Chapter 4
“I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I can’t believe he said yes.”
“I can’t believe this house!”
The trio were standing outside Connor’s house at the top of a cliff where many people stood inside and out. There was loud disco music coming from inside and every color was flashing. For Scarlet it was her first big party.
“Come on! Let's find Connor!” Garnet grabbed Scarlet and tried to run off with her. Of course this failed due to the fact that Scarlet was stronger than Garnet. She stayed put until Garnet turned around and realized her mistake of even trying.”You gotta talk to him at some point tonight.”
Scarlet noticeably blushed before saying,”I will! When I find the time.”
“Well you better find it soon cause you know a lot of other girls are at this party.”
“Oh,she’s right Scarlet. I heard from Victor,who heard from Tom,who was in the same room as Gary,who overheard that like four other girls liked Connor.”
The girls sat there for a second staring at Finn until someone tapped Scarlet on the shoulder. The young kaiju turned around to see the hazel eyed party host.”Hey guys glad you could make it.”
Scarlet opened her mouth to speak but she couldn’t form words. It felt like there was a lump in her throat. Garnet gave her an encouraging shove and said,”You know Connor,Scarlet’s never been here. Maybe you should show her around?” Scarlet couldn’t deny all she could do was awkwardly smile.
“Well sure just follow me.” Connor took her orange-ish hand and she almost froze up. As Connor lead Scarlet away into his house Garnet and Finn fist bumped with joy.
The pair walked past the number of people in the front door. He lead her through till they got to the punch bowl where he picked up drinks for them, ”So I’ve always wondered do you speak?”
Scarlet took a huge slip and cleared her throat before answering,”Yeah,I just don’t talk much. I’m uh...kinda introverted.”
“I’m sorry. For awhile I thought you couldn’t speak.”
“No it’s not something to apologize for.” There was a small silence before she asked,”So,who are your parents?”
“Sarah and Bart Groven.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I’m adopted and they were gone for the weekend so...had a party.”
“Not scared of getting caught?”
“Not really. I think they know but,they really don’t care too much. All they ask is that I don’t get locked up. Kinda wished they cared a little more but...life’s not fair like that. Enough about me though. How about you? What’s your family like?”
“My families...different. I live with my brother, my mother gave birth to me before she died, and my father...I don’t know.”
“Wow! Is it tough?”
“Well depends on how you see tough. Then again I’ve lived through it my whole life.”
“At least you’re not all depressed about it.”
All of a sudden a girl came running up to them in a panic,”Connor! I saw this thing in the pool! I think it’s a snake!”
“Oh God! I’m sorry we’ve got some of those around here.” He stood up before saying, ”I’ll be back Scarlet! Just stay right there!” Then he ran off outside with the girl.
‘I talked! I talked to him! Oh my gosh I can talk to him! This is great!’ With all her excitement she accidently broke the cup in her hands with ease.’Better go wash this off. Ugh...but he asked me to stay here! I’m sure a little trip to the bathroom won’t hurt anyone.’
She then sprinted to the bathroom so she could quickly wash her hands. To her surprise there was a line for the bathroom that stretched down the hallway. ”Ah man!” She said as she was about to turn around and go back.
Someone grabbed her on her shoulder before she could leave. Scarlet looked to see a man with jet black hair, an old, roughed up shirt, and some black, ripped jeans. His face was solid and unamused. What surprised her the most was how looked more like a thirty year old than a teenager. ”What’s the hurry?” He asked in his deep, alluring voice.
“I’ve a got a friend to get back to so if you wouldn’t mind.” Scarlet pulled his hand off of her before he again caught her this time by the collar. This actually stopped her, something no one, but Duncan could really do.
“The line is going pretty fast. Why not just wait?”
‘Who is this guy?’ She thought before leaning on the wall next to him. Scarlet was constantly scanning him trying to see his every move. He seemed as if to have no way of expressing real emotion. Not even his eyes could tell her anything about him.
“What’s your name?”
“Scarlet, why do you ask?”
“I have a daughter of that name.”
‘Woah who talks like that anymore? And who does he remind me of?’ Then she remembered something that her brother told her when she was little.
~
“Hey Duncan where’s our mommy and daddy?”
“What would make you ask that?”
“This kid in my class was out today for bring your daughter to work day and her daddy took her.”
“Oh well...Scarlet that’s a long story. How about you ask that tomorrow morning?”
“But I like stories. This one can be a bedtime story.”
“Ok...um a long time ago there was a woman and a dragon. The dragon wanted to destroy the kingdom because him and the other humans weren’t good friends. Before he could destroy the city the woman saw him and stopped him. He took her away to his kingdom and there they fell in love. While they were in love they had a son, but the love was short lived.”
“I thought you said that true love always wins?”
“You might not understand this now, but there’s a difference between being in love and actually loving someone. Anyways back to the story. The two fell out of love and went their separate ways. The woman took care of the son until he was sixteen and his father, the dragon, came back. He wanted him to be king of all the dragons, but the son didn’t want to do this. The dragon still trained his son though to become a warrior. It was through the son that the woman and dragon fell in love again. Through this love they had a daughter, but the mother died giving birth to her. This left only the son to take care of his sister because the dragon decided to go on another journey.”
“...Oh! I get it!”
“You do?”
“Nuh-huh the woman was our mommy and the dragon was our daddy.”
“Wow...you’re smarter than I thought.”
“But Duncan where did the dragon go?”
“I don’t know Scarlet, I don’t know.”
~
‘Oh my gosh...could he be him? No! That can’t be…’
“Is something wrong?” He asked with little concern.
“I uh...I just remembered my curfew. I gotta-”
“Then let me take you home.” He forcefully grabbed her wrist.
“Let...me...go! I don’t wanna hurt you!”
“I highly doubt you can.
Scarlet took her other hand and punched him in the face as hard as she could. To her surprise his face didn’t move and her handwas in pain.’The one time I need my strength to be up!’ She looked back up and saw the side of his face she punched. It had turned red, scaly, and hisdark eye turned into a bright yellow one. The skin and eye quickly reverted back to what they were before and suddenly Scarlet was actually scared.
