Me: Next chapter!

Iggy: Finally! Some violence!

Me: ...as if I'd write a story about violence! Heh...-looks at other stories- I would never!

Iggy: But you killed Total off and-

Me: SHUSH! Let's just start the chapter! Thanks for the reviews, guys! I didn't expect to get so many...but you're all awesomene and I lovest you all!

Iggy: -eyeroll-

Me: -whacks- On with the chapter :)

Iggy was lying on his bed, listening to the gory audio book that Fang had given him for his birthday almost a lifetime ago. He hadn't really had the chance to listen to it, but was glad that he remembered. It was really, really awesome and it took his mind off everything that was bothering him.

The book was also so vivid that he could practically see the people having their heads ripped apart from the bodies and the blood splattering across the walls. It made him feel excited and disgusted at the same time…

Iggy.

…until Angel entered his thoughts and started lightly tapping his arm.

Iggy sighed as he pulled the ear buds out of his ears and paused the audio book.

"Yeah, Ange?"

"I…uh…"

Angel hadn't been herself lately either. Ever since the incident with Fang she blamed herself and had completely left the 'I want to be the leader' phase. Instead she'd moved into the 'It was all my fault, I'm not going to say anything anymore' phase. Iggy couldn't decide which one he hated more. This isn't the Angel that we knew and loved, Iggy thought. And neither was the one that was constantly fighting for control over the flock…

Angel then, without warning, burst into tears.

Note to self: Never think about Angel while she's in the room.

Iggy reached out his hand and grabbed her wrist, pulling her into his lap. He held her close while she cried into his shirt.

"You do realise you are the second person I've made cry today? All I need now is to talk to Gazzy and Nudge then I'm set for the rest of the week," Iggy said and she laughed through her tears. "Then again, I do have a knack for making people cry. Remember when I punched Fang in the nose and he started crying?" Iggy paused, frowning. "Oh, wait, that was me…"

Angel started laughing more as she dried her tears on her sleeve.

"Okay, what about the time that I tripped Gazzy up and he walked into a wall…whoops, me again." By then, Angel was laughing so hard that she had to clutch her stomach.

"Okay, so maybe I've never been the toughest member of the flock…or the smartest…or the person that could see the furthest…or at all for that matter…"

Angel hugged Iggy tight, her sadness completely lost by his humour.

"…but you've always been tough as nails, Ange. This isn't your fault, don't let it get you down," he finished with a smile, hugging the seven year old tight and running his fingers through her hair.

"Thanks, Iggy," she whispered and sat next to him on the bed, composing yourself. "Now there's something I wanted to tell you."

Iggy's smile dropped off his face as he 'looked' at the young telepath. "What is it, Ange?"

Angel hesitated and Iggy hated the uncertain silence. He averted his eyes and started playing with the red hem of his shirt. Something bad was coming, he knew it, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to hear it.

"I've wanted to tell you this for a while, but with everything that's happened, it's been hard…" she trailed off when she saw his expression. She suddenly wasn't sure if she should spill the secret or not, but she figured that he needed to know. "You know when Max ran that home school?"

Iggy rolled his eyes. "The one that killed almost all of my brain cells in my attempt to learn something? No, I don't recall."

"This is serious, Iggy," Angel said, her voice held disbelief which quickly disappeared when she remembered who she was talking to. Well, she thought, he won't be like this for long.

"Max got a video from Dr. Hans that I found in my backpack and gave to her," Angel took a deep breath. "Max and Fang watched it together and Dr. Hans told them the reasons why they should join his side…"

"How do you know this?" Iggy asked quietly, sensing the tension.

"I watched it on Fang's laptop before giving it to them," she admitted, sounding kind of embarrassed. "I wanted to know what was on it."

"Fair enough," Iggy said. "Continue."

