Notes: Read my other story, Maximum Ride: International Mutants, before you read this. You won't understand this if you don't. And before I start, I'd like to thank all those people who read my first story. And reviewed faithfully. Angel is now 7, Abbey is still 7, Rayne and Nudge are both 12. Gazzy is 9 and Charity just turned 14. The three oldest are all 15, but Max's 16th birthday is in a few weeks.

2 days later, we stepped off of Antarctica for the first time in 8 months. The warmth of the sun was unbelievable. I saw small living organisms swimming through the sea below me.

We all had more strength and were able to fly straight to Argentina, we did. I saw experiments all over. I had no idea there were so many. It was now mine and Fang's job to rule them. I hope we can manage.

Maximum Ride: After the End of the World

Chapter 1: Ari?

Max's POV

We slowly made our way to the house that I had grown to know and love. Dr. Martinez's in Arizona. I knew that I would only cry when I saw what was there, but I had to go. Ari was there, too.

I flew more slowly than usual as we approached the house where my sister and mother had once lived.

"Wait here. Seriously. I don't want you to see anything. Wait until I say you can come down, got it?" I said looking the trouble makers of the flock in the eye, namely Angel, Rayne, and Fang. They nodded. They didn't want to get hurt anyway. I landed softly in almost the same spot I had 2 years ago, when I had 1st met them. Something moved inside the house and slowly the door opened. A familiar person walked out.

"ARI!" I yelled, jumping out from under the bush and running to hug my half-brother. I smiled weakly and warmly returned my hug.

"How are you? Are you okay? What happened after I left?" I let go and he immediately bombarded me with questions.

"I'm fine. We stayed in Antarctica. And…" He knew what I wanted to ask and shook his head.

"They're gone. I'm sorry, Max. They all said they loved you. I was supposed to give you this. It's from your mom." He said as he led m into the house. He walked to the kitchen where I tasted my 1st homemade chocolate chip cookie and opened the drawer where the silverware used to be. Ari pulled out a piece of paper, it was folded a dozen times and crumpled. Like it had been read and re-read a hundred times.

"Thanks, are…they…buried, yet?" I asked as the tears came flowing. Ari nodded.

"They're out back. Graves are really nice, too." He said. I nodded.

"So, what's with the belly?" Ari asked me as we left the house.

"I'm pregnant. It's a girl; her name is going to be Ella." I said, looking in the sky for my flock. I spotted them about 200 yards away. I waved and they waved back.

"Hold on Ari. I have to go get them. I'll be right back." He nodded. I took off and flew up to my flock.

"Max! What happened? Is it okay for us to come down? Is Ari okay?" Nudge.

"Yes, come on." We all flew back towards Ari in the front porch. The flock hugged him, even Fang. Then we went inside to the living room.

"It feels so good to be here again. I really missed it." Angel said and those who had been here before all agreed.

"What happened to you, Ari?" Fang asked, a tone of defiance flashed through his voice.

"I had to say goodbye to my father. I wanted to be there when…you know. I'm sorry I left, I really am. I've been by myself for the last 6 months thinking about how awful it was that I left. So much has changed. I wouldn't blame anyone of you if I weren't allowed to go with you guys." Ari hung his head in shame. Fang rolled his eyes, but he knew that I had a soft spot for Ari.

"Ari, you're coming with us. I don't know where we're going yet. But you're coming to where ever it is." I said putting my hands under my growing belly. He nodded in submission.

"What happened Ari? You were there, right? I want to know what happened." Iggy demanded.

"Well, the sky went dark. After a few minutes, Ella was on the ground. Nobody c-could wake her u-up. Then, Dr. M-Martinez fell over. After an h-hour, Jeb s-said goodb-bye and died. It was awful, but the worst thing I've ever done was drag their bodies out of the house." Ari said. His eyes glazed over, like he was still reliving that awful day. I patted his back.

"It's okay, Ari. Max and Fang are the rulers, now. They'll tell somebody else to move the icky things so you don't have to." Abbey said in her 7 year old ways. I shook my head.

"Abbey, sweetie, it doesn't work like that." I began.

"First, we'll probably have to fight some bad guys who want to rule first. You're going to help us right? Because you're powers can help a lot." Fang said ruffling the yung'un's hair. I smiled. He really would be a good daddy soon. Abbey smiled.

"Ari, is there any food because I'm really hungry?" Nudge asked my half-brother and he stood up.

"Yea, this morning I finally got to go to the store. I just took some food, because nobody was working. What do you want?" He asked opening some cabinets.

"Spagettios?" Nudge asked and we all agreed. Any food sounded good to me. H out lots of cans on the table and I took a can opener out of the drawer. Then we all dug in. About an hour later, our bellies were finally full and we sat down to relax. Relaxation is always short lived, though.

"Okay, we have stuff to do. Now, you can wither stay here, or come with us. Make a choice, now." I said eyeing my flock. I knew what their answer would be, but I figure I'd give them the choice anyway.

"We want to come with you, duh!" Angel had read everybody's mind and voiced their opinion. I figured. Nodding, I stood up and told them to follow me.

"We have a world to save!" I said as I jumped off the porch and into the cool morning breeze. As I jumped, the baby kicked for the first time. My hand instinctively flew to my swollen belly and Fang looked at me, worry clouding his gorgeous features.

"Are you okay? Is the baby alright?" He asked me.

"Yea, she kicked." I smiled and flew to the front of the flock. We flew towards those who would be on our side, and we were going to kill anything that got in our way.

That's the end of the first chapter! YAY! I couldn't keep you all waiting for too long. Plus, my friend, who's never read MR read my story and loved it. R&R.