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

Big Hero 6: The Penitent Sparrow

Chapter 36: Legacy (Final Part)

Walking within the halls of the Ito Ishioka Robotics Lab, Baymax's distinctly squeaky footsteps could be heard throughout the building floor. Beside the robotic healthcare companion was Hiro and Dr. Bay, as the young medical doctor was left in a state of nostalgia seeing these halls again. It was quite some time since she had visited the SFIT campus, which was something she enjoyed when she took the opportunity to visit Tadashi to work on Baymax's development.

And as before, they stopped before the opaque glass door leading to Tadashi's old lab, which was now Hiro's own lab thanks to Professor Granville. Before opening the door, Hiro shyly laughed, "Don't mind the mess… I'm not as much of a clean, neat freak as Tadashi."

Dr. Bay giggled and shook her head, "No judgments here, Hiro." With a soft smile, Hiro opened the door to reveal the lab to Lilly. Despite the boy's disclaimer, much of the lab had actually remained to be similar to her memories of it. The large circular window that allowed light to enter and illuminate the room… the tables remained where they were before. But of course, there were the notable differences of various tools, schematics and projects still in progress. Organized chaos, reflecting the boy's own style compared to his brother's disciplined approach.

She noticed there was a plate of an unfinished almond butter sandwich and bags of gummy bears strewn throughout a desk. She chuckled, realizing the boy was still addicted to those snacks. With a hint of sarcasm and polite advisement, Dr. Bay commented, "Well, it's not that messy… But you might want to clean up here and there. Wouldn't want you to get sick from any germs. And remember, a balanced diet helps fuel the brain just as much as it nourishes the body."

"/That is correct, Hiro. It is important to create a healthy working environment to improve productivity and personal health./" Baymax did not skip a beat, chiming in alongside his "mother."

"Yeah… Thanks… I'll do that sometime." Hiro rubbed his neck sheepishly and sighed, looking to Dr. Bay and Baymax, who were lifting their finger to make their point to the boy. It was a mannerism that she and Baymax shared, along with the sudden need to provide health advice. He could see how Tadashi must've coded this, just from spending time around Dr. Bay.

But there was one notable feature of the lab room that immediately caught Lilly's attention… A large figure in the corner of the room that was being draped by a white cloth. Noticing this, Hiro walked towards the figure and removed the cloth to reveal the dormant Baymax on a charging station. His eyes peacefully closed to create on single slit along his round head.

Dr. Bay walked forward and stood up in front of the sleeping machine, her hand lifting to affectionately lay along the robot's chest and hovering over the access port. She smiled as she looked back and forth between the active Baymax and the dormant one. This day had just gotten increasingly more interesting and shocking. It was an overwhelming feeling, to be here with two Baymaxes, alongside Hiro inside Tadashi's old lab.

Her hand lifted towards her own heart, lingering for a moment as she took the opportunity to process all of it. And then her hand slipped into the chest pocket of her physician white coat. Shortly, she pulled out a metallic protective case and opened it, revealing the distinct green healthcare matrix chip with her name handwritten on it.

Lilly looked towards Tadashi's younger brother, nodding to the boy as she moved towards him. Motioning her hand towards him with the chip in her grasp, she spoke resolutely, "Shall we get started?"

The young boy took the moment to observe the outward features of the other chip. Noting that it was nearly identical, aside from the handwritten "Lilliana Bay" by Tadashi's distinct penmanship. He nodded and gently took it from her hand, "Right."

Taking the healthcare chip, Hiro walked towards one of his holographic computer monitors and inserted it within one of the access ports. As it synced, the boy began to quickly tap away at the holographic keyboard and explain to them, "I'll have to run some quick diagnostics to see if there might be any issues with the chip before we install it to Baymax…"

The young boy's eyes shifted quickly as he looked at the screen, which was now being populated by various files and streams of code that Tadashi had painstakingly devised. With immense concentration, he continued explaining, "And… I want to see what Tadashi meant when he said this chip was 'unique and special…'"

Scanning through the data, it all at first looked like familiar streams of information and coding compared to Baymax's own current healthcare chip. Admittedly, Hiro was not as versed in A.I. coding as Tadashi had been, since his older brother had spent countless hours improving his technical knowledge in that field. Not to mention, Tadashi had gone through several hours of coding to get it right. Often times, simple perseverance with trial-and-error is what allowed Tadashi to create Baymax's code in the first place.

