AN: Hello everyone! Sorry for the long overdue update on this story, but I want to assure everyone that I still haven't lost the will to finish this story. Chapter revisions have been taking longer that expected, on top of the fact that I am currently working through college courses that are getting demanding. The good news is that revisions are halfway done, and I have just uploaded this new chapter for you to enjoy!
Lastly, I hope to post at least 3 more chapters before I take another break to focus on school. Maybe more if I can manage it. In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy this chapter and be on the look out for another one next week! Happy reading
A Familiar Face
As they tried to calm themselves from being seconds away from execution, Gogo, Fred, Honey Lemon, and Wasabi were faced with yet another dilemma that shook them to no end, Meeting themselves from this dimension. As it turns out, Hiro wasn't the only one with an alternate version here in this dimension, but the team were still far from trusting these versions of themselves since they found out Mr. Hamada was secretly hiding his evil intentions for the city. Could their versions be hiding the same evil from them? There was only one way to find out and it sure wasn't their preferred method. However, since Hamada Industries soldiers and police were no doubt looking for them, they really didn't have another choice but to trust these doppelgangers of theirs.
As they made their way through the alleys of San Fransokyo, the team and their other versions were trying to avoid the searchlights and alert eyes of the people looking for them in the city. The newly acquainted group or originals and doppelgangers pressed up against wall, covering them with shadows as a Hamada Industries ship flew past them, shining its bright light along the streets trying to find them to no avail. After seeing it was clear, Gogo's other version said, "Ok, let's go." She led them all to the other side of the street where they entered another alley, only this one was in worse shape than the previous one. Trash was thrown all around and graffiti covered the walls along with chipped paint and cracks littering the walls all over.
Wasabi couldn't help but dry heave at the sight of the messy environment. "Oh, geez. This place is disgusting!" he whispered." Fred looked back at Wasabi with a confusingly happy smile. "I know right! This is just like Captain Fancy issue 104: attack of the Trash Goblins! Goblins made of unrecycled refuse and foul-smelling sludge that never comes out of your clothes and makes you want to puke."
Wasabi held his fist over his mouth and looked like he was about to throw up for real this time, and he would have if Gogo hadn't stopped him. "Fred! Hush it! Now's not the time for one of your geek-outs!" Fred frowned in disappointment while Wasabi secretly thanked Gogo in his head for relieving the nasty thoughts of trash goblins Fred put in his head. Honey Lemon was walking right beside the other versions of the team and slowly decreased her pace, so she was next to HER Gogo, Fred, and Wasabi. With a hushed voice she leaned towards the others and asked, "Do you guys think we can trust them? I mean, they did save our lives, but I still feel uneasy." Gogo crossed her arms and replied, "I don't know, but right now we don't have a choice. We should keep our guard up until we know for sure. Until then, no one say anything important." She looked at Fred with a knowing glare and he smiled in embarrassment before looking to the side. Wasabi looked ahead of them and saw a large metal double door with dents on it along their left-hand side, a chain locking them closed. "Where do you think they're taking us?" he asked the others
"I'm not sure." Replied Gogo. "But we're better off taking our chances with them than Hiro's other version, who has an army hunting us like deer." The other's gulped in fear as they remembered that they had metaphorical targets on their backs. As they all approached the door, Gogo's other version looked towards the other Wasabi. "Wasabi, you know what to do." She said. The other Wasabi nodded and took out his plasma sword from his back and lit it up, the glowing turquoise blade coming down as it sliced through the chain like a scorching knife through butter. As the chain fell, the other Gogo opened the door and gestured for everyone to go inside. The Original Big Hero 6 team entered cautiously, making sure not to take their eyes off their doppelgangers as they entered. Now inside an abandoned subway tunnel, the group made their way down the old tracks, long devoid of power and people.
