New Beginnings *6 years later* (December)

So much had happened in six years. Relocation had been hard on some members of their group, but it was certainly for the best. Now, their community was growing, and they had even regained some members they had feared dead. Gabriel, Rosita, Aaron..someone he had always been close to.

Life had been full of ups and downs, and while Daryl never thought he could be a good father, even in this life, he tried to give his little girl a better life than he had growing up. He also tried to take care of Michonne, but she was definitely an equal.


Daryl spent most of his free time hunting, fresh meat for the community, and today was no different. His partners varied, but most of the time was Michonne. It was their best chance of having time alone without little eyes.  

Today has been a success on many levels. Many bouts of sex in the woods before the hunt began. Their fourwheeler was proof of their luck. A large, field dressed buck deer strapped to the front of the vehicle. A string of squirrels and rabbits tied to the back...


"Think that's good for a days work.." He told Michonne, making sure the straps were tight.

it had been rocky for a while there, the mall going to hell and their group having to find a new place. Her pregnancy was touch and go for a while and Michonne almost didn't make it. But thankfully everything worked out. they had a new place that gave them lots of shelter and protection, as well as food. She and Daryl now had a beautiful and smart (sometimes sassy) little girl. It was easy to become too relaxed with everything finally going right.

Today Michonne was out with Daryl hunting. Mostly hunting.

I think we did alright. Michonne grabbed Daryl's ass cheek and gave it a tight squeeze. Ready to head back?

Sandy glanced up at Noah and offered him a small smile before he was dragged off. Finally curious about what was going on enough to be social, Sandy placed the caterpillar in her thick hair to keep him war and headed towards all the yelling.

She made it just in time to see Beth and Anton standing next to the others. She noticed that the boy was struggling pretty hard but it was when he bit into Beth's arm and drew blood that the little girl's amusment turned to anger.

She pulled out her sling shot and loaded a large rock in the sling. Aiming carefully like her dad taught her, she pulled back and let go!

The rock hit it's mark, stunning Anton into silence for a moment and causing a stream of blood to run down his face just over his left eye. This action wouldn't stun him for long and soon Anton was struggling again, this time to get after the one who shot him with a rock!

Sandy!Beth yelled, the pain in her bleeding arm not yet noticeable.

He was trying to eat you! The girl cried, defending her actions as she loaded another rock.

Then all hell broke loose when Anton got free from Beth finally and charged at Sandy. The girl screamed loudly and ran off with the zombie kid close behind. Beth gave chase, Maggie gave the boys instructions to stay with Laz and Lexi until her or Glenn came back then she too ran after the kids as they headed for the woods...

((https://landofthefallen.forumotion.com/t183-new-beginnings-six-years-later-december-hamato-clan#7718))

Coming here annually still felt - wrong in a way to Erica. She felt bad she never really got a chance to know the man Rick Grimes. And it also felt so very right. She had gotten to know Carl and thats who she was here for - as she always made the trip back.


And she made a point to visit those of Carl's group, even if she didn't count herself a true member. More a auxillary one.


She found the tree top living a good community but it had a few less than savory members and she had never for this reason brought hers and Leo's children out here, she didn't dislike Mikko or her zombie son buuuut she didn't trust them either. Sides she had chosen, those six years ago to travel with Leo and the turtles and those that went with them. Fought beside them in the battle for the Atlanta Compound and helped sahped the community within after that. She and Leo had after all had been near inseparable since her return from the incident of abduction from the mall, save for these ranging trips. She recalled that morning after the battle, her mates roar still making her knees weak in the best way, when they had met each other, both covered in muck and goo of the fight and begged the other to wed, right there. A simple hand holding ceremony, done by Splinter witnessed by Leo's family and the newly acquired community in full and using a strip of Leo's bandana, and it was sealed with a kiss.


Her heart still got the pitter patter flutter of pleasure at that.


Though as she approached her goal in the drifts of snow she was careful to keep her breaths slow and even. though she wasn't trying to sneak up on Carl here, she would never intrude on his visits here. She would show herself as she was now, a familiar shape in the snow with her bow and quiver, allowing her friend the chance to ignore her or invite her closer.

An unseen hand, and words heard only by his heart. A rare hint of a grin hinted at his lips, so much more he wanted to say, but even now....these moments were painful, the reason his visits were few and far between.



