"Alright, Windstorm. Allow me to introduce your back to the floor," the Howler said with a devilish grin, rushing towards me.

In seconds he was on top of me, mere inches from my face. His lean, muscular arms pinned down each of my shoulders, and his legs straddled my hips. I struggled to get out from under him, but he was locked in place.

"Well alright then, get off me," I said, giving up.

"No," he said simply, looking at me intensely. I noticed his eyes glinting beneath his mask.

I reached my right arm around his head, and tugged hard on his curly locks. His face jerked up slightly, but didn't budge otherwise.

Then my left hand met my right hand, clasping around the nape of his neck. I pulled him towards me, and his arms buckled as his face lit up with shock, collapsing onto my chest. I wriggled my way out from between his legs, and pushed him off of me with my knee.

Now I was on top of him, making sure to hold down his elbows so he couldn't play the same trick on me.

"Looks like you've got me where you want me," he said with a smirk.

I felt a surge of power unfolding inside me, and decided to go for it. I jumped off him, and before he could rush towards me again, I extended my arm towards his exposed neck.

A steady stream of wind encircled his neck, getting tighter and tighter as my powers cemented. His left hand clenched into a tight fist, knuckles becoming white. His eyes bulged from their sockets and his face paled, his mouth opening in a silent scream. I released my hold, realizing that I may have gone too far.

"Looks like it," I muttered. We sat in silence as he inhaled long and hard, drinking in the air. I couldn't tell if he was embarrassed or hurt.

"So..." he started. "I take it air manipulation is your power?"

I nodded, wondering if I should apologize. After all, he didn't get off of me when I asked.

"But lately my powers come and go," I said, looking away from him. "I think- I think when I'm in danger... or someone I care about is in danger... they manifest." I looked at him again and couldn't read his face.

"But that wasn't always the case," I continued. "I used to be able to summon them as I wished. But then again, I didn't really care about people before." I looked at him expectantly, and for once, it looked like he had nothing to say.

"Please say something," I finally said.

He threw his arms behind him, leaning into them and pushing his palms into the floor. His muscles relaxed and a familiar smile crept onto his face.

"Well I guess that's when you would need them," he said, breaking the silence. "When someone's in danger, I mean."

"That was impressive," he added, his eyebrow raised. "I must admit that I liked where the fight was heading in the beginning, though."

"When it looked like you were going to win?" I asked, rolling my eyes. He shrugged with his shoulders, his arms still placed firmly behind him.

"You never told me what your powers were," I said, thinking back to our earlier conversation.

"You want me to list all of them?" he asked with his signature boyish humor. "Where to even begin! Toned abs, devilishly smart, wicked good looks, infinite charm..." he said, winking at me.

I crossed my arms and looked at him seriously. "You don't have any, do you?"

He looked down at the floor, then back up at me once again. "I'm strong and smart," he whispered. "That's all you really need."

"And endanger yourself?" I asked softly, remembering his panicked face from moments ago.

"Hey now," he said, standing up. "I held my own against you." He reached his arm towards me, still seated, and I grabbed it, using it to push off from the floor.

To my surprise, he pushed me back towards the floor, and placed his foot directly beneath my breasts.

"Ready for round 2?"