Sky High

In a world of superheroes, there are two that stand above the rest -

the Commander and Jetstream. His superstrength

makes him indestructible, and she has supersonic flight

and total mastery of unarmed combat.

By day they live as Steve and Josie Stronghold,

real-estate agents in Maxville metropolis,

but when duty calls, they're the Commander and Jetstream.

I have my own names for them - Mom and Dad. That's me in the middle.

You see the defenders of the world.

All I see is my dad wearing tights. Don't get me wrong -

it can be cool to have superhero parents. Mom picks up awesome takeout

on her way home from work. On the other hand, living up to our name

means that I'm supposed to save the world someday.

Here we go. 'I just have one small problem.'

MUSIC: "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" by Tears For Fears

Come on...

(GRUNTS) Come on!

# Welcome to your life... #

Exactly what we wanna hear! Well, that was Bert Kimmerman,

and he is buying the Colonial on Pine Terrace, above asking,

no contingencies.

Honey, I know that selling real estate is just our cover,

but I think we're in line to win that sales trip to Hawaii.

We haven't been there since King Kamehameha set off that volcano.

Think of it, Josie! You, me, on the beach,

no exploding volcanoes...

Mm, I can feel the sand in my toes already!

-Will is gonna be down any minute.

-Hey!

It's his first day of school. Where is he?

Will? >

Will?

(GRUNTS) Ow!

-Come on, buddy, let's get moving.

-Two hundred!

Oh, hey, Dad. Just trying to get a few sets in before school.

Low weights, high rep, huh? Good. Don't wanna bulk up.

No. Going more for definition.

Big day, huh?

Will...

I just want you to know how proud I am

that you'll be attending my alma mater,

-and someday following me into the family business.

-Real estate?

Right. Real estate.

On a more serious note, son...

I know that every kid thinks his dad's invincible,

and I nearly am, but who knows? Next time I punch a meteor

hurtling toward Earth...

I'll be the one who shatters into a million pieces.

I guess what I'm trying to say here is,

it's nice to know that whatever happens to me,

you'll still be around to save the world.

-Lookin' forward to it.

-We all are.

-Oh, hey!

-Oof!

CRUNCH!

-Good morning, Mrs Stronghold!

-Morning.

I noticed you had some recyclables in the trash.

-I took the liberty of moving them.

-Thank you, Layla.

Hungry? I've got plenty of eggs, bacon...

No, thanks. You know how my mom can communicate with animals?

-Apparently they don't like being eaten.

-How about some juice?

-Great.

-He's on his way.

-Oh, hi, Layla.

-Good morning, Commander.

Commander...?

-Oh. Thanks.

-I can't believe you and Will are starting high school

-It seems like yesterday you were naked in the kiddie pool.

-Mom!

-Hi, Layla. PHONE RINGS

-I'll get it.

Josie? It's...the other one.

-Go.

-INDISTINCT, AGITATED VOICE

I see. Thank you, Mayor.

There's trouble downtown!

Big trouble.

Downtown.

Oh, shoot - and I really wanted to see Will off to the bus.

His first day of pre-school, he wouldn't let go of my leg...

-Mom!

-Josie!

Oh, Will? Er, a reminder...

A lot of the kids at Sky High

will only have one superhero parent, not two,

so take it easy on them. No showing off.

Not to worry. I'll keep it low key.

Mrs Rivera? Josie Stronghold. I'll need to reschedule that open house.

Great. Steve!

Gotta go.

-TV:

-..reports on the situation downtown.

Let's check with news chopper five. Evil has struck our morning commute.

Hint - if you're travelling eastbound on 115,

think about alternate routes. This just in -

the Commander and Jetstream are on their way!

Will he be OK? What if he forgets his lunch?

Josie, you've got to stop babying the boy.

-You're right, you're right...

-Left! Left!

-Circle back around!

-I'm on it!

-Release!

Launch!

Grahh!

GROWLING

-CRASH!

-Oh, and the robot goes down!

He's plucking out a souvenir from another successful battle.

What a team! The Commander and Jetstream -

what would we do without them?

They are good.

I know it's just our first day, but I can't wait to graduate

and start saving mankind! And womankind.

-And animalkind.

-And the rainforest.

-Of course!

-Hello, kids.

-BOTH: Hi, Mrs Kibbitch.

I just feel really good about this year.

Yeah. Should be great.

-Morning!

-Morning. Is this the bus to Sky High?

Ssh! What, are you crazy?!

You want every supervillain in the neighbourhood to know we're here?

-No. No. Sorry.

-What's your name, freshman?

Will Stronghold. GULPS

Son of the Commander and Jetstream?

Everyone! It's Will Stronghold, son of the Commander and Jetstream!

Ron Wilson - Sky High bus driver. If I can do anything

to make your journey more comfortable... You two, up!

-Sit behind Ron Wilson.

-It would be an honour.

-You don't have to.

-I want to. You're third generation, man!

-Magenta, get up!

-Why?

-He only needs one seat.

-So he can sit with his girlfriend.

-Layla? No. She's just my friend.

-Yeah. Totally.

-He's like my brother!

-Oh, in that case - hi.

I'm Larry.

Yo, Will! How you doing, Layla?

-How was your summer?

-To be honest, it was tough, man. T-U-P-H.

I was seriously sweating. My dad going, "Zach, I powered up

"before I started shaving," and here's me, dude, mid-August...

-and zip.

-Oh! So you don't have your powers?

Do you think I'd even show up today if that happened? No.

No, no. Woke up a few days ago

and bam!

That's great. So, what is it?

You have to wait and see like everybody else.

It's awesome, man. It's awesome.

-It's not like you've ever powered up in front of us...

-ALL YELL

Sorry! Morning.

That's everyone.

Next stop - Sky High!

-Where are we?

-ALL GASP

Hang on, back there. We're goin' off-road.

Here we go!

-Yahoo!

-ALL SCREAM

BOTH YELL

Freshmen!

There she is - Sky High.

