Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of the Maximum Ride series, novel nor manga. They belong to their respective owners.

A/N: This happens at the end of the Maximum Ride Vol. 3 Manga. No, I haven't read the novel series but I'm planning to. I just had those urges to write out what I interpreted of what occurs after the 3rd Volume because I'm still waiting on the 4th. From the perspective of a hopeless fangirl. Enjoy!

Update: This story was created as of February 19th, 2011 (01:13 pm). It is finished the way it is.

The flock was settling nicely into their new change of lives. Angel was a swan. Fang had a blog—and a girlfriend, Gazzy in P.E., Iggy learned how to adjust to being the blind kid…

Maybe a little too nicely.

I've found information regarding the whereabouts of someone named Ter Borch, a scientist who may have connections with Jeb.

Another me?

"Your doppelganger," Max heard Jeb say from inside the jeep, right then he stepped out with one leg out, "There's this superstition in other cultures where if you happen to come across another you, it signifies that you are about to die shortly after."

Max smirked from under the Eraser's foot, "And here I thought the man of science didn't believe in superstitions."

"Be careful of your words Maximum Ride," he looked competent, his glasses shined, "My imaginary parents weren't Missionaries."

Then and there, the Ari doppelganger brought his foot down in full force and Max felt the bones in her upper abdomen crack. She yelled out in pain, she felt every break, every sound. She coughed out in blood. Still pinned down, she saw from the corner of her eye, herself exchanging brief words with Jeb before flying off with her own set of wings.

No, I won't let that happen!

With one last attempt, she raised her free arm which wasn't bruised upward to hit the back of the Eraser's knee, unbuckling it and having a split second chance at escaping. She flew her hardest out of there and used the high branches to escape. She had to get to the others before her other self did.

I caught up shortly with my other self, it was already conversing something with the flock. I bit at my thumb. Shit, I was too late.

The other me looked distressed and from what I can hear, she was saying that something was wrong with Anne. They seemed to understand and took flight on the spot. She stayed behind and turned around giving me a look while her eyes flashed from slit to normal and outstretched her wings to fly away. I was too late.

Quickly, maybe I can catch up with the other—

Suddenly, it was as if someone's hands were gripping at the insides of my skull. It hurted like hell and I couldn't see straight nor think straight. I will myself the best I could and flew staggeringly to Anne's place despite my deep wounds.

My teeth started to grow by themselves, the growth strained against my gums. I couldn't stop the bleeding. My fingers were becoming numb, my fingernails sharpening and growing, pulling my skin along with it dripped splashes of blood upon the ground.

The other me smiled, I was the one who was an eraser, they would believe it.

"That's the Eraser."

I almost heaved on the spot, "Guys…"

"It's probably a trick for the School to get us."

Gazzy spoke behind Fang, "They didn't do a good job replicating Max."

The other me rose up, "Quick dispose of it before it turns back into its original form."

"Anne."

She studied my bruises, she wanted me to loosen my arms but I couldn't or else I might do something I'd regret to her. Her brows stayed furrowed, lines of worry drew out all over her face. She bit her lip.

"Open your mouth."

I hesitated but opened my mouth and tried not to snap forward. Her expression faltered and I grew more restless by the minute.

"You're bleeding from the inside."

"Angel…Gazzy…Iggy…"

"Nudge."

She had an aching feeling that Eraser claws were scratching at her insides.

"Fang."

She missed him, all of them terribly at this moment. She hugged herself as tight as she could. There was no one else in the room to help her.

"Fang…Fang…"

She had to get out of there, Anne wouldn't be coming back alone.

I've had my doubts about her anyway.

They strapped me on a stretcher. Whitecoats and teal shirts with white masks covering their mouth furiously struggled to chain me down. I was sedated with needles more than twice. It didn't help the pain.

I didn't want to be here, not again. I've worked too hard to stay as far away from this place!

"Max, calm down," a voice, Jeb's, echoed from the corner of the narrow medical room, "If you want to live, there are only two ways for us to solve it for you."

The room was so dimmed, darkened figures lurked dangerously away from the only bright light in the room. The shadow, Jeb I'm assuming, walked to a square in the walk and I heard two clicks. Suddenly the whole room glowed a neon blue and everyone else put on special orange goggles. My eyesight seems to whither under the UV rays. I squinted them shut, but I still struggled.

For a while, the only sounds heard were the cracking of my leather and metal straps.

"Show yourself coward!"

Suddenly, the voice was right beside me, "I think you can trust me enough to make a decision for you."

I figured I flew backwards and landed in its own copper-scented puddle. Its fingers twitched as five smaller figures in the room watched it move until it stopped breathing.

Strings of blond-streaked hair scrambled all over its paled, shocked expression.

Angel sniffed softly behind her fists.

"Max, where are you?

A huge litter of white and pure feathers lay limp and dead upon the floor. Two skeletal wings on either side of the bench.

What happened to me?

I felt nothing on my back, my wings—they cut off. I could no longer fly.

My breath was hoarse and I had a need for water—but I can't focus on tht now, I had to get out of here.

