Ace and Lily: The Next Generation
Rating:T for now.
Prologue
It's a sunny day in Maxville and in the cities' park a young sixteen year old girl is sitting in a patch of sun bathed grass. 'Why did you leave mom? When are you coming back?' Saiyuri though as she closed her eyes and went over the millionth time what she could have done wrong to make her mother leave when she was just a baby.
"Hey Saiyuri, what are you doing out here, we have school today?" Aden asked as he caught sight of her, she was his best friend in the entire world.
"What's the point?" Saiyuri demanded, she hated the fact that her mother left it made everything harder. "It'll be just like Junior High and Elementary school." She looked up at Aden with sad eyes.
"You know I'm here for you Saiyuri," Aden murmured as he knelt down next to her and wrapped his arms around her tightly. "How will it be the same?"
"As soon as people find out and it becomes known that my mother walked out on us," Saiyuri replied harshly, her voice cracking slightly.
"Saiyuri plenty of people in the super community only have one parent, last time I checked, nobody at school cared last year," Aden stated softly as he held her, they had been through so much together already and they were only sixteen. "Why would they care this year?"
"I don't know," Saiyuri stated with a sigh, she wished she knew why for a lot of things.
"Plus my mom said she'd snap necks if people teased you," Aden replied happily, he knew his mother would actually do it because of who she was, and especially for Saiyuri because of the fact that she loved Saiyuri like one of her own kids. Saiyuri laughed and followed Aden out of the park; she knew that her aunty Ace would take care of her. "She said she was going to be teaching us this year. Something about grandma and grandpa retiring." He rolled his eyes.
"I didn't think I'd ever see that," Saiyuri stated with a shocked tone and look. She had honestly thought that the Joker and Harley Quinn would work until they died.
"See what? My mother teaching or grandma and grandpa retiring?" Aden asked with a laugh as they walked toward his house, where the bus stop was.
"Your grandparents retiring," Saiyuri replied, she never thought she'd see the day for either, Ace never seemed like the teaching sort either.
"Apparently my mom forced them to, I mean they are pushing fifty," Aden replied off handedly. "Plus they wanted to get back to the crime world." He rolled his eyes, some things never change.
"Wow," Saiyuri stated shocked, she was surprised at the ages; she thought they were in their mid-forties at best.
"What?" Aden asked, he wondered what got her shocked.
"I had no idea that they were that old," She replied casually.
"Neither did I kids, now get on the bike I'm taking you guys to school," Ace called as she pulled up next to them on her bike with sidecar attached.
"You are so weird mom," Aden muttered as he looked at his mother, who never wore a helmet but demanded that he did.
"She's not weird," Saiyuri muttered to Aden, she hated it when he said that stuff about his mother.
"Yeah she is," Aden replied as he got into the side car, whenever Ace took him and Saiyuri he took the sidecar.
"Aden, be good at school today and I'll take you guys for ice cream," Ace muttered as Saiyuri got on behind her and the kids put on helmets.
"Even if he isn't good you'd take him for ice cream Aunty Ace," Saiyuri stated with a chuckled as she fastened her helmet.
"Not this time Saiyuri… he's been a brat this morning," Ace replied casually but loudly as she started the bike and took off.
"Aden, what did you do?" Saiyuri demanded with an eye roll as she looked at Aden.
"Little shit decided to torch my favorite pajamas all because he didn't want to get up this morning," Ace stated as she picked up speed to do the speed limit.
"You shocked me to get me up mother…" Aden retorted loudly, he wanted to defend himself at least somewhat.
"Maybe because the pjs she's talking about are the ones that my… never mind," Saiyuri said before she became quiet.
"A replica actually… I put the actual ones that she gave me in my special box Saiyuri… now I'm also taking you for ice cream after school as well good or no," Ace replied trying to halt the possible growth of a problem. Saiyuri nodded, she knew better than to argue with her mother's best friend.
"Something good will happen today," Aden said in a slightly airy voice that spoke of things to come.
"What makes you say that?" Saiyuri asked, she was truly curious as to what.
"According to my crazy ass great grandmother… I have a tiny bit of her power," Aden replied loudly so that he was heard. "I just have a feeling about this." Saiyuri shook her head, she was use to Aden coming out with random stuff like that.
(Elsewhere in the jungles of Brazil)
"Garth… Saiyuri…" Lily murmured in her sleep as she slept high in the jungle canopy, her vines providing a rather comfortable bed. She missed her family something terrible.
(Back in Maxville)
"Any luck?" Garth asked his brother-in-law, Dick, as he looked over the many computer screens with him.
"I got a trace in Brazil, the Jungle of Brazil to be precise," Dick replied, he was looking at his own cluster of screens, roughly four or five screens the readouts from the computers being printed from both the computers and a printer. "I have coordinates and everything we'd need to find her."
"I can't' believe that we finally found her, after all this time," Garth exclaimed with relief as Dick brought over the print out with all the information.
"Text Ace, tell her to keep the kids at school," Dick replied, he wanted the kids at the school so that they could bring Lily there. "We need to get going." Garth texted Ace as he followed Dick. "We've got her this time Garth, let's get to the jet." They ran to the jet, both men wanted nothing more than to get Lily back. 'I'm coming for you Lily,' Garth thought as they prepared. 'We're not letting you get away this time Lily.' Dick thought as they got on the jet and took off for Brazil. 'Seems like they found me again.' Lily thought as she woke up from her slumber, she got up and began moving… always two steps ahead of the people looking for her.
"Lily… Saiyuri is starting to think that it's her fault that you left," Dick stated as they managed to catch up to her, he knew it was a low blow but he had to do it.
"What do you mean?" Lily asked as she stared at Garth.
"She wonders day and night what she did to make you leave… she wakes up screaming for you in the night," Garth replied as he looked at Lily, tears threatening to spill from his eyes.
"No… hadn't you given her the note I left for her?" Lily asked, tears gathering in her own eyes.
"Of course I did Lily… that was part of the reason she thought it was her… she thinks that you didn't want to hurt her, however by not being there you hurt her worse than anyone could have… she wants to know what she did to make you leave, I've told her that she did nothing," Garth replied as he looked at her.
"I just wanted to protect her… never hurt her…" Lily choked out, tears streaming down her cheeks. She fell to her knees.
"Just come home Lily… please just come home," Garth stated as he walked to her and knelt in front of her.
"I… I can't… I don't have the right…" Lily choked out as Garth looked her in the eye.
"Yes you do Lily… Saiyuri wants to see you… she wants you to come back and be her mother… please…" Garth practically begged, tears streaming down his cheeks too.
"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry…" Lily mumbled as she nodded and sobbed, Garth wrapped his arms around her and helped her up.
"Come on then… let's go home," Garth stated, Lily nodded and let Garth pick her up and carry her to the jet, everyone got situated and they took off.
"Okay guys, let's go home," Dick stated happily and relieved as he flew them toward Maxville. "Oh, we're going to the school first." Lily stiffened.
"What's wrong Lily?" Garth asked as he watched Lily.
"Is that a good idea?" Lily asked back as she looked at Garth.
"That's where Saiyuri is… we told Ace to keep her there until we got there," Garth replied as he looked at Lily and hugged her tightly.