“You can walk outside with me or we can do this all night.”
It didn’t even take a minute for the strange to know her answer. He started pulling her away with him throuh the house. His hands were hot and his grip was suffocating. They walked on until they got outside and far away enough to where no one could hear.
Scarlet pulled her hand from his before demanding to know,”Who are you?!”
He gave a low chuckle before saying,”You already who I am. I can see it in your eyes.”
“Don’t play games with me? What are you a peddler? A rapist? Are you trying to-”
“You have your mother's eyes.”
“What?”
“Her eyes you have them.”
“You’re kidding me right?”
“And we named you Scarlet because we could see you’re fiery red personality.”
Scarlet began to slowly back up, “If you are who you say you are then how do you know about naming? You left right after my mother died.”
“So you do know who I am?”
Scarlet gulped before asking, ”Are you Belloc, King of the Kaiju and my father?” He closed his eyes and began to change again. His tan skin was reverting back to red scales, horns began to grow on the side of his head, his nails grew long and black, a tail began to grow, and when he opened his eyes they were a bright yellow. Scarlet backed up even farther as he came closer to her.”Scarlet...stop moving.”
“And why would I do that? You’re just going to take me away and make me princess or some-AH!” Scarlet’s foot slipped off the cliff and she could feel her body falling back until there was a jolt.
She looked up to the kaiju grasping her arm. He pulled her up with such force the she swung into the air and onto his back. He locked her legs in his arms saying,”You were a princess the moment you were conceived. The only thing left to achieve is queen.”
He backed a little before jumping the cliff himself. In mid air it was only natural for any reasonable person to think,’This guy's crazy!’ That’s exactly what went through her head. He landed with ease and grace as if he’d done so many times before, ”Where are you taking me?”
“Home.” He started to run into darkness with his youngest to accompany him.
It had started again.
“I can’t believe he said yes.”
“I can’t believe this house!”
The trio were standing outside Connor’s house at the top of a cliff where many people stood inside and out. There was loud disco music coming from inside and every color was flashing. For Scarlet it was her first big party.
“Come on! Let's find Connor!” Garnet grabbed Scarlet and tried to run off with her. Of course this failed due to the fact that Scarlet was stronger than Garnet. She stayed put until Garnet turned around and realized her mistake of even trying.”You gotta talk to him at some point tonight.”
Scarlet noticeably blushed before saying,”I will! When I find the time.”
“Well you better find it soon cause you know a lot of other girls are at this party.”
“Oh,she’s right Scarlet. I heard from Victor,who heard from Tom,who was in the same room as Gary,who overheard that like four other girls liked Connor.”
The girls sat there for a second staring at Finn until someone tapped Scarlet on the shoulder. The young kaiju turned around to see the hazel eyed party host.”Hey guys glad you could make it.”
Scarlet opened her mouth to speak but she couldn’t form words. It felt like there was a lump in her throat. Garnet gave her an encouraging shove and said,”You know Connor,Scarlet’s never been here. Maybe you should show her around?” Scarlet couldn’t deny all she could do was awkwardly smile.
“Well sure just follow me.” Connor took her orange-ish hand and she almost froze up. As Connor lead Scarlet away into his house Garnet and Finn fist bumped with joy.
The pair walked past the number of people in the front door. He lead her through till they got to the punch bowl where he picked up drinks for them, ”So I’ve always wondered do you speak?”
Scarlet took a huge slip and cleared her throat before answering,”Yeah,I just don’t talk much. I’m uh...kinda introverted.”
“I’m sorry. For awhile I thought you couldn’t speak.”
“No it’s not something to apologize for.” There was a small silence before she asked,”So,who are your parents?”
“Sarah and Bart Groven.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I’m adopted and they were gone for the weekend so...had a party.”
“Not scared of getting caught?”
“Not really. I think they know but,they really don’t care too much. All they ask is that I don’t get locked up. Kinda wished they cared a little more but...life’s not fair like that. Enough about me though. How about you? What’s your family like?”
“My families...different. I live with my brother, my mother gave birth to me before she died, and my father...I don’t know.”
“Wow! Is it tough?”
“Well depends on how you see tough. Then again I’ve lived through it my whole life.”
“At least you’re not all depressed about it.”
All of a sudden a girl came running up to them in a panic,”Connor! I saw this thing in the pool! I think it’s a snake!”
“Oh God! I’m sorry we’ve got some of those around here.” He stood up before saying, ”I’ll be back Scarlet! Just stay right there!” Then he ran off outside with the girl.
‘I talked! I talked to him! Oh my gosh I can talk to him! This is great!’ With all her excitement she accidently broke the cup in her hands with ease.’Better go wash this off. Ugh...but he asked me to stay here! I’m sure a little trip to the bathroom won’t hurt anyone.’
She then sprinted to the bathroom so she could quickly wash her hands. To her surprise there was a line for the bathroom that stretched down the hallway. ”Ah man!” She said as she was about to turn around and go back.
Someone grabbed her on her shoulder before she could leave. Scarlet looked to see a man with jet black hair, an old, roughed up shirt, and some black, ripped jeans. His face was solid and unamused. What surprised her the most was how looked more like a thirty year old than a teenager. ”What’s the hurry?” He asked in his deep, alluring voice.
“I’ve a got a friend to get back to so if you wouldn’t mind.” Scarlet pulled his hand off of her before he again caught her this time by the collar. This actually stopped her, something no one, but Duncan could really do.
“The line is going pretty fast. Why not just wait?”
‘Who is this guy?’ She thought before leaning on the wall next to him. Scarlet was constantly scanning him trying to see his every move. He seemed as if to have no way of expressing real emotion. Not even his eyes could tell her anything about him.
“What’s your name?”
“Scarlet, why do you ask?”
“I have a daughter of that name.”
‘Woah who talks like that anymore? And who does he remind me of?’ Then she remembered something that her brother told her when she was little.
~
“Hey Duncan where’s our mommy and daddy?”
