CHAPTER TWO: SCHOOL DAZE

Xavier Institute, Westchester, September 8, 2008

It was a few hours after midnight by the time Superman got back to the Institute; after helping to evacuate a Swiss mountainside town threatened by an avalanche, as well as everything that had happened, earlier, he was a bit tired, and although his yellow-sun-fuelled metabolism didn’t require rest, a little shut-eye was nice.

As he touched down in the front yard, Superman walked towards the door…but paused as he heard the sound of footsteps on the west side…when no-one should have been awake.

Instantly, Superman darted to the west side of the Institute, taking out his communicator and hailing the nearest member of the League. “Boy Scout calling Speed-Demon; we have potential break-in at X-House. Haul tail over here!”

“10-4, my blue bro! I’ll be there faster than you can say, ‘Slow down’!”

By then, Superman had reached the west side…and found no-one there. There were no broken windows or any other sign of forced entry…but there, spray-painted on the west wall, were caricatures the all eight members of the Justice League, along with phrases like “Freaks go home!” or “Earth for Earthlings!”

Superman shook his head in annoyance; someone clearly thought themselves artistic. ‘Very funny.’ he thought.

Just then, Flash darted towards him, coming to a perfect stop next to him. “Okay, big guy, what’s the situation?” Flash asked. Superman simply gestured to the ‘mural,’ and Flash snorted. “Well, looks like we got a couple of Art-Majors on our hands.”

“Yeah, a regular bunch of Picassos.” Superman agreed. “There are a few buckets and wash-cloths in the garage, and the garden hose should be nearby; want to help me clean this up?”

“No problem, Big Blue.” Flash replied. With that, he zipped off to get the hose, as Superman headed to the garage, gathering the cleaning supplies. Flash promptly soaked the wall, wetting it down, as Superman doused the cloths in detergent, before handing one cloth to Flash.

It took only a minute’s worth of super-speed-scrubbing to clean off the paint, making the wall as good as new. “Okay, then,” Flash said, setting his cloth aside, “what say we find our ‘aspiring artists’ and thank them?”

Superman nodded. “They can’t have gotten far.” he agreed, as he closed his eyes, listening…

Suddenly, a bamf! interrupted Supermans concentration, as Kurt, in his white boxer shorts and a white t-shirt, ported onto the grass next to them, seconds before Kitty, in a pink t-shirt and pink pajama shorts, phased herself and Alison, in a light-blue t-shirt and a pair of blue and pink polka-dotted pajama pants, through the wall. “Superman, ve have intruders!” Kurt exclaimed. “Kitty and I had just gone to zhe kitchen for a snack, and ve saw zhese guys in monster-masks outside zhe vindow!”

Alison nodded. “I had just gotten up for some water when I heard them; I think they’re on the east side!”

“I hear them, too.” Superman agreed. “Ali, you intercept them from the right; Kurt, ‘port yourself and Kitty in behind them; Flash and I will get them from the left – we’ll box ‘em in.”

“Got it, Boy Scout.” Flash said.

Alison nodded. “Those goons won’t know what hit ‘em!” With that, they split up, to intercept the intruders.

Within seconds, Superman and Flash had the culprits in sight: there were six of them, all high school seniors, clad in blue jeans and red-and-white letterman jackets, wearing plastic Halloween monster-masks over their faces as they spray-painted caricatures of the X-Men onto the east wall. Superman’s eyes narrowed. “A bit late for art, isn’t it?”

At the sound of his voice, the vandals all jumped in surprise, before running away…but stopped as two of them ran into the hard-light force-field that Alison had raised as she darted into view. The remaining four tried to flee in the other direction, but Kurt quickly ‘ported himself and Kitty into their path, blocking their escape. As the four of them back up, Flash quickly ran in circles around two of them, spinning them into the air, before stopping, causing them to land hard on the ground, dazed, but otherwise unhurt. Before the last two could flee, Superman grabbed them by the collar, lifting them off of the ground; as he did, the mask of one of the vandals fell off, revealing a teenage boy, with light brown hair, and blue eyes, a terrified expression on his face.

Alison’s eyes narrowed. “The Bayville High football team.” she muttered.

Superman glared sternly at the youth whose mask had fallen off. “Dressing up like monsters and vandalizing private property is a bit much for a school prank.” he said coldly.

The youth gulped…before his eyes narrowed. “The only monster around here is you, alien freak!!”

Flash snorted. “Now that’s creative.”

“You should be a poet,” Superman replied, “because you’re certainly no Picasso.”

“Should ve call zhe police?” Kurt asked.

“No.” Kitty said. “They’d just be out again in a few hours.”

Superman nodded; for a petty crime like this, the most these punks would get was community service. “Consider yourselves lucky.” he said, before he tossed the two punks onto their rears.

The six youths promptly picked themselves up, and ran off, but not before the mask-less one shouted out, “You’re all freaks!!”

“Yeah! Bayville doesn’t want you!!” another sneered.

“Yeah?! Well, with jackasses like you, how’ll they tell the difference?!” Flash shouted back.

As the vandals ran off, Kitty’s expression saddened. “What a great way to start the school year.” she muttered.

“Ja,” Kurt agreed glumly, “if ve even get to go.”

Superman lightly smiled. “Hey, don’t give up just yet, guys; remember, the Professor’s been talking to the school board practically all summer. There’s still a good chance.”

Flash nodded. “Yeah, guys; don’t let those tools get you down.”

Kitty managed a smile. “Thanks, Clark, Wally.”

Superman smiled. “Any time, Kit.”

“I’d better get back on patrol.” Flash said. “I’ve still got to do a sweep of the rest of the Eastern Seaboard, plus classes are starting back up at Metropolis U, tomorrow.”

Superman nodded. “Bayville U’s fall semester starts tomorrow, too.” he replied. “Well, if anything comes up, just get on Beacon and give me a shout.”

“You got it, Boy Scout. See you later.” Flash said, before he sped off, as Superman and the others headed into the Institute.

As Kitty and Kurt returned to their respective rooms, Superman headed to his own room, with Alison walking beside him. “So, how was ‘work’?” Alison asked.

“A bit hectic.” Superman replied. “We had to evacuate a Swiss town threatened by an avalanche.” His expression lightened. “And how are things around here? Everyone all settled in?”

Alison managed a smile, nodding. “After Tina told the Professor that she wanted to stay, we set up a bunk for her with Lila and I; it’s a big room, so we’re not crowded.” she replied. She smiled. “You know, Lila’s been pestering me non-stop about the fact that you and I are dating.” she teased. She pretended to sigh. “I just had to fall for a superhero, didn’t I?”

Superman smiled lovingly. “I’m sure I can find some way to make it up to you.” he whispered.

Alison giggled. “So you just assume I’ll melt every time you look at me with those gorgeous eyes of yours?” she cooed.

“I didn’t hear an objection.” Superman teased back.

Alison’s eyes sparkled flirtatiously. “You sure as hell didn’t, Boy Scout.”

By then, they were both standing outside Superman’s room; opening the door, Superman followed her in, before closing the door behind them. Once they were alone, Clark quickly shed his uniform, clad only in his black boxers, as Alison slipped off her t-shirt and pajama pants, revealing her favorite blue bikini-style bra and panties, with his crest on the front of her sleepwear.

Turning back to him, Alison smiled…but her expression quickly turned concerned. “Clarkie, what’s wrong?”

Clark blinked. “What do you mean?”

“You had that look.”

“What look?”

Alison sighed, putting her hands on her hips, mildly annoyed. “The one you get when something’s bugging you.” she clarified. Her expression grew worried. “Was it was those jerks said, just now?”

Clark had to smile; it still amazed him, how his taushi could know him so completely…just as he knew every inch of her. “Maybe not on their own,” he admitted, as he sat down on his bed, with Alison sitting down next to him, “but after just dealing with the Senator…”

Alison’s expression saddened. “Clark…”

“I don’t know, Ali; this shouldn’t get to me, but it does.” Clark sighed. “I don’t want anyone to be afraid of me…but it just gets me when people look at me like some kind of monster…”

Alison weakly smiled, as she took his hands in hers. “…because you’re only human, Clarkie…so to speak.” she whispered. Her smile grew. “But they’re absolutely wrong, tausha; you and the League are the best thing that’s ever happened to this world, and if some people are just too damn small-minded or stupid to see it, too bad.” She giggled. “Clark, you can’t even be a bad-boy; how can you possibly be a monster?”

Clark smiled slyly at his beloved Alison. “Oh, I can’t, can I?” he challenged.

Alison smiled back, quickly starting to amend her statement. “Well, I didn’t mean – oh!!” Her amendment was cut off as Clark swept her into a passionate kiss, causing her to lightly squeak with surprise…before she let out a soft moan of contentment, wreathing her arms around her tausha’s neck as he lovingly embraced her, leaning her down onto the bed. As they both slipped under the sheets, Alison returned her lover’s kiss with equal fervour, softly gasping as Clark tenderly kissed the side of her throat, his hands gliding up and lovingly caressing her shoulders, before slipping off the straps of her bra…

After two hours and several blissful interludes, Clark lay back on the bed, letting Alison use his chest as a pillow as he traced tender circles along the small of her back, the sheets tangled around their lower bodies, and their clothes in a pile on the floor. Glancing to the side, Clark could see the faintest traces of dawn peeking through the clouds, casting faint red-golden beams through the window.

As he moved, Alison nuzzled her head into his chest, her arms encircling his torso. Clark smiled, and returned her embrace, placing a loving kiss to her forehead. “Did I wake you?” he whispered.

Alison shook her head. “Just…didn’t want you to go, yet…” she murmured. “It’s too early…”

Clark smiled. “I won’t.”

Raising her head, Alison’s sapphire eyes fluttered open as she smiled at him, the faint dawn’s light combining with her powers to give her a light, lovely glow. She slowly sat up, lovingly straddling him, and Clark promptly sat up to meet her, his hands gliding to her waist. Alison’s smile grew as their noses touched. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Clark replied, smiling back.

Alison chuckled. “I am so glad that you got your own room.” she cooed. “I swear, Clarkie, I love you, but I was not going to risk someone overhearing us.”

Clark grinned. “I don’t blame you.” he quipped. “You certainly can hit those high notes…”

“Oh, shut up!” Alison laughed, playfully slugging him in the shoulder. “You know, just for that, I ought to punish you!”

Clark laughed. “‘Punish me’?”

“Yes; as in, ‘walk out of here, right now,’ punish you.” Alison teased.

Clark chuckled, lovingly embracing her. “Well, taushi,” he softly whispered, “I’m sure you don’t have to do anything that drastic…”

If Alison had been serious about her little threat, her tausha’s tone of voice would have seriously undermined her resolve. “Well, after the past few hours, I’m sure I could somehow find it in my heart to forgive you.”

“I’m glad.” Clark answered. “I probably have enough people mad at me; I couldn’t stand having my Alia mad at me, too.”

Alison’s expression turned a bit sad. “They’re wrong, Clark.” she said firmly. “You’re the best thing that ever happened to the human race…” she moved her head closer to his until their foreheads touched, as she sweetly finished her declaration, “…especially me.”

That statement utterly shattered any lingering thoughts of people hating him. Clark smiled at his taushi. “How is it that you can lift my mood so easily?”

“Silly.” Alison teased. “I’m your girlfriend; it’s my job!” Her smile grew sly. “Just like it’s my job to always be right, to always know when you’re down, and to always be there for you.”

Clark arched an eyebrow. “I see.” he answered. “And my job in this relationship would be..?”

“Simple.” Alison replied, smiling. “You’re supposed to always agree with me, to comfort me when I’m sad, and to love me just as much as I love you.” She giggled. Now, I know that last one might be tough to do…”

“I’m sure I can manage.” Clark replied, smiling. “But I would like to make one little addition to my list of ‘duties’.”

And with that, he lovingly pulled his beloved taushi deeper into his embrace, before gently moving atop her, sealing her lips with a kiss. Alison promptly reciprocated, and their passions began to rekindle. “That’s good, too…” Alison sighed, in blissful agreement, before happily surrendering to her beloved’s caresses…

XXXXXXXX

It was very early in the morning when Raven woke from her sleep. As she sat up in her bed, all she heard was silence; none of the other students were awake, yet. Raven tried to go back to sleep, but she couldn’t; between her long-conditioned survival reflexes and her worries for Kurt and Rogue today, she simply couldn’t quiet her thoughts enough to get another couple hours of sleep.

Sighing to herself, the azure-skinned metamorph slipped out of her bed, donning a dark blue bathrobe over her black tank-top and shorts, before heading downstairs to the kitchen. As she walked into the kitchen, Raven decided on a glass of warm milk; perhaps if she were still working as Fury’s informant, she might have opted for something stronger, but she’d promised herself that, as long as she was here at the Institute, she would at least try to set a good example for her children…

“Something troubles you?”

