Exes and Superher-o's

Part 1

Skidding to a stop as you round a building, you barely have time to yelp before a wave of water hits you dead in the face. Dousing your body from head to toe, you're rendered speechless, and smelling like absolute shit.

"Fuck!" you blurt, wiping your face.

Flinging water to the ground, you quickly scan the pavement.

Possibly fuck isn't the most eloquent summary, but this is hardly what you'd call an ideal situation: even for a superhero used to fighting crime on the daily, which you are. Craning your neck, you spot the object of your attention flying overhead.

Well, they're not exactly flying. Thanks to their aquakinesis, the villain hangs in the air atop a roiling mountain of water. Nose wrinkled, you search the street and spot an open sewer grate spewing into the air.

Excellent. Just what this city needs – more fecal water on the sidewalks.

"Hey – you!" you shout, waving an arm. "Down here, asshole!"

Whirling to face you, said villain continues to balance atop the fountain of water. Both hands outstretched and wind whipping his hair, he'd paint a rather dashing picture were it not for the terrible stench of sewer beneath him.

"Aha!" he cries, punching a fist in the air – several yards over, another sewer erupts.

It's a struggle not to roll your eyes at the sight. Villains who lack the basic semblance of control are the most annoying kind.

"Come to challenge me, have you?" he yells. "Me! The great! The mighty! Waterloo!"

If he expects a reaction, you don't give him one.

Instead, you squint up at him from the ground. The street around you is empty, cleared by police as soon as Waterloo appeared. You suppose you should commend them on their quick work – by now, they know the drill. Villain is spotted, ISA (International Superhero Agency) is called and until said superhero arrives, the police keep the situation locked down.

Rolling up your sleeve – synthetic microfabric of the highest quality – you take a deep breath.

"Was that really the best villain name you could think of?" you say, yelling to be heard over the sound of rushing water. "An ABBA song?"

Immediately, he scowls. "No! As in, I'll be your Waterloo. Get it? I'm your Achilles heel! You, which means society and I – you know what!" Raising both hands overhead, he makes the sewer water run higher. "Enough talking! Come and eat shit!"

"No thanks," you call back. "Already had breakfast! I'm full."

The villain blinks in confusion but refuses to banter. Smart of him. You've bested better villains than him using only your words. Clearly done with conversing, Waterloo shoots forward. The water beneath him dips and roils, carrying him effortlessly down the street.

Diving out of the way, you narrowly avoid a second stream of water. Your clothing is already soaked from the first wave, sticking to your skin as you roll. Stopping yourself behind a car, you utter a sweat. Sewer water takes forever to get out in the wash; Jungkook is going to be pissed.

Jumping easily to your feet, you turn and face Waterloo head-on.

"Perish!" he yells, swooping down. Water spirals dramatically around him. "Or I'll –"

His words choke off in a garble. Eyes wide, his entire body freezes, nose an inch away from your outstretched palm.

Releasing your breath, you keep your gaze trained on his frame.

The street around you falls silent. Glancing away, you search for signs of backup. Usually, this is the part when a police officer darts out with titanium handcuffs. Titanium is the only element in the world able to mute superpowers.