Summary: So my story takes place right before Max and Co. break into the Institute. I added my own character and it takes place from his POV.
Note: This is not AU, the only difference in the story line is that Max and the flock's makeover takes place after they break into the Institute. Also I changed the setting of the Institute a little, okay a lot.
Disclaimer: I don't own Maximum Ride of any characters. My character is mine!
Chapter 1
With a buzz, my cage door swung open and the lights flickered on. I squinted in the bright light as my eyes tried to adjust.
A lab tech entered, and kicked the back of my cage, hard.
Wait, did I say cage? I meant portable dog pen.
Anyways, I went sprawling, managing to bang my knee on the lip of the opening.
"Get up," the tech ordered, I started to get up and another person I hadn't noticed planted a heavy combat boot in my rib cage.
"Too slow maggot," a sinister voice whispered in my ear. I rolled to dodge the next kick and leapt up, my fists at the ready. The Eraser only laughed and I bared my fangs at him.
With a push, the lab tech led me out the door, where two more Erasers wielding AK's flanked me.
"Two this time? " I asked the tech, one of the Erasers only growled and pushed me along with the muzzle of the rifle.
"Shut up and keep going 223169," the tech said, only confident enough to call me by my serial number because of the pair of Kalashnikov's.
I grinned, showing him my fangs, at which the tech shuddered. With another push I continued walking.
Just as we neared the exit to get to the tram that would take us to the middle of nowhere, a red light flashed and alarms started sounding.
"Take him back," the tech ordered, and then rushed off.
I heard the click of two safeties coming off and I glanced back, finding two man-dogs wielding Russian weapons glaring at me.
Yeah, I said man-dogs. You think I called them Erasers for fun? An Eraser is a human-lupine hybrid. Meaning it's basically a guy with dog DNA in him. SO that means they can become a walking bi-pedal dog at any point and time.
As we walked back they kept their weapons trained on me, but to their surprise I didn't struggle or try to escape. I knew they had live ammunition in those rifles, and I didn't feel like getting shot in the wing today.
Anyways, so they tossed me back in the pen, and turned out the lights. As the door shut I heard the loud click of the dead bolt being slammed home.
Now that I have a few minutes, let me tell you about myself.
My name's Kael, I can't say my last name because I honestly don't know it. I've been in this place the tech's call the 'Institute,' but I've got a better name. Some of the other hybrids like me in this place call me Night Crawler, but that just seems to X-manish. Most people would think I'd pick the nickname 'Fang,' but one decided to stick on me after I cut an arm off a lab tech and laughed as I beat him and someone else with it.
Lucifer. Call me Lucy and I'm going to cut your tongue out.
I'm a human-lamia hybrid. For those of you who don't speak Latin, that's Vampire in English. Yes, I was infused with South African Vampire Bat DNA, effectively making me a vampire. Without the side effects.
Anyways, so I was sitting there, wondering what the hell was going on, and feeling almost scared since I've never experienced this before, when the door exploded.
"Nice Ig," I heard a female voice say.
With that I could hear the other hybrids around me waking up, and the dog three pens over barking and talking at the same time.
After a minute, the smoke started to clear and more light filtered in. I shielded my sensitive eyes and peered through the glare.
What I saw was a bunch of kids, I mean I'm only 15, about to turn sixteen in four months, and these kids are standing there. Pretty soon they rushed in and started opening the pens.
I sat there, trying to be and look stoic as they opened the other pens.
What about me?
I began to feel almost panicky. An emotion I quickly suppressed. I never wanted to give the techs or Eraser's the satisfaction of knowing I was scared or hurt.
I must have looked worried though, because the eldest looking girl, maybe about 14 or 15, knelt down and whispered,
"Don't worry, we'll get you out of here."
I cracked a small smile and nodded.
Normally, I would've just broken the stupid thing, but since I did that three months ago for the eighth time, they upgraded me to a solid steel and titanium, not that woven fiberglass they melt together.
