Velvet, Shadowstep, & Oracle

It was late in the night, with darkness blanketing the land below, and clouds obscuring the stars from the sky above. A perfect night for Velvet to lead this small insurrection against a former Haunter who had dared to defy her twice. She had learned of Cloudbreaker's location months before Tersek's scouting had, but had held off on any action as she prowled and pried, and tried to figure out what alliances this ex-Haunter might have.

When it became apparent that Cloudbreaker had no alliances, and the bulk of the Haunters weren't going to pursue any immediate action against the betrayer, Velvet took the matter into her own claws. Shadowstep and Oracle had been recruited for the job, and now followed the elder lioness into the inky darkness of the night, down away from the Ruins, and towards the rugged land that this small herd called home.

Quietly, the three felines stalked across the land, shoulders pumping above slinking bodies, and ears flattened as they tried to stay below the swaying tops of tall grasses. With the scent of Cloudbreaker hanging in the air, they tried to hone in on its freshest line, and follow it to its source...

King, Majesty & Sarada

King was content but he was always on the lookout to aquire more mares. Even if he had to take them by force. Majesty was content with just Cloudbreaker which was good because he didn't care to share many others. He was dozing near them but his ears made it quiet clear he was listening to his surroundings.

Majesty the dark chocolate with flaxen maned stallion stood beside Cloudbreaker his head resting on her withers. He was built with pure strength

Sarada who was now 6 months old, she was stockier then her twin and built like her draft horse heritage. She was very agile and had great endurance. A soft gray with darker gray legs that fade into black near the hooves. She has a large patch of white across her right shoulder, and a few dark gray stripes on her face. Black nose. Her legs are strongly feathered. Her mane stood up straight and ridged but is creamy white along with her tail. She still nursed here and there but was almost fully weaned off her mother. She slept laying down right beside her mother. Her little ear flicked when she thought she heard something but only yawned blinked and then dozed back off.

Velvet, Shadowstep, Oracle, Cloudbreaker, & Onok

Unaware of the cats' approach, Cloudbreaker was resting quietly, happy and content with Majesty beside her, and her daughter near at hoof. Not far off, Onok was snoozing in the grass, also blissfully unaware of the felidae danger stalking in their direction.

This quiet, sleepy scene was eventually reached by Velvet, approaching downwind to hide her scent from her prey. She stopped and observed the small herd, taking special note of the two stallions and the pair of youngsters that carried the tell-tale sign of belonging to Greyfell's lineage. 'Perfect.' The old lioness purred in her mind, before turning discreetly to her daughter and Shadow, "We only want Cloud, the others can live if they aren't too troublesome. They will witness the strength of the Haunters and remind generations to come why we aren't to be trifled with." Her words were but a faint whisper, one that her two companions had to strain to hear. But here it they did, with each giving a nod as they focused on the partially striped mare. "Distract the others, I'll take care of the traitor."

Oracle was the first to act, leaping suddenly into motion as she charged for King. The charge was a mock rush though, meant to scare the lead into running. Shadowstep pulled a similar stunt, rushing for Sarada...

That left Velvet to push forward a few seconds behind the younger cats, slinking in and pouncing for Cloudbreaker's side, aiming to wrap her paws around the mare's neck and grab her muzzle and nostrils...

King

King nostrils flared and his ears flicked just as Oracle lunges forward. However King was not one to just run blindly at some one and his eyes took in all three cats. He ignored Oracle to rush at Shadowstep. His ears flat back as He raced to the fillies side. Three large cats was not good .Majesty, Cloud surround the foals now back legs to themHe barked out. IF shadow would of moved off he would swung around to stand with is butt to Sarada.

Majesty had woken as well his head coming off of Cloud as King barked his orders. He moved to do just that making to herd his son to Sarada side and putting his butt to them. He lifted a horse and stomped toward the cats his ears back. He knew this way they would protect the foals but also be able to protect each others sides.

