Disclaimer: I do not own Big Hero 6 or Big Hero 6: The Series.

Big Hero 6: The Penitent Sparrow

Chapter 35: Legacy (Part Two of the Series Conclusion)

Within the clandestine sub-level lab found deep within the constructs of Akuma Island, Callaghan, Abigail, Krei and Granville sat together within one of the finely-lit conference rooms.

Alistair stood from his chair, addressing them, "I understand that this might be unexpected coming from me. But… These machines must not exist. I am planning to arrange for the destruction of the Penitent Sparrow machines. Also, I'll be asking Hiro to delete all information pertaining to the project, so that it can't be recreated."

In her typical fashion, Granville sat with her fingers interlocked together as she looked to her colleagues and verbally jabbed at Mr. Krei, "Yes, that's very unexpected of you, Mr. Krei. With a fully-functional machine, you could easily turn a massive profit. Of course, you couldn't do business with the government. But you're no stranger to back-door deals in unsavory places. So, why the sudden change of business strategy? Surely not to deceive us and actually keep the files, I presume?"

The professor was speaking with tongue-in-cheek, but she was indeed highlighting some of Professor Callaghan's own thoughts on the matter. These were concerns that needed to be addressed, especially if Krei saw fit to bring them up.

Although Callaghan has been able to become more cordial in his interactions with Krei, the former professor could not trust him and Granville knew that Callaghan would have his suspicious concerns over Krei due to their past.

Krei waved his hands defensively, "No, not at all! It's just that… even I can see that this tech is dangerous. It's caused enough trouble for all of us… Even I have to atone for my mistakes, right?" Krei looked towards Callaghan, but Callaghan simply nodded in appreciation of Krei's sentiment.

The business tycoon continued, "And in the wrong hands, this tech could do some serious damage on a massive scale. As far as I'm concerned, even Krei Tech will not pursue this technology anymore. That's why I would have Hiro take care of the data. He's far too capable of going through my data and he would know if I'm hiding it or not… Even though I keep telling him my private information is to remain private…"

Granville grinned behind her interlocked hands, "I am simply being facetious, Mr. Krei. I am actually in agreeance with you. This technology is far too dangerous to be in existence. That dimension is far beyond our comprehension, and the storm just adds further proof that to use it any further would be to be playing with fire. Wouldn't you agree, Robert? Abigail?"

Professor Callaghan looked to each of them, then smiled slightly, "I appreciate that sentiment, you two. Under different circumstances, I would agree with you both. But it may surprise you that I have actually discussed this very issue already with Abigail and Hiro. They both have witnessed firsthand what this machine can do, what it can take away. So, we came up with a different solution I believe the both of you can agree to."

The former professor stood up from his seat to walk towards the window overlooking the hanger bay that housed the Penitent Sparrow machines. Granville and Krei were shocked at his response, curious to their preconceived plan.

Abigail nodded and continued for her father, "When I first agreed to participate in Project Silent Sparrow, I was excited at the prospects of what this technology could mean for the world. I have always enjoyed exploring the world and connecting with others. So, I believed that this technology would allow for the world to be even more connected, with instantaneous travel no matter how far apart we are physically. It cannot be denied that this tech can possibly change the world for the better."

Placing a hand on the window, Callaghan shook his head, "Don't get me wrong. I agree that this tech is dangerous. We all can attest to that. But Abigail is right. There may be a time when this technology can revolutionize humankind for the better. That time may not be now. But we cannot deny that someone else may revisit this technology and seek to rebuild it. The original Silent Sparrow project development team is still out there, after all... If and when that time comes, others may open 'Pandora's Box' and not understand how to deal with the other side. As it stands, we are the only ones who have the most understanding of how this works, even if that isn't much in the grand scheme of things. It will be folks such as ourselves, who may be able to help with any of the problems it brings with it. That can only be possible, if we maintained information from what we learned from this project. We've certainly designed a safer version than the Silent Sparrow iteration."

