Author's Note: So, um, this'll be my first crossover fan fiction. But it's also completely Alternate Universe, because in this version, Alex is a girl. Instead of a guy. If you don't like that, then don't read this. There are reasons why I wrote it like this. If you are deeply interested on why, then just ask. I'm just too lazy to explain it all right here. I will accept constructive criticism. This is about two years later, so Alex is 16, along with Max, Fang, and Iggy. It takes place after all current books written in both series. Anywho's I suppose I should just let you get to the reading…Right after this short disclaimer:
All characters of the Alex Rider series belong to James Patterson, and all those characters from the Maximum Ride series belong to Anthony Horowitz. Oh, um, I mean that the other way around. Alex Rider=Anthony Horowitz, and Max Ride=James Patterson. No copyright infringement intended, et al.
Enjoy!
Chapter One
I looked at the Flock, grimacing just the littlest bit. I had been in the middle of talking with Dr. Valencia Martinez, and her daughter, Ella, at the veterinarian's clinic. I had needed some information, when the bird-kids had shown up. Of course, my mission had nothing to do with them. Until the black haired teen attacked me with what seemed to be vicious force. Being me, I defended myself fairly well.
"Will you back off?" I exclaimed, frowning and taking a deep breath. "I haven't done anything to you!"
The oldest girl stepped forward, placing herself conveniently in between Valencia and me. She glared at me, but, in all reality, I'd seen scarier, so I sighed and crossed my arms across my chest, and smirked at her. "Really? That's your best glare? I've seen scared shitless criminal overlords do better." I said frankly, nodding a little. She was pretty shocked, and so were the rest of the flock.
"Alleluia! We've found someone who can stand up to Max's glare! Gazzy, we've been saved!" The blonde tall boy yelled, before high-fiving a smaller blonde boy. I raised an eyebrow in question, before shaking my head gently and brushing it off. I had a job to do. Valencia Martinez had survived captivity of Mr. Chu. I needed to know what she knew, however little information it was.
A blonde curly-haired little girl stepped forward, looking at me with curiosity that just didn't fit her young eyes. Though she was about four feet tall, she didn't actually look much older than eight.
"I'm nine. And why do you need information about Max's mom's kidnapping?" She asked.
I was fairly surprised, though I didn't show it. Not much surprised me anymore. Not after all I'd been through, all I'd seen. It seemed as though this little girl, though it would've been hard to accept for a normal person, it seemed like she read my mind. I pursed my lips at her. "You did just read my mind, right?" I asked. When she nodded, I gave her a little smile, which actually seemed to shock all present. They didn't seem to think I'd accept it so easily. "Right, okay. So, then I suppose you want some answers, right?" I asked again.
This time, Valencia cut in. "Yes, some answers would be nice. Like why you just showed up here asking me about my kidnapping. And Mr. Chu. Why would you need to know about him, of all people?" She asked.
I bit my lip. "Uh, you might want to sit down. Because I'm going to sit down, trust me. It's not an easy thing to believe, or accept." I said, grabbing the chair that was pushed under a desk beside me, and sat down, clasping my hands in my lap. When only Valencia and Ella sat down, while the Flock seemed more comfortable to stand, I decided that was my cue to start talking. 'Well, it's more pleasant than other interrogations I've been through…' I shuddered quite visibly at the thought, and then flashed worried eyes to the little girl, who looked back at me with frightened eyes.
"Just who the hell are you?" She whispered. She moved over to the older girl, Max, and clenched on to her arm. That made Max worried for her, and only more pissed off at me.
"You saw that, then. Sorry." I muttered, hanging my head for a moment. "So, who the hell am I? Well, I am Alexis Rider. Most people just call me Alex though, or Rider. I am sixteen years old. I should be preparing for my GSCE's. Instead I'm missing school because my uncle lied to me his whole life, while preparing me for a life I didn't want in the first place." I paused and took a shaky breath. "Long story short, I'm an agent for MI6. I don't really have a choice. About Mr. Chu? I need to know whatever I can about him. CIA basically borrowed me for another mission, and it was investigating Mr. Chu's corporation. I did have two partners, but they're gone now." I looked down at the floor, glaring. It was my stupidity and recklessness that had gotten my partners killed. I knew it as well as I knew how much Alan Blunt and the CIA were using me.