Raven softly gasped at that voice; turning, she relaxed as she saw J’onn become tangible as he sat down at the kitchen table…holding a package of Oreo cookies; since he had become an instructor at the Institute, the last Martian had gradually been introduced to Earth-culture…and had chosen Oreos as his undisputed favourite snack. “Reading my thoughts?” Raven inquired, lightly smiling as she poured herself a glass of milk.

J’onn smiled, shaking his head no. “It was not necessary; your expression convicted you of worry long before your thoughts did.” he replied, as he took out three cookies for himself, before extending the package to Raven.

Chuckling, Raven took three cookies from the package, before sitting down across from J’onn, who simply levitated the package back into the cupboard. “I take it you haven’t heard any word from the school-board?” she asked.

J’onn shook his head. “Not yet.” he answered. “Charles has yet to hear back from them.”

Raven nodded, as her expression became sad. “I hate to say it, but part of me hopes that they aren’t allowed back.” she whispered. “I don’t even want to think about how they will be treated if they went back…” Raven stopped herself, lowering her head in shame; despite everything, she knew how much the students wanted to go back to school, to regain some sense of normalcy after their lives had been so irreparably altered…

“You want them – your children and the others – to be safe.” J’onn said, lightly smiling as he munched on one of his Oreos. “That is only natural.”

Raven lightly smiled at that, before she dunked an Oreo in her milk, before popping it into her mouth. “Were you this worried the first time your daughter went to school?”

J’onn laughed. “Worse.” he answered…before his expression became sad.

Raven wanted to smack herself for saying that; J’onn’s loss of his beloved wife and daughter – along with his race – was still painfully raw. “J’onn…I-I’m so sorry…”

“It is alright, Raven.” J’onn said softly. “I am…coming to terms with my…losses.”

Raven nodded. “It…it must be difficult…”

“At times, yes.” J’onn said. He smiled wanly. “But it helps to talk about it.”

Raven chuckled. “I suppose so.” she agreed. Her smile became a bit sly, as she realized that J’onn was in a talkative mood, and that she knew next to nothing about him, really; her curiosity quickly overtook her. “So, what exactly did you do on Mars, before your ‘trip’ to Earth?”

J’onn chuckled. “I was part of the organization dedicated to protecting Mars.”

Raven blinked, as she realized what that meant. “You were a soldier?”

“Truthfully, Raven, on Mars, there was no distinction between ‘police officer’ and ‘soldier;’ we were considered both, essentially.”

Raven nodded. “And what were your duties?”

J’onn’s smile became a bit embarrassed. “I was…the closest Earth-rank to my position would have been ‘General;’ I oversaw the entire organization.”

Raven smiled, genuinely impressed. “So, you’re the Martian equivalent of General Fury?”

J’onn’s smile became wry. “There is no need for insults, Raven.”

At J’onn’s incredibly dry reply, Raven couldn’t help but laugh. “I…I can see why you’d say that.” she managed to say between chuckles. She checked the clock, again; it was still too early to be up – she could still get another hour of sleep…

“You are still tired.” J’onn observed. “You should get some more rest, Raven; today may be taxing.”

Raven chuckled. “Are you precognitive, too?” she quipped.

“No.” J’onn replied, smiling. “Merely an educated guesser.”

Raven smiled, as she finished the last of her Oreos. “Thanks for the snack…and the talk.” she said. With that, she headed back to bed, leaving J’onn to finish his own snack.

XXXXXXXX

Shortly after sunrise, the entire Institute had awoken, and normal daily activities resumed.

After the usual line-up to use the showers – made a bit less annoying by the fact that the Institute now had multiple washrooms, after the reconstruction – the entire Institute family, minus Clark, J’onn, and the Professor, as there had been an emergency that the League had needed to take care of, and the Professor had some business to attend to, had piled in the kitchen for breakfast. Due to the relative uncertainty of their returning to school, the mood was slightly tense, but they did their best not to let it affect them.

“So,” Ron inquired, as he loaded a few pancakes onto his plate, “it always like this at breakfast?”

Scott grinned. “Yeah, pretty much.”

Paige lightly giggled. “It’s kinda lahke trying to use the washroom when my sisters first get up.”

Alex’s eyes went wide. “Sisters??” he repeated, casting an inquisitive eye to Sam.

The elder Guthrie nodded. “Ah have two other sisters besides Paige.” Sam confirmed. “On school-days, if Ah wanted to get a shower in the morning, Ah had to get up at 6:30, before their ‘bathroom marathon’ starts.”

Ray sighed. “You poor bastard.”

“Any word on whether or not we’ll be let back into school?” Evan asked.

Jean shook her head. “Still nothing.”

Lance frowned. “Well, that officially sucks.”

“I know!” Kitty exclaimed. “I mean, hello? Didn’t we take out an unstoppable psycho bent on flooding an entire town? I don’t think that being allowed to go back to school is too much to ask!”

Rogue snorted. “Trah explaining that to a bunch of middle-aged, closed-minded jackasses.”

“Amen t’ dat, chere.” Remy agreed.

As the others had been talking, Kurt had been reading the newspaper. “Hey, guys, look at zhis; zhe paper is talking about zhe rescue, yesterday.” he pointed out, holding out the front page, showing a picture of both the X-Men and the Justice League.

Glancing at it, Scott lightly smiled. “Well, this reporter isn’t as scathing as some of the others who’ve written about us.”

“About time we got some good publicity.” Roberto said.

“I concur.” Mark said from the side, where he’d been recharging his power-supply. “The negative attention the Institute has received thus far has been most inhibitive, despite our association with the Justice League.”

Jamie smiled. “Yeah! Now people are finally starting to see us as heroes, like Clark and the League!”

Ron chuckled. “I still can’t believe that’s his real name.”

“I didn’t, either.” Wanda agreed.

Alison chuckled. “I once asked him about it; he told me that his mom told him that she named him after her family, the Clarks, and after Clark Gable.”

Bobby blinked. “Who??”

Half-frowning, Jubilee playfully elbowed him, before turning to Alison. “I can totally see it.”

Smiling slyly, Lila took that opportunity to pounce. “So, Ali, your childhood sweetheart turned out to be Superman, huh?”

Alison smiled back. “Yeah, who’d have thought?”

Tina lightly smiled. “I’m…I’m glad for you, Alison.” she said softly. “You…you both seem so happy, together…”

Alison’s smile grew. “Thanks, Tina.”

Lila grinned. “Okay, Ali, I have to know: what was the Man of Tomorrow like as a kid?”

Alison couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well…Clark was always the nicest guy anyone could ever meet; he’d always be the first to help someone who needed it.” she answered. “Still, he was a bit on the clumsy side, especially with his powers.” She lightly blushed. “And…I always thought he was cute…if in a sweet, lanky, awkward kind of way.”

Lila’s smile grew. “Oh my God…he was an SP, wasn’t he?”

Kitty chuckled. “From the sounds of it, he totally was!”

Tina blinked. “S…P?” she murmured. “What does that mean?”

Rogue groaned. “Oh, Gawd, Ah’m not sure Ah wanna know.”

“You and me both.” Wanda muttered.

Lila just smiled at Tina as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Swan Prince.” she clarified.

Tabitha chuckled. “In other words, he went from ‘ugly duckling’ to ‘God’s-gift-to-women’.”

Alison giggled. “Tabs, you know he probably heard you…”

Lance took a look at the newspaper. “Hey, Fuzzy, it doesn’t look like you’ve been identified.” he observed.

Curious, Kurt took a look; sure enough, the snapshot of him and the X-Men listed all of the X-Men by name, except for him. “Zhey…zhey must not have recognized me vithout my inducer…” he murmured.

“Yeah.” Evan agreed. “Guess you got off lucky, for now, Fuzzy.”

Kurt sighed sadly. “Yeah…” he agreed, “…sooner or later…zhey’ll figure it out…”

Just then, a sonic boom echoed overhead, startling the five new students. “I take it that takes some getting used to.” Warren observed.

“A little.” Jean said.

Seconds later, Clark, in his work-clothes and inducer, walked into the kitchen. “Morning, guys.”

Seeing their Kryptonian comrade, Ron had to chuckle. “Okay, now he looks like a Clark!”

That earned a laugh from everyone. “Ha ha, very funny.” Clark quipped.

“Tough morning, Flyboy?” Logan asked, sipping his coffee.

“Could have been worse.” Clark answered, pouring himself a glass of orange juice. “There was an engine-fire aboard a fishing trawler in the Pacific; we managed to get to it before it got out-of-hand.”

Lila blinked. “And that could have been worse??”

Alison chuckled. “Lil, you haven’t seen anything, yet.”

“Off to university, Clark?” Ororo asked.

Clark nodded. “The fall semester starts today, and in the afternoon, I’ll be working at the Bugle, so I’ll be busy pretty much all day.” he replied. “And that’s just assuming that the League doesn’t need me for anything.”

Remy chuckled. “Good luck wit’ dat, mon ami.”

Just then, Professor Xavier rolled into the kitchen. “Everyone, I have good news.” he said. “I’ve just finished speaking with the school-board, and they are willing to let some of you return to Bayville High School…provided no-one uses their powers.”

There was a moment’s silence at that. “Why only some of us?” Kitty asked.

“The school-board’s reasoning is that today is to be a ‘trial-run’.” the Professor answered. “Tonight, the school-board will be voting on whether or not to allow mutant students back on a permanent basis.”

“Real nice of ‘em.” Logan muttered.

“I suppose it’s better than nothing.” Hank thought aloud.

Noting Tina’s frightened expression, Alison asked, “So who’s going back, Professor?”

“The school-board has agreed to let Scott, Jean, Kitty, Kurt, Lance, Rogue, Evan, Remy and yourself, in addition to Todd and Fred, return for today, Alison.” Professor Xavier answered. “They weren’t willing to accommodate a larger group for this ‘trial-run’.”

Scott frowned worriedly. “I guess it goes without saying that we’d better be on our best behaviour.”

The Professor nodded, before turning to Jean. “At the school-board meeting tonight, we’ll be allowed to have one speaker for our case; Jean, I’d like you to speak for us.”

Jean’s eyes went wide. “P-Professor…”

Scott smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You can do this, Jean.” he assured her.

At that, Jean smiled. “Thanks, Slim.”

Checking his watch, Clark sighed. “I’d better get going; ‘Clark Kent’ needs to get the bus to Bayville U.” he said. “Good luck today, guys; I’ll be rooting for you!”

“Thanks, big guy.” Scott said.

“We’ll need it.” Rogue added. With that, Clark headed out the door, walking towards the bus stop, while the others finished their meal, before heading off, to get ready for their first day of school.

XXXXXXXX

Brotherhood of Bayville Boarding House

In the run-down living room of the boarding house, 17-year-old Todd “Toad” Tolansky sat, watching TV, clad in his usual black t-shirt and blue jeans, absently snagging nearby flies with his long, frog-like tongue as he flipped through the channels. “Yo, Fred!” he called out. “Looks like Supes, the League, and the X-Kids saved that Ambassador guy, yesterday!”

At that, 17-year-old Fred “The Blob” Dukes walked into the living room, snacking on a fair-sized hoagie. If Todd was only half the size of an average 17-year-old, Fred was twice, just to balance everything out. His light hair was in its usual Mohawk-style, and he was in his usual light-green t-shirt and jean-overalls. “Cool.” Todd’s portly pal said, taking another bite out of the hoagie.

Glancing at the TV screen, Todd frowned. “Yeah, ‘cept that Senator guy keeps raggin’ on ‘em, non-stop.” he added. “Somebody seriously needs to leave a flaming bag of dog-crap on his doorstep.”

“You said it, little pal.” Fred agreed, finishing his sandwich. Over the past few months, the two remaining members of the original Brotherhood of Mutants had just simply been hanging out, doing their own thing…and managing to avoid being on the receiving-end of a lynch mob, which, when they weren’t doing anything stupid or being bossed around by Doc Doom’s kid, wasn’t that hard to do.

Just then, they both heard a knock at the door. Getting up, Todd walked to the door, and opened it, finding a middle-aged guy in a business suit, looking a bit nervous. “T-Theodore Tolansky?” he stammered.

Todd mentally grimaced; he hated his full name. “Yeah.”

“I-I’m from the Bayville school-board,” the guy continued, “and I-I’m here to inform you that the board is offering yourself and Mr. Dukes conditional re-enrolment in Bayville High School; pending the vote at the school-board meeting, you may both be offered full re-enrolment.”

Walking in from the living room, Fred caught the last part. “You can just forget it, man.” Fred muttered, walking away. “We don’t go nowhere we ain’t wanted.”

Todd couldn’t help but chuckle. “Since when?”

The guy gulped. “Well, it’s your choice.” he said. “H-Have a pleasant day.” With that, he hurried off.

Todd looked to his pal. “So, Fred, whaddya think?”

Fred frowned. “I think that we’ve got better things to do.”

Todd arched an eyebrow. “Such as?”

“You know…stuff.”

Todd chuckled. “Come on, man; it’s better than sitting around on our butts, all day.” he said. “So what if people hate us? We’ve been Bayville High’s rejects for the past two years; how could this be any worse?”