With a heavy sigh, Carl's fingers dug into the snow and dirt, the closest he would ever come to squeezing his father's hand. Pushing himself up, he was aware of her presence. Half expecting Beth, knowing he had been out here too long, but knowing better. Beth had her hands full, and respected his time with his father.


But sometimes, space was not needed. brushing his hands off on now snow soaked jeans, he spared a small smile in Erica's direction. An eye patch covering the absence and scar of where a right eye should be...

"Hey...

Sure she made this journey annually but she respected the space if Carl had not acknowledged her she would have just gone on the tree houses. And she was sure he knew that. And it wasn't just for her friend. She also had a vested interest in checking out communities like Negans… and others Especially those where Venus's killers families had been placed. Some where gone sadly. Some still about. She had never hated the turtle girl. In fact in spite of the female making a bid for her husband Erica rather liked her. And it helped she trusted Leo entirely. She had felt bad, then glad the girl and Raph hit it off... and bad once more - it still pained her now. None the less then as Leo's mate, she was his equal, a leader too - and she felt as responsible for the loss as they all did in their own ways.


But she got a verbal signal so Erica moved fluidly in the snow drifts, seeming to blend into the shadows and light of the currently grey scaled world about her and Carl. Silent as a wrath until she was close enough to talk, but not to close still reluctant to intrude closer until she knew it was okay. Now she waits for further invitation but was closer... and she recalled when she had seen the eye patch the first time she had accepted it and even complimented the swash buckling pirate look it gave the youth.


Her own eyes gleamed in the dark of her cloaks hood. " Hey..." voice low and musical in the quiet, returning the friendly greeting. Strange how snow had the effect of deadening sound.

Eyes widened in horror, Eugene was quick to move into position to catch his little girl, the momentum knocking him on his back, but the soft, thick snow breaking the impact....and things continued to get worse....

After the incident between Sandy and Anton, there was a chase...and no one was listening....

"Anton!" He yelled at his stepson as he placed his daughter on her feet, and made it to his own. He knew his calls would fall on deaf ears. Anton hated him, he knew it...and that hurt. He had tried to be the best 'father'  he could to the young one, but Anton would only ever respect Wade as a father...

Giving his daughter the same instructions as Maggie had with her twins, Eugene gave chase....


Logan was about to obey his mother, that was until Noah took off running after Anton, obviously wanting to stop the boy from hurting his best friend! Anton was much bigger than Noah, older, stronger... But that wouldn't stop the youngest twin from protecting his friend. With a roll of his eyes, Logan also gave chase.... But there was no way he would take the blame for Noah acting out....this was all his brother's fault!

Of course Mikko killed the guy...ugh! It was obvious Glenn was not amused by her comnent, or the reminder that her son preyed upon humans.... But after what had happened at the Saviors outpost...taking lives always came with a price. Maggie and Rick 's deal with hilltop had cost them some of their group.... He vaguely remembered Lexi telling him the flesh wearers were a pack...


But there was no time to argue that now, they had to fight for their lives...the undead continued to pour in and their deafening moans making it obvious the house was surrounded...

Trying to clear a path towards an exit, Glenn caught a glimpse of one of the skin wearers.... a young one, obviously affected by the death of one of her own... She slid against the wall, palms pressed over her ears to drawn out the noise, and whatever trauma was going through her mind...

...and in her shock, removed the flesh-mask, tears pouring from blue eyes, streaking her blood stained face. Her blonde hair caked with bloody mats, get soft sobs gaining the attention of those she once blended with....


"Shhhh.. Don't draw attention to yourself!!" He warned the teen, hoping it would be a reminder that she had the chance to blend...

He shot a stern look at Mikko as he took down another Walker, and another...

"Do NOT kill her! She's a kid!"

Michonne's flirting almost earned her another round in the woods, but Daryl knew they needed to get back... "Yep.." He replied with a playful smack to her backside and a flirtatious wink...


Mounting the fourwheeler, once Michonne was settled, they were on their way...

A half hour later, they passed the familiar Humvee that Glenn and Mikko took out on their scavenging runs, parked outside a barricaded neighborhood....


Slowing down, the four wheeler came to a stop...

