Predators & Prey: Revenge of Skullstalker

Chapter 3

        "I'm ready to go," Emberwing threw a sudden leap at Auraflare, thinking ahead into attempting to unbalance him and hold him in spot, winning the fight. He took a dive into the sky while thrusting Auraflare downward to the earth, but Auraflares weight and grip brought Emberwing tumbling down, Emberwing had not thought ahead to this far. At a sudden moment before the impact, Auraflare swooped forward and forced himself to slow down his ariel movement before he landed. Auraflare looked up, his eyes unfocused.
        "You're a bit rusty today, what happened?" Emberwing didn't seem to hear Auraflare in the distance because he glid over to Auraflare and flew passed him when he tried to counter his attack. He looked back in a glittering expression in his eyes, not showing any emotions at all. Emberwing was frustrated at his miss. Like a dagger, he flew straight at Auraflare and thrust his jaw upward while trying to carry Auraflare upward. Emberwings attempts to carry Auraflare were useless because he was almost twice his size. He broke free and gave Emberwing a soft rake across his muzzle before gliding a few lengths to a safe distance between eachother.

        "Quite persistent I see... Well... In that case... I don't know... Lets see how you all handle against a team battle. You and Obsidianwing versus me and Swiftshadow. Remember one of you will be outweighted by a larger bird than you and its easier to go in with your team member against an opponent for an easier fight. Remember that battle move I taught you."

        "Alright!" Obsidianwing exclaimed.

        "Yup! Positions guys. Remember, the enemy will attack when you least expect it, remember to always expect it, and remember to use that strategy against a real opponent too-"
Without warning, Obsidianwing dived at Swiftshadow and turned around to thrash a blow at the back of Swiftshadows wing, practicing immoblizing a real opponent. Emberwing flew behind Swiftshadow to team with Obsidianwing to fight Swiftshadow, when Auraflare had the element of surprise. Auraflare pecked Emberwing and Obsidianwing off Swiftshadow and flew up, gliding in circles, keeping his eyes locked on both of the trainees. Emberwing saw this and tried to move himself in zig-zags and unexpected patterns to lose Auraflares sight and juke him out, free to get an attack in, but he still saw threw and let gravity take over while he flew down to Emberwing. Emberwings eyes flickered with surprise and looked down, seeing Swiftshadow and Obsidianwing both crashing into each other. Emberwing saw this as an opportunity to use the battle move that Auraflare had taught him. Emberwing pecked at Auraflares head repeatedly while both of her claws were raking Auraflares chest. Emberwing let his body limp and the top half of his torso bent downwards, his wings flopping with gravities pull. Auraflare struggled to hold on to Emberwing and let him drop downwards. He then realized he was heading straight down into the earth. He braced for impact.

        "I didn't plan this out... How do I land!?" But came no answer. Emberwing found himself thud on the ground but got back up anyways. Swiftshadow and Auraflare were talking mid-flight. Emberwing spotted Obsidianwing on the ground about to take off and flew over to her.
        "What should we do?" She asked when Emberwing was there.

        "I don't know, nice move by the way there- Emberwing watch out-" Emberwing had no time to react. The sound of Obsidianwings voice was drowned out when Auraflare leapt onto Emberwing and flipped him on his back.

"Remember to expect your enemy to attack. Its easy to for an enemy to win when they surprise you. Remember in a real fight you dont hold back, but that was good up there." Auraflare saw Emberwing was not focusing and was instead staring up at the sky, distraught and panting.

        "Whats on your mind right now?" He asked.

"Its nothing," Emberwing murmered. His wings dropped down as he took a few effortless steps that got him nowhere and collapsed into the ground, panting in exaustion, gasping for air. Emberwing blinked and kept his eyes closed in long periods of time. His eyes began to turn red. He opened his mouth at sudden moments but then closed it. It was as if he was trying to say something but he couldn't get the words out due to his exhaustion and chained gasps. After a few deep breaths, Emberwing finally spoke;

"I dont know if I can do any more- right... Now..." In between each several words he took a breath, and his words sounded like a gasp for air. "I dont know if I can do this..." He sighed and tilted his head over and closed his eyes, pressing himself to a deep sleep...