Velvet, Shadowstep, Oracle, Cloudbreaker, & Onok

Oracle abandoned her mock rush early, pulling away from the giant equine who called her bluff and came charging forward instead of running away. Hissing, the big cat began to circle around the horses, looking for an opening that she could exploit. But King was wise in his defense, having his small herd bunch up so that the Haunters would face a wall of hooves at nearly every angle they might try to go at.

Shadowstep narrowly dodged aside Majesty's stomping hoof and skirted around the chocolate stallion, watching with growing annoyance as he and King expertly herded the two younger members together. "Watch those hooves!" She called out, and began circling the clustered herd as Oracle was.

Velvet was forced to draw back as well, as Cloudbreaker woke in time to see the lioness rushing towards her, and the stallions began to form a protective formation. With her own soft ears pinned back, Velvet paced before the equines, her long tail hissing through the grasses as she moved. "All we want is Cloudbreaker. Give her to us, and there need not be any further bloodshed. In fact, you might become allies of the Shadow Haunters if you play nicely." For the moment, none of the three felines made a move to attack, but all three were watching for an opening, and waiting for a signal from the old lioness.

Cloudbreaker snorted and dug a hoof in the ground, rage bubbling up alongside terror. With her foals now beside her, she didn't dare dart out to attack Velvet or attempt to run, even though she wanted to do both. She stood her ground beside her herdmates, nostrils flared and head lowered defensively, "Bug off, cat! I'm no longer a Haunter, and my children will never be affiliated with you or your kind!"

King

King knew how to defend his herd, his foals. This was how you did it. His ears go back at the cats words.I do not abandon my herd nor give them to anyone. She is part of my herd and this is where she will stay. I could never be allies with a big cat who thinks they can take my mareHe snorted and lashed out with a hoof in warning.You will not harm any of my herd it will be you who will slink away with your tails tucked between your legsHe said.

Majesty ears go back at the cats words. He wanted to rush her for even thinking she could take Cloudbreaker. we would never ally with anyone who seeks to destroy a happy familyHe said his eyes narrowed.

Sarada had stood up and peered around the adults legs.

Velvet, Shadowstep, Oracle, Cloudbreaker, & Onok

"Your loyalty to your herd is honorable." Velvet returned, speaking with honesty even while her eyes looked upon the lead stallion with hunger. "Unfortunately, that honor and courage wont save your mare today." A discreet, subtle flick of her eyes was directed towards the prowling Shadowstep, signaling the younger cat to make a move.

Like lightning, the tan-gray ligeress struck at King. It was his shoulder she aimed for, swiping a paw for his flesh as she attempted to make him turn in her direction and give Velvet a better chance at Cloudbreaker.

Oracle needed no orders. As soon as Shadow attacked, the daughter of Tyrant and Velvet launched herself fully at Majesty. Claws were outstretched for his sides, while her fangs went for the shoulder...

Just seconds behind her younger comrades, Velvet leaped into action, rushing in and leaping upwards for Cloudbreaker's snout again. She turned her claws for the zorse's head, while her fangs sought the soft flesh of Cloud's snout...

Onok snorted and blundered back into his sister, startled by the movement of the big cats. Surrounded by a tangle of legs though, the young horse was safe for the moment. It was his mother that had to deal with assailants, and she did so by rearing back and flailing her front hooves at Velvet...

King

He laughs at her. "Oh but i dare say you will leave here with your tails tucked." He said. He lashs a hoof for shadow but as velvet goes for cloude he spins so his side blocks the foals. His front still angled for shadow but his hind toward velvet and he bucks at her.

Majesty snorts as he feels her claws. But he doesnt show the pain as he rears up and lashes at her with his front hooves
Then like with king he soon has his front toward oracle and hind to velvet and as his front legs hit the ground he sends out his hind legs.

Sarada squealed as her mother and father were attacked.

Velvet, Shadowstep, Oracle, Cloudbreaker, & Onok

A hind hoof crashed solidly against Velvet's side, and there was a moment where the lioness's world seemed to spin. She'd been hit plenty of times before by various prey, but there was something uniquely powerful about the hind kick of a horse to really wake you up. She coughed, and a slight wheeze played from her lungs. "We will get what we came for." Her long tail thrashed angrily behind her, and she briefly considered backing off - she could take too many more hits from those hooves. But the scent of blood was in the air, and Velvet decided to press her luck. She lunged again, this time springing in close to Cloud as she went for a throat bite, paws sweeping in tight for the sides of the neck.