"Glenn and Mikko are in there....wanna check it out?"

There was no way the two of them were going to be able to fight all the walkers off on their own. They had to make a run for it. It was a shame, Mikko would have to leave behind the humans that she managed to kill or injure, but first priority now was getting out of that house alive.

Moving next to Glenn and the girl she was taken aback by Glenn's harsh demand of leaving the kid alone. She was a teen, the girl knew what she was getting herself into, but still Mikko nodded.

Fine. I think if we get to the attic we can make it to the roof and get out of here. WE'll take the girl. She might be useful in an emergency.

like a distraction or bait. Mikko didn't have to tell Glenn what she meant by useful though she was sure he understood.

Michonne was kinda hoping for one more round in the woods but it was best they got moving. Sandy was waiting for them and Michonne always felt guilty about leaving her for long.

When they reach the neighborhood that the four wheeler sat Michonne got a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

Yeah we should check up on them make sure they didn't get in trouble.

Erica's evolution seemed to continue, and even though he could not fully see her due to her cloaked form, he could hear it in her tone...it those eyes that seemed bright, even in the dark. His smile grew a little wider as he approched, moving in to greet her with a gentle hug.


He was glad their communities could work together, and even though her visits were few and far between, he still considered her a dear friend...

"How are you? How's your community?" He asked, releasing her from his embrace...

Sandy was huddled inside of a hollowed tree trunk crying but still trying to stay silent. Anton had caught her, he scratched her face and bit into her shoulder before fleeing at the sound of the adults coming closer. The little girl had no idea where the boy ran off to. She didn't care. She was just glad he was gone and scared that he would come back before the others found her.

__________________________________

Anton ran off, deeper into the woods. He had no real plan on where he was going to go but knew that he wanted to find his dad, his real dad. He had no intention of returning to Tree Top. No one liked him anyway, so he doubt anyone look to hard for him...

A bit of a chuckle, her warm breath misting in the air and she accepted the hug - careful to return it. She had become a little stronger and faster. And didn't want to hurt Carl, her hands gently patting and rubbing the his shoulders and back in lightly friendly pleased to see him sort of way, as the hug ended and he asked questions she had been sure were coming Erica gently shook back the deep cowl of the cloak. Now the snow falling could light upon her braided blond hair and pointed ears.


Sexually transmitted mutism. It was slow progression of changes. And seeing as she and Leo barely kept hands off each other when they had time and chance to be alone... or snuckin alone time... she wasn't done mutating. Worth it. Being Leo's wife. The mother of his children.... ooooh it had been barely a full day and night and she was already missing him terribly!


" I am doing well, the community is thriving." And for the most part it was all true. Most people were content with the new leadership and trusted them enough. They had 'jobs' they had protection and food and in this world was a lot more than most had. " Leo sends his regards." She adds stepping back a to hold Carl at arms length and examine him with a playfully critical eye, "Looking a bit peaky … like you got stretched." taller than her for sure... then again most were. " but you look well enough, how are you and the others?" reaching up under her cloak to retrieve a large jar -



filled with honey offering to Carl, "actually have a gift this year." Aside from her duties in her community as alpha female. And her wondeful life as a mother Erica had also found herself quiet adept at... bees. And this year her hives had been big enough and had enough flora  now to actually make the liquid gold.

Lilo and Stitch loved Ranging.


And this one was an important trek. Not only for the collection of different variety of bottle teats... but... also - some ways past a barricaded neighbourhood She and Stitch had parked the all terrain vehicle on a rooftop closest as they could get to a powerful radio communications tower and after climbing it spent most of a night and this morning fixing up another creation made by Donatello - with help from her reclaimed alien Uncle Jumba.


It was a solar powered signaller. So the shell cells and some cells would work again. At least where ever she got these things attached to towers.


That done the two had spent the day searching - killing zombies - searching...


The Dragonfly came in handy for these types of missions. Donnie and Jumba with help from Casey and any of those in the community with mechanic skills created a collection of armoured combative vehicles... mostly for rangings like this, some for the times they had to clear large hordes of zombies from around the community or enemies and for that time when they may need to leave again for a new place, they would need wheels to pack what they could or needed the most and wheels that could fight to protect a small township worth of people on the move. Lightweight unlike the BattleShell, armoured though and fast. Hers and Stitch's favourite was the DragonFly, a very short in length medium height- accounting for its roof - which sports two small black horns on either side and weapons are mounted at the top of the chassis, above the driver. Stitch usually handled navigation and weapons.