"Ace is going to kill me," Lily muttered as she hugged Garth back.
"Well I think you'll be surprised… we're here," Garth murmured as he helped her up and out of the jet. Lily hesitantly followed Garth out of the jet, Dick texted Ace to let her know that they were there, Lily followed the men into the building.
"Come on kids, someone is here to see you," Ace exclaimed as she practically dragged the kids toward where Lily, Garth, and Dick would be meeting them.
"What are you talking about?" Saiyuri demanded, she hated surprises and tried to avoid them like the plague.
"You'll see," Ace replied happily as she stopped them where they were going to be meeting.
"I'm getting tired of this cryptic stuff," Saiyuri retorted angrily.
"Oi… just turn around and look at who's coming down the hall," Ace replied happily as she turned Saiyuri toward the direction the group would be coming from.
"Go on Lily," Dick muttered quietly as he pushed Lily toward Ace and the kids. Lily walked down the hall of her alma mater slowly.
"Momma?" Saiyuri asked tentatively as she looked at the woman walked toward her. "MOMMY!" She exclaimed as she ran toward Lily, who opened her arms for her daughter. "Mommy… you're back… please say you're staying?" She ran into her mothers' arms and hugged her tightly, never wanting to let her go.
"I'm staying. I'm so sorry that I left you baby girl," Lily replied softly as she hugged her daughter back.
"I just want to know why? If not me then why?" Saiyuri asked as she cried, tears streaming down her face.
"I was in a very dark place… I didn't want to put you or your father to be put through that," Lily replied as she cried as well.
"If it's about that Ebon fucker… I spit on his grave at least once a week… and if you ever try to leave again, well…" Saiyuri stated, her threat hanging in the air.
"I don't plan on leaving again," Lily replied with a chuckle.
"Good, I'd hate to have to put what Mrs. Peace taught us in class into practice against my own mother," Saiyuri stated with a wet chuckle, she still had tears streaming down her face. Lily chuckled as well, holding her daughter for the first time in years.
"So are you staying this time?" Ace asked as she and Aden walked up to the mother daughter duo, Lily nodded. "Good. Now we're going out for ice cream… I have to pick up Lily and Victor from their grandmothers… then we're going for ice cream and Chinese, Mrs. Chang demands to see you all the time."
"Lily and Victor?" Lily asked as she looked at Ace. 'Who are Lily and Victor?' Lily asked herself as she looked at Ace, she hadn't changed much over the years, still shorter and slim, still wearing outrageous clothes.
"My brats for twin younger siblings," Aden grumbled.
"Shush or no ice cream Aden… I uh… I had twins about three years ago," Ace muttered after she smacked Aden upside the arm, the group headed out of the school.
"And you named one of them after me?" Lily asked, she was surprised that Ace would do that after how she left.
"Of course Lily, you're my best friend, as I told the doctor that day all those years ago 'I'm her motherfucking sister.'," Ace replied happily as she hugged Lily tightly. "And Saiyuri… you did it wrong… if you ever even think about leaving again…"
"I'm not planning to Ace," Lily replied as she looked at Ace and hugged her back.
"Good… now let's get this crazy train on the tracks," Ace stated as she bounced around.
"Some things never change do they Lily?" Garth asked as he looked at Lily.
"No they don't," Lily replied with a chuckle as she watched Ace.
(About half an hour later at Harley and the Jokers house)
"I'm here to get the kids!" Ace called from the front door, she had the key and all the codes it took to get in the door, she constantly cursed her fathers' paranoia when she had to use the restroom and she had to open their door. "Oi… look alive guys, I took your jobs not your fun… are you or aren't you Gotham's Clown Prince of Crime and his Harlequin Princess?" She held the door open for everyone to go through.
"Give them a break Ace," Lily muttered as she walked into the house.
"I am Lily, as you can see they look just as alive as ever," Ace replied happily as Harley let out a laugh and ran at Lily. "Don't break her mom."
"Don't you ever do that again Lily," Harley squealed as she squeezed Lily tightly.
"I don't plan to Aunt Harley," Lily replied as she hugged Harley tightly.
"Momma, who's that?" Victor asked as the small boy came up to his mother and held his arms out to be picked up. "She looks familiar."
"Hi there, you must be Victor?" Lily said smiling as she looked at her 'nephew'.
"That's me… now who are you?" Victor demanded as he looked at Lily with a questioning gaze and a hard look in his eyes that spoke volumes of what was going through his mind.
"My name is Lily," Lily replied as she looked at Victor.
"Hey Lily get in here!" Victor demanded as he looked toward the door where a small girl was standing.
"What Victor?" The girl, Lily, demanded from the door way.
"Calm down or no ice cream," Ace stated as she bounced Victor on her hip and motioned for Lily to come into the room. "Well come on everyone, back out to the car, that means you too Lily Bellatrix Peace, get your butt over here."
"Yes momma," Lily replied as she walked into the room and over to her mother who picked her up as well, she now had a child on each hip.
"Hey Lily, how's it going?" Warren asked as he walked out of the kitchen, he had come in through the back way. "And yes I mean you Mrs. Todd."
"Better now that I'm home Warren," Lily replied as she looked at her best friends husband.
"Good, now let's go guys, Great-grandma hates it when we're late," Warren stated as they all headed back out the door and got into various vehicles. "Oh and don't even think about leaving again, it took everything we had to keep Ace from tearing apart the entire country and possibly more to try to find you."
"I don't plan on leaving again Warren," Lily replied softly.
"Your name is Lily too?" The little girl asked as she looked up at the older woman with a curious look.
"Sure is," Lily replied with a nod, the little girl looked very happy.
"She's the lady you're named after Lily, though perhaps we should give you a nickname huh?" Aden replied calmly as he looked at the people in the car.
"But I like my name," Lily stated as she looked at the ground, she was sad now.
"How does Bella sound kiddo?" Ace asked from the front seat, she was trying to appease her daughter. "It means beautiful." The little girl nodded tentatively. "It was either that or Trix… I think you'd prefer Bella." She drove off toward the Paper Lantern, which she and Warren now owned. Lily got out of the car as soon as they pulled into a spot and parked, Garth helped her out of the car.
"I love you Lily," Garth whispered in her ear as he helped her out and looked at her.
"I love you too Garth," Lily whispered back as she looked up at him, a smile on her face.
"I have a present for you at the house when we're finished with these guys," Garth murmured as they all walked toward the restaurant. Lily nodded as they walked into the seating area.
"Get back to work you stupid worthless piece of crap!" Ace exclaimed as she saw an employee who was just sitting around doing nothing, he frequently did this, and he wasn't on break. The employee quickly did as Ace told him. "Good now get us a table, preferably one that's private." They were led toward the back room of the restaurant.
"How are…?" Lily asked but paused.
"How are what Lily?" Garth asked as he looked at her.
"My parents…" Lily replied in a whisper, unsure of if she even had the right to ask about them.
"Hello baby girl," Ivy stated happily as she came out of the back room they were being led to, she hugged Lily tightly.
"Mom…" Lily murmured as she tentatively hugged her mother back.
