I so sorry that I took so long to update. I was trying to improve the chapter, but it seems impossible. Every time I re-read it, I felt that it was dull, boring rising action.

Yatlou: Of course, what do you expect from an amateur?

Me: And, you weren't any help at all! You kept changing the ideas and telling me that it seemed stupid.

Yatlou: It was, don't blame me for your pathetic ideas.

Me: -sigh-At least, I finished it.

Yatlou: I guess. For the disclaimer, it seems over-used by now, but James Patterson owns the flock.

Me: And I own the cat-hybrids, Yatlou and Shadow, and the wolf-hybrid, with bird DNA, Ventus.

Yatlou: Unfortunately…


Yatlou's POV

Our travel was amusing as we slept in trees and fought for food. Nevertheless, this was a subtle mission. Maybe it wasn't for the company, but it was for the world. Wow, that sounded cliché. Anyways, it is certain that I can't overthrow Maximum's role as the world's savior, but I'm not the enemy. Also, I am not the type to disregard such an intriguing opportunity to abolish my capturer's plans. Luckily, the operation starts in "home" territory. I knew the secret passages with no surveillance and the company's weakness. They will never notice the attack.

It felt relaxing as I closed the distance from my home. Even though I wasn't returning in good terms, it, I was elated to personally peruse the Mediterranean Sea after the entire skirmish is over.

However, at this moment, we were already standing in lovely Paris. The roads were lightly dusted with sediments and decorated with fresh, wide-branch maple trees. The sky held its usual silver color demonstrating its brilliant, relaxing atmosphere. I breathed in deeply scenting warm coffee with tints of cinnamon. Shadow and I were traveling to the woods towards the company.

"Okay, here is the plan. We will enter through the small air vent on the left side of the building. You will be entering the rooms from 2003 to 4009, skipping the even numbers. Also, stay alert for any cameras. You may have to cut the circuits if you are unable to stay out of range especially when directing the experiments out the building the same way we entered. All the experiments should be located in those rooms, but declare that you are an ally first. I'm sure some will recognize you as an ally due to your scent." He delivered a puzzled face and looked at me with a peculiar gaze. "I'll tell you about your scent later. If they don't listen, just release them to their own destruction. After to collect most of them, which should take only take 30 minutes after you explain the same thing to the others. The first room will hold at least 50 experiments that will aid you to release the other rooms creating a chain effect. Later, you lead them to our place. Understand?" I elucidate with urgency as I stared into his pastel green eyes.

"Release experiments from 2003 to 4009, skipping even numbers. Destroy cameras. Be a temporary leader. Got it, but what are you doing? Please, tell me you aren't going to do something stupid," Shadow stated converting my specified instructions into simple statements while raising his eyebrow with his question.

I chuckled, "Who do you think you are talking to? I'm an advance hybrid with an I.Q that is described as being 'off the charts'. I believe that every action I commit will be well-thought out and designed to achieve the best outcome. However, to answer your ludicrous question, I will be with my former boss."

Concern played with his facial features as he acknowledge the peril. His calloused hand swiped mine and squeezed it. "Be careful. I don't want anything to happen to you," his sweetly whispered which swirled my heart. I could't deny the fact that it felt nice to have someone care about my well-being. I smiled and pecked his cheek with a light kiss. As I executed the light demonstration of affection, I couldn't help but think that love is a thief that surreptitiously steals our independence.

"No worries. I'll be perfectly fine. I'm going in first, but I'll meet you at the Mediterranean Sea. Just allow the marked trail," I gently removed his hand and squeezed through the vent.

The vent definitely wasn't the best sights of the building since cobwebs hung on the corners and dust surrounded the entire sides. Thankfully, my flexible body allowed me to make the turns and bend in different angles. I coughed as dust bounced off the walls into my mouth and looked down to see another vent. Carefully, I traced at the perimeter of the vent with my metallic nails to unfasten it. I unsteadily threw my body down, following with a back flip to position myself upright. Immediately, I examined the hallway. There were no enemies in sight or cameras recording my motions. I was near rooms 756-789. I will need to use the elevator to go to the highest level, but I'll need an identity card. Guess I have to take the stairs. Damn.

Carefully, I took my éclat de glace and scratched an arrow on the plaster of the white wall along with the word "odd" engraved into it. Hopefully, Shadow can notice them, but if he doesn't, I will curse the skies for his oblivious stupidity.

