The battle at Giri Corporation's research wing still buzzed in Jessica's ears as she and Varisa stood surrounded by the strange yet powerful heroes of San Fransokyo.
Baymax towered nearby, his synthformer body humming with bio-mechanical energy, the faint glow of dragon-protocol still fading from his frame.
Hiro Takachiho, barely more than a boy but with the sharp, calculating eyes of a strategist, was already analyzing Serpent weapon fragments, scanning them into his wrist console.
GoGo Tomago leaned against a shattered wall, her golden battle armor shimmering as the kinetic discs on her arms spun in restless orbit.
Honey Lemon crouched beside a downed civilian, her miraculous chem-purse open, releasing nanite stitches that closed wounds in seconds.
Wasabi-No-Ginger stood sentinel at the door, his plasma blades retracting into gauntlets, smoke rising from the cuts he'd carved through Serpent armor.
And in the corner of the lab, the last member stepped forward: Sunfire, his aura radiating with living flame. His eyes narrowed on Jessica and Varisa, suspicion in every movement.
"Two strangers appear with Serpents on their heels, and we're just supposed to… trust them?" His Japanese accent was clipped, his flame aura licking dangerously.
Jessica's shield shimmered reflexively into existence on her forearm. "We're not your enemies. If we were, you wouldn't still be standing."
Varisa tilted her head, smirking as a faint breeze circled her like a halo. "Besides, your world is my world now. And these Serpents? They're everyone's problem."
Hiro raised a hand, cutting the tension. "Enough. If they fought like that against the Serpents, then they're on our side — at least for now." He looked at Jessica. "You mentioned something before. A keystone?"
Jessica hesitated but nodded. "The Serpents are after artifacts — stones that could let them reshape the world. I carry one. That's why they won't stop."
GoGo's eyes narrowed. "So you're basically a walking bullseye."
"Yeah," Jessica admitted grimly. "Which means you'll be seeing a lot more of them."
Baymax's scanners whirred, projecting a holographic map of global Serpent movements. His voice came out even, clinical.
"Probability of escalation: 94%. Jessica and Varisa's presence increases San Fransokyo's threat level."
Sunfire folded his arms, muttering. "So, by keeping them here, we're inviting more chaos."
"Or," Honey Lemon interrupted softly, "we're making sure they aren't facing it alone."
Varisa's eyes softened briefly. "We didn't come here to burden you. But if you'll have us, we'll fight with you."
Hiro studied them, weighing options the way only a prodigy could. Finally, he nodded. "All right. For now, Big Hero 6 just got bigger."
Jessica raised a small, translucent shield in silent promise. "Then let's make sure the Serpents regret ever setting foot here."
The team shared a look — one of resolve, one of unspoken alliance — as the neon glow of San Fransokyo pulsed outside the shattered windows.
---
Switch Perspective — German Government Facility
The sterile lights of the underground command chamber hummed faintly as Helena and the three Sisters — the speedster, the powerhouse, and the electromagnetic — were ushered inside. Government officials, their faces pale with exhaustion and worry, crowded around the table where a single file lay open.
The lead officer adjusted his glasses, his voice low but firm.
"We may have found something. A trace. A name."
He slid the file toward Helena. The name written across the top sent a chill through the room:
Vanessa.
The officer tapped the map projected on the wall — a red dot flashing in the heart of Liechtenstein.
"Intelligence suggests she may be there. If she holds another keystone, then time is running out."
Helena closed the file, her expression hardening. The Sisters stood beside her, each brimming with determination.
"Then that's where we go," Helena said, her voice steady. "Liechtenstein. And if Vanessa has the keystone, we'll find her."
The room fell silent, the weight of the mission pressing down like stone.
The war against the Serpents was far from over — and the keystones were drawing the world's heroes ever closer to the heart of the storm.