New Beginnings *6 years later* (December)

[[ from wherever: https://landofthefallen.forumotion.com/t183p100-new-beginnings-six-years-later-december-hamato-clan#8567 ]]

The battle shell would appear to roar out of no where squishing some of the screamers, Mikey loses the playing playful excitable edge his voice hardening and more serious, " Dieair your with me kill the dead living things, Jo, Ed help Lilo get people into the truck there. Dot take over driving the battle shell until I relieve you please." orders giving he swaps spots with the lady that came with them she drives closer tot he tree tops broken gates, and opens the door so the others could all climb out.


He thumps Dieairs shoulder lightly. " come on your on my six, be careful."



and out through the door behind Jo and Ed both of them hurrying to Lilo's side to help her Mikey grabbing screamer leaping at Judith and spinning throwing it so hard it's head would smash like a melon against a burning tree. He offers a hand down to Judith and Lilo, Lilo who had bent to keep herself between the biter and the child. " Hey gals we're here to help. wanna jump up on my Shell Judith?"



Ed and Jo hurrying about to help other into the truck, Addy and ushering Sherry with her.


Mikey destroying what he could when it leapt at them. Trusting Dieair to cover their backs.

Dieair had Mikey's back. Once they got to Treetop the first thing she noticed was all the fire. Then the screams, then the creatures that were making the noise.SHe pulled out her bow and started shooting the screamers in the head sticking close to Mike.

She was an expert marksman but the smoke made shooting a little difficult.

Still she kept up and shot the walkers down one by one.

---------------

Now that help was here Michonne felt a little better. LET'S GO! Michonne yelled. SHe wasn't taking no for an answer and wouldn't tolarate anymore delays.

Judith fell back, reaching for her pistol, but she would not have to fire. Mikey came to her rescue just in the nick of time. It was a huge relief, but she wished his visit was under better circumstances. Giving a nod, she hopped onto the Turtle's shell, gently wrapping her arms around his neck. She was happy to see him, but still fighting back the tears over the loss of her brother, and having to leave him behind...

Glenn knew that they had to get out of here. He made a run for the roadblade, hopping into the passenger seat for now to free up driver's side for Stitch so he could give him a crash coarse, or maybe plans had changed and the alien would drive since time was not on their side....


Gabe wasn't sure what the plan was, but they had to get a move on!! The back of the truck would soon be backed, but hopefully so many bodies would keep the camper of the truck warm enough to be tolerated, but there was major concerns for the two critically injured....

Hopefully Lilo would be joining the truck to try to keep the I hired from dying... motioning again...

"Dwight and Laz need medical..." He called out as he crawled out if rhe back of the truck and took the driver's seat, the engine idling, he slid the back window open to allow the heat to waft into the back...

Dwight ma aged a blood gurgling groan when Sherry tried to coax him awake.

Everything was excruciating... unbearable ..but he managed to unearth a blood covered cigarette from his hoodie, wedging it between bloody lips and lit it. He needed to stay awake, maybe this would help....

When Gabe got in the drivers seat Mikko scooted closer to him. And when he opened up the little back window she tilted her head towards the others in the back. Just hold on a little bit back there I got ya covered as soon as we get a doctor.

Michonne jumped in the back of the truck and ordered Gabe to drive out of there, telling him that they would be heading to the turtles location. it was important to get the injured there as fast as possible.

Sherry was going to pluck that cig from Dwight's fingers, but figured it couldn't do anymore harm and if it kept him awake then let him have it. When Michonne gave the orders to leave Sherry gave a panic response.

Wait! Abby is still out there! I left her hiding in some bushes.We have to get her.

She didn't know the poor girl was passed out in the Roadblade now missing a hand. Or that she had been attacked.

Jo and Ed helped Lilo secure injured in the truck Gabe was driving, and encouraged the less injured into the Battle Shell Dot driving it to the front of the convoy ahead of Gab. Stitch climbs to the top of the battle shell to keep an eye out for the car he shot at encase they had to pick it's passengers up along the way.


It's possible he missed the wheel but not likely and it should have become hard to drive on these roads with one tyre going flat.


And he didn't want to leave them out here to be attacked!


~~


Lilo had hugged Judith and promised someone would come back. Possibly Judith will be offered a trip back with Leo, Erica and Michonne to take care of the dead loved ones. And was glad to see Mikey and that he had the girl in his care. He wouldn't let anyone hurt her. And that meant Lilo could throw herself into emergency trauma medical. The problem would be making sure those who lost blood survived long enough to get them to the Pigsty to be taken into the infirmary there. Jo thankfully as an ex ambo driver was used to fast paced, limited space working and is right beside her.


