A/N: Hello, fellow readers. It's the season to be jolly. I want to wish everyone happy holidays and a Merry Christmas. I present a new chapter to you, so grab some eggnog, sit by the fireplace (Not too close), and enjoy.

Disclaimer: This is my sign: 'I do not own Killer Instinct nor Carrie.

Despite the active monsoon season, fewer storms occurred. With the rain lessening, locals could resume daily activities. The sun came out, bringing much-needed relief to the Gasa region. In a clearing, the river dipped to its average level.

The muddy banks gave way to vivid blue water that glistened in the sunlight.

Bird songs pierced the air, creating a peaceful environment.

Rhythmic shouts echoed as Pemba assisted Carrie in her martial arts practice. Although a rookie, the telekinetic worked hard to master the techniques.

Jago sat on a boulder nearby, watching the women practice.

After a while, the women ended their sparring session. They wiped away sweat from their foreheads and smiled.

When Pemba said something in Nepali, Carrie assumed it was time for a break. She joined Jago by the boulder, extracting a cloth from her chuba. She untied it, revealing momos in clumps.

Before arriving at their training area, they visited the town to grab lunch.

"How was the session? You're getting stronger," Jago said.

"Well, I have two amazing teachers." While taking slow, deep breaths, Carrie rubbed her chest.

"Is everything alright?"

"It's this stupid strain. Whenever I use my powers, something tugs my heart. Is that normal?"

Concerned, the monk placed his palm on Carrie's back, attuning his ki. "You're still resisting—your powers, I mean. The more you resist, the more you'll struggle. While maintaining control, it is crucial to release."

"That's just it. I'm scared to let go."

Pemba approached them, speaking Nepali. Once Jago responded, she smiled and left the training grounds.

"Where is she going?" Carrie asked.

"Pemba is heading to the village for errands. How about we meditate? Take your mind off things," Jago said.

After one last bite, Carrie wrapped her meal. She followed Jago into the woodlands, unaware of the hidden figures watching them.

Within the undergrowth, the RIPTOR Stalker units eyed their quarry. The pack leader growled, longing to sink its teeth into flesh. After weeks of surveillance, it received fresh directives within its mind.

INITIATE CAPTURE OF:

CARRIE WHITE

JAGO

ONLY KILL IF NEEDED

The leader chirped, and the Stalker units headed deep into the woods.

Jago and Carrie trekked through the forest, their feet crunching on dead leaves. Birds chirped in the canopy above, a reminder of Nature's beauty.

Soon, they found another clearing with a pond. They perched on a fallen log covered with moss. They sat in silence for a few moments, beginning their session.

As hours passed, Jago sensed a disturbance. The location was too quiet for his liking.

With his senses on high alert, he arose, scanning.

Carrie glanced over her shoulder. "Jago, what's wrong?"

The monk motioned to her to stay quiet.

Concerned, Carrie hopped off the log, keeping her footsteps light. While surveying the area, something caught her eye. Though blending in the foliage, a closer inspection exposed a reptilian eye. She froze as her heart raced. Before she called out, a human-sized raptor rushed toward her, but a fireball struck the beast.

With his hand glowing, Jago was about to ask Carrie if she was okay when another raptor leaped to him. An invisible force field surrounded the monk, bouncing the raptor away.

With her arms extended, Carrie ensured Jago's protection. They stayed side-by-side as more raptors emerged.

"Are they dinosaurs? I assumed they were extinct," Carrie said.

"I guess not." Jago reached for his sword.

Light streams of drool dripped from each raptor's mouth. The pack leader whistled at its members, conveying a message. The raptors edged closer until they dashed toward their targets.

Carrie attacked with a psionic blast, pushing them back. She cried out and pressed her hand to her chest.

While Jago checked on her, he peeked over his shoulder as the raptor pack recovered. He faced the beasts, sword at the ready. As the raptors charged, the monk dismembered them.

A zebra-striped raptor charged at the girl until she shoved the beast. She sprinted into the thicket and arrived at a small clearing until the pack leader jumped on her.

Carrie lifted the beast and threw it away. She spotted a tree with a hollow big enough to fit a person.

Carrie slipped inside the cavern, but not before a hot, searing pain coursed through her leg; the raptor's claws raked her limb. Gripping her injured leg, she stayed far from the entrance.

While the raptor dug through the cavity, Carrie grabbed a rock and bashed the creature's hand.

Screeching in pain, the pack leader retreated but resumed plowing through the hollow. Before the raptor reached Carrie, something dragged it out.

She found Jago grabbing the beast's tail and throwing it to a nearby tree.

