We're Not in Kansas Anymore

Chapter 2

Firefight

"WHERE'S YOUR SIDEKICK, SIDEKICK!" roared Warren Peace as he stood atop the blasted cafeteria table under which huddled the terrified Will Stronghold. The entire cafeteria looked like a war zone due to Warren's rampage as he had hurled fireballs blasting everything around him as he stalked Will.

Warren then stood tall, raising his brawny arms that exploded into even greater flames as a half-sneer crossed his face. He looked like he was getting ready to explode, possibly destroy the entire cafeteria and everyone still in it including Will's friends Layla, Zach, Magenta and the puddle that had been Ethan, who had fainted when Warren glared at him. But he seemed to hesitate.

"LEAVE THEM ALONE!"

A blur shot across the cafeteria and slammed into Warren, carrying him into the far concrete wall with a thunderous impact.

Clark stood up, breathing heavily. He had been across the campus when he had heard Mr. Boy, one of the teachers, yelling for Principal Powers that there was a fight in the cafeteria. When Clark then heard the explosions and saw the students fleeing, he knew it had to be bad to scare super powered teens, and he arrived just as it looked like Warren was going to incinerate Will and everyone else.

Clark was about to see if Warren was okay when he suddenly opened his eyes and jumped up, snarling.

"You think I can't take a hit, plowboy?" Warren growled, then his fists burst into flames and he slammed back into Clark, the impact knocking him through a couple of tables.

Clark was surprised, as he had never been hit like that before. It was obvious there was more to Warren Peace than simple pyrokinesis, but Clark didn't have time to ask as Warren charged him.

"This Saturday, you say?" asked Mr. Medulla, suddenly interested in Coach Boomer's proposed plan for a double date with a certain hotty and her evil twin.

"Medulla, you dog," grinned Boomer as he slapped his friend on the back.

The conversation between the two ended as Warren slammed through the wall of the teacher's lounge and into a main support column, breaking it in half. Without hesitating he pulled himself from the wreckage and stomped back out through the hole.

"HEY, COMMANDER JUNIOR," bellowed Warren, "I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET!"

Clark winced at both the threat and Warren's continued attack. He knew the threat had also been an insult aimed at Will Stronghold, who had washed out of power placement and relegated to sidekick status. A lot of the kids had started gossiping that maybe Clark was going to be the next Commander, and neither Clark nor Will liked the insinuations behind it.

Warren roared like a dragon as nearly his entire upper body burst into flames, the heat of which was singeing the concrete and melting the plastic within ten feet of him. Even Clark had to shield his eyes from the brightness of the flames and a sinking feeling was starting in the pit of his stomach; it seemed the madder Warren got the more powerful he became.

"Great," thought Clark, "he must be related to the Hulk on his mother's side."

Clark was ready to launch himself across the room at super speed and tackle Warren to hopefully carry him out of the building before he set the entire place on fire when he heard someone yell his name.

"Clark," yelled Layla, "catch!"

Clark saw a small fire extinguisher flying through the air towards him and chided himself for being so stupid. Of course, that was the way to do it. He caught it with one hand, swiftly pulled the pin and blasted the charging youth, who looked like a two-legged inferno until the extinguisher's foam hit him in the face, both dousing his flames and choking him. Clark didn't let up until he emptied the entire extinguisher over Warren, who sat on the floor and gasped to catch his breath.

Breathing heavily himself, Clark was making sure that Warren was only stunned and not hurt when he looked up to see Principal Powers standing over the two of them with a very disapproving look on her face.

Clark and Warren both sat in the old fashioned wooden desks in the sterile, white-walled room as Principal Powers spoke to them.

"I'm sorry it has come to this boys," she said, "but the two of you will remain here in the Detention Room until I contact your parents and explain what has happened. I must say I am deeply disappointed in you both for such behavior. Clark, I had heard such glowing reports about you, and Warren…trying to live down your father's past is not something to waste your time and talents on, especially this way. And don't get any ideas of keeping up your squabble…the Detention Room neutralizes ALL super powers."

Once she was gone, Clark looked over at Warren, who sat with his head down like he was a condemned man on death row. Clark had been going over in his mind what he had seen from the moment he entered the cafeteria and saw Warren atop the table up to now.

"You weren't really going to hurt him, were you," Clark said it as a statement, not a question.

"What?"

"You could have burned him anytime…you could have burned everyone there…but you didn't. You even hesitated before I got there. I saw it. I couldn't have gotten to you in time if you hadn't."

"Maybe I was just enjoying the fear in their eyes."

"No, you weren't. You caused a lot of damage in the cafeteria, but you're too powerful and have too good an aim, especially in that small an area, to have missed unless you wanted to."

"I was playing with him, farm boy. What's it to you?"

"That's the second time you've let on you know where I'm from…that I grew up in the country. How do you know?"

"I've heard about you, "Commander Two"," snarled Warren, "the whole freaking school is talking about you."

