Hydra Gang

Hydra Gang, or simply Hydra , is a criminal gang established in 2020 by former Vagos members Juan Carlos "Flippy" Hernandez, Fernando "Mario" Reyes, and Raul Rodriguez, alongside Susie Carmichael. The gang underwent a revival in March 2022.

Hydra consists of a mix of CEOs, business owners, and many skilled criminals, with members specializing in drug and weapons trafficking, combat, hacking, street racing, and getaway driving. Hydra is regarded as one of the wealthiest, most lethal, and most efficient gangs in the city, operating in a close alliance with Chang Gang, which Flippy, Mario, and Miguel are members of. Hydra used to reside in the Hydra Pit, but currently can mostly be seen at the Casino or in  Little Seoul  alongside Chang Gang.

Hydra manages the Vendetta racing crew in partnership with Harmony Repairs, as many Hydra members and associates are also avid street racers.

Hydra currently has a total of 21 members.

Origin
In 2020, Mario approached Flippy after both of them had left the Vagos and asked him to create a group with him; due to their strong friendship, Flippy agreed. During this timeframe, Raul Rodriguez had also left the Vagos and approached Flippy, hoping to join the crew. As Raul shared being an ex-member of the gang, they both decided to invite him to the crew, in turn inviting his then-girlfriend, Susie Carmichael. After months of doing crime together and hanging out with friends, they slowly gathered other members such as Deejay Bartello, Miguel Almerion and Olga Sazkaljovich, and later gathering members from other gangs.

Since September 2020, the gang went through phases of existence and non-existence and at some point being rumored to not be a gang at all. Hydra entered a phase of renewal and was officially re-established in March 2022, starting with a relocation of turf from Mirror Park to Little Seoul with Mr.K's blessing and new members being added.

Namesakes
Hydra has been dubbed various names throughout its existence.

Shnake Gang - Many members of Hydra, especially the OGs, are former members of gangs (such as The Families, the Vagos, the Angels, Seaside, and the Russian Mafia) who abandoned, "betrayed", or "snaked", their original gang for varying reasons, including feeling left out or not having a purpose within the group. Therefore, Hydra is a gang of "snakes", hence the name.

"Flippy's Crew" - An older term used prior to March 2022, during a time Hydra was barely considered to be an organized gang with a consistent name. The term was used by people who were unaware of the gang's real membership or proper name, so they just referred to the group as simply  'Flippy's crew', consisting of Flippy 's friends or people who hang around him.

Mario Gang - Hydra Gang's original name, named after Mario. The term is still sometimes used as sort of a joke name implying that Mario is the real leader of Hydra, or is the leader of his own gang of loyal sycophants.

Hydra Gang - The most commonly used name for the gang, coined by Flippy and used by the majority of the crew and citizens of Los Santos. The word "Hydra" comes from the Lernaean Hydra or Hydra of Lerna, a serpentine water monster in Greco-Roman mythology. This means that 'Hydra Gang ' devolves from the theme of snakes and serpents, which also links back to the gang's other moniker, "Shnake Gang". Every new member recruited is akin to adding a new head to the Hydra.

The Lost Commandment
Hydra used to have a commandment that forbade members from dating each other, as members dating each other could lead to internal drama and potentially cause loyalty issues. Some members considered this rule the only actual commandment the gang must follow.

However the dating commandment was removed after OG members Lilly Pandia and Aleksander Sazkaljovich began dating in April 2023, breaking the rule.

The Wall Chant
''Night gathers and now my watch begins, it shall not end until my death. I shall not date in gang, hold no hands, father no children. I shall wear no shirt and lose no fight. I shall live & die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the fire that burns against the rust, the light that brings the dawn, the horn that wakes the sleepers, the shield that guards the realms of angels. I pledge my life & honor to the Hydra Watch.''

Trivia

 * In Hydra, "OG" is a rank that can be earned and also revoked, rather than a title reserved for Day 1 members.
 * Hydra's "gang locals" all suspiciously resemble Mario.
 * Claire Seducer, leader of the Angels, was the first person to be invited to Hydra Gang. She declined as she's loyal to the Angels.
 * Arnie and Ace are known in Hydra as "Double A".
 * In mid-late 2022, Hydra used to schedule family therapy sessions with Johnny Finnley every Friday.
 * As of November 2022, Hydra had an HR department, headed by Bogo (and Justin "Victor" Bridges from the Angels).
 * Hydra was the only gang in San Andreas that possessed two meth labs until October 3, 2022, when they lost their second lab.
 * Hydra was the second gang to place 54 turf sprays, achieving the rank of "Powerful" in the Gang App.
 * Hydra was the first group to successfully rob the Oil Rig. Coincidentally, they completed the heist on Mario's birthday.
 * Hydra is the only gang who has four 100% grade meth strains.
 * According to Flippy, Chang Gang and the Angels are the only gangs in Los Santos that Hydra will not become lasting enemies with.