Hollow Heroes [Open to all]

Raphael wanted to go check in on his family, but new orders had been given. He gave a nod, then after receiving the information as to which room she was in, headed in that direction...


He knocked loudly, hoping to get the attention of the occupant inside....

Wade was seriously.. seriously trying to fight sleep, but it seemed that she didn't want to.. whaaaat! It had been a long ass day/ night and he was tired, but couldn't admit defeat, even if his body was screaming otherwise...


"Sure! We can stay up.."


And just then, a knock came, but being beneath her, he couldn't spring up and answer it. Well, he could... but that would be majorly rude...

Mmmm if yer tired you can sleep. Mikko told wade and kissed him deeply. I can keep myself busy for a while.

Then there was a knock at the door and she grinned. Oooooh. Maybe someone wants to join us for some bedroom twister!

She slid out of the bed, sliding down his body to do so, then stood up. Not bothering to cover herself she hurried to the door and opened it. Seeing Raph she smiled at him, her grayish skin and red eyes giving off a less then living look.

How can we service you today?

Carl halted in his tracks when Bruce approached him, his expression hopeful and despite the world stripping him of being a child, there was definitely child-like expectation there, even as he held his sister as if she was his own child...


...he was waiting to hear the good news. Waiting to hear that his father was here and safe and in a room, waiting for him and Judith. Waiting to have the fears extinguished that Negan was being truthful....



But none of that came. Instead, only the news that his father was still out there somewhere. The News that once again, he would not be getting sleep due to worry. His eyes narrowed, angry, hurt and  afraid that he would never...NEVER see his father again. Fearful that he was indeed, all alone. Afraid that Judith would grow up, never knowing her dad. Only him. Scared beyond all thought that he would be on his own to raise her. He loved his sister with a fierceness, but Judith needed her father. Hell, HE needed his father!



"You left?!You didn't wait? Daryl is out there by himself... and you... you just left!" His voice was cracking with each emotion-filled word. "I thought you were heroes..." He said angrily, tears brimming his eyes but no, fucking no, they would not be falling!

Honestly Carl's words stung. But what was he suppose to do? He wasn't prepared to leave men with Daryl. That's what it came down to.

We're going to get Daryl and your dad back here. I promise. We had to leave. We had to get Glenn back here. I wasn't prepared to leave anyone with Daryl, I'm sorry. I am.

The sound of a light female chuckle filled the air around Bruce and Carl before Love appeared. It's amazing how I'm always at the right spot at the right time. She flicked her large tail around and leaned down to come face to face with Carl, she looked into his eyes. Even the one missing, she could see. Batman is a has- been. My name, is Sheebal.

Love introduced herself to Carl giving the boy her true name. Something that she held a secret. So much so. That she didn't say the name out loud. But spoke it to him without speaking. This was a big deal to her and would be to Carl. To know her name was to give the boy power over her. But there was something special about the boy. she could see it in his soul. A warrior. Someone she would be proud to serve.

She bowed to Carl.

I will go. I will find Daryl and your father Rick. She knew the fate of his father. but unless he ask. it was not her place to tell.


Bruce stood there in silence and watched the two.

Nah, they zombies are bad enough, don't need them toxic too. When Lydia mentioned a cat woman named Love he took a seat next to the girl and leaned forward.

Great name. Is SHE pretty? I assume you mean she's a mutant right? Did she say if she was single?

" Aww still can't we do something to teach him a lesson?" The young teen asked wanting some payback as she sat on the counter again. She wanted it to be something that would scared him so he would never try to go near her. Maybe she could find something in the mall to use. She stretched and yawned as she waited for Lydia.

Lydia giggled. "I don't know! She didn't say."

Was she a mutant, though? She said she was a demon from the underworld. She couldn't quite decide if she believed it or not, though. But no need to worry about that now. She finished eating and stood up.

Well maybe we'll run into her again. When Lydia was done Bebop also stood up. Everyone ready to head out? I'm itchen to stretch my legs out!

" Yeah I'm ready" She replied getting up going to the door opening it heading out into the hall. She wanted to explore the place.

Glenn knew that Maggie was worried about him, but his concern for her prevented him from leaving her. Even if she had been well, just being with her again...being able to hold her, to know it wasn't his mind playing tricks on him. When she pulled the blanket around his shoulders, he wrapped it around the both of them, holding her close...