My throat screamed Water! Water Max!

Gills. I ran my hand across the smooth texture of my skin. It hardened like scales but I didn't glow or have radiant colors like lizards did. But one thing I know, my body was tough like led and shot like a torpedo, I could see clearly underwater and sea creatures recognized that, I no longer have to hold my breath, my intuition skills improved. I can sense things a lot more clearer now.

But unfortunately I was too sensitive, I felt like a pregnant woman on her mood swings.

It's alright.

She rubbed at her eyes whether from the salt or the new tears. If they're fine with their new lives, then I can get a move on with mine. I have a world to save.

I felt fear of heights?

I travelled the world. I went from continent to continent, from out of the U.S.A to Japan in Asia, Germany in Europe, Africa, South America, pretty much everywhere…by wings to flight.

Yes, real transportation. There was a time where I had no supplies whatsoever, so I had to resort to black marketing. Saving the world in this kind of fashion, hey it's business. Though I still didn't want to believe that money made people's lives go round.

I learned a lot.

I have had a lot of my attempts to save the world end in disappointment, but that didn't mean I wouldn't stop trying.

There were some things you can't change about the world because that was how the world was made. Although Jeb told me that I existed to save the world, he underestimated things about mother nature.

There has to be something I existed for. Faces of my friend flashed through the window glass. Amidst the school of birds in the sky, I was reminded of the six of us flying among the pigeons, the geese migrating, eagles, all kinds of birds.

The Flock.

I miss flying.

"You think that could have been her?"

"Hi," I bent down, my palms resting on my knees, "Are you lost?"

Angel looked hurt. I'm so sorry Angel.

"I'm looking…I'm looking for my mama," she sniffed and tucked tighter on my sleeve.

Angel, you're too old to be playing as a lost little child. Her bambi eyes still had effect though.

She stared at me straight in the eye, before looking down, downcasted and disappointed.

"I'm sorry I must have mistaken you for someone else after all."

Two years have passed. I was sixteen now, but I passed off as a twenty six year old. Must have been the overwhelming stress or puberty.

Puberty, more like it.

"I couldn't influence her mind. It's changed."

She sat on the ledge of the cement support looking out to the familiar beach. A latte drink in one hand and a map displayed on her lap. She wasn't paying attention to it now and was lost in her thoughts, in her memories as she remembered how they all got make-oevers but the hairstylist in the mall for free and later splashed on the beach, Angel's underwater breathing powers, their fight with the Erasers, her kiss with Fang…

She was hunched over with her elbows resting on the tips of her knees, her drink placed down and her fingers entwined in thought.

Two years ago.

"We tried already."

"You positive it's her?" Gazzy.

My hearing perception isn't as good as when I had bird-like senses, but I still smelled them. Their voices were deeper but their attitudes were still distinguishable.

Max felt across the side of her neck.

"You are Max. You do remember us."

"They took away my wings."

"They followed us!"

"Sorry Max for putting you in danger."

No, I should be the one to say that, Gazzy.

I had to get them away from the Flock. I dove into the surface to retrieve Nudge and Gazzy. Angel followed after.

I looked at the glass-like surface. One of the more smaller Erasers was right above me, completely oblivious to my whereabouts. I crept closer and its head started to look back and forth, staying in place.

Not too smart.

I lunged out at its feet and tore it down with me in the water. My fingers sharpened and I stabbed at its heart and its vital organs in its lower abdomen. It's not the first time I've killed something like this.

The seawater around turned to a murky red, through it faint police alarms sounded and the red and blue lights were driving towards this direction.

Fang outstretched his hand but a look of astonishment played on his face.

He probably spotted the change in my eyes and the sliver of my skin.

I yelled out to him. "I can't."

"Hold tight."

Flying used to feel excruciating and free, but instead I clenched on to Fang's shoulder even more.

"Ouch Max, relax."

"Sorry Fang."

"You're shivering ."

"Swim? You're a fish now?"

I sweatdropped. Yeah, more like an amphibian. I took a bite of my ravioli.

"Max is the Little Mermaid!" Angel glowed. I can't possibly imagine myself half naked on a lone rock with a shell bra.

Er…best not to think about that…

"This is your place?"

I shook my head, "Only temporarily, I'm renting it for about 3 weeks."

Iggy hummed in his seat, I turned to look at him. "Already paying for rent and having a home."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You really are a full-fledged mother."

"Max we've found information about our parents."

"Really? How did you guys do it?"

"After you disappeared," she saw Gazzy's eyes lower, "We searched through your pile of notes, about Ter Bourch."

"Fang's not a virgin anymore by the way."

Oh, that boy got too carried away. She lifted a bang behind her ear, then falling back in place.

"Everyone's so grown up now."

"The change in my biological state probably had to do something with the change in my attitude."

"You look way more mature Max. A lot more laid back even."

"Like an older adult!" Max lifted her fist and Gazzy ducked but the blow didn't come.

"Max is really pretty now."

Max patted the top or Angel's hair, "Thanks Angel."