Shadowstep gives a wild cry and barely manages to duck back from King's thrusting hooves. With her lips writhed back and her fangs glistening the big cat isn't daunted by her target, and sweeps forward as he's in the middle of kicking out at Velvet. This time she bites for King's flank, turning her fangs against his brown hide,and claws at whatever she can reach.

Oracle winces not at the hooves that fly dangerously close to her own hide, but for the solid THUNK! that she hears when King strikes her mother. She growls deeply, and her eyes dart past the many shuffling legs of the adult horses to see the foals in the center, and to them she hisses, "You better run while you can, before we finish off Cloud and come for you." She then strikes for Majesty again, swinging claws for his hind legs...

King's timely kick helped Cloudbreaker pull her muzzle free of Velvet's bite, leaving punctures on her delicate snout, but at least keeping her from being suffocated by the big cat. Panic threatens to take the zorse, until the squeal of Sarada and Onok catch her flattened ears, and steadied her resolve. With a trumpeting squeal of her own, Cloud struck forward to meet Velvet, striking down with her hooves and snapping her own teeth at the big cat's face...

King

King laughs at Velvets words.You'll be dead before she isHe said. Not caring that his front hooves don't make contact . HIs back ones did however. His nares flare as teeth hit his flanks and now he kicks out with his hind at shadow before sending his teeth towards Velvets shoulder.

Majesty snorts as claws rake across his hind legs and he lashs out with his front legs at her before also trying to bite her.

Sarada almost took the big cats suggestion before her mother gets the courage and attacks.No no that bad idea, mom dad and king will kill you firstShe snorts.

Velvet, Shadowstep, Oracle, Cloudbreaker, & Onok

Snap! Velvet winces at the gnash of horse teeth that clash together so close to her shoulder. She holds back from taking a swipe at him, and instead spits her words to the lead, "You would have been a fine addition to the Haunters, you know." It's Cloudbreaker that she keeps her claws focused on, as she now tries to draw her deadly weapons down hard against the zorse's neck. She feigns a bite for Cloud's snout before suddenly sweeping her head down forward, going straight for the throat...

Now was Shadowstep's turn to feel the pain, and feel it she did. Both hooves managed to catch her shoulder, tossing her to the ground hard. She pulls herself up stiffly, her forelimb throbbing and her sides heaving. With vengeance in her eyes, she plunges at King's shoulder, trying to rip the flesh open with her fangs, and grasp at his sides with her claws, while working through the pain of her wounded shoulder...

Oracle catches a glimpse of the youngsters, and sees fear in their eyes. Her attention is split enough that she doesn't quite react to Majesty fast enough, and is slammed in the upper side by one hoof, and goes down with a sputtered yowl of pain and surprise. For a moment, Sarada's brave words ring in the young cat's ears, and she wonders if their mission should be called off. Scrambling back to her paws, Oracle forgoes her attack on Majesty and slips in beside her mother, "We've got to end this quick!" The liger hisses, before springing up over her dam, and launching for Cloudbreaker's muzzle, claws strike in against the head and neck...

In the past, Cloudbreaker would have turned tail and bolted under the threat of so many cats. Flashbacks of the Nuova Alba's assault on the Temple haunted her now, and the squeals of her friends rang in her ears like ghosts of the past. It was again Sarada and Onok that gave her the courage to stand and fight, hearing her daughter snap a retort back at the cat, followed by a promise by Onok to 'stomp their tails into the ground'. She exhaled in a trumpeting snort and once more lunged forward to meet not only Velvet, but Oracle head on in their assault. She lashed her front hooves straight for the elder cat's head, while snapping her broad teeth at Oracle's own face....

