AN: So...the riddle... Wow, I didn't think it was that hard. No one got it. Absolutely no one. Some of you came close and some of you gave really good answers, but nobody got it right. Oh, well...

Back to Mab and company now. One reviewer commented that they were beginning to find these guys more interesting. Oh, how that made me laugh! But I really do hope you at least like the new characters. Just a little, maybe.

Anyway, as promised, Dr. Valencia is making an appearance this chapter. Yes, we all love her and her cookies. But will you still love her when you learn the truth?? I can almost hear some of you guys saying, "What truth? Are you gonna tell us her super secret recipe??" No, guys, I'm not. Everyone has dark secrets and things they're ashamed of. This chapter tells a few of Valencia's. So keep reading and enjoy!

Maximum Ride: Passing the Torch
Sequel to MR: The After Years

Summary: Much has changed in the flock after fifteen years. At their second reunion, secrets lurk at every corner and disaster strikes, upsetting the delicate balance of their new lives and thrusting their fate into unprepared wings. SEQUEL TO MR: THE AFTER YEARS!

Chapter Ten: A Long and Dark Past

Grandma Val's House, Phoenix, Arizona

It took us two days to fly from our hotel in Lake Tahoe to Grandma's house in Phoenix. Gisli was worn out quite often, carrying Hawk. Behitha was almost always exhausted, as she rarely flew, but she didn't show it. Hawk was fascinated by the thrill. He had never before been in the air. Even I was tired, the muscles in my back aching. I hadn't expected the pain, what with all the night flights I took.

The only one who pressed forward in flight without tiring was Total, his minute wings flapping nonstop. He always gave frustrated grumbles when we insisted on stopping to rest, mumbling about how we were a bunch of lazy couch potatoes and didn't get enough exercise.

I led the way up Grandma's front walk. She lived in a tiny, quaint house that was just perfect for a grandma. We must have looked like an odd bunch there, sweaty and dirty, backpacks on our backs, bags under our eyes, dog at our heels, trudging up the walk to a clean little house.

And then there were the secrets under our shirts, invisible to the unknowing eye.

Tentatively, I knocked on the door. It was about 9PM, and I wasn't sure if Grandma Val would still be awake.

I waited a few seconds and knocked again. I could hear footsteps inside the house. She was coming. When the door opened, Grandma looked at us oddly.

"Hi Grandma," I said.

She cocked her head to the side. "What are you doing here, Mab? Aren't you guys supposed to be in Nevada?"

"Well, we were, but then a few…complications arose," Behitha said.

"What do you mean?"

"Val, we need some help," said a voice below. I felt something furry brush against my leg. Total. "All of us."

Grandma's eyes widened. Hadn't she known about Ariel's freaky dog? Whatever it was, she opened the door even wider, ushering us through. We followed her through the hallway, into the dining room where she told us to sit. Even Total claimed a chair as his own, standing on his hind legs in order to see over the table.

"How long have they known, Total?" Grandma asked, folding her hands under her chin, thoughtfully looking to him.

"Just over two days."

"Do they know everything?"

"Not even close. I just gave them a crash course."

"Why did you tell them? Why didn't the flock?"

"Um, Valencia?" Gisli started.

She looked at him. "You must belong to Iggy and Nudge. You look a lot like them. Your name's Gisli, right? What is it you wish to say?"

"Well, you see…" Gisli pushed his glasses a bit farther up his nose, before they could slip off, and explained everything.

Grandma Valencia didn't look too shocked, or worried for that matter. But she was speechless.

"So...someone broke into the hotel room and kidnapped seven grown adults? Just like that?"

"There were about a dozen of them. From the looks of it, things went pretty smoothly," Total elaborated.

"But why did they take Ella? She's not like the others."

"Maybe they didn't realize that. But in any case, Val, both your daughters are missing, along with their spouses, Iggy, Nudge, and Angel. And we five need your help."

"Total, aren't you getting a bit too old for these crazy adventures?"

"That's what I thought, but apparently my work has yet to be finished."

"Alright, Total. As long as you don't get my grandkids killed or lost, you do your thing. And I'll do everything I can to help save the flock."

"I knew you would. That's why I suggested we come here first."

Grandma smiled, looking ten years younger. "Tell me what you need."

Total didn't speak. None of us did. I wasn't too sure why we were here; Total was the Jedi Master in this field; we were just following his lead. The little black dog looked Grandma Val directly in the eyes, a glint of emotion there that I never before seen on a dog.

"Dr. Martinez, you know what they need."

Grandma hung her head in shame. What did Total mean?

"Why, Total? I can't even bear to tell my own kids."

"And now your kids' lives could depend on it."

She looked up at him, tears in her eyes. "I was young and naïve, Total. You know that. I had no idea what I'd gotten myself into, and once I did, I couldn't get out."

