Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride.

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Iggy walked the flaming abyss of the hallways aimlessly. His eyes remained sullen and blank.

He couldn't believe the destruction he had caused.

Many failed experiments crawled through the fires, he didn't know if they just wanted to burn to death or they couldn't see.

A hand gripped his ankle as he walked by what seemed to be a human with a snapping turtle's beak. Iggy didn't even look at her. He just reached down and yanked the hand away, threw it far from himself and went back to walking without direction.

Suddenly, a creature who groaned quite loudly caught his attention.

It had lavender skin and pasty eyes. Eyeliner ran down her well defined cheeks. Her dreadlocks seemed tangled and lost in matted blood and pus. Ashes coated the purple dress she wore. A sweaty hand was at her heart, holding what seemed to be a bloody wound. Persian Indigo(he thinks that's the name) lips pulled back on her pearl white teeth.

It was Kylie.

Iggy stalked over to her, lifting her into his arms, and laying her head on his lap. She looked up at him with her periwinkle eyes.

Mauve to Ivory.

Ivory to Mauve.

A strained smile appeared on those used lips.

" James," she croaked, but her voice was hoarse. She realized this and tried to clear her throat but it only caused more pain for herself. A cry flew from her throat and she recoiled in his hands.

He shushed her gently, stroking her hair, and Kylie moaned silently when his hands touched her like that.

Even though she knew she was dying, Kylie was enjoying herself. She never had these kinds of moments with James. After the sex, she'd sleep and he'd stay up, staring out the window, most likely thinking about Sophi.

Sophi.

Kylie didn't really know what to think of her. She didn't hate her, that was a first. She even started to like her a bit. But then James shot her.

James.

Even if he was the one who almost killed her, she... she still loved him.

" Why?" James' empty voice spoke.

Kylie looked up, then down again. She didn't answer. She didn't want to spoil this amazing moment.

Instead, she began to think of James himself.

He really did have pretty eyes when he was a baby.

A certain blush crept into his cheeks at that thought, but he shrugged it off. Kylie continued with her inner conversation.

Maybe I can get out of this. Maybe if I dye my hair white and get my skin to tan, James'll love me.

James' eyes slanted at her pathetic hope.

No, that's just ridiculous. I'd have to get contacts so I'll have irises and pupils.

Kylie laughed bitterly at this, but her heart wouldn't have it. It beat furiously and she coughed up blood. It hit James' eyes, but he didn't care. He just reached a sleeve and wiped at it calmly.

He turned back to Kylie.

" Are you alright?" His voice came out in monotone. He couldn't help it. No matter how much love Kylie can give him, he would never be able to love her back. He loved only one person. And that was Sophi.

But he's dead to her, literally.

Kylie smiled.

" Don't take this," she gestured to her wound, "seriously, James. It's just a scratch. A blemish. It can be fixed." Kylie tried to sit up, but her body screamed for rest. She collapsed in James arms again.

" Don't stand. It can't be helped. Kylie... I'm sorry. I don't want to cause you more pain, but... I can never--"

A bloody finger came to his lips, surprising him. Kylie smiled warmly at him.

" Don't say anything. It's okay, James. Really." James seemed unconvinced. Kylie's smile grew wider. She sat up a little, leaning into his right arm. James was surprised at how feather light she seemed to be. Maybe it was the blood loss.

Kylie's good hand came up and held his cheek. It slithered into his hair and smoothed it out, briefly running her warm hands on his scalp. James admitted it, it felt good.

It felt amazing, actually.

" James, I know you never really cared about me--"

" That's not true!" Kylie's hand came up and stopped him.

" Let me finish. James, I know you never really cared about me. It was your job to have sex with me, and I'm okay with that. Even if it was one-sided, I love you. I've been in love with you since the day they told me your name." Kylie leaned in and placed a short kiss to James' lips. He closed his eyes and relished in that half-second. It felt great. To be kissed by someone who actually loves you.

" James, I know you... I know you love her." Kylie gulped visibly the ball of cotton that gave her a feeling to throw up.

" And I know that if you had to, you'd do anything, even murder, just to get her back. James, I guess what I'm trying to say is... I want you to be happy. If I'm good enough for Heaven, then I'll be sure to put a deal on you. I want to see you happy, James. I want to see that beautiful smile on your face. I want to hear you laugh daily. I want you to love yourself and your life. Don't be like me. Don't hate yourself. Because if you do, you'll end up in the arms of your one-sided lover, professing your love to them, when they don't even give a shit.

" James. All I'm saying is, I love you, and I want you to be happy. To be truly happy. And if Sophi can do that for you, then so be it." Kylie moaned painfully when she brought her arms around his neck, running her hands in his hair comfortingly. She brought her lips to his and kissed him calmly and gently. She wasn't hungry for him anymore. She just wanted to love him and love him, and love him.

Iggy decided he was in love with her too. So he kissed back. He brought his arms around her lithe waist and pressed her body to his.

But it was too much for the poor thing.

Kylie gasped into his mouth. Death came and raped her. Kylie's skin grew cold rather rapidly. It became calloused and dry. Her lips and tongue cracked.

And before long, she went limp in his arms.

Iggy had a taste of death. It wasn't very nice.

He pulled away and held her face in one hand, the other holding her up.

" Kylie? Kylie!" Tears began to form in his eyes. His heart clenched deeply. His stomach did a somersault.

She had died. In his arms.

He tried shaking her, kissing her, stroking her hair. But she never came to.

After many efforts, Iggy laid her back down on the tiles. He looked around and found a linen cloth, rather smudgy from the ashes.

He covered her face and body with it. Her blood didn't even stain the cloth. It was white anyway.

He began to walk away, then remembered his promise. He came back, and peeled the linen from her face.

" I'll keep my promise. I swear on your grave." He kissed her mouth, even though he could barely stand the taste of death.

--

This is officially the ending...... I hope. I'm still a little woozy on this all.

SEE?!?!?! IGGY DIDN'T DIE!!!!! HAVEN'T YOU PEOPLE HEARD OF MISSED SHOTS?!?!?!

I would never kill Iggy. I love him too much.