Takashi was exhausted as he tried to go about his day at SFIT. He was trying to hide it but… he was sore. He wasn't gonna deny it he was sore.

I've taken hard hits before but I think that was one of the worst I've had in awhile…

"You were ruined by fire like I was with those burns of yours… but next time… watch your back."

Ruined by fire too… Yet completely different in how we went about dealing with it...

He sighed, sitting down for a moment, putting his head in his hands.

… But what if that had been me instead of her? I could've snapped just as easily… I…

He looked to where Hiro's station was, seeing the boy hard at work, Baymax keeping close by just in case.

… No… I wouldn't have… For Hiro's sake… What kind of older brother would I be if I had done what Dragoness has done?

"Hiro?"

Hiro looked to the others who were approaching his station. They were all dressed rather nicely. Not formal, but something a bit nicer than what they usually wore.

"Hm? What's up?" Hiro asked, looking away from his work.

"You didn't forget what today is did you?"

What's today? Takashi kept hidden as he listened in.

Hiro was quiet for a moment before shaking his head.

"No… I didn't… just got caught up in work… I'll go get into better clothes for it."

"We'll be waiting for you outside."

The others left quickly, Hiro grabbing his bag.

"What's today?"

Hiro looked to Takashi, frowning a bit.

"... It's the anniversary of the fire that broke out here… and the anniversary of my brother's passing. They're throwing a bit of a remembrance party for him and we're all going… Are you gonna be there?"

Takashi glanced to the side.

"I don't really have a place there… I didn't know your brother."

More like it would be awkward for me… It's hard for me to pass by that building that has my name on it… just reminds me that I pulled a stupid.

"I get ya… Though it would be cool to have you there… You've only been here for a short while but you've become part of the nerd family as it were… Just… throwing that out there." Hiro walked passed him. "See ya later Taka…"

Takashi frowned, watching Hiro go… a pained look in his eyes.

He looked away before heading back to his station. He stared at this projects for a moment before leaving, heading out of the building and to a more quiet area. He checked his surroundings… making sure nothing was flammable and that no one else was around.

He stayed quiet… trying to compose himself… but he could feel his hands shaking… no… his whole body was shaking… Till finally…

"I'M SUCH AN IDIOT!" He cried out before flames formed his hands, throwing said flames at the ground, along with others that kept forming after them. He stopped after a moment, putting them out before falling to his knees, gripping his head a little.

What am I even doing anymore? I… I just want things back to normal… I just want to be me again… I just want Hiro back… I want him to know I'm not… I'm not…

He felt a hand on his shoulder, causing him to freeze up.

"Aww… poor miserable mutant… don't worry… we understand you completely."

"Yeah… that you're a threat to our plans."

A thick piece of cloth was put over Takashi's mouth as two people grabbed him. The young man gasped in horror as he tried to break away from the holds. He looked to where they were, his eyes widening as he saw two very familiar faces… Flint and Spark.

"Stop struggling, you're only making it worse." Flint growled.

Takashi kept fighting, summoning some of his flames… but not enough for them to let go. They held strong… he felt himself getting weaker…

Chloroform…

"Just go to sleep Phoenix… It's for your own good."

"What are you…?" Takashi slumped to the ground, unable to finish his question, everything going black.

"That's for us to know… and you to find out."

oooooo

Everyone was gathered around the showcase building. While it was a party of sorts it was more so quiet. Some showing respect at the altar they had set in front of the building.

Hiro bowed his head a bit before setting a candle on it, smiling a little.

Miss you bro…

The rest of the team came around, all placing their own candles on the alter.

"Really hard to believe it's been a year since we came together." Honey Lemon smiled a little. "We've made a lot of progress since then."

"He'd be proud of us." Gogo crossed her arms keeping close to Fred. "Especially you Hiro."

"Yeah." Fred ruffled his hair a little. "Been getting taller, grew up a little… he'd be proud…"

Hiro chuckled a bit trying to smooth down his hair. "Thanks guys… Means a lot to hear. I just hope we can keep doing well.." I'll keep making you proud bro… Watch over us from Heaven..

"I'm sure we will." Wasabi smiled. "Just gotta keep giving it our all."

"Darn right we will." Fred nodded. "That's what we set out to do and we won't give up on that."

"Someone has to help."

Hiro nodded smiling as he closed his eyes.

