Author's Note: Well it took longer than expected but here it is, the sequel to 'With Enemies Like These'! As always, honest comments and reviews are welcome and appreciated. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Sky High, or any of its canon characters.

Chapter One- Anna's Choice

Six Months Later.

It was summer again in Maxville. The Sun shone hotly, even though it was only mid-morning. Across the street, the neighbours had turned on the sprinklers in their front yard. Some kids were playing in it, running around and shrieking with laughter.

I watched it all solemnly from my bedroom window for a while. Then I closed the blinds.

There was a soft knock at my door. "It's open," I called out.

It was my father, Charles Arrian. He was a retired Super Hero, gone inactive after being severely injured in an altercation with Super Villain Barron Battle years ago. Even now, he limped slightly as he came into my room. "Hi Annie," he greeted me warmly. "Miss Electra's here. She's waiting downstairs."

Miss Electra was my home school teacher. She'd been giving me summer classes since mid-July. She would have taught me for the remainder of the Spring term, if my parents hadn't insisted that I take the time off. "Okay Dad. Let me just get my books."

He grinned as he helped me with the heavier texts. "Your Mom's coming home this afternoon. Did I tell you?"

"Only about ten times this morning." I smiled, then grew serious. "Is she all right now?" I asked quietly.

My father looked down at me fondly. "She called me early this morning. You were still sleeping. She says she misses you honey. She can't wait to see you."

My spirits rose when I heard that. My mother had gone to stay with her parents since May. Things hadn't been easy for her since my cousin Paul's death. Being a regular person with a husband and daughter who both possessed super powers had never been easy for her. And since the tragedy, she told us she needed some time to recover, and had been gone for three months. Now she was coming home at last.

xxxx

"Who was the first Villain to attempt to destroy the Sun?"

"The Dark Plague."

"Correct. The year Crystanet the Invincible defeated Régne Sinistre?

"1974."

"That's right. The country where a swarm of radioactive locusts-"

"Tunisia, North Africa, 1981."

Miss Electra put down her textbook and gazed at me serenely. She picked up a folder, and leafed through it. "Well Anna, I think that will do. I have your results from the last final. You are certainly on top of Hero History. Your Arts scores are also good. Mad Science...good. English for Super Heroes..."She nodded appreciatively. "If you keep this up Anna, you could graduate with honours. You certainly have the potential to be one of Maxville's finest. I've seen your physical reports from last year. You'd be one of the first the mayor himself would call in an emergency."

"Or I could teach Hero History, or Concepts of Super Physics, or something." I tried to say it in a joking way, but the hopeful tone in my voice betrayed me.

Miss Electra chuckled. Her smile faded. "Anna, I understand that you've gone through a very traumatic experience. But I've been speaking with your father, and he tells me that your therapist has helped a lot."

"I guess so."

"Anna, it's okay," Miss Electra said encouragingly. "I just think that maybe, if you could power up, even for a few moments-"

My breath caught in my throat. I shut my eyes tightly, fighting for air. "I can't," I whispered, gasping.

"All right, all right," Miss Electra's voice was alarmed. She got up and I felt her grab my shoulders gently. "I'm sorry, Anna. Breathe deeply. Just calm down. Breathe."

I forced myself to take deep controlled breaths, until I felt better. Slowly, I opened my eyes. Miss Electra was still in front of me. She gave a sympathetic sigh. "I'm sorry," she said again. "I shouldn't have asked you. Look, I know how you feel, and-"

"No, you don't," I said in a sharp tone. "You don't know anything about it."

Miss Electra fell silent, and I bit my lip regretfully. "I'm sorry Miss Electra. I didn't mean to be rude." I stared at my lap, not wanting to look at her.

"Perhaps...perhaps we should end class a little bit early today. It's our last day after all," Miss Electra said quietly.

"All right," I murmured, still focussed on my lap. "Goodbye Miss Electra."

"Goodbye Anna." She got up and left the room. Some seconds later I heard her, speaking to my father. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but my father sounded insistent. Quietly, I got up from my chair in the den, and went over to the door. In the hallway, I saw them standing by the front door.

