A/N: Alright, after a short break, I'm back. Now last time we left a Maddox sibling, Benji and Jade finally confessed their feelings and things got… steamy. Now we get to see how Callie's been doing for so long. Let's go!

Currently listening to Budo by Gerry Mulligan.

Day 2 of the Second Mortal Kombat Tournament 10:00 AM: Shao Kahn's Armory

Callie's POV:

Y'know, I may trust Benji with all of my soul, but even I didn't think this tournament would run so long, bounty or not. I expected it to be quick. We enter Outworld, win Earthrealm's freedom, make a quick attempt on Shao Kahn's life, and leave. But here we are at nighttime in a foreign realm, Outworld's army scouring every corner to find me. Kung Lao's antics earlier in the evening didn't help with that bounty planted on my head. Well, it all started when we left the docks and found ourselves on the beach.

Trigger Flashback: Yesterday Evening

Kung Lao and I left the docks to survey the area. No one else was here but us. Most likely they went to the Kolisseum to start the MK tournament properly. The bounty on my and Benji's head being a side bracket I'm sure. Kung Lao, from the way I'm observing him, is pretty unsettled, uncharacteristic of him if I had to guess. Though he's a consistent rule breaker, he still needs guidance, something the monks can't give him.

"Problem, Lao?" I inquired, unconcerned with his demeanor.

He turned to me and slowly nodded. "Just… wondering how Liu Kang is doing."

"Knowing him, he's doing fine, if not well. You shouldn't be worried about him. Since you're rolling with me, care more about your own well-being. I attract trouble as if it was a magnetic connection." I admit.

"Maybe if you didn't march into the center of the enemy's stronghold then maybe you wouldn't get into so many fights." Kung Lao argued.

I raise an eyebrow. "With the way your inflated ego is, I'm surprised you didn't get into at least twice as many fights as me. And that is when your rivalry with Liu Kang, petty as it is, can be used as motivation. We're going to make trouble, and in doing that, so long as you don't overstep your boundaries or overextend your aggression, you'll catch more than just Liu Kang's attention. That's why I stole you from him and Raiden."

Within moments, I'm able to make eye contact with the monastery, a cocky smile on my face. "And I have just found our first POI."

"A what?" Kung Lao repeated confused.

I sigh but don't chastise him. "A Point of Interest. I don't see anyone guarding the place, meaning one of two things. One, either they're guarding something important and leaving a facade, so no one breaches the place. Or two, there's nothing inside, which means we destroy the infrastructure. C'mon, Lao!" I command as I march to the building.

Kung Lao followed but asked another dumb question. "But what if we run into Shao Kahn's court and they attack us?"

Annoyed, I turn to him as if he went braindead. "Are you retarded? We're gonna fight them! Training is no substitute for experience, and you need all of the experience you can get." I answer coldly. "Besides, I need the enemy to know that we: being Benji and myself, aren't going to take this bounty lightly. I spared my last opponent who tried to lay claim on the bounty instead of just double-tapping her."

Me calling Kung Lao retarded didn't sit well with him. "That was unnecessary. And what the hell do you mean by Double Tap?"

"It means to put two bullets in rapid succession in one spot, primarily the chest," I elaborated. "If the victim survives that, then you triple-tap them; two in the chest, one in the head. A basic military procedure, I'm not surprised that you don't understand it."

Kung Lao took offense at my indifferent disposition. "How can you be so informal about ending a life?"

"I understand that you're a monk, Lao, but your ideologies make you and Liu Kang fools." I stop to face him. "A war is a battle of two fronts. Ever heard of that metaphor before?" I ask. He shook his head, but that disapproving look remained. "One front is a physical battle. Soldiers fight for better positioning and weaken the enemy physically. The second front is psychological. The name of the game is Mental Damage in which I and Benji, as much as he doesn't want to admit, are phenomenal at applying. Plant rice to grow rice. Plant grass to grow grass." I explain.

"So, what are you trying to plant, Callie Ann?" Lao asked.

The curious query made me snicker. "You're a cute kid, y'know? I'm trying to plant fear, and what I've done so far is implanted the polar opposite: Hope. Hope in the enemy is not suitable for your ally's morale. So I'm trying to undo that mistake. In reality, I hope there is someone inside because if there are, people will start dying." I finish as I continue my marching.

