For those who wonder over the location of Banshee, he has gone away for a while. But never fear, he will come back, eventually.

This chapter is mostly filler, since I need to get them to... their destination, but I don't want to start that portion till next chapter.

Chapter 28:  Back to School... We're going WHERE?

When the New Mutants returned to school after the battle in the street, they found that, despite their battle, attitudes had not changed, at least, not obviously.

By the time lunch came around, the changes in attitudes became very obvious.

"And I, like, thought they hated us before... Now they totally ignore our, like, existence."  Said Kitty.

Kyle chuckled, "Well, more than a few of them were probably there when the fight took place.  But, the strange thing is that it's like there are two different sides.  Half the students ignore us; and half treat us like we're at least quazi-normal.  I think that the realization that there are mutants who risk themselves to protect them has shaken quite a few people."

Jubilee sighed, she had been in a funk since the battle. But then, Bobby was still very weak from having used all his energy up, so she was understandably depressed.  "Yeah, but do you see the looks they all give us... Oh my GOD! I didn't just ask that, did I?"

That broke the tension that had hovered over the X-Men since their arrival at school. The table broke down in laughter, they couldn't help it, the irony of the statement was too much.  As they quieted, the tension returned.  However, its return was easily attributable to Duncan Matthews and his small gang of people whom were bearing down on the table.  Stopping near it, Duncan spoke.

"We don't want you freaks here, you think we're going to let you stay in OUR school after you tear up OUR city in YOUR fight."

As Jean began to speak, intending to berate Duncan, a small crowd built around the X-Men.  Anticipating a mob, the X-Men and New Mutants began to subtly prepare to escape.  To the X-Men's surprise, Amanda stepped forward from the crowd around the X-Men, and spoke.  Her tone was furious, and, with her hands on her hips, her entire posture screamed 'pissed off'.

"You want them out of this school?  Did you pay attention to what they said on the T.V. Duncan?  That Magneto guy wants a war, and he's willing to start it himself if he needs to.  They're fighting him to PREVENT that! Did you see what they looked like? Half of the kids who fought aren't even here! I saw them after the battle, Rahne looked like someone put her through a meat grinder.  Bobby didn't wake up until the next day!  Jubilee's still wearing bandages around her ribs, because that guy with all the skin nearly cracked them.  Kyle was lucky, lucky that his organs weren't gushing blood, that is.  Sam still can barely walk straight, and Alex looked almost as bad as Rahne. Lorna got the least injuries out of all of them, and that's not saying much, since she still got several deep cuts, and a knot on her head from a piece of concrete.  They were fighting to keep bigots like you," and here she poked him hard in the chest, " from being killed in a war with mutants.  They aren't even fighting for themselves. They're fighting for you! If you want them out of this school, then you'll go through us!" And at that statement, the crowd around the X-Men began to growl in agreement.

Kyle leaned over towards Kurt, "Remind me never to get you girlfriend pissed off."

Kurt chuckled, "Ja, mein friend, that vould look like a good idea."

Duncan's gaze settled furiously on Amanda for a few seconds, and the X-Men could see the idea of hitting her cross Duncan's face.  Kyle spoke up.

"If you strike her, Duncan, you'll be lucky if I beat Kurt to you."

Duncan looked over at the blind kid, and Amanda's boyfriend.  He saw that, while the blind kid's face was blank, Kurt's bore a look that defied description, except to say that it was terrifying.  Making a tactical decision, Duncan turned and walked away.

The two crowds dispersed, and lunch ended soon after, ten minutes earlier than usual.

Finally, the last period of the day had come, and Jubilee, Kyle, Amara, Kurt, Kitty, Amanda, and Lance were all sitting in their last class, Civics.

The teacher, Mr. Nallik, walked through the door, and smiled.  He was one of the few teachers in the school who held no hatred for the mutants. "Good Afternoon, I know, last period, you all want to go home. I understand that a few of us had rather... interesting weekends," his eyes found those of the X-Men, who looked down. "I have only one thing to say today.  I would like you to have your parents and or guardians sign these permission slips.  You see, we will be taking a trip to Washington D.C., and will spend two weeks there." With that, he began passing out field trip forms to the students.  When he reached the X-Men, he handed them some extras.

"For your downed teammates." Was all he said, and smiled.  "I served in Nam, you know, so I know what it's like to have friends get hurt in battle."  With that, he turned back to the front of the room, and let the class have free reign for the rest of the time.

Soon the day was over and the X-Men returned to the Mansion.

Standing before Professor Xavier, the X-Men found that the professor had no problems for any of them going, since the trip wasn't for a week. More than enough time for the rest of the injured X-Men to be on the road to recovery.    Signing off on the papers, he told his younger students to begin packing now.

Soon, the day for the trip had arrived, and the students piled onto the buses, and they began to make their way to Washington D.C.

~Kitty, Lance, Kurt, Kyle, Amara, Bobby, Rahne, Jubilee, Sam, and Amanda are on their way to Washington D.C. What kind of insanity will they encounter on the bus ride there? And upon arrival, how will the nations capital react to the presence of the X-Men?  These questions and more will be answered in...

The Washington D.C. Saga~  (Corny, I know.)