Yep, along with an updated story, you get another new story…I've been busy, what can I say.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Sky High or any of the characters or ideas associated with it or any other comic books. I DO, however, own Kaida and Miyuki and their family as well as their friends so please no stealing my characters.

Enjoy the story and please review with constructive criticism or helpful ideas to stave off any possibility of writer's block.

Heart of Flames

A Sky High Fanfic by xXShadow-Wolf13Xx (Formerly known as xXPsychoXx)

Prologue

It started when I was six; I remember going camping with my parents and several of their friends from 'work'. It was one of our summer traditions. I remember having a big bonfire the first night we got there, it was so warm and it felt so good, I found myself sitting as close to the fire as possible without actually being in it. I remember watching my father, Wolf Flamewalker, and his best friend Darren Blaze, more commonly known as Baron Battle, as they started the fire, bright orange and red flames dancing across their hands and arms as they directed them towards the large pile of sticks and branches that had been gathered. I remember wishing that one day I would be able to do that too. Yeah, you heard right, my dad's best friend was the notorious super-villain Baron Battle. But that's nothing, my father was Hell Hound, yeah, you know the one. Citizens and heroes alike called him the Grim Reaper's calling card, other's liked to joke around and call him Cerberus, which happened to be the name of one of our pit bulls, my favorite one of the litter, a big black behemoth of a dog that I could ride like a horse, granted I was only six. My father was a big man, and full blooded Cherokee. He towered over most people, Darren included, with his six foot nine inch frame and his muscular build. His dark tanned skin and chestnut hair was so very different from my pale porcelain skin and deep reddish-orange locks. I remember my mother looking at me worriedly as I inched closer and closer to the flickering flames. Her amber colored eyes, so very like my own, held a troubled expression as she locked gazes with the other members of our little party.

"Come on, Cat, give the sheila a break, she ain't gonna jump in the flames, she's just enjoyin' the heat." One of them had said in a slightly diluted Australian accent, his name was John Allerdyce or Pyro from the Brotherhood, he's also my Godfather.

"John's right, Koneko, just let her be, besides. Do you really think any of us would let her get hurt? I mean, how many Pyrokinetics do we have here? Not to mention Tempestra is here, she could just create a rainstorm over the flames to put them out." the woman sitting next to John had said. She was his wife and her name was Wanda, also known as the Scarlett Witch, daughter of Magneto. Tempestra, the super-villainess that she had mentioned, was none other than my Godmother Tenshi Koizumi, mother of my six year old best friend and Godsister Miyuki Koizumi, who was sitting next to her mother a ways away from the flames.

"I know, but I still worry. She's my daughter, I can't help it." My mother said, her words slightly accented from her Japanese heritage. My mother met my father soon after she moved to Maxville seven years ago. Most people know her as Catwoman. I know what you're probably thinking right now, Catwoman, as in Patience Phillips like in that sorry ass Hollywood rendition? You're wrong. The only thing they got right in that movie was her outfit. And I mean the only thing.

Patience Phillips was the Catwoman before my mom, she died on a vacation to Japan with her husband, the cop. Midnight, the cat that had made Patience Catwoman was there as well, and it was a very good thing he was. My mom was sixteen at the time, and she had been walking in the woods surrounding the shrine that her mother owned. She wasn't watching where she was going and she slipped on an algae covered rock on the bank of the river she had been following. She tumbled into the swift moving waters of the river and was swept down and went crashing through pounding water and air as she was swept over the edge of the waterfall. She drifted, lifeless, down the smooth river after the fall, no one really knows for how long, but finally she ended up washed onto the riverbank, where Midnight found her and gave her the gift. When she awoke, it took her a while to piece together what had happened, and with no one but Midnight to guide her, she ignored it. Midnight stayed, watching over her until finally, something happened that made her start to understand. She had been in her room on the second floor of the shrine and the window was open to let the scent of cherry blossoms be carried in on the fresh spring air. She had been leaning on the window sill when her mother had come in and startled her. She jumped and was thrown off balance, toppling out of the open window. Subconsciously her body rotated in the air as she fell, ending with her landing solidly in a cat-like crouch, with barely even a scratch marring her creamy porcelain skin. After that it was hard for her and her family to ignore these things. They began to notice the subtle change in my mom. First it was just her grace and movement; she gained feline elegance and balance as well as speed and reflexes. Then her habits started changing, all she would eat was seafood and other types of meats, especially poultry and beef. She began climbing up into the rafters or onto the roof to sleep, then waking and falling from the heights only to land on all fours in a graceful crouch. Her intelligence skyrocketed, as did her physical fitness and flexibility. Her eyes changed, becoming like those of a cat's complete with slit pupils and the ability to almost zoom in on particular details, like her ability to see an eagle that is several miles away with as much detail as if it was right in front of her. Soon she was holding conversations with cats of any kind, even the tiger at the zoo. Her parents were scared of her, and thought that she was possessed by Nekomata, a Japanese cat demon that has a forked tail and controls the bodies of the dead like puppets. By the time she was eighteen, her parents had rejected her and told her to leave and never return. That was the reason for her transition into villainy. She started as a thief, using her abilities to get whatever she wanted whenever she wanted it, but soon, that wasn't enough. She got word of the American Catwoman and the fact that she had died, and she seized the opportunity. She came to America and took up the mantle of Catwoman, taking her from theft and vigilante work to large scale villainy, leading her to meeting my father.