It mostly ensured their trips were fast and safe. And this one Lilo wanted to be quick, she did have to get back to have these bottle teats... Even if they were never needed.


She wasn't expecting to find Daryl and Michonne - so when Stitch above her excitedly hooted and she too spotted the atv and it's passengers, she pulls the Dragonfly over pushing the small window on her left down to address them, "hey guys -" no need to shout unless travelling at high speeds the engine of her battle vehicle was a soft mostly vibrating rumble.


"Hiiii" adds Stitch waving.

And Glenn knew exactly what Mikko meant, but he would do what he could to keep the young girl safe. She wasn't moving, save for the rapid breathing and fingers clinching her bloodied hair...

Mikko had a good plan, the only problem was the attic stairs were too far away, and blocked by the hoards. Great! Thinking fast, Glenn motioned them towards a broad filing cabinet, but the girl was not budging!

"Come on!" He sternly ordered, grasping her wrist and tugging her along. Luckily the girl found her feet, and he assisted her onto the cabinet (Mikko most likely beating them in the climb) then pulled himself up, and not a moment too soon! A walker grabbed him, pulling off a shoe, the other connecting with the undead's forehead and pushing it back with a powerful kick....

Adrenalin pumping, he struggled to catch his breath as he pulled Rick's hatchet from his belt. Pushing himself to his feet, he was just barely able to make contact with the ceiling. No words were waisted as he began hacking away at the ceiling, trying to gain them access to the attic....


The girl's tearful eyes remained fixated to where her 'friend's' body laid...the walkers had detected by now that the victim was not one of their own..they began tearing his body apart, causing the girl's sobs to become noticeable....


"Try to calm her down..."

With a nod, Daryl lead toward the barricaded gates, knowing that Mikko and Glenn wouldn't have wasted time picking the lock to gain access. Both were skilled at scaling fences or finding other means of access. They would do the same to save time..



He started to offer Michonne a boost up, but paused hearing a familiar voice, then another...

His attention, drifted in their direction, giving a nod... "Sup...nice ride...."

Noah would be the first one to find her, because he knew his best friend's h habits, probably better than anyone. He had not been fast enough to get to her before Anton, which was probably a good thing. A fight would have broke out that he obviously wouldn't win.


...But He had found her! The smile he had over that fact quickly faded upon realizing she had been injured. It upset him, made him angry! But he tried to mask that, for her....


