Chapter 16: Points of Origin

Dream Scenario: A Simple Fantasy(II) Wild Rose Rebellion

On a dark night, where a demonic eyes looks over the land from the sky, Ilivane, Riku, and Oliver stand alongside four young warriors: Leon the Dark Knight, the beautiful and determined Maria, the strong yet kind Guy, and the brave warrior named Firion. The seven warriors march forward, as the Emperor watches them from his own domain, uninterested in their current actions.

(Blue Base)

Tex was standing outside of the Blue Base alongside Church, Tucker, and Caboose. Hero, Oliver, and Jaune were hiding behind a nearby rock, keeping an watchful eye on the Blues.

"As far as I'm concerned, I'm square with you." Tex said.

Caboose and Tucker turn to face Church.

"I saved you from a life of imprisonment." Church said." How the hell are you square with me?"

Caboose and Tucker turn to Tex.

"Because I didn't kill you back at Sidewinder."

Caboose and Tucker turned to Church.

"You know, I don't really see how not killing somebody is the same thing as doing them a favor."

Caboose and Tucker turn to Tex.

"Well, if you don't appreciate it, I could just kill you right now."

"No you can't! I'm already dead, bitch! I guess the joke's on you!"

"Stop it!" Caboose yelled." Stop fighting. Can't you see that you're tearing us apart? WHAT ABOUT US?"

"What about you?" Tex asked.

"We helped you too. And what do we get? Nothing!"

"Well yeah, but..."

"Yeah, but nothin'." Church said." He's got a point."

"I did help them get the flag back."

"Yeah, but you were paid to do that." Tucker said." We rescued you as a favor. We could have just let you rot in the Red Base, it wouldn't have made any difference to us."

"Fine, I'll stay here as long as it takes to help you guys win this thing. As soon as I have, I'm outta here. What do you need me to do?"

"I have no idea. If you knew how to fix a tank, I would have you do that."

"...Okay."

Caboose sharply turned to Tex." Wait, you-you know how to fix Sheila? ...I love you."

"Okay..." Oliver said, as Church disappeared." Can someone tell me why we came back to this hell-hole of a base?"

"I'm sorry, Oliver." Hero said." I saw something heading towards the base, so I wanted to see what it was."

"By 'something', you mean that ghost guy we just saw?" Jaune asked.

"You can see him too, Jaune?"

"He ain't the only one." Oliver said." I can see that Casper-wannabe as well."

"But what exactly is he?" Jaune asked Oliver.

"How the hell should I know!?"

While the two were conversing, Hero looked over at Tex, who had walked away from the base while following Tucker. The young Huntsmen had a feeling of concern come over him, as he watched the Freelancer agent leave.

(Red Base)

On the rooftop of the Red Base, Lopez was speaking to Grif and Simmons, while Donut and Sarge were inside the base, discussing the matter of Lopez's voice system.

"Entonces le decia 'tu no pesas mas, yo peso.'" Lopez said." Entonces pusimos nuestros cuerpos sobre la escala y determina,os quien tenia el peso mas grande. Despues de eso me ilame a mi mismo Lopez el Pesado."

"Man." Grif said." First he doesn't talk at all, and now we can't get him to shut up. What's he saying?"

"What're you asking me for?" Simmons said, as Donut walked up the ramp and towards the two.

"Well, you know, because you're of, uh, a Latino persuasion."

"Simmons isn't a Spanish name, you dumbass. I'm Dutch-Irish."

"But I thought-"

"What?"

"Eh, never mind."

"...I'm from Waio." Donut said.

Grif/Simmons:" Nobody cares!"

"Oh, fine..." Donut lowered his head in shame. He then looks over at Simmons." Um, now that we finally have some peace here, I kinda wanna ask a question."

"What is it, now?" Simmons said.

"Uh...Do you ever wonder why we're here?"

Simmons and Grif look at each other for a few seconds before turning their gaze towards Donut."...What?"

"Why are we here? Why are we fighting the Blues?"

"...Actually, I've been wondering that same question myself." Grif said." In fact, why haven't we left this place yet?"

"Aw, come on you two. You both know why were here." Simmons said.

"Okay Simmons, you tell me." Grif looked over at him." Why are we here?"

