A/N: Okay guys, here's "part two" of Max's chapter. Sorry it's so short, but I will try to make the next one longer to make up for it.

To answer a few of your reviews:

maximumpotter101: Yeah, I know Fang claimed he had a plan, but I have this theory that he was just saying that so Max wouldn't come after him and he crossed it out because he didn't want to lie to her. Of course, I could be wrong.

MaxRideLOVER: I'm aware of the contest and I'm thinking about trying my hand at a chapter, but I don't think I know Dylan well enough to write too much about him.

maispecialk: Yeah, I came up with the ice releasing the virus thing on my own. I have an overactive imagination, but I figured such a phenomenon could actually happen.

To the rest of you, thanks so much for all your reviews! I assure you, I love each and every one!

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The next morning I made a point to avoid Dylan. Even more than usual, I mean.

I helped pack up the supplies we had used last night, checked Iggy's shoe to make sure the bullet wasn't still in it, and always made sure I was with one member of the Flock whenever Dylan was around.

I was sure he was just waiting to get me alone so he could discuss what had, or hadn't, happened last night. Dylan was way more free with his feelings than-

Than I was used to.

Anyway, his impressions, emotions, whatever- he wanted to share.

And I sure as heck didn't.

So as soon as we were all packed up, I gave the signal to take off.

You try having a serious conversation at thousands of feet in the air with the wind howling in your ears. If worse comes to worst I could always act like I didn't hear him.

Of course that didn't stop him.

"Hey Max?"

I ignored him. Yeah, it was childish, but really, having this conversation in front of the children? I'm pretty sure that was worse.

He didn't have problems flying anymore, but I didn't expect it when his voice was directly above me.

"Max?"

He was only a foot or two above me. Our wings were only a few inches apart at the down stroke.

Jeez, when did he get so good at flying? Anyone else wouldn't have been able to get their wing beats timed just right and it would have been a mid air collision.

He wouldn't be able to do that with anyone else, Max and neither could you. I told you, he is very in tune with you. Ah, the Voice, always with the insight.

Shut up, I snapped back.

It was hard to turn my head enough to be able to meet his eyes, but that was okay because I wasn't really all that interested in whatever he had to say. No matter what kind of fancy maneuvers he pulled off to talk to me.

"Yes?" I growled at him, in a tone that clearly said I didn't care.

"I was just wondering, and I'm sure the others are, too… Where are we going?"

Oh.

"Um, well."

I looked back and saw the others were listening as well, watching me and waiting for an answer.

"Well, I figured we should probably go to D.C. See what's going on in the thick of things, you know?"

"Wait, so we are taking an active role in the government now?" Iggy asked incredulously.

"Not necessarily, Ig. I just want to see what's going on, see if anybody is trying to establish order. It seems a bit late to save the world now."

"No," Nudge, speaking for the first time since our near death experience yesterday. "No, it's not too late. Don't you see?"

She glanced at each of us.

"It may be in bad shape, but this world can still be saved. We've been given a clean slate, see? This is our chance." She continued, her eyes bright with the idea. "We can all start over. New laws, new everything. We know now, don't we? It can't be like last time around. We have to be careful. We have to respect the earth- we didn't before. Now though, we can learn from this. We have to show them that they have to do things different this time." She looked at me. "You have to tell them, Max."

I was a little shocked. Why should I have to tell them? If a sixteen year old girl can come to that conclusion, you'd think the remainder of the government would see it pretty easily.

She nodded with conviction. "Yeah, you can tell them. And then this will be over." She closed her eyes and sighed, like it would be as simple as that.

"That's gonna be a lot of work, Nudge," I said, always the voice of depressing reality, "People aren't going to be happy about having to change. They certainly aren't going to want to work at it. And they aren't going to want a teenage girl telling them what to do, either."

"But they have to!" she exclaimed. "They must know that. They have to change if they want a better future!"

"I'm for that," Iggy put in. "For a better future, I don't mind the work."

"For no more people shooting at us, I'm for that," Gazzy said.

"Yeah," Dylan said, meeting my eyes, "For a happier future."

I turned away from him and aimed toward the sun, rising in the east.

"To D.C. then, and a brighter future."

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A/N: So the next chapter switches back to Fang's POV. I'm going to wait to post it until I have at least 20 reviews total, since I'm still editing the next chapter. I'll probably post it late tomorrow. Thanks for your reviews and your patience!