Disclaimer : Disney owns Sky High and it's characters , all the OC's belong to me
Normalcy
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One and a Half weeks later....
Peace Residence , Maxville , U.S.A
Warren stepped back from the swinging punching bag and took a deep breath. He untied his ponytail and shook his head , letting it fall down his shoulders. He spent exhaustive but satisfying two hours doing some boxing exercises , he was wearing only a pair of black jogging pants and black rubber shoes and sweat steamed down his torso He walked across the gym towards the rack where his towel was hanging. He wiped off his sweat and he picked up the water bottle sitting on the table near the rack and took a long drink.
He walked over to his stereo and turned down the music. His mother Eliza Peace works as a researcher of the Power Development Division of the Hero Agency and was able to make good money because of her job. She retired from active service after her husband went rogue. Now she prefers to live a quiet and private life focusing on her son and her job. Sometimes Warren still couldn't help but notice the stark difference between his mother's soft spoken and serene demeanor and his own volatile personality. He shook his head , damn he really should work on his issues and be like more like his mom.
Issues , the pyro looked at his water bottle and frowned. His thoughts drifted to Ethan when his friend came home the gang did everything they can to make him as welcome as possible. Ethan seemed like he's fine and keeps assuring them that eveythings ok , but Warren couldn't help but sense that the incident at Ocean High affected him more than what he let's on.
Warren looks at the watch on the gym wall. It was almost time for his work shift in the Paper Lantern to begin. He climbed up the stairs since the gym is located in the basement. There is still time for a quick shower before his work for the day starts. As he walked into the living room and towards his own room , he wondered what food he should bring to movie night. Then he remembered Will's green face when he found out what the Chinese cold cuts were made of , after that he also remembered how Will " accidentally " bent his room's doorknob that left him stuck in his room as his supposed best friend ran to get the last piece of chocolate chip cookie his mom left them in the kitchen two days ago , his decision made in regards this his food contribution he headed for his room.
(_______________________________________________________________________((V))_________________________________________________________________________)
Maxville Central Supermarket . Maxville , U.S.A
" Oh no , you don't !! " Magenta snatched the pack of assorted chocolate and energy bars from Zack's hands
" Aw ' cmon " Zack whined giving her his wounded puppy-dog face " look at them , they're just teeny-tiny packs , they're so small there's no way I'll get buzzed up with those "
Magenta gave him a sarcastic look " Shyeah right , knowing you , you would eat the whole pack containing " she looked at the pack " 70 pieces , then you'll wash it down with a liter of soda , before we know it's goodbye Zack and hello Capitan Macho el Butthead " with that she returned the large candy pack on the store shelf.
Grabbing Zack's arm she dragged him away from the candy section, With one last look of longing the rows of sweets her unofficial boyfriend turned away. They headed to the fruit section , Magenta looked over the selection.
" Here " Magenta said picking up a large pear " we'll get some of these for you , think of them as candy that's good for you"
Zack stared at her , then pretended to ponder " Hmmmm let's see packs upon packs of creamy chocolate goodness " he said raising his left palm " and something that tastes like wet Styrofoam with bits of sand "
raising his right palm
Without a word Zack spun around and headed back to the candy section , before he could take more than a few steps Magenta walked after him , raised her hand and grabbed his ear.
"Ow-ow-ow " Zach continuously
Magenta herded him back to the fruit section . She let go of his ear , and Zack looked at her reproachfully while rubbing his ear. Magenta looked at the fruit selection.
" How about a pineapple " Magenta suggested
" too acidic " Zack grimaced
Magenta held up and orange
" Gives me gas " he said rubbing his belly
Glaring at him Magenta picks up and apple.
" Constipation " was his reply
Muttering something about picky , moronic boyfriends Magenta held up a banana
" Do I look like a monkey to you ? " Zack said
" Alright , you pick" She said in exasperation.
Grinning Zack reached for a large bag of fruit flavored marshmallows , only to have his hand smacked away by Magenta
" Ow ! " Zack yipped
" What do you think your doing ? " She growled
" You said I can pick the fruit I like " Zack said
" Real fruit not fruit flavored candy " Magenta said
Sighing Zack looked at the selection again , his face showing minimal interest , few minutes later he still haven't chosen a fruit and Magenta was ready to tear her hair off.
" Pick a fruit already , we still other stuff to buy " She said
" But I hate fruit " Zack complained
Magenta squeezed the bridge of her nose.
" Ok , how about this , pick a fruit and you can get a small pack of marshmallows" She relented
" Really ? " Zack said perking up
Magenta nodded " Just hurry up will you , we wasted enough time "
Zack looked at the fruit selection again , this time his face showing more interest
Fifteen minutes later the two of them stepped out of the super market.
