A/N: Hello, again! I'll keep this short so we can move along. I'm back with a new chapter! There was a bunch of stuff going on recently, so I didn't have a lot of time to write. But now, I'm back and I hope you're ready for a new chapter. Enjoy!
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Chapter 7: Revelation
Penny opened her eyes. She was still very sore all over her body, but she was definitely recovering. She then looked around her. Penny was currently standing in a large space that was pure white. The white of her surroundings didn't blind her, but it was a very bizarre place nonetheless.
"Hello?" Penny called into the emptiness. "Can anybody hear me?! Bolt! Hiro! Where are you guys?!"
"Don't worry." A voice said from behind Penny. "They're safe. And more importantly, you're safe."
Penny immediately whipped around to see a middle-aged man wearing a cowboy hat, a red and black checkered shirt, worn-out jeans, and hiking boots.
"You-You're" Penny stammered. This man was a spitting image of his picture. A picture in the Forrester family album. Tears began to well up in Penny's eyes. "Daddy?"
"Hello, Penny." Penny's father gave a warm smile.
"Dad!" Penny ran over to her father and tackled him in a bear hug. She then began sobbing into his chest as Mr. Forrester hugged his daughter tightly and gently shushed her.
"It's good to see you again." Mr. Forrester said after Penny finally released him.
Penny sniffled and looked up at her father. "S-so this is w-what you're l-like? As a-a real p-person?"
Mr Forrester reached out his hand and gently rubbed Penny's head. "You've grown so much, Penny. I'm so proud of you. Has your mother been doing okay?"
"Y-yeah." Penny nodded. "B-but she m-misses y-you. Me inc-cluded."
Mr. Forrester's smile dropped ever so slightly. "I know. I really wish that I could be with you right now in person, but my time to leave already came. I know that it doesn't seem fair, but that's just how life works."
Penny nodded while looking down. She sniffled again. She then felt a hand on her shoulder.
"I know that this is the first time we've been together for a while, but our time here is short." Mr. Forrester brought his daughter's chin up to make Penny look at him. "Why don't you tell me what happened to you recently?"
Penny hesitated, but then told her father about everything: meeting Bolt, meeting Hiro, moving to Florida, losing Bolt, Hiro helping Penny find Bolt, and then the fire.
After hearing everything, Mr. Forrester then processed it in his head. He then looked at Penny.
"Sounds like Bolt did you some big emotional favors." He commented. "And it sounds like this Hiro is someone special."
Penny nodded. "They've both helped me so much."
"And this fire." Mr. Forrester's face changed to a frown. "Are you okay? How badly were you hurt?"
"I was exposed to a lot of smoke." Penny said. "But Hiro and Bolt helped me get out safely."
Mr. Forrester smiled again. "Sounds like Hiro is very close to you."
Penny nodded. "Mom said that, too."
Mr. Forrester then cleared his throat. "You know, sweetheart. Your mother and I met in a strange way that sounds kind of like you and Hiro."
Penny blushed. "W-what?"
"It was at a housewarming party." Mr. Forrester explained. "I was about to start college and my family had just moved to California from Nevada. One of my mom's friends introduced me to her daughter. Can you guess who it was?"
"Mom?" Penny asked.
Mr. Forrester nodded. "We kept in touch for several years, but we really came together when I went to visit her at her college. Your mom was real popular when she was in school, you know that?"
Penny's mouth dropped open a little bit. Her mom was a popular person in college?
"Well, one day she held a party at her apartment." Mr. Forrester continued. "It was pretty crazy with music, lights, and alcohol even though it was illegal. I was hanging around your mother and trying to get to know her better. But, someone must have not been paying attention because we all smelled something burning. There was a fire in the apartment, and we hadn't noticed it because we were having too much fun."
Penny's eyes widened. She hadn't heard anything like this before!
"We all managed to get out safely, but then the police came up to us and questioned us. Long story short, your mother was arrested for hosting a party with alcoholic beverages. She herself didn't have anything to do with the alcohol, but everybody just pointed the blame to her with no evidence." Mr. Forrester's mouth tightened as he remembered the event. "Her hearing was the next day. I was there as a witness. The jury was going to imprison her for a pretty long time, but then I stepped up."
"W-what did you do?" Penny asked.
"I went up there and gave the entire story from start to finish." Mr. Forrester said. "I told them that your mother was innocent, and that if they were going to imprison her for something she had no part in, they were going to have to get through me first."
