Title: Mother Nature's Call

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Sky High characters, and include some of my own in this work. All but the characters in the movie are mine.

Feedback: Guys, I really appreciate your feedback and reviews. I'm not sure about Warren being in the same grade as the others. He's a year older, so it makes sense to me that he'd be in grade higher. I took out the reference to him being a junior though, just in case.

Synopsis: Sophomore year comes quickly for Will and friends. When trouble arises from student transfers, members of the small group of friends are faced with difficult choices.

Mother Nature's Call

Chaper Eight: Firmly Planted

Linda and Greg sat in silence, watching the red head they had been sent to recruit enter the SUV. They saw the smiles on John and Tara's faces and wanted to puke. The siblings were only here because it was made clear that they didn't have a choice. If the girl could do what the others promised than it would be worth it. They had known of Gray's search for the perfect solution to their problem for a while now. His small group had been mostly unsuccessful in drawing attention to the threat mankind consistently presented to the planet because the attacks they carried out ended with disasterous results to the surrounding areas. For a long time it had been a Catch 22 for them, until Lana entered the equation and with her, Layla.

"So Layla, your mom doesn't mind you staying with John and Tara?" Linda asked, curious as to how much the girl actually knew.

"Well, she's out of town right now, and I'm sure she'd feel better knowing that I wasn't staying at the house by myself."

"She's out of town? Where'd she go?" Linda ignored the pointed glare that John sent her way. Layla looked down uncomfortably.

"I don't know. She didn't say where she was going." John reached out and squeezed Layla's hand gently.

"I'm sure you'll see her soon, there's no need to worry."

"Oh, I know. It's just she's all I have, but you're right of course. I'm sure she's fine."

"So are you ready to kick butt tonight?" Greg asked, bored of the sentiment filling the SUV. Layla perked up some.

"I'm very excited. If what you say of this area is true, if I can help out at all I will." Layla didn't know much about the area they were going to, or what had happened there. All she knew was what the others had told her, that the natural habitat had been destroyed and hundreds of animals were misplaced as a result. It didn't become obvious that the place they were taking her too was the area that had been on the news yesterday until later. No one told her it was the sight of a recent attack by Gray's Eco Terrorist group, but it didn't take Layla long to figure it out. The damage was too centrally focused around cement and metal debris to be otherwise. Sighing, Layla looked at the scorched ground and twisted trees around her. A small tear slid down her face.

"Is it safe to be here? Did they cleanse any remains of the chemicals that flooded this area?" Layla asked, searching the ground for any signs of greenery.

"Yeah," Linda answered after seeing Layla ignore the tear on her face, what would be considered a sign of weakness to many, to continue searching the area for any remaining plantlife. Layla searched for several minutes before she found what she'd wanted. There, half hidden by dark bark and black grass, was a tiny green blade. It was enough. Layla bent down on one knee and reached out to touch it. Feeling the life within it she smiled. Closing her eyes she focused, concentrating, calling on the power within her and the tiny life holding on despite everything. Then, slowly, she felt the life stir around her and grow until those standing and watching gasped in shock. Within minutes the entire area, for miles around, changed to the habitat it had once been.

"Wow." John whispered as Layla fell to the ground. As soon as he saw her pass out he rushed to her side, reaching out to lift her up. John carried Layla to the SUV with Tara at his side. Linda and Greg stood in place, looking around in amazement. Smiling, they both turned to join the others. It seemed that she was indeed everything they had hoped and prayed for.

Layla slept all night, not waking up until early dawn. Yawning, she opened her eyes slowly. The images filled her, the black earth, warped trees, dead flowers, consuming her vision. Slowly they were replaced by young buds growing to full bloom, trees rising far above the horizon line to reach into the sky above, and fresh green blades washed over the ground. Layla had been unconscious before she was able to see the result of her work, but somehow she knew. She felt the dead come to life, and having willed it to do so she could clearly picture the lush and beautiful surroundings that resulted. Layla slowly smiled.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Tara asked. She blushed when she saw her newest friend jump slightly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I saw you waking up. We've been worried, you passed out last night."

"It's okay. I'm fine. I can picture everything. I guess it worked huh, the area is back as it was."

"And then some. It looks even better if you ask me. It's beautiful. You have quite a gift Layla." The strawberry blonde smiled.

"We all do." Layla said modestly. Sitting up she stretched and then jumped out of bed. "I'm gonna go take a shower." Tara nodded and slipped into her soft puppy dog slippers before heading to the kitchen. John was so happy to hear that Layla was doing well that he almost hugged his sister. She smiled knowingly and watched her brother resist the girly urge. To celebrate their first success, John cooked his infamous omelette with cheese grits accompanied by fruit. The three enjoyed a good breakfast that morning.