So finally she got the thing open. I dove out almost too fast, excited to finally get out of that thing on my own. I jumped up and stretched my wings. Only retracting them as fast as I could when she, and the others in there gasped.
I looked over to see a very shocked look on her face. Obviously she's never seen a hybrid. Shaking her head, she ran to another pen while I calmly kicked it open.
She glanced a thanks, and was about to move on when another kid who was at the door turned and called,
"Company."
"How close?" She asked
"About 500 meters down the hall we came down, armed."
"Crap," she muttered, quickly glancing around for a place to get out of here.
"There's a way," I told her, "It'll be hard though because you can't fly."
At that, the six of them grinned, I raised an eyebrow and their wings shot out.
Feathered wings.
"Ah, so you learn something new every day don't ya?"
She nodded, "Can you take us out of here?"
Sure I can, I know this place by heart.
Without another word, I jumped through the door, and told the six to go in front of me, there was something I wanted to take care of. Pushing them down the hallway, I ran towards the Erasers, who finally noticed me and opened fire.
Amazing isn't it? When you watch an action movie, the guys have the worst aim in the world, as if they have never fired a weapon in their life.
I guess these idiots hadn't either.
With a jump, I managed to get an Eraser square in the chest, knocking him down and backward. I picked up his AK and jumped back, leveling the weapon at another Eraser.
I forgot though, I've never fired a weapon before either.
Shaking my head, I spun around and dove down the hallway, opening my wings and soaring. When I reached the corner I dropped, rolled, and came up facing the Erasers.
"See ya," I called down, and pulled the trigger. I had never fired a weapon, but I was ready to take some vengeance out on these guys. One went down.
A series of click's told me that I had run out of ammo, so I dropped the weapon and ran down the other hall as fast as I could where the others were waiting for me.
"Quick, through the door," I said, pointing to the one I was about to go through before the alarm went off. They burst through and I got them along the wall walking down the line. While yes, a tram did go through here, they wouldn't be operating it because of the emergency. Besides, the tram comes through once every six hours.
"This tunnel has a small service passage that leads to the sewer, and the exit." I said, forced to jog down because of the low ceiling. Neither could they so they were right behind me on the ground.
After about a half an hour, I reached the service passage. Basically an air vent that was really tall. Quickly entering, I looked back to find them standing there looking very nervous.
"Come on!" I urged, almost anxious to get out of here.
"Angel?" The one who opened my pen asked.
I was about to say something when the smallest girl spoke up.
"He's telling the truth Max, he doesn't want to hurt us."
The one called Max –The girl who opened my cage- nodded, and followed me into the passage. Shuffling along as fast as I could, one could tell I was eager to be free. Once I got to the end, I pried some of the moss away, to find the sewer empty of human or Eraser presence.
"Clear," I whispered, pushing through.
Everyone followed, and found we were right next to the entrance to the Institute.
Then the door opened.
Out stepped three Erasers, and a tech.
"Jeb," Max spat.
"Max," he said with a warm smile, and then he noticed me. "Kael, I see you've made it out again."
I couldn't help but grin, "Yeah, your security sucks. Maybe it's time to lose the mutts."
At this the erasers growled, I could only grin wider, hiding the slight fear I felt. I knew I couldn't take on three Erasers at once.
"Enough," one said, taking a step forward. Jeb held out an arm.
"No Ari, not yet."
Ari growled and shook his head, then pushed Jeb's arm out of the way and dove at Max, who crouched and rammed an elbow in his gut. Ari coughed and planted his fist onto Max's head, dazing her. She leaned back, feigning being unbalanced. Ari stepped forward and she punched him in the throat. Ari gagged, and Max dove on top of him, slamming into the wall.
Something snapped, a sickening sort of crack, which we all heard. Ari hit the ground with a thud, and didn't move afterwards. The only noise we heard was him whisper,
"You hurt me, I never would have hurt you. Not like this."
Then his eyes rolled into the back of his head and his body went limp.
I took a step back, surprised. Max sat there on his chest, staring at him. Before Jeb or the other Erasers could do anything, she jumped up and yelled, "RUN!"
