Season 13 was quite the ride... Now we aren't sure on the fate of the boys of Blood Gulch. Well shit. Here's a new chapter

Disclaimer: I own none of these guys. Rooster Teeth owns them.

It was dark. I couldn't open my eyes. I have something over my mouth and nose. Whatever it was, it's allowing me to breathe. Breathe…from what?

My mind then registered the liquid around me. Am I in water? Hm… I didn't panic like I should. I'm… utterly calm for some reason. A part of me didn't like the part where I'm just too calm. That part is telling me that something isn't right. Have…have I felt this way as well? If so… when? Where?

I heard voices outside of the liquid. I can barely make it out.

"…how can… not… remove…?"

"It is… progressing…we thought…"

"…shall we do?"

They seem to pause.

"…Keep researching…"

It took a while for me to register that I had been staring at the stone ceiling for a while. I pushed myself up and looked over at our meager 'campsite'. The Blues (us) are huddled at one said of the room, while the Reds are huddled at the other. Sarge held the shotgun to himself like a teddy bear, Simmons using Grif's stomach as a pillow while Grif has his legs over Frankie's.

Looking over at the Blues again, Mikey held onto Church's legs as the AI leaned against the wall. And Lav… he's sleeping near them. I let out a sigh and slowly stood up and headed out of the door. We all agreed that being near the entrance is a better idea to stay until a map of this place is made.

I got to the edge and sat down, sighing. It's still night time, and it's a New Moon… but it's cloudy. No chance of seeing stars tonight. Leaning forward, I stared down at the Warthog that the reds drove in earlier. It's still in a pretty bad shape, from my earlier fiasco trying to drive it, but its surprisingly doing good…but who knows for how long.

I glanced up at the ocean not far from here. I couldn't hear the waves because of the hum around the building, but I couldn't wonder out there. It may be safe, but I don't want to be attacked by Omega again. I don't want a repeat experience, thank you.

…But it's not like my conversation with Tex about it helps any. If I ever found her. She disappeared as soon as the barriers are down. Out looking for Omega, I'll bet.

I think I'm getting their frustration with Freelancers, now. Tex is the only one who knows about what I know. I couldn't tell the others.

When I thought about Tex, though, a thought came to mind. As I'm slowly getting to know her – and them – I noticed a few things about them all. To think that, back then, I was so anti-social. Being in the, uh, 'army' can really change a person. I'm more active than I once was, and I'm… well, actually, I'm still kind of awkward about talking to people, but I'm getting there.

Back on topic, the 'things' I noticed about them. Other than them being, well, dumb, they have some qualities that makes them 'good' I guess.

Frankie is good at throwing things, hence the reason why he's the Grenadier of the Red Team.

There was a speech Sarge spoke up later (in season eight) and he IS a good soldier. But… well, he's Sarge.

And so many other things… and yet I still don't know them. I was more worried about my own problems that I didn't bother to try to know them. Who were they before they ended up at Blood Gulch? What happened that had gotten them sent there? I want… I want to know more about them.

I could try to make friends with them but I don't want them to know the whole truth about me as well… If I told them on what I know about what would happen from the show, and I had gotten attached to them…

I covered my face, groaning into them. I don't… I don't know what to do…

Okay, let me just change the subject. I should think about something… else…

Wait… is time travel really possible? I know that we didn't really travel to the future…but what about Church? Did he really travel back into the past? Or… hold on. Think.

I went to the Warthog and dug around a bit, finding a piece of paper and a pen. I have to write down on what I know.

Several minutes had been spent on me doodling like mad, trying to figure out on what it is that's nagging at me. Something is entirely wrong with this picture. If I could just figure this out…

I looked over at the mess of scrawls onto the paper. It lists what I know about the show so far, up to where they're at Chorus. But I focus more on before Chorus; I got dropped here before season twelve, so I don't know what could happen to these guys.

I scanned over it for a while, trying to find what it is that made me on edge; something that set off a part of me that felt that it doesn't feel right. To my frustration, I couldn't. I groaned and put a hand to palm my forehead. What is it?! It's bugging me so much; it'll drive me bonkers if I can't figure it out!

Calm down, I gotta calm down.

Groaning, I laid onto my stomach and onto my back. At this rate, I'll never figure this out… I should probably sleep on this. Figure it out in the morning.