"Simple, we're here because General Ironwood hired us and the Blues to teach a group of students how the Atlas Military combat the Grimm! There! There's your f**king answer!"

Grif and Donut stared at Simmons, as silence began to fall over the three. A crow flew by the canyon, as sense of realization came upon them.

"...Oh s**t...Sarge!" Simmons yelled.

Out in the middle of the canyon, Tucker and Caboose carefully walk towards Sheila, as the tank was still upside down. Soon, Church appears as Tex walks up to Tucker.

"Okay, take it easy guys." Church said. When I was over at the Red Base, I saw that they've already got their jeep fixed. So whatever you do, don't let 'em see us before we get Sheila back online."

"Okay, okay." Caboose said." Even if we get Sheila fixed, how are we going to turn her over? I mean it's not as if we could just lif-" Tex walks past Caboose and Church, as the two turn to watch her. She taps the tank with her right hand...causing it flip back over." Oh. She is a very strong lady."

"I'm the one that's the least visible, so I'm gonna head up to some higher ground. I'll keep an eye on the Red Base. If I see anything, I'll let you know."

"Great, I'll come with you!"

"That kinda defeats the purpose, Caboose."

"Okay. What if I'm really...(softer)really...(whispering)quiet?"

"Do you even understand what the term 'visibility' means?"

"Ah hah hah, uhh...good one, Church."

"Seriously. You don't know what it means, do you?"

"Uh, no..."

"Caboose, just stay here, man, and try not to swallow your tongue or anything like that."

Tucker walks up to the two." Just watch the Red Base, and tell us if you see any movement."

"Right." Church then disappears.

Tucker walks away, heading in the same direction where Tex was welding on the tank.

"So, I suppose if you're helping us, you're not as mean as I thought."

Tex stops what she is doing to face Tucker." I wouldn't say I'm mean, I just get hired to do mean things."

"Yeah, but you like it."

"Well, I think it's important to enjoy what you do."

"So let's say I paid you to kill Caboose." He looks over at Caboose." You would still do it, right? Even though you're supposed to be helping us?"

"Is this a hypothetical discussion, or should we start taking numbers?"

"Yeah, I don't wanna talk about this any more."

Church walks up the small hill...only to find his dead body.

"...Hey Tucker!" Church yelled, getting Tucker's attention.

"What?!"

"What the hell is my body still doing up here?"

"That's part of being dead, Church. Your body doesn't really move around much any more. Maybe you haven't fully grasped the concept yet."

"Alright, well let me rephrase that then: Why in the hell haven't you buried my body yet?"

"Buried? I thought your body is supposed to turn to dust. That's what I always heard from my mom."

"That's some stupid fairy tale bulls**t that parents used to tell their kids before they went to bed!"

"Besides, what am I supposed to do? All we have are pistols and rifles. What do you want me to do, shoot you a grave?"

"Well then how about shipping me back home? You know, let the loved ones pay a little respect."

"Well Church, here's your girlfriend." Tucker turns to face Tex." Tex, as one of Church's loved ones, would you like to pay your respects?"

Tex turns around and starts working on the tank again.

"That was a stirring eulogy. Rest in peace, good buddy!"

Tex pulls out a tablet, and uses it to analyze Sheila. The Freelancer agent then places her hand on a certain part of the tank."..." Tex then uses the camera on her tablet handle...to see Hero, Oliver, and Jaune hiding behind a large rock.

And that's another chapter! So, I know a lot didn't happen in this chapter, as it only serves as build up for the next chapter. In the next chapter, all the questions you all have been asking will finally be revealed. Now, in regards to the secret that revolves around Tex, this will be revealed in the next chapter, as it is connected to Church and the woman named Allison.

Yes, I know a lot of you are finally glad that someone(Donut) brought up the real reason as to why they are in Blood Gulch to begin with. With this new knowledge, or should I say: knowledge that they all forgot about, will the Reds be able to put an end to this feud?...Well, I honestly don't know. This is Red Team we're talking about here, so their chances...are very, very low.

And lastly, the Dream Scenario for this chapter is based off of promotional art for Final Fantasy II, which was made by Yoshitaka Amano.

Anyway, comment and let me know what you all think. Until then...Keep moving forward!