Author's Note: OHMYGODITOTALLYFORGOTABOUTTHISANDIMSOSORRY! Anyways, this will more likely than not continue into more than a single fan fiction, sort of following the Maximum Ride books(if you couldn't tell from the first chapter). I don't really have any plans for this, which is part of the reason why this has been left alone for so long. I'm so sorry to anyone who wanted more... I'll give you a very long chapter as apology, okay? I'm in the mood and forgot how fun this is to write :)
I would usually respond to reviews, but since I'm on a tablet, I can't. Sorry... But thank you to anyone who took the time to read and review.
A few things- this will probably be the only update over the summer. There may or may not be Tadahoney in this(probably a little, but not an overload), I haven't really decided. Sorry for any spelling mistakes- but autocorrect thinks it knows everything, when it honestly doesn't.
That's about it.
Onto the next chapter!
Clenched in Tadashi's hand was the 6th of the star that belonged to Hiro. His eagle eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for something- anything- that might show where Hiro and the Erasers were. With a quick glance back, Tadashi learned that the rest of his family was following. Honey was closest, then Gogo, Fred, then Wasabi.
What Tadashi wouldn't give to have Hiro back with them, to have this all be some crazy dream...
Because Tadashi knew exactly where the Eraser's were headed with Hiro- his Hiro. Back to the School.
It seemed like a nightmare- the ones that Tadashi occasionally got. He'd never told anyone because it didn't seem like a big deal. It didn't cause any anxiety during the day, just when he first woke up. But that's normal when you're jerked awake in a nightmare.
Most of Tadashi's nightmares were being chased by Eraser's, or being forced to watch as his family members died at the hands of White Coats.
And Hiro was almost always first.
Another thing Tadashi had never told anyone was that out of the entire flock, Hiro was honestly his favorite. The kid was just so cute- in a completely unromantic and weird way. Well... he basically had puppy-eyes 24/7 without trying too. Honestly, Hiro was basically a human puppy.
Hiro was Tadashi's weakness.
Which was probably why he was so panicked.
He almost missed Wasabi's words. "...Tadashi!" Tadashi glanced back at the man, who pointed forwards again. Tadashi looked forwards and his eyes narrowed. He could make out the shape of a black car, moving like a tiny ant across the landscape. Tadashi could also hear the steady beating of helicopter propellers.
Tadashi was right- they were taking Hiro back to the school. The mere thought made Tadashi feel sick- Hiro was terrified of that place. He was terrified of people in white coats, of being touched, of the thought of having to go back to that Hell. And it was actually happening.
Tadashi couldn't get over it- unless he and the others did something fast- Hiro would go back. He'd go back and live in fear until he died or Tadashi saved him.
"Hey!" Gogo's sharp voice snapped Tadashi back into focus. "You gotta plan?"
"Get Hiro." Tadashi said plainly before he shot forwards, towards the black car, leaving the rest of his family behind. He landed on the roof with a loud THUD, one hand on the roof of the car. Looking around wildly, Tadashi ducked as a branch from a nearby tree flew over his head. Seconds later he'd jumped back, his hands wrapping around the branch as he yanked it out of the tree. Unfortunately, an Eraser had leaned through the car window, a silvery gun in his hands. He cocked it, aiming at the bird kid behind the car. Tadashi, sensing it, flew straight up, the branch in his hands. The Eraser tracked him until the sun got into his eyes, making him swear in response.
Seconds later, Tadashi landed on the roof of the car once more. He slammed his sneaker into the Eraser's muzzle, then slammed the tree into his head, knocking him unconscious. A second later, the Eraser's upper-torso was pulled into the car. Turning towards the front of the car, Tadashi realized how close the car was to the helicopter and how little time he had.
He glanced up, his eyes meeting Honey's. He pointed at the helicopter, then made a X with his arms. Honey nodded, then passed the message on to the others.