Bite marks and cuts sprinkled his body while dark purple blood painted his sword.

After ensuring Carrie's safety, Jago focused on the animal. "Don't alert your pack. I've killed them all."

The orange beast growled and charged toward the monk. He chucked a flaming orb, searing through the raptor's chest, leaving an open wound.

With the dinosaur reeling, he struck with precision. The beast landed on its back, with blood leaking from its injuries.

Once it recovered, the raptor swung its tail. Jago dodged until the raptor tripped and sprung on him.

He held the beast back, keeping it from reaching his throat. Annoyed, the raptor raked the monk's chest.

Jago cried but held his ground and head-butted the raptor's nose. As it stumbled back, he kicked it off him. Once at a safe distance, the monk drew out his sword, infusing it with his spiritual energy. As he charged ahead, the raptor unleashed fiery mortars from its mouth.

Jago evaded the fireballs, preparing to strike. The raptor avoided the sword slash and pulled a tail whip.

The creature leaped upon the monk, determined to deliver the final blow, but screamed in pain.

Jago scrunched his brows until he discovered his sword impaling the beast. He then shifted his focus to Carrie, who unleashed her powers. She hoisted the monster and shoved it aside, removing the blade. She handed Jago his weapon.

Grabbing it, he rushed to the raptor. He ducked a claw attack and sliced off its arm.

The raptor shrieked as blood spurted and wires fizzed.

The monk slashed the beast several times with his kora sword and launched an explosive fireball.

In pain, the raptor screeched and fled.

With the threat fleeing, Jago turned toward Carrie. "Are you okay?"

"Apart from my leg—behind you!" Carrie yelled.

A stripe-patterned raptor lunged toward them when a horse-sized wolf pounced and bit its throat. The beast struggled, but the wolf clamped harder until it ripped its head off.

For a while, the wolf panted, its amber eyes fixed on the duo.

Once it dropped the raptor's head, the wolf shifted to its human form.

"Sabai sancai hunuhuncha?" Pemba asked.

Jago sighed. "Hāmī hauṁ. Dhan'yavāda."

Carrie connected to her telepathy. "Pemba, how did you find us?"

"I sensed something was wrong when I returned. What is that thing?"

Jago approached the headless raptor. While inspecting the creature, he shuddered at the organic and cybernetic parts.

He flipped it on its stomach, revealing the U logo at its tail base. "Ultratech."

"Isn't that the company you mentioned when we were in Lhasa?" Carrie asked.

"The same one. From my understanding, after the tournament, the firm shut down. They must've survived."

"I can't believe a company created such creatures. It's like they're playing God. Why would their creations attack us?"

"That's a good question."

"Um, I'm clueless about the situation, but something strange happened during my errands." Pemba fished out a package from her robe. "This is for you, Jago."

"What is this?"

"Let me explain. During my errand trip, a young man approached me. He wanted me to give you this package because it was significant. Before I could ask for his name, he vanished. Though puzzled, it would be rude to ignore his request, so…."

Jago took the package and examined it. There wasn't anything suspicious about it, but it was strange. "Let's leave before those things appear."

Upon their return to the lodge, Jago used his chi to heal himself, Carrie, and Pemba of any injuries. After that, he opened the parcel.

Inside was a black device, along with a note. While reading, Jago nodded at various points.

He set the gadget on the floor and pushed a button.

The device hummed to life as a bright blue light shone in the center. Later, a 3D image of a woman appeared.

A pair of night-vision goggles strapped over her black hair. She wore an armored bustier over a sleeveless shirt and shorts with a belt. Cut-off gloves covered the lower half of her fingers, with wraps on her wrists. A mini-computer rested on her right wrist.

Two cloth straps wrapped around her upper left arm and right knee, with a shin guard below it.

The woman glanced at herself. "Hmm, still see-through." Upon seeing the trio, she placed her hands on her hips, scowling. "Jago, you elusive bastard. I'd knock you on the head, but given I'm a hologram, I'll save the moment for now. Do you know how long I tried to reach you?"

The monk crossed his arms, unfazed by the hostile greeting. "Orchid. Glad to see you again. You haven't changed. Now, what's this about? You said you would come with me to Tibet."

"As you promised to help me destroy Ultratech?"

The cabin became still, save for the humming device. Pemba and Carrie exchanged puzzled glances.

Jago exhaled. "I haven't forgotten. However, there were some personal issues I had to address."

"Whatever." Orchid's demeanor changed when she discovered Carrie hiding behind the monk. "Wait a minute…." She reached into her pocket and took out a newspaper clipping containing a picture of the girl. After several glances, she folded the article. "Well, I'll be damned. I considered it a strange coincidence when Jean told me you had a student with telekinetic powers."