Fred smiled wryly. “And the fact that Wanda might be there makes no nevermind to you.”

Chuckling, Todd shrugged. “Hey, it’s only for one day.” he said. “And if it’s a chance to see Sweetums…so much the better!” Fred just rolled his eyes. “Well, Freddy?” Todd asked.

Fred thought for a second…and then chuckled.

“Eh. What the hell.”

XXXXXXXX

Bayville High School

As students began to walk onto the front yard of Bayville High, it wasn’t long before the usual gossip and chatter of teenage life filled the air; the topics of upcoming dances, the football season, classes, and the weekend took their usual places…but it was the topic of mutants and the Justice League that dominated the chatter…but the noise died away as a familiar red convertible, an old, dark green jeep, and a vintage motorcycle pulled up to the parking lot, before the Institute students stepped onto the yard.

Scott kept outwardly calm as he stepped out of his convertible, doing his level best to ignore the other students’ gawking. “Everyone stay cool.” he said. “Let’s just get to class.” The others simply nodded, following him into the school.

As they walked, the other students gave them a wide berth, as the whispering started.

“What are they doing here..?”

“Did the school-board let them back in..?”

“I can’t believe that they had the guts to show…”

As the gossipy whispers continued, Kitty simply lowered her head as Lance put his arm around her. Rogue simply frowned…but her frown lessened as Remy subtly took his hand in hers. Alison simply kept walking, refusing to let the gossip get to her…but part of her couldn’t help but wish that her Clarkie was here, to reassure her. Scott and Jean both kept their expressions impassive, but they occasionally sent each other comforting thoughts through their link…

“What, are you freaks gonna blow up our school, too?!”

At that, Evan spun to glare at whoever had said that, but Scott stopped him. “Let it go, Evan.” he said firmly.

“Right. No powers.” Evan said, though his voice said he wasn’t convinced. “I’m cool.” With that near-miss defused, they all headed towards the main entrance…

“Jean!”

Turning, Jean smiled as she saw her good friend, Taryn Fujioka, an 18-year-old Japanese-American girl, around Jean’s height and frame, her long, deep-chestnut hair flowing freely, her dark eyes narrowed in concern, wearing her usual dark blue short dress and light blue sweater. “Hi, Taryn.” Jean greeted.

Hurrying forward, Taryn quickly hugged her best friend. “Oh, God, Jeannie, I am so sorry that I didn’t call more often over the summer.” she lamented. Her eyes narrowed in annoyance. “My parents have been on the warpath ever since they found out about my ‘abnormal’ friends!”

Jean lightly smiled. “I hope I didn’t get you in any trouble.”

Taryn shook her head. “My parents are being majorly hypocritical, Jean. They’ll just have to lump it.”

Jean’s smile grew. “Thanks.”

Turning, Scott smiled as he saw his good friend, Paul Andersen, around the same age and height as him, with short, light blond hair, and hazel eyes, in his usual blue t-shirt and khaki pants. “Hey, Shades.” Paul greeted.

Scott chuckled. “Hey, Paul.”

Glancing to the rest of the staring student body, Paul simply cocked his head towards them. “What’s with them?”

Scott grinned. “No idea.” he replied. “Well, we’d better get to class…”

“Hang on,” Kitty murmured, “where’s Kurt?”

Looking around, they saw that, sure enough, Kurt was missing. “He must have gone on ahead.” Scott thought aloud.

“Probably.” Jean agreed. “Which is what we should do.” With that, they all headed into the school…ignoring the whispers that followed them.

XXXXXXXX

Quietly slinking into the hallways from a side-door, Kurt, with his image-inducer active, dejectedly headed to his locker, alone in the mostly-empty hallway.

He felt lower than pond-sludge.

‘What is wrong with me?!’ he mentally berated himself. He still couldn’t believe what he’d just done; the very second that the other students had started to point, he’d started to get flashes of being called ‘demon,’ or ‘monster’…

…and so, he’d bailed before anyone could make the connection.

Groaning to himself, Kurt leaned his head against his locker-door; nothing could make him feel better…

“Kurt!!”

Despite his gloomy mood, Kurt automatically smiled as 17-year-old Amanda Sefton, his liebe, looped her arms around his torso from behind, nuzzling into his back. “Hey, ‘Mandy.” Kurt greeted, turning to embrace her. Amanda had donned her usual outfit: a black, shoulder-baring t-shirt, and a pair of dark red jeans; an outfit that accentuated her perfect chocolate skin, as well as her long, shimmery brown hair.

Amanda smiled happily as she returned the hug. “I’m so glad you’re back! I was afraid I wasn’t going to get to see you!” she exclaimed.

Kurt weakly smiled. “Vell, here I am.”

Amanda smiled, and then looked around. “Are the others here, too?”

Kurt’s smile collapsed.

Amanda didn’t miss that. “Kurt?” she asked. “What’s wrong?”

Groaning sadly, Kurt slid down to sit on the floor. “Ach, ‘Mandy, I am an uber dumkopf…” he lamented.

Amanda blinked as she sat down next to him. “Huh?”

Kurt felt incredibly guilty, now. “Amanda…I…I bailed on zhe others as ve came in…”

Amanda frowned sadly. “Kurt…”

“I know! It vas a horrible zhing to do!” Kurt cried. “But I didn’t plan to do it, ‘Mandy; I just panicked!” His gaze lowered to the floor. “Amanda, all my life, I have been terrified of being discovered as a mutant; I mean, you know vat I look like…”

“Yes, Kurt,” Amanda said firmly, “just like I know that any person who doesn’t see the adorable, wonderful man that you are is not a person whose opinion should matter.”

Kurt grimaced. “Oh, Gott, I am such a jackass…”

Amanda giggled. “No,” she corrected, “you were just scared. You just need to overcome your fears, Kurt,” she leaned her head against his shoulder, “just like I know you can.”

As he had often found himself doing whenever Amanda was with him, Kurt sent his gaze skyward, towards Heaven. ‘I don’t know what I did to deserve You sending her to me, but thank You.’ he thought with a smile. Just then, the class bell rang, and the halls started to get crowded. “I…I guess ve’d better head to class.” Kurt said, standing up and extending a hand to Amanda. Smiling, Amanda took it, as they headed off to class.

XXXXXXXX

Despite the initial stir that the Institute students’ return caused, the second that the class bell rang, every student headed to class…but until they had actually taken their seats, gossip was still the order of the day.

“Did you hear? The school-board let some of the Xavier Institute come back to school for today!” one sophomore girl said to another as they headed to class.

“Yeah; I think the school-board is gonna vote on whether or not to let them all come back, tonight.” her friend replied.

“But didn’t some of them help Superman and the Justice League, yesterday?” the first thought aloud.

“I think so.” the second agreed. “I kinda hope that the board doesn’t turn ‘em away; most of the Institute kids – like that girl Jean Grey – are actually pretty nice.”

The first giggled. “You’re just saying that because they’re best friends with Superman.”

“Oh, whatever!” the second exclaimed. “Like I’m the only one! What about that life-sized poster of him that you’ve got on your ceiling?”

“Well, can you blame me? You’ve seen his picture!”

The second giggled. “I know! Total dreamboat!”

“And have you seen some of those other guys in the League? Like that ‘Aquaman’ guy and that guy ‘Flash’?”

The second nodded, smiling. “They’re not bad to look at, either!”

As the two girls continued on their way, they passed by a row of lockers…where the school quarterback and his pals on the football team were gathering their gear.

18-year-old Duncan Matthews scowled to himself as he heard the chatter, his green eyes narrowing in disgust. Duncan was tall for his age, and well-built, with short, blond hair, and he was wearing his usual blue jeans and green sweater under his letterman jacket.

He couldn’t believe that the school-board had actually let those freaks come back to school; hadn’t they done enough damage?! “I thought you guys had graffiti’d those muties’ school.” Duncan muttered, glancing to his pals.

“We tried, Dunc!” one exclaimed. “But that stupid E.T. and one of his League-freak pals stopped us!”

Duncan’s scowl grew; he should’ve known. He’d figured that a little visit to the newly-rebuilt Institute would be enough to show the muties just how ‘welcome’ they were in Bayville – namely, that they weren’t. “That God-damn alien…thinks he can just march onto our planet and start bossing us around, telling us how to live..!” Duncan fumed.

“Hey, man, we hear you.” another of his pals said. “They’ve gotta go.”

“Well, how??” the first asked. “Those F.O.H. guys couldn’t take down the alien and the League, and they have guns, and everything!”

At that revelation, Duncan frowned. “We’ll have to get the muties out of our school, first.” he thought aloud. “That way, we’ll also show that alien that freaks like him are not welcome on our planet!”

A third spoke up. “I think I got an idea; the school-board said that the muties could only come back to school if they didn’t use their powers…”

Duncan grinned. “That right?” he asked. “Well, then, we’ll just have to make sure that they do.”

His grin grew, as he spoke again. “And I know just who to start with…”

XXXXXXXX

‘It’s official: this school blows.’ Evan thought to himself, as he gathered his things at his locker. The morning had gone about as well as he’d expected; namely, that his teachers were now looking at him like he might try to pull a gun at any second, while the other students had been gawking at him like a zoo-specimen. Stashing his books in his locker, Evan turned to head to lunch, and meet up with the others…

“Freak.”

Evan stopped, frowning to himself as a couple of his ‘classmates’ from Biology walked into view. ‘Man I do not need this…’

One of them smirked. “Hey, I think it heard me.” he sneered. “What’s wrong, freak? Don’t like being called names?”

Evan’s eyes narrowed. ‘Stay cool, Daniels; stay cool…’

“What are you gonna do about it, freak?” the other snapped. “You don’t belong here…”

“Hey!!”

Both of Evan’s tormentors turned, to see a tall, strongly-built, 18-year-old African-American youth, clad in blue jeans and a simple white sleeveless t-shirt, his dark hair in a short cru-cut, and his dark eyes narrowed angrily. “And to think that I thought people around here actually had manners.” the youth muttered. “Just goes to show you.”

“Hey, stay out of it, pal!” one shouted.

The second sneered. “What, are you a mutie, too?!”

“You wish, white-trash; if I was, I wouldn’t wreck my good behaviour by trashing you two jackasses.” the guy replied. “But I’m not…which means that I’ve got no problem with kicking your racist asses in.” His eyes narrowed. “So unless you want to get an ass-kicking, I suggest you step off.”

The two punks glowered at the newcomer…before turning back to Evan. “This isn’t over, freak.” the first muttered, before he and his pal walked away.

The newcomer chuckled. “Some people, huh?”

“Yeah.” Evan agreed, lightly smiling. “Thanks, man.” He extended his hand. “Evan Daniels.”

The newcomer shook it. “John-Henry Irons.” he replied. Chuckling, he added, “But my friends just call me ‘Junker’.”

Evan arched an eyebrow. “Junker??” he repeated.

John shrugged. “Comes from all the extra hours I pull down at the junkyard, after school.”

“Cool.” Evan replied. “You new here?”

John nodded. “We moved here, a few months ago.”

Evan nodded. “Hey, I was just gonna go meet the others; want to come with?”

“Sure.” John agreed. With that, the two pals headed to the outside cafeteria, to meet with the others.

XXXXXXXX

After his last class let out, Scott quickly stashed his books at his locker, before heading to the outdoors cafeteria…ignoring the whispering from other students. The morning had been tough – as it likely had been for the others – and he was looking forward to talking to the others. He walked out the door…

…and was immediately blindsided.

As soon as he had stepped outside, two goons in letterman jackets – the football team, he noted grimly – tackled into him, knocking him into the wall. Recovering quickly, Scott knocked both goons away with push-kicks, before readying himself for another attack…as the ring-leader walked forward.

“Hey, Summers.” Duncan sneered, smiling cruelly. “Long time, no see.”

‘Should’ve known.’ Scott thought. “Not long enough, it seems.”

Duncan’s cronies started to spread out, surrounding him. “Seems like you muties didn’t get the message we left you, last night,” Duncan continued, “so I guess we’re gonna have to explain it to you.”

Scott’s eyes narrowed behind his shades. “So that was your idea.” he muttered. “Figures.”

Duncan glared at him. “You and that bitch of yours made me look like an ass, last year, Summers.” he spat. “You can’t hide behind that alien freak, now.”

Scott smirked. “Trust me, Matthews; you didn’t need our help,” he shot back, before recalling Jean’s words, the day she’d dumped this jerk-off, “lughead.”

Duncan’s eyes went wide, before narrowing in fury. “I’m makin’ sure you use those ‘powers’ of yours, Summers,” he snarled, “because then it’s ‘bye-bye’ Bayville High for you!”

And with that, Duncan swung at Scott, who blocked the punch, twisted Duncan’s arm into a submission lock, before shoving him away. Duncan quickly recovered. “That all you got, mutie?!” he shouted. “What, you don’t got the stones to use those eye-blasts of yours?!”

