A/N: Hello, fellow readers. A new year has come, and with it, a brand-new chapter. I've been teasing Orchid in the story, but no more. It's time for her debut, so grab anything that fancies your heart, sit back, and enjoy.

Update: This chapter has been revised.

Disclaimer: Y'all know the drill: check the sign from previous chapters.

A sea of clouds lingered in the sky, with the sun shining. All was peaceful until a thunderous clap echoed. A giant bird with multicolored feathers soared past. With amber eyes, it glanced around, maintaining its focus.

On its back, Carrie and Jago held on, the wind ruffling their hair and clothes.

Before they departed from Gasa, a Disavowed agent visited them, giving them coordinates of a secret location.

Although not used to advanced technology, they followed the coordinates on a small device.

"Are you okay so far, Pemba?" Jago asked.

"Yadyapi ma narbhasa chu. Mailē yasa'aghi āphnō dēśa bāhira kahilyai yātrā garēkō chaina."

"I don't blame you for being nervous. I had a similar experience leaving Tibet for the tournament. We'll make another rest stop in thirty minutes." The monk checked on Carrie, who had remained quiet since leaving Gasa.

"Arkiḍa nāmaka mahilālā'ī bhēṭēdēkhi kairīlē ēka śabda pani bōlēkā chainan."

"I figured. I better see what's on Carrie's mind." Jago shifted towards the girl. "Hey, is everything okay?"

Carrie nodded, but deep down, she had questions regarding their meeting with Orchid. She didn't want to appear nosy despite her desire for answers.

After a moment of silence, she steeled herself. "Why?"

"Pardon?"

"Why didn't you tell me you had a sister? I assumed you were an orphan when you shared your life story with me."

Now, Jago paused. After taking a deep breath, he faced Carrie. "It's complicated. I haven't seen her in a long time."

"Are you two... estranged?"

"No. It's more like we drifted apart, I guess. Our paths took us in different directions."

"So, how did you meet her? I'm guessing it was at the Killer Instinct tournament."

"Indeed. Orchid was among the fighters who took part, albeit with unknown motives. Neither of us acknowledged we were family at our first meeting."

"But you must've sensed something about her."

"Yeah, but I didn't think about it. Neither did Orchid. As time passed, we became more familiar. The connection became apparent when I fought her."

"Wait, you fought a woman at the tournament?"

"I had no choice. The tournament rules required everyone to fight, regardless of gender. Anyhow, Orchid proved formidable. During the match, something pushed me to deeper, violent impulses. I almost killed her in an angry trance-like state but stopped myself from landing the fatal blow."

Carrie gasped. "Did Gargos cause that moment while disguised as the Tiger Spirit? You mentioned being possessed."

"Not at first until he revealed himself after Eyedol's defeat. Medical personnel carried her to their department to treat her injuries when the fight ended.

"Then, a book fell from her, charred in some spots. Orchid had already left when I picked it up, so I kept it for her. It's where I discovered my roots. The High Abbot informed me they found me as a baby by the door."

"Kr̥payā hāmīlā'ī nabhannuhōs tapā'īnlē gārgōsalā'ī yasakō bārēmā sōdhnubhayō," Pemba said.

Jago fidgeted. "I may have been naïve. Curious about my origins, I lifted the journal and read. When I stopped, I knew I had to talk to Orchid. Also, I planned on returning the book to her, considering the staff didn't kick her out. I inquired with officials about Orchid's whereabouts.

"To my relief, she was here, but they couldn't let me visit her. According to them, she had lost something precious to her, making her furious. I told them I had the book and would return it.

"They guided me to the medical wing. Upon arrival, I overheard Orchid having a tantrum, with the Baron comforting her. She was calmer once I revealed the book. I gave it back to her, and Orchid thanked me. She asked me to stick around, and the Baron approved. Once everyone left, it was me and her.