“What would make you ask that?”
“This kid in my class was out today for bring your daughter to work day and her daddy took her.”
“Oh well...Scarlet that’s a long story. How about you ask that tomorrow morning?”
“But I like stories. This one can be a bedtime story.”
“Ok...um a long time ago there was a woman and a dragon. The dragon wanted to destroy the kingdom because him and the other humans weren’t good friends. Before he could destroy the city the woman saw him and stopped him. He took her away to his kingdom and there they fell in love. While they were in love they had a son, but the love was short lived.”
“I thought you said that true love always wins?”
“You might not understand this now, but there’s a difference between being in love and actually loving someone. Anyways back to the story. The two fell out of love and went their separate ways. The woman took care of the son until he was sixteen and his father, the dragon, came back. He wanted him to be king of all the dragons, but the son didn’t want to do this. The dragon still trained his son though to become a warrior. It was through the son that the woman and dragon fell in love again. Through this love they had a daughter, but the mother died giving birth to her. This left only the son to take care of his sister because the dragon decided to go on another journey.”
“...Oh! I get it!”
“You do?”
“Nuh-huh the woman was our mommy and the dragon was our daddy.”
“Wow...you’re smarter than I thought.”
“But Duncan where did the dragon go?”
“I don’t know Scarlet, I don’t know.”
~
‘Oh my gosh...could he be him? No! That can’t be…’
“Is something wrong?” He asked with little concern.
“I uh...I just remembered my curfew. I gotta-”
“Then let me take you home.” He forcefully grabbed her wrist.
“Let...me...go! I don’t wanna hurt you!”
“I highly doubt you can.
Scarlet took her other hand and punched him in the face as hard as she could. To her surprise his face didn’t move and her handwas in pain.’The one time I need my strength to be up!’ She looked back up and saw the side of his face she punched. It had turned red, scaly, and hisdark eye turned into a bright yellow one. The skin and eye quickly reverted back to what they were before and suddenly Scarlet was actually scared.
“You can walk outside with me or we can do this all night.”
It didn’t even take a minute for the strange to know her answer. He started pulling her away with him throuh the house. His hands were hot and his grip was suffocating. They walked on until they got outside and far away enough to where no one could hear.
Scarlet pulled her hand from his before demanding to know,”Who are you?!”
He gave a low chuckle before saying,”You already who I am. I can see it in your eyes.”
“Don’t play games with me? What are you a peddler? A rapist? Are you trying to-”
“You have your mother's eyes.”
“What?”
“Her eyes you have them.”
“You’re kidding me right?”
“And we named you Scarlet because we could see you’re fiery red personality.”
Scarlet began to slowly back up, “If you are who you say you are then how do you know about naming? You left right after my mother died.”
“So you do know who I am?”
Scarlet gulped before asking, ”Are you Belloc, King of the Kaiju and my father?” He closed his eyes and began to change again. His tan skin was reverting back to red scales, horns began to grow on the side of his head, his nails grew long and black, a tail began to grow, and when he opened his eyes they were a bright yellow. Scarlet backed up even farther as he came closer to her.”Scarlet...stop moving.”
“And why would I do that? You’re just going to take me away and make me princess or some-AH!” Scarlet’s foot slipped off the cliff and she could feel her body falling back until there was a jolt.
She looked up to the kaiju grasping her arm. He pulled her up with such force the she swung into the air and onto his back. He locked her legs in his arms saying,”You were a princess the moment you were conceived. The only thing left to achieve is queen.”
He backed a little before jumping the cliff himself. In mid air it was only natural for any reasonable person to think,’This guy's crazy!’ That’s exactly what went through her head. He landed with ease and grace as if he’d done so many times before, ”Where are you taking me?”
“Home.” He started to run into darkness with his youngest to accompany him.
It had started again.
Chapter 5
Belloc ran through the California thicket as if it were a race track. He went faster and faster until he fell on all fours. Scarlet caught his shoulders to keep from falling. The dirt rose up from the ground at the grip of his hands. Scarlet looked around her and saw that the trees seemed to be getting smaller. She looked below her and saw that the ground was rising. Belloc was transforming into his kaiju form at a rapid pace. Before she knew it Scarlet was looking at the tops of the trees. The night sky seemed magical, but then a thought came to Scarlet’s mind, ”Why did Duncan warn me about him?”
It wasn't long until the pair made it to a desert like area of the thicket. At a glance, it looked like a random patch of sand. That is until Belloc added his intense flames to it. The sand began to melt and turn into a liquid glass as it slid off into what looked like an entrance. Belloc began to run through the cavern while giving his small speech, ”We are an ancient race, Scarlet. So old that the humans themselves believed us to be myths. They see us as the invaders but, it is they who have infested our world.” When he was finished demeaning her other half they'd made it to a room that was covered in bits and pieces of gold, Serpentine, and Benitoite.
Belloc let her down and Scarlet stared at the room for a moment. “So,” she began and turned to face him, ”after fourteen years you finally show yourself and for what? To make me your second heir?”
The king chuckled and responded, ”Your brother has been very vocal has he not?”
“You can say that.”
“Contrary to what you might believe I am here to give you a choice.” Her eyebrows sprung up with curiosity, ”You may come freely and if so I have a feeling you know what will happen after that. Or you may leave and if you wish you will never hear from me again. Though I cannot promise that there won't be glimpses or news of me nor that I will not train you from afar.”
“What's the trick? You're the ruthless King of the Kaiju who's managed to survive all these years so there's gotta be a catch.”
A small rumble escaped from the dragon for he was proud of his daughter and her ability to see past him. “If you choose to come freely the Kaiju in you will be unlocked and you will be put through vigorous training to soon become a mighty ruler.”
“And?”
“I believe you already know what will happen with the other choice.”
“Let me make sure I understand; you come back basically from the dead to give the choice of side by side training or training that I won't even see coming. Either way, though you're preparing me to rule over some foreign kingdom.”
“This “foreign kingdom” is your home Scarlet just as much if not more than the human world, however, the difference is you are destined for greatness here.”
