A/N: I'm officially back with the sequel to The Outsiders! I'm really excited to get back into sci fi and write this as I've decided to focus on one story at a time. I just finished the sequel to my other story and it is titled Second Dance so give that a read if you're interested! Now let's get into The Guardians!

Ever since they stepped the foot in that old school, their lives had turned in a direction they never expected. In the year that had passed, so much had changed in the world. Mutant and human relations were now being discussed in the news, in classrooms, and even in congress. The fact that Maya, Riley, Lucas and Zay used Holden has their final battle ground with Parker didn't help much either. Granted, no one was after them anymore but had they known there were more mutants out there, they might have done things differently so that things weren't so tense. As for the mutants that were first ever recorded, they all acclimated to their new lives in different ways.

Not surprising anyone, Maya was very against the teaching lifestyle that seemed expected of her there. They were among some of the oldest there, outside of the Professor of course, so all the kids looked up to them. So she made it a point to keep tabs on everything, keep a watchful eye and float around, just observing. I never liked learning, so why the hell would I teach? Josh, who supported her always, stayed with her and helped whenever he could. They treated the school as their home base, electing to keep their own tabs on what was going on in the world.

As for the rest of them, they fully embraced the new lifestyle. Lucas and Zay were excited to teach the students. They had spent years learning and mastering their powers on their own. Now being able to help kids just like them? It was surreal. The two Texas natives often taught side by side and trained side by side. Always ready for whatever may happen. Farkle was in his own personal heaven. He said that he was ready for an adventure and adventure this was. Beneath the school was the glorious lab that squashed his own. He had all the equipment he could ever need to explore whatever it was his heart desired. In exchange for unlimited use of the lab, he agreed to teach science with Charlie everyday.

Speaking of Charlie, this past year he learned so much about himself. He had to stretch himself to great lengths, both figuratively and literally. He was still coming to terms with his powers and how it's changed his life, but he was doing well. Riley played a big part in that. Riley, the moral compass that seemed to keep everyone grounded. She was the one who really loved her new life. She was the embodiment of the kind of teacher that wanted to make a difference, both in and out of the classroom. She was excited about her future there and hoped that it would be something memorable.

.:.

Hidden in the back, behind a row of walls, Maya and Josh stood hand in hand watching what was happening intently on the congress floor. Maya's hair, which was its normal blonde again, fell just below her chest. Josh's short brown hair swooped upwards as his blue eyes focused intently on what was happening. His jacket brushed against Maya's bare arm as he squeezed her hand, nervous about what was going on. On the floor, everyone watched silently as Congressman Lee spoke. "We've ignored this mutant problem for too long. We don't even know what kinds of abilities these people could have." He held up a manilla folder. "In New Mexico there is a young man that can create duplicates of himself. What is to stop him from trying to break into a bank? He'd have the numbers to be successful."

Maya scoffed and gritted her teeth. This man couldn't be serious. He was making assumptions based on his own ignorant fears. He has no idea what could happen. "Maya," Josh whispered, his lips close to her ear. "Breathe. You're not breathing."

Maya shook her head and spoke, her tone just as hushed as his. "He can't be serious Josh. He's trying to instill fear into people without knowing a single thing. He's-"

Josh shushed her and pointed back to the Congress floor. The congressman was still speaking. "That is why I'm suggesting a bill on mandatory mutant identification." The room went into a sudden uproar as mutant allies in Congress began to speak up, protesting his proposed bill. "It would keep us and our children safe from them."

"You make these people sound like a threat. They aren't."

Lee shook his head at a fellow member as he responded. "You don't know that. How do you know that there isn't a mutant in the room right now?"

Maya tensed up as the words escaped his lips. Josh squeezed her hand and tugged on her arm. "Let's go. We've heard enough." Josh began to pull Maya away but she barely budged. "Maya, let's go."

Looking back at him, Maya saw the worry in his eyes and relented only hearing one last thing before they left the building, they'd vote on the bill in the coming week.

.:.

"Alright guys I'm going to wrap up here in a minute. Remember I need those presentations on Belgium 1831 ready by this time next week." Riley leaned against her desk, with her forearms pressed against it as she smiled at her class. They were all about her age when her powers first reached maturity. The bell rang out and the all the kids hustled away, happy that their day was finally over. Riley smiled at them all and bid them goodbye as they each left. Humming to herself and a now empty classroom, she got up and started straightening the chairs. "Ahem," a deep voice broke her concentration.