Granville's eyebrow raised, "So, you are proposing that we simply shelf this project? How do we ensure that this data will remain secure? And what of the machine itself?"

Abigail responded, "I think we are all in agreement that the machines themselves should be destroyed as a measure to keep this hidden and to ensure that it cannot be readily misused by anyone."

At that, everyone within the conference room nodded in agreement. Callaghan turned towards all members within the room, "Hiro has already made arrangements to ensure that this data would be properly secured. He has made a compilation of our project blueprints and all relevant data in observing the other dimension. It's all now encrypted into a single drive. All other records of it no longer exist or are inaccessible through other means."

Mr. Krei choked, "I'm sorry, he did what behind my back?!"

Abigail chuckled, "Sorry, Alistair. Hiro and I didn't expect you would be so responsible with it. But really, kudos to you. You've really come a long way. I mean that."

Alistair sighed heavily, "Well, fine. I guess that worked out, I suppose. So much for him being my intern. Kid just does what he pleases…"

Callaghan motioned towards his daughter, "If you would be so kind, Abigail?"

"Well, of course." Abigail reached into her purse, taking out a secure container and placing her hand along a panel for it to read her biometric signature. Upon verification, the container opened up to reveal a single hard-drive.

Not surprisingly, Granville was concerned and interjected, "This is all well-and-good, Robert. But who could we possibly entrust that drive to?"

Professor Callaghan and Abigail smiled, with Callaghan tersely responding, "You, old friend."

Taken aback, Professor Granville's eyes widened briefly, "Excuse me?" At this, Abigail stood up and walked towards Granville to present the Project Penitent Sparrow encrypted drive to her.

Abigail placed her hand atop Granville's warmly, "Aunt Grace… My father and I… Hiro… we all agree that there is only one person we can all entrust this to. It has to be you. In Hiro's own words, you would be the 'most uptight and overly-cautious one' in its care. He said he was already able to entrust something important with you and this wouldn't be all that different."

Granville looked down at the encrypted drive, seeing that the boy genius had doodled the outline of a sparrow on it. "Mr. Hamada said that, did he?" she remarked, realizing that the boy was referring to her being entrusted with his completed energy amplifier. To have such things in her possession… they were truly imparting a lot of trust on her part.

Callaghan calmly asked his colleague, "So… do you accept this responsibility, Grace? It couldn't be in better hands. You would be the best judge on the time this technology may be accessed again."

The professor looked at each and everyone in the room, and then back at the Penitent Sparrow drive. Looking up at them collectively, she nodded self-assuredly and confidently, "I accept this responsibility on behalf of the team. This will remain safely in my possession, I promise." Taking the drive from Abigail's hand, she tucked the drive back into the secured container. Together, they looked at each other and nodded in agreement.

Callaghan nodded, his arms crossed before his body, "Thank you, Grace. Then that's that. Thankfully, everything fell into place, and now… my job here is done. And I suppose Mike should be well finished up with Project Sindri up top. It's been a pleasure being with all of you, I truly mean that… but I know that I can't remain here with you all indefinitely…"

For the old professor, it wasn't the fact that he would have to return to a secured prison cell that troubled him. It was that he would no longer be able to interact with his daughter and even the others so freely. Abigail stood next to her father, her hand rubbing his arm comfortingly. She, too, found it hard to fathom that she would no longer to spend time with her father even like this. The father and daughter hugged each other, bracing for his eventual return to his sentence.

"There's no rush to get you back to your cell, Robert," Granville spoke up. "Dr. Catmull has been instructed to continue to stall Project Sindri's development, even with Project Penitent Sparrow's completion."

This caught the Callaghans' attention, as Professor Granville continued, "It seems you aren't the only one with hidden solutions, Robert. Mr. Hamada personally saw to it and planned for this… as his own personal thanks for all that you two have done."

"What are you talking about, Grace?" Callaghan inquired.

Abigail also asked curiously, "What did Hiro do?"

Granville then turned toward Krei, who was now reaching into the inner pockets of his blazer coat. Alistair retrieved two paper items from his garment, placing it along the table and sliding it towards the two Callaghans. He explained, "This was his plan, with my resources, of course."

