[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/zLmcB5Q.png[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/180804/59e33c13301c63b568e5eb178a837406.png[/img][/center]
[center][h3]With : Alexander and Sakura [/h3]
[@Card Captor][@Ariamis][/center]

[h2]Some time after Sakura's newfound call... and before her first mission[/h2]

It was a logical thing, really. Sakura was a grown person, who did not like to rely on others as soon as she could strike on her own. That other girl… Emily, had so far been an accommodating master with her desires, and had already given her a place to sleep and a few pointers. But diving head-first into this unknown and shady world, with a less than trustworthy handler, required extra effort.

And so, without telling the other girl, Sakura was engaging in secret training. Who knows, maybe she could so some solo hunts if this was successful. In order to do that, she needed a few things. Junk to break, and a place to be alone. The recently abandoned Salt Mine junkyard fit her purposes.

Here and there the old mine’s machinery stood tall, announcing the greatness of a past era that had been overrun by decay and waste. Lots of things were dumped here nowadays. Sakura did remember at one point that her old life cleaner’s liked to … put their sensible matters deep inside the mine, where they would never be found.

Thankfully undead didn’t exist yet. Or maybe it would be a good thing. They’d make good moving targets, the newly minted magical girl though. She had come here in a flash. The motorbike provided by the Puchuu was top-performance… if only the colour was not pink. That was the huge drawback.

Well, that and the whole frilly uniform and incantation. But those were worth the wait, as she could manipulate lightning. She did need to seriously learn to control it. Accidental discharges could lead to harming allies and she didn’t want to do that.

So she had set an improvised shooting gallery and a sparring dummy, where she could test the moves without being afraid of breaking things. They had been broken anyway. If something caught on fire, the salty earth would also help put it down.

“Hiya!” She snapped as she focused on releasing her lightning. The lightning hit home, in the wrong target, several meters behind herself. 

She was aiming at the front.

“Your aiming could… use some work.” said the insufferable bastard that had condemned her to a life of fluffy clothes. The coy rat was making himself at home in a discarded sofa, smug and judgemental eyes upon her.

“Shut. Up. Or you are next.”

“With that aim? Unlikely.”

[color=fff200]”You need to learn to whip those lightning bolts, that will improve your aim a lot.”[/color]

Suddenly, a green-haired girl dressed like an arabian dancer came crashing in from above, riding on top of a sleek yellow and white motorcycle; it had lightning bolts painted on it, and the front ornament of a metallic unicorn’s head, with a zigzagging horn. The wheels were shaped like cogs, and the display for the meters was shaped like a clock, the hands serving as handles for the vehicle.
She parked the bike next to Sakura’s pink one; she noticed it quickly.
[color=fff200]”Oh wow, a pink bike! It’s sooo cute!”[/color]
She turned to wave at Sakura.
[color=fff200]”You must be new in town, right? I’m Lily Lightning, but my friends call me Lily. Hi there!”[/color]

A boy riding on said motorcycle spoke up “[color=aba000]It’s a good thing we have magical powers, or your driving would have killed us several times over. I mean; you just crashed through a [i]roof[/i]! I shudder to imagine what your driving was like before you got magic. [/color]” The boy turned to Sakura “[color=aba000]Welcome to Penrose; leave your sanity outside the city limits, because it won’t help you here.[/color]”

Sakura raised an eyebrow at the new presence. Well, at least this city was a bit more welcoming to magical girls than thugs. So far there had not been any major scuffles. Her eyes scanned Lily up and down, before letting a little scoff, arms folded. The mention of the pink cute bike set some switches in the ex-Yakuza’s mind, but surprisingly, remained composed. She was a cute girl, this Lily. But Emily filled the suit better.

“Hi Lily. Aren’t you a bit… er, young to be dressed like that? There’s barely anything to show, Sparkly-chan. Points for the bike, though.”  She paused, narrowing her eyes. “No, scratch that… you are older than you seem, Sparkly-chan. But still, not much to flaunt with that dress.”  She said. 

Lily gave a pout at Alex’ commentary on her driving.
[color=fff200]”Geez, you don’t have to bring it up in front of the new girl...”[/color]
She then blinked at Sakura’s question, and she looked down at herself. Then, as if a lightbulb was switched on in her brain, she smiled brightly.
[color=fff200]”Oh, my magic keeps me warm, so no need to worry about that! Besides, this is the latest fashion, you know~”[/color] She added with a wink.
[color=fff200]”Anyway, what’s your name?”[/color]

“They call me Sak…”

It was then when she was interrupted. “Magical Girl Sparky Heart” said the cozy, feline-like Puchuu. “We’re dealing with fellows here. Learn to use your alias.” He turned to the other two beings. “Apologies. My… employee seems to still be grasping with the basics. I am the one known as Umukamui.”

