Puella Magi Makayla Magica

Chapter 24 Nemesis

The girls approach the now unconscious Makayla; all tunnel visioned on a singular threat. A couple have noticed their enemies right next to them and pause in place, waiting for the other to make a move.

"It's happening again." At Isabella's words, the mismatch of magical girls turns to Isabella. Alicia furrows her brows at Isabella's words until she looks back at Makayla. Two black wings sprout from her back.

"Is she controlling a doppel!?" Alicia yells at Isabella.

"I-I don't know," Isabella says, shaking her head. The black raven takes its form before launching itself into the air; Makayla is held upside down with her arms held out horizontally from her body and feet crossed over each other. Of all girls, even Alicia has to take a step back as she feels the hatred emanating from the doppel. No, not the doppel from Makayla herself. The Doppel screeches before unleashing a hail of black feathers. There's no mercy as magical girls dodge and slice at the black feathers. Some unlucky magical girls are stabbed by the feathers. The really unlucky ones are stabbed multiple times, the feathers shattering their soul gems, killing them instantly.

In the chaos, Alicia sprints to Isabella, grabs her by her shoulder blades and lifts her up. Isabella grips Alicia's wrist with shock.

"What the hell did you do to her?"

"This is her doppel," Isabella replies.

"Why the hell is she so strong now?"

"I don't know," Isabella replies. "I don't know where she hides this strength." Alicia puts Isabella down.

"How do we kill her?" The question slightly takes Isabella aback. She looks around the witches' labyrinth. Multiple magical girls are lying dead, and the rest are exhausted. With each magical girl killed by Makayla's doppel, the brighter the red poppy glows. Many of the doppels are starting to take over the Magius girls, and it looks like Summer and her group have already left.

"We're leaving," Isabella says. "Chloe, Emily, gather up the witches!" She yells.

"Hey! You need to clean up your mess!" Alicia commands her.

"She's not Magius," Isabella says coldly. Alicia summons a sword and is about to attack Isabella when a feather falls between them, causing the two to jump away from each other. "She'll turn back when there are no more threats!" Isabella yells to Alicia. As the witches are gathered up, the world turns back to normal. The black and white cloaked figures start to retreat down the street. Alicia looks around. Of the two dozen magical girls she brought along, barely half of them are still alive. In fact, she could've sworn the Magius group had more members as well.

"Tch." Alicia turns to the remaining Wanderers. "Let's get out of here." The wanderers all nod before running down the road.

Mia, sending no more danger, changes back to normal. She races up to Makayla's doppel.

"Makayla! It's alright, there's no one here!" The Doppel doesn't seem to be listening to her, but it's not attacking her either. It pauses for a few seconds, seemingly scanning the area before the raven slowly disintegrates. Makayla is dropped to the ground and lands hard on her back. Mia hesitantly steps towards her, cautious of what Makayla might do. When she sees that Makayla is unconscious, she picks up her pace to reach her and kneels down beside her.

"Mmm." Makayla groans as she rouses. She opens her eyes and sees Mia looking down at her. "W-what happened?"

"You don't remember?" Mia asks. Makayla shakes her head. "You used your doppel. Do you even know what you did?"

"I-I don't know." Makayla sits up and looks around the battlefield. Multiple girls in casual wear lay on the ground, some with large pools of blood spreading from their bodies. "Th-they're not dead, are they?" Makayla says in disbelief. To Mia, it sounds cold and disconnected, as if Makayla is asking a general question.