Penny gasped. Her father must have been brave to step up like that in front of everybody!
"That shocked everybody so much that no one knew what to do next." Mr. Forrester continued. "The judge then reconsidered the sentence, and then he decided that they would reduce the imprisonment sentence to just one week because my testimony was so powerful and because there was no concrete evidence that she did anything wrong. So for that entire week, I visited your mother in prison and we talked with each other."
Penny's mind was reeling. She hadn't realized how crazy the events that brought her parents together were!
"After she was released, Your mother and I began dating." Mr. Forrester then closed his eyes and smiled. "We got married after college let out, and then we had you."
"M-me?" Penny asked.
"Yep." Mr. Forrester replied. "Your mother was so happy when you came 'round. I can still remember the day we brought you home." His face suddenly dropped. "But then, the day came when I departed. When I came to, I couldn't tell where I was, but I somehow knew that I was safe." He then turned to his daughter. "You speak of Hiro like he's special to you. If you truly think that's true, then don't let him escape. Spend time with him and get to know him better, because one day, you might not be able to."
Penny nodded. Then, her cheeks flushed pink. "Wait, are you saying that me and Hiro should-"
"I'm not saying explicitly that you should, but if that's what the both of you want, then by all means, go for it." Mr. Forrester grinned. "I'd like to see some grandkids, though."
"DAAAD!" Penny covered her face as she blushed crimson red. "Not you too!"
Mr. Forrester laughed, a hearty laugh that could make anyone smile. "Just teasing you. But, I think that our time is just about up."
Penny then began to float. She was wondering what was happening, then she saw that she was slowly floating away from her father.
"Dad!" She reached out her hand, and Mr. Forrester grabbed it.
"When you see your mother, tell her I still love her." Mr. Forrester said while smiling. "Cherish your time with Hiro, and I'll see you all again when your time comes, alright? Promise me."
"Dad!" Penny cried as her grip on his hand started slipping. "I promise! I'll see you again!"
Mr. Forrester nodded and smiled as Penny finally let go of his hand and floated away. Penny watched as her father became smaller and smaller until he was out of sight. Then, everything faded to black.
Penny gasped as she opened her eyes. She quickly scanned her surroundings. She was in a hospital recovery room. There was a window that let in the morning sun. A TV hung on the wall opposite of Penny's bed. A monitor next to Penny beeped in sync with her heartbeat. Penny then looked down. She was wearing a hospital gown and was currently tucked under a sheet. A white mound of fur was next to her arm. Her heart suddenly leaped for joy.
"Bolt?" Penny reached out and rubbed Bolt's back. Bolt suddenly turned his head to see Penny awake. Bolt happily barked and jumped onto Penny's chest. Penny laughed and, despite her soreness, hugged Bolt tightly.
"Sweetie!" Mrs. Forrester came into the room and saw her child was awake. "You're okay! Oh, thank goodness." She then smothered Penny in a hug.
"Hey, mom." Penny said happily. "It's good to be back." She then petted Bolt and looked her mother straight in the eyes. "Mom, I saw him."
"Who?" Asked Mrs. Forrester.
"I saw dad." Penny said. "I saw him. He told me to tell you, he still loves you."
"..." Mrs. Forrester gawked for a moment, and then she smiled. "He still loves me. He still loves us." Tears threatened to fall from Mrs. Forrester's eyes.
"Oh, yeah." Penny remembered. "He also told me how you guys met."
Mrs. Forrester immediately snapped to attention and slightly blushed. "He told you what, now?"
"He told me about the party, the hearing, everything." Penny said. "How come you never told me?"
"Oh, that rascal!" Mrs. Forrester suddenly said. "He's been gone for who-knows how long, and then he tells you about the one thing I asked him to keep under wraps?! Ohhh, when I see him again..."
Penny laughed at her mother's reaction, and then she smiled at Bolt, who returned it. Penny suddenly remembered the fire.
"Hey, mom. How long has it been?" Penny asked. "Since the fire."
Mrs. Forrester stopped ranting and looked at her daughter. "Oh! Well...It's been about a week now."
"A week?" Penny thought things over. A week had passed by since she was caught in the fire. She was sore, but other than that, she felt fine. Even her foot, which had been trapped under the debris in the fire, felt okay. Hiro had managed to help her get out. Penny's eyes suddenly widened in remembrance.