Professor Callaghan and Abigail grabbed the two paper items, immediately recognizing them as tickets for a live Kabuki show at the Kabuki-Za War Memorial Theater in downtown San Fransokyo. A place of immense sentimental value to the Callaghan family, where they all once went together religiously with Abigail's mother, Gale Callaghan. It left Callaghan and Abigail at a loss for words.

Alistair continued to explain, "You two can enjoy the show together. Of course, you both will have to use the flexible-display technology to mask your identities… What with you being a known criminal and all… But as I said, the boy's plans but my resources."

Granville allowed a smile towards Abigail and her old friend, "While you still have time together, go enjoy it out there. As father and daughter."

Abigail and Callaghan looked at each other and then grinned ecstatically. As Callaghan looked to Granville and Krei, with a heartfelt smile worn by the old professor, he spoke warmly, "Thank you."

Back at the UCSF Parnassus-Hashimoto Hospital medical offices…

With an eyebrow rising above her glasses frame, Dr. Lilliana Bay found her curiosity being piqued by her medical assistant's announcement, "A boy and a robot…? That's odd, but sure. I can see them, please show them in."

All of a sudden, behind the young medical assistant floated the vinyl white marshmallow-frame of an all-too familiar robotic healthcare companion. Baymax peeked around the doorframe, his hand raised in preparation for his trademark circular wave to introduce himself, "/Hello. I am-/"

"B-BAYMAX!" With eyes wide open with joyous surprise, Lilly found herself speeding around her desk and sprinting across the office space directly towards the long-lost healthcare companion. The medical assistant freaked out and quickly ducked around the corner with an embarrassed smile, seeking to sneak away and leave them to it.

Within an instant, Dr. Bay ran headlong and nearly tackled the huggable robot, wrapping her arms around Baymax as she completely allowed herself to nestle her head onto the vinyl belly of the friendly machine. Baymax simply reacted from the sudden hug, "/Oh./" She closed her eyes, a massive grin on her face. In kind, Baymax embraced his co-creator with his marshmallow-like arms enwrapping her entirely.

Baymax hunched over, nestling his head atop hers, "/Hello, Dr. Bay. It is good to see you, again./ Lilly looked up at the distinct eyes of the robot with an uncontrolled grin, "It's so good to see you too, big guy! I had no idea if you were still active!"

From the robotic healthcare companion's perspective, Baymax looked down at his "mother" and conducted a medical scan. Several of Dr. Bay's physiological data populated his view, including the rapid influx of neurotransmitters increasing, namely dopamine and oxytocin levels. "/My scan indicates that you are in great health and are experiencing an elevation in neurotransmitter levels, indicating that you are: happy./"

Dr. Bay smiled, rubbing her arms affectionately along his vinyl surface, "How could I not be happy, silly? Very sweet of you to check up on me, Baymax. Thank you. I never thought I would be able to see you, again…"

Lilly sunk her head once again on hers and Tadashi's long-lost project, feeling herself surrender and melt into his embrace. It was what he was designed for. Were it not for Lilly's penchant for hugging and the healing it provides, Baymax would have been designed differently as more of an utilitarian medical machine. But Tadashi loved the idea of making Baymax a huggable care provider, much like Dr. Bay.

And here he was. Dr. Bay had never expected the possibility that Baymax would still be active and functioning. In an odd sense, it was very much as if Dr. Bay was being reunited with her long-lost child. Just as the healthcare companion said, it was indeed an exhilarating rush of emotions from that elevation of "feel- good hormones."

But if you are here, could that mean…? she thought to herself, pulling herself from this moment. Dr. Bay opened her eyes to see a young boy standing before her. The fourteen-year-old teenager stood there, watching the two reunite with a heartfelt smile. But as soon as Hiro realized that the doctor had now became aware of him, the boy got flustered and forgot how he was going to introduce himself.