After walking for about three minutes in utter silence, Gogo was first to speak up to the other heroes who were leading them god knows where. "Ok seriously, where are you taking us and why have you hardly said a word since saving us?" She asked demandingly. The doppelgangers stopped dead in their tracks and turned to face the four college versions of them. They looked back and forth between each other and the other Honey Lemon replied, "Well, when we heard through someone that Hiro…OUR Hiro, encountered doubles of us, we knew what he would try and do to you guys given enough time. So we have been keeping an eye on you guys since our contact told us about you." Wasabi raised an eyebrow in curiosity and asked skeptically, "What source?"
The other Gogo stepped forward and replied blankly, "A reliable one…at times at least." The team looked at each other, hoping for more information, but none was given. The other Fred then said with a smile, "It's Krei." His team looked at him disapprovingly as the other Gogo replied, "Really Fred?" The other Fred shrugged and retorted, "What, we were going to introduce them anyway." The doppelgangers looked back at the others who didn't look all too surprised. "Krei?" asked Honey Lemon, "How did he know we were here?" she finished. The other Wasabi then replied, "Maybe it's best that he tells you that himself." The other Gogo nodded approvingly and said, "Agreed. Come on, we need to move. KreiTech should be about a mile down this tunnel and there shouldn't be any unwelcome trouble along the way." With that, the group walked down the tunnel at a brisk pace in the direction of KreiTech.
The group exited out through a construction site that was next to KreiTech. The tunnel was apparently being demolished to help with the foundation for another building that was going to be built on top of it. An already partially build skyscraper stood on the other end of the site and KreiTech could be seen above a steep incline by the construction site. "There it is. Come on, before the soldiers and cops start searching here." Stated the other Gogo as she led the group up a flight of stairs on the edge of the sight, which supposedly led to the courtyard of Krei's company.
As they entered the courtyard of KreiTech, Gogo, Fred, Honey Lemon, and Wasabi immediately got a tingly feeling as they recalled their final battle with Callaghan and Hiro's Microbots on this very ground. Unlike in their dimension, this KreiTech didn't look as lively and financially booming as it did in their version of San Fransokyo. No, this KreiTech was in some disrepair with the walls that had cracks on them, dead plants all around the main campus, no visible lights on in the building, and weeds that were sprouting all along the ground. Wasabi looked at the horrendously ugly building with curiosity and asked, "Yeesh! What happened to KreiTech?" The other Wasabi then replied, "KreiTech has had some business trouble the past few years. It's taken it's tole on everyone in the company, including Krei."
"Yeah, Hamada Industries has become the most sought-after company in the world and has driven a lot of other corporate big wigs into a forced retirement. It started with some big robotics manufacturers, then Liv Amara with Sycorax, and now Krei. Honestly, I'm surprised he wasn't the first to go considering KreiTech's shady reputation with their inventions." Stated the other Gogo as she walked up to the front door of the building.
As they entered, the team noticed the building looked just as bad inside as it did outside. The reception desk was void of anyone and the once nice leather chairs in the waiting area were torn and stained. Honey Lemon had a sympathetic look on her face as she looked around. "Aw, poor Krei. How bad is the situation here? It doesn't even look like there are any employees left here." She asked. The other Fred shrugged and replied, "Not sure, but by the looks of it KreiTech is on the verge of shutting down. Last I heard Krei was selling off his stocks to keep afloat longer than the other companies."
They climbed up a flight of stairs and looked to the side past the glass barriers separating the rooms. Inside were a bunch of machines covered in plastic wrap and dust. The team couldn't help but frown at the sad state of this dimension's KreiTech. All the while Gogo was contemplating what to say when she saw Krei, or saw him again I should say. She remembered when she saw him in Mr. Hamada's office and was contemplating whether she should say anything about that or not. Time was running short to decide as they got closer to Krei's office in the upper floor of the building. "Here we are." Said the other Gogo as she opened the double doors into Krei's office.
