Hollow Heroes [Open to all]

Lydia took a quick peek at the undead Bebop, but instantly regretted it and shut her eyes tightly. This wasn't happening...this wasn't happening...this wasn't real...it wasn't real!

Lydia began shaking uncontrollably, and tears flooded from her eyes though her sobs were silent. She didn't care at all what Mel or anyone else told her. She hugged Toad almost violently, searching for whatever affection she could get. Bebop would always offer a hug if she needed it. Toad would be able to do the same, she hoped.

Toad set Lydia down in a corner of the room where he hoped they would both be out the way of the madness. When she hugged him he was a little taken aback at first. Hugs weren't a thing he was use to. But soon he did return it.

Wrapping his arms around the girl he pulled her close and gave her a light squeeze. It was nice to have someone want to be around him. Even thought the circumstances weren't the best. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap and kept his arms around her.

He had no words to say. And knew that if he tried to offer words of comfort he would only make things worse. Because that's what he was good at. Making things worse. So he sat silently and let Lydia cry against him.

" I don't know what I want." She replied as she watched Bebop get taken to be nothing but some damn experiment. If that was part of turning into a Walker if someone died in this place then she wanted nothing to do with it. Still there was nothing she could do as she finally passed out from no adrenaline and blood loss.

There was some accent so Stitch looked about for some supplies - Erica pulling her bag off - and her shirt padding and the bandage with it fighting her gasp - the bullet hole in the suit was small enough she hoped it would not be noticeable. "Here, Stitch." she gives all to the little alien, except the shirt it had a big bloodied patch and she put it aside.

"thanks." Stitch purrs glancing at her but she shakes her head. Maybe with a low groan as the little alien rifled through her bag and found the grill - easily tearing and reshaping it for his use.

For now she was not in danger and sure it hurt. But... not quiet as much as Daryl looking at her like that her own gaze apologetic and sad, because well neither had moved fast enough to prevent Carl seeing...

And here Stitch had been about to use the grill to immobilize the youths neck and shoulders, the girl gave him plenty of bandaging to work with. But the younger male human had tilted his head back - Stitch took no notice of the body, mostly because the message was not for him. Maybe a hiss and growl - his hands, all fours working on bracing and bandaging Carl's hand using a bit of the grill he had broken off.

Erica placed a hand on Carl's shoulder and one on Daryl's squeezing. "I'm sorry." and she meant it. Fury at the sight of the body -

"Oh, I'll definitely get those condoms, buddy.." Wade teased his friend, then listened as Mikko explained what happened to her.Oh, now he was angry! Not only had this guy tried to kill his girl, but also attempted a kidnapping!!



"Oh, hell no!" And with that, he shoved Mikko behind Gambit for protection, and stormed over to the man responsible. The human male that seemed really close to those huge ass Turtle people...



"Hey, dickwad.. you trying to kidnap my girl?!" He huffed, swords drawn and grinding together. Oh no, he was not going to let this slide! Too many people were trying to make him have an incredibly horrible night! Not cool!

Oh, they were talking about condoms! Threesome! But just as she was getting excited about that possibility Wade stormed off to confront the man who hit her. She liked seeing him all protective and going after the big bad that hurt her. Even though it was unnecessary. She was fine. Everything was fine. The fence was fix, walkers dead. Again.

Can you untie me? She asked Gambit with a sigh.

Gambit turned to her and freed her hands. Why don't you head inside and warm up. I think the excitement is over now.

Mikko wrinkled her nose at that and shook her head. I kinda wanna see how this ends. RIP HIS HEART OUT, BABE! LOVE YOU!

For the last several years, their lives had been nothing but one big nightmare with only small breaks of peacefulness in between, but this... it was too much. All they had been through. All they had survived, and more often than not, the living proved to be a bigger threat than the dead.


They had already been broken, but seeing his friend's body strung up like a warped crucifix with a warning to either him or Carl, he wished the boy could have been spared of this added insult to injury. To the imagery that would no doubt plague his sleep. Rick had asked that Carl not see him like this, and he already failed.