Kept aloft by the latest in anti-gravitational propulsion,

she is in constant motion as a precaution

against those who might have nefarious plans,

known only to highly qualified individuals such as myself,

Ron Wilson, bus driver.

Smooth and easy...

THUMP! ALL GROAN

Sorry!

Word of advice - don't miss the bus, cos the bus waits for no-one.

Except for you, Will. If you're ever running late, or early,

-or you just wanna talk - gimme a call.

-Thanks, Ron.

Seriously.

# Can't stop the world

# Can't stop the world

# Can't stop the world why let it stop you... #

Oh!

Oh, yeah! Freeze Girl!

# Hello, freshmen, don't be shy

# Welcome, newbies, to Sky High

# Juniors, seniors, all the rest

# We're back to school Sky is the best. #

-OK, one, two...

-# Can't stop the world

-# Can't stop the world #

-We're number one! Sky High!

-Hate that cheer.

-Speed, round 'em up. OK?

Hey, freshmen!

Your attention, please.

-I'm Lash. This is Speed.

-On behalf of the welcoming committee...

we'd be happy to collect that 15 new-student fee.

There was nothing about a new-student fee in the handbook.

OK, guys. Very funny. I'll take over from here.

Hello, everybody. I'm Gwen Grayson, your student-body president.

I know you're all going to love it here at Sky High.

-I know I have...

-FADING OUT AND ECHOING

MUSIC: "True" by Spandau Ballet

If you just follow those few rules, you won't fall off the edge

of the school. Now just follow me inside for orientation.

-What rules?

-Weren't you paying attention?

ALL GASP

Good morning. I am Principal Powers. On behalf of the faculty and staff,

-welcome to Sky High.

-YEAH!

In a few moments, you will go through power placement

-when your own heroic journey begins.

-Power placement?

-Sounds fascist.

Power placement - it's how they decide where you go.

-The hero track or the loser track.

-There's a loser track?

I believe the preferred term is "hero support".

For now, good deeds and good luck. Let the adventure begin.

Comets away!

Alright, listen up. My name is Coach Boomer.

You may know me as Sonic Boom. You may not.

Here's how power placement is gonna work.

You will step up here and show me your power.

Yes, you will do so in front of the entire class.

I will then determine where you are assigned -

hero...or sidekick.

Now, every year there are a few student,

or, as I like to call them, "whiner babies",

who see fit to question and to complain about their placement,

so let's get one thing straight. My word is law.

My judgement is final.

-So there will

-be

-no whiner babies.

-Are we clear?

-ALL MUTTER UNCERTAINLY

I said, are...we...

-WHOOSHING

-..CLEEEEEEAAAAARRRR?!

-ALL: Yes, Coach Boomer! BLOWS WHISTLE

-Go time!

You. What's your name?

Larry.

Little Larry... Get up here.

He's humiliating him in front of everyone. This is so unfair.

If life were to suddenly get fair, I doubt it would happen in high school.

GROWLS

Grrah!

Car.

Big Larry! Hero.

So he's good. I'm better.

-Did I say you were next?

-I'm Zach. Try not to drop your clipboard.

Any day now, superstar.

-I'm doing it.

-Doing what?

-I'm glowing.

-I don't think so.

-It's easier to see in a dark room.

Turn off these lights, cup your hands around your eyes

-and look real close...

-Sidekick.

-Are you sure...?

-SIDEKICK!

-You! Front and centre.

-May I say what an honour it is -

-Is that your power - butt-kissery?

-Very funny, sir!

-I've heard you have -

-Shut up and power up.

-Right away.

(SQUELCHING)

Say...that's pretty impressive...

for a popsicle! Sidekick!

Hero!

Sidekick!

-ALL: Ewwww!

-Superspit?... Sidekick.

Acid spit? Hero!

Oh! Hero!

-And a handsome one at that.

-Whoa!

-Get outta here, knucklehead.

Purple kid, let's go.

-What's your shtick?

-I'm a shapeshifter.

OK, shift it.

-A guinea pig?

-LITTLE VOICE: Yep.

-Not even a swarm of guinea pigs?

-Er, no.

-LITTLE VOICE: Sidekick.

-Shoo.

-Bite me.

You! Flower child. Let's go.

I only use my powers when the situation demands it.

Well, you're in luck. This is the situation. I demand it.

To participate in this test would be to support a flawed system.

-The superhero/sidekick dichotomy...

-Let me get this straight.

-Are you refusing to show me?

-It's more complicated than that.

-SIDEKICK!

-BELL RINGS

-We'll pick it up after lunch...

starting with you.

'That's not cool.'

Boomer's gonna regret making me a sidekick.

Someday it'll be dark, he'll be all alone walking to his car,

he'll drop his keys and I won't glow to help him find 'em.

-You got a problem with me?

-No.

-No, what?

-No, sir. No, sir. No, sir!

Just messin' with you, sidekick.

You're not supposed to use your powers outside of the school gym!

"Cafeteria staff request sidekicks stop ordering hero sandwiches."

Am I crazy, or is that guy really looking at me?

Dude...

-What?

-That's Warren Peace.

-That's Warren Peace?!

-Yeah.

-His mom's a hero and his dad's a supervillain.

-They're in battle.

-Where do I come in?

Your dad busted his dad. Quadruple life sentence.

-No chance of parole until after his third life.

-That's great.

It's my first day at Sky High and I already have an arch enemy. Hmph!

-Is he still looking?

-No.

-No.

No.

-Thought you said he wasn't looking.

-"A reminder.

"There is no smoking on the school grounds,

"or freezing, or bursting into flames."

Oh! Er...

Will Stronghold?

Aha! Mind reader!

-No. Name tag.

-Right. Er...

-These are my friends. Zach... And this is -

-Layla.

Got it.

-I'm Gwen. I love your skirt!

-Thanks.

-How's power placement going?

Er...

-Great.

-I'm not surprised!

Listen, I need a freshman rep for the homecoming committee.

We could talk about it over lunch.

-I eat lunch.

