one hundred miles an hour...
He couldn't understand what kind of nonsense was going through his former leader's mind in these moments to attack like he did. All because Collision vouched for his own freedom? Did he truly feel betrayed or was it something more? He snorted as they met each other's gaze. The overo looked Cullen up and down, his eyes soft but calculating. "Do you feel guilty for leaving us so long in the Peak? Is that really why you're lashing out at me now? Because I did something about it myself instead of waiting to be saved?" Maybe in a way, it was barbs to go under Cullen's skin, but he was genuinely curious. Even if the palomino decided not to answer with words, his reaction alone would be answer enough.
He kicked out at the older stallion and wasn't surprised to feel the empty whoosh of air meeting his hooves as Cullen dodged. His golden coat was marred with all kinds of scars that told of his battle prowess whereas Collision was never one to start a fight. Didn't mean he was oblivious to bloodshed, however. He turned back to face the stallion, dead set on letting him know he wouldn't run from a fight. He just didn't understand the true motives behind this battle. He had no dog in this fight. He was done with the lagoon, done with Cullen. So why was the lagoon leader so set on running him down? He could only assume his own beaten pride. Maybe too many other followers were turning on him, making him feel less worthy as a leader. Maybe he was trying to pump up his own ego, prove he was still enough.
Sympathy flickered in the black paint's eyes for a moment as he considered the other stallion. The grin on Cullen's face did nothing but bring a harsh snort to his lips, seeing this confrontation was far from over. As Cullen lunged for his shoulder, he lunged as well, his own jaws aiming for the tender spot where shoulder meets neck. He grunted as teeth pinched his own meaty shoulder, breaking skin. That would work later, but he wasn't done. He brought a fore leg up, lashing out at Cullen's chest or legs, trying to give as good as he got. As the stallion moved further along his body, trying to aim more bites, Collision swung his back end into the palomino, aiming to throw him off balance at least throw his bites off their mark.
He squealed as a couple pinched his flesh, snaking his own head lower to aim bites at the stallion's tender underside and armpits. Snorting, he threw his head and swung away from the stallion, only to lift his back end and aim a sideways kick at the lagoon leader. Maybe that would give him more to think about. A single ear flicked back to hear his threat as Collision sidestepped away and turned once more to face him. "It's not my only option, nor will I let it be my choice. You speak of death as if you're not sitting that much closer to it. You have me on experience, but you also have me well over on age. You're no longer a spring chicken, Cullen, and this fight serves you no purpose. Wouldn't you rather come back to your followers fresh and ready to fight rather than worn down and newly marked? Hurting you does nothing for me just as killing me does nothing for you. I am no one of value."