A/N:

I'm really sorry for not updating this for about two years. But in those two years, I finished writing a large chunk of this story. Yes, I know, I may actually finish a fanfiction for once in my life :o

So here's the deal: Today I'm going to re-upload the first four chapters of this story, since those were virtually unchanged during my rewrite. I made some small changes here and there, but the overall meat's the same. Then I'm going to update once or twice a week, starting with chapter five. Some of you can hold me accountable if you wish, but I'll be fairly consistent at updating since I actually have chapters written.

I'm very excited to finally share this with you all, and I hope you are excited too. Although I doubt anyone who was originally a fan of this story is gonna read this now, let's get some new blood in here and enjoy this story!

I jolted upright in bed, gasping, my hand over my heart -no, actually, over my abdomen. I couldn't feel anything. No tiny mass of flesh that would grow up to be a human person.

I wasn't pregnant.

Uh, what?

I looked around to find that I was in a cozy bed -alone, for once. Okay... this looked familiar. I also found that I was wearing an old, distinctly familiar nightgown. Since when did I wear nightgowns? Especially if I wasn't pregnant? And why did this room look so familiar? I looked over at the nightstand to my right and stifled a scream when I saw a very familiar Mickey Mouse alarm clock.

This was the letter E house.

Despite the chilliness, I forced myself out of the cozy bed and nearly tripped over a basket of laundry at my feet. I scoffed in disbelief as I picked up a pair of clean sweats. I distinctly remembered yelling at Nudge to carry her own weight and do chores around the place, but that had been over two years ago.

Or had it?

Closing my eyes, I tried to recall exactly what had happened before I "woke up." I had been in the underground bunker-room-thing with Dylan. My world had crashed around my ears when I heard of Fang's death. I had wished to start over because I couldn't live without my soul mate.

And it looked like the world had granted me my wish.

I put on the sweats that were technically two years old -but still clean -and opened the door to my room, wincing as it creaked slightly. I didn't want to wake up any of the Flock. I didn't think I could face them just yet. I wasn't ready.

The kitchen was my only option. As I descended the stairs, I looked out the hall windows, at the mountains casting shadows as the beautiful sunrise spread its colors across the sky or some other poetic crap like that. It was almost peaceful -wait a second.

I froze in my tracks as I realized that in the original timeline, we had been attacked by Erasers while eating breakfast. Who was I to say that it wouldn't happen again? And knowing what I did, I couldn't in good conscience put the Flock in that kind of danger. I would have to evacuate them somehow, maybe by convincing them to all go on a field trip to Walmart. And I would have to keep a close eye on Angel, to make sure she didn't get kidnapped again -

Shit, Angel! Besides her probability of being kidnapped by the Erasers and getting sent to the School, which was way too high for my liking, I had completely forgotten that she could read minds. She would be able to read my thoughts and realize what was happening in a heartbeat! She would completely misunderstand, think that I was a clone of the real Max or something, and I'd be out of the Flock before you could say Maya. I clearly remembered Angel's power-crazed actions that had kicked me out of the Flock once. Despite her cuteness, I was going to have to protect her and be wary of her at the same time. I bit my nails in worry. It wasn't really a habit of mine, and I hoped it wouldn't become one.

I was going to have to shield my thoughts from Angel somehow. Distraught, I opened a cupboard door before remembering that there was no food because I still couldn't cook. And I wasn't about to wake Iggy up, despite the fact that my stomach was rumbling like heck -but then again, I hadn't really eaten since... hmm.

"Mornin' Max," a voice came behind me, and I jumped. I turned around and grinned slightly when I saw a sleep-ridden, two-years-younger Gazzy rubbing his eyes. As he sank into a seat at the dining table, I remembered to stay upwind. He didn't look a day over... eight, right? Right.

"Morning, Gazzy," I said as I ruffled his hair.

"What's for breakfast?" he asked me, and my heart swelled despite the fact that I knew we were all going to die if we stayed in this house for too long.

"I have no idea," I said, since I couldn't be bothered to think about that. "But do you want to pour juice?"

He nodded, yawning. Satisfied that I had occupied him for the time being, I looked up to see Iggy slinking into the kitchen and throwing himself face-first onto the old couch. He never missed, did he? I walked over to him.

"Hey, Ig," I said loudly, shaking his foot. "Get the heck up."

"Bite me," he mumbled, shoving a couch pillow over his head to block me out. I groaned.

"Why do you guys even bother getting out of bed if you're so tired you fall asleep immediately? That defeats the purpose of getting up!" Tired of being a loving, caring mother already, I snatched the orange juice carton away from Gazzy, who was so tired he was completely missing the glasses and instead pouring juice all over the kitchen countertops and floor.