I can remember falling asleep as I watched the flames dance happily in front of my mesmerized amber eyes. It was almost like I could hear them whisper to me; beckon me to join them in their dance. I wanted nothing more than to do just that, to abandon all cares and jump into the flames. I remember wondering what it would feel like to have their delicious warmth dance across my skin as I twirled in their embrace. Wondered if it would burn, or if it would feel like hugging my father with his abnormally warm skin. That was the first night that I dreamed of dancing with the flames, but even then I knew it wouldn't be my last. The next morning I awoke with the sun, slipping silently out of the tent I shared with Miyuki, who was still sleeping peacefully. I remember gathering an outfit and walking over to my mom to ask her to take me to the showers. And I remember what happened when we walked back the most. I had finished my shower and dressed in a pair of black shorts and a red shirt emblazoned with a golden tribal sun. Red flip flops protected my feet. I walked hand-in-hand with my mom back toward the camp, and everyone was settled around the dying embers of last night's bonfire. I remember the feeling I got as I watched the smoldering embers. I felt as if they were screaming at me, almost like they were begging me to give them a boost, help them blaze back into their happy dance. I wanted to do nothing other than help them, but I didn't know how, I thought about asking Dad, or Darren, or John to relight them, but noticed that if they hadn't already they weren't going to. I walked up to my dad and gave him a hug, thinking that maybe the pained voices of the flames would go away if I ignored them. But they didn't, they only screamed at me louder. I pulled away and glanced at all the other faces that were smiling at me besides my parents: Pamela Isley better known as Poison Ivy, Slade Wilson known as Deathstroke the Terminator, Slade's wife Yuriko Oyama or Lady Deathstrike, The Sisterhood of Mutants except Psylocke and Red Queen, Pietro Maximoff known as Quicksilver and the twin brother of Wanda, Wanda Allerdyce known as the Scarlett Witch, John Allerdyce known as Pyro, Darren Blaze known as Baron Battle, and Tenshi Koizumi known as Tempestra. As I glanced at each face, I felt heat rise in my body. It felt amazing, like a fire was blazing to life within me in response to the dying embers. I moved towards the remains of the bonfire, and to my surprise, as well as all of my other companions, the closer I got to them, the hotter they glowed. I could hear the whispering screams start to die down as I got closer to the embers, and the closer I got the more the screams receded being replaced by a whispered song. I was finally standing next to the embers and they were glowing white hot. I didn't know what exactly I was supposed to do, so I did what the flames had beckoned me to do last night. I stepped into the embers. Immediately the embers flared to life, creating a massive bonfire twice the size of the one my father and Baron Battle had started. I smiled as the flames' happy voices floated into my ears. The flames felt so warm and comforting, I never wanted to step out of the blaze. I laughed along with the flames, wondering how my clothes, skin, and hair weren't burning off of my body. As if the flames could read my mind, they answered my questions.

