This takes place after FANG. If you've been following the Incredible adventures of Maximum Ride, as told by me, then you might have already reviewed to some of these chapters. But guess what? You can still review to any changes I've made anonymously. (Use your fanfiction username if you have it, please!)

The theme song for this chapter is "Headstrong" by Trapt.

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Incredible

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Rated T for language and violence.

She could no longer hear the voices. He ceased to repeat them. Her abundant voice lost all meaning. He didn't know what to listen for anymore. She was beaten of her will, her Voice having left her for dead. His voice was lost forever to the violent wind.

But the ones who created them made a crucial mistake when taking apart their miraculous creation. Now their experiments are getting minds of their own, and they're pushing at the time-weakened, crumbling walls. How much longer will they stay standing?

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Chapter Zero: New-and-Improved Erasers

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Saturday, October 18th, 2008

Her lungs were burning, the sharp stabs of pain shooting up her arms, legs, hitting home in her heart. She couldn't stand much more of this.

Suddenly, the pain was gone. They were done trying to fry her brain like an egg. But no one came in to remove the electrodes from her skin.

Max!

Angel's scared voice immediately plunged into the elder girl's mind.

I'm okay, sweetie.

You're such a bad liar, you know. I felt that.

Whatever they do to me, stay strong, okay?

Max… Max! Her warning tone changed to terrified with the flip of a switch.

Angel!

They're going to wipe our minds.

What?

Someone won't let them terminate us. So they're wiping our minds. We're… we're getting split up.

NO!

Max struggled against the restraints holding her to the table. They couldn't take her flock! They wouldn't take her flock! She was going to tear them all apart before that happened!

Angel, where is everyone?

Gazzy is on the fifth floor, Iggy the third. I'm on the second. You're on the fourth. Nudge is… Max, I can't hear Nudge! She just dropped out! Max, what did they do?

The girl's struggling increased. Not my flock! Then a horrible thought struck her motionless. Ange, where are they sending us?

I… one sec. Her presence dropped out for an endless, agonizing moment. When it came back, it was with a frantic intensity. Iggy is going to Texas. They think near Dallas. They're sending Nudge to Chicago. You… I can't hear anyone close to you. They don't know yet. They're not sure where Gazzy and I are going. They think we'll be moving a lot. But all around New England. Max—

The door to her room opened, drawing the flock leader back to her surroundings. Max was facing away from the door, so she had no idea which despicable whitecoat was there until he spoke. And even then he stayed out of her field of vision.

"Calm down, Maximum."

"JEB!" she shrieked, fury fueling the murderous inferno inside her. "Get out of here! What are they doing to my flock?"

"We're giving you another chance at a normal life." He was patient, his face no doubt impassive.

That only enraged her more.

"What about Fang?" she spat. His name hurt her heart so much she was surprised no blood had been drawn. It had only been a few months… that bastard had left only three months ago. His glaring absence was the reason they were unprepared for the sudden M-Geek ambush. His leaving was why they were captured, bound, and gagged and taken back to their place of birth, the hell-hole that was the School. He was why the goddamn whitecoats were splitting them up! "And Dylan?"

"It's not my area."

"What do you mean it's not your friggin' area? Where are they, GODDAMNIT!" Max bellowed, blind rage coursing through her, adrenaline feeding her like gas on flames. A sudden, terrible realization made her blood run cold. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY MOTHER YOU BASTARD!"

Max!

WHAT? Even her thoughts were wild and frenzied. Angel, what's happening!

Max, Iggy is screaming! He— Gazzy is gone!

"JEB!"

"This is for your own good, Maximum."

"What about saving the world, huh?" she yelled, her voice cracking as tears ripped down her face. "What about Ari? Remember him? Your son?"

She had hit a nerve. "Max, that is uncalled for—"

"SO IS RIPPING US APART!"

Max, they're here for me. Max!

Suddenly, all of her fury was gone. They wouldn't get her that easy.

Don't worry, Angel, she thought fiercely. She was not going to be weak now. We will survive this. I will find all of you, I promise, and when I do—

MAX! Angel's shrieks of agony blasted her eardrums.

"ANGEL!"

With a barbaric roar, she pulled against her restraints… and the metal gave. They were still holding her back, but she only pulled harder, harder, harder!

Then the room was filled with whitecoats. A needle was thrust into her arm. Her frantic movements slowed… she couldn't move her arms…

Oh, God, when I do…

"Good-bye, Maximum Ride," Jeb said gently, almost sadly, from somewhere near her ear.

…when I do, those monsters will have HELL to pay.

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I really cannot apologize enough. I didn't mean to be gone for so long. I've been editing like crazy for a couple weeks, but my beta has been busy as of late and she's only been able to beta a few of my re-done chapters. But I'll get them all posted, whether or not she's looked at them. (This is including the brand-new chapter, also. I'm really nervous for those three chapters.

But… I am back, baby!

Your faithful author,

Lea