So Ch. 5 is up...yeah. You know those days that just drag on forever and ever? Yeah. I just had one of those days, so I'm like really worn out. But I'm typing this up anyways! You know why?

Cause I love you guys! Really. Just the fact that you're reading (and reviewing) this story means so much to me :)

Okay I'm babbling. On with the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own Maximum Ride. Iggy, however, remains super-sexy!

Max POV

"We could have streamers and confetti and a cake and we could all sing and dance and what about music? Every party has to have music cause otherwise it's not a party. We are having a party, right Max? Cause that would be so cool!" Nudge finally took a breath, and I seized the opportunity to speak.

"We're not having a party, Nudge." Her face fell, and I kinda felt sorry for her until I remembered how much I despised all things festive. Especially when it comes to flock initiation parties.

I'd been drilling Angel for information, but all I ever got was, "She misses Jack." Whoever that is. And afterwords, she'd give me the whole "she's not a threat" lecture. Yeah. I'm getting chastised by a six year old.

"But Maaaaaaaax," Gazzy whined. "Iggy and I could do some awesome fireworks!"

"And then we could blow up the cake!" Iggy added evilly, and they slapped hi-fives. I ignored them.

"What should the cake look like?" Nudge asked, looking thoughtful.

"It should be blue," said Angel. "With lots of flowers on it."

"Don't forget her name," I added dryly. Nudge, being Nudge, thought I was being serious.

"Oh my gosh! We still need to come up with a name! Skye, you know her the best! You need to help us!" Nudge, Skye, and Angel peeled off from the rest of the flock and started to whisper excitedly. Gazzy, Fang, and Iggy were talking about whatever teenage bird-guys talk about. So you know who that left? Me and the Threat. Might as well try to get something out of her.

I dropped down to where she was gliding, about 50 feet below. "You know how to fight?" I asked her. It was a stupid question; of course she knew how, but I had to start somewhere.

"Are you kidding me?" she said. "Barney could beat me in a fistfight."

Okay. I was totally shocked. "But how are you still, like, alive?"

She shrugged. "If they can't find me, then I don't need to fight."

"We need to teach you," I said, finally pulling myself together.

She smiled evilly. Is it just me, or have I been getting a lot of that lately? "Okay," she said.

I narrowed my eyes. "What are you planning?"

"I'll tell you when we land. There's a really nice cave right below us." She dove down, leaving me hovering in confusion. How does she know that? We were above the clouds. Now that I thought about it, she's been spouting this kind of stuff for days. I ignored it at first, but now it was starting to creep me out.

"FLOCK MEETING!" I called before anyone could get settled.

As soon as we all gathered together and Iggy stopped muttering about me being impatient, I turned expectantly towards the Threat. "You have something to say?"

"Max wants to teach Skye and I how to fight," she announced. "I, however, don't want to learn." That got a couple of surprised expressions. We were magnets for anything dangerous created by the School. "So I'll only let you," she continued, sitting down in front of the cave exit, "if you can get past me." Was she serious? A couple of punches, and we'd be outa here in no time. "Are you up for it?" Fang looked suspicious, but I could barely keep from laughing.

"You're on," I said. I heard Skye giggle from behind me.

"Alright. Here are the rules."

So, basically, here's what we're up against:

1. The Threat is be sitting at the cave exit. We have to get past her.

2. No contact. If she tags us, or if we touch her, we have to start over.

3. If one of us gets out, she'd let us teach her.

4. She'll have her eyes closed. "To make it fair," she said. Right.

As soon as she laid down the law, Fang spoke up.

"You're hiding something," he said menacingly.

"I've told you all the rules," she replied coolly. "I'm not hiding anything."

"This is too easy."

"Why are you complaining?"

"I'm not."

"Wait," said Iggy, breaking the tension. "How are you going to tell where we are, then?"

"Oh my gosh! Can you see with your eyes closed?" asked Nudge in amazement.

"No."

Angel, do you know what she's hiding? I thought, hoping that she was paying attention.

Yes, came her reply. I waited.

...and that would be...

The same thing that helps her find caves even when we're above the clouds.

I tried to think of some options, but I came up empty. You feel like being more specific? I asked, trying to sound persuasive.

Nope, she replied. I sighed.

At least gimmie a hint, I pleaded.

Nope.

Six year olds. Why do they have to be so stubborn?

"I have a question," proclaimed Gazzy.

"What?" The Threat asked.

"Does it count if Sky makes it past you?"

"Sure," she replied, and Skye groaned.

"I won't be any help at all," she mumbled.

"But you can turn invisible," I pointed out, being the exceptionally observant person that I am.

"Yeah, but she can sense me coming from a mile away," she grumbled.

"Sensed?" asked Iggy. "Like as in hear? Smell? Feel?"

"No, just sense." Skye sighed dejectedly. We looked questioningly at the Threat, who shrugged.

"It's true," she said.

"Show me," I demanded, giving her my best I-dare-you-to glare.

"Okay," she agreed easily, surprising me yet again. "Skye, turn invisible, walk around, and I'll be right back."

"Sure thing!" chirped Skye, back to her usual happy self. As soon as the Threat flew off, she disappeared.

"Where'd she go?" asked Gazzy.

"Over here," said Iggy, walking to the back of the cave and patting the air, which let out a shrill giggle.

About a minute later, the Threat landed back in the cave. Everything was silent. After standing there for a couple seconds, she walked right up to Iggy and tickled the space beside him.

"Stop it! Stop!" squeaked Skye, turning visible. Yet again, the Threat had reduced us to open-mouthed idiots.

"Did she make any noise?" Fang asked Iggy.

"Not a sound," he replied. And if Iggy doesn't hear it, nobody does.

"So," the Threat said, breaking the awed silence that followed. "You ready for the challenge?" Challenge? Challenge....oh yeah! The not-so-challenging challenge.

"You bet," I answered.

"Well then. You know the rules. Let's start!"

"Good luck," said Skye. "You'll need it."

What is her mysterious power? Find out on the next episode of....uuhh....whatever this would be called if it was a TV show.

REVIEW!! PLEASE!!! MY SANITY DEPENDS ON IT!!