Tadashi had silently told Honey that their best bet was to get Hiro when they moved him to the helicopter. Their plan would be for them to get into a X shape- making Tadashi the middle. When they moved Hiro, the two nearest to Tadashi would rush inward, him following. The two others would rush in seconds later. Tadashi hoped to surround the Erasers, cutting them off.
It didn't turn out as easy as he'd hoped.
As soon as the car stopped, 3 Eraser's jumped out holding guns. A 4rth held a bag- Hiro. Tadashi felt a pang of anger, standing to slam the tree branch into the Eraser, but he'd forgotten about how there had been 7 Eraser's in the forest, and there were only 4 there now. Another slammed his shoulder in Tadashi, sending him forwards, while another grabbed his arms and yanked the eldest Avian-American backwards. 2 of the ones holding guns pointed upwards, aiming for the rest of Tadashi's family, while the 3rd covered the Eraser holding Hiro as they ran for the chopper.
Tadashi's vision was cut off as the Eraser that wasn't holding him slammed a fist into Tadashi's jaw. Tadashi's head jerked one way, but the Eraser forced it back with another forceful punch. The Eraser got about 3 more punches in before Fred gave a mighty battle-cry and flew directly down, his foot outstretched. It slammed against the Eraser punching Tadashi and the Eraser howled, his attention on Fred for a moment. Tadashi took the distraction and slammed his foot into the Eraser behind him, right where it counts. It gave a howl of pain, dropping Tadashi's arms. The older boy slammed his elbow into the Eraser's head without looking, for the other Eraser had Fred's foot. Tadashi turned on him, slamming his foot into the Eraser's thigh. It let go of Fred quickly, and soon Fred was attacking again.
Out of the corner of his mouth, Fred yelled, "Dude, get to Hiro!"
Tadashi took off as the Eraser's reached the helicopter, which had landed for a moment. They started to board and Tadashi dropped to the ground near it, breaking into a sprint. He just managed to wrap an arm around the landing pad before the helicopter took off, almost ripping of Tadashi's wings in the process. He grit his teeth, wondering where everyone else was. Just then, an Eraser leaned out, a gun in his hand.
"So long, buddy," he smirked, his scarred face molding into a smile. Tadashi glared, but loosened his grip a little. "What, don't recognize me anymore, you traitor."
Tadashi's eyes widened in realization. He did know the Eraser in front of him. The Eraser's eyes, even when they were red with anger, were almost impossible to not recognize.
"Hiro..." Tadashi gave a weak protest, but realized what he had to do. Dead he'd be no use to anyone. "P-Please-"
"Just remember, you filthy, lying traitor..." The Eraser snarled. "We're the good guys." He slammed his foot into Tadashi's hand as the bird kid let go, tears in his eyes as he watched his old friend Baymax take off with Hiro.
As Tadashi's feet touched the ground, he finally started to cry. He could still see the chopper where the Erasers and Hiro- Hiro- were. Seeing as he- as the rest of his flock- had extremely good vision, they had to watch for a painfully long time as the helicopter flew farther and farther away, taking Hiro with it.
"Tadashi-" Fred's shaky voice interrupted Tadashi's thoughts. "What are we going to do?"
Everyone was scared- not only had they just been attacked by Erasers and seen their smallest flock member be taken from them, but Tadashi, their fearless leader, was crying.
Tears streaming down Tadashi's bruised and bloodied face. He looked miserable- more miserable than anyone had ever seen him before, even when they were at the School themselves. Tadashi had always remained strong, telling them it would be okay.
And now he had broken.
Tadashi felt a soft hand on his shoulder and his eyes fell to the ground. He was aware of the sobs that were built up in his throat. He pushed them down, making them feel like a bubble that was about to burst at any second.
Honey, whose hand was on Tadashi's shoulder, looked at the other flock members. They all looked pretty beat up and sad and worried, but no one was as bad as Tadashi. "Tadashi-"
His shoulders shook as he gave a sudden, ragged sob that broken Honey's heart. God, he sounded so broken.