-GIGGLES How cute is he?!

-Well, I'll see you guys around.

-Yeah!

-Bye.

-Bye!

I don't think she really liked my skirt.

TOILET FLUSHES

See you... And thanks for the swirly!

-What's up, guys?

-The kid looked a little dehydrated.

-LAUGHS

-So, how about it, Stronghold?

-You gonna hang with us this year?

-Help us bring pain to sidekicks?

It sounds like...fun.

Mm. Good man.

-See you round.

-OK.

BOTH LAUGH BELL RINGS

WHISPERS

What do you mean, you don't know what your power is?!

-SCATTERED GIGGLING

-Oh, I get it. You're messing with the coach.

Just like your old man. Car!

Are you insane?!

I don't have superstrength!

Oh, I get it. You're a flyer, like your ma.

-Why didn't you say so?

-Aaaaaagh!

Quit messing around. I haven't got all day. What's your power?

I don't have one.

Stronghold...

SIIIIIDE...

KICK!

I remember doing this to your father.

-Kicked me right through that wall.

-You haven't called him, have you?

Like I wanna be the one to tell the Commander his son has no powers?

Whoo!

Let's take a look at that chest.

-Nothing seems to be broken.

-Except for me not having my powers.

Well,

maybe you're just a late bloomer.

You could get one of them, or both -

your mother's flying or your father's superstrength.

-But when?

-The kids...

who get bit by radioactive insects or fall into a vat of toxic waste,

their powers usually show up the next day. Or... they die.

Ooh, look!

But kids who inherit their powers...

-..well, impossible to say.

-But I will get them, right?

Many sidekicks are the offspring of one superparent

and one ordinary parent.

But there are cases - rare, yet not unheard of -

where the child of two superpowered parents...

..never acquires...

any...

powers...whatsoever.

There are? Like who?

I know of only one. Ron Wilson, bus driver.

There he is.

There he is now.

Three and a half bath, Victorian, with original crown moulding?

We'd love to take a look. How's...

When do we brief the President on IRS supervillain infiltration?

The President would be...Monday.

-Tuesday? Great! No, thank

-you,

-Linda.

Dinner's almost ready. Could you stop playing with your robot eye

-and help set the table?

-Sure. Oh, there he is!

-Hey!

-The man of the hour!

-How'd it go?

-Er... Dad, we need to talk.

A little hero-to-hero talk? I think I know just the place.

-Come on.

-Hon?

-OK. So, Dad -

-Oh, this isn't the place, Will.

This...

..is the place.

No way... The secret sanctum?! CHUCKLES INDULGENTLY

You know, I'll never forget my first day at Sky High.

Your grandfather finally trusted me enough to give me the key

to his secret sanctum. Of course, in those days we still used keys.

Go ahead, son. I already entered your biometrics this morning.

Will? One thing. Of course...

you must never, ever bring anyone into the secret sanctum.

-That's why it's called

-secret

-sanctum.

I... I would never.

Go for it.

-Oh, this one's mine, Will. You can use Mom's.

-Sorry.

No way.

-You've got a pool table?

-How about the pinball machine?

-Man!

-Let's see. Where do I start?

I dunno. Over here we've got Mom's stuff -

scientific equipment, gadgetry, whatnot.

Will? Oh... yeah.

All our greatest battles, our finest moments.

Ticranium's head, Exo's number-one bug-bot...

-And this?

-Royal Pain's Pacifier.

Now, that was a great day, Will -

the first time your mom and I teamed up to fight evildoers.

'As soon as she smashed through the window, I knew she was the one.'

'I wish you could have seen us. We were fantastic!'

'Royal Pain got his, and I got the Pacifier.'

And this is my... proudest possession.

-It's amazing.

-Oh!

-What's it do?

No idea. So, this is it - it's all down here.

Our story, Mom and me - well, of kicking butt and taking names.

And now it's time...

for a new chapter in the story.

The three of us...

fighting crime together, side by side...

..by side.

Now, what was it you wanted to tell me about?

Oh. Er...

-I'm gonna kick your butt at pool!

-Oh, we'll see about that!

OK!

Choose your weapon, sir.

I'll break.

POOL BALLS RATTLE

-You're right!

-GIGGLES EVILLY

-He took it home!

He's got an ego the size of a giant robot!

-CACKLES WILDLY/CHOKES

-Uncle. Uncle.

# So please, please, please

# Let me, let me, let me

# Let me

# Get what I want this time... #

-Hey, Layla.

-Hi.

Where were you after school? I was worried.

In the nurse's office. And the news just keeps getting better

and better. Turns out I may never get my powers.

How'd your dad take it?

What could I do? He showed me the secret sanctum.

You have to tell them!

My parents are the greatest superheroes on the planet.

-Everybody expects greatness from me.

-Well, you are great.

Thanks.

OK, so you're a sidekick. It's not the end of the world!

When life gives you lemons...

Make apple juice?

I can't make lemons. I don't know what it is!

Yeah, but see, you have an awesome power,

-and you could've made hero easy.

-I'm not into labels.

Why would you choose to be a sidekick?

Because I think the whole thing is stupid,

dividing people into groups like that.

-I mean, what is this?

-High school.

Apple?

Morning, class. Welcome to Hero Support.

My name is...

..All-American Boy!

COUGHS

Of course, nowadays I...

GRUNTS

..just go by... Mr Boy,

but this year it will be my privilege to help each of you become

the very best hero support that you can be.

Without hero support, why, there wouldn't be any heroes!

Alright. There probably would be heroes, but...

they would be very lonely, lonely heroes indeed,

and... Yes?

Yeah. Er... when do we pick our names and costumes?

Because I call dibs on Zach Attack.

Well... you don't get to pick. On graduation day,

you'll be assigned to your hero, and then he...or she...

will decide what you will be called and what you will wear.

This is mostly done in an attempt to avoid clashing colours.

That's when I was paired with... the Commander,

red, white and blue it was, which for me was a very good thing,

as you can see, blue just really makes my eyes pop.

