Troublemaker Showdown 1 (Event)

The fire was burning brightly now. Luce figured this was the easiest (and safest for their stuff!) way to lure the troublesome Isomara out of hiding. Plus, fire was a great way to potentially herd the troublemaker in the ‘right’ direction if needed. Luce hadn’t quite decided what direction that was yet, but luckily they still had time to figure that out. They slid quickly into a nearby bush to wait for their prey.

Now, dear reader, there is something I have to tell you about waiting; and that is that waiting is very, very boring. Luce was munching on some fruit when a sound caught their ear. They had almost missed it in their boredom. Was it the crackle of the flames? Or a stick being trod upon by troublesome feet? Luce didn’t dare get their hopes up, but slowly they leaned forward through the leaves of their bush to take a peek.

They didn’t see anything yet, but still they held their breath and listened. CRACK! It definitely wasn’t the fire this time. Luce’s heart began beating hard in their chest. They dropped their half-eaten fruit (which plopped sadly upon the ground under them) as a slender blue-and-white foot slipped from between the rocks a little ways away—could it be…? Luce peered closer.

Yes! Luce watched, as the foot became a leg, and the leg became a torso and then a long swishing tail. The troublesome Isomara paced around the fire for a few seconds, then began kicking up dirt at it, dampening it. How strange? But Luce didn’t have time to study the method or madness if this Isomara. They had pledged to catch it!

With a grunt, Luce gave a strong leap, lunging at the troublesome Isomara. The Isomara gave a confused grunt as Luce landed squarely on their back, wings beating heavily. But the troublesome Isomara wasn’t beaten. It wrestled and beat its own wings fiercely. Then, to Luce’s surprise, it rolled suddenly, tossing them to the ground with an unceremonious “OOF”. Luce coughed as they got to their feet, but the troublesome Isomara was already sprinting away. Not to mention (and Luce wasn’t quite sure) they thought they heard a hissing laugh as the troublesome Isomara receded into the distance.

“You scoundrel!” Luce shouted with range. “You aren’t getting away from me so easily!”

And with that, Luce gave chase. The troublesome Isomara was certainly fast—Luce would give them that—but they weren’t about to give up now! Luce steeled themselves for a war of stamina, pacing themselves as best they could while still keeping the troublesome Isomara in sight.

They were heading toward the beach now, and soon there would be nowhere to run. But Luce was getting breathless. Was it just their imagination, or was the troublesome Isomara’s chest breathing more heavily too? As the dirt gave way to sand beneath their feet, Luce knew it was now or never. They put on one last burst of speed as they closed with their foe. The troublesome Isomara squeaked in surprise, and dug their claws into the sand to stop themselves. Luce realized they were going to fight! Perfect…

The bright sun beat down on them both, sparkling off the water as the tide lapped at their feet. Luce’s eyes narrowed as they surveyed the troublesome Isomara for any weaknesses. Then, suddenly, the troublemaker leaped at Luce, jaws extending around one of their smaller wings. Luce caught it in their arms, upper and lower jaw held apart each by their own hand. The troublesome Isomara scratched with their claws now, and Luce grabbed them with their second set of arms. They were completely helpless now, each limb struggling against a piece of the enemy. Their muscles ached as they strained against jaws and claws. Finally, with one last burst of strength, Luce tossed the troublesome Isomara back, flinging them into the water by their head. As a Deustrum, Luce hoped this might give them an edge over their flyer-bodied opponent. Before the troublesome Isomara had a chance to react, Luce dove into the water after them. The sound and smell and taste of saltwater surrounded them, and they turned frantically to locate their prey. What they located however, was a foot to the face as the troubsome Isomara clocked them square in the saw with a strong kick from their hind leg. The water softened the blow, but it was still a shock, and Luce was left reeling. They gasped as their head broke the water’s surface and they spotted the troublesome Isomara swimming for shore. Luce was tired now—but so was their opponent—and they had strength enough yet for one last pursuit.

They followed the troublemaker to shore, keeping their legs just within the water to buoy themselves. They felt the pull of the tide slip past their toes in the sand as their eyes locked with their opponent one last time—would they win…?