"Valencia, we've all made mistakes, especially when we're young and naïve."

She put her arms on the table and rested her face in her hands, running her fingers through her graying hair.

"It's okay, Val. I never told a soul. This is your secret to speak, not mine."

"Will someone please explain what's going on?" I demanded. "I feel clueless here! First, my parents get in a huge fight and stop talking to each other. Then, they deny that and don't tell us what's up. Next thing I know they're being kidnapped. And then, of course, I have to learn that they lied to us all our lives, from a dog who can miraculously talk. And now I'm being towed off on some wild-goose-chase where I learn that not only do my parents have secrets, but my grandma does too! So will someone please tell me what the hell's going on?"

All eyes were on me and I suddenly felt a tad self-conscious.

"I'm sorry, Mab. It's just that my past isn't something that I'm proud of. Thank goodness few people know of it."

"Well how does Total know? Who else knows?"

"Total knows because he was part of my past for a very brief time. The only other person I've kept contact with that knows is your grandfather."

"Our grandfather? But Mom always said he was dead," Behitha whispered.

"She may have thought that, but he's not. He's still out there, still alive. But he doesn't want to be found."

"Why? Why doesn't Grandpa want to be found?"

"No, no, Hawk. He isn't your grandfather. Your grandpa is actually dead. But the twins' isn't.

"You see, Max and Ella are only half-sisters. I was never married to Max's father and God forbid that ever happen.

"Max's father is a complicated man. He raised her for twelve years without ever telling her who he really was. When she was fourteen, he finally told her. That was also the first time I met her, my daughter. For fourteen years I had never once laid eyes on her and then she showed up at my doorstep."

"Come on, Val. Pick up the pace. Time is short and I'm not getting any younger." Total did seem quite bored.

Grandma sighed. "Has Total told you about Itex?"

Hawk shook his head. The rest of us said nothing.

"Well, Itex used to be a world power. But secretly, they also ran an organization call the School, where scientists would run all kinds of genetic tests on different specimen. That was where I first came across Total. I was working as an intern in the New York branch of the School, but I hadn't yet seen behind their pristine, business-like walls, into what they were really hiding. Total was my first glimpse into that world. I saw him, sitting all filthy and broken in a little dog crate. I didn't know what he was doing there because I had never seen the scientists run tests on a living creature before.

"Soon after, I was promoted and transferred to California, to work in their Death Valley facility. That was where I met Jeb Batchelder, Max's father. He was my partner, meant to train me in the ways and secrets of the School and their sick genetics. I was still new, so I was only allowed to work with the animals. It was a long time before I saw the kids.

"I was soon promoted again, up to Jeb's level. We still worked together quite frequently and became good friends, even outside the lab.

"Then, I got the assignment. Er, we got the assignment. The Director of Itex herself came to Jeb and me and asked us if we would take on this very important, very special assignment: she asked us to create a child that would save the world. Jeb and I accepted and nine months later, Max was born.

"I never even got to hold my baby. After the delivery, I fell unconscious. Jeb was there, and the Director came soon after. When I awoke, she was already gone and so was the baby. Jeb told me what happened and I just lost my mind. By then I had seen the children there, the horribly mutilated children with scales on their backs and forked tongues. I didn't want my baby to end up like that. I screamed and screamed, thrashing in the hospital bed. Jeb tried to comfort me but I didn't want to see him. He worked for them and he wanted to be there. Finally, I just broke down and cried. I cried and sobbed and shrieked. I never stopped crying about my baby, even when the tears stopped falling."

One thing was for certain: the tears were definitely falling now. Grandma Val had tears streaming down her cheeks like waterfalls.

But I wasn't crying. I was mad. "You mean you actually helped those monsters? You helped them do all those dreadful things to my parents?"

"Mab, please, understand. I had no idea what I was doing and when I realized it, I jumped out of that boat. After I lost Max, I left California and I married, officially changing my name. I didn't want Itex to find me, but it didn't take Jeb long. He told me that the only reason he stayed with them was to raise our little girl. He told me what she had become and of the others like her. Sometimes he sent me pictures.

"Then he told me he was planning to take our baby and the others like her to get away from the School. He did. For two years, I didn't hear a peep out of him. And suddenly he reappeared out of thin air, telling me he had to go back for his son before they made him a monster. But he was too late. However, he was convinced it wasn't too late for Max. He did his best to keep them off her trail and succeeded for another two years.

"Then all hell broke loose. Max, Fang, and Nudge took off to rescue Angel. Max was shot saving Ella and showed up at our home. I cared for her and when I saw the wings, I couldn't stop thinking, Is this my baby? And she was, she really was.

