12:

Tadashi was a man of many morals.

He found that it is safe to declare that he's had a hard life growing up. He became an older brother when the idea of being an only child was so fantastic, he watched as his parents were murdered in front of him, had to grow up quicker than most just to keep his little brother alive, had to watch his aunt die, had to live in the shelter with dirty old men and obnoxious women, and was finally captured by the Empire because he was born a bender.

And through all of that, not once did he complain. He never whined about his terrible luck nor did he get truly angry.

He drew a line with his brother.

No one- he doesn't care how rich or renowned or famous they are- no one's allowed to mess with his little brother. They aren't allowed to hurt him and especially not allowed to take him from him and in doing so just signed their own death certificate.

Hiro was off limits, period.

Yet here he was, standing in the foyer of Fred's ridiculously richly furnished home, surrounded by people he's grown to care about but not his brother. That's where the whole problem laid really, he didn't have his brother.

In the brief time Tadashi spent as Callaghan's prisoner, he was able to make out the idea that Callaghan wanted the Avatar for something. He isn't sure what or why but he was certain that he had wanted him for something. Something Tadashi knew he wouldn't approve of.

Something dangerous.

And Hiro- the idiot- handed himself over for the sake of him. Of keeping his older brother- who was supposed to look after him- safe and free. The idiot.

He might be a man of many morals but Hiro in danger never failed to cause him to toss all those morals out the window as he did everything within his power to get him back. He'll rip the entire city apart if he had too, leaving nothing behind but fire and smoke.

Or, he would if it wasn't for the fact that the others were all but restraining him.

"Tadashi," Wasabi spoke in a soothing enough voice, dark eyes nothing but gentle as he set a warm hand against Tadashi's bony shoulder and practically pleaded, "You need to lie down. You just went through something awful."

"I'm fine," Tadashi ground out, voice rough as his fingers curled tightly at his sides, "What I need to do is go and rescue my stupid idiot of a brother before he gets himself killed."

"Tadashi, he risked his life to free you," Honey Lemon protested and Tadashi looked at her without any real heat because it wasn't her fault. She just didn't understand- none of them did really.

"And got himself captured in the process," Tadashi concluded with a firm jerk of his head before he narrowed his gaze and added, "Callaghan wanted him for something and whatever it is I won't let him do it. He can't have Hiro. He just can't."

Which really sounded more possessive than he actually meant. He's just been through so much lost even more and he was tired of it all. He didn't care what it took, Callaghan will never have Hiro. Ever.

Honey Lemon just blinked solemn green eyes at him as if she was trying to understand. Knowing her, she probably was, which was one of the only reasons he had ever let her stick around at all. Hiro needed more empathy in his life.

Tadashi closed his eyes as the image of his bushy head, bright eyed little brother flashed back across his vision. His hands tightened into shaking fists at his sides as he had to focus on breathing. Inhale. One, two, three. Exhale. One, two, three. Inhale.

"So what's the plan Hamada?" GoGo spoke up, disregarding any sense of the elder brother trying to calm himself as she came over to stare at him with those mysterious dark eyes of hers. At the moment, they seemed almost sympathetic.

He blinked at her, then at Wasabi as he came up behind her and Honey Lemon tall and looming next to the shorter female. Fred stayed towards the back, head bowed in a way that his blond hair hid all his features and it was the first time since Aunt Cass that Tadashi realized that he wasn't alone.

Tadashi allowed his eyes to wander down to the devices still strapped to their arms and waists, the beginning of an idea starting to piece itself in his mind.

"How good are you guys with those?"

Alistair bowed his head as Hiro continued to gawk at him, the realization that the man had done something bad sinking in. It made his chest hurt, constricting in a way that was almost painful. He had taken the one thing keeping Callaghan from losing it completely, and has blamed himself for what happened next everything single day afterwards.

Hiro licked his lips, tasting his words before he finally said, "None of this is your fault."

Alistair blinked back at him in shock, Hiro matching his stare as he realized several weeks ago he probably would've said something much different but he knew better this time. He knew the man before him wasn't at fault for the actions of a crazy man.

