A/N; Happy new year! This chapter was supposed to go up yesterday but for reasons I shall not disclose it didn't. Anyway.
Happy 2021! I hope this year is better than the last. And I hope everyone had a good new year and is having a good 2021 so far :D
This is quite possibly your final reminder to submit questions by January 5th! (It depends when I can get the next chapter up lol) Leave a comment, PM me or put them in a review. Whatever you feel like. Again, huge thanks to everyone that's already sent me theirs :D
Hiro had been walking around for a suspiciously long time without encountering anyone.
'Baymax,' he hissed, 'is there anyone down there?'
Baymax quickly scanned the corridor in front of them, 'my sensors detect no sign of life.'
'Can you detect Rena or anyone yet?'
'No.'
He cursed loudly, kicking the wall. 'I don't get why, though! If you can detect signs of life down one corridor, why not through a few floors or walls?'
'It is because my sensors are being interrupted by electromagnetic waves. As these waves are not in the immediate vicinity, my sensors are operational. However, attempting to scan anywhere further away is where there are electromagnetic waves. Therefore, I cannot scan anything in close occupation.'
'So... They're all in close occupation with these... electromagnetic waves?'
'They must be.'
Hiro continued down the corridor, chewing his lip in thought. 'I get that... The waves. It's just... Why? What's he doing that would involve waves of any kind? Nevertheless waves that would impact your scanner? I mean, there's another thing that might be contributing to that... Baymax, can you detect any signs of radiation?'
'My scan has detected signs of radiation, yes. However, it is radiofrequency radiation. This is the type of radiation that comes from-'
'Tracking devices. Yeah, I know. So what is he doing with... Tracking devices and electromagnetic waves? Something bad... Surely...'
So Fournier was doing something that involved electromagnetic waves and radiofrequency radiation. There was no way this was a coincidence. This had to all be linked to the disappearance of Rena, Tadashi and, now, Fred. He was planning something bad. They needed to get out of there before he could execute it.
They came to the end of the hallway. There were two options. Downstairs, or to the right. 'Which we we going?' Hiro asked the bot, gesturing down the stairs, 'anything down there?'
'My scan detects that there is a man. Mid-thirties, high blood pressure and cholesterol. He is unconscious, but still breathing.'
Hiro nodded, 'sounds promising.'
He ran down the stairs as quickly as he dared, coming to a stop outside a door. Hesitantly, he brought his hand up to the handle. The door was unlocked, so he pushed it open and stepped inside. A man was lying in the middle of the room, flat on his stomach. His face was sticky with blood and his feet and hands were both tied together, rendering movement useless. Baymax filed in after Hiro and scanned the man, wiping the blood from his face and assessing the damage. Hiro stepped past them cautiously, heading towards a pile of wood in the corner. He picked up a piece and ran a gloved hand over the edge of it.
'Pretty sharp.' He muttered to himself before dropping it onto the floor next to the others. Something caught his eye and he turned to see a towel and bucket of water in the corner of the room. He picked up the towel and examined it. It was soaking wet still, and had a dark red stain on the front. Feeling sick, he grabbed the bucket of water and made his way back over to Baymax.
'Scan that.' He said, thrusting the towel at the robot. 'Blood, I'm assuming. Who's?'
'My scan indicates that this is Rena's blood.'
Hiro sucked in a breath, nodding. He kicked the man gently with his shoe, 'is he awake?'
'No-'
Hiro poured the bucket of water over his head.
The man let out a gasp. His eyes shot open as he lay there on the ground, coughing and spluttering. 'What the hell?!' He said loudly, struggling against the ropes.
Hiro pressed his foot to the man's cheek, holding his head down against the floor. 'Don't say a word. I have a weapon and I'm not afraid to use it.' He didn't, but he knew the threat of a weapon would keep him quiet. 'Now. I'm going to ask you a few questions. You will tell me the truth and nothing but the truth. Am I clear?' No response. 'AM I CLEAR?!'
'Yes!' The man spluttered, still trying to untie himself, 'yes!'