Then, without warning, Tadashi turned the other way, quickly spread his wings, and took off in the direction of the E shaped house.
Silently and without question, everyone followed.
Hiro was hyperventilating- his heart going a million miles a minute as he panicked. He didn't have Tadashi- or anyone- to tell him to calm down, to breath, to slow his heart and his breathing pattern until they were normal again, so he didn't. He didn't think that he could even if he tried.
After all, he was back in the freaking School.
Hiro's 6th piece of the star was gone- it had fallen off when the fight was going on. It might seem like a stupid thing, but everyone in the Flock had one. It was like their symbol that they were a family, that they were together, that they would always be there for one another. It had been like a comfort object to Hiro, and now with it gone, it only made matters worse.
Hiro had reached up to play with it, to twirl it endlessly to try and ease his anxiety, but had found nothing. He looked down, and even through the foggy haze that was his current vision, and found nothing. He had lost it.
He took a shaky breath as he bit the inside of hi lip. He had nothing- no star, no family, no Tadashi, no freedom... Only cold dog cages, white coats, anxiety, and torture.
And then, to make things better, a sharp pain snapped in Hiro's brain. He gritted his teeth, making a small whimpering noise instead of a loud scream that he wanted to let forth,- he'd learned how to control himself from screaming- and let his head drop onto his crossed legs, putting his throbbing head into his hands as he massaged his temples and shut his eyes.
Most of the time, his migraines were triggered from anxiety or memories of the School. They happened randomly, but more often than not after or during an anxiety attack, or something stressful. But sometimes they happened at random, happy moments, turning them into stressful times. The reason they happen-
Well, the reason they happen is the School. When Hiro was very young, he was experimented on at the School. One such experiment went wrong and they were sure Hiro was going to die, so they left him in a cage with Tadashi, who was sobbing and hugging him as his head exploded over and over again, but he wouldn't pass out- Hiro promised himself not to let go.
And he didn't.
He managed to get himself under control and he lived through it, only to go through more torture- to figure out how he'd survived that, to see what else Hiro could do. But because of that, two things had happened; Tadashi had become extremely overprotective around Hiro, and Hiro had gotten skull-splitting migraines.
And Hiro was back as the place where it happened...
Usually Hiro went into a dark room to help his migraine pass, but he had no dark room. He only had his small dog crate. Hiro took a shaky breath and his head throbbed painfully. Hiro accidentally let loose a small, pathetic whimper. Why was he here... Why couldn't he go back to Tadashi and Honey and the others?
Why did he have to stay-
There was a creaking noise that signaled a door opening. Hiro looked up, saw a flash of a white coat, and flinched backwards, which did nothing to help his headache.
Two white coats approached Hiro's too-small dog crate. The male smiled, looking over at the female in amazement. "I don't believe it.." He muttered softly, looking through his thick, black glasses as Hiro. "You actually got him..."
"You sound so surprised, doctor." The woman said flirtatiously, smiling a perfect smile at the male. She batted her long, long eyelashes in a way that made Hiro feel sick.
"No, I'm not..." The male knelt down, looking Hiro in the eye. Hiro did his best to remain emotionless and to keep the fear off his face, but it was impossible- the amount of anxiety running through him was too much, and his head hurt so badly he was sure he was dying again, even though he knew he wasn't... The male looked over at the woman and smiled, flicking a lock of his dark hair back. "Just impressed."
The woman gave a small laugh, kneeling down to look at Hiro from the male's angle. "He looked terrified." She noted.
"He has no reason to be..." The male smiled, taking out a key-ring and searching through it.
Hiro gave a sharp inhale of fear and pain, backing up as far as he could, pressing his back uncomfortably against the back of the cage. No... No, they weren't going to get him back into a lab... No...
"Come, little one, you have no reason to be scared..." The woman purred, her smile returning. "Nothing to worry-"
Despite the loud pounding in the boy's head, he screamed, "TADASHI! DASHI! HE-" His voice broke off and he shook.
