A/N: Hello, my fellow readers. I'm back with a brand-new chapter. This one was perhaps the easiest to write because of one crazy method: random sentence writing. Not to mention, I had some editing app tools to help me out. Anyway, grab something to eat, get comfortable, and happy reading!

Disclaimer: Killer Instinct and Carrie belong to their respective owners.


Everyone in the sleeping area lay on their cots as night descended, enjoying the cool fabric against their skin. The soft rustling of blankets and whispers filled the room. A few coughs or the groan of a worn cot broke the stillness. A distant owl's hoot added a haunting melody to the tranquil night, and a faint pine scent wafted in from outside where agents stood vigil, their silhouettes almost invisible in the moonlight.

Whispers of the sparring match between Carrie and Orchid buzzed through the base.

In her cot, Carrie replayed the fight in her mind. She couldn't shake the feeling that Orchid had held back, her actions too precise and controlled. She also compared her training sessions with the half-siblings. While Jago focused on martial arts and cognitive skills, Orchid's tactics revolved around survival and adapting to changing situations.

"Is something on your mind?" Pemba asked through the telepathic link. The shapeshifter propped herself on her elbow, her chin resting on her hand.

"Just thinking about today's sparring session. Was Ms. Orchid holding back? The way she moves was like she wanted to test me."

"Perhaps she sees potential in you and wants to bring it out in small steps, much like Jago and I did when training you with your powers. Orchid has her methods, but the goal is the same: to help you grow stronger and more capable."

"Maybe, but not knowing what she expects from me is frustrating."

"True, but sometimes the greatest growth comes from the unknown. Trust the process, Carrie. Orchid's methods may be unusual, but they challenge you in ways you may not understand."

"I suppose you're right. It's difficult to adapt two different teaching styles."

"Well, that's part of the journey. Experience, whether confusing or clear, shapes you into who you are. Get some sleep. Orchid mentioned she'll show you more techniques tomorrow, and you'll need your energy for that."

Carrie sighed as she closed her eyes, letting the sounds of the night lull her to sleep.


Flickering lanterns cast long, eerie shadows on the crumbling walls in the abandoned church's section B corridor. Cobwebs and dust obscured the corners, and the faint scent of aged wood and mildew hung in the air. The occasional creak of the floorboards added to the haunting vibe, as if the building whispered secrets from its past.

Jago moved through the corridor, his senses heightened as he scanned the area. His footsteps remained silent on the creaky floorboards. The flickering lantern light revealed glimpses of old, faded murals and forgotten relics, hinting at the church's storied past.

This is where Peters encountered the paranormal. The monk took his time, aware that any sudden movement might disturb lingering spirits or energies. Once he found a corner, he sat cross-legged and closed his eyes, focusing on the energy around him. Strange. I sense some psychic residue here, and it's familiar. Is this from Carrie? How could that be? She had been asleep when the incident occurred.

In his mind's eye, the monk pictured Peters on his patrol, walking these halls with the same cautious steps. Then, he imagined Peters facing the phenomenon between music, laughter, and screaming. As suspected, he couldn't sense Carrie's presence, but the energy remained solid and unsettling. Amid the piercing screams and cruel laughter within Peters' comms, an eerie voice spoke the following words:

"They're gonna laugh at you."

Jago's eyes snapped open, his heart pounding as the chilling words echoed in his mind. His spine tingled, and his neck hair stood. Despite his training and experience, the voice's ominous tone unsettled him, forcing him to gather his composure.

What do those words mean? Why is it connected to Carrie's psychic imprint? While assembling the strange clues, Jago recalled the burning building dream he had with Carrie when they left Thanza to escape Gargos' cult. Upon his awakening, Carrie was still asleep, though unsettled, as if she had somehow projected the dream into him.

I wonder… Jago shut his eyes again, diving deeper into his meditation. The thought struck him that Carrie might be projecting her energy while dreaming, a rare psychic phenomenon known as Dream Projection. He once read about it in the Telekinesis book. Dream Projection allows individuals to send their thoughts, emotions, and psychic traces to others while sleeping.