"He said that…he told them that he could implant organs and regenerate limbs…and…and…" she paused. "…give you new eyes…"

Iggy's head shot up and he 'stared' at Angel in shock. Although he knew that she was going to tell him something mind-blowing, he didn't see that coming. He thought that if Max knew of a way to get his sight back she would tell him and they'd talk about the possibilities. He thought she knew that he had a right to make his own decisions about what he did.

But he was obviously wrong.

"Iggy?"

Iggy shook his head and was finally aware of the tears pricking the corner of his eyes. To his horror, they actually rolled down his cheeks. The only time that he had felt this betrayed and angry was when he found out that Jeb was alive.

"Iggy, I'm sorry-"

"Don't be," he cut in angrily, wiping the tears roughly from his eyes with his hands. He stood up and stomped angrily towards the door, turning in the doorway. "Thanks for telling me, Ange," he said stiffly, his fists clenching at his sides. "Can you tell me where Max is?"

It took all of Angel's self control to not start sobbing again. She knew that Iggy deserved to know, but she also knew how much pain and outrage this was about to cause the flock.

"She's in the living room…with Jeb and Dylan."

"When did they get here?" He asked between clenched teeth. Dylan, he didn't mind. Jeb on the other hand…

"Ten minutes ago. Max sent me in here to tell you."

Iggy nodded briefly and quickly walked out of the room, not wanting to explode at the wrong person, and walked into the living room.

-Page break!-

"Hey, Igs," Dylan greeted as the near furious bird kid entered the room.

"Are you okay Iggy?" Max asked slowly as she stood and walked over to him.

"You liar," Iggy said with quiet intensity. He was so angry that he couldn't even shout at her like he wanted to.

"What?" Max asked confused, a little taken aback by the tear tracks down Iggy's face.

"You know exactly what I mean," Iggy snarled, the quiet tone still standing as he sent a glare at Max that would have scared Erasers away.

"No, Iggy, I don't. Calm down and tell me what the heck is wrong with you."

"I still can't see!" Iggy shouted angrily. "That's what's wrong with me! And you don't care!" More tears rolled down his red face and this only seemed to make him angrier.

"Iggy…" Max said, practically speechless as she glanced nervously at Jeb and Dylan who shrugged.

"Dr. What's-his-name had a way to get my eyesight back and you didn't even bother to tell me! That's what I mean!"

Everything finally clicked into place and Max sighed.

"Iggy, I need you to understand-"

"Understand what, Max?" He asked, his voice low again but his tone bitter. "If you can't understand how hard it's been for me for these past eight years, then how am I supposed to understand your motives?"

For that, Max had no answer. The flock had all crowded around the two birdkids and were completely too stunned to say anything.

"I've been blind for too long, Max, and I want to be able to see again…I've just had enough," Iggy finally said, all the anger replaced with sadness and frustration.

"And is that worth your life?" Max asked, her eyes narrowing. "Fang and I looked through his files and saw some truly horrible things that I can't even explain. I had to leave the computer they were so horrible. And you can't forget about how he almost killed Fang, Iggy! I don't want to lose you too…"

Iggy suddenly felt very light headed and dizzy, so he breathed deeply.

"You had no right," he said simply. "I can make decisions on my own. I'm not a little kid."

Max looked up at him, his face contorted into anger…but in his eyes Max could see pain. Keeping this secret from him had hurt Iggy, she knew it. She figured that it would be best for him in the long run, but, as much as she hated this, it was up to him to make the choice.

"You're right," Max finally said, glancing at the flock. "You aren't a little kid…which is why I'm letting you make the decision now. What do you want to do?"

Me: DUN DUN DUN!!!

Iggy: That's easy, I'll-

Me: Shut up. Don't give away my plotline!

Iggy: Technically you don't know what's gonna-

Me: -holds up a chainsaw-

Iggy: Where the hell did you get that!?

Me: -revs chainsaw-

Iggy: -backs away slowly-

Me: R&R? I'd love to know what you think

-Bell and Ig