Cass was exhausted as she ran through the dark empty streets of San Fransokyo and into the Golden Gate Park. The world grew blurry as she ran past the tall building. But she didn't care about that. In fact, she didn't seem to care about anything at all. The only thing in her mind was the safety of her only nephew. And that's all she even wants to think about.
Soon, she approached the Golden Gate Park before she decided to rest. She panted to herself, before she sat down on a tree branch. Cass then placed her head onto her hands as she soon began thinking.
Cass: H-How did I end up like this? How…wait a minute.
As she thought some more, she immediately remembered that 'dream' she had back at the hospital. That 'dream' about her meeting her demonic self, and what she shouted at her.
Demonic Cass*flashback*: That's right, 'honey'. I've always been there. And with your new life coming up, I'll be in your mind, always. You're little nephew will not know what he's expecting.
Then, she remembered that nightmare as well, in which she was…draining Hiro like he was a trapped cattle ready for blood extraction, the 'new life' that that demon was explaining to her about, and that time when she almost bit Hiro. The face she made at that moment was almost EXACTLY like hers. Cass quickly shuddered.
Cass: THIS is what she meant…oh no…
She sounded like she was on the verge of tears as she fully realized that now…she's a cursed monster. Doomed to roam the city and feast on the sweet, tantalizing blood of the living…this is her life now, and there's no going back. The thought of it all soon began to make her cry. It was at first silent, before it began to grow into a sob. Her sobs echoed throughout the forest, which caused any birds and other small critters nearby to scatter and fly away, but she didn't notice. All she could think about was the fact that NOW she's like this forever, and the worst part, she had to leave Hiro behind for his own safety. Cass continued to sob for a long time.
After a while of sobbing, she soon settled down, and took in heavy breaths. Right now though, she's lost with no guidance. Cass then took in a breath through her nose, and once more got another alluring scent. Immediately, she widened her eyes in horror as she realized what this meant.
Cass: No….no. No. No No!
She immediately began to climb down from the tree in an effort to get away and prevent somebody else getting hurt. Then,
Voice: Oh no you don't, missy.
Cass froze, and widened her eyes.
Cass: No. Not YOU again, please!
The voice then spoke back.
Voice: You need to fill your stomach, Cassandra. There are people nearby.
Cass immediately shook her head.
Cass: I can't. I won't! I won't hurt anybody else!
Voice: Then what do you plan on eating?!
Cass: I don't know. A-A rat! O-Or a deer, maybe. Anything but a person.
As she was about to run off again, she then heard thumping sounds. They sounded like heartbeats. Cass thought it was her own, before another set of beats came into her ears. There are two of them, and they sounded happy.
Cass: No, please don't make me do this.
The voice then told her.
Voice: You don't want to end up hurting your dear nephew, do you?
Cass quickly widened her eyes upon hearing the mentioning of her nephew.
Cass: No. I ran away, as far as I could!
Voice: Do you really think that he'll just leave you? He's rebellious, he'll come and find you. You know that very well.
Cass was about to retort, but then she realized; Hiro does have a habit of being rebellious and not obeying her, or Tadashi's orders. After seeing the look of determination on his face after the attack, even after she tried to kill him, he's still willing to help her out, no matter what. Plus, she could very well remember the taste of his blood; it was heavenly and pleasing to the mind. It was much better tasting than the other 2 people she could sense, and that worried her. She looked around to see if there are any animals that she could take instead. Sadly, there are none, and with her stomach killing her, she would not have enough energy to blur over to another spot of the woods in time. So she sighed.
Cass: Okay…Oh I hope they would forgive me for this.
She shook her head in defeat as she ran over towards the spot where the beating hearts and sweet smell are, which was southwest of park.
Nearby, there is an excited couple approaching a small clearing, both of them happy for something. They are at least in their late teens and are out of their 'honeymoon' together. The boyfriend and girlfriend had happy looks on their face. Then the both of them happily fell down onto the grass, the girl on top of the boy. The two of them stared at each other with smiles on their faces.
Boy: I love you, babe.
The girl chuckled back, and got closer to his face.
Girl: I love you too.
Then immediately, the girl began kissing the boy on the lips, before the two of them began to grow lost in their world.
Soon, Cass approached the clearing, with the two people making out. She could practically hear their heartbeats, and even smell the hormones emitting from their bodies, particularly the teenage girl. She was very upset about having being forced to do this, but it's either one of THEM, or her nephew. She gulped, but couldn't swallow down the lump in her throat. Subconsciously, she licked her lips and placed her hand on the stomach, which is aching and grumbling painfully.