Scott glared at him. “Oh, believe me, Matthews; I’d love to.” he snapped. “But you’re not worth it.” With that, he turned to go…

Snarling, Duncan charged Scott and pinned his arms behind his back, before tossing him towards his pals, who quickly grabbed his arms. “So where’s that ‘super-freak,’ Summers? How come he’s not zooming in to ‘save the day’?” Duncan mocked. To emphasize his point, he cupped his hands around his mouth, and shouted out, “Hey, Super-Freak! I’m gonna kick your pal’s ass, and there’s nothing you can do about it!!”

No response.

Duncan smirked. “Guess he doesn’t care.” he sneered. “Some ‘hero’!” With that, he reached over and took Scott’s shades, forcing Scott to shut his eyes. Laughing, Duncan put the shades on. “Hey, look at me! Now I’m ‘cool’!” Duncan mocked, causing his cronies to laugh…and giving Scott the opening he needed.

Lightly hopping backwards, Scott pulled his arms towards each other, causing Duncan’s flunkies to crash into each other. Kicking one away, Scott grabbed the other in a judo-throw, and tossed him into Duncan, knocking him down.

Duncan promptly got back up, his eyes narrowed in utter hate. “You’ve had it, Summers!!”

“Bring it on, Matthews.” Scott said, his brow furrowed in determination. “I don’t need my powers to take you down.” He chuckled. “That’s why Superman didn’t show; he’s got better things to do than mop up trailer-trash like you.” Snarling, Duncan and his pals closed on him…

“Leave him alone.”

Arching an eyebrow, Duncan turned to see Kurt standing there. “Buzz off, shrimp.”

Kurt didn’t move. “He didn’t do anyzhing to you.” he said softly. “Please, leave him alone.”

Duncan laughed. “Why?” he sneered. “Are you a mutie, too?”

Kurt took a deep breath. “And vat if I am?” he replied. “Zat still doesn’t make vat you’re doing right.”

“Hey, Dunc, I think he is!” one of Duncan’s pals exclaimed. “Yeah! I’ve seen him hanging out with the other muties, last year!”

Sneering, Duncan turned towards Kurt. “Well, well,” he laughed, “two freaks for the price of one..!”

“Is there a problem, here, gentlemen?”

Startled, Duncan looked up and spotted none other than Principal Edward Kelly; Bayville High’s Principal was in his usual casual brown suit and tie, his brown eyes narrowed behind his glasses, one eyebrow arched quizzically.

“No problem here, sir.” Scott said. “I’d just lost my shades, and Dunc had found ‘em.” He glanced to Duncan. “Right, Dunc?”

Duncan glared at Scott, wanting nothing more than to say that Scott had jumped him…but the situation wouldn’t have backed up that claim. “Right.” he muttered, taking off the shades and handing them to Scott.

His eyes narrowed warily, the Principal glanced to Duncan, and then to Scott. “Get to lunch, both of you,” he said, “and I don’t want to see any more monkey-business…from either of you.” His gaze fell to Duncan as he finished his statement, before heading off.

Scowling, Duncan and his pals turned to go. “You muties won’t last the week.” Duncan snarled. “We’re gonna run you freaks right out of Bayville High!” With that, Duncan and his goons stormed off.

Putting his shades back on, Scott smiled at Kurt. “Thanks for the assist.”

“No problem.” Kurt answered, before his expression turned sad. “Sorry for bailing, earlier; I…I kinda panicked…”

Scott smiled wryly. “Can’t say I blame you, Fuzzy.” he said. “Come on; let’s go get lunch. The others are probably waiting for us.” With that, they both headed off, to find the others.

XXXXXXXX

Unbeknownst to either of them, someone had seen that little brawl.

Crouched low on top of an adjacent building, across the road from the school, a single figure, clad in a jet-black stealth-suit, his face covered by a full, black face-mask, lay hidden, watching the school with a pair of high-tech binoculars. “Stealth One to Command; I am observing the kill-zone.” he spoke into his communicator, broadcasting over a heavily encrypted frequency, bouncing the signal through several satellites to avoid tracing.

“Excellent work, Stealth One.” came the sinister female voice. “Do you see the Grey girl?”

“Confirmed; secondary target is in my sights.” the figure said. “Request permission to take the target out.”

“Denied, Stealth One. Our associate wishes the girl’s death to serve as an example to mutants; having her killed at the same time as Xavier will send a better message.”

The figure scowled. “If I try to get both Xavier and the girl tonight, their friends might get wise.”

“Then distract them, Stealth One.”

“How am I supposed to..?!” the figure snapped…and then he smiled. “Put me through to Creed, Command; I’ve got an idea…”

XXXXXXXX

As he and Kurt walked into the outdoor cafeteria, Scott smiled as he saw the others, plus Taryn, Paul, Amanda, and a newcomer, sitting at their usual table, before walking over. Seeing him, Jean smiled back. “Hey,” she greeted, “I was wondering what was taking you.”

“Sorry.” Scott said as he sat down. “Just had a little run-in with our old pal Duncan.”

Jean’s eyes went wide. “A-Are you okay..?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, Red; don’t worry.” Scott answered. “Just Dunc’s usual jackass antics with a racist twist; nothing I wasn’t expecting.”

Jean’s cherry eyebrows narrowed at the mention of her ex. “Just when I had thought that I had seen the limits to his jackass behaviour…ugh!!”

“Amen to that, Jean.” Taryn agreed. “Good thing you dropped him when you did.”

The new guy nodded. “I think the current theory is that jackasses like Matthews spawn on mouldy gym floors.” Glancing to Scott, he extended his hand. “John-Henry Irons.” he greeted. “Folks just call me Junker.”

“Scott Summers.” Scott replied. “My friends also call me Cyclops,” he grinned, “but ‘Cyke’ or ‘One-Eye’ also work.”

“Good to know.” Junker replied. Glancing at the rest of the student body gawking at them, he snorted. “Nice reception you guys are getting; Doctor King must be rolling in his grave.”

“I know!” Amanda agreed. “You’d think people would know better, by now!”

Sitting down next to Amanda, Kurt smiled. “Zat’s vhy zhe X-Men and zhe Justice League are around, ‘Mandy.” he said.

“Good to see you’re talkin’ to us again, little bro.” Rogue said.

Kurt lowered his gaze. “Ja…I just got a bit freaked.” he said. “My bad, guys; von’t happen again.”

“Hey, don’t worry, Fuzzy.” Alison said. “We keep forgetting that you have a bit more to hide than the rest of us did.”

“Yeah!” Kitty agreed. “I guess we can understand, Kurt.”

Kurt smiled. “Zhanks, guys.”

“Hey, mind if we join you?”

Turning, Scott was surprised to see Todd and Fred, standing there. “Not at all.” Scott replied.

“Hey, I thought I saw you guys in Shop Class!” Evan exclaimed.

“Yep.” Todd said. “Me an’ Fred decided to give this place another try.”

“Good to hear.” Jean said, smiling. “We haven’t seen much of either of you, all summer.”

“Oh, you know; we’ve just been doing our own thing, keeping our heads down.” Fred said.

“Smart hommes.” Remy said.

Looking around, Todd frowned. “Isn’t Cuddlebumps here?”

“Nope; sorry, Froggy, but Wanda didn’t come.” Evan quipped.

Alison giggled. “Why, Todd? Gonna try and ‘serenade’ the poor girl, again?”

Todd chuckled. “Hey, Blondie, I might not be up to your standards, but that’s just how I feel about my Snugglebunny!”

Fred shook his head. “Hey, cut him some slack; he braves that guy Logan’s claws every time he tries it.”

“He’s got a point, there.” Paul chuckled.

“What can I say?” Todd asked, sighing – a perfect, lovesick fool. “She just makes a guy wanna…brush his teeth.”

“EW!” Taryn cried. “God, Tolansky, some of us are trying to eat!”

“Yeah, Todd! So did not need to hear that!” Kitty exclaimed.

Lance laughed. “Trust me, Kit; that was nothing. Remember, I used to live with these slobs!” he quipped.

At that moment, the class bell rang, signalling the end of lunch. Rogue sighed. “Here we go, again.” she muttered. With that, they all got up, and headed back to class.

Hopefully, Clark was having a better day than they were.

XXXXXXXX

Daily Bugle, New York City

“PARKER!!”

Hearing the trademark bellow of his boss, Peter Parker hurried into JJ’s office. “You called, Mr. Jameson?”

“Isn’t Kent here, yet?” Jonah said, as he typed away at his computer. “He’s supposed to be here, by now.”

“He should be here soon, sir.” Peter replied. “From what he told me, his university classes were only in the morning.”

Jonah nodded absently. “Fine, then.” he said. “In the meantime, Parker, you can get acquainted with our new intern; I’ve decided to make yours and Kent’s duo into a trio.” He then called out, “SULLIVAN!!”

Seconds later, a fairly tall, slim, 20-year-old young woman, with mid-length light blond hair and light green eyes, clad in a mid-length black skirt, a white short-sleeved blouse, and a light green jacket over it. “Yes, Mr. Jameson?” the young woman asked.

“Sullivan, meet Peter Parker; he’ll be the photographer you’ll be working with. Parker, Chloe Sullivan.” Jonah said. “For now, Parker, show Sullivan to her desk; it’s the one next to Kent’s. When Kent gets here, I want you three to report back.” With that, his gaze returned to his computer, as Peter and Chloe left the office.

Once they were outside, Chloe sighed. “Nice guy.”

“Wait ‘till you see him on a bad day.” Peter quipped. “It’s…nice to meet you, Ms. Sullivan.”

Chloe smiled. “Call me Chloe.”

Peter smiled back. “In that case, call me Peter.” he replied, extending his hand.

“Nice to meet you, too.” Chloe replied, shaking it. “So, who’s this other guy we’re working with?”

“Oh, that’d be Clark.” Peter replied. “He’s a good guy.”

Chloe blinked. “Clark Kent?” she asked. “From Smallville, Kansas?”

“You know him?”

Chloe nodded. “We went to grade-school together, back in Smallville.” she replied. Peter nodded, and then he glanced behind her, spotting Clark walking in. Chloe followed his gaze…and blinked. “Is that Clark??”

Before Peter could answer, Clark – true to his clumsy persona – stepped in a nearby empty janitor’s bucket, tripping and falling flat on his face.

Chloe chuckled. “Oh, yeah; that’s Clark, alright.”

Peter chuckled. “Hey, Clark, come meet our new partner!”

Picking himself up, Clark walked over. “Partner??” he exclaimed. “When did..?” but he stopped as he recognized their new colleague. “Chloe??”

Chloe smiled, giving Clark a friendly wave. “Hey, Clark.”

“Oh my God, I don’t believe it!” Clark exclaimed, giving her a hug. “How are you?”

“Pretty good.” Chloe answered. “I transferred to Bayville U after spending a year at Metropolis U; I managed to get into the Journalism internship program…and here I am!”

Peter chuckled. “You poor girl.” he quipped. “So, you and Clark were friends?”

Chloe nodded, smiling. “We probably weren’t as close as Clark was with Lex, Arty, Wally, Vic, and Ollie, but we were still pals.” Chuckling, she added, “But given what you six lunatics always got up to, maybe that was for the best!”

Laughing, Clark nodded. “True enough!” he agreed. “Well, it’s great to see you again, Chloe!”

“You, too.” Chloe replied. “I guess we’d better go see Mr. Jameson, before he gets mad.”

Peter chuckled. “How can you tell the difference?” he quipped. Chuckling, the three of them headed back to their boss’ office.

As they walked in, Jonah looked up. “Glad you could drop by, Kent.” he said. “This evening, I want you and Sullivan to cover the Bayville school-board meeting; tonight, they’ll be voting on whether or not to allow mutants to attend public school – their decision could set a precedent for the entire country, and I want the two of you there, covering it!”

Clark nodded. “We’ll be there, sir.”

“Good.” Jonah said. ”Parker, I’ll want you to stick around and cover the LexCorp press-conference; Kent’s pal Luthor’s supposed to be announcing his latest project.”

“No problem, boss.”

Jonah nodded…and then handed them three piles of files. “In the meantime, you three can catch up on your paperwork; I’ll need those files filled out before the end of the day.” Sighing, the three of them each took a pile, and headed to their desks.

As they left JJ’s office, Chloe sighed. “Why do I get the feeling that this is just make-work that he decided to pass onto the lowest rungs on the ladder?”

“Probably because it is.” Peter quipped.

“Welcome to the world of Journalism, Sullivan.” Clark quipped. His tone turned serious. “So, what’s your take on the whole ‘mutant issue’?”

“I think it’s awful, how some people treat them.” Chloe said, her eyes narrowed as they each sat at their desks. “God, it’s as if the entire civil-rights movement never even happened! The second some new group pops up, some people go right back to the Civil War!”

“You said it, sister.” Peter agreed.

Glancing to her hefty pile of paperwork, Chloe sighed. “I’d better go get some coffee; I think I’ll need it.” she said. “You guys want anything?”

“Nah, I’m good.” Peter answered.

“Me, too.” Clark added. With that, Chloe simply headed to the coffee machine.

