"Nnn…"
"You know, we could take you to the hospital."
Mirabelle held up her hand, motioning for Kuro to stop talking. He was working on suturing the injury on her arm in the back of the ambulance.
"I have no need for that, I heal up fast. This'll be gone in a week at best."
Kuro raised an eyebrow, but kept working.
"You got lucky. How long were you going against her?"
"Six hours. I dunno what she wanted with my blood either… She kept talking about samples." She closed her eyes, leaning her head back. "I'm genuinely wiped out though."
"Drink some water. If you're not going to the hospital then at least hydrate yourself."
"Doin that, Doc. You are as bad as Ebony says. How's everyone else faring?"
He sighed, looking outside where the others were. Dominic was looking Obake over, before the man walked over to the ambulance, his helmet off and in his hands.
"I think we've been better yeah? Bob, any major injuries?"
"None, thankfully. Just a few bruises and a busted helmet. Momakase better be glad she hadn't done worse to Trina."
Obake looked to where his daughter was, who was being tended to by Connor.
"Or there would've been major heck to pay."
"You know that freak?" Mirabelle raised an eyebrow.
"Knew her. She's… an old acquaintance, to put it simply. She didn't use to look that, honest."
"Oooookay then."
"That aside, I didn't get introduced to you properly."
"Mirabelle or Stryx as some people know me. I'm a silent vigilante in my hometown. I don't make a huge deal with my work. Just get the job done, ya know?"
"Understandable. We're the same."
"Cool. So… should we be worried about that freak coming back?"
"No… but what I am worried about is where she came from. San Fransokyo might be in trouble."
"That so?" Mirabelle propped her chin on one of her hands. "What exactly is the concern?"
Obake set his helmet down as he laced his fingers together, bringing them to his face.
"A monster known as Liv Amara. I've cut her research team to ribbons. They're either in jail or in one particular case, he's on our side now. She's getting desperate, given it was Momakase and not one of her other cronies sent after you. She didn't care if it was a messy job."
"I see… And what does she have planned for the city?"
"I don't know… but what I do know is we need to be there and be ready. Something's definitely coming and someone needs to be there to stop it."
"Hm… well then." Mirabelle crossed her arms. "Something tells me you'll need a hand then, so count me in. Plus, if I can punch that stupid mutant in the face that would be great."
"Long as you don't mind going on a road trip."
She smirked.
"A road trip on the highway to heck right?"
"Precisely."
"Doesn't matter. People need us to protect them… and we can't let her go on doing whatever she wants. That'd be wrong… and I don't want her getting her claws on anyone else in my family either." Mirabelle narrowed her eyes. "It's our duty to protect the masses from ANY threat, period. That's what I was taught by my mentor."
"Well, we're happy to have you then."
Obake looked to everyone else.
"We got work to do."
oooooo
"How long will you be in the city?"
"Hopefully no more than two weeks."
Obake closed the suitcase in front of him, sighing.
"We're going under deep cover and just need to do what we can to smoke out Liv or stop whatever is going to happen. Not sure what WILL happen but it's better we're there and not here twiddling our thumbs."
Kim smiled a bit, going over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I understand. I'd go with you but I get the feeling you don't want me anywhere near the city right now."
"No." Obake turned to her, taking her hands into his. "I want you safe and sound. I don't want Liv getting her claws on you."
Kim chuckled.
"Bob… You know I can take care of myself."
"I know you can I just don't want you near any of it. Just… be here for when Trina and I come home. Okay?"
"Of course." Kim kissed his cheek. "Be safe."
"I will."
Obake cupped her face in his hands.
"And this time, I promise to come home."
Obake pressed his lips to her forehead before heading out.
He waved goodbye to her one last time outside the house before getting into the ambulance.
Then… it was back to the city.
It was about an hour or so before they arrived at their destination. An old abandoned warehouse that hadn't been touched in years.
"So… why are we here?" Mirabelle asked.
"It's an old home." Obake answered, signaling for everyone to follow him inside.
Within the building, was a nice set of computers, tech and places to sleep.
"Whoa…" Tadashi breathed.
"Welcome to one of my old secret bases." Obake said, getting the equipment up and running. "We can all hide out here till our work is done. Plenty of places to sleep and plenty of supplies."
"You weren't kidding when you said old home." Mira walked around, peering into some of the rooms. "How...?"
"I had a lot of time on my hands. Didn't really have a use for sleep."
"Well, you do now." Trina poked him in the arm. "You're sleeping in the room next to mine."
He patted her head, smiling a little.
