Hi everyone! This is the beginning of a multi-chapter Alive!Tadashi fic because I'm trash and I still haven't gotten over his death, so by writing this it helps me keep my denial going!

Hope you guys like it~

Full summary: Tadashi Hamada always reminded Professor Callaghan of his own daughter: bright, vivid, and inspirational. In an act of guilt and pity, Callaghan saves Tadashi's life in the fire and takes him back to his warehouse, where he helps the older Hamada recover while at the same time begins developing an army of microbots. When Hiro, a brother in mourning, discovers the secret warehouse by accident, Callaghan realizes that he cannot simply let Tadashi return home and expose his elaborate plan for revenge. Callaghan blackmails Tadashi by threatening Hiro's safety, and thus he is pulled into the professor's twisted scheme and is pitted against his brother and friends.

Chapter 1: Engulfed by Flames

"Tadashi! NO!"

It was the last thing he heard his little brother say to him before running into the blaze. No. An anguished, pleading scream. No. No. NO.

Guilt plagued Tadashi's mind as he dove into the burning building. Should he be doing this? What about Hiro? What about Aunt Cass? What will they think of him when he makes it out with Callaghan? If he makes it out with Callaghan?

Keep going, Tadashi willed himself, covering his mouth and nose with his sleeve as he side-stepped burning debris and searched for any sign of his missing professor. Mom and dad would be proud of you.

Hiro hadn't gotten a chance to really know their parents, but Tadashi had. And he knew that his parents raised him to help people, not sit idly by and let an innocent soul perish.

This was worth the risk. He was sure of it.

He just wished Hiro had felt the same.

Tadashi wiped at his eyes which were watering from the dense smoke. He could feel his lungs burning for oxygen, but he kept pushing forward regardless.

Crack.

Eyes widening in shock, Tadashi flung himself to the side just as a flaming beam fell and nearly crashed on top of him. He hit his head on the impact of the landing and hissed in pain.

The red inferno tilted and twisted around Tadashi, and he stumbled to his feet despite his dizzying vision.

"Professor Callaghan!" Tadashi yelled, coughing violently and trudging forward. He was met with the groans of the buckling building. "It's… it's-" He coughed and sucked in a desperate breath. "It's Tadashi! I'll get you out of here, I'll-"

Another creak. Another groan. Suddenly, Tadashi was knocked off his feet as another beam fell from the ceiling and grazed his side.

Tadashi's hip erupted with blinding, red hot pain.

He couldn't move. He couldn't think. All he could do was lay there, drowning in the smoke and the heat of the inferno that blazed around him.

"I'm sorry, Hiro," Tadashi whispered, paralyzed. He knew it was all over. With the left side of his body burned and his mind quickly losing consciousness, Tadashi was sure that he would not make it out to see his little brother again.

"Tadashi! NO!"

"I'm so sorry Hiro … I'm –"

The building exploded.

The boy had always reminded him of his little Abigail.

Ever since his first day of class – when Hamada had walked in sporting that signature San Fransokyo Giants cap – Callaghan knew the kid was destined for greatness. He had a big brain and an even bigger heart.

Just like Abigail.

And now Callaghan stood, staring down at Tadashi, as the fire blazed all around them. The boy was withering slightly on the ground, no doubt losing consciousness. His jacket was frayed, blood was matted into his dark hair, and his side was badly burned.

"I'm sorry, Hiro," Callaghan heard Tadashi sob to himself.

Guilt clenched at Callaghan's stomach as he glanced down at the neural-cranial transmitter in his hand. The younger Hamada, Hiro, had put hours of work into this final project. No doubt he would assume it was destroyed in the fire after everything was over.

Hiro would get over the loss of his microbots, Callaghan was sure.

But would he get over the loss of his brother?

It was unlikely.

Just like Abigail.

The building groaned and Callaghan knew it was about to implode any second. Determined, the professor placed the transmitter on his head. The microbots stored in the various recycling bins around the building instantly came alive, bending to his will.

Another groan. Callaghan quickly positioned himself in front of Tadashi and the microbots followed, forming a protective casing around the pair.

"I'm sorry, Hiro," Tadashi muttered again, nearly incoherent. "I'm –"

The building exploded, rattling the microbots and knocking Callaghan back to the floor. The tiny robots stayed intact, however. The older Hamada was unconscious, but alive. That's what counted.

"Let's get you out of here," Callaghan sighed, bending down and picking up Tadashi over his shoulder. Slowly but surely Callaghan trudged forward, the microbots moving along with him, as he made his way into the direction of the back door.