Time Traveling Hero

I finished my can of soda and let out a sigh.

I had finished my long-awaited talk with my mother, the second time I had done so in less than a span of a week. It was quiet up here, in this sea of stone where my mother lay. I don't think her body is here though, I'm pretty sure I remember my dad saying we buried ashes or something.

I started to rock back and forth. "Ah, I do remember that. I was so mad when he told me, I didn't speak to him for weeks on end. Although, considering the state she was in, I guess he couldn't bear to see her like that…" I trailed off as I gazed at the blue sky above me. It was a nearly cloudless day, and hot to boot, the last vestiges of summer still desperately trying to stay alive.

"You really found yourself a nice spot, didn't you Mom? I like it, but I have to wonder why d'ya pick such a place so far from home…"

I got up and stretched my back before picking up my can of soda. I slowly made my way through the graves, fiddling with my can as I approached a nearby trash bin. I tossed it in and looked toward the south, the sea panning out far and wide out in front of me. Yep, it really was peaceful out here.

I made my way back to the grave and sat back down, gently rocking back and forth.

"You know, this is a lot harder than I thought it would be, having such a one-sided conversation. I guess this is where imagination comes into play, huh? You always said that if you believed in something hard enough, it would come true." I thought back to that day, the first time my life was flipped upside down. "Well, you weren't wrong then. I have so many questions to ask, but, the one question I really have is…!"

I stopped my rocking and stared at the gravestone, knowing full well there would be no answer. And yet, deep down, he wished with all of his heart that he could have the answer to this one question.

"A visitor?"

I turned around to face a masked figure, covered in a cloak and holding a bouquet of flowers. I'm pretty sure it's a woman from the voice, but it's hard to tell.

"We don't normally get visitors at all, especially at the same grave," She said, the only indication she was looking at me was the angle of her face.

I managed to snap out of my sudden stupor and managed to come up with a reasonable response.

"Am I in your way?"

"Oh, not at all. Do you mind if I sit down too?" I shook my head no and scooted over to make room for the mysterious woman. She set the flowers down and arranged them with masterful precision, before bringing her hands together and saying a silent prayer.

When she finished, she nodded and turned her head towards me. "So, is this your first time visiting?"

I nodded. "Yeah, it is. She died when I was 5, and because I was hospitalized at the time, I couldn't go to the funeral. It was only due to recent events that I decided to come visit."

"Why did it take you so long, if you don't mind me asking?"

I curled up my hands into fists. "I only got the courage very recently. Still, I'm finding it rather difficult just sitting here. It just hurts, a lot."

She turned towards the grave with a nod. "I see. It never really goes away, you know? Visiting helps, but I really do miss her and her antics. Cassandra was a good person. I can only pray that she's doing well."

I nodded in agreement. "I just wish we had more time is all."

"Yeah, we all wish that too." I felt a pat on my back, and I saw her giving me a thumbs up. "Don't give up yet! I doubt she would want you to be sad, you know?"

I could only nod, and we both sat there in silence for a little bit, before she noticed the drink nearby.

"Oh, this is her favorite soda! How did you know about that?"

"She always got it whenever we went out, or at home occasionally during dinner when she was there."

"At home?"

Oh right, guess I never explained my relation to her. "I forgot to say this, but she's my mom. The best mom ever in the entire world!" I yelled out, raising my fist up in the air triumphantly before sighing.

"I know what you said mom, but it's still hard, especially since I had to drag it back up again thanks to that stupid Trial." I looked back at the grave and gave her a big grin.

"Even so, I'm doing all right! I've got some new people that I've met, and they're an interesting bunch. But, despite me being forced into it, I think I'll have a lot of fun." With that, I poured some of the soda onto the gravestone, and the rest into the grave before getting up.

"…At … Home."

"Hmm? Is there something wrong?" I looked down at the woman, who was frozen in place, staring at the gravestone before turning back towards me.

"So you're…" She shook her head before looking back at the grave. "No, sorry about that. It's nothing, really."

"Okay then. See you around then." I grabbed my bag and the empty can of soda and headed towards the trash can. It was there that I noticed him.

Black hair in the center, with it fading into white the farther away from the center you got. He had a slight tan and was whistling while walking with his hands in his pockets. Probably around the same height as me, maybe a little shorter. Nothing too out of the ordinary, all things considering. But something felt rather off as I approached him though.

As I approached him, I gave him a little nod, and he gave me a smile in return. Alright, no need to get paranoid, I guess. Just your average joe walking around. Not everyone is like you.