We continue marching, yet I can hear an audible gulp. I turn again to see that Kung Lao's blushing. I decide to fuck with him a little, pulling on his cheek playfully. "Relax, I'm not gonna hurt ya, Lao! So long as you don't do anything stupid." He seemed to calm down a bit after that gesture. "Now c'mon, we're wasting time."

"Yes, ma'am," he answered, confidence renewed.

We arrived at the entrance and entered, aware of any signs of a possible trap — nothing glaring so far. I led the way, Kung Lao close behind, probably too close for my liking.

"Looks like no one's on this floor," I deduct. "Might as well go upstairs."

The floor's decor possessed very intricate designs, hieroglyph-like drawings plastered on the walls. Down the halls loomed a similar-looking door. Pushing it open, I eventually found the first set of stairs.

"Lao, over here!" I call as begin climbing this twisted staircase.

When I reach the first door available on this stairwell, I chose to ignore it and kept moving, aiming for the top floor.

Kung Lao notices my decision. "Why not survey the floor, Callie Ann?" he inquires.

"Because leaving Person of Interest on the second floor of a building is lazy plus equals poor execution. Leaving a POI on the top floor is optimal if someone spots us then they have time to warn the others and send reinforces without us noticing," I tell him, keeping my voice down due to an echo. "But with how barren the place is, they probably only have guards on the top floor. Smart move, but allows a solitary flaw."

"That is?" Lao asks.

"If they are rendered unconscious, then they know the mission given to them is a bust," was my answer. "At the very least, one person is on the top floor. But because Benji and I are running loose, they might send two to watch our POI and make sure he/she stays in captivity."

My voice grew quieter as we eventually reach our destination, the door leading to the top of this building. I kneel and place an ear on the entryway to listen for anyone.

Silence.

Slowly, I nudge open the door to peek my head. No one was in here, save for Kitana of all people, tied to one of the many pillars occupying this floor. I motion to Kung Lao that we're heading in, and we do. We sneak up to the captive Princess, her disbelieving look not surprising to me.

"Well, well, well, Kitty. I know your father is paranoid, but to have his daughter reenact every Princess cliche? That's pretty dumb, don't you think?" I inquire sarcastically.

"General!" Kitana exclaimed, not expecting to see me. "What? Come to kill me?"

I show a mock expression of surprise. "Me? Never. Not like this. Judging by you being here, I can make a safe bet you've defected. You learned something that you weren't supposed to, huh?" I interrogated while cupping her cheeks.

Kitana wasn't too pleased with my shenanigans. "I have no time for your mockery! Shang Tsung had spliced my DNA and made a clone of monstrosity from it. She calls herself Mileena and she has my exact body but tarkatan facial features. As soon as I exposed that wretched sorcerer, father had me locked in here."

Why am I not surprised? Shang Tsung always loved tinkering with new possibilities in his foul lab. Guess Shao Kahn needed a failsafe in the event Kitana finally wised up and broke away from him. Didn't expect him to make a full-blown replica.

"Doesn't shock me one bit. Shang Tsung practically leaks treachery," I remarked. "Any opportunity to make sure you're no longer in the circle of power is a chance he's willing to take." Time to get down to business. "So, Kitty..."

"Kitty?" she asked bewildered.

"Yes, Kitty. The nickname I'm giving you since we're no longer enemies. How many people are guarding you? And where are they in this building?" I ask her seriously.

"We are not friends, General," Kitana spat out. "Giving me a nickname does not forgive the embarrassment you gave me on Shang Tsung's island."

I ignored her comment. "Don't get me wrong, Kitty. It's taking all of my willpower not to gut you as if you owed me money. But our relationship is nothing but an atom to the bigger picture. You revolted at Raiden's insistence, meaning you've defected to our side; the winning side. From where I'm standing, that no longer makes us enemies whether you hate my guts or not. I cannot overstate the fact that if it weren't for us, you most likely face execution by your own pops." My arms fold. "And it doesn't take much to say thank you; which should be the bare minimum, enough for me to project vomit all over this monastery. But I'm putting my pride aside to save your narcissistic ass, so shut the hell up, and let me cut these binds off." I shut her down.