Voice: Just…let it go, Cass.
Cass listened to the voice, and she stumbled over weakly, before falling on all fours. The two couple ignored her, with the girl pressing her face onto her boyfriend's neck, giving him multiple kisses there. A painful groan finally caught their attention. The boyfriend looked at a strange woman who was on all fours.
Boy: Hey. Are you alright?
He was genuinely concerned now, and he gently got up, the girlfriend moving out of the way, a look of concern in her face as well. He approached Cass, who was clutching onto her stomach painfully.
Cass: Oww…
The boy heard her groan, and grew worried.
Girl: Is she alright?
The boy looked back at her and shrugged, before turning back to Cass.
Boy: A-Are you okay, miss? Do you need to go to the doctors?
He placed a hand on her shoulders, and Cass slowly looked up at him. She had a pained and regretful look on her face, and tears are beginning to show up. The boy was now worried for her even more now.
Boy: Miss?
Cass looked at him, then at his girlfriend, before looking back at him, breathing in and out heavily.
Voice: Let go of your restraints and hesitations…
Cass listened to her mind, and she began shivering a bit, before she gulped and shook her head.
Cass: I'm…I'm SO sorry.
The boy looked at her, confused at what she was saying.
Boy: W-What?
But he couldn't react to what would happen next, because Cass then raised her left arm and swung it towards him, slamming into the side of his ribcage. Thanks to her unnatural strength, the boy was sent flying sideways and onto a tree. The force of him slamming onto the tree created a crack, making the tree slump forward, covering the boy's body. Cass could no longer sense a beating heart coming from the boy. He was dead. Then she turned her head over towards the girl, who had her eyes widened in horror. The girl then got up and began running off. Cass then blurred over to her and pinned her against another tree. The girl shouted as she felt her shoulders gripped tightly. She then looked over at the attacker. Cass still had a regretful look at first, before her face grew into an angrier look, and then she hissed at her, two long fangs extending outwards, eyes turning bright green and reptilian.
The girl widened her eyes and gasped in horror at the sight. But before she could react, she felt a sharp pain on the left side of her neck. Cass had bitten her, and she kept her pinned as she tried to thrash about and screamed loudly. She felt the blood running from the wound, and into her mouth. As much as she didn't want to do this, she loved the taste, and she moaned in ecstasy as she sank her fangs deeper, and made a slurping sound before she gulped down the blood. After a few slurps and gulps, she pulled back to get some air for a few seconds, before she launched back into the neck, making the girl scream loudly once more, hands frantically clawing at her arms in futile attempt to get her off. Then the girl felt herself thrown to the ground. She screamed in agony as she tried to crawl off, hand covering her neck. Cass looked at her, mouth caked in blood, fangs still extended outwards. After taking in a few breaths, she growled and stomped over to the helpless girl, grabbing her foot and pulled her towards her, giving the girl no chance to kick back before she saddled on top of her food, pinned her arms against the ground and she bit down onto the neck again. The girl closed her eyes and screamed once more as Cass shook her head, wanting nothing more than to get this over with.
The girl's screams echoed throughout the woods…
Meanwhile, Hiro and Baymax flew into the park, following Cass's trail that Baymax's scanners where able pick up.
Hiro: Baymax, did you get anything now?
Baymax looked up ahead, and blinked a few times before,
Baymax: I have scanned 3 biological signatures in further northeast from our position.
Hiro: Wait, 3?
Baymax: Yes. But there are only 2 life signatures, and one of them matches your aunt.
Hiro sighed to himself in a mix of relief and fear; relief to have been able to find her before she goes too far away, and fear of what she was doing over there. Then Baymax piped up,
Baymax: My mistake. Only 1 life signature remains, and THAT is of your aunt, Hiro.
Now Hiro's heart dropped down to his stomach; they're too late. Cass has already claimed 2 human victims before they got here.
Hiro: Oh no…Baymax, hurry up and get us there.
Baymax: Yes, Hiro.
With a thrust of his rockets, Baymax sped on ahead with an anxious Hiro anticipating the sight of his aunt.
At last, they've arrived near the spot where Cass was scanned to be located at. Hiro soon detached his gloves and kneecaps from Baymax's back and landed down onto the ground.
Baymax: Hiro, I would suggest proceeding with caution. You don't know how she'll react.
Hiro looked at Baymax with a look of shock of him talking about his aunt like some type of animal.