"The months passed and Max finally completed her mission, the purpose for which Jeb and I were asked to create her. She saved the world, but almost died. She's brushed with death so many times now that she could laugh in his face."

"Grandma, what happened to my grandpa?" Hawk asked.

"He was killed. He didn't know about my affiliations with Itex and when they came knocking, he didn't have a clue what they were talking about. They didn't believe it though, and they put a pistol in his mouth."

"Do you have any idea who could've taken them? Who would've done it?" Gisli was obviously trying to get us back on track.

"No, Gisli. I'm sorry, but everyone I can think of who would have wanted to abduct them is dead. They made sure of that, blowing up every single Itex facility on the planet. Their enemies took a low blow and they shouldn't be resurrecting anytime soon."

"So there isn't anyone who could've possibly taken them?" Behitha's voice was no more than a whisper.

"Not that I know of, Beth. But I do know someone who might know."

"Who?" I asked.

"I already told you all about him. Jeb might know a thing or two and he definitely knows a lot more than I do. He played insider at Itex for sixteen years and he watched their downfall from his front-row seat with a smile."

"Well where do we find him if he doesn't want to be found?" I demanded.

"It shouldn't be that hard. I can just give him a call and you guys can go scare the wits out of him. But keep him alive long enough to interrogate him and figure out what's up. I want my daughters back home with nothing more than a scratch or two."

"Sure thing Grandma Val. You gonna make that call?"

"Right now, sweetie. Just give me a minute or two." She rose from the table and walked into the kitchen, where I guessed her telephone was. I heard her dial a number and then she started talking.

"Hey, Jeb, it's Val." Pause. Laugh. "Oh yeah. So how've things been going for you these days?" Pause. "Wow. Really? That's great! Where're you staying anyways?" Pause. "What? You've got to be kidding! And she hasn't noticed?" Short pause. "Gee, she really is oblivious." Pause. Chuckle. "Hey, do you think you could give me your address? I'm thinking of heading that way soon so I might have the time to stop by for a visit." Pause. "Uh-huh." Short pause. "Uh-huh." Shorter pause. "Okay. Got it. Thanks, Jeb. It was nice talking to you." Pause. "Yeah, hope to see you soon. Bye."

Grandma walked back into the dining room, smiling, a slip of paper in her hands. "Jackpot. Here's his address. Now don't go losing it." She extended it out to no one in particular, waiting for someone to claim the responsibility.

"I'll take it," said Total.

Grandma Valencia looked at him dubiously. "Where you gonna keep it, your mouth? At least then you'd shut up, but you'd also get drool all over it. Anyone else?"

"I'll hold on to it," Beth whispered. She had barely spoken the entire evening.

"Okay, Behitha. I know I can trust you to keep it safe." Beth reached out and plucked the paper from Grandma's hands.

"Well, you kids wanna crash here tonight? You've got a long flight ahead of you. You can stock up on food here and rest your feathery little selves till you can't rest no more."

"Thank you, Grandma Val. I think we'll take you up on your offer."

"Yes! Sleep in a house! Sweet joy!" Total sang as he jumped off the chair and dashed out the dining room.

"I'll go make up the guest room for you girls. Do you guys mind sleeping on the couch?"

"Not at all, ma'am," Gisli replied for both he and Hawk.

"Then we're good. But we can't be so sure about the others."

I gulped. That was what worried me.

AN: I sure do hope the flock is okay... I sure do hope the Fang isn't bleeding to death... I sure do hope no one dies...(Note: that was supposed to screw with your minds.)

POLL! ON MY PROFILE! PERTAINING (slightly) TO THIS STORY!! What do you think of EPILOGUES?? More specifically, what would you think of an epilogue for this story?? You see, I have a bit of a situation: I HAVE FINISHED WRITING THE STORY! That is, unless you would like an epilogue. :) I've got twenty-four chapter and one hundred and three pages on the Word document, and a lot of boredom with life now that it's finished. So, I'll ask now, and again and again and again. 'Kay??

So, I've decided to give you guys another chance with this one. HINT(S): IT IS NOT A PERSON. IT IS ALSO VERY FITTING IN MORE THAN ONE WAY. Have fun. x)

I can overpower Power
And murder Death
I can drown Water
And burn Fire
I can make Tears cry
And Honesty lie
I can be the shadow of Doubt
And the ray of Hope
I can make Love despise
And Hatred compromise
I can make Silence speak
And Cacophony deaf
Courage cowers in my eyes
And Cowardice fights
I can make Lies tell the truth
And Humble turn to greed
Tell me what I am
You may never get it right
But keep trying anyway
I am __________.

No real rhyme scheme; all rhyming was unintentional. One space, one word. Chapter dedication and excerpts to those who answer correctly.

REVIEWS are like A+s. I love them. In fact, I think we all do. REVIEW!!