Right now names and faces make little sense to her as she and Jo work around each other to patch up " Stitch!! I need blood typing!"


~~


Stitch growls but luckily Mikey scrambled up top to watch out with Judith. And after explaining what he is watching for Stitch hurries below to type people for the injured for a blood match and healthy blood at that.

He first made sure Dieair knew to climb in -


" that is some seriously wicked archery - hop in and keep the trucks safe -" he tells her gesturing to hope up and helping Judith up to his shell feeling her small gentle but strong armed grip and grinning dashing for the Blade one he knew the girl had a good grip - though a hand remain behind him to make sure and he grins at Glenn. " Hey man first time in the blade? these cars are fun to drive - theres a button behind the wheel you push to turn it on - yeah that side then you treat it like an xbox gaming wheel, complete with cycle through weapons and jump and boosts and break. If you roll don't panic it will eventually flip itself back over if you turn the wheels and keep driving. Press the start button for a homing beacon like the one on grand theft auto encase you wanna go ahead, and your stats will appear around the edges of your windshield, also lights in their usual spots. The UHF patches through to the truck or the tphones, if you have any problems turn on and press zero for the open channel for them okay?" Pointing out all features to Glenn as he tells them. Noting the girl in the back. A thumbs up and moving away closing the side door moving to the trucks and leaping upwards easily.


" you alright there Judith? Wanna ride up here?" he asks moving and leaping from the truck to the battle shell moving towards the pop up weapons seat to put Judith if she wanted, he could even show her how to fire the garbage cannon. otherwise he'll wait up here... or... Stitch was called away and paused long enough to tell them he had been watching out for a car he shot at... hah. Maybe he'll show her how to shoot harpoon option too.

Dieair gave Mike a nod of thanks and hopped into the battle shell with everyone else. She stood close to a window and leaned out taking out the stragglers that dared to attack the vehicle.

Then, everything went quiet. The screams stopped as well as the attacks. The walkers were just watching. It was as if they were waiting for someone to make one wrong move. Someone to to leave the safety of the vehicle.

I tink we should be leaving now.

Once everyone was on board that needed to be, Gabriel threw rbe truck into drive, careful not to spin in the icy patches as he followed the other vehicles our of the hell hole that used to be their home. A few of the screamers hit the side of the truck, but seemed to lose interest....but Gabe wouldn't question it, nor would he slow down to investigate. They needed to get the injured someplace safe and treated, or their group would be laying more to rest...

Sherry's voice carried through the opened back window....

"Abby is with Lexi and Glenn in the Roadblade..." And he would leave it at that. She didn't need to know that the girl was possibly infected. There was nothing she could do, even if she knew. She had enough to worry about with Dwight. He would spare her of Abby's injury for as long as possible. And Dwight, if the guy even knew he was in the world right now. Qith the severity of that injury, there was a threat of brain swelling...

..and Dwight registered very little. Voices seemed muddled and submerged. The cigerette hung lip between his lips, soon falling and rolling across the blood soaked bed of the truck, coming to a stop beside Daryl. He was quick to put it out, insisting that the nurse tend to Laz and Dwight before him. He knew that he wasn't dying, but the others were struggling.

~•~•~•~•~

Judith ga e a nod, and hung on until they reached their spot on the top of the vehicle. She took in what he was saying, but she couldn't pull her tearfilled gaze away from their burning community. The place she had grown up...the place where her brother had died...and Beth... and they had to leave them behind....


~~•~•~•


Glenn eagerly took in instructions, giving the turtle an understanding nod before he departed, then left with the other vehicles. Despite rhe heartache, excitement over operating this awesome vehicle!

Lexi was busy in the back with the kids, trying to comfort Logan and making sure Abby remained stable...her heart aching, anxiety building, not knowing if her husband was still alive or not....

Miky shifts the small, young but quiet mature for her age and indeed having lost much. He wont offer her pointless okays and promises, for all his youthful vigor and playfulness he knew he world they had now was dangerous and all their time together was limited - they could only try to survive.


He seats her carefully on the chair but doesn't push her off just allowing and encouraging a hug if she wanted it, " I'm sorry Judith... I really really am.' there is that comforting churr in his chest, like a heart beat, slow and deep and he nuzzles her small shoulder in a friendly way.


The Battle Shell headed the procession rumbling along smashing and smushing anything that dared trying to get at it and the gooey living within. He listens out for his phone seeing the truck follow and the Blade. A sigh. But still he listens out encase he is needed.