Without a second thought, everyone jumped up and took off down the sewer tunnels.
As I banked around the corner, I heard Jeb's voice echoing down the hallway.
"You killed your own brother!"
I flew with them, surprisingly feeling happy.
I was finally free forever! I wanted to scream. I'm normally a quiet person, but I felt so excited and giddy.
However, I could feel everyone else's tension, I could feel their fear.
Then a thought hit me.
Would they even take me with them?
My giddiness melted away as the realization set in. I might be alone again. On my own.
Shit.
Soon they slowed down, and I saw a grate that was open partially, a rock stuck between it and the ground.
They stopped and landed on the ledge, all staring at me as I settled down next to them.
"Thank you," Max said, "Kael was it?"
"That's my real name. Some of the tech's called me Lucifer, but it's up to you."
Max nodded, and then introduced me to everyone.
The only one who didn't seem overly pleased with me was Fang. Everyone else seemed to at least find me tolerable.
"Kael," Max said, after we had climbed out and were sitting in the alley.
"Yes?" I said, looking up.
"Would you like to come with us?"
Max's POV
Okay, so I admit that that wasn't the best way to put it, but I'm not known for being subtle.
I felt Fang start slightly when I asked the question, he probably had wanted a say in this and was surprised when I didn't consult the flock. I glanced up at him apologetically.
Kael, or Lucifer (I prefer Kael personally) stood there, shocked. His dark hair hung in front of his eyes, hiding them from me. His mouth hung open slightly, showing the tips of his long canines.
After a minute or two of silence, he nodded.
I could feel Fang tense slightly, and then relax. I glanced at him, but he still had that expressionless look he always wears.
I don't know why I asked Kael to come with us, I guess it just seemed right. Maybe the Voice had something to do with it, maybe not. I could tell Fang had a few things to say, and I'm sure I'd hear them later.
Kael's POV
I was honestly and pleasantly surprised.
I managed to get a nod out, and saw a small smile form at the corners of Max's mouth. The others just looked confused.
Since I had nothing to hide my wings, we took off from the alley and landed on the roof.
"We need to get you better clothes man," Gasman remarked, "Shorts and a tank top? With no shoes?"
I shrugged, "There was never a need really, I was always inside, when I wasn't I was flying."
They nodded and Max turned to Iggy and Fang. "Fang, take Kael and Iggy to that half constructed roof we stayed at, we're gonna go shopping.
I glanced over at Fang, who nodded to her and got up.
"C'mon," he said, then took off.
I jumped up with Iggy and followed, flapping hard to catch up with him.
Once I neared him, I glanced at him and he glanced back. I gave him a small nod, and he jerked his head in a likewise fashion.
We landed on the roof and I sat near the edge, watching New York during rush hour. I didn't get out into society very much, considering I've been in a cage, so it fascinated me. A few hours later, Max, Gasman, Nudge, and Angel arrived, laden with a couple bags.
"Fang! Look what Max got me!" Angel pulled out a small white bone, I looked over at it with a worried and curious look in my eyes, until a dog jumped out of the bag and snatched it away from Angel.
Max reached in another bag and tossed me a used pair of tennis shoes, a windbreaker like the ones they had, and jeans and a t-shirt. I pulled the jeans on and the shoes, but left the t-shirt with the windbreaker for tomorrow. It was warm out anyways.
"Thanks Max," I said, nobody had ever actually gotten me something, ever. "Thanks a lot, I mean it."
She smiled and nodded at me and then I finally got a good look at the dog. The very same dog that was barking and talking during the commotion this morning.
"Guys, this is Total," Angel said, hugging the dog, "Can he stay Max?"
Max turned to Fang, "Fang?"
Angel turned to Fang with pleading eyes. I almost smiled, but I didn't.
"Alright, if one thing happens though, we lose the dog okay?"
Angel nodded and smiled.
After that, we all just relaxed and talked a bit, I got questioned endlessly by Nudge, about who I was, what I was, etc.
