In the months in which Logan had gotten to know his raptors, all four had become more obedient. While them disobeying him was not completely uncommon, under Echo's guidance, even the feisty Delta had learned to listen.

Barry, Logan's friend, had also joined in helping to train them. Charlie had taken a special liking towards him, listening to him more than she did Logan or Echo. Logan suspected that Charlie would obey based on how much she liked a being, rather than their status in the social hierarchy.

Another development was that Blue had started to become more confident. She was listening less to Echo as time went by. This, of course, was starting to annoy Echo. Logan had caught the two growling at each other more than he had hoped. But they had to sort out their differences soon if the pack was to remain stable.

Today, Barry had a day off- so it was just Logan and the raptors.

Logan was sitting, petting Delta in the corner of the room. Through affection, he thought that he could maybe get Delta to obey him more. The fluffy raptor cooed, shutting her eyes in bliss. The man smiled, thinking of how lucky he was to be working with such brilliant creatures.

Echo was preening herself in the centre of the room, nipping at the feathers on her arm. Her scales glinted in the lights shining from the ceiling, revealing her colours to be more coppery than they were brown.

Suddenly, a screech echoed throughout the walls. Logan's head snapped up, and he saw Blue at the other side of the room, lowering her body and spreading her feathered arms in a threat display.

Oh no, he winced, as Echo stared at Blue with an angered flash in her red eyes. Logan knew it would be better not to interfere with their fight, unless it became really dangerous. Part of him had guessed Blue was going to challenge Echo eventually, but he had not been looking forward to it at all.

Echo lowered herself as well, a growl rising from her throat. Saliva dripped from her jaws as she spread her wings. Her feet remained rooted to the ground. She was the eldest of the sisters, and it was her responsibility to defend her ranking. She knew that she was the one able to look after them the best, that was why she had been born the largest and the oldest. If Blue was going to misbehave and challenge her, then it was also Echo's responsibility to put her in her place.

Blue snorted; neither of them were moving. The only way this was going to be resolved was with a physical fight.

She ran forwards, feeling her lungs rattle as she cried out. Echo watched in complete silence as her sister drew closer to her and pounced into the air.

Blue's battle cry changed to a yelp as Echo kicked her in the stomach, leaving a nasty slash. Charlie whimpered and ran to Logan in fear, and he put his hand on the green raptor in an attempt to comfort her as Blue fell backwards.

Instantly, Blue got back up and ran at Echo. The latter had not expected this, and as the two crashed, they became a flurry of scales and feathers gracefully snapping and kicking at each other. Delta watched with apparent interest, while Charlie trembled in fear.

Logan gritted his teeth. He hated hearing their pained cries as they tore into each other, but he knew that this was just how some animals sort out their differences. If he tried to stop them, their animosity may just grow in size and would never end. He needed to allow there to be a clear winner.

For about a minute, they were both on equal ground. But things were not to remain so for long;  Blue launched herself at Echo.

Echo hit the ground behind her, screeching in absolute fury, while Blue landed neatly on top of her, placing her foot at the base of Echo's neck. Echo lurched upwards, jaws snapping, but to no avail. Even if she knew full well that Blue had won, that Blue had usurped her position, she could not give up so easily. 

Blue, snarling, slashed her claws across Echo's face. Logan gasped as a nasty, bleeding scar was raked across the raptor's mouth. Echo yelped in her pain, yet despite her overwhelming emotions, she stopped herself from struggling any more. She just stared at Blue, rage swimming across her face. She could feel everyone's eyes on her. A growl escaped her throat, and before Blue could damage her any more, Logan ran in and moved her away from Echo.

''Enough,'' he commanded, and Blue stared at him for a moment. Then, she left, allowing the man to sigh in relief.

Charlie remained rooted near the wall of the room, still nervous about what had happened. Delta approached Blue, sniffing the new leader carefully. Logan knelt down, and stroked Echo. His chest ached with sorrow for her. This was an inevitability in the animal kingdom, but he couldn't help but feel bad for her. She had been an efficient leader, dutiful and determined. But now, her sister had replaced her, and he could only hope that Blue would be as good as she had been.

Echo was shaking. Not from fear, but from just how angry she was. She lost her position. Blue was able to beat her. She had utterly humiliated herself; despite how determined she was to win, it meant nothing in the end. And everyone had watched as the scar had been etched into her face.

Note: Apologies for this story taking such a long time to come together, I am working on it, but I've been having general writer's block for all my current stories.