Once inside, Wasabi, Fred, and Honey Lemon looked in awe at this dimension's Alistair Krei. He looked the same as when Gogo saw him at Hamada Industries. He still wore the same blue suit, his graying blonde hair, and the hint of a forming bald spot on the back of his scalp. He was sitting at his desk, apparently sulking in silence as he looked at a computer with a news article on it that read "KreiTech Rumored to be Closing Business by the End of the Year." Krei looked up at the group of heroes entering his office and focused specifically on Gogo, Wasabi, Honey Lemon, and Fred. "Well, well, well. I knew you would make it out of that scuffle. I see you also found the other versions I told you about." Said Krei as he stood and walked up to the group. The other Gogo leaned up against a wall and replied, "They're lucky we got to them when we did. Especially considering they were seconds away from execution by Mr. Hamada's guards"
Krei looked at her and then back to the others with a look of knowing relief. "Well, it's good to know you are alive. I know how Hiro's executions and threats go and believe me, he doesn't lie about that stuff these days." The team had worried looks as they took glances at each other and then back at Krei. Krei clasped his hands together and turned to head back to his desk as he spoke. "Well, you're no doubt are wondering why you're all here. Let me explain." Krei took a seat as the team walked to the front of his desk. "Hamada has been draining the companies of the city from all their resources in order to carry out the CEA." Krei was interrupted By Honey Lemon when she asked, "Excuse me, but what exactly is this CEA? We've been hearing about it all over and we still aren't sure what it means." Krei sighed and scratched his chin in worrying thought as he looked back up at them with a face similar to a doctor who was about to deliver bad news.
"The Criminal Extermination Act." Stated Krei simply. The four present members of Big Hero 6 gasped at the revelation. Honey clasped her hands over her mouth while the other three just stared wide-eyed at Krei, hoping for it to be a joke, but it wasn't. "What!?" asked Honey Lemon sadly. "The Criminal Extermination Act. I don't know Hamada's personal reasons for it, but what I do know is that it was an act passed by congress to cleanse the world's cities of crime and make it safe for everyone else by…killing them." finished Krei slowly, trying to give the team time to process this.
"Whoa. Dude, no known comic villain has ever done anything that extreme, I knew this dimension's Hiro was evil, but I didn't know he was that evil." Said Fred in utter astonishment and fear at the same time. Honey Lemon and Wasabi sulked in their chairs and tried to process this horrible thought of getting rid of criminals by committing a mass murder. Gogo shook her head and replied in a determined tone, "No! I refuse to let this happen to anyone! They might be criminals, but even they don't deserve this kind of heartless cruelty, we have to stop them and get back OUR Hiro before it's too late!" Gogo stood up and leaned on the desk, "Why would that monster even consider this?!" she demanded. Krei leaned back a little in fear of this Gogo's outburst, even though he was expecting this reaction from her. "Like I said, I don't know his reasoning behind this. But he was the one who suggested and defended the act in the first place, you four are his friends…or at least friends of a version of him, you no doubt know him on a personal better than me."
Gogo looked down and thought she knew why he was doing this but said nothing. Leaning on the wall, Gogo's other version had the same knowing expression and couldn't help but look away, shifting her face to a look that could only be described as angry grief. Krei leaned forward again and broke the silence. "Look, I agree. We NEED to stop him and save all those people. My business won't survive without customers." Said Krei. All the people in the room stared angrily at Krei as the former billionaire looked at them with embarrassment. The other Gogo glared at him then looked to the other who looked back at her as she talked. "Sorry. Krei still has an act for keeping an eye on his own interests. However, he is still willing to help us and that shows he still cares about those people to an extent." She said.
