Well, it's story tyme! This time, I'm gonna lighten the mood…after the emotional rollercoaster of the last grouping of stories…another fun story focusing on Mi-Na Hamada! And as Hiro discovers…the apple doesn't fall far from the tree…

by the way, Mi-Na is 8 years old…about the same age that Hiro was he started bot-fighting…so on to the story!


It was Saturday afternoon…and Mi-Na was working on a special project. Hiro-her father and a prodigy in robotics- opened her door and said, "Hey, princess. How's that project?"

Mi-Na replied, "Good, daddy!" She showed him what she had-a combination of her father's robotics and her mother's-the speedster Go Go Tomago-mag-lev wheels. She had created a robot controlled hovercraft.

Hiro said, "That's impressive. I don't think you can get admitted into SFIT just yet…but if you keep this up, you will be following in you pops footsteps."

He left the room, and Mi-Na pulled out a black rectangle. She smiled, and said, "More than you know, papa-san…" She typed in a command, and the black rectangle transformed-on the sides, two small panels slid open, and out came two pincers. A panel on the back opened, and a multi-sectioned part came out. Then, several small legs appeared on the bottom.

She put a device into her ear, and the small robot moved. She said, "Good-'Project Sasori' is a success. But I need to test it-and a back-alley bot fight is perfect…"

That night-she gave a fake story to her folks that she was going to hang out with one of her classmates for a cram session. But while it was still light out-she had managed to find one of the prime bot-fight locales. She jostled her way up to the front, and watched several fights. She also saw money being passed around. While the cash is nice…I wanna test my bot…

It had been a couple of hours…and Mi-Na was scouting. She saw there was one or two bot-fighters who were 'running'- meaning they were winning match after match. Mi-Na smiled…There is my score, she thought. The announcer said, "Do we have a challenger?"

Mi-Na, meekly, said, "I wanna try."

The announcer looked- in fact, everyone looked. They saw this little girl with a Frozen backpack. Everyone started to laugh. One of the bot-fighters-named Mikey - said, "C'mon, little girl…shouldn't you be at home…playing with your dowwys?"

They caused another uproar of laughter…until Mi-Na said, "I have money…not a lot."

She pulled out a twenty-bill. Mikey said, "Sure. I could use a warm-up."

Mi-Na took out her robot. It was the same black rectangle-with arms and legs welded on. It had a smiley face painted on. Mi-Na commanded the bot to the center. The other bot was a tower-it had four arms and stood nearly 2 feet-dwarfing most of the competitor's bots.

Mikey said, "I hope you're ready. When you lose, don't go cryin' to mommy!"

The announcer said, "All bets are in! Fighters-ready?"

Mikey replied, "Yeah!" Mi-Na meekly said, "I guess…"

The announcer said, "Fight!" Mikey moved his bot into position, and Mi-Na did the same. Mikey made his bot punch Mi-Na's, and her bot fell. Mi-Na said, "Oh no…"

The announcer said, "And it's all over! Our winner is Mikey!" Mikey said, "Oh, don't cry…come back in a few years, and you can play with the big boys."

Mi-Na picked up her robot, and looked at it. She said, "Hey…can I have another go?"

Mikey said, "Another go? You lost…so beat it, shrimp!"

Mi-Na reached into her bag, and pulled out a rolled wad of money. She said, "Is that enough for another go?"

Mikey looked at the wad, and licked his lips. He smiled, and said, "Sure kid. I like taking candy from a baby!"

The betting began again…and Mi-Na examined her bot. Mikey got his bot ready-and the announcer said, "All bets are in! Fighters ready?"

Mikey said, "Yeah, yeah. Let's get this over with so I can get back to some real fighting!"

Mi-Na, with a determined look, nodded. The announcer said, "Fight!"

Mi-Na then used her earpiece, and said, "Sasori-activate!" Mikey looked at her strangely- as Mi-Na's bot began to transform. The bot leaned forward-and the panels on the side opened to reveal pincers. The panel on the back opened-to reveal a curved tail with a steel drill tip. She moved the bot into position.

Mikey was alarmed, but recovered. He said, "So it changed…big deal!"

Mi-Na said, "It is a big deal…" Mikey had his bot move in-and Mi-Na had the bot use its pincer to destroy Mikey's bot's leg. Mikey saw this, and he lost his arrogance. He began to mutter, "C'mon, stupid bot…do something!"

Mi-Na saw she had the advantage-so she moved 'Sasori' towards Mikey's bot. She had her bot grab Mikey's bot by the legs. Mikey then countered by having his bot slam his arms and fists into Mi-Na's robot.

Mi-Na had her bot stand up-which caused Mikey's bot to slam into the ground. Mikey's bot was completely immobilized-and Mi-Na had her bot activate the drill on the tail, and impaled Mikey's bot.