"Don't get me wrong," Hiro spoke again when it became apparent that Alistair wasn't, "Abigail was very much your fault. Everything else, though, everything Callaghan's done afterwards isn't. You couldn't have known and you can't be held responsible for it."

Alistair blinked again, the meaning sinking in slowly before the slightest traces of a smile graced his features.

"Thanks kid," he practically beamed, "I needed that."

Hiro just huffed, sitting back against the wall. He bent his legs, dangling his hands from his knees as he got in a semi-comfortable position.

He knew the odds, and he knew the chances of escaping. Despite all his intellect, he was still physically small and weak and without bending he wasn't much good in a fight much less a full-on breakout. So he was stuck, sitting in a cell with the comfort in knowing that wherever his brother is- he's alive and free.

He blew out another breath, leaning his head back as he allowed that thought to relax everything deep within him.

Tadashi was safe.

Everything else was just background noise.

Something clattered outside, causing him to jump slightly before the door slid open and Callaghan strolled in with several guards flanking either side of him. They pooled into the tiny cell, filling in the space and causing something cold and frightening to travel down Hiro's spine.

"What do you want?" he demanded, feeling defiant as he thought back to how this man had ordered Aunt Cass's death and imprisoned his brother and executed all those people for just being different. He didn't so much care about him, he just wanted to see Callaghan stopped.

Callaghan just blinked, shifting bored eyes in his direction before he turned back to the guards standing behind him and commanded almost offhandedly, "Cuff them both."

The guards moved forward, both Hiro and Alistair shifting and crying out in protest as the guards swooped down on them. Hands grabbed Hiro tight enough to bruise as they forced him on his feet. His arms were twisted behind his back, a small cry escaping from his throat as thick cold bonds bit into his soft flesh.

"Shut up brat," one of the guards growled, slapping the back of his head but it was nowhere near as affectionate as the way Tadashi used to when they were younger. Happier.

Hiro bit the bottom of his lip, ducking his head so his tangled mass of hair would hide his features. Somewhere to the side he could hear Alistair cursing the guards as they treated him much the same way. He had been so caught up in the guards and Alistair that Hiro completely missed when Callaghan strolled over to him until a hand squeezed his cheeks and forced him to look up in the man's expressionless eyes.

"I must admit," he spoke in a calm voice made of ice, "I'm a little disappointed by how young you are."

Hiro blinked before he twisted his features in a sneer.

He couldn't explain it but he wasn't afraid of the man before him. Some part of him expected that he had never really been before either. It was like he wasn't afraid of dying, death surrounding everything he was at a too young age.

Now he's finally faced the cause of all his grief, all his pain, and he didn't feel anything. He wasn't scared or hurt or angry. He just wanted for the man to be stopped.

"Tadashi will stop you," Hiro spoke with conviction only a younger sibling can have, "and if you kill me then he won't stop until everything you've ever built is burnt down too."

Callaghan continued to stare at him, seemingly trying to decide how much he could take for Hiro's word, before he grinned and released his face as he replied casually, "I have much bigger better plans for you, Hiro Hamada."

Hiro was surprised he wasn't even disturbed to know the man knew his name.

He just blinked, narrowing his gaze as he allowed the many implications try to work themselves out. Unfortunately, Callaghan didn't give him long to ponder what he could've meant.

Callaghan released his face, turning so he could walk out of the room as he ordered over his shoulder, "Bring them."

A hand shoved Hiro forward, pushing right between his shoulder blades causing him to stumble. He managed to catch himself last second, blinking as he was ushered out of the room. Alistair followed close behind, sharing a bewildered sort of expression.

Hiro figured he must look much the same way.

They were lead- without any explanation to where they were going- through many halls and corridors that twisted and turned like the labyrinth it was. At one point, Hiro even considered asking if they were all just lost but too embarrassed to admit it. He didn't- his self-preservation kicking in- and he figured that must have not been as they finally came to an exit. He was just surprised to see that that actually lead outside.

"Don't get any bright ideas," Callaghan warned, tapping his cuffed hands with his forefinger, "This should block any attempts at bending."

Hiro swallowed, ducking his expression so they couldn't see how embarrassed he was at being so easily read. Alistair gave him a sympathetic smile before they were both forced outside, stumbling and squinting under the intense sunlight that seemed to burn in a welcoming sort of way.