"Hiro! Where's Hiro!?" Penny suddenly asked her mother.
"He's in the room right next to us." Mrs. Forrester replied. She had a slight look of discontent, which Penny noticed.
"Is he okay!?" Penny looked ready to lose it. Bolt looked concerned.
"He's fine, sweetie, but he's..." Mrs. Forrester trailed off.
"Mom! What happened to Hiro!?" Penny cried. When Mrs. Forrester hesitated to answer, Penny suddenly jumped out of her bed, ripped the heart rate monitor pad off of her chest, and put on a pair of nearby slippers.
"Penny, wait!" Mrs. Forrester called. Penny didn't respond as she ran out of her room and went to the next room over. Penny opened the door, and gasped loudly at what she saw.
Hiro's room was identical to Penny's. Hiro, however, was almost unrecognisable. Hiro had several bandages wrapped around his head to the point where only his hair, mouth, nose, and left eye were visible. Hiro's chest was completely wrapped in bandages, and his left arm was in a cast and suspended by cables. An IV drip ran from Hiro's right arm, and he had a breathing mask on his face. He was breathing, but Penny could hear that it was scratchy.
"Hiro!" Penny ran over and kneeled next to Hiro. Compared to Hiro, Penny made it out of the fire with hardly anything to show. Hiro, on the other hand, looked like he had been dragged to hell and back. Penny looked for a little longer, and then she began sobbing loudly, hands on her face. The sight of her dear friend in this condition was too much for her heart to bear.
"Hiro! Why would you do that?" Penny sobbed. "You were hurt because of me. I did this to you."
Bolt then sat next to Penny and tried to comfort her by rubbing his head on Penny's leg. Mrs. Forrester walked in and knelt next to Penny while putting her hands on her daughter's shoulders.
"Ms. Forrester?" A nurse walked in. "I'm sorry, but we need you to return to your own room. The doctor will be seeing you shortly."
Penny suddenly stood up and turned to the nurse. "What happened to Hiro!?"
The nurse took a tissue and wiped Penny's tears. "I can't give an entire diagnosis," The nurse stated. "But Hiro has suffered much from the fire. He is suffering from a minor concussion, his left arm is broken, and he has several second-degree burns all over his chest and legs."
Penny gasped when she heard Hiro's condition in detail. She couldn't take it anymore! First, Bolt disappears, he's found by Hiro, and then Hiro brings Bolt back to her, and now Hiro was suffering because he saved her! What had she done?
Mrs. Forrester placed her arm around Penny's shoulder. "Sweetie, I know that Hiro is in bad shape right now, but we need to get you back to your room. We can come back after the doctor examines you."
Penny looked like she wanted to argue, but then she slowly nodded her head and walked out of Hiro's room. Before leaving entirely, she cast one last glance at Hiro and hoped that he would be okay.
"Aaaaaand, you're all set to go Ms. Forrester!" The doctor informed. Penny made it out of the fire with minimally damaged lungs due to smoke inhalation, but other than that she was perfectly fine. After staying in the hospital for a week to make sure there were no symptoms, Penny was released.
"Thank you so much." Mrs. Forrester thanked the doctor. She then turned to Penny, who had just finished changing into her normal clothes. "Let's get going, dear."
"Mom." Penny looked her mother in the eye. "I want to check up on Hiro."
"Well..." A nurse standing next to the doctor started. "Hiro has sustained some substantial injuries, so he'll be bed-ridden for a while. I'm not sure if-"
"I don't care." Penny said firmly. "I want to see him."
Mrs. Forrester looked at Penny. The only other time she had seen this expression was when Penny wanted to get a dog. And when she had that expression on her face, there was no arguing. Mrs. Forrester sighed.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to stop by for a little while." She finally said. "After all, you're off of the filming schedule."
Penny's face immediately lightened. She then gave her mother a massive hug. "Thank you so much." She then ran off to Hiro's room.
Mrs. Forrester rubbed her eye and sighed again. "I tell you, those two are coming closer by the second."
Penny had made it to Hiro's room. Hiro was still unconscious. Penny pulled up a chair and sat next to Hiro and gazed longingly onto his face.
Mrs. Forrester came in a little while later and sat in another chair.
Penny reached out and grabbed Hiro's right hand. "Please Hiro," Penny silently pleaded. "Come back to us. Come back to me."
The door to Hiro's room suddenly opened. Penny and Mrs. Forrester looked up to see Aunt Cass, Gogo, Wasabi, Honey Lemon, and Fred standing at the door.
