(Stellar POV)

Six times.

Six...goddamn...times.

I almost had him this time. He was unconscious. If that damn maid of his hadn't almost collapsed the whole building and possibly caused multiple innocent fatalities, then I would've had him!

I flew through the air, quickly returning back towards the original random clothing store that this had all started at. Everyone was safe and evacuated, and now I needed to check on Foxfire. She was left alone with Mother Wasp and whoever that other girl was.

I landed down on the ground right outside the store, seeing Foxfire sitting down outside. She was fiddling with her katana, staring down at it as I approached her.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"I'm...fine." Foxfire stated. "No injuries here."

It was tough to tell with the distorted voice through the mask, but I feel like she didn't feel fine, even if she physically was.

"Both of them escaped." Foxfire admitted, before standing up. "I...have some things to do. I'll see you later."

Before I could even respond Foxfire was already running off, disappearing into an alley. I stood there by myself for a moment, before blasting off into the sky.

I stared down at the city from far above, looking at the busy and bustling life. Why did I fly all the way up here? This is why.

"GOD DAMN IT!" I screamed, tearing at my hair as I rotated in the air.

Never before has any villain escaped me six whole times in my five years of being a hero. Not a single one.

Except for him.

Ski Mask.

My archenemy.

If anyone deserves the title, it's him. Not that I want to give it to him, of course. That's ridiculous. All I want is to see him behind bars.

What the hell was he even doing at a clothing store? He was in a brawl with The Maid, Mother Wasp, some random goth girl, and Alexis Cromwell.

Damn it. I want to go after Alexis Cromwell but I won't be able to. The Cromwells have an undeniable influence here in Champion City, and considering that it seemed like Ski Mask was against her, I can't get them for that.

But for some reason, I feel like it's not as simple as it seems. There's something more going on here. Like why is it always women that are around him? Is that his power? Seduction? Pheromones?

God, now I'm becoming a damn theorist.

"I didn't realize you were that kinky, Stellar." His voice mocked me.

I grit my teeth as I felt my face heat up. That is not the reason I want to see you in cuffs, you bastard! I am not interested in re-enacting that one scene from that damn fanfiction!

"Wow, am I that desirable, Stellar?" I smirked. "You came all this way for me-!"

Because you're my archnemesis, obviously. That is how it works. The hero pursues the archnemesis in order to put them behind bars and restore peace to the city.

It is not because of any attraction! Absolutely not! That's just insane to even suggest!

Who the hell am I even arguing against? I'm floating high above in the sky away from everyone else.

"God damn it..." I angrily muttered to myself as I slowly floated my way back down towards the city, replaying the events of today in mind and how I could've done things differently. My current training still isn't enough. I need to up it even further.

The next day, on Super Live, they explained everything they knew about the events yesterday. Some sort of brawl between Ski Mask, The Maid, Mother Wasp, and two other unknown villains occurred at the clothing store.

Funny how they neglected to mention the Cromwell's daughter.

It was a few days later that the events of that day really started to blow up online. For one, a popular theory started circling around about how this was Ski Mask and his group's next action against Stromford, as the store is actually owned by Stromford Industries.

I'm not sure what their goal was, but that can't be a coincidence. Maybe that store was a secret base for Stromford Industries. But why would they even have a secret base?

"For the love of-!" I growled to myself, slamming my face into my bed in my room. "I'm becoming just like that stupid HeroHero theorist! I need to stop watching his stuff..."

The second thing about that day that blew up was a post on r/Stellar. Apparently someone got a video of when I was holding Ski Mask up in the air, and very faintly you could hear the words I spoke.

"Finally..." I panted. "...finally, I've caught you, my arch-nemesis."

I didn't think much of it. It's only natural to call him my archnemesis. Apparently, however, this was only fuel to the fire that was the newest Stellar ship.

Somehow, this tiny Stellar x Ski Mask ship has started to grow even more. The two fanfictions that exist have already written new chapters based off of that day, and a couple more fanfictions have popped up.

A Stellar x Ski Mask post has now appeared on r/Stellar as well, with a few people theorizing and making ship names. The only people disagreeing with them were Stellar x Foxfire shippers, the most popular ship I'm a part of.

