The King's Remorse

I Could've Killed You a Dozen Times By Now, You Know

Phoenix pushes away the half-eaten deer and takes a few steps to the side. He tones down the flames coating his body so they're just as short as his fur.

"Wh-what?"

"Do you need me to repeat myself? Attack me!"

"O-ok." I take half a step forward, but then I hesitate.

"Just so you're aware, I could've killed you a dozen times by now."

"You've got this, Clap!" Wolf says encouragingly.

"Go, Clap!" Dove claps his hands.

"O-ok. Let's s-see." I take a tentative step forward. Phoenix sits down.

"This is the lamest fight ever. I'm beyond bored."

Come on, Clap. You can do this. Just attack Phoenix and see what happens; you're not going to learn anything from sitting around and not trying it. Let's do this!

I leap forward, jumping so I'm going slightly faster than everyone else if they were running. Phoenix snorts, and just before I make it to him he sidesteps, wrapping his paws around me and pinning me to the ground. His fangs brush my neck.

"Dead," he says.

"Cheater," I grumble.

"How was I cheating?"

"I-I don't know."

"You were running straight at me, which is about the worst way to attack since I know exactly what you're going to do. Don't ever do that again." Phoenix lets me get back up and says to try again.

"Take him down, Clap!" Dove smiles when Phoenix shoots him a death glare. "Just teasing, Phoenix. No need to get angry."

"Come on. Are you going to attack now or not?"

"Go easy on her, Phoenix. She hasn't ever fought before," Brook juts in.

"Do you think Guard or Soldiers will go easy on her? 'Cus I sure as hell think not."

"D-don't go easy o-on me. I-I-I need t-to learn one way or a-a-another, right?"

"Yeah. But we don't have all day."

Let's do this, Clap. Let's take Phoenix down. I take a deep breath.

I run straight at Phoenix again, and he sighs. When Phoenix lashes out with a forepaw, I jump, sliding under his paw and clambering onto his back. Phoenix pauses for a split second, and I barely have any time to react before the black cat rolls over, pinning me to the ground as he stands up. His fangs brush my neck again.

"Dead," he says.

"I-I-I'm gonna get you next time!" I growl, shaking the dirt and leaves from my fur.

"Uh, huh," Phoenix replies sarcastically.

"I-I will!" I dig my claws into the ground.

"Yeah, right. You've fought twice and lost both times?"

"Wow, Phoenix. Way to go. You've managed to crush her confidence." Dove peels the bark from a stick as he shakes his head.

"What? I'm being honest. Am I supposed to lie?" Phoenix looks genuinely confused.

"No, don't lie. I think you're a good sparring partner but not the best teacher. How about I see if I can teach Clap some things and then she can try them out with you. Does that work?" Dove stands up and brushes the dirt from his pants.

"Fine," Phoenix says reluctantly after a few moments.

"Wonderful. So, Clap. What do you already know?"