"Cassie?" Mrs. Forrester asked. "You're here?"
"Where is he?" Aunt Cass demanded. She looked a bit restless.
Honey Lemon gasped as her eyes fell on the hospital bed. There, unmoving, was Hiro. He looked like he was in pretty bad condition.
"Hiro!" Aunt Cass hurried over and gave her nephew a look-over. "What happened to you?!"
Mrs. Forrester pulled Aunt Cass aside and began to explain the situation.
"Do you know what happened?" Gogo asked Penny.
Penny looked at the ground. "He...he was hurt trying to save me."
"What?" Wasabi asked. "He saved you? From what?"
"Did he save you from the evil Dr. Calico?" Fred asked. "Or from being crushed under a massive water kaiju? Or from-" Gogo roughly elbowed Fred in the side and shut him up.
"It's alright." Honey Lemon assured Penny. "Just tell us what happened. We're listening."
Penny took a deep breath. "Hiro came to Florida to bring Bolt back to me, but I was in the middle of a shoot when he arrived. While we were filming, a fire broke out and everyone but me managed to get out safely. Hiro and Bolt ran into the fire to try and find me, but then I got stuck under a piece of debris. Hiro managed to get me out, but then he was hurt when a prop fell from the ceiling."
Aunt Cass gasped. "Is that why he's like this?!"
"Yes." Penny scrunched up her face and tried not to cry. "It was my fault that he's been hurt. If I hadn't...If I had just..." Penny couldn't take it anymore and covered her face with her hands as tears spilled from her eyes and sobs shuddered her body.
"No, Penny." Honey Lemon walked over and gave Penny a hug. "It wasn't your fault. That's just how Hiro is. He cares for his friends to the point where he disregards his own safety to make sure that they're safe. I'm sure that Hiro wouldn't want you to think that you hurt him."
Penny hiccuped as she returned Honey Lemon's hug. "B-but, he did it j-just for m-me."
"I know." Honey Lemon said as she rubbed Penny's back. "That means that he really cares for you."
Penny looked at Hiro again. "Is he like this with you too?"
"Hiro cares for all of us." Honey Lemon said. "But his commitment to you is something that I've never seen before. It's like he cares for you more than just as a friend."
Penny blushed when she heard that. It did seem like Hiro went out of his way to help her, but holding her as someone more than a friend? Did Hiro really think she was special to him?
"You really think so?" Penny asked.
"Of course!" Honey Lemon said with a smile.
"Yep." Gogo said.
"Definitely." Wasabi said.
"No doubt." Fred said.
Honey Lemon then sat next to Penny and put her arm around Penny's shoulders. "Don't worry." Honey Lemon said. "Everything will be just fine."
"Geez, sounds like Hiro got it bad." Mittens said.
Bolt, Mittens, and Rhino were all waiting in the pet area. Bolt had just finished telling Mittens and Rhino what happened to Hiro.
"He did." Bolt said. "Hiro must really care for Penny if he's willing to throw himself in danger to help her."
"Alas!" Rhino said dramatically. "The ally of Penny has been injured."
"Well now, ain't this an odd coincidence." A voice said.
Bolt, Mittens, and Rhino turned around to see another cat approaching them.
"Mochi!" Bolt greeted. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, a lil' birdie said that Hiro was injured, so Cass, me, an' the others flew right on over." Mochi replied. "So what happened?"
"Hiro was helping me get Penny out of a fire at the studio," Bolt explained. "But he was injured in the process. He broke his arm, got a concussion, and lots of second-degree burns. He's recovering right now."
"That's my boy." Mochi said proudly.
"Are you not concerned for Hiro?" Mittens asked, confused.
"Nah." Mochi said confidently. "I know Hiro's a strong kid. It takes a lot more than just this to shake him up. He's gonna be just fine."
"That's good news, then." Bolt said.
Mochi nodded. "Well then, how about you two?" He looked at Mittens and Rhino. "How did the young'un take to y'all?"
"Very well!" Mittens replied. "As soon as she saw us, she asked to keep us!"
"Well, you had a little help." Bolt said while smirking.
"Oh, shush, you." Mittens chastised.
"We have been accepted into the family of the world's most famous super dog!" Rhino announced. "It's so awesome!"
"Well, good on y'all. You're going to like it, Mittens. Trust me." Mochi said.
