It had been an off week for everyone at the school. People were either just cranky or even depressed and for some… it was just odd seeing them like that. Especially in the gang.
Tadashi watched in silence from his perch in the english classroom. Some of the class was asleep and everyone else was just quiet… dead quiet. He didn't like it. Usually there was some chatter going on but there was nothing.
Raine had her head down on her desk, Theo was doing random doodles in his note book, Dash was trying to pay attention to what Miranda had to say but seemed out of it, Lewis seemed out of it as well… then Hiro… he seemed to be in the worst condition of the group. He didn't sleep at all last night and was in a really foul mood.
What the heck is going on around here? It's like something's gotten into everyone-
"Unsettled."
Tadashi looked to the side to see Nick not too far from him.
"What?"
"It's something Remembereds deal with, I'm currently trying to take care of it it just keeps slipping between my fingers."
"Anyway I can help…?"
"Just keep an eye on things… or rather keep an eye on those who are harboring a lot of negative feelings or emotions. Stuff like that is magnets for Unsettled, it's what they feed off of."
Hiro… Tadashi looked to his brother concerned.
Nick followed his gaze. "It's affecting everyone… and it can make things worse too… I'll try to find it soon but… just be on high alert for your brother."
"Right…"
Nick got up. "I need to get back to searching, see you around."
He left without another word, leaving Tadashi to mull over things.
Unsettled… I didn't read that… Guess that's something I'll have to figure out for myself… but right now… I gotta help Hiro.
Looking back down he noticed Baymax moving to face Hiro.
"Hiro, is something wrong?" Baymax asked quietly. "Are you sure you don't want to go back to your dorm to rest?"
Hiro gave Baymax an annoyed look. "Just leave me alone…" He muttered. "Stop bein' such a nag you sound like Tadashi at his worst…"
"Hiro I'm here to be sure you're in perfect health, please let me help-"
The boy slammed his hands down on his desk giving Baymax an angered look. "JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Everyone's heads snapped towards Hiro, all surprised at the outburst. Miranda was shocked as well as concern came into her eyes.
"Hiro?" Miranda asked. "What's wrong?"
The boy sighed lowering his head feeling embarrassment come over him. "I…" He got up. "I need to get out of here…" He started going for the door. How hard would it be to get out of here, find something to take it out on… I don't know why but I'm just so mad… I need to break something…
"Hiro!" Miranda tried stopping him but to no avail.
"I'll get him." Baymax said as he followed after Hiro.
Alright something is up. Tadashi thought with a slight growl as he chased after his brother.
Hiro noticed Baymax following him and broke into a run for his dorm. Why is everyone bugging me!? I'm fine, I don't need help, I don't need rest… I just… Need to get out of here! He ran inside grabbing his backpack shoving things into it, including Megabot and his controller. "Just need to find a fight… That's all… Make a few bucks maybe…" Breaking someone's robot sounds really tempting right now….
"That's right… maybe even something bigger… let out all that anger out."
Hiro nodded as he started to head out. "Yeah… Maybe something bigger…"
Baymax was approaching the dorm, Tadashi ahead of him. Baymax stopped in his tracks.
"Tadashi." Baymax called out. "My scans are picking up an irregularity."
"What kind of an irregularity?" He called back as he started to open the door… Or tried to finding it locked. "Hiro… Open the door!"
"Temperatures are dropping around here… and something I don't recognize is in the room with Hiro. It seems to be the source of the cold."
Tadashi's eyes widened with horror. "Baymax… Get the rest of his class out of here, pull the fire alarm or something… I got Hiro." He ordered before phasing into the room.
What he saw… Was shocking.
Hiro's side of the room was completely wrecked. His computer was knocked over, tools were everywhere. The teenager was trying to smash the window in the room next.
"C'mon… Just… Break already!"
What in the…?!
"HIRO!" Tadashi yelled. "STOP!"
Hiro looked to him and sneered. "You can't boss me around anymore."
"Come on this is ridiculous even for you! What's gotten into you?!"
"What's gotten into me!? What about you!? I barely see you anymore unless I'm asleep which by the way is totally impossible now! I don't even live in my own house anymore!" Hiro looked to the wrench he was using on the window before approaching Tadashi. "You know what…. Maybe I have a better idea…"
Tadashi held up his hands. "Hiro… put that down right now."
