Ace stood in the silence, scanning the ground with his vigilant sapphire orbs. Though his muscles twitched with excitement, he felt a twinge of anxiety in his chest. He had not sparred with anyone in a few weeks, and was out of practice. Was he really willing to risk his life to fight for a herd he had been in but a few days? He snorted and shook his mane, disgusted with himself that he ever had such a thought. Of course he was. He would not disgrace his new family by fleeing like some foal during a thunderstorm. No. Instead, he would charge head first into it, to face the lightning and harsh winds and whatever else awaited him. Besides, what better way to prove his worth in a new herd than by defeating an opponent whose goal was to take the land from them? With this thought of victory in his mind, he repositioned himself and stood more proudly, his head held high, ready to fight.

He did not have to wait long before a challenger appeared. Another stallion came into view, a horn, larger than he had seen on any unicorn before, adorned his forehead. As he came closer he made out more detailed features. A snip on his nose, more noticeable than Ace’s, the horn on his head was crystal, and he was dark bay (the colour reminded him of the redwood trees in the threshold), or at least in sunlight he would be. When the Unicorn was directly beneath the rock Ace outstretched his wings to make himself feel, and look more dominant. “I accept your challenge, fight me or forfeit your land” he said. Ace let out a loud laugh “Oh yes, I'm going to make it that easy for you” he mocked.

With that remark the grullo Pegasus leapt off the right side of the projection of rock he stood on and shot up into the air, his great wings thrashing furiously to gain height. Adrenaline rushed through the stallion’s veins, and when he felt he was high enough flew forwards, so he could have a good fly up towards the bay and kick him hard or maybe even knock him down, at least that was the plan. After a deep breath, Ace surged downwards, then set course for the other stallion. He kept his wings high above his head so if his opponents horn were to make contact with him, his precious wings would not be injured, or at least too severely. Ace dipped the rear end of his body down, and aimed for his back hooves to hit the Unicorn’s back legs, just above the hock, and have his front hooves kick out and bruise or cut at the stallion’s rump. He realised if he was successful in this, he may hit the ground too, but he had his wings so it was a risk he was willing to take.

[489 words, ¼ rounds. Ace jumps off the ledge and flies off into the sky, then comes back down and flies at Descaro in a rearing position, and tries to have his back hooves hit Descaro’s back legs, and his front ones hit Descaro’s hip/croup]