Tsukauchi turned away from the scene, his resolve hardening.
Tsukauchi:Come on, Yukihiro. We've got work to do. If Nemesis is really just a kid, then we need to figure out how to reach him before it's too late. We can't let this continue, or we'll be dealing with a tragedy far greater than anything we've seen so far.
Yukihiro nodded, following Tsukauchi out of the warehouse. As they walked through the debris, Tsukauchi's mind raced with questions. Who was Nemesis really? What had pushed a child to become this relentless force of destruction? And most importantly, how could they stop him before he crossed a line that would make redemption impossible?
Outside, the night was cold and silent, the city seeming almost peaceful in the aftermath of the chaos within the warehouse. But Tsukauchi knew better. He could feel the tension in the air, a sense of dread that something worse was on the horizon.
"Detective," Yukihiro began, breaking the silence as they approached the line of police vehicles parked nearby.
Yukhiro:What if we can't stop him? What if Nemesis is too far gone?
Tsukauchi paused, considering the question carefully.
Tsukauchi:Then we'll have to make a choice
he said quietly.
Tsukauchi:But I don't want it to come to that. If there's even a small chance that we can reach him, that we can pull him back from the edge, we have to try. Nemesis might be a killer, but he's still just a kid a kid who's been hurt and manipulated. If we can get through to him, maybe we can stop this cycle of violence before it gets any worse.
Yukihiro looked down, his expression conflicted.
Yukhiro:But what if he's too dangerous? What if he won't listen? What if the only way to stop him is... you know...
Tsukauchi understood the unspoken words. It was a thought that had crossed his mind as well—a last resort he hoped they'd never have to consider.
Tsukauchi:If it comes to that, we'll do what we have to do
he said, his voice heavy with resignation.
Tsukauchi:But we're not there yet. There's still time. We just need to figure out how to approach him without pushing him further away.
They reached Tsukauchi's car, and the detective leaned against the hood, staring at the ground in deep thought.
Tsukauchi:Nemesis is a smart kid
he said finally.
Tsukauchi:He's not just some mindless killer. He's careful, methodical. He's picking his targets for a reason, and there's a pattern to his actions. If we can figure out what he's after, we might be able to predict his next move.
Yukihiro tilted his head, curiosity piqued.
Yukhiro: You think there's a pattern? Something more than just random attacks on criminals?
Tsukauchi nodded.
Tsukauchi:Yes. Look at his targets. They're all involved in some kind of trafficking human, drugs, weapons. It's like he's dismantling an entire network, piece by piece. He's not just killing for the sake of it; he's trying to take down something much bigger.
Yukihiro's eyes widened as he began to see the bigger picture.
Yukhiro:So he's going after the people who profit off the suffering of others. But why? What's his endgame?
Tsukauchi:That's what we need to find out
Tsukauchi replied.
Tsukauchi:If we can understand his motivation, we might be able to get through to him. Maybe there's something someone he cares about, someone we can reach out to. Or maybe there's a way to show him that there are other ways to fight this battle, ways that don't involve more bloodshed.
Yukihiro frowned, the weight of the situation pressing down on him.
Yukhiro:And if we can't find that out in time? What if he doesn't give us the chance?
Tsukauchi sighed, looking up at the sky, the stars barely visible through the haze of the city lights.
Tsukauchi:then we'll have to make that choice, Yukihiro. But I'm not giving up hope yet. Nemesis is out there, and as long as he's out there, there's a chance no matter how small that we can save him from becoming something he can't come back from.
The two men stood in silence for a moment, the gravity of their mission settling over them like a shroud. They were up against a force unlike any they had ever faced—a child molded into a weapon, driven by a hatred so deep that it consumed everything in its path. But they were also the last line of defense, the only ones who could stand between Nemesis and the darkness that threatened to swallow him whole.
Tsukauchi finally pushed himself off the car, his determination rekindled.