King

King snorts as more wounds form but he was still going. "I prefer my own kind let alone i do not bow to others. My word is law" he snorted. As oracle leaps over velvet is when king moves and he runs straight for the elder cat now aiming to hit her repeatedly with his front hooves in a slash and stomping fashion.

Majesty too now moves to run straight at oracle. His front hooves moving to stomp her while also aiming to bite her.

Sarada watches in fear but almost awe. She couldnt wait to be old enough to fight like this.

Velvet, Shadowstep, Oracle, Cloudbreaker, & Onok

Oracle felt the sweet taste of blood when her fangs sank into Cloud's muzzle. If she could just secure a good enough hold, she might be able to pull the zorse down and make her easier for Velvet to finish off. That had been her goal, anyway. But the price she paid for her coveted spot in front of the wounded Cloudbreaker was the furious wrath of two unyielding stallions. Scrunched awkwardly in beside her mother, Oracle didn't have a lot of wiggle room to avoid those flying daggers, and King's flailing weapons tore a sizeable wound against her back. Majesty's hit even harder, striking her ribs powerfully enough to knock the wind out of the big cat once again. Oracle swiped her claws out at Majesty's neck as she scrambled backwards, backpedaling out of the horses' immediate reach and retreating a few wheezing yards away.

Velvet growled low in her throat, bracing for the impact she was sure was coming. It was her daughter that ended up taking the blows, knocking Oracle down against her as she buckled beneath Majesty's strength. Velvet herself scrambled back, forgoing her attack against Cloudbreaker in order to back up Oracle as the younger cat tried to get away from those deadly hooves. "Your mare lives today because we allowed it." She rumbled back to King, now stalking backwards to put distance between herself and the stallions, with Oracle doing the same. "Mark my words horse, we will be back to finish the job, and our numbers will be greater. You would do good to consider my earlier proposal."

While this was happening, Shadowstep was all for continuing her assault on the lead stallion, and draw the brute away from her pridemates. She abandoned that notion though, once it became apparent that Velvet was calling off the attack. For good measure, and to distract King from rushing at Velvet and Oracle, Shadow took one last swipe at the side of his haunch before springing away...

Cloudbreaker about saw her life flash before her eyes when not one but two cats descended on her. Try as she might, the cats were too quick, and she was too crowded in to aim a solid kick at either of them. She tossed her head back and squealed, trying to pull herself away from so many claws, and thanks to King and Majesty, the zorse was quickly freed from their clutches. Wide eyed and panting, the mare made a desperate lash of hooves at the retreating Velvet before backing up against her foals...

King

King cow kicked at Shadow as her claws dug through his haunch and he laughed at velvet.No don't lie, you lose this fight. Oh of course cause your too weak to do anything on your own. Pathetic catHe said. Now leave before I decide to just kill you and not let you leaveHe said.

Majesty nostrils flare as he stomps a hoof on the ground.

Sarada snorted.Do all big cats like you lie when you know your defeated? Pitty thought big cats had some self respect and pride guess notShe snorts.

Velvet, Shadowstep, Oracle, Cloudbreaker, & Onok

Shadowstep was gifted a sizeable bruise to her upper forelimb after King's kick, but at least came out of it better than Oracle did. Adopting a growl herself, the big cat circled wide around the tightly packed horses and rejoined Velvet and Oracle. Velvet, meanwhile, had locked eyes with King, "The fight, perhaps. But not the war." With a nudge to her daughter, the lioness turned and slipped into the dark night once more, with Oracle and Shadow slinking after her.

"They have no self respect!" Onok shouted, tossing his head and patting his front hooves against the ground. Surrounded by the adults, he felt a little braver and bolder, and joined his twin in berating the retreating Haunters.

Blood marred the front of Cloudbreaker, dripping into the cool grass below her and leaving a coppery tang in the air. The zorse stared after the big cats, shaking and panting hard, but otherwise standing on her own four hooves. She joins Majesty in stomping a hoof to the ground. And after a few moments, when it seemed the enemies had truly left, she turned and dropped her snout against Majesty. "I thought we were done with them... I'm sorry I brought this danger to our family."