For Hiro, it was one of the most inspiring traits his brother had: his persevering work ethic. Tadashi, although talented and gifted, understood that it was hard work and constant improvement of himself that would lead to his greatest endeavors' successes.

Even Hiro knew that his own latently high intellect cannot always substitute for the hours required to gain an exceptional level of mastery. Looking at the coding, this was Tadashi's art that Hiro had to learn and analyze.

"Huh, I might've found something…" Along the data, Hiro noticed something that was different… something that wasn't something he had seen in the original healthcare chip. It was encrypted, as if Tadashi had intentionally sealed away these particular files and streams of data.

Much to Tadashi's credit, this particular encryption style could not be easily decrypted and was on par with some of the most sophisticated information security systems found within government databases. Of which, Hiro had to admit he had dabbled in deep diving in a simple test of his own hacking skills.

Dr. Bay and Baymax stared curiously as the young genius opened a secure compartment underneath his desk, taking out a headset with a VR visor. As he placed it on, circuitry along the headset glowed bright purple. This was another one of the boy's specially-designed devices that provided a cybernetic video display in connection with his Core Cyber Network.

Using the neural transmitter interface within the headset, Hiro was able to connect with the computer network and provide faster inputs with his thoughts while attempting to decrypt Tadashi's hidden files. The process was now no longer limited in pacing due to having to physically key in the inputs, but rather thinking it.

This allowed the young genius to hack with greater efficiency, speeding up the process. Despite the difficulty, it was an oddly fun challenge to attempt to decrypt the files against Tadashi's own encryption and safeguard protocols. In an odd sense, it was like he could feel his brother's presence through his meticulous work. What was he storing away in this chip that needed to be safeguarded? the boy wondered to himself.

With immense concentration, he was finally able to successfully decrypt the data into something that could be accessible. A triumphant smirk and smug expression glowed from the boy genius' face, as the boy remarked in a boastful and yet lighthearted manner, "It was a nice try, big brother. But you've never been able to keep me out of your stuff, remember?"

It caught the young medical doctor by surprise to see Hiro show another side of himself, one that was cocky and self-assured. But it was undeniable, the young boy was incredibly skilled and talented in this field. The boy seemed to have reasons to be so haughty. Not all that much unlike Dr. Hamada's own boisterous self. Lilly chuckled as she looked at the young genius, thinking to herself, So smug. Just like your father. If only Helen could see you now.

The screen now changed, with a single database folder now populating both Hiro's visor and the screen for Dr. Bay to see. With her interest piqued, Lilly now had her hand resting atop the boy's shoulder as she leaned towards the monitor to observe.

The database folder had a rather curious name, to which Hiro muttered aloud, "Project Far Shore…?" Overcome with anticipation and curiosity, Hiro immediately attempted to access this folder.

Suddenly, the screen was flooded by innumerable data programs, audio files, coding processes and video file thumbnails. Immediately, Hiro and Dr. Bay's eyes widened when they recognized the images, with all of them including various pictures of the boys' parents, Dr. Toshiro and Helen Hamada.

"What is all this?" Hiro's gaze surfed along the screen and attempting to process all that he was seeing, asking aloud, "What was it that Tadashi was working on…?" He attempted to access deeper into the sub-folders of this hidden project. But suddenly, the screen began to jumble and become indiscernible. It all went blank, before a rapid stream of information flooded the screen:

/ERROR/

\C:/HAMADATADASHI/ Project_FAR_SHORE…\

/Attempting to Access Database… /Project_FAR_SHORE./

/…..Attempt Failed/

/ERROR/

\Scanning for error….\

/Bad sector identified— physical damage?/UNKNOWN/

/logical error? /UNKNOWN../

/H:\ is not accessible.

/The database /Project_FAR_SHORE/ is corrupted and unreadable/

"No, no, no, no! Come on! Please!" Hiro yelled as the boy encapsulated his hands around his head, desperately attempting to recover and access the files. But the attempts remained unsuccessful, the files being deemed currently corrupted and unreadable. His mind was racing almost uncontrollably.

Tadashi had left something behind, something different altogether. It involved his parents and was undeniably important enough to him for Tadashi to keep it secure. But now the files were corrupted, just beyond the boy genius' grasp.