However, it came with risks if left unchecked. It could cause severe mental strain on the projector and the recipient, leading to fragmented memories and confusion. In extreme cases, the victim may suffer permanent psychic damage or emotional trauma.

He picked up faint traces of her dreamscape merging with emitted energy to confirm his suspicions.

After that, he pressed the transmitter in his ear. "Black Flower to Oriental Tiger, over."

"Black Flower, here," Orchid said. "Wow, Jago, you're learning fast with our comm devices. What's the situation?"

"I might have figured out what happened to Peters, and I fear everyone is in danger."


Everything remained peaceful at the slumber lounge except for whispers fluttering through the air like ghostly echoes.

"Did you see how Carrie held her own against our boss?" one agent whispered to another.

"I heard she scored a hit," a third agent said.

TJ groaned while rolling on his cot. "What are you guys talking about?"

"Carrie took on Orchid and won!" his neighbor said. "And she did it without using her powers."

The former boxer bolted upright, his eyes widened. "Ain't no fucking way! Ninja-Boy's psychic ward?"

"Yeah, and I have proof." The agent pulled a phone from under his bed. "I recorded the fight when no one was looking."

TJ snatched the phone, his curiosity piqued. As he watched the video, he became stunned. "Goddamn. Ninja-Boy trained her well. I bet she could take on anyone with more practice."

"Yeah. Carrie might even take you on."

"Hey, let's not get ahead of ourselves, but damn, I wouldn't mind a sparring session to test that theory."

"Orchid and Jago might not like that."

TJ chuckled, handing back the phone. "True, but who knows? She might keep up with the big leagues." He slumped onto his futon. "Say, did anyone figure out about those weird dreams everyone's having and Peters' ghostly encounter?"

"Not yet. Some think it's stress, but others believe there's something more to it. The boss mentioned the radios and other equipment working, and Jago is checking into Corridor B."

"I swear, if I see one floating object, I'm out. I've experienced enough from the Killer Instinct tournament, and I'm not looking to relive those nightmares."

"Let's hope Jago finds something before we end up in a horror movie."

TJ sighed, closing his eyes. Soon, exhaustion claimed him, pulling him into a deep sleep. A gentle smile crept across his face as he dreamt.

"The winner and world champion is TJ Combo!" the announcer shouted.

A surge of pride and joy swept TJ, his heart beating victorious. Once he received his world championship belt, he lifted it high, and the crowd cheered around the boxing ring.

While TJ basked in the moment, something warm and sticky doused him, prompting him to drop the belt. After wiping his face, he glanced down at himself, and his healthy eye widened. A deep red substance covered him from head to toe. Some splattered on the floor, leaving a big mess.

"What the hell is this? Blood?" TJ sniffed the substance and recoiled. The metallic scent confirmed his fears, and panic gripped him.

Soon, the crowd's cheers morphed into laughter as they moved out of their seats and into the ring, cornering him. Like demons, they advanced with a sinister grin, their eyes glowing with malice. Each step they took echoed with menace, and their laughter grew louder, more mocking.

"They're gonna laugh at you!" a voice called. "They're gonna laugh at you!"

Fear surged through TJ, his earlier triumph shattered by the horrific turn of events. His heart pounded, and he took short, panicked gasps. Once joyful, the scene turned into a nightmare as the crowd surrounded him.

TJ jolted awake, his heart racing and his body drenched in sweat. He sat up, confused and panting, the vivid nightmare still clinging to his mind. He checked himself for blood, which wasn't. Oh, thank God. What was that about?

However, he wasn't the only one awake. Almost everyone had the same terrified expression, their eyes wide with their respective dreams. It was like a wave of darkness had swept across the base, spreading dread.

Then, a scream pierced the heavy silence, jolting everyone further. TJ's heart skipped a beat as he turned towards the sound. An operative pointed at something, and once he followed, his eye widened. Floating in the air was Nikita, her body suspended by an invisible force. She stared at the ceiling; the darkness filled her eyes, and her mouth remained in an 'O' position.

