Disclaimer: I do not own Sky High.
Following Ivy and Gambit's encounter with Dylan's recruit, Ivy decided it was time to train. Not just herself, and not just Warren, but everyone. Even Gambit. That Monday she gathered the entire group in the gym after school had been let out. Taylor, Speed, Lash, Trent, Dara, Layla, Will, Magenta, Zach and Warren all waited while Ivy and her aunt came in, followed by a queasy-looking Gambit. When they finally reached the others in the center of the gym floor, Layla automatically went straight to Gambit causing more than one eyebrow to raise in question.
"Are you OK?" Layla asked tentatively.
"Gambit doesn't like flying. Not at all." He raised his hand to his head, pressing gently on his temples.
"Here." Layla skipped over to the nearest window, a small vine snaking its way inside the crack left between the glass and the window sill. She returned holding a small flower, extending it out towards him. "For the pain and nausea. You should be OK in a few minutes." Gambit took the flower graciously, smiling the best he could without falling.
Will watched carefully, his anger slowly rising. Ivy caught Will's eye and she raised her eyebrow slowly and discreetly, catching his anger before it lashed out onto a most unaware and unexpecting recipient.
"So, I assume Ivy's told everyone why we're here." Principal Powers looked at each individual, receiving nods and a quick "yes" from each. "This is getting more and more serious. Whatever happened to give Dylan such incentive to go this far-" She paused, choosing her words wisely. "There must be more to it. It can't be as simple as we all believe, but until we know the real reasons behind his attacks and stalking, Ivy has suggested, and I agree wholeheartedly, that it's time you went beyond your powers.
"Super strength, speed, ice, even changing into your own Absolute," She looked at each student respectively, "It won't be enough for what we believe is coming. It's not about power anymore. I'm not quite sure what it's about, but everyone needs to be fully prepared to handle anything that comes their way, whether they have their powers at the ready or not."
Ivy took a step forward, holding a paper bag no one had noticed until then. She held out black Jujitsu robes to everyone, while Warren pulled his out of his backpack. Everyone changed quickly and when they returned to the gym, the training arena had been laid out and both Jamie and Coach Boomer had joined them.
"Coach B?" Zach looked around anxiously at everyone who was just as shocked as him.
Boomer stood in robes of his own, arms folded, looking to his left where Jamie stood in her robes. Both Ivy and Warren went to stand with the two teachers, Gambit joining them at the front when he emerged from changing.
"I'm sorry." Silence met Ivy's apology. "I'm sorry for involving you all in this. That was never my intention. But now you are. And I won't let you down. I can't. It's going to take a lot of teamwork, and a lot of sweat and bruises, but we can do this. Together. I need your help, I can't hold him off alone. Just like Principal Powers said, it's gone beyond me not liking him back. I'm not sure what his motive is anymore, but it's enough that he's willing to kill for it. He almost did." She glanced at Warren. "But it has to end. It has to stop and it has to stop now. I won't be responsible for anyone else's death. Not anymore."
She shook her head and left the group at front taking her place on the floor mat, everyone following in suit. Warren stood beside her, Taylor opposite her. Gambit stood opposite Warren, Layla opposite Trent, Lash opposite Zach, Will opposite Magenta and Speed opposite Dara. Boomer and Jamie were the last to take their places across from one another. They started with bowing, the young students following their example. And then they began.
Short chapter, but another one is coming soon!
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