A/N: Thought of this idea when listening to "On Top of the World" by Greek Fire, amazing song by the way. Anyway, this is my first BH6 fic, so I hope you enjoy it! There will be some differences from the movie considering it is an Alternate Universe, but there may be a few movie references. Also, this story will be a bit slow paced at first, but it will get better.

Policemen constantly walked by the cell and the only person inside watched, waiting to be released. He sat on the floor with his back against the wall, cursing the police for taking the money he earned in the bot-fight. According to the chief, having money from a bot-fight was considered 'gambling', which the temporary prisoner thought was crap. Suddenly, the cell door opened and a woman walked in, rambling something about being scared, stress-eating, and having gray hairs before she was forty. The teen was released from the cell and was forced to go into the conference room to meet the chief.

The chief of police scanned some papers, "You've been arrested twenty-three times for bot-fighting, kid. If you were an adult, you would be in here for at least a year." He looked at the woman, "There's only two choices left in this situation. Either send him to a juvenile detention center or to a relative away from San Fransokyo."

"Would thirty-five minutes from San Fransokyo work?" The woman asked.

The teen rose to his feet, "No way. I'm not going."

Hiro Hamada sat in a moving taxi, a duffel bag at his feet that held only clothes, hygiene materials, and his cell phone. He looked out the window at the buildings they passed, already dreading when the taxi would reach its destination in just a few minutes. Two nights ago, sixteen-year-old Hiro was faced with two options: go to a juvenile detention center or stay with his twenty-seven-year-old brother, Tadashi. Of course, Hiro chose to stay with his brother in order to keep some freedom, even though the two hadn't spoke in over a year. Tadashi, a college graduate, was adored by everybody. As for Hiro, he was the black sheep wherever he went. Until he began bot fighting.

He had taken down several so-called 'experts' with what he called megabot, a small robot with deadly skills. Even though bot fighting isn't illegal, people break the law by betting on the battles. Hiro came out with a lot of money every time, until he got caught along with the other bot fighters. This small occurrence forced him to move to Tadashi's house.

The taxi pulled up in front of the house and Hiro handed the driver the money required. Then, he grabbed his bag, stepped out the taxi, and watched it leave him behind. Hiro turned to look at the house and saw it was a two-story with a small yard. The front door opened and Tadashi stepped through it. "Hey, Hiro. Come on inside, it's about ready to rain." Hiro remained silent as he walked toward the house that was going to be his temporary home.

Tadashi held the door open until his younger brother entered the house. "You made it just in time. Honey Lemon is almost finished cooking."

Hiro nodded and held his duffel bag up a bit, "Where can I put this?"

"Your room is upstairs, three doors down on the left." Tadashi stated and Hiro began to walk up the stairs to the guest bedroom. Honey Lemon suddenly appeared from the kitchen and stood beside her husband.

"Are you sure about this, Tadashi? What if he causes problems here, too?"

"I'll take care of it if he does." Tadashi sighed, "I couldn't just let him go to juvie. What kind of brother would I be if I let that happen?"

Honey Lemon nodded, understanding. "Okay, Tadashi. I trust you."

He hugged her, "That's all I'm asking you to do."

She let go of him after a few seconds, "Dinner is ready."

Hiro sat at the kitchen table with a bowl of chicken alfredo in front of him. Even though he didn't really care for the stuff, he wasn't going to hurt Honey Lemon's feelings, so he choked it down the best he could. Honey Lemon tried to start a conversation with Hiro, but he only replied with a sentence. Eventually, the woman quit trying and just ate the food. Across from Hiro, Tadashi's six-year-old daughter, Sophie, studied her uncle. She had rarely been around him and didn't know anything about him other than he never looked happy. Tadashi only wondered where his brother had gone. The teen sitting beside him wasn't the Hiro he knew.

After a silent dinner, Tadashi began to watch a movie with his wife and daughter. Even though he had invited Hiro to join them, the teen declined, saying he was going to sleep. After Hiro left, Sophie looked at her father. "Daddy, why is he staying here?"

"Well, he needed a place to stay for a little while." Tadashi answered.

"Why?" She asked.

Tadashi thought for a moment, "He just needed to be somewhere different."

She nodded, "Does he hate us?"

"No, Sophie. He doesn't hate us, he just hates the situation he's in." Tadashi stood up, wrapped an arm around his daughter's waist, and flipped her upside down, spinning as he did. She laughed and, for a brief moment, Tadashi remembered doing the same thing to Hiro years ago. He gently placed Sophie on the couch and knelt in front of her, "Just give him some time. I'm sure he'll come around." Hopefully.

Hiro heard the conversation and snorted quietly. "As if." Then, he went to the guest bedroom and threw himself on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. He really didn't want to be here and Tadashi knew that, so why did he say that to Sophie? Does Tadashi think he can change me? Idiot... The teen turned over on his side and closed his eyes. You don't know anything about me, Tadashi. I'm not the person I used to be. A single year has turned me into the person I am now. Before he knew it, he was asleep.

The next morning, Hiro woke up to a knock on his door and Honey Lemon opened the door. "We're going out today. Tadashi said to get in the shower and come downstairs."