Lily’s eyes brightened up. [color=fff200]”Aww! What an adorable kitty! Can I pet you?”[/color]


It was then when Sakura eyed the boy, and letting a visible gasp, eyed Umukamui. Then the boy. Then herself. Then Umukamui. 

“Explain that, rat.”

The Puchuu did not bat an eyelid. “It’s a magical boy.”

“I know that. Why is he a boy?” Sakura added, her teeth gritting.

“Sometimes… magical boys are born instead of girls. It can be a convoluted process, but it can be influenced to a degree…”

“Does that mean I could’ve kept my manly attributes?”

“Perhaps? But It would probably have impacted your overall performance. I need you in top shape for my requests.” The Puchuu added.

Sakura did not say a word, instead beaming a smile. “Okay! If you say so! Magical Girl Sparky Heart will become the best, and cutest girl there is.” She said, her words sweet and melodious.

“Glad you’re starting to… reason” The Puchuu added, not noticing how… clashing her behaviour was.

“Anyway, Lily-chan said a super awesome pointer, why not prove it? I will use a moving target!” 

“Surely you do not mean…”

“It’s a good thing you’re immortal, Kamui-chan!” She said, with childish glee, before spinning around herself. “Sparky Heart! Justice! Breaker! Lance!” She added, before a massive column of lightning incinerated the poor animal-like creature. Lily gasped, her hands on her cheeks as she watched the cute creature be obliterated in an instant. 
[color=fff200]”Noo! Kitty!”[/color]

“Well, looks like it was on-target, this time!” She smiled and giggled, before her face suffered a tremendous shift and turned into a disgusting scowl as she spat to the ground. “Serves you right, you c*nt”.

Alexander’s eyes widened as he took in the new girl’s outburst, and what it implied “[color=aba000]Oh...you poor thing.[/color]” His heart stung with a sensation that, while still new to him, he was able to identify as empathy “[color=aba000]I...I can’t imagine how horrible it must be for you. Here;[/color]” He created a warhammer shaped barrier and held it out to her “[color=aba000]I find mindless violence is wonderful for dealing with pent up rage. Take all the time you need, I understand.[/color]”

Sakura eyed Alexander with a scowl of disgust at first, reeling at his expression of pity. "Cut it out, bud. That's creepy. But I like your 'tude, heh." She concluded as she hefted the hammer, only for her knees to fail at that precise moment and diving headfirst into the ground, strength failing her.

Lily meanwhile was in shock.
[color=fff200]”Wait, was that...Your Patron? Because that means-”[/color]

It was then when a much charred Puuchu considered sitting atop her head as he shook off the burnt and the soot from the attack, causing Lily to sigh in relief. "Killing Blows usually deplete your magic." He paused. "You should use them wisely… Sparkly Heart."

"...hate...you" Sakura moaned.

Lily came over to Sakura, and gave her a comforting hug.
[color=fff200]”There, there...I know this all must be very scary to you. But don’t worry; I can teach you how to use your Lightning magic!”[/color] She then stepped back and summoned her weapon; a magnificent bow with a bowstring made of a crackling arc of electricity.
She nocked an arrow, and aimed at the dummy.
[color=fff200]”I usually shoot arrows of lightning,”[/color] she explained as she performed a triple shot, each arrow hitting the bullseye after the other.
[color=fff200]”But I can also do this!”[/color] She lifted her bow up in the air, and yellow flashed as it changed into a staff, the top of it resembling an hourglass, only with sparks falling down instead of sand. She aimed the staff at the dummy, and with a whipping motion shot a lightning bolt, hitting it right in the center.
[color=fff200]”See? You should try it like this! Why not give it a shot?”[/color] She asked, smiling brightly.

Sakura had little way or strength to fight the embrace, but did not find it very comforting. She clicked her mouth in annoyance as her body failed to move upon her command. Lily’s hug would be nice in a few years, but right now it was just… annoying. The archery contest and self demonstration did not help when she could barely move.

“Hey bud, tell your girl to … go slower.” She addressed Alexander. “...I’m running on empty here.”