Riley turned on her heels to face her open doorway, smiling instantly as she saw Charlie standing there. "Hey." She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, planting a quick kiss on his lips. "What are you doing here? I thought you would be in the lab with Farkle tinkering away."

Charlie shrugged his shoulders and tightened his grasp around Riley's waist. "Yeah, but we haven't spent much time together lately so I figured I'd come up here and see you."

Riley smiled softly and pulled away. "That's sweet." She pushed a brown hair out of her face. Her normally long brown hair was fixed at the back of her head with a claw clip. She turned back to her desk and shuffled a few papers nervously. "Sorry I've been so busy lately. I've just been really invested in my work, you know? Plus you've been trying to grasp your powers and Maya's been in and out lately and-"

Charlie walked up behind Riley and placed his hands on her shoulders, gently turning her around to face him. "Riley." He looked into her brown eyes. "Are you okay?"

Riley blinked a few times and sighed, staring up at the chalkboard to her left. Belgium 1831. "I've never told you what happened to-"

As Riley tried to speak, Zay bust into the room grinning from ear to ear. "Guys," he interrupted. "They're back."

.:.

Maya's boots pressed against the wood floor as Josh trailed a few steps behind her. Letting out a sigh, she pursed her lips. "I did not want to come back here like this."

Josh pressed a hand into the small of her back. "Next time we won't. It will be better, I promise." He held out a hand for her to grab and intertwined their fingers. "I'll do all the talking.

They walked further into the corridor as kids whisked around them, greeting them and stopping to give hugs. I see you two have made it back safely. Maya frowned as she turned to her right to see Professor Henry rolling down the hallway to them. "I thought we agreed to not do that anymore Robert. My mind is off limits to you."

Robert smiled and smirked at her. He knew she wasn't serious. It was like a game the two played. Seeing how much stronger Maya was every time they saw each other. "Good to see you too, Maya."

Josh nodded subtly and smiled at the professor. "Hello Professor."

Robert shook his head. "It's been a year now Joshua. I've told you to call me Robert."

Josh laughed and smirked. "I'll call you Robert when you stop calling me Joshua."

The two men shared a laugh as Robert looked into Maya's eyes and saw her expression shift. They shared a look as Maya gave Robert permission to hear her thoughts. His eyes widened as he realized the true reason behind the couple's appearance. "Let's go to my office. The others will come soon."

The inside of Robert's office was almost as grand as the school's exterior. All the details in the deep wood of the room were highlighted by the natural light that poured into the space. Robert wheeled his chair over to the wall of windows and turned to face Josh and Maya, who followed him into the room. Josh stood near the professor as Maya leaned against a window across from the doorway. Lucas was the first to enter the office, running up to Maya and engulfing her in a big hug. They pulled apart from the hug and Lucas frowned, noticing her demeanor. "What's wrong?" He turned towards Josh who sighed and shook his head, letting Lucas know that he should wait.

Zay came in next with Farkle close behind him as he dapped Josh up and hugged Maya, happy to see them both. Farkle smiled at the each of them, happy that the void that was once present due to their absences would cease. "Good to see you both. You guys should stick around more often."

Riley led the way as she bounded down the hall and into the office with Charlie behind her. Spotting her best friend, she ran up to her and hugged her tight. "Thunder," she whispered.

Maya, who had her arms wrapped tightly around Riley, melted into her arms. She did miss her best friend, but wasn't excited to tell her the news. "Lightning."

They pulled apart slowly as Riley turned and faced Josh, hugging him as well. "Josh," she mused. "How long are you guys here? I'm hoping for longer than last time at least."

Charlie, who immediately sensed something was up based on Josh's demeanor looked to the Professor. "What's going on?"

Robert's green eyes darted to Maya, who's blue eyes focused on Josh as Riley suddenly noticed the tense nature of the room. "Guys," she began wearily. "What's happening?"

Josh huffed and ran his fingers through his hair. He nodded towards Maya. "Maya close the door. We don't need any of the kids hearing this." Maya moved to close the door and leaned in its frame as Josh continued to speak. "We were in D.C. checking out some stuff out when we snuck into the Congress meeting. There's no word to the public on this yet but they're pushing for a bill on mandatory mutant identification across the country."

The silence in the room was thick as everyone took in the news. Riley was the first to speak as anger started boil up inside of her. "They can't force something like that! You guys know what that will do right? That's like putting a bounty on every mutants head. Its like-"

"Homicide," Zay finished. His jaw was tense as his arms crossed over his grey shirt. "No one had our names but they still found us time after time again. If you put a name, a face, hell even an address half of these kids are as good as dead."