His little arms wrapped around her, careful of her wound, and have her a gentle hug...


~~~~~~~~~


Running was definitely NOT one of Eugene's best abilities. He was winded, worried... worried for Sandy if Anton had caught her...worried for Anton, and....upset. It was frustrating after all he had done for the boy, he knew Anton would never love him... never respect him, but he still loved the boy....



"ANTON!!"

Despite his usually serious demeanour, Carl chuckled quietly at Erica's colorful assessment of his changes. Indeed, he had grown taller, still lanky and hair still long to cover his facial deformity when he didn't want to wear the eye patch. Beth always made him feel comfortable, but he still tried to spare the  others. Long since scarred, it was still unpleasant to look at.


He wasn't expecting the gift, but it caused his grin to grow a little wider as he carefully took it... "Thank you!" It was definitely a nice treat ...something their community didn't produce. Daryl sometimes raided hives during the warmer month, but after being swarmed and stung over a hundred times, the hunter made it clear that he would rather bring home wild game.  No one blamed him.


"We have gifts for you too... if you have time to visit? I know Judith would be happy to see you..." His little sister had always liked Erica.

" The gang is good. We're thriving...Negan's been keeping a low profile.... I guess he found another community to terrorize... " And he still wanted Negan dead for killing his father...for what he had done to Beth, but he had to be smart. He had a community to protect..His time would come, but it wasn't now.

She winks a blue eye, enjoying the chuckle her fingers brushing the jar and its golden contents and Carl's fingers a bit of a cheeky look, " Turns out I have a knack for bee charming." She had never been stung... yet... and to be honest she found it a tad flattering that her community called her QueenBee. Much as they had a habit of calling Leo the LionKing.


A grin and she steps closer squeezing Carl in another hug, before checking her tphone, a nod, "I have received no alerts... I have time." then an intrigued look. "Gifts...for meeee? I feel special. Have something for Judith too." a smile, that girl had been a welcome balm for her grief long ago - a grief she didn't know she had for her lost pregnancy. And she had also been an awakening, one that led to Erica choosing really quickly who she wanted to father her next pregnancy. And Leo had risen to that challenge twice now. Neither of them wished for more for a while. So yes she was keen to catch up with the Lil'AssKicker.


Her grin and " That's great!-" at the news his community was doing well and her beginning compliment of " Of course, you have a great mind for leader-" becoming an inhuman low growl in her throat at the mention of Negan. Her blue eyes glowed vaguely. "Perhaps. Maybe that is why the few I came out to scout are... gone.... if he becomes a threat you can always call on us, though Leo understands you may feel he is your responsibility." So as never to step on toes unless they were needed. She shakes off the growl and grins, maybe with some fangs, "Lead on?" ready to follow Carl. "I got pictures..." holding out her tphone, signifying she was ready when he was to go with him.


A years worth since last annual visit, some of her collecting honey among octagonal shaped beehives, their harvests out in bloom, a picture from the top of the farming sky scraper of the community, of the various turtle brothers. Raphael featured less and only one of him and his egg when she had the go ahead. Of Leo and her son and daughter in play, or all four big turtles sun baking. Lilo and her new tattoos being done, April, Casey... because she liked sharing the daily things with Carl.

As predicted Mikko easily made it up the cabinet first. There she was able to help the girl and Glenn up with her. The young girl was like moving a sack of potatoes, she was obviously not a good choice to let out the house to run errands for her community.

Making sure Glenn was alright real quick she turned to the girl gripping her shoulders.

You have to calm down. Glenn is my best friend and first priority, your whining puts him in danger I'm going to put you in danger understand. Now we're all going to get out of here but you have to take some deep breaths and stay calm. My name's Mikko. What's your name?

When Maggie and Beth caught up with Sandy Maggie was both relieved and angry. of course she was glad that Sandy was alive and in one piece but she told her sons to stay in town. Seeing the two friends hugging inside the tree made it hard for Maggie to stay mad though.

She knelt down and helped both of them out of the tree.

He bit me. Sandy said with a sniffle and pointed at the deep bit mark on her neck.

Ok. Lets get you all back home and clean you up. Your parents should be back soon. And it would take the whole town to calm Daryl and Michonne down.

Chuckling and unlatching the door to hop out Lilo strides towards the two by the gate and nods. "You have no ideaaaa. That DragonFly stings like a hornet on steroids..." she chuckles nodding to Michonne. She had a suit of her own now, rather like Erica's old one - same tightness, of course these suits were more advanced. Better armour and good for both the frozen months and the hot ones. only where Erica's had panels of blue hers had red with the palm leaf motifs in white, like her fave mumu when she had been a child. Stitch leapt out of his spot on the DragonFly and scurried over. "You maaaay be able to ask me to bring you one back next time or visit and choose one yourself... though you look like a HammerHead kinda man" she gestures to the barricade, " could yous use a hand in here?" mostly asking to be polite, Lilo was a healer but she was also a warrior and was going to help them out anyways.



Stitch unlike them could simply climb up the barricade, which he began doing.

Undead hands reached and clawed at them, a few attempting to topple the cabinet....the situation was becoming more serious! Glenn continued to chop away at the ceiling, outlining a square that would hopefully grant them access to safety......



Heading Mikko 's voice, the blonde slowly shifted her tearfilled gaze towards her, trying to compose herself as she thought about the question...

Her name...it had been so long since she was called by her name. The Whisperers has adapted a pack mentality, and because she wasn't part of the higher ups, no title was given to her....


"...Ally... " She replied with a quiet sniffle, finally remembering. "...that....that's my brother.." She told Mikko, pointing to the corpse that was being violently stripped to shreds....


With one last forceful swing of the hatchet, the section of ceiling fell away, leaving an entrance to the attic. Glenn quickly put the hatchet away and motioned for Mikko...


"You first, then I will boost her up to you..."