It was a long night as the firefighters did what they could to put out the fire, finding Dragoness' body inside. She was confirmed dead and her accomplices were nowhere to be found. The fear of the arsonists was over.
Tadashi was rushed into an operating room and came out in one piece. The bigger part of the news was his return… though not to say reporters were even allowed in the hospital in the first place.
Having Gogo and Wasabi as guards was good enough to scare them away without a hitch.
"FOR THE LOVE OF HEAVEN JUST LEAVE THE POOR MAN ALONE AND LET HIM BE WITH HIS FAMILY!" Was something Gogo and Wasabi were heard screaming from time to time.
And Hiro was happy to just be by his brother's side again… As for Aunt Cass…
"I swear to high heavens if you scare me like that again I am finding every single rice candy factory within a city's mile radius and smashing it to the ground! NOW LET ME HUG YOU."
She was content to just hug her nephew after the initial shock… And was just relieved he was safe and alive.
Tadashi hugged her close, letting some of his warmth flow to her.
"Love you too Aunt Cass…"
She sighed happily, kissing his head. "I am so happy to see you…" She stroked his back. "My little boy…"
Tadashi relaxed, keeping her close.
"Something I do wonder… How come Baymax didn't recognize you? He'd know your scans right?"
"That would be mine and Audra's doing."
They looked to the doorway, seeing Lily poking her head in. The girl had kept out of the way since Tadashi had been brought in and was with his family. She didn't feel right barging in what was their time.
"Yeah... The necklace they made me blocked my signature… Plus my cells had changed… He got a scan of me without it… The Phoenix mode…" Tadashi gestured for her to come in. "C'mon you."
Lily hurried in, climbing into a chair.
"I just didn't feel right coming in… or Mama since we wanted you to be with your actual family."
Tadashi gave her a gentle look. "You're still my family too…" He looked to Hiro and Cass. "Hiro's already met her but Aunt Cass… This is my surrogate little sister… Lily. She kind of kept me sane when I first got these powers."
Lily waved shyly.
"Hola…"
Aunt Cass looked at her before scooping her up squealing a bit. "OH MY GOSH SHE'S' ADORABLE!"
Lily squealed a bit herself, cuddling up to Cass. "Hee…"
Shaylin was at the doorway, smiling as she watched.
"Just how she is…"
Aunt Cass smiled looking to her. "You're the one who's been looking after him… Thank you for that.."
"You're welcome… couldn't leave him on his own."
"Still… I'm just glad he's not alone… And to be honest? I'm glad someone was able to be his mom… I love him like my own but… I know I can never replace my sister."
"And I know can't replace her either… But I fell in love with this young man…" Shaylin walked over to Tadashi, holding one of his hands. "He reminded me of my husband Randy… and in time… I just felt like he was one of my own."
Tadashi smiled squeezing her hand. "Still am yours… Doesn't mean I'm gonna disappear Mom.."
"I know…" Shaylin smiled, kissing his head, a tear slipping out. "Doesn't mean I'm ready for you to leave…"
He kissed her cheek, bringing his arms around her. "I love you too…" Tadashi smiled his eyes a little misty.
Shaylin hugged him close.
"You visit darn it… you better visit…"
"I will… As many times as you want… And you come visit us too… Okay?"
"It's a deal…" Shaylin stroked his back, biting her lip. "Mi hijo…"
Tadashi relaxed laying his head on her shoulder. "Kaasan…"
"Poor Mama…" Lily frowned.
Aunt Cass sat down on the edge of the bed setting Lily down. "Trust me… I feel her pain… I missed him too… So much… But I would never dream of tearing a family apart either…"
Lily crawled up to Tadashi, hugging his side.
"We can share…"
Tadashi brought an arm around her, smiling softly.
"I like the sound of that… I like having a big family."
"As do I…" Shaylin looked to Hiro, offering an arm to him. "If you'll have us."
Hiro smiled warmly hugging her. "Definitely."
Aunt Cass ruffled Lily's hair. "Darn right."
"Hee… YAY!" Lily cheered. "Best of both worlds! Both Spanish and Japanese!"
Hiro grinned before scooping up Lily. "But now this means I'm your big brother too!"
Lily gasped. "DOS HERMANOS!?"
"Darn right." Hiro laughed hugging her. "You get two who'll protect ya."
"... I feel bad for any future boyfriends." Aunt Cass remarked to Shaylin.
"Oh you and me both… Especially since one of them has fire powers."
"And one has a robot with giant armor…"
"... I think we'll get along just fine Cass."
"... You and me both Shaylin."
The siblings kept close, calming down a bit as they kept close to Tadashi.
"He's always warm, just know that." Lily cuddled close to Tadashi's side. "He only gets cold if he's sick or feeling sad."
"Then we'll keep him healthy." Hiro huddled up to his other side, keeping close.
"Yup… and we'll try to get you caught up on his powers and quirks that come with said powers. You already know about the fire hair and arms I presume."
"Yep. We'd be done for if he didn't use 'em. Pretty cool."
Tadashi blushed a little.