"We talked and asked questions until I mentioned her father. Orchid got suspicious, and I admitted to reading the book. As I prepared myself for the berating, Orchid admitted that in our match, she looked into my eyes and saw her father in me. Even when I called her 'Little Flower.'"

Pemba stifled a laugh. "What? That is so cute!"

Jago rubbed his head. "I said it out of nowhere since it was her father's nickname for her. She confirmed all my questions in the diary. The following day, we took a DNA test, and the results were positive: sister and brother. Even Gargos confirmed it before then."

"That's crazy," Carrie said, "but you called Orchid half-sister."

"Ah, about that, our father served as a soldier—a member of some elite force called Seal Team 6," Jago said. "On one mission, he rescued aid workers in Pakistan.

"He had an affair with one, who would soon be my mother. Orchid's mother died giving birth in America long before that."

"Was he… married?" Carrie asked.

"Not to my knowledge. Orchid mentioned our father was single."

Carrie opened her mouth to ask, but the same dull, sharp pain returned to her head.

"Not only is that monk a sinner, but he and his whoring sister are bastards!" the voice yelled, mimicking her mother. "Their father joined the Devil's army and seduced women for his agenda. They will all burn in Hell!"

Shut up! Carrie pushed the horrid voice back into her mind.

"Carrie?" Jago called, concerned.

"I'm okay. Have you met your father?"

"No. My father died on duty. They never found his body. As for my mother, I'm not sure what became of her. My memory of her is faint."

"Kē tapā'īnlē unakō khōjī garnē bārē sōcnubha'ēkō cha?" Pemba asked.

"I wanted to but was unsure where to start. Whatever happened to my mother, I can only hope she's in a better place," Jago said.

Carrie paused again. She reached out to rest her hand on Jago's shoulder but refrained. "It'll be okay. You don't have to be sure. Have faith that she's happy for you. So, what's with the exchange about helping her take down Ultratech?"

"After the tournament, we promised each other to bring Ultratech to ruin because, in Orchid's perspective, she believed they contributed to our father's death. We also planned to investigate why I ended up at the Tiger Shrine. Of course, specific issues interfered, but we still kept our vows."

"Rāmrō lāgcha," Pemba said. "Kē unī sām̐ccai avasaravādī hun, tapā'īlē bhannubha'ējhaiṁ?"

"Well, given her line of work, she would find ways by any means necessary," Jago said.

"That sounds scary," Carrie said.

"Everything will be alright," the monk said. "Orchid can be daunting, but her heart's in the right place. Still, I'll monitor her."

Despite the harsh, intense sunlight, the blue skies remained bright. In a once-thriving Ukrainian city, helicopters flew overhead.

Concrete buildings remained tall but suffered damage from a war. Rubble and shattered cars littered the ground. Burning fuel hung in the air. In the distance, gunfire echoed through the streets.

Computers hummed in the remains of an apartment connected to one network. Everyone was busy gathering information. Several concrete pillars supported what remained of a roof. Hidden cameras monitored the area outside. The room housed a surveillance operation. Debris littered the floor, with wires snaking across the place.

Orchid positioned herself in front of the monitors, with the screens reflecting in her brownish-green eyes.

Night vision goggles adorned her shoulder-length black hair. She wore a green armored bustier over a white top, matching shorts, and a belt around it. Bandages wrapped both wrists at the end of her black cut-off gloves, with a mini-computer on her right wrist.

Two cloth straps surrounded her left arm and right leg, along with a shin guard on her knee.

"Petite Fleur," a voice called as Orchid shifted her attention to a man. Though wearing casual yet tactical clothing, he maintained his professional demeanor around his leader.

"Welcome back, Jean. How was the mission?" Orchid asked.

"It turned out well. I still can't believe that Carrie is alive."

"Yeah, and under our noses, no less."

"It's so sad to know about her because of the Black Prom massacre."

"Still, we cannot dwell on the past," Orchid said. "Did you and your team dispose of those sleeper cells in China, Tibet, and Bhutan?"