"Little dragon, born of the eternal flame. We could never harm you. We want to play with you, we are part of you. We are your spirit, your soul. You have a heart of flames dear child. But you cannot stay in our embrace forever. You must learn, trust us. We will guide you." I heard their voices whisper through my mind. And almost as if it was instinct, I stepped out of the flames. They died down behind me, from the roaring blaze I had started to a happily crackling fire content to stay within its confines. My father, along with everyone else, stared agape at my small form. I smiled sheepishly.

"Kaida Cheyenne Flamewalker! What do you think you were doing?" My mother screeched worriedly.

"The flames didn't wanna go out, Mommy. They told me so. They wanted me to dance with them last night, but I didn't think you'd let me. But then they were going out and they asked for help and I didn't know what else to do!" I said softly, tears threatening to spill.

"Honey, did you say the flames spoke to you?" My dad asked gently, I noticed the small smile on his lips; it was mirrored on Pyro and Baron Battle. Apparently they had been happy about my obvious Pyrokinetic abilities.

"Yeah," I sniffled, "When I was standing in the fire, they called me 'Little dragon, born of the eternal flame' and told me that they were part of me. They said that they are my spirit and soul and that I had a heart of flames. They told me I couldn't stand in them forever and that they would teach me and guide me if I trusted them. They said I had to learn, but I don't know what."

The eyes of every adult there widened even more if that was possible. A collective murmur went through the crowd.

"John, Wolf, Darren, have any of you ever experienced anything like that with the flames?" My mother asked.

"Can't say that I have." John said.

"Sorry, Cat, I've never heard of any Pyrokinetic being spoken to by the flames." Darren said, an awed yet concerned look crossing his handsome features.

"Well, when I was younger the flames spoke to me, but they haven't for a long time. However, I do recall the flames speaking to me not to long ago during that robbery that I helped Darren with. It's actually where I found out about that stuff I was telling you about, Darren." My father said, "Although they've never spoken to me like that. How did they know that her name meant Little Dragon?"

"I'm not sure, but we should get her put into some sort of program for children with early developing powers." My mother said.

"I gotta agree with Koneko on this one, Wolf. You can put her in that program with my son. I know that it's a place filled mostly with heroes' kids, but Julianna insists that he goes there. And to a certain degree I agree with her, it's not like it matters whether the kids go to hero school or villain school, the side they choose is up to them in the end, right?" Darren said.

"That sounds like a great idea, Darren. Would you mind taking her?" My father asked.

"You don't even have to ask, Wolf. I'll pick the kid up in the mornin' make sure she's up and ready by eight." He replied, walking forward and slinging me up onto his shoulders. I laughed as he did, it felt like I was flying, then I was settled on his broad tan shoulders. Like my father, his skin was always extremely warm, but it wasn't anymore, it felt normal, but maybe that was because I was like him then.

The rest of that day was spent with the adults talking in one area, and Miyuki and I playing in another area within sight but out of earshot.

"That was so cool what you did with the fire, Kai!" She squealed in excitement.

"I know, you wouldn't believe how good it felt to be standing in the flames either. But I don't suggest you try it, you'll probably get burned. I mean your momma controls weather and your dad controls ice and water, I don't think you would mix well with fire." I laughed. She laughed with me.

"Yeah, you're right. Hey, I wonder if you got your mommy's power too." She said. I thought for a minute.

"Hey, maybe I did. We should try it sometime, but how?" I asked.

"I don't know, maybe we should ask." She replied.

"Yeah, we can ask the next time they call us over." I smiled. She returned the smile, then we went on with our game.

"Kaida, Miyuki, come over here, it's time to eat!" My mother called to us a few hours later.

"Coming mom!" I yelled, then added in a whisper to Miyuki, "Now's our chance to ask about my powers!" She nodded and followed me over to where the adults were. Once we were all settled with our plates of hot dogs and baked beans, Miyuki nodded to me, telling me to ask my mom about my powers.

"Hey, mom, can I ask you something?" I asked, unsure of how to start the conversation.

"Sure, Kaida, anything." She replied.

"Umm, since I got Daddy's powers now, do you think that maybe I got yours too?" I said in a rush. A thoughtful look seemed to pass through the eyes of every adult there.

"Well, it is a possibility, isn't it, Cat?" Chimera said.

"I'm not entirely sure, to tell you the truth. Midnight would know, I can summon him here and ask him." My mother said.