"You can't order me around…." Hiro growled, swinging it. "You're dead! YOU'RE NOT TADASHI!"
Tadashi got thrown back from the blow, hitting the door hard.
"Augh!"
Hiro was silent staring at him before starting to laugh throwing his head back. "Stupid Remembered… Stupid, stupid fresh Remembered…"
"H-Hiro…?" Tadashi looked at his brother, finding his eyes were now blackend.
"Hiro isn't home anymore…" The boy said in a sing song tone, his voice sounding warped. "Hiro… Such a weak little boy… Couldn't cry out… Couldn't fight…. Couldn't even depend on his favorite sibling…"
"S-Stop it!"
"Hiro… Is… DEAD!"
BEEP BEEP BEEP
Both looked up, hearing the fire alarm go off.
Thanks Baymax…
Hiro smirked. "Good… it'll just be you and me…" He laughed a little. "Let's make this a little more interesting." He pulled Megabot out, getting the controller. "Always did want to try this out on a person."
Tadashi reached up, grabbing the handle of the door, opening it before going out into the hallway.
I need to find Nick. He'll know what to do about this.
"Awww leaving so soon?" Hiro called as he headed after him. "Don't you want to play "Nii-san"?"
Tadashi cringed. Usually he liked it when his brother called him that… but it wasn't Hiro. The way he had said sounded more like a hiss.
"T-This isn't a game!"
"Oh… It is… And you're losing "Niii-saaaaaan." why don't you fight back? Use up all of that… Delicious energy…"
Tadashi stopped in his tracks, facing his brother.
"I'm not hurting my brother!"
Hiro sneered. "You hurt him once…. You did it the day you died…. Right in front of him too… Just opened the doorway… His will… So weak… He isn't even fighting back…"
Tadashi growled. "Come on knucklehead I know you're in there!"
"Oh throwing insults? Tsk, tsk… Looks like he doesn't love you after all Hiro…" 'Hiro' said snickering as he continued to advance speeding up.
"NO! LEAVE TADASHI ALONE!"
"Sorry but I'm not letting this prey get away from me!"
Hiro threw Megabot at Tadashi.
"Megabot, destroy!"
Megabot tackled Tadashi to the ground, landing in as many hits as he would in a bot fight. Tadashi cried out a little, trying to get him off, but to no avail. Then horror really set in when Megabot got a hold of his hat.
"Ah, the crown prize." Hiro sneered, walking over, taking the hat into his hands.
Tadashi looked up weakly. "No…"
Hiro smirked taking a lighter out of his pocket holding it close to the hat. "I wonder what would happen if you had to watch your brother kill everyone here from heaven… Imagine the chaos… "Fourteen year old causes mass murder in LA School Shooting." sounds fun doesn't it?"
"Stop-Ack!" Megabot landed a blow to the back of his head. "Augh…"
"HEY PUNK!"
In a flash, Nick came crashing in, tackling Hiro to the ground. Tadashi looked at him wide eyed, seeing the man dressed differently than usual.
"N-Nick?"
Nick looked to him, tossing him his hat. "Try not to lose this huh?" He turned his attention back to Hiro, holding his baton at his neck. "Finally found you."
"Shut up you Choppie…." Hiro hissed trying to struggle. "Ugh… Stupid, weakling of a huminid…!"
"Gonna be like that huh? Fine then, we'll go that route."
Nick raised his baton, hitting Hiro square on the head, knocking him out. He looked back over to Tadashi. "Get over here!"
"Y-Yessir." He hurried over kneeling beside him looking at Hiro with worry. "He…. That's not him… I know it's not my little brother. He's not like this… Hiro's not a violent kid…"
"That was an Unsettled talking, it possessed him and was trying to get rid of you." Nick noticed Megabot was now on the floor not moving. "Using whatever it could to get to you… Whatever emotions or trauma Hiro is still suffering from is what it's using to control him."
Tadashi swallowed hard. "...PTS… Post Traumatic Stress… Hiro's been battling it since… Since he saw me die… He was right there… Baymax is by his side constantly because of this, to keep him happy, to help him through the symptoms… But… He hasn't had it easy the last few nights… His nightmares keep coming back…"
"The Unsettled probably made it worse to the point of being able to get to him… We can't get it out by this way. We gotta go inside and remove it. A fellow Remembered shared this kind of thing with me. It's safer to battle on the subconscious stage than out here where we can cause physical harm to the one being possessed."
