//------------------------------// // Chapter 13: Tooth and Claw // Story: The Rainbow and The Tiger // by PantheraMan //------------------------------// The sun shone brightly across the grasslands. The heatwaves beat down on the plains. A white rhinoceros layed down in a pool of mud. Oxpeckers hopped across its skin, one grabbed a tick and swallowed it whole. Not far away, the group was walking under the blazing sun. Talamba was panting, while the girls were sweating. Baagh Raaja looked out to the grasslands, looking at the giraffe standing under the shade of a tree. Sulu only looked ahead, not paying attention to anything around them. In the distance was a series of high hills covered in small acacia trees. On the side of one hill was a cave. Sulu stopped. The rest of the group stopped. Sulu turned his head behind him.  “We’re here.”  He turned back around and kept walking. The group picked up the pace and followed. As they got closer to the cave they began to trot. When climbing the hill, Talamba slipped and fell on his jaw. He slid back down the hill, then growled, got back up, and went back up. Sulu and Night Sky were the first ones to enter the cave, followed by Konda and Partak. Baagh Raaja looked back at the girls, then went on to enter the cave. Upon entering, Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened at the size of the cave’s interior. As they kept walking, a bright, white light began to shine on their faces. Going deeper into the cave, they entered a large chamber, and inside was a shining white stone bigger than an elephant.  Baagh Raaja dropped his jaw. “Whoa.”  “Wow,” Rainbow Dash said, staring at the stone. Applejack and Pinkie Pie walked up and touched it, looking up at the stones’ height.  Night Sky walked up to the stone. “It’s beautiful!” she said, placing a paw on it.  Konda stood next to Partak. “So, this is the stone we’ve come all this way to protect,” he said, taking in the view.  Talamba lifted his paw. “You know, I thought this thing would be smaller, like, the size of my paw smaller,” he said, looking at his paw.  Partak chuckled. “I was thinking the same thing.”  Rainbow Dash looked around, seeing everyone looking at the stone. “Well, here we are, now what?” she asked. Baagh Raaja walked up to her and turned his head back at the stone. “It’s obvious isn’t it? All we have to do is wait for them to come,” he replied Sulu looked at Baagh Raaja and walked up to Rainbow Dash. “Baagh Raaja’s right. Get some rest, regain your strength. Stay in here so you’ll surprise them. I’ll keep watch,” he ordered before running out of the chamber. The big cats and cat-people began to lie down. Talamba, on the other hand, straight up plopped down to the ground. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie sat down.  “How long do you think it’ll be before they get here?” Rainbow Dash asked, making Baagh Raaja prick his ear.  Applejack held her legs in her arms against her chest. “Ah don’t know. I actually hope it takes a while.”  Rainbow Dash raised a brow. “Why?”  Applejack placed a hand on the ground. “Rainbow Dash, this isn’t like the other times we’ve faced danger, this is basically a war. We could easily all die in this.”  Pinkie Pie moved closer to Rainbow Dash. “She’s right, Rainbow, it’s not guaranteed we’ll survive.”  Baagh Raaja got up and walked over to the girls. “Exactly. Speaking of which, we need a battle plan,” he said, catching the attention of Partak who immediately got up and walked to him.  “A plan? Do you have one in mind?” he asked. Baagh Raaja nodded. “I think I might. Everyone, huddle,” he replied, getting everyone’s attention and making them gather around him.  “Here’s what we’re gonna do,” Baagh Raaja said. “Night Sky and I will be in the very front. Partak, Konda, you and the other tigers and smilodons are the biggest and most powerful, you’ll be able to take out more Danger Beasts so you guys will be behind us.” Partak nodded. “I agree with that.”  “Will do.” Konda replied. Baagh Raaja turned to Talamba. “Talamba, you and your lionesses along with the cat-people are smaller so you’ll be behind them.”  Talamba snarled. “Are you trying to say I’m weak?” he asked. Baagh Raaja rolled his eyes. “No, I’m saying the bigger guys can give you a head start.”  Applejack moved closer to Baagh Raaja. “What about us?”  Baagh Raaja stared back at her. “Applejack, you’ll be with the tigers and smilodons due to your strength. Rainbow Dash will be in the air, dashing like crazy if needed. Pinkie, you do whatever you think of doing,” he ordered Pinkie Pie blinked. “Uh, okay.”  Rainbow Dash grabbed her geode and her wings appeared, and she began to hover. “Then we can charge into battle!”  “No, we can’t.” Baagh Raaja replied. Rainbow Dash looked down at Baagh Raaja. “What? Why not?” she asked. Baagh Raaja moved to the center of the circle. “We don’t have a lot of endurance. Instead of running straight at the enemy, we’ll trot to them to save energy. We’ll let them sprint towards us so they will use more energy,” he answered  Sulu returned to the chamber, running at full speed. “They’re coming! They’re coming, get ready!” he ordered.  Rainbow Dash flew out, as the rest of the group walked to the cave’s entrance. They lowered themselves at the mouth of the cave and in the front, Night Sky and Baagh Raaja watched as the Danger Beasts were moving in on the hills. In the front were Bloody Knife and Amber Eye who had a smirk on her face. Baagh Raaja growled deeply at the sight of the traitor leading the Danger Beasts. They got almost close to the base of the hills. Amber Eye inhaled and exhaled. “Well boys, we’re here.” she said, making the gang grin and cheer.  Baagh Raaja left his hiding spot and stood at the mouth of the cave. “And let us stop you right there,” he said.  Amber Eye saw him standing at the cave. He began to move forward. Rainbow Dash flew past him. Night Sky and the others came behind him. They walked back to the base of the hill. Right behind Baagh Raaja and Night Sky the tigers and smilodons stood with Appeljack. The lions and cat-people stood behind them with Talamba in the middle.  Amber Eye struck the ground. “Oh you’ve got to be kidding me.”  Night Sky looked at Amber Eye. “Sister, I gave you a chance to live your life, and this is what you do with it?” she asked.  Amber Eye rolled her eyes. “Spare me that type of talk. I no longer take orders from you, I do as I please,” she snarled. Night Sky stood firm. “Amber Eye, you’ve already taken one life, how many more do you need to take?” she asked, echoing across the field. Amber Eye smirked. “One life?...about that sister, do you remember when I ran away for a while?” she said, walking back and forth. Night Sky raised a brow. “Y-Yes, but what does that have to-” she stopped for a moment, then stared at her sister who was still pacing. “Amber Eye...you...you…”  Amber Eye stopped pacing. “That’s right, sister, I’m the one responsible for our parents’ death. When I ran away, I ended up meeting Bladed Claw outside of this place. I told him everything about us, and our home, including the Mookarina Stone,” she announced, stomping a paw to the ground.  The other cat-people roared and growled, unsheathing their claws and raising the fur on their backs and necks as their pupils narrowed. The lions got in front of them, making them stay where they were.  Night Sky growled deeply. “So you’re how they knew about the stone!?”  Baagh Raaja turned his head to Night Sky. “Well she told him about my brother and I, why should we be surprised?” he asked.  Amber Eye stared intensely at Night Sky. “I told him about how one got leadership, that the chosen cub is the heir. You were chosen by our parents. Bladed Claw had me return home, but he gave me poison that I put into the waterhole made by the adults and, well, you know,” she said before looking at Bloody Knife who got closer to her.  Konda twitched an eyelid. “Good grief, so even as a kid you were dangerous?” he asked. Amber Eye went back to pacing. “With our parents out of the way, you were in charge and chose Wildfire as second in command. I did not challenge you right away because he told me he would return when he had people with magical powers whose blood would activate the stone’s ancient power. He said with his help, I’d eliminate both you and Wildfire,.” she said, making the Danger Beasts chuckle. Night Sky’s pupils narrowed. “I’ve had enough of this,” she said before Baagh Raaja placed a forelimb in front of her.  “Not yet,” he said, making her stay in place. Night Sky took a deep breath before stepping back.  “When you two were gone, I’d take over, and I’d have our clan join forces with this gang, and we’d all have the stone’s power.” Amber Eye said, making the cat-people roar even louder than before.  Night Sky could only growl. “Our clan has too much honor to do that sister.”  Amber Eye stopped pacing once again. “I used to disagree, but I see now you’re right on that. Oh well, I don’t need them.”  Bloody Knife smiled. “That’s right boss, you’ve got us,” he said. Baagh Raaja took one step forward. “Amber Eye, this is your last chance to turn back.” he said, catching her by surprise.  