Hiro: Baymax, she's my aunt. I'm not gonna just let her go!
Baymax looked at him and raised a finger to signify a point.
Baymax: I know that. But I just wanted to remind you that she DID try to attack you at one point.
Hiro: Duh. I know that, but she would never hurt me on purpose.
Baymax: But what about when you said she slapped you?
Hiro was about to retort when he soon remembered that dreadful night…well, after THIS night, that night doesn't seem so dreadful anymore. Anyways, Hiro did very remember the time that Cass slapped him. And THAT, while he had it coming, was still unusual of her; no matter how angry she got, she would NEVER hit anybody in her life. However, he soon shook his head to clear that memory out of his mind.
Hiro: *sigh* Baymax, I know what she did, and I deserved it, along with what she said…*shuddered* But right now, she needs me.
Hiro then turned around and continued heading towards the direction that Baymax pointed to where Cass was, and the giant red robot followed him for protection. Soon, they approached the clearing, and the boy widened his eyes and dropped his mouth in horror of such a sight;
In the clearing, there was a snapped tree trunk that fell to the ground, with what appeared to be a person slumped forward, blood pooling outwards. And there was also the body of a girl lying on her back, two holes on her neck with blood caked all over it. The body itself was pale in coloring, and it appeared to be skin over bones, with skull ridges clearly visible, and veins almost popping up the skin, and the eyes bloodshot and wide open in horror, blond hair lying down motionlessly. The sight of it alone made Hiro want to puke, but then he heard someone crying in the corner.
There, he saw the hunched down form of Cass, hands on her face as she cried her eyes out, very regretful for what she had done. Hiro saw her crying and felt more hurt than ever before. He hated seeing his beautiful and funny aunt like this. He didn't want to see her like this, so he soon approached her slowly, still afraid of her trying to attack him. Baymax waddled up behind him in case of protection. Soon, Hiro gulped and spoke up,
Hiro: A-Au…Aunt Cass?
Cass soon stopped crying, and Hiro could see her tense her body. She then slowly raised her head up and turned to look at him. Hiro could very well see bloodshot eyes and caked blood over her mouth, the fangs now gone and eyes colored normal.
Cass: H-H…Hiro?
Hiro and Cass remained frozen at the spot, and the boy slowly stepped forward. Cass immediately shouted,
Cass: NO! Stay away!
Hiro flinched at her shouts, and stepped back.
Hiro: A-Aunt Cass?
Cass: Hiro, you just don't get it, do you? I told you to stay away from me! I'm too dangerous.
Hiro shivered a bit at her tense tone. He understood she's trying to protect him, but he wants to fix her 'curse' so badly that he refused to step down. He clenched his fist and stood his ground.
Hiro: No. I don't want to.
Cass looked at him in shock, and then she grew mad.
Cass: Hiro Hamada, you will do what I say, when,
Hiro: I don't care, Aunt Cass! I want to help you, one way or another!
Cass sighed, shook her head, and then she placed her hands on her hips.
Cass: Hiro, what makes you think you can fi-
Hiro: I'm gonna find out, Aunt Cass. I know biology isn't my major, but I can do this!
Cass looked at him, and then she shook her head.
Cass: What about in the meantime?
Hiro: What do you mean in the meantime?
Cass: What about if I lose control of my bloodlust and try to kill you or anybody else?
Hiro crossed his arms.
Hiro: I'll make sure that doesn't happen, Aunt Cass.
Cass was about to say something, but couldn't. She was so frustrated over her son's stubbornness, and all she wanted to keep him safe. Why is he making it more difficult that he should?
Cass: Oh, why are you so difficult at times? First, you went back on your word on botfighting, and now you are putting yourself at risk just for an unlikely cause? And in that…whatever the hell you're wearing, and who's that behind you?!
Hiro looked back at Baymax.
Hiro: That's Baymax.
Cass widened her eyes.
Cass: Baymax? W-Why is he in such a giant costume?
Before Hiro could answer, Baymax interrupted.
Baymax: Hiro made the costumes that we're wearing for the Big Hero 6 team.
Cass widened her eyes.
Cass: W-What?
Hiro looked down and sighed.
Hiro: Yes, Aunt Cass; me, Baymax, Wasabi, Fred, Gogo and Honey Lemon are Big Hero 6.
Cass widened her eyes in shock, and her jaws dropped.
Cass: S-So…all of those crime fights…those were YOU fighting?
