Puella Magi Rei ♥️ Magica: Afterglow

Chapter 25: "Reaction"

"Eaaugh!!-"

A loud crash echoes throughout the alleyway as steam from broken pipes obscures view. Tsuki laid on her side, her hammer laying next to her as red chains flicker all around her. Ring quickly sprinted into view, taking position in front of Tsuki as she held her ringblades tightly.

"Give it up!" A voice called out from above, a woman in red hovering in the air, suspended by wavering chains, a large lance held in her hands. "You two are coming with me, whether you like it or not!"

"No!" Ring growled, raising her ring blades as a blue flame illuminated from them. "You have no idea what kind of torment we have gone through at the hands of Ayameko Ichiko! Please, see reason!"

"R-Ring.." Tsuki grunted, slowly crawling to her knees.

".. I'm sorry. But when I make a promise, I keep it." The woman stated, the steam lifting enough to reveal the assailant as Kyouko Sakura, of Kasamino.

Bang!!

A violet flare explodes in the center of the alley, breaking away the red chains as a woman slowly stepped into view, her violet hair whipping in the air as she raised her steaming arm cannon.

".. Now who the hell are you?" Kyouko jumped down to the floor, twirling her lance.

"You are in my territory now." The woman stated. "And I do not appreciate any attacks against those within my care. You have signed your death warrant."

"Asa.." Ring whispered, keeping a defensive stance as she guarded Tsuki.

"Death warrant? My, awfully cocky for someone who's about to get her ass kicked." Kyouko stated, now pointing her lance toward Asa.

"We magical girls of Mitakihara are more than what we appear to be." Asa grinned, running a hand through her hair as her cannon continued to flicker, ready to fire. "Go on. Make your first move. I'll try to make it your last."

Kyouko had a hard time distinguishing if this girl was bluffing. The confident expression on Asa's face.. Her bodily movements.. She seemed sturdy. This could be a problem.

"Unless this cannon seems too scary." Asa tauntingly cooed.

".. That's it!" Kyouko growled, sprinting forward, twirling her lance as she dives into the air, red chains flowing in the wind behind her as both exits to the alley are blocked off.

"Asa!" Tsuki gasped.

"Asa and I can handle this, you need to get out of here!" Ring whispered, now helping Tsuki to her feet.

"Heaah!-" Kyouko growled, as she swung her lance down toward Asa, who deflected it with her arm cannon and twirled, raising her foot to sharply kick Kyouko backwards.

"Violet Barrage!" Asa shouted, before raising her arm cannon and firing the energy that she had charged. In a cascading motion, multiple energy orbs twirl through the now wavering air, 

Kyouko recovered as much as she could against the sudden onslaught, she swung her lance back and forth, batting some of the energy orbs away, but she couldn't help the situation at hand. She does take a few hits, her attire turning a scorched black and red, the frills on her dress even burning away slightly as she rolls against the ground with a sharp grunt.