Tsukauchi:Let's get back to the station. We need to comb through everything we have on Nemesis every file, every report, every rumor. There has to be something we've missed, some clue that can help us figure out his next move.
Yukihiro nodded, ready to follow the detective's lead.
Yukhiro:Right. I'll get the team on it as soon as we're back.
As they climbed into the car, Tsukauchi cast one last glance at the ruined warehouse, a silent promise in his heart. He didn't know who Nemesis really was, but he was determined to find out. And when he did, he would do everything in his power to save the child behind the mask before it was too late.
The engine roared to life, and they sped away from the scene, leaving the devastation behind but carrying the weight of their task with them. Nemesis was out there, somewhere in the shadows of the city, plotting his next move. And Tsukauchi knew that time was running out.
But as long as there was hope, even a glimmer of it, he would not stop. Nemesis was a child, lost in a world of violence and despair. And Tsukauchi would do whatever it took to bring him back—before the darkness consumed them all.
Meanwhile
Izuku's First-Person View
I trudged through the dark, damp corridors of the sewer system, my boots splashing in the murky water that pooled along the ground. The stench of decay and waste was overwhelming, but after two years of living down here, I barely noticed it anymore. This place had become my home a hidden, underground sanctuary where I could escape from the world above. The walls were slick with moss and grime, the air thick with the smell of rot and mildew. But it was quiet, secluded, and most importantly, safe.
I rounded a corner, the faint glow of a makeshift lantern illuminating the entrance to my lair. I had carved out this space over time, using what little I could scavenge or steal. It wasn't much, but it was mine. The main room was small, with a low ceiling that forced me to crouch slightly. The floor was covered in old, torn blankets that served as both a bed and a place to sit. A few crates were stacked against one wall, filled with supplies—canned food, water, and medical supplies. A small table held an assortment of tools and weapons, things I'd gathered over the years for my nightly hunts. On the far wall, a tattered curtain hung, concealing a small alcove where I kept my gear.
I walked over to the alcove, my body aching from the night's battle. I could still feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, the thrill of the fight mingling with the exhaustion that gnawed at my bones. With a sigh, I reached up and began to remove my mask, the worn leather straps creaking as I undid them. The mask fell away, revealing my face pale, gaunt, and marked by dark circles under my eyes. I could barely recognize myself in the cracked mirror that hung on the wall.
As I started to take off the rest of my suit, I suddenly tensed, my senses going on high alert. There was a presence nearby someone watching me. My muscles coiled, ready to strike, but I forced myself to relax as a familiar voice broke the silence.
"Oh hey, Dabi," I muttered, my voice low and hoarse.
Not too far from where I stood, leaning against the damp wall, was a figure dressed in black Touya Todoroki, though he preferred the name Dabi. His face, with its patchwork of burned skin and metal staples, was mostly hidden in the shadows, but I could see the glint of his icy blue eyes as he studied me. Dabi was one of the few people I trusted if you could call it that. Over the past two years, he had become something of a big brother to me, though our relationship was far from conventional.
Dabi:Damn, this place stinks
Dabi remarked, wrinkling his nose as he pushed off the wall and walked closer.
I rolled my eyes, pulling off the rest of my suit and tossing it into a corner.
Izuku:Not like I have any guests to impress.
Dabi smirked, but there was something darker lurking behind his expression concern, maybe, though he would never admit it.
Dabi:Damn, kid. You've been pushing yourself too hard. When's the last time you actually slept?
Izuku:Two years and eight months
I replied flatly, my voice devoid of emotion.
Izuku:I hate sleeping.
His eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, I could see the disbelief in his expression.
Dabi:Damn... How are you still standing?
I shrugged, feeling the weight of his gaze on me.
Izuku:My body's constantly adapting. It's learned to go without sleep.
Dabi shook his head, running a hand through his black hair.
Izuku:That's not healthy, you know. Even for someone like you. You keep pushing yourself like this, you're gonna burn out.