'Good. Now, first question. Who do you work for?' He suspected Fournier, but of course he could never be sure.
The man swallowed anxiously, 'I'm really not-'
'I won't ask again.'
He sighed. 'Fournier.'
Fucking coward. Is that really all it took? 'Baymax, tell me if he's lying,' Hiro said.
'He is telling the truth.'
'Okay. Next question. Assuming you were guarding this room, who was in it?'
'I don't know names!'
Hiro pressed his foot harder into the side of his face. 'Describe them then!'
'O...Okay! There was a girl. Teenager. Foul mouthed. Long, dark hair. And a boy. Similar age. Wearing a red hoodie and a hat. He was less mean looking.'
'Fred.' Hiro muttered under his breath, 'was that all? Was there not another boy?'
'No. That was it! I swear it!'
Hiro looked over at his robotic friend, 'Baymax?'
'He is telling the truth.'
Hiro sighed. If Tadashi wasn't with the other two, where the hell was he? 'Have you seen another kid around here? Slightly older than the girl. Looks similar though.'
'Uhh... Yeah. Yeah I think I did. He was with Jason at one point.'
'Where is Jason now?'
'Probably in the main hall. Go up the stairs, take a right, keep going down the hall, take the third left and go up another flight of stairs. Take a right, a left and then the second door on the right.'
Hiro glanced at Baymax, 'did you get that buddy?'
'Yes.'
Hiro nodded and took his foot of the man's face. 'I'd say thanks but you've got a swastika tattoo on your neck. Rot in hell.'
He turned and slammed the door, Baymax right behind him.
'So then... Up the stairs?'
'What's in here?' Rena pointed to a random door that they were coming up to. There was nothing special about it, it was just a plain, wooden door. She was trying to distract him. It was her last resort at this point. She was completely out of ideas, but by distracting the psychopath maybe she could come up with some.
Fournier shrugged, 'why don't we have a look?' He replied, that malicious tone still in his voice.
Rena blinked. She didn't actually expect him to take the bait. 'O..Okay.' Tentatively, she reached out and opened the handle.
The first thing she noticed about the room was the smell. She coughed, pulling her filthy t shirt over her nose. 'What the fuck?' She muttered, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
'Oh, silly me. My memory isn't the same as it used to be... This is just a storage room.' Fournier said, so casually it was as though the room only had brooms in it.
But it didn't. Rena squinted at the shadow and suddenly realised what the shape in the room was. She backed up rapidly, her eyes wide and her palms sweating.
It was a body. A decomposing corpse.
And Rena knew exactly who it was. For a second, her memory had failed her and then the realisation smacked her in the face. It was Brian. The kid who they had met outside the botfighting hall. The kid who helped them sneak in. Dead.
'Was he working for you too?!' Rena gasped.
'Yes. I'm finished with him now. Can't have too many people in the inner circle, you see. He had to be disposed of.'
She felt like she was going to throw up. That kid was... Nice. He'd helped them. Unless... 'was it your plan that he helped us?'
'Yes. As I've said, he's finished his duties. There was no reason for him to stay alive anymore. The more people that know my plans, the easier it is for me to be betrayed.'
She sprang forwards and pulled the door shut, her heart rate accelerating rapidly. She knew this guy was crazy, but now she was properly afraid of him. Killing a teenager because he had done as he was told? That was insane. Inhuman and insane. 'That's... That's sick.'
'Mmmm.' Jason murmered in agreement, 'now, if you'll follow me.'
They walked swiftly down a corridor and stopped outside a huge door. Fournier nodded in satisfaction and pushed the door open, beckoning for them to follow him. Rena followed Fournier into the huge room, Caine still behind her. She was too numb and too afraid to think of anymore distractions. Her only hope now was that the others would come to save her. However, this hope was quickly diminished when she caught sight of her friends in the corner, shock swiftly followed by relief when she realised Fred was okay.
'Rena!' Honey Lemon gasped, 'are you okay?!'
'Never been better!' Rena called back sarcastically.
