Theory: the Fydor we see is actually the ability "Crime and Punishment".
(also, first time making a post; please pat gently and tell me if I break any tumblr etiquette roles or something)
First off, we know that it is possible for abilities to gain human form/take over their wielders.
There is Jules Gabriel Verne from 55 minutes, where his ability consumes him and walks around in his body as Gab for most of the novel,
and also how Arthur Rimbaud lived on as his ability (or programmed his ability to act as him? Uncertain, because I did not read the source material for this part)
so it is possible for abilities to be 'alive', or human-like.
There are a couple things that I am drawing from for this theory, but it feels like it all comes together nicely? So here it is:
Dead Apple, when Fydors ability appears it acts differently from other abilities in many ways.
His ability does not attack him and instead there is the kinda famous proclamation of "I am crime" and "I am punishment". Crime and punishment are cause and effect/result, and the person it is associated with can just as easily be reversed. In that scene, it always struck me that Fydor and his ability looked like mirror images and the proclamation could just as easily be reversed
the manifested ability under the fog has distinct facial features, unlike the other abilities
gemstone on hand rather than forehand like everyone else
From Dead Apple, his ability seems to be very 'human' (and for the sake of consistency, I will just be referring to Fydor as the one we see in canon and his ability as "Crime and Punishment" instead of inverting it and confusing everyone and myself).
The other main point I guess was how Sigma phrased his question; he hesitates and then something causes him to ask "what are you?" instead of "what is your ability".
while far-fetched, maybe its Sigma's origins speaking to him as something created from the book. In physical terms, he is as human as everyone else (and probably the sanest and most mentally stable person in the prison)
but he is created from the book, completely out of nothing. I was always curious whether his origins would have further repercussions other than trama (wanting a home and trust) but it would be very interesting if he could sense, when he really looked, that something was off with Fydor as well.
and given how the question switched, it does seem like there. is the very natural implication that rather than directing the question about the nature of Fydor's ability, what he is is in doubt.
From the above, I propose: what we have been seeing in the manga is actually "Crime and Punishment" puppeting Fydor's body (also possible that they can switch, cause otherwise I don't know how they would be able to stand being in the same room as Dazai) while actual Fydor maybe sleeps inside the body???? Or helps along with the plans??? (maybe where the "help me" comes from)
The above is mainly what I was going off of when I thought of this theory, but there are some other miscellaneous notes as well.
Fydors 'ability' seems to kill through touch but the exact mechanics aren't really explained and its been so long (please asagiri we want to know). There are a lot of theories going around but I do like the one where it is some sort of judgement cause-and-effect death penalty. anyways.
If the actual Fydor and his ability is switched, I am curious as to how it plays out with his ideology of abilities being a sin that he seeks to erase from the world.
Now, onto really off the rails rambling that has almost no basis in canon, but just some cool theories that I have.
Assuming that the "Fydor" we see is actually "Crime and Punishment":
I am more inclined to believe that it was a conscious or at least meaningful decision to let "Crime and Punishment" take over, which could be for several reasons
first of all, his personality. Abilities do reflect the person, and Fydor seems to be someone who would gladly calculate and weigh his own death if it will bring enough benefits, and
given the age range, Fydor was probably fairly young but still around when the great ability war happened, which may contribute to their desire to eradicate abilities
given the nature of the ability, would it be interesting if original Fydor's ability granted him the ability to judge anyone who has committed more crimes than he has
but that wouldn't let him get too far, cause the road with good intentions is paved to hell, so maybe when "Crime and Punishment" takes over it becomes an inversion
and he can judge anyone who has committed less crimes than he has (which is a lot easier to control; he just has to ensure he is the only sinner around) and so he can instant-touch-kill almost anyone (save maybe Dazai actually, assuming there isn't the nullification that would be funny)
Well, thank you for reading my theory. First time posting, I really love bungou stray dogs and am looking to get into the fandom more, so I might post more (or lurk around).