What is wrong with all of you? He's a criminal! My archnemesis! And why the hell are the fanfictions actually well written?!

Not to mention this...

I slowly pulled out the comic, looking at it with a mixture of emotions. Crime-Man, Issue #2. About a hero that stops crime with crime. And guess what, he wears a freaking ski mask.

No wonder Ski Mask is so dangerous. He has a way of getting people to somehow like him despite being a criminal. Never before have multiple people made "positive content" for a villain like this.

I have no idea how he has been able to brainwash these people, but it's slowly spreading. More and more people are starting to take notice and not see anything wrong with it.

Is that his damn power?

Is he going to brainwash me too? Defeat me in battle, tie me up, and then use his tricks to make me fall for him? I will not become like those ridiculous fanfiction versions of me!

They aren't accurate at all!

I sighed, laying down on my bed and pulling my phone out. I need something to distract me at the moment, because I can't do college work with all of this on my mind right now.

I clicked onto YouTube, scrolling to my subscriptions to see what new videos have been posted. And there, just a few hours ago, was a new video from that damn theorist.

The Man In The Ski Mask? Hero Theories #38.

By HeroHero. 3 Hours Ago.

How the hell does this video already have well over a million views? This is ridiculous. I clicked onto the video, starting to watch it.

"Hello everyone and welcome to another video of Hero Theories!" The man known as HeroHero spoke, staring into the camera with a smile. "This video will be centered around the newest and most interesting villain, Ski Mask! I have three great theories for you today!"

The first theory was ridiculous. It was about how because of the way he handled that spear and bike that he was the descendant of a knight hero or something.

The second theory...hit kind of close to home. It was about the possibility of Ski Mask having some sort of brainwash, seduction, pheromone, or other sort of power in that realm. Just like I had thought about earlier...

Anyways, it was all speculation! There was no evidence of substantial weight. Just because every time he's been seen, he's been with women, doesn't mean anything. It doesn't mean anything.

And then, we finally got to the third theory.

"For our final theory, we revisit and revise the final theory of the last video!" He declared, catching my attention. "Last video I proposed the idea that Ski Mask and Stellar were former lovers. Today I'm proposing a different idea..."

Well thank goodness, because that last theory wasn't true at all.

"...what if it's an unrequited love?!" Exclaimed HeroHero.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!

I HOLD NO SUCH FEELING TOWARDS HIM!

"Think about it." He continued. "Every single time Ski Mask does something, Stellar is the one who confronts him. And then he always flirts with her! What if he's intentionally causing this chaos when she's near to catch her attention? Why would he do that? Because he has a crush on her!"

W-what?

Ski-Mask, having a crush on me? No, that's ridiculous. That's utterly absurd. Besides, just by having a crush doesn't mean I'd accept him. He's a criminal, for gods sake...

I gulped as I continued to listen to his explanation. After the video ended I quickly went into the comments, seeing multiple well-liked comments about Stellar x Ski Mask. Though there was one person advocating for a Foxfire x Ski Mask ship for some odd reason. Leave her out of this.

After reading through the comments I placed my phone to the side, staring at the ceiling of my room with a blank look as I processed the information.

T-that couldn't be true, right? That he sees me that way? No, of course not! That's a funny joke, Sarah. Thinking that a criminal mastermind running circles around you has a crush on you.

Ridiculous. Since when have I been so silly?

Haha...

I slowly grabbed my phone, bringing it back to my face as I felt a blush appear on my cheeks. I just need to do a little bit of research.

Maybe one of these fanfictions hold the secret to capturing Ski Mask. I know, it's a ridiculous idea, but...

It doesn't hurt, right? If it works, then it isn't stupid, right? Right, that's why I need to check these fanfictions out. Even if they're just made by fans, they could hold a secret to defeating Ski Mask within them.

That's the only reason I'm reading them.

No other reason.

And then the next time I encounter Ski Mask, he will be mine. He will be successfully captured and put behind bars because of my own hands.

This isn't over, Ski Mask!