Disclaimer: Last time I checked, I wasn't James Patterson. Therefore I very probably don't own Maximum Ride and co.

A random oneshot I wrote in Max II's point of view during a training session before she takes over from Max in School's out Forever.

Training

I ran through the maze, alert for an attack, taking turns at random. Not really heading anywhere- there'd be no exit from the maze until the training session was over.

I'd been running for nearly twenty minutes before the first Eraser found me. Part-wolf, part-human, 100 mean, any normal person would be dead within a second of being attacked by one.

But I wasn't normal, so that was fine by me.

It didn't take me long to kick his legs out from under him, swing round and punch him full in the face, hard enough that he didn't get up. Oops- I killed him. Who cares. That's the point of training: win. And I would.

I could hear Erasers behind me and in front. Well done, boys, attack from both sides-no doubt with a running charge from either end of a long stretch of maze. I turned a few corners and, surprise, was confronted by an Eraser at the other end of a hallway. I glanced over my shoulder, and another had just turned the corner after me. Both grinned, morphed, and raced towards me, teeth and claws at the ready. I'd got a savaged by those claws a couple of times, and it hurt. I didn't feel like getting hurt, so I waited until they were about to hit me, and jumped, unfurling my wings. I hovered in the air above them, and watched with some satisfaction as the Erasers crashed into each other, unable to slow down. These hybrids really needed some new battle plans.

Three to me, none to the Erasers. I briefly contemplated flying through the maze for the rest of my training time, but eventually decided not too. I was getting fed up of training. Better to just prove I was the best now, so that I could go and start my mission-or, rather, pick up my mission from where my predecessor would leave of. Not that she knew she was leaving. Yet. I landed, tucked in my wings, and continued running.

A few more brief Eraser battles later, and I noticed that they were in small groups today. I didn't waste time wondering why. If I got distracted now it would only take one Eraser for me to be condemned to training for another week. If I was to replace Max, I had to be the best.

I reached the centre of the maze. It had changed since yesterday. Mirrors lined the walls, so that the circular space seemed full of Maxes.

Then it seemed to be full of Erasers.

So, today's challenge was a full on, outnumbered, last-stand fight-the general fight situation of Max and her pathetic flock. I didn't bother thinking, just relied on instinct. I took savage pleasure in avoiding the clawed hands, and breaking Eraser limbs. This was what I existed for, what I was created for. Or maybe born for. Max and her stupid flock might believe it mattered, but I wasn't that stupid. All that mattered, or ever would matter, was me. I. Max II.

I kicked an Eraser backwards into a mirror, watching one reflected Max shatter. It almost stung to think of myself as the second anything, but, of course, Max I was the prototype-and a prototype is made to find the flaws in a design, all the little weaknesses that stop it completing its purpose, so that the real product is the best.

Like me.

I ended up facing myself in the last mirror unbroken, one lone Eraser reflected over my shoulder. I spun on one foot, kicking him across the room, and smashing the mirror as I stopped. Behind was the door back to the lab.

"Well done, Max." droned a whitecoat through a hidden speaker, "Training completed."

I walked through the door, towards my new mission.

Times up Max, I thought, I'm here now, the new and improved Max II. And there can only be one Max: me.