"I'm so glad you're safe baby girl, your fathers are waiting in the back room," Ivy replied happily as she looked toward the room. Lily nodded, holding on to her mother tightly. "Boys she's home!"
"Oh thank goodness," Slade stated with a smile as they both came into view, Lily smiled up at her fathers.
"Come and give us a hug Lily-bug," Bruce stated as he smiled at her. Lily walked over and hugged both of her fathers.
"Just please don't ever do that to us again," Slade stated in an exasperated tone as both men hugged Lily tightly.
"I don't plan to dad," Lily whispered as she hugged them, they all sat down in chairs around the same table that had sat in when Aden and Saiyuri were born.
"Okay guys, let's order, let's get these useless people working again," Ace grumbled, she really hated half of her staff that she employed. The waiter came in and pulled out his pad quickly, Ace handed him a piece of paper with everyone's order on it. "I'll make it easy on you this time Shinji." He nodded and scurried off toward the kitchen with the paper.
"Why are you so mean to them mother?" Aden asked as he looked at his mother.
"They think that because I'm younger than most of them that they don't have to listen to me," Ace replied harshly as she death glared at the retreating form of Shinji.
"Shouldn't they know better than that by now?" Lily asked as she rolled her eyes.
"You'd think that wouldn't you?" Ace replied in question as she shook her head, she hated having morons working for her.
"They also don't respect her because she isn't my grandmother," Warren piped up as he rolled his eyes.
"Wow," Lily stated surprised.
"The real miracle is that they're still alive… I must be going soft…" Ace stated in anguish as she looked at her hands.
"I doubt that you're going soft, Ace, you still scare the shit out of people, even I can see that," Lily stated as she rolled her eyes, Ace could be so dramatic some times.
"But I haven't killed in months…" Ace wailed quietly before looking at Aden, Saiyuri, Victor, and her other daughter. Aden had grown to be a handsome young man, his black hair long like his fathers, the red streak still present in his locks, his skin was pale but not sickly. He was taller than his mother, but not as tall as Warren, he was built like Warren but was graceful like Ace. He adopted Ace's wardrobe ideas, bold colors and wacky combinations. Saiyuri had grown to be a beautiful young woman, her long red hair one of her more noted features, it reached the top of her butt. She was pale but not sickly, her skin a cream color. She was taller than Lily but not quite as tall as Aden, she was about five and a half feet tall. Her clothes were similar to how Lily's' were in high school, Ace frequently look her shopping. Victor, he was a little thing, his hair black as night with natural red tips instead of streaks, his hair was shorter than his sisters but still reached his collar. He was slightly darker than Aden and Lily but not much and controlled fire and energy but fire more so. Lily, she was slim and tiny, her long black hair had red and gold tips that were natural, she controlled fire and energy equally, and was very similar temperament wise to Ace as a small child. None of Ace's children had split personalities, she was very grateful for that fact.
"That could just be you calming down Ace," Lily stated, trying to clear things up.
"Perhaps, but I also don't think I'm actually that calm," Ace replied as she looked around. "I try to be… but I think I'm going crazy Lily."
"You're not going crazy Ace, trust me," Lily stated as she hugged her bestie.
"She was yelling at a lamp a few days ago… uh… I love you Ace," Warren replied as he looked at Ace.
"Ma… You're not crazy… just a bit eccentric," Aden stated as he looked at his mother.
"Thanks kiddo," Ace replied as she ruffled his hair.
"And even if you were, we'd love you anyway," Saiyuri stated as she looked at her aunt.
"Glad to hear it, because insanity runs in the Napier line," Ace replied as she looked around the table, Lily laughed at that, she had known that from the beginning.
"Food's here," Warren piped up before it got too deep.
"Good to hear, I'm starving," Saiyuri stated happily as Shinji walked into the room, followed by a few people with more trays of food.
"Who has what?" Shinji asked, a slight tremor in his voice, he was terrified and had sweat pouring down his forehead as he walked into the room, he was terrified of his female boss.
"They were labeled you nimrod," Ace growled as she looked at Shinji, he was pissing her off.
"Ace be nice," Lily muttered with a giggle, Garth had missed their banter so much over the last few years.
"Shinji you mess up one more time and you're fired!" Ace exclaimed as she looked at him. Shinji gulped and nodded, before he set about setting the orders in front of their people and left as fast as he could. "Eat up guys." Everyone dug into their food happily everyone had gotten their actual order.
"So what classes are you teaching Ace?" Lily asked as they continued eating.
"Dodging, combat, martial arts, psychology, and cultures," Ace replied listing off the classes she taught and helped with. "I help with some of those and teach others."
"Nice," Lily stated happily as they ate.
"You could say that…" Ace replied as she continued eating. "Most of the students I teach are incompetent and I've made them cry." Warren looked at his wife with a smirk, he told her not to take on so many classes at once.
"Maybe because you scare the shit out of them," Saiyuri replied with a smirk as she looked at Ace.
"I do not, they're all just spineless wimps…" Ace began, she had a telltale smirk on her face the entire time. "You, Aden, Rosco, Benny, and Val are my best students."
"True…" Saiyuri stated with a roll of her eyes.
"Play nice with your students hunny, you've been teaching for fifteen years now and students are still coming to our house so that you can tutor them, they also get scared of you if they're not the ones you like," Warren stated as he looked at Ace.
"So what teachers are still there?" Lily asked.
"Medulla, Shazam, Eric, Temporal Man, Boomer, your parents, and Bruce is still the principal," Ace replied happily as she stuffed her face. "Part of the reason I'm still employed there."
"Boomer's still teaching?" Lily asked, a shocked look on her face, the man was in his late forties when they went there. "He hasn't killed himself yet?" They had essentially picked up where they left off.
"Unfortunately he is still there… I keep trying to get him to…" Ace replied before she started shouting for Shinji in Mandarin.
"What can I help you with Mrs. Peace?" Shinji asked with terror on his face as he quickly ran into the room.
"I want another coke, is your Mandarin really that bad?" Ace demanded as she glared at him.
"Right away Mrs. Peace, you'll have your coke very soon," Shinji replied quickly before running back out of the room.
"I love to watch him sweat," Ace stated with a laugh as she watching him leave.
"Be nice Ace, you know he doesn't speak Mandarin," Warren stated as he looked at Ace and then at the door where Shinji was waiting with her coke. "Good, she won't bite you Shinji." Shinji nodded and walked up to the table, he set the drink down on the table in front of Ace and then left the room again. "Thank you Shinji, and Bruce weren't you looking for someone to teach that class?"
"Yes I was… Lily would you be interested in the position?" Bruce asked as he looked at Lily.
"Can I think about it and get back to you?" Lily asked in reply as she looked at her father.
"Of course you can Lily," Bruce replied as everyone continued eating, Bruce had a smile on his face. "The position is for a botany teacher." Lily nodded.
(At the Ice Cream Place)
"Okay guys, let's go find a place to sit," Ace stated as she looked around the little shop to find a place big enough for all of them. Bella and Victor ran around trying to find the perfect place for the now complete family to sit.
"Okay rugrats… booth's over there…" Aden muttered as he pointed to the booth in the corner. "It's the only one big enough for our huge family." Bella ran over to her big brother, Victor stuck his tongue out at Aden as he ran behind Saiyuri. "Sit down munchkins, come on Bella." He picked up Bella and helped her into the booth bench. "What do you guys want?"