Alexander spoke up with a sigh “[color=aba000]Hey Lily; you [i]do[/i] know that...they’re low on magic...right? I doubt-[/color]” he paused for a second, in thought “[color=aba000]-Sakura isn’t in any condition for target practice.[/color]”

Lily lowered her staff, looking embarrassed by how she didn’t consider Sakura’s current state.
[color=fff200]”Oh, of course she isn't. Silly me, te hee~”[/color] She unsummoned her weapon and pat Sakura on the head.
[color=fff200]”It’s very good for you to be so diligent. But remember to always keep a bit of magic in reserve. You never know when a meanie monster might show up!”[/color] 

She patted her on the head. She. Patted. Her. On the head. Sakura’s teeth gritted, as she trembled so slightly and managed to get her poise back, standing up once more, while Umukamui scurried to a safe distance. The petite girl was once more standing tall, and glaring at Lily.

“I don’t need magic to beat a few schmucks upside down.” She added, as she began to walk towards a pile of rubble and eyed one of her targets. The wood was quickly reduced to splinters after her heel hit the target dead on following a rather skillful spinning kick. “For the record, I don’t need weapons. My own body is one.”

Alexander nodded “[color=aba000]That’s a good attitude to have. Especially if your own magic doesn’t lend itself very well to kicking ass. It took me awhile to get to the point where I could reliably kick ass on my own.[/color]”

Lily began to slowly realize that Sakura wasn’t a tsundere type of girl like she initially thought she’d be. For one, she seemed somehow revulsed by the headpat, which shocked her. And for another, her language and mannerisms seemed rough, even for a tomboy. She frowned a bit.
[color=fff200]”Well, you don’t seem to have any trouble with fighting then, I’m glad~”[/color] She tried putting up a friendly face. At least Alexander seemed to share her enthusiasm.
[color=fff200]”Alex here also loves to fight up close and personal. How about you two do a little sparring?”[/color] She approached Umukamui and, if allowed, would place the adorable Puchuu on her lap as she sat down to watch, petting the fluffy fur.
[color=fff200]”Hello there, Umukamui. That’s such a cute name~”[/color] She spoke to the little Patron.
[color=fff200]”I hope we can work together in the future.”[/color]


"Oho?" Sakura said, her eyes with a mischievous glint. "Why not? Maybe i will shake off this rust." The girl said, while beginning to do stretches. This body was way less stiff than her old one, probably a small consolation. She then took a martial arts stance and goaded Alexander.

Umukamui for the most part, allowed the liberties taken by Lily, but his expression did not change at all. "Working under me has advantages. I possess a wide resource network and experience. Please think about it, I would most welcome a girl like you should you switch patrons."

Lily scratched behind Umukamui's ear, a bit taken aback by the Puchuu's strangeness. 
[color=fff200]"Oh, sorry, I meant just teaming up. I'm happy with Ixion, thanks.”[/color] Her motorbike made an electronic-sounding whinny, and the head ornament turned to look at Umukamui, followed by a slow nod. 
[color=fff200]"He's not used to talking."[/color]

Alexander raised an eyebrow “[color=aba000]Oh, we’re actually doing this? Alright, I’m game.[/color]” He began to stretch out a little “[color=aba000]We going to use any rules, or is this just going to be a good old fashion street fight?[/color]”

“What do you think, bud? That I’d be training in a junkyard if I played by the rules?” Sakura said, as she reaffirmed her stance. 

Alexander shrugged “[color=aba000]Eh, still had to make sure.[/color]” Then, boosting his body with magic, rushed at his opponent, fist ready to strike right at their stomach.

Sakura’s eyes gazed sharply at the attack. It was something she had seen, and yet something she had not ever seen. Something was forcefully making the punch having more speed and penetration that his body might have suggested.

Still for an advanced martial arts user, the punch was telegraphed to a degree, which allowed Sakura to jump up and forward, past Alexander’s head in a front flip. She followed with a sweeping kick, just because she could.

She had never felt so nimble, despite being magically depleted.

With his body being boosted, Alexander was able to react just in time. Stabbing a quickly formed sword shaped barrier into the ground. So when Sakura’s kick knocked him off his feet, he didn’t fall on his back, and was able to use his anchor to get back on his feet quickly. Turning around, he then formed a large flat barrier around one of his hands, and used it to swat at the still aerial opponent. Making sure to anchor himself to the ground with a few more barriers as he did so.