That's right…

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Everyone was thrown back from the building, all hitting the ground.

"Ugh…"

"What just…?"

Everyone was horrified as they saw flames engulf the building. Hiro was frozen in place unable to speak at the moment just… Stunned.

Why?

Why now?

Why THIS day?

Who…?

"HELP ME!"

The team snapped out of their daze jumping up. "Someone call 911!" Hiro snapped before he growled looking at the flames. We can't just run in but… Oh screw it! He started to go towards it.

"HIRO DON'T!" Honey Lemon tried to grab his arm, only to fail as the boy ran in. "NO!"

Hiro waited only for a second for a flame to change the way it flowed before running straight inside. He pulled his collar up over his mouth to try to filter out some of the smoke.

"Hello!?"

"PLEASE! ANYONE!"

Hiro ran to where the voice came from… As he came upon Takashi.

"I'm here!" He rushed over to where he was.

Takashi was chained to a wall, basically hanging from it by his wrists. He couldn't move. He looked to Hiro, desperation in his eyes.

"HIRO!"

Hiro's eyes widened in horror as he rushed to his side. "Takashi!? Hold on I'm gonna get you out!" He started trying to get the chains loose, hissing a bit as the heat from the metal hit him. But he wasn't going to stop. Burns be darned, I don't care!

Takashi struggled to get out the chains, cringing a bit.

"Agh…"

"You're gonna be fine, I'm gonna get you out." Hiro promised, coughing a bit on the smoke, he managed to get them a bit loose but it wasn't much. "Ugh… Dangit ALL!"

Takashi looked down for a moment before looking to Hiro.

"Hiro… I need you to let go."

Hiro looked to him before doing so taking a step back.

Takashi took a deep breath focusing.

Come on… I still have energy… I don't care if Hiro's watching… He'd find out eventually.

His arms soon came alive with fire, burning through his sleeves and burning at the chains… melting them within minutes, setting him free. He was a bit dizzy on landing, using the wall as a support.

Hiro's eyes were wide in shock before he hurried over to him, slipping an arm over his shoulder.

"C'mon we need to move."

He's The Phoenix… Alright that I'll deal with later. Just gotta get out.

And… From what I just saw… Hiro glanced up at his face. …. It has to be...

Takashi nodded, starting to move with him.

"Going so soon?"

Both boys looked up, seeing Dragoness standing not too far from them.

"I was hoping you would stay for the show, Phoenix." Dragoness crossed her arms. "If I recall last time… That's exactly what you did."

Takashi growled.

"You don't know me."

"I don't?" She smirked. "Hm… Who here a year ago… Went into a burning building… And got blown up?"

Takashi's eyes were a little wide, but he did his best to hide the surprise.

No… How did she…?

"I know how to do my research… Because that same night… A John Doe was admitted to San Ramon Regional…"

Takashi held Hiro closer to him.

"How you sure that was me!?"

Dragoness gave him a look.

"Because I know how to do my research bird boy… The fire happens… You appear at San Ramon Regional… And then not too long after The Phoenix appears… All circumstantial yes… But the fact dear Tadashi's body was never recovered…"

"And not to mention you look like him."

Flint and Spark were present now.

"And you have the burns to prove it." Flint looked at Hiro. "Wonder how your brother feels being lied to this whole time by his own brother?"

"I didn't mean to-!"

"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW!" Hiro screamed. "You idiots really think right now I give a darn about that!? WHAT I CARE ABOUT IS THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO KILL US!"

"The boy has a point." Spark looked to Dragoness. "Should we just kill them both?"

Takashi…. Tadashi… put Hiro behind him.

"If you want Hiro… you're going through me first." His rolled back his sleeves, his arms coming alive with fire. "It's me you wanted to get rid of in the first place after all."

She gave him a smile that sent chills down both their spines.

"Then we'll go straight through you. Infact… We'll make sure everyone remembers this day as the day the Hamada brothers perished."

Hiro narrowed his eyes. "Tadashi…?"

"I'll be the judge of that." Tadashi sprang into action, gunning right for Dragoness and her gang. He threw fireballs at Flint and Spark before tackling Dragoness to the ground, holding her arms tightly, letting the flames on his arms lick at her trenchcoat before getting to her skin.

She let out a shriek struggling against him. "LET GO OF ME YOU FREAK!"

