Disclaimer: Disney owns Sky High.

This is officially my fist ending, heh can't tell from the title, can you? Let me know if it's crap.

Beginning

It was dark, quiet. Warren slipped around the corner, checked for the blighter. He knew it was here a second ago. Where did it go?

Something crashed behind him, and he spun around, flaring up. His flickering light illuminated a few feet ahead of him and he stepped towards it. Then it went right over his head.

Warren sent a volley of fire towards it, then realized that it wasn't going to work. He had tried the same thing with Speed. The teachers were probably laughing at him at that moment of indecision.

He didn't want to let go again. He couldn't control it. He had spent nearly a week practicing solo, burning almost every equipment in the school gym. The teachers were sympathetic, but it was a common worry in the staffroom: why has Warren Peace suddenly lost control?

Coach Boomer had freaked out the first time. Warren had set the one corner of the gym alight, and was standing in front of the blaze, deep in thought.

"What the… HOTHEAD, PUT IT OUT!"

"I can't."

"WHAT? I GAVE YOU AN ORDER! PUT IT OUT!"

Warren had felt himself blasted by the sound waves, tried to rack his brain for a solution. Finally, Boomer had done it himself, drenching them both in the process. Warren had been suddenly reminded of the night when Will had uprooted a water reservoir to put out the blaze.

After that, Warren was barely allowed in the gym. Coach Boomer had kept a close eye on him, a tankful of water at the ready. After a week, Warren had only learnt how to not create the fire-wind in the first place. He had to contain himself, concentrate on not letting go. He felt like he was using less than twenty percent of his potential, but over that, the fire suddenly had a mind of his own. It created a whirlwind-like form and set everything alight unless it was put out.

Warren was jolted out of his reverie and slammed against the wall. The eagle-like mechanic simulation let out a tinny screech, clawed at his face. He automatically ducked, spun away. There was nothing wrong with his fighting skills, surely they would see that. It was just his powers that were letting him down.

He had passed the logic test where he was to analyze different crime ratings and population censuses and decide where to send which superhero and devise plans etc. He had passed; the rest didn't matter to him. He knew he aced the burning building time-trial. At least they were fair and gave him the same final prac exam as the other students, even though he had missed it. They knew about his… situation.

He took a chance, grabbed at the steel wings. It was a huge bird, its wingspan easily three meters. He flared up, hoping that he could somehow fry the systems. The eagle squealed, tried to wrench away. Warren hung on and suppressed a grin, he could imagine Mr. Medulla frowning perplexedly as he jabbed at the controls.

"Stupid bird," Warren muttered and upped the heat. Oh shit.

The fire whipped around him. Warren paused, gaped. The bird let out a last protest, the sound breaking into a single high note and finally, nothing.

It dropped into a mass of molten metal and Warren stumbled back, the fire still whirling around him like a tornado. Warren fell against the wall, realizing his problem. Shit.

The oxygen fueling the fire would gradually run out. Warren was already gasping for air.

I'll die if I don't do something, Warren thought. The fire would continue to rage and no one would be able to get to him if he passed out. His mind faltered, his vision dimmed.

He drew a shaky breath, tried to side-step the flames. It shifted with him, echoing his movements.

As he thought, shit this is my last breath, he squeezed his eyes shut and wrapped his arms around his body protectively.

The fire pulsed around him, narrowing into a single beam and, like a bolt of lightning, shot at Warren's chest.

Warren sat down against the wall, too shocked to think. He wanted to take a gulp of air, but realized he was holding his breath.

He let it out in a whoosh of air, stood up. He was fine, baffled, but still alive.

He bent down next to the remains of the bird and wrenched the shimmery part of the crown off the head. It was a small, handle-like piece of metal. Warren wiped the confusion from his mind, got his head back into his examination.

He made it with flying colors. He dodged the traps, thwarted the robots guarding the final door and slotted the key into the hole. The door slid open and he slipped through. He had done it.

He met Principal Powers at the end. She smiled, shook his hand.

"Well done. You made it."

"Yeah. When do I get my results?"

"Soon. Mr. Medulla is just compiling them. Since you missed the graduation ceremony, I'll have to inform you about the post-grad program."

Warren frowned. There had been much talk about the year's program. What are they gonna come up with?

"Your classmates have all been paired up with a retired superhero, or someone with their retirement due soon, all according to powers. This superhero will act as your mentor. You will live with them, eat with them, work with them, you will become an entity."

Warren had a slight feeling that Principal Powers had lapsed into her Graduation speech.

"Some of them were lucky. Since many of their powers were hereditary, their mentors were their parents. Some of them will travel far to join their mentors. Like you."

She snapped out of her trance, looked at Warren.

"I know you had no control whatsoever over your unfortunate situation, but you were the last to be matched. Your powers don't exactly match with your mentor's, but they are alike."

"Who's my mentor?" Warren asked after what seemed like an eternity of silence.

She hesitated, knew what she had let him into. You're going to have all you days with him. I'm sorry, Warren.

"Thor Hamersbury."