In frustration, the young boy continued to grasp his headset tightly as he concentrated on attempting to access it. With each failed attempt, the boy gritted his teeth as his breathing became increasingly unsteady. "Please! I have to… I have to see what he was working on!" he cried out, as he was now closing his eyes. He had certainly found something, but it was frustratingly out of his reach to find out exactly what it was.

Suddenly feeling the warm embrace of not only Baymax but also Dr. Bay, Hiro could hear the doctor's soft, calming voice, "Hiro… You have to calm down, please." She felt Lilly hug him tightly, attempting to bring him back from this panicked state. Baymax continued for her, "/Hiro, try to calm your breathing. It will be okay./"

Opening his eyes, the young boy finally came to his senses and realized how rapidly distraught he had become. He slowly began to gain control of his breathing, while Dr. Bay gently lifted the headset from the boy's head. His frustrated expression became sullener as he looked down at the screen. His gaze affixed to the error message.

"Hey… that's it, Hiro. Try to take some deep breaths, okay?" Lilly spoke tenderly to the boy, as she lightly fixed and stroked his hair back into a manageable place. After a while, Hiro looked up at Dr. Bay with a slightly embarrassed smile, "Sorry… Guess I lost control a little…"

Dr. Bay shook her head, "That's okay. It's a lot to deal with. But… I'm sorry we weren't able to access Tadashi's files, Hiro." How could she blame him? Everything that his brother left behind was like a piece of him that remained in the world to remind them of his presence in their lives. She placed her hand along his shoulder comfortingly, "I don't know what he was working on, but there has to be a way we can access those files, right?"

The young boy sighed heavily, "It must be a bad sector within the drive that corrupted the files… It would be unbelievably difficult to piece together the data into something readable again…"

Hearing this, Lilly grinned as she quickly spun the chair for Hiro to face her. The boy was caught by surprise, his eyes wide when Dr. Bay suddenly placed both of her hands firmly along his shoulders and looked him in the eyes, "Then you are telling me that it is possible, right?"

Hiro looked down once more, still notably sullen, "Yeah… but… Who knows how long it will take to-" Before the young boy could even complete his sentence, Lilly nudged him gently, "Hey… That never stopped Tadashi when he was making Baymax, did it?"

As the young boy's eyes rose up to see her gentle and reassuring smile, he could only muster up his own smile. He thought about Tadashi, this mystery that his brother had left behind. There was apparently more to Tadashi's legacy then the boy could have imagined. It would be an arduous task, but the boy knew it wasn't impossible for him.

It would just take time, but he would be able to figure out what Tadashi's "Project Far Shore" meant. Hiro took a deep breath, then chuckled, "No, it never stopped Tadashi from pushing forward… He never gave up, and I won't either… Thank you, Dr. Bay. Baymax."

"/You are welcome/" Baymax responded tersely. Lilly smiled warmly, "Spoken like a true Hamada. That's what I like to hear, Hiro." She ruffled his hair playfully, making the young boy laugh.

The young genius then disconnected the beta chip from the computer's access port, remarking, "Even if it will take time to unravel Tadashi's hidden project, we do have a functional Baymax chip for the original body. Now, we just have to test it out."

The boy motioned the chip to the doctor, by which she simply nudged it back towards him, "Something tells me you went through a lot to get Baymax back from that 'accident.' That you put in a lot of time to rebuild him and also to come find me… So, I think you should do the honors, Hiro."

Lilly waved her hand in the direction of the inactive Baymax, gently nudging the boy over to the sleeping healthcare companion. With the chip in hand, Hiro walked up to the dormant Baymax. Pressing along the access port, it extended outward to present the empty ports. He looked at the original body and paused for a moment, "Well… Moment of truth, right?" Dr. Bay and Baymax both nodded at the same time.

Inserting the healthcare chip into the access port, Hiro carefully pushed it into the body of the inactive robot. The boy stepped back slightly beside Dr. Bay and Baymax, while Lilly slyly stepped behind the young boy. She grinned playfully and deviously, as her hands silently floated nearby the boy's face, "Sorry, Hiro. I've been wanting to do this since you were a little kid…"

Primarily fixated on the inactive Baymax, Hiro could only question Lilly, "Do what, doc?" Unfortunately for the young boy, he was not prepared for the doctor to simultaneously pinch both of his cheeks along his face. He quickly yelped out, "OW!"

Hiro's cheeks flared, both from being pinched suddenly and from being flustered. He was completely caught off guard and did not expect that from Dr. Bay, quickly spinning around to face her as he rubbed his cheeks tenderly. "Hey… that hurt a little. I thought doctors were supposed to 'do no harm?'" the young boy pouted.

