Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Maximum Ride characters, Mr. James Patterson does. Although I probably own like half of future Max though...

Chapter Five:

Cat, make that, Bird-Girl Fight Between Current and Future Max

Future Max's POV

There's really no need to bother you with the details, but after describing everything, and I mean everything, that has happened up until now; Current Max and still didn't believe me. I forgot how stubborn I could be; well, that's one thing that doesn't change. I sighed, this means I would have to go to my last resort.

"Let's go guys," the Current Me said. "We've given this nutcase enough of our time." Current Me looked me deep in the eyes and gave me the look I had given time and time again; and wow was that creepy. I was really good at the evil stare. Even though it was creepy to have my past self giving me my (or would it be our?) "evil stare", I held my gaze steady. The staring contest between Future Max and Current Max would have went on for who knows how long (a long time nonetheless) but I tore my gaze from her when I heard the rest of the flock getting their bags together.

"Wait," I said. Six pairs of eyes (seven if you count Total) immediately shifted towards me for –what- the second, third time that evening? "I really am Max from the future…"

The expressions on each of the Flock were different, but they were looking at the Current Max for what to do next. The Current Me's expression, well let's just say was surprised; very, very surprised. Tentatively, she took a step towards me and asked the question I heard echoing in the minds other five members of the Flock. "How did you know to say that?"

I smiled inwardly. Now we were getting somewhere. "Simple, really, we mixed letters together to make our secret language. Surely you remember?"

"Yes, I remember," the Current Me hissed, "but how could you remember?"

"Because I was there," I attempted to say softly but I could not completely hide the hiss from my voice.

Luckily Fang cut in, because I most certainly did not want to get in a fight with the past me. How weird would that be? Plus, what repercussions could that hold?

"Okay, we could settle this fairly easy," Fang said. I looked into his eyes, as did the Current me. For a moment, doubt surfaced. I discarded it; I had not come all this way just so the Flock won't accept me. Fang said this would be fairly easy. What did he mean by fairly easy? Fairly easy for me if I was telling the truth, I hoped.

Fang turned towards me. Again, emotions tried to surface, but I shoved them back deep into myself conscious. "What's our word?"

What's our word? The question had me confused for a moment, and I saw the look of I-told-you-so being given to Fang by the Current Me, followed by the look of a winner's satisfaction. It looked like I was going to mess up the entire mission because of a stupid question! Then it hit me (figuratively, thankfully). What's our word? Fang was talking about the secret word we created after that whole ordeal with Max II. I remembered the word right away, and in our secret language I told the Flock and Current Max the secret word that for me seemed to be created a lifetime ago, but for them only yesterday (figuratively speaking).

Now the entire Flock was gawking at me, even Fang, for a teeny moment. I just smiled one of my best smiles and innocently asked, "Did I pass?"

"There's still no proof that you're from the future," the Current Me pouted.

"Um, yeah. That's the second part of the test. You have to tell us something that will happen tomorrow," Fang said.

"Fair enough," I said. "Any particular rules I should be aware of?" I asked, not completely expecting a completely fair answer.

"Uhhhh, no," Fang said. "Although it would be helpful if you could tell us of any Flyboy or Eraser attacks?"

I shook my head. "As far as I remember, we went Eraser/Flyboy attack free for few days. But stuff might have changed since I'm here, something to do with damaging the timeline or something? I wasn't really paying attention while my friend tried to explain the physics of it all." The Flocks' eyes were blank, understanding little of what I said. "Any other rules?"

"Uh… no," Fang said.

I smiled. This would be easy. I grabbed the device that helped me find my location earlier. All six of the Flock still jumped back, tense.

"What?" I asked out loud, confused since their mindblocks were up strong again, not wanting to intrude in their minds. That might look whatever this was worse.

"What the He-" the Current Me started but stopped herself from swearing, but continued, "What is that?!!!"

I smiled and let out a little laugh. Of course the Flock would consider this future piece of technology a threat since they did not know its capabilities. "This isn't a bomb or anything, guys, so calm down," I said in a patient voice. "And don't worry about this sending out any signals… it would take Itex or some other group days to unscramble the code to find the actual location; and we should be gone by then…"

The Current Me was still suspicious of me, and I had made it worse with my futuristic gadgets. "What exactly is it, then?" The Current Me asked accusingly.

"It's a lot of things really…" I began. "I guess you could say part of it is sort of like a "modern" computer, a GPS (that's how I found out where I was and how to find you), but the program I need right now will tell me something that will happen tomorrow."

The Flock's eyes were opened wide. There was a relatively short period of awkward silence (as short as awkward silences go) until Nudge opened her mouth. "Omigosh! That is so cool! Can I look at it? Does it play games? Can you access your email? I don't have an email since we're on the run and all but it would be cool to have one. Can I Max? That way-" Nudge was cut off by Iggy who placed a hand over her mouth. Boy, have I forgotten how much that girl can talk.

"So let me get this straight," Current Max said, "that little thing can tell you everything that is going to happen in the future?"

"Sort of," I said, hoping I didn't have to explain the whole messing the time line thing again. "Like I said, I may have inadvertently messed up by coming into the past. But anyways, a lot of those things we don't want to happen, otherwise Itex will take total control over the world."

"So that would show us every move Itex will make?" Fang asked.