But before I could release her, two guards appeared, none other than Sheeva and Skarlet. My expression sours upon eye contact of these two. Good thing it's only them and not an entire army. Shao Kahn can't know we're here just yet.

I glance back at Kitty. "Better yet, stay there and look pretty. We have business to take care of."

My full attention turns to our two enemies. As much as I'd love to antagonize Skarlet some more, I think I should be a good little sister and deal with Benji's pseudo stalker. She's given him problems to last an Edenian lifetime.

"Lao; you deal with Little Red," I instructed. "You two should be on equal footing." My eyes bore into Sheeva's. "I'll deal with she-beast here."

Skarlet noticed my gaze not entirely on her. "What? Am I not worthy of your attention anymore, General?"

Damnit, there she goes again to try and get underneath my skin. I can still see our previous fight in our mind. Skarlet was good, but it was her banter that caught me off guard, not to mention her blood powers. However, this was not the time to play along in her sick game.

"I had my fun with you in the Living Forest. Save yourself the embarrassment and take on Oddjob here." I gave her a cold answer.

She huffs in response. "Fine, but I'll savor your blood when we dance again." Skarlet glares at Lao. "First, I'll deal with this pathetic excuse for a Shaolin." A bloody dagger emerges in her hand. "Come, Kung Lao."

Lao looked uneasy, never having to fight anyone like Skarlet. Being a good teammate, I pat him on the back a couple of times to reassert my confidence in him. "You got this. Don't let me down now."

He nods and heads off to battle Skarlet. I can tell from his demeanor alone that Kung Lao has something to prove to me. Maybe now I'm starting to reach him. As long as his arrogance is in check, he can beat anyone.

That left Sheeva and I one on one. Her attire was even more revealing than back on Shang Tsung's island. Considering she's a Shokan, that was not a good look. I'm glad my brother doesn't take an interest in female Shokan.

"Dressing with modesty never crossed your mind, Sheeva?" I sarcastically ask.

"I care not for your opinion, General," Sheeva replied in hatred. "Your brother's eye is all I care for."

"Believe me, Sheeva. As his little sister, it'll take more than dressing like a prostitute from Vegas to catch Benji's eye. He appreciates women with a brain, something I know you don't have," I shot back. "Besides, he has eyes for Jade, a better quality woman than you can ever even hope to aspire to."

That got under Sheeva's skin, all four of her arms cracking their knuckles. "That wench has no place by his side! He deserves much better than a green-eyed witch! When I'm through with you, Jade will follow you into the afterlife!"

"Well, I honestly couldn't name anyone more deserving of my brother than Jade, considering you see my brother only as a potential trophy." I counter, making my feelings clear on that issue. "But enough about him. You're dealing with me, the last person you want to pick a fight with, honey."

With that, I take my knife out of its holster. We circle one another. One thing I cannot afford to do is allow Sheeva to grab me as Goro did in the first tournament. Otherwise, I may not be so lucky this time around.

That in mind, I lunge at Sheeva as if I was a predator stalking its prey, my lower body exploding from the floor. With blinding speed, I pounce with my knife arm extended, attempting to separate Sheeva's heart from her insides. She leaps over my stab attempt, but I quickly recover and try again for a stab in her back, my grip changing for better torque — another miss. It may seem we're even, but that was far from the case. Sheeva's constant jumping has made her tired, more quickly than she anticipated.

All part of my plan.

I stand after my fourth failed attempt, rolling the knife in my hand. "C'mon, Sheeva; make this worthwhile, eh? It's only my second fight today, y'know. Can't take the fight to your shitty emperor if I'm not adequately warmed up! What would Benji think of your condition, she-beast!?" I quickly turn into a beast myself. (metaphorically, of course)

"Quiet!" Sheeva shouted. "You mock me at your peril! I will not end up like Baraka!"

Baraka? "What the hell does Baraka have to do with my brother?" I ask.

"He and Baraka fought in the Edenian sector of Outworld," she told me. "Your brother won, and before leaving Baraka, he broke off one of his blades." I could see Sheeva slightly shiver at the thought.