"I'm not leaving you. Besides, Daryl patched me up.. if you can believe that.." He tried to make light of it, hoping to alleviate her worry. "I will get a check up tomorrow.. promise. But right now, the best thing for me, is being here with you..." And he squeezed her gently,nuzzling a kiss against her cheek....


"Are.... you okay?" She had been injured, and he knew who was responsible. Negan's day was coming....he would pay for all the heartbreak he had caused.

It had been, without a doubt, the best night's sleep that Pete had gotten in a very long time. For the first time in two years, he had a comfy bed, warm blankets and Gwen beside him. The hours ticked by, and he certainly would have slept longer is not from the noise coming from the door. Of course it met his over-sensitive hearing....


Slowly pushing up from the bed, he dug through the drawers until he found a pair of boxers, and after sliding them on, went to the door. He opened it slowly, not seeing anything at first. Then he felt a warm nose against his toes, then teeth as the little creature decided to see if he taste good!


"Hey!" Looking down to see his 'attacker', a huge grin tugged across his lips and he carefully scooped the cub up, who didn't seem too fearful of humans...


"OMG.. GWEN!! There's a wolf outside our door! Like, seriously...a wolf cub..." He shouted, snuggling the little beast in his arms...



"Heh..I've always wanted a puppy, this is close enough!"

She had frozen.

And gone silent. Leaving conversation un said. Not that she thought Carl was too immature or young to hear of the abuse she had suffered at the hands of the last survivors she had joined, back then in hopes her grandmother would be helped.

They had not helped.

And all had paid for it with their lives. And she almost had a little life of her own... No she was not ready to divulge all that.

So therefore, Erica had left silent thanks. A squeeze to Carl's hand before the man Bruce had spoken. And Erica let talk move away from the conversation entirely, following along quietly seeing Carl safely to a member of his group. A Maggie. And secure in the knowledge he would be fine for the night and left to her own devices with no more than some vague instructions where she could stay Erica had instead set off alone in the quiet. Aiming for nothing in particular her backpack and weapons in hand. As ever ready.

She found - to her delight - 'Frock Up'




Muscles were sore, and feet when she awoke. Picking herself up off the floor of the shop where she had definitely danced off her tension, and clearly just gone to sleep were she had lain cuddling her backpack as a weird lumpy body pillow. And not even thinking to change out of the dress and heels, leaving the shop, looking like some Grease dance extra, only accidentally in passing after a few more moments of meandering about thinking maybe she should find the offered room... then hearing a familiar voice sounding quiet distressed. "Carl?!" and room forgotten she clicks quickly in that direction dropping her bag as she nears the commotion, dropping her bag and quiver though her bow and three arrows were ready, remaining in her hands. eyeing the man, Bruce from the night before and the ... well at first Erica thought she was just seeing things. But nope... some cat woman.

Gwen had slept very well that night. Finally without worry because the one she was always worried about was there in her arms. Plus she had the extra cuddly of Stitch! And the bed and covers and room was so comfortable. everything was like a dream.

She didn't even wake when the pup outside their door started to howl and try to did her way inside. Or when Pete woke and removed himself from her side.

She did wake up when she heard the excitiment in his voice. At first she took it as fear or panic and woke up with her heart racing, she sat up straight in the bed, holding the covers over herself.

Before anyone words could leave her mouth she finally registered what he had said. A wolf cub?

Bring it in, Pete! Maybe it's hungry. Does it look hurt?

Deep down, Carl knew that Bruce had to get Glenn back and treated. He did not fault the guy for that. But he had taken a team with him, couldn't at least one stay behind and help? Of course not! Most of the people here had a sheltered life. It was written in their features. The was they seemed to resume everyday life. The smiles and sense of security they had fallen into, the way they could sleep with both eyes closed, never looking over their shoulders.... thanks to this... this millionaire.


Of course Bruce's men couldn't survive out there. Heroes were people like his dad. Like Michonne and Daryl and Carol. Like Glenn and Maggie....



The rest of this was just a circus. Sure, he had believed in cape wearing and mutant heroes when he was a child, but that foolishness was so short lived. He was forced to grow up way too fast. He could feel the angry, bitter tears burning at the back of his one eye...


"Bunch of pussies...." And he looked at the men still hovering behind their 'leader', some amused that a teenager had the balls to speak in such a way. "Afraid of a little snow... afraid of Walkers...."