"Please, please, please can you? I wanna know!" I whined like the six year old that I was. Darren and my dad chuckled at my antics. My mom giggled slightly before her face took on a look of concentration. A few minutes later she opened her eyes and smiled.

"Midnight is on his way." No sooner had the words left my mother's lips than the deep grey Egyptian Mau jumped down from a tree and landed right in my lap.

"Hello Midnight." I said happily as I stroked his fur. He purred in response.

"Midnight, is it possible for my powers to be passed to Kaida?" My mom asked. Normally I was used to the silence that I heard when my mom waited for or received a response from Midnight, but what I got was far from expected.

"I did not think it was possible, Koneko, but apparently my thoughts have proven to be false. The child understands me now. Perhaps it manifested in her because I was present during her birth, or maybe Bastet wishes it to be so. Only the gods know." I heard in a melodic baritone Egyptian voice that could only have belonged to Midnight.

"How do you know she understood you, Midnight?" My mother questioned.

"Because I did, mom. I've never heard it before, but I heard him talk just now. It sounded pretty, like a song." I replied.

"See, Koneko, the child knows my voice." Midnight stated. Miyuki smiled at me happily.

"Midnight, does that mean that I'll get all of mommy's powers?" I asked. He was silent for a moment.

"I cannot be sure, child, but only time will tell, I have already been proven wrong on one front, I'll not try to make any assumptions. Only the gods hold the answers to your question." He finally replied.

"Okay." I replied, returning to stroking his fur. I scratched behind his ears and was awarded with a contented purr.

"Now that you show signs of the powers of Catwoman, you will be sent a guardian by Bastet. The type of feline sent to you will reflect your spirit and your soul. Your inner strength. Do not fear your guardian, she will do naught but protect you and teach you as I protected and taught your mother." Midnight said after a few minutes of contented silence.

"Yay! Mommy didja hear that? I get my own Guardian Cat!" I exclaimed. My mom smiled and nodded.

"Really? That is so cool! I wish I had my powers already!" Miyuki said.

"Oh, don't worry, Yuki, I'm sure you'll get your powers soon." I replied. She smiled and nodded.

"Hey, Wolf, I think we should start packing up now and headin' home, if everyone's done eatin'." John said. My dad glanced at his watch and whistled.

"I think you're right, Pyro. We gotta get goin' if we want to get the kids home at a decent hour, especially if I want to get Kaida up before ten tomorrow morning." My dad said. The others nodded and began cleaning, packing, and preparing to head back to their respective homes. Once everyone was ready, we said our goodbyes. John was the first to come up and scoop me off my feet and into a bone crushing hug. I was then passed to each of the villains that weren't heading back to Maxville with us. Then Mom, Dad, Darren, and I loaded up into my Dad's black and chrome Escalade while Tenshi and Miyuki got into Tenshi's cobalt blue Corvette. After an hour and a half drive we pulled up in front of our two story house. Darren's red F350 was parked on the curb out front exactly where it had been left three days prior. Tenshi and Miyuki waved at us as they drove past our house and down onto the next street over where their own two story house was located. We all piled out of the car and went inside for dinner. After a filling meal, Darren finally had to leave just as the sun was setting.

"Okay, Kid, don't forget I'll be here in the morning at eight to pick you up, you'll get to meet my son Warren, he's only a year older than you are. And you'll be going somewhere where they'll help you learn how to control your powers around civilians, then once you're older you'll get to go to Sky High and you'll have a head start because you'll already know how to control your powers." He said, leaning down to look me in the eye before lifting me up into his arms for a hug. I smiled and hugged him back before he set me back on my feet and went out to load his stuff into his truck. Then he was speeding off down the road towards his house. I yawned widely and my dad chuckled.

"Bed time, Kaida, my little dragon." He said, scooping me up in his arms and carrying me up to my red, black, and orange room. After tucking me in to my bed both he and mom gave me and kiss goodnight and left the room, closing the door behind them. I slept soundly that night, once again dreaming of dancing with flames.

…*…

As always, review with any comments, questions, or suggestions. And, I could always use characters, so if you would like to be in the story, shoot me a message with an idea and I'll see what I can do. Or, if you have an idea for something to happen in the story, do the same thing.

~Shadow Wolf (Formerly known as xXPsychoXx)