Glancing to Clark, Peter whispered, “Well, looks like it’s gonna be a bit harder for either of us to take a ‘leave-of-absence’; we’re gonna have to work out a rotating schedule, or something.”

Clark chuckled. “Sounds like a plan.” he replied softly, before returning to his work.

He wondered how the others were doing.

XXXXXXXX

Bayville High

The afternoon proceeded fairly normally – considering the circumstances – and soon, the bell rang for the last class of the day to begin. As he headed into the hallway, Duncan scowled to himself; his plan to spook the muties and get even with that jerk-off Summers had fallen through, and he was currently out of ideas. There had to be some way to get rid of the freaks…

Suddenly, his cell-phone started ringing. Duncan promptly answered it. “Hello?”

“I’ve been told that you don’t like mutants.”

His eyes narrowing in suspicion, Duncan answered, “Yeah? Well, who doesn’t?”

The voice chuckled. “I’m glad to hear you say that, Mr. Matthews. I think we have a lot to talk about.”

Duncan scowled. “Look, if this is some kind of prank-call..!”

“There’s nothing funny about this, Duncan. Mutants are a very real threat; they mean to replace good people – normal people – like you and I. I’m glad to hear that you’re taking them seriously.”

Duncan’s scowl lessened. “Yeah, and if they weren’t bad enough, we’ve got that alien freak and his Loser-League flying around.” he replied. “I mean, who the hell does he think he is?! Who said he could tell us what to do?!”

“Exactly!” the voice agreed. “Weren’t his kind wiped out? Isn’t that proof that he has no place here, or anywhere else”

“You said it, pal!”

The voice chuckled. “I think we should meet and talk things over, Duncan…but I’d like you to do one little thing for me.”

Duncan arched an eyebrow. “Yeah? And what’s that?”

The voice laughed. “It’s nothing you won’t enjoy doing, Duncan.” he replied. With that, he began to detail his little ‘favour’…and Duncan smiled.

The guy was right; he would enjoy doing it.

XXXXXXXX

In the school gym, Jean and Taryn, along with the rest of the girls’ basketball team, were playing a little two-on-two; it was the last game before gym class ended, and the score was tied at four – the first to five won. As Taryn stole the ball, Jean got into position for a pass…but one of her opponents elbowed her, knocking her to the ground. “Oops. Sorry.” the girl sneered, before intercepting the pass and heading for the net. Her eyes narrowed, Jean quickly got up and ran after the ball; as the girl made a pass, Jean intercepted the ball, and made a fast pass to Taryn, before darting to the net; Taryn closed on the net, but was stopped by the second girl. With expert aim, Taryn bounced the ball low to the floor as she passed it to Jean, who caught it and executed a perfect dunk.

Taryn cheered. “Way to go, Jean!”

“No fair!” one of their opponents shouted. “She used her mutant powers!”

Jean’s eyes went wide. “What?!”

“It’s true! I saw her!” the other girl accused.

“Oh, come on! That’s baloney, and you know it!” Taryn snapped. “Jean didn’t use any powers to make you suck at basketball; you’ve always sucked!”

“Alright, that’s enough!” the coach shouted. “Grey and Fujioka won, fair and square.”

“But she cheated!” one girl cried.

“Not from what I saw, ladies. You got any proof of that?”

The girl froze. “N-No, but..!”

“Then hit the showers.” the coach said. Scowling, the girl and her friend walked off.

Jean lightly smiled. “Thanks, coach.”

The coach chuckled. “Contrary to what some of the other teachers might indicate, not everyone hates you and your friends, Grey.” he said. He lightly smiled. “Besides, I owe your red-and-blue pal. You know that little girl he saved, the day you went public?”

Jean nodded, remembering that day – the day their lives had turned upside-down; a Sentinel had fired a missile, but it had gone wide, heading for a park…where a little girl and her family had been strolling. The girl would have been killed…but Superman had shielded her with himself; it had been the first time he’d been seen. “Yeah.”

“She was my niece.” the coach said. “So, next time you see him…thank him, will you?”

Jean smiled. “I will.”

“Good.” the coach said, before his expression returned to its normal, gruff state. “Now hit the showers, ladies.” With that, he headed off.

Taryn chuckled. “Well, it’s a small world, after all.”

Jean nodded. “Kal would know better than anyone.” she agreed. With that, she and Taryn headed to the bleachers, gathering their gear, and started to head to the locker-room.

Jean was about to head into the locker-room…when she happened to see movement in the nearby trophy-room. “I’ll catch up with you later, Taryn.” Jean said, before heading to the trophy-room…where she found Principal Kelly, packing up several trophies…including the State Championship trophy that the Girls’ Soccer Team had won. “Principal Kelly?” she asked. “What’s going on?”

Edward sighed. “I’m afraid that there’s been an inquiry, Jean.” he answered. “Several schools are saying that some of our trophies weren’t won fairly.”

Jean gulped. “W-What are they accusing the school of?”

Edward looked her in the eye. “Jean, you don’t need mind-reading powers to know what the accusations are.” he said flatly.

Jean froze. “Is…Is that what you think..?”

“I think that a lot of strange things have happened over the past year, Jean; things that I’ve never been able to explain, until now.” Edward said. “There was the pep-rally at the start of last year; something tells me that there was a bit more involved than a simple gas-leak. Then there was the fact that I was nearly mauled by some kind of…of beast! There was the Sadie Hawkins’ Dance; the attack by that machine, and likely a dozen other things that I don’t know about.” His gaze hardened. “A lot of people could say that you’re a menace.”

Jean flinched, hurt by her Principal’s accusation. “P-Principal Kelly…”

“But other things have happened, Jean.” Edward continued. “Something tells me that, whatever really happened at the pep-rally, people could have been hurt…but no-one even had a scratch. Furthermore, whatever that beast was, I’m pretty sure that it was your Kryptonian friend that saved me, that night. And as for the Dance-incident, I know I saw you and your friends fighting off those…whatever they were.” He sighed. “Are mutants a menace?” he asked aloud. “I honestly don’t know, Ms. Grey. That question is best left to philosophers and scientists…and I am neither.”

Jean’s expression lightened. It was an honest enough answer.

“Now, do I believe that you and your friends could have cheated?” Edward asked. “Possibly.” He wryly smiled. “Do I believe that you did? No. I may not know much about genetics or philosophy, but I like to think that my experience as a principal lets me tell a good kid from a bad one; unless you’ve got some alternate-personality that I don’t know about, you’re not the type to cheat, Ms. Grey. That’s why I’m going to fight these allegations.”

In the back of Jean’s subconscious, Phoenix laughed. ‘I think I’ve just been insulted; I have never cheated in my life!’

‘Oh, hush.’ Jean admonished with a mental laugh. “Thank you, sir.” she replied. Then, she paused. “Mr. Kelly?” she inquired. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but…are you related to a Senator Robert Kelly?”

Edward grimaced. “So, you’ve met my big brother.”

Jean smiled guiltily. “Once or twice.” she answered. “I…can’t say we enjoyed the encounters.”

Edward smiled wryly. “Try being related to him.” he joked, before sighing. “Bob’s an alarmist, to put it mildly; half of the more ‘extreme’ measures this government uses were likely his idea. In the wake of 9/11, he had a field-day.” His expression turned sad. “And I hate to say it, Miss Grey, but after your friends’ ‘introduction,’ Bob might do it, again.”

Jean smiled weakly. “Well, sir, hopefully, between us and the League, we can change people’s minds.”

“I suppose we’ll see.” Edward said. “And I guess I’ll see you at the school-board meeting, tonight.” Jean nodded in agreement, before turning and heading to the locker-room.

XXXXXXXX

As the final bell rang, the student body poured out into the hallways, eager to head home. Gathering her things, Alison headed to her locker; the last class had ended not a moment too soon…

“Can you believe she’s still singing..?”

“God, if it was me, I’d never show my face, again…”

“How is that freak still on top of the charts..?”

Alison simply closed her eyes, trying to block out the chatter, momentarily wishing she didn’t have ultra-sharp Kryptonian hearing. She tried to tell herself that they were just petty, jealous, and small-minded…but it still hurt…

“Um…M-Miss Blaire?”

Turning, Alison saw a 15-year-old freshman girl, looking incredibly nervous, holding a notebook. “Uh…I-I don’t mean to bother you…b-but…c-can I have your autograph?” she stammered. She lowered her gaze. “I-I know you’re probably really busy, w-what with being a star and a superhero and everything, b-but…”

Alison smiled warmly. “I always have time for my fans.” she replied, causing the girl to smile. Taking the notebook, Alison took out a pen. “So, who do I make this out to?”

“A-Alice.”

Signing her name and addressing it to Alice, Alison handed the notebook back to her. “Here you go.” Alison replied. “I hope you have a great year!”

“Y-You, too, Alison.” Alice replied, smiling. “A-And don’t listen to these jerks; there are lots of people who think you and your friends are awesome…”

Alison’s smile grew. “Thanks for reminding me.” she said. “See you.” Smiling at that, Alice hurried off, as Alison went to meet up with the others.

As she walked through the corridors, she met up with Kurt, Kitty, Lance, Evan, Rogue, and Remy, who had been talking with Todd and Fred while heading to meet up with Scott and Jean. “Hey, guys.” she greeted. “Tough day?”

Rogue half-glared at her. “Don’t ask.”

“Welcome to our world, Stripey.” Todd quipped.

“So, are you guys coming to the school-board meeting, tonight?” Kitty asked.

“Dunno. Hadn’t thought about it.” Fred answered.

“Might be a good idea,” Lance suggested, “since, you know, it affects you guys, too.”

“Eh. Maybe.” Todd said. “Well, I guess we’ll see you guys around.” He grinned. “Tell Cuddlebumps I said hi!”

Evan chuckled. “No problem, Romeo.” With that, Todd and Fred headed off, while the rest of them continued on, to meet up with Scott and Jean.

As they reached Jean’s locker, they saw that Scott was already there…and he looked steamed…most likely from whatever had caused Jean to look so upset. “What’s wrong?” Alison asked.

“Someone has a sick sense of humour.” Scott answered, gesturing to Jean’s open locker. Walking over, Alison peered in…and saw the note.

Bang! You’re dead, mutie bitch.

Alison scowled at the note’s message. “God, don’t these jackasses ever quit?!”

Kitty looked worried. “Are you okay, Jean?”

“Yeah.” Jean said softly. “Just…just a little freaked-out.”

Kurt’s expression mirrored Kitty’s. “Vat should ve do?” he asked. “I mean, zhis is obviously a death-threat…”

“Could they be serious?” Alison asked.

“Whoever did this got into Jean’s locker, Ali. That sounds serious enough to me.” Scott said.

“This might be about the meeting, tonight.” Jean said. Her expression saddened. “As if I didn’t have enough to worry about…”

At that, Scott smiled, placing a comforting arm around Jean’s shoulder. “You’ll do great, Jean. I know it.”

Jean smiled weakly. “Thanks.”

“So, Fearless, y’ got any idea what t’ do ‘bout dis?” Remy inquired.

Scott thought for a moment…and then smiled. “We can’t use our powers to investigate,” he said, “but the school-board never said anything about our friends…”

XXXXXXXX

Daily Bugle

It was mid-afternoon by the time Clark finished his pile of paperwork; glancing at the clock, he figured that the others would be getting out of school, by now.

He hoped that things had gone well at school.

Looking to his left, Clark saw that Chloe was still working at her files, but she was just about done; he’d had to go at a slower pace to avoid rousing her suspicion that Clark Kent was more than the super-klutz she knew as a kid.

Clark sighed to himself; he hated to admit it, but having Chloe around was a potential risk to his activities as Superman. With just Peter as his partner, he hadn’t needed to explain his frequent absences…but Chloe was bound to get suspicious every time he had to zoom off on his ‘errands.’ Worse still, Chloe, despite being a good friend, was naturally curious; back in Smallville as a kid, he and his pals had a few close calls when “Snoopy Sullivan” had started to sniff around their capers. If she started suspecting for even a minute that something was up…

Just then, Clark’s belt-communicator started to softly beep under his clothes. Clark gulped. “Uh…I-I need to step out for a minute.”

Chloe looked up, an eyebrow arched. “Now?”

“Uh, yeah; I’ve got a couple errands I need to run.” Clark replied.

Chloe looked quizzical…and then nodded. “Okay, Clark; I’ve got a bit more paperwork to do – just be back before we have to head to Bayville.”

“I will, Chloe.” Clark promised, before he hurried off, heading towards the elevator, making sure it was empty, before darting in. Taking out his communicator, Clark saw that it wasn’t a Beacon-alert, but Scott trying to contact him. He promptly flipped it open. “Boy Scout here, Slim Shady. What’s wrong?”

“We have reason to believe that Jean may be in danger, tonight, Big Blue; we found a threatening note in her locker, just now.”

Clark’s eyes narrowed worriedly. “Any leads?”

“None yet, Boy Scout. The list of potential suspects in this school starts with Duncan and goes around the block. Twice.”