-Very dramatic.

-Er, excuse me.

-I didn't know you worked for the Commander.

-I worked

-with

-him.

-We were a

-team,

Mr...

Mr...Stronghold.

Stronghold? You...Steve's son?

-Yeah.

-And he never... He never mentioned me...to you?

-I don't... I don't think so.

-Makes sense!

That makes perfect sense, because...

the Commander does not have time to flip through scrapbooks

that...I took the time to make for him.

No, he's got to be up there saving the world with your mom!

Your mom... She ever mention me?

-Er... RUMBLING

-Incoming!

BOOM!

Oh, look! He does glow.

Told you.

Greetings! Little misfire in the mad-science lab.

No need to panic -

unless you're a single-celled organism.

Mr Medulla, we in hero support are trained

never to panic.

-ALL LAUGH

-My bad.

I'll get the nurse - unless she's injured.

# We're through being cool

# We're through being cool

# Eliminate the ninnies and the twits

# Got to go it alone

-# To late to be a clone... #

-CRASH! ALL GASP

# Time to show the in crowd that it's out

# If you live in a small town

# You might meet a dozen or two

# Young alien types who step out

-# And dare to declare...

-CLANK!

# We're through being cool

# We're through being cool

# Eliminate the ninnies and the twits...

ALL SHOUT HAPPILY

Change, and... pose!

Now you. Go!

Go!

Go!

Go!

Go!

-ALL LAUGH

-Go back.

OK. Number one. A radioactive zombie is charging at your hero.

Do you hand him, A, his silver-tipped crossbow,

-B, a wooden spike, C -

-That's so weak, man!

I've got the crossbow. Why can't I shoot him?

Cos we're hero support. If he wants a crossbow, hand it to him.

-Or her.

-Either way, Zach,

-you can't kill a zombie. You can only re-kill him.

-Or her!

-If you kids are all in here, who's out there saving the world?

-Dad!

-Why are you home so early?

-After I stopped the Superdome collapsing,

I was watching the game, and I thought, "Will and I

haven't tossed the old pigskin in a while," so I hustled home.

But I see you and Layla have made some new friends.

-It's an honour to meet you, sir!

-Name and power?

-I'm Ethan, and I melt.

-OK...

-Zach. I glow.

-I see!

-Magenta. I shapeshift.

-Shapeshift?

-Into a guinea pig.

-Great...

Great.

Great! Really... great. Well!

I make a mean tunafish-salad sandwich. Anybody want one?

-No, no. No...

-Pleasure meeting everyone.

-They're a good bunch of kids, Will.

-Yeah.

Can I ask you something, though? That one kid really... glow?

Sometimes.

They have really lowered the bar, son, for superheroes at that school

since I went there.

-Well, actually he's a sidekick.

-Oh! Well, that makes sense.

Yeah.

Actually they're all sidekicks.

Good for you, son. Kid of your stature,

hanging out with a bunch of sidekicks...

As a freshman, I didn't have the guts.

I can only imagine what your grandfather would have said

if I'd brought some of them home.

You know, there's nothing wrong with being a sidekick.

Oh, no. I used to have one, Will. Saved my life once, too.

Old... whatshisname...

-So, then, you would be fine if...

-I

-was... a sidekick?

Oh, yeah. Sure, I guess. Hey, hand me that mayonnaise there.

Well, that's good, then, because... because I am.

-Am what?

-A sidekick.

-Who is?

-Me!

Dad? Dad? Um...

A sidekick, OK? I... washed out at power placement.

WASHED OUT?!

Boomer...

Didn't make the big time, so now he's passing judgement

on real heroes' kids, huh? It's a power trip, Will, that's all.

"Sonic Boom"?! Try Gym Teacher Man.

-What are you doing?

-I'm calling the school!

-The tuition we pay them -

-Dad, don't!

Dad!

It's not Coach Boomer.

It's me. I don't have any powers.

But you never said... I mean...

-You made it seem like...

-Like I had superstrength, like you.

But I don't.

But you will, Will! You're just -

You're just... a late bloomer, that's what it is!

Maybe. Maybe not.

But I don't care.

Because really... the fact of the matter is,

I'm proud to be a sidekick.

Actually...

I'm proud to be hero support.

So, I think we... pretty much covered the... undead.

What's next?

What?

"Your hero flies north at 300mph for 18 minutes."

"His arch enemy is tunnelling south at 200mph for ten minutes."

"How long before your hero realises he's going the wrong way?"

All I ever wanted for him was to save the world -

to just...feel that...once.

That's a lot to put on a 14-year-old's shoulders.

Oh, come on, Josie! When I was his age

I could put a truck on my shoulders! Oh!

Honey, I know you're disappointed. So am I!

-You think I didn't want him to fly?

-Or have superstrength?

-Or fly!

But we can't change who he is,

not without dropping him in a vat of toxic waste.

-Steve!

-Oh, anyway, where would we even find a vat of -

-STEVE!

-I'm just - I'm thinking!

Will is a great kid. This is not the end of the world.

OK, so maybe we won't be the Stronghold Three,

the greatest family of superheroes the world has ever known,

-but we will be the greatest

-family

-the world has ever known.

You're right. You're right! And he can always go into real estate!

Welcome to Sky High -

You...!

Come on, Ron! Hey, big boy! Where's your hat? Hey, where's your hat?

Come on! If you can't respect me, at least respect the hat.

SNORTS DERISIVELY Guys, come on.

Give Ron his hat back.

Alright. You're the sidekick. Give him his hat back.

BOTH LAUGH EVILLY

Catch you later, Stronghold!

-Hey, race you up the steps.

-Thanks, Will.

Sure, Ron.

-Over here.

-Saved you a seat.

-I saved you a pudding.

-What's up?

-Hey, buddy. Check this out.

Whoa!

Er... Sorry.

-You will be.

-Let's not do this.

-Just because you're a Stronghold -

-I'm sorry about my dad and yours,

-but -

-Nobody talks about my father.