Max's POV

We arrived in Paris in a few days as we found 9 tickets in mom's office. The plane was unsettling as always, but comfort filled me as I held Fang's hand for most of the ride. We were already in the search for the company that was planning to create an allegiance with the School. Nudge was gushing about the lovely accessories and big stores that displayed sets of clothes. Angel was nodding along as she searched for any evil, scheming minds. Ventus was simply walking down the road looking at the setting and animated chatted to Total about it. Iggy was chatting to Gazzy about bombs like always. I'll have to change that after we defeat this company. The three extra tickets that were in my backpack felt like a mocking item that renewed the anger I held for Yatlou. Yatlou, what a stupid name. It even sounds weird.

I peered at Fang and felt relief that he was in my side instead of his 'sister's' side. That would be destroy me and would break him. Family is the best thing in the world, but the flock is his family. Why did Fang deserve should an evil sister? He looked up from the map to look at me with his beautiful, onyx eyes. I felt a warm feeling move through my body as I was sucked into them.

"Where do you want to start?" Fang questioned. I shook my head to bring me back to reality. I don't have time to goof off at such an important plan that could save the world.

"Angel, did you hear anything?" I questioned with to Angel. She shook her head, I can't seem to understand any thoughts, but the woods over there, don't have any thoughts, not even an animal. There seems to be echo which is different than other places that don't have people in them. Her thoughts pushed themselves into my mind with a deep sense of confusion and fright.

"I don't understand it, Max," Angel whispered which brought attention to everyone in the group.

"It's okay, darling," I comforted, "This a clue to our destination. We will search in the woods. If it is true that there is an odd echo in the woods, then, someone is trying to prevent your mind reading."

You are in the right path, Max. But for the wrong reason. Think through your actions. Think about the true enemy

I sighed and rubbed my temples. Making no sense as always. Why couldn't Jeb give me the answer I wanted?

Tell me where you are, Jeb. But, I didn't get any response.

"Is it the voice?" a husky voice asked. I turned to see Fang and nodded.

"Jeb said that it is the right path, so let's continue if we are lucky we will be done by nightfall," I answered with a cracked voice ignoring the extra details. For the wrong reason? I think everything about this company's function is a good enough reason to destroy it.

"Are you okay, Max? I mean not that you don't look okay because you do and I mean stunning. I just mean that you don't sound okay, like someone with a cough or small cold. Oh, remember the time I got a cold, it was terrible even if I did recovery in a day. Those hours were a pain with the sniffles. I'm sorry that I was whining sooooo much, but I didn't want to be sick. It feels terrible like having no clothes on a Saturday trip to the mall. Zomg! Remember the good times we had at the mall, it was sooo much fun. I hope we can go again especially here in Paris. I want shoes and scarfs and clothes. Oh, lots of them. Yeah, pink and spar-" Iggy placed his hand on Nudge's mouth.

"Nudge, if you don't shut up, we will be here 'til nightfall," Iggy joked as he looked at me to continue the search with desperation in his eyes. His glazed eyes seem to be frantic as his desire to rescue my half-sister grew. I missed her, too, but not as much as Iggy. As I analyzed his condition, I never realized that those two would create a strong bond between them, but I see now that Iggy truly feels concern for her. It was impossible to not worry about them. I mean, the entire flock was worried about them, but Iggy loves Ella, making him worry more for her safety.

"So, we are going into the woods?" Gazzy questioned. I looked down to see Gazzy usual mischievous spark in his eyes. Luckily, his sad attitude was only a phase. He was able to forget about Yatlou in a snap like it should be. He started creating bombs with weird blueprints that seemed to sketched out by someone (probably Iggy) and started to laugh like always. At first, I was worried that Yatlou would steal one of my flock because Gazzy stopped talking to the flock for a while. Now, I know that the flock will always be together.

"Yes, Gazzy. That will be the best hint we have to get closer to finding the company," I stated as I ruffled his blonde hair. He smiled and returned to Iggy to discuss something.

"Max, if you had the decency to ask my opinion, I could help you get a better answer," Total asked from Ventus's arms.

I rolled my eyes and looked at Ventus. He shrugged at my unasked question. "Okay, Total. What do you think we should do? And it better not be anything stupid, like looking at monuments from the highest level of society or similar topics," I asked as I stared at the small scottish.

"I'm glad you asked Max. We, canines, have an impeccable sense of smell and I just want to say that I smell cat," Total taunted.

The whole group stiffened at the thought of the assassin. How did she arrive faster than we did? She didn't have wings, did she?

Soon, Total interrupted, "And not only one trail, but two. Two paths that have the disgusting smell of a cat hybrid. I might be exaggerating a bit, but I don't think it is the scent of one hybrid."

