Hey people! I was on a roll yesterday so I thought I'd update again. Thanks to all who reviewed. Especially Jenny de bookworm thanks Jam!
Disclaimer: (I realized I forgot this last chapter) I do not own Maximum Ride.
Anyway on with the story!
Max P.O.V.
I walked to the burial plot where the funeral was being held. My "body" had never been found so they were just burying an empty casket. When I arrived no one paid me a second thought, they were all too busy mourning me. I immediately saw the Flock-being the freakishly tall mutants they are. They were dressed in mourning black. Even Nudge, who always swore she would never be caught dead in black. I spoke into my comm. unit.
"I'm in. Over." My ear piece crackled to life.
"Ok everyone, positions!" Alexx whisper-yelled into his mic. I quickly took a seat as the funeral began. The first up to speak was Nudge. She got up from where the Flock was sitting and walked up to the podium. I looked out over the audience. I saw my mom and Ella. Max II surprisingly. I never thought she would show up. Nudge's voice broke through my thoughts.
"I... umm-uh." She cleared her throat. "Max was like an older sister to me. She helped me and guided me. But the last time I saw her I pushed away that guidance and love for selfish reasons. Where ever you are Max, I love you and miss you so much. I wish I could take back everything I said that night and that none of this happened but I can't. If we hadn't said those things to you, you would still be here. I'm so so so sorry Max." She choked back tears and walked back to her seat.
Had she really meant that? Did they actually miss me? I shut down that thought immediately. That life was dead and gone, dead and gone. I was jerked out of my revere. Next to speak was Iggy.
"Max... How do I describe her? She was tough, smart, uh leader-ly. She was one of my best friends and my big sister. And she never let me forget it. Sometimes she was like a mom to us. I still don't know how she did it all those years. She never let me and Gazzy get away with anything." He gave a sad smile. "The last thing I said to her was 'You don't understand us. You don't even care about us anymore.' Now four years later, I see how wrong I was. She died protecting us and I will never get to tell her how sorry I am and how much I miss her." He finished softly, his voice breaking on the last word. He stepped down and a dark haired girl helped him to his seat. Gazzy stood up and made his way over. He leaned down to the mic and spoke.
"I never thought this day would come. To me, Max was invincible. She was my mother, sister and protector. I loved her so much. The day she left I didn't understand what was happening, I thought Max would come back and start telling us to pack up and move out. When I heard she died I was shocked. I refused to believe it. So we searched for her but we had no luck. I miss you so much Max and I still can't believe you're gone." He sniffed and stepped away from the podium.
He motioned to Angel. She got up and walked over, quickly pausing to hug her brother. She stood in front of the microphone and surveyed the crowd. Thankfully I had my mind blocks up. I looked at her, she's 10 now. She was wearing a black dress with a black headband to hold back her golden curls.
"Max was an amazing leader and an even better mother. She was strong and smart and kind. She was my role model, and now thinking back on it, I regret trying to take over the Flock. When she left she was in pain. It was consuming her. In her heart, in her mind. I didn't pay attention to it because I was convinced she was working against us. But now I realize she loved us and she was truly hurt by what we did. Now I can't tell her how wrong I was and how much I love her." Angel began to cry softly and I quickly clamped down on my thought, determined not to reveal my presence.
Fang was the last of the Flock to speak. He walked up to the podium, as emotionless as ever. But in that one second afterwards I saw in his eyes pain, longing and an infinite amount of sadness. He leaned forward and spoke.
"Where do I begin? Max was smart, strong, beautiful, caring; I could go on forever. She was an amazing leader and when we abandoned her we didn't stop to think about how it hurt her. We were only thinking about ourselves. But once she was gone we fell apart. I certainly couldn't lead the Flock like she could. And I never told her how much she meant to me. I loved her and all I did was push her away." He finished and became an emotionless rock once more.
Jeb got up to speak and Fang glared at him. There was so much rage in that look it shocked me.
You all know why we're here, right? We are here to honor an incredible warrior, sister and beloved daughter. Well, I'm here for the same reasons but only I have something that could save us all." He looked at me and nodded. I stood up swiftly and ran to the stage. "Maximum Ride." He stated softly. I avoided the gasps and cries of shock from the audience. Alexx and my team surrounded the burial plot. I met Alexx's eyes and he smiled at me. "Alexx, please escort everyone out, except for the Flock." Jeb commanded.
"Yes sir!" Alexx rushed to carry out his order. He escorted out the few people that had come besides the Flock. Jeb the addressed the Flock.
"By now you must have realized why you are actually here." The Flock was still staring at me in disbelief, save for Fang who was just staring in mild astonishment.
"Max-but... you-you're dead!" Nudge babbled. For once, at a loss for words.
"Well as you can see she is very much alive. When you-ahem- left the flock I recruited her into an elite group working against Itex. Max is in the very top group of soldiers. They infiltrate Itex and do serious damage to their strongest points. They are called The Betrayal." Jeb explained. The Flock looked a little sheepish at the name.
"We're here to ask if you would like to join the resistance." I spoke for the first time. Alexx then walked up behind me and put his arm around my waist. Yeah that's right we're together. He helped me heal after the Flock and Fang... Anyway, I leaned into him, savoring the moment of relaxation. Fang's face lost its impassive look and turned to a look of jealousy. I smirked.
"Well? Will you join?" Jeb asked. The Flock looked at Fang. He nodded stiffly.
"Anything to stop Itex." He said softly. They looked back at me. I reluctantly stood up. I stepped towards my team and motioned to them.
"Well are you coming?" I turned to ask them. They rushed to follow me. What have I gotten myself into?
So love it, hate it? Either way review! By the way, I added that little bit after Iggy's speech for you Sej! Hope ya liked it! See y'all soon!
~Silentflier