"MAKE ME!"

Flint and Spark came charging at him, trying to pull him off. Tadashi growled at them… He knocked his hat off… his hair coming alive with fire, getting them to pull away.

"Bird boy's ticked." Spark gulped.

Hiro picked up a fallen piece of rubble swinging it at them. "AND SO'S HIS BROTHER!"

Flint was knocked out, Spark panicking.

"CRAP!"

"HERE'S HIRO!" He swung again… Missing this time. "ACK!"

Spark grabbed him.

"Got you now little brat!"

"NOPE!"

Spark got hit in the shoulder by a fireball from Tadashi, the man still having Dragoness pinned with his other hand.

"Ugh… Get…. OFF!" She tried kicking him in the chest. "You're ruining my plan you stupid idiot!"

"I think you forget it's my job!" Tadashi hissed, before pinning her entirely. "Because while we are alike in what fire did to us… I'M NO PERSON LIKE YOU!"

"And that's why you're a fool!" She kept trying to struggle. "You have no idea what it's like! You got a power… I got my life ruined!"

"Oh I think I can understand… My whole life was taken from me… I've been making my way back, but it hasn't been fun. I didn't get to see my brother till a few weeks ago… basically a year… That hurt… Not being able to come home… Not being able to be me… That hurt… It hurt just as much as being told you're dying." His flames heated up a little. "I BASICALLY DIED THAT DAY!"

"And yet you still got to HAVE a life!" Dragoness growled getting a desperate look in her eyes. "You got to still have SOMETHING. I'm going straight to the grave for real!"

"Then why take people with you?" Tadashi narrowed his eyes. "It's not fair to them… They didn't ask for it… Just like you didn't ask for whatever is killing you."

She looked away going quiet for a moment.

"... I'm afraid to go alone…"

The heat of Tadashi's arms let up a little.

"I understand… Because that's what happened to me… and it's what I did to my brother…"

"I don't know what else to do… I… I…"

"I can help you… I know some good doctors… There's still a chance."

She looked at him… before a grin returned.

"... Why there is… and you know what? I'm not gonna be alone after all…" She dug into her trench coat… pulling out a grenade. "Because I'll have you… right next to me."

Tadashi tried to pull away but it was too late. The grenade went off his seconds, blowing him off Dragoness, shrapnel piercing both their bodies in the chest.

"It only makes sense…" She coughed, feeling the pain taking over, blood seeping through her clothes. "That The Phoenix should fall with the Dragoness..."

Tadashi hit a wall, holding his chest, cringing at the pain.

"Agh…"

Hiro dropped his weapon running to his brother's side. "TADASHI NO!"

"Hiro…" He coughed. "We need to get out of here…"

He nodded carefully helping him up, making his way for the exit.

Please just let us leave…

Tadashi looked back, seeing Dragoness disappear in the flames… Flint and Spark no where to be seen.

Some friends they were…

They were soon outside, everyone hurrying to them.

"Oh my goodness!"

"What happened in there!?"

"I DON'T CARE!" Hiro shrieked. "JUST SOMEONE CALL AN AMBULANCE!"

"DOCTOR COMING THROUGH!"

Everyone parted, Shaylin making her way towards the brothers.

"Mom…" Tadashi whispered. "How…?"

"Let's just say I got a little worried when you didn't answer your phone." Shaylin was already examining him. "These are bad… We'll get you to a hospital right away."

"Right…" He coughed a bit. "Ngh… Sorry…"

"I'm going with you." Hiro said, worry in his eyes. "I'm not leaving you alone again…"

"Hiro…"

"Lay him down." Shaylin instructed before whipping out her phone. "I need support at SFIT. Get the fire department here too and step on it!"

Hiro helped Tadashi lie down, the young man looking at his brother.

"I'm having serious deja-vu here…" Tadashi whispered. "This was how Mom found me… but… now you're here…"

Hiro smiled a little holding his hand. "I'm not leaving you either… It's gonna be okay…. And don't worry about the stupid Takashi-or-Tadashi thing… Okay? I'm just… I just want you alive okay?"

"Deal… I'm done hiding… I want to come home…"

"Aunt Cass will be so happy to see you… And you're welcomed to come home… I love you bro."

"I love you too…"

"Hiro!"

The rest of the team came rushing over.

