**Alexander:** *(bluntly, narrowing his eyes)* "Wait a minute... Why is Dr. Jin a female now? The last time we saw you, you were definitely male."
**Ty:** *(nodding in agreement, looking confused)* "Yeah, what's going on? We both remember."
**Dr. Jin:** *(straight-faced, with a calm and unapologetic tone)* "Ah, that. Well, I'm a mad scientist. I do crazy things. Changing my gender is just one of those things I can do whenever I wish."
**Alexander:** *(raising an eyebrow)* "Seriously?"
**Dr. Jin:** *(shrugs)* "It's a matter of convenience. It depends on what I'm working on at the time. Certain projects require different... perspectives. Sometimes it's more efficient, other times it's just an experiment in itself. And if it helps with my research, why not?"
**Ty:** *(leaning back, laughing softly in disbelief)* "Only you, Dr. Jin. You always manage to take 'mad scientist' to a whole new level."
**Dr. Jin:** *(grinning slightly)* "Precisely. Science waits for no one, not even for consistent gender presentation. I change when it suits my needs. Think of it as an extension of my experiments."
**Alexander:** *(shaking his head with a smirk)* "That's definitely the most 'Dr. Jin' answer I've ever heard."
**Ty:** "You're full of surprises, Jin. Always have been."
**Dr. Jin:** *(flashing a mischievous smile)* "You haven't seen half of what I can do yet."
The group exchanges a few more amused glances, accepting Dr. Jin's explanation with a mix of curiosity and exasperation, knowing that with a mad scientist like her, nothing was ever quite as straightforward as it seemed.
**Kane:** *(walking in, shuffling through some papers and looking at Dr. Jin, oblivious)* "Hey, are you Dr. Jin's sister? You seem way too cute to be that nasty, ungrateful mad scientist with no human dignity whatsoever."
**Everyone:** *(turns to look at Kane, jaws dropping in disbelief)*
**Kane:** *(confused, frowning)* "Why y'all looking at me like that? What did I say?"
**Alexander, Ty, Seraphina, and Commander Cooper:** *(in unison)* "That *is* Dr. Jin."
**Kane:** *(pauses, stunned as the realization hits him, eyes wide as beads of sweat start forming on his forehead)* "W-Wait, what?!"
A heavy silence fills the room as Kane begins to panic. He turns, ready to make a run for it, but it's too late. Dr. Jin's hand shoots out with lightning speed, grabbing him by the leg.
**Dr. Jin:** *(calmly, dragging him backward toward the lab with a smirk)* "Oh, you think I'm cute, huh? Well, let's see if you still think so after a few of my experiments. You've earned yourself a private session."
**Kane:** *(eyes wide, voice rising to a shrill scream as he claws at the ground)* "NOOO! SOMEBODY HELP! HELP ME! I TAKE IT BACK!"
The rest of the group turns away, feigning interest in anything else around them, clearly unwilling to get involved.
**Kane:** *(wildly flailing, eyes locking onto Commander Cooper, desperate)* "Commander! HELP ME! PLEASE!"
**Commander Cooper:** *(glances sideways, then turns away nonchalantly)* "I hope you survive."
Kane's screams echo down the hall as Dr. Jin drags him away, with the rest of the group pretending nothing just happened, shaking their heads in a mix of pity and amusement.
But suddenly Xiao Ling, having fallen unconscious through a mysterious portal, is now on Earth without any memories of who she is or where she comes from. Commander Cooper is informed of her sudden appearance outside the city. This event leaves the frontier forces in confusion as they try to figure out her origins and intentions.
The soldiers carry the unconscious Xiao Ling to Dr. Jin's lab, where they find Kane beaten and unconscious on the floor. The group collectively decides not to ask what happened, knowing better than to get involved. Dr. Jin, intrigued by Xiao Ling's unfamiliar clothing and the unusual energy she senses from her but can't identify, decides to wait until Xiao Ling wakes up before running any tests.
As the soldiers are leaving, Kane suddenly regains consciousness and protests, claiming that they shouldn't leave Dr. Jin alone with a woman. Dr. Jin, still in her female form, reminds Kane that she is currently a woman herself.
Kane, with his usual lack of filter, responds, "Yeah, but there's no way you're crazy enough to get rid of *everything* down there."
Dr. Jin stares at him with a cold, blunt expression. As realization hits Kane and panic spreads across his face, he nervously asks, "Don't tell me you actually got rid of that too, right?"
Before he can finish, Dr. Jin swiftly uppercuts him, knocking him out cold again, leaving the lab in silence as she resumes her work, unbothered by the chaos.
The following morning, Xiao Ling slowly begins to regain consciousness in Dr. Jin's lab. Her head throbs, and her surroundings are completely unfamiliar. She tries to sit up but winces in pain from the injuries she sustained before falling through the portal.