Fighting back the angry tears, he had to focus on Carl, then to properly take care of his adopted brother's body...


There seemed to be a violent storm brewing inside the teenage boy, his lip quivering in heartbreak and anger. Silent tears fell, but for the moment, he remained still. This concerned Daryl, knowing he was most likely in shock. Carl was even allowing the little creature to work on him, not seeming to register anything going on around him... just the pain in his heart. The hatred in his soul and the need to put an end to the one responsible...


Hearing Erica's words, Daryl looked up at her, and that's when he noticed that she was also injured....



"You okay?" He asked, concerned... "We need to get both you kids inside and taken care of.." And then, he would have to return to take care of his friend...

For a moment Casey was simply nonplussed - he had been busy death glaring at his best bud - thoroughly meaning his words

He blinks at this man and then growls, glaring back. "If your talking about that... that thing-" tone dripping in disgust pointing at the ... whatever she was he had moments ago.

"- that I caught eaten' a human being alive out the back of dis joint," He pokes this puffed up poppy jay in his chest, " then ye should be blaming yerself for falling down on your job as boyfriend, what is she doing wandering around?! She was eating someone alive! not someone dead and gone already I am talking so fresh he was screaming and blood was steaming! what if it had been one of the kids!?" It did not matter the man had been one of the attackers, he was disabled with an arrow through him and no threat no more - could have been useful maybe. Well at least there was two more. sides Casey knew he was right this woman should not be allowed to stroll about freely feasting on people. " I pulled my blow enough it didn't kill her - if it had of been Mikey or that girl... Erica I had been with they might have just killed her, actually I know the little blonde would have, Mikey... maybe. Sides I wasn't kidnapping her just bringing her around the front to be contained."

All hell broke loose! and Lilo's first priority was trying to move those invalid or unable to get out of the way -

well out of the way!

She and April ducked and dodged the squealing, roaring, rampaging beast.


Splinter had been more on the offense directing the mad creature away from the prone warm bodies with sharp tail smacks and kicks, noise... his own warm small body, now stands at the ready to fight on looking between Clark and Bruce as they spoke, on guard between those in the infirmary and the creature should it get loose again not sure if he could stop Bebop the undead but he sure would try!


Lilo breaths a sigh, she moves to April. "Uh I'll start tending to the arrow victims, could you help Luis deal with bloodloss girl and maybe something for Toadies friend for shock" moving to straighten the disarray room. "We set fridges and containment in the back for blood... we don't know what type the girl is so one of the 0 Rh negative and a hydration drip. No more than that she is going to have to recover on her own as we may need the rest of the stores for the pregnant lady." They were going to have to milk the community members again to store up more. She begins dumping the linen and stuff from Bebops into a waste bucket. It would harbor the infection that needed to be disposed of. She had acknowledged Clark and Luis help her and she was suddenly very happy for all the hands she could get. A mere twenty four hours ago it had just been herself and Stitch now she had April and Splinter and Luis and Clark helping!

April nods - hearing the same request from Luis and rushing to gather the blood and fluid drip bringing all these over to the woman and the teen nodding to a bed. "I do - come on I'll show you lets put her in this bed - it has not been overturned yet." and the dresser was spilled but the kit had not rolled too far so April bent to push it back into place and gather the kit then placing the iv and blood down gestured to take Mel's feet if Luis took her shoulders and they could place her on the bed.

Kitty stood back, watching her face sad hoping things worked for the turtles... she moves away - it was time to go find Kurt and make sure he was alright. Lockheed had left Raphael's shoulder once outside circling looking for further dangers - but for now the hordes of dead thinned and those living gone that should not be here.

He flutters down onto Kitty's shoulder as she heads inside setting off to find her blue furry elf.

"Yes we should be inside..." Erica agreed, watching Stitch - the power of his little body was incredible! he was bending the grill pieces like they were plastic not metal!  Her eyes lift from the alien to Daryl and she nods, "I am fine." No she wasn't... And neither was he. "You did what you could, Daryl - this was out of your control." She nods to the hanging form. Guessing the self blame- her eyes all to understanding upon his for moments...

Then her eyes moved to Carl and -

Suddenly the fury she felt at the sight of the body ( for those that hung it there! ) became directed at her younger friend. She scoops handfuls of the snow into her hands, blood smearing and stares at the blank, face wondering what was going on, she barely noticed the missing eye... the other told her of the storm behind them... Well... maybe she could be a storm breaker. How dare he descend into shock?! He had recovery to be had, people whom loved him inside that would be on edge to know he was alive. Not okay - he would never be truly okay ever again - but alive! He had a sister and of all he had been given a chance to say goodbyes! even if there was now a body to be respectfully buried after the brutality it had been subjected to in life and after.

How was he to make the bastard pay if he just sat in the snow catching his death?!

Her hands, chilled, so chilled the finger tips may have been a tad bluish, rise and lightly smack those cheeks where tears ran. Not enough to hurt. Stun a bit. Maybe the cold of her snow gloved hands would sting. Perhaps the sound of the smack would be startling. Anything to break the shock - let him be angry, let him scream and shout at her, or break and cry on her or call her names or hate her. But she was damned if he was just going to sit on his ass right now wallowing in grief, heartbreak and despair!

He owed her nothing of course. But he owed a fighting spirit and a thirst of vengeance to the man beside them. She waits for the reaction.


Stitch worked he had let his second arms and antennae out and was working the grilling into a shape that would cradle and support Carl's shoulders and head noting the neck injury. It was probably not in need of a brace buuut it might be and sides he rolled the bloody shirt in the snow getting it good and cold for that swelling and bruising he saw so when he could get the brace on and the padding and cooling padding he would.

Clark had finally mustered the strength to do what needed to be done, but suddenly Bruce's pleas broke through his concentration, and suddenly his 'friend' was in the line of fire. Fortunately the Kryptonian was able to control himself,but extinguishing the charge would be a slow process.


Eyes still glowing red, but the hint of intense sky blue struggling to break the surface, his gaze met Bruce's as he struggled to contain the mutant. Was he... serious?! Whatever the case, they needed to get Bebop out of this room filled with injured. They would be easy targets for the monster if he happened to break loose. He rushed over to help Bruce restrain him, dragging him out of the infirmary. It took no effort for him to restrain him, but his questioning gaze never left Bruce. Still, he decided not to speak until they were within the confines of Bruce's makeshift lab, Mikko's carnage giving the place and even more chilling atmosphere..



Clark had spent nearly two years being an experiment of the CDC, so being in a place such as this caused a great sense of unease. He felt... sick. Something he rarely experienced...



Once the monster was secured within the holding cell, Clark's gaze met Bruce's, his eyes now mostly blue with a hint of fiery red burning beneath the surface. Being unwell, it took longer to completely come down from one of his charges.



"These people trust you, Bruce..." He told his friend, letting that sink in. "They trust you with their lives... " Again, there was a pause, hoping Bruce realized the responsibility he had, because he had created this place. Had given these people a safe haven. Given them a chance. "..they trust you with their futures. You have a pregnant women here, and more will be because they feel safe..." And he glanced back at Bebop...



"I know you want to find a cure. Everyone wants that, but the CDC have resources,  and they have failed. You have mutants and metahumans here that can overpower him ...not if.. but when he escapes...but what's going to happen when he attacks a human? What happens when someone becomes infected and too afraid to say anything? They will turn, and you will have an outbreak within these walls....."

But Daryl wasn't buying it. Erica was injured... she needed to be seen to. Though he was no doctor, he had experience with taking care of some injuries and could suture, though his stitches would make a surgeon cry. He had taken care of Glenn after finding him injured in the woods, and could take care of Erica, if he had his pack. But he could at least see to it. Stem the bleeding while the little blue Alien took care of Carl, but the girl's full attention soon shifted to Carl...



The boy's expression was near blank, but he could not get the image of his father's body out of his mind. Perhaps a survival tactic, his mind reminding him that the world would not spare him, and that he needed to stay angry. He needed to see it, needed it burned into his brain. It would haunt him every time that he closed his eye, more so than pulling the trigger to end his mother before she turned. Little flashbacks playing in between all of the gruesome imagery... his father comatose after the Governor had nearly beat him to death. The horrible things he had screamed at his father... words filled with anger... because he was afraid. A reminder that even he could be weak, but the world would not give him that luxury. You either became completely heartless and cold, or the world would devour you....



His father had been strong, but his weakness had been compassion. He had taken Glenn's death, had even heard Death herself say that. Some would call him a hero... certainly Maggie was grateful.... but Carl couldn't help feeling a tinge of anger at his dad, he could still be here... instead of nearly headless, gutted and hanging from a tree....



A whirlwind of emotions that suddenly were interrupted by stinging cold against his face. A snap back into reality, and his half gaze showing that shock and in his state, once again mistaking Erica's stern features for his sweet Beth...another loss that he had no time to grieve... because he tried to believe she was still alive, as he had with Sophia, but then the memory of Carol's daughter coming out of Hershel's barn, touched by death....


...No, in that moment...hope was gone... Beth was gone, too.... and then he saw the culprit's true form. Erica. The girl he had befriended and felt close to.... but everyone he loved died or soon would... his dad's words back on the farm echoing in his mind....



He glared at her in anger, though the torment of what used to care slowly dying an agonizing death hinting beneath the surface. How dare she make him care?! There was an anguished scream directed at her, though, not entirely for her. For everything left that could possibly hurt his hardening heart...



He could feel Stitch working around his shoulders and he tried to shrug him away as he began pushing himself up....

Love's steed was starting to get restless. His hooves stomped on the ground and the hounds snapped at each other as they waited to leave.

Last chance. I'm going to go speak with Negan. If you wish to come, climb on. If not I'll be on my way. The longer we stay, the longer he has to care for his wounds. He's already made it back to his camp. His spirits are high despite the out come of his attempt to take over the mall.

Toddler sized he might have been, but Stitch was stronger than Carl. And the boy could not shrug him off. He held on with one set of hands the others bending the metal into place the cool padding between the boys skin and the metal. Purring and dropping away once he was done landing beside Daryl and his large eyes looking up at the man sniffing at him looking for injuries on him. He knew the girl was hurt and dragged her backpack closer again so he and Daryl could find what they needed in there to help her. When they could



She listens to the anguished scream. But did not respond, did not speak, did not allow his darkness to take her. She to teetered on the edge of darkness of loss, grief, pain, and it would always claw at her. Always want her to descend into it. Oh how she longed to not care no more, to become hard and give up - surely letting go as he was would in the end be less painful.

But Erica ... above all else rejected that. She knew to become hard was to become breakable. But it would be pointless to tell Carl, he had to find that on his own.

Instead she grabs the shoulders and yanks him forward into a hug. She was not going to promise no one would ever die again, or that she would protect him and Judith from everything, sure she would try. Or that any of them could make it though this.

No - just a hug. One for a friend, a younger sibling. A bit of warmth and light and softness against his cold, dark and hardening.

Then, let go and drew back.

Leo still stayed there, holding Mikey. He had to get a grip! This was no way for a leader to act. The tears had yet to fall, but they could at any moment. And right now, that was the least of his worries. They had to get Raph inside. He heard both Don and Mikey say it and he slowly nodded, trying to get to his feet again.

"Yes...we do."

After a few more moments, Leo stood up and went over to Raph, pushing back his own nausea - even after hearing and smelling his brother's up-chuck. How in the world would they be able to pull themselves together enough to get Raph to the infirmary at this rate. All of them were a mess, and they had to still deal with the carnage Leo inflicted on poor Raph - for his own good.