Ventus exclaimed, "This is great! Now, we can track Yatlou." He turned towards me to see if his idea was in the right track. However, I felt that there was something behind those facts. Two trails? That must mean that there is another enemy lurking with that assassin. Before I could state my thought, Nudge was bouncing with excitement and interrupted me.

"Then, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Nudge brightly stated as she ran to the woods. Everyone started to follow as Total took the lead. Fang and I made eye contact and smiled. Well, he smirked, but it is practically the same thing.

We ran towards the flock and soon met to see a building with the door fit for a giant. Redundant, much? And on that door, there was a black dragon drawn into it with blue flames being released from the mouth. There is nothing like Paris to make you fell poor and worthless at its 'stylish' and snobbish personality.

"Max, there is an open vent over here!" Gazzy screamed while frantically pointing to the side of the building. I walked over to see a unscrewed vent laying to the side of the building.

"Is there a plan, Max?" Angel asked.

"Angel, there is always a plan. We will go into this building and find the superior. He is the key to this company and without a leader, they will surely fall into a black hole. So, we will enter that vent and search for a scientist to give the information about the boss. Then, we will settle this branch for good."

The flock nodded. It was now or never.

One by one will all entered into the vent. As the leader, I entered first and lead the way until I reach an opening. Slowly, I jumped down to the floor to see an arrow pointed to a door. I analyzed the arrow to see that it was scratched out with a weapon. I saw point to the left part of the hallway where many doors were shut tightly with machines coded with numbers. I heard Fang shuffle next to me rising goosebumps from my arm. Ignoring them, I asked, "Do you think we should follow the arrows?"

"It's around best chance, but it seems suspicious. Did she knew we were coming? Those arrows weren't created by a coincidence, it seems that they were slashed into the walls on purpose," he responded as he traced the arrow. "Look, it has the word 'Odd' engraved below it. That could relate to many things. Odd means uneven or strange. It is too vague to give us a clue."

I nodded and waited for the flock to land inside the building. Hopefully, the mind shield wouldn't be covering the inside of the it, so we wouldn't have to go to extreme measures. It would be dangerous to present our arrival to a scientist.

"Nope, Max. I can hear others thoughts. He is in the top floor. I can hear him, but there is someone already talking with him. That mind is blocking me, but it seems serious," Angel told me as she gracefully let herself drop from the opening. I really have to talk to Angel about her powers after this.

"Thanks, Angel. Okay, here is the plan. Iggy and Gazzy, you will stay here to search these rooms for material, so you can build a bomb that will destroy this building. Nudge, you will with Iggy and Gazzy, so you can help them with any security problems on the doors needed. Fang, Ventus, and Angel, I need you to find Ms. Martinez, Jeb, and Ella," I stated.

"Max, where are you going?" Fang asked with an authoritative tone. Ha, as if that is going to stop me.

"I'm going to the top floor. I'll be going outside again and break through a window. It would be faster and safer. Fang, take care of Angel and keep an eye out for the rest of the flock, " I turned to the rest of the flock, "Please, take care of yourselves, guys," I ordered and climbed back up the vent. I looked down and made eye contact with Fang. Quickly, I shifted my eyes and follow the same path up the vent.

Yatlou's POV

Climbing up the last steps, I pushed the door to see the top level of the company. I examined the floor to see a receptionist. I raised my eyebrow at her presence as she was rapidly typing on the computer while viewing documents. Well, this was new. I didn't want to kill her, but if I didn't, she would probably scream at the appearance of a "dirty, filthy experiment". I would pass by her if she wasn't right next to the metallic doors.

Well, I guess I could perform a convincing act of a scientist. My clothes were neat enough to pretend I was a visitor as I took in my black over coat with my blank pants and plain dark gray undershirt. Well, I will have to make an attempt to approach to the boss. Stepping to the elevator, I put on a false front that I just arrived and approached the receptionist.

"Bonjour, I came in hope to meet the great Mr. Dotrel. My name is Marian Valent, a famous DNA recombinant scientist that has successfully invented the first feline-hybrid in the U.S. I was hoping to meet the superior of this prospering industry to expand my knowledge and ideas," I stalled as I waited for the receptionist to approve my entrance.

The brunette analyze me with a quick glance up and down. A repulsed expression came on her face, "Of course, the director will see you after you gain a sense of sophistication and style."

"Of course, I enjoy your stricture towards my sense of style, but I have traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to see the director, not to be prejudice by an arrogant, pretentious receptionist. The director has invited me to express my brilliant inventions that would take you a century to create in your pea-sized brain. However, there might be a high possibility that you don't even have one by your ill-mannered comments," I stated as my hand furtively approached my Eclat de glace. I will not hesitant to do everything in my power to gain entrance into that room even if it requires a sacrifice.

