Chapter Twelve

"Max?" Fang asked softly, gazing up through the forest's cover at the beautiful, peaceful blanket of stars that covered the endless midnight sky.

"Yeah?" I responded, heavily engrossed in my own thoughts.

"Why have you always run away from me?"

I sighed. I knew that this topic would come up sooner or later. I personally preferred later. I began my answer, pondering what I would say and how I would say it.

"I-I guess, I don't know! I was afraid, okay? Does that answer your stupid question, Mr. Know-it-all?" By the end of my statement, I was furious. Why did he want to know? Who cares, anyway?

"Chill, Max. Breathe," He said. I shot one of my signature dagger glances his way, but obeyed and waited for him to continue.

"I just wanted to know, that's all. I didn't understand then, but I do now. I guess," he started, looking everywhere except me. Taking a deep breathe, he continued, "I guess I would have done the same thing."

"You- you-" I was going to say something, but was cut off by Fang's firm, gentle lips being pressed against mine. He tilted his head to increase the kiss, leaving me to breathe out of my nose. As I became braver, I began to press back with determination. I felt him smirk against my lips, but continued.

Suddenly, a faint buzzing sound over took my senses, and I pulled away. Fang raised his eyebrows, and I cupped my hand around my ear-our sign for: listen, there's danger somewhere nearby. He nodded as he heard it too.

Max.

I jumped. What? You know, right now is really not the best time for you too jump in.

Wake the flock Max. get in the air, but leave Total hidden-he wont be able to fly for long, and the flyboys will capture him. Came the voice.

Following the voice's orders, I gave Fang a quick rundown. I woke everyone up as Fang put everything in the backpacks, handing them off to their owner before they burst into the sky. As I got mine, I quickly put the necklace into one of the pockets before bursting into the night sky.

Voice, how many are there?

There are around two hundred. Remember the 3D plan?

With the first flying Erasers?

Yes, Max. Use that plan. And then it was gone.

"Guys! Use the 3D plan! Everyone ready?" I shouted.I got a collection of agreements as our little army flew off to meet the big, evil, greedy giant.

It happen very, very fast, but exceedingly slow at the same time. In a flash, and a boom, the bombers of my flock had taken out fifteen or so. As metallic pieces flew past me, cutting me, I joined the horrific fight, Fang on my right, and Angel holding her own on my left. Iggy and the Gasman were at the top; Nudge in the middle

Drop, Max. I obeyed the voice without question. I dropped thirty feet, looking up in time to see three Flyboys crash right where I had been less than a second ago. I flew out of the way as they plummeted down, then went back into position, fighting against five. Then, out of nowhere, came a firm fist to my stomach. I dropped for a second time, catching my breath. This time, however, I surveyed the battle, seeing who needed aid. Angel was probably in the worst condition; one arm hanging at a crooked stance. Nudge was doing fine with her power-she had four robots; Iggy and Gazzy were working together, killing almost ten at a time with their handy dandy bombs. Fang was, well, like a fang-crushing everything in his path.

As I flew to Angel, I could tell that something was wrong. She was fading-her eyes closing for a longer time than usual.

Max, she has been shot with a tranquilizer dart. She will faint in…3…2…1. At that instant, her eyes closed, and she started falling to her death.

But not before I caught her.

"Fang! Iggy! Someone!" I called, "Fang! Cover me-I'm going to land, see what's wrong."

Fang instantaneously destroyed the other two Flyboys and rushed over, taking over Angel's bunch. There were fifteen now.

Iggy followed me and my lifeless baby girl by sound. Seconds later-although, it felt like eons- I landed.

Everything was a blur. Angel was on the ground in an instant, and Iggy was calculating all of her bumps and bruises. He was talking under his breath, stating everything. "Her pulse is very faint, Max." He said.

Then, the battle was over. The buzz stopped, and you could hear four sets of wings droop down. Nudge ran over, exclaiming, "Max! Max! What happened? Is Angel ok? The battle's over-"

"I don't know, sweetie. Ig?" I asked, hesitantly. Be okay Angel. Sweetie, pull through, for me. For your brother, for the flock.

He took a deep breath, and said, "Yes. She will be fine, but she has many broken bones and other injuries. She'll wake up in a few hours."

Thank you, God.

I took a look at everyone. Gazzy looked ready to pass out, but also trying to keep a strong face on; Nudge was leaning onto Fang, tired as anything. That was all the proof that I needed. I quickly sent them to bed, and within minutes, everyone was out for the count, including me. Fang had offered to take watch, and to wake me when Angel woke. So, I snuggled into Fang's side, and drifted into a bottomless sleep.