Agh! ALL GASP

Oh, it is so on!

-ALL: Fight! Fight! Fight!

-Mr Boy, do something!

-SLURPS

-I'm on it.

Principal Powers! Principal Powers! Principal Powers!

Principal Powers!

ALL: Fight! Fight! Fight!

BOTH: Ooh!

ALL CHATTER AGITATEDLY

Argh! Oof!

-Where's your sidekick, sidekick?

-Right here!

Yeah!

Leave... them... alone!

He's strong!

-I'm strong?

-He's superstrong.

-ALL CHEER

-Yeah, Will!

Now... who tripped me?

Stronghold!

-What if I said it's not just her twin - it's her

-evil

-twin?

-This... Friday, you say?

-Medulla, you dog!

< PANICKED SCREAMING

Think I can't take a hit?!

ROARS

Will!

Will, pull the handle! Pull the -

Hi.

-I didn't do anything. He started it.

-His dad started it.

I'm gonna finish it!

Don't bother! The detention room neutralises all superpowers.

Sit.

Here at Sky High,

we do everything we can to teach you how to use your powers.

But what you do with them, that's up to you.

Living up to your father, trying to live him down,

is a sad waste of talent - your talent.

Try to keep that in mind next time you're about to do something stupid.

Alright. Look, whatever happened with our dads,

that was nothing to do with us.

What do you say?

I say...

if you ever cross me again, I'll roast you alive.

Oh! Oh...

So, Will! Anything interesting happen at school today?

Er...

Well, as you may have noticed, I got my powers today.

Yes, we know. The principal called.

It's not as bad as it sounds. It's actually really funny.

-Great story -

-You nearly destroyed the cafeteria.

Yeah, but, Mom... I got my powers!

And do you know how to use them wisely?

Sanctum. Now.

William... Theodore... Stronghold...

Come here!

-You're not mad?

-My boy has superstrength!

-How could I be mad?

-RIBS CRUNCH Aaarrgh! Ow!

-Sorry.

-RIBS CRUNCH

-Ow! You are strong!

Alright. If your mom asks, tell her I read you the riot act

and... I took away your Xbox.

-But I don't have an Xbox.

-Are you sure?

-BOTH LAUGH Oh! What...

-Open it up!

The boy has Stronghold's power. It's almost poetic.

-We should crush him now. We know he has the weapon.

-Patience!

We've waited this long. When the time is right,

-we'll have our revenge.

-Time would go a lot faster

-if

-we

-had an Xbox - Uncle. Uncle.

-Dude, you made sidekick history!

-Oh, I dunno about that.

Seriously. From now on, people mess with us at their own peril.

You're breaking down barriers! We're not heroes and sidekicks.

-We're just people.

-Superpeople!

-BELL RINGS

Seats, please. We have a lot to cover this morning,

starting with motorcycle-sidecar basics -

except for you, Mr Stronghold. Would you gather your gear

and come up here? I've got your new class schedule.

Congratulations. You've been transferred to the hero class.

If you should find yourself needing any hero support...

..I still do a little freelance. Hah!

Ha-ha-hah...

-What about them?

-We'll still see you on the bus.

-We'll hang at lunch.

-After you've dunked Ethan's head in the toilet.

Well, you'd best not be late.

Just go already.

Rays! From the silliness of the shrink ray

to the devastation of the death ray,

these are the very foundations of mad science.

-TAPS NERVOUSLY

-Yes! They told me you were coming.

Unfortunately all the lab partners are taken.

I suppose I could pair you with my teaching assistant.

Miss Grayson, my apologies.

Come on! Quickly, quickly, quickly. Vite! You stepped on my foot!

OK. How's... How's that?

Perfect... if you're building a heat ray.

You're supposed to be building a freeze ray.

I have no idea what I'm doing here.

Dreadful technique! You've confused rays with beams! D!

Minus! I'd give you an F,

but that would mean having to see you in summer school.

-And... what have we here?

-Er... well, I don't know.

-I didn't do it.

-You're too modest, Mr Stronghold.

Or perhaps not modest enough. Miss Grayson, in the future,

please allow the students to succeed... or fail...

on their own.

-How did you do that?

-I'm a technopath.

-I can control technology with my mind.

-Wow!

And all I can do is punch stuff. BOTH LAUGH

Yet he'll be the one on cereal boxes.

Show me the justice in that.

Miss Hernandez, kindly thaw Mr Hellman.

-That was amazing.

-So were you, in the cafeteria.

If they handed out grades for destruction of school property.

You know, I can totally help you out with all this science stuff.

-Yeah? You would do that?

-Mm-hm!

I could be, like, your... private tutor.

Cool.

Guys... Guys! Over here.

-Will, sitting with Gwen Grayson?

-Man aims high! Gotta give him that.

Sorry. All full.

That's OK! I think I see an empty table over there.

Come on, guys.

No offence, Will, but we are not running a loser-outreach programme.

ALL GIGGLE

I'm sorry. Penny can be a little... full of herself sometimes.

Layla! What's up?

-Hey, you smell nice.

-Tecomaria capensis.

Honeysuckle.

-Alright, listen. About lunch -

-What about it?

-Well, Penny was being...

-Please.

-Not a big deal.

-No, it is.

Let me make it up to you. Tonight can we go to the Paper Lantern?

-But you hate Chinese food.

-But... you don't.

Paper Lantern, eight o'clock.

Will!

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hey!

Come on, buddy. Easy, guys.

-Thanks, Will.

-Alright.

-Hey, are you OK?

-Yeah. Thanks.

-That, too.

-Come on.

-Not so tough when my boy's around, are you?!

Oh, you just think you're so big and bad, don't you, Stronghold?

-No, I don't -

-Will will totally take you!

-You saw what happened to Warren.

-Better watch it, Stronghold!

-That mouth will get you in trouble.

-I didn't say anything.

-Let's settle this in PE.

-Why?

-You're on!

If Will beats you in save-the-citizen,

-you lay off us.