"I sure hope so." Mittens said.
Hiro opened his eyes and looked around. The first thing he noticed was that he was floating. The second was that the area he was floating had odd wave patterns in the distance. Hiro tried to move his limbs, but he found himself unable to do so.
"Hey there, knucklehead." A voice in front of Hiro said.
Hiro looked up and saw a figure appearing before him. It sounded like…
"Tadashi?"
"Hey, bro." Tadashi smiled to his brother. "Good to see you."
"Tadashi!" Hiro called out. He was still unable to move. "What- Where?"
"Relax, you big baby." Tadashi smirked. "You're alright. I've been watching you for a while from here."
"Tadashi, why?" Hiro asked, his tone becoming bitter. "Why did you run in like that!? Why would you run straight into a fire and get yourself killed to save Callaghan!? He didn't need saving!"
"I ran into the fire to save Callaghan for the same reason that you ran into that fire to save Penny." Tadashi replied. "Okay, maybe not the exact same reason. I ran into the fire to try and save someone who needed help. Now obviously, I didn't know that Callaghan didn't need saving until too late, but that's not the point."
"Not the point?!" Hiro raged. "You died!"
"I did." Tadashi said calmly. "And I'm sorry for leaving you, Hiro. I really am. I would give anything to be with you right now, but I just can't do that."
"But-" Hiro protested.
"Hiro." Tadashi said more firmly. "I get it. My death wasn't fair to anybody, but you have to keep on moving. I'm gone, and you're just going to have to accept that. You've got your whole life ahead of you, knucklehead!"
Hiro wanted to say something, but no words came from his mouth.
"You've been spending more time with Penny, that I noticed." Tadashi said with a smirk. "You two are almost perfect for each other."
"Wha-bro!" Hiro protested. "This again?"
"Don't be embarrassed about it." Tadashi said. "Penny is a good person. I could tell that while I was still alive, and I could see it even now. So take a tip."
"What?" Hiro asked.
"Spend more time with Penny." Tadashi said. "Get to know her, become closer to her, and cherish your moments with her. It'll help you get over my death."
"Are you being serious?" Hiro asked.
"110% sure." Tadashi said. "Hiro, I know that you want me to be with you, but live a long and happy life first. I'll wait for you here with mom and dad."
"You saw mom and dad?" Hiro asked. "How are they?"
"They're fine." Tadashi replied. "They wanted to come see you, but they couldn't. They wanted me to tell you that they're proud of you and that they love you. we're watching over you, Hiro. So don't forget how much your family loves and supports you. Alright?"
"...Yeah." Hiro finally said. "Sure."
"That's my little bro." Tadashi said proudly. "Now, go back and tell your girlfriend that you're okay."
Hiro looked at Tadashi one last time and saw his brother giving him a warm smile as everything faded to black.
"See you later, little bro."
Penny was sitting next to Hiro again. It had been several days since she had been released from the hospital, but she came back frequently to check up on Hiro. Honey Lemon, Wasabi, Gogo, and Fred all went back home with Heathcliff on Fred's private jet. Heathcliff had given Hiro's backpack to Aunt Cass after Hiro had accidentally left it in the car. Aunt Cass was out with Mrs. Forrester to grab a snack.
"..." Penny looked at Hiro's face. It was calm and peaceful. Hiro's breathing had become less wheezy over the last few days, and now hardly any sound was being made.
Penny's shoulders slumped. She was becoming discouraged at Hiro not waking up. Even though he was stable, he showed no signs of waking. Penny then stood up and leaned over Hiro.
"Hiro." She said softly. "Please, wake up. I have so much I want to tell you. I know you're strong, but I need you here." She then paused as an irrational thought passed through her head. Penny then quickly looked around her to make sure no one was looking. She steeled herself and moved her mouth to Hiro's, kissing him on the lips. It was a strange feeling, but it felt good for some odd reason. Penny then pulled away. Hiro hadn't moved at all. Penny sadly turned back to her chair.
The sound of a throaty cough suddenly reverberated around the small room. Penny froze. Could it be? She turned around slowly.
"Urgh." Hiro groaned. His left eye opened slowly. "...Penny?"
Penny almost couldn't believe it. "Hiro?" Her voice had become remarkably soft.
Hiro blinked. He felt awful, but seeing Penny mitigated some of the pain. A small smile appeared on Hiro's face. "...Hey."