'QUIET!' Jason bellowed loudly, 'Caine, stop loitering at the door and come in.'
Gogo yelled a string of curse words when Caine walked in with Tadashi. His arm was still wrapped around the oldest Hamada's neck, his other supporting a gun to his head.
'Let him go now. He's not going to run anywhere.' Caine released him, letting the gun drop to his side. Tadashi remained where he stood, despite the beckoning calls of his friends in the corner of the room.
Fournier tutted. 'He won't listen to you. He will only answer to me, now.'
'Why?!' Gogo yelled, 'I don't understand.'
'I wouldn't expect you to. Now, be quiet before I blow his brains out.'
'Hang on a minute-'
'Do as he says!' Rena yelled back at her, 'please!' Gogo fell silent, a look of fury on her face.
'Now, we play the waiting game.' Fournier said confidently, beginning to pace up and down the room. 'Oh... Hands on your head please... I would hate any surprises. It might not end well for you.'
Rena sighed in defeat and placed her hands on her head, despite the aching in her wrist. 'And what are we waiting for?'
'Our guest of honour.' Jason replied, smirking, 'word has it that he will be here any minute now. Assuming these words are true, then your life as you know it will end in approximately ten minutes.'
Rena swallowed a mouthful of bile. That had to mean Hiro. 'Guest of honour.' This whole thing was because of him. 'After all this, you're just gonna kill me?' She had no doubt that he would. Suddenly, the rancid air seemed a lot nicer. Her heart seemed to be beating louder. She could almost feel the blood travelling through her veins. Now that her life was going to end, it was easy to realise how hard her body was fighting to keep her alive, despite the injuries.
'Oh no! I'm not gonna kill you!'
Rena glanced at Caine, stood leaning against the wall. The gun was still in his hand. 'Ah. I see.' She said in a deadpan voice. Killed by someone she considered to be a friend. How appropriate.
'Oi!' Gogo yelled, 'what about us?'
'Yeah, are you just gonna forget us?!' Fred shouted.
'That's a bit rude of you!' Honey Lemon added, more quiet than the others. Wasabi was still passed out cold.
Rena grinned despite her fear. At least her friends still had faith.
'Don't worry! All will be revealed soon!' Fournier said, smirking at them, 'maybe it's time you should start saying your goodbyes.'
'I don't think so.'
Hiro was stood in the entrance to the hall, fists clenched and face twisted in fury. Baymax was stood behind him, looking particularly terrifying in his armour. 'This is between you and me. Don't you dare touch them.'
Fournier grinned evilly. 'I'm afraid it's too late for that. You see, I got to them a long time ago.'
Nobody moved as he took a small device out of his pocket. He pressed a few buttons, and slid it back into his jacket with a cruel grin. The room was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop.
Fournier chuckled, 'now, watch this.' He let out a long, low whistle that made the hairs on the back of Rena's neck stand up.
Tadashi blinked. Then, like a robot, he turned on his heel.
'Tadashi!' Hiro called, 'Tadashi!'
Tadashi pushed past him without acknowledging he was even there. He stood opposite Caine, who shrunk away from him. Tadashi wrenched the gun out of his hand and walked back over to Fournier.
'Tadashi what the hell are you doing?!' Hiro shouted, 'stop being such an idiot!'
Rena stared at her older brother in horror as he turned away from the man and started to walk towards her. 'What... What are you doing?' She asked to silent room, 'stop.'
'Hiro, take him down!' Fred shrieked.
'Do something!' Gogo added loudly.
Hiro nodded, about to move towards Fournier when the man laughed. 'I wouldn't do that if I were you.'
Tadashi reached Rena and pressed the gun against the side of her head, pushing the cold metal against her skin. With a stifled sob, she sank down onto her knees, hands still on her head.
Honey Lemon screamed. Fred and Gogo were shrieking cries of protests. Wasabi began to stir. Hiro stood still as a statue, watching with tears in his eyes.
'Now.' Fournier said coolly, 'nobody move. Or she dies.'
