Hey everyone! Well, as crazy as it sounds with the Spring semester just starting up again, I'm starting a new fanfic! Yay! (Am I insane? Maybe. But hey, sometimes a story just needs telling!) Basically this started as me trying to figure out a way for Tadashi to still be alive for a Disney Role Playing group I'm in. Sadly this initial concept got rejected, but I'd already started writing it out and, between me resolving to finally try to always finish a story once I've begun it and the fact that it wouldn't leave me alone, I'm going to plunge in head first and try to keep this one going along with my other ROTG fanfic (you can check my profile if you're a new reader and are interested in a feel-good family story surrounding Jack and the Bennetts!) I'll give you a heads up, this first chapter is going to be a little intense-not gory or anything, as I don't really hold with violence, but well, it was a necessary evil. If this freaks you out at all, please don't discount the story entirely, I promise that this is as bad as it gets and the rest of the story is much better (if a bit angsty-sorry!)
Anyway, sorry, this is waaaay too much commentary for this short little chapter! And before ya'll decide totally skip reading this story all together because I'm jabbering too much, I give you-"Waking Up Again"!
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Pain. Searing Pain. That's all Tadashi can feel as he feel as the flames engulf his body as he lies pinned underneath the large beam from the ceiling. He doesn't regret what he's done, but as he feels his clothes catching fire and his lungs collapse on themselves as smoke fills them, he can't help but think of the people he's leaving behind. Hiro-his adorable little brother. He'll never get to see what he goes on to do with that big brain of his, but he's sure that it will be amazing. Aunt Cass-the surrogate mother figure who'd taken care of them all those years. He wishes he could thank her for everything she'd done and tell her how much he loved her goofy stories and amazing cooking. Go Go—he'd never forget their awesome bike races around campus, and the late nigh talks in the lab they'd had about her home life and her dreams for a better future. Wasabi—secretly he'd loved his friends ocd-ness and forgiven him for every time he'd reorganized his office without asking, especially since he'd always left behind a fresh cup of cappuccino and a plate of scones for him whenever he was finished. Fred—well, he wasn't sure exactly what he'd miss most about the school mascot, but their epic video game marathons and the weekends they'd spent at conventions were probably on the top of the list. And Honey Lemon...
It's funny how his heart beats a little faster as he thinks about her, even as it's starting to fail on him. He can remember the first time he'd seen her at Freshman orientation. She'd stood out like a ray of sunshine among all of the other uncertain newbies and hovering parents. He'd almost immediately fallen in love with her radiant smile and old-school beauty. Even though he'd been surprised to find out that she was going for a Chemistry major (not his first guess with her girly-girl exterior), he'd been glad too since it meant that they'd be in a lot of the same classes. Their love and friendship had only grown over the semesters until it was impossible for people not to see the almost tangible connection between them. She'd been his best friend and most loyal companion, and every afternoon out and about in San Fransokyo and late night spent in the lab had been a bit of Heaven on Earth. All he wishes now is that he'd actually gotten up the courage to tell her how he'd felt and maybe even give her a kiss. Now he guesses he'll never know what it would feel like to have her soft raspberry flavored lips on his.
The inhalation of smoke is going to his head and he can't think anymore. Flashes of white and patches of black cloud his vision, making it impossible to see the building that's burning around him. Eventually he goes numb to the pain and then loses consciousness completely. The last words on his lips are, "Honey Lemon…"
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Rescue workers dig through the rubble once the fire is put out, trying to see what's salvageable and searching for the bodies of anyone who might have still been inside the building when it burned to the ground the previous night. Melted bits of machinery and robot parts litter the landscape, but still the crew works on late into the wee hours of the morning. Just as the sun is coming up, one worker lets out a cry from near where the colossal entrance to the showcase had been.
"I think I've found something!" he shouts, and several other hurry over to see what he's located. Most gasp as the realize that it's a human arm. Working together, they dig the body out of a layer of ash and dust.
"Merciful heavens!" one cries when they see how badly the boy's body has been damaged. It's barely recognizable as human now, his lower legs and one arm completely gone.
"Do you think he's still alive?" one worker asks, removing his helmet in respect for the fallen.
The leader of the crew, a tall mad in his mid-forties, shakes his head sadly. "I doubt it," he answers. "It would take a miracle for him to have survived that fire."
It seems Heaven must be in the miracle making business that morning because suddenly the boy lets out a tiny moan.
"Oh my gosh!" the first worker cries, leaping back in surprise.
"Quick, get an ambulance!" the leader orders as soon as he's gotten over the initial shock. Phones are instantly out and within moments the local hospital is on the line and sending an emergency crew to meet them.
"Hang in there, son," the leader says, kneeling down next to the boy and taking the one remaining hand in his. "We're going to get you help. Just hang in there for a little bit longer…"
0o0
Whoa, Tadashi's alive! YEAH! But what's going to happen to him now? Well, I guess that's what we're going to find out! If you were able to get through this chapter, the rest of the story should be a breeze! Again, soooo sorry about having to hurt Tadashi like this-seriously, he's probably my favorite character from the whole film-but it had to be done! I hope all of you could enjoy it at least a little bit. I'll try to update soon (I've written the whole story, it's more a matter of actually typing it up.) I'm not sure what to offer my reviewers after a chapter like this, except maybe a bowl of rocky road and some tissues to help you get over the angst! Can't wait to see y'all in the next chapter!
(For those of you who are interested in the Disney RP group I mentioned, please feel free to contact me for more details! It's an awesome community, with RPers from all over the world, and it's a fun way to meet fellow Disney fans while having adventures as your favorite character! We have a lot of available characters, ranging all the way back from Snow White to present day. Out of "Big Hero 6", only Honey Lemon, GoGo, and Tadashi are taken, so we'd really love to have you aboard if you'd like to be one of the other characters!)
Blessings and Peace! ~Bonnie :D