Solstice and Eclipse: Part III

Chapter XIV: Stress

(L/N)'s father was a tall man, relatively thin, but not in a way that would describe him as feeble. He had a decent amount of muscle, though his stomach was just starting to show signs of a slower metabolism. His mother in comparison, was shorter than most women, with beautiful, long cropped hair that framed her heart shaped face. At least, this is what (L/N) thought his parents looked like. Honestly, he couldn't remember. He couldn't even remember a time when he could remember. They say that when you lose someone, the first thing you forget about them is their voice. But the sounds of their screams had been burned into (L/N)'s memory in a way that marked his soul.

It had been nearly twelve years since that night. Since he'd promised to himself that he would never again open his eyes. He'd long since forgotten what the sky looked like. What the world looked like. Now though, a single vision replayed behind his closed eyes. Starving for any form of sight, his brain obsessed over the last thing he'd seen, playing it back over and over until he could accurately describe what it looked like for skin to melt and boil. He knew what is looked like for muscle to vaporize, for blood to evaporate, and for bone to burn to ash to burn to nothing. He remembered what it looked like for that Nomu to die, so he knew what it looked like when his parents died.

"Are you paying attention?"

The sound of Ectoplasm's disapproving voice pulled (L/N) from his head until he became aware of the sound of explosions and electricity surrounding him as his classmates worked hard to create and perfect their ultimate moves.

"Sorry, I'm just... distracted."

"Try to focus. This is important." Ectoplasm reprimanded. "Now, what do you have in mind for your ultimate move?"

"Uh, I don't..." (L/N) trailed off.

"I see." Ectoplasm said disapprovingly. "Perhaps it would be helpful to review what traits we're looking for when talking about the term. An ultimate move should be something that..."

"That gives you an edge and ensures you win against your opponent, yeah, I know."

"Then show me."

(L/N) took a deep breath as he tried to steady himself, but the image of burning flesh wouldn't leave him.

"I can't." He choked.

"If you're having trouble thinking of something..."

"It's not that." (L/N) shook his head. "I just, I can't..."

"Hey there! You mind if I share something with young (L/N)?"

The two turned to see a frail All Might, or rather Toshinori Yagi, walking up the path towards the pillar of cement they were standing on, waving with his left arm as his right was still confined to its sling.

"Not at all." Ectoplasm stepped aside so All Might could speak with (L/N) face to face.

"So, you're having trouble coming up with an ultimate move." Yagi said plainly. "No need to get so distressed. Why don't we take a seat."

Ectoplasm's clone disappeared so he could focus better on the others as Yagi and (L/N) sat down. Their legs dangled off the edge of the cement column as they looked out upon the rest of Class 1A working hard to develop what would one day become their signature moves.

"I heard about what happened at the training camp." Yagi said. "That was a very brave thing you did. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for you."

"I didn't do more than anyone else." (L/N) replied.

"Maybe. Maybe not. But I wasn't referring to you protecting your classmates, though that was very admirable as well." All Might leaned forward and rested his arm across his lap. "In today's world, where the fight between heroes and villains is so publicized, it's the harshest battles that are often overlooked. Battles against our own inner demons, and you've got more of those than most veteran heroes."