"They talk about you too," said Clark, "but what I've heard is nothing. You've got this bad reputation, but nobody can confirm any of the rumors I've heard of you. All I do know is about your dad, and how the Commander put him away."

"Nobody talks about my father," said Warren, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

Clark realized that Warren's situation was almost identical to Lex's. Both were the victims of their respective father's infamy. Both were judged instantly as evil and dangerous even though they had never done anything to anyone themselves to warrant such treatment. Even as Warren glared at him Clark could see the pain in his eyes, and knew he couldn't hate him.

"That's fair," said Clark, "I don't want to either."

It was quiet for a couple of minutes before Clark spoke again.

"How old were you when it happened?"

"When what happened?"

"When the Commander…when your dad was taken away."

Warren paused before he answered. Nobody had ever asked him that before, and especially phrased it like that…that Baron Battle had been taken from his family against his will…dragged away in chains in front of his wife and little boy.

"None of your business," answered Warren, trying to toughen up against the probing questions.

"I lost my dad…both my real parents…when I was about four," said Clark.

He knew it was a risk to open up to Warren like this, but it was one he was willing to take. He had learned more about Warren Peace in the last hour than in the past couple of weeks around Sky High, asking questions of everyone who might know anything, but avoiding the two thugs Speed and Lash. Clark really didn't want to have to show them what a mistake they would be making if they tried to give him a swirly in the boy's room.

Clark watched Warren's reaction and, though he tried to cover it, there was a faint flash of sympathy in those pain filled eyes. Clark knew he had to make himself vulnerable if he wanted to draw out the real person hiding behind all the leather, denim and fire.

"I'm adopted," Clark said, "and I love my parents very much…it's just…I can't help but wonder what my real parents were like. What they would think of me now."

"What, that you're sitting in detention for getting into a fight which was none of your business?"

"No," answered Clark, "for saving someone not guilty of whatever his father did from someone who was going to make a horrible mistake."

Warren didn't know how to respond for a moment, but he finally spoke, "What do you care?"

"I just do," Clark shrugged, "we're supposed to be training to be super heroes here, and I always thought the main thing was about caring…for everybody and everything."

"That's a crock," said Warren, "take a look around you, farm boy, do you see anyone else caring around here? Nobody lifted a finger to try to stop me until you showed up. I probably could have burned the place down without any of those little punks out there doing anything but watching or running away screaming."

"They're still just kids," said Clark, "I'll bet a lot of them haven't seen any type of action before like we have. It's one thing to see it on TV or hear about it from you parents, but when suddenly it's in your face…that's something else. Besides, I saw somebody standing up to you."

"Stronghold's little geek squad," snorted Warren, "yeah, like THEY could do any good."

"They did stand up to you," smiled Clark, "I think that says they're not geeks. Besides, they're my friends too."

"Friends with sidekicks?" Warren sneered, ""you must be hard up."

"Now you're doing it."

"Doing what?"

"Judging someone just on appearances…on what the majority thinks. I would have thought you of all people would know what that's like."

"You don't know ANYTHING about me."

"You'd be surprised at what I can guess," said Clark, "I can guess that you're not the big, bad punk all the time. I can guess you've had it hard being judged by others because of your dad and not for any of the good your mother has done. None of the other heroes let their kids play with you because you were a "bad seed", so you don't have many friends unless they're civilians who don't know about your powers or identity and you're scared that if they find out that they'll abandon you."

"Gee "Dr. Phil"," responded Warren, his voice thick with sarcasm, "and how did you get to be the expert on all this?"

"Two ways," said Clark, "until I came here all my friends were normal people…I had to constantly hide my powers from them even though there were times I needed to save someone or stop some psycho or monster. Besides, one of those friends is in the same situation you are…everyone judges him for what his father has done even though he tries to do good. Every time I look at you, I see him too."

Warren was trying to keep his defenses up, but Clark could see he was getting through to him.

"Just don't get between me and Stronghold," snarled Warren, "or I'll roast you both alive."

"Then you better start now," said Clark, not backing down one bit, "because I'll ALWAYS be between the two of you…or anyone else that tries to hurt him, my other friends…even you."

"I don't need your help," said Warren.

"No, you're pretty tough," said Clark, "and I won't deny it. But I want you to know that I've always got your back, even if you don't think you need it."

"What are you, retarded? I just tried to barbecue you, you stupid hick."

"I'm not taking it personally," smiled Clark, holding out his hand for Warren to shake, "why should you?"

The look on Warren's face was priceless. He was totally confused by what Clark had just said; he not only didn't hold a grudge, but was also actually extending an offer of friendship.

Warren did the first thing that came to mind.

He slugged Clark, knocking him out of the desk.

Clark was surprised, even momentarily hurt, but then he realized what had to be done. He got to his feet to see that Warren was standing and removing his leather jacket, and at that moment Clark lunged into him, slamming him into the wall.

In her office Principal Powers was making the last of the three phone calls she needed concerning the incident in the cafeteria. She had already spoken to the Kents and Warren's mother, and was now speaking to the one person ultimately responsible for what had happened.

