I'm sorry that I haven't updated in so long. School got crazy and I got lazy. But! I now have a renewed vigor for this story. I'm not sure how long it's going to be, but I have the next chapter completely written. I wrote that and the majority of this one pretty much in one sitting. See what wonders the summer brings? So, again, I apologize for the tardiness of this chapter. The updates will, hopefully, be much more regular now. Thank you for being patient with me!

Thank you Ortholeine for faving!

I do not own Red vs Blue. RvB belongs to RoosterTeeth.
I do not own Maximum Ride. MR belongs to James Patterson.

"He's back."

David was once again jolted from sleep by Connie's foresight.

Neither of them were sure if her instincts were an actual power or not like David's electricity-thing. Her future-seeing capabilities didn't seem to stretch beyond giving them a couple minutes to batten down the hatches before something terrible happened –never enough time to prevent said terrible happening from taking place.

The boy groaned as precious sleep was ripped away from him like a toy from a child's arms. He wanted nothing more than to let unconsciousness cocoon him in sweet darkness.

Connie shot him a look –the don't-you-dare-make-a-sound look. He blinked furiously to get himself out of the sleepy fog, but he didn't have to put in much effort because the sight that slowly morphed behind the distant trees rid him of any haze he could have still been in.

It was him alright. His huge wings hung carelessly and heavy off his back and dried blood still clung to his shoulder and his hairy fingers. He approached slowly, ever so slowly. He reached out with a hand/claw in a calming manor as if to say, "I'm not going to hurt you."

Connie's wings twitched nervously as she craved action, movement. She'd heard what this specific Eraser could do, and, by the looks of it, he could really follow them in the air if he wanted to. There was no escaping him with ease so she waited for him to make the first move.

It never came.

"What do you want with us?"

Connie glared at David with widened eyes. She couldn't fathom why he would want to ask this monster anything. He knew why they were being chased. They escaped, and an Eraser's only job was to bring them back. Still, David asked anyway.

The winged Eraser's eyes darted around as he thought. After a delay, he simply curled up his fingers except for the pointer finger and directed it straight toward them then he growled, but not to threaten.

David's eyebrows furrowed.

"You're after us?"

The Eraser, to their surprise, shook his head. He pointed at them both again and then directed his motioning straight up. He repeated this and then added in a couple flaps of his own wings as if to help in the charades act.

"You want to come fly with us?"

A light flashed in the wolf-bird-man's expression as he nodded vigorously.

"Why?"

"And why can't you talk?" Connie asked, determined to get answers too.

This required more thought as he planned out which motions would bring his thoughts across. He settled for holding his wounded shoulder and twisting slightly so that they could see it better.

"Because you're hurt?"

He nodded once, but he wasn't finished. He pulled at his ears and pointed to his sharp teeth then returned his non-injured hand to the wound.

"Erasers hurt you?"

He nodded with zeal. Bingo.

"So you're running away from Project Freelancer too?"

More nodding.

"Is that why you helped me get away last time? You were helping me? And that was you that I almost crashed into while I was flying. You were trying to follow us."

David could see the relief in the Eraser's face as he was able to get his requests across. Then David looked to his partner.

She was less tense. She was still cautious, but her sixth sense must not have been telling her that danger was coming. The way he understood her was that she was a pessimistic dreamer. She had a weakness for the underdogs and had a strong sense of justice. She returned his look with a slight glimmer of hope.

This Eraser could be a valuable ally. Not only that, but he could be just what they needed to get the authorities involved. Frankly, if they presented him to some government as he was that screwed up, they wouldn't be able to ignore the case. And not to mention he could camouflage in with other Erasers if anything came up. This was not an opportunity to pass up. They would just watch him to make sure it wasn't a trap.

"Wyoming –the Equality State. Charming." Carolina read the sign with as much enthusiasm as if she were listing the ingredients of an oatmeal box.

"Come on, Carolina!" York pointed to the sign animatedly. "I think it's just what we're looking for. We want a fresh start where we aren't tortured or treated like lab rats. That sounds like freedom and equality to me, right?"

"Are we really going to find this guy here? Can he really guarantee our safety?" North asked.

"Probably not. This is just our best move." York shrugged.

North didn't look so assured, but refused to leave his sister's side.

"So how do you know where he is?"

"I don't. I was just told that when I got to Wyoming, he would find me."

"That's so assuring."

"Just trust me, Carolina. If Wyoming's here, he'll find us."

They heard a branch snap, and Erasers started to jump out of hiding and circle them.

"Well, now would be the perfect time for him to show up. We're surrounded." South said bitterly, as she instinctively went back-to-back with her brother and took a fighting stance.

Carolina was regretting having offered to let North and South come with them now. How could they know how to defend themselves? But she was proven wrong.