The monk raised an eyebrow. "Jean?"

"Yeah, the 'tourist' you encountered at the hot springs weeks ago. The one that gave you the books I purchased, more or less. Although you didn't mention a name, I instructed Jean to monitor you.

"That way, he can tell me about your student's appearance. I never thought it would be her. You're quite an actress, Carrie. Fooling everyone into believing you're dead, even me. Very impressive."

The girl's eyes widened.

Jago furrowed his brow. "Dead? What's that supposed to mean?"

Orchid waved her hand. "Oh, nothing to worry about. All that matters is she's safe."

Carrie tapped Jago's shoulder. "What's going on? Who is this woman? Have you met her before?"

"What?! You never told your friends about me?" Orchid faked an upset gasp. "For shame, Jago! For shame! Well, here's your chance. Don't be shy. Introduce them to your Bahinī."

"Bahinī?" Pemba and Carrie said. They turned their attention to Jago, who gazed downwards, grunting.

Taken aback, Carrie arose to her feet. "Okay, I'm still learning Nepali, but that word… it means Sister, right?"

The monk grunted again, not wanting to comment.

"I'm amazed he never mentioned it. Then again, he keeps so many secrets." Orchid grinned. "How would his Order feel when they learn their most cherished monk has a long-lost sister?"

"Half-sister," Jago corrected. "As for my Order, they're… they're dead."

"Dead? What happened?"

"Gargos murdered them. I'm all that's left."

A mask of shock and sadness covered Orchid's face. "Damn. I don't know who or what Gargos is, but you have my condolences."

"I appreciate that. So, why seek me out?"

"Alright, I'll cut to the chase. You're in danger from Ultratech. Your ward, in particular. The Stalker units had been eyeing you for some time without your knowledge."

Carrie's lips turned downward. "Stalker units?"

"It must've been those raptors we've encountered," Jago said.

"That's not all. Imagine my surprise when I got reports about a stone creature flying halfway across the world," Orchid said.

Carrie slumped while turning away.

"Then, although small, more information on Ultratech activity came through in the China/Tibet/Bhutan region," Orchid continued. "So, I sent some personnel—Jean included—to investigate. It turns out there was evidence of psychic energy floating about. The wavelengths matched Carrie's. At first, I thought, 'That's impossible,' but I dug deeper."

"That's when you sought me out, and the rest was history," Jago said.

"I've sought you long before I learned about your ward's existence. So far, Ultratech has data on you three. Yes, I'm including your friend here because reports mentioned a shapeshifter, although she doesn't look like one."

Pemba jerked her head back. "Kē?!"

"By the Tiger." Jago rubbed his temples. "Just when we think we're safe, something comes up. Did you inform your agency about this?"

Orchid bit her lower lip. "Yeah, about that… I'm no longer with them. They relieved me post-tournament. The pricks."

"You got fired?"

"Oh, please. 'Fired' is a terrible term. I prefer dismissed. Anyway, one thing led to another, and I created an underground resistance movement called the Disavowed. It started as a refuge for Ultratech victims.

"As time passed, it grew, engaging in guerrilla warfare against them. Now, I'm here with an offer."

"You want us to join you? How does this benefit us?" Jago asked.

"Protection, a place to call home, and a purpose to fight for. Those Stalker units are just the beginning. Soon, Ultratech will bring out the big guns. It's unclear to me what they want from you, but with Carrie, it's obvious."

"It's her powers, but why?"

"This is an assumption, but they plan to exploit her abilities. If they capture her, nothing could stop them."

Carrie swallowed, shivering at the notion. "Jago, maybe we should take that offer. I don't want to become a weapon."

"It's alright. I won't let that happen. I promised myself to keep you safe, and I intend to do so."

"Yahām̐ pani tyastai," Pemba added.

"So, I'm guessing you all agreed, right?" Orchid asked.

"Not yet. How can I be certain you won't use Carrie for your cause? Even in your line of work, you're an opportunist," Jago said.

"Oh, come now, brother. I would never use children—even those with gifted powers—as weapons. You're right to be cautious, but I assure you, the protection I'm offering will apply to her. You have my word."

Jago stared downwards, weighing his options. Although uncertain of his sister's motivation, he sensed the truth in her words. Filled with conviction, he met the virtual image. "Alright, Orchid, where and when?"

A/N: A family reunion is coming. As for the Stalkers, who is next on their list? It's time to let my brain rest, so I'll see you soon. Once again, happy holidays.