"Ehehe… Just… doing my thing. Took forever to master though. Tony helped in that department."
Hiro moved a hand over his head blinking in surprise. "... Steam… I know girls think you're pretty but I don't think you're steaming hot bro."
Tadashi just blushed more.
"As I said to Mom when it first happened… It's a power, it's a pun. It's super freaky."
Hiro chuckled hugging his brother.
"Honey Lemon is gonna think that's adorable."
"Ehehe…" Tadashi was just bright red, trying to get his steam to calm down. "Please stop…"
Hiro smirked. "I missed a whole year of ribbing on ya… Alright I'll stop."
Shaylin chuckled, stroking Tadashi's hair. "Just relax mi hijo…"
Tadashi sighed happily, nuzzling her hand. "Yes, Mother…"
"And Hiro stop teasing your brother. Or I'll let Mochi eat your dinner."
"B-But that's evil!"
"Aunt Cass have we met?" She grinned.
He rolled his eyes. "Yes we have."
"Ah… still the same…" Tadashi chuckled. "Glad for that…"
"Hey, nerds."
Everyone looked to the door to see the team.
"We finally got the paparazzi to leave you alone." Fred smirked. "Didn't take much."
"Just give Gogo one of her disks and that got them to run for the hills." Wasabi pointed to her.
Gogo smirked raising her head a bit. "Darn right it did."
Tadashi smirked. "Fred must've been impressed."
She went red. "S-Shut up!"
Honey Lemon giggled. "Alright, alright, let's not get into a fight now. Let's just be glad we have Tada back."
"Well, that's true… Though not exactly the same as you had me."
"Dude you have legit super powers. Still awesome!" Fred laughed.
"And you're still Tadashi Hamada… Regardless of the powers." Honey Lemon smiled softly.
"That's right." Wasabi crossed his arms. "We're still taking you back regardless."
"Heh… Thanks guys… I know you have been busy being superheroes too so… guess we're on the same level."
"Heh...Yep. Big Hero 6."
Aunt Cass shook her head. "Had a near heart attack when I first found out."
"Oh yeah… Threatened all their lives if they didn't watch out for me - Even though Baymax already was doing that."
"You boys are my babies regardless."
"I see." Tadashi chuckled.
"You still gonna do your job?" Shaylin asked.
"I plan to… Kind of hard to quit after you've thrown your life into for a whole year… Besides… it's a good outlet for the powers."
Fred hummed in thought. "... Does this mean we need to change our team name…?"
"Erm… not sure…" Tadashi rubbed the back of his neck. "I've mainly fought fires… the only crooks I've ever went toe to toe with were the arsonists."
Hiro crossed his arms.
"Why'd you wanna be around our team during our work hours anyway? You're friends with IRON MAN!"
"Just cause I'm associated with the Avengers, doesn't mean I work with them on their cases. They just trained me."
"... Back up, the Avengers are a LEGIT thing!?" Fred exclaimed. "ALL OF THEM!?
"Stand down, that's a story for another time."
"Either way… Let's not rush him." Honey Lemon sat down on another chair. "He's had a rough year."
"He can do whatever he wants." Hiro shrugged giving Tadashi a smirk. "I'm just glad you're alive… Dork."
"Your dork…" Tadashi hugged him close. "I would fight alongside you guys… If you'll have me."
"Of course." Hiro hugged him tightly looking to the others. "Guys?"
They all nodded.
"We did want to be allies before all this started."
"Then consider The Phoenix an ally."
oooooo
It had taken time… Adjusting, moving things… Tadashi took a few months before he was fully moved back into the Lucky Cat with Cass and Hiro but he was happy to be home.
He also made sure to visit Shaylin and Lily often as well… And his friends from DVC too.
As for college work…
"ACK! TADASHIIIIII! HELP!"
Hiro's project was still trying to murder him.
"Hang on!" Tadashi lept into action, kicking Kokoro right in the face, knocking the bot over. "Got it!"
Hiro sighed in relief popping the chip out. "I don't even remember putting this back in." He deadpanned. "Thanks big bro… How's your stuff?"
"Coming along good. Just working out the bugs on the gel I've been telling you about."
Hiro smirked. "What? No whipping out surprise duct tape? I'm so proud."
"Not today." Tadashi chuckled. "Besides you got enough problems and Kokoro is one of them."
He nodded getting up and dusting himself off. "Darn right he is. I swear if I have kids this troublesome I'll apologize a thousand times over to you."
"I'll keep that in mind." Tadashi smiled.
Bzzt bzzt.
Tadashi sighed, checking his phone.
"Thought so." He pocketed it, grabbing his bag. "Gotta go."
Hiro nodded. "Go get 'em. Stay safe."
Tadashi nodded, hugging him.
"Last hug."
Hiro smiled hugging him tightly. "Boy I've missed that."
"Me too." Tadashi smiled before pulling away, rushing out the door. "See you at home!"
This wasn't the life I asked for… but then again that's just how life is.
It gives you something… and in time you learn to accept it… and grow from it.
I'm Tadashi Hamada.
The Phoenix.
The End