Fanfiction Review: Exodus
A combo that works well enough together, I’m surprised that there isn’t more of it, Exodus is a completed Post Canon Worm x Big Hero 6 by Ld1449 and Zaru, edited by James D. Fawkes, and is about 240k words. It was subject to a rewrite from 2017 to 2022, and has experienced a considerable jump in quality compared to its original incarnation. The fic itself follows Taylor after the canon events of Worm, showing up in the sub space climax of the Big Hero 6 film. Understandably comatose, she’s rescued by Hiro and Baymax, spending the better part of a year in recovery. Hiro regularly visits her, both concerned and intrigued by this mystery girl, Taylor gradually relearning how to person by listening to him. Of course, that’s only the start of things. There’s a nice dichotomy between the characters from the two different media. Tayor is jaded, cynical, and deeply pragmatic. She’s a deep contrast to the Hero 6, who are, for the most part, equal parts optimistic, unprepared, and idealistic. The difficulties these life experiences and outlooks causes drives the majority of the inter character plot. Interpersonal conflict isn’t the only plot thread in the story. There’s also Taylor dealing with her own problems, scars, both physical and mental, from her tenure as the worlds most practical queen of escalation. The writers do a good job in portraying what that kind of lifestyle does to someone like her, and how they react when it’s all over.
With little in the way of objective negatives, Exodus is definitely one of the higher tier works in either fandom. If you’re looking for more Taylor Ever After, a big dose of pragmatism to the Hero 6 setting, or just well written characters, this is the one for you.