Krei sat up straight an put a hand on his chest to gesture to himself as he said defensively, "Of course I do! I have NEVER in my life put money over someone's life!" The four heroes in front of him crossed their arms and gave even harsher glares at him, Knowing about the incident with Abigail Callaghan. Krei's eyes widened as he recoiled into his desk chair. "Ok, except for maybe that one time, but still. We need to find a way to stop him soon. The government gave him all legal rights and resources to start off the act in San Fransokyo." The team looked shocked at knowing their own government would give consent to this kind of thing. Gogo narrowed her eyes on the window behind Krei, looking on at the Hamada Industries tower in the distance. "Well one thing's for sure, we have to move fast, the sooner we stop him and get Hiro back, the better." She said with sheer determination. Krei sighed in remorse as he slowly broke some possible news to Gogo. "You know, if You're Hiro is anything like you guys and rebels against him, you might have to consider that fact that Mr. Hamada might, you know…"
Gogo's eyes widened as she leaned closer to Krei over his desk and pointed a threatening finger at him. "Don't! Don't you even say it! I won't let this Hiro hurt OUR Hiro no matter what. He will pull through, we can't lose him like we lost…" Gogo stopped herself as she recalled memories of her deceased friend Tadashi and by the looks of it, the others had a recollection of the same memories. Though Gogo was closer to Hiro now than she ever was to Tadashi, she still hated the thought of losing both Hamada brothers to the same fate. The other versions looked at Gogo in stunned silence as she stayed leaning over Krei's desk in a statue-like state. Honey Lemon stood up and put a hand of Gogo's shoulder. "Gogo?" she asked in concern for her friend, but Gogo just turned around and headed out the doors into the hall without a word. Honey Lemon was more observant that Fred and Wasabi and was able to easily notice Gogo's eyes as they showed signs of tears welling up in them, which is probably why she left…to not let anyone see her cry.
The other Honey Lemon thought to herself for a moment and looked at her version of Gogo, who was looking away with an emotionless glare, but she knew that inside she felt the same way this other version of Gogo did, only she knew that her Hiro was probably beyond saving.
Without another word, the other version of Honey Lemon walked out to the hallways to talk to Gogo and hopefully coax her back inside with her friends. As she entered the hall, the other Honey Lemon saw Gogo looking outside of a window at the city with her hands placed on her hips, which were cocked to one side. The other Honey Lemon walked up next to Gogo and sat on a nearby chair as she looked outside the same window. "You miss him, don't you?" asked the other Honey Lemon. Gogo looked her and then back outside. "Of course. He's my friend, and I don't like to leave my friends behind." She replied blankly. The other Honey Lemon looked directly at Gogo and asked, "There's something more to it isn't there?" Gogo looked back at her in mild surprise and turned to face her. "What makes you think that? He's just my best friend, that's it." Replied Gogo in denial, not even being able to hold eye contact with the other Honey Lemon. The other Honey Lemon smiled in amusement and stood up, taking Gogo's shoulders in her hands, forcing her to make eye contact with the blonde that stood taller than her.
"I KNOW there's more to it. You might be from another dimension, but you are still Gogo, and I now her like a sister. There are some things even you can't deny Gogo." The short Korean looked up at her with sad eyes that began to form tears. Gogo didn't even try to hide them this time. She just broke down into sobs as the other Honey Lemon leaned forward and embraced her in a comforting hug. Gogo hugged her back as she sobbed into the tall girl's chest. "I-I just don't want him to get hurt." Sobbed Gogo. The other Honey Lemon rubbed her back and replied, "I know, but don't lose hope that you will find him. After all, you always said I'm the optimistic one and if I believe something is hopeless, then it is. But look at me" The other Honey Lemon pulled away from Gogo and saw the tear streaks going down her cheeks. "I still have hope, which means you should too. Got it Gogo?" asked Honey Lemon. Gogo nodded wiped the tears from her eyes. The other Honey Lemon smiled, "Good. Now what do you say we go rejoin the others and go get YOUR Hiro back?" she asked. Gogo nodded again and this tie had a small smirk on her lips as they walked back towards Krei's office. "Thanks." Was the last thing Gogo said before they entered the office.
Meanwhile, in the Southern District of San Fransokyo…
A large group of 20 Hamada industries Guards were patrolling the southern district of the city when they heard a pained moan coming from an unknown direction. "What was that?" asked one guard. "I don't know. Let's check it out. Everyone set weapons to lethal and be ready for anything. The guards nodded and readied their weapons as they moved out to the source of the unknown sound. As they rounded a corner, they saw a building with a huge hole in the wall and a crater that followed it, patches of fire all around the crater and the area adjacent to it. The roof of the adjacent building had a chunk ripped from it too as the guards began to debate what had caused it.
