Fang dodged the syringe easily, just as I assumed he would.

I didn't plan for him to grab the glass of water beside my bed, and drench me in it. Immediately, my head cleared and my eyes refocused.

"Fang," I pleaded, "I'm not-"

"It's the chip."

"Mr. Chu," I whimpered. Maximum Ride never whimpers.

Fang looked pained. His fathomless eyes withheld something from me.

"What?" I asked to no avail.

Swiftly, my second and command moved to my side. He gripped my hand, drawing in a deep breath.

"The doctors can't do anything."

My mind was slow to process that. The chip… couldn't be removed? I would forever want to kill my best friend?

Calmly, Fang said, "I think it's best if I leave."

"What? No. We need you too much."

"What am I supposed to do, Max? Stay here and let you kill me?"

"I haven't killed you yet…" I defended.

He glared bullets at me. "Yet!"

"Fang, we'll figure this out. Please, just, stay."

"Give me one good reason, Max!"

I sighed. My eyes were beginning to water. "Because I think I'm in love with you."

His glare hardened. He was going to say something when the nurse came in again.

"There's someone who would like to speak with you right away, Miss. Ride."

She stepped aside, revealing a man I didn't care to see.

The nurse allowed Jeb to come in, and shut the door behind him as she fled the room.

"Hello, Maximum."

My glare matched Fang's. "Get out."

Jeb smirked. "You know, Max, what I have to say might be useful to you. I might just be able to help you."

Despite myself, I allowed him to explain.

He admitted to spying on us, which meant he knew all about Mr. Chu's chip.

"Water shorts out the effects, correct?" He asked.

I nodded. Each time my eyes clouded over, water helped return my thoughts to normal.

"The answer, then, is not taking the chip out, but deluding its effects. Maximum, the key is to submerge yourself underwater."

I casted a look into the ocean that unfolded beyond my eyes. I had been out of the hospital for a total of 2 hours, and already I planned to take the next step. Short out the chip.

Turning to Jeb, I asked, "How is this going to work?"

"Just dive into the water and stay under until you feel a difference in the way you think."

"But, Max has been underwater lots of times after Mr. Chu put the chip in. Why is this any different?" Nudge piped up.

"The chip wasn't activated those times," Jeb explained, "this time the chip will be functioning as Max plunges into the water."

The Gasman gave Jeb a confused look. "How will we turn it on?"

"That's simple. Fang, if you would, please provoke Max. Slap her; push her, anything to anger her."

Fang sure didn't have to be told twice. He stepped up and… disappeared before my eyes.

His voice taunted me. He called me a bad leader, an awful mother, the worst best friend anyone could ask for.

I began to see the color red. My eyes started to fog over. The provoking was working.

I turned to my right, facing the water, and my second in command showed himself.

He smirked and waved, just before reaching out and slapping me across the face.

I charged at that moment. His midnight blue wings expanded, and he was already safely hovering in the air by the time I reached the water.

My body went rigid preparing itself for a dangerous fall. It took all of my control to continue on course, vs. spreading my wings and flying after Fang.

I hit the water head first, and instantly my head cleared.

I opened my eyes. My lungs were screaming for air, and I happened to remember: I have gills. Cool.

I took a deep breath and shook my head. I had no clue how long I had been underwater. Still, though, I felt only the initial difference.

About to give up, I began to swim back to the surface. Just when I could see the flock's reflections in the water, a shock went through me.

I dropped deeper into the depths of the water as another shock occurred.

I could feel my body begin to shut down.

Aware of someone else jumping into the water, my eyes began to flutter closed. The last thing I remembered was a pair of strong arms grabbing me.

Wow. It's been a little while, hasn't it?

There are only a few chapters left, though I'm not sure just how many. 1 or 2 maybe?

Anything you have to say? Review, maybe?

Thanks

~Faxisthegreatest123~