"WHAT THE FUCK?! SOMEBODY CALL ORCHID! CALL JAGO! CALL THE GHOSTBUSTERS!" TJ scrambled to his feet. The room erupted into chaos as operatives reached for their weapons, unsure how to fight an unseen enemy.

After a while, Nikita fell to the ground with a thud, her body limp. TJ rushed to her side, checking for a pulse to rouse her. The operatives tensed as they awaited signs of life from their fallen comrade.

Orchid burst into the room. "What happened here?"

"We don't know," TJ said. "One moment, we all woke up from some weird, scary dreams, and the next, Nikita was floating like she was fucking possessed."

As she kneeled beside Nikita, Orchid checked her vitals. "Ah, shit!" She tapped her earpiece. "Brother, where are you?"

"I'm on my way!" Jago's voice crackled.

"Well, make haste. We have a serious situation!" Orchid glanced at the pale-faced operatives and TJ. "Everyone else, stay on high alert and secure the perimeter. Stay prepared, as whatever caused this might still linger."

The operatives snapped into action, their training taking over as they fortified their positions.

"What's happening?" TJ asked.

Before Orchid could answer, Jago stormed inside the room, scanning the scene. He moved toward his sister and Nikita. "I came as fast as possible. What happened?"

"We all had these horrific dreams, and Nikita started floating!" TJ recounted.

"She's alive but not responding," Orchid said.

"Let me look at her." Jago knelt beside her, placing his hand over her head, his eyes closing. "Nikita is deep in the Dreamlands. She'll remain trapped there if she doesn't escape."

"Dreamlands? What is that?" TJ asked.

"My master at the Tiger Shrine told me about it as a child," Jago explained. "It's a mystical realm where dreams and nightmares become reality, and those who enter must find their way out or risk losing their minds forever."

"You mean she's trapped in her nightmare?"

"Yes. The longer Nikita stays there, the harder it'll become for her to return."

"Please tell me your master taught you some technique or ritual for situations like this," Orchid said.

"He did, but it requires a deep connection to the Dreamlands and immense focus," Jago said. "I need everyone to remain quiet and undisturbed while I perform the ritual."

"Absolute silence, eh? Not a problem."

While Orchid directed the operatives to maintain strict silence, Jago chanted in an ancient, almost forgotten tongue. As his voice echoed, the air grew thick with tension, and an ethereal aura appeared around Nikita.

The room dimmed, shadows flickering at Jago's chants. Everyone held their breaths, the only sound of rhythmic chanting pulling reality taut. Nikita's aura cast eerie reflections on the walls like the Dreamlands bled into the waking world.

Nikita's body trembled, her fingers twitching as if grasping at something invisible. Her breathing grew shallow and rapid, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. As Jago's chanting progressed, her eyelids fluttered, hinting at her internal struggle.

Jago's brows furrowed as he sensed evil forces pulling Nikita into the abyss. Oh no, you don't. His chants grew more vibrant as a pronounced surge of energy emitted from him, dispelling the dark entities and shielding Nikita from them.

The room pulsed with energy; each beat accompanied the monk's powerful chants. The shadows swayed in a frantic dance, caught between light and darkness. Soon after, a blinding flash erupted as Nikita gasped, her eyes snapping open.

Everyone released their held breaths, relief washing over their faces.

Orchid dashed to Nikita's side, helping her sit up as she looked around, bewildered but alive. "Nikita, welcome back."

The agent rested her hand on her brow. "Boss, what happened to me?"

As Orchid responded, Jago collapsed, drained from the intense ritual. His face was pale, and sweat glistened on his forehead. His breathing was slow and difficult.

"Jago!" Orchid ran to help him.

Nikita, still dazed, followed the operatives' actions. "Is he okay?"

Orchid examined her brother's pulse and found it steady but weak. "He's exhausted. He spent a lot of energy to rescue you, but he'll recover with some rest. David, carry him to a cot. Also, check for IV fluids to aid in his recovery."

