Scarlet ever so casually walked in through the front door where she was greeted with a not-so-happy face. Duncan was leaning on the back of the sofa with a look that could kill, and arms crossed over his chest.

"Hi," Scarlet nervously mustered.

"Where were you?"

"With the Royals."

"Where with the Royals?" He asked again with more emphasis.

'Well, he's pissed meaning I'm already in trouble,' she thought before outrightly saying, "We went to Africa."

"I'm sorry you went where?" His rhetorical question was very obviously not approving.

Scarlet sighed before trying to explain herself, "It was about the stone, and we actually got some good information. Plus, I'm back before curfew."

"Scarlet that's not the point!" Duncan took a deep breath before calming continuing, "You can't just go across the world without me knowing where you're at. I'm still legally responsible for you, you know?"

"Yes, I know. You make it abundantly clear to me," Scarlet could tell that what she thought was a matter-of-fact statement struck a nerve. She threw her hands up and corrected herself, "Not that I don't appreciate it. Look I'm sorry I didn't give all the information I should have, but I really need to know what the rest of this stuff means." She said looking at her stone for a moment.

Duncan approached her gave her the signature stare down before grabbing her up in a hug, "I get it, but can you not give me a heart attack while doing it?"

"Yeah, sure thing. So... does this mean I'm not grounded?"

"Oh no," he pulled her away and looked her in the eyes, "you're definitely grounded."

While cooped up in her room after school on Monday Scarlet started adding to her mystery board for the stone. After sitting and staring at it for quite some time she thought, 'It still doesn't make sense. What type of lights was Jordan talking about and why do they appear everywhere the Kaiju are? And what the heck is this second symbol? It looks like a big A or a... mountain.'

Scarlet pulled out her world geography book and started flipping through the pages till she found what she was looking for. "Mount Fuji," she read aloud, "is the tallest peak in Japan located southwest of Tokyo. Contrary to its name Mount Fuji is an active volcano, not a calm mountain like most people would associate. Notice the signature flat top (seen from a distance) instead of a sharp peak most often associated with a mountain from a distance."

She looked at the picture in the book then she looked back at the stone and I lightbulb went off. Closing the book she thought, 'Add going to Japan on the list of things to do when I get out of prison.'

Just then she heard a tape on the window and when she went to go investigate it was Garnet and Finn looking in. Sliding up the window she was greeted with smiles and Finn's usually jest of, "How's house arrest?"

"Actually, not the worst. I don't think Duncan realizes alone time is my happy place."

"Aw you don't miss us?" Garnet genuinely asked.

"You two are the exception," they shared a laugh. "How did your audition go Finn?" Scarlet asked.

"Uh...I think it was ok. Nothing fantastic," Finn said checking the back of his neck.

" said he did a great job," Garnet added.

" , the director of the theatre club? Miss "I got a doctorate in performing arts" Wilson said you did great? Finn, I think you got the role," Scarlet said confidently.

"Well, we'll see by the end of the week," Finn not so confidently replied. "Anyways," taking the attention off himself, "what did you do in Africa?"

"Turns out my father probably got the stone from Kimberley and the first symbol may be connected to these lights that conspiracy theorist keep reporting. So, I'm gonna have to ask a certain someone about those. And I think I found another clue cooped up in this room." She grabbed her book again and showed the duo the picture, "Mount Fuji, it looks just like this symbol on here except simpler."

"You think it has something to do with Fire Kaiju originating in Japan?" Garnet asked.

Shaking her head in agreement Scarlet answered, "Yep so, guess who's taking another trip at some point?"

"How you gonna do that with the sister police around?" Finn asked.

"He doesn't know that I know this, but Duncan's going on a business trip in two weeks so that means I'm staying with someone for the weekend. If I plan this right, I might be able to convince him to let me stay at Jenna's without making something up."

The two seemed obviously confused as to how Scarlet would pull this off, so she explained further, "Garnet you have Spirit Squad practice coming up and Finn you're gonna have rehearsal; both of which are on the weekends. I'll basically be alone anyways most of the day so, why not stay with Jenna who has weekend's off technically?"

Garnet chuckled, "You know Scarlet if I didn't know any better, I'd say you got your dad's evil genius genes."

"Ew! Don't say that!" That's when she heard something that the other two didn't, "Duncan's pulling in! I'll see you two at school!"

The two high schoolers ran off and Scarlet closed her window before running to put away all of her research. She sat upright on her bed with her geography book open as if she'd been engulfed in it. Perfect position for when her brother knocked on the door frame, "Hey."

"Hey."

"What have you been up to?"

"Homework, like a good, grounded child," she said with sassy smile.

Duncan simply raised an eyebrow saying, "Uh huh. Well, lucky for you prison food just got an upgrade."