"Hiro!" Penny, overcome with pure joy, threw herself on Hiro.
"Agh!" Hiro cried in pain. "Penny, I'm happy to see you too. But please get off me; it hurts."
"Oh!" Penny jumped back a small distance while staying on the bed. "Sorry!"
Hiro looked at Penny. "How long has it been?"
"It's been about ten days." Penny said. "Since the fire. Since you saved me."
"Oh, yeah." Hiro said as he remembered the most recent events. "The fire." Hiro then eyed Penny. "Did you get hurt at all?"
Penny shifted uncomfortably. "Hiro, I need to apologize."
"For what?" Hiro wondered.
"You got hurt because of me." Penny said guiltily. "You threw yourself into danger just to help me. I'm sorry for that."
"Don't be." Hiro assured. "I'm just glad that you're okay."
Penny then looked Hiro in the eye. "But, why would you just run straight into a burning building to find me? Didn't you think about your own safety when you ran in?"
Hiro looked at Penny, and then he sighed. "I ran in because I wasn't about to let you die in the fire. I already lost someone close to me like that, and I wasn't about to let it happen again." Hiro then cleared his throat and blushed slightly. "Besides, you're precious to me, Pen."
Penny gasped. She then closed her eyes and smiled. 'He said I'm precious to him. I'm precious to Hiro.' Penny was enthralled at that thought.
"Hey, Pen." Hiro suddenly interrupted Penny's thoughts. "While I was unconscious, did you, by any chance, kiss me?"
Penny immediately went red. She started waving her hands rapidly. "I-it's not what you think!" Penny sputtered frantically. "I-I just wanted to show you that I care for you too and I didn't really think it through! I just saw that we were alone and I had this thought and I-"
Hiro interrupted Penny's rant by suddenly sitting up and bringing Penny's head in towards his to kiss her on the lips.
"Mmmph?!" Penny was startled by the sudden action, but then she realized the situation and melted into Hiro's lips.
"Because," Hiro said after separating. "I think I like it."
Penny's heart soared. She wasn't going to deny it anymore. Her heart belonged to Hiro, and his to her. She went in and the two young lovers locked lips once again, neither one wanting to break the embrace.
Unbeknownst to Hiro and Penny, they had spectators.
"Oh my." Aunt Cass said as she watched Hiro and Penny from a distance. "I knew that Hiro and Penny cared for each other, but not to this extent."
"I've suspected it for a while now," Mrs. Forrester said. "But now, I'm certain. These two are meant for each other."
"Reminds me of another couple." Aunt Cass said while playfully nudging Mrs. Forrester.
"Oh, Cassie!" Mrs. Forrester mock-reprimanded. "I thought that we wouldn't talk about that day!"
Aunt Cass laughed. "But it's true, isn't it?"
Mrs. Forrester looked back at the two youths. "I'm just glad that my baby has managed to find someone who makes her happy."
"She's a lucky one, I'll tell you that." Aunt Cass said. "And I'm happy for Hiro."
"Hiro, I've been wanting to ask you." Penny said after the two separated.
"Shoot." Hiro said while smiling. Seeing his smile lit up Penny's world like no other.
"That armor you wore when you came to save me." Penny said. "It looked just like the one from the masked man incident. Are you...?"
Hiro sighed. He then looked around quickly before turning back to Penny. "Promise not to tell anyone?"
Penny nodded.
Hiro looked at his armband, which was sitting on the table next to his bed. "Me, Baymax, Honey Lemon, Gogo, Wasabi, Fred, we're all members of the Big Hero 6."
Penny gasped. That meant that Hiro was a superhero! But that also meant…
"So that was you?" Penny asked. "When you were fighting the masked man?"
Hiro nodded. "I didn't want to tell anyone because I really don't need to be suffocated by media people."
Penny giggled. "Trust me, I know that feeling." She then grabbed Hiro's hand. "My best friend is a superhero. Just when I thought you couldn't get any better."
Hiro smiled at Penny, and Penny continued to talk to Hiro for the rest of the evening.
The Following Week...
Hiro had finally been released from the hospital. His arm would be in a cast for a few months, but other than that, his burns and concussion were under manageable levels.
Hiro and Penny picked up their pets before meeting outside.
"Thanks for everything, Hiro." Penny said. She was extremely happy for her friend getting out of the hospital. Bolt, Mittens, and Rhino looked happy to see Hiro up and well again.