Sakura, upon perceiving the effects of several barriers applied, decided not to commit the attack further, and with a couple of backflips, put some distance between her and his opponent. [i] This is fucking crazy. I got almost as much strength as my heyday and I’m just a nimble wee girl. But my agility has gone through the roof, I feel like I could juggle tigers on fire now. That slam midair hurt, though[/i] Sakura said to herself as she clutched her side and decided on the next move. Defensive opponents required a careful approach.

Alexander paused for a second after seeing Sakura clutch their side. This wasn’t a real fight after all, and was more some exercise then anything else. He wasn’t used to sparring, as pretty much every time he got into a fight, it was with something or someone who wanted him dead ‘[color=aba000][i]In fact...[/i][/color]’ He thought ‘[color=aba000][i]The only other time I can think of was during that weird sport thing I did back during the vacation.[/i][/color]’

With a shrug, Alexander dismissed the barriers holding him to the ground and around his hand, and created a new one that was the size and shape of a large log of wood, and swung it at Sakura ‘[color=aba000][i]If you want to keep your distance, I can oblige.[/i][/color]’

Sakura looked at the log, and rolled her eyes. It was strong, but an easy attack. She pulled even more back, doing a couple of backflips into a pile of junk. [i]Let’s evade for now[/i]

After a few swing, Alexander gave up on the log ‘[color=aba000][i]Too nimble, I’m going to need something harder to dodge.[/i][/color]’ He dismissed the log, and made two more large square shaped barriers around his hands and tried that. Swiping with them one at a time to try and catch Sakura mid dodge.

Sakura just grinned at them. In trying to catch him with his barriers and swipe them into attack, he was making it harder to fall back into a defensive position. She just kicked a small toaster of the pile of Junk aimed at Alexander’s face, before crumbling her foothold into a tide of junk, going lower than the two barriers.

The lone toaster smacked Alexander in the face, but with his magic, he was able to pretty much ignore it. ‘[color=aba000][i]There it is[/i][/color]’ He thought upon seeing Sakura ducking benieth both of his barriers. Dismissing them both, he formed a quick forcefield around his body and dove into a tackle at the juck concealed pugilist.

 Sakura just watched Alexander strengthen himself for a tackle and aim at her. It was powerful, but easy to read, her body spinning around and instead of being tackled, displacing the still powering Alexander deep down in the dirt. Grappling techniques were something she was taught too.

“[color=aba000]Gah![/color]” Alexander grunted as his face hit the dirt “[color=aba000]You...are [i]incredibly[/i] annoying to hit.[/color]” He commented before getting back up. “[color=aba000]Right, so...this might not be the best time to ask this; but when are we supposed to call this? The only other fight I’ve been in that didn’t pit me against someone or something that wanted me dead was a sporting event. So I’m not really sure how long this is supposed to go on for. [/color]”

Sakura sighed, not pressing on the attack and allowing her opponent to speak. "Not for long. I give. Those barrier thingies of you are stupidly durable, and I might have overstretched myself without using any magic. Can't seem to penetrate enough to deal any serious blow. It's a great defense, that will keep you alive, bud." Sakura said. "Good fight, still you should get some proper, martial arts training. You telegraph your attacks too much." She added, running a hand through her hair.

Lily, who had done little else but cheer during the spar, finally spoke up. 
[color=fff200]"Great duel, you two! Great use of barriers, Alex! And nice footwork, Sakura!" [/color]
She was happy to see how much constructive criticism the two had, without falling into the usual compliments, so she decided to be the one to give them.

Alexander shrugged “[color=aba000]I was an orphan who only managed to be combat capable not very long ago. When I started out, I couldn’t use my boosting magic and engage in melee combat, so I was stuck on support duty. so I think I’ve done pretty well for someone with zero formal training. Still need to pick up a [i]real[/i] weapon[/color]” He pulled out his Rod “[color=aba000]This dinky little thing is all I have right now, and the only way it can function as an actual weapon is if I make a weapon shaped barrier over it.[/color]”

“Typical. Don’t you know staves and sticks make terrific weapons if you really know how to use them? Usually you see them in martial arts because they’re humble, concealable, and most people don’t see the threat in them until it’s too late. Pool sticks are actually great for bar brawls.” Sakura said. She’d not gone the extra mile otherwise, but the boy had said it was an orphan. “I will give you a few pointers, clearly your life hasn’t been easy. “ She added as she walked towards him. “Thingie, bud.” She asked for the rod, hand wriggling.

