Aw, thanks! I've gotten almost 200 hits already, and I only started this story two days ago! (blows kiss). And if Geoffrey told you anything not to do with the fact that- DISCLAIMER: I do not own Maximum Ride, since only James Patterson does, DON'T LISTEN. In fact, here are some complimentary earplugs! Along with an accompanying chapter that is all filler/technicality. I promise, the real plot starts next chapter! So bear with me, guys, in this final fill-chapter.

Chapter 9

We were now flying across a stretch of water, and me and Fang had switched a couple of times already. I was getting a bit worn out and Fang seemed to sense this, immediately flying over and gently taking Kate from my not-so-secure hold. As her unconscious body switched hands, we touched, and this startled me into loosening my grip a bit too quickly. Fang couldn't carry the sudden weight, and she fell through the low clouds.

Using my warp speed, I shot down and grabbed her, my arms shaking unsteadily. A few seconds later, Dylan followed. "Dylan? What happened to Iggy and Ratchet?" I asked. "Fang is helping Iggy", he replied, answering my unstated question, too. I had relaxed a bit too much, and now the soles of my sneakers grazed the smooth blue surface of the water. Dylan came behind me, supporting me, and we flew back up together, breaking through the clouds.

I could tell that Fang was angry. I could understand that, but it wasn't my fault that he had left me for my own clone and his own, unwinged gang. It wasn't my fault that he didn't love me, or that Angel- my beautiful baby- was gone. I couldn't control Itex or the DG or what the whitecoats had done to us, and now he wouldn't even let me control myself in peace without criticizing my every action. If I wanted to be with Dylan, then I was going to be with Dylan, for god sakes! Was that really so hard to understand?

I paused in my little mental tirade to take a wobbly breath, then realized that I was surrounded by a stunned silence. Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy and most of Fang's flock had very surprised looks on their faces: Star was smirking, almost, while Maya and Dylan were full-out grinning. Fang, meanwhile…..

Fang was shocked, to say the least. Well, if he was going to complain about my relationship with Dylan, I would continue it, and both me and Dylan could be quite satisfied with that solution.

I didn't take a word of my outburst back. Fang hadn't wanted to talk things through, for once, and I enjoyed the rare peace as we touched down, tired, on a small abandoned island that I guessed was probably part of Japan.

We immediately made a camp on its shore, interlacing the thin wispy branches of a still-growing willow tree for a roof. There was a small shack stocked with some food a bit farther inland, but there wasn't possibly enough food to feed eleven starving genetic experiments, especially Star. Sadly, the part of the shack that normally would have housed people was too rundown to offer any more shelter than, say, a baby penguin would. Basically, it was cute, charming and useless.

Nudge and Star, who seemed to be getting along all right, finalized the makeshift shelter and tended to Kate and Maya's injuries, while Fang, Gazzy, Ratchet and Dylan started a campfire. Iggy asked me to go with him to get some food and supplies, and I agreed. Flying inland, we spotted the millions of city lights shine brightly, beckoning us to Japan's mysterious streets. I landed in a dark alleyway, and Iggy followed me as I stepped out into the wide avenues, his hand around mine. "He still loves you, you know", Iggy began. I told him to stop talking about Fang and not another word about him was heard the rest of the evening.

We came back loaded with rich foods such as chicken teriyaki on rice, udon noodles and even some tasty tempura ( Which is NOT paint- It's basically just deep-fried meat.), and we ate to our fill. By the way, don't ask us where we got the food. In fact, just don't ask us where we got anything. We wouldn't want to set a bad example to your kids.

Finally, the rest of the flock/gang (flang?) fell asleep. I sat in the crook of a nearby tree, weary and excited for the oncoming adventure, and the stars twinkled warmly, welcoming my watch.

Okay, thanks for reading! Also- sorry, because I had to reformat my story crucial chapter by crucial chapter, so it was temporarily majorly messed up for a few hours. Please don't leave! This is my first fanfic EV-AH, so please tell me how I'm doing so far!

(next morning)

Oh, REALLY? Oh, GOSH! I got over FIFTY re-VIEWS! I think that I'll give EVERYone some of Dr. Martinez's COOKIES!

(Just saying, this is definitely a possible scenario.)