Sitting up, I stood up to turn back-

"Out for a stroll?"

"AHH!" I cried out as I jumped back a couple of feet and to the source- and sighed. "God, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"

Tex chuckled. Then she sounded serious when she said, "But, seriously, you can't be out and about like this. Omega is still out here."

"I-I know that."

"Do you?"

I stared at her. "…What are you, my mom?"

Tex just stared at me.

I bowed my head. "Sorry…" I sighed. "I just… I was thinking about several things."

"Like?"

"A lot of things," I sighed. I sigh a lot, don't I? "Like…" Should I even tell her about what transpired earlier? About the things that were to come? "…Well, you know."

There was silence for a while. "…Well, you do realize that I can't help you with every little thing," Tex said finally.

"I know," I slowly nodded. "It's, well, it's hard. To be honest, you're the only one that I can share my secret with – I… I honestly have no idea on how to explain all of this to the guys. The things that I know that'll happen – do I just… let it happen, or…?"

I bowed my head. Do I… really let things run their course? Or…?

I heard Tex sighing, and I looked up. "Well, I don't have all of the answers" she said. "There are some things that you have to figure out on your own."

"But what if I change something, but that would only make it worse?" I asked. "What if I somehow messed up something and it gets someone hurt? Or worse!"

"…You're really worried about them, aren't you?"

…I am… I'm… terrified. Terrified that these guys will die. They're more than just characters from an internet show – they all have personalities unique to them, and a past that wasn't shown on the show. They all have feelings. Sure they're dumb but… not everyone is for the war.

Without me realizing it, I had gotten attached to these guys. It took me until now to realize that. I sometimes acted like my normal self but… I was also acting like them as well. A member of the Blood Gulch Crew. But… I also feel that I'm not really a part of the gang at the same time.

"…I am," I admitted. "I'm… I'm scared. I..." I looked back at where the guys are sleeping. "I'm worried that I might end up doing something that could have something bad happening to them. The eight of them are… well, they're more than what they're seen from the show. But… I was more worried about what could happen that I didn't really… interact with them much. I mean, I tried, but not like, friends-friends."

"But you got a bit attached, all the same."

"Yeah…" I muttered lamely, nodding a bit. I hesitated a bit. "…I really don't want to think of you as my psychiatrist or something. You're a person too. I mean… even you feel sad, don't you?"

Tex looked at me. "Well, you are right about using me as something to get something off of your chest. Eventually, you will have to tell them."

I bowed my head. "…Yeah…" It really wouldn't be easy though…

"You have all the time in the world," Tex said. "You don't have to decide to get my approval or anyone else's. Even if it's something that you're used to doing."

…She got me there. I sighed again. "I guess you're right."

"Good," she nodded. "Now, get some sleep. I'll take night watch."

"Right," I nodded. No idea what we'll do tomorrow, since it's basically a mystery on when most of the events will take place. But… I guess I can take the time to try to know the Reds and Blues more.

I headed back to the Sim Troopers to catch on some sleep.

Huh, I don't remember what made me anxious earlier.

~o~

"So… uh…" I droned out.

If Church was a human, he would have given me an odd look. "What?"

I sighed. 'Gee, what a great way to try to begin conversation,' I thought to myself sarcastically. 'And with Church of all people.'

I woke up later than I should, and the men had split up, doing their things. I wondered around and I found Church first. I thought that I'd start with him but… well, I'm mentally kicking myself right now for being anti-social now.

I, uh, I gotta think of something now.

"How are you, today?" I asked him. 'Fuck.' Why did I go with my usual greeting?

Church…stared at me. "Uh… good I guess? What do you want?"

"What? Is there something wrong with talking?" I asked.

"Uh… well, we don't really… 'talk' you know," he said. "You and I, I mean."

"Oh." He got me there. "…Well… I just thought that we'd start over, you know? We got off on the wrong foot back then."

"…What is this about?" Church asked me, suspicious.

"Look, man, I just wanted get to know you," I told him. I noticed my tone before I sighed. "I'm not trying to be a kiss ass. I just… I just wanted to get to know you is all. I wanted to make up for a few things."

"…Right."

…Yeah, this won't be easy. "…At least give me a chance," I pleaded.

