He managed to land on his feet on the sidewalk. No one seemed to pay him much mind, too busy hurrying away in case the battle between the Extraordinaries escalated into something more violent. Nick was well aware he was in public in only his underwear and flip-flops, but he didn’t have time to think about how his lack of any sort of muscle definition was on complete display for any pervert who wanted to ogle him. He darted into the alley, jumping over a manhole cover spouting steam. He landed in something wet, and he made a strangled noise but refused to look down to see exactly what it was. He was better off not knowing.
The sky above was overcast, and the lack of light made the shadows in the long alley darker. Nick looked from side to side as he moved, trying to find where Shadow Star had landed. If he was injured, he’d need someone to protect him from Pyro Storm. Maybe Pyro Storm would get one whiff of Nick and run in the opposite direction. Nick never wanted his superpower to be smelling bad, but if it worked, he might have to reconsider. Stink Man, ship name ShadowStink. It needed fine-tuning.
The sounds of the street faded behind him as he made his way down the alley, the buildings looming around him, the shadows stretching farther as he passed an overflowing dumpster. Laundry hung from a line in a window above him, flapping in the breeze. A cat ran in front of Nick, disappearing into a pile of old boxes sitting against the building.
He turned his head to follow it and while distracted, bumped into something hot.
Something scalding.
It was about this time that Nick thought maybe he should have listened to Officer Rookie and stayed in the cruiser.
Because he’d run into Pyro Storm. His back, to be more specific. His cape, which had a stylized flame right in the center, flapped against Nick’s bare legs.
“Um,” Nick managed to say.
Pyro Storm turned slowly to look at him. His bloodred mask covered most of his face, leaving only his mouth exposed. The eyeholes of the mask were covered in a white material that kept Nick from seeing what his eyes looked like.
Pyro Storm said, “Why are you only in your underwear?” He raised his hands like he was reaching for Nick, and no, not today, asshole.
“Take this!” Nick bellowed somewhat heroically.
Then he punched Pyro Storm in the side of the head.
While his father always said to avoid fighting if at all possible, he still taught Nick how to defend himself. Thankfully, the only thing he’d ever had to hit in his life was the punching bag at the gym they’d gone to in the magical time known as Before.
But Nick had not forgotten what he’d been taught, and while the punch wouldn’t go down as the best punch in history, it was still pretty good. He brought his arm back, fist curled, and then let it fly.
And learned rather quickly that Pyro Storm had a hard head. Either that, or his mask was made of the densest material known to man. The pain was immediate and fierce, his hand quickly going numb. Nick hissed between his teeth as he pulled his arm back, shaking it out as he winced.
“Did you punch me?” Pyro Storm growled. “Why would you do that?” His voice was modulated much like Shadow Star’s was, making it deeper than it probably was in real life.
“Because you’re a villain,” Nick said, holding his hand to his chest. “And you hurt Shadow Star, who I think I have feelings for, even though it’s recently become complicated due to other factors.”
“Oh my god,” Pyro Storm said, rubbing the side of his head. “So you punch me? Who does that?”
Nick blinked. “Well. I guess … I do?”
Pyro Storm sighed. “Did you hurt your hand?”
Nick squinted at him. “A little? But why do you care? Shouldn’t you be kidnapping me and tying me to the top of a bridge or something while you gloat over your plans to take over Nova City?”
“You’re so dumb,” Pyro Storm muttered. “Let me see your—” His mouth twisted as he reared back. “What is that smell?”
Nick. It was all Nick. “I have no idea,” he said. “Probably this dank alleyway. I think I stepped in something back there that used to be alive, so.”
Nick tried to scrabble backward when Pyro Storm reached out again to grab his hand, but he didn’t get