“Why? Just because I'm your daughter?”
“Yes, child. You are my daughter, my heiress, my next in line. This is your birthright and if anything you should take what is yours.”
“What is mine? You're kidding, right? How can you say it's mine when I don't even know what it is?” Belloc stared down at her with amber eyes that showed through the darkness. His mighty hand laid down in front of her as if it were an open hand for shaking. Their eyes were locked until Scarlet looked down at his crimson scales. She knew she had to think quickly and yet deeply. Finally, she'd decided as her face met with her father's in his palm.
“Excellent.”
“Don't get too excited.” She boldly retorted, ”You said it yourself. I was a princess when I was conceived. So what happens now?”
Surprisingly a small smile crept onto his face as he remembers those words from his son sixteen years ago. Instead of answering her question he began to walk down another cavern as he gave another small rant, ”There is a war coming Scarlet. A war between human and Kaiju. As my heiress, you must choose your side and be strong for the coming conflict.”
When they'd made it out of the cavern passage they entered a room where two falls met into one pool. One of the falls was of pure Gold, the other of magma, and in the pool, you could see where bits of Serpentine had melted down. Around the room emerged four different Kaiju. One of them spoke, ”You have made another?!”
The others chimed in saying, ”Another?”
“Silence!” Belloc’s mighty voice was heard throughout the whole hideout. He continued saying, ”This is Scarlet! My heiress!”
Repeating herself, ”What happens now?!” Before she knew it Scarlet was falling with her back to the pool of scorching elements. She could see her father's face right before “diving” in and thought, what have I gotten myself into?’
~
The sound of vultures was the first thing heard. The first thing she could see was the hot desert sun blinding her. Sitting up slowly Scarlet rubbed her head thinking,’Where am I? What happened?’ Then she looked down at herself. With widened eyes, she realized she was only in her chainmail undershirt and underwear. ‘The one time I don't wear my MEGTAF clothes.’ She thought of examining herself a little more.
Her skin was much dryer, slightly darker, of course, scalier, and then tighter. That tightness meant that other features of her body were shown a little more like her collarbone and face structure. Sighing she looked around and saw that she was on top of a plateau around the edge of town. The young hybrid decided to lay down again and think,’What am I going to tell Duncan? Heck, he’ll be just overjoyed at where I've been. I can't wait to hear him say “I told you so.” I guess I kinda deserve it though. I should have gotten out of that situation as fast as possible. At least I can finally say I've met my...dad. Can I even call him that? I better get out of here before the-” Before she could think another word she heard someone say her name.
Looking over the plateau Scarlet saw a familiar face, her uncle Kenny, ”Scarlet is that you?”
“Yeah!”
“Your brother has been looking everywhere for you!”
“I figured as much!”
“Hey dad,” another voice popped into range and soon Finn came speeding up next to his father, ”did you find her?”
“Yeah give me a second thought. I gotta call Duncan,” he then walked off a little with his phone in hand.
Finn covered his eyes with his hands to see if he could notice his friend, “Hey Scarlet why don't you come down?!”
“Uh...I kinda can't!”
“Why not?!”
“I can't say!” The teenage boy just looked somewhat confused but decided not to ask.
Kenny walked back over and yelled up,” He said he's on the way! You sure you don't wanna come down?!”
“No, I'm just fine up here!” After that awkwardness Scarlet thought to herself,’He’s gonna kill me.’ It wasn't long before the other hybrid showed up nearly fuming in his Kaiju form,’Shit.’ Staring her brother in the eyes she gave an awkward, ”Hi…”
“Hi,” his voice was raised slightly, ”that's all you have to say to me?! Scarlet do you know how worried I was?! I mean I didn't know where you were or if...” Then he looked at her up and down. It was almost as if a fuse was about to blow in him. Duncan turned around and started breathing. At first, they were somewhat calm, but soon progressed into more vigorous, anger filled motions. His fist was clamored, his skin burned, and k-9’s showed.
Scarlet slowly made her way over to her brother who looked as if he could pop at any moment. “Duncan…” He didn't move a muscle so she walked in front of him and put her hand on his shoulder, ”I’m sorry. You were right I shouldn't have gone to the party and when I had my phone I should have called. Now can you please watch your blood pressure?”
His breathing slowed and his emotions boiled down to the point where he almost reverted to his more human form. It wasn't just anger he was filled with; it was disappointment at himself. Finally, he looked up at her with amber eyes as she gave a weary smile. He signed before saying, ”We’ll talk about this at home.”
He then picked her up bridal style and began to fly her home.
It wasn't long until the pair made it to a desert like area of the thicket. At a glance, it looked like a random patch of sand. That is until Belloc added his intense flames to it. The sand began to melt and turn into a liquid glass as it slid off into what looked like an entrance. Belloc began to run through the cavern while giving his small speech, ”We are an ancient race, Scarlet. So old that the humans themselves believed us to be myths. They see us as the invaders but, it is they who have infested our world.” When he was finished demeaning her other half they'd made it to a room that was covered in bits and pieces of gold, Serpentine, and Benitoite.
Belloc let her down and Scarlet stared at the room for a moment. “So,” she began and turned to face him, ”after fourteen years you finally show yourself and for what? To make me your second heir?”
The king chuckled and responded, ”Your brother has been very vocal has he not?”
“You can say that.”
“Contrary to what you might believe I am here to give you a choice.” Her eyebrows sprung up with curiosity, ”You may come freely and if so I have a feeling you know what will happen after that. Or you may leave and if you wish you will never hear from me again. Though I cannot promise that there won't be glimpses or news of me nor that I will not train you from afar.”
“What's the trick? You're the ruthless King of the Kaiju who's managed to survive all these years so there's gotta be a catch.”
A small rumble escaped from the dragon for he was proud of his daughter and her ability to see past him. “If you choose to come freely the Kaiju in you will be unlocked and you will be put through vigorous training to soon become a mighty ruler.”
“And?”
“I believe you already know what will happen with the other choice.”