We stared at each other for a while. I was somewhat fidgeting as the seconds roll by. Finally, Church sighed. "Fine. At least you're a little bit more… bearable than Tucker and Caboose."

"Thank you," I said. I felt relieved that he would talk.

"But, let's get one thing straight," he spoke up. "I may be giving you a chance, but we're not automatically friends, all right?"

"Okay," I just said. Trust had to be built, not bought or given. That, and it isn't easy to make friends.

I looked around the room for a bit. "So… what do you want to talk about?" I asked him.

"Fuck, I don't know," Church said.

"Oh. Uh, all right," I slowly nodded. "Um… I'll go ahead and leave you alone for now."

"Uh… all right," he nodded back.

I soon left to look for the others. I could really use a map for this place…

~o~

"Oh! Hi Erica!" I blinked when I looked over at Franky.

"Oh, hey Frankie," I greeted back. Looks like I ran into him while I was being lost. I need at least markers or something. "Uh… what are you doing?"

"Just hanging around," he said. "What are you doing?"

"Um…wondering around. Bored out of my skull." I looked over at him. "So, uh… what do you want to talk about?"

"Oh, like girl stuff?" He asked.

"Well… no," I said. A thought hits me. "…Say, what were you doing before you transferred to Blood Gulch?"

"What I was doing?" Frankie blinked. I nodded. He rubbed his chin in thought. "Hmm… I don't know where I could begin."

After that, I spent the next few minutes listening to Frankie going on about his life. Apparently, he lived on a farm with his loving family, playing ball and helping out on the farm – couple probably be part of why he has good arms.

…Though, what surprised me is that he had been doing a lot of wine and cheese hours during field practices, and he ended up at Blood Gulch. Huh. Who would have thought?

"…and that's how I got here!" Frankie finished.

…And, honestly, the rest of what he said was lost to me. "Uh… wow. That's… something." Uh… what else to say? "…Do you ever hated coming here?"

"Well… there had been a few hiccups, like the lightish red armor," it still looks pink to me, but I don't want to spoil his good mood, "but I'm having a blast so far! And some of you guys are nice."

"…right," I let out. "Do you miss your family?"

"Well… I do, but I could try to visit them whenever I could!" The pink clad man said, brightly. "So, it isn't so bad – I think of the others as my family, too."

"I see… thanks for the talk. It was, uh… nice," I said.

"Sure!" Frankie nodded before he went off.

…That went well.

~o~

I eventually found the others during my walk through here. Though some of them aren't as open as Frankie or Mikey (and I found out that he was trying to get into college and ended up here after a mishap on the moon), eventually they spoke with me. They didn't tell me a lot, but… what little information counts.

Grif and Simmons actually met each other in boot camp where the other Reds were training. They went on a mission with some guy named Hammer, and the guy tried to be a hero…and ended up getting blown up by the Blues. What an idiot.

Sarge's story actually horrified me a little, that he was one of the candidates to be the Sargent of the Reds in Blood Gulch… and he somehow got the other candidates killed, and shot the officer leading them. And, surprisingly, Sarge actually liked Grif at first… until he found out that Grif is a lazy slob. Hmm…I have a faint idea on what happened.

Lav is… actually, he didn't reveal much of himself. Though, he did mention that he was pretending to be a licensed military physician named Dr. Cloitus. …That actually explains why he's a Sim Trooper. I'm actually not surprised.

Though I'm a bit sad that I didn't get to know more about these guys, but… I'll take what I can get. The Reds obviously don't trust me – mostly Sarge because I'm a dirty Blue, yet again, and maybe my own behavior. And though we know each other for a while, Lav doesn't want to talk about himself.

And I can't exactly ask Church again – he doesn't like me. It may have been my own fault, but how can I respect someone if I don't get respect back?

I'll have to come up with something to get them to trust me… or something. I guess things like that take time.

~o~

A few days have passed after that. Slowly but surely, I'm starting to understand the guys a little better. A little.

Simmons is still nervous around me…but I could see that we have a little bit in common. A little bit. He mentioned something about 'Undertale' – a good 8-bit (or 16-bit) RPG that was actually pretty good for its time…with a rather unusual karma system. It can still be downloaded to this day. Wow. It must have been REALLY good. I should probably play it.

Grif… um, I'm not sure what to do with him, since he isn't much for conversation. Maybe just sit there in silence?