Then, a huge cat-woman entered the scene and Carl hugged Judith protectively against him, Up until now, he had not met any real life mutants and the fact that she was communicating with him telepathically freaked him out. It seemed that she could read him, knew what he had been... and she was willing to help.... so why did he feel so skeptical?


...Because most weren't what they seemed. Trusting the wrong person could get you killed. His group had learned that the hard way. He wanted to trust her, and the child still buried deeply within pleaded with her to find his dad, but he kept up his defensive demeanor.



"Why do you care?" His tone coming off ruder than intended, but this 'person' had given him no reason to trust her...


Then, a familiar voice, one of the very few that had actually earned his trust. He didn't seem to notice her weird get-up. Times like these, you rarely questioned such things. He spared her a glance, acknowledging and relieved to have at least one person he trusted nearby. His gaze then shifted back to the Cat-Woman, wondering is she was genuine... or if she wanted to go hunt down Daryl and his father to eat them....

Care? About these humans? I don't of course. Love pointed to Bruce and his men, then pointed to Erica standing, ready to defend her friend. I care for none of these mortals. They could drop dead right now, and my life would be no different. She admitted. This time speaking out loud for all to hear.

I am no mutant, child. She said a bit harshly. Where I come from these walkers as you call them, would be nothing more babysitters for my kind.

I see into your soul. A clawed hand reached out and touched Carl's chest. I have deemed you worthy of my services. Only speak my name. Any place any time. And i will be at your side.

Love dropped her hand. Do you want my help, or not?

Bruce had about enough of all this and grabbed Love's arm pulling her away. We've had about enough of your fairy tails about demons, Love. You're not helping. Please go out and patrol the fence.

Okay,Raphael was NOT expecting for Mikko to answer the door in her birthday suit! He quickly covered his eyes and took a stumbling step backwards, cheeks feeling warm and tingly..



"WOW! Eh.. for starters, you can put some clothes on!!" He told her, still NOT looking! Of course, he wanted to. He was all male, after all... but the whole shock of it all... "Bruce wants to see you... but not nekkid......"



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


Wade was trying to make himself comfy for some much needed sleep when he heard the knock at the door, and smiiiiiiled a big shit-eating grin when Mikko greeted the unsuspecting visitor at the door. At the mentioning of Bruce, Wade sprung to his feet in all of his naked glory....



"Oh no... she's not going anywhere near that dumbass!"

Mikko grinned at Raph's reaction but she didn't have any cloths to put on! Well, she did have a robe...

I don't have any cloths. I was going to grab something at one of the shops. Sooooooo You'll have to deal with seeing me nude for a while. She told Raph.

Hearing that Bruce wanted to see her she was about to answer when Wade answered for her. She couldn't blame her boyfriend's reaction. Their last meeting, or, few meetings weren't the best. But maybe Bruce wanted to finally make amends or something.

Uh...No no. I'll go see him. Wade, why don't you try to get some sleep. I can't keep you up all night long if you don't sleep during the day. She said with a cute pout. Or as cute as she could be.

If he tries anything stupid I'll eat his face off! rawr!

He wanted to believe, wanted to trust and Love could certainly pick up on that. Even through his strong font, there was still a child buried beneath that tough exterior. A child that desperately wanted his father. He wasn't sure how to respond, but perhaps his thoughts had been enough to answer her before Bruce grabbed her arm, making it sound as though she was crazy...



...and maybe she was...



Maybe she couldn't help, after all. It certainly caused him to mentally kick himself for even thinking it was a possibility.....

Love pulled away from Bruce. The one time. One time! She actually wanted to help someone she was called crazy. Figures. But, she still wanted to help. This world wasn't going to get better. She knew that. And Carl, he was going to do some pretty great things given the chance. great to her anyway. She wasn't going to tell anyone of the darkness she seen growing within him. That with each death he had to face, each horror he encounterd would harden his heart.

She seen it though. The zombies would decay and leave the living alone. The adults would die out. the young would group only knowing this world. And this child. He would lead them. A world fitting of her kind. The kid was right after all. He was just another monster.

But that was for him to realize in years to come. until then. she would protect him. Help him. Teach him. Prepare him. and bestow gifts on him that would help him.

Love extended her hand out to Carl, palm facing up. In her hand a small, green, glowing orb floated inches above her hand.

Maybe you need both eyes to see you can trust me.

