It had been two months since Warren's suspension and so far he hadn't got into any trouble, not unless you counted the time he 'accidentally' set Medulla's lab coat on fire.

It was the last week of the semester before the Christmas vacation and as Warren walked in the building, you could definitely tell that Christmas was in the air. On the grass at the front of the school a girl with ice power was creating blocks of the cold hard stuff which was being carved into Christmassy shapes by a boy who shot knives out of his hands. All in all, Warren was impressed.

Once inside he noticed that the redhead had apparently grown a firtree that Stronghold had carried into the main hall and stuck in a pot, getting covered in needles in the process. A small smile played around the corner of Warren's lips as he watched him struggle to get the needles out of his hair.

However, what was dominating his thoughts was his mom. He'd woken up this morning and found that she was nowhere in the house and her cell was off. She often had to leave, to help with important meetings, forming of new governments and so on but usually she left a note of she couldn't tell him herself. But then again, Warren shrugged; maybe she hadn't had time to scrawl something. She'd probably call tonight, he reassured himself.

'All students are reminded of the obligatory attendance at the Powers Showcase, which is held this evening at 5.30pm. Parents and school governors will be attendance so I expect nothing less than perfect behaviour.' Principal Powers' voice echoed throughout the school on the PA system. 'Would all those participating in the Showcase make their way to the gym immediately after homeroom for a final rehearsal.'

Inwardly Warren groaned and wondered if now would be a good time to test the system that prevented pupils falling off the floating school. He had forgotten that today was the Showcase.

The pride of Sky High, the event happened every year where the heroes of the future showed off their powers and a display was co-ordinated by the seniors showing the control they had over their developing abilities.

Once they were all assembled in the gym, Coach Boomer took charge.

'Right, freshmen on the left, seniors on the right – get a move on, come on Peace that means you too!'

Warren threw the Coach a sour look as he sloped off to join the rest of his classmates. The freshmen heroes would be exhibiting their powers by attacking a stone column, 9 foot tall and weighing about 3 tons. They would show what they could do and the extent of their powers. The seniors, however, who had extremely advanced powers would do an impressive display, using their powers for the ultimate visual experience. Principal Powers would round off the whole thing with a speech.

Along with his classmates, he sat in the seats around the gym while the seniors rehearsed. He saw Stretch warming up for when he would have to dodge the lightning bolts that Strom, a giant guy with control over the weather, would be throwing his way.

Warren, who had deliberately chosen to sit away from the main group of his peers, was annoyed to find that, when he looked up, the girl from his bus stop was standing next to him.

'Do you mind if I sit here?' the girl asked. Her hair seemed to have a deep blue, almost purple tint to it and the same coloured jewel dangled from her a cord around her throat.

'Yes,' he replied bluntly. If he had to endure this weird form of torture, he would prefer to do so alone. Which was why he was surprised when the girl plonked herself down just one seat away from him.

'If you were going to sit down anyway, then why'd you ask?

'Common courtesy, something you obviously know nothing about,' she replied cattily.

Warren sighed and resigned himself to the fact that even though he could win most battles, to try and win this one with a roomful of extremely powerful people would probably be a bad idea.

'I'm Raven by the way.'

Warren made a noise that could be only interpreted, as I don't care, barely lifting his head in acknowledgement. Why was it that when you most wanted to be alone, people would insist on irritating you?

'I know who you are of course, you're Warren Peace. Baron Battle's son.'

'Look,' Warren snapped, 'if you've come to say something just say it already. You can't irritate me enough to make me ignite. It would be a waste of perfectly good oxygen which someone more worthwhile than you could be breathing.'

It was a little harsh, he knew, but the girl really was annoying and he couldn't afford to get suspended again. He needed to build a reputation for himself worthy of a hero and not turn out to be just like his dad. He needed to eclipse him.

The girl was about to open her mouth to make some sort of reply when,

'Freshmen!' Coach Boomer called, 'You're up next, get yourselves down here!'

Warren was almost relieved; at least this meant he wouldn't have to continue in this inane conversation.

'Ok, you know the drill by now, form your lines.'

The freshmen lined up in six rows of five, each perfectly aligned. They faced five giant columns that were supposed to hold out until the end so they could each display their power. Warren was in the third row; he noticed Raven was in the one in front and the redhead and Stronghold were in the front row, naturally.

'First line, go!'

Stronghold flew up and punched off the top of the column and the redhead crushed the top of hers with some vines that came out of nowhere.

'Second line, go!'

He watched Raven – even though she was irritating there was something intriguing about her. She stuck out her hand; palm facing the column and it started falling backward only to bounce back up again without her moving her hands at all. As it was about to topple onto the students, she moved her hand in an upward gesture and it stood upright again.

'Third row, go!'

Warren let the flames engulf his arms, enjoying it for once, and threw several fireballs at the highest part of his column, destroying a good part of it and leaving scorch marks.

He stepped out of his line and walked to the 'safe area' behind the remaining students. Still wondering about Raven's power, he walked over to her and asked her about her abilities.

'I'm sorry, talking to you is a waste of perfectly good oxygen. And if you want to know so badly, a bright boy like you should be able to figure it out,' she added patronisingly as she wandered off.

He stared after her, slightly taken aback. No one had ever spoken to him like that and got away unmarked. He frowned, why hadn't he reacted?

'Alright, now don't forget to be here by 5pm so we can start at 5.30pm sharp! If you mess this up, Principal Powers will not be pleased!'

'You're right there Coach Boomer,' she said as she sailed into the gym. 'That was a very impressive display I just saw. By all of you,' she added pointedly, looking at Warren. 'I expect the same level of competence this evening. Now you can all go to lunch early.'

A/N: I know this one wasn't too interesting but if I added the next one to it, it would be a giant chapter!