The Extraordinaries

by TJ Klune

  “You allowed it?” Owen asked incredulously. “You didn’t allow anything. The world sees you for what you really are. You’re the villain in this story. The archnemesis. I have become the hero this city needs, and not even you can stop me. Soon, I’ll hold it all in the palm of my hand.” He glanced back at Nick. “And maybe I’ll get myself a sidekick. Nick will do just fine, won’t he?”

  “Leave him out of this,” Pyro Storm snapped. “He’s done nothing wrong. He doesn’t deserve you messing with him.”

  “Messing with him?” Owen said, laughing. “Oh, that’s rich coming from you. Why don’t you tell him so he can see who’s messing with who?”

  Pyro Storm’s mouth twisted into a snarl. “I’m not—”

  “Oh, Seth,” Owen said. “Aren’t you tired of lying by now?”

  Nick was sure he’d misheard. Sure that Owen hadn’t said what Nick thought he had.

  Because it wasn’t right. It couldn’t be right. It had to be a mistake.

  “What?” he heard himself ask.

  “Oops,” Owen said gleefully. “My bad. Didn’t mean for that to slip out.”

  Pyro Storm hung his head.

  Like he was defeated. Like he was—

  No. Not like he was defeated.

  He reached up and grasped the sides of his head.

  And slid the helmet off.

  Nick knew that hair, didn’t he? Of course he did. He’d sometimes thought about what it’d be like running his hands through the curls.

  Seth Gray looked up, looking wary, almost frightened.

  “No,” Nick said, taking a step back. “That’s not—you can’t be…”

  “I wanted to tell you,” Seth said, voice cracking. “So many times. And I tried. I swear I tried. I could never get it out. It’s—”

  “Aw,” Owen said. “This is so sweet. Isn’t this sweet, Nicky? Our dear, lovely Seth is Pyro Storm.” His smile faded. “But that would mean—oh. That would mean he’s the villain of Nova City, wouldn’t it? That would mean he was the one who hurt your father.”

  Seth’s eyes widened. “No! I didn’t. I swear, Nick. It was barely a spark. The smallest of flames. I could control it. I always had control. It wasn’t—and it … it…” He shook his head slowly as his face hardened. “You goddamn bastard. You were very specific, weren’t you? Getting me to that building. Normally, you’re all over the place. I wondered why you stayed in one place that whole time. I didn’t see it, then. You planned it. Like you planned all of this. Nick. Here. Knowing I would follow because I would follow him anywhere.” He squared his shoulders, and Nick felt a chill run down his spine. “I know, Owen. I know what you are. These pills. You aren’t like me. I have this … this thing inside me. It’s always been there. But you … you take these pills in order to do what you do.”

  Owen’s eyes narrowed to slits. “You think you’re better than me? You think that because you’re a freak that I can’t be like you? You’re wrong. My father gave me a gift in order to protect what mattered most.”

  “He experimented on you,” Seth said, taking a step toward them, cautious and slow. “He changed you. He made you into what you are. It’s not fair, Owen. He should never have done what he did to you. You were just a kid. We’re still kids. But you can be better than him. You can rise above what he did to you. You can say no. You’re not some junkie. Whatever else you are, I can see the good in you.”

  “Junkie,” Owen repeated slowly. “Junkie. That’s what you think I am?”

  Seth shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. You—”

  “I’m so sorry, Nick,” Owen said, and he sounded truly regretful, “that it came to this. I know it’s tough, finding out your best friend has been the bad guy all along. Imagine my surprise when I found out. Hell, I could barely stand it. Sitting across from him in the cafeteria every day, knowing who he was. All I ever wanted was to protect this city. Protect our friends. Protect you. And fortunately for all of us, I found myself in a position to do just that.”

  He reached into his pocket. When he pulled his hand back out, he was clutching shiny black pills, at least half a dozen. He bounced them in his hand as he grinned. “My own private stash. Dad didn’t know I’d pocketed them. Let’s see how much of a junkie I am.”

  “No,” Seth whispered as Owen brought his hand toward his own mouth. He shoved the pills inside, throat working as he swallowed them dry. “Nick, you need to run.”