"- very gifted, but if she can't use her powers, then it's no use."

"She just needs some more time. I tell you, she's strong-"

"It's been six months, Mr Arrian."

Miss Electra exhaled heavily. "If Anna doesn't return to Sky High and receive the proper physical training she needs...there's only so much I can teach her. I'm sorry."

The door closed. I left the confines of the doorway and walked over to him. His expression was troubled, but his face automatically lit up as soon as he saw me. "Hey kid," he said, too cheerily.

I didn't smile back at him. "If I don't go back, I won't be able to graduate, will I?"

"You don't have to worry about that now, Annie."

"But I do. I'm supposed to graduate next year."

My father dropped his gaze, and sighed. He didn't reply.

"I have to go to work now. Will Mom be here when I get back?"

"She should be."

I smiled at the thought of seeing her again. "I'll see you later Dad. I love you."

"Love you too, Annie."

Xxxxx

I had gotten a job at Maxville's Value Mart, to keep me busy. My parents also thought it'd be good for me, getting out of the house regularly. But there was more to it than that. Working in a regular store with regular people (for the most part) made it easier to forget what had happened. For a while, I could pretend I was just like everyone else.

Maxville's Value Mart was one of the main grocery stores in the city. Because of this, I often saw a lot of the kids and teachers from Sky High, doing their shopping. One person I saw regularly at the Value Mart was Warren Peace, who would run errands for both his mother, and his employers at The Paper Lantern. Whenever we saw one another, I would give him a small wave, and he'd acknowledge me with a nod and a faint smile. We'd sometimes exchange a few meaningless words, keeping carefully off the subject of school and...what had happened.

That is, until today.

When I spotted him in the Oils and Seasonings aisle, I gave him the obligatory wave. But as soon as he saw me, he made his way over, an indignant expression on his face.

"It's been two weeks Anna. And you're still out of sesame seed oil?"

I think he wanted to look intimidating, but the emotion didn't reach his eyes. He was obviously teasing.

I sighed, trying to suppress a smile. "You know we're having delivery issues with the suppliers. And you didn't fool me with that scary guy bit for a second."

He tried to keep his expression firm, but failed; a small smile tugged at his mouth. "Worth a try."

I shook my head good-humouredly. Warren walked alongside me as I carried a box of organic sea salt to restock the shelves. For a while, neither of us said anything. I glanced curiously at him from the corners of my eyes. Something was up- Warren wasn't exactly the type for unnecessary social visits.

He finally broke the silence. "So, the summer's almost over."

Oh great. Here it comes, I thought with a sinking feeling. "Hm," was all I said, nodding, as I placed the containers neatly on the shelves.

"School starts in a week."

"Hm," I said again.

"Gym's supposed to be brutal this term," Warren said, trying to keep his voice casual. "I hear they really drill you in your senior year-"

"Yeah well, tell me how that works out for you." I muttered, never pausing in my work.

I heard Warren sigh. "Won't you even consider going back?"

"No, I won't. I'm being home schooled, and I'm pretty happy with it, thanks."

Warren scoffed. "Arrian," he said, his voice lowered, "Look, I know it's been tough for you these past few months-"

"Yes," I interrupted, "You do know, Warren. Which is why you should understand why I won't go back there." I put the last of the sea salt on the top shelf and tucked the box under my arm. I began to walk away, indicating that the conversation was now over. But Warren walked beside me, refusing to drop the issue.

"Think I don't know what this is?"

"What are you talking about?" I tried not to let the irritation creep into my voice.

"I'm talking about you, using your fear as an excuse to drop out."

"I'm not dropping out," I shot back defensively. "I told you, I'm being home schooled-"

"In this line of work, it's practically the same thing."

We were by the frozen meat section at that point. I suddenly stopped and turned around to face him. His expression was hard, determined, but I was equally adamant. "Listen to me, Warren. I don't know if you feel you owe me this little pep talk because I helped your dad-"

"That's not why I-"

"Whatever it is, just... stop it, okay? I'm not what you think." I sighed sharply. "I'm not a Hero."