With one of his hands rubbing sheepishly along his arm, he cleared his throat and shyly attempted to introduce himself, "H-Hey, doc. We haven't met before. But I know that you helped to create Baymax. I'm Tadashi's-"

Lilly looked on at the boy, seeing his messy black hair, wiry small frame and that unmistakable tooth gap. For an instant, she got a brief flashback of the three-year-old boy who visited this very office eleven years ago.

Releasing herself from Baymax, she immediately closed in and leaned to embrace the young boy. Hiro was quickly taken aback, feeling her hug him tightly, "Oh! Umm. H- Hello there…?" The boy genius laughed embarrassedly, his arms at the sides idly hovering as he was still processing what was going on with meeting this "stranger." He looked up towards Baymax, giving the robot a confused look.

But then he could hear the soft sniffling coming from the doctor, "I know who you are, 'Little Hiro...'" For the doctor, this was an overwhelming moment to have seen not only Baymax again, but also the young boy. Here he was, in her arms. Hiro Hamada. Dr. Toshiro and Helen Hamada's youngest son, Tadashi's baby brother… the last Hamada. A soft stream of tears rolled from her closed eyes, thinking about the Hamada family…

Realizing that she was well aware of who he was, Hiro was even more perplexed, "Uh… H-Have we met before…?" Lilly chuckled embarrassedly, realizing herself that the boy was probably both confused and uncomfortable not truly knowing who she was.

She pulled herself away, adjusting her glasses on her face as she wiped her streams of tears away. "R-Right… sorry about that. I suppose the last time we interacted, you were just turning three. So, I guess I'm not too hurt that you wouldn't remember me," Lilly laughed.

Upon hearing this, Hiro was shocked and then looked down sheepishly, "Oh, I'm sorry. I really don't remember meeting you…" Looking at the young boy, she smiled, "Don't worry about it. Seems even now, I still make you shy, huh?"

Hiro looked up at the doctor with a small, sheepish smile, "Yeah, I guess so?" Lilly laughed, extending her hand out towards the teenage boy, "In that case, allow me to re-introduce myself. I'm Dr. Lilliana Bay. It's so good to finally see you after so long."

Meeting her hand, Hiro shook it firmly with a playful smile, "I'm sorry I can't remember us meeting back then… I mean I was really small at the time, or smaller. So… I guess, technically I can say that it's a pleasure to meet you again, Dr. Bay."

Dr. Bay chuckled, as she noted how much the boy had grown up. But there were still distinct features that she could recognize, "Well, you're not so little anymore. But I'm glad to see you never outgrew that fluffy bed-head hair of yours." She playfully ruffled his hair like she did when he was a little toddler, as the young boy laughed and playfully swatted her hand away.

"So, were you my pediatrician or something?" Hiro inquired, wondering how they had met before. Lilly shook her head, "No, not at all. I was still just a medical intern under your father at the time actually?"

This piqued the boy's attention, "My father? You worked with my father before? I didn't even know this was where he worked…" Dr. Bay perked up, walking towards her desk, "Really? You really don't remember much then, do you? I suppose you were really too young…"

While it was true that Tadashi and Aunt Cass had tried to tell stories about his parents, Hiro never really seemed to really give it much thought. He couldn't remember them, their presence, their faces… all he knows that they were just gone after an accident. Was he resentful that they couldn't be there for him and Tadashi? Or perhaps it was just hard to try to feel a connection to strangers? Surely, he understood, thanks to Tadashi and Aunt Cass, that they were wonderful people. But time had seemed to erase what little memory Hiro seemed to have of them.

"I've only heard stories… I don't know much about my dad… or my mom," the young genius laughed shyly, rubbing the back of his head. Lilly frowned, then looked down at her photograph of the Hamada family, "That's a shame. Dr. Toshiro and Helen Hamada were truly amazing people."

With a warm smile on her face, she fondly looked at the photograph and then shifted it towards Hiro, turning the frame so he could see it. Hiro closely studied the picture, it had a family of four within the frame, along with a younger Dr. Bay besides them. Hiro's eyes widened, having never seen the photo before, but he could certainly recognize the faces in it...