"Oh you're okay!" Honey Lemon hugged him quickly. "Thank goodness!"

"Lemme at him!" Gogo grabbed him by the collar. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!? ARE YOU STUPID!?"

"Please don't kill me!"

"Guys lay off… I would've died if he hadn't come in." Tadashi weezed.

They froze looking to him.

"Before you all start… I'll be blunt here… Yes. That's Tadashi and we were actually right." Hiro deadpanned. "And two: Let me go because I'm gonna snap if I'm not right next to him when the medics come."

The team nodded before gathering beside Tadashi.

"You really did come back…" Honey Lemon whispered.

"We thought you were… but we just didn't think…"

"It's okay…" Tadashi gave them a weak smile. "I didn't expect you to… and I really hoped it wouldn't be like this when I told you the truth…"

"Typical Tadashi… Always worrying…" Gogo shook her head. "Just… Don't do this again…"

"Please…" Honey Lemon stroked his hair gently. "We missed you."

"A lot." Wasabi added.

"We got some catching up to do."

"And you'll get that." Shaylin butted in. "Right now…" She looked to Tadashi. "I need to apply first aid… it's gonna hurt."

Tadashi closed his eyes.

"Do your worst."

Shaylin nodded before opening up his shirt, cringing as she saw some of the shrapnel was fused to the skin.

"Dang it… your powers already started to cauterize the wounds… Brace yourself." She pulled out her medical bag, pulling out a scalpel and forceps along with a needle.

Hiro grabbed his hand. "Just hold onto me bro…"

Honey Lemon got his other hand. "And me… We're all here."

Gogo brought Tadashi's head onto her lap.

"To the end."

Wasabi and Fred held down his legs.

"To the very end."

Soon as Shaylin injected the anesthesia she began to work. Tadashi clenched his teeth, holding back a scream as Shaylin cut into the injuries. While he was numbed up it still hurt… the heat in his body trying to protect him, with sparks flying from where Shaylin cut.

"Hold on." Shaylin whispered, keeping calm as she pulled out a fragment. "I promise it's gonna be over soon."

"NGH!"

Hiro squeezed his hand. "Hang in there bro. You're doing good… She's almost done…"

"You got this Tadashi." Gogo whispered. "Just woman up you can do it."

"Just focus on getting better." Wasabi encouraged.

"G-Guys…" Tadashi had tears streaking his face.

Honey Lemon gave him a gentle look wiping some of them away. "We're right here… You're never gonna be alone again."

"That's a promise." Fred added.

Shaylin soon finished, bandaging the area.

"I've done all I can." Shaylin knelt down, kissing Tadashi's head. "You did amazing mi hijo…"

"Okasaan..."

Shaylin pulled back.

"The paramedics will be here soon, we just need to sit tight." She looked outward, already hearing their sirens. "It'll all be over soon."

Tadashi nodded, looking to his friends.

"I got a lot of stuff to tell you guys about…"

"We'll be willing to listen."

Hiro nodded. "Just be here to tell us all about it…"

"I will… besides… I still have to let you meet Tony…"

He chuckled a bit a few tears of relief slipping out.

"Yeah… And you better bring your other nerd friends to meet the rest of the herd.."

The paramedics and firefighters soon pulled in, a group of them hurrying over to Tadashi with a stretcher.

"We're gonna take him to Kiseki Memorial."

"Good, I have some friends there." Shaylin grinned, helping them transfer Tadashi. She put an arm around Hiro. "I'm coming along for the ride along with this one."

"You got it Dr. Sky."

Hiro gave her a grateful look.

"Thank you."

"Hey… family matters." She looked to the team. "Follow after us and just tell them you're with me." Shaylin followed Hiro to the ambulance, both keeping close to Tadashi.

Tadashi looked to Hiro, reaching his hand out to him.

Hiro took it giving a tired smile.

"Some party eh?"

"Yeah…"

"Hey, Tadashi."

"Yes Mom?"

Shaylin smiled.

"I think your code name fits better than ever… It's been 1 year since this all began… and here we are again… coming out of the fire alive… just like you always have… but this time… you get to be you…"

"The Phoenix rises from the ashes…" Tadashi whispered.

"And this time he's not alone." Hiro smiled. "I love you big bro."

"I love you too…" Tadashi closed his eyes. "I'm home…"

"Flew right back to us…"

"And here to stay."