"Excuse me. I will announce your presence to the director," she turned to the computer and started to type once more. "You may enter." She turned to the side of her desk and inputed a key code. Soon, the doors silently opened.

I nodded and entered through the doors to the stunning room that was once my prison. On the other side of the desk was my master, Mr. Dotrel with a phlegmatic expression adorning his face. I stepped into the room and watched the doors settle themselves into their original position.

"Good afternoon, may ask why has my previous top assassin returned?" Mr. Dotrel asked without skipping a beat.

"Mr. Dotrel, how discourteous to skip through the tea and delicious pastries. Or shall we skip to the exquisite wine and bitter cigars?" I inquired as I sat myself in one of the chairs.

"Yatlou, don't stall. May I remind you that we needed your services a few months before, but surprisingly you escape. We have passed your title to the next big success, Ann Ralfen."

"That is impossible, her abilities are inadequate and much too callow to receive the Platinum title. Also, I killed her!"

"Yes, well, one of our most potential allies, Itex, has figured a way to go against death. Since we found her body, we had her body frozen up for further research on her genetic experimentation. Fortunately, Jeb, Itex's spokesman, introduce us to this possibility. Isn't this what you wanted Yatlou? Less deaths? Isn't that why cried when you committed your first murder with your very own claws? Now, we can simply revive them since they are all essential key parts in our company." He stood up with a giant smile and bloodshot eyes. His elegant suit was flawed with dust and dirty scuffles that demonstrated the long nights and insufficient days that haunted him, sapping his strength. How could he have fallen into such a pitiful position? "We never intended to steal these children and ruin there lives. We took them from their parents to give them a better life than any human could want. They have the choice to fly, to survive a hundred feet fall, to swim with incredible agility, to camouflage into their surroundings; somethings than a regular human being will never experience from the enhance abilities of a certain animal. Don't you see? This is the new generation to improve the human race. The new generation called The Hybrids."

"The Hybrids? That's not what I wanted, it's what you want. In the end, my poorly supported morals oppose any human experimentation. I can't deny that I'm grateful for my feline genetics; they have presented entirely new experiences. Unfortunately, we are in opposite sides. Also, I didn't return for my original status as an assassin, I came to question your allegiance with Itex. Why?"

He laughed, but it wasn't his usual good-hearted laugh. It was maddening and maniacal. My body flinched at the peculiar alteration that the boss had gone through. "It would stupid to reject the offer that Itex has presented which is to assist us towards to the flawless generation that will dominate this world, fixing humans' mistakes. In addition, Itex is the most successful company that has produce the most inspiring experiment, Experiment 2789, Maximum Ride. Luckily, the progress for the perfect society has already started with her. As the 'savior of the world', she was created to start a new species while we, humans, rot."

I felt the stinging needles of tears as I realized his plan. "Inconceivable! Why are you even considering to abolish a species that hasn't done anything wrong? You can cease this plan since you are the creator. It is simply unreasonable."

"I can't stop it. It all begins here."

"You can't possibly think of carrying out this plan. It is immoral, and the experiments will be seen as the villains. We will be seen as the humans' enemies since we are the reason of their destruction, causing an outbreak. Maybe, a war! This world is still receiving and recovering from earlier disaters. Why are you increasing the pile of conflicts?"

"Well, Yatlou, you should know, more than anybody that both can't live in harmony. So, I shall destroy all the experiments or all the humans. One or the other. You or Me. Which one will you pick, Yatlou?"

Finish. I'm so glad that it is Spring Break. I will update twice as fast next Saturday with two chapters to make up for the last week.

Yatlou: She is very sorry for her incapability to satisfy her readers.

Me: Indeed, the cat speaks the truth. I hope this chapter really spices up my readers' interest.

Yatlou: By the way, my name isn't stupid. It is intriguing and unique.

Me: Of course, but I always visualized Max as a person who criticizes people's flaws when she's angry.

Yatlou: Of course, but why all the sudden this big decision?

Me: I always imagined this situation to enter the Maximum Ride books, but it never came up.

Yatlou: You are stupid if a critical situation will enter under the choice of one cat.

Me: Well, you choose, but Max wins in either choice. Understand?

Yatlou: In your gibberish, yes, but I don't like it. It means I'm the antihero in either situation.

Me: Ha! You're an antihero.

Yatlou: And you're going to be a martyr.

Me: -chuckles nervously-

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