-If not, you can dunk Ethan's head

-every day till graduation.

-Yeah!... Huh?!

-You got yourself a deal.

-Guys, guys...

-It was a con!

-Guys, are you crazy?!

No freshman ever won save-the-citizen. They're undefeated!

And you barely know how to use your powers!

-Sorry. Not helping.

-Will, you have no choice.

You can't let them dunk Ethan's head in the toilet - not again.

The dunking must end.

ALL YELL

Three, two, one!

ALL CHEER

BOTH SHOUT TRIUMPHANTLY BLOWS WHISTLE

Ramirez! Hamilton! Your citizen has just been mulched

because you failed to defeat your villains.

Next round! Speed, Lash, you wanna be heroes or villains?

-Villains!

-Yeah!

-Ooh, there's a surprise.

-Alright. Who do you wanna beat next?

-We'll take little Stronghold

-and, er...

-And we pick Peace.

-Remember when we used to use real citizens?

-Yes!

Hothead! Stronghold! You're the heroes.

Hey! Get your head in the game.

You have three minutes to immobilise your opponents

-and save the citizen!

-"Save me!"

-Ready!

-"Save me!"

-Get set...

BATTLE!

Oh, j...

Hah! What now, Peace?... Aaaargh!

-Hey! Coach, that's a foul.

-LAUGHS

"Save me. Save me."

ALL LAUGH

Watch it, Hothead!

BOTH CHUCKLE

ALL CHEER

No! Wait! No... Wait!

ALL LAUGH

Hey!

-Save the citizen!

-"Save me!"

You are so dead!

"Save me! Save me!"

"Save me!"

-GASPS

-The vortex sucks away the oxygen.

No oxygen, no flame.

-COME ON!

-"Save me!"

"Save me!"

Aaagh!

-ALL LAUGH

-"Save me!"

ALL: Five, four, three,

two, one...

ALL CHEER

Time! She's alive!

-ALL CHEER

-Heroes win!

Steve, Lash, hit the showers!

-Whoo!

-We're here!

-Here!

I can't believe you won as a freshman. It's never been done.

And you topped Mom's best score on the pinball machine!

-BOTH GIGGLE

-There they are!

-Gwen!

-Hey!

Oh! Dad, this is Gwen Grayson. Gwen Grayson, this is Dad.

Mr Stronghold, it's such an honour. I'm sorry to barge in like this.

Oh, not at all. Will and I were just hangin'. Chillin'.

Gwen's a technopath. She's offered to help Will with science homework.

-And she's a senior.

-I know we were gonna work on antigrav tomorrow,

but something came up. Is there any chance we can do it tonight?

-Sure! Yeah.

-On one condition, Gwen.

-You join us for dinner.

-Oh, no. I couldn't intrude -

-Oh, yes, you can.

-You must.

OK!

Thanks. So, shall we get started?

Certainly.

-Well, she's gorgeous!

-And she fixed the disposal.

Really?

So there we were in the middle of nowhere, and she's, like,

"I can't change the tyre. I can only change the weather."

I'm, like, "Can you at least make it stop raining?!"

Er... I'll give him a few more minutes.

-So, Gwen, do we know your parents?

-I don't think so, Mrs Stronghold.

-Dad went inactive a few years ago.

-Mom does all the work now, huh?

Actually Mom passed away when I was a baby.

CHOKES

I did have an ulterior motive in coming here tonight.

I'm head of the homecoming committee.

-Will didn't tell us that.

-Well...

I was wondering if you two would consider attending the dance.

We would love to chaperone.

That's very nice, Mrs Stronghold, but no.

We were hoping... that you'd be the guests of honour

and receive the award for Heroes of the Year.

Still working on that?

-Hey!

-Hey.

-We go to school together.

-You're Stronghold's friend.

-Yeah...

-Yeah.

You want me to heat that up for you?

(You mustn't use your powers outside of school!

(I was just gonna stick it in the microwave.)

Er... I was supposed to be meeting Will here, but, er...

You wanna sit down?

I think I can spare a minute.

Oh, look, hon. There's... Oh, what's his name?

-Kid with the gravity.

-Lance something.

-Oh, my gosh. There's Boomer.

-He had a mullet?!

Oh, whoa! Remember her? She was a weird one.

Oh, yeah. Sue Tenny. Disappeared right before graduation.

-Why was that?

-No-one ever really knew.

Some say she was recruiting villains at the school.

-Others say she was smoking in the girls' room.

-Nightmare!

Speaking of villains, he's the worst. Baron Battle!

-Warren's dad?

-Always swore he'd have his revenge on me.

-And he totally stole the lead in Oklahoma.

-Stop caring about that.

Ah...I don't wanna talk about it.

-You deserved...

-I don't want to talk about it!

..then in first grade - you know how you grow lima beans in school?

Will could not figure why mine grew so quickly. He was going crazy!

Finally I took mercy on him and told him about my powers.

-We've been best friends ever since.

-Hmm.

And falling for him - was that before or after the lima beans?

What?!

I'm not in love with Will Strong... Is it that obvious?!

-Yeah.

-Great(!)

-Why don't you tell him?

-I was gonna ask him to homecoming,

but there's two problems. He likes somebody else, and...

-she's perfect.

-Oh.

You know what I think?

Don't let true love remain unspoken.

It's the quickest route to a heavy heart.

Wow!... That is really deep.

Yeah.

And... your lucky numbers are...

four, sixteen,

five and forty nine.

LAUGHS SCOLDS IN CHINESE

IN CHINESE: I gotta go.

-See you round, hippie.

-BOTH ARGUE IN CHINESE

You really didn't have to walk me home.

I did if I wanted to spend any time alone with you.

Just so you know, I don't usually hang out with my mom and dad.

Your parents are great, Will. I'm so glad they're coming to homecoming.

Now, if I could only find someone to go with...

-You mean you don't

-have

-a date?

-Well, I've gotten a few offers,

but I turned them down. I'm just waiting for the right guy.

Oh.