Sarge is… well, he still doesn't trust me, but he doesn't threaten to hit me or shoot me anymore. In fact, it's like he doesn't care if I'm watching him work. Sometimes he told me some war stories. He mentioned something about making a robot body for a ship's navigational AI, and jettisoned from the ship. Huh, he really was an ODST…but that may also explain why he's a Sim Trooper.

Still couldn't get anything else from my own team, and I let Donut fix my hair a little better. I have to admit he has a better sense of fashion than I'll have. Not to mention how to do hair better than I could.

I still chatted with Tex whenever she's around. And, uh, Gamma… I don't exactly trust him. Church mostly spoke with him, so I couldn't really speak to Church with Gamma around. Omega wants me dead, so I don't want to add to Project Freelancer getting more suspicious of me. Or endanger Church.

On this particular day, I was just walking by when it looks like Church is done talking with Gamma. "Uh, hey," I greeted.

"Huh? Oh it's you," he said. Well, he doesn't sound as much uninterested as he was during these days.

"How's it going?" I asked him.

"Well, about as fine as I could manage," Church said. "I didn't get anywhere with Garry on more of the people who built this place."

"That sucks."

"Tell me about it," the AI sighed.

"By the way, have you seen the Reds?"

"Why?"

"Just curious." I hadn't seen them all day, actually. Where did those guys go? I tried to look for another topic to talk about…but couldn't find none. "…You wanna get back to the others?"

"Yeah, why not?" Church shrugged before we headed off.

As we headed to the entrance (Simmons memorized the place with Tex's help so we had a map in our helmets), a thought came to me. "We haven't heard a thing from O'Malley for a while, have we?"

"Yeah, we haven't," Church agreed. "Nice to have a little peace here. …Well, as much as I could with you guys around."

"C'mon, even you'd be lonely by yourself after a while," I said. I do enjoy some alone time myself, but even I would like some company.

"Nah, I don't think so," Church waved it off. "Hell, I'd considering it a long ass vacation from any of you guys."

…And there it is. Under my helmet, I rolled my eyes. "Sure."

At least we tolerate each other.

We got to where the other Blues are at… to see Frankie chattering away on something. I also noticed that Tex is still staring at Lav's sword. Uh- energy sword. Yeah!

"…Should we even ask?" I spoke up. All I caught was… something about a spandex outfit? Wait. Well, looks like it's time.

Break's over.

Mikey just shushed me. The two of us gave each other a look before we listened to Frankie ramble on.

After what seems like forever, he finished with, "And that's how I saved Christmas!"

Silence went by, before Mikey put his hands onto where his cheeks is located at. "I did not even know the North Pole was in San Francisco," he breathed out. "This changes everything."

"Yeah, and I don't think Santa's suit is a leather biker's outfit," Lav said.

"Hey wait a second," Church let out, "why are we letting this pink guy distract us?"

"I'm not distracting you," Frankie denied.

"Sure," I said, sarcasm dripping from my voice. "Let me guess, the others are outside, monkeying about in the Warthog, right?"

"Uh… no?"

"…It was a good attempt," I said. "Go back to the Reds."

"Okay," Frankie dropped his head a little before he left.

Church looked at us. "…You gotta admit, he did distract us for a while."

"Distracting us from what?" Lav asked, putting away the sword – and finally making Tex look away.

"Well, let's go check," Tex suggested.

I shrugged. "Sure. We pretty much got nothing better to do."

And so we went to check.

We got to the outcropping to look down at the Reds. "There they are, messing with the radio," I said.

"Oh, so that's what they're doin'," Church remarked.

"Yeah," Tex sounds suspicious. "They must be plotting something."

"Or, maybe they're just listening to the radio," Church gave his 'girlfriend' a look.

"I know plotting when I see it. That's plotting."

"Maybe they're scheming," Lav offered.

"No scheming looks different," she shook her head. "That's definitely plotting. They're gonna try something."

"Like what, like come up with a convoluted plan that would, as a result, have Grif dead at the end of it?" I asked, sarcastic. "Just to defeat us dirty Blues, and ensure victory?"

Church gave a me a look. "Convoluted? Where did you even hear that?"

"Uh… I heard the word from Simmons," I said. "I think it means 'something extremely complex' or 'difficult to follow', something."

