Angel
Max is bleeding, a lot. Where did it come from; what happened? Why did she fly away so quickly earlier? Is there anything you can do?
These confusing thoughts tumble through your mind as you finally land on the beach, concern etched on every feature.
Speaking of confusing thoughts, Max's aren't making much sense either. Voice-saving the world-Ari-SCHOOL-flock-letting them down-useless- Aaaah. It's giving you a headache, and only making you more terrified. Did she do this to herself? You haven't been in any fights recently, and she seemed fine just a few minutes ago. Crying-failure-one hand- getupgetupgetupget-
Iggy
You can smell the distinct scent of copper, and lots of it. Max's breathing is uneven as she kneels before you and you feel your useless eyes widen in shock. God damn it, what happened?
You voice the question to Gazzy, and only get a terrified "I don't know" before the proverbial bomb is dropped and your already strained peace seems to break.
The quiet sound of sobbing echoes in the humid air, and Fang's anxious footsteps crunch over to her crouching form. Max hasn't ever cried in front of you. What on earth happened?
Gasman
What's going on? Max's arm is covered scarlet liquid, one you've gotten far too used to. You see the bloody seashell on the beach, lying beside her crumpled form.
And the pieces come together.
Suddenly everyone is at her side and Fang has wrapped her in his arms, confusion crackling in the air as she sobs. Has your fearless leader finally broken down? With a start you realize how much, how very much pressure has been put on this crying girl, and wonder how long she's been holding this back.
Nudge
You are the last to arrive, and therefore the most confused when you see everyone gathered around Max. What on earth happened? And then you get closer, and have to stifle a shriek when you see her dripping arm. No, it's not dripping- it's gushing. Did she cut an artery or something?
You are puzzled, so very much. Is this self-harm? Has she had this injury since the last fight, and it's only just came to light?
And suddenly you wish you were in Fang's place, to comfort the motherly woman who has done the same to you for so long. And then you realize that she isn't a woman, that Max is only fourteen and she's been running -flying- for her life for longer than you have.
Fang
Ohgodohgodohgod. Max is bleeding, why is she bleeding? So many thoughts, confusing thoughts that chase themselves through your head. And then you see the pointed shell lying loosely in her hand, tinted crimson with her blood. She did this to herself.
Before you can blink you have gone to her side and wrapped her in your arms, murmuring soft words of anger and how on earth could you do this to yourself and god are you trying to abandon us-
And then she breaks. The damn she's built bursts, and her tears soak your shirt as she exhausts herself. Maximum Ride is as old as you are, yet she's already running a family. You can only wonder how long she's been arguing with the Voice, doubting herself and her leadership.
Too long.
~888~888~888~
Yo. There are too many AUs in this fandom, so I decided to do an "everyone's POV" for my favorite scene. Max just breaks in this chapter, and it made me cry.