Dr. Bay chuckled as she pointed at the picture towards a small toddler with a messy set of black hair, "Recognize this little munchkin at all?" Of course, it was a familiar sight. It was unmistakably Hiro as a toddler.

In the photograph, the tiny boy was shyly clinging onto the leg of a young woman, who had beautiful green eyes and wavy brown hair that just barely extended past her shoulders. She wore a crimson red V-neck shirt and a very familiar silver- turquoise necklace around her. Hiro noted that she was beautiful and had a warm smile, bearing a striking resemblance to her sister, Aunt Cass. In the picture, Helen smiled warmly with a hand fondly hugging the messy-haired little Hiro closer to herself.

Besides them was a younger Tadashi. In his usual cool fashion, he was slyly placing one hand in his pocket as he grinned for the photo. He threw his other hand forward, making a "V" peace sign. Atop his head, the adolescent boy wore the over-sized San Fransokyo Ninjas black baseball cap that seemed to threaten to fall over his face if he moved his head slightly.

Hovering above that boy, with hands proudly along his shoulders, was a slender, young Japanese-American man that stood relatively tall among them. He donned a white physician lab coat that draped down his body, with pockets that were seemingly filled with lollipops that had a few sticking out. Hiro noticed that Tadashi seemed to really take after their father in terms of looks and athletic stature. But what was most apparent, was that their father held a proud smile underneath his square-framed glasses and well-groomed flowing black hair. Toshiro stood ever-so-close to his wife, two children and his young mentee, Dr. Bay.

"I've… never seen this picture before…" Hiro continued to be mesmerized, seeing this image from a distant past that eluded him. A reminder that there was once a time that his family was completely whole, that it appeared that they were all happy together.

Dr. Bay became sullen, "I'm truly sorry you didn't get to know them personally, Hiro. But you should know, that he and your mother loved you both very much. I was blessed to have been mentored by your father. You may not understand this yet, but Dr. Hamada's legacy lives on. He was a great man, and I can see a part of him in you and Tadashi. He helped countless people in San Fransokyo and was well-respected and loved. He was also very cocky and smug, but with good reason. He was brilliant and he knew it. Your mother worried that you or Tadashi would act like him." She giggled, recalling the Hamada's playful argument.

Hiro laughed shyly, knowing full well that he had indeed became something like his father, to the boy's surprise. Tadashi and Aunt Cass spoke highly of his father but hearing this actually made him feel like Hiro could relate more to his late father. As he looked at the image of his father, in this photo he could tell that the man was loving and proud.

Lilly watched the young boy, "That was eleven years ago. That photo remains to be one of my most cherished possessions. It's a memory that I will always hold dear…" While Hiro continued to study the picture, Dr. Bay picked up another photograph frame to show him, "And this… is another one."

As Hiro set down the Hamada family photo, he immediately recognized that the photograph in the doctor's hands contained herself, standing alongside Tadashi and Baymax inside Tadashi's SFIT lab room. Dr. Bay was leaning into Baymax's balloon-like frame as she hugged the robot. Tadashi stood there, tall and proud with his hands in his pockets. Baymax between his two creators, a hand lifted to greet the camera.

Dr. Bay looked towards Baymax, who was also curiously looking at the photograph alongside Hiro. "You remember that day, don't you Baymax?" Dr. Bay asked the healthcare companion.

"/Certainly./" the robot responded, with a bright screen populating his center body. Within the screen, an image of the all-too familiar SFIT lab room could be seen. Tadashi stood in the middle of it, smiling as the image prepared to play…

Within the lab room Tadashi and Dr. Bay stood before the activating Baymax, sunlight emanating from the round window centered along the wall. The young man was smirking triumphantly at their creation, as the healthcare companion inflated from his port.

"/Hello. I am Baymax, your personal healthcare companion. Hello, Tadashi. Hello, Dr. Bay/" the white marshmallow robot waved his hand along to greet his two creators. Lilly giddily clapped her hands together rapidly and sprang forward to immediately hug Baymax, to which the robot responded in kind.