"Root Beer Float!" Bella exclaimed happily as she looked up at her mother.
"Chocolate sundae with nuts and pineapple," Victor replied excitedly as he jumped into the bench.
"Vanilla sundae with butterscotch and sprinkles," Saiyuri stated happily as everyone piled into the booth.
"Strawberry sundae with the works," Aden stated with a smile, he loved going for dessert with the family.
"Got it," Ace stated as she smiled at all of her kids.
"What would you like Lily?" Garth asked as he looked at her with a smile.
"Root Beer Float please," Lily replied happily as she looked up at Garth.
"Ok, and Ace what do you want?" Warren asked, keeping tabs of what everyone wanted.
"Peanut butter ice cream with strawberries and pineapple, chocolate sauce and rainbow sprinkles with an orange slice," Ace replied with a dreamy look in her eyes.
"You like Root Beer floats too Aunt Lily?" Bella asked Lily as she looked at her.
"Yes I do Bella," Lily replied as she looked at Bella.
"Come on Garth," Warren stated as he motioned for Garth to follow him to the counter.
"Mom you hate sprinkles and you hate oranges," Aden stated with a confused tone as he looked at his mother.
"Aden…" Saiyuri warned as she looked at the boy next to her.
"What? She does… plus who puts orange slices on ice cream?" Aden asked as he looked at Saiyuri.
"I do," Saiyuri muttered.
"True" Aden mumbled as he hung his head.
"Momma last time you ate oranges you blew up line a balloon," Victor stated in a concerned voice as he looked at Ace.
"And you ran around with that scary smile on your face," Bella mentioned as she looked up at Ace too.
"No scary smiles and no blowing up, I just want to smell the orange…" Ace muttered as she looked at the kids.
"Here we go guys," Warren stated as him and Garth walked back over with the ice creams.
"I think we got everything" Garth stated as they began passing out treats and sitting to settle down to eat. Lily and Bella started eating and drinking their floats, Ace took the orange off her ice cream and put it to the side.
"Thanks guys," Ace stated as she began eating, and watched the others.
"No problem," Warren muttered as he and Garth started eating as well.
"Aunt Lily, where were you if you don't mind my asking?" Victor asked as he looked at Lily with a smile on his face as he dug into his ice cream with a big smile on his face, he loved ice cream and got it quite often.
"I was… traveling," Lily replied quietly.
"Did you see a lot of nice places?" Victor asked excitedly, he heard travel and wanted to know, he didn't know the story and so he didn't care about the pause.
"You could say that," Lily replied.
"Mommy will tell you later Victor," Ace stated as she looked at her younger son with a smile on her face. "How's everyone liking the ice cream?"
"It's good mommy!" Bella exclaimed as she continued eating.
"I love going for ice cream!" Victor exclaimed as he took another bite.
"You know my thoughts," Aden stated as he smiled.
"Good, now after this you're going to do your homework," Ace stated as she looked at Aden, she knew what her son had for homework.
"That goes for you too Saiyuri," Garth stated as he looked at Saiyuri.
"But daddy… I don't have any…" Saiyuri stated as she looked at her father, Ace knew it was a lie.
"Saiyuri…" Garth warned and gave his daughter a look.
"Yes daddy," Saiyuri murmured as soon as she saw her father's look.
"All she has is some stuff for my culture class and some combat practice," Ace piped up, she knew her reason, she wanted to spend time with her mother. Garth nodded. "Okay, so I just want to say… thank you for coming back Lily, but I have to go prepare for my classes… ugh I should hurt Bruce but the pay is good." Lily nodded as Warren and Ace grabbed the ice cream that their kids hadn't finished and packed it away before leaving with their kids after Ace hugged Lily.
"Mommy… I love you so much," Saiyuri whispered as she looked at her mother.
"I love you too Saiyuri," Lily whispered back as she pulled her daughter into a hug.
"Why'd you go…" Saiyuri asked as she buried her forehead in her mother's shoulder.
"Like I had told you before… I was in a dark place, I didn't want to put you or your father through that," Lily replied as tears gathered in her eyes.
"Please don't ever do it again mommy… please," Saiyuri begged as she held her mother tightly. "Please…"
"I don't plan to baby," Lily murmured as she stroked her daughters hair gently.
"Thank you mommy…" Saiyuri whispered as she started crying. Lily gently rocked Saiyuri. "I missed you mommy."
"I missed you too baby girl," Lily whispered back as she held her daughter.
"We should get home girls," Garth spoke up, Lily nodded as she and Saiyuri followed Garth out of the shop.
"Mommy can I ask you something?" Saiyuri asked as they all walked to the car.
"Yes?" Lily replied in question as they got into the car.
"How old were you when you started dating?" Saiyuri asked as everyone settled into their spots in the car.
"Well when I started dating your father… I was sixteen," Lily replied as she looked at her daughter.
"You were seventeen and I meant in general," Saiyuri replied with a chuckle.
"Ah, in general I was fifteen," Lily stated as she smiled.
"Does that mean I can date mommy?" Saiyuri asked as Garth started the car.
"Of course," Lily replied.
"Daddy said I couldn't until I was forty…" Saiyuri muttered as she looked at her father.
"That's just something all fathers tell their daughters," Lily stated with a chuckle as she looked at her daughter in the visor mirror. "Your grandpa Bruce said I couldn't till I was fifty…"
"Well I can stop sneaking Aden into my room then…" Saiyuri muttered hoping neither parent would hear her.
"Oh you are just like your Aunt Ace," Lily stated with a chuckle and an eye roll.
"She's the one who taught and showed me how to sneak him in, according to Joker, aunty Ace was dating at thirteen…" Saiyuri muttered.
"That she was," Lily replied.
"Please tell me that I don't have to go through another awkward sex talk…" Saiyuri practically begged as they drove down the road.
"No, all I ask is that you two be careful and use protection," Lily replied with a smirk.
"Thank you whoever is up there listening that I don't have to go through another sex talk… first my dad then uncle Warren…" Saiyuri exclaimed as she thanked whatever deity was listening.
"How long have you been sneaking Aden into your bedroom young lady?" Garth demanded as they continued toward their house.
"Uh…" Saiyuri mumbled as she looked at the floor.
"Garth, she's sixteen she's old enough to date," Lily stated with an exasperated sigh.
"Date yes… have boys in her room…no," Garth replied as he looked at his wife and daughter.
"And how old were we when I had you in my room?" Lily demanded with a smirk.
"I just wanted to know how long she's been sneaking him into the house," Garth stated as they drove.
"Two weeks…" Saiyuri mumbled still looking at the floor.
"Then why did I hear the banging of headboard against wall last year and then the slamming of your closet door as I came up to check on you?" Garth asked with a smirk.
"Um…. We were sparring…" Saiyuri replied quietly.
"I honestly don't care that you've been having sex Saiyuri… I just don't like that you kept it from me… invite him on over for lunch on Saturday, I want to talk to him as the father of his girlfriend," Garth stated with a smile as he looked at his daughter.
