Finally! After a month of writer's block, procrastination, and real life; I finally finished this chapter. This one is shorter than previous chapters and I would like to know if you guys want me to put out short chapters like this or not. I am very sorry about the wait but writer's block was getting to me among other things. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 5: Off to See the Wizard

A few hours had passed since Amaterasu arrived at Blood Gulch and first met its inhabitants and spent much of that time telling them her story. Everything from her adventures back home to when she fell to this strange world was told in full detail and in a consistent manner. All of the battles she fought and all the people she had met were described as in detail and exactly as she remembered them. She knew that the human soldiers would have had great difficulty following it. They were all in a semi-circle around her listening, but not understanding half of what the wolf said. It did not help that Tucker had to repeat all of it to Church. If it were any other day, everyone would have seen all this stuff about gods, demons, and mythological worlds to be completely impossible. However, this was no ordinary day and they knew it the moment this strange white wolf walked into Blood Gulch.

When Ammy was finished, it took a few minutes for the guys to take it all in. If it were not for the helmets, their jaws would hit the ground. Finally standing up after sitting on the cold hard ground for an hour, Tucker said, "So let me get this straight: you're a god who can control the elements, fought a bunch of monsters in medieval Japan, traveled through time, and fell through this planet's atmosphere without protection after your sailboat in space piloted by a crazy prophet from the Moon mysteriously blew up?"

The wolf nodded. "That is an interesting way to put it, but yes."

"That was the longest and lamest story I've ever heard." Grif said as he lay on the ground half asleep.

"I think she just quoted the plot of every major Japanese myth ever," said Simmons.

"Which is exactly why it's the lamest story I've ever heard," Grif replied. "And also, I don't buy it."

Ammy cocked her head in response. "Why? Was I not clear enough for you?"

"I don't mean your story. As messed up as it is, I could probably believe all that about you doing all that crap you said you did, but I'm having trouble believing that you're a god. I mean, I know you're powerful and all, but I didn't expect God to be a dog!" After hearing Tucker and Simmons simultaneously thinking out loud "It's a wolf!" Amaterasu tilted her head the other way. How could this man still not believe her after all that has happened? She brought her attention to the others and knew they believed her. Sort of.

Caboose raised his hand, "Well, when you think about it; 'god' is what you get when you spell 'dog' backwards."

Grif stared at him for a few long seconds. "That's dumb."

"What do you think, Church?" Tucker asked. "You believe all this?"

"Tucker," he replied. "I don't know what to believe anymore. All I know is that I find it so goddamn disturbing that I'm the only one who can't hear what the fucking mutt is saying." When he said that, the wolf looked at him and once again felt uncomfortable under the gaze of those black eyes. He somewhat understood why Ammy had been so curious about him. She was probably not used to ghosts like him and he had to fix that somehow. Listening to everyone talk to a wolf that he could not talk back to was getting annoying. Actually, annoying was an understatement.

"I have asked this before," the telepathic voice rang out to all but Church. "Who is this man?"

Church immediately noticed that there was a pause in the conversation. He knew that she told someone something and he asked no one specifically, "Uh, what did the wolf say this time?" Inwardly, he sighed. This third party translation crap is going to get old fast and he knew it.

"She just asked who you are," Tucker replied. "Apparently, she still can't get inside your head." Church shivered at that, which was strange since he is a robot body. He did not like the idea that this wolf could read minds and thought it might have been a good thing that she could not see into him. He thought about it for a second and realized something; maybe being a ghost inside of a robot messed with her somehow. It made sense considering that Church technically had no mind to read.

"Uh, yeah well that's because I'm a ghost," he said. The wolf gave a look that Church knew as one of confusion and before anyone would "translate" she might have said, he continued, "It's a long story. Short version is this: Caboose here killed me by accident once. Well actually, more than once, then we got the Reds to build me a body."

"They 'built' you a body?"

