Chapter 29

It doesn't feel like summer yet… I don't know why.

Well, I think there's going to be one more chapter after this and that's it. This is sad.

Just for clarification, Fang killed an angel because a demon possessed it. So technically, he killed both. Confusing, right? Well, it adds to the plot.

Dun Dun Dun Duuun. The plot thickens. That makes it sound like a batter. Oh well, the cake is almost done. I love cake. Especially red velvet and cream cheese, and marble cake, and chocolate ice cream cake. Holy mother of bacon, I'm rambling aren't I?

R&R?

Max

Judgment Day. I remembered the first one. All of Heaven was assembled in the Throne Room and awaited the Lord's judgment. We had waited to say goodbye to our comrades, our companions, our friends. It wouldn't be different this time. We would have to say goodbye to even more people.

The Flock was excluded in this of course. They were Earthborns. They weren't like us. They weren't to be Judged the same way. They waited on earth under the protection of a spell back in the Palace.

I saw Fang slip in from the other side of the Throne Room. He barely glanced at me but I walked next to him.

"Fang," I nudged his arm for his attention. What was wrong with him? He looked so sad and remorseful.

"Max," he says finally, swallowing hard, "I'm so sorry."

"About what?" something in me hesitates but I keep a smile anyways. A/N Hey, that rhymed!

"I-" he begins but he was cut off by the loud booming voice of an archangel calling out.

"Aric, former demon," he shouted.

Ari slips from the cover of the crowd to stand before the Lord. "Here, my Lord." He wears a mask of indifference but I can see the nerves showing through. He's been through this before and he knows what Hell is like. But it was different this time for him. He was a hero. The worst they could do was make him human. I saw his longing when he first came back to Heaven. I saw his eyes follow the other angels and their wings outspread. He wanted to belong in Heaven. And I saw it in his eyes.

"Is there anyone willing to testify against Aric?" the archangel searched the assembled angels for an objection. Ari trembles a little.

There's a silence and then something changes in the air. Then the archangel nods, "The Throne welcomes Aric to our numbers."

Fang

Max breathes a sigh of relief next to me.

"Nicholas of District 17," the archangel calls. I walk before the Throne. All eyes are on me. I breath a silent apology to Max.

"Is there anyone to testify against Nicholas of District 17?"

A few seconds pass by and I square my shoulders. The archangel looks around the room.

A little angel steps forward. It's the scout, I realize. I nod slowly.

"State your name," the archangel commands.

"Cheyanne, scouting angel of District 12," the little green-eyed angel states, "I accuse Nicholas guilty of murder. I saw him murder Ibar, the River Angel of District 9."

Max tries to stifle a gasp behind me but I hear her anyways.

The archangel turns his hard eyes on me, "How do you plead, Nicholas?"

"Guilty," I look at the archangel with the same coldness in my stare. I've never been more unprepared in my life. Max stands behind me; I can feel the fear radiating from her.

"The Throne sentences Nicholas to-"

"Wait!" Max calls out behind me. I turn to look at her. Her brown eyes are desperate, "Nicholas has played a significant role in our success. He helped our cause. There must be another way."

"It is true," the Lord speaks, "But he has also killed his kin. The Throne will sentence Nicholas an eternity on earth."

Max lowers her head. I step over to her and lift her chin, "You're the indestructible Maximum Ride. Don't cry."

I don't turn back as I walk into the portal.

Max

My eyes stung as he disappeared.

"Maximum Ride," the archangel calls.

I step forward, trying to keep my head held high.

"Is there anyone willing to testify against M-" the archangel is cut off by the sound of the Lord.

"Maximum Ride," the Lord called out, "You fell in love didn't you?"

The assembled angels all gasp in horror, in outrage. "Yes, I have, m'Lord."

"But would you repent? Would you forget about him? You are a hero to Heaven, and we are forever grateful. You have led us to win the War. The demons are driven back to Hell and order is restored. But you have fallen in love and that is not the way among angels. Would you refuse your love for Nicholas?"

"I-I couldn't," I say, "I'm sorry, m'Lord, but I couldn't. I-I love him. I couldn't ever refuse my love for him. I can't say I'm sorry that I love him."

All of the angels look at me, terror in their eyes. This is impossible for angels. We can't love. And it was illegal of us to love.

"You are a hero to us, Maximum Ride," the Lord continues, "I shall give you a choice. The Throne offers you to become an archangel. Or you can live in peace on Earth as an angel with Nicholas and your Flock."

"I-" I swallow. Follow your heart, Max. The Voice returns.

"If you please," I turn from the Throne and stepped into the portal after Fang.

Okay! That's a boring chapter…

Oh well, I feel horrible. Anyways…99 reviews! Who's gonna be the 100th? Haha. Well, big thanks to everyone.

Ira Night- Okay, I'll try to make another one. I think it'll be a SYOC this time, those are fun. I tried one with a bunch of my friends and it was interesting to see what they come up with. We ended up with a giant pink octopus tamer named Callahan falling in love with a princess trapped underneath a spell for a thousand years. It was all fun and games.

Anon13-You write songs? I do too, only the lyrics though. I play the piano and I'm trying to write down the music for them but it doesn't work out so well.

Arocksprpl2-I'm happy that you're happy.

Tomgirl1313- Don't worry, it's not going to be Romeo and Juliet.

RockerBabe414-Thanks for your support always, and yes, I lied, I would bite their heads off too.

Thank you everyone for reading, all my love, asante (Swahili)