With the limited goop and first aid kits Jo and Lilo were limited to what they could do for the injured Even with Stitches help, but they managed to at least stabilize and give Laz blood, not a lot but enough to hopefully keep him just above stable to get him to the Pigsty. Stitch bending bits of the truck floor around him to keep him immobile and at least a thermal blanket wrapped around him. Stitch again using the blaster. In a different way this time catching the ball of green and using it to ensure there would at least be no more bleeding!


Dwight was likewise shifted and rested on the bench above and beside Laz once his cigarette had rolled away. Lilo was very worried about him but until she had better equipment she hoped keeping him still and monitoring with a thermal wrap would help keep him stable too. Though she was careful to keep the wrap light as she didn't want to risk overheating either.


Stitch moved over to Daryl to help him out next as Lilo and Jo began organising the others to sit on the remain benches and sharing the last few thermal wraps.


Siting on Daryls lap Stitch starts where Daryl had been forced by the alien himself to leave off, with the bullet wound.


Lilo, hands bloodied and stressed a bit but not too much yet thanks to residual adrenaline takes a moment to check on the driver pulling the little window open, " how are you- hurt at all?" which had been the standard question for all that could answer. Minor bumps and bruises were given a Stitch tongue cleaning and a scraping of goop to aid healing. She shakes the can it was almost out " We have three hours if we can keep up this pace, I wouldn't go too much faster with the roads like this if you feel it becoming too uncontrollable let us know the Battle shell has grappling equipment and the trailer its towing and can help with that." she is feeling for her phone to ring the Pigsty, they needed all personnel on board ready to help ferry new ones and injured into infirmary for proper checking over and treatment.

Mikko looked in the back of the truck watching Lilo and stitch help Laz and Dwight. We just need to keep them stable until we get there. I can give as much blood as needed and it should heal them as well. But they got to make it to Pigsty first.

She sat back down and looked straight ahead in silence for a bit. Leaning against Gabe SHe gave a heavy sigh.

Eugene didn't make it...

-----------


Sherry was realeved to hear that Abby was safe with the others. Now she could concintrate on Dwight. When the cig fell from his mouth she sat him up straight to make sure that he stood awake.

I know it's hard, but you got to stay awake for me.

Dwight drifted in and out of consciousness, Sherry's voice coaxing and the touches of those trying to help, but the bloodless and brain swelling was taking their toll...

Athena, Noah's wolf rested beside Daryl, confused and anxious due to being separated from her owner. Daryl gave her a gentle scratch between the ears, his other hand still applying pressure to the wound. He had sustained other various, non life threatening injuries during his scuffle with Negan. He insisted that the medical help tend to the more gravely injured first...

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Judith returned Mikey's hug, lingering, finding comfort in his embrace, and his words. She didn't trust her own voice at the moment, so was quiet. So many uncertainties, but she had to believe that eventually things would be okay. That's why her brother had made the ultimate sacrifice...so things could be okay. ..

Finally releasing from the hug, the young one wiped at the quiet tears that had fallen. "Thank you " She managed quietly.


~•~•~

Gabe nodded, following the directions given and assured Lilo they were unharmed, but hearing Mikko caused him to frown. He knew Eugene didn't like him much, but it was horrible that he had lost his life, and he felt bad for Mikko. Freeing one arm to wrap around her, he gave her a squeeze.

"I'm so sorry...."

Mikko leaned into the hug and closed her eyes. She was exhausted and wanted to just sleep, but knew that she would be needed as soon as they reached Pigsty. She also had to figure out what she was going to tell Evelyn. It hurt her heart thinking about how the child would react to the news of her dad.

Right now though she was comfortable and warm and was slowly drifting to sleep.

---------------------------------

In the back of the truck Sherry was still trying to help Dwight stay awake and was starting to panic as the minuets ticked by. She was scared that he wasn't going to make it.

Laz had finally come to and laid there in pain. He wished His family was with him and hoped that they were ok. He didn't know where they were going but no one seemed to be protesting so it must have been some place good. He hoped so anyway.

Michonne sat beside Daryl quietly. It was all too much. So many lives lost, their home gone. The responsiblity of leadership placed on her shoulders. Carl saved them though and for that she was thankful. He was brave but she had always known that. he really proved it this night though. Michonne leaned her head on Daryl's shoulder.

I can't believe Carl's gone. She said softly.

Mikey smiles sadly and catches the little hands and lightly wipes her tears away himself, his hands were massive compared to anyone, but with children they appeared even more so, still he is gentle and his big calloused thumb pads brush her cheeks lighter than butterfly wings. " your welcome little lady," he doesn't release until she is ready and then nods to the cannon. " wanna fire at some zombies? the compressed balls of garbage and then ice when the garbage runs out, their launched hard enough that they pulverise rotting bodies... super or not. just um we'll have to fire to the sides at an angle so as not to hit the truck or the Blade... though the blades armour if fairly good should hold up against two or three hits." he offers smiling.


