AN: And here it is! Maximum Ride: Passing the Torch!! This is Chapter One and it is written in the perspective of a character who will be introduced quite early on. She is a key character. Also just keep in mind that it's been fifteen years since the flock has been together, all seven of them. Now, before I spoil the entire story, read and enjoy!

Maximum Ride: Passing the Torch
Sequel to MR: The After Years

Summary: Fifteen years is a long time. So much has changed in the flock. Secrets linger on all sides, hanging over their heads like a flaming sword. When disaster unexpectedly strikes, the fate of the flock is thrust into the wings of an unprepared receiver. Sequel to The After Years.

Chapter One: Looking for the Right Fit

Jackson Household, Phoenix, Arizona

When I was growing up, my parents always called me "special." But not in the conducive way that everyone else's parents did so. No, no, no. They actually meant it.

And they weren't the only ones who called me "special." Everyone did. And they were right. At least, if you consider having wings and being able to fly "special."

Who am I, you ask. Me? I am intoxicating, a faerie queen who causes men to dream of what they love. I am small, petite, and carry myself on nature's back.

At least, according to Shakespeare, more specifically Mercutio, that's who I am.

My name is Mab. Please don't go sticking a "Queen" on the front.

In fact, compared to Queen Mab, I'm nothing too special.

Compared to my sister, I'm the norm.

Compared to my parents, I'm still the norm.

And you know who my parentals are?

Nickolas and Madison Jackson.

More commonly known as Fang and Max (at least that's what they call each other).

And my twin sister, Behitha, is exactly forty-six seconds younger than me. Dad told me he counted.

Anyway, most of you are probably wondering who the hell they all are and why they're so important and why I'm more "special" than you.

Well, my parents aren't human. Not fully anyway. Only 98%. Because they each passed down half their genetics, to me (and Beth), I'm not fully human either. I'm 2% bird (and so is Beth).

So, with that out of the way, my parents had Behitha and me almost fifteen years ago and moved to Phoenix, Arizona. My mom is very active in politics while my dad uses the computer more often than Beth and I put together (but he gets paid for it).

Behitha and I usually wear clothes that are a couple sizes too big, so as to hide our "specialness." Mom and Dad can be very strict when it comes to who knows just how extraordinary we are (which translates to no one), and they refuse to let us fly in broad daylight. Occasionally (which here means very rarely), our parents will let us take a short night flight, but one of them must accompany us. Beth doesn't mind much, but I'm more rebellious (or, as Dad puts it, more like my mother).

In attitude, I'm a lot like Mom, but I'm a spitting image of my dad. I have long, thick, midnight hair, dark eyes, olive toned skin, and my wings are a smaller copy of his.

Behitha, on the other hand, has Mom's same brown blond hair, warm chocolate eyes, light skin, and brown and white wings, like an eagle's. That's why her name is so fitting. It means, "Eagle Child."

Anyway, while she's Mom's mini she's a lot like Dad: calm, quiet, easygoing, and she has the best darn poker face the world has ever known, besides Dad's.

Obviously, my rebellious nature leads me to break the rules a lot. This includes at home and at school. At home, it's a rare night when I don't sneak out for a breath of fresh, untainted air, flying high above everyone and everything, feeling like I own the world. At school, I make it a point to not attend any detention that I've been given for whatever stupid reason. Of course, Beth usually covers for me, but that doesn't mean that I tell her every secret of mine.

Another point I make at school is that I think most guys are fine. I take every chance I can get to look at guys, talk with guys, flirt with guys (and sometimes a bit more), but never go out with them. I prefer to stay single, in case a better guy comes along so that I don't have to go through the stupid break up drama. Of course, all the guys flirt back. I am, after all, "intoxicating."

Another thing I know about myself: yes, I am full of it. Sometimes I can come off as a witch with a capital "B", but you just gotta give me a chance. I can be nice if I try. Just ask Beth.

So, when Mom and Dad called Behitha and I out to kitchen for some "news," I was sure the vice principal had finally had it with my attitude and was suspending me. This would lead to Mom grounding me, Dad restricting my computer use, and Beth saying nothing.

Another possibilty was that report cards had arrived (cringe) and they wanted to open them with us there. Of course, as always, they would marvel at Beth's grades and get a pretty magnet to stick her report card on the fridge. Then, they would open mine, try to smile, give each other a look that said, "Oh, well," and then turn to me, and say, "At least you tried your best." Now, this usually wasn't true, so I would then roll my eyes and walk away.

I knew my parents would be perpetually stumped at how Behitha got such fabulous grades and earned the love of her teachers, while mine were hopless and my teachers pulled their hair out at the mere sight of me. Guess I just can't help my charm.

AN: Okay, so I'm going to be quite frank on a couple things: One, if you don't like Mab, then that's perfectly fine. I didn't create her to be easy to love. But as she continues to narrate, she'll open up about some things that will be an enlightening insight to her character and why she is the way she is at times.

Two, I don't expect everyone who read The After Years to follow up on the sequel. I know some of my audience is lost and while it is saddening, I know that the story might pick up some new readers too. The one thing I would hate to see vanish: your guys diligence in reviewing.

Please REVIEW and you'll be hearing from me again shortly. :)