A/N- Hey! I'm so sorry I haven't updated in, I dunno, about a month? Today was probably the only day when I got less than 4 pieces of homework, so...yeah. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Dear Diary,

It's New Years Eve, and today we're heading for New York City. Fang is surprisingly keen on going to the Big City tonight, which isn't really much like him at all. Normally, he's hanging around in a corner, trying to look emo (it doesn't work; we all know that Fang is as hyper-active as the Igster on the inside. Well, at least I think everyone knows). I have absolutely no idea why he's so eager to go, I mean what's there to do in New York on New Year's Eve anyway? The rest of the flock are being very enthusiastic about this trip too, but for me, it's just another time where I have to worry like a terrified panicky mother about her little bird-children. Not that I am a terrified mum - I'm panicky, yes, but Maximum Ride is never scared. Fang just entered the room from the shower, so I have to hide this diary before he sees it.

-Max

"Hey Fang, get dressed and packed 'cause we're leaving in ten minutes," I said, "And try not to be late!" I folded my arms across my chest and raised an eyebrow, trying to make myself look leaderly and prepared.

"When have I ever been late, Max?" Fang mimicked my exact position; it was like looking in a gender-changing mirror - he sure knows how to put me in awe.

"Uh, good point," I blushed, and as if on cue, he smiled demonically at me. How does he do these things?! "Just don't be late, okay?"

"Sure thing, Max," Fang casually leaned against the sofa that wasn't there, and the next thing I knew, he had toppled backwards, hit his head on the lamp, which fell on his head, and he himself fell onto the CD player. Yowza. The CD that was inside was a sound effects CD, so naturally, the sound that came on was the classic not-funny-joke drum roll.

I burst into hysterical laughter, when I realised that he was probably in a lot pain, so I did the lady-like thing and said "Ok, so, I'm just gonna leave you to...fix yourself up." I had to leave before another laugh broke out again.

When I exited the room, I heard a fist bash against the door and Fang curse to himself. Poor guy.

After that awkward scenario, I walked straight into the steaming shower and let myself float away with the bubbles that were circling around me. I could've stayed like that forever, drenching myself in the heavenly warm water, but of course, I had to face the awaiting flock, probably already planning what we're doing for next New Year's Eve. When I towelled myself mostly dry, I peeped out of the door into mine and Fang's suite living room. The flock were all talking excitedly about something I couldn't make out, so I opened the door, and that's when seven alarmed faces turned to face me. What, did I have a huge zit or something? Hold on a second, let's rewind. Did I just say seven faces?

"Who - " Angel answered my question for me, out loud, "Max, meet Shadow; Shadow, meet Max!"

Shadow had deep black eyes that had a slight purple shine, and her long, straight hair was midnight black. Her skin, however, was incredibly pale, and she was just a bit taller than me. She was quite pretty, and her all-black clothes made her look a bit gothic. She didn't exactly look like one of them, but you can never be too sure...

"It's nice to meet you, Max. From what I've heard, you're the flock's leader, right?"

"Um, yes, yes I am, but why are you here? Has Jeb sent you here to kidnap us and take us back to the school? Or are you some new generation of eraser that's in human form? Or do you work for Ter Borcht or Mr Chu or Dr Hagen-Daaz or -"

"You mean Dr Gunther-Hagen?"

"Whatever Angel."

"Max, it's ok. Shadow isn't with the School or the Institute or anything like that; I mean I wouldn't have let her in other wise! Just hear her out, okay?"

"Let's just get to the point here, alright?" Shadow said, anxiously. The flock and I all nodded cautiously, so Shadow gingerly opened her coat, to reveal a pair of glistening black wings with grey specks on them. Six mouths dropped to the floor as we stared in shock at the sight in front of us. How could this be happening? Me, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, The Gasman and Angel were the only kids on the planet with avian DNA! I forced my mouth shut and tried to comprehend what was happening here.

"What the feathers..." I tried to say something useful, but nothing came out. This is impossible! All the other species of DNA Combinants all expired months ago! It just can't be!

I kept repeating those words over and over to myself, trying to figure out a solution as to how this winged-girl existed.

"So, you like 'em? I think they're pretty neat, but they could've turned out better." Shadow smiled at me innocently, and glanced at her wings, and sighed, as if she was the most naive person on the planet. I didn't buy it.

"Listen up, kid," I snarled as viciously as I could, "You better tell us who or what you're working for and why the heck you're here, and otherwise I'll kick ya where the sun don't shine. You got that?"

She looked at me like a like a lost puppy, and for a second I felt a small amount of sympathy towards her, but only for a second. The flock were now surrounding her and even Total sent her dagger-eyes. I raised them well.

Just as I was about to squeeze some words out of her, there was a faint knock at the door. Oh joy. I mean, how cliché. Angel whispered "Uh oh," and that is when I knew that my world was starting to crumble. Again.

Whatever was behind that door must've been bad, because when Angel says "Uh oh", it's seriously bad.

If you want to, please feel free to review - all criticisms and suggestions are taken into account! I will work on them now, if not then later :)

And I have a quick question for you guys: what do you think are better...

a) Ninjas

b) Spies

c) New breed of eraser

-Malli Ride