If anything just to take her mind off her troubles for a tiny bit as they cross the half way point to the city.

Jo himself turned out to be a match for Laz - so Lilo was working on hooking them up for a brief and just enough to survive on. Offering Laz finally a green stick sucker for the pain. " Try to be as still a possible during the transfusion. We will have more blood to give you and properly handle your stump when we get to the Pigsty..." she is trying to be reassuring and comforting.


Before squeezing his good hand and now moving to gently shoo Sherry off and assess Dwight injuries properly and see what she could treat here and now to keep him going long enough until the Pigsty where she and Jumba and possibly April along with Don and their couple of other medical capable staff, one of those being Jo will treat the wounded properly.


~


Stitch moves closer to Daryl to help him his strong little four arms and hands guiding Daryl to lean back, claws tearing away material between him and injuries, assessing like Lilo was for anything new to treat along with that gun shot wound.


~


As he waits for Judiths answer Mikey untucks his phone to patch into the Battle Shell, Lilo's phone and the blade. " We are at the half way point to the Pigsty folks, I knows yous are tired, hurt, scared and injured, patience and those that can try to rest. Lilo, Jo? Glenn touch base with me how are we all doin? I'll patch ahead and alert the Pigsty of how things are going."



~


Lilo smiles, and when Mikey's voice stops over her tphone she presses one of the marginal scutes of the shell design o answer the turtle. " assessing all injuries now we'll do a head count shortly and yes please tell Jumba we will need all medical able personal available at the Pigsty.." then clicking off so Glenn and Dot could answer, Dot in the Battle shell answered next saying the way looked good and clear saying most those in the shell were not too injured, sore and tired but okay. Lilo hoped Mikey told Glenn how to use his uhf so he'll answer from the blade.

With the more critically injured being taken care of, now Xaryl wouldn't protest the help he was receiving, too exhausted to do so. He leaned against Michonne, but heari g her words took him aback, not comprehending at first....

"What do ya mean ..." But there was a sadness in her tone, a heaviness that almost gave it away, but she couldn't mean that...Carl was okay....he had to be....


~•~•~•~

Gabriel gave Mikko another squeeze before returning his hand to the wheel, knowing with icy conditions it would be needed. He knew Mikko was tired, and had lost a lot tonight, and would be needed to save Laz and Dwight's lives...

"You holdin' up?" He asked, referring to Eugene. "I can cone back with you to... you know...get his body if you wanna do the funeral thing. Or, whatever you need to do...put 'im to rest...Evelyn may need that closure."

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Judith managed a small, weak smile at Mikey and finally gave a nod. Firing the cannon looked like it could be fun...and she would get to destroy the undead..

Her little hands took hold and she shifted the weapon around, away from the other vehicles, taking aim with concentration beyond her years, making sure it was completely perfect before firing at a group of the fast ones and the slow ones, grin growing a little wider when the force of the ammo scattered them into a bloody, gooey mess....


~•~•~•~

It took Glenn a moment, but he finally figured out how to answer the page, still reeling with excitement over operating such an awesome vehicle...


"10-4. Umm..Roger! Everyone is good or goodish...this thing drives like a dream...I want one!"

Mikko lifted her head up from Gabe's shoulder. She shook her head a little.

Nah. I don't think that'll be nessassery. I didn't take him out. He's walking around somewhere as a zombie. I couldn't bring myself to kill him. I know that was selfish But I felt like, I still had him even if as an undead. I have seperation issues.

She told him with a little grin.

So don't you dare go anywhere. I'm attached.

Evelyn I think understands the concept of death a little. She understands that my family are dead and with angels. SO I think I'll explain it to her like that. That he's with my family now. I'm sure that's true anyway. He and my nerdy brother would get along great.

" woooo yeah ya a natural gal! squish those dead things!" Mikey wooooos excitedly watching Judith and listening to the phone waiting for Lilo's estimates and final conclusive remarks and is glad to see that smile.


It would be nothing but a part time stress reliever and distractiona nd maybe a little symbolic revenge on those that tore her little family apart but he hoped it provided a little carthatic relieve for the young but wise and knowledged beyond her years girl.


