We were in out fighting stances. The chatting and the training around us had ceased. I realised where we were standing, and so did everyone else. This particular field was huge, with some symbols to cast a shield around it to stop the debris and shots from hitting everyone outside this field. Sylvia must be expecting me to fight at my full strength because this is where we fight with our demon summons only. It didn't sway me however. I didn't get chosen to guard our Elder for no reason you know. Sylvia smirked, probably thinking that I would not be able to last due to not being at full strength. I couldn't help but let out a chuckle, startling her a little before she regained her composure.

"Don't get too cocky Rosa." She called out confidently. "Wouldn't want you to end up in the Medical Area again."

"Like you can make me." I answered with a slight purr in my tone. "So, shall we waltz? Or not?"

Sylvia sneered before firing a few shots at me. I dodged. She charged towards me, all four of her pistols glowing as she charged up her shots, meaning more damage if I were to get hit. Sylvia aimed, jumped and fired at least five shots from each pistols at me. I merely moved to the side and the bullets past by me, landing in the ground. I wasn't going to go on the offense just yet. I didn't always rely on strength in fights, just study the opponent and their patterns and you'll find a weakness. It didn't matter how random their movements are or how fast they go, the pattern shows up at some point and will become predictable. Sylvia was getting more and more frustrated as I dodged her bullets with ease. The ground shook and the layout of the field began to change. I spotted Sylvia smirk at me before the sight of her was obscured by pillars rising from the ground. I jumped and dodge one after another as the field chopped and changed its look. I heard a humming sound as I dodged the final pillar and listened again. Something cut through the air and coming fast. I used Witch Walk and dodged out the way in my Tigress form. I couldn't see where she was, but she sure as Inferno knows where I am.

The humming returned but I couldn't pinpoint it from having to dodge the bladed feathers again. Wait a minute...feathers, humming. Sylvia is a Hummingbird! No wonder I can't see her. A Hummingbird can only grow up to thirteen centimetres long at most. With the pillars crisscrossing in every direction, she can easily maneuverer past them. My sharp hearing as a Tigress helps, but eyes of a Falcon, I should spot her in no time. I growled as I made a long jump to another pillar. I sped towards the top and when I did, I looked down. I switched forms, from Tigress to Falcon, but I did not take flight just yet. I hopped to the edge again after noticing that my height difference pushed me back from it. Approaching cautiously, I heard humming below me, crouching as it got closer. Summoning feathers around me, the small black Hummingbird with some purple feather at the edge of her wings and purple legs flew upwards and I fired the blades at her. The small bird flew side to side and I took flight as the last blade flew towards her. I could've sworn I saw a sweat drop on the small bird, her wings stopped flapping for a moment as I stared at her with my wings spread out right in front of her. Regaining her senses, she pecked at me before I was able grabbed her with my talon. She chirped as I landed, looking at her with my red eyes, the two long, red feathers on my crown blowing in the wind. She glared at me with her purple ones before chirping again and jabbed my talon, making me let go of her. That hurt, but I must admit that it was a smart move.

As I hopped around to stop the stinging pain go away, a growl caught my attention. I gulped and slowly turned my head to its source. The black furred, purple eyed and clawed lioness, who I could've sworn if it could, was smirking at me. She stalked towards me and my bird instinct was for me to puff out my feather, lean forward and squawked in defiance. I refused to back down. I flew up as Sylvia charged at me. I pecked at her, clawed at her with my talons and dodged her swipes. She jumped, clawing at the air, trying to hit me. Her paw finally swiped and hit me. I hit the ground and rolled. By the time I stopped rolling, I was a Tigress once more. We circled each other, growling and neither of us backing down. We ran at each other, my red claws hitting her jaw, her purple ones hitting mine.

Our aim was not to kill each other, just prove that we can win. Just a little side note. We Umbra wear black robes with a hint of a gold and a colour we like. Mine is red, Sylvia is purple and the trainees default colour is just plain black and white with the hint of gold. The style of our clothing also reflects on our Beast Within forms. So if we wore ribbons, jewellery, belts or any other accessories, our Beast Within forms will be wearing it too. Our watches will always be visible around our next or on our crowns, since some animal forms have crowns for some reason. That's how you identify an Umbra Witch in her Beast Within form.

Sylvia jumped at me. I ran and head butted her torso, knocking her onto her side. I put my front paw at her throat, my face inches from Sylvia's, her growling. I don't normally fight this aggressively. I just fight until I knock them out or they tap out and admit defeat. I was just proving to her that I was no push over. I always had respect for Sylvia, not just because she is one of my Umbra Sisters, but because no matter how much of a black sheep she is to the rest of the clan, her intentions are always true in regards to caring for the clan.

"Sylvia." I began to say. "You may choose to continue this fight. Or you may back down."

The Lioness was suprised by this. I knew she didn't want to, but I still cared enough to let her have a say where as some others don't.

"I wish to continue, Rosa." Was her reply. "I wish to prove to the others that I can fight and prove that I am not some reckless Witch who didn't care for safety the clan."

I now realised that she wanted to prove to the others that she is strong enough to handle tougher missions and if she lasted a fight against me, then I can help her get approved for a higher rank. Right now she was the ones who just followed the orders. Sylvia wanted to be the one who had some control for a changed and if I thought she was worthy, then I can ask the Elder to recommend promoting her.

I changed back to my normal form and stepped back. Sylvia did the same. I gave her a moment to catch her breath before asking:

"If you wanted to be a higher rank instead of a pawn, why didn't you just ask?" I queried.

"I had no idea that it would have been that easy." Sylvia chuckled. "That, and I wanted to give the others a show."

I looked down, nearly all of the clan was gathered around the field to watch this fight. That was one thing she achieved, the crowd was cheering and shouting for the both of us. I smiled. She was the centre of the attention like she always wanted. A crescent moon was spotted in the crowd and I knew the Elder was watching too. She had trusted my judgement in situations like this and I haven't failed her yet.

"How's about I ask the Elder about recommending you to become leader of the patrol groups?" I suggested. "You have already proved to me that you can do more for the clan."

She looks up at me and thought for a moment. She then looks at me the with a grin on her face she answered with:

"For once, I think I'll take you up on that offer."

The pillars lower and disappear into the ground once more. The Elder walked up to us and I kept my promise and talked to the Elder about allowing Sylvia to lead the patrol groups.

"Rosa. Are you sure that Sylvia can fulfil that role?" The Elder asked cautiously.

I saw Sylvia frown slightly. I promised to give her a chance and I am sure as Inferno that I'll keep to my promise. I managed to convince her that I will personally supervise Sylvia and report back to her so that she can have a fair chance to prove that she is fit for the role. The current leader can train her and report back to me if necessary. She pondered for a few tense moments.

"Sylvia, have you ever lead a group on a mission before?" She asked.

"A few times." Sylvia answered confidently. "We were sent on some missions to handle some Angels and Demons and I had to plan the course of attacks."

Those who were in her group were in the group and confirmed this.

"You are to report to the leader and receive further training for that role. You may be promoted to trainee scout leader." The Elder concluded with a smile.

The Clan cheered for their sister and were patting her on the back as we walked back inside. I was hugged from the side and saw Sylvia, eyes now bright with a large, long forgotten genuine grin. I patted her back having feeling now relieved that I kept my promise and allowed her to receive more trust from the clan.

"Thank you Rosa."