You, Will!

Me?!

Oh, hi, Daddy!

Bye, Will.

Bye.

-You're not that boy with the six arms, are you?

-No, sir. Just...

-Well, keep 'em to yourself.

-Yes, sir.

Good night, sir.

Yes! Whoo!

CRACKLING Oh, man!

DOGS BARK OK... There you go...

CREAKING Oh!

DOGS BARK/CAR ALARMS SHRILL

Homecoming! The greatest collection of superteens

ever gathered to dance under one roof,

and then we shall have our revenge! There's only one thing missing...

King Kamehameha's surfboard?

Darn this joystick!

Oh, right. Right. The Pacifier.

Hey - smooth move on the joystick.

-Aaaargh!

-GIBBERS/CHOKES

STRANGLED VOICE: Uncle. Uncle.

Layla! You're not gonna believe what happened to me last night.

Oh! Cookies!

"Your loyalties are clear when it comes to friends."

Oh, God. Oh...

Oh, I totally spaced. Er...

-I'm sorry. You must wanna kill me.

-Actually, just the opposite.

-I have something to tell you.

-Yeah?

-Yeah. But you first.

-OK. It's about homecoming.

-Really? Me, too.

-I'm going with Gwen Grayson.

Can you believe it? Me, a freshman, going with the most amazing girl

at Sky High!

That's awesome!

I know.

Morning!

Oh, I almost forgot! What's your homecoming news?

I'm going, too!

Really?

Who with?

-Who with?

-Yeah. Who... Who asked you?

-Oh, who

-asked

-me?!

-Warren Peace.

-Warren Peace?!

You can't be serious! Layla, the guy's a psycho!

And he's my biggest enemy. How could you go with him?

-When did you even start hanging out?

-Last night, eight o'clock,

Paper Lantern.

-Hi, Warren!

-Did I do anything last night to make you think this is OK?

Oh, you're so funny. But seriously, I was just about to ask Will

to homecoming - when I told him I was going with you instead.

-That wasn't the plan.

-Hey, Layla. You did the history homework?

-What are you doing?

-It's called sitting.

-No-one sits here but me.

-Mm.

-Mm-hmm?

What did you get for four? Was Tiger Man bitten by a radioactive tiger

or bitten by a regular tiger, and then exposed to radiation?

-Hey! Eating at Warren's table now? I feel extremely dangerous.

-Whoa!

-Whoa!

-This guy bothering you, Magenta?

Try the other way around! Anyone else need a date for homecoming?

Warren, you are crazy!

Please. I'll make this as painless as possible.

So, you're not doing this just cos you like me.

-You're doing this to get at him.

-Yeah.

-Then, I'm in.

But I'm not renting a tux.

If Warren's not here, is this still the tough-guy table?

-Homecoming's stupid.

-Still, I think I'll go.

-Me, too.

-What's up, guys?

-What up, dude?

-Hey.

Let's go, Stronghold. Only two days till your mad-science midterm,

and I will not rest till you can build a raygun blindfolded.

Hey, there, cutie. I was just thinking about you.

I cannot wait till homecoming. I am so excited. I...

-Ow!

-Never call me cutie.

And, is this the trigger?

No. That's the fusion box.

OK. Is...? What's this?

That's my phone.

-PHONE RINGS

-Wow! Superstrong and psychic!

Hello?

Wait. Penny, I can't understand you when you're all talking at once.

OK. Better.

What?

Oh, no. OK. Hold on. Let me call you back.

-What's up?

-There's a problem with the homecoming decorations.

Penny forgot to order a fog machine. I'll have to build one.

Do you think the committee could stop by?

I dunno, because my parents are on a distress call

and they won't be home till late,

and I'm not supposed to have anyone...

It's OK. I was just hoping we could spend a little more time together.

I guess I'll see you at school.

Night, Will.

Er, I... If it's... Um...

If it's only a few people...

Super.

Ryan! You're getting cheese all over the walls!

THUD!

Larry! Do you have to be a two-ton rock right now?!

Please, just, power it down. GROWLS APPRECIATIVELY

Guys! Guys! Guys, the floor!

Gwen! This was supposed to be a homecoming committee!

This IS the homecoming committee! OK, so a few extra people showed up.

Will! You're popular. This is what happens.

Every kid in hero class is here. How will I get cleared up in time?

Here. Come with me.

OK. So, what's on your mind?

-My friends.

-What about 'em? They're all here.

Oh. You mean the sidekicks.

I'm just going to call Zach and Layla, tell them to come over here...

Will, you're such a nice guy.

But do you think they'd have fun with this crowd?

Don't you think they'd feel a little awkward?

No. I think they'd be OK.

Trust me. They'd be miserable.

-Oh!

-Hey!

-Sorry! Just lookin' for a bucket.

I wish there was somewhere we could go to...be alone.

Wow! This is incredible.

Well, when you spend your whole life kicking butt and taking names,

I guess you make a lot of memories.

Maybe we should make a few of our own.

-Could you get me a diet caffeine- free orange soda?

-Anything for you.

-Who invited a sidekick?

-What's she doing here?

Leaving.

-Where's Will?

-Honestly? Avoiding you.

Look, Will knows you have a crush on him.

-He does?

-Everyone does. He's too nice to tell you

he's not interested. Not that you can take a hint.

Hello! He's going to homecoming with me.

He threw a party and didn't invite you.

You're just embarrassing him. You're just embarrassing yourself.

OK. I understand.

And, er...when you see Will again,

can you tell him that I never want to talk to him again?

-I'll give him the message.

-Layla!

Layla? Layla!

Layla!

Layla!

Have fun with Gwen. You two deserve each other.

-Gwen!

-Oh, thanks, Will.

-What did you say to Layla?

-Nothing! I just told her the truth.

-You're a hero. She's a sidekick. She was holding you back.

-What?

Why would you do that? She's been my best friend from first grade.

You've got new friends now. Figure out whether you wanna hang with us

or with those losers. Come on! Let's go.

