Disney Books - Big Hero Six: The Junior Novelization

Copyright 2014 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

Published by Disney Press, an imprint of Disney Book Group. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. For information address Disney Press, 1101 Flower Street, Glendale, California 91201.

ISBN 978-1-4847-0191-1

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N ot quite a big city, and not quite a small town, San Fransokyo had always been a mysterious mix of old and new. On foggy nights, the bright skyscraper lights and the neon of the modern city softened, giving the old Victorian pagodas and forgotten alleyways of the past an inviting glow.

One such night, a young teenage boy named Hiro Hamada was making his way down an old brick alley. He was looking for a place where grown men came to fight.

The boy felt a little nervous when he finally approached a rowdy crowd. Men were jammed around a fighting ring, chanting, Ya-ma! Ya-ma!

Mr. Yama, a large, sumo-sized man, strutted into the ring and held up his huge hands in victory. It had been a fight to the death, and Mr. Yamas tricked-out eighteen-inch robotwhich had claws for one hand and a spinning saw wheel for the otherhad just decapitated the competition. The remains of the defeated robot were unceremoniously tossed onto a pile of other dismembered opponents.

Whos next? Mr. Yama snarled, scanning the crowd. The spectators exchanged money and prepared to place their bets. Who has the guts to step into the ring with Little Yama? The crowd stared at the big mans fierce robot and shrank away. Some even hid their bots behind their backs.

Then a voice said, Can I try? The crowd parted and everyone stared at Hiro.

Yamas eyes narrowed. Whats your name, little boy?

Its Hiro. Hiro Hamada.

The four-hundred pound man folded his thick arms over his chest. Go home, Zero. Bot-fighting isnt for little boys with toy robots. You have to pay to play.

Is this enough? Hiro asked, holding up a wad of bills. Yama smiled and placed Little Yama back in the ring.

Hiro held up a small, unimpressive twelve-inch robot. He tried to seem confident. Hed learned a long time ago that when you bot-fought in this part of town, you never let them see your fear.

Hiro put Megabot down into the ring. Immediately, the tiny robot toppled over. Yama couldnt hide his smirk as he sat on his mat. Hiro also sat down, his mat across the ring from Yamas. The bettors went crazy. Piles of cash grew higher and higher.

The referee stepped up and lowered an open umbrella between the two. Two bots enter! One bot leaves! she shouted. Fighters ready? Fight!

Little Yama quickly advanced on Megabot, towering over him. In seconds, he had sliced through Hiros bot! The crowd cheered.

But without warning, Hiros seemingly broken bot reassembled. Megabot, destroy! Hiro ordered.

Hiros bot counterattacked with such deadly force, the fight was over in seconds. Little Yama was torn to pieces. Bits of him sparked and jumped all over the ring.

With the click of Hiros remote control, Megabot gave a cute yet awkward bow. The whole audience was silent.

Mr. Yama was stunned. But...wha? How? This is not possible!

Hiro smiled. No one likes a sore loser, big guy. But everyone loves a winner! He held up his bot, and the crowd chanted, Hi-ro! Hi-ro! Hi-ro!

No! Mr. Yama yelled, and the crowd became silent. No one can beat Little Yama. You cheated, and I want to know how! Give me that bot. Several of Mr. Yamas large associates suddenly moved toward Hiro.

I can see youre upset. Heres what Im gonna do: Ill teach you everything I know about high-torque micromotors, Hiro said as the huge men backed him into a corner. I charge an hourly rateits pricey, but worth it. Before you know it, youll be making robots that arent totally junky. First class is free! Hiro was really starting to sweat when a scooter came out of nowhere and tore down the alley. It skidded to a stop, knocking Mr. Yama and his goons to the ground.

Get on! the rider yelled to Hiro.

T adashi Hamada reached back and shoved a helmet on his little brother Hiros head. He gunned the scooters engine and took off through the crowd.

It was hard for Tadashi to be patient with his little brother sometimes. He turned and smacked the top of Hiros helmet. You graduated high school when you were thirteen, and this is what youre doing? Youre wasting that big brain of yours!

It was well known that both the Hamada brothers were tech prodigies, but Hirohe was something special. He was a bona fide genius. Not that he did much with his brain other than build fighting bots.

Im on a roll, big brother, Hiro replied, grinning. Theres no stopping me now.

Just then, a police car with its red lights flashing pulled up and blocked the end of the alley.

Oh, no, Tadashi groaned, realizing theyd been caught up in a gambling raid. It wasnt long before he and Hiro were headed to jail, along with Yama and everyone else the cops were able to catch.

A short time later, Tadashi sat in his cell, staring across the hall at Hiro. Because of Hiros age, he was given his own cell, while Tadashi was locked up with Yama and his goons. Hiro could see that Tadashi was furious.

Finally, a police officer yelled, Tadashi and Hiro Hamada! The boys stepped out of their cells and glanced sheepishly at their aunt Cass. Shed come to pick them up, and she looked worried.

Uh, hi, Aunt Cass, Tadashi said.

She rushed to embrace them both. Are you guys okay? Tell me youre okay!

Were okay, Hiro said, ducking his head.

She twisted both their ears. Then what were you two knuckleheads thinking?

It was a long ride home. Aunt Cass started in on them as soon as she got behind the wheel. For ten years, Ive done the best I could to raise you. Have I been perfect? No.

Hiro and Tadashi nodded. They had expected her to lecture them, and they knew they deserved it. They hated making her upset.

Is it like the blind raising the blind? Yes, she continued as she parked her pickup in front of the caf she owned, the Lucky Cat. It was on the first floor of an old Victorian, and they all lived together in the apartment upstairs.

Were sorry, Tadashi said as they got out of the truck.

Hiro knew he had to say something, too. We love you, Aunt Cass.

Hiro and Tadashi cringed at the Closed sign hanging in the window. They knew shed had to close up to get them out of jail.

Well, I love you, too! she grumbled as they entered the caf. She grabbed a giant pastry from the counter and took a bite. Stress eating! Because of you, she mumbled with her mouth full. Then she walked upstairs to their apartment with her fat cat, Mochi, following her.

Hiro and Tadashi also went upstairs, to the bedroom they shared. Hiro gathered some tools that were scattered on his desk while Tadashi watched.

I hope youve learned your lesson, Tadashi finally said.

Absolutely, Hiro said.

Youve got your priorities straight?

I really do, Hiro replied, making an adjustment to his robot, then heading for the door.