Chapitre 13: Chapter Thirteen: The Consequences of Power
The morning after the chaos had passed, the city of Musutafu seemed eerily quiet. The once-bustling streets now appeared empty, the air heavy with the lingering weight of fear and uncertainty. Sirens still blared faintly in the distance, as emergency responders worked tirelessly to clear the damage left in the wake of the **Nightmarionette's** rampage.
Twelve dead—a number that echoed in Lucas's mind like a never-ending drumbeat. The aftermath of his transformation had left its mark on more than just the city. News outlets and social media flooded with reports of the mysterious, towering figure that had appeared the previous night. Some had called it a creature, others a monster—a "Nightmare come to life." The general consensus was that it was a villain unlike anything anyone had ever seen. But the media, desperate to connect the dots, had speculated that this terror was somehow related to the Nightmare Vigilante—Lucas's other, more human form.
But the connection wasn't as simple as they made it out to be. No one had concrete evidence that linked the two, and that uncertainty only added fuel to the fire. Was the vigilante behind this nightmare? Or was there another player at work here? And, more disturbingly, if they were one and the same, what did that mean for the future?
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On the streets, people whispered in hushed tones, too afraid to speak too loudly about the terror they had witnessed. Social media was flooded with images, some blurry, others clear—photos of the towering puppet-like figure, its grotesque form looming over the city.
Some were scared, their tweets filled with pleas for safety, or messages of disbelief that something so horrifying could exist in their world. "This isn't a quirk, this is a nightmare. What's happening to this world?" one tweet read. Another post simply said, "Is it a villain? Or a hero gone wrong?"
Others, however, couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of exhilaration. They reveled in the chaos, celebrating the appearance of the Nightmarionette as a sign of something bigger. "The city will never be the same. We finally have a force of nature to match the heroes. A true nightmare!" one excited message proclaimed. It was clear that some found the appearance of the Nightmarionette thrilling, a symbol of anarchy in a world obsessed with order.
But the cost of the chaos was undeniable. Twelve people had died in the wake of Lucas's rampage. Twelve families were torn apart, their loved ones forever gone because of what he had done. The number was not just a statistic to be bandied about on the news. Each death was a person. Each loss left behind a grieving family, a void in the community.
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The League of Villains, having already taken note of Lucas's terrifying power, now realized just how much of a threat he was. While they had known that the Nightmare Vigilante could be a potential asset, they hadn't fully understood the scope of his abilities—or his potential for destruction. The events of the previous night had painted a clearer picture for them.
Tomura Shigaraki, having been left with only one arm after the confrontation, was furious. He had underestimated the Nightmare Vigilante, and now the League was dealing with the consequences. Dabi and Spinner had barely escaped with their lives, and Toga was barely functional, the shock of the encounter still fresh on her mind. But amidst the frustration, there was also a realization that Lucas, for all his instability, could be a powerful ally—or a terrifying enemy.
The Yakuza, especially Overhaul, were also taking notice. Overhaul's organization, which had long been in the business of controlling power and manipulating quirks for profit, saw potential in Lucas as well. The destructive power he wielded, the ability to go unnoticed and operate in the shadows—these were valuable traits for a criminal empire. Overhaul was not so much interested in him as a villain but more as a weapon to be controlled. He had placed a bounty on Lucas's head, hoping that if he could catch him alive, he could manipulate the Nightmare Vigilante into serving his interests.
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Meanwhile, in the Hero community, the response was less enthusiastic. Principal Nezu, the ever-diplomatic head of U.A., was in full crisis mode. His priority was not only to protect the students and citizens but to find a way to deal with Lucas. The League of Villains was one thing, but a new, uncontrollable, and possibly more dangerous player was something entirely different.
Eraserhead, having witnessed firsthand the destruction Lucas had wrought, was deeply conflicted. He knew that the boy—if that's what he could even be called anymore—wasn't purely evil. There was something deeper at play here, a sense of struggle in Lucas's eyes that couldn't be ignored. But the fact remained that Lucas was responsible for the deaths, and that guilt would weigh heavily on him for the rest of his life. Eraserhead couldn't forgive him for that, especially since he pinned the blame on the boy.
Midoriya and Bakugou—as well as the other students—were still processing the fact that someone so young, so close to their age, could wield such terrifying power. Midoriya, in particular, felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility to learn more about Lucas. But as much as he wanted to reach out, the truth was clear: the Nightmare Vigilante was dangerous. And Midoriya couldn't risk getting caught in the crossfire of this growing storm.
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Back in the shadows, William Afton watched over Lucas, not as a father figure, but as the twisted, cold presence that had guided him since the beginning.
Lucas, hiding away in his lair, was buried under the weight of what had happened. The twelve deaths haunted him like a chain wrapped around his heart. He couldn't shake the image of their faces, of their lives being snuffed out by his transformation.
But William was unyielding, his spectral voice seeping into Lucas's mind. "It's your fault," William reminded him coldly. "The twelve deaths... those are on you, boy. You can't run from them. You can't hide. Live with it."
The words cut deep, as they always did. But Lucas knew the truth of it. He was the one who had allowed the nightmare to take control. He was the one who had killed.
"You need to control it," William continued, his voice now growing firmer. "This power... it's a part of you now. It's not going anywhere. You can either use it to get stronger, or you can let it destroy you. It's your choice. But don't pretend you didn't choose this path."
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The Struggle Within
The weight of William's words pressed heavily on Lucas's chest. He wanted to fight back, to argue that he wasn't responsible—that the transformation, the chaos, it was all a result of his instability. But deep down, he knew William was right.
He had chosen this path.
He had chosen to use the nightmare. He had chosen to let it consume him, to take control of a power he barely understood. And now, there was no going back.
The world, the heroes, the villains—they would all view him as a monster. The Nightmare Vigilante and the Nightmarionette were now symbols of death and destruction.
Lucas had become the very thing he feared—the thing he once swore he would never become. And the worst part was, he wasn't sure if he could stop.
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As the world reacted to his actions, Lucas found himself caught between the fear of losing control and the reality of what he had done. The deaths, the devastation, the damage—it was all his fault. And there was no escape from the consequences.
He had become a nightmare, and now, he would have to live with it.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone