Hollow Heroes [Open to all]

And Daryl would be in the very same spot when the little girl returned. He knew the chains would not reach outside the door, so any attempt would be futile. It was best to conserve his energy for now...


Then, she returned with the cat food sandwich and the dirty water, but he could only spare her a tear filled glance, but said nothing. Even though it had been awhile since he had last eaten, the nausea he felt made everything undesirable. Though, it was a sign that the child had an ounce of compassion... that was good. At least she wasn't too far gone.


He finally shook his head in response, indicating that he was not hungry. The picture was still clinched firmly in his trembling hand...

It was once of those mornings she was never going to forget. And even now later on she was still on a high.

Sore muscles or not.

Stitch being her target practice was far more intense than any archery she'd ever done before. Add that becoming accustomed to the weighted blunt arrows that Leo's brother, Donnie had insisted she practice with. And so secreted away in the back of the very sports and hobbyist shop she had found her thermal and ectothermic suits in with the little blue Alien experiement bringing her accuracy and speed up to 'mastery' par. Stitch was an unpredictable fast moving, agile target and differently weighted arrows had to be shot into different objects he held or threw.

A carboard postal tube, small frizzbies and balls.

After disappointment at first learning these heavier missiles required greater draw strength from her and did not shoot as far, she began to grow accustomed to them. Most of her day passed learning, and by the time she was pushing the limits of what she could do physically, not including the incredible warm up cardio of the mornings activities! - She was getting the heaviest arrows dead on into that tube over and over gain. The next heaviest hitting every frizzbee Stitch cast, her normal arrows hitting every ball no matter which way she had to twist and turn to get them. She worked hard, knowing Donnie was creating, changing, redesigning her arrows meant for a battle.

She would be ready.


She and Stitch left the shop heading back to the rooms, Erica in mind to see if Daryl, Carl, Maggie or someone of that group was about and catch up, wondering if they were still doing a recon.

Though she and the alien came up the scene in the lobby area Erica instinctively drawing three of the blunt headed arrows and taking aim at the crazy lady. true none of the arrows would puncture deep enough to wound on a body shot, but her favorite target... the eye shot? even the bunt ones fired at this distance would kill. but hesitating, Stitch growling watching around her ankles. She had seen Maggie and Glenn run off and that was mostly behind her being on guard now. But it appeared some one was trying to calm the woman down.

The night was restless at best with all of the tossing and turning and.. still trying to get used to the robotic arm. It was still not in sync with his body- doing things he had not commanded. He woke up once to the thing grabbing his face, almost certain it was MetalHead's revenge for all those times he had called the robotic Turtle a rust bucket and scrap metal. Though, Donnie sounded confident that it would -bond-.. Only time would tell...


He was still trying to decide if replacing his damaged and no longer functional eye would be worth it. It all depended if he could rebound his depth perception. Whatever the case, he knew there was a long recovery period ahead, but he would not let his injuries keep him down. Not physically, anyway...



...Mentally, that was a completely different ball game.....


Hearing how Bruce had reacted was a hard pill to swallow, but he had gotten a glimpse of the man's instability when he was trying to use a living human as a test subject. He didn't want to believe it. Bruce had been someone he had looked up to, but it was clear the man was suffering from the world's changes. He had lost all of the people close to him. Hell, if Raph had lost all of his family, he knew he would be in a worse state than his friend.


Raphael tried to sleep in longer than anyone else, but it was nearly impossible to get comfortable. And, he recalled the state of the mall's fences last night. The explosion had taken a huge chunk of it out. Maybe that would be his mission for the day. Making sure those were secure... and... find Bruce. He really needed to have a talk with that guy...



But first, he just needed to get out. Have a moment alone to fully process his thoughts and feelings. To come to terms with his altered physical state. So far, he had held it together in front of family and friends, but the storm was brewing within.


Finally pushing himself up from the bed, he stretched out his aching muscles, then set about gearing up, deciding not to depend too heavily on the robotic hand for now. It was also a chore adapting to having only 50% vision and it took much longer to gear up than it should have....

Lilo had not heard Daryl's earlier thanks to Donnie's being louder in that moment and also she had been closer to him. And found her morning busy, being briefed fully on the new patients that came through and also told about the new aids in the infirmary. Mmmm she was gonna have to make some effort to meet him she supposed.

And she rather enjoyed spending time with April, as her fill in side kick ( though April stead fast said she was the side kick! ) after Donnie's long list of errand they went over her list she had made, the machine Stitch built, getting the Infirmary ready for more. Now and then dropping back to the turtles, to Donnie specifically to drop him items he requested. April checking in on Raph every time.

Lilo was interested to meet him but it could wait.

Now they had the check on - "Maggie? Glenn?" Surprised - having been unaware of all that had occurred elsewhere and to others of the mall. And some guys was here with them she did not know and evidence of blood... "Everyone alright?"

Deadpool wrote:

A brief moment of relief when Mikko calmed... though... there was some sadness when she mentioned going home. Obviously this virus had confused her and she did not remember what happened between them..


But there would be no time to remind her. Mel just HAD to open her big mouth, which set Mikko off again! He restrained her, even though he was also irritated at the little brat for opening her mouth about something she didn't know shit about...



"Flip flopping?! What the hell... I'm just trying to keep her from eating people! Though, I should let her have you... so I suggest you zip it before I release her!" He warned, once again trying to calm Mikko down. He noticed Glenn and Maggie sprinting past, though the Asian guy was obviously injured....



"Annnnnd our local porn stars have returned! Quick! Someone get me an autograph! My hands are kinda full...."

' Well you're not doing a very job if she gets this out of control this quickly. She's dangerous and needs to be locked up or put down not given excuses for any of the shit she pulls it's all on her.' The young teen thought as she continued to back away if she had a gun then Mikko would be put down permanently.

Abaddon returned to the table and moved the food from the tray so that she could replace it with something more editable. while Negan had been looking for cat food, she managed to pocket a bottle of water and a large sugar cookie. These items she placed on the try for Daryl.

She then went back to his side and laid down again.

Maggie almost bounced off of Eugene but she caught herself and happily pulled him into a hug. Hearing that everyone was ok was a relief. Of course that relief was short lived when she looked behind her to see Glenn running after her and the doctor not for behind.

Glenn! Bed! Now!

She then looked back at Eugene. Mikko's going after people in the lobby. Deadpool has a hold of her. Did you know she was infected when you brought her in here?

Okay, it was clearly nothing to do with her.

Once more leaving this room and its people - back to the infirmary.

Without having wade's healing factor, Mikko was having trouble keeping it together. Even her appearance was starting to change. Her pale skin starting to gray. Thankfully, she still had human endurance. Mikko was tiring out and it was showing. She was breathing heavy, her movements slowing.

Finally she fell limp in Wade's arms, exhausted.

The buzzing in her ears faded. the color came back to the world. She had to get out the mall. She had made that promise, if she was a danger to others she would leave. She had to leave.

So... much... running! Normally Glenn didn't mind it. Heck, he was the fasted member of their group, but today.. considering he had survived an explosion and taken a beating- yeah. The pain in his ribs was becoming intolerable and the pounding of his head, dizzying. By the time they reached the room, he was winded and as Eugene stepped out to explain that everyone was okay, he could breathe a much needed sigh of relief. He leaned just outside the doorway, hand pressing against his aching ribs, instantly feeling the blood soaking through his shirt. He heard Maggie's orders, but how could she possibly expect him to lay down?!


As Maggie questioned Eugene, he thought he heard a familiar voice asking if things were okay. He strained through the vertigo to focus on the disappearing form, that if she had been there, was retreating..



"Lilo?" He called out, not really sure if he was talking to himself at this point, but he would answer anyway. "Saviors..." He managed through winded breaths.. "Negan... they took Daryl.."

Eugene returned the hug, still shaken himself from the ordeal and also sharing her relief that everyone was okay. He caught a glimpse of a bloody Glenn, and that was cause for concern, but knowing what they had another run in with Negan, he suspected Lucille was the culprit.



And then came Maggie's question. His bottom lip quivering slightly, afraid to tell the truth- knowing it would probably get him hated. He could do what he was best at. Tell a lie. But he had vowed during his time alone in the woods, if he was reunited with his group again, he would always be honest. Of course, a little white lie here and there wouldn't hurt anyone. But the 'heavy' stuff, he would try to be honest...


..it was a work in progress...


"I...didn't... I knew she was... 'different'. But I thought.. she stabilized the virus. I did not know she would attack... I'm... I'm sorry...my deepest apologies... "

Okay, Mel was driving him insane! Well, a little more insane that he already was....

"Seriously? She's in attack mode and you just keep running your trap! And people say I never shut up!" He huffed, still holding onto Mikko and he could feel the fight leaving her, She didn't look well. And he remembered what Gambit had told him...


Then, he noticed the blonde with the bow and arrows aiming in Mikko's direction.. "Not so fast, Katniss! Could everyone just take a chill pill and have some special brownies or something? I've got this!!" And his gaze shifted back to Mel as he carried Mikko over to the desk and laid her down before pulling one of his swords... "Your lil virgin eyes aren't going to want to see this. So. Go. Make yourself useful and get me those autographs. Quick. Before Chow Mein bleeds out. If he dies, it'll be worth more..."


With that, he rolled up his sleeve, then began cutting a generous slab of flesh from his forearm, blood squirting from severed veins and arteries as he worked....

Maggie gave Eugene another tight hug. I'm just glad everyone is ok. Right now we have other things to worry about. She may have stabilized the virus before, but I think now she's a bit unstable. So lets keep her away from the kids ok?

Lawrence caught up with Glenn and lifted him off his feet. He carried the injured man bridle style inside the room. No running. He placed Glenn on the sofa bed. Ok. stay. I'm going to get medical supplies and come back, patch everyone up. he spotted the bunny in the box and gave it a pet then headed back out pausing when he spotted Judith still in Michonne's arms. Hey little one. aren't you adorable. He patted her head then ran out.

Mikko tiredly moved to the desk with wade even laying down on top of everything. She looked up at him then reached up to remove his mask. She wanted to see his face. But before she could get to his mask he was cutting himself up. Normally she would have tried to stop him from injuring himself. But this time when the smell of blood hit her she went on the attack again. Grabbing the arm his was cutting and sinking her teeth into him.

The warm copper flavor pooling in her mouth and down her throat. His mutation quickly starting to fight against the virus as she tore through Wade's arm. her gray complextion fading to it's pale shade.

Another bite.

The cloud lifted from her mind. Realization of what what, who she was eating came to her.

She let go of Wade with a look of horror and shame. heavy sobs tore through her chest, she leaped over the desk and ran out the mall with no intentions of coming back.

" None of that is my fault and I didn't say anything and now she's gone off somewhere because of your blood. Please don't go after her she's not safe to be around and neither am I. This place will be better off without her and me here." She told him looking away and at the fallen wheelchair grabbing onto it trying to put it back upright.

Gambit was also getting tired of Mel's voice. Yes he started Mikko's rage with his stupid comment, but he knew when to shut up...Most of the time. He helped Mel on her Wheelchair then wedged his staff in the wheels so she couldn't go anywhere. You're not going anywhere, grande gueule. Now stay and hush.

Once Mel was seated he pulled off his shirt, not minding showing off his amazing physique. He would have done some flexing if there was not a badly bleeding friend that needed tending to.

He wrapped his shirt around Wade's injury. He knew his buddy would heal just fine but, he still hated to see him so hurt.

You two really need to work on a safe word. Unlike our tiny opinionated friend.
I think we should Mikko and bring her back. She's only a danger if she goes to long without the healing factor. She's got a bit of a...quirk. And where I come from, we don't turn people away because they have dangerous quirks. He tighten the shirt on Wade's arm then looked around.

I say we tell Bruce Toad did it.

The little girl laid down trying to figure out what was making Daryl so sad. She couldn't grasp that the screams were what was upsetting him. She had warned him about the screaming flowers after all. Nor did she know, or could she know, that his friends pictures were taped to the ceiling. Even if she had known she wouldn't have understood why it was so upsetting.

Then she realized what it had to be! He was hurting. He was in pain. That's the only time that she cried.

She sat up and a softly patted his arm. Very quietly she whispered to him.

It's ok...I cry when it hurt too. She took her shoes off and pulled her socks off showing horribly burned feet. Bright red and scarred. It was amazing she was even able to walk still. See? But in here. I paint the walls. The monster wont come in if I paint the walls. She kept her voice low hardly a whisper.

Eugene had been holding his breath, bracing himself for the inevitable scolding and screaming and even banishment... but none of that came. Just another hug that he wholeheartedly returned,and he nodded at her suggestion. "I will respect that." He told her.


"She is injured, so I am going to make sure she is okay. I promised Michonne I would draw out a map and help with staging the rescue, any way I can.." And he hoped that he wouldn't be asked to go on the raid. Daryl was family, but he wouldn't be doing anyone any good if he got captured. Besides, he still wasn't well trained with weapons and would be quick to remind everyone about that time he shot up Abraham's military vehicle...


"I shall return..." And with that, he excused himself, but not without shifting his attention to Maggie before departing. "I overheard Carl and Beth were going after rabbit supplies... that has been over an hour ago. Do with that information what you will...." Giving a nod, he disappeared, off to follow the blood trail to the lobby....

Annnnnd Mikko didn't go for the flesh he had butchered off himself. Nope. She went right for the bloody source. Indeed, he would heal just fine, but that didn't mean he went without pain. Still, he did not protest or pull away, nor did he show discomfort. Instead, he let her feed until she had her fill, noticing that she was looking a little more normal now. So his pain had not gone without reward...


But then, she stared crying all over again and before he could comfort her... she ran off. Greeeeeat! Mel was doing the emo thing and ignored his request to retrieve his autographs... oh no... he was not joking about that! Fortunately Gambit was quick to stop her efforts to leave, and assisted with rapping his arm. Sure, it would heal... but the lobby was already looking like a massacre had taken place.


"Yeah, of course I'm going after her..." Because he did still care. He did still love her...but things were complicated. [color:ed6b==red]"And yes! We're totally pinning this mess on Toad! Good thinking!" And speaking of complicated, Mikko's 'friend' showed up just as she ran off.


Wade was not expecting Eugene to go after her, but that's exactly what he did. And not without sparing him a hard look, like this was somehow Wade's fault!


Eugene was not in the best physical shape to be running, but he certainly was trying. Doing this odd sort of run that almost put Wade in a fit of uncontrollable giggles. How had the guy survived the outbreak??


"You have a fat chance of catching her, Slim. I suggest you set this out and let me handle it..."

Mikko ran out of the parking lot, jumping the fence and making it to the road. She could have taken a car, or a bike, but it honestly didn't occur to her to grab one. She liked to run away. Always had. She was a mess from head to toe. Her injury in her chest from the arrow was still bleeding. Her entire face was covered in red from her feeding and crying, She was still leaving a faint trail behind her.

She new someone would go after her. Probably Wade. She pratically took his arm off, and while he would heal she felt horrible about it. Knowing that she would even attack someone she loved so much scared her, she knew it was time to just leave.

She paid no mind to the old truck that was driving up fast from behind her. Who would bother a crazed, bloody looking woman? No sane person that's who.

Glenn was a little less than thrilled to be scooped up against his will and carried inside.. "Hey! I can walk..." Because all of this 'being carried' business was a little embarrassing! Yes he was injured and he understood that Lawrence was trying to be helpful, but he felt confident in his ability to walk the rest of the way.


The guy placed him on the sofa bed, and before he could ask if he had really seen Lilo or not, Lawrence disappeared. No doubt to round up medical supplies. Still feeling slightly irritated, he slowly and painfully slid out of the borrowed jacket, then carefully began peeling out of his shirt. The bandage was completely soaked. No doubt all of that running had aggravated the wound.


He removed the saturated bandage in one fluid motion, then wadded up his shirt, pressing it against the wound. They had another thing coming if they thought he was sitting out the rescue mission....

" Gambit let me just leave I don't belong here or around anyone never did. All I do is fuck everything up it seems so why stop me?" She asked him reaching over trying to get the staff loose from the wheels her heart and head filled with more regret.

Maggie gave Eugene a grateful smile. thank you. that map will be critical. And thank for the heads up about the kids. She called out to him as he headed out. Once he and the doctor were gone Maggie closed the door putting a wedge in so Lawrence could get back in easily. She went over to Glenn to help him apply pressure to his wound.

Michonne set Judith in the play pen with her many toys then went over to the couple.

I'll clean up the kitchen. She put a hand up when Maggie stood up to insist on helping. Let me. It'll get my mind off things for a bit. Eugene has to deal with his personal stuff first I get that. Plus I want to wait for Carl to come back before planing anything. In the mean time. I'll clean. You two get rest when you can. After Doctor British is done. Michonne left the couple's view and went into the kitchen to get the cleaning started.

Gambit turned to Mel and ruffled her hair. Taking the staff out of her wheels he grabbed the chair and headed away from all the blood.

If I let you leave, then I'll feel guilty, And I rather you feel guilty then me. So off we go!

Robbin got the machine ready and position it so only he could view the screen for now. He got the wand all gelled up and started to pass it over Gwen's stomach. He moved it here and there, looking for whatever could be causing the pain and finding it. it was then that one of the nurses came over with the blood test results. both he and the nurse spoke quietly to themselves for a long while before the nurse left with a 'good luck, man'

Robbin looked over at the worried couple and finally gave a smile. Well the good news is... He grabbed a print out of what was on the screen and held it to the light for them to see. That little bloop, is your baby.

Gwen's eyes got so large they could have burst out of her head. She kept opening her mouth to talk but nothing was coming out making her looking more like she was doing a fish impression.

Bad news. Your blood test show some...radiation poisoning. Probably what's making you sick. Probably from the growing baby. These are guesses. Please do not sue us if I am wrong. Now we have to figure out how to keep you and baby healthy...That's going to be the hard part, but. I promise, ol' Robbin isn't goin to let you down!