Shadows of Betrayal and Redemption

The battlefield was eerily silent in the aftermath of the fierce battle. Smoke and ash filled the air, and the once-vibrant cityscape was now a desolate wasteland. Heroes moved among the debris, tending to the wounded and retrieving their fallen comrades. Despite their hard-won victory, a sense of unease lingered—Nine's body had not been found.

Amid the ruins, the villains regrouped. Dabi's flames crackled faintly in the darkness as he surveyed the destruction. Beside him, Geten stood with arms crossed, frost still clinging to his fingertips. They had taken cover in a shattered building, hidden from the prying eyes of the remaining heroes.

"He bought us enough time," Dabi muttered, his voice low. He glanced at Geten, who nodded in silent agreement. "But we need to move now."

A faint rumble echoed in the distance. It wasn't the sound of battle—it was the rhythmic, calculated march of reinforcements. The heroes weren't done yet. As the sound grew louder, Dabi clenched his fists. "We're not sticking around to get caught."

In the center of the ruins, Nine stirred. His body was battered, his armor cracked, but his will remained unbroken. His vision swam as he struggled to his feet. "This isn't over," he growled under his breath, his voice filled with venom. He glanced toward the skyline, where a cluster of approaching lights signalled the arrival of more heroes.

"Time to go," Dabi called out, his voice sharp and commanding.

Nine's eyes narrowed, his pride wounded but his survival instincts kicking in. He summoned what little strength he had left, creating a gust of wind to clear the smoke around him. "We retreat for now," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

As if on cue, a dark warp gate materialized nearby, shimmering ominously in the dim light. Kurogiri's calm voice echoed through the void. "Your escape route is ready."

The group hesitated for a moment, their pride clashing with the reality of their situation. But as the sounds of approaching reinforcements grew louder, they had no choice. One by one, the villains stepped through the gate, their expressions a mix of frustration and determination.

Nine was the last to enter. Before stepping through, he cast one final glance at the battlefield. His lips curled into a smirk, despite the pain coursing through his body. "This isn't over," he repeated, his voice a whisper carried away by the wind.

The warp gate closed with a faint hum, leaving behind only the ruined landscape and the echoes of the battle. The heroes would celebrate their victory, but they would soon realize that their enemies had slipped through their fingers once again.

As the villains regrouped in their hideout, a tense silence filled the air. Nine leaned against the wall, his breaths laboured. Dabi sat nearby, tending to his burns with a casual expression, while Geten stared out the window, his face unreadable.

"That was a disaster," Dabi said bluntly, breaking the silence. "We lost too much ground."

Nine's eyes burned with defiance. "We may have retreated, but this isn't a loss. We've exposed their weaknesses. Next time, they won't be so lucky."

"Next time," Geten echoed, his voice cold and distant. He turned away from the window, his gaze meeting Nine's. "We need to be stronger. All of us."

Nine nodded, his mind already racing with plans for the future. The heroes had won the battle, but the war was far from over. This was only the beginning.

In the distance, the sound of sirens echoed through the city as the heroes worked tirelessly to restore order. But in the shadows, the villains plotted their next move, their resolve hardened by their narrow escape.