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Move 1: Miss

Ud watched the female across from him for a few moments, sizing up his competition. Once again he found himself against an older opponent - although not as old as last time - but the large differences were her rank and her gender. Ud knew females were just as capable as males within the Firekin, that manes or no manes didn't a fighter make. She was a Soldier - well, Corporal now, but that was as new as his own title - so he knew this would be a tough battle, and he had also been informed that although she had lost her battle to another lioness, it had gone into extra rounds to determine a winner. She was a tough one, this lioness, and he knew not to underestimate her.

"Good luck, Corporal," he said with a half smile before deciding to start things off with a move rather than waiting. He bounded in and lifted a paw to swipe, but he misjudged the distance and fell a bit short of hitting his mark.

Move 2: Hit
Total: 4

Boy, did Ud feel rather sheepish at his initial attack. He had missed and gotten a light pop in the jaw to show for it. But he wasn't about to back down or let his awful first move set the tone for the fight. He squared his shoulders and shook his head just a bit before lowering it and pouncing directly towards Alya, going for a hard shove to her chest to knock her back.

He had to admit, it was interesting to see the different styles of battle. Where Azar'bijan had been talkative and gruff, Alya was quiet and contained. It made it a little harder to read her and get an idea of what kind of fighter she was, but he knew he wouldn't have the time to sit back and watch. This needed to be a paws-on learning experience. Whether he came out the victor or not, he would definitely earn something from this battle, be it experience or a title.

Move 3: Hit
Total: 7

Ud knew he had the favor of one of the Regents, but that only did so much. He was still growing despite being an official adult, still learning, and didn't have the years of actual experience many of the other lions in this competition had. But he did have his drive and his quick mind which he knew would be his best asset in this battle. Alya was clearly more muscled than he was, even if he stood just a bit taller, but using his momentum to his advantage had helped send her return attack wide.

He knew she was a soldier and that they were tough and could take a few hits without flinching. Guards were different in that they dodged rather than rolling with the punches. But Ud wasn't a Guard any longer. He was a Corporal now and he had to think outside of the box he had started in. Rather than allowing any time between Alya's swipe, Ud crowded her space once again. This time, instead of aiming to knock her back, he let one white toed paw rise from the ground to deliver a sharp hit to her jaw. No claws were to be used in this battle, but getting a few bruises and aches was expected.

Move 4: Hit
Total: 10

Ud saw in the moments before the retaliation that he shouldn't have kept such close quarters. This lioness was a fighter, after all, and she knew her craft. Although he was a bit larger than she, Alya knew her strength and how to use his own against him. He felt a strong shoulder ram into his chest, pushing him back as his paws fought for purchase. That wasn't the blow that caught his attention, though - it was the headbutt under his jaw in the same place he had hit her with his paw.

Seeing stars for a moment, Ud drew back to shake his vision clear. "Well, that's a new one," he muttered to himself, golden eyes bright with interest. He'd have to remember that for later. As it was, he had a few feet between himself and Alya now, and he took a moment to assess the situation.

A short moment later and he was in motion again, this time sticking true to his Guard training. He darted forward but dug his paws into the sand at the last moment, changing his direction from a head on attack to suddenly charging passed the lioness. As he moved rammed his shoulder into her ribs to toss her off-guard before continuing by her, hoping to dart out of range.

Move 5: Hit
Total: 13

Ud felt the breeze from Alya's paw as she swiped at him, but it didn't connect. He let out a little puff of relief as he lumbered through a turn, pausing for a moment as they faced off once more. He lowered his head and knew that their little bout was coming to an end, but he had to finish on a strong note. Charging forward again, he took a page out of Alya's book and tried the headbutt tactic, missing his mark just a bit and hitting her neck rather than her chin. Ah well, a hit was a hit. He'd have to practice in his spare time to get that particular move down.

Ud slowed his movements as Alya spoke, his ears trained forward to catch every word. She was conceding and giving him the victory, the opportunity to move on and prove himself further. He lifted his head high, pride and delight swelling in his chest. He hadn't expected to come this far, but now that there were two older lions 'cheering' him on, so to speak, he felt as if he had their skills and desire pushing him on as well. He had learned a new type of attack in this battle, after all!

"Your expectations will be met, Corporal," he said with a smile of his own, bowing his head in farewell. "Thank you for the experience." With that he turned to head off of the battling sands, eager to perfect this new attack before the next battle.