“Swell.” Clark said. “I’ll notify the League; we’ll try and stake the place out, tonight. For now, why don’t I do a sweep of the school, and see if I can pick up any clues?”

“Thanks, Boy Scout.”

Clark smiled. “What are friends for?” he replied. “Boy Scout out, Slim. Good luck.”

“You, too.”

Switching off his communicator and putting it away, Clark looked up, and found the elevator’s upper hatch. Opening it, Clark flew up through the elevator shaft, removing his work-clothes and inducer, revealing his uniform underneath. Hiding his disguise inside the elevator shaft, Superman opened the maintenance hatch and flew off towards Bayville, shaking the air in his wake.

As he flew, Superman clipped his ear-piece into his ear, and hailed the Watchtower. “Boy Scout calling Eye in the Sky; you get that?”

“Affirmative, Kent.” came Batman’s voice. “Beacon has also intercepted several heavily encrypted transmissions; we’ve just decoded them – someone is going to try something at that meeting.”

Superman’s eyes narrowed. “Source?”

“Unable to determine; whoever sent that signal was good at masking it. By the time Beacon traced it to its original source, they were long gone.”

Superman nodded. “Regardless, I was going to do a sweep of the school and the immediate area, and I could use an extra set of eyes; anyone close by?”

“Shayera’s just finishing up her patrol in that sector; I’ll radio her and notify her of the situation.”

“Understood, Black Knight; Boy Scout out.” Superman said, ending the transmission, before flying on towards Bayville.

Within minutes, Superman had reached Bayville High, now mostly empty, and stopped in mid-air, looking around, and spying Hawkgirl approaching from the north. “Boy Scout calling Wing-And-A-Prayer; I’m at your twelve. Thanks for the assist.”

“Not a problem, Kal; if any of our friends are in danger, it’s the least I can do.” Hawkgirl answered over the radio. “I’ll sweep the east side, and you take the west?”

“Sounds like a plan.” Superman agreed. “Let’s keep our eyes peeled. Call me if you find anything.” With that, he ended the transmission, and began to fly over the school and the nearby area, sweeping it with his X-Ray vision, giving the place a once-over before he headed down for a closer look.

XXXXXXXX

After school had let out, Duncan and the rest of the football team had stuck around for a bit of practice; with the start of the football season coming up, Duncan and a few of his pals were looking to get recruited – unlike those freaks, he and his pals were going places.

When they had finished, Duncan and his team headed out of the school towards their vehicles; after giving that mutie bitch a good scare, Duncan figured that a little celebration was in order…

Suddenly, a sonic boom shook the air, nearly making Duncan jump out of his skin. “What the hell?!” one of his pals cried.

“Jeez, man, someone must be settin’ off fireworks or something…” another muttered. Duncan frowned to himself; that was no firework-blast. That sound was the kind that fighter-jets made as they flew overhead; Duncan cast a glance to the sky…

“Son of a bitch!!” Duncan shouted, as he spotted the blur of red-and-blue, circling their school! “There he is! Flying around our school like he owns the place!!”

One of his pals gulped. “Come on, Dunc; let’s bail before he spots us…”

Duncan’s eyes narrowed in anger. Everywhere that alien went, people likely bowed in fear to him.

Well, not here. This was their school; their turf.

Seeing the alien suddenly drop altitude, Duncan turned, and walked towards where it had landed, his pals reluctantly following him.

It was time to teach that freak a lesson.

XXXXXXXX

After doing a quick sweep of the school – and finding nothing – Superman quickly descended, before darting into the school at super-speed, heading to Jean’s locker. After reaching it, and making sure that the coast was clear, he looked to the nearby garbage can, where Jean had tossed the threatening note before she and the others had left, and took out his communicator, sweeping a scan-beam over the note, scanning any fingerprints that the culprit might have left. “Boy Scout to Black Knight; I’m sending you a scan of the evidence.”

“Copy that, Boy Scout. I’ll run the prints against the school registry, omitting the Institute students.”

“Confirmed.” Superman said. “Hawkgirl, anything on your end?”

“Nothing I can see, Superman; my scanner isn’t getting any weapons-signatures, either.” Hawkgirl replied. “I’m heading back to the Tower; John will give me a lift there.”

“Understood, Hawkgirl. I’m heading out, too.” Superman replied. “Boy Scout out.” Shutting off his communicator, Superman darted towards the nearest exit, before anyone saw him, emerging onto the soccer field. Pausing, Superman looked around the field, as well as the school nearby; not for the first time, he couldn’t help but wonder what his life would have been like had he attended high school, and hadn’t left home when he had…

Still, there was no sense in dwelling on the past.

Looking to the sky, Superman was about to fly off, when he heard footsteps approaching him; turning, he saw about a dozen teenagers, all in letterman jackets, approaching him, led by Jean’s ex, Duncan, he believed. “Oh, don’t mind me; just admiring the view.” Superman said pleasantly.

Duncan’s eyes narrowed. “We’re not afraid of you.” he snarled. “You got that, space-freak?! None of us are scared of you!!”

Superman calmly folded his arms. “Good.” he replied. “I don’t want anyone to be afraid of me.”

Duncan was momentarily surprised by that statement, but he quickly recovered. “You don’t belong here, space-freak.” he spat. “This is our world!”

“I’ve never said otherwise.”

Duncan scowled. “We don’t need you and your League-freaks telling us what to do, space-freak!” he yelled. “So take your stupid League and get off our planet!!”

Superman frowned. “I think you’ve got the wrong idea about us, friend.” he said calmly. “We’re just an example; whether or not you follow it is up to you.”

At that, Duncan’s pals started to murmur.

“Now, I’d love to stay and chat, but I’m needed elsewhere.” Superman finished. “Been nice talking to you.” With that, he took to the air.

Duncan smirked. “I knew it! You’re nothing but a chicken!!” he sneered.

“Whatever you say, friend.” Superman replied flatly. “Whatever you say.” With that, he flew off.

As he flew, Superman hailed the Watchtower. “Batman, check those prints against a ‘Duncan Matthews’.” he said. “I think I’ve got a hunch.”

“I already did, Kent; we’ve got a match.”

Superman frowned. “Looks like we’ve got our culprit.”

“This is still circumstantial, Superman; we’re going to have to catch him in the act.”

“Agreed.” Superman replied. “You and the others can cover the school; I’ll keep an eye on things at ground-level.”

“Understood.” Batman agreed. “Black Knight out.” With that, the transmission ended, and Superman flew on, towards New York City.

XXXXXXXX

As the alien flew off, Duncan smirked. “What’d I tell you guys? It’s nothing but a chicken!” he declared. The rest of the team still looked apprehensive at that statement, to Duncan’s annoyance; after all that, they were still spooked by it…

In the back of his head, Duncan knew why; despite his words, he knew that the alien hadn’t been scared off. He’d seen enough nerds and geeks cower before him and his pals to recognize fear when he saw it; that alien had just brushed him off, as if he wasn’t worth the effort..!

Just then, Duncan’s cell-phone rang, and he answered it. “Yeah?”

“Hello again, Duncan. I trust that you’ve handled your little errand?”

Duncan smiled. “Yeah; spooked the mutie bitch good.” he answered. “Plus, I had a run-in with the alien; looked it right in the eye.”

The stranger chuckled. “Well, that was certainly brave of you; well done.”

Duncan chuckled. “That freak doesn’t scare me; could’ve taken him.”

The stranger’s tone turned serious. “There’s a line between courage and foolishness, Duncan. Make no mistake: the freaks of the League and the Institute are dangerous; the Kryptonian could likely decimate an entire flotilla of Sentinels alone. That’s why they need to be off-guard; that’s why we had you plant that note.”

Duncan calmed; he hated to admit it, but this guy had a point. “So, what now?”

“Now, we make our point to the freaks, as well as send a message to those who would support them.”

Duncan smiled. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Good.” the stranger said. “And you needn’t worry too much; you and your friends will have assistance.” At that, Duncan grinned, and simply listened as his new friend started to outline his plan.

XXXXXXXX

As night fell over Bayville, blanketing the town, Bayville High’s auditorium was still lit with activity, as concerned parents and school-board staff piled in, eager to put the mutant matter in the school to rest, one way or another.

Jean couldn’t help but feel nervous as she looked around at the assembled crowd. ‘Keep it together, Grey; you’ve spoken in front of crowds, before…maybe not for these kinds of stakes, but still…’

Glancing to Professor Xavier sitting next to her, Jean took a calming breath; she and the Professor, being two of the speakers, had to arrive early, and the others weren’t here, yet. The Professor sensed her anxiety, and smiled gently. “You’ll do fine, Jean.” he assured her. “I wouldn’t have asked you if I hadn’t every confidence in you.”

That made Jean feel a little better, but she couldn’t help but feel nervous; looking at the crowd didn’t help. Even with her mental shields up, she could feel the waves of disapproval from the gathered parents, ready to keep them out to protect their kids; the school-board staff weren’t much better – Principal Kelly, as he’d said, was reserving judgement, but several of the board weren’t so understanding…including Michael Matthews, Duncan’s father, a big-time lawyer and town councilman, looking very much like an older version of his son. Ever since she had dumped Duncan, it was easy to tell that she’d made his bad-books…and that was before he’d known she was a mutant.

‘It’ll be okay, Jeannie.’ came Phoenix’s soothing voice. ‘We’re all behind you.’

At that, Jean smiled. ‘Thanks.’ she thought back. Jean took another deep breath; the meeting would start soon, and she needed to get rid of her worries…although it would have helped to see another friendly face…

“Professor Xavier?”

Looking up, Jean was surprised to see Clark, in his work-attire, standing there, along with another young woman. “Clark Kent, Daily Bugle.” Clark introduced himself, extending his hand to the Professor…and “almost tripping” over a chair nearby. “It’s an honour to meet you, sir!”

Smiling, the Professor shook his hand. “I assure you, Mr. Kent, the pleasure is ours.” he replied, before gesturing to Jean. “This is one of my students, Ms. Jean Grey.”

“We’ve met.” Jean said. “Mr. Kent interviewed me as Bayville High’s MVP, last year.”

Clark nodded, before gesturing to his colleague. “This is Chloe Sullivan; she and I will be covering this meeting for the Bugle.”

Smiling, Chloe shook the Professor’s hand. “Professor, if you don’t mind, could we have a few minutes of your time after the meeting?”

“Of course, Ms. Sullivan; I’d be happy to.”

Clark smiled. “Well, good luck, tonight!” he said.

Jean smiled back. “Thanks!” she replied. With that, Clark and Chloe headed off, likely to get statements from other speakers.

Jean smiled after her friend. ‘Thanks, Clark.’ she thought to herself…before calming, reviewing her speech’s points in her mind…and hoping for the best.

XXXXXXXX

After speaking with Jean and the Professor, Clark and Chloe walked further into the school’s auditorium. “So, what did you think of Professor Xavier?” Clark inquired.

Chloe lightly smiled. “He seemed nice; kind of like a favourite uncle.” she replied. Her smile grew. “One you’d be hard-pressed to lie to and get away with it!” she joked.

Her expression turned serious. “Clark…I didn’t want to bring this up in front of Peter, but…you just vanished, all those years ago.” she said. “Where did you go?”

Clark gulped. “Chloe…you knew I was adopted, right?”

“Yeah.” Chloe replied. “You went looking for your birth-parents?” Her expression turned lightly accusing. “You couldn’t have sent everyone a letter? A lot of people were worried about you, Kent…including Lana.”

Clark was mildly surprised to hear that; back in Smallville, Chloe had been good friends with Lana Lang, his childhood crush. “I’m…I’m sorry if I worried you all,” he admitted, “but…but I couldn’t come back; not then.”

Chloe seemed satisfied with that. “So, did you find them..?”

“They’re dead.”

Chloe’s eyes widened. “Oh.” she replied. “S-Sorry…”

“You didn’t know.” Clark answered. He lightly sighed. “So, how’s Lana doing?”

“We lost touch, a while back.” Chloe replied. “Last I heard, she wanted to get into Fashion Design.”

Clark smiled. “I hope she succeeded.” he commented. “Anyway, I’ll just get us some coffee.”

“Okay.” Chloe agreed. “I’ll just get a few more statements.” She smiled. “Good to have you back, Klutzy Kent.”

Clark laughed. “You, too, Snoopy Sullivan.” With that, he headed towards the refreshments table…discreetly slipping in his earpiece as he walked.

“Boy Scout to Black Knight.” Clark whispered, as he poured up a cup of coffee. “Any sign of our perps?”

“Negative, Boy Scout; we’re all in position, but no sign of the Matthews boy. Furthermore, I have reason to believe that he’s not in this alone; shortly after you spoke with him, Beacon intercepted another coded transmission.”

Clark nodded to himself; he recalled hearing static on UHF as he’d left, and assumed that it was a bad connection. “Did you decode it?”

“Not enough to get an identification, Kent; we’ve got text, but not audio. Regardless, whoever’s running this show is using Duncan as a pawn.”

