Walls kept Tumbling Down

Hum, click, tap, tinker, whisper.

Background noise came and went, barely registering in Hiro's mind as he made final adjustments to the spheres scattered on his table. Once his confrontation with Inquisitor was over, he'd easily slipped into a routine, comfortably shutting out the other researches as he buried himself into the project at hand. He didn't ask for help, didn't offer help and went out of his way to avoid engaging anyone else. It was easier that way. Easier to hide, easier to keep his secrets.

Inquisitor checked on him every two hours, turning up to silently threaten him with his presence. The man hoped to catch Hiro out but Hiro was on to him and wasn't about to fail. Not after all the time and effort he'd already invested into the risky plan he'd hastily formulated upon realizing Alistair Krei was behind everything. Hiro ignored Inquisitor, fighting to maintain his casual façade. He pretended to be deep in formulas and calculations every time Inquisitor made an appearance. Inquisitor didn't like it but Hiro's shift in status, from captive to valued employee, meant he was powerless to do anything about it. It was a fragile balance that likely wouldn't last much longer.

Flicker.

A flicker of movement caught Hiro's attention, drawing his gaze to the security monitors that occupied the left wall. Was it his imagination or was the shadow on one of the monitors moving? Hiro glanced around the lab noting that no one else was paying the monitors any mind. Not all that surprising seeing as they were a new addition to the lab and were not fully functional yet. Alistair Krei wasn't expecting trouble to find his new facility so quickly.

Dropping the screwdriver he'd been using, Hiro stood and casually walked over towards the wall silently willing the other researchers to pay no attention to him. Reaching his destination, he pulled open one of the cabinet drawers, pretending to look for some part he needed while surreptitiously peering at the screen that had initially caught his attention. The shadow was moving.

Hiro frowned, staring at the screen as the shadow crept closer towards the camera staying well in the shadows, indistinct and hidden from view to anyone not particularly looking for it. Someone had broken into the new lab space and they were good at keeping out of sight. Finally reaching the camera, the shadow reached up, momentarily coming into clear view before vanishing out of sight. The monitor flickered, replacing the actual image that was being displayed with what could only be a pre-recorded loop. That split second was all Hiro needed to identify it. He'd registered a dark figure wearing a black suit that could only contain amber finishing and two steps behind it, slipping out of the shadows was Baymax.

"Damn it, Tadashi." Hiro cussed on a breath rushing to his desk and the silver spheres he'd abandoned there. If Baymax was here that meant the rest of the team was here. If the rest of the team was here that meant Tadashi had managed to retrieve the data Hiro had wiped faster than Hiro had anticipated which in turn meant Hiro had run out of time. "Couldn't you give me two more days?" Snatching up the spheres he turned and ran towards the console that controlled the time portal.

Flicking a few switches he activated the portal before lifting a pipe and smashing the console locking the switches into place. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?" One of the other researchers called out, rushing towards the console. Ignoring the outcry, Hiro turned and ran towards the doorway linking their lab-space with the area that housed the now active portal, running through it before anyone could even think about stopping him.

That is when he encountered something he had not expected to see. Standing near the platform that led up to the portal were Inquisitor and Alistair Krei. Not about to be deterred Hiro put on an extra burst of speed heading straight towards the platform before they could intercept and cut him off.

Riiiiiing, Beeep, Riing Ring. Beep.

A series of alarms and bells went off alerting everyone in the facility to a breech in security. People rushed towards camera's looking for the cause of the alarm but the camera's remained blank, the looping video hiding the actual chaos from those not involved.

Clap, slap, clang.

Hiro's feet finally connected with the metal of the platform. He'd made it. He'd beaten Inquisitor and Alistair Krei to it and now nothing stood between him and the open portal. He was home free, just a few steps away from making it across the threshold only he never made it. Half way across the platform he tripped and fell carried forward by the weight of the person that had thrown themselves and grabbed him from behind. "I told you I'd be waiting for you to screw up." Inquisitor whispered into his ear just as his body connected with the cold metal about two meters short of the portal.

Riiiiiing, Beeep, Riing Ring. Beep.

The alarms continued to blare.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

Steady footsteps approached.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Someone clapped.

"Nice try." Alistair Krei commented calmly, completely unaffected by the chaos that had surrounded him mere moments before. "Though I'm not really sure what it is you hoped to achieve. The portal is connected to the Ice Age. I'm not sure you can do anything to stop us from there." Alistair Krei crouched down to peer at Hiro. "Or are you simply trying to escape?"

"Just trying to keep you on your toes." Hiro retorted panting and fighting against the panic that coursed through his blood.

Alistair quirked an eyebrow before standing and straightening his suit. "I figured you weren't really behind our cause which is why I asked Gerald here," He nodded towards Inquisitor, "to keep an eye on you. In case you should do something unexpected. Though I honestly thought you were smarter than this." Alistair frowned up at the date displayed on the portal. "No matter. Gerald, you know what to do." Alistair turned and began to head away from Hiro, Gerald?! and the portal. He only made it half way across the platform when a new voice joined in the fray.

"Let go of my brother!"

Standing in the doorway to the portal room was a figure clothed in black, amber lines glowing bright as they defined his every muscle. In his hand was a flickering amber flame.

- BH6 - BH6 - BH6 –

A/N: I seriously hate writing scenes that contain physical confrontation. I'm so bad at them :(

Cosmickatsu: This is the second time Sunfire is mentioned in this story XD. The first operation to rescue Hiro was called Operation Sunfire. LOL. But yeah, I got the name after trawling for Tadashi on the interwebs.

Ern Estine 13624: The coming confrontation is going to be interesting to say the least.

Guest: That's so sweet. It must be really nice to know your older sister will do anything to keep you safe.

CrazyBlueOwl: You can run but you can't hide... You have good instincts, there is more to Hiro's role in this story than there may initially appear to be. Tadashi is more concerned about getting Hiro back at this stage. Why Hiro was gone in the first place, may or may not become an issue.

shooting2stars: Agreed. The team members compliment each other well, whether they are working with Tadashi or Hiro. Just imagine how awesome they would be if they were working with both Hiro and Tadashi. Hiro is holding his own... mostly...

Dreamer: Get over complicated. Do get over complicated. That is exactly what the future diary is there for XD. Glad you enjoyed the flying scene. It was difficult to write, I must say. I struggle to write the physical confrontation side of 'Hero' stories. Onto the rest of yoiur response: I'd be happy to have you around a little longer... especially as you have been mentioned in an upcoming authors note :P.