“Let me make sure I understand; you come back basically from the dead to give the choice of side by side training or training that I won't even see coming. Either way, though you're preparing me to rule over some foreign kingdom.”
“This “foreign kingdom” is your home Scarlet just as much if not more than the human world, however, the difference is you are destined for greatness here.”
“Why? Just because I'm your daughter?”
“Yes, child. You are my daughter, my heiress, my next in line. This is your birthright and if anything you should take what is yours.”
“What is mine? You're kidding, right? How can you say it's mine when I don't even know what it is?” Belloc stared down at her with amber eyes that showed through the darkness. His mighty hand laid down in front of her as if it were an open hand for shaking. Their eyes were locked until Scarlet looked down at his crimson scales. She knew she had to think quickly and yet deeply. Finally, she'd decided as her face met with her father's in his palm.
“Excellent.”
“Don't get too excited.” She boldly retorted, ”You said it yourself. I was a princess when I was conceived. So what happens now?”
Surprisingly a small smile crept onto his face as he remembers those words from his son sixteen years ago. Instead of answering her question he began to walk down another cavern as he gave another small rant, ”There is a war coming Scarlet. A war between human and Kaiju. As my heiress, you must choose your side and be strong for the coming conflict.”
When they'd made it out of the cavern passage they entered a room where two falls met into one pool. One of the falls was of pure Gold, the other of magma, and in the pool, you could see where bits of Serpentine had melted down. Around the room emerged four different Kaiju. One of them spoke, ”You have made another?!”
The others chimed in saying, ”Another?”
“Silence!” Belloc’s mighty voice was heard throughout the whole hideout. He continued saying, ”This is Scarlet! My heiress!”
Repeating herself, ”What happens now?!” Before she knew it Scarlet was falling with her back to the pool of scorching elements. She could see her father's face right before “diving” in and thought, what have I gotten myself into?’
~
The sound of vultures was the first thing heard. The first thing she could see was the hot desert sun blinding her. Sitting up slowly Scarlet rubbed her head thinking,’Where am I? What happened?’ Then she looked down at herself. With widened eyes, she realized she was only in her chainmail undershirt and underwear. ‘The one time I don't wear my MEGTAF clothes.’ She thought of examining herself a little more.
Her skin was much dryer, slightly darker, of course, scalier, and then tighter. That tightness meant that other features of her body were shown a little more like her collarbone and face structure. Sighing she looked around and saw that she was on top of a plateau around the edge of town. The young hybrid decided to lay down again and think,’What am I going to tell Duncan? Heck, he’ll be just overjoyed at where I've been. I can't wait to hear him say “I told you so.” I guess I kinda deserve it though. I should have gotten out of that situation as fast as possible. At least I can finally say I've met my...dad. Can I even call him that? I better get out of here before the-” Before she could think another word she heard someone say her name.
Looking over the plateau Scarlet saw a familiar face, her uncle Kenny, ”Scarlet is that you?”
“Yeah!”
“Your brother has been looking everywhere for you!”
“I figured as much!”
“Hey dad,” another voice popped into range and soon Finn came speeding up next to his father, ”did you find her?”
“Yeah give me a second thought. I gotta call Duncan,” he then walked off a little with his phone in hand.
Finn covered his eyes with his hands to see if he could notice his friend, “Hey Scarlet why don't you come down?!”
“Uh...I kinda can't!”
“Why not?!”
“I can't say!” The teenage boy just looked somewhat confused but decided not to ask.
Kenny walked back over and yelled up,” He said he's on the way! You sure you don't wanna come down?!”
“No, I'm just fine up here!” After that awkwardness Scarlet thought to herself,’He’s gonna kill me.’ It wasn't long before the other hybrid showed up nearly fuming in his Kaiju form,’Shit.’ Staring her brother in the eyes she gave an awkward, ”Hi…”
“Hi,” his voice was raised slightly, ”that's all you have to say to me?! Scarlet do you know how worried I was?! I mean I didn't know where you were or if...” Then he looked at her up and down. It was almost as if a fuse was about to blow in him. Duncan turned around and started breathing. At first, they were somewhat calm, but soon progressed into more vigorous, anger filled motions. His fist was clamored, his skin burned, and k-9’s showed.
Scarlet slowly made her way over to her brother who looked as if he could pop at any moment. “Duncan…” He didn't move a muscle so she walked in front of him and put her hand on his shoulder, ”I’m sorry. You were right I shouldn't have gone to the party and when I had my phone I should have called. Now can you please watch your blood pressure?”
His breathing slowed and his emotions boiled down to the point where he almost reverted to his more human form. It wasn't just anger he was filled with; it was disappointment at himself. Finally, he looked up at her with amber eyes as she gave a weary smile. He signed before saying, ”We’ll talk about this at home.”
He then picked her up bridal style and began to fly her home.
Chapter 6
“You did what?!”
“Duncan your blood pressure!” Scarlet had just finished telling her brother all about the night before.
Duncan was pacing around the kitchen in a fury, ”You don't know what you've done do you?”
“I think I kinda do.”
“Kinda?!”
“Duncan, please! He would have trained me as his heir anyways and besides I-”
“You what Scarlet?!” His voice went from anger to worry, ”Scarlet he's not exactly your normal dad. He’ll push you till you're hurt, put you in situations you'd never want to be in, he’ll…he’ll change your life.”
“Duncan he already changed my life when he became my father. Besides it's not like I've been living a completely human life.” Duncan sighed before taking the time to sit on one of the kitchen stools.”I get it,” she started, ”you're worried and probably for good reasons. He's a part of me though just like you are and I want to know who I am Duncan. I can't just be some hybrid who constantly hears the answer “You're you”. If that's the case I want to find myself because you're not going to be able to fill in all those spots for me. Please, Duncan, I already made the deal anyway and like I said he wrote his half when he decided to be with mom.”
With another sigh, he looked at his sister in the eye before giving her a hug. He squeezed looking over her shoulder thinking,’Mom would just kill me.’
Reassuring him she said, ”I'm gonna be fine.”