Leo looked away briefly and took some deep breaths before carefully picking Raph up. He glanced up at his other two brothers, urging them to help him. Raph's massive size was too much for Leo to carry alone. Although he really wanted to...

"Let's go."

Clark Kent wrote:

"These people trust you, Bruce..." He told his friend, letting that sink in. "They trust you with their lives... " Again, there was a pause, hoping Bruce realized the responsibility he had, because he had created this place. Had given these people a safe haven. Given them a chance. "..they trust you with their futures. You have a pregnant women here, and more will be because they feel safe..." And he glanced back at Bebop...



"I know you want to find a cure. Everyone wants that, but the CDC have resources,  and they have failed. You have mutants and metahumans here that can overpower him ...not if.. but when he escapes...but what's going to happen when he attacks a human? What happens when someone becomes infected and too afraid to say anything? They will turn, and you will have an outbreak within these walls....."

Once they got the warthog in the cell the other two men that were in another cell in the same room were really starting to freak out. Bruce ignored both the Negan's men and the raging pig. He wasn't planing on having a heart to heart with Clark, but it seemed his friend had some things on his mind. He stood and listened to Clark and nodded. He understood where he was coming from. It was dangerous having Bebop there in the mall. But it was a risk that Bruce felt needed to be taken.

They can still trust me and this place. Even with him, this place is still safe. The CDC may have failed. But I think I'm close. Wade's woman. Mikko. When she first came in I knew something was wrong with her. I had wanted her gone. But I'm glad she ended up staying. She's infected. She's alive, but she shows some symptoms of the infection without turning all the way. I think I can use her to find a cure. Or...To kick start the process.

The pig will be useful to test possible treatments one.

Mikko still has the bomb I implanted in her neck. So, she wont have much of a choice but to assist me.

Bruce nodded at himself certain that this would all work out. He then looked at Clark. I need you to trust me with this. It's important that you are on my side here.

So full of uncontrollable emotions, Carl wasn't sure what he was expecting... nothing but the coldness, but then, a hug that caught him completely off guard. Being in his flighty mode, he wanted to push away, to shrug it off. But the broken part of him, the side that needed comforting and warmth gave into it, allowed it to happen, even briefly returning the embrace with his good arm....


Love's words echoed in his head, breaking the moment. A reminder that she was heading off, and that Negan needed to be dealt with, before he could heal. Before he could conjure up another attack against them. Before any more of his people died. Even if he wanted to pretend that he no longer cared about anything, he couldn't completely fool himself.



Once the embrace eased, he looked at Erica, his tear filled eye conveying the 'thank you' that his broken voice could not find. Perhaps gratitude for getting him off his ass, for braving the storm and still showing him support...



Sniffling back the tears, he reached and plucked his pistol from the ground, tucking it into its holster, then looked at Love. 'Let's go..' And he tried to sprint in the direction that Negan had gone, but quickly felt an arm wrap around his midsection. He struggled and fought against his captor, but Daryl's hold was unrelenting...


"Dammit, Carl... we've been over this!! I ain't lettin' you go! That sum'bitch is gonna get his, but we need a plan or more people are gonna die... you want that?!" He yelled, trying his best not to hurt Carl as he struggled...


"Erica's hurt. I need to see about 'er, but can't if yer actin' like an idiot..."

Erica's features softened - and she maybe brushed Carl's hair back away from his eye and the empty socket she really did not notice, she meet both his gaze and the empty socket as though both eyes were still there. Then he drew back. Half a smile for him. One that died in a puzzled look. Surely the silly magic mutant (if that's what the cat thing was) didn't think a teen as injured as Carl could exact vengeance upon a grown ass crazy lunatic and his henchmen now?! "and before rushing off, remember ask what the price of her help is." She grunted shifting away from the struggling men a bit - maybe tossing a bit of snow towards the creature and her steed in a half gesture. Touched Daryl was so worried about her.