Hiro didn't think he'd ever be as happy to see the sun as he was at that moment.

Unfortunately for him, it didn't last long.

"A truck?" he asked already being pushed in the direction of the loading van waiting idly several feet away.

"Shut up," the guard forcing him along demanded as he gave him one last finally shove, making him stumble before he crawled inside.

It was chiller than he expected and he wished he could bask in the sunlight for just a second longer. Callaghan had other plans, however, forcing Alistair inside with him before slamming the two doors with a loud clanging noise.

"Hiro?" Alistair called out in the sudden darkness, voice calm as he seemed to seek out the youth.

"Any idea where we're going?" Hiro asked as his answer, testing the strengths of the chains blocking him from bending.

"No," Alistair breathed, tired and old and Hiro thought back to how youthful he had seemed in his story.

Hiro didn't reply, didn't know what he would've said if given the chance but the next second it seemed like the whole world erupted at once. The ground shook and quivered, shaking the van only slightly. It was enough to catch the two prisoner's attention, though.

Hiro blinked as voices called out on either side of them, screaming in anger, as the engine started and the van lurched.

"What's happening?" Hiro demanded, rising to his feet and rushing to the end of the van so he could push against the doors holding him. They didn't budge.

"They're probably locked from the outside," Alistair offered as an explanation, voice coming from beside him.

Hiro tried again, grappling for some sort of latch but only brushed against smooth surfaces. He cursed internally when he heard it- loud and sharp and enough to twist something sharp and painful inside of him.

"NO! Hiro!"

"Tadashi!" Hiro called back, slamming his hands against the doors keeping him prisoner and though it would've been logically to assume his brother would be getting further and further behind when he spoke again it seemed closer.

"Hang on Hiro! I'm coming!" he promised and Hiro felt something flutter in his chest for the first time since Aunt Cass's accident.

"Tadashi!" he cried, slamming both his palms in desperate vigor against the door as his head swiveled for a way to get the door opened. He needed to see his brother, even for the last time.

"Hiro!" Alistair called and he spun, realizing the man had moved to the end of the van. He could barely make out his figure hunched over as he grappled for something.

"What?" Hiro asked inching closer to the male though he was reluctant to venture too far from the place where he knew his brother was on the other side.

Alistair straightened up, clutching something in his fist and it took him a second before he realized it was a wire. Long, thin and very sharp.

"Move," Alistair warned before he charged forward giving Hiro a split second to step to the side, Alistair ramming the wire through the thin crack between the two doors and sawing. Hiro watched in awe, eyes wide.

Something snapped before the doors flew open and Alistair nearly tumbled out with them. Luckily he had managed to catch himself, gapping in shock at the sight of Hiro's brother on the back of Baymax as they tried weaving in and out of traffic.

"Tadashi!" he cried in relief, grinning stupidly as if that now his brother was there everything would be alright.

Logically, he knew better.

"Hiro!" Tadashi called back, happy grin pulling at his features but it seemed as if he refused to let it show just yet. For good reason, probably considering Hiro was still in the back of the truck.

"Tadashi!" Hiro said again just because his brain seemed to be stuck on that one single word, all the others gone as he stared at his brother in such relief he felt his knees weaken and threaten to collapse on him.

Tadashi didn't reply that time as he seemed to urge Baymax a little faster so they could catch up with the truck. Only Hiro had built the rockets last second from scraps he was able to gather- saying they were slow and underdeveloped was an understatement.

"We're going to have to jump for it," Alistair suddenly spoke, dark eyes swirling in thought as he seemed to calculate their chances of survival.

There wasn't really any need. Hiro already knew, and they weren't high- practically nonexistent.

"Are you insane?" Hiro demanded, subconsciously stepping away from the open doors as if to reinforce that he wasn't going to suddenly flip out from the back.

Alistair just grinned looking like a madman as he replied, "I've been locked in that cell for all those years, kid. Chances are pretty high that I am by now."

Hiro swallowed his response, glancing out of the truck to where he his brother was staring with such a lost expression. Fire was already starting to gather at his fingertips but he couldn't hit the truck yet, not if he didn't want to chance hurting Hiro.

