Okay, this is my first fanfiction. I know my writing sucks, but I had to write this. It was originally going to be a oneshot, but I decided to let the readers decide if they wanted more or not. A guy came to our school and talked about this thing called Rachel's Challenge. It moved a lot of us. This story is based loosely off of his story.

DISCLAIMER: Maximum Ride and other characters don't belong to me. They belong to the wonderful James Patterson.

The young man got ready to speak to the auditorium filled with students and teachers. If you had told him he would be doing this a few years ago, he would have laughed in your face. But time had changed him. He had escaped from the School and his expiration date had never shown. He was supposed to die at seven. He was twenty-eight now.

Chatter filled the air as students talked to one another, unaware of how this assembly would most likely change their views on life and the people around them. Being around so many people still made him uncomfortable. It was a genetic thing, no matter how much time he spent with crowds, it never changed. The auditorium quieted as the lights dimmed, leaving only a spot light trained on the principal of the school. "Students of MHS, I would like for you to give your full attention to the speaker that has so kindly come in today to speak to you. He has flown in from Arizona, just to tell this story. Let's make him feel welcomed."

Applause filled the air as he walked on stage. He heard a few people gasp, probably amazed at how he looked. 'The wonders of being genetically messed with. Not only do I get to have people stare at me, I get to hear every little thing they say as well,' he thought to himself sarcastically. He heard a small chuckle coming from the background. They had arrived. He wondered how they had gotten in. 'The mind reader probably got them in here with that mind control thing of hers.'

'Yup. You hit the nail right on the head.'

'Wonderful. Now get out of my head,' the young man snapped.

'Hehe, okay. Oh, and before you ask, we'll help you in the end. I don't think the principal would be happy about hundreds of kids screaming and running for their lives. And no, I'm not implying that I think you'll attack them.'

He sighed, sometimes she could get so annoying. He walked up to the microphone taking deep, calming breaths, and clearing his throat on the way.

"Thank you all for coming here and not skipping like I know some of you would have loved to do. I'm about to tell you a story that will blow your minds and change how you look at everything. I know you guys won't believe me, but just listen, this will change your lives."

Whatever noise there had been left disappeared, the silence deafening as the people in the auditorium registered what he had said.

"As you all know, the world was in great turmoil, starting around the year 2000. Weather was crazy, economy was at rock bottom, and all around the world, people were dropping dead on the streets from a new disease that every scientist alive was trying to find a cure for. You all also know that around 2034, the world suddenly became peaceful again, around twenty years ago. Global warming slowly disappeared, greenhouse gas emission levels dropping till they were at the lowest they had been for forty years. Now, do any of you know the reason why everything changed?"

A young girl, probably only a year or two older then her when she had started her mission, raised her hand. He nodded at her and she started to speak. "We, as a planet, entered a time of peace because the leaders of the world had passed numerous eco-friendly rules, and anyone who disobeyed them were put out of business and arrested. Also, scientists had found a cure for the disease that had been killing millions."

"A wonderful answer, stating almost exactly what every history textbook now says. Now, I know you've been taught that for fourteen to eighteen years, but listen to me:

What you have been taught are lies. The world doesn't want you to know what really happened. However, one by one, schools have decided that you, the people who are going to inherit the planet have a right, a need to know. I have come here, on request of your superintendent, to tell you the story of what happened. The story of my life."

People started whispering after he finished his little speech. He let them talk, knowing that they would need a little while to let the words sink in. The girl who had answered his question raised her hand again. After a nod she voiced her question. "If it's alright, sir, can I ask you your name?"

He smiled. Out of all the schools he had visited, no one had asked as sweetly or nicely as she had. It was if she had known this was hard for him.

"I don't mind. My name is Ari Batchelder."

I congratulate all who made it through my horrible writing to this AN. Please review saying what you thought about the story and if you would like me to continue. Flames are very welcome.

~ Heart of Flaming Ice ~