Author's note: I have named the female owner of Paper Lantern Mrs. Lee. I don't think her name is given in the movie.

Disclaimer: all characters belonging to Sky High and Xmen are not mine. I am only borrowing them. Please don't sue me. I'm not making money out of it.


Chapter 5 – Invitation

"You guys started all this," Warren started yelling as soon as he stepped inside the detention room seeing Kara and Daniel seated. "If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here!"

"I think I will have things my way eventually," Kara replied swiftly, not even bothering to stand up for this outburst. "I'm not called Persuasion for nothing."

"Don't you dare do anything to her!" Daniel screamed, standing up, kicking his chair backwards. "And I am Electrix after all. And you will get another taste of electricity!"

He raised his arms only to hear a soft distinct metallic click every time he tried to use his powers. "What the!"

"As Warren already knows by now, here in the detention room, all super-powers are neutralized. So don't bother," came Principal Power's commanding voice as she walked in. "Sit."

Sighing, they all eventually obeyed.

"I am very disappointed in you all," she continued. "Your powers are to be used for the benefit of others and not for harm. This is what we teach in Sky High. Don't waste your potential. I will leave you to think about that.

"Your detention will last for one hour, after which, you can go home. I do expect better behavior from all of you. As for Mr. Peace, I think that being a senior by now, you should have dealt with some of your anger issues. I suggest you should seriously consider some self-reflection."

Warren sighed and shook his head to himself, looking down. The movement was slight, so Principal Powers did not notice.

It's not like he wanted to blow up necessarily. It's just that he naturally became angered easily if something truly irritated him. And Persuasion did irritate him. She just one of those people who cared very little about others. He didn't think anything would remove this tendency within himself.

"I will see you all in one hour." And Principal Powers turned and walked out. The door hissed and automatically closed.

The rest of the afternoon, the trio sat silently on those metal white chairs, glaring at one another.

---

"Are you crazy Warren? I know we're strong but it seems that we will be nothing against these two. Look at what they've done to you already! I mean – the deal includes me too and I didn't quite agree to it." Will explained that night at six when the group gathered at the Stronghold's home in the lounge room for homework, which none could do.

Tomorrow was the next PE class. It didn't give them much time to think of tactics.

"What else could I do?" challenged Warren sitting from the opposite couch, pointing a finger at himself. He narrowed his eyes. "Do you know what that dude could do to you? I had to agree to stop her!"

"I'm sorry, it probably wasn't the greatest idea in the world," said Magenta who waved a purple fluffy pen she held and crossed her arms. "You have a better idea?"

"Fine. And no I don't," Will returned as he shifted in his seat.

How can this happen? His friend was going to live with the consequences.

The girl was telekinetic. Their powers can be very strong. She was strong. And Will won't even be able to lay his hands on her if she kept this up.

They had every possibility of losing.

"Will, I think Maj was just trying to do her best," came Zach's voice, putting an arm around Maj as he sat next to her and kissing her softly on the top of her head. "After all, I did tell her about our deal. And it was successful."

"Will, Warren, the element of surprise might do it," Ethan said analyzing the possibilities more calmly now, pushing up his glasses. "Just do the unexpected. They won't know how to cope. They don't have any experience remember. Plus, just because we agreed to a deal, we don't have to let them hurt us, even if we lose. It's good that she wants Warren."

Warren glared at Ethan. "What?"

"Well, at least you can fight back," Ethan said quickly and swallowed.

"Yeah, I don't exactly want to walk into a trap now do I?" said Warren. "Except that electric shocks kill. The only thing is, you and Zach possibly can't stop her from hurting you."

"Man, don't worry about us. We'll figure out something," said Zach.

"I'd be careful myself," said Will, calmer now that Layla squeezed his shoulder gently.

"Actually, now to think of it, where were you? You just disappeared halfway through lunch!"

"Talking to Jubilee. In the library. Saw her eating and keeping to herself. I followed her. I think she was bored… and a little lonely."

"Maybe you could have helped…" said Will grumpily folding his arms across his chest.

"Well, sorry, I wasn't here," Layla looked into her boyfriend's eyes.

Magenta decided to try and change the subject.

"What are you guys going to do about the Homecoming? It's going to be on soon. This Friday," said Magenta.

"Will?" called Jetstream. "You home?" Then she appeared near the couches. "I thought I heard you kids here, sounded noisy." But she smiled.

"Hello everyone," beamed the Commander. "And just in time too, I believe, for the visit from the teacher is it? Homecoming stuff again."

"Excuse us," said Jetstream as she smiled. She glanced by the homework sheet on the teenagers' laps. "Keep doing your work. We will just be in the dining room talking. Come on, let's change Steve."

---

"It's so wonderful to finally meet you both," said Ms. Kari as she shook their hands while walking inside.

"Nice meeting you too," said Steve, who gave a hearty handshake. "Want to come and sit down?"

"No, standing here will be just fine. I won't be long," Ms. Kari said, stepping inside to stand in the hallway near the stairs. "Oh. And please call me Yoko. I was just going to ask about –"

"Homecoming? I've heard that it would be on just this Friday…" said Josie cheerfully.

"Yes. I know that you've been through this before. Instead of accepting an award this year, we were thinking if both of you would like to give an inspirational short speech for the school," added Yoko. "After all, it is a school for future heroes. You could have done this for the whole school it last year when presented with the award. But as we know you didn't get the chance. You both can inspire them to follow your example. Which I'm sure you both will do a fine job of."

"Absolutely," said Josie. "Steve?"

"I'd love to," said Steve.

"That's great!" said Yoko brightly.

"So I'm just curious, why is it that a teacher is on the homecoming committee this year? Last year, one of the seniors was the head," said Steve.

"Well, from what happened last year, the staff at Sky High felt it is best to have a trusted staff member overlook the organization. I volunteered. Principal Powers gave it to me," she explained.

"Oh right," replied Steve.

The parents chatted with the new teacher for another few minutes.

Curious, the teenagers actually remained silent, listening in the lounge room.

---

It was seven thirty that evening.

Warren had a shift at Paper Lantern. Yes - even on the first day back to Sky High.

"Warren? What are you doing here?"

Warren's head snapped at the sound of that voice. His eyebrows knitted together briefly.

"Whoa! Jubilee? What are you doing?" Warren almost yelled in surprise, his hands threatening to drop a tray filled with kettles of jasmine tea. The towel he had thrown over his shoulder had almost fallen to the ground. He was just walking past the entrance of the restaurant on his way to serving some tables.

"I asked you first," said Jubilee though quietly.

"Er… okay," Warren said. Her cool manner caught Warren off guard – it was easier when girls were angry or annoying at him. He could just explode. Now he couldn't. He wasn't sure what to do.

Awkward silence.

"Guess you better get seated then," Warren tried to guide her to the only empty table. The whole place was full tonight.

"I'm not about to get seated," said Jubilee more quietly. "I'm about to work."

Jubilee working here?

"What?" said Warren, the word just popped out of his mouth, completely surprised.

"Well, I just haven't gotten changed yet," Jubilee explained. "I work here. At the Paper Lantern," she said.

"How come I never see you?" Warren breathed heavily before forcing that question out of his mouth in a deep voice.

"I just got employed recently," Jubilee smiled. "I'm Chinese. I can speak the language."

"Oh ok," Warren smiled weakly, blinked and nodded slowly.

Jubilee shrugged. "Better get changed to work. Mrs. Lee's looking at me already."