Lilly merely giggled, winking as she pointed behind the boy, "Well, it woke him up, didn't it?"

Suddenly, Hiro could hear a very familiar, robotic voice speak behind him, "[Hello. I am Baymax, your personal healthcare companion. I was alerted to the need for medical attention when you said 'ow']"

Once again, Hiro spun around to greet Tadashi's Baymax, "B-Baymax! Hey! It worked! You're finally active, buddy!" The newly-activated Baymax was quickly greeted with a hug from the young boy, "[Hello, fourteen-year-old boy. On a scale from one to ten, how would you rate your pain?]"

Hiro chuckled as he touched his reddened cheeks, "Oh, I'm okay, Baymax. Thanks. It's a zero, really…" Much to the boy's surprise, the other Baymax spoke up, "/I am detecting minor erythematic inflammation along your face, with no contusions. I recommend a warm compress to ease the pain./"

The beta-chip Baymax looked up at his counterpart, simply blinking as if to process this, then looking down at the young boy once again, "[I would concur with my fellow healthcare companion. Thank you for the assistance]"

The other Baymax simply nodded, "/I am designed to help./" At this point, the beta-chip Baymax activated a gently-warm heat pad along his palms, cupping Hiro's face where he was pinched.

Through pursed lips, Hiro attempted to reason with the newly-active healthcare companion, "No, I'm fine, really!" This was an unprecedented situation for the young boy genius, to have both Baymaxes to deal with at the same time. He became even more flustered by the attention, to which the other Baymax took notice, "/Hiro. You appear to be in distress. Perhaps a hug will calm you down./"

Hiro nervously chuckled, "No, I'm okay, Baymax! Erm… Baymaxes!" Lilly couldn't help but giggle as the young boy unsuccessfully attempted to weasel away from the two marshmallow-shaped healthcare companions, who were both hugging and sandwiching the boy.

Seeing the futility in trying to escape, Hiro simply pouted as he looked towards the giggling doctor who was now taking a selfie with all of them to savor this wholesome moment. The young boy lightly scowled, "You did this on purpose, didn't you? You know I could've just yelled 'ow' without the pinch, right?"

Lilly laughed deviously and mockingly cooed at the young boy, "What's the matter? Does 'Little Hiro' need more hugs?" At that, Lilly spread her arms out wide and joined the hug-fest, doing her best to hug the two Baymaxes and Hiro. She nestled herself into the dual marshmallow combo.

"Unbelievable…" The young genius groaned and continued to pout for a moment, until he couldn't help but laugh heartily along with Dr. Bay. The two then closed their eyes as they were both now being embraced by the two Baymaxes, who had both picked up on their emotional states. Cherishing this wholesome and heartfelt moment, they both felt truly blessed to have this reunion with all of them together.

Hiro smiled as he nestled his head into Tadashi's Baymax, speaking softly, "Welcome home, Baymax." It was a whirlwind of emotion, to be here with the same Baymax that his brother worked on and had its own mysterious chip. To be with the one that has grown to be his family. And to meet the person who helped Tadashi bring them both into his life. In this moment, he truly felt it… As the thought occurred to him: Tadashi is here.

Author's Note: I will have to say… this isn't the final chapter of this series… I know, I know. I am absolutely terrible at gauging chapter sizes. This scene took some time to write, not entirely sure if I delivered it the way I envisioned it. But I think it was powerful on its own and was better off not to be coupled with the next scenes for the actual epilogue chapter(s) called "Family." Particularly since the next scenes will be heavy in their own way, so I liked how this was more light-hearted in its end.

I will say, just like Abigail, I am really enjoying the freedom to develop Lilly's character, history and personality. In the actual series, I hope that characters like Abigail and Lilly (who I really hope will be called Dr. Bay) will show up and be given time to introduce their characters within the canon more.

I must apologize, this chapter also acts a teaser for a future series arc that will most likely come after my completion of the Tempest Redux series (CoM re-imagining AU). It will be aptly named Big Hero 6: The Far Shore. Which is also in the works in my noodle, so please stay tuned in the future!

Anyways, this isn't the finish line just yet for the Penitent Sparrow arc. After all, the relationship between Abigail, Professor Callaghan and Hiro was the true focus of this arc in its entirety. So stay tuned for the true epilogue chapters!