Benji did that? Well, I'll be damned. I couldn't be more proud to be his kid sister then that moment. It looks like my advice paid off. My brother can't always rely on his Warlock powers, so helping him train in hand to hand combat was crucial.

"Well, glad I placed my faith in him if he did something like that. None of this would've have happened if Shao Kahn didn't place that bounty on our heads." I shrug, not even caring before proclaiming, "Now, prepare to die."

I lunge back on Sheeva's position, my quickness too much for her to track as I stab her abdomen, leaving a deep wound before exiting her back. My relentlessness didn't stop there. I made multiple stabs in this bitch's chest, her cries of agony persisting through the ordeal. Satisfied with my work, I kicked Sheeva directly on her fresh abdomen wound, causing her blood to spill all on the floor.

This fight was over. Confidently, I strode to Sheeva's fallen body, indifference written on my face.

"What are you... waiting for?" Sheeva coughed up blood, holding her fatal wound in futility. "F- Finish me."

"Sure, so you can stay the hell away from Benji," I bluntly stated.

I revealed my concealed pistol before double-tapping Sheeva, two shots in her chest. She moved slightly after those additional wounds, so I shot her in the head, completing the triple tap and ending Sheeva's life. One less thing to worry about for my brother.

"You're welcome, Benji," I say to myself. "Now I got a Shokan on my body count too."

I look over to see how Lao is doing, and he and Skarlet are still going at it fiercely. My prediction proved correct as they matched each other. But time isn't really on our side, so I intervene on Lao's behalf. Skarlet went for a palm strike to his face, but I stop the attack by grabbing and wrenching on her wrist. Then, I took my knife and jammed it in Skarlet's shoulder before dragging the blade down her entire limb. She screamed in excruciating pain as I gave her face a right hook, my knife taken as Skarlet lands on the floor with a severely injured arm.

I throw the blood off my knife before placing it back in the holster, my attention on Lao. "Good job."

He doesn't look too beat up, though Skarlet managed to get some good shots in. Once again, my theory proved valid.

Knowing Kung Lao was ok, I look down at the defeated Skarlet, who seemed to be anticipating death. "Do it. You already killed Sheeva, so kill me and be done with it," she demanded.

That was the first thought running through my mind. Off Skarlet now, and I save our team from dealing with more of Shao Kahn's cronies. However, the same hesitation I had when we battled in the Living Forest had returned. Why is this happening all over?

I shake my head. "Don't think so. I'm going to use you as a messenger since I can smell fear off you and I see it in your eyes. I'm going to spare you, not because I'm a good person but because by not murdering you in cold blood, I can eviscerate your army's morale. So listen up." I turn to Kung Lao. "That goes for you too, and even you, Kitty."

My attention goes back to Skarlet as I bent down and roughly cupped her chin. "You'll return to the palace when I'm finished speaking. After you get your arm looked at, tell anyone, if not everyone in the court about me. Tell them that I killed Sheeva, what I did that to your arm, that I was the one who shot Rain and would've turned Tanya's head into blood and brain splatter if you came even a millisecond later. You can also inform them that they should not fear Earthrealm earning her permanent freedom from Outworld but should fear the fact they allowed Benji and I access to this godforsaken Realm. Until they catch us, we'll turn any and every adversary we come across into a mess so unsafe for life that it would make what Benji did to Baraka and Goro, and what I did to Sheeva look like Pre-School. Are we clear, Skarlet?"

She said nothing, her entire body wracked with fear after I concluded all the things I told her to pass along to Skull head and his thick-headed sorcerer.

"I SAID, ARE WE CLEAR!?" I bellowed.

"Yes," was all Skarlet could muster.

"Good, now leave my sight," I commanded.

Skarlet wasted little time getting up as fast as she could to hightail out of the monastery by disappearing in her blood.

I turn back to Kitty, now looking like she saw a ghost. "Why the look?"

"You can't be serious. A threat to the entire Outworld court?" Kitty asked.

"I don't understand why you're fearful, Kitty. You're no longer with Outworld, and my words don't concern you. Many names refer me; General Loudmouth, Iron Maiden of Edenia, asshole, among other things." I answer bluntly.

"But you told me to listen," she pointed out.