"Tadashi!" he cried steeling himself as he shouted, "You're going to have to catch us."

Tadashi's eyes bugged as he demanded, "What?"

Hiro just shrugged, thin shoulders raising and falling in a simply motion before he swallowed and inched closer to the edge. His stomach felt heavy and reluctant, though, and every fiber within him was screaming at him to not jump.

"I'll go first," Alistair reassured in a way that was meant to be comforting before he turned to eye Tadashi as he called, "You better catch me kid!"

Tadashi no longer looked horrified by their plan but calm and collected like he was ready for it. Hiro idly wondered if they both knew something he didn't but then Alistair leapt out from the back, shocking Hiro back enough to send him backpedaling further inside the truck.

There was no way.

Baymax twisted as he swooped further, Tadashi's outstretched hands grabbing the back of Alistair's shirt as he hauled him up. Then it was Hiro's turn but it was already too late.

The truck lurched, doors banging against each other as they slammed closed before reopening lazily. The jolt of it sent Hiro crashing against the ground, groaning as his shoulder hit the floor and he shook his head as he sat back up.

"Come on Hiro! Hurry!" Tadashi's terrified voice called as Baymax came to a stop and Tadashi leapt off his back and towards the truck as he called his brother's name.

Hiro shook his head, pushing himself off the ground and towards the exit. Towards his brother and freedom.

He was just too slow.

A guard appeared from nowhere, materializing from the side of the truck as he fired a gun at Tadashi. Hiro screamed, rushing forward to get the man to stop but with his hands bound and no way of bending he was easily subdued with a hand around his waist.

He was thrown back, hitting the inside of the truck with his back before the sound of doors slamming closed echoed around him. Tadashi screamed somewhere from the other side, voice raw and desperate as something clicked and the truck lurched again.

Only this time Hiro was alone.

"No! Hiro!" Tadashi called, watching as the truck still holding his brother slipped out from the only gate leading outside the wall.

Fire gathered at his fists and this time he didn't hesitate to hurl it towards his brother's kidnappers but it wasn't enough. He had stalled to long, hoping he wouldn't have had to risk it coming back to haunt him in terribly vivid detail as the truck pulled away.

The guard cried out in shock, swooping out of the way but even that wasn't enough. The truck had disappeared somewhere on the other side of the wall leaving Tadashi alone as his heart rammed in his chest so hard it hurt. It felt like one of his ribs was about to break, which would make him even more useless to his brother.

Hiro was gone, taken to the one place Tadashi had no hope of following.

His despair quickly turned to anger as he leapt off Baymax's back. He landed gracefully on his feet and he didn't hesitate to stomp over to the stunned guard lying on the ground several feet from where the truck had been.

"Where did they go?" he demanded, voice harsh and foreign even to his own ears as he swooped over to lift the guy from the front of his shirt pressing himself close enough so their noses were practically touching.

"I have no idea what-"

"Shut up!" Tadashi shouted back, allowing his emotions to better him as he tossed the guard back against the ground as he repeated harsher this time, "Where is he? Where did Callaghan take him?"

The guard scrambled back, fear shining through his cracked visor and only then was Tadashi aware of the flames swirling around at his feet. He was losing it, but he already knew that. After all, Hiro was gone.

"I won't repeat myself," he warned, another step closer as his hands curled in tight fists at his side flames dancing around his stark white knuckles, "Where did they go?"

"Tadashi," the voice of the other man that had been in the truck with Hiro suddenly spoke up, stepping forward bravely and grabbing his arm in a means of pacifying him.

Tadashi turned to glare at the other male's unrelenting gaze, feeling himself sigh as he stepped back and allowed him to step forward. To his surprise, he bent over and grabbed the front of the guard's vest hands now free as he pulled him up off the ground.

"The boy," he growled out voice harsher than Tadashi would've imagined, "What does the Emperor want with him?"

The guard blinked, stunned at the words or bravo of the movement Tadashi wasn't sure, before he turned to Tadashi's hard gaze before back at the man holding him as he managed out, "Don't you know? He's going to use him to finally free his daughter."