Tadashi narrowed his eyes. "Let's go then… He's my little brother… I will do ANYTHING to save him…"
"Let's roll."
Nick and Tadashi placed their hands on Hiro's head, syncing with his thoughts before their surroundings change drastically. It went from cold to burning hot. They were in an area surrounded by flames. There was signs of buildings that had been torn down by the flames… It was the place Hiro and Tadashi called home.
"San Francisco…" Tadashi whispered, even seeing signs of Aunt Cass' restaurant in the flames.
Nick narrowed his eyes, looking around.
"Take one nightmare… or make one… and turn into the worst night terror anyone can have."
"I… I have to find him. He has to be around here…." Tadashi looked around. "Hiro!? HIRO!?"
Nick blew back some of the flames with his batons, making a path for them as they searched.
"Wait, better way." Nick said, holding a hand up. He stepped back from Tadashi, taking on his helicopter form, flying into the air. "Grab on."
Tadashi nodded grabbing onto Nick's landing gear holding on tight. "Let's fly."
They searched keeping an eye out for the teen…. Then a scream was heard… Hiro's voice.
"SOMEONE PLEASE! TADASHI! BAYMAX! Anyone!?"
Nick scanned the area. "There, under that building rubble." Nick flew down, using his rotors as a way to push the flames away. Soon as they were close enough, Tadashi let go, rushing over to his brother, Nick following after him.
"HIRO!"
Hiro looked to him, trying to reach out crying out a bit. His arm was twisted and his face was covered in scratches. He couldn't move much. "Nii-san…! Help…. Please!"
"Hang on bro I'm gonna get you of there." Tadashi started trying to move the rubble, but it was heavy for him. Nick hopped over, moving it with ease. "There."
Tadashi pulled his brother out. "Got ya."
Soon as he was out, Hiro clung to him, sobbing a bit. "E-everyone… They're gone…. Theo… Raine… Dash… Ms. L… Aunt Cass… It killed them… It killed them!"
"Shh…" Tadashi cradled him his arms. "It's gonna be okay…"
Nick got in front them, growling a little. "Oh look the punk is here."
All looked to see before them a beast made of black ooze that resembled a lion.
"That how you greet every Unsettled?" it asked, growling, before grinning a little as it looked at Hiro. "I just wanna play."
HIro whimpered hiding his face in Tadashi's shirt. "Keep it away… JUST GO AWAY! I don't want to play! I wanna go home!"
Tadashi held his brother tightly. "You messed with the wrong Remembered…"
Nick looked to him. "This battle isn't mine… It's yours." He hopped over to be beside him. "I'll keep Hiro under guard while you fight."
Tadashi got a little wide eyed. "Me?! I don't-"
Nick got a serious look in his eyes. "Oh you do, comes with the deal we have. All lies in that gear of yours and you need to know how to battle eventually… this can happen again."
Tadashi hesitated, summoning his gear to his hand. "... You'll… join in if something happens… right?"
"Yeah but this is something you need to figure out on your own."
"... Alright."
Tadashi went to place Hiro beneath Nick, only to have Hiro protest, holding tighter to his brother.
"NO! IT'LL KILL YOU TOO!"
"Hiro I have to do this."
Hiro shook his head furiously, giving Tadashi a terrified look. "Don't… Don't go again… I almost lost you once… I'm not losing you again!"
Tadashi's look softened, bringing his brother into an embrace.
"You're not going to lose me…" His gear glowed brightly… a sense of determination coming over Tadashi… a flame burning within him. "I need to protect you… and doing that means I need to fight."
Hiro sighed shakily reluctantly letting go. He knew when Tadashi put his mind to something he rarely gave up. "Don't get eaten… Don't wind up like everyone else… Or I'm gonna seriously be mad…."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Tadashi laid him under Nick, the helicopter lowering himself to protect Hiro.
"It's in you… go get 'em." Nick encouraged.
Tadashi nodded, turning his attention to the Unsettled.
"Just you and me, like you wanted."