"Because I wanted you and Lao to understand the lengths I'll go to make my enemy's life a living hell. After what they will eventually learn, they better be shitting their pants. Or in your father's case, his panties." I walk back to her bondage place. "Now before I cut you loose, you need to get this 'I'm royalty of Outworld' shtick out of your head. You defected, so you don't get to act like that anymore."

Just as I'm about to free her, I relent. "Y'know what? I need to feed you some humble pie. I'll free you, under one condition."

Kitana wasn't too pleased with my requirement. "What do you want?"

"I want you to say one sentence, just one," I stated my request. "See, you being in this little predicament is equivalent to your house catching fire. Me being here, is me offering you fire insurance. Now, I'm not going to give you the insurance, the insurance applying in real life as me letting you go until you do one thing-"

"Just get on with it!" Kitana shouted, clearly losing patience.

"Say: 'Please let me go, Callie Ann.' That's all I ask. Quite frankly, I don't care if you say it with a genuine concern or more sarcasm than my brother when he loses patience with others. Just say it, and I'll cut you loose. I would humble you some more, but I think when you inevitably run into my brother, he'll do more than finish what I started." I explain. "Now say it."

Even with the mask on, I can tell Kitty did not want to concede. But after that godlike analogy, she couldn't see it any more clear. She finally relented.

"Please, Callie Ann. Release me from this prison," she angrily relented.

I nod with a smile. "See, was that so difficult? Hold still." I say as I go to cut the ropes off.

"So, Callie Ann," Kung Lao joined my side. "Is she a Person of Interest?"

Unable to resist the urge to make a joke, I answer, "No, Kitana is a Princess of Interest."

I then start laughing at my own joke like the dork I am. Horrible pun, I know.

I finally release Kitty from her make-shift prison. "Now, Kitty. Is there anything you wanna get off your chest before we book it?"

She didn't respond, that angry look remaining on Kitana's face before she rolled her eyes and wordlessly headed for the exit wordlessly.

"I guess not," were my words. "C'mon, Lao. We gotta lay low for a while."

Before we left the area, I nearly missed Kitty whisper, "I like it."

We stopped in our tracks to eye Kitana curiously. "Huh? What was that?"

"I like Kitty, the first nickname someone ever gave me," she explained. "And I find it endearing."

I nod acceptance. "Good. You should leave before Shao Kahn sends more people. Try not to die."

Kung Lao and I made our way out of the structure without anyone noticing. Have to say he handled this well for his first time on a mission with me. I can't explain it, but I feel Kung Lao is starting to understand why I demanded him to be better. Maybe I finally found someone other than Benji that I can trust. It's still early, but he's showing positive signs.

"Ok, we're going to head to the walled city of Lei Chen," I tell him. "It's getting late, and we don't want to make camp in the Living Forest; the trees eat people. And while I have a free pass, I can't say the same for you."

Lao nodded without saying a word. I found that tidbit strange as he's gone unusually quiet for the past couple minutes. He continued that way on our trek to the beach and back into Lei Chen.

Zefeero, who happened to be standing near the entrance, noticed our arrival. "General Maddox. I hope the fight for Earthrealm is going in your favor."

"It's going well, although I wished this whole thing was done by now. One day in Outworld is long enough." I spoke before moving aside. "This is Kung Lao, a fellow Earthrealm representative. Lao, this is Overlord Zefeero, Emperor of Lei Chen." Lao bows in respect before I requested, "We need a place to lay low until tomorrow morning."

"Say no more. News of how you killed Sheeva spread like wildfire here," he told us, turning into the town. "Follow me. I know a place where you can stay."

He led us to a small, abandoned house and directed us inside. Although no one had set foot in this place for years, the utilities stood in mint condition. So we settled in quickly, and I cleaned myself off from today's mayhem. It was rather late at night as I sat on the couch, my arms exposed with my duster to my left and the mechanisms of my concealed pistol on my right. I stare at the ceiling, making plans internally for tomorrow morning.

'We should breach the palace, nothing else to do besides heading to the Kolisseum, but now's the time.' I think to myself.

Kung Lao walks into the living room before clearing his throat to get my attention. I see him standing at the door with only a tank top covering his chest. Wow... he looks good from where I'm sitting. I don't think there's a single ounce of body fat on him. Hair was wet from a shower taken earlier. Damnit, not again. I need to take one before calling it a night. These hormones are getting out of control — First Skarlet who's a woman, now Lao, a handsome male. Best of both worlds, I suppose.