"Birds' instincts," said a deep voice behind me, and I turned around to see... Oh, dear god, I was not ready for this. Fang was leaning against the non-juice-splattered counter, grinning easily at me. Oh, his face, it was completely unblemished, with no permanent scars or lacerations. For a moment I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around him, to caress his face, to feel his lips on mine -but then I remembered that in this timeline, we weren't about to father a child together yet, we weren't soulmates yet, and if I so much as tried to hold his hand out of line, I had no doubt that he'd judo throw me. So I bit back any urges. And I bit my nails. "The early bird catches the worm, you heard of that?"

"I don't want worms. I want eggs. Or something," Gazzy yawned, and I handed him a glass of cold water.

"This'll wake you up," I said distractedly, trying not to look at Fang because I knew I'd turn red if I did, and then that would turn into a whole thing, and that really wasn't the issue at hand right now.

Iggy gave a loud grunt and staggered upright. "I'll make eggs," he announced, and Gazzy clapped his hands, blonde hair sopping with ice-cold water.

"Okay. Okay," I paced around the counter, ignoring Fang's stare. "Fang, you go get Nudge and Angel. I'll stay here and make sure they don't blow anything up."

Fang frowned. "You okay?"

"I'm fine!" I snapped. "Just get out of here!"

He shrugged and left to go wake up the girls, and I exhaled, putting my hands on the counter. Okay, Angel would be here any minute, and I had to somehow block my thoughts from that little she-devil or else crap would go down. Think, Max, think...I bit my nails as I drew a blank.

Too late. I paled as I I heard footsteps realized Fang was coming downstairs with the girls already. Crap, crap, crap.

I hastily grabbed a bunch of cutlery and started setting the table as Nudge flounced into the room, looking distinctly disheveled and annoyed. "Fang woke me up in the worst way possible. Who grabs someone's shoulder and shakes them?" She looked down at her place setting and frowned. "Why do I have a pair of scissors instead of a fork?"

"Sorry," I muttered, taking the scissors back. Actually, they could be useful. I stowed them in my back pocket.

Fang appeared a few moments later, inhaling the smell of scrambled eggs. "Yes... Iggy, I could kiss you."

"I really wish you wouldn't," Iggy said, now doling food onto everyone's plate. "We're both straight, right? Or at least, I'm assuming we're both straight, given that neither one of us has any experience with girls."

I turned pink as Fang snorted. "Not really something I'm worried about, Ig,"

"Where's Angel?" I blurted, wanting to change the uncomfortable conversation.

"I'm right here, Max," a sweet little voice came from next to me, and I sighed in relief when I saw my little baby. I pulled out the chair next to me. "Here you go. Have food," I said, and I shoved a mountain of eggs onto Angel's plate.

"Thanks, Max," Angel said sweetly, and I waited with bated breath for something, anything to happen.

But nothing did. Angel and everyone else continued eating merrily, and Gazzy ate too merrily -he let rip another one of his... unfortunate occurrences. Fortunately, I had anticipated this and had managed to get out of the blast radius before the explosion.

"Gas... mask!" Iggy gasped, pretending to choke.

"I'm done, thanks," Fang said, getting up and putting his plate in the sink. I frowned at them.

"You guys have eaten meals with Gazzy for what -four years now? Shouldn't you be used to his farts by now? And even if you weren't, that's no excuse to throw away half a plate of scrambled eggs, Fang," I gave him my best chastising glance, determinedly not turning pink or red or any other undesirable color.

"Sorry," Gazzy said automatically and kept eating.

Now was the time. I clapped my hands together. "Angel," I said, and she looked at me. "You probably want to go pick strawberries, right?"

She looked mildly surprised. "Yeah. They're ripe now. How did you-"

"Well, forget it. We're not doing that. We're going to, erm, Walmart instead."

She looked at me curiously. "Why?"

"Yeah, especially after Gazzy's thing, I think we could all use some fresh air," Nudge remarked.

It was getting harder to keep my composure. I lifted my hand up to bite my nails before realizing that I had already gnawed them to stubs. Not good. I was going to have to find a stress ball or something. "Well, we need supplies." I barked. "Don't argue with me -just pack a change of clothes and anything else you might need. Gaz, Ig, that means bombs."

"Why would we need a change of clothes and bombs to go to Walmart?" Gazzy asked timidly, and I rounded on him.

"Don't argue with me! We don't have a lot of time; the Erase -I mean, Walmart's going to close before we get there!"

One by one, I shooed them out of the kitchen and to their respective rooms while I thought about what might be handy to have. Knives, definitely. I grabbed a bag and started shoving all the kitchen knives, even the ones with dried-up egg on them, into the rucksack. What next? Food. We'd pick up some food at Walmart.

Okay, do you actually intend on going to Walmart?

