To Give and Take: A Mad Max Fanfic
Disclaimer: I am in no way, shape, or form profiting from this fanfiction story. All the Mad Max films belong to Mel Gibson and the writers/producers of the Mad Max franchise. The only things I own in this story are the characters of my own creation. Also I have been slightly inspired by Lois Lowry's book series 'The Giver', and as such have borrowed a few phrases and ideas from the first book. I do not own or profit from these books either, they belong entirely to Lois Lowry. This is also my first time writing a fanfic with the intention of publishing it on so please be kind and constructive with your criticism.
Summary: This story takes place before the start of the Mad Max Fury Road movie. This story will not be leading up to the escape of the wives, so don't be looking for it to do so; in a way it will start as if those events never took place. It is a tale for Nux, the young warboy driver who wants to prove himself worthy of Valhalla and ride forever shiny and chrome beside his fellow fallen warriors of old. When a stranger comes to pay homage to Immortan Joe with promises of green lands across the dessert as well as healthy children to carry on his name; on the condition he send warriors to protect the settlers of this land. Well it sounds almost too good to be true...or is it?
~~~~ Chapter One: A Feeling ~~~~
"This is the last time I'm carrying your ass in the middle of the night to the Organic," Slit growled as he laid me down none too gently onto the stone slab. The night fever clouded my vision as I smiled at his face twisted in anger at yet another sleepless night in the Organic Mechanic's shop. "Sorry I'm a shite partner, but don't ya worry Slit. The Organic will fix me up good as new, like always. I just need a top-off and I'll be good to drive in the morning!" I said with enough bravo to make him smirk as the Organic bustled into view shining a lantern in my face. "Again Nux?! That's the third time this week that you've needed a top-off!", the Organic teased me, " If this keeps up you'll run through the spare blood bags", he said as he unhooked one of the ferals from the cage hanging above us. After hooking up the blood bag's neck with a needle and tubing I offered my arm ready for him to insert the other end. "Just lie back and try to sleep, I'll be back in a bit to unhook ya. Shouldn't be more a little over half an hour then its back to the barracks for ya both," I nodded my thanks to the Organic as he shuffled off carrying the lantern as it cast frightful shadows against the walls. SMACK! Slit's hand slapped the back of my head, " He said lay down dumbass! If you stay sitting up it'll take longer for the blood to go in you and if I have to spend any longer than I have to in here with you I'll go back by myself without you! Got it?!" "I got it! I got it! Look I'm laying down now, we won't be here long!" I said as I rubbed the back of my head feeling weak from the fever, I eased down on the slab resting my left arm under my head as I stared up at the dark gray ceiling above. Minutes passed as the fresh blood flowed down into my body, I couldn't sleep it was too hot and stuffy. Slit started chucking small rocks at the blood bag until he became bored and settled for staring at my prone form counting down until my tank was full enough that he could return to his comfy bed. "I won't die soft Slit. Its not in me, never has been, never will be. I just need a chance to prove myself that's all. If I could just show Immorten Joe that I'm worthy of Valhalla, then maybe I can go out in glory," I muttered as the high octane blood filled up my weak sickly body bringing new strength to my spirit as I made my vow.
"Hahaa-Ahhaha, don't you worry Nux. You'll get your chance and when the time comes I'll be right beside you. There's no way a driver can make it to the gates of Valhalla without his Lancer," Slit smirked as his laughter made my face blush with pride. Ever since we were warpups we've been together supporting each other until we were picked to be part of Immorten Joe's war pack, as driver and lancer. It just seemed inevitable that we'd fight side by side. As much as I put on that we'll go out in a blaze of glory together I'm not so sure anymore; between Larry and Barry cutting off my intake in my sleep and the night fevers it'll only be a matter of time before I'll be running on empty. But for now just being here grinning like an idiot with Slit is enough for this warboy. "Alright that should be enough,"the organic tromps in on us laughing and unhooks the tube from my arm and gestures for us to put the blood bag back in his cage. Using the bit of strength I regained from the fuel up I lift the limp body back into the rusty cage as Slit closes the hatch with a resounding clank. "Thanks for the top-off!" I shout waving gleefully to the retreating Organic much to the embarrassment of Slit as we start walking back to the barracks.
Navigating through the dimly lit tunnel we finally make it back to our bunks with only a few hours to spare until day break. As I ease onto the pile of old oil stained cloths that made up my bedding I can't help but wonder when I'll finally be given a chance to prove myself. "Hey Slit, you still awake?" I ask the body across from mine cautiously. Slowly he rolls over and glares daggers at me as he hisses, "Doesn't look like I'll be given the chance to be otherwise. What in the name of everything shiny and chrome do you want now?!" Flinching slightly from his angry tone I merely mumble, "Goo-Goodnight Slit!" and roll over away from his angry glare. "Fucking idiot," I hear him mutter as he too rolled away from me and eventually started snoring. But as the hours passed I couldn't bring myself to sleep, call it a feeling but somehow I just knew that tomorrow something was gonna change.