Amber Eye only hissed. “Oh, I don’t think so.” She roared and sprinted towards Baagh Raaja and Night Sky. The Danger Beasts charged right behind her, with Bloody Knife sprinting to his top speed. The tigers, smilodons, lions, and cat-people didn’t move. They growled and hissed. Applejack and Pinkie Pie looked at each other and nodded. They both made their hands into fists as the big cats lowered their bodies, ready to spring at the order. Night Sky was about to charge when Baagh Raaja once again blocked her. “Hold your ground,” he ordered, this time though, the cat-girl growled.  The Danger Beasts were getting closer. Amber Eye raised an eyebrow at the fact that her enemies weren’t charging. She grinned, and her pupils narrowed. “What’s the matter? Too afraid to charge?” she asked.  Baagh Raaja looked at Night Sky, then behind him. He stared at their enemies and finally, he let out his roar that echoed across the savanna. He and Night Sky began to trot. The rest of them started to trot, roaring as loud as possible. Rainbow Dash watched from above, looking on as she began to feel as if she was watching a movie.  Baagh Raaja slammed into a yellow Danger Beast, pinning him on his back. The Danger Beast threw him off, making him fall on his side, but instead of lying there for a moment he shot himself back up and slashed the Danger Beasts face, taking out one of his eyes, making it roar in pain. The Danger Beast suddenly felt a sharp pain in his neck and much more weight on him forcing him on the ground as Baagh Raaja sank his canines into the back of his neck. The Danger Beast pierced into his shoulder with his hind claws but to no avail as Baagh Raaja tightened his grip before hearing the bones snap. The Danger Beasts eyes were starting to lose their light and he stopped kicking Baagh Raaja. He released his grip and heard the head hitting the ground before running towards another Danger Beast.  Night Sky collided with a blue danger beast, both of them swatted at one another before Night Sky shoved him on his side. The Danger Beast kicked her face with his hind paws before throwing himself on her back and biting into her neck, making her yowl. She shook from side to side but failed to throw him off, leading her to bite one of his hind legs. The Danger Beast screamed before Night Sky slammed him into the ground, forcing him off of her. The Danger Beast growled before something pierced his throat. Looking down, he saw Night Sky with her jaws clamped around his throat. He slashed her back and kicked her belly, but Night Sky refused to let go as he gasped for air. His breathing started to slow down, and finally, he qut breathing altogether. Night Sky let go of him, allowing his body to lay in place as sh ran deeper into the battle.  Partak pinned a Danger Beast to the ground before feeling lots of weight on him. Looking back, he saw another Danger Beast had leapt onto his back. Partak twirled around, throwing him off. The other Danger Beast got up. Partak stared down the two Danger Beasts, growling at them until one of them lunged. Partak struck its face. The other one charged at him and the smilodon struck his neck, knocking him off balance. Partak felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck but rather than looking behind him, he roared, “Get off me!” and threw the Danger Beast off. Partak struck his neck and he could hear the sounds of bones breaking. Victorious, Partak turned around and chased the other Danger Beast. Another Danger Beast watched the chase. He growled and gave chase. He felt something pull on his tail, and he couldn’t run further. “Oh no ya don’t!” Applejack said before hurling the Danger Beast to the side. The Danger Beast got back up as Applejack clenched her fists.  The Danger Beast hissed. He unsheathed his claws. “Why you little-” The Danger Beast felt something on his back. Immediately something sharp was in his neck. Talamba had his jaws clamped on his thoat. His claws were on the Danger Beast’s chest. Applejack heard the Danger Beast rasping for air. The light in the Danger Beasts eyes disappeared. Talamba let go, and could taste the blood. Applejack and Talamba saw Night Sky on the back of a Danger Beast and ran after her.  A Danger Beast saw them running towards the fighting pair. He started to chase after them. Konda jumped in his way. The two growled. “Yeah, I don’t think so, twerp,” Konda said, walking up to the Danger Beast.  The Danger Beast snarled. “Fine. I’ll just have to deal with you first!!” They reared up and the Danger Beast struck Konda’s face. Konda struck his snout, leaving a pair of gashes on it. The Danger Beast clawed his shoulder and Konda struck his head in return, knocking him off balance. Konda pinned him on his side, but the Danger Beast clawed into his side, making him roar. Konda was pinned on his back, but he bit the Danger Beast’s shoulder and kicked his head with his hind claws and paws. The Danger Beast hissed and tried biting Konda’s feet, however, Konda got back up with the Danger Beast’s shoulder in his mouth and threw him. The Danger Beast got back up and  took deep breaths. Konda, tasting blood, grinned. “Tougher than I thought you were,” he said, walking up to the Danger Beast.  