Hi! I'm back again. Sorry I didn't update earlier, I had two other stories I needed to get new chapters too. As I have said before, I you intend to know what's happening in this series, you need to read The Demigod Experiment. I cannot express enough how important it will be to this story. Anyways, enjoy the chapter!

Max POV

That night, Thalia and I stayed up late together in the Zeus cabin getting to know each other.

"So how did you get your wings?" Thalia asked me.

It was an innocent enough question, but it still made me wince in memory of the School.

"There was a place," I began bitterly, "a place that injected me and the Flock with avian DNA before we were born. They did tests on us. Horrible, sick tests, we were the lucky ones. We're the only recombinant DNA experiments to survive childhood, and the first to escape. I've always had the Flock, been the leader, taking care of us. I could never let them go back to that horrible place."

Thalia looked at me sympathetically, and I wondered if I was ever that good to the Flock, even if Iggy couldn't see a sympathetic look.

My sister told me about running away with Luke and Annabeth and, about being turned into a tree, how she became a Hunter of Artemis. She told me how Luke had betrayed them four years ago, how he had brought monsters to attack the camp through the labyrinth just last year.

When we finally turned out the lights, I lay awake even longer wondering, is this life actually safer than the one we had?

Artemis POV (surprise)

I had been filled in by Chiron about the two Big Three children that had been claimed before I got here. My shock was barely contained when Zeus claimed another daughter. Didn't he learn his lesson with Thalia? I had always thought Hades had done well keeping his oath until now (Nico was born before the oath, so he doesn't count.)

This worried me, Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus, all with children the same age. None of this could bode well for anyone. If something happened to Percy, there would be three ready candidates to fulfill the Great Prophecy.

Thinking of which, Percy was fifteen now, it wouldn't be long until his birthday. Oh my goddesses! This is such a panic for me! The fate of one of the oldest civilizations in history is in the hands of an adolescent!

Past that panic, my lieutenant just found a sister at camp. I knew she was loyal to me, but I also knew that real family was something she cared for deeply. The way I saw it, I faced either losing my lieutenant, or having to make more frequent trips to Half-Blood for her. Or I would gain an extra hunter. Max would look good in silver. Oh no, I'm thinking about fashion! Things really are bad!

Nico POV

So I had a brother, okay. Fang's cool, a lot like I am. I can handle another sibling, so long as this one doesn't die.

We were sitting awkwardly in the Big House room where I usually stayed at camp. Fang was probably feeling awkward because he towered over my tiny frame, while I just couldn't take in the whole 'brother' thing.

"So what do you do for fun?" I asked him in a lame attempt a conversation.

Fang shrugged. "Fly, I guess."

When I only looked confused, he sat up and opened huge black wings that extended seven feet in either direction.

"I was infused with avian DNA before I was born. Then I was kidnapped and raised by insane scientists," he explained. Fang's face was cool and emotionless, but I could tell he was hiding a world of pain. Welcome to the club. "One of the scientists took pity on me and the Flock and helped us escape. We lived in Colorado for a few years without the scientist who'd helped us. Then they came back and took Angel. We saved her, came to NY, we crashed here." he finished, making a sweeping gesture with his arms. "What do you do for fun?"

It was my turn to shrug. "I never have fun. Mostly I hang in the Underworld in case Dad needs help or something. Other than that, I wander around. Did you ever meet your mom?"

Fang stared at the ground. "Nah, but I know she was some teenage drug addict. I don't think she ever really cared. Your mom?"

I stared at my shoes, suddenly feeling like I was hollowed out. "She died before I was old enough to know her. I had a sister, but she kind of…died last year."

"That's rough, buddy,"

"Yeah,"

"You've got me now, if that helps."

"Wait'll you meet Dad, he'll love your wings."

"His little angel of death."

I allowed myself a small smile. Maybe I really could handle another sibling. So long as this one didn't die.

That's all, I hope I managed to explain Maximum Ride well enough to people who have never read it (kind of made it a filler chapter). Please keep submitting OC's for me! The help is appreciated. Please review!

Chapter Song: People Like Us by Kelly Clarkson