He remains close watching and protecting and watching the vehicles closely a laugh at Glenn's words. " well what you do is see Jumba or Stitch or Don, preferrably Don about that and he'll put you through some tests then you can pick one of the vehicles to drive from time to time... we have quiet a collection now all fueled by biodegraded by algae zombie unleaded fuel." he responds to the guy but he knew the joy of driving the vehicles, and yes they tested their would be drivers, tested to check their suitability and trust worthiness to be inside of these recycled bits of powerful machinery.

Stitch looks sad but leaves it between the couple to discuss and it was a good distraction for him sticking out his tongue and diving into the would with the strong appendage to find the bullet and clean out the fragments - which is easy for him. He draws back after it's done and added bonus it was now clean he bites open the recycled and almost empty can of goop to scoop out the last bits to spread over the wound track pushing as much into the wound as possible with the amount that he had before moving to study the wound for any bleeders, sniffing feeling for any air against his face before he begins stitching the hole closed.


Lilo has decided for Dwight she might need more intensive medical gear but is making him as comfortable as possible treating injuries she can treat now and relaying to Mikey the number of people and to tell the Pigsty to prepare for trauma care. A giggle hearing Mike explain to Glenn his dream was more than possible of having access to a vehicle like the RoadBlade.

Dieair sat quietly in the battleshell it felt good to be fighting agaig to be back in a battle. That's what she was born to do, fight. Of course that's what all her kind was born to do, from a very young age her people started learning how to fight in battle.

She worried for the ones that were hurt and hoped that they made it to pigsty in time.

It took about three hours so get to their destination but they finally arrived. Once the battle shell was parked Dieair stepped out and headed to the truck Gabe was driving to help the ones that were hurt.

----------------------------------------------

Michonne looked at Daryl sadly and took his hand in hers.

Babe, Carl didn't make it. He died taking out Negan.

Daryl was completely taken aback by the news of Carl. An instant crushing weight seemed to drop on his chest. They had lost so much. Their sweet Beth. Their homes, and now...Carl. Their leader. The child that he bad taken care of those few short weeks after Alexandria had fallen and Rick's fate had yet to be discovered..

He tried to hold back the tears, but they came anyway, quiet, but still there. Even as Stitch poked and prodded and took care of his wound. He did not protest the invasiveness, as he normally would have. A quiet nod of gratitude to tbe little blue alien, then gave Michonne a gentle squeeze, knowing what Carl meant to her, too. He had been her child for a stint, back when she and Rick had been a thing. The two had remained close, and Carl had often looked to her for guidance when things became too heavy.

Carl had made a sacrifice, to keep more of them from dying. Negan was dead, and hopefully the ongoing feud between Saviors and Treetoppers or former Treetoppers would be over.

"He was brave." He managed, tone choked through the quietness of his sorrow.

And he hoped there would be no more casualties. Laz was alert now, a good sign, but Dwight was still far from being out of danger.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Judith was trying her best to keep her mind off of everything. Mikey was certainly a good distraction, and she couldn't help but smile hearing the exchange between Mikey and Glenn. She knew just how much Glenn was in his element being behind the wheel of the roadblade. The guy really liked fast cars!


~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

With the assistance of Maggie, Lexi was doing her best to tend to the little ones, especially the injured. Her mind was still laden with worry for her husband, not even knowing if he was still alive.....


~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Gabe had a different opinion of how Eugene should be handled. But it wasn't his business. He would suppost whatever Mikko decided, and be there for her as she and her daughter dealt with the loss.


Hours passed, and it seemed they had finally reached their destination. Gabe parked, and watched in disbelief as what looked like a big troll approached....

He knew this world was home to other beings, but had yet to encounter any himself, other than the several different 'species' of undead...


~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

Ally had been hesitant to climb into the vehicle with Joker, but seeing treetop being burned to the ground, she felt she had little choice. She didn't know what was wrong or fight, but..


"Maybe we should have helped them..." She said, after a long silence.

Joker was driving towards the pigsty as well but he just didn't know it. Hearing Ally he rolled his eyes and shook his head.

That was none of our business. Anyway, they kept us locked up in a cage. Why should we help them they didn't help us. Look. He said nodding up ahead.

Looks like we found some life.

Lok'tar ogar. Dieair greeted Gabe and Mikko in her native tongue.

Let's get the injured safe inside.

Mikko was in awe at the troll but came to when she spoke about the injured. They needed to help them especially Dwight who seemed to be doing the worse.

Sherry was happy that they finally arrived at their destination she nudged Dwight up to help get him out the truck. We're here, we're going to get you some help now. Just hold on. SHe told her husband.

They would rock up to the Pigsty -


[ooc: https://landofthefallen.forumotion.com/t183p125-new-beginnings-six-years-later-december-hamato-clan#8594 ]