All patched up and ready to go, Xund seemed even more reluctant to fight than before. Cyizo saw this and set up a little training course for the prinil to use. It was nothing more than a few boulders set up on small hills that the Geperna would push toward Xund, but it was practice. And it seemed to do Xund some good, he became a little more offensive. Anything was better than simply sitting there and taking what your opponent dished out. So Cyizo and Xund trained for a half-day on his little make-shift course, then they set back out into the desert for a fresh start.

Soon enough the prinil came across something... though it wasn't one of the destructive pests but some kind of local fauna. He still attacked, charging with his curved horns. The creature took off with a frightened screech. Good job Xund! Just keep that same attitude for when we come across one of your kin and we'll be in business! The prinil was immensely pleased with himself, beaming in an expressionless sort of way.

Cyizo spotted their next opponent before Xund did, sharp blue eyes scanning the horizion frequently. Flickers of movement and a shriek of almost childlike laughter drew his attention to a hollow in the distance where some kind of creature was dancing about in a curious fashion. Xund gave a bovine roar, stamping his feet and scraping the ground with a claw. He was clearly ready to go. The creature in the distance froze in it's cavorting, then suddenly zoomed toward them at a remarkable rate of speed. It stopped a dozen feet away, flaring it's vibrantly orange-webbed and blue-feathered wings.

"Halt! You are about to cross into my territory! If you set one more paw forward, I will have to defend it!" The creature's voice was far louder than was necessary. It flexed orange paws and took a gunfighter's stance, legs set wide, paws held away from it's body with hands spread, head held low. The prinil whuffed and pawed the ground again, tossing his thick mane and setting his ears low on his neck. Cyizo chuckled gleefully and stepped back from the pair of them.

The other creature looked a little surprised that Xund was ready to battle, but uttered a low growl in an attempt to intimidate. C'mon Xund, I know you can do it! Remember what I told you, don't just sit and defend yourself, go on the offensive! The white Geperna rumbled reassuringly to Xund. "Very well, we will do battle. BUT! Remember this; you are the one who started it, and I, regretfully, have no choice but to finish it! It's on!"

The new creature zipped forward, but Xund was ready. He quickly side-stepped. The creature saw his movement and altered course. Xund was sent flying a few feet from it's solid blow to his side and laid there, breathless. The new creature skidded to as stop and let out a whoop, doing a kind of victory dance on the spot. The prinil was not going down quite so easily. Tougher than he looks. Xund remarked simply, dragging himself up and preparing for another attack.

Still absorbed in it's victory dance, the creature did not see Xund rise, nor did it notice when he lowered his head and pawed the sandy ground. In fact, only the rapid drumming of Xund's running feet alerted the creature to any kind of danger, and by then it was too late. All it saw was a cloud of tan dust with a blue nucleus before Xund's curved horns made impact with it's chest. It sailed a fair distance before it managed to "catch" itself in the air with the vigorous flapping of it's wings. "Oh, so that's how we're gonna play it, huh? BRING IT ON!! NYYYAAAAAA!"

Xund hadn't taken his sharp blue eyes off the creature and was prepared when it darted through the sky toward him, talon-tipped paws outstretched and it's fang-filled mouth open, tongue hanging out in a fierce battle cry. He whipped around and made to swing his spike-tipped tail at the creature, but it did a barrel roll in the air, caught his tail and used Xund's own momentum to send him flying. The poor prinil had no wings to stabilize himself with, and so he cartwheeled in the air and landed on a rocky outcropping. Cyizo winced with the force of his landing and hurried to his friend's side.

It's okay Xund, this one looks a little too strong. Let's call this one and get you patched up. Cyizo said soothingly as he helped Xund up. Once on his feet, Xund uttered another bovine roar, eyes wide with a berserker rage. The much larger Geperna leapt out of the way as Xund streaked past him, charging the once-again dancing creature. He caught it on his horns - once again - and threw him backwards. This time the fall was too short for it to catch itself and Xund lashed out with his tail, smacking the creature from side to side so fast that it did not have time to recover.

Their struggle kicked up a cloud of dust, to Cyizo's aggrivation. I always miss the best parts because of this frilling dust! GO XUND! He was left lending his emotional support to the battling prinil.