The man gasped, allowing the guard to slip from his fingers though the words meant almost nothing to Tadashi.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Tadashi asked after a long pause of no one bothering to fill him in.

The man who had been held prisoner with Hiro sighed, shoulders hunched over as he explained in a near silent voice, "It means I know where they're going."

Hiro wasn't sure how long he sat there blanketed by the darkness residing in the truck until he finally felt it lurch beneath him, doors opening and slamming closed before there was a click and the doors holding him prisoner was thrown open and he was nearly blinded by the sudden light that flooded in.

He winced, cowering even further in the corner as he blinked up at the figures that descended on him. He was hefted up to his feet before being shoved forward, stumbling at first but quickly caught his step and walked as proudly as he could manage.

He was stopped in front of Callaghan, the emperor sneering down at him with the most hate filled gaze Hiro's ever seen before. Not that Hiro blamed the guy, he could sort of relate after all as he only felt resentment towards the man in front of him.

"I don't know what you want, but I will stop you," Hiro promised, squaring his small frame as he bent his head back to glare at the man before him.

In response, Callaghan just snorted like he didn't believe him. He probably didn't but that was fine, Hiro knew the second these cuffs were removed he'd be able to make Callaghan a believer.

"Just keep quiet and my men won't hurt you too badly," Callaghan responded, reaching out to grip the sides of Hiro's face as he sneered down at him with contempt in his eyes.

Hiro glared but bit his tongue as he was shoved from behind and moved towards a building that was surely impressive at one point. Now it was run down, collapsing in on itself and was certainly breaking several health code violations.

None of the guards seemed overly concerned, though, as they ushered him the building and down many winding hallways until they reached a room different than all the others.

This one looked nearly new, clearly maintained and improved upon on what appeared a daily basis. The walls were stark white, matching the colors of the floor and ceiling as large pieces of metal and wires dangled from the top twisting amongst themselves intricately.

In the middle of the room was a surgical chair Hiro used to read about when everything was okay and life made more sense. He blinked in surprise when he realized a girl several years older than Tadashi was laid out in the chair, wires sticking out from her pale skin in every which way as a metal helmet was fitted snuggly over her head.

Hiro's never seen her before but he had a good guess of who she was.

"Abigail," he gasped before he could stop himself and the next instant he was lifted off his feet from the back of his neck, held above the ground so his feet dangled beneath him.

"How do you know that?" Callaghan demanded voice harsh and face hard.

Hiro gagged from the pressure pushing against his throat but he managed to gag out, "Krei."

He was released almost instantly, falling to a crouch as he hunched over himself. His hands came to rest against his sore throat, massaging it tenderly as he risked a glance upwards at the man glaring down at him now.

"You're clever Avatar," Callaghan said and it came out more as a curse than praise as he added, "Have you figured out why I brought you here?"

Hiro glanced over at the woman seemingly sleeping peacefully amongst all the machinery surrounding her. She was pale and thin, so much so that she seemed fragile. Delicate and Hiro wondered what he would do if that was Tadashi in the chair.

The answer to that was simple: he wouldn't even hesitate to risk his life to save him.

Hiro rose shakily to his legs, focusing back on Callaghan with a serious expression as he relented, "Alright. But first," he held his hands out and Callaghan nodded towards one of his guards who immediately stepped forward and freed him.

"And one last thing Avatar," Callaghan warned as Hiro turned his back to approach Abigail, "You do anything to hurt her and I'll kill you."

Hiro kept his head bowed and shoulders stiff as he turned and replied, "I couldn't do much worse than you already have."

He turned so he missed Callaghan's flinch, stepping forward as he approached the unconscious female. She was pretty, features soft and delicate and it was a wonder Callaghan ever agreed to put her in so much danger. Then again, people tend to get a little dumb when it came to people they love.

"Don't worry Abigail," he reassured in a soft breathy tone as he sat down on the ground by her chair, crossing his legs over themselves as he closed his eyes and replied, "Someone has to help."

And it was easier than he thought it would've been, slipping almost seemingly from his body into a world he's entered only once before when he was sleeping. He glanced around the gray room, surprised to see his body where he had left it beside Abagail's limp form.