Dr. Jin, sitting by her desk surrounded by tools and screens, notices Xiao Ling stirring. "You're awake," Dr. Jin says, her voice analytical but curious. She moves closer, observing Xiao Ling's movements closely. "Don't try to move too fast. You've been through something... unusual."
Xiao Ling looks around, her eyes darting across the strange devices and sterile environment. "Where... am I?" she mutters, disoriented and confused.
"You're in Pingyao, one of the last strongholds on Earth," Dr. Jin replies matter-of-factly. "You're lucky we found you. We've been trying to figure out how you fell through a portal right outside the city, and what's more interesting is that I can't sense any magic or familiar energy signatures from you."
Xiao Ling tries to recall what happened before she arrived but draws a blank. Her memories of her past, her training, and even her own name are fragmented or missing entirely. "I... I don't remember anything," she admits softly, a mix of frustration and fear in her voice.
Dr. Jin narrows her eyes. "Amnesia? Well, that complicates things. But you're not from this world, that much is clear. We'll have to figure out what you are and why you're here."
Just then, Commander Cooper and Ty enter the lab, their expressions serious. Ty, noticing Xiao Ling awake, crosses her arms. "So, this is the mystery girl, huh?" she says, looking her over. "Any idea who she is or where she's from?"
Dr. Jin shakes her head. "No clue yet, but I've got some theories. We'll need more tests, and maybe... some time for her to regain her memories naturally."
Commander Cooper steps forward, his expression more thoughtful. "We don't have much time. The situation with the Shadow Empire is getting worse by the day. If she's from another world, we need to know if she's a threat—or an ally."
Xiao Ling looks at them, confused and overwhelmed, but the words "Shadow Empire" tug at something in the back of her mind, a faint flicker of recognition she can't fully grasp. "The Shadow Empire..." she whispers, more to herself than anyone else.
Ty raises an eyebrow. "You know them?"
"I... I don't know," Xiao Ling stammers, rubbing her temples as frustration mounts. "I just feel like I've heard that name before."
Dr. Jin exchanges a look with the commander. "We need to take this slowly. Forcing her memory could do more harm than good."
Commander Cooper nods, his gaze lingering on Xiao Ling. "For now, we keep her here. If she regains her memory or shows signs of being connected to the Shadow Empire, we need to know immediately."
As they about to leave Xiao Ling to rest, she lies back down, staring at the ceiling. Though she feels lost and unsure of her past, a strong feeling gnaws at her—she knows she's meant to fight. But for what or who, she has yet to remember.
After Alexander suggested the sparring match, Dr. Jin looked at him with a raised eyebrow but said nothing, as her focus remained on Xiao Ling. The unconscious Xiao Ling stirred slightly, showing signs of waking up.
"Good beating, huh?" Ty muttered under her breath, glancing at Alexander. "Sometimes I think you just want an excuse to fight."
Dr. Jin gave a quick glance to the unconscious Kane, shrugged, and motioned to the door. "Take it outside, then. I don't need more chaos in my lab."
Alexander smirked and turned to leave, gesturing to Ty to follow. "We'll see if she's up for it. Let's get ready."
As they left, Dr. Jin stayed behind, watching over Xiao Ling, she's begin waking up and after a few minutes but being fully awake, Dr Jin told the girl to go outside without explaining anything to her.
Xiao Ling walked outside and Alexander waiting for her.
As Alexander stretched and unsheathed his sword, the air grew tense. Ty watched from the sidelines, arms crossed, sensing the intensity about to unfold. "Remember," Alexander said with a grin, his eyes locked on Xiao Ling, who stood across from him, "no holding back. This is as real as it gets. Fight like your life depends on it."
Xiao Ling, though confused and still disoriented from her memory loss, could feel the weight of the moment. Her instincts kicked in as she gripped the unfamiliar sword in her hand, nodding without speaking a word.
The battle began in a flash. Alexander charged forward, his sword gleaming in the light, striking toward Xiao Ling. She parried the blow, the clash of metal echoing as sparks flew. He pushed forward, his strikes relentless, but Xiao Ling's reflexes were sharp, deflecting each attack with precision.
Alexander's grin faded into concentration. He intensified his assault, using quick slashes and feints to throw her off balance. Xiao Ling, despite her amnesia, seemed to rely on muscle memory, her movements flowing like water. Her sword met his with increasing speed, creating a dance of deadly precision.
Suddenly, Alexander switched tactics, using his free hand to throw a punch. Xiao Ling barely dodged, but he followed up with a fierce kick, knocking her backward. Without hesitation, she spun on the ground and launched herself at him, her sword slicing through the air. Alexander blocked, their swords locking together as they stared each other down.
Then, in an instant, they both dropped their swords, diving into hand-to-hand combat. Fists flew, each strike more brutal than the last. Alexander's experience showed in his technique, but Xiao Ling's raw ferocity and quick instincts kept her in the fight. Blood dripped from cuts on both of them, but neither relented.