-

Medulla rounded a corner, saw the note of tenderness in Principal Powers' eyes. The entire staff knew about her special interest in Warren Peace. They also knew of his rejection of her, his preference to the Strongholds.

He drew their attention by clearing his throat, saw the hidden anxiety in the boy's face. This is going to be enjoyable.

"Mr. Peace. I have your results."

Silence.

"Well?" Warren prodded. Mr. Medulla frowned.

"You passed." The tone of his voice would suggest otherwise. "Your handling of the eagle was questionable, and your logic test marks were not desirable. Otherwise, it was average."

Warren scoffed, held out a hand for his certificate. He just wanted to get out of there and recover.

Medulla joined Powers as she watched the boy slouch from the end room and disappear into the school.

"You didn't say anything, did you?" he questioned without looking at her. He saw her shake her head from the corner of his eye. He nodded agreeably.

"It's better that way," he continued. "Let him deal with it on his own. Develops character, I always say."

Deep inside, he knew he was contradicting himself. Even Boomer had frowned and reached for the panic button when the boy was suddenly engulfed in his own flames. The least I could have done was get Spex to give him an once-over. I could have spoken up, tried.

The boy needs all the help he can get.

-

"I still can't believe you're paired up with Thor Hamersbury."

Ethan pulled yet another textbook from his bulging bag. Magenta stared.

"Ethan, today is the last day of summer, and you're still carrying that thing around with you. Are you pecked in the head?"

Ethan gave her a flat ignore, saved a book from a watery death. He spread some more books closer to the edge of Will's pool. Then he found what he was looking for.

"Thor Hamersbury, also known as the Thunderhammer. He's-"

Ethan was rudely interrupted by Zack splashing across the pool.

"The Thunderhammer? Really? That guy's legendary!" Magenta gave him a stare. It was the only thing they had talked about since Warren's impromptu graduation weeks ago, yet Zack seemed amazed every time the subject came up again.

"Legendary for his irrational manner and total disregard for rules," Layla read from one of Ethan's soggy books. "Yet he's a hero."

Zack pulled himself from the pool and arranged his long frame on the warm tiles bordering the pool. Warren watched him from a deckchair, far away from the water. With his luminous board shorts and pale, transparent body, Zack looked more like a gecko than ever.

"At least you'll approve, Hippie," Warren shot at Layla.

"Actually, no," Layla retorted. "I don't approve of someone who drives a Harley Davidson and looks like one of those guys from American Chopper."

"At least you'll be able to keep up your biker image." Will said, placed a bowl of popcorn on a stack of Ethan's books and handed Layla a glass of water.

"I don't get it," Magenta started, reached for a handful of popcorn. "Aren't you supposed to be matched with someone who has the same powers as you do? Thunderhammer controls the wind."

"The Thunderhammer, Magenta. Note the article. And Warren and Hamersbury both have the same kind of power. They both control one of the ancient elements." Ethan had finally gained control of his books and was packing the unnecessary ones back into his school bag. "And I only brought them to get Warren some information on his mentor."

"So," Will changed the topic. "What are we doing tonight?"

"Nothing," Warren said quickly. He had expressively stipulated a no-celebration preference. His journey to England was still months away, but his friends were pushing for a party every day. Warren wanted as much time to himself to think about this… Thor Hamersbury with whom he was going to spend the next few years. Big whoop, he thought unenthusiastically. At least I'll be far away from… them.

"We have to do something. My parents will kill me if I don't get you a going-away present. What do you want?" Will babbled.

"Nothing. I want nothing. And if you buy me something, shove it up your ass so I don't have to do it."

"Warren, you don't have to be so vulgar," Layla chided. "We all know you're gonna miss us. You don't have to hide it."

Warren snorted.

"Miss you?" He laughed even louder. "Please, why do you think I can't wait to get away from this place?"

"We all know that." Magenta accused. There was a sudden silence. Everyone did know.

"So what are we doing?" Will started again. Even though Warren was only leaving Maxville in November, he was determined to make Warren's last few weeks here as pleasant as possible.

"I don't care," Warren said. "As long as I don't have to be present. I'm gonna spend tonight with Jeffery Deaver."

There was an all-round exasperated groan.

"Fine. Expect a party in your room, then. I'll bring the music," Zack decided. "You don't have a music system, do you?"

"I have a radio that doubles as an alarm clock. Stay out of my room."

"I'll make nachos," Magenta offered. One thing she knew Warren loved.

"If there's cheese on the carpet, I'll incinerate you."

"My brother has a poker set," Ethan suggested. "And that magnetic dart game. I'll see if I can borrow it."

"I'm broke. And I don't know poker."

"I'll get drinks," Layla said. Will grinned. Whoopee, we're having a party!

"I'm not going to be part of it," Warren said, walked into the house as plans were frantically made.

-

The tiny party was a giant success. Steve Stronghold couldn't sleep because of the music and was in a foul mood the next day, Warren's carpet was covered in cheese and chilli sauce, Will had lost all his money and Warren was twenty-six bucks richer.