I froze again. Going to Walmart would mean not getting ambushed by the Erasers, which would mean that Angel would not get kidnapped, which would mean that Fang, Nudge, and I would not go on a mission to save her, which basically would mean that all the events that had happened in the past... just wouldn't happen. I mean, think about it logically. We might be able to avoid the Erasers this time, but that would mean entering into a whole new timeline wherein I would have no idea what would happen. What if they found us at Walmart? What if they captured all of us since we didn't have the home field advantage then? What if one of the Flock died because of my rash decision to avoid short-term conflicts, not even considering the long-term effects?

"I asked you this before, and I'll ask it until I get an answer," Fang's voice at me ear made me jump. I guess I still wasn't used to him sneaking up on me... I guess I never got used to that, actually. I turned to find his face mere inches from mine, and I gulped slightly. "Are you okay?"

"You talk a lot," was all I said. "Everyone always branded you as the guy who never talks, but so far today, you've talked more than Nudge." I wiped my nose with the back of my sleeve. "So I guess the real question is, are you okay?"

Fang frowned, which wasn't good -I didn't want him getting crows' feet so early in life. "What are you not telling me?" he asked quietly.

I stared at him for a moment. This was Fang. He was my brother, my right-hand man, my best friend. I was supposed to be able to tell him everything. But I couldn't. Because he'd never believe me. My heart ached as I thought about it. "Just grab as many weapons as you can. Stay close to Angel. Don't think -just act."

The rest of the Flock had gathered around, and I clapped my hands. "Guys. Don't be alarmed, but in a few moments, we're going to be ambushed by Erasers. But no one has to freak out, get kidnapped, or even get hurt if you follow my plan. Nudge, guard yourself. Don't let them grab you. You're small -use that to your advantage. Climb a tree or something. Stay out of harm's way. Gazzy, same goes for you. You got the bombs?"

Gazzy nodded mutely, looking smaller and more confused than ever as he held up a black duffel bag.

"Okay. Good. Iggy, no offense, but even though you're a great fighter, you're blind, and you're going to sit this one out."

"But -"

"Don't protest!" I hissed. "Take Angel and start flying away from here. I don't care where you go or how far. We'll find each other afterwards. Angel, you have to leave because you're the youngest. Just make sure you don't get spotted or else you will die." I paused, shuddering at how merciless the Erasers had been. "What are you still doing here?! Go!"

Angel threw her arms around me and I hugged her for a brief second before sending her out the back window with Iggy. I then turned to the remaining Flock members, who were staring at me with varied degrees of shock, surprise, and disbelief.

"Gazzy, you and Nudge are going to have to have impeccable aim. Aim for them, not us." I gestured to myself and Fang. "Get out there, pick a good tree, and get ready. Don't let yourselves be seen. Again, they willkill you."

Pale and frightened, Gazzy led Nudge out of the door, still clutching the bag of bombs. I felt bad for scaring them -they were, after all, children -but it was the only way they would survive. Beside me, Fang cleared his throat.

"What are we doing?"

"We're going to be on the ground fighting these things," I said slowly. "We're the best fighters. But we're going to be outnumbered."

"So... how do you propose we go about fighting them?" Fang asked, and I was strongly reminded of why he was such a great right-hand man. He was calm, even in the face of imminent danger, even when I was suggesting crazy things. He trusts me.

But now was not the time to get emotional. I opened a drawer in the kitchen and pulled out two Glocks. Fang's eyes widened fractionally -a sign that he was completely thrown off. "Where'd you -"

"Haven't you ever wondered how Jeb got us out of the School?" I asked him. "He had no special mutant powers. All he had was a gun. My instincts tell me that the Erasers won't have any guns with them, so it doesn't make sense to fight them hand-to-hand when we can just..."

"Are you planning on killing them?" Fang asked, his voice hushed, and I realized that even though he was still my right-hand man, he was so much more innocent than I was. Or, at least, as innocent as you could get when you were a mutant bird kid living a vigilante life. He hadn't experienced... anything, really, and his character-defining moments were yet to come. So I took it in stride.

I tucked the Glock into my belt and held the other one out to Fang. "I'm doing whatever it takes to protect my family," I told him firmly. "You with me?"

"I'm always with you." Fang said after a pause, taking the gun from me. I smiled.

"Only use it as a last resort."

Charged with determination, I ran out into the strawberry fields, blinking in the bright sunlight, as the first wave of helicopters approached from the distance. I pointed them out to Fang, and he nodded, his face set.

No one would get kidnapped, and no one would get hurt. Not if I could help it.

I had been given a second chance by some higher power. Some almighty being had heeded my request to turn back time, back in that underground death chamber. I wasn't going to waste it. This time, I would save everyone. I would get it going with Fang way sooner. I would hook Ella and Iggy up, since their mutual attraction was obvious. I would learn how to bake chocolate chip cookies. I would see to it that Fang never left. I would make less enemies and more friends by maybe not being so hostile.

This time, I would actually save the world.

(This works on YouTube so I'm going to try it here: Comment your favorite Maximum Ride character if you read this entire chapter.)