“Somehow I know you will be.” He stopped hugging her to give her the notification, ”You know you still have to go to school tomorrow right?”
“I figured as much. Probably should have thought about that?”
“Uh huh.”
All of a sudden the door busted open with Garnet and Isabella. Isabella spotted Scarlet and immediately ran up and hugged her, ”Oh girl you had a worried there!”
“Mom!” Garnet pried her mother off,” she’ll probably explain in...woah!” She'd noticed her physical changes of course, ”I mean...have you been trying a new brand of makeup?”
“Garnet.”
“I know you don't wear makeup I'm sorry.”
Isabella asked, “So what happened to you?”
“Well,” she started, ”to make a long story short I’m the new heir.”
“What?!” The mother and daughter duo said in chorus.
“Wait so does this mean you'll be leaving or something?” Garnet asked with concern.
“No sweetie at least I hope not. It just means if something happens to her dad or worse she's ruler over the Kaiju.”
“What?!”
Just then another burst came from the door; it was Kenny and Finn.”Scarlet!” The dark haired boy wrapped his arms around her.
“What did we miss?” Asked Kenny shaking off his son.
Garnet answered, “Finn, Scarlet’s an heiress!”
“A what now?”
“You know...she's basically princess of the Kaiju.”
“Wow...that's kinda cool.” At those words, Duncan simply left the room, “Was it something I said?”
“It's fine Finn,” said Scarlet, ”He’s just gonna go outside, fly around for a bit, and come back before dark.”
“So are going to school tomorrow or is your dad going to come and take you away for training?” Garnet asked with a weird flying hand motion.
“Uh...yeah” Scarlet responded, ”I'm going to school.”
Kenny saw her face and decided to give a few encouraging words, ”Don't worry kid you'll be fine. I mean look at your brother he handled it pretty well.”
~
“I am not going to handle this well.”
Patting her on the back Finn said, “Come on Scarlet! It's like dad said if your brother could do it so can you.”
‘I’m not my brother. Oh gosh wait a minute-’
“Oh no!” Exclaimed Garnet, ”I know what you're thinking! You're wondering what Connor’s going to think aren't you?” Scarlet just scratched her head aka the silent yes, ”If he's a good guy then I think he'll understand whatever excuse you make up.”
Those words rang true when Connor and Scarlet met in the hallway. Scarlet was at her locker when she looked to see him coming down towards her. At first she looked away almost ignoring him until he actually said, ”Hey Scarlet! Where'd you go when you left the party? I was looking everywhere for you and what's with the getup? It's gotta be like seventy degrees in here.”
She closed her locker, “Oh! I'm sorry it's just...there was a family emergency and I had to rush home. Something with my dad.”
“Yeah he got really sick so I figure what better chance now to meet him.” She shrugged and gave an awkward smile.
“I guess so. Well, at least I know you weren't kidnapped or something.”
A nervous chuckle came out, ”Yeah…”
Then the bell rang, ”I’ll see you some other time ok?”
“Yeah, ok.”
The rest of the day was actually somewhat the same. It was the only the third day of school so of course not too many people could necessarily care what she looked like. They were more concerned about getting through the first week. Other people though gave her “That Stare”. It was the stare of fear, disgust, or unwanted curiosity and both half breeds got this almost daily. “That Stare” never bought anything good to either side, well at least not all the time; often time it bought the feels of shame and self-hate. She'd never outrightly say it, but sometimes it gave Scarlet small self-esteem fluctuations which she was sure Duncan also had. With the day almost over Scarlet thought, she'd gotten away with her little stunt until…
“Hey!” It was Piper leaning on the lockers with a sucker in her mouth, ”I don't mean to make you late for gym, but your friend Garnet’s kind of in a situation.”
“What kind of situation?”
Piper leaned her head for the signal of follow and the girls peeked around the corner where a group of girls were.
Scarlet asked, “Piper who are they?”
“You see the freckle-faced carrot head? That's Dominic Fredberg. Behind her are Charlotte Gaireds and Rosetta Fawn. They're basically the Plastics of this school if you know what I mean.”
The red-headed lead said, ”Uh who are you with an apple after lunch?”
Garnet swallowed what was in her mouth, ”My name is Garnet and I was helping out a teacher during lunch period so I didn't get to eat.”
The other two girls snickered and then the curly haired blonde, Charlotte, asked, ”What kind of a name is Garnet?”
“And besides,” stated the pale brunette, Rosetta, ”we’re the only ones allowed to eat anything after lunch period. Unless you got that from the vending machine I'm afraid it's gonna have to go.”
Dominic snatched the apple out of Garnet’s hand and before she knew it was over the trash.”First and foremost that's mine! If I get in trouble so be it! It's none of your business!” Garnet was obviously annoyed.
Dominic gave a vicious smile, “Well then consider it a favor. This way you won't get in trouble either way.”
The apple almost hit the contents of trash, but to the surprise of everyone, it didn't. Scarlet had moved into action and caught it just for her friend. She simply gave the apple back to Garnet and she took another bite staring straight at the trio. “You know,” started Scarlet, ”it’s rude to touch other people's property. It’s considered an invasion of space. Especially since you took it from her hands like a preschooler.”
“And who might you be?” Asked Rosetta with her nose up.
“The person who needs to get back to class just like you three and starting trouble in the hallway isn't exactly going to get anyone anywhere.”
“Well, I hope you know you don't have to stay here,” Charlotte said matter-of-factly.
“If you mess with my friends I kinda do. Now my friend and I are going to go to class. I hope that's not a problem for you considering all students can do that. Oh and by the way I don't know what you think makes you a special snowflake, but you wanna know a secret? All snowflakes start out the same the difference is some melt and others fall into the wonderful land known as snow.”
Scarlet started walking around the corner again and Garnet followed. The two could hear Dominic screaming behind them, ”Don't you talk to me like that! My daddy’s the school board leader! I can have you gone by-”
“Ms.Fredberg!” A teacher had opened her door, ”That is unacceptable behavior for the hallways and on the third day! Get to the class young lady!”
