These are recommendations made by Tropers for Red vs. Blue fanfics, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. Feel free to add a fanfic of your own to the list, but remember to use the template found here
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Authors
- Comments: Widely know for Alpha and Weapon of the Times, recommended in detail below, she also has a massive library of fics posted to her tumblr. Largely in second person, blood boilingly intense work, high emotion even when that emotion is hilarity. There is some NSFW material though, so be warned.
- Comments: Their work is largely focused on the Freelancers and shipping, but they write excellently and thoughtfully. Incredibly prolific and all of it at least worth a glance.
- Comments: Best known for in character dialogue, sense of humor, and penchant for dollops of angst when you least expect them. Their work has already gotten some specific recommendations in the page below, but the entire archive is full of gems.
General Fics
The Miles to Go series by saltsanford
- Recommended by Odafangirl
- Statius: Complete
- Synopsis:
- [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: Slow paced and deliberate characterization, examining the moments canon didn't depict in Agent Washington's journey, starting with the disastrous days surrounding the implantation of Epsilon, showing the fall of Freelancer. The second part starts at the end of season 8, detailing Wash's acceptance and adoption by Blue Team and leading into the beginning of season 10. An intense and heartwarming fic because it understands warming a heart feels most potent after it has been broken.
The Donut Siblings'Verse by Hinn_Raven
- Recommended by notatroll4
- Status: Dormant; last updated July 2017
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: A charming and funny what-if oneshot written for a Fluff Week turned into one of the sweetest and occasionally heart-wrenching fics that this troper has ever read. While still being hilarious, naturally. The Blood Gulch Crew et al are all wonderfully in-character, along with four excellent OC's in the form of Wash and Donut's sisters. As a sidenote, one fic in the series crosses over with the Hands are Gold'verse recommended below. While neither series is required reading to understand the other, the two author's styles complement each other well enough that both 'verses fit together seamlessly.
The Prelude to Chorus by Snarky_SilverHaired_Sociopath
- Recommended by Troper/Utterkola
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: A brilliantly written fic detailing what happened to Mason Wu and how Locus and Felix became Hargrove’s henchmen. It does get very dark by the 5th chapter, but not in a mean spirited way.
- Now has a trope page.
The Hands Are Gold, or, the Charlie'verse by GoodLuckDetective
- Recommended by notatroll4
- Status: Dormant; last updated March 2017
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: Another amusing what-if idea that turned into an excellent exploration of Locus post-Chorus. Charlie herself is a wonderful OC, brilliantly written as a child of two worlds, one of which looks down on her both for being a hybrid and the daughter of a mass-murderer, she has quickly become one of this troper's favourite child characters. Rife with character development for the Blood Guch Crew et al in additon to Locus and Charlie, this is a must read for anyone who ever snorted at the thought of one of the galaxy's deadliest mercenaries wandering around with an alien baby strapped to his chest.
- Recommended by Odafangirl
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: A deeply thought out collection of backstories with a wonderful framing device. Stunning Red Team characterization all around, and manages the canon's dry sense of humor even while dealing with incredibly dark and tragic things.
- Recommended by Odafangirl
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: Throwing the characters we've come to know to the far corners of the globe, and testing all of them in interesting ways. The dynamics are on point and it has some interesting twists on the ideas presented in season 13 proper.
- Recommended by Toku Fan
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: An amazing story, and arguably the author's best work, which shows how small changes affect the events in the series. Told through the perspectives of Carolina, York, Washington, Tex, North, and South. The characters remain true to themselves while also fleshing out others, and pulls plot points from the series while also giving it a new spin.
- Recommended by Odafangirl
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: A fun and frenetic Super Hero au, with a fun plot and more fun characters. More complex than it first lets on, dialogue and world are both hilarious, well worth a look!
