Tokiko frowned. She'd landed a good hit, but... [i]Damn it, I hate the persistent ones.[/i] The longer this dragged out, the greater chance there was of another enemy noticing and showing up to take advantage. [i]Why did I even start this fight? I should have just gone to the cafe like I'd planned...[/i]

Eve had struck a solid blow as well, but her opponent was proving even more resilient. As Naoko stepped back, the Archetype advanced to match, and when the magical girl raised her kanabo again a huge hand jabbed out and closed around her wrist, holding her arm in place. The monstergirl smirked. That weapon was powerful, but if she could restrain the arm of its wielder, she'd never get a chance to swing it!

... or at least, that was the [i]plan.[/i] Eve's muscular limb began to jerk and tremble as her strength was pit against Naoko's, one seeking to wrench her arm free whilst the other tried to hold it still. And the monstergirl, for all her power, was losing the contest of might.

"Uuuuu!" Her eyes widened, and she glanced desperately at her master. For the briefest of instants, Tokiko met her eyes, and nodded.

The Archetype knew, then, that she was going to be okay. Her master had a plan! She just needed to hold on a little longer! Gritting her teeth, she redoubled her efforts, using her free hand to grab at Naoko's other arm and try to force her back. "GraaaaaaAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

Meanwhile, Tokiko turned her attention back to her other opponent. "So you're a masochist, is that it?" She raised her Tesla Cannon, now crackling with electricity as it charged itself up again. "Or did you think I could only fire one time before I got tired? It's not like I'm a boy, you know!" Another exaggerated laugh. "Whatever technique you can pull off with that silly needle, I'll just blast it and you away with my next shot! Give up already!"

[i]Bait laid, trap set.[/i] It was just a matter of timing now... or was it? Tokiko's eyes shifted momentarily towards Hikari. [i]The only uncertain factor... of course it would be her.[/i] The battlefield was balanced on a knife's edge, and that stubborn shorty had put herself right in the middle of things. Whatever she did next could turn the tide completely in favor of one side of the other.

In that moment, Tokiko couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of it all. [i]I really shouldn't have bumped into her... but who could have anticipated that one small girl would cause so much trouble?[/i]

[@VitaVitaAR]