That's when Duncan pulled a small bag from backpack that had the word "To Duncan" written on it. Scarlet quickly got up to explore the new thing and asked, "What is it?"

"They're coal based ramen noodles. And they'll be ready about fifteen minutes after I take off these dang work shoes."

At the dinner table Scarlet was given what looked like a hot bowl of darkness with black snakes. A little unsure she took a small fork full and place it in her mouth. "It taste like coal," she thought out loud, "but softer which I can appreciate."

"Yeah, the doc's really been trying to whip up different things in the lab."

They finished eating and Scarlet finally popped the question, "Can I stay with Jenna while you're gone?"

By this point Duncan was washing his dish in the sink while Scarlet still sat contently at the table. He turned his head in a little shock asking, "How do you know I'm leaving?"

Scarlet simply pointed at her ears and Duncan got the gist before asking another question, "Why do you wanna stay with Jenna?"

"Well, Garnet has Spirit Squad practice on the weekends and Finn is gonna get Peter Pan in the school play so he's gonna be busy during the weekends too. And Jenna is home on the weekend's so I figured I could just stay with her."

"Isn't our father going to want you during the weekend?"

"Last time we spoke he said only Sunday that weekend."

"And what are you gonna tell her when you have to be somewhere at probably dawn?" Duncan very obviously was doubting this plan.

Scarlet leaned back in the kitchen chair and honestly asked, "Would it be bad if she knew he was back?"

Duncan sighed, "Let's just say it would cause more problems than it would solve. Custody and all."

"Hm," Scarlet said as they sat for a moment of brief silence. Being so young she didn't always think of things from the legal perspective. Finally, she replied, "What time do you expect to be home Sunday?"

"Probably around noon."

"I can just say that I'm going home to meet you. Besides it's not like she doesn't keep an eye out on me from afar."

Sitting back down at the kitchen table Duncan said, "Well, you'll be ungrounded by then so, you can ask her and see what she says. If she's ok with it, then so am I."

"Yes!" Scarlet could hardly contain herself. As she got up from the table to go to her room she asked, "Has anyone ever told you you're the best brother?"

"Yeah...you're still grounded."

~ Two Weeks Later ~

Scarlet and Jenna had just made it to her place on the other side of town. Walking into the living room Jenna said, "Make yourself at home!"

It was a nice little suburban house with everything a single person would need. A small kitchen with a tiny island, a living room with a small flat screen and old pictures framed on the wall, and doors leading to the single bathroom, and two bedrooms. All city girl themed with white, black, and touches of pink everywhere. Scarlet made her way to the spare room and found it was similarly themed with a large window by the bed.

"I have a meeting tonight, but I'll be back just in time to have a late girl's night," Jenna shouted from her room as she was changing from her official coaching outfit. Jenna later came out in her black MEGTAF uniform and leaning on the doorpost she asked, "Are you a Mean Girls or a Tomb Raider girl?"

Scarlet thought about it for a moment and answered, "Both."

"Thatta girl," she started towards the front door where Scarlet followed her out, "I'll be home by five. I trust you can handle yourself."

"Jenna I can crack a skull when I really want to. I think I'll be fine for a couple of hours."

"Ok," Jenna said a smirk, "but remember your brother will kill me if something happens to you. See you kid!"

Jenna got into her car and drop off away from her little suburban oasis. Locking the front door Scarlet looked down the hallway where she saw Jenna's closed room door. Slowly walking to the door, she eyes every corner, nook, and cranny for signs of spyware. Her ears were open to every little sound that could be made, but too her surprise she didn't hear or see anything. Finally, Scarlet makes it to the door put her hand around the silver knob to find it's locked.

"Figures," she said to herself, "she doesn't trust me that much."

Getting on her knees Scarlet cupped her right hand into her left and blew some fire until her Kaiju side was activated. Her nails grew long, and she began to pick the lock. As she listened for each little click, she started thinking to herself, 'What if I don't find anything? What if this was just a big waste of time? Well, I got a weekend away from home so, I guess that's not a bad thing. Now just one more click...gotcha!'

She twisted the knob again and the door opened to a beautiful master bedroom. There was a full-sized bed with two windows and white drapes hanging to the floor. To the left Scarlet spotted a neatly organized desk with a closed laptop on it. Sitting at the desk Scarlet opened the laptop to find it was MEGTAF owned. Sighing Scarlet said, "I try and crack into this and MEGTAF will follow my every move. There's gotta be something around here."

That's when she heard a buzz. Turning around she looked around the room until she heard it again. It was coming from the nightstand. Getting up she walked over to the black furnishing and opened the top drawer where she found a down-turned picture frame. Then the bottom drawer where she found something. It was an old Blackberry that had a message pop up on it with and ID that read 'Troy'. Scarlet tried opening the phone, but there was another password necessary. Scarlet sighed again and thought for a moment.