Hiro groaned, but sat up, rubbing his eyes. Without replying to the woman, Hiro retrieved his duffel bag, grabbed a new pair of clothes, and went to the shower. After he got out, he looked at his reflection in the mirror. Scars covered his chest and back, but Hiro was used to them by now. After all, they would never go away. He knew first-hand what happens when a bot-fight goes wrong and you can't escape, he had the evidence. Nobody knew about them and Hiro intended to keep it that way.

He dressed and left the bathroom, going downstairs to the others. Tadashi was putting on his shoes, a leash in his hand, while Honey Lemon grabbed her purse from the counter. Hiro put on his shoes and waited for the family to get ready to leave. Tadashi opened the door and went outside, so Hiro decided to follow him out. Tadashi walked around the house and Hiro just stood in the front yard, looking in the direction of his former home, wishing he could go back. A loud bark startled Hiro and the teen whirled around to see his brother with a German Shepard on a leash.

The German Shepard began wagging its tail as it strained against the leash to get to Hiro. Tadashi simply dropped the leash and the dog ran to Hiro and jumped, knocking the teen to the ground as the dog continued to jump around him. Honey Lemon and Sophie walked out the door and saw what was going on. "He likes you." Sophie said, laughing at the sight of Hiro trying to get to his feet. However, the dog kept knocking him back down.

Hiro tried to get up again and run before the dog knocked him down again, but failed. Instead, Hiro just laid down on his back. "Tadashi, get your dog."

"I think I'll let you deal with him." The older Hamada stated humorously.

Hiro glared at his brother and the German Shepard chose that moment to lick the side of Hiro's face. "Gross! " Hiro yelled as he wiped his face with his shirt sleeve, making the family laugh. Tadashi eventually called off the dog and Hiro rose to his feet, trying to wipe his face and get dirt off his clothes at the same time. "Glad I could provide entertainment." Hiro stated sarcastically.

Tadashi grabbed the leash once again and they began to walk down the street. Hiro hung back a little, looking at all the buildings they passed in an attempt to become familiar with the area. Well, more familiar with the area, since he had been here once before. Hiro shuddered at the thought, not wanting to remember what happened the night he came through here. Suddenly, Hiro stopped in his tracks as he noticed some people crowded around an alley, smoking. Hiro rushed toward the others in an attempt to hide, but the men had already seen him and began laughing.

Dread made Hiro's stomach turn. Not now. I thought they were still in jail! They won't do anything in broad daylight, will they? Hiro's questioned was answered when the men began to follow them. Just great... Hiro thought sarcastically and looked at Tadashi and his family, walking along as if nothing was happening. I don't want to see them get hurt. What can I do? Should I tell Tadashi we're being followed? Should I just tell him everything now and get it over with? Hiro pondered on the thought. No, he'll become a target, too. I can't drag him into this. Are they still following us? The teen turned around and saw the men were no longer behind them and sighed in relief. They were safe for now.

"Mommy, can we get some ice cream?" Sophie asked, pointing at an ice cream shop.

Honey Lemon nodded. "We can't eat inside because we have Danny with us."

Hiro listened to the conversation. So that's the name of the evil dog. The teen looked around and noticed those guys again. Damn, they're persistent. I have to keep my eyes on them. "I'll stay out here with Danny while you guys go on in."

Tadashi looked at his younger brother, wondering where his kindness was coming from. "You sure?"

"Just go before I change my mind." Hiro muttered, embarrassed by the attention as he took the dog leash from Tadashi. The family went inside, leaving Hiro outside, his only weapon being a dog that loved practically everyone.

Meanwhile, Honey Lemon and Sophie looked at the different flavors of ice cream and toppings. Tadashi watched Hiro through the window, knowing what was happening, but not quite understanding it. He walked to his wife and daughter, "Honey, can I talk to you a minute?"

Honey Lemon noticed her husband's different tone of voice and immediately grew weary. She turned to Sophie, "Sweetie, you keep looking while your daddy and I talk. Okay?"

Sophie nodded and Honey Lemon followed Tadashi to an empty area of the room. "I didn't want to alarm you, but we're being followed."

"What do you mean 'followed'?" Honey Lemon questioned, not understanding completely. "Why would we be followed?"

Tadashi turned to look back at his brother, who stood outside with the dog, staring at something. "I don't know why, but it has something to do with my brother. He's watching them now and he's worried, I can tell."

"Shouldn't we bring him in here and call the police? Even with Danny, I'm sure the manager would understand." Honey Lemon tried to think of a safe solution.

Tadashi shook his head, "Let's see what happens. I just wanted to warn you so you wouldn't freak out if anything happened. Just be on guard. I won't let anything happen to you guys, I promise." Honey Lemon hugged him before going back to her daughter. Tadashi joined them, but he kept his eyes on Hiro the entire time.

Hiro stared at the men as they stood down the street, watching him. Sensing Hiro's fear, Danny began whimpering and looking around for the source of the human's fear. Finally, the dog found the men and began growling threateningly. Hiro stood closer to the dog's side, petting its soft fur, "It's okay, boy."