I slowly stood up, and if there had been enough room, I would've paced. "I'm fairly sure Mr. Chu is working for SCORPIA. I'm not one hundred percent, but I've gotta know what I'm up against." I looked up at Dr. Martinez, and I was fairly sure that my eyes were hard and cold, because she flinched. "I've never failed a mission. I'm being forced to do this, because they know that only I can do it. I've been underestimated too many times to count. I've seen things no teenager should ever have to see," At this I looked at Max, the dark boy, and the blonde one for a second, before turning back to Valencia, "Only to save the innocent, and not so innocent people of the world. I've been threatened, tortured, and much more that I'd rather not discuss right now. I need to stop Mr. Chu, and whatever the fuck he is planning, and I need whatever you know to stop him." I exhaled, and turned to Max, "Excuse my language." I added, motioning to the little girl, and the boy named Gazzy.
Ella took her turn to speak up, and stepped a little out from behind her mother. "Um, are you on any drugs, or medicines?" She asked, looking at me like I was crazy.
"No, I am not." I replied stiffly. Her question was under the same assumptions and rumors that were currently flying around my school about my long absences from attending school, and how I always came back with injuries. "Besides, why would I make something like this up? SCORPIA never forgets or forgives. I have been the indirect cause of four board members' deaths, and the direct cause three failed plans. They currently control over half of the world's international organized crime, and over ninety-seven percent of civilians on this planet haven't even heard of them."
Valencia nodded, and frowned. "Chu did say some stuff. I can't remember too well, but he mentioned someone named Kurst, or something, and a Dr. Three. He had been talking with a man who had an Australian accent, and gold teeth? I don't know if this is important, but it's something that sticks out in my memory." She said, briefly closing her eyes to try and remember more.
I started grinning ear to ear, and when the little girl read my mind, so did she. "So, I was right, 'cause Zeljan Kurst is one of the board members of SCORPIA, as is Dr. Three. And the Australian man. That's most of the remaining board members right there. There's only one more, I'm fairly sure, anyways, and that's Levi Kroll. Rothman, Yu, Grendel, Grand and Mikato are dead. The other three died before I got dragged into this world. When SCORPIA was first started, there were twelve board members from around the world. Mr. Chu might just be a replacement, or working with them, but he isn't one of the original board members." I explained. I gave a little laugh, and turned to Valencia. "Thanks. I needed that. That's the best news I've had in a long time."
I turned around, and picked up my backpack. "Now, I've gotta go. I've got what I needed, and sticking around you guys much longer might just attract more trouble, which, I'm sure you guys, of all people, don't want. Thanks, once again. You've got no idea how much this means." I left the room, and expertly navigated the hallways around crates, vets, animals, and pet owners.
I looked up at the sun when I exited the building, and went over to the bike rack where my bike was locked. It wasn't just any bike though. Smithers had built it for me, and there were a multitude of gadgets added on to it. I hadn't discovered them all yet, and I figured I wouldn't for a long time.
I had been just about to pedal off when the Flock and the Martinez's came almost running out of the building, the little blonde bird-kid running up to me, and reaching me first. "I asked Max, and Max's mom, if you could stay with us for just a little while. They said you could. And you need the rest. I know you do. My name's Angel, by the way, and that's Nudge, and Fang, and Max, and Gazzy, and Iggy." She explained, pointing them all out as she introduced them. "And that's Ella, and Dr. Martinez." She added, though she had to know that I'd already known their names.
I seriously mulled it over for a few minutes. Angel was right. I needed rest. I hadn't actually slept for a good eighty-something hours. I was not performing at my best, and if I was attacked, I wouldn't be able to fight for too long. On the other hand, I didn't want to put even more people in danger. That was a huge thing for me too. It always made me choose no, just like I would now. Angel glared at me, and turned to Max, silently communicating with her, or something.
I leaned on my right foot, still straddling my bike, with one hand on the handles, and my other foot on a pedal. I was ready to go at any moment. I sighed as Max, Valencia and Angel walked a bit away to discuss my staying with them, and how to convince me to stay, even for a little while.
I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I knew someone was watching me. I frowned a little, and dismounted my bike, turning slowly in a three-sixty, glancing at every window, and rooftop, trying to determine where whoever it was watching me. Instantly, seeing my alert, Nudge, Fang and Gazzy also looked around. Fang quickly tapped Iggy's hand, and muttered something to him. I didn't really pay attention though, my mind already far gone into survival mode. I might have been just paranoid, which after a few moments of Fang, Gazzy and Nudge not seeing anything out of the ordinary, they glanced at me as though I was crazy, or at least paranoid.
