Tonight was hell. She also put me on prison breaks in the east and west. Some of the most dangerous prisoners of Tartarus. I groan, feeling every muscle scream in protest. I have blood and bruises blooming on my skin. I'm not hurt too badly, but I wasn't in good shape either. Over eighty villains down and rearrested… great. Just another night in the life of Dark Phantom.
Then I see him. In the pouring rain, I spot Izuku, facing off against Muscular. One of the most dangerous villains, a brute with augmented strength. He defeated him with one punch. I'm torn between pride and bone-deep concern. He looks exhausted, haunted.
I look up at the sky, the rain coming down harder as the clouds come closer. The lightning strikes, a violent, electric dance that reminds me of Diamond and how she wields her quirk. I smiled at the thought and decided to follow Izuku some more since I was finished with my shift early. He took down nine villains so far, and I was proud but scared for him....I sense he is going down a dark road....and I don't know if I can stop him....I don't want him to be like me.....To prideful and proud. He needs someone...anyone...
I retreat back to Dark Red and report to Shira. She sees my scars and bruises and questions me with a raised eyebrow, but I brush it off with a shrug. I don't need her worried about me. I finish briefing and go shower and head to my quarters.
I needed someone, and I needed them now. I decided to call Peter. I need someone who understands… someone who's seen the darkness, who's walked the line between hero and something else entirely.
Phone Call: Anos and Peter
Anos: (Wearily) Hey, Peter. You up?
Peter: (Sleepily) Anos? What time is it? Everything okay?
Anos: (Sighs) No. Not really. Izuku… he's gone rogue. And I… I don't know what to do.
Peter: (Instantly alert) Gone rogue? What happened?
Anos: He left U.A. He's hunting down villains, trying to be a one-man army. I saw him tonight, taking down guys twice his size, but he looked… broken. I'm scared for him, Peter. He's headed down a path I know all too well.
Peter: I get it, man. You don't want to see him become like you. Or worse.
Anos: Exactly. He needs help, someone to guide him. But I… I don't know if I can be that person. I'm too close, too… tainted.
Peter: Look, you may not see it, but you're not as bad as you think you are. You saved people, Anos. You always have. You just need to find a way to reach out to him, show him there's another way. It's not easy, but you gotta try.
Anos: (Quietly) I will. I have to. Thanks, Pete.
Peter: Anytime, man. Anytime.
I hung up, feeling a sliver of hope ignite in the darkness. Peter was right. I had to try. I couldn't let Izuku walk down this path alone. I had to find him, before it was too late.