Alexander paused for a second ‘[color=aba000][i]Can...can we even lend other people our weapons? For some reason, I never thought of that.[/i][/color]’ He shook off his confusion and handed Sakura the ‘thingie’ “[color=aba000]I get the distinct impression that you’ve got a lot of experience fighting.[/color]”

Sakura took the device without much hesitation, and weighed it. After a few tentative swings, she nodded. “Okay, listen up. This is a small weapon. Which means you can conceal it in the sleeve.” Sakura added by putting the rod parallel to her wrist, and then in a single fluid motion, bringing the rod out while swinging her arm upwards like a whip. “This is how most experienced users of sticks and blades get the first blow, you literally whip it out at an opponent’s face. Moving on.” Sakura moved towards Alexander, and then began to slowly poke in fluid movements slightly the joints and parts of the face and neck. “You’d want to hit these spots, they’re either very sensitive, or you can cripple them with a sharp enough blow. If you aim at the wrists, you disarm people.” She then handed the rod back.

“Got it? Next is how to throw a mean punch, if you’re interested.” The seemingly little girl put a hand to her hip, awaiting.

“[color=aba000]I’m always up for learning how to do violence better.[/color]” Alexander replied “[color=aba000]That being said; how [i]do[/i] you know all this? I mean, You seem to have a much better grasp on melee combat then any other newbie I’ve met.[/color]”

"Oh, well I suppose there's no harm in telling you." She moved closed and whispered into his ear."I was a 58 year old Yakuza, kid." She added, probably trying to avoid being pitied by the other lightning girl again. "Now show me your punching stance."

Alexander raised an eyebrow “[color=aba000]Yakuza!? Geez, no wonder you actually know what you’re doing in a fight![/color]” With that question answered, Alexander took his stance; one fist in front of his face, one in front of his stomach. It was his best attempt at mimicking a stance he had seen boxers use.

“Blabbermouth.” Sakura narrowed her eyes. “I whispered that for a reason, you know.” She said, before going to Alexander. “Well, not half bad for an amateur, but the mistakes are here.” She began to correct Alexander’s stance, all the way from the knees all the way to the shoulder. She pushed and pulled, until she got a good approximation of a stance.
“Now, don’t do this, like if you were about to throw something.” Sakura said, mimicking the excessive movement of an amateur punch. “Move it like this, like a whip, and turn your hip while doing so. Hummm…” She added while picking a plank.

“Try hitting this.”

Alexander took a breath, and lashed out at the piece of wood as Sakura had instructed, breaking the plank of wood “[color=aba000]So...like that?[/color]”

“Well, did you not feel your punch has extra force like that? Also, faster.” Sakura added.

“[color=aba000]A little bit[/color]” Alexander answered as he looked at his fist “[color=aba000]It’s going to take a bit of getting used to though.[/color]”

“Nobody aces it on the first go. Martial arts require perseverance, just to get the basics alone. But once you do, it’s reliable. Also consider using your barriers as boxing gloves. If you can’t do weapons, you can instead reinforce your fists. A normal person’s fists, given enough training, can smash bricks.” She elaborated. “Okay, I will teach you the basic low kick, and we’ll be set for now. High kicks are fancy, but you require a good grasp of your body’s proportions, else you’ll fall flat in your butt, kid.”

Sakura then moved and then put her hands on her hips. “Watch my hips. It all starts here.” She said, as she proceeded to do a fast low kick. “And that’s about it.”

“[color=aba000]Huh...fascinating. I didn’t realize that hip movement was so important[/color]” Alexander mused as he watched Sakura.

[color=fff200]"Me neither!"[/color] Lily commented, having become so absorbed with the lessons Sakura gave that she was now holding Umukamui in her arms like a plushie. 
[color=fff200]"Thank you so much for teaching Alex! He is strong, but he can be a bit of a dummy when it comes to fighting, tee hee~"[/color]

"A sparring dummy, more likely." Sakura finished. "It's getting late… so if you excuse me and mr rat over there…" Sakura said, indicating that she was going to leave. Umukamui soon followed.

Alexander grumbled, but otherwise said nothing in response to their...comments about him

Lily stood up, and dashed to Sakura; the latter girl got a glimpse of how incredibly quick the green-haired girl could be.
[color=fff200]"Wait, before you go...Do you have a phone? If not, I’ll just write out my number...And here!."[/color] She handed her a note with her number written on it.
[color=fff200]”Let’s hang out again, okay? I’ll call ya!”[/color]