AN: Thanks for the reviews! I'm so pleased… so soon! So, just 'cause y'all have been good sports and have stroked my ego sufficiently…
Oh, and Spoongirl1, how's my spacing on this?
Power Replacement
Margaret's leg was shaking badly making the heel of her sneakers tap the carpet in Principle Powers office like a telegraph machine. She'd never been in the office before and had seen Mrs. Powers only at official functions. She swallowed, which somehow upset the bandage across the bridge of her quickly bruising nose. She winced and made a move to touch it, but was painfully aware that Warren was sitting next to her, not moving, not looking at her, slumped in his seat and quiet. She put her hand back in her lap and looked at Principle Powers who was sitting patiently listening to Boomer's loud replay of Warren and Margaret's match of Sudden Death.
"Interesting." She murmured once he had finished. He turned to look at Margaret, which came across as a scowl and she felt her heart lurch. She knew it, she was in trouble, she would be expelled or sued, or-
"Allen, after your little show today we've decided to put you through power replacement." Margaret looked at Boomer, waiting for the next blow, but he just stood there like a colossus with his arms crossed over his thick chest.
"I'm sorry," She squeaked, taking her plea to Principle Powers. "What does that mean, power replacement?"
"It means," She answered, standing up and walking around her desk, a thick sheet of paper in her hand, "That you've a new schedule and new classmates waiting for you." She finished with a smile.
Margaret took the paper from her perfectly manicured hand and saw her name printed at the top with four bold letters underneath.
HERO.
Margaret sputtered and started to laugh, which she quickly stopped at the onslaught of fresh nose pain. She looked from Principle Powers to Boomer but neither of them seemed to be laughing. They weren't joking. Margaret's heart stopped for a full ten seconds before she flushed a violent red and started coughing.
"What? I can't be a hero…" She managed as the coughing subsided and her breathing calmed to a frenzy instead of maniacal panic. 'I've been a sidekick all of my life. I can't fight, I can't take control of situations, I can't save people!"
"Well, it's about time you learned, Miss Allen." Principle Powers smiled. Margaret looked to Coach Boomer, who didn't look quite as sure as his boss.
"Coach Boomer, you know me. You know that I can't do anything! You said so yourself!"
Boomer took an intimidating step forward and uncrossed his arms, which hovered in a bulky way by his sides. "Never, in all my years of Coaching, have I had a whiner baby whine about being a HERO!" He suddenly boomed, making Margaret and Warren's chairs tip back onto the back legs.
"That's enough Boomer. You might want to see to your class." Powers warned politely, waving a hand for the Coach to step down. Boomer nodded and sharply donned his sunglasses. He looked from Margaret to Warren and then quickly left the room, slamming the door behind him. Principle Powers jumped a bit, then smiled warmly at the pair.
"Now, I understand that this year wont be a cakewalk for you, Miss Allen, which is why I've decided, and Coach Boomer agrees, that you need a senior hero to act as a mentor." And with that, she gave Warren a pointed look and a smile.
"No!" They both yelled, then looked at each other, then repeated their pleas to Ms. Powers.
"Principle Powers, please, not him!"
"Oh thanks a lot. You think I really want to baby sit you all year?"
"He'll kill me."
"I wish."
"That's enough, the both of you." Powers raised her voice and the pair fell silent.
"Here at Sky High we aim to cultivate your individual powers to help you become the finest super that you can be. Miss Allen, you need help realizing your power. Mr. Peace, you need help realizing your humanity. I think the two of you will be able to help each other along in the final stages or your journey."
"But Principle Powers-"
A sharp ringing sound cut in.
"Ah, there's the bell. You two'd best go and eat lunch. And Mr. Peace, I hope this is the last time I'll see you in my office." She moved back behind her desk and sat, quickly busying herself with papers stacked neatly in front of her. Margaret opened her mouth to speak, but Warren grabbed her by the crook of her elbow and dragged her out of the office behind him. She thankfully had the presence of mind to grab her bag as he yanked her along, closing the door with a quick click as they left.
'Look, there's no arguing with her, trust me." He said quietly, slinging his leather satchel across his body and shaking his hair back from his face. The two stood there staring at each other for a moment, Margaret not really knowing what to say and Warren not really wanting to say anything. Instead he jerked his head towards the double doors that lead out of the front office and towards the main hall. Margaret quickly gathered herself and donned her own bag, following his long easy strides with her own uncertain, jerky skips.