"Wiped out, as you asked. We even collected data from those dead Stalkers and burned their bodies. It set off the explosives, but it was in a safe, isolated place. Your brother and his friends are lucky. Whatever is in those mountains interfered with the signals when they killed them."

"That's the beauty of mountains. They are a natural barrier. It's hard to penetrate them and detect what's inside. What's their ETA?"

Jean unveiled a holographic image of the world. "If we're counting the unusual rest spots and the timezones, we should expect them in a week; two at max."

Orchid nodded. "Very well. When it gets to the 7th day, we'll have a few personnel to look out for them. You and your team rest. You earned it."

After a respectful salute, the French agent headed to his quarters. Soon after, another agent entered with a tablet.

A sense of commitment filled the woman's deep brown eyes. Braids held her raven hair in place.

Her light-tan complexion betrayed her age; she was in her late twenties. She walked with a confident stride and strong posture.

"Boss?" the agent asked, addressing the woman.

"Ah, Nikita," Orchid said, "what news?"

"Well, Mr. Garrett has joined us. The personnel at the Chicago region are working with him on travel arrangements. He should be here in a few days. Also, I need to speak with you about your brother's ward."

Orchid fell silent, preparing for what her subordinate had to say.

"I know you mean well, but I think you're making a mistake."

"If you're worried about Carrie's powers, Jago has worked with her. In time, she'll have better control."

"Her powers aren't the issue. I meant her coming here."

"What do you suggest, Nikita? Besides, Carrie only needs time."

"For what, to burn another town? Why did you invite her? It's unsettling that we discovered Carrie White alive and well after fooling the world into believing she was dead. I'm doubtful she's not dangerous."

"Nikita, I'm aware of the potential danger Carrie poses, but I also know she saved my brother's life."

"From a strange rock creature. I'm sure you owe her that. Still, she's a ticking bomb, ready to explode."

"Then we diffuse it before it's too late."

"Carrie's a monster."

"Do you mean it, Nikita?"

"The parents of the Black Prom massacre victims would say so."

"Carrie is a terrified young girl who endured hell. She needs comfort and protection, not punishment."

"Are you telling me Carrie's actions were fair?"

"No, but we can't judge the girl without understanding the factors that led to her actions."

"Orchid, we know why she did this. It's because a group of teenagers belittled her. That's life. Bullying is part of growing up."

The Disavowed leader raised a brow. "Is it now? Nikita, you're the last person to understand what Carrie endured. High school might've been different for you. Chances are you were one of the popular ones—the kind guys drool over, and girls wish to be like you. Can you relate to being bullied or shunned?"

"Why does that matter? Also, why do you care about this girl?"

"Because she reminded me of myself when I was in school, in the sixth grade. Despite my father being a well-respected soldier, people taunted me. It caused me to unleash the Firecat, which almost burned the school.

"That action sent me to juvenile detention for a month, and while there, the doctors performed psychiatric tests on me. They believed I was insane."

"Orchid, you were only a child when that happened. Plus, you didn't kill anyone and are doing fine," Nikita said.

"I came out okay because my father trained me to control my power, much like Jago does for Carrie.

"His support, then the agency, made me who I am today. I had trouble in my youth, but I survived. Carrie had no one, and it wasn't only high schoolers who tormented her.

"Almost the whole town rejected the poor girl because her mother was a religious fanatic.

"Not only that, but the mother attempted to harm her because she believed the Devil possessed her child. Although I am an atheist, God would never allow that shit to fly."

"What about that one teacher, Desjardin? Did she help Carrie when things fell apart?" Nikita asked.

"Yes, but that wasn't enough." Orchid sighed. "With no friends or family, she was alone in her struggles. It's not about right or wrong but understanding each other's perspectives. Accepting diverse perspectives is crucial as there is no universal solution to any situation."

"Hm. Maybe the mom should've ended her, possessed or not."

Orchid glowered at Nikita's last sentence. Her eyes narrowed, and her jaw tightened. "This discussion is over." She turned and walked away without saying another word.