"Yes daddy," Saiyuri replied as they arrived home and got out of the car. Lily looked around the house seeing all the subtle changes that took place over the years. "I'm going to go do my homework, night." She said before going up stairs to her room.
"So how was your day Lily?" Garth asked as he looked at his wife.
"It was good…" Lily replied as she came up to the nursery door and looked at it, almost afraid of what she would find behind it.
"I tried not to change anything," Garth stated as he followed her, he was talking about the entire house.
"I can see that," Lily said as she turned to look at him.
"She had too much influence from Ace," Garth stated with an anguish in his voice as he thought on it, he looked at Lily. "She's acting so much like Ace…"
"She's not that bad, Garth," Lily replied, wrapping her arms around Garths neck and looking at him.
"I suppose… I just don't want her to end up pregnant before graduation," Garth replied as he wrapped his arms around Lily and gave her a squeeze.
"She'll be fine," Lily stated as she hugged him.
"Remember that surprise I had for you?" Garth asked as he looked at her with a smile. Lily nodded. "I'll show you." He pulled Lily toward their bedroom and to the closet, he opened it to reveal a medium sized box and handed it to her after picking it up. "It's DVDs of Saiyuri growing up… we had them made for whenever we finally found you… Aden kept saying that we would find you and Ace said she would tear apart the entire world if we couldn't."
"You never gave up on finding me did you?" Lily asked as tears came to her eyes.
"Never Lily, none of us did," Garth replied as he held her to him after putting the box on the ground. "Saiyuri would stay with Ace so that Dick and I could look for you, Ace had her fathers' best contacts after you, Bruce had the JL searching for you… it was finally a computer that found you, coordinates that Aden had told Ace months ago but none of us thought they were any good." He felt tears come to his own eyes.
"I'm so sorry I left Garth," Lily whispered as she hugged him tightly.
"I understand why you did it… I didn't like it but I understood… I was always hoping that you would come back on your own…" Garth replied quietly as he pulled her over to the bed and sat them on it.
"I wanted to but… after a while I figured I didn't have the right to anymore, that you wouldn't want me to come back," Lily replied quietly as she looked up at him.
"Why would you think that Lily… we always wanted you back… always," Garth stated as he held her tightly and rubbed her back. "It was sad around here without you Lily… Saiyuri stopped growing flowers and only grew thorny vines."
"I'm sorry," Lily stated sadly as she looked at Garth.
"We don't blame you for anything Lily, we just wanted you back," Garth replied as he held her, she lifted her head and kissed him, he kissed her back. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," Lily stated as she looked up at him.
"You seemed surprised that Ace named her daughter Lily," Garth started as he looked at Lily, she was smiling. "Why?"
"I don't know," Lily replied as she thought on it, she honestly didn't know why she was surprised that Ace would name her daughter after her best friend, she knew in the back of her mind that if she hadn't been there Ace would want a child to remember.
"Do you still want more kids?" Garth asked as he looked at Saiyuri and held her tightly. "Or do you want to stay with just Saiyuri?" He was so happy that she was back, he wasn't ever going to let her go again.
"I'd like to Garth but…" Lily started with some trepidation in her voice as she looked at him.
"But what?" Garth asked as he looked down at her. "It's completely possible."
"What if it isn't Garth?" Lily replied in question as she hung her head, remembering the injury that caused the death of her unborn child.
"The doctor told me that after a few years you'd be able to after getting checked over," Garth whispered as he held her close, trying to comfort her. "And even if we can't have our own kids, we can adopt."
"Okay," Lily whispered as she nuzzled Garth's chest.
"I love you Lily," Garth whispered as he rubbed her back.
"I love you too Garth," Lily whispered back as she snuggled into Garths' embrace.
"We should probably get to bed," Garth whispered as he smiled down at her.
"Do you still have that stuff I got on my birthday?" Lily asked with a smile.
"Everything is just like it was when you left, I didn't get rid of anything," Garth replied with a smile as he looked at her.
"Then how about you lay down on the bed and I'll go change," Lily said with a seductive smile on her face, before she slipped off the bed and walked to the closet before changing into the outfit that she and Ace had worn for their talent show duet those years ago. 'I can't believe that this still fits.' Lily thought as she buckled everything together and stepped out of the closet.
"Hot momma, you look amazing Lily," Garth ground out through gritted teeth, he had a look on his face that spoke volumes of the need that he had. "Why don't you come over here and we have some 'fun'." Lily slowly crawled over to her husband, her seductive smile still on her face. "Lily I missed this, please Lily…" He had a grin on his face as he reached out for her. Lily got on the bed, straddling Garths' hips, and gently grinding into him. "Ugnh… Lily please… Lily…" Lily leaned down and kissed his lips, her hips still moving. "Do you know how much I've wanted this?" He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. Lily shook her head. "Please Lily… please…" He looked at her with a pleading look.
"You have me Garth, make me yours again," Lily replied with a grin.
"I can do that…" Garth murmured before he flipped her under him with a smirk on his face.
(With Saiyuri (In her room))
"Ugh," Saiyuri groaned as she heard the noises coming from her parents room, she turned her I-pod up to drown out the noise. Someone was throwing pebbles at her window, she got up and opened the window.
"Hey Saiyuri, can I come up?" Aden asked from the ground below her window, he had a smirk on his face.
"Sure, just be careful," Saiyuri replied as she smiled at her boyfriend.
"Haven't been caught yet have I?" Aden asked as he created a flame disk under his feet and used it to float up to her window and climb in. Saiyuri smiled and hugged him. "Want to have some fun?"
"Why not?" Saiyuri asked in a whisper to his ear and a seductive smile and a grind of her hips into his.
"You know what that does to me," Aden growled as he grabbed her hips and held her to him.
"Why do you think I did it?" Saiyuri asked as she kissed him.
"Good," He growled as he pushed her toward the bed and crawled on top of her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "Ready?" He ground his hips into hers and looked her in the eye.
"More than ready," Saiyuri replied as she took off their clothes with her vines.
"Good," Aden stated as he ground his hips down into hers again after looking her in the eyes again.
(The next morning)
"Well I best be off, don't want your dad catching me," Aden murmured as he pulled his clothes on, he always snuck out the morning after, he knew that Garth checked on Saiyuri to wake her up at about six.
"Speaking of which… he wants you to come over for lunch on Saturday," Saiyuri stated as she watched him scramble around trying to be quiet.
"No problem, I'll see you at school Saiyuri," Aden replied with a smile as he walked to the window and looked back at her.
"See you at school Aden," Saiyuri stated as she watched him leave, she had to get ready for class and make sure that she didn't have to do damage control. 'Now what to wear for school today.' She thought as Aden jumped out the window and ran off toward where his bike was parked.
(About half an hour later at the Todd breakfast table)
"Good morning Saiyuri," Garth stated from his seat where he was drinking coffee and reading the paper, a knowing look gracing his face from behind said paper. "I trust you slept well." He turned to look at Lily quickly with a smile.
"Morning dad, morning mom," Saiyuri replied as she dragged herself to the table and sat where she saw a cup of coffee that smelled like her favorite creamer, she had dressed in a pair of skinny jeans and a green shirt with a red vest over it, Ace had taken her shopping for clothes about a month ago. "Yes I slept well, and do we have any bread left?" She really wanted toast.