I breathed a sigh of relief, and as we walked past each other, I accidentally bumped into him, which would normally mean I would apologize and go about my merry way. Oh, but things never go as planned, do they?

At the moment I bumped into him, my entire body screamed in agony, and I was quickly on my knees, holding myself as I tried to catch my breath.

What the hell was that? I turned to look up at him, and he stopped and looked down at me with a curious expression on his face.

"Are you alright? I should've moved out of the way sooner. Here, take my hand."

I nodded as I reached to grab his hand. "Yeah, sorry about that. I don't know wha-!" The moment I touched his hand the feeling came back, this time ten times worse. It felt as if my entire body was trying to reject itself, and I couldn't help but try to release his hands as quickly as possible. But, it's never that easy, is it?

"Well, who would've thought I would've found one of your kind here? And here I thought I had managed to acquaint myself with everybody. Well, it doesn't matter though. I'm sure you're in agony right about now, so you can scream if you want."

I managed to rip my hand away from his and let out a gasp as the pain subsided, fading away to nothing. What the hell is this? Damn it, I'll just run away then.

And the same pain came back as soon as I tried to activate my ace in the hole for escaping. The worse part? It didn't even activate.

"What? It didn't work?"

"Oh, did you just try to use it? So, you really are a part of their kind, aren't you?" His once black eyes now changed to a glowing red, as he glared down at me. "Well, looks like I'll just have to kill you then."

Who the f.u.c.k is this guy? "Like I'm about to roll over and die just because you wanna kill me." I got up and glared at him. "Bring it."

"With absolute p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e!" I was suddenly nailed in the stomach with a fast punch, and was sent backwards as I held my stomach, screaming out in pain. The pain was didn't go away this time, not as quickly anyway. And my stomach felt as if it was trying to commit suicide on me.

I gritted my teeth and stood my ground, not letting myself hit the ground. Damn, I just had to get in a fight in a graveyard of all places. Please deceased, don't curse me for messing with your hallowed resting ground.

"What's your beef with me, huh? I haven't even seen you before."

"But I have met you. I didn't think you existed with the others, but you still managed to surprise me, didn't you? How did you escape that place anyway?"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Oh, I guess I got a bit carried away. You wouldn't remember, but I do. I'll kill all of your kind, especially you and that bastard in the Pit. If it wasn't for you, this never would've happened!"

"Are you crazy? You must be! Whatever, I'm beating you!" I rushed towards him as fast as I could and nailed a good one right in his face. However, once again, the pain came back, this time coursing throughout my right arm.

"Not a bad punch. Who taught you to fight?"

"No one, I just really like to imagine fights." I managed to shake off the pain quickly before landing another punch, this time in his solar plexus.

"Oof! Damn that hurts! If you were stronger, I don't think I would stand a chance!" I was suddenly met with a kick to the side, hitting me right in the kidneys.

I collapsed, screaming out in pain as I held my side. This hurts way too f.u.c.k.i.n.g much, it isn't even fair!

"Oh, did that one get you? Finally, I was wondering what was up. I wonder if it's less effective the more powerful you are. Or maybe…?" What's up with this pain? It's taking longer and longer to go away with each hit I take.

I slowly managed to get back up, my necklace coming out from underneath my shirt. I looked down at it and gritted my teeth. Should I try it? Who knows if it'll even work?

"Ah, so that's it. Wherever did you get that?" His carefree voice changed tone, as it suddenly rippled with anger as he glared at the key hanging around my neck.

"What… are you… talking about!?"

"That damn key, it shouldn't be in your possession. Who gave that to you?"

"A dead person," I answered cheekily, and I somehow narrowly dodged a grab at my necklace.

Why does everyone want this damn thing? First Pinkie and now this weirdo. At least the pain's gone now. I took a deep breath and relaxed my body as a single thought crossed my mind.

I can't win.

If he hits me, it hurts me more. I can't use my trick, and the pain he deals is on another level. Plus, who know what damage it's doing to my body. But I can't exactly let this guy roam free. So, I guess a good ol' street brawl it is then.

I scanned the area, trying desperately to find what I needed. I looked behind me, and there I saw it. I made a mad dash for it and grabbed it before refocusing my attention on him.

"What the hell do you think that's going to do?"

I grabbed a wooden board, which for whatever reason was just out. My lucky day, I guess. I gave him my best grin.

"Who knows if it'll actually work. I have a pretty good idea on how your trick works."

"Oh? Please, try to explain then."