I gave it a few more moments, before biting my bottom lip, and turning to them before giving a little shrug. To them, I probably seemed confused. Really, I wasn't. I was more curious, and nervous. I took a few forced breaths, but I didn't try to shake off or ignore the feeling of being watched. Just as I was climbing back on to my bike, I heard something whiz eerily by my ear and then my front tire deflated. I hadn't heard a gunshot, so I figured that whoever shot at me had shot with a silencer on the barrel.
I checked the angle of the shot, and then dropped my bike, turning around and pointing at a window for the benefit of the flock. Max and Angel had both come back over, while Valencia pulled Ella back towards the cover of the building. As I checked the window, I knew I wouldn't see anyone there, but at least I knew I was right now.
I moved forward a bit, swinging my backpack around and kneeling down a bit. I opened my bag, and felt around for a second, while keeping my eyes on the window. I wasn't even thinking, which I knew had Angel confused. I carefully pulled out a black pistol, to the shocked, quiet gasps of the Flock, and I also presumed Ella and Valencia. I stood back up, still moving slowly. I suddenly ran up to the building, silent as ever. I knew even the Flock wouldn't be able to hear me. I was in a completely different state of mind. I reached the wall, and put my back up against it, glancing up at the window, and holding my gun up by my face.
I reached over with one hand and tested the doorknob. It was unlocked. I pushed it open, and took a glance. No one there. I didn't notice Max and fang following me just as silently as I was moving, backing me up. I moved down the dark hallway, glad there were no doors, and only stairs straight ahead. It cut off escape routes and hiding spots for the shooter. I almost ran up the stairs, sticking to the sides, and still moving silently.
I didn't know when I had picked up the skill of moving silently, or taking immediate action without having to think about it. I knew some of the factors though. Like the short time I had spent with SCORPIA. My multiple training weeks with K-Unit at Brecons Beacons. The many missions I had been on in the two or three years that Blunt had been blackmailing into working for MI6. I figured it just added up after a while. Practice makes perfect, right?
I reached the third floor, and made my way over to the first door I had seen in the whole building. It was slightly open, revealing a crack of light in the dim hallway. I lowered one arm, holding the gun at my side, just a bit out of sight. I took a gentle breath in, and pushed open the door, going in and looking around. Once again, there was no one there. But there was another door. Whoever had shot at me was clearly trying to mess with my head. I continued towards the other door, keeping my gun up and my aim straight. I pushed open the door, seeing as it had no handle, and checked the room. The only thing in this room was an empty chair. There wasn't even a window. I frowned a bit. Something just didn't feel right. I took a small step into the room, still frowning. I listened extremely carefully, and heard something. From above me?
I looked up, and then felt the weight of an older, heavier person on top of me. I struggled from beneath them, but before I noticed, they had my gun, and they had me pinned on the ground. This only took a few seconds, and I was, well, taken by surprise, really.
What also only took a few seconds though, was me getting over my shock, escaping from being pinned, running out of the room, through the first room into the hallway, where luckily, Max and fang were waiting, and me slamming the door behind me. A few other things happened as well, that resulted in me having a black eye, and a few scratches, but the assailant was definitely worse off at the moment. I mean, hey, they don't call me the best for nothing, right?
I held the doorknob, and grimaced at Max and fang. "I say we get going. Somewhere far, far away. Right now." I whispered, not really needing to speak any louder. Max and fang ran in front of me, and I followed them closely, in case the guy, or whoever it was was actually still conscious. And following us.
We got outside without a problem, and I grabbed my bike. Max must've said something to the other, because they were already going, with Valencia leading them to the parking lot on the side of the vet clinic. She had a car. For that, I was thankful. I was even more thankful when hey, lookie at that, she had a van! And it sat eight people. Which was close enough. We all clambered in, and I shoved my bike in the back, before hopping in the front. Since Ella and Angel were the smallest, they were sharing a seat. I don't know why I was given the front, but hey, they fact that I could see behind us with the mirror helped.
We ended up driving around for about two hours before going to Valencia's place. I never saw anyone following us, which could be taken as a good sign, or a bad sign. We could've been gone so fast that they didn't get the chance, or they already knew where Valencia lived and were waiting for us there. Because of that situation, I went into the house first, though unarmed, and after checking every room, I declared the house safe for entry.
Max and Fang still looked suspicious, Gazzy looked happy, Iggy's faced was blank, Angel looked relieved, and Nudge looked annoyed. Ella looked kind of tired, actually, and so did Valencia. I guess two hours of driving took it out of a normal person. I frowned at them a bit, just the slightest bit worried for them.