"Yes Mr. Wayne," she said, still finding herself smiling though she knew he couldn't see her…he just had that charm about him, "that's the closest estimation of what it will cost to have the repair work done. I'm glad you see things my way…hopefully this will be the only time."

They chatted for a few minutes before they ended their conversation, and Principal Powers left her office to go check on the Detention Room. When she got there she opened the door and was shocked by what she found.

The wooden desks had been thrown about, with a few broken, and there were marks on the walls where they had been thrown.

Against the far wall Clark and Warren sat on the floor, side by side. Their clothes were torn and they were covered with scratches, sweat and fast forming bruises. Clark was bleeding from a busted lip, and Warren had the makings of a bad black eye.

They were also both laughing.

Principal Powers quickly recovered from her initial shock, and folded her arms as she raised one eyebrow and shook her head. She could only express her feelings with one word.

"Boys."

Clark was very sore and hurting as he sat in the library for study hall after he left the nurse's office. Even though his powers returned the instant he stepped out of the Detention Room, it would take a little time for his physiology to fully heal. A good night's sleep and he would have fully recovered by morning, or so Nurse Spex had told him. He had enjoyed the older woman's "bedside manner", and had asked her if she had any points for him concerning his x-ray vision as she had it as well. She simply told him to be careful where he aimed it, and to be especially sure of where the girl's locker room was at all times. Clark had blushed at that, but the way she laughed told him she had just said it to get that reaction from him.

"Hi," said a familiar voice, and Clark looked up to see Layla standing next to him.

"Oh," she said, noticing his wounds, "what happened?"

"Warren and I decided to settle things in detention," smiled Clark, sending a new shot of pain through his swollen lip, but he could handle it.

"He's so violent," said Layla, "are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," said Clark, "but don't judge Warren too quickly. He's…been through a lot."

"You're right," said Layla, "I try not to categorize people."

"Would you…would you like to sit down?" asked Clark, feeling his face growing warm as he realized how close Layla was to him. He could smell a wonderful fragrance coming from her, and thought he recognized it.

"Thanks," said Layla, sitting down next to Clark so that the sweet scent wafted over him.

"Is that honeysuckle?" asked Clark.

"Yes," smiled Layla, a slight blush coming to her cheeks, "I keep some in my locker all the time."

"That's nice," said Clark, totally unprepared what to say. He had been attracted to Layla the first day of school, and while he sat at lunch with her, Will, and the rest of their friends, he had never actually been alone with her.

"I want to thank you for what you did," said Layla, trying not to make eye contact but still wanting to look Clark in the face, " I thought for sure Will was a going to be…"

"Don't mention it," said Clark, "you're the one who really saved the day…I never would have thought to use the fire extinguisher. I'm just glad I got there in time. I didn't want to see anybody get hurt…and I didn't want Warren to make a mistake he'd regret for the rest of his life."

"Wow," said Layla, "that's so…cool."

"It's the way I was raised," Clark shrugged, "I try to give everybody a chance, and if they mess up…that's why there's a second one."

Layla looked at Clark like he had just spouted some ancient philosophy she had never heard before.

"That's beautiful," she said, "you'll make a wonderful hero someday."

"Thanks," said Clark, feeling the blush in his face deepening, "how is Will doing?"

"Well," said Layla, who started chewing on her bottom lip a bit, "he's been a little moody since…what happened in power placement. He seems to be quite happy with being a sidekick and he says his parents have accepted it, though it was a bit of a shock to his dad."

"I'll bet," said Clark. He could only imagine what it must have been like for the Commander, deemed one of the most powerful heroes in the world, to find out his son had no powers. But if he were anything like Clark's own dad, he would have accepted his son and not loved him any less.

"But today in the cafeteria, I think it really got to him. He just…just left after things settled down. I tried to call him but he won't answer his phone. I hope he's okay."

"If you're really concerned,' said Clark, "I'll come with you after school and we can go see him. I wanted to check on him anyway but…well, you know."

"That's very sweet…I mean nice of you," said Layla, her slip of the tongue making her blush as well, "but I think I should go it alone. I'm his best friend and…well, he's a little intimidated by you."

"Me?" Clark was surprised. Sure, Will didn't seem to talk much when Clark sat with them at lunch, but he never got the feeling that Will felt anything but friendship towards him. These put things in a light Clark didn't like.

"If you're sure," said Clark, writing down his phone number on a piece of paper and handing it to Layla, "but if you need any help…if he needs help too…he might talk to a guy about stuff he wouldn't share with a girl. Us guys are stupid that way."

"Thanks," smiled Layla, lighting up the room with her pixie-like cuteness, "I'll do that."

As Layla left, Clark watched her walk away, wondering if Will Stronghold had even the faintest idea how lucky he was to have such a beautiful girl in love with him.

To be continued

Next:

Clark is determined to be friends with Warren, Layla is finding herself attracted to Clark, and someone else seems to have their eye on Will. Plus we find out what Lionel Luthor is up to while that meddling Kent kid is off at his new school.