I felt like I'd just been thrown off a cliff, but that was understandable, I thought. I looped a hand around my ribs, wondering if they were really cracked or if it just felt that way—most likely, they were. I sighed, facing Ethan, feeling an electric shock run through my heart as I caught sight of Fang and the fake me standing there at his side. My eyes burned, but I refused to show them any more weakness than I had to.

"Can't say I'm particularly happy to have been invited to this little get together," I said, and scowled when my voice came out a little breathy. Anything less than tough could really get me killed—I hadn't been in such bad shape in a while. I shot a glance at my flock, who were sitting on top of a little hill in this ravine, a huge cage holding them. They were all looking in my direction worriedly; well, everyone except Angel, who was staring determinedly at Fang. I wondered what kind of thoughts she was picking up off of him.

"I'd watch my tongue if I were you, Maximum," Ethan's voice was cold as ice, sending shivers up my spine. I stood up a little straighter, careful not to wince at all.

"And if I were you, I'd go with a new look. The whole "crazy-evil-scientist" vibe isn't really working out for you." I made my face seem sympathetic, and though it terrified me, I'd be lying if I said I didn't take a little bit of joy from the infuriated expression Ethan shot me. He said nothing, though, simply looked around at the crowd that had gathered.

"Fellow scientists, Erasers, and of course, our guests of honor," Ethan said, glancing up at my flock when he said 'guests of honor'. I swallowed, trying to steady my breathing and get the pain I was in under control. "Today, you will witness one of the most enticing battles of your lives, in which one of our most successful experiments will be terminated." I sighed—well, I suppose he meant me. I'd be fighting for my life—yet again.

"She has lived far past the date expected, and is currently fifteen years of age," he continued. Huh, so I'd turned fifteen? You learn something new every day. "She has fought for most of those fifteen years. This experiment is a special one. She is only 98% human, leaving the other 2% to avian DNA. A demonstration, please?" All the white coats, clipboards and pens in hand, turned to stare at me. I made an Are-you-kidding-me? face and nearly laughed. They thought I'd be cooperative? Didn't they know me at all by now?

"Um…I'm not showing them my wings," I said in a no-freaking-DUH voice, but Ethan's cold smile returned to his face.

"A demonstration, please," he repeated, slower this time. Before I knew what was happening, an Eraser leapt on me, pinning me to the ground and I had to bite my lip to keep from crying out. My rips ached, and I heard a loud snap as a bone in my wrist broke. I bit my lip even harder, not caring that I tasted blood. Once I was down, the Eraser took hold of my wings and raised them up high; I still couldn't feel them very much, which reminded me that they'd injected me with something before. My wings were practically screaming as the Eraser wrenched them up high, and I felt like they were about to snap off. My wings were met with many ooh's and ahh's, and I wanted to smack every single scientist who made that noise.

"Max!" I heard Gazzy cry. I looked up towards my flock.

"What? What's happening?" Iggy's voice was panicked. I looked away from them, concentrating on the Eraser that had pinned me to the ground with its knees. I summoned as much strength as I thought I could waste and heaved, sending the Eraser flying backwards. Once I was on my feet I kicked out my foot as hard as I could until it collided with the Eraser's face. It howled, then crawled back to the circle of Erasers.

I was panting slightly, holding my ribs delicately with the arm with the snapped wrist, but I stood my ground. I looked up at my flock and tried to smile reassuringly, but I had this bad feeling that my face was kind of a mangled mess at the moment and was probably anything but reassuring. Gazzy smiled back tentatively, though, as though appreciating my effort. I glanced at Angel, who still looked at Fang. I couldn't be sure, but I could swear that there were little beads of sweat rolling off of her face.

"As you can see," Ethan began again, as though nothing had transpired, "this human-avian crossbreed is very strong indeed, capable of blocking out torture. Her endurance is off the charts, and she has proven that she can be an excellent leader." Ethan drew his eyes from his crowds and looked at me; I narrowed my eyes hatefully, but he just smiled. "She has withstood everything we have thrown at her—Erasers, robots, other scientists—and she has come out successful. But now, I believe, it is time to truly test her. She has lived well past her welcome, and therefore must be destroyed. We do not know what else she is capable of, and therefore she will become a hazard to this company as well as this Earth."

What?!

I was specifically made to save the world! How the hell could I be a danger to it?!
"It is time to destroy Maximum Ride, but I have invited you all here to study and note her endurance, speed, and strength. She will be of great use to this company, even after she is terminated."

"Too bad that's not going to happen," I snapped, tired of hearing him talking about my demise like some bad tape stuck on repeat. Blah, blah, blah. I smiled rebelliously. "You've never been able to stop me before," I said, buying time. "What makes you think you can destroy me now?"

"Because you will not fight back this time," Ethan said, so quietly that I jumped. I looked around, but the other scientists were only looking at us expectedly; I figured that meant he'd spoken so only I could hear him.

"Yeah, cause that'll happen. I'll just happily sit here and let you kill me. La-dee-freaking-da, right? I don't think so." I crossed my arms across my chest, ignoring my sharp pain in my chest and meeting Ethan's frozen glare. His mouth twisted upwards in a crooked smile; he obviously thought he'd already won. "By the way," I added, trying to hide my grin, "you've got a little something; right there, on your shirt." I pointed at the small read splotch of blood I'd spit on him. "Not very professional, Ethan," I tsk-tsked him and closed my eyes, shaking my head.

"Enough!" Ethan's voice boomed. I did smile then—there's nothing better than getting a rise out of the scientists trying to kill you. I glanced at Fang. Well, almost nothing. The thought sent a sad ping to my heart.

As I stared at him, Fang's cold eyes glared at me in hatred, and I felt like I wanted to just drop to the ground and start sobbing right then and there. However, I figured that that reallywouldn't be in my best interest, so I stayed standing. I'd save Fang later; after I got through whatever test this was.

Ethan lifted something to his mouth and I immediately tensed, figuring that it had something to do with beginning this battle. My chest and head ached, my wings were throbbing from the way the Eraser had yanked them, and I felt woozy, but if I was going to survive this I'd just have to get over it. Ethan blew a small silver whistle, and with a gasp I watched, but did not react, when Fang leapt from his side and barreled into me. I landed against a rock with a loud thudand had to really concentrate so that I didn't black out.

No no no no no no no no NO my mind screamed as I scrambled to get up. This could not be happening!

I looked at Ethan, who was smiling sadistically; I looked at the flock, who's mouths were held open in shock—all except Angel, who still concentrated on Fang for some reason I couldn't fathom—; and last, I looked at the man I loved

Who was coming towards me, circling in for the kill…

Eep! Don't kill me! lol if I get enough reviews, I wouldbe tempted to update either tonight or early tomorrow! Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed!

Falling Rose Petals