Hiro nodded, now upset of his aunt hearing the truth. Cass just placed her head on her left hand and shook her head, sighing to herself in disappointment. Behind her back, Hiro and his friends have been doing dangerous stuff all along.
Hiro: Aunt Cass?
Cass looked up at him.
Hiro: You wanna know why I'm so rebellious and did all of those things behind your back?
Cass stared intently at him.
Cass: I'm listening.
Hiro took in a deep breath.
Hiro: Aunt Cass…I did what I have to…not only so San Fransokyo can be a better place, but also…because I care about you…
Cass kept staring at him intently, wanting to hear what he has to say.
Hiro: Aunt Cass, you've NEVER given up on raising me and Tadashi. Remember back when my parents died when I was 3, NOBODY ELSE wanted to take us in because they either are not interested in us, or they already had their hands full with other kids, jobs, etc. YOU had a job, Aunt Cass; you owned a formerly popular restaurant. And guess what; you took us in.
Cass listened on, and did remember the night in Adoption Agency center where she was supposed to pick up Hiro and Tadashi. She could see glum looks on their faces, and she herself couldn't bear such a sight. So she did what she did, and took them into her arms.
Hiro: You said it yourself, Aunt Cass. You went to hell and back trying to raise us as proper men. And while I myself am not exactly "proper", you still try your damn hardest to raise us right. It may seem like you're not doing a good job, but you ARE, always being by my side when I saw my older brother's body going down the earth. And even when I was too depressed to do anything and register for the SFIT, you still try to cheer me up and motivate me to attend…all the hard work you do, Aunt Cass…even when the café is doing CRAP right now, and we're close to becoming homeless…you still try to keep your perks up, no matter what and raise me the best I could. That alone would make my mom, your sister proud of you, no matter what you say to yourself of you 'not knowing a thing about parenting'.
Cass took in every word that Hiro said, and was admired by the strong, mature words he spoke of. 'Maybe he wasn't so immature and stubborn after all' she thought to herself with a small smile on her face. Then she heard Hiro,
Hiro: That's why I've been going out botfighting lately even after I swore a vow never to do that again. That's why I started a superhero team…and that's why I'm out here, right now, wanting you back home, Aunt Cass…you NEVER gave up on Tadashi, and you NEVER gave up on ME…so why should I give up on you, especially after all you've done for me?
Cass listened to what he was saying, and she was now on the verge of crying tears of happiness. Even after what she'd done lately, he still loves her and wants to help her and be with her. She sighed to herself; he totally got this trait from her sister.
Cass: Hiro…you're really dead set on saving me, aren't you?
Hiro nodded.
Hiro: I love you, Aunt Cass. I need you, just as much as you need me. So please…come back home…
Cass smiled at him, but still remained unsure. What if she tries to kill him again? She looked at Hiro, with concerned in her eyes. Hiro saw the concern in her eyes.
Hiro: I promise, Aunt Cass. About my blood, we'll figure something out.
He spoke to her with a smile of understanding, showing the gap in his tooth. Cass just chuckled, and approached him slowly. She was unsure at first, but soon, she walked more quickly to him, before she quickly enveloped her baby in her arms. Hiro froze a bit, not really expecting such a hug without her possibly going crazy. But once he realized that she wasn't gonna bite him; he then hugged her back, tears streaming down. Cass was silently crying to herself, but smiling at the same time. She could very easily smell the blood within Hiro's neck, but she was able to hold it in this time (partially thanks to the fact that she already fed herself). Then, they both felt a large figure hugging them as well; it was Baymax.
Baymax: Emotional support can be helpful in moving on from mournful situations.
Hiro and Cass just laughed at his silliness.
Cass: I love you both so much.
She then pulled back and gave Hiro a kiss on the left cheek. Hiro smiled as Baymax pulled back as well. Then Cass turned to the bodies.
Cass: So uh…what do we do with the bodies? We can't leave them to rot.
Hiro nodded. Then, Baymax pulled out a shovel. Hiro and Cass looked at the shovel, then at him.
Cass: Where did you get the shovel?
Baymax looked at them, silent for a brief moment, before replying.
Baymax: …Convenience?
Hiro and Cass looked at each other, before smiling shyly and shrugged, nodding in agreement.
Later, Cass was able to put on the last patch of dirt onto the burial. Since she was the one who killed them, she felt like she should be the one to bury them. She then dropped the shovel as she, Hiro and Baymax looked at the makeshift grave. Cass sighed in sadness.
Cass: I hope they can forgive me…
Hiro looked at her, and gently squeezed her left hand.
