Hey, everybody! I know it's been, like, a million years since I updated (two months), but I'm back now! My internet was stupid and died, but I got it fixed on Friday, so now it's up! And I have no more homework due to seriously overrated CSTs/STAR testing.

I want to thank all of you who reviewed the last chapter! You guys are fantabulous! Over 130 reviews! Holy crap! You guys are the best! A special shout-out to Maximum Ride is awesome98, one freaking awesome reviewer! You rock dude!

Disclaimer: Don't own. Don't sue.

Chapter 15: California Or Bust

MPOV

I awoke to someone touching my shoulder.

"Max," Angel's voice whispered. "Wake up!"

I gasped. My eyes snapped open. I could still feel the cold chill that I had felt during the dream. The high, cold laughter reverberated in my head.

I ran my hand over my forehead. I was coated in a sheen of cold sweat, and shivering like heck.

"Max!" Nudge said, her voice sounding young and scared. "You were screaming in your sleep! You wouldn't wake up for the longest time!"

I sat up slowly. I felt clammy and ill. "Just a nightmare," I muttered.

"Some nightmare," Iggy said as he walked through the door that adjoined the girls' room to the guys'. "I could hear you from in there. It sounded like you were being murdered by some psycho with an axe."

I ran a hand through my messy hair. Should I tell them? Maybe it would be a good idea.

"Are you all right?" Dylan asked.

I tried really, really hard not to glare at him, and almost succeeded. "Peachy," I said sarcastically. "Never better."

He frowned, his perfect eyebrows knitting together like he was trying to understand. Didn't this guy know what sarcasm was?

"What time is it?" I asked, glancing around for a clock.

"Five-thirty in the morning," Fang answered.

I put my head in my hands. I still couldn't get the dream out of my head. It was like it was a part of me, like it was forever engrained into my mind.

"The train leaves in an hour," Gazzy said.

I swung my legs over the side of the couch and said, "Let's get this show on the road, then."

The next half-hour was a flurry of activity, so I didn't have time to tell Fang or any of the others about my dream.

When we arrived at the train station, it was packed full of people. Tourists, business people, college students, homeless people begging for money, musicians playing their instruments and dancers trying to make a quick buck so they could head west. I even saw a few runaways. It all made me twitchy, and I half-expected someone to turn into an Eraser, Flyboy, M-Geek, or various monster at any second.

When we had actually gotten onto the train and were speeding along, I whispered to Fang, "I still feel like we're being watched."

He looked at me. "Yeah. But I think it's just your paranoia getting to you again."

I smirked. "And how many times has my paranoia saved our butts?"

That made him frown. "Touché."

By noon, we were only passing through Ohio. It reminded me how quickly we would be able to get to California if we were able to fly. Curse Dylan and his inability to have wings!

Fang took my hand and said, "Don't worry."

I looked at him. It still amazed me how he could practically read my mind, even though he didn't have that sort of power like Angel did. But I still couldn't get the image of his gravestone out of my head.

"I need to tell you about my nightmare," I whispered to him. He raised a dark eyebrow. I told him quickly every single bit of the nightmare, right down to the part where I saw his grave.

When I was done, Fang stared intently into my eyes. He knew how much the deaths of the flock would break me, so he knew that this was my absolute worst nightmare ever.

He wrapped his arms around me. "It was just a nightmare," he murmured. "I'm here for you. You don't have to worry about it."

But we both knew that that wasn't the whole truth.

Because the prophecies were still haunting our minds.

This is a line break.

For three incredibly long and boring days we were on that train, only allowed three hours to stop and stretch our legs in various cities.

The sad part was, we didn't exactly have enough money to go all the way to California. So we were practically thrown off the train in Salt Lake City.

"Now what are we gonna do?" Nudge wailed. "We have no money, no transportation that we can all use, and we still have no clue where to go after San Fran!"

I sent her a silencing glance. "Where there's a will, there's a way," I said.

"It sort of depends on the will," Iggy said sarcastically as we walked down one street. "But if there is a will, not the metaphorical one, then I want to be in it!"

It was enough to boost our morale and make us laugh. Or, in Fang's case, chuckle.

"What about the Max Ride card?" Angel asked.

I shook my head. "I lost that back in Germany."

Both Nudge and Angel groaned.

Just then, the back of my neck prickled.

"Need a ride, kids?" a cold voice asked from behind.

We all spun around, ready to strike. But something about this person make me stop.

He had a military-like buzz-cut, a leather jacket, red-tinted sunglasses, combat boots, and was riding a Harley. I felt pure, undiluted anger burn at my insides. I wanted to pick a fight, mainly with this guy.

"Now, now," he said, his tone joking. "You don't want to be doing that. After all, we're family."

I stared hard at the man. Were those flames behind those sunglasses?

"Who are you?" I asked coldly.

He grinned a predator's grin. "The name's Ares, God of War."

That was when my day really started to go downhill.

Fang & Percy: Happy (seriously belated) birthday to you! Happy (seriously belated) birthday to you! Happy (seriously belated) birthday dear Crazy about books13! Happy (seriously belated) birthday to you!

This chapter is especially dedicated to Crazy about books13, my BFFL, whose birthday was last month! (Oops.) Love ya girly! Stop by her profile and check out her stories! They are sure to make you laugh!

The second piece of news: I will be posting the Maximum End fic NEXT week. It's official! Woot woot! You guys will freaking LOVE it. Test: ΔΓ

Ignore that test. I just need to see if something works for my Maximum End fic, 'cause I need to write those letters on occasion for the fic.

Aside from that short break, please review! And also, thank you to all of you who said that this is the best Percy/Max crossover! It makes me feel good inside!

-A$h, Percy, and Fang.