What had he just done...
The woman reached into the cage, grabbed at his foot. Hiro yanked it back, hugging it. "Don't be shy..." The woman said, flicking her hair backwards. "Come on."
Hiro took a shaky breath, feeling as though his throat was constricting because he couldn't breath, he couldn't breath, he just wanted Dashi, and to be home, and for this to be another nightmare, and for him to wake up and see Dashi...
The two white coats got him out of the cage. "Come, little one..." The male said, smiling as he gripped Hiro's wrist, sending a flare of anxiety and panic through the young boy. He shuddered at the touch. "You're wanted in lab 3..."
The first thing Tadashi saw when he stepped into the E shaped house was the couch, where Hiro had been laying almost minutes before it had happened. Tadashi stepped away from the door to let the others in and leaned against the wall, pressing his forehead against the cool surface.
Honey was the next one inside. She, too, noticed the same thing Tadashi had, but then noticed the leader. She didn't want to mention anything- he was so upset anyways-, but didn't know what to do. She silently walked over towards him as the others filed in. She hesitated, her hand above his shoulder. She pulled it back. "Tadashi..." He looked up at her, his eyes red and looking dead inside. She was at a loss for words. "I..."
Tadashi, understanding what she was trying to say, nodded and pushed himself away from the wall. Wasabi had gotten out a medical kit and had started to bandage up Fred, who had a nasty cut on his forehead and a cut that wasn't as bad on his cheek.
Honey put a gentle hand on Tadashi's shoulder and he slowly sat down on the couch. He slid a finger along the surface, his eyes following it. Leaning back against the back, he turned his head and the second he inhaled, he smelled Hiro- pine, their laundry detergent- which they'd decided smelled like Dove, which was the kind-, and chocolate. Tears came to his eyes again, but Honey gently put a hand on his chin, forcing him to look at her. His eyes were still wet with unshed tears as Honey reached into the medical kit and pulled out a tube of stuff they put on bruises- the label had been ripped off a long time ago-, another nameless bottle that contained stuff to clean out cuts- Fred and Wasabi had the bigger bottle-, and a small roll of bandages- again, Fred and Wasabi had a bigger roll. Honey started to clean Tadashi up.
Gogo, who'd been abnormally quiet, suddenly lashed out, sending plates and cups everywhere. A few shattered as they hit the ground, but she didn't seem to notice. "THIS IS FREAKING RIDICULOUS!" Except it wasn't exactly worded in that particular way. "Why are we just SITTING HERE?!"
"Gogo-" Honey started softly, turning away from Tadashi- who had been thinking the exact same thing.
"I'm serious!" Gogo snapped, turning to face Honey. "Why aren't we out there SAVING HIM?!"
"Gogo!" Honey snapped, which was very unusual for Honey- who was usually very optimistic and hated to snap or raise her voice. But that day had been extremely hard on everyone- Gogo usually didn't swear very often, surprisingly, and no one was usually this quiet.
Granted Hiro usually broke the silence...
The thought made Tadashi tear up again. Honey turned back to face him and she started to clean out Tadashi's cut, which stung. "I understand that we're all really stressed out and upset and scared and worried and damn it- I am too! But we need to focus!"
Everyone was in a stunned silence for a while. Fred's mouth had dropped open. Tadashi's hand for a moment, but Honey had forced him to close it so she could make sure his jaw was okay.
"So where do we start?" Wasabi asked eventually, clearing his throat.
Tadashi sighed, pushing Honey away from him for a minute as he stood up and started looking in a drawer. He came back to the group with a file filled with old-looking papers. On the front in sharpie was a clear label; Work.
"What's that?" Fred asked hesitantly as Tadashi pulled out a single paper, laying it gently on the table. Everyone came and gathered around.
"It's a..." Tadashi cleared his throat. "A map..." Honey shuddered next to Tadashi. He could almost feel her tense up as she recognized the building. Tadashi took a breath, shutting his eyes. "It's a map of the School."
