shaking his head. "Patience is so underrated these days," he muttered. But despite his words, he couldn't help but smile. Rumi Usagiyama… She was an interesting one, to be sure. But she'd turned out to be a vast improvement over most of the other pros. A fresh start, indeed.

After another moment, he was dashing after her, ready for whatever new adventure his meeting with the spirited Rabbit Hero would bring.

And voila! Looks like Danny's got a new friend. The kung fu man's luck takes a turn for the better. I always love writing a good fight scene. Next time, the dragon and the rabbit go forth to serve some justice together. The adventure continues.