No. Forget it.

I'm not going anywhere with you - not now or to homecoming.

Might as well just find yourself a new date, Gwen.

You're dumping me?!

Whoa, whoa. Let's get something straight!

You do not dump me - not the night before the dance.

Sorry, Gwen. I, er...just did.

You're dumped!

That's it. Everyone, out! The party's over!

Don't stop on our account.

Your father and I fly to Europe for two hours, and you throw a party?

Unbelievable.

When I reach the count of three, I want everyone out of this house!

Son, I'm only going to ask you this...

I didn't plan this.

-Alright. That's good enough for me.

-Steve!

I've got half a mind not to let him go to homecoming.

-I'm not going anyway.

-Whoa! Your mum said she had half a mind.

You have to go. We all have to,

because we're introducing the world to the Stronghold Three,

the greatest family of superheroes mankind has ever known.

-Did something happen, Will?

-I don't want to talk about it.

Well, we're gonna talk about it, because...

We promised Gwen we'd go to the dance!

And when a Stronghold makes a promise, son,

-that promise is kept.

-I promise you, Dad, I'm not going.

Hello? Layla? Pick up, Layla. Pick up, pick up, pickup.

Alright, fine, don't pick up. It's me. I'm going to the Paper Lantern.

Meet me there, OK?

-You're so funny.

-I love life!

Thanks, Boom, for inviting me.

SARCASTIC LAUGH

Layla? Layla, just pick up.

OK, in case you didn't get my earlier messages, I'm at the Paper Lantern,

-and I...

-'Message box full.'

-What are you doing here?

-I'm, er...

-looking for Layla. Do you know where she is?

-How should I know?

-You're taking her to homecoming.

-Yeah. Right.

-Well, you don't have to worry about me ruining your night.

-Why is that?

-Because I'm not going.

-Hm.

Well, that sucks!

Cos we're only going together to make you jealous.

-Huh?

-Dude, you're so stupid.

-She's totally into you.

-Not after tonight.

I'll be surprised if any of my friends

ever want to talk to me again.

Well, you must've been a real jerk.

Doesn't matter what I do, I can't get 'em to STOP talking to me.

Thanks.

-Hey, you wanna dance?

-No.

-Me neither!

Hey, there, Layla. You look like you could use a drink.

-No, thanks.

-Oh, don't worry. The bubbles are just ginger ale.

Oops(!)

The guys at this school are jerks!

Thanks a lot.

I thought you weren't gonna rent a tux!

It's my dad's. He doesn't have much use for it in solitary.

Cheese cube?

We're taking off now, hon. There's still time to change your mind

-and come with us.

-Nah, I don't think so.

Do you ever feel like you messed up so bad you can never fix things?

People make mistakes, Will. That's what high school's about.

That's what life's about! The key is to learn from them.

-I hope my friends see it that way.

-If someone is a true friend,

you'd be surprised at how understanding they can be.

-Thanks.

-Do me a favour. Put this away for me.

Your father tried to sneak it out under his cape.

-He's convinced everyone will want to reminisce with him.

-Will do.

-Love ya.

-Bye, Mum.

That's weird...

Gwen!

Oh, no...

Oh, no!

Oh, no, oh, no, no, no, no, no, no!

I got to get to Sky High!

Josie, wait.

We can't unveil the Stronghold Three without Will.

-It's just not the same!

-Maybe we should fly home.

We really DON'T need another award.

Welcome, Commander and Jetstream!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Good evening. A quick announcement - the owner of the blue

cold-fusion-powered jetpack, you left the lights on.

Sorry. Sorry. Excuse me. Sorry.

And now, please welcome the head of the homecoming committee,

the girl who made all this possible - Gwen Grayson.

Thank you, Principal Powers. And a very special thank you goes to

our guests of honour, and recipients of our Hero of the Year Award,

-the Commander and Jetstream.

-APPLAUSE

To mark this occasion, we've planned a special tribute

to the most powerful superbeing ever to walk the halls of Sky High -

me!

Commander!

-Royal Pain...is a girl.

-Yes, I'm a girl, you idiot!

How I ever lost to you, I'll never know. Prepare to be pacified.

Do you honestly think you can kill me with that little toy gun?

My dear Commander, who said anything about killing you?

Aaargh! Oooh!

SCREECHES

FIENDISH LAUGHTER

BABY JETSTREAM WAILS

Aaargh!

Josie! I've always... Aaaarrrrgh!

Goodbye, baby!

What I miss?

Aaaargh!

PANICKED SCREAMS

Boomer, get the kids out of here... Aaagh!

Hothead, find an exit. Get as many people out as you can.

I'll slow her dow... Eeeargh! Agh! Agh!

Thanks again for the lift, Ron. Now, if I'm not back in 30 minutes...

-Come in after you. Got it.

-I was going to say go get help.

Go get help. Got it! Now, get in there!

Sorry!

-Where the heck are we?

-Warren, how about a torch?

Only if you want to get barbecued.

Ladies, if I may...

# Then all the reindeer loved him... #

-Way to glow, Zach.

-Thanks, man.

What's up, kid?

-You'll never believe this. Gwen...

-Is Royal Pain's daughter.

-Yeah.

-She...

-Stole the Pacifier.

-And turned everyone into babies,

-including your parents, dude.

-OK. That I didn't know.

-This is more than the great Will Stronghold can handle.

-She's right.

-It's going to take all of us.

-All of who? You and Warren?

-The rest of us are only sidekicks.

-Just having powers

doesn't make you a hero. Sometimes it just makes you a jerk -

makes me a jerk. I guess what I'm trying to say is...

We get it. You've been a jerk.

Layla, in case my homecoming date ends up killing me tonight,

I just want you to know...

Isn't that sweet(?)

-I hate sweet!

-Mua-ha-ha-ha!

You guys are a part of this, too? Why am I not surprised?

Go take care of Gwen. I'll handle these clowns.

Go.

Agh! Agh!

-Whoa!

-"While pushing down on the infant restraint,