"No problem, Pen." Hiro said while patting Bolt on the head. "We're going to see each other again, right?"
"Well, actually..." Penny said.
"We're planning on moving back to California at the end of the year." Mrs. Forrester walked out with Aunt Cass. "Now that Penny's no longer filming for Bolt, we can go back."
"Really?!" Hiro was excited. "That's great!"
"Even better!" Penny said. "I want to go to San Fransokyo Acting Arts School. It's right next to SFIT!"
"Amazing!" Aunt Cass said. "That means that you and Hiro will be able to see each other whenever you want!"
The thought of seeing each other put Hiro and Penny in a state of happiness.
"But first," Penny said. "I have to officially resign from acting on Bolt. I have to go to Sparkling Core Studios tomorrow to get the official process done."
Hiro then realized that Penny was going to go back to the studio one last time, and it probably wasn't going to be a pleasant trip since she nearly died there not too long ago.
"Hiro," Penny said, almost as if she could hear his thoughts. "Do you think...you could go with me to the resignation?"
"Wha-" Hiro was startled, but regained his composure. "I mean, sure! Of course!" He then turned to Aunt Cass. "Can I?"
"Well..." Aunt Cass thought for a bit. "I suppose. One more day won't hurt anybody."
"Great!" Penny said happily. "We can meet at the studio at 10 in the morning, alright?"
"Sure thing, Penny." Hiro said while smiling. It felt good to have Penny back in her happy and sweet personality Hiro remembered her for. "See you tomorrow."
Bolt barked a farewell, Mittens meowed respectfully, and Rhino ran around in circles excitedly.
Hiro waved goodbye to Penny, and then followed Aunt Cass. Tomorrow was going to be a good day.
Hiro stood in front of the gates to the studio with Aunt Cass. Hiro checked his watch, which read 10:02 AM.
'Where could they be?' Hiro wondered.
"Hello!" Mrs. Forrester's voice rang out. Penny followed close behind with Bolt, Mittens, and Rhino.
"Hey, Hiro!" Penny greeted with a smile.
"Hey, Pen." Hiro said before the two hugged. Aunt Cass stifled laugh, but no one noticed.
"Are you ready?" Penny asked after separating.
"Sure am." Hiro said. "Let's go."
The two then walked to the studio gates hand in hand. The pet trio followed after them.
"They're hitting it off well, aren't they?" Mrs. Forrester said.
"They sure are." Aunt Cass agreed. "Let's go."
The group walked towards the office area, but they passed an unfriendly sight on the way. The group passed sound stage 7, which was charred black from the fire. There was a faint smell of smoke still in the air.
"Ah..." Penny stumbled slightly as unpleasant memories suddenly rushed through her head.
"Pen, don't think about it." Hiro said while holding Penny up. "I'm here, Pen."
After hearing Hiro's voice, Penny's vision cleared up and she regained her composure.
"Is everything okay?" Mrs. Forrester asked.
Penny took a deep breath. "Yeah, everything is okay, mom. Don't worry."
"Oh, good." Mrs. Forrester breathed a sigh of relief.
"Come on." Hiro grabbed Penny's hand again. "Let's finish and get outta here. This place isn't gonna do is any favors if we linger."
"Agreed." Aunt Cass said. "Let's keep moving."
Eventually, the group made it into the office area. The group walked towards the meeting room Penny was scheduled to be in. A security guard stood outside the door.
"Excuse me, miss." The guard said. "I'm sorry, but pets are not allowed into the meeting room."
Bolt growled angrily at the guard. Mittens looked annoyed. Rhino looked angry. Hiro didn't even know that a hamster could look angry.
"Bolt, it's okay." Penny assured while rubbing Bolt's head.
"It's fine, dear." Aunt Cass said. "I can wait out here with Bolt and the others. You just go on and finish what you need to."
"Thank you, Ms. Cassie" Penny said as she stood back up.
Aunt Cass nodded and then winked at Mrs. Forrester, who flashed a hidden smile. Aunt Cass then guided Mittens, Rhino, and Bolt back outside.
"Alright then," Mrs. Forrester said. "Shall we?" The group then entered the meeting room.
The meeting room was oval-shaped. There was an oval table with many chair around it. Most of the chairs were occupied by studio staff, but there were three empty chairs at the end of the table nearest to the entrance.
"Ah, Penny." Mindy greeted. "Please, sit down. We have much to talk about."