Clark frowned, as he poured another cup. “So if we nab Duncan, we could scare off the big fish.” he said softly. “Okay; we’ll have to hold positions until we get a bead on the real bad-guys. I’ll keep my ears open.”

“Same here, Superman. Black Knight out.”

As the transmission ended, Clark took the two cups of coffee, and headed off to find Chloe…while listening for any sound that might suggest that something was up.

His friend’s life was at stake.

XXXXXXXX

As he and the others pulled up to the town hall, Scott parked his convertible, getting out, before he, Kurt, Kitty, Lance, Evan, Rogue, Remy, and Alison walked towards the town hall. “Everyone on your best behaviour.” Scott reminded them. “We’re here to support Jean and the Professor; no powers, unless we see that Jean’s in danger.”

“Got it, Fearless.” Evan agreed.

“We won’t mess this up.” Alison agreed.

Glancing to Remy, Rogue chuckled. “So, Cajun, think we’ll get to go back to school?”

Remy’s crimson-on-ebony eyes were narrowed warily. “Chere, Remy be t’inkin’ dat maybe we got more ‘portant t’ings t’ worry ‘bout.” With that, he gestured ahead of them.

There, standing in their way, was Duncan and about a dozen of his football pals…all brandishing metal pipes, chains, and pieces of two-by-four. Duncan sneered at them. “You freaks should have stayed out of our school.”

Scott stayed cool. “We’re not here for trouble, Matthews.”

“Too bad.” Duncan snapped. “As of today, Bayville High has a ‘no muties allowed’ policy.”

“Thought that’s what this vote was for.” Lance said.

Duncan laughed. “Like you freaks actually have a chance!” he sneered. “Now beat it!!”

Scott’s eyes narrowed behind his shades. “We’re not going anywhere, Matthews.”

Duncan glared at him. “Fine by me, Summers.” he snarled. “This time, no-one’s coming to save you…”

“Wouldn’t say that, yo.”

Turning, Scott was surprised to see Todd and Fred walk up to them. “Figured we might as well help you guys out.” Todd said. “Looks like you could use a hand.”

Fred grinned as he cracked his knuckles. “Besides, I’ve wanted to take a crack at these jerk-offs since I got here.”

Scott smiled, before his expression turned serious. “No powers, guys; not here.”

Todd chuckled. “Yeah, like we need ‘em.”

Duncan’s eyes narrowed in hate. “So, all the freaks are here, huh? Fine; saves us the trouble of kicking your asses later.” he snarled. He glanced to his pals. “Let’s get ‘em!!” With that, Duncan and his cronies rushed them.

As one goon rushed at her, Kitty ducked under his swing, before countering with a side-kick to his stomach. The goon stumbled back…and then came at her again, joined by two of his pals. Kitty quickly ran in the other direction, heading straight for Fred; as she closed on him, Kitty dove low, sliding under his legs, stopping behind him. Grinning, Fred simply stepped forward, and lifted his arms, throwing out his gut…causing Kitty’s attackers to crash into him, their momentum stopped cold as they stumbled back, where Lance knocked them down with a sweep-kick.

Lance grinned at his old pal and former teammate. “It ain’t the weight you got..!”

Fred laughed, and finished. “…it’s the way you throw it around!”

As one thug ran at him, Todd hopped into a leap-kick, sending him sprawling; as the kick connected, Kurt hopped onto Todd’s back and then hopped off again, tackling two more to the ground. As Kurt touched down, he grinned. “Now zat’s how you play ‘Leapfrog’!”

Todd groaned. “Had to say it, didn’t you.”

Dodging away from the chain-swing of one goon, Rogue closed on him and unleashed a punch, followed by a back-kick, knocking him down. A second thug charged at her from behind…but a metal pole was suddenly thrust low in front of him, causing him to trip.

Smiling casually, Remy leaned against his bo-staff, using it as a cane. “Dat ain’ no way t’ treat a femme, mon ami.” Remy commented as the goon got up. “Looks like Remy gon’ ‘ave t’ learn y’ a li’l lesson in manners; maybe ev’n make a gentleman out of y’.” Snarling, the goon got up, and swung his two-by-four; Remy easily parried it with his staff, before pushing it to the ground, trapping it, and twisting into an elbow-strike, knocking him out.

Ducking under a length of pipe, Evan slammed his attacker with a punch, before getting the guy closing behind him with a back-kick. Turning, he saw a third coming at him…but Alison slammed the guy with a side-kick, knocking him back. As he recovered, Alison grabbed his collar, and pulled him in close, slamming him with a head-butt, knocking him out.

Evan grinned. “Nice, PG!”

Alison smiled, tapping her head. “Tausha’s not the only one with a thick skull around here!”

As one goon came at him, Scott evaded his two-by-four swing, countering with a push-kick and a haymaker, followed by a spin-kick, knocking him out. Before he could react, Duncan came up behind him and caught him in a choke-hold with his chain. “You freaks are finished here!!” Duncan snarled.

Slamming his elbow into Duncan’s gut, Scott shifted his weight and threw Duncan off of him. “Like I said, Matthews,” he said, “we’re not going anywhere.”

By then, many of Duncan’s fallen pals were starting to recover. “Aw, man,” Todd muttered, “where’s the big blue guy when you need him?”

“Scott, you sure we can’t use powers?” Evan said. Scott’s eyes narrowed in worry; this was starting to get out of hand…and the real attack could happen at any minute..!

XXXXXXXX

Inside the auditorium, the debate was drawing to a close. Clark had smiled as he’d listened to Professor Xavier’s speech, appealing to the school-board’s better selves, reminding them that only one gene separated mutants from the rest of humanity, imploring them to be understanding…

…and then next had come Michael Matthews, Duncan’s father, Clark guessed, reminding them just what that ‘one gene’ was capable of, stating that mutants, no matter how Xavier tried to disguise the issue, were dangerous, and that allowing them to attend Bayville High would put their children at risk, and that they were the only ones who could keep that from happening. Only Jean was left to speak, now.

And as Clark had been listening to the speeches, his hearing had picked up the sounds of the others fighting Duncan and his goons; Clark’s jaw clenched in worry – he wanted to help them, but he and the League couldn’t risk it…

“Speed-Demon to Boy Scout; the X-Men have their hands full, here, man! Are we moving in or not?”

“Negative, Speed-Demon.” Clark whispered. “We can’t move in until we get a fix on the real threat.”

“Come on, Clark..!”

“I don’t like it any more than you do, Speedy,” Clark replied, “but if we let those guys distract us, the real bad-guys could get away, or worse.”

Flash calmed at that. “I got it, Superman…but I still don’t like it.”

“Neither do I, Speed-Demon.” Clark whispered. “Neither do I.”

By then, Jean had stepped up to the podium. “Good evening.” she began. “I suppose I could begin by reciting the First Amendment, or quoting some speech by a famous civil-rights leader…but to be honest, I don’t want to.” She looked out among the crowd. “This isn’t about a country, a state, or even an entire city; this is about our school, so we should just keep this personal.”

“Now, I know many of you have children, and you love them, just because of who they are, not what they can do; it doesn’t matter if they’re good in school, or whether or not they can play a sport well – you love them no matter what.”

“There is a chance that one or two of them will possess an advanced X-Gene, and as they grow older, they will be considered mutants.”

Clark smiled as he listened to his friend…and then froze, as his hearing picked up the sound of a silenced sniper rifle being cocked. “Excuse me, Chloe.” Clark whispered to his partner. “Just need to stop by the washroom.” Confused, Chloe nodded, and Clark hurried out of the auditorium, into the hallways, out of sight…switching off his inducer and removing his vest as he ran, before unbuttoning his shirt…

“You will love them anyway,” Jean continued, “but other people will hate them, and will want to hurt them…and you will hope and pray for a world where they can live in peace, and in safety.”

Her eyes narrowed in determination. “Well, that world has to begin now,” she finished, “with all of you, by allowing mutants to attend public school. Thank you.” There was a moment’s silence at that…and then one person started to applaud…then another. And another. And another, until the entire crowd was applauding, causing Jean to smile…

…and then the window over the auditorium entrance shattered, as the silenced bullet spat through it, spiralling through the air towards the stage. Jean didn’t even have time to react…

Suddenly, a red-and-blue blur raced in from the hallways, darting through the crowd towards Jean…as the bullet inched closer and closer; seeing it, Jean gasped as the bullet shot towards her…

…and into Superman’s hand, catching it just inches from her heart.

Superman didn’t have time to let out the breath he’d been holding, as he looked to where the shot had come from, his vision tracking its path…back to a rooftop across the street, where a black-clad figure holding a sniper-rifle was starting to line up another shot..!

“Jean! Cover the crowd!!” Superman shouted, tossing the bullet aside. “Justice League, MOVE IN!!” With that, he raced towards the exit, darting outside and taking to the air, flying towards the assassin…

Just then, several black vans pulled up, before fourteen heavily armed black-clad men poured out; one soldier, armed with a rocket-launcher, took aim at Superman, and fired. The rocket impacted against Superman’s chest, stopping him but not harming him…giving the assassin time to get away. “Black Knight, Green Giant, he’s heading east; you two intercept him! Everyone else, with me!” Superman declared, before he dropped altitude, shaking the ground as he touched down, letting both the soldiers and Duncan and his fellow thugs know that he was serious.

As one soldier opened fire on her, Alison quickly raised a hard-light barrier, repelling the automatic fire, keeping two of Duncan’s pals from getting caught in the crossfire. Before the soldier could reload, a crimson blur snatched the machine-gun out of his hands; Flash then grabbed the soldier’s collar and yanked him off his feet at high speed, tossing him into another. Alison chuckled. “Took you guys long enough!”

Spying two thugs armed with automatics, Lance quickly formed mini-tremors under their feet, knocking them off-balance, giving Toad enough time to fire slime-globs at them, gumming up their weapons. While the soldiers were distracted, Kitty easily phased their feet into the ground, immobilizing them.

Depositing himself and Aquaman on the ground next to Evan and Fred, Green Lantern’s eyes narrowed as he saw four thugs open fire on them, quickly raising a shield, repelling their shots. “Aquaman! Spyke! Be ready to rush these chumps; you’re about to get an opening!” he instructed. As Evan nodded, Lantern turned to Fred. “Want to really stick it to these guys?”

Fred grinned. “Hell yeah!”

“Good.” Green Lantern replied; as the soldiers paused to reload, Lantern dropped his barrier, before levitating Fred into the air and tossing him at the soldiers, body-slamming them all to the ground, pinning two of them under his girth. As the other two got up, Evan quickly generated two bone-spears, and tossed one to Aquaman, before they charged at the two thugs. As one thug swung at him with his weapon, Aquaman parried the strike, countering with a backspin attack, knocking him out, while Evan rolled to his opponent’s side, smashing his knee with a sweep-strike, followed by a smash to the gut, doubling him over and taking him down.

As two goons opened fire as she touched down, Wonder Woman deflected each and every bullet with her armlets, preventing any stray bullets from striking the fleeing youths behind her, before drawing her lasso and throwing it, snaring the two thugs; before they could react, she pulled them off their feet, whirling them around and letting go, sending them flying…right into the bare hands of Rogue, who promptly drained them, knocking them out.

Rolling under one thug’s fire, Remy grabbed his gun and charged it, forcing the thug to drop it, before Remy slammed him with his bo-staff. As another soldier charged at Remy, he was knocked into the air by a diving Hawkgirl, and kicked around by a teleporting Kurt, before he hit the ground, out cold.

Watching the conflict from his vantage point, the lone gunman decided that it was time to cut-and-run; gathering up his sniper rifle, he started to run across the rooftop, making for his getaway vehicle…and froze, as he heard the sounds of footsteps echoing in the dark. The assassin kept calm, listening. “Okay, pal,” he murmured softly, “where are you..?”

“Here.”

Turning in surprise at the reply, the assassin’s face met Batman’s fist as the Dark Knight leapt out of his darkened hiding spot; before the assassin could react, Batman followed with a push-kick-back-kick combo, and then an uppercut, sending the killer flying. The assassin landed hard on the ground…and did a handspring, getting back up and coming at Batman with a fast left-jab, followed by a right hook and a side-kick; Batman dodged the two punches and caught the assassin’s leg, tossing him into an ankle-bar, but the killer pushed off with his free leg, kicking Batman away. The Dark Knight recovered quickly, in time to dart to the side as the assassin drew his revolver and opened fire; ducking behind a chimney, Batman took aim and tossed a Batarang, knocking the weapon out of his hand.

Softly cursing, the assassin tried to draw another weapon…but he was suddenly lifted off his feet by an invisible force; as the Martian Manhunter became visible in front of the assassin, his eyes glowed white. “Try not to think of whoever put you up to this.”

The assassin’s eyes went wide as he realized what the Martian was trying to do. “No, no, no…” he muttered to himself, as he tried to think of anything else…but the Manhunter was getting through…

Suddenly, the assassin drew a grenade from his belt, and pulled out the pin, holding it up in the air. The Manhunter’s eyes widened in horror, before he dropped the assassin, telekinetically grabbing the grenade and throwing it into the air, where it detonated far out of harm’s way. The assassin quickly got up and ran for the rooftop’s edge; Batman ran after him, but the killer threw another type of grenade behind him, which erupted in a brilliant flash of light, momentarily blinding both Batman and the Manhunter. When he could see again, Batman’s eyes narrowed; the assassin was gone.