Erica may have only caught a little of the talk and when Love's hand came up so did her own - in a fluid motion, the first of the three arrows ready - the other two in position to come into play the moment the first one was on it's way. "There is no gesture made in this world that does not have a price." She had glanced between Bruce (huh she had questions for him about this mall!) his men and this woman eyeing the interactions. And felt there was probably a reason to be suspicious of the cat woman's offer. Her words were for Carl not Love, she felt no care for the cat woman either. But was herself wary.

After all even her own gesture the previous evening - the exchange of a little fire light and warm for meat. And gotten more of course, actually decent people, friends. Previously before that she had been forced to give up her very own body and ended up having to take what she felt she was owed back in blood. And whatever supplies she could carry at the time.

Still she did not voice any of that - Carl already knew. He like herself had lost loved one after loved one. And she would not of course intercede if he was going to take the cat womans offers but at the very least felt the slight warning might be a reminder to question more of the feline beasts motives.

There was always motives.

Kurt nuzzled Kitty's cheek with his nose and gave her a squeeze. I think right now we can only hope that we stay safe here. Gambit is here somewhere as well. But no one else as far as i know. I am just thankful that I we found each other.

He kissed her cheek and with another nuzzle tickled her sides.


Tickling.

Led to...

More tickling and old long time friends - Lovers? catching up at least more fully on their journeys - some light nips and nuzzles and protests from Lockheed.

Kitty told him of meeting Lilo - then she had a small group with her. A squat very round alien... the very one that created Stitch and a lean noodley like one with a round head. Apparently the three were the only ones left of the entire population of alien and humans of Kauai. Lilo had not said much beyond the rest of them at least were safe. Though a walker herd had destroyed a camping spot they had been in and they had lost Jumba and Pleakley.

So even if those here on Earth were doomed Kitty knew some where one to another place. And told Kurt that promising o introduce him and Lilo later and the second cutest blue furry guy she knew, Stitch. Assuring Kurt he was her fave and cutest blue furry guy.

Sleep had come for them in the early hours of catch up and snuggling.





And Kitty awoke before Kurt - rolled and snuggling him some more waiting for him to wake on his own time. At his pace figuring he needed the moment. She knew when she first had a bed after so long on the road it had been a godsend.

Melissa Andreas wrote:

" Yeah I'm ready" She replied getting up going to the door opening it heading out into the hall. She wanted to explore the place.

"Okiedokie, let's go!" Lydia picked up Shelby and followed Mel out the door. First stop? Ezras room! Lydia hoped he wasn't too startled to find her bed empty, as she'd 'snuck out' while he still slept. But she was sure he'd be fine once they got there.

She knocked on his door three times, and then it opened.

Ezra's expression was an odd mixture of confusion and relief.

"Where've you  been? It's not like you to just run off, at least I thought it was...

"There was nothing to eat! So I visited Mel-Mel and Bebop. I'm sawwie~" Lydia apologized, her tone light-hearted. She suddenly turned and reached to grab Mel's hand. Can we go exploring now??"

Glenn Rhee wrote:

Glenn knew that Maggie was worried about him, but his concern for her prevented him from leaving her. Even if she had been well, just being with her again...being able to hold her, to know it wasn't his mind playing tricks on him. When she pulled the blanket around his shoulders, he wrapped it around the both of them, holding her close...



"I'm not leaving you. Besides, Daryl patched me up.. if you can believe that.." He tried to make light of it, hoping to alleviate her worry. "I will get a check up tomorrow.. promise. But right now, the best thing for me, is being here with you..." And he squeezed her gently,nuzzling a kiss against her cheek....


"Are.... you okay?" She had been injured, and he knew who was responsible. Negan's day was coming....he would pay for all the heartbreak he had caused.

Maggie rested her head on Glenn's shoulder and nodded her head. I'm ok. Better now that I know yer alright. Her arms wrapped around him tightly and squeezed him. She closed her eyes, The worry she had been feeling over Glenn lifted from her, she could now finally let herself rest. They were together again, this time in a safe place that was actually safe. No more worrying about where they would sleep, or where they would find their next meal. No more worrying about who they could or couldn't trust.

Maggie trusted Bruce. And knew that he wouldn't let anyone in the mall that would put the small indoor town in danger.

Course she didn't know about Mikko, the girl with the virus running through her veins. She didn't know about Toad, who wasn't invited in at all. And she didn't know about Love, the demon that could easily kill her child without a second thought.

We should move this moment to the bed. She stated with a light nuzzle to Glenn's neck. You wouldn't believe how soft the beds are here. Like laying on puffy clouds.