Alexander landed a crushing blow to Xiao Ling's side, sending her to the ground. Breathing heavily, he stepped back, waiting to see if she would get up. For a moment, it looked like she might not.
But then, with a burst of determination, Xiao Ling stood, wiping blood from her mouth. Her eyes flashed with something familiar, a flicker of her lost memories, perhaps. She charged again, faster and fiercer, her fists and feet moving in perfect synchronization, as if the fight itself was unlocking parts of her past.
The two warriors continued their brutal exchange, neither giving an inch, until finally, after what felt like an eternity of battle, Xiao Ling found an opening. With a swift, precise kick, she knocked Alexander off balance, sending him crashing to the ground.
She stood over him, breathing hard, her fist raised but hesitating to deliver the final blow. Alexander, grinning despite his defeat, looked up at her. "You've still got it," he said, coughing slightly from the impact.
Xiao Ling lowered her hand, still unsure of herself but feeling something inside her stir. The fight had awakened a spark, a piece of the warrior she once was.
"Good match," Alexander said, struggling to his feet. "You're a natural, even if you don't remember it."
Ty approached, shaking her head. "You two are insane. But that was impressive."
Xiao Ling, still catching her breath, said nothing.
As Xiao Ling's eyes color glow to a bright cold blue as her entire body began to glow with a bright blue aura, the temperature around them dropped drastically. Her anger fueled her power, ice forming beneath her feet and spreading outwards across the ground. The air felt like it could freeze at any moment. Her eyes burned with the light of recognition, and the memories of her past flooded back into her mind. She clenched her fists tightly, her gaze narrowing on Alexander.
"Get back here!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the frozen landscape. There was no hesitation now, only the determination of someone who remembered exactly who she was.
Alexander, watching the ice crystallize around her, could only smile, though a hint of concern flickered in his eyes. "For the record," he said, his tone calm but serious, "I'm not a warrior. I'm a soldier. And in a real fight, I'm always in it for the kill."
With those words, the fight began again. This time, it was different. The blue aura around Xiao Ling intensified, her sword covered in a thin layer of frost as she moved. She swung with newfound strength, every blow charged with the icy power she had regained. Alexander had no choice but to fight at his absolute best.
The clash of their swords rang through the air, each strike now carrying lethal intent. Xiao Ling's attacks were faster, stronger, and more precise than before. Her sword movements were a blur, each slash and thrust aiming for vital points. The ice she controlled made every strike even more deadly, freezing whatever it touched.
But Alexander wasn't backing down. He dodged and countered, his movements sharp and calculated. Despite the intensity of Xiao Ling's assault, he kept his cool, waiting for the perfect moment to strike back. The fight was brutal, each of them landing blows that drew blood, their bodies covered in cuts and bruises as the battle raged on.
In a sudden burst of speed, Xiao Ling delivered a powerful swing aimed at Alexander's neck. He barely managed to block it, the impact sending him sliding backward across the icy ground. She pressed forward, not giving him a moment to recover, her strikes coming faster and faster.
Just as it seemed like Xiao Ling had the upper hand, Alexander made his move. With lightning reflexes, he ducked under her next strike, pivoting quickly to deliver a hard punch to her ribs, sending her staggering. Before she could regain her balance, he followed up with a spinning kick to her chest, knocking her sword from her hand.
Xiao Ling recovered quickly, switching to hand-to-hand combat, but Alexander matched her blow for blow. The two fighters clashed in a flurry of fists and feet, the force of each impact sending shockwaves through the frozen ground. Blood spattered across the ice as they exchanged brutal strikes.
Despite her power and rage, Alexander's discipline and tactical mindset gave him an edge. He saw openings where Xiao Ling's emotions overruled her technique, exploiting them with brutal efficiency. In the heat of battle, he fought like the soldier he was, focused solely on winning.
As the fight neared its end, Xiao Ling launched a final, desperate attack, channeling all her remaining energy into a devastating ice-infused punch aimed at Alexander's head. But in the split second before her blow could land, Alexander sidestepped, using her momentum against her. He grabbed her arm and twisted, slamming her to the ground with a powerful throw.
The impact left her winded, her body hitting the frozen earth hard. Alexander stood over her, breathing heavily, blood dripping from his nose and mouth, but still standing.
"I told you," he said between breaths, "I'm a soldier. And in a real fight… I'm in it for the kill."
Xiao Ling, lying on the ground, looked up at him, her anger dissipating as she realized she had been bested. Slowly, she nodded, accepting her defeat. Her icy aura faded, and the freezing air around them began to warm.
Alexander offered her a hand, and after a brief hesitation, she took it, pulling herself to her feet. Despite the pain and exhaustion, Xiao Ling hate Alexander because he didn't use any Qi.
"You've got your memories back," Alexander said, wiping blood from his chin. "Now you know who you are."
Xiao Ling, still catching her breath, nodded. "Yeah… and I'll never forget again."