"Shwartzendruber," she carefully typed out on the tiny keypad. To her surprised it opened, and she said, "Wow, this really is a personal device. I wonder if MEGTAF even allows this."

Scarlet went straight for the messages and there were only a few in the log. Opening the latest one she read the bottom message:

'Either way it doesn't matter. You know what'll happen to both of us if anyone finds out. Just stay in character.'

Then Scarlet scrolled up to the beginning of the day and started reading:

'Connor's been acting a little differently. Do you know anything about it?'

'It's probably just the new school. Stop worrying.'

'I can't not worry Troy! I'm sick of you saying that! He's our son of course I'm worried about him!'

'Look Jenna he's fine. According to sources the Groven's are looking to retire soon so, they'll be home with him more often.'

'That's not the point. I want to see my son.'

'Either way it doesn't matter. You know what'll happen to both of us if anyone finds out. Just stay in character.'

"Connor," Scarlet thought, "she doesn't mean who I think she means, right?"

Scarlet looked back into the top drawer where the picture frame was. She hesitated to look at it, but slowly picked it up to find exactly what she was hoping she wouldn't see, "It...it is him...but how?"

It was a very recent picture of her crush from their last year in middle school. Scarlet kept looking at the photo then the phone and then back to the photo. None of it made any sense. Shaking her head Scarlet told herself, "That's not what I came looking for."

Scarlet then started going through the rest of the phone where she went to the voice mails which were much more numerous than the text. Starting from the oldest she played the recording as she heard a familiar voice.

"Jenna, I think I have something for you."

With wide eyes Scarlet said, "Patel!"

"That sample from Norway is definitely interesting. Call me back when you can."

She went to the next recording; this time it was an unfamiliar voice.

"Agent Shwartzendruber we've got another spotting in Ulsan. Call back."

And then the next was another unfamiliar voice.

"Agent Shwartzendruber there's more reports in Arkiko and Tokyo. Call back asap."

Finally, she'd made it to the latest message where she heard a strong male voice.

"Jenna, Connor's been assigned to Voris High, and you're assigned as the coach. Hope you're happy."

'Hmm,' Scarlet thought as went through the phone's other files. Nothing much besides the text and voicemails. As she put everything back into its proper place Scarlet couldn't help but think about her findings. Locking the door behind her said thought, 'MEGTAF does know about the sightings. All of the messages were from the places the Kaiju kingdoms are. Unless that's all coincidence in which case Jenna is a busy woman. She's the one over my case in particular though so, I wouldn't be surprised if it had something to do with Kaiju.'

Making it back to her assigned room she laid on her bed thinking, 'Who's Troy?'

Jenna soon came back, and she seemed to not suspect anything. In fact, she happily changed into her pajamas and turned on the first movie for the night. As Scarlet sat on the couch and the popcorn popped away in the microwave Jenna dug into the freezer and put something heavy on the kitchen table. "I got your favorite," she happily sung.

Scarlet turned around to find a tub of vanilla ice cream sitting on the counter. Jenna then turned and pulled from the fridge a bottom of chocolate and caramel syrup, "Just to be safe with your...allergy...you know."

" calls it a digestive disorder, but either way I get ice cream."

They sat together and watched Mean Girls first to get the laughs out of the way before getting to the action. By the end of the movie all the popcorn was gone either consumed or on the floor from all the giggles that occurred. Finishing a laugh Jenna reminisced, "I remember being boy crazy like that. Do you have crush Scarlet?" Jenna nudged her elbow.

"Uh," Scarlet scratched the back of her head, "well...I mean…"

'If what I saw and heard is real then should I tell her the truth?' She thought.

"No not really."

"Not even one?" Jenna said a little surprised, "I mean you do hang around Finn all the time."

"That's different!" Scarlet quickly said, "He's just a friend."

Chuckling Jenna said, "Well, I guess that's ok too. Besides I'm sure your brother doesn't want you getting married anytime soon."

They shared a laugh and Scarlet added, "Who needs a shotgun dad when you've a hot-headed brother?"

They continued with their giggles until Jenna looked at the clock, "It's getting kind of late kid. Why don't we save Tomb Raiders for tomorrow?"

"Yeah, that's fine!"

They both went to bed and then the next day came. Scarlet was fast asleep when all of sudden she felt someone shaking her. All she heard was, "Scarlet…Scarlet…wakey, wakey coal and bac-y."

"Jenna," the teen groaned, "don't you sleep in on a Saturday?"

"For MEGTAF there's no such thing as a Saturday. Now come on I have to show you something." As Scarlet finally sat up, she noticed Jenna was in her MEGTAF suit and as she was walking out of the room, she heard her say, "Are you coming or what?"

Yawning and stretching in Jenna's SUV Scarlet asked, "Where are we going?"

