Twenty-two hours of labor. That's how long it took for Yuko Sokuda to give birth to her first child. A healthy baby boy named Zen. She was happy to finally have a child, but she was worried about what was to come. She knew the effects of the Quirk he was undoubtedly born with. Elemental Force is a hellish Quirk to develop, especially when fire and lightning begin to form.
3 Years Later
Yuko was at home, preparing dinner. Zen suddenly ran into the kitchen, ice growing from his arms. He was excited that his Quirk was developing.
"Mommy! Mommy! Look! I can make ice!" Zen said, jumping up and down.
"Oh! Good job, honey!" Yuko said. The worries of his development began welling inside her. She knew what was coming.
A few days later, Yuko and Zen were playing outside when Zen fell over. In an attempt to stand back up, Zen caused the earth to push him back up. His second ability had formed.
A week later, while Yuko was cleaning the house, Zen began to shoot snow from his hands. This ability came from his father, Hijiku. Zen was excited to know that he had the full extent of his father's ability.
"I'm like daddy, now, mama!" Zen said, blowing snow around the living room.
"That's great, Zen. But can you keep the mess to a minimum? Mommy's trying to clean." Yuko said, affectionately.
"Oh, sorry, mommy." Zen said. He had developed his third ability.
The next day was a hot one. Unfortunately, the AC in the house had broken. Yuko and Zen were burning up. In an attempt to cool them both down, Zen tried to make snow from his hands again. He tried to cool his mother, but rather than blowing snow out, Zen hit her with a blast of wind.
"Mommy! Oh no, I'm so sorry!" Zen said, rushing to Yuko's side.
"It's okay, baby." Yuko said, sitting up. Her hair was blown all over the place. She gave Zen a smile. "Thanks for the snazzy hairdo."
Zen laughed at his mother's joke. Yuko, on the other hand, wasn't truly feeling comedic. Zen's fourth ability had formed. She knew that Zen would soon go through rough pain.
A week and a half later, Zen and his father were headed toward his father's agency. Hijiku was a pro hero known as Saint Nick, the Festive Hero. They were picking up some papers that Hijiku had left. On their way out, Zen went to open the door. Upon touching the metal handle, it warped and twisted, scaring Zen. He jumped back, grabbing his father's leg.
"Woah, now." Hijiku said. He knew that Zen was developing multiple abilities, but it still shocked him to see it randomly manifest.
They left the building, Hijiku ordering a new front door as they walked. When they got home, Zen went to his room. Hijiku began telling Yuko what happened.
"He touched the door and it basically exploded." Hijiku said, leaning against the kitchen counter.
"He's already developed his metal manipulation?" Yuko said, worriedly.
"Yuko, have you warned him of what's to come?" Hijiku asked his wife.
"No. I haven't. It makes him so excited to see his powers form, and I don't wanna scare him. He's just a little kid. He shouldn't have to go through that kind of pain." Yuko said, some tears forming.
"He's a tough boy, Yuko. He'll be fine. Besides, we'll be here to help him." Hijiku said, holding his wife.
"I know. I'm just, scared." Yuko said.
Zen then ran in, looking like he just jumped into a pool. Yuko knew that meant only one thing.
"I can make water now!" Zen said, holding his hands up.
"Zen, baby, we need to talk." Yuko said. She still had some tears in her eyes.
"Mommy, what's wrong." Zen asked, seeing his mother's worried eyes.
"You've developed six abilities already, right?" Yuko asked.
"Yes ma'am. I can make ice, snow, air, and water. I can't make dirt and metal, but I can make it do what I want." Zen said.
"Zen, you're going to develop two more powers. When your fire and lightning begin to form, you're going to be in pain." Yuko said.
"What do you mean?" Zen asked a bit confused.
"You managed to gain your grandpa's Quirk. When he was your age, he developed fire and lightning as well. However, he said that the pain from his flames was extremely painful. He also said that the shocking from his lightning was really bad. Zen, you will develop those two abilities, and you're going to feel a lot of pain. But know that me and your father will be here to help you." Yuko explained. She saw the fear in Zen's eyes.
Yuko knelt down and pulled her son close to her, hugging him tightly. Hijiku joined them, hugging them both. Zen felt safe with his parents, but he could feel the fear growing in himself.
After a month had passed, all the while Zen growing paranoid about when his fire and lightning would develop, it finally happened. Zen was playing a game with Yuko when flames erupted from his left hand. The fire crept up his arm, with Zen feeling his arm burning. He was screaming in pain as his shirt caught fire, burning his hip. His flames were spreading, burning his skin. Yuko and Zen were both freaking out. Yuko grabbed Zen, pulling him outside quickly. She grabbed the water hose and sprayed him down, extinguishing the flames. For a moment, all seemed calm. Then the flames shot from his legs. Yuko hosed them down, but not before his left leg was burned. They stayed there for a while, waiting to make sure the fire wouldn't start again. When all seemed quiet, Yuko hugged Zen. She then took him to the hospital to have his burns treated. Zen was in the hospital for over an hour. The doctor came out to talk to Yuko.
"What's the news? Is my baby alright?" Yuko asked, worried.
"He received some nasty burns. Most of them should fade after a while, but he has a massive burn on the left side of his torso, as well as on his lower left leg. Those won't fade completely. They may lose some color, but they will never fade away." The doctor told him.
"What's happening to him right now?" Yuko asked. She wanted to be with Zen.
"He's asleep. That'll be about the only time he doesn't feel pain." The doctor answered. "He'll be in a lot of pain for a while, but he should be clear to leave after a few days. I'm sorry."
The doctor then took Yuko to Zen's room. For the next week, they stayed there, with Zen going through excruciating pain.
Half a month later, Yuko and Zen were resting at home. Zen had lost a lot of feeling in his left side from the burns. Yuko was constantly nervous, knowing that the lightning would soon develop. She saw a small glow come from Zen. It had started. Lightning began to fly off of Zen. It would then arch back and shock him. When it hit his left side, he didn't react much. However, every time it struck his right side, Zen would yelp in pain. Yuko ran over and grabbed Zen, holding him close. This time, she would feel the pain with him. They were constantly shocked for thirty minutes, then it ceased. It was finally over. Zen had fully developed Elemental Force.