Izuku:I don't have a choice
I said, my voice tinged with bitterness.
Izuku:Every time I sleep... I find myself back in the facility. Getting tortured, experimented on... over and over again.
Dabi's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he crossed his arms.
Dabi:So that's what this is about. You're running from your nightmares.
I clenched my fists, the memories of that place flooding back into my mind. The cold, sterile rooms, the sharp instruments cutting into my flesh, the endless pain that seemed to go on forever. It was a nightmare I could never escape, no matter how hard I tried.
"Nightmares?" I scoffed, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
Izuku:What do you think my life has been, Dabi? It's not just in my dreams. It's my reality. And every time I close my eyes, I'm back there trapped, helpless, with no way out.
Dabi didn't say anything for a moment, just watched me with those piercing blue eyes. I could see the wheels turning in his mind, trying to find the right words to say. But what could he say? He hadn't been there. He hadn't gone through what I had. He couldn't possibly understand.
"I get it," he finally said, his voice surprisingly soft.
Dabi:I do. But you're not there anymore, Izuku. You got out. You survived. You're free now.
"Am I?" I snapped, my voice rising in anger.
Izuku:Look at me, Dabi. Look at what I've become. This... this thing they turned me into. I'm not even human anymore. I'm just a weapon a tool to be used and discarded when I'm no longer useful.
Dabi sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he leaned against the wall again.
Dabi:You're more than that, kid. You've got power, yeah, but you're still you. Still Izuku Midoriya. And that means something.
"Does it?" I asked bitterly, turning away from him.
Izuku:I don't even know who I am anymore. The kid who wanted to be a hero... he died in that facility. All that's left is Nemesis the monster they created.
Dabi:Maybe Nemesis is who you need to be right now
Dabi said, his voice firm.
Dabi:But that doesn't mean Izuku is gone. He's still in there, somewhere. You just gotta find him.
I shook my head, feeling the weight of those words pressing down on me. Find him? How could I find someone who didn't exist anymore? The boy who had dreamed of being a hero was gone, buried under layers of pain, anger, and hatred. Nemesis was all that was left.
Izuku:I don't know if I can
I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
Dabi pushed off the wall and walked over to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. His grip was firm but not harsh, a rare show of solidarity from someone who rarely let his guard down.
Dabi:You're not alone in this, kid
he said quietly.
Dabi:You've got me. And I'll be damned if I let you go down this path alone.
I looked up at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. For a moment, the anger and bitterness that had consumed me for so long seemed to fade, replaced by a flicker of something I hadn't felt in years hope.
"Dabi..." I began, but he cut me off with a smirk.
Dabi:Don't get all mushy on me now, brat
he teased, though there was no malice in his tone.
Dabi:I'm still the same asshole you've always known.
I couldn't help but let out a small, bitter laugh. It was the first time I'd laughed in... I didn't even know how long. But it felt good, even if it was only for a moment.
"Thanks," I said softly, the words feeling foreign on my tongue.
Dabi just nodded, his smirk fading into a more serious expression.
Dabi:just... take care of yourself, alright? You're no good to anyone if you fall apart.
I nodded, though I wasn't sure if I could keep that promise. But for now, it was enough to know that I wasn't completely alone. That maybe, just maybe, there was still a part of me worth saving.
As Dabi turned to leave, I called out to him, my voice a little stronger than before.
Izuku:Hey, Dabi...
He paused, glancing back at me over his shoulder. "Yeah?"
Izuku: Do you... Do you ever think about what could've been?
I asked, my voice tinged with a vulnerability I rarely showed.
Dabi's expression softened, and for a moment, I saw the boy he used to be the boy who had dreamed of being a hero, just like me.
Dabi:Every damn day, kid. Every damn day.
And with that, he was gone, disappearing into the shadows as if he had never been there at all. But his words lingered in the air, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was still a sliver of light. A chance, however small, that I could find my way back.
But for now, Nemesis was all I knew, and the darkness was where I belonged.