The Plains

Adrenaline has poisoned its veins now that the battle has begun. The shouting of the spectators have become a low drone, humming in the back of Infection's mind as it swallows another gulp of air. The two of them are cantering after having just completed its first round of attacks. Turning its head slightly, it can see Shotgun near its left hip, waiting for an opportune moment to attack. The seconds feel like minutes as everything seems to move in slow motion. Tick... Tock... Tick... Another breath of dust-thickened air. It glances back again for a quick second to see Shotgun somehow manage to align her her nose with its left hip then suddenly angle herself without breaking stride. The mare rises, hurling her forelimbs towards its buttocks. However, even this would take a brief moment or two in order for Shotgun's hooves to rise high enough from a canter to hit the targeted ischium. Seeing as Shotgun "lunged" rather than actually taking the time to rear, it seems more logical that she would most likely hit a point not quite as high, such as the lower thigh or hocks.

In attempt to avoid this attack, Infection immediately swerves to the left while its opponent tries to rise high enough for her target. The result is Shotgun's hooves scraping its hindquarters. Since Infection turned to its left, its hindquarters automatically swung out, but definitely not out of harm's way. By its hindquarters swinging out due to the left turn, it opened them up to be hit, but not a full-on impact because they're almost parallel thanks to Infection's turn.

There isn't any drastic pain, but it can feel the throbbing as blood rushes to nourish the impacted area. By swerving, Infection decides to change direction. Even if it decided to resume the same direction, it would most certainly take Shotgun more than just "one stride" to move father up Infection's body. However, she does make it and immediately readies herself for a buck. Infection follows its instincts, turning toward Shotgun as she unleashes her hindlegs. The reason for this is that by turning toward Shotgun, it forces Infection's hindquarters to swing away from the kick. So instead of feeling both hooves slam directly into its flanks, the hit isn't quite so powerful when the last couple pairs of ribs are hit by one hoof. It hurts as a sharp pain runs through its body. A sudden gasp for air is swallowed but the deathcrawler doesn't stop. Its teeth clench together as its eyes closely watch its opponent. She quickly moves away and takes to the walls of their arena. It smiles then, an unnerving expression as it follows her.

A hungry shark it is - a monster drawn from the shadows by chaos and blood. Its heart hammers against its chest as it charges. The deathcrawler canters, but it melts into a gallop. Long legs eat up the soil beneath it as it runs, its entire body a compact powerhouse. The Mustang blood humming in its veins makes the monster sure-footed, agile, and quick. Its muscles are prepared to make any sudden change in step to make sure it gets where it wants. Shotgun has been following the stone walls of their arena, a mistake now that she won't forget. Infection doesn't give her time to move away from the barrier. Like a cannon, it tries to ram into her barrel by using its chest and point of its right shoulder. By doing this, she will be forced to hit the wall. The power of a 1,100 pound horse's body ramming into her almost at full speed could potentially crack or break ribs on both sides of her since she would be crushed between stone and horse. One of her ribs could puncture an internal organ which would be fatal. The intercostal muscles may very well be damaged, making any sort of movement painful for Shotgun. Breathing, turning, rearing, or anything else will be difficult.

As far as avoidance goes, there isn't much that Shotgun can do. She can either move forward, stop, rear, buck, or move backwards since she has placed herself so close to the wall. No matter which way she goes, however, she will be crushed, in pain, and momentarily knocked out of breath.

Infection moves quickly, tediously stepping and transitioning into its next attack. It turns to the left and lifts its hindlegs to kick. There are only seconds separating the two attacks, giving Shotgun practically no time to react or regain herself. If her breath was knocked out of her, she would still be trying to regain it and unable to move. Unleashing its hind legs, it lashes out for anything, really. There is no time to plan where it wants to hit - it just does it, but Infection is more towards her forehand. A kick is a blind attack since the horse cannot see directly behind them. So in reality, there is not point to make a specific target to aim for - just a general region. That general region for this attack is simply the forehand.

Infection's hooves may hit anywhere ranging from the forearm to the point of her left shoulder to the ribs behind her shoulder. Most of the horse's weight is on their forehand so any amount of injury to it can be drastic. Movement would be hindered and painful as would trying to buck or extending the forelegs during a rear.

It's unlikely that Shotgun would elude this attack since she would still be so close to the wall. There is only forward, backward, or rearing if she was even able to move yet from Infection's previous charge. Rearing would make her lower legs vulnerable which could lead to breaks or tears of ligaments and bone since there is no muscle to protect them. Backing up would possibly result in her neck, head, or shoulder point being hit and forcibly slammed against the stone on the opposite side of her. Lastly, moving forward would just put her ribs back into harm's way which would result in more disastrous damage.

Immediately when Infection's hooves alight back into the hard soil, it pushes off, moving clockwise more in the center of their arena. Its green eyes never waver from her now, waiting for more to come. It can hear the cheers in the distance now, harshly spoken with the blowing of wind. Infection's body is lathered in sweat as adrenaline continues to course through its body. It wants - needs - more. Trotting in different patterns to remain unpredictable, it's sure to keep away from the walls and always keep a close eye on Shotgun.

produce chaos in the culture of the enemy,
eight and moose