Oh, I suppose I never really let you know how I looked did I?
I stand at around 6'5", my hair rarely gets cut so it hangs down into my eyes, though usually if I can I tie it back into a ponytail. My eyes are a dark colored hazel and obviously… well I've got fangs. My wings are just like every other man's bat-wings, with a span of like… 15 feet.
Anyways, so after that the sun started going down, so we curled up to go to sleep.
Max's POV
I was curled up, ignoring all the emotions and saving them for tomorrow when Fang shook me gently.
I sat up immediately, my eyes doing a quick scan of the area for danger.
"Can we talk?" Fang asked.
I nodded, I'd known it was coming and had been dreading it but I knew it was coming.
"You wanted to know why I didn't take this up with you guys."
Fang nodded.
"It seemed right. Like something was telling me that I should."
"The Voice?"
I shook my head, "Not entirely, he/she/it may have influenced me, but didn't downright tell me to."
Fang nodded, but I could tell he wasn't happy.
"You don't like him," I stated bluntly.
He shrugged, "I don't know him, I don't trust him, and I don't understand why he chose to help us."
"Maybe…" I tried to search for the words that would make sense, "I can't give you a reason. But even Angel said he didn't want to hurt us, he's like us Fang."
Fang shook his head, "He's not, he didn't grow up with us and he didn't escape the School like us. He doesn't know us Max."
I bit my lip. "Just give it time okay Fang? For me."
Fang sighed, then looked at me and nodded.
I smiled at him, then lay down and fell asleep.
---
Kael's POV
I woke up at first light, when living in a place where the first bit of light wakes you up, the sun works pretty well.
I sat up, wondering where I was until everything that had transpired yesterday hit me. I looked around to see that everyone else was still asleep. I stretched and cracked my neck, hearing a satisfying pop. Standing up, I glanced over the edge and watched the early morning New Yorkers heading to work.
"Thermals won't be out yet," I said quietly to myself. A thermal is a warm pocket of air that rises off the ground after being heated by the sun. The best places are above large super mall parking lots since the Asphalt just radiates the heat. Thermals are amazing because as the warm air rises, you don't have to flap, or even move. It just carries you up like a feather in a breeze.
How do I know this?
I told you I've escaped a few times.
"What'd you say?" A quiet voice from next to me said. I jumped slightly, not having heard anyone get up and I turned to see Max standing next to me.
"Oh… I just said the thermals wont be out yet." When she gave me a quizzical look I launched into my explanation and she nodded.
"Next time we're out in the summer I'll try that."
I smiled and nodded, and turned back to the city below.
"Want to go for a flight?"
My eyes widened slightly, and I nodded.
With a grin, Max jumped off the edge and snapped her tan wings apart, flapping a little to gain altitude, I followed suit, though not as graceful. I blushed furiously underneath my hair as I awkwardly gained altitude and rose upwards to meet Max, who had a faint smile at my clumsiness.
Damn you Institute bastards who never let me fly very often.
Max glided over the still quiet city, and I couldn't help but watch her with appreciation as she smoothly cut through the air.
"Not allowed to fly very often?" She asked, a playful grin on her face.
"Not really," I said quietly, inwardly embarrassed.
You see, one of the problems with having leather instead of feathers is that you can't use them to slightly alter your course. Unfortunately Max could fly circles around me.
At that point I seriously just wanted to rip my wings out, because that would have completely taken my embarrassment at being a brick with wings away.
So eventually Max stopped showing off, even though I enjoyed watching her fly in graceful arcs while I tried to mimic her. Then we just flew around New York, it had been a few hours since we left, and we were sure that everyone else, the 'Flock' as Max called them, was up.
Then she popped the question.
"Kael, why did you decide to help us?"
I blinked with surprise, I didn't expect this.
"I dunno Max, I think at first I was just helping myself, you guys seemed like the best way I could have gotten myself out of there. Then I guess it got to the point where I was helping you guys get out of there as well."
She stared at me for a long second, then nodded, giving me a look that told me she believed me.