" Thank God , I thought we'd never get out of there " Magenta said glaring at Zack.
" Hey , at least I agreed to pick a fruit like you wanted " Zack defended himself
Magenta looked wryly at the bunch of bananas peeking out of the paper bag
" It's the only fruit I can stand " He said sheepishly
" Whatever " Magenta smirked " Come on monkey-boy let's go get Ethan for movie night "
(_______________________________________________________________________((V))_________________________________________________________________________)
Williams Residence , Maxville , U.S.A
Will grimaced as he looked at the Oatmeal and Soy cookies that Layla was preparing. He loves his girlfriend he really does but her vegetarian tendencies will definitely be the death of him. They were in the William's kitchen making snacks for the upcoming movie night. Will sat on a stool , in front of him on top of the kitchen table are several trays filled with unbaked vegetarian style cookie dough. The five family dogs were lazing all over the room , and there were even two neighborhood cats who came to visit Layla's mom. Her mom's power was the ability to talk to animals so it's a normal occurrence to have neighborhood pets visiting them just to chat with Mrs. Williams. Layla's mom works at the Maxville Zoo as a animal liaison , using her powers to help animals not only in Maxville Zoo but also with animals across the country, Layla inherited her Dad's powers , Plant King is a Rank A Hero and is currently on a mission for the Agency in the Amazon Rain forest.
Will looked over his shoulder , Layla with her back turned to him was leaning over the oven examining the cookies baking inside.
" I'm experimenting with a new vegetarian cookie recipe , I can't wait to let you taste it " Layla said
WIll made a face , his taste buds already dreading the experience , He looked at the fat orange tabby sitting on the table looking at him with amusement.
The smell of freshly baked cookies with the slight aroma of oatmeal and soy milk reached Will's nostrils
" I added granola into the mix , It's taste seems to go well with Oatmeal and Soymilk" Layla said with enthusiasm
Oh Joy , Will thought. He felt paws beginning climbing up his leg , up his lap and Ting Tang Tu a Siamese breed climbed up the table and sat beside the Tabby , her feline face looked at him with sympathy.
" You know , we could pass by Burger King and buy some burgers and fries to go with these tasty cookies " Will said hopefully
" Will , you know how many poor cows lost their lives because of those burgers " Layla said reproachfully
Will sighed as Layla spent a few minutes lecturing him about the countless Cows , Pigs , Fish and Chickens slaughtered by the Fast food empire , she got so specific and so graphic on the details that by the time she finished her boyfriend temporarily lost all interest in meat.
Desperate to distract himself , Will looked for another topic to talk about
" So Ethan's doing a lot better , don't ya think ? " Will said
Layla straightened wiped her hands on the apron she's wearing and turned to Will " Yes , thank goodness , he doesn't have that haunted look he had when he came back home from his internship"
" Yeah " Will said " The first few days were the worst , It was hard to look at him , he looked so guilty and lost "
Will frowned , reached out and rubbed the Tabby's ear " I hope he's really ok like says though , with classes starting in a few days "
" What do you mean ?" Layla asked
" I mean all that stuff that happened to him in Ocean High , the poor guy even saw someone die , how can you get over that " Will looked at Layla " I remember when my Mom and Dad led a rescue mission , two trains collided in India , and there were a lot of fatalities"
Will looked out the kitchen window " My folks didn't say anything but I can tell , what they saw bothered them , and they're experienced Heroes ,and still it affected them, Ethan's just a kid I can just imagine
how overwhelming it was for him"
Layla reached out and placed her hand on top of Will's " I know , but Ethan's strong and he has us and his family to help him go through this " Layla said gently.
Will smiled back and for a few moments they shared an quiet intimate moment amidst the cookie pans , lazing dogs and sleeping cats.
The oven's alarm clock gave loud ring making the both of them jump.
" Now " Layla said getting and headed for the oven , " The cookies , I can't wait to taste them " she said gleefuly.
Sighing Will folded his arms and leaned forward looking at his girlfriend's back. Oh well he thought he loves Layla no matter what her diet preferences are , And besides the guys will be bringing other stuff to eat later.
(_______________________________________________________________________((V))_________________________________________________________________________)
Warren slid his hands in his pockets as he walked down the streets of Maxville North Gardens , he just got out from work and is now headed for the Strongholds. It's early evening there is still a little sunlight left , children were still playing in the various yards. A couple of late joggers passed by him , a chubby middle aged woman was walking her dog across the street. Every now and then a car would drive by the road , all in all the very picture of Maxville suburbia.