Warren gazed at me with sheer defiance. "I don't believe that Anna. I know that you don't either. If you did, you never would've walked into that prison with me."

I fell silent. It was the first time he'd referred to that night, since the day of the funeral. I felt an old familiar stab of grief, but I made my face expressionless, cold. I was furious with him.

"No," I said in a harsh whisper, staring him straight in the eye. "Don't you dare bring that up."

The hurt and anger in my voice must have been obvious, because Warren looked away with a guilty expression. "Arrian...I just don't want you making a big mistake."

"That's not for you to decide."

"It's just that-"

"I have to get back to work Warren." My tone was tinged with finality. I wanted him to leave. Immediately.

Warren stared at me for a moment, with a strange calculating look in his eyes. But he turned and walked away without another word.

xxxxxx

By the time I'd done some extensive inventory in the back rooms, restocked the flour, and mopped up spilled juice in one of the aisles, my shift was over. I signed out, said goodbye to a couple of my co-workers, and then I left.

As I waited for the bus home, I forced myself not to think. I stared at two birds flying behind a tall building. I listened intently to the sounds cars made as they went by, and the random chatter of people's conversations. But it only worked for a few minutes.

Warren's words tormented me as I stepped onto the bus and took a seat near the front. Because the fact of the matter was, I was scared. Scared of the possibility that what he was telling me was true; that I was using my fear as an excuse. I didn't want to think about any of it, and I was furious at him for making me.

But my angry resentment vanished quickly as I thought of my mother, who was probably home already. When the bus reached my stop I jumped out, and raced toward my house, so excited was I to see my mom again. I was so eager to get home I bumped into Mr. Peters my neighbour, nearly knocking him down.

"Hey, watch it there!"

"Sorry!" I called out over my shoulder.

As soon as I burst through the front door, I cried out, "Mom?"

"In here, Annie," called my father's voice from the kitchen.

I ran into the kitchen. And there my mother was, sitting with my dad. They were holding hands. But she was different. She'd lost some weight since the last time I saw her, and her eyes were slightly watery. But they lit up as soon as she saw me.

"Hi, honey!" she exclaimed as she stood up to greet me.

Elated, I rushed to her and flung my arms around her neck. She felt so small in my arms, so slight, not like my mother at all. It made me a little sad, despite my joy at seeing her again.

"I missed you." It was all I could manage.

"Oh Anna... I missed you too," she whispered, holding me tight, but not tight enough. Her voice sounded fragile, just like the rest of her. My mind raced worriedly- what was wrong with her?

"Mom, what's the matter? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine honey. Really, I am."

"She just needs to rest, Annie. She'll be fine," Dad told me, in what tried to be a reassuring tone. It didn't quite take.

I carried her bags upstairs, and returned to the kitchen to start making dinner. Mom wanted to do it, but I wasn't going to have her lift a finger, till she got better from...whatever it was.

xxxxxxxx

I brought my mother her dinner in bed. It was vegetable soup, one of the few dishes I was actually good at making. She took a spoonful and sighed happily. "This is wonderful, Anna."

I sat on the bed next to her. "Thanks Mom. I'm glad you like it."

She continued to eat, and I watched her in silence for a while. She looked better for the food, and that made me feel good. I was so happy that she was back home at last. I'd missed her terribly since she'd gone, but I knew it was for the best. Now that she was home though, things were going to be different. I was never going to put her through that hell again. I was going to put that aspect of my life aside, and be normal, just like her.

Finally, she set aside the bowl. She leaned forward and took my face in her hands. I felt her fingers trace the long thin scars on my cheek, gazing at them sadly.

I'd gotten those scars back when Paul and I had fought in that prison, back when he had tried to kill Barron Battle. But I didn't want to dwell on that. My mom was home. We were a whole family again. And I wasn't going to mess it up. Not this time.

"Anna," my mom's voice interrupted my thoughts, "I was talking to your father this afternoon. He was telling me...how well you're doing in school."