"Damn straight I did!" Sarge exclaimed. "I've used the best tools and material the 26th century has to offer to build that."

"And a fine job you did, sir," said Simmons.

"Okay," Tucker said. "And now the only reason you're here is that you need to get back to your spaceship so you can return to rule the universe?"

"Yes."

"I don't know if I like the sound of that."

"Uh, yeah, there's one thing I forgot to tell you guys," Caboose said nervously. "She doesn't really know anything about this planet so I asked if I could come with her."

All Blues and Reds present looked at him and uttered at the same time, "What?" He turned to Ammy who gave a blank look before turning back and said, "Yeah, she's a little lost and I think we can help her get to the magical mountain in the sky."

"Wait a minute," Tucker said. "'We'? What do you mean by 'We'?"

"Oh yeah, that. Um, you see I uh-"

"He told me that his friends would come with me." She glanced at the Blues. "I presume he means you people."

All the humans stared at Caboose, who was sweating a little behind his helmet. Tucker then said, "You didn't…" Caboose slowly nodded in response.

"Caboose!" Church yelled. "Are you crazy!?"

"Are you seriously asking that question?" Tucker asked and Church thought about it a little. But he was not as surprised as he would be at what he said next. "You know what? Fuck it. I'm going with you.

"What?!" Everyone looked at the teal soldier with unbelieving eyes. Though not quite in sync, they all did a double take and Church was especially confused at what his teammate said. "Tucker? What are you doing?"

"Think about it, Church. We've been in this canyon for almost a year doing nothing but stand around and bitch about nothing happening." He pointed at Amaterasu, who was listening intently with her ears pricked forward. "And look, something's happened!"

"So you want to go on a stupid quest to help a mystical dog, with 'Caboose', and help it find a way to go back wherever the hell she came from and probably get yourself killed on the way."

"Yeah, pretty much."

Even though he did not have one, Church's jaw dropped. Surely, Tucker could not be serious. Did he forget about what happened to him the last time they went on some cockeyed adventure? They nearly got themselves killed in the most ridiculous ways possible and Tucker got pregnant. "You really want to do this, don't you?"

Tucker shrugged. "It's better than sitting around and talk all day."

The Blue leader thought about it for a moment. While it was true that this little "quest" would no doubt be dangerous, it certainly would be more interesting than what they had endured in the past nine months. It was a wonder why they didn't go mad from boredom yet. Maybe they already have. When he looked at the white wolf standing there, he felt a strange, albeit small, sense of empathy for her. He had no choice but to believe what the others had said about what she was. Even they couldn't possibly be crazy enough to believe that the furry canine was a physical deity. If what he heard was true, then there would certainly be other things that had fallen as well; things potentially far more dangerous than he had ever faced before. Still, maybe there could be something they could get out of this and perhaps he could find out more about this wolf called Amaterasu.

He then thought up another reason. There was no point in staying behind if Caboose and Tucker were to go. They'd probably scream for his help a mere two hours after leaving, let alone the few days it would certainly take and he did not want to deal with the Reds all by himself. Church took a deep breath. "Fine. I'll go."

"Alright then," Tucker said. "Let's get this over with."

Before he even made a single step, Church raised his hand. "Hold on a minute, Tucker. We're going to need some supplies and equipment if that thing is as far as the mutt says it is."

"Don't worry!" Caboose chimed in. "I already got that problem solve-ed." He looked down and everyone was surprised to see bags full of camping gear at his feet that seemed to have mysteriously appeared out of nowhere. Even Amaterasu was shocked to see it.

"Whoa!"

"What the?! Where the hell did all that come from?" Church asked.

"I packed all this stuff when you told me to find Ammy," Caboose replied casually. "And now we're all ready to have the greatest party ever!"

Instead of making another complaint, Church and Tucker merely nodded. They did not have much of a choice now that Caboose had convinced them and asked the Reds if they would come.

