Contact. Megaera’s hind hooves slammed into the stallion’s rump, the shocks of impact vibrating up her black stockinged legs. There was an instant of satisfaction from hitting her target before she realized she didn’t have much time until she would hit the ground as well. The ground came up and she went down legs reaching for purchase in the tall grasses. The bay managed to stay upright, but not very gracefully. Hoof over hoof, one after the other she tried to think, tried to collect her legs under her and regain balance. Damn the ground! It should have been easier to stand on but compared to the freedom of the air it was nothing but an obstacle. Meg swung her head upwards as she staggered and caught a glimpse of the stallion that caught her attention like a shot. His ears had moved in her direction, so he could hear? And his eyes seemed trained on her feet. That didn’t make sense, why would he be looking at the ground and not at her? But he had two sets of eyes didn’t he. The great black snake was coiled tight about her bonded, Meg would have to be sure she didn’t accidentally hit her.

It was Meg who was about to be hit.

Gaucho was already charging, neck curled and shoulder thrust forward. He was much to close and coming to quickly for her to move out of the way. All the little warrior could do was brace for the impact. She halted any forward motion herself and spread her legs under her, hooves digging into the rich dirt for a solid foundation. She barely had time to tense up her muscled before… BAM! Meg felt the impact like a boulder had slammed into her. The stallion’s broad shoulder hit her right side directly behind knocking the breath from her body in a grunt and gush of air. She’d braced well but the force of his blow still moved her body a good half foot and left four gouges in the lush grass. There were four gouges on the little warriors shoulder as well. The wicked spikes that ringed the stallion’s neck weren’t large but his forward momentum had raked a few shallow furrows in her neck. Blood welled in the shallow cuts but the sting went almost unnoticed compared to the deep stab that a lack of oxygen rendered in her lungs.

Megaera curled away from him, peeling to her left with her head hung low. Feet shuffled, bringing her body in a small arch and all the way around. If her opponent continued on his trajectory, she would come up behind him. Here she stopped, taking a moment to shake off her winded state and pull air back into her lungs. On a deep breath, she flexed her right shoulder, trying to feel the extent of the damage. It was still useable but soon the soreness would come and in a day or so it would be no use at all. She had to think fast, had to do something before that behemoth could bear down on her again and there was only one word that resonated in her mind. Fly.

And fly she did. The fine dark wings, the best part of her, extended again and came down in a rush to launch her into the sky. Up she flew and forward chasing after Gaucho and trying to think what she would do when she caught him. The first thought was to do the same thing, kick him in the ass again, but no, this was just a spar. She couldn’t focus too much on any one spot and cause him real injury so she’d have to think of something, anything else. The warrior didn’t hesitate, and as she surged forward that thrill of the fight shut down every other feeling. This was what she was supposed to do.

She flew low, the tips of her hooves skimming along the tall grasses and wing tips stirring the plain with every downward sweep. In a flash, she was behind him. A wide grin on her features, she called out: "On your left!” but she swerved right. With a final swipe of her wings, she came up along his right side and leaned in with her left. With her left wing tucked she made to slam into his left shoulder and aim a quick bite on his neck. Her own neck was curved, trying to avoid contact with those spikes and her teeth snapped at a point right behind his head. Just as quickly as she had come in she unfurled and was off again, shooting up into the sky. She would be better there, faster. Let him follow.