The two girls just snickered as they continued to their classes. Garnet gave a friendly shove saying, ”Thanks, I don't know what I'd do without you.”
“It's nothing. Besides, I just didn't wanna get in a fight. That never exactly turns out well.”
“Well now maybe Duncan can cool down a bit knowing you did that.”
“Wouldn't that be great?” They came to the point where they needed to split, ”I’ll see you on the walk home?”
“No my dad's picking me up. It'll just be you and Finn.”
~
“Oh my gosh, Finn what happened?!” The two had met at the front of the school after the final bell rang. To Scarlet’s surprise, Finn had a large bruise on his cheek and battered hands.
“Oh, nothing. You know just Zane Steele and his S.O.B’s stuffing me a locker. He said something about if my friends mess with his girl then his friends would mess with me. Know anything about that?”
Scarlet sighed as they started walking and she told him the story. She ended with, ”I’m sorry you got dragged into that.”
“It's ok. Besides you were helping Garnet so I'm fine with taking one for the team.”
“Yeah, but it still doesn't make it right.”
“I know Scarlet, but guys like that you just don't give them any power. If you're mad that's fine, but doing something over the top won't make it better. It'll just fuel the fire. No pun intended.”
“Gosh, you almost sound like Duncan.”
“Guess that means I'm smarter than the average human?”
“I wouldn't exactly say that but…”
They walked on until they made it by Scarlet's house and Finn walked the rest of the way to his home. Something felt off though. Scarlet nearly opened the door to her home, but she felt compelled to follow Finn. Deciding to listen to her instincts Scarlet went back and caught up with her friend. Together they walked all the way to the edge of town where Finn and his dad lived on a dead end street. As Finn took his key from his pocket he asked, ”What made you decide to follow me home?”
“Let's just say I had a hunch.”
All of a sudden a shadow came over the heads of the teens and then a large batch of liquid cane hurdling at them. Scarlet quickly tackled Finn just as he got the door open. The two fell inside as a loud bird like sound was heard. Looking back at the small concrete porch which they had just been on was now melting from the green liquid.
“Holy shit what was that?!” Finn said rather loudly.
“Finn get up and stay inside!”
“Scarlet what?!”
“Just trust me ok! Do not come out unless I say so! And call Duncan! Tell him I might be late getting home!”
“Ok! Right!” He stood up and ran into another room.
Scarlet jumped across the now liquid porch and looked up thinking,’Day one of training. Wonderful.’
“Duncan your blood pressure!” Scarlet had just finished telling her brother all about the night before.
Duncan was pacing around the kitchen in a fury, ”You don't know what you've done do you?”
“I think I kinda do.”
“Kinda?!”
“Duncan, please! He would have trained me as his heir anyways and besides I-”
“You what Scarlet?!” His voice went from anger to worry, ”Scarlet he's not exactly your normal dad. He’ll push you till you're hurt, put you in situations you'd never want to be in, he’ll…he’ll change your life.”
“Duncan he already changed my life when he became my father. Besides it's not like I've been living a completely human life.” Duncan sighed before taking the time to sit on one of the kitchen stools.”I get it,” she started, ”you're worried and probably for good reasons. He's a part of me though just like you are and I want to know who I am Duncan. I can't just be some hybrid who constantly hears the answer “You're you”. If that's the case I want to find myself because you're not going to be able to fill in all those spots for me. Please, Duncan, I already made the deal anyway and like I said he wrote his half when he decided to be with mom.”
With another sigh, he looked at his sister in the eye before giving her a hug. He squeezed looking over her shoulder thinking,’Mom would just kill me.’
Reassuring him she said, ”I'm gonna be fine.”
“Somehow I know you will be.” He stopped hugging her to give her the notification, ”You know you still have to go to school tomorrow right?”
“I figured as much. Probably should have thought about that?”
“Uh huh.”
All of a sudden the door busted open with Garnet and Isabella. Isabella spotted Scarlet and immediately ran up and hugged her, ”Oh girl you had a worried there!”
“Mom!” Garnet pried her mother off,” she’ll probably explain in...woah!” She'd noticed her physical changes of course, ”I mean...have you been trying a new brand of makeup?”
“Garnet.”
“I know you don't wear makeup I'm sorry.”
Isabella asked, “So what happened to you?”
“Well,” she started, ”to make a long story short I’m the new heir.”
“What?!” The mother and daughter duo said in chorus.
“Wait so does this mean you'll be leaving or something?” Garnet asked with concern.
“No sweetie at least I hope not. It just means if something happens to her dad or worse she's ruler over the Kaiju.”
“What?!”
Just then another burst came from the door; it was Kenny and Finn.”Scarlet!” The dark haired boy wrapped his arms around her.
“What did we miss?” Asked Kenny shaking off his son.
Garnet answered, “Finn, Scarlet’s an heiress!”
“A what now?”
“You know...she's basically princess of the Kaiju.”
“Wow...that's kinda cool.” At those words, Duncan simply left the room, “Was it something I said?”
“It's fine Finn,” said Scarlet, ”He’s just gonna go outside, fly around for a bit, and come back before dark.”
“So are going to school tomorrow or is your dad going to come and take you away for training?” Garnet asked with a weird flying hand motion.
“Uh...yeah” Scarlet responded, ”I'm going to school.”
Kenny saw her face and decided to give a few encouraging words, ”Don't worry kid you'll be fine. I mean look at your brother he handled it pretty well.”
~
“I am not going to handle this well.”
Patting her on the back Finn said, “Come on Scarlet! It's like dad said if your brother could do it so can you.”
‘I’m not my brother. Oh gosh wait a minute-’
“Oh no!” Exclaimed Garnet, ”I know what you're thinking! You're wondering what Connor’s going to think aren't you?” Scarlet just scratched her head aka the silent yes, ”If he's a good guy then I think he'll understand whatever excuse you make up.”
Those words rang true when Connor and Scarlet met in the hallway. Scarlet was at her locker when she looked to see him coming down towards her. At first she looked away almost ignoring him until he actually said, ”Hey Scarlet! Where'd you go when you left the party? I was looking everywhere for you and what's with the getup? It's gotta be like seventy degrees in here.”