His house is in the South Gardens , not that far from here but the neighborhood is still as good as this one. The rest of his friends live here too , it's a bit of a bummer that he's the only one living in a different subdivision. But still all it took was a ten minute bus ride , no biggie just a minor inconvenience. Warren shook his head , friends , a year ago he was a withdrawn loner , living in his own private world , snarling at anyone who would dare get near him. Before he met the gang he was content living that life , existing in a state of hostile solitude burying himself in books. It lasted until a few months ago when Will Stronghold's flying food tray landed on his shoulders. He tried to hate Will at first , but the guy's overtures of friendship slowly chipped away his outer shell of hostility. Will and the others would sit on his table at school uninvited , unfazed by his glares and threats , and without him knowing it he began to warm up to them , and finally accepting them as his friends. Most people are still afraid of him , still see him as the dark dangerous son of a Villain but he didn't care , all that's important that he has his circle of friends that accept and truly see him as who he really is He would never admit it to them , but he's eternally grateful for their friendship , and how they pulled him out from his self imposed prison.
Warren rounded a corner and he could see the Stronghold's residence up ahead. His thoughts drifted to Will's parent's , he still couldn't believe how accepting they are of him. When Will first invited him to come over he was uncertain how Steve and Josie Stronghold would treat him , in fact he was expecting them to treat him with scorn and contempt befitting of a Villain's son. Instead they welcomed him with open arms , Josie would mother and fuss over him like she would with Will and his friends. Heck he thought Mr Stronghold even became the first positive male influence he had in his life , Steve would offer him advice , invite him to family gatherings even offered to act as his surrogate in school activities that required a father. Though Warren loved his mom , there was always a part of him that craved for a father figure , and as ironic as it is he was glad that he ended up with Steve Stronghold , The Commander , his father's former team mate and now arch-nemesis as his father figure.
" Yo , Warren !! " Zack's voice shouted behind him
Warren turned and saw Zack , Magenta and Ethan walking quickly to catch up to him.
(_______________________________________________________________________((V))_________________________________________________________________________)
Ethan smiled as they caught up with the pyrokinetic , he shifted the paper bag he's carrying and adjusted his glasses. Warren stopped walking and waited for them to reach him.
" All psyched up for movie night ? " Zack grinned
" Depends " Warren said " what are we watching this time?"
Ethan handed him the DVDs " We're on a Pirates of the Carri bean Marathon tonight " he said
" Good enough " Warren shrugged handing him back the DVDs
They began walking again towards Will's house.
" Four more days and it's back to school " Magenta said
" Yeah , part of me is pumped up , but another part is bummed out that summers over " Zack added
" Wonder what our classes will be , after last year's incident they did a major overhaul on the curriculum" Magenta frowned
Zack grinned at Warren " Dude ,now with Hero - Sidekick system junked chances are good that we're gonna be classmates "
Warren gave him a wry look " I'm so excited "
" I hope we have classes that teach us how to kick Villain butts in Sophomore year " Zack continued
Ethan listened to them , his thoughts drifting back to his own personal experience with a real live Villain a little over a week ago , some residual guilt resurfaced but he shook it off. No, he thought he won't let those irrational feelings mess up his life any more than it already did , He will not dishonor Coda's memory and sacrifice by letting guilt and fear further sully his life from now on.
" Popsicle , you okay ? " Warren's quiet voice jolted him out of his thoughts
" Yeah , yeah I'm fine " Ethan assured him
" It's just that you haven't said much tonight " Magenta opined
" It's nothing , just minor stuff that keet popping up . but don't worry " he assured his friends " It gets less frequent each day "
Zack slung a arm over the shorter boy's shoulder " Yo , you know you can talk to us right ?"
Ethan smiled gratefully " Yeah I know thanks " he said
They reached Will's house , they climbed up the porch steps and Magenta rang the doorbell.
Will opened the door .His eyes immediately zeroed in on the paper bags and boxes his friends are carrying.
He peeked into Magenta's bag " Chips " he grinned
Then he sniffed at Ethan's bag " Burgers " he said it as if he found a bag filled with gold.
Will was about to reach for Warren's box , but the taller boy pulled it away , " Let us in first Stronghold , it's freezing out here "
Will stared at him suspiciously " Okay " he said as he let them in.
" You never been affected by the cold before " Magenta said to the pyro
Warren looked over his shoulder as Will walked away helping Zack carry the food
" Yeah I know , I just didn't want Stronghold to know that I included some Chinese Cold Cuts with the Chinese dumplings I brought "
" Ooooooh " the goth said grinning
Ethan smiled at his friend's antics , Yes he thought , he may be reminded of that grim day Ocean High every now and again , but with the help of the gang he'll be able to get over it. Life is good he thought.