"Yes, ma'am." David lifted Jago, placing him on a nearby cot while another operative prepared the IV setup.

TJ brushed his hair with his hand. "Man, that was intense."

"Well, let's hope it's the first and last time we've seen that ritual," Orchid said.

"Ms. Orchid, what happened? Is Jago okay?" Carrie emerged from the shadows with Pemba. Both women stayed hidden after the room turned chaotic.

"Yes, Carrie, Jago will be fine," Orchid reassured. "He needs time to recover his strength. As for what happened, we dealt with a powerful dark force that seized Nikita. Jago's ritual was the only way to break its grip."

"Oh my God. Ms. Nikita, are you alright?" Carrie asked.

While processing the ordeal, the agent's eyes widened at Carrie's presence. "You! Get away from me! You terrorized me in my dream!"

"I don't understand. I was asleep the whole time!"

"Don't play stupid with me! You took control of my dream, making me feel like I was losing my mind! It's not just me; it's everyone in their dreams. You've invaded our minds while we slept! I wouldn't blame you for scaring Peters when your 'gifts' messed with his comms!"

"I've never done that before—I don't know how!"

Jordan stepped forward, raising his hands to calm the tension. "Okay, everyone, let's chill the fuck out, alright? All this accusing and pointing fingers won't solve anything."

"Jordan's right. Let's step back and assess the situation," Orchid said. "Carrie, would you mind sitting down? There's something I must ask you."

The girl hesitated before approaching another nearby cot and sat, her eyes darting around the room.

Orchid breathed, maintaining a calm demeanor. "Carrie, about what Nikita said, have you experienced strange occurrences while asleep?"

"Had I done something wrong?"

"No, you're not in trouble. We only need to understand what's happening. Since you got your powers, have they poured into people's dreams or disrupted radio wavelengths whenever you're asleep?"

Carrie struggled to find her voice. "No, this is a first for me. Even when living in Chamberlain, I never encountered problems like this. Still, I'm very sorry for those affected. What does this mean?"

"Well, I'm not a psychic expert, but somehow, you gained the ability of Dream Projection," Orchid explained. "Jago informed me of this when he checked the corridor Peters patrolled and found traces of psychic energy. It means your subconscious mind has influenced others' dreams without your conscious knowledge. That said, it sounds like your powers are evolving."

The agents in the room exchanged uneasy glances, perturbed by the revelation. Some fidgeted in their beds, while others whispered, trying to make sense of the situation.

"Hold on, O, what do you mean the kid's powers are evolving?" TJ asked.

"Carrie's telekinetic powers could branch out into areas we haven't encountered before," Orchid said. "This evolution could mean her abilities are becoming more complex and far-reaching. For instance, her powers might interact with the world, tapping into frequencies and wavelengths beyond human perception."

"Wait, are you saying her powers act like a beacon or something?"

"More like an expanding influence."

The room fell into quiet reflection, each agent grappling with the impact of this newfound complexity.

"Oh, no." Carrie buried her face in her hands. "My presence here could endanger everyone if this is true."

Orchid moved closer, comforting Carrie. "Sweetie, this isn't your fault. It shows how much we must learn about you and your abilities."

"So, what do we do now?" TJ asked.

"Black Flower to Golden Lion, over," Jean called through the comms.

"Black Flower, here," Orchid replied.

"Someone breached our perimeter. The intruder poses no threat and wishes to speak with someone in charge."

Orchid's eyes narrowed. "Keep them contained and secure. I'll be there soon." She turned to her agents. "Stay alert, everyone, in case of confrontation."

"Yes, ma'am!" the agents responded in unison.

Orchid gave a curt nod before hurrying out of the room, leaving Carrie and the others to ponder the significance of her evolving powers.

Once outside, Orchid met Jean and received a quick briefing.

"The intruder wears a cloak and is unarmed. Her voice suggests she is a woman, perhaps in her late 20s to early 30s. She claims to, and I quote, 'be hunting for something,' and tracked an unknown power source here."