The ice cream shop door opened and Tadashi, Honey Lemon, and Sophie stepped outside. Hiro turned to face them and an ice cream cone was nearly shoved into his face. "You remembered?"

Tadashi smiled, nodding. "Vanilla ice cream, two scoops, with gummy bears in the center and on top. Of course." As Hiro took the ice cream, Tadashi glanced down the street at the men. "Anyway, I think it's about time to go home."

Hiro's mind raced. If we go back home, that means turning around and heading toward my enemies! But if keep going and they continue to follow us, it'll be the same thing. What do I do?

Tadashi saw his brother's panic, but decided to not do anything about it right now. The more oblivious their stalkers were, the better. Breathe, Hiro. Don't have a panic attack on me right now. We don't have time for that. Just breathe. Tadashi watched as his brother inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, calming his heartbeat with a few breaths. Honey Lemon grabbed her daughter's hand as they began to walk toward the people following them. Hiro tried to focus on staying calm, but memories flashed in his mind, threatening to break any control he had. He tightened his grip on the leash as Danny walked in front of them, trying to shield his family and newfound family member from the threat.

They were only ten feet away now and Hiro began to see everything in slow motion as he waited for an attack. Will they just shoot us down? Stab us? Why can't we just run from them? Hiro's instincts told him to run and put as much distance between him and the threat as he could, but he didn't. Instead, he walked closer and closer. Five feet... two... Danny began to growl and glare at the men. Before he knew it, they were walking past them. Hiro's body grew tense, ready for the men to attack, but they never did. After a few minutes of walking, Hiro looked back and saw they were no longer being followed. The streets were empty.

He sighed in relief and began to eat the ice cream cone in his hand to distract himself. Honey Lemon looked at Tadashi, concerned, but his smile reassured her. Sophie never noticed the tension as she happily walked around with ice cream on her face. Tadashi never let his guard down until they made it home and he even let Danny in the house to keep their pursuers from recognizing him if they had actually followed them.

Hiro immediately went upstairs to the guest bedroom, quietly shutting the door behind him. Honey Lemon gestured toward Hiro's room and Tadashi nodded, walking upstairs to the guest bedroom. He knocked on the door, "Hiro?" He opened the door and saw his brother curled up in the bed.

"What do you want?" He asked, trying to sound annoyed.

Tadashi closed the door and sat next to Hiro. "I want to know what I've missed since I left."

Hiro snorted, "You didn't miss anything."

Tadashi rested a hand on his brother's shoulder and immediately noticed Hiro was trembling. The older Hamada squeezed his younger brother's shoulder in comfort. "I want to know about everything. Including who those people were that followed us today."

Hiro looked at his brother, shocked. "How did you-"

"Come on, Hiro. I'm not as dense as you think." Tadashi stated. "Now, are you going to answer my question?"

The teen turned his back toward his brother, "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Hiro, I need to know what these men are capable of so I can-"

"They're pissed at me because I beat them in a bot fight! Happy?" Hiro snapped, his body trembling more than before. "Now leave me alone."

Tadashi sighed, knowing his brother wasn't going to say anything else. "Okay." He stood up and walked toward the door, then turned toward Hiro again. "I won't let them hurt you, Hiro, I promise." With that said, Tadashi left and shut the door behind him.

Hiro laughed sadly. You idiot, Tadashi. They already have.

Hiro ran through the alley, trying to get away from the bot-fighters chasing him. He tripped over a trashcan, but regained his balance quickly and continued running. A gunshot ringed loud in his ears and Hiro immediately fell to the ground, pain shooting through his leg from the bullet wound. Struggling to stand, the teen began to stumble forward, his heart pounding in his chest and his breathing was unsteady. The bot-fighters were getting closer, but Hiro just focused on escaping the alley. He made a left, then a right, until he finally saw an opening that led to crowded streets. Hiro took a step forward, but a hand gripped his shoulder. "Going somewhere?"
Another gunshot threatened to burst Hiro's eardrums as the teen looked down at his now blood-covered hoodie. Instinctively, Hiro's trembling hands moved toward the wound as he fell to his knees, a metallic taste filling his mouth. Hiro looked up at the exit to the alley, noticing a familiar figure at the end of it. "Tadashi!" Hiro yelled, blood flying from his mouth.

Tadashi's annoyed voice somehow reached Hiro's ears. "What do you want?"

"Help me!" Hiro yelled again, trying to stand. "Just help me!"

His brother's laugh made Hiro's blood run cold. "Why would I help you? You're an embarrassment to everybody."

Shocked, Hiro stared. "Tadashi..."

"Our lives will be better if you're dead, so quit fighting already." Tadashi stated and began to walk away.

"Tadashi... No, please! Don't leave me!" A knife appeared and was pressed against the teen's throat. "They're going to kill me! Tadashi!"

He turned around one last time, "I know."

Tears streamed down the younger brother's face as the knife was moved from his throat and stabbed into his chest. An agonized scream filled the air as the knife was twisted into his chest, but the scream was eventually muted by the blood rising in his throat. "Ta-Tadashi. P-please." However, Hiro's final words were unheard by the older brother. Tadashi was gone.