The ALICE Program (Big Hero 6 Fanfic) (Book 2) 《COMPLETED ✔️》

14| The Monster That Lies Deep Inside

The Monster That Lies Deep Inside

"Thanks for the ride home, hon. I would have taken the car, but it's still being repaired." Aspen smiled, removing the helmet from her head, her platinum blonde hair flowing out of it. It had grown considerably over the past three years, and Tadashi couldn't help but notice how it brought out her greyish eyes and pale face. It was beautiful, if he had to put it in simple words.

She was beautiful.

"Anytime, Pennie." he replied, starting the engine up again, but stopped it soon after as he got off his moped and brought Aspen into a tight hug. "Be safe, okay?"

Aspen gently embraced the slightly taller male, his familiar warmth bringing comfort to her as she hummed contentedly, standing on her tip toes so that she could kiss his cheek.

"I will, sweetie. You don't have to worry about me. I'm a strong gal, you know that. I'll see ya tomorrow, you get home safely, you hear?"

"Always. See you later, Aspen."

As Aspen left, Tadashi opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped by the Texan's sweet, lovable voice.

"I love you too, ya dork."

Oh how he loved that voice, it was calming, reassuring and gentle. Aspen, was an angel sent from Heaven. Whoever had sent her, had made the right choice.

Aspen waved one last time before closing the front door of her apartment block behind her. She was living with Honey Lemon, the two of them like two peas in a pod- 'sisters from other misters', as they called each other from time to time.

'Good night, Aspen.'

•-• •-• •-• •-•

Tadashi fell back onto his bed, the soft surface comforting his back and sore neck.

'What a day. Well, at least M.C was fun. I got to catch up with some friends, and...be myself.'

The Mutant Community were closer than ever since ELEMENT Industries was shut down under government legislation that had been introduced only recently. The rules stated that no major experiments could be conducted unless permission by the government or any other superior was given in writing with a signed signature, any kind of illegal experimentation would be taken as breaking the new laws and a prison sentence would be placed for the unfortunate who happened to be stupid enough to break the rules. It wasn't hard to follow the rules really, just be a good citizen and everything would be okay. But, not everyone in the world was good, Tadashi knew that for a fact.

Day in, day out- everything seemed to be the same in his eyes. He'd wake up, go to school, hang out with his friends and come home, exhausted out of his mind to move a single muscle. The fire pulsed through his heart, matching it's timing perfectly with the organ. That same fire that always gave him such a rush when fighting, that delectable feeling that if it was turned into several types of candy, his teeth would probably be rotting out of his mouth.

It was safe to say, that Tadashi was addicted. Absolutely addicted. Whether the addiction was good or not, he didn't know. It madr the tip of his tongue curl, his longing for the sweetness grew with each punch, each kick...every hit he landed. With the darker side that plagued his thought, the young man assumed it was only normal. It messed with his ways of thinking, trying to change him...and break him.

"Looks like someone's tired. What's up?" Danika wondered, sitting beside her big brother, the brother she trusted with everything she had.

"It's nothing, Dani." Tadashi replied. "I guess today just hasn't been on of my best days. Maybe I shouldn't have had that large coffee earlier? I'm gonna be awake all night, again."

"You really need to cut down on that, I love coffee as much as the next person, but this isn't healthy. You should try only having one cup per day, otherwise you're gonna be awake till the early hours."

"I know it's not." Tadashi sighed, his head beginning to ache. "Darn, my head is pounding."

"It is? Hey, you want me to go get something for you? Here, I won't be long."

Danika went downstairs, going into the kitchen and opening the cupboard were all the pills were kept, reaching for the pack of pain relief and setting it on the counter, getting some bottled water from the fridge. Walking up the staircase, she sat by Tadashi's side once more and handed him the two items.

"Thanks, but i'll be okay-"

"Just take them, please? You don't have to suffer with a headache if you know there's something that can help it. Take one."

Tadashi agreed by nodding, popping a pill out from the foil wrapping and placing into his mouth, getting some water and swallowing it along with the medication. At times, the pill could often come back up, but he was lucky this time.

"It should start kicking in soon." Danika said. "Is there anything else you'd like?"

'Go on, say something you idiot!'

'Shut up, Sunny.'

"No, i'm okay for now. Thanks. I appreciate you doing this this for me. What did I do to ever deserve you?"

"You were kind to me, that's what." Danika smiled, colour going into her cheeks. "You've helped me get through so many dark times, and you were always there for me when I needed you, and you didn't judge me for who I was. You were different, that's why I trusted you so much. I know I probably relied on you too much, and i'm sorry for that-"

"You have nothing to apologise for, sweetheart. I apologied a long time ago, and even i'm finding it hard to forgive myself for what I did. I shouldn't have shut you all out, you only wanted to help. But, I know what I did wrong now, and I want to put things right now that i'm able to."

Why would she ever think that? I was more than happy to protect her, and i'll always look out for her no matter how old she gets. I don't think she realises just how much I love her, she saved me from making a horrible mistake, and I couldn't be more thankful for that. I hope she knows that I care about her.'

"You're definitely a great hero, that's for sure. I've gotta go finish something, otherwise I won't get it done in time for my class presentation. I'll see you later, okay?" Danika kissed Tadashi on the cheek, going to her room so she could get on with her work.

'How can anyone not love her? She's the sweetest girl i've ever met. It's just a shame she's been through so much in her life.'

'She's kinda hot too. Haha, man the things i'd do to her. What a body she's got.'

"Don't you even dare, Sunny. Don't even think about going near her." Tadashi gripped the bedsheets, his teeth gritting in response to the voice in his head. "I mean it. You lay a finger on her and you're dead, you hear me?"

'Psh, it's not like you can kill me.'

"You know what I mean. I've kept her safe so far, and you're not gonna ruin anything for her. She doesn't deserve to be hurt again, not by you or anyone else."

'You can't blame a guy for trying. Besides, I heard she likes both. I guess she's just being a little greedy, huh? She can't make her mind up on whether she likes guys or girls. Seems a shame she had to lose the one person she was in love with.'

"Danika was in love with Natalie," Tadashi said, his eyebrows narrowing. "You had no idea how it felt for her when she died. We were heartbroken when she died, we all were. I loved her too, she was my friend. I'll never stop loving her. I'll always remember her."

'Whatever, you just don't know how to take a joke. You think i'd go for someone like your sister? Ugh, girls like her are so disgusting. Especially ones who cut themselves to get attention.'

That was it. Tadashi snapped at that moment, picking up the nearest item and throwing it to the wall to let out his anger. Sunny had no idea what Danika had been through in her life, her problems weren't for attention at all.

But now, the fire mutant could see who the real monster was. He knew who it was, but often chose to deny it. It was him, and him alone.