Hiro: It's gonna be fine, Aunt Cass. They're resting in peace now.
Cass looked at her, and smiled.
Cass: You're so sweet, Hiro. I guess I must've done a pretty good job raising you and Tadashi.
Hiro looked at her and smiled, chuckling, which made Cass smile and laugh as well. After a long moment of silence, Hiro then looked at his watch.
Hiro: It's very late. We should get home.
Cass looked at him, and nodded.
Cass: Yes. I'm tired anyways.
Hiro then looked at Baymax.
Hiro: Hey buddy. Can you give us a lift?
Baymax looked down at him.
Baymax: No problem, Hiro.
He then leaned forward to give them climbing space. Hiro then climbed on, his magnetic gloves and kneecaps attached onto the 4 magnetic spots on his back.
Cass: Uh, Hiro?
Hiro looked at Cass.
Cass: How can we stick on without flying off?
Hiro: Oh. I have magnets on my gloves and kneecaps to attach themselves onto the four black magnets on Baymax's back. YOU can't do it, so you may have to hold on.
Cass nodded as she climbed on alongside him.
Hiro: Here we go. Don't let go, Aunt Cass.
Cass nodded as she held onto his waist tightly. Perhaps a little too tightly, as Hiro widened his eyes and gagged a little bit. But before he could talk to her, Baymax activated his rockets and they soon flew off into the sky.
At last, they arrived back at the garage of the Lucky Cat Café. Once they landed, Hiro detached himself from Baymax's back, and Cass followed shortly afterwards. Cass chuckled a bit.
Cass: I loved that ride. Makes me feel like I was on a plane.
Hiro looked back and chuckled.
Hiro: Hey, maybe when this all blows over, you can ride with me again.
Cass shrugged and giggled.
Cass: Maybe, Hiro. *sigh* I still don't believe you became a superhero behind my back.
Hiro: Well, I just didn't want you "Hey, me and my friends are superheroes and we fight giant robots for a living." That would make me suicidal.
Cass looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
Cass: Honestly, Hiro, after today I just…*sigh* I can't stop you.
Hiro nodded.
Hiro: Thank you, Aunt Cass.
But Cass raised a finger.
Cass: However, please promise me something, okay?
Hiro nodded. Cass placed her hands on his shoulders.
Cass: No matter what; be sure to save yourself before you save the world, okay?
Hiro looked at her, and nodded as he took off his helmet.
Hiro: I promise, Aunt Cass.
Cass smiled and nodded as she kissed him again.
Hiro: And uh, we're not really saving the world; just the city.
Cass: Oh, *scoff* of course.
Hiro chuckled as she ruffled his hair before walking back upstairs.
Cass: I'm gonna be upstairs. See you there.
Hiro nodded as he took off his armor. Once Hiro took off his, and Baymax's suit, he took Baymax's hand and followed Cass up the stairs. They went up the stairs, past the destroyed door and into the café, and saw that the tables were picked up and rearranged back to their original place. Cass must've cleaned up. Hiro then remembered something else, and quickly followed Cass up the stairs.
Once the arrived, they saw Cass looking down at something. Hiro and Baymax approached her, and saw the body of her pet cat, Mochi. Cass looked on with a sad, regretful look on her face as she gently caressed the head.
Cass: I'm so sorry, Mochi. Mommy would NEVER hurt you on purpose…
Hiro looked on in sympathy, tears streaming down alongside with his aunt as they mourned the loss of their pet. Cass then touched Mochi's eyelids, and closed his eyes.
Cass: I…I want to cremate him…I want his ashes…
Hiro looked at her, and she looked back.
Cass: Please, Hiro. I want to take his ashes and one day spread them across the sea, one day.
Hiro looked at her, and nodded.
Hiro: We will, Aunt Cass. We will…
He hugged her, and Cass smiled as she hugged back. Baymax looked at Mochi's drained body and picked it up.
Baymax: When can we start the cremation process?
Cass looked up at Baymax, and frowned.
Cass: Well…I don't know, maybe tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, we can keep his body in the closet.
Baymax nodded as he walked over to a nearby closet to place Mochi inside.
Cass: I hope you can keep your promise.
Hiro nodded and tightened his hug.
Hiro: A Hamada never breaks a promise…
Cass smiled again as she remained hugging him. Hiro and Cass still remained hugging each other for a while, but they didn't care how long they took, because for the first in what seemed like forever, they began to grow closer to one another than ever before.
Tomorrow is another day for the two Hamadas…