School started again, Warren jeered at his younger friends and spent more time in the Paper Lantern than ever. He knew Steve Stronghold kept numerous tabs on him, but he pretended he didn't see the shadows following him home or around town. He didn't care. Actually, he felt grateful. Innogen couldn't get near him. Neither could anyone else.

He also dreaded leaving Maxville. Everything he knew was here. He worried about the flight, stressed about the arrival… he was considering giving Sarah Powers a call and saying he'd rather be a civilian working in a Chinese restaurant for the rest of his life. The fact that the Thunderhammer could only receive him on 2 November also gave him more grounds for panic. Warren had voiced these things to Will, who had tried to comfort Warren by saying there's still months to go, anything could happen.

Yet months turned into weeks and weeks into days and the atmosphere had deteriorated rapidly to a somber mood.

"I'm late," Warren said, checked his watch for the fifteenth time that afternoon. It was 12:17.

"Don't worry, the plane won't leave without you,' Will said, glaring at the comic book, not stirring a limb.

"If I don't leave right now, I might as well not bother."

"Fine. MOM! WE HAVE TO GO!"

"I can get there myself," Warren said through clenched teeth.

"My parents want to see you off, okay? Just let them."

Warren raised his eyebrows. Will was uncharacteristically testy. It couldn't because I'm leaving… could it?

"Let's go, boys," Steve said as he passed Warren's open door. Warren was downstairs in a flash. He tossed his tog-bag into the back of Mr. Stronghold's SUV.

"Come on, Will, let's move!" Josie called as she stepped out the door. Layla dashed from her house.

"I thought you'd left already. Here. It's from all of us," she said, stuffed a hastily wrapped something in Warren's hands, gave him a quick hug. Warren was angry, surprised and touched at the same time. All three emotions showed on his face. Layla smiled, gave him another unreturned hug.

"Go, they're waiting."

Warren turned, saw all three Strongholds sitting patiently in the car. He turned back to Layla.

"Er… bye. Tell them thanks, but I'm pissed off my socket."

With that, he sprinted across the lawn to the waiting car. The drive to the airport was queerly silent. Will was moody, Mr. Stronghold was somber, and Mrs. Stronghold kept sniffing every two minutes. Finally, Warren plucked up the courage to say something.

"I'll visit."

Josie smiled, stretched out a hand to the back seat and touched Warren's knee.

"We'll miss you. Now, remember, my brother is just half an hour from London by train. If you ever feel any need to -"

"Thanks, but I don't want to be a bother. Really, I'll be fine."

Warren was late. They had called for him twice already, and the airhostesses were giving him strange looks as he checked in. He ignored them, turned to where the Strongholds were standing.

"Thanks for everything, Steve," Warren said, shook his hand. Steve grinned, pulled him into a bone-creaking hug. Warren emerged feeling violated. Josie gave him a long hug, pecked him on the cheek.

"Take care of yourself, Warren."

Warren felt like saying something, but the look on her face was carefully fragile, so he gave her a smile and hid his own feelings of goodbye.

Will frowned as Warren turned to him.

"If you're still pissed off about your cash, I'll give it back to you." Warren dug in his pocket. Will waved it away.

"No. I'm angry at myself."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"Then get over it. Bye."

Warren turned away. Will gaped after him.

"Warren!"

"What?"

"I'm sorry!"

"About what?"

"I don't know."

"Well, then, goodbye!"

Warren turned, paused. With an angry sigh, he turned back to Will.

"Stronghold!"

"Yeah?"

Warren paused, met Will's gaze levelly. Three thousand words passed between them in that stare. Will realized what he had been feeling. Absence of something. Someone.

"Take care of Phoenix."

Warren disappeared down the passage to the plane.

-

Warren sat down, the feeling of claustrophobia already setting in. He pulled out the thing Layla had given to him, tore off the wrapping. It was a notebook. Warren frowned, opened it.

There was a picture of the six of them. They had tricked Warren into the photo by swarming around him suddenly as he was sitting on the steps of Sky High reading a book. Warren was so surprised by the sudden interruption that he nearly singed Magenta's hair. He grinned at the memory, vowing again to grill Larry who had been the photographer. If he ever meets him again.

The next page was a mass of writing. Each of them had written something down that they wanted Warren to remember. He let out a low chuckle. The pages were filled with pictures of them, quotes by the teachers of Sky High, their Battle adventures retold by Ethan –

Someone brushed past Warren. He looked up, recognized the face at once. She'll never give up, will she?

He saw her sit down two rows ahead of him, give him a pointed glance over her shoulder. Maybe if I just ignore her, she'll go away.

Warren watched her for a bit, then appreciated the fact that Principal Powers had gotten him an aisle seat. Two largish ladies were sitting next to him, and he could imagine how he would feel if he was trapped in the corner by them.

He diverted his mind, thought of his future. If Thor Hamersbury was all everyone had told him, they would get along swell.

He didn't know that the Thunderhammer was all that and more. He also didn't know that the relationship between them would be all but swell.

END

All right, everyone – this story is going to get a serious revamp. Keep a weather eye…