The twins were pulling off the most complex tandem fighting she'd ever seen. They anticipated each other's moves like it was pre-meditated. They depended on the other to read them and keep their back defended while the other watched them. Carolina wished she could have just watched, but when an Eraser's clawed hand made a swipe a little too close for comfort, she flung herself back into the game.

However, it was still incredibly frustrating for her. She normally only fought until she had an opening for escape. Now, she had three others to look out for, and one of them was being stubborn about his fictitious savior he was waiting for. There was no way she could convince him to leave. She focused her anger and displeasure on the Erasers attacking her –slamming one upside the head here and kicking another down there.

Although she wouldn't admit it, the advantage of being in a group was becoming painfully obvious. There was no way she could take all these guys by herself. She found herself being thankful, although she would still prefer to be in the air where no one could attack her at all.

Still, more Erasers came. These ones had tasing rods now. This put a renewed vigor in the winged teens' spirits, fresh of adrenaline and fear.

York was having a harder time with his blind eye. Carolina tried to cover for him as best she could. Still, despite their efforts, South was still caught with a taser rod into her side. She gritted her teeth as she collapsed into spasms, but didn't cry out.

"No!" North yelled as he tried to fight his way over to defend her, but he couldn't. Without his fighting partner, it was like he was fighting with an arm tied behind his back now. He was too slow and had a whole side unguarded.

He kicked and eventually got a perimeter around South cleared, when something overtook him. He, wiping the blood from the gash on his forehead, glared determined at the on-coming Erasers. It was like everything became slow motion as he pulled back his fist and smashed it into the ground around him.

A large, purple shield materialized around him and his sister. Hexagonal patterns lined the outside as the dome protected them.

The Erasers stopped fighting as they took several steps back in fear, their triangular ears pressed against their heads. They hadn't seen anything like this before. They were afraid to touch it.

However, the shield didn't last very long as North ran out of energy and collapsed inside it, the shield fading with his consciousness.

In the moment of confusion, a pick-up truck burst through the bushes out of nowhere. The silver truck, muddied up from frequent off-roading, barreled into the Erasers, rocking violently as the wolves were steamrolled over. Scattering the ones in its immediate path, the truck threw itself into reverse for another go, taking care to avoid the winged teens. The truck circled round and round until the Erasers fled or the ones that did stay weren't standing anymore.

When the truck was satisfied, it stopped next to the bird kids who looked up at it with bewilderment and wonder. The tinted window finally rolled down to reveal a tan woman with ebony hair tied up in a low ponytail and dark aviators looking them over with an amused expression.

"Welcome to Wyoming, ya freaks. Get in."

She tapped her steering wheel like she was getting impatient. Still, York had to ask.

"Are you the-"

"No, but I'm gonna bring you to him. Come on. I don't have all day."

Carolina was more than suspicious. After all, it was clear she didn't have wings. She wasn't one of them. She could, however, be an Eraser. She was pretty, although not as pretty as a normal Eraser. However, considering the deteriorating state of her flock and the chances of the Erasers getting up, she decided to risk it. After all, Erasers weren't exactly known for taking out their own. They were too stupid to be competitive with each other. They were made that way on purpose.

They helped now-conscious North and limping South, and they all, somehow, managed to climb in the cab of the vehicle. As they pulled away, the woman elbowed York out of the way so she could pull the radio receiver off and talk into it.

"Wyoming, this is 479er. Inbound with four fledglings that flew the coop. Over."

There was a hiss of static then a heavily accented voice replied to her.

"Roger that, 47. Good show, love. I will be sure to make room in the nest. Over." Was that a British accent?

"Ran into the big bad wolves when I found them. A few of the birds lost feathers. Over."

Carolina rolled her eyes. Yeah, they were being so clever with their use of code words. It was like they were in the presence of 007 himself. She groaned.

"The Vet will be expecting them. Arrive safely, poppet. Wyoming, out."

"10-4 Wyoming. 479er out."

She put the receiver back and gave Carolina a look. She continued driving on the road she pulled on to, finally not off-roading. There was awkward silence but York was there as always to break it.

"So you have cool code names. What's your real name?"

"Sorry, kid. Can't tell you that."

Or she'll have to kill us? I guess she does think she's a girl James Bond. Carolina thought.

York screwed up his eyebrows.
"So you'd rather us call you by a number than your name? Are you sure? I almost feel like I'm back at the lab if I do that." His good eye was creased with painful memories.

"Well, sorry you feel that way. My name is my business."

She flipped on her turn signal then turned the wheel right. They were back on a dirt path that led them to a warehouse-looking building with several smaller buildings surrounding it. She eased the truck into the garage, flipped it in park, and ripped out the key.

"Everybody out and follow me."

Carolina didn't have to argue. She didn't think she could stand being in that claustrophobic car for thirty more seconds more before she would have exploded. However, she was hesitant in entering the buildings.

