Hands wrapped around a mug of hot chocolate, Astrid Stronghold took a tentative sip of the scolding beverage and thanked her Aunt when she placed a waffle in front of her.

Sat at the kitchen table in her Aunt and Uncle's (famously known as Jetstream and the Commander), Astrid was listening to Josie Stronghold recount her first day of Junior Year at Sky High. Humming in agreement as she Josie claimed that whilst this year would be fun and exciting, nothing compared to your Senior Year. Eager to ignore the anxiety that followed when Senior Year was mentioned, Astrid steered the conversation towards her cousin's first day of High School.

Will Stronghold would be starting his first year at Sky High and Astrid had promised her Aunt and Uncle that she would watch out for the nervous boy.

Despite being a Sidekick, Astrid was well known throughout Sky High because her father had been respected and loved by all. 'One of the greatest Superheroes of all time' was what everyone had told her after he had passed. During her Freshman Year, he had been away on an important mission when her Uncle had returned prematurely to deliver the bad news. Samuel Stronghold's Sidekick had turned on him, revealing that he had been working for the enemy for months. Astrid had lost her father that day and the world had mourned the loss a Hero. However, she was unable to grieve in peace because the world turned to offer their condolence and watched how she reacted to the news. Being the daughter of a Stronghold meant personal matters weren't personal.

Many of the students respected Astrid despite her status as a Hero Support so she knew Will would manage perfectly fine at school but Josie was still grateful for the reassurance that someone was still looking out for her son.

"Good morning, Mrs Stronghold. Hey, Astrid." Layla Williams greeted as she entered the kitchen.

The redhead had been Will's long time best friend but it was clear to everyone (but Will) that she harboured feelings for the oblivious boy.

"Morning." Josie replied, sending the nature-controlling girl a warm smile.

"I noticed you had some recyclables in the trash so I took the liberty of moving them for you."

Due to her ability to control nature and help plants grow, Layla was extremely Eco-friendly, she was a vegan and she believed feminism was the best way forward. Her ability to make her opinion known was an admirable trait and Astrid admired her strength. However, she had to admit that the girl could be too opinionated sometimes.

"Thank you, Layla. You hungry? I've got plenty of eggs. Bacon?" Josie asked, piling more food on to Astrid's plate despite the blonde girl's insistence that she was full.

"No, thanks. You know how my mum can communicate with animals? Apparently they don't like to be eaten."

"Juice?" Josie asked awkwardly, not sure how else to respond.

Attempting to smother her laughter, Astrid choked on the bacon in her mouth and Josie had to smack her gently on the back – a smile gracing her own lips.

Quickly changing the topic before Astrid collapsed from a lack of oxygen, Josie asked Layla if she was excited for her first day at Sky High. Delving into her plans for the future, the eldest Stronghold teenager glanced at the redhead with wide eyes. Despite being far closer to graduation than Layla was, Astrid hadn't planned this far ahead. In fact, she was currently putting off the future until she was confronted with it.

"He's on his way down." Steven Stronghold informed his wife as he joined the trio of women. "Morning, Squirt. 0h, hi, Layla." Steven greeted, ruffling his niece's hair and chuckling when she grumbled in distaste at him.

Combing her fingers gently through her soft curls, Astrid quickly checked her reflection in the hallway mirror before shuffling back into the kitchen. Unlike the other Strongholds, Astrid's hair was a natural bright blonde colour that she had inherited from her mother. However, her striking blue eyes were the only remnant (aside from her powers) of her father she had left.

"Good morning, Commander." Layla chuckled, staring at the Superhero who was currently dressed as a real estate agent.

Confused at the use of his alias, the Commander gave Layla a quizzical look until she gestured at the fact that Steven had not yet put his glasses back on – the final piece of his human disguise. Thanking the young girl, he tucked into the large breakfast that his wife had placed before him when he pointed out that she was bleeding. Instantly, Astrid was by her Aunt's side, taking the injured hand in her own.

"I must have cut it on that chipped glass. I really ought to remember to throw it out." Josie chuckled at her own foolishness but Astrid didn't respond.

Her features were schooled into an expression of concentration as she inspected the cut. Placing a finger onto the cut, ignoring that the blood was now staining her finger, Astrid sent a sample of her power into the wound. Moments later, the other three Supers watched as the sliced flesh of Josie's hand started knitting itself back together.

All that was left was the blood that had already left the wound. Washing her hands of her Aunt's blood, she ignored the stares of wonder.

"Thanks, Astrid."

"Anytime, Aunt Josie."

Astrid's ability to heal people never failed to amaze people but the gratitude from people always left her feeling slightly uncomfortable.

Why should she be praised when she was just doing the bare minimum that her power let her do? If anything, she should be criticised for not being able to heal more people.

All the cuts and nicks on Astrid's own hands was the main indication that she was unable to use her powers to heal herself. She was also unable to heal serious injuries – a fact her mother threw in her face the night they had been informed of her father's passing.

'Perhaps if her powers weren't so pathetic then she could've healed him', her mother had hissed to Steven on that soul-destroying night.

After being informed of trouble downtown, The Commander and Jetstream had flown off to put an end to the destruction but not before wishing the trio a good first day at school.

Turning on the TV, Will watched as a giant robot attacked buildings. Suddenly, Jetstream flew in with The Commander in her arms. Letting out a small giggle at the way her Uncle was being carried, the blonde Sidekick couldn't help the pride she felt as her Aunt and Uncle saved the day yet again.

"They're good." Will sighed wistfully.

Astrid's heart ached at the look on her little cousin's face and she gave his shoulders a reassuring squeeze. So much pressure was placed on him to live up to the legacy of The Commander and Jetstream and he was expected to follow in their footsteps. Unfortunately he had yet to display his powers and after today, he may no longer be able to keep that from his father. Whilst many Freshmen were eager to begin their future at Sky High, Will was dreading his first day.

As the trio walked to the bus stop, Layla continued babbling about Graduation and only shut up when they reached their destination.

"Okay you two, I'm not on this bus on the days that I stay at my house but you need to be here at this time everyday. Understood?"

The Freshmen nodded at the Junior just as the bus pulled up. Will clambered aboard first, asking if this was the bus to Sky High and aggravating Ron Wilson.

"What's your name, Freshman?" Ron asked, eyes narrowed in distaste.

"Uh, Will Stronghold."

"The son of the Commander and Jetstream?"

Will nodded nervously before turning a scarlet colour when Ron excitedly announced his presence to the rest of the bus. Introducing himself in a far friendlier manner, Ron ushered two people out of their seats at the front of the bus so that Will could sit down.

Rolling her eyes at the bus driver, Astrid greeted him cheerfully when Will and Layla finally sat down.

"Morning, Astrid. Is that the cousin then?"

Nodding in response, she made her way towards the back of the bus, sitting away from all the Freshmen and placed her head against the window as she contemplated the day ahead. For the entire summer, Astrid had received peace and quiet away from the two boys who plagued her during the school year. Somehow she hadn't seen them once over the summer break but now she would be forced to endure their taunts and malicious behaviour each day. If anything, they would most likely be far worse this year once they discovered Astrid's cousin being powerless.

Letting out a sigh, Astrid prayed that Will would survive, not just his first day at Sky High, but also his father.