Unlike her opponent, the shadow-mare’s anger did not fade to glee in the face of her enemy’s pain. In fact, there was likely little that would cause such a drastic mood shift. She was beyond angry, beyond furious – she was seething. It was no longer a matter of principle, no longer a defense of her land, title, rights – it was pure vengeance that coursed through her veins. It was stupid, to lose her head in such a way in battle, but then she was not known for her tendency to stop and think about such things.

The barely-there impact of her hooves against the skyrat’s side left her wanting even as the choked-off laugh from her opponent brought a sense of satisfaction. The battle had, thus far, been bloodless, merely a matter of dancing around one another, of drawing one another into attack as though in a game of cat and mouse. Of course, it was not so intricate as that; the Empress had not really strategized, but had simply lunged quite literally headfirst into attack after attack, perhaps hoping that her rather rusty skills in battle would magically prevail.

The Resolute prepared to launch herself into the air, and for the first time, there was a moment of calm in which to plan. The Lady of the Basin paused, watching the retreating form of the feather-brain. Perhaps she could not fly, but to attempt to chase her down from above would prove fruitless. The ground beneath her hooves was as familiar to the shade as her own face; she would not have to think through her coming actions. To Kri, she might seem like a sitting duck, but she had a plan. As the other mare began to wheel, the shadow-mare concentrated, reaching into the magic that inhabited a corner of her mind.

The seconds ticked by slowly as she entered the stage of transformation; she watched through gritted teeth as the skyrat banked, building speed and approaching her with her forelegs stretched out, aiming for her back. The shadow-mare began to shrink as she felt her bones crunch together, shortening and changing to match her new body. She dropped in height, and as the transformation completed, she crouched low to the ground. Having expected a unicorn, not a jackal, Kri’s attack passed overhead; as she did so, the shade lunged after her, baring newly sharpened teeth in a predatory smile. Guessing that the hornless would attempt a landing, and hoping that it would slow her, Psyche ran forward, gaining momentum; she leaped, her muscles bunching and releasing, hoping to time her leap with the landing of Kri’s back hooves to avoid being kicked. She aimed to sink her teeth into the skyrat’s left hock, hoping to cause damage to the joint or the surrounding area.

"Talk talk talk."

[W/C | 473]
[3/4 Attack] [1/2 magic]
[Defense: Uses magic to transform; shrinking of body allows her to dodge Kri’s attack.]
[Attack: As Kri passes above, Psyche drops to the ground, then pushes off to run after Kri. Hoping that she intends to land, Psyche leaps for the left hock.]