The air was filled with the sounds of metal grinding into metal-and Mi-Na's bot stood-holding the top of Mikey's bot in its arms. Everyone-Mikey, the announcer, the patrons-was in complete shock. After a few moments, the announcer said, "It is all over! Our winner!"

Mi-Na grabbed the money, and put it in her bag. Mikey said, "No way! No way I lost…to a kid!"

His buddy-Vinny the other hustler-said, "She's just a little girl! Let's take her money…and her bot!"

Mi-Na saw them approaching her, and said, "Uh-oh…" She then turned, and disappeared into the crowd. At that moment, there was the sounds of sirens. A loud voice said, "Nobody move! This is a bust!"

The scene devolved into complete chaos. Mi-Na thought, I can use this to get out of her, and get home…And as she was crawling, trying to avoid detection…

…she bumped into something. She looked up, and saw a member of the SFPD. He looked down, and said, "A liitle too young to be out this late?"


Mi-Na was now standing in front of her home. The officer opened the door-and saw Go Go there. Go Go looked at the officer, and saw Mi-Na standing there. Mi-Na waved, and said, "Hi, mommy…"

Go Go said, "Hiro! Your daughter is in trouble!"

Hiro said, "Oh…so when she achieves high grades, she's 'our girl', but when she's in trouble, she's 'my daughter'?"

Go Go said, "Well…she just got caught at a bot-fighting venue! I hoped that we left that in the past! Not only that-she lied to us!"

Hiro said, "Wow…I can't believe you're the 'responsible' parent…"

Go Goi said, "Well…I'm just worried…I don't want her getting involved in something dangerous…"

Mi-Na, with the most adorable expression, said, "Mommy…I'm sorry I lied…and I went out bot-fighting. I deserve whatever punishment I get."

Hiro said, "Go…she was just like me…and look how I turned out!"

Go Go said, "Don't encourage her…" They heard a thump, and saw the money Mi-Na won. Mi-Na said, "I just wanted to test my bot…I didn't care about the money."

Go Go said, "Mi-Na…go to your room. Daddy and I are gonna talk about this."

Mi-Na sadly said, "Yes, Mommy."

Mi-Na sat on her bed, waiting for her parents. Go Go opened the door, and said, "Mi-Na…you know I-we-were worried because we love you?"

Mi-Na said, "I love you, mommy."

Go Go said, "And you know…that disobeying the rules mean you have to be punished."

Mi-Na nodded. Go Go said, "Well…we had a trip planned for the Sf Robotics Museum next weekend. Now, there won't be a trip. Also, no video games and no bots for a week."

Mi-Na nodded again, but drooped her head. It was breaking Go Go's heart…but she had to discipline Mi-Na. Go Go turned, and left the room. She saw Hiro, and said, "It's so hard…I love her…and see where she got her bot-fighting from."

Hiro said, "And the museum trip?" Go Go said, "I wouldn't take that from her…as hard as she's worked to earn that…"

Hiro said, "And she's going to get that…but let's stop being disciplinarians and be parents." Hiro opened the door, and Mi-Na, sitting on the bed, said, "Are you gonna punish me, too?"

Hiro said, "No, Mi. I wanna see this bot you used."

Mi-Na said, "OK, daddy!" Go Go watched from the door, as Mi-Na showed Hiro her bot. She used her communicator to make it transform. Hiro said, "Cool! What do you call it?"

Mi-Na said, "Sasori!"

Hiro said, "Cool name. Look, Go!"

Go Go smiled at the bot moved along the floor. Hmm…it looks like the apple didn't fall far from the tree…and I wouldn't have it any other way…Go Go said, "Sasori, huh? Let's see what it can do."

The next weekend, Go Go and Hiro had Mi-Na in the car. Go Go said, "We know we can't stop you from bot-fighting…"

Hiro said, "So…how would you like to join a bot-battle league?"

Mi-Na said, "Yeah! I can make more, better bots! And battle other kids?"

Hiro said, "Yeah…battle other kids. But…how about some inspiration?"

Their car pulled up-to the SF Robotics Museum. Go Go said, "I didn't have the heart to cancel this trip. But next time…young lady, I might not be so generous."

Mi-Na said, "Thanks, Mommy!"

Hiro said, "Let's go in, Mi-Na!" He took her hand, and they walked in…


…and that's where this story ends! Indeed, the apple doesn't fall from the tree…

Special thanks to Cam the History Man24 for suggesting this story!

And everyone else-comment, follow, fave!

AN: Mi-Na's bot-'Sasori'-is the Japanese word for 'scorpion'. Because I had her bot be a scorpion...awesome, huh!