KS14

Magician was being pushed back, using her gun where she could to block the strikes, but taking kicks and blows every time she tried. This opponent was fast – too fast. "I'm on my way," he whispered, knowing she'd hear him. "Hold on!"

The multi-coloured girl noticed his approach, not a difficult task as he tore across the area. She pushed Magician back with one hand, taking the brief moment to concentrate. A second girl – identical in every way – sprung to life.

"Clones? Is that her Semblance?" Its blade flashed for his mask, but he leaned back and kicked for her chest, catching naught but air as she danced away. She focused on dodging more than parrying, her sword thin and light, all the better to cut and pierce through skin if it reached. Vanguard growled and lunged in, eager to close the distance and make it a contest of strength she would not win. When she made to duck back, he lashed out with one hand, reaching for her hair to drag her back.

His hand passed right through it – as though it didn't exist at all.

His eyes widened.

"It's an illusion!" he roared, spinning back to look at his partner. "Magician!"

Magician still fought with her opponent, but finally caught an opening. She deflected off and spun in the air, cocking the hammer on her gun and aiming for the girl's head. One shot blasted out – the force surely enough to stun her if nothing else.

It might have done, had it not passed straight through her body.

He heard Magician gasp, but he saw the girl appear as though from thin air behind his partner. He cried a warning. It was not enough.

Trapped in the air and unable to change her trajectory, Magician fell down onto her foe, who was more than ready for her approach. Her gun was sent flying by one kick, and the next caught the back of her knee, driving her down to the floor. The sword flashed up and down, striking her once in the head – causing aura to flash, and then a second time on the shoulder, making it crackle. The third, a thrust, caught Magician in the lower back.

And pierced straight through, driving her body back so that she was pinned chest-first into some discarded dust crate.

"ARGHHH!"