G3 Mal

Mal woke from a really good dream, drenched in moisture from the humidity created by the recent rains and the dampness of the cave, it's still dark outside.
She trembles as she stretches and quietly pads out of the cave to relieve herself.

Peering out and looking at the pride lands sprawling out before her, Mal takes in the sights and smells drifting towards her in the now gentle breeze. The full moon looks unusually large in the reflections of the puddles and rain drenched savannah.

Mal quietly walks down the now slippery game trail, trying to figure out what woke her from her sleep. Suddenly she hears the unmistakable roar of Ravenmoon. She takes off into a sprint trying to find him, her nose not finding his scent because of the rain, she listens intensely trying to get to him to help him.

Suddenly from her left, a ear shattering roar stops her in her tracks.. she slinks towards the challengers noise, ensuring that she is hidden and unoticed.

The wind picks up, raging around the two massive male lions, too focused on what they were doing to take notice of Mal.

"Look Sabino, I don't have any spare lionesses, all but two of my hunters were killed off, the brood mothers are disfigured and disabled, I just need to borrow five of your girls until the cubs are weaned, then we can trade adolescents to ensure the survival and strength of both prides I need your help adopted brother."

Mal hunkers down to listen to the conversation between both pride kings.
"This is highly unusual and super juicy gossip for tomorrow's training." Mal whispers to herself.

"Adopted brother or not, I refuse to let you mate with my huntress's, you need to find your own ladies to replace the ones you lost, or fight me for my pride and lands." Sabino roars out challenging Ravenmoon to a fight to the death, knowing that if he wins, he will claim Ravenmoon's pride lands that border his own..

Mal tenses, seeing the reality of the decision her King must make. Mal sneezed without warning which alerted the rival kings to her presence. "What are you doing here?" Ravenmoon snarls at Mal with tension and fear in his eyes for her safety. "I heard you arguing and came to see if you needed help." Mal mewled to Ravenmoon.

"How much have you heard? How long have you been hiding there in the bushes? " Sabino snorted out each syllable like each word offended his senses.
"But my, you are a very pretty lioness in training." Sabino chuffed in a low, rolling rumble.

"I know enough to know exactly what you are up to!" Mal quipped back unable to hide her disgust and dislike for Sabino. Looking to Ravenmoon, she quietly asks" are you really going to risk us all to the fangs of this king? You know he will kill your cubs and brood mothers like Broody right? At most, 3 of your pride will survive and either assimilate into his pride or be chased from our pride lands as pariahs. Please think of this before deciding our fates and your death my king."

Ravenmoon snarls at the insolence of Mal, but winks at her soon after to let her know that he has things under control. "Go back to the cave and cower like the child that you are!" Sabino chides Mal "I will be looking forward to killing you slowly after forcing you to watch me kill the others of your tiny pride!!" Sabino watches Mal run off toward the cave, noting the direction she goes so as to know where Ravenmoon's pride cave is located.

Ravenmoon roars and spits at Sabino, knowing that he now has no other choice than to fight. Meanwhile Mal has circled back and crouches on her belly, tensed and ready to strike from Sabinos blind side. The massive lions circle each other, taking measure of each others weaknesses.. suddenly a lightning bolt strikes a salt bush, catching it on fire as the two lions lunge at each other.

The fight starts out like most other fights, a show of fangs and claws, biting and scratching.. suddenly Ravenmoon drops down to rest, giving Mal a chance to move closer to the fight, the glare of the fire that is now spreading through the lovegrass and salt bushes, gives Mal the advantage of moving as close as possible without being seen.

Thunder shakes the ground and rain begins to pour torrentially on the entirety of the lands as far as the eyes can see. Sabino grabs Ravenmoon and tries to strangle him, but Ravenmoon counters the attack by biting Sabino in his good eye. Ravenmoon grabs Sabino and pounds him, with several kicks and clawing at every patch of fur he could.. suddenly Sabino slides out of Ravenmoon's grasp and counter attacks.

Mal watches the horrific battle in awe and with a healthy amount of fear, her limbs start to cramp as she continues to crouch, her muscles tensed for the attack she is about to do, she waits patiently for the right moment, knowing she won't survive, but understands that her sacrifice will ensure the survival of her pride .

Suddenly another flash of lightning and loud rumble of thunder gives her the chance she was waiting for. Without hesitation, Mal lunges forward and onto Sabinos back, she kicks and claws and bites like the hel cat she is, Sabino roars in pain and anger as he swipes a claw at his new attacker's face, feeling the hot blood run through his claws, he takes another swipe but is knocked back by Ravenmoon, who rushes in to save Mal from Sabinos savagery .

Sabino screams in agony as Mal grabs a burning branch in her teeth, her vision is different, she has tunnel vision and blurred vision, but she takes a swing at the same time that Ravenmoon attacks, Mal drops to the ground and passes out from the pain and loss of blood.. and her vision making her dizzy..

The battle ended, Sabino laid in a pool of his own blood and mud and water, while the flaming stick continued to burn in his eye socket.. Mal had unknowingly pierced Sabinos brain with a burning branch while Ravenmoon ripped out Sabinos heart.

Mal mewled in agony as she regained consciousness and found herself in the cave, covered in cubs and hides and a massive white lion's pelt. She moves ever do gingerly, too frightened to open her eyes because of the immense amount of pain and pressure, but she had to see where she was, who won the fight? She sniffed deeply and confirmed that all of the pride was present.

Ravenmoon heard Mals mewling and carefully walked into the cave, he cautiously approached Mal. "Lay still and rest young one.. you have plenty of time to recover, your right eye will never see again, but I hear that you can get used to seeing with one eye." He paused for a moment, before continuing. " I have chosen my queen, but I owe you my life, I have spoken to her and she agrees." Ravenmoon paused again, Mal can tell he is struggling with the words he needs to say, Fear struck Mal in her heart and she hastily said "PLEASE don't make me a broodmother or banish me for not following orders!!" The sudden outburst took Ravenmoon by surprise. "No, you are not banished..... and no, you will NEVER be a broodmother... YOU will be my 2nd in command and lead huntress.. you will have to get used to having one eye, but I don't think that you will struggle too much, you are too strong willed and have shown great skill in strategy.

Mal cried over her bittersweet victory, she cried in joy that she saved both prides from the cruel reign of Sabino, and she cried with pride that her sacrifice saved the lives of so many. Mal was eager to meet her new clan mates and looked forward to leading the hunt. (Truth be told, that was her dream from the start)