He blinked before calling out, "Abagail!"

No reply and he ground his teeth in frustration as he realized how much harder this was going to be.

"Abagail!" he repeated reluctant to leave his body but he stepped forward anyways, turning his head as he sought out for any sign of where the girl would be.

That's when he realized there was a white light practically pouring from the girl's thin frame, waterfalling off the table and on the floor. He blinked, confused, before he reached out and touched her chest.

He was engulfed instantly by a burning bright light.

GoGo hated to admit it but she was near panic levels.

She swallowed, shifting from one foot to the other as they slowly came to the realization that Tadashi had bailed on them which was sort of part of the plan. They were supposed to distract the guards long enough for the older brother to rescue Hiro, but then Hiro had been missing and everything happened so fast.

"Any word?" Honey asked as she came to stand next to her, green eyes bright and vibrant with worry as she chewed on her bottom lip.

GoGo shook her head, dropping the device to her side as she growled, "No. I swear I'm going to strangle him when I get my hands on him."

"He's just worried about his brother," Wasabi protested, narrowing a dark gaze at her and she hated to admit that he was right.

They all were, actually, Hiro becoming as much their friend as Tadashi had. The only difference was that Tadashi was practically a loose cannon when it came to his missing brother.

"We need to find them," GoGo replied anyways, shoulders hunched and hand bunched up in a tight fist as she racked her brain for anything that could be of use to them only to come up empty.

Hiro was gone and so was Tadashi, they had nothing.

"Wait. What's that?" Fred demanded and she turned to see him facing the other direction hand over his eyes as he squinted at something behind them.

She turned to see what he was staring at, surprised to find Baymax flying towards them. Honey Lemon grinned beside her, hands clasped at her chest as she practically beamed but GoGo refused to let her relief show. For all they knew, Baymax had already betrayed them.

He landed several feet away from them, Tadashi and someone she didn't recognize jumping off. Tadashi's eyes were half-crazed but he seemed unharmed, the stranger standing beside him not so fortunate. Large bags hung under his eyes and he seemed pale and worn and GoGo squinted at him as she tried to figure out where she's seen him before.

"Alistair Krei!" Fred suddenly exclaimed, rushing forward to clasp the man's hands as bright eyes radiated his happiness, "I can't believe it. You're alive."

GoGo frowned at the name, something niggling at the back of her memory but she pushed it all aside to step up to Tadashi. She didn't miss the way his shoulders were squared and rigid with barely concealed tension and she realized he was barely keeping it together.

"You alright?" she asked, voice stoic but she knew he would understand that she was concerned about him.

"Yeah. I just-" he rubbed his palm against his tired face as he all but growled, "I need to find Hiro but they took him through the wall."

GoGo felt her stomach pummel.

"How?" she demanded voice strained with her concern as she blinked back at Tadashi.

"I- he was with the emperor. I don't know. All I know is that I can't follow," he snapped back, dark eyes revealing his worry.

She set a gentle hand against his shoulder, keeping it pressed there, as she reassured, "We'll figure out a way. We'll get him back. Don't worry."

Except he was worried and it didn't take an idiot to see that.

Her words must have stirred something inside him because his gaze focused intensely as he nodded, "You're right. And I have a plan."

"As do I," Alistair responded as he stepped past Fred, closing in on Tadashi and GoGo squared her shoulders in an attempt to defend the older brother against whatever the stranger would attempt. Alistair didn't seem to pay her much attention as he stopped in front of Tadashi and reasoned, "You're brother saved my life, let me save his."

He stuck out his hand in offering.

Tadashi eyed it for a long time, face and eyes expressionless. GoGo would be lying if she said she knew how he would respond.

That was why it came to shock when he accepted the hand, meeting Alistair's intent gaze as he nodded his head once. GoGo swallowed when she recognized the look and she almost felt bad for Emperor Callaghan.

Almost.

Someone was crying.

Hiro frowned at the realization, spinning around in a slow circle as the broken noises seemed to echo around the darkness he had suddenly been swallowed in. It was all so strange, feeling so heavy yet weightless at the same time. It was like paradox- one he didn't have time dealing with.