She closed her locker, “Oh! I'm sorry it's just...there was a family emergency and I had to rush home. Something with my dad.”
“Yeah he got really sick so I figure what better chance now to meet him.” She shrugged and gave an awkward smile.
“I guess so. Well, at least I know you weren't kidnapped or something.”
A nervous chuckle came out, ”Yeah…”
Then the bell rang, ”I’ll see you some other time ok?”
“Yeah, ok.”
The rest of the day was actually somewhat the same. It was the only the third day of school so of course not too many people could necessarily care what she looked like. They were more concerned about getting through the first week. Other people though gave her “That Stare”. It was the stare of fear, disgust, or unwanted curiosity and both half breeds got this almost daily. “That Stare” never bought anything good to either side, well at least not all the time; often time it bought the feels of shame and self-hate. She'd never outrightly say it, but sometimes it gave Scarlet small self-esteem fluctuations which she was sure Duncan also had. With the day almost over Scarlet thought, she'd gotten away with her little stunt until…
“Hey!” It was Piper leaning on the lockers with a sucker in her mouth, ”I don't mean to make you late for gym, but your friend Garnet’s kind of in a situation.”
“What kind of situation?”
Piper leaned her head for the signal of follow and the girls peeked around the corner where a group of girls were.
Scarlet asked, “Piper who are they?”
“You see the freckle-faced carrot head? That's Dominic Fredberg. Behind her are Charlotte Gaireds and Rosetta Fawn. They're basically the Plastics of this school if you know what I mean.”
The red-headed lead said, ”Uh who are you with an apple after lunch?”
Garnet swallowed what was in her mouth, ”My name is Garnet and I was helping out a teacher during lunch period so I didn't get to eat.”
The other two girls snickered and then the curly haired blonde, Charlotte, asked, ”What kind of a name is Garnet?”
“And besides,” stated the pale brunette, Rosetta, ”we’re the only ones allowed to eat anything after lunch period. Unless you got that from the vending machine I'm afraid it's gonna have to go.”
Dominic snatched the apple out of Garnet’s hand and before she knew it was over the trash.”First and foremost that's mine! If I get in trouble so be it! It's none of your business!” Garnet was obviously annoyed.
Dominic gave a vicious smile, “Well then consider it a favor. This way you won't get in trouble either way.”
The apple almost hit the contents of trash, but to the surprise of everyone, it didn't. Scarlet had moved into action and caught it just for her friend. She simply gave the apple back to Garnet and she took another bite staring straight at the trio. “You know,” started Scarlet, ”it’s rude to touch other people's property. It’s considered an invasion of space. Especially since you took it from her hands like a preschooler.”
“And who might you be?” Asked Rosetta with her nose up.
“The person who needs to get back to class just like you three and starting trouble in the hallway isn't exactly going to get anyone anywhere.”
“Well, I hope you know you don't have to stay here,” Charlotte said matter-of-factly.
“If you mess with my friends I kinda do. Now my friend and I are going to go to class. I hope that's not a problem for you considering all students can do that. Oh and by the way I don't know what you think makes you a special snowflake, but you wanna know a secret? All snowflakes start out the same the difference is some melt and others fall into the wonderful land known as snow.”
Scarlet started walking around the corner again and Garnet followed. The two could hear Dominic screaming behind them, ”Don't you talk to me like that! My daddy’s the school board leader! I can have you gone by-”
“Ms.Fredberg!” A teacher had opened her door, ”That is unacceptable behavior for the hallways and on the third day! Get to the class young lady!”
The two girls just snickered as they continued to their classes. Garnet gave a friendly shove saying, ”Thanks, I don't know what I'd do without you.”
“It's nothing. Besides, I just didn't wanna get in a fight. That never exactly turns out well.”
“Well now maybe Duncan can cool down a bit knowing you did that.”
“Wouldn't that be great?” They came to the point where they needed to split, ”I’ll see you on the walk home?”
“No my dad's picking me up. It'll just be you and Finn.”
~
“Oh my gosh, Finn what happened?!” The two had met at the front of the school after the final bell rang. To Scarlet’s surprise, Finn had a large bruise on his cheek and battered hands.
“Oh, nothing. You know just Zane Steele and his S.O.B’s stuffing me a locker. He said something about if my friends mess with his girl then his friends would mess with me. Know anything about that?”
Scarlet sighed as they started walking and she told him the story. She ended with, ”I’m sorry you got dragged into that.”
“It's ok. Besides you were helping Garnet so I'm fine with taking one for the team.”
“Yeah, but it still doesn't make it right.”
“I know Scarlet, but guys like that you just don't give them any power. If you're mad that's fine, but doing something over the top won't make it better. It'll just fuel the fire. No pun intended.”
“Gosh, you almost sound like Duncan.”
“Guess that means I'm smarter than the average human?”
“I wouldn't exactly say that but…”
They walked on until they made it by Scarlet's house and Finn walked the rest of the way to his home. Something felt off though. Scarlet nearly opened the door to her home, but she felt compelled to follow Finn. Deciding to listen to her instincts Scarlet went back and caught up with her friend. Together they walked all the way to the edge of town where Finn and his dad lived on a dead end street. As Finn took his key from his pocket he asked, ”What made you decide to follow me home?”
“Let's just say I had a hunch.”
All of a sudden a shadow came over the heads of the teens and then a large batch of liquid cane hurdling at them. Scarlet quickly tackled Finn just as he got the door open. The two fell inside as a loud bird like sound was heard. Looking back at the small concrete porch which they had just been on was now melting from the green liquid.
“Holy shit what was that?!” Finn said rather loudly.
“Finn get up and stay inside!”
“Scarlet what?!”
“Just trust me ok! Do not come out unless I say so! And call Duncan! Tell him I might be late getting home!”
“Ok! Right!” He stood up and ran into another room.
Scarlet jumped across the now liquid porch and looked up thinking,’Day one of training. Wonderful.’