"I can't use my trick so long as I'm in your vicinity. It can't be too big, or otherwise I would've encountered you a lot sooner. So, probably about 10 meters or so. If you touch me, I get hit with agonizing pain, and if I hit you, it's the same pain, but has less of an effect. Of course, how you're actually doing those things is beyond me at the moment."

He narrowed his eyes at me after I finished explaining. "Well, looks like you're pretty smart. So, why the board?"

"As if I would tell you that!"

"Hmph. Fine, suit yourself then. Not as if it'll make much of a difference anyway."

I only get one shot if I'm being honest with myself. I doubt the board will last any longer than that. Well, I just need one clean hit is all. And if there's one thing I'm confident about…

"You won't even know what'll hit yah!"

He shrugged as he closed his eyes. "Well, that's what you think. I am most definitely faster than-!" As he opened his eyes, they widened in shock.

I am confident in my speed.

I rushed him at full speed, and jumped right as I reached him, raising the board over my head with two hands.

"…You." He said in shock.

I yelled out as I slammed the board down on his head, and it hit him with a clean crack as it broke. I landed and took a step back as he fell on his knees, blood coming from his head.

"As I thought, so long as I ain't touching you, you can still get hurt with melee or projectile weaponry."

"So?"

I froze at the voice, as he slowly got up, blood covering half his face. His red eyes were glowing with rage, both in the figurative and literal sense.

"Who the hell cares about minor details about that? So long as I get to kill you, that's all that matters. A few injuries never hurt anybody."

I was suddenly throat slammed down into the ground, and the pain reached a new threshold as he leaned forward towards my face.

I can't breathe. Hell, I can't even escape without touching him, and that'll only bring me more pain.

I'm going to die.

I headbutted him straight in the head, and he reeled back as I kicked him back before clutching my throat and gasping, trying to quickly recover.

I'm not gonna die today. I got back up and managed to catch my breath, my entire body worn out. The boy managed to get back up, and he glared at me.

"You're dead."

"Like hell I am."

We simultaneously hit the other in the face, and we both were sent reeling back, before giving each other uppercuts.

It hurts. It hurts, but compared to that day, that fateful day…

"This pain, is nothing!" I roared out, screaming out into the open sky.

"You son of-!" my opponent roared out, his veins bulging in rage.

He threw out two punches, and I stopped them with my b.a.r.e hands, slamming my face into his.

"I won't lose!"

"Just die you annoying bastard!"

He managed to kick me away, but I quickly recovered and swung around and nailed a kick directly into the side of his head, before we both stopped and stared at each other.

Damn, how much longer before he goes down? I don't think I can keep this up for much longer.

"You're, not bad."

"Same to you. Shame though. If you weren't a part of there kind, I think we could've been friends."

"Maybe if you don't kill me, we can be."

We both got up, and the boy just laughed at me. "If you knew the sins you committed, then you would know, that there's no way in hell we could ever get along."

"You really know how to hold a grudge for something I didn't even do!"

"Yeah, but it's about time to end this. I honestly wasn't expecting you to last this long. It was fun, but it's time to die now." He made a claw shape with both of his hands and brought them together by the wrist.

"Reject."

And the pain was back, this time way worse than any other the previous times. I screamed out in pain as my vision went red, and I crumpled down to the ground, staring up at the man who caused me all this pain.

"Before you die, you should know who I am. The man who killed you today is named-!"

"I won't let you kill him, ~~~~."

I managed to look up, and saw the cloaked woman glaring down the boy. Eh, what name did she say?

"Damn you ~~~~~! I have no problem with you, so leave."

"I'm not letting you kill him. Or do you want to fight me instead?"

"F.u.c.k.i.n.g hell! You just had to show up, didn't you! Why do you even care about someone like him anyway?"

The woman took off her mask, and before I passed out, I could barely see the long black hair she had.

"Because he's ~~~~~~~"

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When I woke up, I was in my backyard, my body completely sore. I g.r.o.a.n.e.d as I got up, and I looked at my phone to see the time.

"It's 5:00? I was out for quite some time then. Ugh, what the hell happened at the end anyway?" Hell, how am I still alive?

I looked at a nearby window and saw a reflection of myself and stared in shock. No bruises, no black eyes, no injuries. I guess I was healed somehow, but who?

I g.r.o.a.n.e.d as I shook away the questions. "Whatever, I promised Luna I would be back before the sun sets, so let's make sure I keep it. Ah man, can't wait for whatever she cooked for me today!"

I made my way to the front door and opened it, the smell of delicious food wafting towards my nose as it was being made.

And thus, his Tribulation of Strength was completed.