The Danger Beast grinned “Good!” he said before lunging at Konda. Konda blocked him with a paw swipe before the Danger Beast struck his snout. Konda clawed his eye. The Danger Beast roared. Konda pinned the Danger Beast, placing his paw on his head.  Konda looked down on the Danger Beast “But I’m afraid you’ll just be on the death toll,” he said before sinking his fangs into the Danger Beasts throat. He kicked the tiger’s side. Konda heard him gasp for air. He held on tighter. The Danger Beast’s breathing slowed down. He was silent. Konda released his grip and left the body.  Rainbow Dash looked on, seeing the blood spill. She spotted a pair of Danger Beasts in front of a pair of cages. In one was Twilight and Spike, and in the other was Fluttershy. The two Danger Beasts were clashing with a pair of cat-boys. One of them was struggling. “Time for a sonic rainboom!” she said, going high up into the air, reaching maximum velocity. Suddenly she made the boom. She turned around and dove towards the Danger Beast. The Danger Beast pinned the cat-boy. Rainbow Dash slammed into him. The cat-boy got up and ran into the battle. The Danger Beast ran off into the savanna.  Rainbow Dash jumped with a hand raised into a fist. “Aw yeah!!” She turned around and ran to Twilight’s cage. “Twilight!”  Twilight smiled. “Rainbow Dash! Oh thank goodness you’re alright!” she said, wiggling towards the door. Rainbow Dash grabbed a rock and smashed the lock until it came loose.  Spike ran out of the cage. “Finally!” he said, jumping around outside.  Rainbow Dash turned and saw Fluttershy with her mouth covered in rope. “Fluttershy!” She grabbed a cage bar and held the rock. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you outta here.” Rainbow Dash smashed the rock against the lock. However, a Danger Beast saw her smashing the lock and he charged at her.  Twilight’s eyes widened. “Rainbow, look out!!” she said. Rainbow Dash turned around and saw the Danger Beast charging at her. She lifted her wings, about to take off. But in what seemed like a split second, Baagh Raaja collided into the Danger Beast. He grabbed the Danger Beast by the back of the neck. They heard the neck snap. Baagh Raaja dropped the Danger Beast.  Spike looked as though he was about to throw up.  “Oh my gosh.”  Baagh Raaja looked at Rainbow Dash and nodded. He charged back into the crowd and rammed into another Danger Beast. Rainbow Dash smashed the lock again and again, destroying it. She opened the cage and grabbed Fluttershy. She looked around, but didn’t find anything to cut the ropes. Pinkie Pie dashed in and hugged Twilight and Fluttershy.  She looked at the ropes and grinned. “Don’t worry, girls! Pinkie’s come to the rescue!” Pinkie Pie grabbed her hair and started to pat it repeatedly. She grabbed the rock from Rainbow Dash’s hand and rubbed down her hair. She tossed the rock and her hair gleamed in the sunlight. In a single motion she cut Twilight’s ropes and in another, the ropes around Fluttershy’s body. Fluttershy grabbed the rope in her mouth and pulled it off her head. She immediately hugged Rainbow Dash, to the point where she turned bluer than normal. She let go of Rainbow Dash, then looked at the fight. They heard the roars, growls, and yowls of the felines.  Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight. “Care to give us a hand?” she asked. Twilight began to laugh maniacally. “Don’t mind if I do!” she said with crazy eyes. Purple auras began to form around her hands, and she levitated five Danger Beasts and smashed them to the ground repeatedly while laughing even louder.  Rainbow Dash took off from the ground. “Let's do this!!” she said before dashing into the battle. Fluttershy grabbed Spike and ran to the nearest tree and climbed up it as quick as a baboon.  Baagh Raaja struck the jaw of a Danger Beast, he could feel the wet blood on his paw, he heard the jaw crack as the Danger Beast screamed. Clamping down on his throat, he could taste the blood that was warm. The Danger Beast made no effort to fight back. His breathing stopped. Baagh Raaja dropped the Danger Beast. Baagh Raaja twitched his ear, a scream had come. Looking behind himself, he saw the cat-girl he walked with with a Danger Beast. Her leg was in the Danger Beast’s mouth. “I need to get to her!” he thought before charging at the Danger Beast. The cat-girl bit the Danger Beast’s neck. She hung on tightly. He shook rapidly. She dug into his shoulder. He threw her off. He struck. Baagh Raaja stopped in his tracks.  