"You two okay? Maybe I should've driven. I do have my license." I said, scratching my head a bit. I was tired as well, but that was for completely different reasons, and I could handle, and would handle it until further notice.
Ella actually snorted a bit. "Your worried about us? You should look in the mirror, Alex. You're in worse shape than us." She replied. I frowned a lot this time, and tilted my head. No one had been concerned about me for a long time. It was…different, and kind of nice. But it still didn't change the fact that I couldn't stay here for very long. The fact that I was attacked had only proven my point that I was like a beacon of light calling out to trouble to come and find me.
I jumped a little and looked up when Angel gently grabbed my arm. "You aren't a beacon for trouble." She said, smiling a little.
I smiled back. "Believe what you will, Angel. But I know from experience." I nodded a little, smirking a little.
She shook her head. "It's hardly a belief." She said, shrugging a little, before walking over and hugging Max. "And I'm nine." She glared up at the older girl. I guessed that Angel had just read Max's mind, and I was correct.
Iggy looked up. "Well, it's been fun and all. But how 'bout some food? I think we're all hungry after our little escapade." He stated, grinning. He then gave Gazzy a high-five, who was also grinning.
I watched a little black Scotty trot by, and then frowned when he looked at me curiously. Wait. A dog, looking at me curiously? It just didn't make sense. Even more didn't make sense when he opened his mouth and words came out. Words of the human English language. Not doggy-talk or anything. Plain, old English.
"Who's the new kid?" He asked, trotting past me over to a water bowl on the floor. He took a few gulps, before talking again. "And why is she sitting in my seat?"
It took a lot to surprise me. I think I've already mentioned this before. You know, when Angel first read my mind? Yeah, then. But this, well, this had me fully surprised, and I was fairly sure my mouth was hanging open. I was, to say the least, speechless. But I wasn't about to move from the chair I had chosen to sit in. Oh no. I had just gotten comfortable.
I shook my head a little and made my face blank for a few seconds to regain my composure. Nudge had giggled with Angel at my reaction, while Gazzy had said something to Iggy, and they along with Fang were snickering.
I shrugged a little. "I hope you guys know that was the first time I've been shocked like that in about three years. It would've been nice of someone to warn me."
Max bent over and picked up the little dog. "Whenever we meet someone new, we just like to see their reaction. This is Total, by the way." Frankly, I didn't remember him in the files I had gotten about these kids. But whatever. It wasn't like I was going to tell the CIA and MI6 to update their files on these kids. They could just find out for themselves.
I smiled a genuine smile for once, though it was small, and I heard little gasps from around the room. "Nice to meet you, Total." I said. Valencia smiled at all of us as she put down a snack platter she had pulled out of the fridge.
I nodded. "Oh, god food looks so good right now." I said in my way of thank you, and grabbed a baby carrot, dipping it in the veggie dip before eating it. I hadn't really eaten much for the past few days. A lot had actually gone on in those days though, and it felt like weeks since my last full meal.
The bird-kids didn't say anything while they ate, but I did wonder some things. The files I had read had very little information. So things like their age had been left out. Also their likes and dislikes, relationships, and Total had been forgotten. The company that had used them as experiments was black out, which meant Blunt didn't want me to know, which only made me even more curious. I knew though that the company had several branches all over the world, operating under different names. But I didn't know any of the names, 'cause they were all blacked out. I wanted to know, but I also didn't want to ask. It was one of those courtesy things. They probably didn't want to talk about it, and it would've been rude to ask. I could just ask Smithers, he'd be able to get the information for me.
Deeps in my own thoughts, I didn't even notice Max and Angel conversing quietly. If I had noticed, then I would've known that Angel was relaying my every thought to Max. I also would've seen the inquiring looks from Fang to Max.
I grabbed an olive stuffed with garlic and popped it in my mouth. Now there was something I hadn't had in a long time. It was a nice treat. I leaned back, and checked the time on the wall clock. It was just a little after fourteen hundred hours. I mean, just after two in the afternoon. 'Scuse my army lingo. That's a bad habit of mine now.
I wondered what I should do. Stay here and risk more innocent people dying, or leave and try to find Chu before he found me. I was really leaning towards the latter option, until Valencia put her hand on my shoulder.
"You have to stay, at least until some of your injuries heal." She said. I opened my mouth to protest and, surprisingly, Max was the one who interrupted.
"You're staying. We outnumber you, and while you might be able to take us all, we will still make you stay. No matter what." She said, standing up. I stood up as well, and noticed we were just about the same height.