The Unsettled sneered at him. "One fresh Remembered… Compared to the power of two… My, my you like playing dangerous games Tadashi." The way it said his name sounded like it was laughing at him. "Your move boy."
Tadashi narrowed his eyes, looking at his gear.
"Let's see what this thing has for me."
He brought it before him, focusing. The glow got brighter, surrounding his body. Nick grinned.
There it is…
Hiro's eyes went wide as he saw his brother's attire change. His regular clothes were replaced with some sort of armor like garb that consisted of black, white and gold colors, his Anchor Gear taking a position onto the center of his chest as a helmet formed upon his head.
"That's… Tadashi…?"
"Yep." Nick nodded. "His Guardian Form to be more correct, just like the Supercopter is for me."
The Unsettled growled. "And what are you supposed to be? Some souped up knight?"
Tadashi smirked. "You could say I'm a hero." He narrowed his eyes charging. "One meant to protect the living! That's what a Rememberd is!"
The Unsettled charged at him, trying to bite him. But to its dismay was hit hard by gears made out of energy that were sent after it.
Tadashi blinked looking at his hands seeing they were glowing. He looked up narrowing his eyes. So ESP… Awesome...
"... Things just got more interesting." He smirked before chasing after the Unsettled, flying up into the air using gears to gain lift. "Who needs natural flight when you got this."
It roared at him lunging at him. "You're mine!"
"Ah ah ah!" Tadashi dove down, delivering a hard kick. "Not if I can help it!"
It cried out as it skidded across the ground snarling at him.
Tadashi landed, getting into a ready stance.
"Give up?"
"Hmph… Never…." It growled. "You're lucky you brat… You have someone wanting you back…. I never got that… No one even cared…"
Tadashi's glare softened a little.
Wait… don't tell me… Are Unsettleds…?
"... My own family didn't even look for me… That boy is lucky… Too lucky… He has his sibling still with him… Even after all that…" The Unsettled backed away. "... No one remembers the forgotten… No one wants them around…"
Tadashi relaxed his pose.
"... Who are you?"
"... Zach… Zachariah…"
Tadashi came closer to him. His gear came out, floating in front of Zach, causing the lion to fade and in its place a young boy who could be about Hiro's age.
A kid…?
The boy sniffled lowering his head. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I was so mad… I hated that everyone forgot me… No one wanted me alive again… They didn't even want my little sister remembering me… No one ever found me… I got kidnapped… He killed me…" He sobbed. "I'm so sorry!"
Tadashi knelt down, bringing the boy into his arms.
"Shh…."
Zach quieted, hiccuping a bit looking up at him. "H-Huh…?"
"It doesn't have to be like this… If you want I can help you… Is your family still alive?"
"Nuh uh… I died a long time ago… I think my sister would be 90 something if she was still alive…"
"Then maybe your family is waiting for you on the other side… probably for a long time now… Your mother… father… and maybe even your sister is there."
Zach smiled a little. "I'd like to see them again… I miss them… I miss them so much…"
There was a break in the clouds, some light shining through. Tadashi looked up, smiling a little.
"I suggest looking up then."
The boy did so gasping a bit. "I… I wanna go up there… I-is it safe…?"
"I'm sure." Tadashi picked him up, flying towards where the light was coming from. "After all.. I don't think these people would try to trick you with that kind of look on their faces."
Zach beamed reaching out as a young girl reached over grasping his hand. "Sis!"
"Brother… Welcome home…" They started to fade as Zach was pulled up to her disappearing from sight… The last sound being the boy's laughter.
Tadashi smiled.
"I'll remember you… that I can promise."
Tadashi made his way back to where Nick and Hiro were. Nick was doing his best to keep Hiro calm, but was relieved when Tadashi came into view.
"Look, there he is." Nick said, smiling. "Armor and all."
Hiro sighed in relief grinning a bit. "Yeah… My big brother the superhero…"
Tadashi smiled a little. "I'll take it from here."
Nick nodded. "See you later." He disappeared from sight, leaving Hiro and Tadashi alone.
Tadashi knelt down, extending his arms to Hiro. "C'mere."
Hiro threw himself into his brother's arms hugging him tightly. "Tadashi! You did it! You kicked that thing's butt…. More than that… You saved him…!"