"Oh no," Sarge said. "We're going to stay here and win this fight! Now that your base is undefended, the Red Army will march on and take it. This canyon will be liberated once and for all!"

They all just gawked at him. While he had a point about the base, there was one little problem. "Yeah," Church said nonchalantly. "It's so glorious to have two bases in the middle of a box canyon instead of one."

"Whoop-de-fucking-doo," Tucker added.

"Why are you guys so calm about this," Simmons asked. "We'll have control of your base when you get back!"

Tucker shrugged. "Then we'll just take it back. It wouldn't be that hard."

Sarge tightly gripped his shotgun. "We'll see about that." The Blues said nothing of it and wondered about how many times Sarge had threatened them like that and failing to follow through. When they started to head off, Caboose turned back to see Donut waving goodbye.

"Hope you guys have a great time! Man, you guys get to have all the fun." Briefly, all of the humans gave him blank stares and they all thought roughly the same thing: how could the screwball that happened nine months ago be fun? Maybe in a weird and twisted way, but not even they couldn't describe all that as "fun". "Don't forget to send postcards!"

Caboose turned around and waved back. "I will, Captain Funnel Cake! We'll remember you!"

God, I hope not. Church thought as they headed for the cave. A mumble from Tucker coincided with this but he doubted this would be the last time they would see Blood Gulch. No matter how far they had gone on their previous "adventures", they always found their way back here. It seemed as if Fate itself wanted them to stay here as if they belonged there and it was a scary thought.

"Go on, you cowardly Blues!" Sarge shouted behind their backs. "Once you're gone, we will take control of this canyon and win a victory for the glorious Red Army!" While he was taunting them, the other Reds noticed something odd as their enemies/sort-of-friends marched off: there were flowers spontaneously growing in her wake, leaving behind a trail of green and pink flora. Their eyes were locked on the strange sight and their heads were following Amaterasu and the life she was leaving behind.

"-and upon your return, we will finally end this war and destroy your-"

The Blues were relieved when the gruff and irritating voice began to fade in the distance. Even though they were embarking on a new adventure they knew was likely to be dangerous, they were all glad to be at least doing something. Away from Blood Gulch. Away from the Reds. There would be new landscapes to see that differed from the arid and hilly field surrounded by stone cliffs they were exposed to every day. They would, at least for a little while, no longer be eating bland cardboard for breakfast and spend the rest of the day doing nothing. Sure, they would probably be back in a few days and nothing could happen. Maybe Amaterasu could find a way back home and the Blues would return here as if nothing happened.

Or they could find themselves in a total mess that would severely endanger or possibly kill them. It didn't matter at the moment, though. This was better than sitting around watching the Reds insult them like they were doing now. After nine months of complete monotony, dangerous adventure trumps boredom as far as they were concerned. The only problems the Blues had now were themselves.

Under the shadow of the towering rock face, the Blues reached the grotto that led out of the canyon. It was barely tall enough for them to enter and was pitch black. Church turned on his flashlight which was mounted on the side of his helmet and the passageway could be seen. As Tucker followed suit, the Blue leader mentally shook his head at the fact that they never used them before. How could such a simple and reliable tool be used so little during his time here? In fact, he did not see anyone use their flashlights at any time.

Looking at the cave, Tucker turned his head to the wolf beside him. "Hey, Ammy?"

"Hmm?"

"You didn't see any, um… spiders in there, did you?"

She paused. "I saw none that could pose a threat to anyone."

Tucker quivered. "Don't bullshit me, man. Spiders can be really poisonous; especially the little ones!"

"Tucker," Church said. "A spider isn't going to do anything to you. You're wearing full-body armor, for fuck's sake!"

"Spiders have fangs, dude!"

Church sighed under his helmet and put hand to it. He could not possibly be serious. "Again, you're wearing highly advanced body armor that can protect you against bullets and explosions. No spider is big enough to do anything to that."