Penny, Mrs. Forrester, and Hiro all took the remaining chairs. Hiro felt several stares directed at him, but he largely ignored them. Once everyone was seated, Mindy stood up.
"So it says here that you are requesting a resignation from filming on the show?" Mindy asked after flipping through some papers in her arms.
"That's correct." Penny replied.
The room was then filled with murmuring from the other studio members. Some people were shocked at the decision, but others were understanding.
"Now, look here!" The director suddenly stood up. "We're just supposed to accept that? You just say you want to resign and we're supposed to be content with that?"
Hiro glared at the director. The amount of disrespect for Penny's decision was rubbing Hiro the wrong way.
A few other studio members voiced their agreement with the director, but it was met with equal retaliation from those who respected Penny's decision to resign. It looked like things were about to escalate, but then Mindy stood up.
"Enough!" Mindy's voice cut through the arguments and silenced them. "Penny has made a decision, and we are supposed to respect it. I don't care if you like her decision or not, but we are going to follow through with it." She then glared at all the other staff members as if she was daring opposition to her statement. "Good."
The rest of the meeting was relatively straightforward. Penny signed several papers, Mrs. Forrester signed a few as well, and Hiro watched the entire process. After everything was finished, Penny handed her papers to a staff member. Mrs. Forrester did the same.
"And, that should just about do it." Mindy said. "You are now free to go, Penny. Thank you for your time."
"You're welcome." Penny said. She then walked out the door with her mother and Hiro.
"That wasn't too bad." Hiro said.
"Indeed." Mrs. Forrester said. "Let's go meet up wi-"
The meeting room door opened again. Mindy stepped out.
"Oh, good. You're still here." Mindy closed the door behind her.
"Ms. Mindy?" Penny was a bit confused. "Did you need something else?"
"No, I came out to talk to you." Mindy said before clearing your throat. "I guess the first thing that I want to say is thank you for all of your hard work. You have an incredible talent for acting, and I'm sure that you'll be an amazing actor in the future."
"T-thank you." Penny said, not sure how to handle the praise.
"And, I'd also like to apologize on behalf of the entire studio staff." Mindy said. "We've put you through a lot of stuff that no actor like you should have gone through. I heard that Bolt came back, so I'm happy for you. We've made you make hard decisions, and I hope that you'll find it in your heart to forgive us."
"Apology accepted." Penny said with a smile. "I know that you did all those things because you wanted to keep the show going, but I never held a grudge against you."
Mindy smiled. "Well, then. I think I should head back in now. Goodbye, Penny. I hope that we can work again on better terms in the future."
Penny smiled as Mindy walked back into the meeting room.
"Wow." Hiro said. "Mindy's not as bad of a person as I thought she was."
"Yeah." Penny said. "I could tell that she just wanted to-"
"PENNYYYYYY!" A voice rang down the hall as a lanky man in a suit with glasses ran towards the group.
"Penny! Why are you leaving!?" Agent tried to catch his breath. "We had so many plans for the future! We were going to go even bigger than before! We could have had you go on magazine covers! We could have gotten you on the Tonight Show!"
Hiro frowned. "Who's this guy?"
"This is my agent." Penny said. "Or rather, my former agent."
"No!" Agent cried. "I can still be your agent! If you just stay here, then we can work together and achieve even higher goals than before! You'll be able to-"
Agent's rant was stopped when Hiro had finally had enough of the man's prattle. Hiro walked right over to Agent, reared his leg behind him, and then delivered a powerful kick to Agent's nether regions.
The air was knocked clean out of Agent from the strike. He then fell to the ground, unmoving.
"Shall we get going?" Hiro asked while smiling and holding out his hand to Penny.
Penny laughed and accepted Hiro's hand. "Let's."
The two walked out of the office area, and as Mrs. Forrester passed Agent's unconscious body, a small smile crept onto her face.
Hiro and Penny walked outside with a smile on their faces and with their hands tightly knit together. Things were finally starting to look brighter.
And there we have it! The Penniro has been established! Sure, they may still be kind of young, but they are with each other. That scene of Hiro kicking Agent in the crotch was inspired by a Penniro picture I saw on Tumblr that I thought was funny. Other than that, that is the end of the chapter! It's a little shorter than before, but I promise things will get better. As always, if you enjoyed the chapter, please consider showing your support for the story by leaving a comment. I'll try and get the next chapter out as soon as I can, so stay tuned! Until next time, peace!
