The Rubber Band Theory

Chapter 10: Kaleidoscopes

     Entering the portal wasn't anything like either of the Hamadas expected. Passing through the portal's surface itself felt somewhat like diving into thick water. Once they were in though, the air felt like it was thin and frictionless. And it was cold.

     One moment, they were looking at the pulsing blue of the portal, and the next they were blinded by light. When their eyes finally adjusted, it was like nothing they'd ever seen. Bright gas clouds seemed to be moving at the edges of the space, mirrored in fractals and kaleidoscopes. There were deep purples and rich pinks, royal blues and bright turquoises. There were hints of a deep seafoam green in the hearts of many of the formations. It was breathtaking.

     And the space, this... world  within the portal seemed to amplify their powers.

     The moment they'd broken through to the other side, Tadashi and Hiro were conscious of the fact that their minds felt closer. They'd already been plenty in sync before. In everyday life they were intuitive towards the other. And there were other moments, moments like at the bottom of the bay when they weren't sure which one of them had told the others to grab Baymax. And in the warehouse when they'd both been startled by Baymax, and they'd spoken in sync.

     But this was different. Tadashi's shields were stronger, for one. He had wrapped them in a bubble shield before they'd gone through the portal, not knowing what they'd find on the other side. Now they felt like they were almost twice as fortified as he'd originally made them.

     Hiro wasn't using his powers, but he could feel it too. Like an electric hum pulling at his senses, he knew that whatever he did, it'd blow his normal abilities out of the water.

     And their little 'private channel' wasn't so little anymore. It didn't feel as much like they were two minds connected by a sturdy rope bridge, but more like two minds separated by a low wooden fence. The line between them had lessened and was more easily crossed.

     For a moment, the space seemed empty. That moment was gone very quickly.

     "Careful! There's Krei Tech debris everywhere!" Tadashi called out, but it was more for Baymax's benefit than Hiro's. They didn't need to speak to each other here, they just knew.

     The debris moved like it was being pulled in some kind of unseen current, streams of it crossing each other as they filled this kaleidoscope world. Tadashi strengthened their shields and flew closer to Baymax and Hiro.

     They ducked and weaved, dodging rubble left and right. Sometimes it was small stuff, like a chair or a table. Sometimes it was chunks of building bigger than the Cafe. At one point, Tadashi had to grab on behind Hiro since Baymax was the better flier. Things were starting to get tight. And then, just past the brunt of the debris, the pod floated slowly through space.

     "I have located the patient," Baymax said calmly.

     Their eyes widened, the boys sharing a glance. "Hurry!" Hiro called, sinking lower onto Baymax's back. Tadashi pressed in closer too as they raced over to where the machine waited.

     Baymax slowed down just before making contact, Tadashi dismissing their shields and using his hoverboard to help counter their momentum. Baymax carefully grabbed the pod and twisted it towards them. From his back, Hiro reached over and swept his hand across the frosted glass. Abigail's slow breathing fogged against her visor as she slept.

     Tadashi patted Baymax's shoulder. They were running out of time. "Come on, buddy, let's get her home."

     Baymax moved to the back of the pod, holding it tight. Hiro and Tadashi moved onto the pod itself, Hiro anchoring himself to it with his magnets and Tadashi holding tight to Hiro. He didn't want to detach from the hoverboard, not when it could be used to help them change direction faster. With Baymax pushing the pod the way he was, precision flying was out of the bag.