"I know, I know." His gaze turned serious, looking up at the monitors displaying the city. "Ah, I see my sky cams still work beautifully!"
"What exactly did you used to do again before you became Grid Ghost?" Kuro asked.
Tadashi patted his shoulder.
"You don't want to know. Seriously."
Kuro gave him a perplexed look.
"Ooookay then."
"You know how we don't know everything about Lance?"
"Yeah-OH oh… Got it." Kuro shook his head, heading to one of the rooms. Alright, I'm just gonna unpack."
"How are you guys so calm?!" Connor exclaimed, looking around. "This is like a superhero headquarters!"
"Or a villain's." Ebony retorted, leaning on her husband a little. "Deep breaths dear."
Obake winced, saying nothing.
You don't know how close you had it.
"Gotta say, it's really nice and sterile." Dominic commented. "Could probably perform an operation here and not risk any kind of infection."
"I try to keep my places nice and clean."
"Satsuki would go nuts in here." Mateo wandered around. "Perfect place for hide seek, that's for sure."
"Hiro would love to get his hands on this tech." Tadashi added.
You don't need to know about how close he was to that either.
"Well, I try to keep things functional, comfortable… and clean. Had to be mindful of my health still while I was stationed here."
Trina went over to him, wrapping an arm around her father.
"Aww, Dad…"
Obake brought an arm around her.
"Just how it was."
"Cool." Mirabelle stretched. "Well, let's get ready then. Have our gear ready, go on patrols, all that jazz. Any idea when to expect insanity to break loose?"
"No."
Obake looked at his screens.
"But it's better to be ready than not."
oooooo
It didn't take too long for everyone to settle into Obake's old hideout. Few adjustments, few shopping trips and deciding on patrol times.
After that… it was the waiting game.
Obake was perched at his console, a book in hand, his other holding a mug full of hot chocolate, a blueberry scone placed not too far from him on a small table.
"Obake?"
Obake glanced behind, seeing Tadashi.
"Back from patrol?"
"Yeah. Can I sit with you?"
Obake gestured to the chair beside the console.
"Help yourself."
Tadashi did as told, slumping down in the chair, sighing in relief.
"So far… nothing. It's been… I'm not even gonna say it. It's a curse word at the hospital, it's gonna be a curse word here because we're housing paramedics."
"Good choice." Obake sipped his drink. "Least we still have time."
"Yeah… Hey… Obake?"
"Hm?"
"After this is all over… Do think… I could finally go home?"
"I believe so. I mean, it won't be easy but at least there would be no threat of being carted off to Sycorax for testing."
"True… I'm not sure where I would start to get home."
"I do." Obake looked up from his book. "Tadashi, I've mentioned to you what I've been doing on the side, yes?"
"Yeah. Those teacher courses. Why?"
"Well, once I'm done with my schooling, which won't take long, I'm planning on applying for a teaching job at a high school in San Fransokyo. I could always use a teacher aid."
Tadashi's eyes widened.
"You… You mean that?"
Obake gave him a gentle look.
"I mean it. While you're working with me, you could have time visit SFIT or find means of seeing and getting to know Hiro again, see how he's been doing… and when you're ready, I'll help reintroduce you two properly… as your real self."
"Obake… That… that would mean the world."
"Then consider it a deal. I did promise you after all." Obake smile. "It'll probably be a few months till then but I can at least guarantee you would work for me."
Tadashi bowed.
"Thank you."
"Anytime."
Beep beep beep!
"Huh?"
Both looked to the monitors, eyes widening at what they saw pop up. It was a close up of the Tori Gate Bridge… and there were monsters of all kinds present on it. One was Momakase, the others, Tadashi and Obake weren't sure if they recognized them. Regardless, they were in a hand to hand fight with Big Hero 6.
"The heck!?" Tadashi exclaimed.
"Looks like trouble is finally here." Obake narrowed his eyes, setting his book and mug down, pushing a button on his keyboard. "Everyone, be alert. Monsters have been spotted in the city, I repeat, monsters have been spotted in the city. Be prepared for anything and make sure civilians are safe!"
"Roger!" choursed a bunch of voices.
Obake sneered, turning away from his console to get his gear.
"So… it's finally happened."
"Yeah." Tadashi narrowed his eyes. "Why now?"
"Don't know. But we'll find out." Obake slipped on part of his armor, the side of his face glowing for a moment. "Get out there and do what you can with the others along with my robot."
"What about you?"
Obake looked to one of the windows on his console that showed Sycorax.
"Going to the snake's head."