A/N: Hello, my fellow readers. I'm back with a new chapter. Hard to imagine that it's August already. 2020 is going by so fast. Soon, the glory days of summer will go, and fall arrives. The world is still in a pandemic, but I rather not focus on the craziness. Also, it was tough to think of a title for this chapter, so if anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears. In the meantime, sit back, grab some snacks or anything, and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Killer Instinct nor Carrie.
Various seabirds flew above the sea around New Zealand's coast. A massive rock formation remained tall, staring at the sea. Fresh and withered grass mingled with the sandy floor. A river flowed from the ocean and into a compact town. Sandy pebbles rose until a swirling ball of light appeared, spewing out the group.
Kim came to her feet. "Where are we?"
Orchid checked the map on the mini-computer attached to her wrist. "We're in Piha Beach, New Zealand. Jago's guardian spirit must've brought us here."
"What was that spirit?" Kim asked. "I've seen nothing like that."
Jago folded his arms across his chest. "I'll answer that question after you explain why Carrie is with you."
"Oh, um, right." Kim rubbed the back of her neck while she glanced at Carrie, who lowered her head. "Care, why don't you go shell hunting around the coastline? Just don't grab the cone-shaped ones."
Carrie nodded and headed to the shore. She sat down, drawing her legs into her chest and resting her head on her knees. She sighed as tears brimmed in her eyes until something pressed on her back.
In his human form, Yeo sat beside Carrie with a soft smile. "Is everything all right?"
"He's mad at me, isn't he?"
"Mad is a powerful word. I'd prefer it as 'upset.'"
"I should've never come."
"Oh, Carrie…" Yeo stroked the girl's back. "It'll be okay."
"…and that's that." Kim finished her explanation towards the half-siblings. "I believe her powers could help us."
"We get where you're coming from, but you're putting her at high risk," Jago said. "It also seems that you're not aware of the danger."
"I'm aware of the risk, but Carrie saved my life. She even ripped a Mimic Aganos in pieces."
"Carrie made her first Mimic kill?" Orchid snapped her fingers. "Damn! I wish I was there to see it!"
"Sister…" Jago rebuked.
"I mean—it was a risky gamble, Kim, and foolish as well. So, what's the way forward?"
Jago propped his elbows on his thighs, resting his chin on his entwined hands. "Carrie's old enough to decide for herself. I just don't want her hurt."
"Jago." The tiger skull spirit detached itself from the warrior-monk. "Can I have a word with you alone?"
"Yeah." Jago arose to his feet. "I'll be back."
Kim glanced at the spirit as Jago walked away from the women. "So…"
"The spirit's name is Baekho," Orchid said. "Jago got him at Kan-Ra's lair. The sorcerer also gave him a red vial, which could restore his energy. I advised him not to use it until we bring it back at the GCF base."
"Why, though?"
"You got me. When I found Jago at the temple, he had some cuts on him. I suspect it was a Mimic mission, but what do I know? I can't get into his head."
"Well, I hope he doesn't become too harsh on Carrie. I was the one that persuaded her to come with me."
"I understand your concern, Jago, but many will ask for her help," Baekho said. "You or the Alliance can't keep her hidden forever."
"Still though, the risks—"
"The rewards will outweigh them. Carrie won't be involved in fights but will defend herself and others if needed."
Jago glanced at Carrie, still comforted by Yeo. With a subtle nod to Baekho, he returned to the women. "Kim, can you call Carrie over?"
"Sure. Hey, Care, can you come over?"
Carrie approached the fighters, accompanied by Yeo. She wiped her eyes of any tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Have you been crying?" Jago checked Carrie's face, her eyes puffy and red.
"I'm sorry. P-please, don't lock me away. Please…"
"Oh, Carrie." Jago embraced the girl. "I'm not gonna lock you away. You caught me by surprise when I saw you at the temple with Kim. All these worse-case scenarios and mixed emotions overwhelmed me." He then released her. "I would convince Kim to send you back, but my spirit partner has other ideas.
"If you want to help us stop Gargos, then I'll support it, but with conditions. First, don't partake in a solo mission. Second, it will be for help, but you can still defend yourself and others. Understand?"
"I do," Carrie said.
"Brother, are you sure about this?" Orchid queried.
"There's no going back now. Like ARIA said, everyone has to contribute."
"Speaking of ARIA, what's that buzzing sound?" Kim asked.
Orchid tuned her ears as a minor buzz echoed in the air. "I hear it too. Where the—oh."
The buzzing grew louder as an Ultratech drone flew towards them. It projected a hologram image of ARIA.
"Greetings," the hologram spoke. "This message is for Kim Wu. You're summoned to the Pinnacle for help. This drone will create a portal that will lead you to your destination. You're also allowed to bring forth any aid if need be. What is your decision?"
"Kim, I'm going with you and Carrie," Orchid said. "I still don't trust ARIA, but I owe you one for saving Jago and me. No offense, brother, but you need to rest."
"I have no complaints," Jago said. "Just keep Carrie safe."
The near pitch-darkness surrounded ARIA's office. Tiny sparks flickered in the space until a portal appeared, roaring. Once Kim, Carrie, and Orchid set foot inside the office, the portal vanished.
An ARIA hologram emerged from the floor, buzzing slightly. "Mimics have overrun the Pinnacle. I will provide information about Tusk if you defeat them."
"What are the Mimics doing here?" Kim inquired.
The hologram faded out briefly before it gleamed again. "The Mimics seek the secrets…secrets they would give to Gargos if not stopped. Beware. The Mimics are nearby."
Once the hologram vanished, a green beam emerged from the darkness. Carrie reacted with a barrier, blocking it until the laser shrunk to fade. A growl echoed as three Mimics emerged. They took the forms of Riptor, Fulgore, and ARIA.
Kim and Orchid shifted into their combat stances, keeping Carrie behind them. "So, any strategies? Since Carrie's a rookie, three against two isn't an even fight."
*"Tsugini, sore o hitoshiku shimasu," a voice spoke. Hidden in the dark, a portal formed on the floor. A bladed pole emerged, along with Hisako.
"Destroy them!" The Mimic ARIA pointed at the fighters as its comrades charged towards them.
Kim, Orchid, and Hisako did the same, with Carrie as a backup defender. The brawl grew intense until the Mimic Fulgore fired its beam.
Carrie extended her arms as she blocked the beam. Despite the slight burning in her heart, she brought her hands together. The barrier shrunk, confining the Mimics until the beam exploded. In their enemies' hazy remains were the Astral Gems.
The ARIA hologram emerged from its usual spot. "Well done on destroying the Mimics. As promised, I will tell you about Tusk. I analyzed the structure of the sword he calls War-gram. The sword contains an unknown element and is connected to the Astral Plane. Tusk can be an important ally if you prove your worth." The hologram then vanished.
Kim groaned as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Not what I was expecting. So, what now?"
"You must confront Tusk again." Yeo emerged from Kim's body in his dragon form. "There is only one place he would go: Icehaven."
"Where is that?"
Orchid approached the central computer and typed on the keyboard. The screen showed a map with a red ripple spreading at the location. "Icehaven is in Norrbotten, Sweden, a cold region."
Kim groaned. "Ugh, I hate the cold, but if Tusky's there, we better go."
A/N: So it's time for Kim and her crew to confront Tusk, but will they be successful this time? Time for my brain to rest, and I'll see you later.
*Translation in Japanese:
*Then, we'll make it equal.