"What is it?" I ask.

"There's only one bed," Lao replied bluntly.

An irked sigh left my mouth, though I tried to stifle it. You're telling me that in this house that hasn't housed anyone in ages only has one bed? This has to be a joke.

Before I could say anything, Kung Lao added, "I'll sleep on the couch. You can take the bed."

That was generous of him. Wonder why Lao did so in the first place. I've slept on the bare ground before. Compare anything to that; it's like a Sleep Number.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Kung Lao's gaze upon my body, silently taking in my appearance. How do I know? Well, he's looking at me like I look at food when I'm starving. Can't tell whether to be flattered or disturbed. Honestly, I feel a bit warm inside. No man has gazed at me intently before.

"What are you lookin' at?" I snap him out of his reverie.

Kung Lao looked away for a moment. "You are very built, Callie Ann. Just from looking at your arms, I can tell you're quite fit."

Well, easy to say that was the cutest thing I've heard concerning my arms. I throw Lao a bone and flex my left arm to reveal my bicep's muscle. His eyes bulged at the flex, and I notice a little blush on his cheek. I think I have Kung Lao flustered.

"Well, I've been fighting before your ancestor was even a concept in his parents' mind. It's only fair that I look like this, seeing as though I've been around for 22,000 plus years. A fat Edenian doesn't exist." I decided to toy with him, rising from my seat on the couch, swaying in front of Lao. "Are my biceps enough or you do you want to see my abs too?"

I expected my comment not to have much of an effect. Kung Lao surprised me, however, by subtly nodding his head, embarrassed. I stifle my laughter before lifting the bottom of my tank top so agonizingly slow, my eyes on Lao as he gawks at my abdomen. Man, I feel turned on by this, a partial striptease one would think.

When I dropped my tank top, I see Lao's nose dripping blood. I laugh before motioning at my nostril. He felt his nose, and upon seeing crimson on his hand, Kung Lao rushed to the restroom.

"Is there something you wanna tell me, Kung Lao?" I yell so he can hear me, doing my best not to laugh.

I hear silence but listen to the bathroom sink's water running. When the water stops, Lao comes back out, a bloody washcloth in his possession though the blush remained on his face.

"I think that you're... cute," he said, hesitation evident in his tone. "No, beautiful is the better word to describe you."

I looked genuinely surprised by his choice of words before giggling in admiration for his blunt attitude. This admission was the very first time someone has directly complimented me. No one has ever said that to my face before. However, I slightly frown as Kung Lao turned away, unable to face me. By Argus, he truly meant what he said.

I fought to hold down a blush of my own. "Thank you," I murmured. "You're not so bad yourself."

Then, to my own astonishment, I step closer to Kung Lao and turn his body back to eye him directly, my lips latching on to his cheekbone. I let my mouth linger there for some time before pulling away. Oh, dear. Kung Lao's face turned into the deepest shade of scarlet that I've ever seen. I couldn't say much because my cheeks flared in the same manner.

"You- you should head to bed," I stutter before heading for the bedroom. "We're leaving here first thing in the morning." My head cranes to see him, not moving an inch from his spot. "So rest up."

Kung Lao didn't say anything and only nodded, bewildered at what happened between us before taking his place on the couch. I close the door behind me, backsliding against it before landing on the floor. What was I thinking? Nothing obviously for me to do something like that. I've... never kissed anyone before tonight, let alone a male. Don't laugh; it's the truth. I'm starting to think Lao may not be some random guy. Well, can't dwell on this tonight, I need rest. With that in mind, I climb into bed, pulling the covers over my body.

"My, my; Callie Ann," I hear an unfamiliar feminine voice before I made myself comfortable. "I didn't think you would grow up to be such a tease."

The person in question reveals herself, a hood disguising her face so I couldn't make it out. How long has she been following us? And how come I didn't notice her? Instinctively, I reach for my knife, but she halts me from attacking.

"I'm no enemy, I've known you for your whole life... Daughter," she revealed.

What the hell? Daughter? There's only one person who called me that, and she's been dead for nearly 20,000 years! Guess I have to prove my claims are valid (or false).