As one soldier aimed his gun at him, Superman’s eyes flared red, as he fired a precisely aimed optic-blast, knocking the thug out. Suddenly, Superman heard the rattling of a chain being snapped towards Scott, and quickly intercepted Duncan’s chain, snapping it around his wrist with a force that could have broken a human neck.

With the attack neutralized, Superman turned to glare at Duncan, who glared back. “You should’ve stayed off our planet, space-freak!!” the youth shouted. Superman didn’t bother to answer; he merely fired an invisible eye-ray at the chain, melting one of its links, causing the chain to break, sending Duncan falling onto his rear. As Superman cast the broken chain away, he saw Duncan get back up, and charge at him, swinging wildly; Superman didn’t move…as Duncan’s fist collided with his face.

“ARGGHH!!” Duncan howled, clutching his hand, staggering back. “My hand!!”

Superman wasn’t even phased…but his eyes went wide as he saw the last thug behind Duncan, taking aim at Superman…with the boy in the line of fire. “GET DOWN!!” Superman exclaimed…but Duncan didn’t listen; roaring angrily, he ran at Superman, just as the soldier was getting ready to fire…

He had no choice. Superman inhaled, and unleashed a blast of his gale-breath; the hurricane-force winds stopped Duncan dead in his tracks, before blowing him back to crash into the soldier, knocking the armed man out cold, and leaving the quarterback dazed, but otherwise fine.

With all the armed thugs neutralized, Superman and the others calmed, the crisis over…before realizing that they had an audience; after the near-assassination, the crowd had gathered just outside the entrance. Many of the assembled parents and board-members wore bewildered expressions…but Michael Matthews’ eyes were narrowed in anger. “You see?” he accused. “These mutants are utterly out-of-control! This is what you can expect if you let them back into school!” He pointed an accusing finger at Superman. “Just look what that…that thing did to my boy..!!”

“Look again.” came Professor Xavier’s patient voice, ending Michael’s tirade. “My students were under overwhelming pressure to use their powers, and yet attempted to honour the school-board’s initial ruling. And even when forced into action, both they and the Justice League showed restraint, ensuring that there was no loss of life on either side.” He looked Michael in the eye. “And correct me if I am wrong, Mr. Matthews, but I believe that Superman, ultimately, saved your son’s life.” At that, the crowd started to murmur thoughtfully, as Michael scowled.

Superman smiled at the Professor, before looking to the crowd. “We’re sorry for interrupting your meeting; we’ll leave you to your business.” he said. With that, he and the rest of the Justice League headed off, while the X-Men headed back to their vehicles, to head home.

XXXXXXXX

As the police arrived to take the armed goons into custody, along with Duncan and the few of his pals that hadn’t bolted – much to the chagrin of Matthews Senior – Chloe looked about the crowd worriedly. “Clark?” she called out.

“Hey, Chloe.”

Turning, Chloe sighed in relief as she saw her clumsy partner there, no worse for wear. “What happened, you goofball?!” she cried. “I was afraid you’d gotten hurt!”

Clark grinned sheepishly. “Sorry. Coffee went right through me.” he replied…before looking at the scene. “Wow, what happened?”

“The football team, plus some armed goons, decided to try and kick the X-Men out of school the hard way.” Chloe replied. “Fortunately, the Justice League was there to back them up.”

“Wow. Lucky.” Clark said. He then noticed Matthews Senior. “He doesn’t look happy.”

“He wouldn’t, considering his son started the whole fight.” Chloe said, her expression twisting in disgust. “Can you believe that he threatened to sue the Institute for the fact that his kid was dumb enough to punch Superman? Like that’ll stand up in court: ‘Yes, Your Honour, Superman broke my fist with his face.’ The judge might take pity on him…if he can stop laughing.”

Clark chuckled. “Wow, good thing you were here to get the story!”

Chloe smiled…and then sighed. “It would have been nice to have gotten a statement from Superman, or one of the members of the League.”

Clark shrugged. “Maybe next time.” Then, he yawned. “What do you say we write this up, tomorrow?”

Yawning herself, Chloe nodded. “Fine by me.” she agreed. “You live around here?”

“Fairly close.” Clark replied. “I can walk.”

Chloe nodded. “Okay, Clark. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.” Clark replied. With that, he started to walk away, as Chloe headed to the bus stop…with a thoughtful expression on her face.

‘Clark left just seconds before Superman showed up…’ Chloe thought, ‘…but…he couldn’t be…could he..?’

Chloe shook her head; she was so tired, she was starting to get nuts. ‘Clark Kent is Superman; good one, Sullivan.’ With that, she continued on to the bus stop.

XXXXXXXX

After narrowly escaping, the lone assassin parked his vehicle in an empty lot, before hailing his superior. “Stealth One to Command; I am at the rendezvous point. Requesting retrieval.”

“Retrieval is en-route, Stealth One. Well done.”

The assassin arched an eyebrow behind his face-mask. “I didn’t neutralize Xavier or the girl…”

“That is unfortunate, Stealth One, but irrelevant. All that mattered to us was that you distracted the Justice League enough to proceed with our true objective. We have acquired what we needed; you will receive the usual fee, as well as a bonus, and we look forward to making use of your talents in the future.”

The assassin pulled off his hood, revealing the face of a young man, apparently in his twenties, with mid-length brown hair, and a black eye-mask over his face, his eyes narrowed angrily. “I don’t appreciate being kept in the dark, Madame Hydra.”

“It was necessary, Soldier. We could not risk having Xavier discovering our true plans simply because we trusted you too much. Still, things worked out well; in time, our plan will bear fruit.”

At that, the mercenary known only as the Winter Soldier smiled. “As long as I get paid and get a shot at Soldier-Boy, lady, it’s fine with me.” he answered, before he drove off.

XXXXXXXX

Xavier Institute

Once he was out of sight, it only took a few seconds of super-speed for Clark to reach the Institute; when he arrived, he saw that the rest of the League had gathered on the front yard, waiting for him, with the Javelin parked nearby. As he walked up, Wonder Woman nodded in greeting. “I trust that the meeting proceeded well?”

Clark sighed. “We’ll know, soon enough.”

Aquaman nodded. “The others are already inside, and they looked pretty glum.”

Flash’s expression turned sad. “Hope we didn’t screw things up too badly.”

“We may have bigger problems.” Batman said. “I checked Beacon; while we were preoccupied with this little incident, there was a break-in at STAR Labs in Metropolis – specifically, someone broke into STAR’s genetics laboratory.” His eyes narrowed. “This was a diversion.”

Clark nodded. “We’ll have to be more vigilant, from now on.” he said. “Do we have any leads?”

“None.” Hawkgirl said. “However, it’s safe to assume that whoever orchestrated tonight’s little event is behind it.”

J’onn nodded. “I was able to glimpse the mind of our assassin; his mental defenses were quite impressive – whoever he works for, they trained him to resist psychic probing.” he said. “If I had a few more seconds, I could have cut through his blocks...but, as it is, I was only able to discern two recognizable thoughts: ‘Creed,’ and ‘Hydra’.”

Green Lantern’s eyes narrowed. “So, our boy Creed and his Nazis were behind this.”

“But who is this ‘Hydra’?” Wonder Woman asked.

“Undoubtedly Creed’s benefactor.” Batman replied. “We’ll have to look into this further.”

Clark nodded. “Whoever they are, they can’t be up to anything good.”

The others nodded in agreement. “Well, we’d better get going.” Flash said.

Clark lightly smiled. “Call me when you need me.” With that, Batman and Aquaman headed into the Javelin, as Flash raced off, and J’onn, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman took to the sky, before the Javelin flew off. Alone, Clark headed into the Institute.

Walking into the living room, Clark found all the X-Men there – save Jean, since she was getting a lift back with the Professor – as well as the New Mutants…and they all looked glum. “Uh…was there a funeral around here?”

“There might as well be.” Kitty said sadly. “We dug our own graves, tonight, Clark.”

“Yeah, CK.” Evan muttered. “You don’t have to be a genius to figure out how they voted.”

“Remy got t’ say, ‘e gon’ miss de place.” Remy said.

Mark looked depressed. “This is most unfortunate.” he said. “The notion of attending had been pleasing…but perhaps it is for the best…”

“Hey, don’t count yourselves out yet, guys.” Clark said.

“Clark, we used our powers.” Scott replied.

“Yeah, and if you hadn’t, those lunatics would’ve hurt you, along with Duncan’s pals.” Clark countered.

Rogue snorted. “Gawd, were we dumb.”

“I hear you.” Lance agreed.

Alison looked sad. “I hate to say it, Clarkie, but I don’t see how they could have let us back to school…”

“I wouldn’t be too hasty, Alison.” Professor Xavier said, as he and Jean came through the door.

Scott stood up. “Professor?”

The Professor smiled. “Despite what you all may think, the school-board was impressed with your restraint, tonight, as they were with Jean’s sincerity,” his smile grew, “and they have decided to welcome you all back to school.”

Everyone was clearly surprised to hear that. Alex was the first to speak. “Well, whaddya know.” he said, grinning.

“Yeah, I was a bit surprised, too.” Jean said. Turning to Clark, she smiled. “Thanks for saving me, Clark.” she added, giving him a quick hug.

Clark smiled back. “Hey, I wasn’t about to let anything happen to one of my best friends.” he replied. Grinning, he added, “Or rather, to two of my best friends.”

Jean laughed. “Oh, go fly into a mountain, Wonder Boy!” she teased.

Tabitha chuckled. “And to think, that’s the mouth she uses to kiss Fearless.” she joked.

“Hope the poor guy’s medical insurance is paid up.” Warren quipped.

“I’ll say.” Ron agreed. “He’ll probably need a tetanus shot, or something.”

Tina lightly giggled. “Guys…that’s mean…”

Scott chuckled. “Don’t worry, Tina; it’s just a little good-natured ribbing.” he said. “We can all take a joke…especially since Danger Room sessions start, tomorrow.”

The New Mutants all groaned. “What’s the Danger Room?” Paige asked innocently.

“You’ll see, Paige.” Sam sighed.

“Ali?” Lila asked. “Is that ‘Danger Room’ the place where you guys train?”

“Yep.”

Lila groaned. “I’m doomed.”

“Join the club.” Bobby muttered.

Alison laughed at that, before her expression got a bit wistful. Walking over to her, Clark placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You okay, Ali?”

“Yeah.” Alison replied, placing her hand on his. “It’s just…all the hate got to me a bit.”

Clark lightly smiled. “I know the feeling.” he said. “But we just can’t let it get us down.” He chuckled. “Besides, someone special told me that the people who think that are wrong.”

Alison chuckled. “She sounds pretty smart.”

“That she is.” Clark agreed…and then he froze, as his hearing started to pick up a distress call, his communicator starting to beep under his clothes.

Alison sighed, smiling wearily. “Duty calls.”

“Yeah.” Clark agreed. “See you guys later.” With that, he darted off, dropping his street clothes in his room, and then darting to an open window, flying off at high speed, a sonic boom echoing behind him.

Lila giggled. “Does that ever get frustrating?”

“Sometimes.” Alison admitted. Smiling, she looked towards where her beau had flown off, adding, “But other times, it’s just cool.”

Scott chuckled. “Well, we’d all better turn in; we have to be up, bright and early, tomorrow morning.” With a bit of groaning from the New Mutants, they all headed off, to get ready.

It had been a long day.

XXXXXXXX

Bayville Police Headquarters

After an hour-long detainment and interrogation, Duncan and his father walked out of the Police HQ; Duncan’s dad had managed to get him out on bail, and was confident that he could get his son off in court, to Duncan’s relief. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Not a problem, son; after what that…thing did, I ought to sue Xavier for all he’s worth…”

“That won’t be enough.”

Duncan and his father stopped, as a thirty-something-year-old man, in a black business suit, stepped into view. “All mutants are the problem, Mr. Matthews; going after just one won’t stop the rest.”

Michael’s eyes narrowed. “Who are you?” he demanded.

“Someone like you; someone who wants to protect our young people from these freaks.”

Duncan’s eyes widened. “You’re..!”

The man nodded. “My name,” he said, “is Graydon Creed.” His smile grew. “And, frankly, I think we have a lot to discuss…”

XXXXXXXX

Author’s Note: Sorry for the delay! I’ve been busy this week filling out Pharmacy school applications. Thanks for understanding! Enjoy!

Coming Soon:

She’s got looks, smarts, power, and attitude…

…and she’s got her eyes on the Man of Steel.

As some old foes re-emerge, bent on putting our heroes through hell, another former pain comes to visit.

She’s back…

Be there, when our heroes learn to “Keep Your Enemies Closer”…

Continue to the Next Story of this Series