Orchid nodded, her mind racing with possibilities as she and Jean headed toward the containment area. In the church's basement, crumbling stone walls and flickering fluorescent lights emitted an eerie vibe.

Metal folding chairs and a rusted table sat in the center, surrounded by a network of installed security cameras and motion sensors. The air was thick with damp, decaying scents, adding to the tension as Orchid and Jean approached the cloaked intruder.

In one chair, the figure sat with her hands folded on the table, her face obscured by her hood's shadows. "You must be the one in charge." Her voice carried a Brazilian accent, smooth yet assertive.

Orchid motioned Jean to stand by the door, signaling for backup if needed. She sat across from the cloaked woman, her eyes steady and unyielding. "I am. Who are you? State your business." Why does that voice sound familiar?

"I suspected we'd meet again, but I didn't expect it to be under these conditions." The woman lowered her hood to reveal her face. Her braided dark blonde hair framed her striking brown eyes, with two strands hanging from each side of her face. Most of her hair remained tied to a ponytail. Her high cheekbones gave her an almost regal appearance while her full lips curved into a knowing smile. Her delicate nose and smooth, unblemished complexion completed her charming image.

Orchid gasped. "Maya, is that you?"

The woman's smile widened. "Indeed. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"You sly bitch!" Orchid said. In an instant, the two women exchanged hugs. "I am so happy to see you."

"Likewise, velho amigo."

Jean looked on with raised eyebrows. "You two know each other?"

Orchid pulled back from the hug. "Oh, right. Jean, this is Maya Fallegeros. She's an acquaintance of mine. Remember that solo mission I told you about in South America long ago?"

Jean's eyes widened. "Wait, that Ultratech sleeper cell mission? The one where you dismantled an entire program?"

Orchid nodded. "That's the one. Maya was my contact and partner in that mission."

The French agent extended his hand with a polite smile. "Enchanté, Maya. I've heard many impressive things about you."

Maya shook his hand. "The pleasure is mine, Jean. Orchid's friend is a friend of mine."

"So, what brings you here?" Orchid asked.

"As I told your fellow agents, I was searching for Kan-Ra, though they found it difficult to believe," Maya said. "An informant came to the Night Guard citadel and told me of an unknown power source in Ukraine. He couldn't know if it was Kan-Ra, but it was worth exploring. I have a device to track the energy signature, and it's pointing inside this place."

"May I?" Orchid asked as Maya pulled a small, sleek gadget from her cloak. Her eyes widened as she peered at the screen. "Oh, shit. Okay, I know this power source, but it's not what you think."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh dear. Um, Jean, can you ask someone to fetch Carrie, please?"

Puzzled, Jean nodded, relaying the request through his earpiece.

Maya raised an eyebrow. "Who's Carrie?"

Orchid rubbed her neck. "She's… how do I put this… someone we're protecting from Ultratech. Plus, she's a kid."

"What? Since when did Ultratech target children?"

"Well, Carrie's no typical child. She possesses an ability that makes her a prime target. Her powers are what your tracker picked up."

Maya's eyes narrowed. "What abilities are we talking about?"

The door opened as a random agent appeared with Carrie. "Ma'am, I brought the girl as you requested."

"Ms. Orchid, do you need me for something? Who's she?" the teenager asked.

"Carrie, this is Maya Fallegeros, an old friend of mine. She's here because she detected your unique energy signature. Can you show her what you can do?"

Though hesitant, Carrie extended her hand towards a nearby chair. On cue, the chair hovered mid-air under her control, spinning a few times before setting it down.

Maya gasped. "Incredible. No wonder Ultratech is after her. Dear child, how old are you?"

"I'm sixteen, ma'am," Carrie said.

"Sixteen and already wielding such power," Maya said, impressed. "Orchid, how on Earth…?"

"It's a long story. You might wanna sit on this."


A/N: So, a new character enters the fray. Also, what other abilities might Carrie discover as time progresses? It's time for my brain to rest, so I'll see you later.