Erica had a thought of those she had killed - those she had injured. she hoped the loss of several in number would be a thorn in the bastard Negan's side. Not likely out of care for them no doubt but at the loss of numbers. That amused her a little. Just a little.


Stitch watched the wrestling with interest his large ears and eyes following the action - did he need to intercede? And he was just inching closer to see if Erica would allow him to help her - her hands going up told him not yet, she was hurt but not in immediate danger so he let it slid. If nothing was resolved with the two human males and the larger older one take over, he would tackle the girl and treat her as he had the youth. But for now he waits sucking back in his second set of arms.

Donnie's knees shook as he stood nodding. He sighs and lifts Raph's feet over his shoulders taking half of their largest brothers weight and size in hand nodding at Leo. " When your ready bro lead the way." a glance at Mikey that turned pointedly down to Leo's discarded sword and the - the... his stomach heaved again - or man how was it going to be when Raph awoke?!

And it was not all Raph was going to get from MetalHead as far as parts go. He felt a stab of pain - taking apart his creation for his brother held a sort of bittersweet sentimentality to it. it would be a little time before he could even think about replacing MetalHeads arm and soon his eye.

"not - not to the infirmary Leo - to a room. Raph needs a tub - and water... and we can care for him better than Lilo... though she has alien experience so I could be wrong there... still he just needs blood and water and rest... and that eye seen too before it becomes infected. Casey - sorry to interrupt you and red boyhere, but could you bring MetalHead in." Hoping Mikey go the hint about Leonardo's sword - still bloodied with their brothers blood. And the amputated arm.

Clark listened as Bruce spoke, trying to wrap his mind around everything that was being said. This... was so unlike the Bruce he used to know. He understood him trying to find a cure, but this was also the same guy that had butlers to do everything for him. And now, he was getting his hands dirty? And it seemed that he was going about it, all in the worst possible ways.



His breaking point was when Bruce informed him that he placed a bomb in Mikko's beck, so now she would have no choice but to assist him. Clark was visibly taken aback by this. Shocked, and disgusted...




"You can't do that, Bruce.... you cannot take someone's freedom. She may show signs of the infection, but she's still alive. She's not your property, nor should she be your lab rat..." And it hit too close to home. For nearly two years, he had been someone's property. A test subject, kept in check by the only thing that could harm him. And Bruce, he was doing the same thing to another living person....



"I want to be on your side, Bruce. We've been friends for a long time, but I cannot support this."

Bruce really couldn't understand why Clark couldn't see his side of things. So he would try once more to explain it. but if his friend wouldn't help him, then...Could he even trust Clark? Would the man of steel try to sabotage his progress?

Hardly alive. She's still eating human flesh. She's still attacking people, I know, she went after me unprovoked. I know what you're thinking, Clark. You're thinking about the lab you were in. How humans felt about you and Peter. This isn't like that, Clark. You know it.

I admit, I could be wrong. Maybe she's not going to help with anything. But I have to try. I need your help, Clark. Because not only do I think Mikko can provide us with answers. I think her boyfriend can too. I need both of them. and this is between you and me.

Wade had no idea that Mikko had just eaten a live person. Apparently it was one of Negan's men, so he would have to give her a pat on the back! But still... this could be cause for concern. What if she began trying to feed on the people that inhabited this place? That could certainly cause some problems...



And it seemed like the guy had some problems of his own. One of those huge Turtles had been injured. Was he dead? Had he been bitten? Would his family have what it took to take him out if he turned? If not, he would be there to drive a sword through his brain when the time came. But for now, he would give the big guy's friends and family the chance to either see him through this, or end him.



Hearing one of the Turtles call to the guy, he decided to let him go. No need drawing this out...




"Well, I'll take care of her... you take care of yours..." And he gave a half salute, and headed back over to Mikko and Gambit....



"So, you're eating junk food now??"