Layla smirked, examining her reflection in her floor to ceiling mirror with a critical eye. Being the daughter of a world famous hero was hard, at least to her, since no one knew who she or her mother was other than in the super community, thank Gaia that they didn't know who her father was. Her mother had a natural affinity with animals from a young age it was only when the older woman entered middle school that her parents realised just how special she really was.

Layla had inherited her powers from both her mother and father, her talents with animals came from her mother, the ability to speak, understand and when she wanted to, control animals was an obvious one because most knew of her mother's powers. However anyone outside the immediate know how was unable to ascertain how she had received her ability to control, grow and manipulate plants. Her mother had kept it a closely guarded secret, only telling those she trusted immensely the truth, Layla's father instead of being the ordinary citizen accountant she claimed him to be to most people was in fact the notorious villain known by his alias Thorn.

He was finally captured after trying to cover the entire town in vine nets and enslaving carnivorous plants to kill those who disobeyed. It had taken four supers attacking at once to bring him down and that was only because one of them was Layla's mother and he refused to hurt the woman he loved. Layla still visited him once a month with regular updates, she also made sure his cell always contained one plant, however she made sure the power neutralisers were firmly in place and functioning before allowing him to have it. While he may have been a bitter, hate filled villain he had never been anything but kind and loving while around her and she couldn't bring herself to leave him alone in the prison with not a plant in sight.

Since today was the first day of high school she had dressed to impress, which basically meant her everyday clothes. Thanks to being a super Layla and her mother were well off and the red head had a never ending supply of clothes however she made sure to always include green and black into her outfit in some way, those two along with red were her favourite colours. Today she wore a black corset dress that was fitted to just above her hips them flared out to a bit before her knees. Her dress was held in place by two forest green ribbons tied to make a halter neck. Emerald green roses crawled up from the base of the dress, wrapping together and continuing up till they disappeared, two of the stems and flower moving up the ribbons tied around her neck.

She wore a pair of simple black combat boots that went to a bit above her ankle with dark green laces. The only accessories she wore were a simple pair of black rose earrings with small ruby glinting in the middle and a detailed ring on her middle finger on her right hand picturing a snake wound between the petals of a rose, it had been the ring her dad had given her mum when she was born, the ring meaning that he would always be with her. Her blood red curls rested calmly down her back to stop about mid- way, the front sides pulled together and back into a braid that was tied with a simple green thread. Streaks of hair dyed green and black wove through her hair and she grinned at her reflection, raising an eyebrow as she grabbed her bag from her bed.

The only makeup she wore was two streaks of black eyeliner, one on the top and bottom, joining into a slight flick at the end, her mother had taught her it was how the Arabian wore theirs back in ancient times and it reminded her of the gods. She didn't have need of any more than that, her lips were a natural deep pink while her eyelashes were long and dark, framing her emerald eyes perfectly. Layla was the type of beauty you would find in a magazine, her natural look consisted of full pouty lips set into a sweet heart shaped face, soft cheekbones and elegant eyebrows made her look sophisticated but kind.

It was a black shoulder bag with her books, a few pens and a wallet full of cash stuffed inside. She didn't need perfume like the other girls did, for some reason, she contributed it to her powers, she always smelt like she had just walked out of a flower patch in the spring. Taking one last glance in the mirror she bounced downstairs, pressing a kiss to her mother's cheek gently as the older woman tried to give her some last minute advice, "I'll be fine mum, besides I have Nagini here with me," she grinned, lifting up her hair a bit so her mother could see the snake wound carefully around her plait, barely visible thanks to her camouflaging techniques,

"I still cannot believe you named that darling after the mean old snake from Harry potter," her mother sighed affectionately, kissing her on the forehead one last time and wishing her luck with school before Layla bounced out of the house, heading quickly over to Will's where her best friend lived, his parents knew about her father and still accepted her with open arms, something she was grateful for.

"Good morning Mummy," she greeted, walking into the house and wrapping the redhead in a quick hug, she had known the woman since she was in diapers and the older lady had become like her second mother, her own becoming the same for Will.

"Morning dear. You hungry?" she asked, setting a plate of salad in front of Layla and laughing at the appreciative look the younger girl sent her, being able to talk to animals had sort of taken out the pleasure in eating meat. Josie guessed if she was able to talk to animals she wouldn't be able to eat meat either, it would be to contradictory.

"Oh hey darling," Steve grinned, walking into the room and kissing her head, taking a seat across from her as Layla smirked.

"Good morning Commander" she raised an eyebrow as he looked at her questioningly and pointed to her eyes. He nodded his thanks and took out his glasses, quickly putting them on and posing flamboyantly, making her giggle at his antics.

"I can't believe you and Will are starting high school, it seems like just yesterday you guys were swimming naked in the kiddy pool" Josie gripped, still meandering about the kitchen as they waited for Will to come down. Layla blushed heatedly just as Will entered the kitchen.

"Mum," he groaned, ignoring the strict look she sent him as he strolled in casually, late to breakfast as usual. Layla smiled as he saw the exchange, knowing that Will would never change. "Morning Layla my dearest sister," he greeted, pressing a kiss to the corner of her head and sitting down beside Steve, taking a piece of toast and stuffing it into his face nearly whole, making Layla grimace at his lack of decorum.

A phone started ringing quietly and Josie moved away from the table to get her phone, flipping it open only for the ringing to continue. "Josie, it's the other one." Steve said quietly, holding up the small red phone that they used for their alter egos. She nodded and moved over to join him as he accepted the call, prompting the person on the other end to speak with a simple, "Go," he listened in silence for a few seconds before her turned back to his wife. "I see. Thank you Ma'am." He nodded ending the call, "There's trouble downtown, big trouble… downtown" he announced, the two exchanging looks before beginning to talk about what to do.

Josie gripped about missing Will's first day of school, telling an embarrassing story that Layla already knew thanks to being there and left in a hurry once realising she was wasting time, the two entering their secret sanctum through their usual way, the poles. Meanwhile Layla and Will hurried to turn on the small TV that rested in the kitchen for occasions such as these, watching as the commander and Jetstream once more defeated the threat to the city, the commander taking a souvenir for remembrance before the two had to turn off the TV and leave. "Yep they're good," Will sighed, picking up his bag and leaving the house with Layla by his side.

"So you still haven't told them then?" Layla asked, nudging Will gently with her shoulder as they walked side by side towards the bus stop.

"Told them what?" Will faked innocence but Layla just stared at him blankly till he cracked. "Fine, no I haven't but how am I supposed to say to two of the most influential supers in the city that their son doesn't have any powers," Will hissed defeated and Layla gave him a one armed hug despite him being taller than her.

"They love you Will and sure sometimes it may seem a bit of a possessive love but it's still you they love, not your powers. No matter what happens Will I'll be your best friend but you have to face up to them," she sighed and he nodded, thanking her quietly. The bus was coming slowly down the road towards them, looking like any normal bus but the two knew it was special thanks to the brochure telling them what to look for, plus their bus had this time space at this bus stop.

"Pinkie promise?" Will grinned, holding up his pinkie to shake like they did when they were little.

"Pinkie promise," she agreed, wrapping hers around his larger one as they shook.

"Now you can't break it little sister," he smirked and she scowled.

"You're older than me by what? Three months?" she growled but secretly she enjoyed the idea of having an older brother, especially if it was Will, it made her feel protected, safe.

The yellow bus pulled up at the stop and the door slid open, revealing the pinked face of the blonde bus driver, the two gave each other one last reassuring look then boarded the bus, the doors creaking closed behind them.