Ok, two things, 1.) Sorry that I haven't been on lately, and 2.) Here's my fic! Even if you haven't read Maximum Ride, you might still like this. Well, you won't know until you try!
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Ch 1: A Welcome Home Gift (Star's POV)

Fang, Maya, Kate, Holden, Ratchet and I started walking away from the whole bloody mess. No-not bloody as in actual blood but as in a complete chaotic disaster… wow, glad I didn't say that out loud. Max and her flock took off, their bird/human silhouettes passing over us briefly before the group vanished into the sky. Fang and Maya, despite their wings, stayed grounded, walking along with us non-bird hybrids.

None of us talked. In fact, none of us made a sound. Even our shoes on the concrete seemed oddly quiet. We should all be happy; after all, didn't we just save Paris? The thought faded quickly. No. We shouldn't be happy. The country was probably in a panic, and not only that, but a member of The Flock was dead… I looked up at Ratchet, who noticed my gaze and glanced my way, flashing a forced, weary smile.

Suddenly, a wave of emotion washed over me. I looked over at the others and coughed slightly.

"Hey guys? Can we… get back to our own country?" Realizing how pitiful that sounded, I quickly added:

"It's just… you know, I want some real American food, no more French croissants, my shoes are worn out too, and fashionable heels aren't good for running."

It sounded pretty stupid, and I'm sure no one bought it, but I did know that they all had the same feeling I did: Homesickness; even though we had no home.

Everyone nodded, and Maya said: "All those in favor?" her grubby hand went up. Fang's hand rose, mine too, then the rest followed.

Later, we boarded our plane. Most of the airlines were still shut down in light of recent events, but they made an exception for us; private jet and everything. I couldn't help but notice that we all looked very out of place. Six dirty, battle-bloodied kids did not belong on a fancy plane, but there we were. Fang and Maya sat together near the front of the aircraft. Ratchet tried to sit next to Kate, but I slipped into the seat before he did.

"Not a chance," I informed him, examining my nails, most of which had chipped or broken. "Bu-" Ratchet started arguing, but stopped abruptly, slumping down in the seat across the aisle from us. Holden, who sat behind us, let out a small giggle. I think that was the first time he had laughed, maybe ever.

The eight hours it took to get back to the US went by quickly, probably because all of us had dozed off. We unloaded the plane, bleary-eyed and jet lag fatigued, but all of us managed to walk off the tarmac and make our way to the front of the airport, gathering plenty of strange looks in our grimy condition (but hey, when you're a freak, that's something you get used to).

We found a rental car waiting for us in the parking lot.

"Not top-notch, but acceptable." Ratchet mused, circling the sleek black vehicle. Fang, much to Ratchet's protest, took the driver's seat, Maya shotgun.

Ratchet settled in on the left side, but Kate shoved him over to the middle. He tried to get to the right seat, but I got there first, seeing my smirking reflection in his aviators. Holden got in on my side, and we had to share the seat, making my victory less sweet. Ratchet suddenly stiffened. I turned to him.

"Wha-" He slapped a hand over my mouth. I was about to yell some pretty foul words at him, when he spoke, voice deadly calm, deadly serious.

"Do. Not. Move."

We all froze, and a whimper escaped Holden.

Something was very wrong. I could feel Ratchet start to tremble beside me, almost as if he were… scared.

"On the count of three: Everyone. Get. Out." He spoke through clenched teeth with an unreadable expression on account of his sunglasses.

"One." Everyone near a door grabbed the handle, including me.

"Two." I grabbed Holden, tense, waiting to spring.

It seemed like an hour before we heard the final number.

"THREE!"

Everyone bailed, Holden flew out of my grasp as I hit the ground running, but I wasn't on my feet long. An explosion rocked the earth, jerking me off my feet. I cried out, hitting the concrete and rolling, then deafened by a loud BOOM! I covered my head, but that did nothing to protect me from the blast of searing heat and white-hot shrapnel.

After the wave passed, I rolled over on my back, a shudder of pain running up my body. The sky was spinning above me, and I had to close my eyes to stop the nausea from overtaking me. Even though every cell in my body protested, I got to my knees, immediately knocked onto my forearms by a stomach-flipping sensation of vertigo.

I looked towards the wreckage, and even though my vision was still buzzing, I could see by the mass of flickering orange that the car had been obliterated… along with anyone inside. The ringing in my ears rendered me completely deaf, but I felt my vocal chords vibrating and knew that I was screaming. I stopped, coughed harshly, and screamed again. Even with my lack of hearing, I knew that I was yelling a name:

Ratchet.
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Thanks if you stuck with me to the end! If you liked it or even didnt like it, please go to my story here and leave a comment!