Kentucky Legend/Twilight

Kentucky Legend put his nose to the river. "It's frozen over." He said, "We'll have to find water somewhere else."

Twilight lowered his head. "But I'm really thirsty!"

"Sorry, Twilight, there's nothing I can do about it." Said Legend, "Maybe it's still flowing downstream." He walked the way the stream went, in search of water.

"I liked it better when our owners gave us our food and water." Twilight complained, but he followed his father.

Kentucky Legend/Twilight

"Water!" Exclaimed Twilight as he ran to the edge of the river. He lowered his head to take a drink.

Before Legend could get a drink, a cougar appeared.

The beast looked at the innocent colt as if to say "Lunch!"

Twilight was frozen with fear. Legend jumped between the cat and Twilight, unsure of what to do.

*Cougar*

The feline hunched to the ground, his muscles flexing as he eyed the colt with a hungry gaze. He hissed slightly when Legend jumped in front of the youngster, but it didn't put the cougar off for too long.

Without warning, the cougar leapt forward, claws stretched out and cruel fangs glistening in the sun's light. He knew how dangerous the hooves of a horse could be, so he was careful as he aimed to strike Legend across the shoulders and chest with his front claws, and sink his fangs into the equine's neck.

He would much rather have taken on Twilight, but he decided to take a risk and target the stallion first.

Kentucky Legend/Twilight

Legend squealed and barely dodged the bite with a few serious scratches. He swung around and bucked at the cat, hoping to knock it to the ground. "Run, Twilight!" He said.

Twilight galloped away as fast as he could, looking for help.

*Cougar*

The cougar was preparing to leap on the stallion's back, when the horse turned and kicked at him. With a wild cry, he tumbled backwards into the snow. His side stung with pain where the hooves had struck, making the cat wince as he picked himself up. His eyes narrowed and he bared his fangs more. The cat looked as though he were going to leap at Legend, but made a split-second decision and charged after Twilight instead.

Bounding across the snow as fast as he could, struggling against the pain in his side, the cougar tried to catch up to the colt and slash at his hind legs to trip him...

Kentucky Legend/Twilight

Twilight galloped faster and faster until he ran out of energy. He looked at the cougar and blacked out.

Legend galloped after Twilight. He looked at his colt for a second, then turned to face the cat. He bared his teeth. Blood dripped from the wounds on his chest.

*Cougar*

The cat almost gave up the chase, for running long distances wasn't in his book. But when he noted how quickly Twilight was loosing energy, he kept up. And then, when the youngster fainted, the cat sprung for him. Ignoring Legend, the big cat tried to sink his teeth into the colt's throat and kill him...

Kentucky Legend/Twilight

Twilight laid motionless while the cat tried to kill him.

"NO!" Yelled Legend and charged at the cougar, fangs bared. he reared and landed and bit at the cougar's legs, trying to get the cougar to focus on him instead of Twilight. He wasn't about to let the beast kill his son, so he reared once more and attempted to land on it.

*Cougar*

The cougar was about to sink his fangs into Twilight's throat, but at that moment, Legend arrived and snapped at him. With a yowling scream, the feline swiped his sharp claws at the stallion's head, trying to cut him deep. But still, he refused to back away from his 'meal'. He was sure he could intimidate the big horse; but he was wrong. Legend reared up and brought his hooves crashing down.

The cougar tried to jump back at the last moment, but his hind limbs were caught. The bones snapped under the weight of the equine, and the cat howled out in agony. Once more, he slashed at Legend with his claws...

Kentucky Legend/Twilight

Legend squealed when the cat's claws cut into his face. He had deep scratches, but that didn't stop him.

Twilight woke up and quickly got on his feet, watching his dad take on the cougar.

"Run, Twilight!" Legend said, "Run as fast as you can! Find safety and stay there! I will find you..." He swung his head at the cougar with his teeth bared, hoping to end its life.

Twilight watched for a second, then ran. Legend could handle the cougar himself.

*Cougar*

With his hind legs crushed, the big cat had no way of evading the stallion's attacks. Fighting tooth and claw till the end, Legend was able to finally kill the big cat.

Kentucky Legend

Legend stomped on the cat a few more times, then backed away. He reared victoriously and galloped off in the direction of his son's hoofprints.