  Before Nick could even process what was happening, Owen raised his arms, loose sleeves sliding down. On his wrists were a set of thick metal bracelets. There was a bright flash of light that made Nick cry out and cover his face. He heard Seth scream his name as he stumbled backward, hitting the wall of glass behind him. By the time his vision began to clear as he lowered his hands, Seth was struggling in midair, his own shadow wrapped around him, holding him in place. Licks of fire burned from him, but they couldn’t dispel the shadows.

  “There,” Owen breathed. “That’s better. Man, they work fast the more you take. I have to remember that. Holy shit, the rush.”

  “Stop,” Seth gasped as his own shadow tightened around him. “You have to stop.”

  “Always remember to keep to the shadows,” Owen Burke said. “Catchy, isn’t it? Rebecca Firestone came up with it. She has her uses, inept as she is. Good for public relations, but not much else. Nick. If you’re going to take a pill, now is the time.”

  “Nick, don’t,” Seth managed to say, still trying to free himself from his own shadow. “It’s not—it’s not right. It’s him. He’s the villain. He always has been. You need to get out of here. Run. Please. Just run.”

  Nick was frozen in place, his world crumbling down around him. “You’re Shadow Star?”

  Owen laughed as Seth began to choke. “Yeah. Sorry about that. Secret identity, you know? Though, I’m touched at the crush you have on me. It was weird how I was almost jealous of myself when we dated. Broke up with you because dear ol’ Dad thought you were a liability and threatened to cut off my supply, but that’s in the past. I won’t be manipulated by him anymore. Do it, Nick. Do it before Seth finds a way to break free and burn us all. I need you, Nick. I need you to help me keep this city safe. Keep your father safe.”

  “He did this,” Seth croaked. “He’s the bad guy, Nicky. Not me. I swear. It’s Shadow Star. It’s always been Shadow Star.”

  “That’s not very nice,” Owen said, frowning. “I’ve worked hard to cultivate this image. Me, the brooding savior of the city. You, the villain every hero needs. You should be thanking me.” Owen curled his hands into fists, and the shadow hands around Seth’s throat squeezed tighter. Seth’s eyes were starting to bulge as his legs kicked uselessly. “Nick. This is your last chance. Take a pill. Become the Extraordinary you were always meant to be.”

  Then Nicholas Bell said, “Put him down.”

  Owen faltered, fists opening slightly. Seth took in a great, gasping breath.

  Nick took a step toward Owen. “I said, put him down.”

  Owen narrowed his eyes. “What? Nicky, it’s me. I’m Shadow Star. Your hero, remember? I’m everything you wanted.”

  Nick swallowed thickly. His head was pounding. “I know. And he’s Pyro Storm. But he’s still my friend, same as you. Put him down. Please. We can talk about this, okay? I don’t care which one of you is the bad guy here. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”

  Owen’s expression softened. “That’s … so like you.” He tilted his head back and laughed. “God. You’re pathetic. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  Nick was taken aback. “Hey! You don’t have to be so frigging rude—”

  “I’m offering you everything you’ve ever wanted. I am giving you the chance to be an Extraordinary. And the only thing you’re focused on is that we’re all friends? No wonder you’ve never been able to do anything. You’ve got no spine. And to think I was going to let you be my sidekick. I had such big plans for you, Nick.” He scoffed as he shook his head. “Well, th
at’s months of work down the drain. Oh well. You win some, you lose some. Time for plan B.” He turned back to Seth. “Pyro Storm, it’s been fun, but I’m bored with you now. I think I’m ready to move on to bigger and better things.” He snapped his hands closed again, and Seth began to choke.

  Nick’s head felt like it was splitting apart as he took a step forward. The ground tilted beneath his feet as a gray wave of pain rolled over him.

  Seth’s face was white as his eyes started rolling back in his head.

  Owen grinned wickedly.

  Nick brought his hands up to the sides of his head as another lance of exquisite pain pierced through him.

  He did the only thing he could.

  He screamed.

  The air rippled around him, and the glass walls shattered as if struck by an unseen force. Owen was knocked off his feet, landing roughly on the ground. Seth flew back against the wall near the elevator, slumping down, chin resting against his chest, unmoving.

  Glass fell, shards breaking apart as they hit the floor. The lights showered sparks. The centrifuge whirred erratically before it flew against the wall.