Alpha by starkraving
- Recommended by Odafangirl
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: Someone at Freelancer decided to invest in Emp-proofing the AI, and it all goes downhill from there. Despite what the title suggests this story is about Washington, specifically the absolute mess of a person that was season six Agent Washington, made even messier by his failure to complete his goal of wiping out the Meta and the AI. There's also a lot of flashbacks, several pallets worth of angst, and Red Team Wash.
Weapon of the Times by starkraving
- Recommended by Sparrows, Odafangirl
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Tags: If descriptions of violence or medical procedures disturb you, it may be a good idea to give this one a miss.
- Comments: As the summary suggests, this is Maine's backstory following the idea that prior to Project Freelancer, he was a SPARTAN. Written in second-person, Maine's thoughts and actions feel very true to what we saw of him in canon and both the combat and normal prose feel fluid and immersive. The linked work is merely part one of what is so far a three-part series; all chapters are of exceedingly good quality and there are constant references to Halo canon, though not to the point where someone unfamiliar with the details would be locked out of enjoying this fic. All-in-all, excellent so far and something worth keeping up with.
The Director of Project Freelancer is Dead by directium
- Recommended by Odafangirl
- Status: Completed.
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: Carolina doesn't let the Director have the easy way out at the end of season 10, and what follows is introducing him into the plot of the Chorus trilogy, with all the baggage his former life entailed coming along for the ride. Manages to sympathize with Dr. Leonard Church without excusing or minimizing his crimes, well worth the read for his characterization alone. It will also be receiving a sequel.
The Prodigal Son by MissZahrah
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A fanfiction following mostly Agent Maine(aka the Meta) and his AI Sigma during the slow breakdown of Project Freelancer.
- Comments: Great writing, lovable original Characters, admirable grasp on the existing Characters, drama, humor, tears, joy, suspension AND it is finished. Just cancel all your meetings and go on an Archive Binge.
- Vanished from the internet. Please post a link if found.
The Change in Agent Washington by glittering wolf
- Recommended by indexer
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: one-shots showing the perceptions different characters have of Washington
- Comments: Only through season ten, one scene is non-canon.
Murderer's Row by Violent-Medic
- Recommended by: JennPulse, Odafangirl
- Status: Ongoing
- Pairings: Primarily Church/Tucker, Grif/Simmons and Doc/O'Malley, with glimpses of others such as Tex/Church and Sheila/Lopez.
- Synopsis: Five years after Donut was first locked away in Valhalla Penitentiary, things have settled down since his first few months there. He's not afraid of everything anymore. He's got friends now. Friends who are sometimes assholes, but friends. And any enemies made since he ended up there? Well, they've been quiet lately. But it's not to last. A mixture of fleeing victims, old grievances, and paranoia, flag-worshipping maniacs, old smugglers who want freedom and a lot of awkward emotions are going to cause the prison to devolve once again into a giant clusterfuck. And not the good kind of clusterfuck.
- Tags: Warning for some very graphic, gory violence, implied non-con, occasional character death.
- Comments: This fanfiction acts more like a novelized television series; with great characterization acting in acts of drama, suspense, and usually humor. As of now, there are over a hundred installments along with a second series of character history and a series of one-shots.
- Seconded highly, this fanfiction is an absolute ride, dizzying twists and turns over a plot that spans years. Well worth the time it takes to read.
Good Luck With Your Empty Base and Your Raging Insanity by Wilde_Shade
- Recommended by weisquared, SomeoneImSure
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: This story gives a take on what happens to Sister during the Recollections arc. It's well written, firmly rooted in canon (well, canon filtered through Sister's brain) and does a great job capturing Sister's rather unique mental processes.
In Epsilon by ChesterFemme
- Recommended by weisquared
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: This story covers what might have happened with Church after the Recollections arc. It does a good job capturing the almost wistful tone Recollections ended on and creating a story that sounds as if it would have fit as an episode in the arc. (Full disclosure: I requested this story during the Yuletide fic exchange. Also, it's not strictly gen, but the author classified it as gen, so I'm putting it in this section.)