"You'll see," she simply said.

As they neared their destination the smell of smoke began to fill the vehicle. The sky above grew gray as clouds of smoke filled the air. Looking out the passenger window Scarlet started seeing police cars, fire engines, and ambulances lining the road. There were families talking to law enforcement and children clinging to their mothers in tears. Finally, that's when Jenna pulled over by the entrance sign. It was a nice campsite where many people had vacation lodges and made many memories. Getting out of the car that's when Scarlet saw the whole picture. The forest was decimated. Tall trees had been burned to a crisp, the ground was black as night, and as they continued walking through you could see the remains of where lodges and campsites used to be.

Scarlet walked into what was a campsite and she knelt down and touched the ground. "It's still warm," she whispered.

"Know anything about this?" Jenna asked with her face as straight as a rock. "The locals are saying that some monster came by and caused of all this. Scarlet-"

"You think it's my father, don't you?" Scarlet cut her off as she stood up again.

Jenna put her hands on Scarlet's shoulders and looked her in the eyes saying, "Scarlet if your dad is back you need to tell me. He's a level five threat and we can't let that go unchecked."

Scarlet sighed, "Jenna if my father was back, he wouldn't let you know like this. I don't know him all that well, but I do know he doesn't want war and this," she pointed to the ashes about them, "is war."

"Scarlet it's a yes or no answer," Jenna replied very firmly.

Scarlet felt the earth again, "If the ground is still this hot then whoever did this is close by. Let me track them down before you start sending your boys out here." She looked Jenna in the eyes again, "Think about it like this if I can handle it I just saved America like a million dollars."

"Fine, but I'm coming with you," Jenna gave a smug grin.

~Meanwhile~

"Thank you for that intriguing presentation on the importance of paper in modern offices!" Said the large, old man on the stage. He continued, "We're going to take a short ten-minute break so get your stretches in and another cup of coffee if you need it."

Duncan was one of the ones needing an extra boost of energy, so he made a beeline for the coffee station. He was half asleep as he started making his cup and when he went for the creamer, he accidentally grabbed a soft hand. Jolting out of his stupor Duncan looked up to see who's hand he had grabbed. She had rich brown skin and eyes that matched. Her diamond shaped face had a smile growing when they locked eyes.

"Hey! Aren't you the Firebreather guy?" She asked.

"Oh uh…is that what they call me?" Duncan said with a nervous chuckle.

She stuck her hand out and introduced herself, "I'm Angelina, but everyone calls me Angie."

"I'm Duncan," he returned the hand, and they shook. That's when he noticed, "You're the meteorologist on the cable channel!"

"Yep, at a conference to learn how all of these companies are interconnected to one another."

"And what does that have to do with you?"

"Well," Angie started stirring her coffee with her straw, "knowing what's going to happen with the weather effects almost everybody. Logging companies need to know when to cut trees, farmers need to know when to plant and harvest, schools need to know when to keep kids inside, all that sort of stuff."

She picked up the creamer they were both going for tried to hand it off to him. He pushed back saying, "Ladies first."

Angie giggled, "Superheroes first."

"I'm not a superhero," Duncan shook head no.

"Ok, then what do you call someone who has superpowers and has helped save a bunch of people?" She pushed the creamer back to him once more.

"A guy who just wanted to help," Duncan pushed back again.

"Oh really? That's a very superhero trait you know?" She pushed it even closer.

"Well, you help people and you're not a superhero," He pushed it even closer.

"That is a fair point but," this time she shoved it on his chest, "I insist and if I understand the rules of courtesy then that means I've officially trumped your chivalry."

He looked at her smug smile and sighed, "Fine, if you insist."

After getting their creamer they found themselves walking outside the meeting room and continuing their small talk. Leaning against the wall in her black pumps Angie asked, "So, if you're not a superhero then what have you been doing all these years?"

"Besides this job being an older brother."

"You have a sibling?" She asked a little shocked.

"Yeah," Duncan scratched the back of his head, "it's not supposed to be a big thing. Her name is Scarlet and she's a fourteen-year-old menace to my sanity, but I'm sure my mom said the same thing about me."

"Well," she giggled, "I can't imagine having a firebreathing teenager was the easiest thing. Then again having a daughter who did a bunch of failed experiments probably wasn't the greatest either."

"Experiments?" Duncan lifted an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I was a total science nerd and still am. My dad really let me live out my passions though." She said looking fondly at her drink. Then they heard the announcer asking everyone to come back for the next presentation.

"That's my queue!" Angie said with a smile and before Duncan could say anything she handed him her drink, "You can have the rest if you want. See you from the stage!"

She speed-walked away back into the room and Duncan was left looking at both their cups. Before long he realized that a little smile had crept up on his face. He dumped one of the drinks in the trash before gently touching his cheeks. They were warmer than usual.