"He's amazing, Tadashi! You're amazing!" Dr. Bay roared with excitement as she snuggled the machine. Tadashi laughed as he rubbed the back of his head, "I had to make quite a few adjustments from the last time you saw him… But hey, the saying goes: '84 times the charm,' right?"

Dr. Bay giggled, "I don't think that's how that saying goes… But, all of your hard work and dedication really paid off, Tadashi."

Tadashi smirked, "If you think that's impressive, wait until you see this. All of your dedication and expert input at work…" As Dr. Bay continued to snuggle and admire the cuddly robotic craftsmanship, Tadashi looked up at Baymax, "Okay, buddy. Please scan Dr. Bay."

"/Okay. Scanning Dr. Bay…/" Lilly looked up at Baymax, whose gaze was set towards her. She could hear the robot processing the active medical scan they had been attempting to perfect for months. Baymax announced momentarily, "/Scan complete. Your neurotransmitter levels are elevated, indicating that you are: happy./"

Lilly hopped up gleefully, "Yes! Yes, I am! Great job, Baymax!" In that moment, excitement and curiosity possessed the good doctor, as she wanted to see how much of her input had helped in Baymax's scanner design.

"Okay, Baymax! Please pull up a comprehensive patient care report for me to see!" Dr. Bay requested with excited anticipation. Baymax complied, "/Okay, Dr. Bay. I am compiling all relevant data from my scans./"

A digital screen illuminated the center of his body, as several graphs and data populated a massive report. Immensely impressed and satisfied, Dr. Bay swiped her hand along the screen to scroll through Baymax's scan results. The data contained information ranging from Dr. Bay's current neurotransmitter and hormonal profile, blood lab values, vital signs and allergies, to name a few. It was truly impressive that in a short, non-invasive scan, Baymax was able to provide real-time data on her medical condition and history.

Dr. Bay placed her hands along her mouth, she was almost speechless and completely awe struck. Baymax's healthcare chip programming was complete, and their project could certainly help to revolutionize medicine and truly help with improving the accuracy of diagnosing diseases.

Tadashi stood beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Well, doc? Did he turn out how you imagined?" Lilly looked to him and adjusted her glasses along her face, "Even better… Tadashi, you made something that will truly change the face of medicine."

Looking at Baymax's face, Tadashi jokingly remarked, "Yeah, well medicine will now have an adorable face, won't it?" Baymax simply blinked and canted his head, as the two looked at him.

Dr. Bay smirked lightly, "I mean it, Tadashi. You really did it." But Tadashi immediately corrected her, "No, doc. We did it."

The young doctor giggled, "Right, we make a great team, after all." Her face became sullen and serious suddenly, "Your father would be so proud. You know that, right? You combined your passions to create something that will help so many people. There could be no better way I can think of to honor his legacy…"

Tadashi simply smiled as he looked up proudly to their passion project, "Yeah… I wish Dad could see Baymax. But he'll live on through Baymax, through you and I…"

"Oh, that's right…" At that moment, Tadashi appeared like he just remembered something and began to fish through the pockets of his green blazer jacket. Finding exactly what he was looking for, he took out a green object that lay flat in his palm. "I want you to have this."

"This is…?" Lilly looked at the object outstretched towards her, she could see the smiling nurse symbol along the green chip. It had a label, marked in Tadashi's handwriting: "Lilliana Bay." The doctor recognized this as Baymax's healthcare chip, but she had not known that Tadashi had created another one. As there was obviously one within the active Baymax standing before them.

Tadashi handed the healthcare chip to Dr. Bay, "It's a beta-version of Baymax's current healthcare chip. In a manner of speaking, this one is different… special and unique." Dr. Bay immediately caught this, "Different? How so?"