Red vs Blue Fanfiction PSA by Mrfipp
- Recommended by Deathchrist 2000, SomeoneImSure
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Exactly What It Says on the Tin
- Comments: Sarge finds Griff/Sarge Fics. Need I say more?
That Implied Necessity by skywalker05
- Recommended by omegaman
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: A wonderful collection of short stories. Highly recommended if you have some time to kill. skywalker05 really captures the Freelancers' characters so well. Actually, all of skywalker05's fics are good, and worth checking out.
Finding Washington by inuhottie
- Recommended by FPS Canarussia
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: The (not deceased) members of Project Freelancer see Epsilon's broadcast and realize that Washington is still alive. One by one, they make the decision to head to Chorus. Shenanigans and drama ensue.
- Comments: An absolutely wonderful story. Everyone is in character, but personalities and mental states are expanded upon greatly. The differing viewpoints of all the different characters make for a breathtaking view into the world they live in. Washington himself is at the center of everything, with his role and personality at the end of the Chorus arc being shown from many differing viewpoints. A great read for any fans of Washington, the Freelancers, or Chorus.
Quantity Over Quality by Prim_the_Amazing
- Recommended by Turaga Lewa
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: A deceptively situation–the Freelancers being given A.I.s based on the Reds and Blues–that allows for a fascinating breadth of character interactions. The fic also serves to dive into well-constructed histories of the Freelancer agents and working relationships between them. Florida in particular is fleshed out quite interestingly, with deeply unsettling results.
- Now has a TV Tropes page.
we didn't even kiss until issue 26 by Cinaed
- Recommended by Vanilla Orchid 95
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: For anyone who enjoys their superhero stories on the fun, campy side. The humor is top notch and the writer really nails down the characters and perfectly emulates the tone of the silver age of comics.
- Recommended by Zoic Alcelaphine
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: A brilliant short story that explores how the setting of Red vs Blue could connect to the lore of Halo.
She Got Both Feet on the Ground by QueSeraAwesome
- Recommended by Zoic Alcelaphine
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis:[This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: A brilliant AU where the story of Project Freelancer changes drastically due to one small change.
If I Disappear, Will You Look For Me? by autisticblueteam
- Recommended by sorcio
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: A retelling of seasons 9 and 10 of the show, from Agent Connecticut's point of view, from the very moment she was hired to her last breath, exploring in detail her relationships with her teammates and her self reflection on her mission and what is really the right thing to do. Interesting depictions of her friendship with Washington and relationship with South, and also of unseen freelancer agents.
Red vs. Blue: Zero (Rewrite) by TheCoalitionOfChaos
- Recommended by igordebraga
- Status: Finished
- Synopsis: When the rebellious Zero and his associates of the Phase Syndicate start exacting his revenge upon the UNSC, Carolina and the dysfunctional Shatter Squad must find a way to stop him.
- Comments: What if Zero actually felt like Red vs. Blue? This retelling tweaks the story to work in as much of the already existing lore and elements that could be seen\done in a Halo game, reinvents the new characters and gives them the time to develop, and doesn't forget the comedy (often with Continuity Nods). Plus there are moreold characters (most proeminently, Locus), while not bringing in Washington only to barely have anything for him in the plot.
What Makes Us Human by TwicetheTrouble
- Recommended by KingKong118
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: It's brilliantly written, with everyone remaining in character and some exquisite character development for Delta.
Red, White, and Blue byBool1989
- Recommended by nickgrier07
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: A Self Insert into a Character called William White, who finds himself as a member of Blue Team during the Blood Gulch Chronicles.
- Comments: This fic has a focus on humor and retaining the spirit of the original Web Series, with a focus on how White interacts with the other members of Blue Team. Can also be found on SpaceBattles in it's most current version, here.