"M-Mommy?" I inquired, doubt filling my mind.

The woman takes off her hood, and to my utter disbelief, it is, in fact, my mom. She looked the same when I was a little girl all those millennia ago.

My mother broke down into tears. "My, you have grown into a beautiful young woman, Callie Ann." Her emotions poured out. "It's like I'm looking in a mirror."

Unable to hold myself together, I broke down before running full speed and nearly tackling my mother to the floor. She takes the force of my hug head-on, and we both cry buckets of tears.

"Oh, my God," I quietly said as not to disturb Kung Lao's sleep. "How- How are you still alive? Does Benji know this?" My head backs away to stare her in the face. "Where have you been? We met Uncle Okada in the Netherrealm. He's doing fine for himself and taught Benji how to be a Warlock!"

All my words came in a barrage without really thinking, but being a cool mom, she answered all my questions. "Dear child, I faked my death. I could never live with myself if I left you and your brother's lives. Speaking of, I found Benny in the Edenian Sector, and we had our tearful reunion. I watched you both grow from afar, to which I'm so proud of." She caressed my hair. "You call Okada uncle now? Well, he was close to Joseph and me so that makes sense. He can also summon animals like Lulie; a beautiful raven Benji introduced me to."

We finally separated but still kept our arms around each other. If this was a dream, nobody better dare wake me up. I prayed to see either my mother or father alive and in front of me. My prayer didn't go unanswered.

"I have a lot of explaining to do," my mother began. "And since you plan on invading the palace, I wish to join you and- is he your boyfriend?"

I managed to spot Kung Lao's sleeping form on the couch through the cracked door as he softly snored away. That feeling of butterflies came back with a vengeance. "It's starting to feel like it. I can see myself being happy with him after his ego deflates." I laugh. "Still a work in progress."

Mommy chuckles at my answer. "I'm not surprised; your father was the same when we first met. Us Maddox women normally lead the relationship in the beginning. So, where do I begin?"

She then explained everything to me. From Kitty's family and our family butting heads, Jerrod hiring the Freedom Fighters to kill off my aunts and uncles, faking her death and watching over Benji and I. I had a right to be mad, but she's my mother, and had valid reasons for doing all these things. Besides, I bet Benji had a lot to get off of his chest judging by what she revealed to him.

After talking for most of the night, she casts an illusion so I can fall asleep peacefully. The next morning quickly arrived. We made all the necessary preparations for our new objective. I was able to introduce my mother to Kung Lao formally. They hit it off rather quickly, and I was glad she didn't ask him if he was my boyfriend. I don't think I could've handled the embarrassment that mother put Benji and Sareena through when they met. Matter of fact, next time I see her, I'll question Sareena about that since my brother seemingly has eyes for Jade.

Around 9 o'clock, all three of us breached the palace, finding ourselves in the armory. Soon after, we traversed through the dark structure and ended up at the Dead Pool.

End Flashback: Present Day

I see Sonya being held captive by some nameless soldier. Using my concealed pistol, I shoot the guard in the head, and he falls in the acid bath, melting his skin and body down to the bone. We all walk up to Sonya who hung suspended by a giant hook.

"Quite the predicament you've gotten yourself, General." I taunt her, hands placed on my hips.

"I'm sorry, Callie," were the only words Sonya said.

"Apology not accepted. But I'm going to save verbally abusing you and Jax for later." I get her down with help from Kung Lao before cutting off her bondage. "Find the Major and join the battle. We still have work to do."

"Yes, General," she said in disappointment while leaving the acid bath.

I shake my head at the pitiful sight. 'So glad I left Special Forces,' I say to myself. "C'mon, Lao and mom."

A/N: And now we are caught up with Callie, the more lively Maddox Sibling. She reconciled with Mai although it isn't as grandiose as when she first revealed to Benji. But whatever, and I sense a romance between Callie and Kung Lao. I wonder where that's gonna head? Did you guys like the chapter? Did you not? Let me know with a review and or a PM. And while you're at it check my profile page out, and give my other stories a shot. I'll see you guys a little later. Bye Bye!

Currently listening to Mushroom Hill Zone Remix, by the Super Soul Bros.