I thought about it. Angel was reading my every thought as well, and her face changed depending on what I was thinking. The others could only guess at what was going on, while my face remained blank.
"I'll stay. But no longer than a week. After that, I'll have to leave. And, you know, complete my mission or else the world is surely doomed, or something. Ask Blunt or Byrne about it. I dunno." I said, shrugging a little.
I really don't think that Angel, Nudge or Ella cared that I'd have to leave. They were all smiles and jumping for joy. Max and Fang were both happy that they were happy, while Gazzy and Iggy bombarded me with questions about weapons, and gadgets, but most of all, explosives that I had encountered on my missions. Which was fairly nice, 'cause though I hated Blunt for using me, I did like to shoot a gun every once in a while. Though he forbad me to have guns, I still had my resources. Smithers, enemies turned friends, fights, stealing. The list could go on, really.
Really, time flew. Next thing we knew, we were outside, while Valencia cooked hamburgers on the barbeque. Ella and I were sitting on the grass, while the Flock flew around in the air. Even Total flew. He had wings. Which wasn't really as big a surprise as the fact that he could talk. Ella and me got up and randomly danced around to whatever random music came on.
Highlight of the day? I got to fly. I didn't literally sprout wings and fly. Ella and I had been dancing around when Max and Fang swooped over us and scooped me up. At first instinct took over and I struggled. And then I fell. During that two-second free fall I realized what had happened. Then screamed like a girl. I was angry at my stupidity, surprised quite obviously, and happy and thankful to Max and Fang for allowing me the experience. Then I remembered I was free falling. Which is, if you've got a parachute, quite fun. It's very fun, actually. But without the parachute part, it's actually fairly dangerous.
You know what else is dangerous? A blind bird-kid catching you while free falling. You know what's embarrassing? When you're supposed to be this kick-ass teenage female James Bond, but as soon as a blind bird-kid catches you free falling and you cling to him like he's your last life line. In a way, Iggy was my last lifeline. If he hadn't caught me, I would've gone splat, and thus would end the life of the teenage spy that is I. Of course, if I hadn't been screaming then he wouldn't have known where to be to catch me. In the end, it all worked out.
Eventually darkness fell, Valencia called us in and by then I was used to being tossed around like a sack of potatoes by a bunch of bird-kids. In fact, I was having fun being tossed around like a sack of potatoes. I hadn't actually had fun since…Well, I really don't know. For the heck of it, and because I had a gun tucked into my pants pocket for no apparent and safe reason, Max and Fang dropped me from just the right height, and I did a tuck and roll, pulling out the gun, and holding it up Hollywood-style.
" My name's Bond." I said. "James Bond." Gazzy fell out of the sky laughing, as did Angel. Nudge landed beside me and started talking my ear off again, and Iggy was complaining for someone to tell him what happened. Max and Fang landed near Iggy, and Fang explained, while Max came over. She was laughing, but there was a note of seriousness in her eyes.
"Do you have to carry that everywhere?" She asked walking beside me as we ushered the others inside. Ella, Nudge, Gazzy and Angel all went up to their rooms to get ready for bed, and with just us sixteen-year-olds and Valencia, the atmosphere was fairly serious.
I double-checked the safety before tucking the gun back in my pants pocket. I nodded. "Yeah. I do. The motto of my life is to expect the unexpected and always be prepared. In my type of business even one tiny little mistake could cost you your life. Or it could cost millions of lives. It all really depends on which side you're working for." I explained, taking a seat at the dining room table and accepting a cup of coffee, black, from Valencia. "By the way, we're going to need to do watch shifts." I continued. Valencia was about to cut me off, and I held up a hand. "It may be safe here. But it may not be. And I can only take yes, it's safe, or no, it isn't. There is a shit load of people out there right now who would love to have me dead, and they are probably combing this city from corner to bloody corner to find me. And they aren't going to stop. So we do watch shifts." I paused, and took a huge sip of my coffee. "And I'm taking first shift. No way I'm getting to sleep anytime soon with coffee in my hands."
Max, Fang, and Iggy accepted it fairly easy. Valencia only finally agreed when Max convinced her that it was the best thing we could do. We said our good nights, and then I kicked up my feet onto another chair for then next four hours while I did my shift. As promised, I went and woke up Fang, for his shift. And then I was asleep on his bed. I more or less just hit the wall and fell into deep, dark unconsciousness.
Author's End Note: So, um, after reading all that, I hope you enjoyed, and I'd like it if you just clicked the little review button and told me your opinion on this piece…^-^