I shot her a look of disbelief. She'd just come home! How could she even bring herself to talk about school, after everything that had happened? "Mom, let's not do this right now, okay? You need to rest-"

"I'm fine," she assured me. "Please Anna...I think we should discuss this."

"But there's nothing to discuss. I'm being home schooled, I'm doing great- isn't that enough?" I tried to remain calm. But my voice rose, beyond my control. "I mean, why is everyone pressing me about this? I made up my mind. I don't want to go back."

My mother swung her legs over the side of the bed, so that she was sitting beside me. She placed her arm around my shoulders. "Anna Arrian," she said quietly, but firmly, "There was a time in your life when all you ever talked about was being a Hero. It was your dream, your dream to save and protect people, just like your father-"

"Oh yeah? And look how that worked out for him," I muttered bitterly.

"Don't you dare talk like that about your father," my mother said sharply. "I know that things didn't turn out the way any of us wanted for him. But do you know how many people are alive because of him?"

She glanced away from me, obviously hurt. I felt ashamed of myself. "Mom... I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

She smiled forgivingly, still looking straight ahead. "It hasn't been easy for either of us, I know. I can't imagine it would be for anyone. But I never complained. Partly because I wanted to be a good wife, but also...because I knew. Call it destiny or fate, but... your father... it was what he was meant to do." She looked me at length. "It's what you're meant to do."

"No, it's not," I insisted in a whisper.

"Anna, I look at you, and-" She stopped, sighing. "I see how much you still want that dream. I also see how scared you are. But this isn't your conviction talking. If you let your fear make this decision for you, you'll regret it always. I know you will."

"But look what this has done to you, to all of us! I can't live like that anymore."

"Do you think things will magically become normal if you decide not to be a Hero? It doesn't work that way. Anna, your choice is so much bigger than this family. Don't you see? You have so much to offer the world."

I blinked at my mother's last words. It was the same thing Warren had said to me months ago, the day of the funeral. I didn't care to hear it then, the pain of my cousin's death still too fresh. But now I had to listen. There was nothing to distract me.

"Anna?" my mother said after a lengthy silence. "What are you thinking, honey?"

I couldn't bring myself to tell her- how afraid I was of Sky High, of the memories it held, of the people there, who all knew the terrible thing I'd done. There was no way I would tell her. She'd been through enough for one year.

"Nothing," I murmured.

xxxx

I left my mother to get her rest, as I took her dishes to the kitchen and washed them. Once in my room, I switched on my lamp light, and stared at myself in the mirror. I saw my own brown somber eyes staring back at me; casually examined the three thin scars that began just below my left eye and ended at the corner of my mouth; noted how much older my expression seemed. It had been ages since I could look at myself directly. There were other subtle little changes, but they all conspired to alter me in a way that both surprised and saddened me.

I sat on my bed and stared at my hands. I remembered the last time they were filled with brilliant light, the very power that killed my cousin Paul. But this time I felt different, calmer than I had in months.

For the time since the tragedy, I allowed myself to remember Paul, the way he'd been before the darkness. I remembered him laughing, his dry sarcastic voice when he told me jokes, the wonderful grilled cheese sandwiches he'd make when I came to visit. I wanted to remember the good in him, the things that made me love him so much. I wanted to remember the dream we'd shared of saving the world.

When he died, I'd abandoned it, letting it die along with him. I'd thought if we couldn't have that dream together, then I didn't want it anymore. But deep down inside, I knew I still did. And as silly as it seemed, I felt as if I were still betraying him for wanting it.

I took a deep breath, and then exhaled. Another. And another. And raised my hands, willing the light to come. My hands immediately tingled with the familiar warmth. The suddenness of it made me gasp. The warmth vanished. I sighed. I still wasn't ready. Not yet.

But I was ready for what I did next.

I pulled my textbooks from my table drawer. I looked them over: The Physics of Super Abilities. Super Heroes: A Super History. The Hero's Persona- Acting for the Young Hero. Mad Science and You.

I gathered them in my arms, with my eyes closed. Then I placed them in my bag nearby.