  Somewhere deep inside Burke Tower, an alarm began to shriek.

  Nick didn’t know what had happened. He’d never seen Pyro Storm or Shadow Star do anything like that before. But his vision was clearer, the ache in his head receding marginally. He looked over his shoulder.

  The colored pills hadn’t been affected. They still hung suspended.

  He could do it. Right now. If he wanted to. He could take one of them. Or all of them.

  He could be an Extraordinary.

  Instead, Nick turned back around. He moved past Owen, who groaned but made no move to get up. He’d worry about him later.

  Seth lifted his head as he approached. Blood trickled down his cheek. It looked as if he’d been cut. He smiled weakly as Nick knelt beside him. “Hey, Nicky.”

  “Shut up,” Nick snapped at him, hands trembling. “I’m so angry with you.”

  Seth flinched. “Yeah. I figured you might be.”

  “You hurt my dad.”

  “It wasn’t—it wasn’t me. I was trying to—” He paused, shaking his head. “We don’t have time. We have to get Owen out of here before he wakes up … What? I don’t—would you listen to me?”

  Nick scowled. “What? I am listening to you—”

  “I’m not talking to you.” Seth turned his head so Nick could see his right ear. Inside, there appeared to be an earpiece of some kind. “I’m talking to my aunt.”

  “Your aunt knows? How long has she— Oh my god, your house isn’t haunted. She is such a liar. She distracted me with cookies and lies! It was you all along!”

  “She says she’s sorry about that. She’ll make you a new batch to make it up to you.”

  “Oh. Well. That’s nice of her. She doesn’t have to—Wait a minute.”

  “Didn’t work,” Seth muttered. Then, “Ugh, fine. That’s—don’t yell at me, Gibby!”

  “Gibby knows too?” Nick cried. “Is everyone in my life a vile betrayer?”

  “That wasn’t my idea,” Seth said with a glare. “She figured it out on her own. Followed me one day and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Nosey little—now she’s yelling at me again.”

  “Does Jazz know?”

  “No.” Seth sat back against the wall, using it to push himself up. Nick held on to his arm, the material under his hands warm to the touch. “She’s not part of this.”

  “Oh, but Gibby is. I’m supposed to be your best friend. I gave you Skwinkles Salsagheti. We went on a date.” He frowned. “I think? I’m still kind of fuzzy on the details, but it could have been!”

  Seth rolled his eyes as he huffed out a breath. “Consider it retribution for every single time you’ve mentioned Shadow Star’s name with that dreamy look on your face.”

  “That doesn’t even begin to compare—”

  “You wrote fanfiction about him and—”

  “How was I to know that—”

  “And I gave you Skwinkles Salsagheti back, so don’t talk to me about—”

  Nick was furious. “You’re a goddamn Extraordinary. Do you know what that makes me? That makes me the clueless comedic relief! I never wanted to be the clueless comedic relief. I’m supposed to be the hero!” He grabbed Seth’s head, turning it to the side so he could have access to the earpiece. “And, Gibby, you’re in so much trouble. Martha, you too. You’re going to rue the day you tried to pull a fast one on me. Do you hear me? Rue.”

  Seth shoved him away. Nick would have gone sprawling had Seth not grabbed his arm at the last moment, pulling him back upright as if Nick weighed nothing at all. “Oh, right,” he said weakly. “I forgot you were all buff and crap now.”

  “Buff and crap,” Seth muttered. “That’s just great.”

  “I liked you the way you were before.” And for some reason, this thought struck Nick harder than almost everything else. He took a step back. “You lied to me. All this time. It’s been years. Shadow Star and Pyro Storm, you’ve kept this from me. I talked about Shadow Star incessantly. And you let me. Did you laugh behind my back? Both of you?”

  Seth’s eyes widened. “No. Nick, it was never like that. I swear to you. I never—”

  Nick didn’t believe him. “It’s like I don’t even know who you are. And even if I thought I did, you’re still … Pyro Storm. You were always the villain.”

  Seth looked tormented. “I’m still me, Nicky. I swear. This is a mask. It’s nothing. It’s only the smallest part of me. I never wanted—I just needed to keep you—”

  “Safe?” Nick retorted. “I’m sick of people telling me that. I’m not fragile. I can handle myself. I distracted Owen long enough to get you to explode all the glass, didn’t I?”