"Yes, but you can't see it!" I said louder than I meant to. "I can't just hand you the answers. I would love to, because it would be easier for you and eventually easier for me. But I can't. I came back in time to give you a single warning. That's all I was allowed to do without unraveling space-time or something equally catastrophic!"

"Definitely has Max's charming personality," I heard Iggy whisper. The Current Max and I both glared at Iggy; but of course it was effortless. I forgot Iggy was still blind. So instead I saw a bare stick on the ground, and I sent it flying at a fairly fast speed towards Iggy's head. There would be no bruising, but it should definitely hurt.

"Ow! Who's throwing sticks at the blind kid?" Iggy asked.

"Max from the future did!" Gazzy told Iggy.

"Oh yeah, 'cause you are so handicapped, Iggy," I said sarcastically.

"How did you do that without actually touching the stick?" the Current Max asked me. Whoops. I was supposed to keep my newer (newer as in Current Max doesn't have them yet) a secret. Oh well.

"It's another ability I-we- get," I said.

"Oooh! Do any of the rest of us get new abilities?" Nudge asked.

"Sorry, Nudge," I said. "Like I said before, I can't tell you what's going to happen without messing up the timestream."

"But you would only be telling us what our DNA holds, not what's going to happen," Nudge rebuked, and added the Bambi eyes. Oh! I hated when Nudge and Angel would give me Bambi eyes. Lucky for me, though, the Current Max answered first.

"Not right now, Nudge," the Current Max said in stern but still gentle way. "Maybe we could ask our new friend tomorrow. Then the Current Max turned towards me. "What are your predictions for tomorrow, wise one?" she said, mocking me. Not that I blame her, I would have done the same thing. So instead of getting annoyed like the Current Max probably wanted me to, I just laughed.

"That's a good one. Maybe after helping you if I don't explode into a million pieces or swallowed up by a black hole or something, maybe I'll try the whole fortune teller thing. Madame Max does have a ring to it…" I said.

"Ha ha. Very funny," the Current Max said while rolling her eyes. Then her face turned serious. "So what prediction or whatever are you going use for Fang's test?"

I gave the Flock three completely random things that are going to happen tomorrow. What are they, you are wondering, well, like I'm going to tell you. Besides the less amount of people that know about the future, the better chance I won't completely screw up the timeline.

"I can tell you guys are tired," I said to the Flock. "I'd take watch if you want to…" I let my voice carry on, and looked at Fang and the Current me.

"No, it's okay, we got it," the Current Max said.

"Yeah, and from what it sounds like you need more sleep that we do," Fang said.

"Au contraire," I said. " I actually only need a little bit of sleep to last for days. And I am still too jittery to sleep, anyways…" I thought of the fresh air and trees, the thought that I traveled through time, about how the rebel forces were doing in the future; well, about a lot of things.

"Suit yourself," the Current me said. "Okay guys, time for bed."

"But…." I heard Gazzy, Nudge, and Angel start complaining.

"No buts, you guys. We've had a long and interesting," the Current Max looked my way during the last word, "day. Now time for bed."

"I'll go over here," I said to nobody in particular, "so I won't be any of yours way." Before anyone could say a single word, I was curled up in a tree across from the Flock. I was more comfortable that way, anyways. By myself. That's how I had been for a very long time now. And being with the Flock again, especially from before everything happened, had reawakened memories and feelings I had buried deep inside. I was becoming attached to the Flock again, something I just couldn't do. I don't know if I could bear if I became completely attached to them and then betrayed again. So I was better off by myself. Much better off. I lay awake for the rest of the night, the thoughts silenced, just listening to the wind rustling between the trees and the occasional forest animal scurrying to find a safe haven for the night. I lay awake looking at the stars and the moon, something I hadn't done in years, feeling slightly jealous of those stars, who had thousands more of their kind, and felt like the moon, the only one of its kind, all alone in the infinite night sky.

Sorry for not updating for awhile, but if you did read the Dreaded Author's Note, you'd know I've just gotten out of the hospital not too long ago and am still feeling yucky. This chapter is a little depressing towards the end, but I really wanted to make sure you guys know how much Max has changed. For those of you that wanted longer chapters, is this long enough? 1965 words on Word, not counting this little part at the end. Anyways, I think I have enough ideas for a few more chapters, but if you think I should continue, please let me know if you have any ideas. Originally it was going to be short, since I still have to work on my other Fanfic, Finding Perfection in Shades of Grey. And no, I was not stalling or procrasinating, it's just that it doesn't seem like many people seem to like that Fanfic. If you have a chance (or if you are bored) check it out, please. And let me know about your Fanfic and I'll check it out and review when I get a chance. I think I am going to add a chapter or two to that Fanfic first so I if I should continue it or not, because I have a bunch of ideas for Maximum Ride Fanfics. So I am not sure when I'll be able to update, especilly since I have surgery on Wednesday (just a tiny, same day surgery). Thanx for reading, and thanx in advance to those who review! Do I have to repeat myself every time? Reviews are greatly appreciated...

Random Smiles of the Day:

Help Is At Hand

When a person suffers from low self-esteem, friends may find it difficult to provide constructive help. You try a little morale-boosting gestures and carefully judged assurances. But next time, why don't you just go ahead and say what you think: "You must be a great person or you wouldn't have a friend like me."