- Recommended by Spoo
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A Deconstruction Fic centering around Tucker coping with the trauma of his forced pregnancy at the hands of Crunchbite, and having to acknowledge that it was in fact rape.
- Comments: An excellently gut-wrenching read that brutally deconstrusts the incident in canon.
Shipping Fics
Breaking Time by BloodstainedBlonde
- Recommended by Odafangirl
- Pairing: Washington/Tucker
- Status: Dormant (last updated October 2017)
- Synopsis:[This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: Deeply immersive and amazingly tense, there's a real sense of tension and mystery hanging over everything. The central relationship is wonderfully explored and feels very natural, an excellent take all around.
- Recommended by Odafangirl
- Pairing: Grif/Simmons
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: A short and to the point story, exploring how Grif reacts to Simmons in pain and how Simmons reacts to his reaction. Basically a hurt/comfort story. The inspiration fic Tipping Point provides background for the scenario and is a good read, but isn't really required.
Oh, The Places You'll Go! by MdeCarabas
- Recommended by Odafangirl
- Pairing: Tucker/Washington
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: A modern au that is deliciously in character, the awkward stuttering courtship both hilariously and frustrating in all the best ways. Funny and serious in turns it never looses track of what's important in a romance, the people in it and around it.
We Didn't Start the Fire (but we did dance like maniacs around it) by CaptainLeBubbles
- Recommended by Odafangirl
- Status: Dead
- Pairings: Far too many and too spoilery to list. Starts with Grimmons and goes from there. To quote the author "If you don't like a ship, don't worry! It will probably end up breaking up later anyway. These are teenagers, after all."
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: Teen Drama in it's purest form, somehow with the characters of Red vs. Blue. Alternately funny and dramatic, read this like a soap opera starting your favorite characters as dumb teenagers. Was later rewritten into Our Love Will Leave Us Battlescars, which is also a Dead Fic.
Locks and Keys by agent_florida
- Pairings: York/Delta with glimpses of Church/Tex and Wash/Epsilon
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: An AU where the AI characters, instead of being computer programs, are human. This story follows York and Delta in a mystery-like plot, uncovering secrets about Project Freelancer.
- Comments: Sex is used as a plot point, but can be skipped while keeping the integrity of the story. Although this work is an AU, it seems that every effort has been put forth to reference or include as many canon events as possible. As an added bonus, the author has stated that the AU will be continued in future works, including Love and Logic.
Do Cyborgs Dream Of... Meatpuzzles? by Violent-Medic
- Recommended by Queen of France
- Status: Complete
- Pairings: Simmons/Grif
- Synopsis: A story about Simmons and Grif adjusting to their life as a cyborg and a meatpuzzle, respectively, and how their relationship has changed.
- Comments: A closer look at a throwaway joke that really should have been elaborated on, a fantastic grasp of the characters, and a really heartwarming, realistic relationship between the two.
Promise by gromit41187
- Recommended by SomeoneImSure
- Status: Complete
- Pairings: York/Carolina
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: An alternate universe where York lives but goes into hiding and Carolina finds out that she had a baby when she had disappeared for two years.
Animals by confessionforanothertime
- Recommended by Finalsymphony
- Status: Complete
- Pairings: Locus/Felix
- Summary: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: This story covers Locus's origin story and how he met Felix. It shows the two of them becoming the mercs we all know and love, and the team we rooted for even when we were cursing their names.
Chasing After You by rangerofdiscord
- Recommended by Danes
- Status: Dead
- Pairings: Allison/Leonard Church
- Synopsis: Inspired by the minific from the Red vs Blue Guide, the story picks up after Leonard and Allison's relationship begins, exploring and giving more depth to their relationship and their histories.
- Comments: Fair mentions of different types of abuse and death, though not too graphic.