"We should head back, if the Flock wasn't worried before, they're probably getting there."
I nodded, and we wheeled around, heading back to the center of New York.
We had a race, and I grinned as I pulled far ahead of her.
She might be able to glide gracefully, but I had more power behind my strokes, giving me more speed.
Of course, returning back to the rooftop with Max far behind didn't give a happy reception.
As soon as I landed Fang walked up and asked me, "Where's Max?"
I panted slightly and pointed behind me. I saw the concern in his face and everyone else's melt away.
Had they really thought I had killed Max?
Of course they had, I was the newcomer, I was the outsider who looked positively evil, bat wings, fangs, long black hair that hung in my face.
Great, going to have to fix that.
Max landed and smiled at everyone, "Mornin!"
Fang gave her an emotionless stare, everyone else glanced between her and I.
"Come over here," Fang said quietly, motioning to his left. As they walked over, I could see Max's happy expression turn into one of concern. After their little conversation, Max walked over and smiled at everyone else.
"So, who wants to see what going through the Institute may have brought us? Other than a pet dog and a new companion." She glanced at me, a concerned, but somewhat happy look on her face.
She reached over to where she had been sleeping and pulled out a large envelope.
"Guys, this might be what we've always been looking for, what we've always wanted." Max said quietly.
"What are you waiting on?" asked Iggy. "The envelope, please. Open it already. Then somebody tell me what it says."
Everybody gathered around, anxiety etched on their faces. I kind of sat apart, not entirely knowing what was going on.
Until the Gasman exclaimed, "Here I am!"
Max peered over his shoulder, softly tugging the papers out of his hands.
"An address!" She exclaimed, which Fang repeated a minute later after skimming his own paper.
I blinked, I had given up on finding my parents a long time ago, probably after my second escape attempt.
Of course I had thought about them, wondered, but now parents just seemed like a fantasy that would never come true.
"Wait, look at the addresses," Nudge said, "Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland. That's all kind of close together isn't it? Plus, DC is where the government is, right?"
Max nodded.
"Wow, we could… we could actually tell them everything! Blow all of this wide open!" Iggy exclaimed, his face brightening with excitement.
I almost smiled, of course I couldn't imagine how he was feeling, seeing as I had never had the opportunity, and a long time ago I felt the want.
Of course it was then that Max had to ask the question.
"What about your parents Kael?"
I blinked, then shrugged. "I don't know, I don't think about them much anymore. I stopped wondering about them a long time ago, I used to wonder about them, but I've lived my entire life in the Institute, minus the times I've escaped, and I've never found them. I guess I've given up really."
They all kind of gave me a weird look. I guess Nudge and Angel gave me sad looks, Fang and the Gasman kind of just nodded as if they knew what I was saying, Iggy couldn't see so he couldn't exactly 'look' at me. Max just gave a slight nod.
"So who votes for going to Washington DC?" Max asked. A multitude of hands shot in the air, including mine.
Max smiled and nodded. "Alright, we'll get going tomorrow, today lets go out and get supplies."
Nudge cheered, and I smiled a little.
Just another day in society.
After we had dug out some bagels for all of us to chow down on.
Some bagels meaning three bags by the way.
We left, we soared up above the rooftops until we came to central park, quickly finding a safe place to land and pull our windbreakers back on.
We went walking, trying to be as normal as possible down to a nearby deli.
I swear, I must have looked weird, a windbreaker, but shorts.
Not that I didn't look weird anyway, especially when I smiled to the clerk after I ordered my 10 or so odd sandwiches and smiled, making the mistake of showing her my fangs.
I swear to god half the time I must look like the devil himself.
After we ate, and then ordered more stuff to take with us along the way, we were walking down again, hoping to run into one out of the millions that are in New York.
Then some guy with a mowhawk jumped out at us, screaming, "You guys are perfect!"
---
Hooray! First chapter is done!
God was it long!
Oh, btw, the whole thing up in italics where it said (I prefer Kael personally) that was Max's thinking, not a note from me.