Oscar wanders through the tangle of giant trees, his small hooves carefully picking their way over the roots. The herd is not too far behind; Kyren and Rann were rubbing their antlers on everything while Taiga had peeled off to go hunting. He just wanted to find a clearing to bask in the warm sunlight since the small ass knows winter is around the corner. Nugget sits on his rump, eyeing the huge trunks that the walk by. When the donkey finally spots a clearing bathed in sunshine, he eagerly makes his way toward it. Once there, Nugget immediately fluffs his feathers out and stretches each wing, soaking in the warmth for the coming cold months. Meanwhile, Oscar lifts his head up and allows his long ears to droop backwards as he relaxes as his eyes close.

Nostrils flare as he takes in a deep breath, enjoying the peaceful moment. Suddenly, a sound catches the grumpy donkey’s attention and his eyes snap open. It is small, the sound of a breaking branch under large paws that he could have easily missed, if not for his long ears. They immediately stand up, swiveling to find the source of the sound. He holds his breath, putting all his effort into hearing the softest of sounds. Another twig snaps and Oscar is off, racing toward the noise. Whatever it is, is large and heading toward the herd. He knows it isn’t Taiga, she had gone in a different direction. The need to protect Kyren and Rann overwhelms him as Oscar rushes onward and the sight of a big tiger’s butt soon comes into view. He rushes toward it, braying loudly to make it stop tracking his family.

The tiger swings toward, claws slashing through the air toward the donkey. Oscar pivots, presenting his shoulder to absorb the hit instead of his face. Sharp claws cut bloody furrows into the ass’s shoulder and he brays again, trying to make the tiger follow him. Nugget repositions himself, coming to rest between Oscar’s shoulder blades as the donkey spins and runs away. The tiger smells blood and an easy kill so it follows the wounded donkey. Pain sears along damaged nerve ends as he runs but he refuses to slow down due to the injury. Weakness means death and Oscar has to live long enough to allow his herd some time to escape. Zig-zagging through the maze of roots, blood flows freely from the cuts scenting the air for any nearby predators. Hooves thunder across the ground as he pushes himself onward, working to stay alive for a while longer.

"Oscar Monaghan" | "Nugget"

Yes, Taiga had gone off in the opposite direction but she hadn't gone all that far. The massive feline had stopped off at a nearby stream to drink her fill when the panicked braying of Oscar echoed through the tall trees. The big cats head shot up, sending a spray of water out into the stream, creating many little ripples as the droplets touched down. Before they had even run their course, the lioness was running.

Giant paws thundered through the trees, utilizing the many branching paths to lead her in the direction where she believed that the sound had come from. Thankfully, or maybe not so thankfully, another panicked bray rent the air. Sides heaving, the behemoth of a lioness continued her course, breaking through a line of smaller trees just in time to see Oscar fleeing a predator. The little donkey was running right for her and she could see the blood streaming from his shoulder. Rage filled the feline's ruby gaze and she acted on instinct.

Rushing out of the foliage, Taiga intercepted the tiger. It was a mighty big tiger too. Similar to her in size, it would no doubt be a little tricky to bring the other cat to heel. She would do it though for the sake of her herd. The tiger wasn't expecting a cat to come to the donkey's rescue, but faltered for only a moment. That was enough for Taiga to launch herself at it, claws biting into its flesh as her jaws opened wide. The felines bit at one another's muzzles for a moment before pushing off and parting. Taiga snarled, lips drawing back from teeth that were significantly larger than those of the tiger. The pair circled and she waited for the tiger to attack.

"Taiga"

Fear causes Oscar’s heart to thud painfully in his chest as he runs. The stinging in his shoulder goes numb as his fight or flight instincts kick in, pumping adrenaline in his system to help him survive. He runs for all he is worth, small legs stretching to their limit as he continues to run and run… and run. The large form of Taiga appears from a small line of trees and the small ass cries out in relief even as he rushes straight for her. Mind latches on making to her; she can help; she won’t eat him. As he runs toward the huge feline, the donkey watches the rage that fills Tagia gaze and a small seed of guilt is planted in him.

She moves, intercepting the tiger and allowing the injured ass a moment to retreat. He doesn’t go far before spinning to face the felines. They claw and bite at each other as Oscar hides behind a trunk to lower his head and catch his breath. The muscles in his injured shoulder begin twitching, sending small sparks of pain to his brain. He peeks out to watch as the tiger and Tagia circle each and, when the attacking tiger has it back to Oscar, he leaves his spot of safety.

The donkey races toward the cat’s butt, mouth opening so his flat teeth can clamp onto orange and black striped tail. A yowl is his reward as the cat turns to swipe at him. He is already retreating, small tail tucked to protect the important parts, when he feels another small flash of pain. Claws catch his rump and he brays out in pain as his body acts on instinct. He bunny hops forward and kicks his back end up to bring his hooves up under the attacker’s jaw. He feels a solid connection but doesn’t stop to look, instead moving behind the large tree to wait out the fight… or to wait until he saw another opening.


"Oscar Monaghan" | "Nugget"

The tiger rushed the lioness, trying to get past her to reach the little donkey but that just wasn't in the cards. Taiga lunged, her whole body leaving the ground as she slammed hard into the striped beasts side. Jaws clamped around the tiger's neck and shoulder, biting in hard enough that blood filled her mouth. The tiger spun as much as it could, kicking and scratching, its claws lodging in the grey and white feline's skin. Taiga snarled and her own claws sank deeper into the striped pelt. The pair of cats kicked and bit at one another. Fur flew and dust rose into the air. The woods were filled with roars and snarls. One of them was going to die and it wasn't going to be Taiga.

"Taiga"

Oscar watches from behind one of the broad tree trunks as the large cat fights Taiga. Pain flares along his shoulder where the tiger’s claws had cut deeply and the muscles there involuntarily twitch. Fur flies and he watches with worry as he sees patches of white and black mixed in with orange and black. Braying out loudly, the donkey once again rushes into the fray. Flat teeth snap at the tiger’s backside before he forced to retreat away, claws and teeth flashing as the cats roll around. Eyes find the tiger’s striped tail and a new plan takes shape in the donkey’s mind. Keeping a safe distance, Oscar waits until the orange and black tail is flat on the ground before he rushes in. Small hooves draw him closer and he rears up a bit before bring his hooves down on the tiger’s tail… hard. A yowl of pain and hiss of anger follows the retreating form of the ass as the he hopes Taiga doesn’t need any more help.

"Oscar Monaghan" | "Nugget"

The felines fought with fur and blood flying. Teeth sank into her shoulder and Taiga roared, planting her hind paws in the other cats belly, kicking hard with razor sharp claws. The stomp of Oscars hooves on the cats tail prompted the feline to release its teeth from Taiga's shoulder. The lioness sank her own teeth into the neck of the other predator and, planting her paws on the ground, used the powerful muscles of her neck to fling the tiger and send it flying through the air. The tiger crashed into one of the large trees with a grunt. It then tucked its tail between its legs and ran as far and fast as its paws could take it.

"Taiga"