"Hello?" he called, taking a single step forward and it was like a switch had been flipped.

The darkness disappeared instantly, a bright light escaping the bottom of his foot and chasing away all the shadows. He blinked in confusion, staring down at his hands and realized he looked solid. More so than he did before, that is.

The soft sound of someone sobbing broke him from his thoughts.

His head snapped up in attention as he narrowed his eyes and called again, "Hello? Where are you?"

"Who are you?" a feminine voice demanded and he turned to see a hunched over figure several feet away.

She was younger than the last time he saw her but she wore the same features though they seemed less sharp and intense. He blinked, narrowing his eyes as he turned to face her.

"Abigail? Is that you? Abigail Callaghan?" he asked and didn't miss the way she flinched, drawing away from him like he would hurt her.

Feeling something lift from his middle he hurried his step, rushing over to where she was hunched over. He reached out to touch her or something when she pulled away as if frightened, causing him to freeze in his step.

There was no telling how long she had been trapped here, without any form of human contact, and Hiro realized she was probably terrified. He would be too.

"Abagail," he said again redrawing his hand back against his chest as he blinked down at her in hopes she'd understand that he couldn't really hurt her if he wanted to, "Are you okay?"

"You can't be real," she denied instead, pressing her face against her knees and curling inwardly, "Nothing's real anymore. I want my daddy."

Hiro swallowed past the lump that had formed in his throat, realizing she was nearly as broken as Callaghan was only in a much different way. It was heartbreaking until he remembered everything her father had done, all the innocent people he's killed.

"I know," he replied trying his best to keep the contempt from his voice as he crouched down in front of her hand outstretched and eyes pleading for her to understand, "and believe me when I say he wants you too."

"No," she denied not even looking up, "Or he would've come for me already."

"But he's tried so hard," Hiro protested reasonably as he bent closer to her, "That's why he sent me here. Abagail, I'm here to rescue you."

She looked up then, eyes filled with such hope Hiro couldn't stop the grin from splitting his features. It was so rare to see that sort of radiance come from another person and he felt an odd sensation to protect her. Keep her safe from harm and pain and realized sourly that he was already too late.

She's been trapped in here for far too long.

"Who are you?" she demanded uncurling from herself and bending over to reach out towards him. Her hand brushed against his shoulder, a stark sensation of cold shooting through him and making him jerk back in shock.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, despair evident in her voice as she stared at him regretfully, "It's just been so long… I don't know how to control it."

"It's okay," Hiro promised stepping back towards her with his arm outstretched, "You're going to be okay. Just take my hand."

"No," she denied curling further in on herself as she shook her head stubbornly, "I'll just hurt you again."

Hiro puffed his cheeks, feelings of frustration creeping through him when the ground beneath his shoes shook and vibrated nearly knocking him to the ground. He managed to catch himself, turning to lock eyes with Abagail's terrified ones. Behind her, the stark white surrounding them seemed to fracture and crack, evaporating in small wispy strands of smoke.

Abagail cried out in shock, leaping to her feet and spinning around as her breathing hitched. It was like she wasn't even trying to conceal her fear.

"Abagail," he repeated much more assertive this time around as panic threatened to pull him under, "Abagail, you need to take my hand."

"I can't," she cried at him, turning so he could see moist eyes staring back at him. She was hunched over, both her hands fisted at her chest tightly.

The ground shook again, parts of it disappearing and Hiro figured that whatever stability Callaghan had managed to keep this place at was now falling apart now that he was there. It wouldn't be much more longer until they ended up lost forever.

"Abigail, I'm serious," he growled as panic made his heart lurch painfully, "We need to go now."

"No!"

"Abigail-"

"I can't hurt you!" she snapped back at him, eyes wide and scared as they locked back onto his, "If I touch you then I'll hurt you and I can't-"

"Abigail," Hiro interrupted, feeling an odd sense of calm overcome him as he stuck out his hand and replied, "I need you to trust me and take my hand. Please."

She blinked, the briefest moment of despair overcoming her facial features before she frowned in determination and reached out. Their fingers clasped and Hiro felt a jerk, the last thing he remember seeing was Abagail's determined features and then-

Then there was nothing.