I checked my phone, and sure enough, there it was: a shaky, low-quality video of me and Endeavor going at it. I groaned. Damage control. That's what this was going to be.
Messages:
Dad (Hizashi): Anos! Are you okay?! What the hell happened?!
Kenji: Kid, what was that all about? Endeavor is going to have your head!
Aizawa: Anos. Explain. Now.
All Might: Young Anos, I saw the video. Are you alright? You cannot go around fighting pro heroes like this.
Shira: Come back to headquarters. We need to talk.
Peter: Dude, everything okay? Saw you throwing down with Flame Head. Call me!
My reply:
To Everyone: I'm fine. It was just a misunderstanding. I'll explain later. Don't worry.
I knew they wouldn't be satisfied with that, but it was all I could offer at the moment. As I walked in the alley a figure stood there.
"Touya what are you doing here?" I asked in a tired tone.
"I should be asking you that question." He said. "That fight could've killed you."
I scoffed "please, I had it under control."
"I know you Anos. You've been going down a spiral lately." Touya said in a worried tone.
I sighed. "I just can't stop thinking about them out there, doing something so dangerous. The hero commission is out of there mind and I cant do anything"
"I get it. You're protective, especially after...Well you know" Touya replied.
"Its not just that. I know the risks, I know the dangers. I just can't stop the feeling of protecting them." I sighed.
My phone buzzed again, more messages pouring in. This time, it included my mother, Inko, Katsume, Diamond, and several other friends.
Messages:
Mom (Inko): Anos, darling! I saw the news! Are you hurt? Please call me!
Katsume: Yo, Anos! You took on Endeavor? Badass! But seriously, are you okay? Don't be an idiot.
Diamond: Dude, what the heck was that? Call me ASAP! You know I hate it when you do stupid things.
Other friends (various): Anos! Are you alright? We saw the fight! Let us know if you need anything!
The barrage of concern was both heartwarming and overwhelming. It was a reminder that I wasn't alone, but also a weight, a responsibility to not let them worry.
My Reply:
To Everyone: As I said before, I'm Fine, I appreciate the concern. I'll talk to you all soon. Promise.
I gave Dabi a weary smile. "Gotta go. Damage control awaits."
"Be careful, Anos," Dabi said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "And don't bottle everything up."
I offered a small nod and then teleported away, reappearing inside Dark Red headquarters.
Shira was waiting, arms crossed, her expression a mixture of exasperation and relief. "You idiot," she said, but her tone lacked its usual bite. "What were you thinking?"
The other vigilantes were there too, their faces etched with worry. Simon, Kyto, Kyu, Lexi, Avis, Takai, Jiax, and the rest of the crew. They were my family, my comrades in arms.
"Endeavor was being an ass," I said, my voice flat. "Someone had to stop him."
"And that someone had to be you, fighting the number one hero on live television?" Shira retorted, raising an eyebrow.
"It is what it is."
Shira sighed. "Alright. We'll handle the fallout. But next time, try to avoid starting a war with the official heroes before we go to war with the villains."
The air in the room felt a little lighter then, the shared concern a tangible force. I might be Dark Phantom, the cold and detached vigilante, but I wasn't alone. I had my family, my friends, and a mission to protect those I cared about, even if it meant walking a dangerous line between the light and the dark.