So…sorry this took so long. I had writers' block and for the life of me could not come up with Firecracker's current design. I had so many different ideas and had to make it different enough from me to not just go full on self insert. But I think I've finally got something. Anyway, everyone is now their canon ages. Let's begin!

If you told Cree six years ago that she would love being a teenager, she would have called you insane.

But now? Now she couldn't believe she was ever afraid of it! She got so much respect from adults, was growing into her looks fairly well (and considering what puberty had done to some of her peers, she considered herself lucky) and, of course, she was now one of the highest ranking Teen Ninjas. Sure, she still had to answer to the Steve, but she was pretty much in charge when on the field. Even the top brass of the adult villains himself, Father, had high hopes for her, even making her his personal apprentice. So Cree would say she was mostly content with her life.

Mostly being the keyword.

In truth, Cree was extremely lonely. Sure, she had friends, but none of them were as close to her as she had been with Firecracker, Chad, Maurice or Abby. Abby, who was still Numbuh 5 of the Kids Next Door, seemed to despise her now. They could barely keep from fighting in the house, only agreeing to a Cold War-like truce to keep the peace so their parents didn't freak out. Maurice and Chad were still in the Kids Next Door, but nearing Decommissioning Age, meaning that Cree might be able to convince them to turn traitor, or at the very least recruit them following a decommissioning.

And then there was Firecracker.

While Cree still wasn't sure if she would have tried to recruit Firecracker into the Teen Ninjas, it was clear that she had other career plans. That party business she and Thomas made it clear that Firecracker was very much out of the "Kids vs Adults" war. While the business was mostly aimed at kids, Firecracker had done a couple after school events for a decent price.

Although, the more Cree thought about it, the more she realized that Firecracker really hadn't changed all that much. She worked with explosives (mostly fireworks now, admittedly) and still wore the goggles Cree had gifted her and her scars were still present (or at least the one on her eye was. Cree had no idea about the others because they never had gym together). Really, the only thing that changed was her outfit and hairstyle and even then, those weren't massive changes. Her braid had been swapped for a simple ponytail, which was dyed several bright colors that kinda reminded Cree of a phoenix. Her outfit consisted of a black beanie with the goggles worn on the top of it, a blue and black flannel jacket over a t-shirt for some web series Cree wasn't familiar with, headphones around her neck when she wasn't listening to music, baggy sweatpants, sneakers and cut off gloves. Really, the biggest change was her newfound height, which, mixed with her lean figure, made her look extremely lanky, but not in a bad way. While Cree knew their lives were going in different directions, a part of her still wished that she could have her friendship with Firecracker back. Sure, it likely wouldn't be the same, between Firecracker's memory loss and Cree's betrayal that she hoped Firecracker didn't remember too much of, but even just having her around again would still be nice.

"You called for me sir?" Firecracker asked as she stepped into the principal's office. She was fairly certain she had done anything wrong, usually meaning that she was being brought in for some school event that needed her fireworks. Helps that she was cheaper than most professional companies.

"Yes. But we're waiting on one more person," The principal replied as he took a seat at his desk. Firecracker sat down as well, but before she could ask who the other person was, the door opened behind her again, causing Firecracker to turn around.

And meet eyes with someone she'd been going out of her way to avoid for the past four years.

Cree Lincoln stood in the doorway, staring Firecracker down in the same way she stared her down, taking in all the little details they had missed from only ever seeing each other at a distance.

"Please have a seat, Ms. Lincoln," The principal requested, prompting Cree to take an awkward seat next to Firecracker. Firecracker almost wanted to lean away, but she opted not to mostly to avoid the questions. "Now, I'm sure you are wondering why I called you both here?"

"Uh, yeah I actually," Firecracker admitted as she rubbed her arm. "I didn't do anything wrong…least I don't think I did."

"Same here…" Cree admitted as she looked at Firecracker, who was keeping her eyes on the principal.

"Don't worry. Neither of you are in trouble," The principal assured both girls, who seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "I actually need your help. As you both know, the first football game of the season is soon upon us, as is the homecoming dance. I need you both to make the game feel special. Firecracker, we need a fireworks show to make every other school jealous! Cree, we need your help to get most of the school to come to this game!"