The cat-girl felt something dripping from her neck.  She smelled blood.  Her blood.  She collapsed.  Her throat was slit.  The fire inside Baagh Raaja reawakened. He charged again. The Danger Beast stepped on her shoulder. Before he could finish her, Baagh Raaja slammed into him. Baagh Raaja grabbed the Danger Beast by the neck. He slammed him to  the ground. The cat-girl heard a cracking sound.  Baagh Raaja sank his canines into the Danger Beasts skull.  He dropped the Danger Beast, and trotted to the cat-girl.  Baagh Raaja felt something wet. He looked down, and saw her blood on his paw. The cat-girl looked up at him and placed a paw on his chest. She smiled “Go get 'em big guy...go…” Her paw dropped. The light in her eyes was fading. Baagh Raaja closed his eyes for a second. He growled, and charged back into the fight.  Twilight was still smashing a few Danger Beasts to the ground. In the grass however, Bloody Knife moved slowly behind her. His body was low to the ground. When he got just a few feet from her, he moved his shoulders, ready to strike. He twitched his ear, sensing someone running towards him. Sulu rammed into his side. Both rolled in a ball. Bloody Knife threw Sulu off of him. Sulu got back up, growling. Bloody Knife snarled “Get outta my way sabertooth!”  “I will not allow you to use her blood for the stone!” Sulu said before lunging. Bloody Knife dodged. He struck Sulu’s head. Sulu clawed his neck. Both struck at each other’s heads and chests. Bloody Knife flipped Sulu on his back and Sulu kicked his face and his claws raked flesh. Bloody Knife roared, giving Sulu time to flip Bloody Knife over. Bloody Knife put his paws on Sulu’s head. He kicked his head, but Sulu struck his legs. Bloody Knife bit his leg, causing Sulu to yowl before Bloody Knife dragged him onto his side and pinned him. “I’ve had to deal with humans like you, always getting in the way,” he hissed, looking into the dinofelis’s eyes.  Sulu let out a deep growl. “We cannot let you break the ancient laws created by the great Karu,” he replied.  Bloody Knife rolled his eyes. “Do you really think we care?” he asked. Sulu narrowed his eyes.“I don’t. It was your kind who fought for Tarak eons ago,” He kicked in Bloody Knife’s side. Bloody Knife struck his legs. Sulu pinned Bloody Knife.He put his paw on his head, and another on his shoulder. Bloody Knife kicked his side.  “And it’s why we fight today in the second battle for the Mookarina Stone!” Sulu said before biting into Bloody Knife’s throat. The sharp pain entered his neck. Sulu held on. Soon, he stopped breathing. Sulu released his grip. Blood oozed from Bloody Knife’s neck. Sulu panted.  Applejack twirled a Danger Beast in the air. “Ha! So far, so good.” she said before tossing him into a tree. Applejack screamed as a sharp, sudden pain entered her side. A Danger Beast had bitten her.  Rainbow Dash and Twilight turned their heads, and saw the Danger Beast bite her arm. “Applejack!” Rainbow Dash said. The Danger Beast shook her in his jaws. He bit her other arm. Something inside Rainbow Dash snapped. She clenched her fists. Twilight saw a blue aura form around her.  “Rainbow Dash?” Twilight said, watching fur grow from Rainbow’s back. Suddenly, she roared. She dashed towards the Danger Beast. Rainbow Dash slammed into him, biting into his neck.  Applejack looked up and saw Rainbow Dash. Her eyes got larger, she gasped. Rainbow Dash was in tiger form. She heard the neck snap. River Sand arrived next to Applejack. She lifted her on her back and carried her to the cave.  Rainbow Dash looked around. She saw a Danger Beast standing over a dead lioness. She dashed at him, slammed into a rolling ball.  Talamba looked at Rainbow Dash with a raised brow. “Huh?”  Spike’s jaw dropped. “What just...happened?” he asked. Twilight was still for a moment. “...Since when could she do that!?” she asked, flailing her arms.  Pinkie Pie zoomed next to her. “I’ll explain later,” she answered before zooming back into the battle.  Baagh Raaja looked around, and saw Rainbow Dash pin the Danger Beast down and clamp down on his throat. He looked on with a smile. “Well, that happened. Finally.”  “Yes it did,” Sulu said, running next to him.  Night Sky slit a Danger Beast's throat. She watched as the life in his eyes went away. She started breathing rapidly.  “Tired, sister?”  She turned around and saw Amber Eye smiling, walking up to her. Her claws were unsheathed, and her pupils narrowed.  