- Recommended by Zoic Alcelaphine
- Status: Complete
- Pairings: Emily Grey/Frank "Doc" Dufresne
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Recommended by sorcio
- Status: Ongoing
- Pairings: Allison/The Director
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: A long but easy to read story that manages to capture the reader into the atmosphere immediately, a true rollercoaster of emotions with interesting and unique takes on the characters we know and their backstories.
!The Things We Wish We Could Forget by Rainycat
- Recommended by: KingKong118
- Status: Complete
- Pairings: Church/Tucker
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: A brilliantly written AU that manages to invest the reader, is an emotional rollercoaster with multiple twists and turns, and still keeps much of the cast in character.
Icarus and the Sun by terminis
- Recommended by KingKong118
- Status: Complete
- Pairings: Washington/The Meta
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: Beautifully written and haunting.
Crossovers
I Against I, Me Against You by Flynt Coal
- Recommended by Odafangirl
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: This fic is a monster, epic length and well thought out. The characters all bounce off of each other in interesting, hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking ways, and the plot twists and turns like a well made roller-coaster. The first chapter is a little awkward, but once it gets rolling it's hard to put this story down.
Nine Knackered Souls by DrIvoRobotnik
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: MLP:FiM and RVB crossover. Post RvB revelation. [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
My Little Caboose: Blue is Magic! by DarkWing
- Recommended by Nightelf37, coltrap and RLYoshi
- Status: Complete, with a sequel that appears Dead.
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Note: The start of this is from the season finale of the ninth season of Red vs. Blue.
The Idiot and Freelancer in Remnant by Something321
- Recommended by Corrosion
- Status: Dead. Author said about the possible rewrite.
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: One of the best crossovers out there. Character depictions are pretty much spot-on, and the humour is there. The story itself is also updated incredibly frequently, with updates containing more than four thousand words most of the time. This is a fic I'd definitely recommend.
Add ReviewReact Watch Believe Yikes by UknownHero
- Recommended by Odafangirl
- Status: Dormant (last updated November 2017)
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: Silly, silly, silly, this fic is very very silly. And it's also a lot of fun if you're up for the premise. Best taken in short chunks and if you haven't watched Red vs. Blue itself for a while since it is a characters react fic.
Red vs. Blue: Reaction by UknownHero
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Status: Dormant (last updated August 2017)
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
Red Vs Blue Revenge of the Robots by DuoJagan
- Recommended by Jarell 88
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: Everyone stays in character, to the point that, if it were possible to film like this in game, this fic could be a valid script for one of the episodes. Set somewhere between episodes 70-72.
field guide to the undead by skywalker05
- Recommended by Dolt Boy
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Imprisoned on Coruscant, Wash ruminates on how he got there.
- Comments: Star Wars crossover, in that it's that universe populated by RvB characters, mixing plot elements from both. It fits together astonishingly well. That said, it's very dark and serious in tone, so don't expect the jokey side of RvB when you read it. Brief, but it really sticks in the mind.
GATE: Thus The Blood Gulchers Kicked Ass Here by AkumaKami64
- Recommended by Drgyen
- Status: Dead; last updated June 2019
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: A Gate crossover and bloody hilarity ensues. Sets in season 4 and during Tucker's pregnancy. The author makes good effort in depicting the RvB cast without being completely out of character and remains true to the comedy gold that makes RvB.
- Now has a TV Tropes Page!
For the Love of a Memory originally by Vindicated Skies'', adopted by Sentinel Storm
- Recommended by: Zoic Alcelaphine
- Status: Dormant; last updated December 2018
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Comments: A fantastic crossover between Halo and Red vs Blue, blending the two narratives into a compelling story. It also highlights the differences between Church and the Master Chief, who are forced to work together. The original author decided to delete his account, so it was adopted by a different one.original author's blog on tumblr
Metastability by Starlight's Poet
- Recommended by: Worst Otaku Ever
- Status: Dormant; last updated December 2019
- Synopsis: [This description was copied in violation of our Plagiarism policy. Please replace it with original writing.]
- Now has a TV Tropes page!