"Here you go hunny," Lily stated as she handed Saiyuri the breadbasket it had all sorts of breads.
"Thanks mommy," Saiyuri replied as she took the basket and took out two slices of white bread and put them in the toaster to toast them up. "I'm guessing you guys had fun last night?" Lily blushed deeply almost the color of her hair causing Saiyuri to giggle.
"Don't think I didn't see Aden in your bed last night Saiyuri…" Garth stated from behind his paper, a smirk on his face as he read.
"Well… he said he'd be here for lunch on Saturday," Saiyuri replied with a blush as she busied herself trying to make her toast.
"I'm glad… however I'd like it if you refrained from sneaking him in…" Garth stated as he put the paper down so that he could look his daughter in the face. "You've got our permission so long as you're safe, so please don't sneak around." Saiyuri nodded. "Now you have school today… please try to keep yourself out of the detention room this year." He smiled at his daughter. "I don't want to hear from your grandfather that you're beating your aunts' record again."
"I'll do that daddy I'll try to stay out of detention," Saiyuri replied as she nodded again and took her toast out of the toaster and spread strawberry jelly on it. Garth nodded with a smile. "Mommy could you take me to school today?"
"Of course Saiyuri," Lily replied with a smile on her face.
"Thank you mommy," Saiyuri exclaimed as she hugged her mother tightly. "I'm not very excited for school though…"
"Why not?" Lily asked, a frown of confusion on her face, she didn't understand.
"Some of the kids like to torment me because my grandparents and aunt are teachers and the principal…" Saiyuri started before trailing off and taking a bite of her toast and jelly. "They like to corner me… and that's why I've broken aunty Ace's detention record…"
"I see…" Lily stated, she paused for moment thinking.
"They think I get preferential treatment…" Saiyuri stated as she looked at her mother, still nibbling on her toast.
"Don't worry about it right now Saiyuri, just finish your breakfast and I'll take you to school alright?" Lily replied with question after she kissed her daughters forehead. Saiyuri nodded and turned back to her toast and coffee.
"Saiyuri did you tell your grandparents and Ace?" Garth asked as he watched his daughter finish her breakfast.
"Yep… aunty Ace held an assembly," Saiyuri replied quietly. Lily let out a sigh, knowing what kind of assembly Ace would hold. "Kid pissed himself… it was funny. We should probably get going." Saiyuri got up from the table and grabbed her bag from the hall where she left it.
"I'll be back in a bit," Lily stated to Garth as she got up and grabbed the keys to the jet, she kissed him and walked toward the jet with Saiyuri.
"Thanks again mommy… have you given any thought to grandpas' offer?" Saiyuri asked as they got into the jet and took off toward Sky High.
"A little," Lily replied as she flew them toward their destination.
"And?" Saiyuri asked.
"And I haven't decided yet," Lily replied with an eye roll as she looked for the school on the radar.
"Okay," Saiyuri stated as she fiddled with her bag straps. "Do you mind that I'm dating Aden?" She really wanted to know her mothers' take on her choice in men.
"Not at all baby girl," Lily replied as she turned to look at her daughter.
"I'm very grateful for that face… daddy hasn't really liked him since we were thirteen," Saiyuri stated as she looked at her mother.
"Why's that?" Lily asked as she continued to navigate the jet on a path she herself frequently flew on her own in her youth.
"I honestly don't know mommy," Saiyuri replied quietly as she fiddled with her shirt, trying to make it so that it didn't ride up to badly in the seat. "We began dating when we were fourteen… I've been sneaking him into my room for a year and a half…"
"I'm sure that it's just your father going into what I like to call 'daddy mode'," Lily stated happily, she thought back to her own father, Bruce rather, giving her the same flack for dating. "He'll loosen up eventually."
"I sure hope so mom…," Saiyuri stated as she thought about the arguments she and her father had had of late. "I have an assembly today, could you please come to it?"
"Sure baby girl," Lily replied as she strategically and safely landed the jet in the parking lot of the school.
"Thank you so much mommy!" Saiyuri exclaimed as Lily turned everything off and they both got out of the jet and walked into the school.
"Now get to class, I'll see you at the assembly," Lily stated after she hugged her daughter tightly.
"Okay," Saiyuri stated before returning the hug and heading to her first class, where they would all be going to the assembly.
(At the Assembly)
"Alright kiddies, it has been brought to my attention that you feel the need to torment my son and my niece as well as the students they congregate with... I have let you know in the past that I will not stand for these actions," Ace stated into the microphone she was using as she looked at the entire student body from the platform, glaring at a particular group of kids that were the main reason for the assembly being called. "Now you all know that I try to get along with each of you as an individual... opening my classroom and even my own home to you should you need help. Many students, both past and present, have my number... now I ask you all: if I, Ace Peace, a villain spawn from the Clown Prince of Crime and his Harlequin Princess, can open my home to those willing to learn what I have to teach... then why the fuck can't you all drop the pettiness and animosity? I treat you as you demand I do... if you don't care about what I'm teaching then I'm not going to care if you fail... for example, Saiyuri Todd studies and practices hard and diligently... she is rewarded by having the top spot in many classes." Ace finished her rant and then waited for hands. Saiyuri looked around the assembly, her grip on Aden's hand tight.
"You okay?" Aden asked his girlfriend as he looked at her. Saiyuri nodded, a shaky smile on her face.
"Now Aden… get up here with Saiyuri and say your piece," Ace called as she looked directly at her son. Saiyuri got up from her seat along with Aden and followed him to the platform and took the microphone from Ace. 'Aunt Ace you know I hate public speaking.' Saiyuri thought as Ace pushed the button and prepared to say his bit.
"SCREW ALL OF YOU!" Aden exclaimed, glaring daggers at the group of people who were the center of his torment. 'And of course Aden would say that.' Saiyuri thought as she mentally rolled her eyes. 'That is definitely Ace's son.' Lily thought with a mental smirk.
"Very well put Aden!" Ace exclaimed, she felt that because she was exactly the same way. "Now get all your ass's to class!" All the students got up from their seats and went back to their respective classes. "Ungrateful beasts…" Ace jumped off the platform and walked to Lily. "Hola chika."
"Hola Ace," Lily replied as she hugged her bestie.
"Did you like the assembly?" Ace asked as she hugged Lily back, she hadn't planned any of it really, she used the same rant just about every year.
"It is definitely something you would do," Lily replied happily.
"Well I'm sick of it… they get treated worse than we did," Ace stated dully, she hated that her kid and his friends were tormented worse than she and Lily were.
"Who are some of the main ones?" Lily asked as she looked at Ace before shaking her head, she hardly ever said things without emotion.
"Some of the kids are the spawn of our own issues while we were here… I've given them detentions and suspensions," Ace replied as she looked at Lily.
"Didn't we take care of our issues years ago?" Lily demanded with a sigh as she looked at the ground.
"Apparently we didn't… plus it's gotten worse as of late… I mean I've been teaching here for fifteen years now," Ace replied as she shrugged her shoulders, she was doing all that she could.
"So… you've been teaching here pretty much since we graduated?" Lily asked after a brief bit of math to get her time right.