Taking off his San Fransokyo Ninjas hat to rub his fingers along the embroidered symbol, it appeared that the young man was searching for the right words. With a knowing smile, he answered, "Well, it'll function like the other chip almost identically. But… let's just say that I took your advice from a long time ago. And it's all the more reason why I think this chip should remain with you, doc."

While Dr. Bay found his answer to be rather cryptic, she simply nodded as she looked at the green chip, "Thank you, Tadashi. I'll keep it safe, I promise." The two promptly hugged each other.

"I know you will, Dr. Bay..." After a while, they pulled apart. Donning the baseball cap once more, Tadashi suddenly grinned, "Now! How about we celebrate with a nice 'family photo?' What do you say, big guy?"

Baymax waddled away from them, "/Yes. I can take a picture of you two./" Tadashi chuckled, "No, silly. I mean all of us. You're part of our family, Baymax. How about you stand here next to Dr. Bay and I'll go set up my phone over there?"

"/Oh. All right./" Baymax waddled slowly back to his position beside Lilly, as Tadashi quickly set up his phone to face them. He laughed as he watched the healthcare companion take a copious amount of time to finally get to where they needed him. Once Baymax was there, Lilly quickly leaned into the robot and hugged him, "Ready to say 'cheese,' Baymax?"

"/Dr. Bay, I would advise to refrain from consuming dairy products as you are lactose-intolerant and could experience gastrointestinal issues/" Baymax tersely responded. Lilly laughed embarrassedly, "No, no, no. That means-"

Tadashi suddenly pressed the timer on his camera phone, "Okay, here we go, guys!" As he raced back to them, Dr. Bay forewent her idiomatic explanation and spurted out, "It's okay! I'll explain later, Baymax! Just wave hello to the camera!"

"/Oh./"

Quickly getting into his position to Baymax's side, Tadashi leaned back and slyly readied himself for the picture. Lilly laughing as she hugged the robot harder. As the timer counted down, Baymax waved his hand in a circular motion towards the camera phone, "/Hello. I am Baymax. You're personal-/"

At this moment, the video recording ended where the photograph took place. It was their family moment, captured in celebration of Baymax's successful completion. Dr. Bay rubbed a finger along her eye to wipe her tears away, "I… didn't know you recorded that moment, Baymax. Thank you for sharing that... I haven't heard his voice in so long…"

It was quite evident to Hiro that Dr. Bay shared a close relationship with Tadashi. The young boy remembered how powerful it is… to suddenly hear the voice of the one they lost. Tadashi's memory preserved through their work, through Baymax. Whether they knew they needed it or not, Baymax always seemed to provide a glimpse of Tadashi's presence at just the right moment.

Looking at the photograph, at Tadashi… more tears began to stream down her face as she tried to control herself, "I'm so sorry, Hiro." She chuckled embarrassedly, trying to stifle her sniffling. Before she could turn away to hide her tears, Hiro instinctively moved forward to hug her. Lilly was caught by surprise, and now a flood of emotions was threatening to overtake her. Emotions and thoughts she had been keeping at bay for a long time…

"I'm so, so sorry, Hiro. I've been meaning to come see you and Cass for so long… The truth is… The truth is, the last time I saw you… was at his funeral. But when I saw you… I couldn't bring myself to come see you. I wanted to… But I didn't know what to say to console you. Or even console myself…" Lilly's voice was stammering and weak.

Indeed, Dr. Bay was no stranger to death nor grieving survivors of the deceased. In medicine, it came with the territory. But this was different, more personal. In a sad twist of fate, Lilly had to attend the funerals of Toshiro and Helen Hamada, and of their beloved son, Tadashi. Each a piercing wound to her heart and soul. And for some reason that eluded her, this pain made it near impossible to bring her to interact with the surviving family of the Hamada's. Perhaps she was at a true loss for comforting words… or it was a subconscious form of emotional self-protection to avoid Hiro and Cass. Who would be reminders of those who she loved too, and lost as well. So, she spent this time diving into her work, a means of keeping herself productively occupied.

"It's okay, Dr. Bay. Really… You don't have to apologize."