"What do you think? Asteroid?" asked one of the guards. Another guard shook his head and replied, "No, too small of an impact zone." Suddenly, the same pained groan could be heard again. The guards became alert and aimed their weapons in the direction of the crater. "Approach with caution, target location confirmed." Warned a guard. As they approached the crater, the pained moans could be heard even louder, along with deep, struggling breaths. The Guards reached the end of the crater and most of them immediately recoiled at the sight in front of them, some even held their hands over their faces to avoid vomiting. The guards regained their composure and looked deeper into the crater as more smoke from the fire patches cleared. They saw a badly burned body that had that horrid smell of cooking flesh. The body appeared to be breathing as what was possibly the face, though the guards could only tell because how some of the skull could be seen under the burnt flesh.
"My god! What is that?!" asked a guard out of fear and disgust." Another guard coughed and replied, "It's a human… I think." The guards were suddenly shocked when the body gasped and jolted upright before looking at them. The guards gasped and aimed their weapons at the body that now began to crawl up the edge of the crater as it breathed with great struggle. The guards stepped back as the body crawled closer to them and reached up to the closest guard, who looked down at him with great fear. The body then spoke, which startles all the guards. "Help…me." Requested the body before it went unconscious.
A guard cautiously approached and scanned the body with the build in scanner on his forearm's armor. He looked at the results and was surprised to say, "Still alive, better report this to Mr. Hamada." The other guards nodded as five went to retrieve a gurney to carry the body to a stabilization chamber to keep It alive.
Back at Hamada Industries, the unknown body was placed on a surgery table with a bunch of masked men, most likely doctors, surrounding it. The body slowly opened its eyes and noticed that it had life support tubes IV's inserted all over its body. Unlike before, machines were doing the breathing for the body. The body turned to look at one of the doctors and the doctor immediately said, "He's awake sir." Then suddenly, the body turned its head to look at Mr. Hamada, who was decked out in the same medical clothes as the other doctors, only his robes were a dark grey and he still had on his forearm's mobile computer. He looked down at the body with minor disgust and some worry.
"What's your name my friend?" asked Mr. Hamada. The body tried to speak, but all that came out were squeaks and lips that were barely doing any movement. Mr. Hamada turned to one of the doctors that had a clipboard and said, "Severed vocal cords." The doctor wrote it down as Mr. Hamada looked back at the burned body on the table. "Look, I'm going to help you, make you stronger than before, but in return in need a favor." Mr. Hamada was handed a picture by on of the doctors as he asked the body, "I need you to eliminate some people for me. I don't believe these people are familiar to you?" Mr. Hamada lifted a picture of the superhero team Big Hero 6 and the body began to shake as the eye muscles narrowed and the heartbeat on the monitor increased. Mr. Hamada saw this and said, "Apparently you do. Kill them and I will give you a reward of your choice. Consider the restoration of your body a part of it, but don't you think of screwing me over…or else." Mr. Hamada held up a device that resembles a bomb detonator button and pressed it. As he did, the body on the table was shocked with a large amount of electricity that stung like hell. It was only then that the body on the table felt a device on its heart. It looked down and saw a metal device on its chest, similar to a pace maker and looked back up at Mr. Hamada as he said, "Succeed and I will take that off as well. Blink twice If we have a deal."
Mr. Hamada waited patiently for the body to blink. After a few seconds passed for the body to think…it blinked. Mr. Hamada smiled and said, "Good. I will inform you more on your mission hen we're done. Now, let's get started." Mr. Hamada snapped his fingers and a large crate opened next to the operating table and inside were a bunch of cybernetic parts and a creepy symbol that lay over what appeared to be a chest armor piece. The symbol was one of a scorching sun and on the crate, it read "Project Sunfire".
AN: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I really look forward to your comments. Be on the lookout for the next chapter next week sometime and we can move this story forward. Until then, everyone have a good day/night.