"Yeah… I did." Tadashi smiled, hugging Hiro close. "Saved both of you."
Hiro smiled nuzzling a little. "Yeah… Thanks brother… Really glad you're here…." He gave a sheepish look. "Please tell me that guy didn't make me do anything stupid…I didn't… Wreck the school did I?"
"No but your room is a mess… and I think you scared your class and Baymax."
"I'll clean it up… And I'll apologize…" Hiro kept close to his brother curling up a bit. "For now… Can I just take a rest…?"
Tadashi sat down with him, stroking his hair. "I'll keep an eye on ya."
"Thanks Tadashi…" He nuzzled his hand yawning. "Love you…"
"Love you too little bro… always…"
Tadashi was back in the waking world. He had Baymax hold Hiro for a bit as he cleaned up the room.
"Hope the school isn't too mad about the whole fire alarm thing." Tadashi thought aloud as he finished putting the last of Hiro's books away.
"Apparently it was well timed given a science experiment had gone awry." The robot replied. "There was an actual fire it seems…"
"Heh… Bet it was some kid who didn't know what they were doing…" Hiro yawned a little as he woke up a bit. "Bro…. C'mon you don't have to clean it up… It's my mess-"
"Too late, already finished."
Hiro rolled his eyes but smiled. "Thanks bro… Promise not to trash it again…"
"Good." Tadashi went over to him, taking Hiro into his arms. "Thank you Baymax."
"Always glad to be of service." He offered a pack of gummy bears to Hiro." And for you."
Hiro's eyes lit up as he took them. "Thanks Baymax! Awesome!"
Tadashi chuckled. "You and your gummy bears."
Hiro smirked. "They should be recognized as a food group. They're good!"
"Gummy bears are mostly composed of sugar, it would be impossible to have them be a food group." Baymax reasoned.
Tadashi shook his head. "And there he goes again."
Hiro shrugged eating a few of the candies. "He's just jealous he can't enjoy the wonder that is the gummy bear…. Want one bro?"
Tadashi chuckled, taking one. "Sure."
Hiro grinned relaxing in his brother's arms. He was just happy to be awake… To be back with the people he cared about. "Thanks again guys… Sorry for all the trouble well… Possessed me did…"
"It's over now… besides… Got to figure out another part of the deal I have… That armor…"
"You get all the good toys." Hiro nudged him a little. "First awesome ghost powers and now you got armor like Iron Man or something."
"Yeah, feels pretty cool… Least I know I can do a lot more when it comes to being sure you're safe."
Hiro laid his head on his shoulder, closing his eyes once more. "I know I'm always safe when you're here bro… You've always had my back…"
"And I'll continue to do so."
"Awesome… So… Can I ask something then?"
"Fire away."
"There's supposed to be a wicked bot fight tournament on Saturday-"
"Forget it."
"But-"
"You just got freaking possessed by a soul that was beyond depressed and nearly got ME sent up to the pearly gates."
"Wow… That actually is scarily enough a better argument than the usual "You're gonna get arrested" one… Alright I'll give… This time."
"Just… take it easy…"
"Tadashi is right Hiro, you have not been able to rest properly in awhile and you are showing symptoms of having a small ailment."
And protective family in stereo…. Hiro thought as he curled up a little. "Alright… Alright… You guys win. No bot fighting this week… I'll rest…" He yawned. "Besides… I think a nap sounds good right now…"
"I'll play with you there… who knows, maybe you can cook up some armor there."
Hiro smiled as he started to drift. "I'd like that… Maybe I can finally out run you…"
Tadashi set Hiro down on his bed, tucking him in. He looked to Baymax.
"Keep an eye on things big guy."
"Of course… Enjoy your time together."
Tadashi nodded. Soon as Hiro was fully asleep, he dived right in. The fun kicking off right away as Hiro made his own armor that was similar to Tadashi's.
"Well… guess that makes two heroes." Tadashi mused.
"Darn right." Hiro grinned. "The name to go with it too!"
"Heh, so true." Tadashi flew into the air, summoning his armor. "Shall we?"
"Heck yeah!" Hiro cheered using microbots he created in the dream to lift himself up. "C'mon slow poke!"
The two laughed before taking off, racing each other.
This… is the life.