"Why? Hasn't he been taking care of you like a good leader?" Angel furrowed her brows and nuzzled closer to her chest.

"He has, but I think he's a better leader when it comes to girls." Max clenched her teeth and looked away to the side, out to the still lake waters.

Guess we've really changed into 'normal' lives.

"We need you back Max, you've been like a mama to us before."

"Welcome back, mom."

"And why are you so mad to see me?"

"Because at least I know that the flock is in better hands."

"Wow Max!." I felt that Nudge's eyes would pop out, "You look so different!"

She put on her sunglasses, "It's needed."

Fang, stay away.

"Who's this young fellow?" Too late.

"He's my br—"

"Partner," he wrapped his arm around my waist. It sent shivers down my spine but I kept my face smiling. From the looks of Mr. Carter's face, it seemed he got the message. His mouth opened in silent realization.

"Oh—why I never knew Ms. Max. Pleased to meet you er—…"

"Alden, just refer to me from my first name."

He tipped his hat at Fang, "You've got one mighty extraordinary woman. One of a kind."

I stopped and the rush of blood surged through my veins. Someone's coming. Fang seemed to be bewildered by my actions, probably I can sense things before him. No too long he got my message and grabbed my wrist.

"Hey!"

"Woah, what are they doing?" Gazzy stared through the binoculars from the 5th floor of the residential building, "Are they doing what I think they're doing—"

"Shh," Iggy from his left hissed.

"Hey, calm down Max! Fang was just trying to cover up the both of you—"

"And what's with you defending Fang all the time?" From the corner of her eye she saw Iggy rolling his eyes and the little ones cowering in fear behind him.

"He took care of us when you weren't there! We saw another side of him we never thought we would ever see," she huffed, "Maybe if you gave him a chance then you will see for yourself!"

"I ALREADY SAW." Nudge took a step backward.

"He took good care of me too."

Fang was waiting outside, leaning against the cement wall. "Max."

"Get away."

"Where are you going?"

"Away from you."

He grabbed her wrist. "Not a chance, we're not going to let that mistake happen again."

This was something I would often do to vent out my frustration. I closed my eyes tight and held tight onto the edge of the bathtub.

No matter how much of my breath I hold, my gills would take the liberty to breath for me. I looked stupid, like an ostrich with its head in a hole in the ground.

Damn that Fang!

"Want to talk about it?"

Iggy smiled. At least the same old Max is showing; stubborn, impulsive, but firm and direct.

Max tensed as she felt Iggy's hand on her shoulder. "Hey leader, I think we're all struggling with all the…adjustments going on. Fang's different from back then, you're different from back then, we're" his voice raised, "all different."

"Though you two still have some things to sort out, we all need to stick together from now on."

Max's shoulders dropped and exhaled through her nostrils. Iggy felt her push his hand away and was embraced with two slender arms.

"Thanks Iggy. I needed that." He smiled and then they broke apart.

"You know, I think it could be just puberty acting up."

Max flushed, "You…noticed?"

"Even a blind person can see it miles away", he outstretched his hands sarcastically, "Honestly we thought you and Fang would have made kissy faces when we were reunited."

Max punched his arm, Iggy felt her chuckle and laughed as well. Nudge popped her head around the corner.

"Is it safe now?" Max turned away to wipe her face.

Iggy called out, "Yeah, mom's calmed down."

Nudge ran from her place and hugged Max from behind. "Yay! I'm sorry too Max, I was jealous and you know girls when they get jealous. Anyway I think you and Fang should work this out right now! And while we're at it we can go shopping and get you a new set of clothing! We wouldn't want you to look all messy and—"

"Okay, okay Nudge," she turned and held her at an arm's distance, "It's cool."

Nudge's eyes twinkled and glomped at her best friend. They hugged for some time until, Max's head perked up, "Angel and Gazzy aren't here?"

Iggy answered, "No, they're practicing for a play at their school. Something about a dead old guy and a piece of paper he signed."

Fang smiled cooly and thumbed the crumb at her lip. She gasped and covered her mouth.

"What was THAT?!" Fang winced slightly, moving away still keeping his smile.

"Relax, mom, you got a little food on the side of your lips," he smirked. Max harrumphed and crossed his arms.

"Well, someone enjoyed it too much at high school."

She heard Fang laugh but refused to turn and face him. Out of nowhere in one quick movement, he held her opposite shoulder and kissed gently on her temple. Max shivered and struggled to conceal her smile.

Did Fang just…?

"It's late," he heard the tray clatter and he lifted it off the bed, "Sleep tight, mommy."

My scales slivered, my skin cells tightened and hardened where thousands of scales aligned with my movements.

I brought my arm forward and brought it back, scratching at the Eraser's face.

I lunged out of the water.

Of course Angel would be traumatized.

And even if I do turn into some kind of monster, the Flock will be there to the very end.

A cloth fell over my shoulders. My head spun and I spotted Fang besides me, a knowing look. He was trying to reassure me but at the same time I can tell he knew what I really meant.

Especially Fang, he would be the one to stop me.