Buildings meant ceilings. Ceilings meant no air-escape. No air-escape meant possible death.

York seemed to sense this as he walked up along side her and brushed her with his wing. It was surprisingly comforting, but she didn't return his signature smile. They followed 479er to a smaller, off-shoot building of the huge warehouse.

She walked up to the door, knocked twice, and waited.

"Who's there?" There was that British accent again.

"479er. And if you start with your knock-knock jokes, I'mma come in there and kick you in the face."

"…479er who?"

"Reggie! I swear!"

The door sounded like it was being unlocked, then swung open to reveal a living room with a TV, couches, various beanbag chairs, and a full kitchen. York about fell over.

Holding the door open was brunette man with a very large mustache. He looked to the bird-kids then sighed.

"She never lets me have fun," he whined, the TV blaring some sort of Monty Python in the background.

479er groaned then shoved past him, leading the others like a mother duck.

"Find Flowers. He'll answer your stupid knock-knock jokes," she growled as she flopped down on a couch, her hand automatically falling on the remote to change the channel.

"Of course I will, Reggie! I've always felt that your affection for comedy and jesting creates a warm and welcoming environment any day!"

They looked to see a man with long, 60's-style hair and a Hawaiian shirt walking toward them, carrying with him a first-aid kit.

"Ah, good old Butch Flowers. He will tend to your injuries."

"Thank you." Flowers started helping North and South to the back where the light was greater.

Carolina didn't know if she should tell them or not that York had healing powers, but she thought it would be rude to refuse his offer. That and York looked pretty beat up himself. He didn't need to go wasting all that energy healing everyone right now.

"I am Reginald, also known as Wyoming. I am master of this grand estate. Please! Make yourselves at home."

York headed toward the kitchen and opened the fridge. He held up a whole pan of mashed potatoes like it was the Holy Grail and gave Carolina an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

Carolina bit her lip in cautious thought, as she narrowed her eyes and drug them over to Reginald.

"So. What drove you into doing this…charity work, Reginald?" she asked suspiciously.

"The kindness of my heart, love. And because I can sympathize with your sufferings."

He turned to she could see the white/grey wings that leapt off his back. Carolina was taken aback. She looked to see that even Flowers had royal blue wings too.

"What about Numbers Girl? What's her story?" She crossed her arms.

"I can hear you! And the name's 479er. It's not that hard, chica." 479er didn't even look up from her channel surfing as she replied.

"She's the one that works on the outside. After all, she's 100% human. It would be a danger to our cover if Flowers or I were out there. We'd be discovered."

After he noticed Carolina's look he took her aside, out of ear-shot, and added, "It's just strategy, love. There's nothing sinister about her."

"I-I'm not prejudiced against humans. I just…"

Reginald smiled knowingly and twirled his mustache.

"You are, and it's understandable. After all, the only humans you've ever had contact with are the ones that tortured you. But, you can trust her."

The teal-winged teen lowered her glare to the floor.

"Can I ask you for your name, dearie?"

"…Carolina," she said, gritting her teeth at the irony that the stupid name York gave her was the one she was using with everyone now. "And the twins are, well, we call them North and South Dakota. North and South for short. I don't know their real names, actually. And the other boy is New York or just York."

"Why do you call each other state names?"

"Long story."

"Fair enough." Reginald chuckled. "I can see that you are the one in charge here. I want to congratulate you on making it here. It must have been a trying journey."

"You could say that. So now what?"

"Now," he leaned against the wall. "You relax. Flowers, 479er, and I will teach you how to live in the outside world like humans. Then you can choose to leave or stay here and help out. But first," he looked over into the kitchen with caution. "We need to do something about that boy's mashed potato obsession."

So I hope that you guys figured out that the winged Eraser is Maine. I didn't know if it was too obvious or not, but I hoped that by making him mute it would give it away. We'll get back to Wash, CT, and Maine in a couple chapters. We're going to stick with Carolina and her bunch for now.

So I'm excited that I got 479er in there. I love her character and wish that she was a bigger part of the series. There will be more of her in the next chapter.
I also hoped I got Florida's personality right. I know he didn't have much spotlight, but he'll be in there more.
It's no secret I love writing for Wyoming. I'll work him in more too.
Sorry that this is very Carolina-heavy. It's going to be that way for another chapter too, but it's much of Carolina bonding with a certain other character. It's character development time!

Overall, I hope that people liked this. I know it's not my most popular story or my best. After all, it is posted in the cross-overs section so I knew off the bat that it wouldn't be as popular. It motivates me to write when I have two fics going at the same time. However, I don't want to update two that are in the same fandom. It just keeps me balanced that way. So, whether it's liked or not, I'm still going to write it until I lose the drive or finish it.

Review if you so desire.
Looking forward to it.