Tex looked at us. "We'll talk about convoluted later," she said with a bored tone. "All I know, is that those guys are up to something down there."

"Other than using the radio?" I asked.

"Yes."

"They are probably trying to tune in to the distress signal they heard on the radio." We looked over at Mikey who was behind us the whole time.

"What makes you say that?" Church asked.

"Oh, I know all the details," Mikey said, waving it off. "They were in their car, the Boss Hogg, when Simmin, heard a distress signal, on, the radio, and Gruff was in the back seat. With a monkey."

I scrunched my face at the grammar. Mine isn't good sometimes but… even that is cringe worthy. And I took English class.

"…I'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume that some of that is wrong," Lav said with a bored tone.

"How do you know all of this Caboose?" Church asked him.

"Andy told me," Mikey answered.

Oh… that asshole. "Should I even ask who that is?" I asked. "We have Leonard and Lavernius here, as well as Michael."

"And Tex's name is Allison," Church added.

"Oh, here I'll introduce you to him," Mikey said before he leads us down.

…This will be interesting.

Soon, the three of us looked down at the bomb, with Church going back to talk with Gamma. "This, is Andy," Mikey introduced to us. "Andy, this is Tex, Tucker and Erica. Uh, the black one is Tex."

"The Aqua one is Tucker," I said. Been a while since I refer to him as that.

"Andy's the bomb?" Lav asked, confused. He looked at me. "And you're helping him." I just shrugged.

"Uh, Andy prefers the term 'Explosive American'," Mikey said.

"Are you making fun of me?" Lav asked with a look.

"He told me about what the Reds are up to," Mikey said before looking at the bomb. "Didn't you Andy…" The bomb didn't' say anything. "Yes. -and then we talked about, all our adventures, did you know that he used to know Sheila? Isn't that right Andy?"

The bomb still didn't answer.

What a prick.

"Ehm, Caboose, are you hearing the bomb talk right now?" Lav asked.

"Say something Andy," Mikey hissed to the bomb. "You are embarrassing me in front of my friends."

"I wouldn't really call us 'friends', we're more like acquaintances or, people who work with other people they hate," Lav said.

"…I will admit, that is true," I agreed. Then I got an idea. "Hey Gary!" I called out.

"WHAT?" The monotonous voice called back.

"Does the bomb ever talk to you?" I asked.

"THE BOMB? NO. NEVER."

"You sure?"

"YES."

"Well, didn't think so," Church said as he poked his head in with a bored look. "Now, can we just-?"

"Why?" I asked Gary.

"WELL… ANDY AND I ARE NOT ON SPEAKING TERMS RIGHT NOW."

"…Wait, what?" Church looked back as even Lav and Tex looked back.

"CORRECT. HE IS KIND OF A JERK."

"I'm not the jerk, you're the jerk, jerk!" We all looked down at the bomb…that just spoke.

"THAT WAS VERY RUDE."

"Ah, shut up ya Shisno!" The bomb retorted.

"…Welp," I let out after a bit of silence. "At least Mikey and I aren't crazy."

"Wait, he spoke to you as well?" Lav looked at me.

"Oh, you're the chick that came by a while ago," Andy said. "The virgin."

"Oh fuck you," I said with a bored look. I did not miss talking with this guy.

Looks like we're back to the plot, yet again. Yay.

Yeah, uh... sorry it's been a while. So much had happened. I moved down to Florida with my parents, so I'm no longer in Virginia for starters. Um... well, the reason why I took so long is because I wasn't sure on how to do this part. Erica isn't socialible and she honestly didn't know much about the boys of Blood Gulch. I have the Ultimate Fan Guide and looking up on a few things to get some information onto them. As well as seeing the episodes where the Reds and Blues of Blood Gulch was first formed.

I wanted Erica to react to the things I had already reacted to. I've seen seasons 12 and 13, but I want her to experience it like it's something new. That's why I decided to not update it to leave it at that. Anyways...

I put up a poll that either Erica would stay with the Blues and may eventually either go with Tucker on the 'quest' or go with Church back to Blood Gulch... or be 'captured' by the Reds to be taken to Blood Gulch earlier. Make your vote and tell me your thoughts in the Private Messaging to keep the others in the dark. It's more fun, I think.

I hope to get another one up. I hope you guys enjoyed it!