------
Perlino screamed his rage as he suddenly charged Sioux, his size he assumed intimidating enough to make the skinnier stallion back off. Confidence exuded the lighter stallion and the smugness in his eyes proved he had gone about unchallenged.
Until now.
With months of fighting for his life, Sioux's body responded with muscle memory, head lowering, on the tips of his hooves, ears laid completely flat and a disconnect from reality leaving his eyes. With an easy spin on his back legs, the red stallion easily dodged Perlio's charge. Surprise flared in the bright stallion's eyes then turned to pain as an immediate snake-like strike from Sioux following the spin ripped into his flesh. An involuntary squeal of pain sounded as the less experienced stallion tried to whirl around to face the fighting Sioux, but by the time he did, the opposing stallion was no where to be seen. Just as Perlino turned to try and find his opponent, the horse was suddenly flipped off of his feet as a force like a bull rammed into his side. Breath left his lungs as he hit the ground, and what he thought was his last view of the world was a red devil, legs tucked up to his chest as he loomed in a rear over him, poised to slam those knife-like hooves into his skull.
"SIOUX STOP!" came a whinny to Perlino's right as Xio came trotting into view with Mia next to her. The mare's ears were pinned flat, and she barreled towards the two brawlers her eyes locked on Sioux's. In a flash of recognition, the red stallion's eyes changed from robotic to organic and with reflexes like a cat spread his hooves apart, landing on either side of Perlino's head. Dust swirled and settled as the world stopped for a moment, all waiting to see what the outcome was. After the initial shock of looming murder, Xio continued her beeline to Sioux, both of them locking eyes as they ignored the stallion trapped beneath Sioux's legs.
"You won, Sioux." Xio breathed, both of them nose to nose as Sioux's chest heaved. "You don't have to kill anymore." Softly, but purposefully, Xio pushed Sioux backwards, freeing the stallion on the ground as she smiled gently at her stallion. Perlino rolled onto his chest as he watched the strange scene before him and pinned his ears, somehow still cocky after almost losing the spark of life.
"Ha! Win? We're just getting started bi-" He started to call after the retreating mare, but a sudden swift back leg of the lady slammed into his jaw sending the stallion reeling. Just as fast as Sioux, Xio whirled on the stallion who lay stunned on the ground, her nose inches away from him.
"You're done." She hissed, a rage of her own burning like a flame from her soul. "Get out of here before we both tear you limb from limb." Through half-dazed, half terrified eyes, Perlino staggered to his feet and stumbled away, not taking a second look at Mia.
The three horses watched the beaten stallion retreat, and awkwardly Mia looked back at them. "Th... thank you, Sioux." She whispered. The young mare was disheveled and scratched, pride and innocence shattered for the moment, but otherwise alright. "We... we thought you were dead..." She whispered, tears forming in her eyes at the events, not quite sure how to react with her former crazy lead as well. Sioux saw the uncertainty in her eyes, and lowered his head embarassed.
"It's... it's my duty to protect you, Mia." He answered respectfully, a little shy to make eye contact. "I will always be here to help you. I'm sorry I'm late." Mia returned his shyness with a smile and fidgeted awakwardly.
"Well... it's not your fault. I snuck off from everyone... and, well we've been really taken care of by our new stallion-" she started to ramble, then suddenly stopped, realizing her blunder of revealing Benelli. A dark look crossed Sioux's eyes momentarily before he straightened up, Xio tensing as well.
"New stallion?" He asked, nose twitching. He knew that of course was a possibility of happening, but he definitely wasn't going to give up the herd he still thought his own without a fight.
"Oh Sioux, please dont hurt him- he's so nice- please he's been so good- I-" Mia began to stutter, before a stomp from Sioux quieted her.
"Take me to the herd."
------
Stallion ID: #16 Sioux
In response to: E-stallion 238 MS
Art features: 2 Horses #16 Sioux , Bach 238
Story features: 4 Horses #16 Sioux , Mia , Xio , Bach 238
Word Count: 743
Mare Steal: Mia (3/3)
MS Pregnancy: Yes! Bach 238
Companion Animals: Owl - N , Rabbit - C , Cat - HL
Rolls: Normal Rolls