Hearing the soft and calming voice from Tadashi's own brother, the doctor was pulled from her thoughts. Lilly opened her eyes, realizing that she was gripping and hugging Hiro very tightly. Naturally, Baymax was also hugging the both of them and providing care as he knows best. Lilly released her grasp of the boy, chuckling shyly, "Sorry…"

Although Hiro's eyes were sullen, the boy still managed to smirk at the doctor, "Hey, what did I say? You don't have to apologize, doc." Lilly chuckled, as she pulled her glasses away from her face so she could wipe her tears away.

Hiro continued, "I understand… I miss him, too. We all miss him. It hasn't been easy for any of us. But-"

Baymax still continued to hug his "mother," advising the young medical doctor, "/It is difficult when losing someone you care about. Everyone deals with grief differently. The bereavement process can take time and express itself in various ways. It can show up as anger or depression. But it can be beneficial for those who are grieving to come together and heal together./"

The young boy genius nodded at his healthcare companion, "That's right. Losing Tadashi… affected all of us in different ways. It still hurts… but thanks to you and Tadashi, I have Baymax beside me to help me heal. So, you don't have to regret not coming to see me. I'm just glad that I could actually get to meet you now, Dr. Bay. To meet the other person who helped bring Baymax to my life."

Lilly looked down at her glasses for a moment, reflecting on their kind words. A solemn smile crept onto her face, "Thank you, you two…" She swiped the last of her tears along and sniffled, placing her glasses back on. Taking a deep breath, she looked towards the young boy. In a way, it was heartwarming to see him, to see how he took after them… how he truly took after his family.

Then it occurred to her, she asked curiously, "If you didn't know about me before, how were you able to find out I helped create Baymax with your brother?"

Hiro chuckled, a finger absentmindedly stroking his cheek nervously, "Well… that's kind of hard to explain…" For obvious reasons, there was just so much that the boy genius would not be able to admit. The rescuing of Abigail within Silent Sparrow that would take away Baymax's original body… Their recent rescuing of Baymax through Project Penitent Sparrow…

Pointing towards Baymax, the boy attempted to explain, "Actually… he's not quite the 'original Baymax' per se… Or rather, that's not the original body that Tadashi had developed with you. His healthcare chip is, but the original body was lost… in an 'accident.'"

Lilly gasped, "What?" But Hiro quickly waved his hands in an attempt to continue explaining, lest she be worried over Baymax, "Don't worry! We were just able to recently retrieve the original Baymax body. But… When we were able to recover it, I found a hidden message from Tadashi about what to do if Baymax lost his healthcare chip… he mentioned you."

Immediately connecting it all, Dr. Bay's face brightened with excitement and surprise, "Because I have the other healthcare chip!" Hiro simply nodded.

Lilly shook her head in amazement, "I see… That Tadashi. He was always one to plan ahead, wasn't he?" Hiro smiled warmly, looking at the photograph of Tadashi with Dr. Bay and Baymax. The young boy chuckled softly, "Yeah, he was."

Dr. Bay faced Baymax, her hand hovering over his port. With a gentle push, the access port ejected out and the iconic green healthcare chip extended out. She looked at it, seeing Tadashi's name written across it. Lilly was grateful that whatever had happened to the original body, at least this chip was safe. She gently closed the access port back into the healthcare companion's chassis.

With a resolved expression, she looked towards Hiro, "Well then. How about we give my chip a new home?"

Author's Note: Well, I admit that I had a lot of this ending in mind from the beginning, but it has certainly evolved and adapted with time. I am excited to develop it and let it unfold but this is quite a ride. We are nearing the end of this arc, which will lead to more! Especially my AU within an AU, the "Tempest Redux" series that reimagines the City of Monsters Arc and give the Amara sisters another story. I will also say, that I have also planted the seeds for another arc of its own, beginning with this chapter too. And it has me so excited with its potential on the themes it can explore!

Anyways, stay tuned! And thank you again for reading my work. Feedback is always appreciated, thank you to those who review. It helps reel me back in to continue writing!