"Yup… it doesn't pay as well as my usual jobs but it's cool… I get benefits here," Ace replied happily, she loved the benefits, and the pay wasn't bad but it wasn't her normal.
"Well I'll let you get to your class, I have to talk to my dad anyway," Lily stated as she looked at Ace again, chuckling a bit.
"Brats can wait, I'll walk with you, it's on the way," Ace replied even though her class was actually in the gym where she was.
"So what lead you to start teaching?" Lily asked, she was truly curious because Ace never seemed the type to teach anyone anything unless it benefitted her as well.
"Your dad asked me to… a favor for a year if you would, and then it just stuck," Ace replied casually, she enjoyed teaching, however she hated most of her students.
"That sounds like him," Lily stated with a chuckle as they walked toward the door.
"Yep… plus I wanted to change things" Ace muttered, she had wanted to change the way people like her and Lily were treated and where better than a school to change that. Lily chuckled a bit. "What? I didn't want another generation of idiots for our kids to have to deal with."
"I agree with you there," Lily stated as they walked out the door.
"So I teach a cultures class here," Ace stated as they walked down the hall.
"Nice," Lily replied as they reached Bruce's office.
"Oh yeah, hey want to see a class in action?" Ace asked as she reached for the door knob.
"Depends on how soon I finish talking with my dad," Lily replied as she looked at Ace.
"It's my class that's right after lunch," Ace stated happily as she looked at Lily as well. "So I would hope you'd be done by then… now though… I have combat ugh… little rats are pathetic."
"Not everyone can be as awesome as us Ace," Lily replied with a chuckle.
"They have the potential… they're just clouded by the judgment of their parents," Ace replied coldly, she hated that parents really had that much effect on their kids, they walked into the office after Ace opened the door. "Hey Bruce."
"Hi daddy!" Lily exclaimed as she looked at her father.
"Hi baby girl, Ace go teach your class… I know you don't want to but go teach," Bruce stated as he looked at the two girls.
"Yes Mistah Bossman!" Ace exclaimed in a Harley-esque voice before bouncing out of the room.
"What can I help you with Lily?" Bruce asked as he looked at his daughter, mentally shaking his head at Ace's antics.
"Is that offer still open?" Lily asked in reply as she looked at her father, she was thinking about taking it.
"Of course Lily, are you interested?" Bruce replied in question as he looked at her.
"When could I start?" Lily asked happily as she looked at her dad.
"Does next Monday sounds good?" Bruce replied as he looked at her.
"Sounds perfect to me," Lily stated as she smiled.
"Thank you so much Lily, I almost had to cut the entire class," Bruce replied as he held out his hand for his newest teacher to shake. "Now I'd like to show you the greenhouse and the classroom that you're going to be using."
"Sounds good to me," Lily stated as she shook her new bosses hand.
"Great, let's go, I overheard that Ace wanted you to listen in on one of her culture classes," Bruce replied with a smile, he was happy that he didn't have to cancel the class. He lead her out of his office and toward her soon to be classroom. "This will be your classroom, I'll give you your keys after the tour."
"Yes sir," Lily stated as she followed her adopted father around the school.
"You don't have to call me sir, Lily, dad will do," Bruce replied happily as he unlocked the door to the classroom and ushered Lily in before giving her the key. "Have a look around."
"How far is the distance between the classroom and the greenhouse?" Lily asked as she walked around the classroom, mentally cataloging where plants would go.
"Maybe three minutes at most," Bruce replied as he handed her the classroom along with a basic key ring. "You can decorate however you like."
"Thanks dad," Lily replied with a nod.
"Now off to the greenhouse, then it will be almost lunch time," Bruce stated as he led her back out of the room. "If you need anything for your class just let me know." Lily nodded as she followed Bruce out to the greenhouse. "Well this is the greenhouse, I know it's not much right now, but that's what the class is for." He unlocked the greenhouse door and handed her that key as well. "I don't want all the classes out here though."
"I know dad, I remember when you wouldn't let me into my greenhouse back at the manor until I had finished my homework," Lily said with a smile as she looked around.
"It's actually because the kids really can't grow anything… they all just control, besides Saiyuri that is," Bruce replied as he looked at Lily.
"If they control plants, shouldn't they be able to actually grow the plants?" Lily asked, slightly confused, she had no idea that someone couldn't grow plants with the power to control them.
"I thought that as well… however they seem to lack the passion that it takes to grow plants, a few come close though," Bruce replied as he lead her toward the back of the greenhouse where there was a list of students posted on the back wall. "They've tried but can't really do it." Lily looked over the list of names. "Those are the plant users here at Sky High, quite a few more then while you were here." He looked over the list of thirteen names himself. "I'll have you check their abilities later this week."
"Sounds good to me," Lily replied as she looked around again.
"So I'll let you plan your course and your classes, if you need any help I'm here, and I'm sure that Ace would help you too," Bruce stated as he lead her back into the school and toward his office.
"Is there any paperwork you need me to sign or anything?" Lily asked as she looked at her father.
"Not at all, I don't think that Ace has signed anything other than detention forms and suspension paperwork and her forms for taxes but that's nothing really, I was able to do all of it ahead of time for you," Bruce stated as he opened his office door.
"You knew I was going to accept the offer didn't you?" Lily asked as she gave her father a knowing look.
"Yes I did, Ace told me you would," Bruce replied as Lily chuckled and shook her head as they headed toward the cafeteria.
"So you accepted?" Ace asked Lily as her and Bruce came into the cafeteria.
"Yep," Lily replied as she turned to look at Ace with a smile on her face.
"FUCK YES!" Ace exclaimed as she took her spot off to the side of the lunch room as it was her turn to watch over the lunch period. "I'm not alone!" Lily let out a chuckle as she watched Ace scan the room. "Oi, Rosco, we don't need any of that today!" Ace turned toward the child of Magenta and Zach, he was a freshman even though he was merely a twelve year old boy whom had been pushed ahead a few grades. "Rosco Braun, you stop that this instant." She walked up to the boy who was shape shifting into various neon animals.
"Yes Mrs. Peace," Rosco replied as he stopped shifting into his various animals, Boomer had been surprised to name him hero.
"Good, now are you still coming over for your tutoring session later?" Ace asked as she patted him on the head. Rosco nodded with a smile.
"You're good with them," Lily stated as she watched Rosco rejoin the other kids at his table, it was Warren's old table from their days at the school.
"It's just Rosco, Saiyuri, Aden, and Jenna that I'm good with," Ace replied as she looked at Lily with a smile. "The children of our friends and our own spawn." She turned back to the table the kids were at. "Aden! What have I told you about trying to screw my niece at the lunch table?" Her tone was demanding, her own children gave her so much grief it wasn't funny.
"Mom chill," Aden grumbled but stopped none the less.
"It's not like you and Uncle Warren didn't do it when you were our age," Saiyuri stated with a blush before she buried her face in Aden's chest.
"Saiyuri, Warren and I did worse while we were here," Ace replied with a wink. "We're the reason that supply closets are now kept under strict lock and key and are you still coming over for dinner tonight?"
"Don't I always?" Saiyuri replied in question a smile plastered on her face.
