Disclaimer: I am not claiming any rights or ownership to these characters, nor do I plan to.

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Chapter 7

Icarus heard Daedalus fly into the cave; he was subtle for someone of his size. Ic had stayed with Oz in the same position since Daedalus had left. Not two seconds after Daedalus entered the cave Icarus heard a car stop on the loose gravel above the cave.

"There are people here for you." Daedalus said

"But I don't want to go; I want to stay with you." In the short time they had together Icarus had grown close to his brother.

"Not for you anyway, these people will be glad to see you as well." Icarus knew who it was and had expected to be happy about seeing his family, but in reality he had mixed feelings about the whole ordeal. "I'll be right back." He said to the unconscious Oz.

Ic took his brothers hand and they walked towards the cave entrance. When they reached the top every member of the family snatched Icarus away from Daedalus while shooting him looks of pure poison. Icarus tried to stop them but failed miserably.

"Stop. I would like to make a trade." Everyone stopped and looked at Daedalus.

"Listen to what he has to say, Max." Icarus said to the person who had him in the strongest embrace of all.

"What do you want now?" Frannie demanded of Daedalus.

"I want to give you another friend in exchange that Icarus stays with me." This piqued Max's interest most of all.

"Please, I want to stay with him...Daedalus is my brother." Icarus pleaded with his family.

"I was close than kin to all of you at one point, when we were amazing creatures, loved by our creator. Not lab rats used for money. You, Max, you thought you were the first to escape? I saw he was corrupted the moment that dirty money touched his hands, so I left. And when I had the chance to make up for my absence I took it, but I want you to know Maximum that I feel that I haven't come close to compensation for the sufferings you have gone through." Max was caught short of breath at Daedalus' speech and the full force of her longing for Oz hit her all at once.

"Come with me Maximum." Daedalus glided into the small cave and pointed out the bundle on the floor in a corner of the main room.

Max could just make out the form lying on the ground, she tried to move closer but her legs felt like cement bricks. She eventually willed herself to the bedside where Max kneeled over the quivering body. Her breath was coming in short bursts now; she could clearly see the features of the young man who lay before her.

"My God, Oz, you're alive." Max wept over his body when Ozymandius opened his eyes. Oz placed his hand on Max's head and Max cried harder.