Night Sky stood tall, unsheathing her claws. “If I’m to die today, then so be it.” she said, roaring. Amber Eye was unfazed. “Oh goodie, and Wildfire’s not here to back you up,.” she said before striking Night Sky’s face. Amber Eye held her down with one paw.  “You and Wildfire were always mother and father’s favorites!” Amber Eye snarled before sinking her claws into Night Sky’s side. She bit Night Sky’s neck, and slammed her to the ground. She struck Night Sky’s face, back, side, and shoulder.  Night Sky coughed up blood. “They never paid attention to me because I was different.” Amber Eye said, striking her face again. Amber Eye put her paw on her neck, and looked into her eyes.  Amber Eye growled. “Their love was all on you. And I’ve hated the both of you for it,.” she bit into her leg. Night Sky screamed.  Baagh Raaja twitched his ear. He saw Amber Eye biting Night Sky. “Night Sky!” Baagh Raaja said before sprinting towards Amber Eye.  She let go of Night Sky. Her sister coughed up even more blood. She began to breathe heavily. She looked at her sister. Amber Eye once again pinned her. “Then why haven’t you killed me already?” she croaked. “Because I only get to kill you once.” Amber Eye lowered herself to Night Sky’s neck. She felt something crash into her. It knocked her off of Night Sky. She got up and saw Baagh Raaja standing over Night Sky. He growled, his neck fur was raised. Night Sky looked up and smiled.  Baagh Raaja walked closer to Amber Eye. “So, it’s all come to this,.” he hissed. Amber Eye’s pupils narrowed again. “So it has.” She began walking, both were now circling each other.  “Where’s Bladed Claw?” Baagh Raaja asked. Amber Eye growled. “The gang killed him. So you can’t get your revenge.,” she said, snarling at him. Baagh Raaja gave a deep growl. He stared at Amber Eye.  “Actually, I can,” he said, keeping his eye on the cat-girl Amber Eye froze. Her pupils widened, and she lowered herself slightly and hissed. “What’s wrong? Don’t have it in you to fight?” Baagh Raaja asked, moving towards her.  Amber Eye’s pupils narrowed again, and she growled deeply. “I will not lose my chance to gain the stone’s power!” she roared, and lunged at him.  Baagh Raaja blocked her swipe before they reared up. Baagh Raaja struck her face, making Amber Eye hiss before striking his nose, leaving a small gash. Baagh Raaja struck her head, growling, Amber Eye clawed his shoulder, making Baagh Raaja roar from the pain. He slammed her down on her side and she kicked his side rapidly. Amber Eye also dug her claws in his back, making him try biting her hind paws, giving her time to roll onto him. Baagh Raaja threw her off him, and when they got back up they reared up again. Baagh Raaja clawed her side, making her growl and strike his head. Baagh Raaja pushed her back and struck her face, Amber Eye roared and slashed at his snout, making another gash. Baagh Raaja snarled and dug his claws into her shoulder. Night Sky watched the battle. She tried to get up, but she fell down. “Night Sky!” River Sand ran to her, and dragged her on her back.  “River Sand…” Night Sky said, trying to watch the fight longer.  Night Sky attempted to get off her, River Sand looked at her in the eye. “C’mon let’s go!” she said before heading to the cave.  Baagh Raaja bit into Amber Eye’s paw. She yowled as her bones were crushed. Amber Eye dug her claws into his neck. Baagh Raaja threw her to the ground. He pinned her. He struck her head. Amber Eye felt pressure on her throat. Baagh Raaja had put his paw on it. He looked into her eyes, growling. Amber Eye kicked his stomach. Baagh Raaja didn’t move, and kept staring in her eyes.  She raised a brow. “What are you doing?” she asked, rasping. Baagh Raaja removed his paw. “I only get to kill you once.” He clamped onto her throat. She started gasping for air. She kicked him even harder. Baagh Raaja maintained his grip. Blood began coming out of her mouth. She tried clawing on his shoulder. Baagh Raaja strengthened his grip. Her kicking began to slow down. The light in her eyes was fading. Soon, she stopped moving altogether.  Baagh Raaja let go of her. Her head plopped to the ground. He began breathing lightly. He looked around, and saw the surviving Danger Beasts fleeing with the tigers, lions, cat-people, and smilodons chasing them for a short distance. Rainbow Dash ran a bit farther than the rest. One of the Danger Beasts, a blue one, looked back. He growled before running off.  Everyone was quiet. They looked at each other, chuckled a little, then they all roared together.  Baagh Raaja looked down at Amber Eye, then he gave a roar, one that was heard for miles.