"This is an alien planet! We don't know if there are giant radioactive spiders around like we see in those old movies."

Having enough of their arguing for the tenth time, Amaterasu stepped up and stood between them and the cave. "I will take the lead. Caboose and I have already been through here before so we have a good idea where we're going." She grinned. "And I will deal with any problems involving killer spiders. As you know, I've dealt with it before."

Both Tucker and Church nodded once and they let her proceed into the dark hole. Tucker shivered at the thought of giant spiders, but was quickly relieved after hearing Ammy's reassurance. Church shook his head, thinking that Tucker was the one who wanted to go on this trip and already he's starting to chicken out. Over spiders, of all things. He let the wolf go first and was going to duck into the passage when he noticed Caboose standing there a few paces away.

"Caboose, let's go!"

At first, he did not respond but soon took notice and walked up to him. "What was that about?"

"Oh, I thought I saw something really dark and hard to see up there." Caboose pointed to a distant cliff but Church saw nothing remarkable. The young man entered the hole without another word. He suddenly felt a cold breeze blow over him from behind and turned to the source. There was nothing but an empty canyon and a barely audible Sarge and his team. When he looked at the top of the cliff again, he could have sworn to see a low shadowy figure that quickly disappeared. After blinking several times, Church didn't see it again. Thinking it was probably a bird or something; the Blue leader ducked into the dimly lit passage and followed his companions out of the canyon.

"-and after we steal your armor and burn your dirty corpses, we will dance the tango of victory! And then we will-"

After listening to him boasting for a full two minutes, Simmons told his superior, "Uh, Sarge? I think they're gone."

"What?" He looked around to see that the Blues were indeed gone and they were the only ones in the canyon now. Sarge smiled. "Well, hot damn, it looks like my stab at psychological warfare has paid off! Simmons, Grif; I want you to meet me at the warthog while Donut and I grab some parts to repair it."

"Why do we need the jeep?" Grif asked. "It's not like we're fighting anybody."

"Because we might need the extra firepower when they inevitably return. We need to be proactive." He gave Grif a cold glare. "Which is something you were never good at." He waved Donut to come with him and he complied, leaving behind the two men.

"You know, Simmons? Sometimes I wonder why I even bother to stay here. Simmons?" Grif turned to his companion, who was staring out at nothing in particular. He seemed unfocused and confused before he shook his head.

"Wh-wh-what?"

"Hey, were you paying attention?"

After finding it strange that Grif, of all people, would ever ask that, Simmons replied, "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

The chubby man shrugged. "I don't know. You just seemed a little distracted."

"No I wasn't!" Simmons took a quick glance at what he was staring at before; the same cliff top Caboose was looking at before and he saw nothing there. He could've sworn he saw something standing there, something dark and ill-defined. The wave of anxiety that fell over him was not alleviated by the cool breeze that blew over him. The nerdy man knew that didn't seem right in this arid climate. Things were getting stranger and stranger.

Then a random thought hit him and when it did, he could not believe he was thinking it. It was a thought that was so utterly ridiculous and stupid, that if dumbness could be measured in weight, the planet would have fallen into the sun and anyone who would have been around to make a "Yo Mama" joke out of it would be burned to a crisp. But his desire for sucking up to authority, the ultimate authority in his mind, was very tempting and took precedence over his intellect and common sense. Yes, it could work. "Hey Grif, meet me at the warthog. I need to grab something real quick."

Before Grif could say anything, Simmons ran off towards another part of the canyon. Grif was all alone, at least for a few minutes. Greatly confused, he thought out loud, "Well, that was interesting."

That's where I'm going to stop for now. Again, this was held up because of a lot of things but it's mostly because of writer's block and some rather discouraging thoughts about whether or not this is worth writing. I like writing this and I have a lot of ideas for it, but I don't know. I will still continue this so don't worry.

Like before, I appreciate any reviews, comments, or questions anyone might have and I will see you next time.