"Indeed you do, it's Chinese this time, and are the rest of you coming?" Ace asked as she looked at the entire table. "And are your parents coming as well?"
"You got it," Rosco replied with a nod of his head.
"Of course," Jenna replied happily, she loved hanging out with everyone and having fun at the weekly get together. Saiyuri smiled as she leaned her head back on Aden's shoulder, it looked like things were finally back in place.
"Great, so Paper Lantern tonight at seven, then whatever it is you guys do after," Ace stated happily as she pulled out her cellphone and looked at the time. "Well Bruce, I hate to leave you in their grasp but I have to prep for my class today." She skipped happily out of the room after giving a mock bow.
"She hasn't changed a bit has she?" Lily asked as she shook her head at her friends' antics.
"Not at all… and she gets along with the students because she hasn't changed, they either fear her or they respect her… I've gotten so many complaints but she teaches them well and what they have to learn so I can't and won't fire her." Bruce stated as he looked at Lily.
"It sounds like those complaining are mostly former classmates of ours from what Ace has told me," Lily replied as she looked at her dad.
"And a few parents of students who say that Ace hates them because they are the children of heroes…" Bruce began as he looked at the entire room. "It's quite amusing to watch her because I demanded that all complaints about teachers be done in writing, she reads them and then goes on a rant about how she's going to kill them all and then they finally meet her and she scares them."
"And if the sentiment of her hating heroes were true, me and her wouldn't be best friends," Lily stated with a chuckle, people were so stupid sometimes.
"This is true, and that's what I try to tell people… but do they listen?" Bruce demanded as he rolled his eyes.
"Of course not," Lily finished.
"Well you best go find Aces' classroom and get a seat, her class is required so it's always full," Bruce muttered as he turned to look at her. Lily nodded and headed toward Ace's class.
"Pick a seat, hell you could have my seat, I pull an Eric and sit on the desk," Ace stated as she put papers on all the desks.
"Why am I not surprised?" Lily asked as she took Aces' chair behind the desk. "You pretty much idolized Eric while we were here."
"He saved not only me but he also saved most of the population of Sky High," Ace replied as she finished placing papers and walked around her room for a final time before her students came in.
"I can believe that," Lily stated happily as she watched the students practically crawl in.
"Alright kiddos, sit your asses down and look at your papers," Ace stated as she picked up her own copies after making sure that Lily had a few, she knew her subject backwards and forwards. "So who can tell me what this class is about?"
"To learn about the culture of heroes and villains," Rosco replied after raising his hand and being called on.
"Correct, any questions?" Ace replied with question as she looked at the class.
"Why do we have to learn this junk?" A student demanded after raising her hand and being called on. "It's not like it's going to be of any real use to us crime fighters."
"Want to bet little Ms. Priss?" Ace demanded back as she looked at her list of student names and stopped on that particular name. "How much do you know about me as a villain?"
"You're the daughter of the Joker, you blow up buildings, including this school, and you killed the previous principal and the Commander, just to name a few things," The student replied dryly, she had stated information that was common knowledge.
"Correct… now tell me something about me as a teacher," Ace demanded back with a harsh glare.
"Simple… you play favorites with your son and his whore of a girlfriend," The girl replied.
"That statement is a LIE… and you know it Gwen Tenny," Ace retorted harshly. "Now I would like you to tell me how I would have been affected if I had been raised by a different family." Saiyuri raised her hand, she knew the answer. "Saiyuri you're up."
"If you were raised by a different family, you wouldn't have had the experiences that you did, and would've been an entirely different person," Saiyuri replied, she was correct, however she missed the point.
"That is true… but it doesn't completely answer the question," Ace replied happily. "How would I be different, give examples."
"You most likely never would have met my mother and have become best friends with her," Saiyuri stated as she looked between her teacher and her mother.
"Correct, now Ms. Tenny…" Ace replied happily as she looked from Saiyuri to Gwen. "I would like you to explain to me how you would be different from how you are if you were say… my child or even the child of Alex and Rosa Masterson."
"I wouldn't be me… if I was your child I'd most likely be as insane as you if not more so," Gwen replied as she looked up at Ace.
"Incorrect… I raise my children to be respectful of everyone's differences and be okay with everyone's differences," Ace stated harshly, she hated when people questioned her parenting methods. "You see this is the culture of how one is raised… the culture in which you were raised is much different than that which I was raised in." Lily mentally clapped at Ace's comeback.
"How… your child is anything but respectful," Gwen retorted as she looked at Ace with a smirk.
"Detention," Ace growled, nobody had ever said that her son was disrespectful.
"Why?" Gwen demanded as she glared at Ace. "For telling the truth?" Her tone spoke volumes that she would try to fight her detention.
"No Gwen… for disrespecting me," Ace retorted as she looked at Gwen. "And it's detention with me so be prepared. I'm a horrible person to have detention with." She pulled a detention slip off her stack and began filling it out.
"Tch…" Gwen snorted as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"Don't give me that or it will be a Saturday. Now I have a worksheet for all of you to get to know you. It's on your desks fill it out…" Ace muttered loudly as she groaned and walked toward the back of her classroom. "I need my fucking coffee." She refilled her coffee cup from her pot. Lily watched as everyone did their paper… well everyone except Gwen. "Gwen Tenny… do your fucking paper or you're out of this class and out of this school."
"You can't do that!" Gwen exclaimed as she glared at her desk.
"As a teacher here at Sky High, she can start the process," Lily piped up as she looked at Gwen.
"No she can't… only the principal can do that," Gwen argued as she continued glaring.
"Gwen you have one more chance… do you fucking paper," Ace growled out angrily as she glared at Gwen.
"No," Gwen stated harshly. "And you can't make me."
"Hey Bruce… It's Ace, I have one more for expulsion," Ace grunted as she walked back to her desk and grabbed her phone dialing the principal's office. "Please and thank you."
"No problem just tell me the students name and I'll get started on the paperwork," Bruce replied over the phone as he started pulling up the needed files.
"Gwen Tenny. And if you could call her parents in for a conference so that they know why their daughter is being expelled that would be great," Ace stated as she rolled her eyes, she had warned Gwen. "I'm sure that Gwen will be just thrilled to hear from me especially concerning her daughter.
"Hey wasn't Gwen super lame ass's girlfriend after Layla?" Lily asked as she looked at Ace.
"Yup… but after he had his accident… we became friends a few months after graduation," Ace replied as she looked around.
"More like you two whores killed him and his father in cold blood," Gwen piped up harshly, she hated the woman that was her teacher.
"Principles office NOW!:" Ace screamed as she glared at Gwen. "Before my blood runs cold again!" Gwen got up and stomped out of the classroom… then out of the school. "I'm very sorry class but I have to take care of something before class tomorrow. Just start reading the packets." She slung back the rest of her coffee and then violently threw her cup at her bag. The class began working in silence on the packets, reading and filling in the needed stuff. "I'm sorry Lily." She looked at her bestie. "This class is usually by best and easiest one."
"It's no problem Ace," Lily replied as she looked at Ace.
"I have to go talk to Bruce… Lily you're in charge," Ace muttered as she looked at her door and the detention slip.
"Yes Mistah Boss Lady," Lily replied with a mock salute, Ace shook her head and walked out.