A/N: A little reminder that the story has been in my head since I saw the film, so I didn't steal anything cept the Sky High characters and setting. Just so you know…

CHAPTER 9

Secrets and Surprises

After He had brought her clothes they had left in silence. Warren didn't dare push to hard on the subject. The rest of the day was pretty much spent in silence. It was good that today was their day off.

Tempeste was reading in her room until dinnertime when she came out to order a pizza. They ate together in the small dining area. They talked about little random things, but neither one mentioned the events of the day.

After she finished eating, she went into her room and closed the door. When Warren checked if she wanted anything, he found the room empty. He walked in to see if he was mistaken, but she was gone. The window was open and he realized she must have gone out that way.

He ran down stairs to check if she was nearby. He looked all around but saw no one. He was worried, he didn't know if she had healed completely yet. Finally he looked up at the stars in defeat and spotted her on the edge of the roof. He headed up to meet her.

"I was wondering how long you were going to look for me out there. I have to admit I was surprised that you saw me." Tempeste spoke without moving from her position on a blanket. "I suppose you want to talk."

"I won't push you here. But I would like to know what exactly happened today."

"Well, I can't blame you there. So here it is. Do you know what a Elemental Star is or a Star Elemental?" She was obviously nervous and hesitant.

"Not really, it sounds familiar though."

"That's okay few kids know what they are. We are a type of hybrid Elemental. In essence we have the power of the elements of the entire universe versus an Earth Elemental that has limited resources ours are infinite. However we have to grow to be this strong. And I haven't come into my powers in full yet. But I'm still stronger than the strongest Earth Elemental. Now that you know what I am it will be easier to explain how I healed you. It's a part of my empathetic abilities coupled with the fact as a Star I can alter matter, so generally I transferred your pain to me." She sat still waiting patiently for the teenage boy next to her to grasp the meaning of all she had said. She looked up at the stars and awaited the inevitable question to be asked.

"Okay……. I get the how and all. But why keep it a secret?" And there it was the question she really didn't want to answer.

"Because of I have been able to hide my identity for so long that I didn't want people to find out, not only about my power but about my family." She tilted her head down with a little shame.

"Jesus, I wish I could have done that, but by the time I came here everyone already knew my name and my face." He laughed at the idea. How much would have been different now if he had hidden his identity? "If you don't feel comfortable telling me why you wanted to hide, that's fine. But trust me I don't judge others based on their family."

"I've come this far might as well tell you the whole story." She took a deep breath and prepared herself. 'Do not cry.' She thought to herself before looking at Warren. "My Mother was a villain. She died when I was 7 years old. By the time I was born she was no longer in action, she gave all that up for me. But her best friend, whom I called my Uncle, did not follow her path. He too got married and had a little boy, but he thought that he needed to continue stealing to give his family what they disserved. Just like his father had done before him. Just as my grandfather had before my Mother." She paused as the memories came back in flashes.

"So far we have more in common then I thought. Go on." Warren had a warm smile on his face; he couldn't help but sympathize with this girl.

"My Mother saw that her best friend was becoming more and more like their fathers. This worried her, knowing that he was hurting his family that he loved so much. So we went to talk to him, despite the arguments my Father made against my Uncle. She loved her friend in a way my Father could not understand. She had convinced my Uncle to stop. After one last spree he would quit forever. But something went very wrong. I was sitting in his lap when the wall behind us came down. My Uncle handed me to my Mother and told us to leave. My Mother put me out of harm's way and went to my Uncle's side." God the pain was worse than she had thought all these years and everything was still so fresh in her mind.

"The Commander was the "hero" that knocked down the wall. My Mother begged him to leave her friend alone. He would do no more harm, she told him to no avail. The Commander did not listen and pushed her violently away. Because my Mother had given up her powers at my Father's will she had not received all of her ability. And when a Star is attacked without full power, the powers are summoned immediately. Under normal circumstances her powers would have come gradually over the course of a week. But because of the attack it came all at once and in her weakened state she did not survive the transfer. She screamed for my Uncle, but he was fighting with all his might. I ran from my hiding place trying to help my Uncle and my Mother. When the Commander hit the floor I went flying and would have died if my Uncle had not grabbed me before the metal reached my chest. He put me down and I ran to my Mother, but she was already dead." Tears fell freely down Tempeste's face now as she remembered her Mother on that cold floor, dead.

