Dr. Rainey arrived at her office in the early hours of the morning. Around 5'6 and 155 pounds, she wore a professional navy blue suit with a matching skirt and blouse. Her chestnut brown hair cascaded down to her shoulders, framing her hazel eyes, which sparkled with wit and intelligence.

As she was in no rush, Dr. Rainey took a moment to prepare a cup of coffee before settling into her comfortable leather chair. She enjoyed the quiet solitude of the early morning, allowing her thoughts to gather and prepare for the busy day ahead. She also scanned her therapy room.

Soft, muted colors adorned the walls, while gentle lighting created a warm ambiance. The room was furnished with plush armchairs and a cozy sofa, inviting patients to relax and feel at ease. Various art pieces and potted plants added tranquility, creating a space where healing and self-reflection could thrive. Her psychology and counseling certificates hung on the wall, a testament to her commitment to comprehensive care.

Hours passed as her intercom buzzed, disturbing the peace.

"Dr. Rainey, your first patient is here," her assistant said.

Putting away her coffee, Dr. Rainey pressed a button on her intercom. "Thank you, Janet. Send him in." Soon after, she reorganized her room. Once ready, she sat in her chair and prepared herself. On cue, the door knocked. "Come in."

The knob turned, and the door opened, revealing her first patient. Although dressed as a Buddhist monk, the man had ninja-like features. A metal mask concealed his face, except for his brown eyes. His brownish-black hair swept to one side, like in anime, with a bald portion at the back. Ropes encircled his lean, muscled torso, and a curved sword rested on his back. An intricate striped tattoo covered his entire left arm, with some tiger faces. A pair of tiles coiled his wrists, and two tiger-mouthed statues encased his knees.

"Ah, Jago, it's a pleasure to see you," Dr. Rainey said.

The warrior-monk bowed. "Likewise. As such, I'm here to discuss my recurring issues and more."

As Dr. Rainey motioned toward the couch, Jago sat down. He drew out his sword and placed it against the arm handle before lying down. "So, how's your day going?"

Jago scoffed. "I'd be lying if I said I'm having an enjoyable day."

"Oh dear, what problems befall you?"

"Well, I was already having a rough year. Then, someone made this thing called 'If KI had Facebook' on the forums. Don't get me wrong—the concept looked promising until it got to the part about a body pillow with Shin Hisako's image reminiscent of merchandise. It worries my sister that these body pillows may contain my image for fan service personnel. First, I do not need that kind of attention. Also, had these fan service people played KI before?"

"But there's nothing with merchandise, right, even if it's body pillows?"

"It's not about the merchandise itself. It's more about how it objectifies the characters and reduces them to mere sexual objects. My sister was one such victim, though she never admitted it. It was only in 2013 that the developers gave her a makeover. She went from a hypersexualized character to a more dignified and powerful warrior."

"Yes, I remember watching your sister's trailer with her updated look," Dr. Rainey said. "It suits her. However, the fan service personnel will remain, albeit in a minority. So, I reviewed the notes you gave to my assistant in the waiting room. We should discuss why you no longer want to be a KI character. Quitting your status as a warrior-monk will not fix that."

Jago sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I don't plan on quitting my status as a monk, much less stop being a KI character. The main problem is Gargos and his minions. I've had enough of them exploiting my life. I want nothing to do with them."

"This confuses me. Haven't you and the Alliance defeated Gargos?"

"Doctor, Gargos will return once someone joins the game. Or someone's younger sibling erases everything, and they have to start over. Oh, and don't get me started about the comics. When he showed up, he looked like the result of a one-night stand between a shokan and a tarkatan from Mortal Kombat."

"Wow, that's quite an image. Listen, Jago, Gargos has been part of your storyline since the game's inception. How else would your character develop?"

"The only thing he does is yap his mouth, and his minions are no better either. For example, his messenger, Omen, is a wimpy bitch and always dick-riding his master to no end."

Inside the monk's mind, the shadow demon bristled at the insult. "The fuck? Jago, I know you're not talking about me dick-riding my master. You did the same damn thing when you swore allegiance to him."

Jago crossed his arms. "That's different! First, I was a naïve child. Second, he tricked me into defeating Eyedol, which freed him from his prison, not to mention wiping out my entire Order from existence. Third, I was unaware of the consequences my actions would have. I'm not the same man I was back then."

"Oh, please! Spare me your excuses. You may not be the same man, but you're still responsible for your past actions. Besides, no one wants to hear about your complaints."

"Well, Orchid does. She and I spent time together a few weeks ago."

"Oh, that's awesome, Jago," Dr. Rainey said. "I'm glad you're making time for your sister. How did it turn out?"

"Um..." While Jago hesitated, his Shadow self's voice chimed from his mind.

"Your precious Orchid is always obsessed with destroying Ultratech, and it's driving her insane. She's no different from Gargos, just a puppet on a string. How you're related to that bitch is beyond me."

"Hey, Orchid is a good woman!" Jago retorted. "She's just fighting for her beliefs, and I respect that. It's unfair to compare her to Gargos."

"Are you hearing voices again? I may have to increase your herbal dosage," Dr. Rainey said.

The monk exhaled. "I can't help hearing voices sometimes. It's not like I asked for this. Whenever I meet with my fellow KI fighters, these voices spill negative comments about them in my mind. For example, one would talk about TJ and his titanium arms, explaining how he's trying too hard to emulate Jax from Mortal Kombat. Then, there's Sadira, who should be better off in the Marvel Universe to give Spiderman and the Spider Society a run for their money, as Miles Morales did."

"Right." Dr. Rainey wrote her notes. "Double-no, triple the herbal dosage."

"Listen, doctor, I did what you mentioned in our last session. Together with the Alliance, I defeated Gargos and saved the world. I broke free from that monster's control, saving my soul, but why do I feel so broken?"

"Was there something you did after Shadow Lords?"

"Well, I volunteered on a farm until Mira and her band of monsters showed up. In addition, my guardian spirit lost its grip, weakening me. The same happened with Kim and Tusk regarding the latter. We got them back, but not without more fisticuffs against Gargos. Honestly, doctor, I wanted to renounce combat, but it didn't last long. The point is, even with Gargos removed, his influence still affects me. I want it out of my system. That includes Omen."

"Jago," Dr. Rainey began, her voice filled with empathy, "recovery is not always a linear process. It's normal to still feel the effects of past trauma even after overcoming the source. I think you need to re-establish your sense of direction."

Jago nodded, his eyes determined. "You're right. I need something to focus on that will help me move forward and find purpose beyond fighting. I need to discover who I am without Gargos and voices."

"That's what I like to hear, and I might know someone who could help you." The doctor wrote something in her notebook, tore off the page, and gave it to Jago.

The monk studied the note. "Dhalsim from Street Fighter?"

"Yes, Dhalsim is a renowned yoga master who helps individuals find inner peace and clarity. His teachings and practices can guide your self-discovery journey and help you cultivate a new sense of purpose beyond fighting. I believe he would be a valuable mentor for you."

"Well, Ryu had spoken highly of the man the last time we talked," Jago said, remembering their conversation about Dhalsim's wisdom and profound understanding of the mind-body connection. "If he can help me find inner peace and clarity like he did for Ryu, I'm willing to try."

Dr. Rainey checked her watch. "Okay, Jago, it looks like we're out of time, so let me know how it goes."

"I will, and thank you."

So, what do you think of this chapter? Also, which fighting game character should Dr. Rainey face? It doesn't have to be from Killer Instinct. There are others like Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, and Tekken.