"So…why should I care about this?" Firecracker responded as she crossed her arms. "None of my friends ever go to the games."

"That's Cree's job!" The principal responded, not getting what Firecracker was saying. "And I promise you will be reimbursed for your efforts."

"...Fine. Don't think I have any birthday stuff planned," Firecracker replied. "You know my prices."

"Of course," The principal replied. He really didn't like to pay Firecracker, but he needed to rub his success in the faces of those snobs at the other high school across town.

"And me, sir?" Cree asked.

"You are close with Mr. Wigglestein, right?" The principal asked. "Perhaps you could convince him to give us a…donation for the game?" Cree wanted to snort. Father would never give her any money, let alone for something as simple and insignificant as a football game. Although, if she could somehow swing it as being a way to hurt kids…

"I might not be able to convince him myself, but I could probably convince him to come for a meeting with you," Cree said, still not completely convinced she'd be able to pull it off.

"That will be fine!" The principal replied. "Now, if you two have any other ideas, I'm all ears. But feel free to discuss outside of school! That is all, you are free to return to class." Cree and Firecracker almost jumped out of their seats, eager to escape the insane awkwardness they were dealing with. In her haste to get out the door, Firecracker's leg got tangled in her headphone cord, resulting in her tripping over herself and sprawling across the floor.

"MOTHERFUCKER!" She exclaimed as she tried to get herself untangled, only somehow managing to make the problem worse.

"You…need any help?" Cree had to ask.

"...Don't tell anyone," Firecracker grunted out as she managed to pull herself into a sitting position. With a bit of help from Cree, she managed to stand up and untangle herself. "Uh…thanks."

"No problem," Cree replied. Both girls stood there, trying to come up with something to say that would break the awful awkward silence they were stuck in, since they seemed to be going in the same direction.

"So…weird hanging out with each other, huh?" Firecracker replied as she looked at the floor. "Considering how…different our social lives are."

"This isn't hanging out," Cree pointed out, even though she really wished they were. "We're just working together to make this stupid football game go smoothly."

"Wow. Queen Bee Cree doesn't like football? Color me shocked," Firecracker replied. "You're at, like, every game."

"I kinda have to be," Cree responded, trying to keep a guarded tone. "All the popular kids and Teen Ninjas have to go, mostly because we make up most of it. I've got better things to do than just watch meathead jocks slam into each other and girls throw each other into the air."

"See, this is why I don't bother with that stuff," Firecracker said with a smirk. "No social obligations for me! I'm free to do whatever I want!" Cree was admittedly shocked by Firecracker's complete disregard for the popularity chain at their school, considering how much she used too and still did love the attention that came from her fireworks' shows. Then again, Firecracker had also always been someone who'd march to the beat of her own likely exploding drum and someone who felt more comfortable with the "outcasts" of life. It's probably why she was a natural Kids Next Door operative.

"Do NOT think about that!" Cree's inner voice snapped at her. She did not need to make herself sad right now!

"So…I guess I'll talk about the elephant in the room," Firecracker then took a deep breath. Best to just bite the bullet. "We used to be friends right? My childhood is…a bit of a fog admittedly, but I remember hanging out with you all the time. But then I think we had a really bad falling out."

"...You can say that," Cree replied as she thought back to that fateful day.

"Looks like I was wrong about that…kinda like how I was clearly wrong about you being my friend."

"Look, I don't know what we had, but let's just get this over with and then we never have to speak to each other again, cool?" Firecracker said. In truth, she kinda wanted to try reviving their friendship once more, but knew that the betrayal would likely prevent that fact from ever coming to be.

"...Fine," Cree answered, even though she really wanted to ask Firecracker to try starting things over. But then again, she knew the Firecracker who remembered what had happened was long gone.

"My class is down this way." Firecracker bluntly declared, cutting off any further conversation. As both girls went their separate ways, they couldn't help but share a glance.

Maybe, just maybe, they could pretend they were back in the good old days.

Yes! I finally have revealed Firecracker's design! I wanted to go for a mix of "outsider" and "too cool for school". I think I managed. And obviously, yes, she and Cree have kinda been going out of their way to avoid each other for reasons I don't think I need to explain.