  Seth shook his head. “I didn’t—Nick, we’ll talk about this later, okay? I need to get you out of here.”

  “Oh, we’ll talk about this later, all right, Seth Gray. You’re in so much trouble. It’s going to take the rest of our lives for me to be able to forgive you. I hope you’re prepared for some epic groveling. I wrote a two-hundred-thousand-word masturbatory ode to Owen of all people. Do you know how that makes me feel? Unclean is how it makes me feel!”

  “Oh, god,” Owen moaned behind them. “Spare me, please. I really don’t want to have to listen to you two fawn all over each other. It’s really harshing my buzz. Though, Seth, you should probably remember that I taught Nicky here everything he knows. No matter what happens, I had him first.”

  Nick glowered at him. “First? Listen here, you motherf—”

  Nick was spun dizzyingly around as Seth shoved him toward the elevator, putting himself between them. “Go,” he said over his shoulder. “Now. Get out of here.”

  Nick glared at him. “I don’t know if you’re in any position to tell me what to do right now.”

  Owen bared bloody teeth in a silent snarl as he pushed himself up off the ground. “Let him stay. See what happens when you witness the full extent of my power.”

  Nick and Seth turned their heads slowly to gape at Owen.

  “What?” Owen asked.

  “Dude,” Nick said, aghast. “Seriously. The full extent of your power? What’s next? With great power comes great responsibility? Kiss my damn ass, you dumb—”

  “Maybe don’t try to rile up the supervillain,” Seth muttered.

  “Do you say stupid things like he does?” Nick demanded. “Because if you do, I don’t think I can be seen in public with you. God, what the hell was I thinking? Both of you suck. Extraordinaries are the worst. My new dream is to become a dentist with my own private practice in Idaho. People with superpowers are terrible.”

  “Hey!”

  Owen pulled himself to his full height, tilting his head side to side as he stretched his neck. He reached up and wiped away the blood from his lips before he spat on the ground. Shadows gathered at his feet, roiling like liquid tentacles. They crawled up his legs, and for a moment, Nick thought
they were going to swallow him whole. Instead, left in their wake was Shadow Star’s costume, rising until it covered his shoulders. If Nick wasn’t so pissed off, he’d think it was badass. “It’s all out in the open now, Seth. Everything. He sees you for what you truly are. Even I can see the doubt in his eyes. No matter what happens next, he will always remember how you lied to him. How you couldn’t even keep his father safe.”

  “Maybe,” Seth said quietly. “Maybe he’ll never want to speak to me again. Maybe everything I ever wanted is gone now. That’s on me. But that doesn’t mean I won’t fight for him until my last breath.”

  Owen snorted. “Who says romance is dead? I’m tired of this back and forth. I’ve been waiting for this moment for years, to see that exact look on his face. And now that I have, it’s time for Shadow Star to rise and put an end to the villain Pyro Storm. The people of Nova City will love me for protecting them. And one day, Nick will see the error of his ways, and we’ll move on without you. You’ll be nothing but a bad dream.”

  Nick made a face. “That’s probably not going to happen. Owen, I don’t know if you know this, but pretty much everything is terrible right now. Like, I feel super betrayed. And why would we move on without Seth? What’s going to happen to him?”

  “He thinks he’s going to kill me,” Seth said.

  “Bingo!” Owen said, smiling wildly.

  Nick took a step back. “But … you can’t kill people. That’s not what Extraordinaries do. That’s murder!”

  “He’s so naïve,” Owen said to Seth. “It would be amusing if it weren’t so depressing.”

  Seth looked back at Nick again, eyes glittering in the low light. “I need you to listen to me, Nicky. Can you do that?”

  “No,” Nick said, shaking his head. “You’re not—no one’s going to die. That’s not how this works. That’s not how it’s supposed to be.”

  “I’ll do everything I can, okay? But you have to get out of here. I need you to be safe.”

  “Seth,” Nick said, and his voice cracked right down the middle.

  Seth’s smile trembled. “It’ll be okay.”

  “Bored now,” Owen said, and shadows scurried across the floor.