"And no offense to these kids or anyone else out there, but they don't have experience with that the way we do." Lucas said as he shared a look with Zay.

Riley turned around to face Maya and frowned. "Maya?"

Maya just looked to the ground and shook her head. "They're voting on it this week Riles. It looks like they're going to vote in favor of the bill."

Riley looked around at everyone in a panic. People knowing that their neighbors, doctors, or friends were mutants could cause for an implode within society. Mutants and mutant allies would be persecuted and she couldn't have that. "Guys," she said as her eyes began to gloss over. "You know what happened to-"

"Riley don't." Lucas leaned against the wall as he crossed his arms over his chest. "We know what happened and we won't let it happen again." He looked around at his friends of many years. "Right?"

Zay and Maya nodded as Lucas set a comforting hand on Riley's shoulder. Charlie, who spoke for the first time since the news broke, looked to the professor. "So what do we do?"

The old man opened his mouth to speak but paused as he felt it. He felt the shift. Something was happening. "Turn on the television." Everyone else in the room shared a worried look as another silence sat between them. "They're announcing it now."

Farkle was the first to reach the TV in the room, switching it on. As it flickered on, the news anchor was in the middle of his retelling of the same news Josh shared earlier as he stopped abruptly and held a finger to his ear as he received more information and adjusted himself. "My apologies. I'm afraid there is breaking news. In D.C. about thirty short minutes ago there was an unidentified mutant attack on the White House. No one was reported injured but there was one single piece of evidence left at the scene of the crime. A piece of paper that read relinquas nos vel perimus. An official statement has not been released yet from the White House but I believe I am speaking for everyone when I say may god help us all."

Farkle clicked off the television with a single press of the button as they waited for someone to speak. "I think I speak for everyone when I say what the fuck." Everyone looked to Zay as they frowned at his word choice. "What the hell does that even mean?"

"Leave us alone or perish," Farkle said, answering his question. "It's latin."

Riley looked around the room and furrowed her brows together as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Who would go after the White House? What if they were trying to go after the President?"

Josh shook his head. "I don't think they were trying to get to the President. They were trying to send a message."

Lucas scoffed. "Yeah and they made it loud and clear."

Charlie spoke up next. "But how did they know about the bill? Didn't you guys say they just started talking about it like yesterday?"

"Bills take a long time to develop Charles. This would have had to have been in the works for a while now." Maya looked around and locked eyes with the Professor as he spoke. They had their own quick exchange before she stood up straight.

"You're going to track them down aren't you? You can find out exactly who did this." Maya's eyes focused in on Professor Henry. She needed to know more. "How?" Blocked. "You're not letting me in. Why won't you let me know?"

"Maya-"

"No. Whoever this guy is ruining it for the rest of us and I need to know what's going on."

"Maya enough." Robert's tone harshened as everyone in the room focused in on the two. "That is none of your concern. What matters is-"

"No Robert! You don't know half of what I've been through! I've only just started living my life and I truthfully don't want another bounty on my head!" Everyone in the room was silent as Maya grew more and more heated. "I just need to talk to whomever this is. I deserve at least that if my right to privacy is going to be taken away at the expense of a moron like this. Let. Me. In."

Robert was determined. He would not let Maya get the best of him in this moment. "No. You're too emotional. You can't handle this right now. Calm down Maya." He focused in on her. "Don't let your emotions get the best of you."

Maya's eyes flashed red before she shook her head. Her blonde wavy hair flew behind her as she mumbled under breath. "Fuck this." She turned on her heel and pushed the door open, walking out the room, leaving everyone in her wake.

Riley turned her head, ready to chase after Maya but instead Josh sighed and moved to follow Maya out the room, not even noticing the sadness in Riley's face as he left. "I'm sorry guys. I'll see what's going on with her."

Once again, another silence fell. Zay broke it once more. "So are we going to talk about what that was or..." Lucas punch Zay in the arm. "Ow! Dude-"

"We've have bigger fish to fry man." He looked to the Professor. "So what do we do?"

The Professor looked on at his most trusted students and sighed. He knew what had to happen next but wasn't the most ecstatic about the potential results. "We have to fight back, or else things are going to get very, very dark."

A/N: And here we go! Super excited about this! Leave me your feedback as always and happy reading!