"I sobbed for both my Mother and my Uncle that day. He was sent to prison without being able to say goodbye to my Mother. He swore he would kill the Commander if he got the chance for ruining his family. And I too swore that that day would not be forgotten. Uncle Bar might have been a villain in the eyes of others but he was a hero to me." She had her heard in her hands now. Small whimpers could be barely heard.

"Uncle Bar?"

"Yes. His name was Barron Battle. My Mother's name Lashia." She said offhandedly as she fought to hide the pain and tears. "After that my Father moved us to the planet Halmata to live. If he had had his way I would not have used my powers ever again. But I was able to make up my own mind at 13. And I chose to learn to control my powers."

"Did you change your name?" He looked her over closely, tying the pieces together.

"Yes, I did to help hide my identity, my birth name was Daria, after my Mother's Father, Darithian. My Mother would understand what I've done. After all she did the same thing. She changed her last name rather than her first. Her real name was Lashia Star. My father didn't want any part of my name to do with her family, much less my grandfather. He was a Villain known as Dark Star."

"Okay, slow down a second here. Your Mother was Lashia. Her best friend was Barron Battle and your Grandfather is one of the most feared beings in the universe. Is this correct?" Under the circumstances he thought he was taking this very well. But he dared not rush her or scare her by interrupting. He knew how hard this was for her.

"Yes." She looked over at Warren; she looked into his eyes to see how he was taking all of this. It hit her. Why didn't she see it before? "Oh My Gods! Lacien? Well I see I'm not the only one who changed their name. No wonder you looked so familiar." She could barely believe the resemblance to his Father.

"It's been a long time since I've been called that. My Mother was never extremely happy that I was named after your Mother. And it's most definitely the first time in a very long time I've heard anyone say something good about my Father." He looked at the girl in front of him realizing she was a woman now. Far from the girl he played with when he was young.

She couldn't help it she hugged him as tight as she could, tears running down her cheeks. "I've missed you. I always hated my father for making me leave here. Cutting all ties I had to you." She pulled back realizing how impulsive it was to hug him. "Do remember? We were best friends once. Before everything happened. How is Uncle Bar?"

"I don't know I haven't talked to him in almost 4 years now. He wasn't exactly happy about my Mother's choice on schools."

"Oh… It's his birthday tomorrow. I was going to visit, maybe you should come too. I was always the second best at calming him and you down. I guess I follow in my Mother's footsteps after all."

"I don't…" Warren and his father fought even when he was a child. And Lashia or Daria always spilt them up and made the peace. (No pun intended)

"It must be hard being locked up in there. Away from everything. WAIT!" Her eyes grew big as she grabbed his shoulders to look him in the eye. She was clearly concerned. "Has he told you?"

"Told me what?" He was most definitely confused, which seemed to be the theme of the day.

"About your powers."

"Well, I can throw fire its kind of self explanatory."

"Oh, no." She let him go and shook her head. "Oh, no no no. Well it's settled you must come with me tomorrow there is still much you do not know. Speaking of which, have you met your grandfather?"

"No, I haven't and I really don't know if seeing my Dad is a good idea." Warren didn't look up at her.

"Lacien!" She gave him the look that meant he wasn't going to win. "You must go. And it's probably good that your grandfather has not taken an interest in you. Though it is probable he will soon. Now it's been a long day and I'm going to bed." She got up went toward the stairs. "Are you coming?"

"Yes." He followed her down the stairs dreading the day to follow. He always had a weakness for her. He realized she looked much like her mother, except Tempeste was more beautiful. 'Mom is not going to be pleased.' He thought wryly to himself.

A/N: Its getting good now, at least I think so. I hope you like it so far. A few more explanations to come, in the next chapter. And many more surprises to follow. Mwahaha… Review if you like it… if you don't… go away. Oh and yes you were right, Barron is the Uncle. Good job Janfl! Till next time!

Khepyra