Whatever he was about to do next was interrupted as bolts of red magic crashed into his side, forcing him back to the ground. Yet again Handy spied flashes of green energy and spiral patterns light up on the stallion's fur. He had some kind of magical protection beyond his shield. Jacques, it seemed, had outlasted the spikes Thunder had sent after him, though if the cuts along his sides and belly were any indication, it was an all too close race. His rapier was now levitated at his side, and he had a vicious cut to his expression as he glared daggers at the earth pony. Thunder was now breathing heavily through clenched teeth. He turned, looking in the direction the stag had made off to, to see Whirlwind had placed Crimson atop a long crate, to keep her off of the water and mud. The clouds had now fully encompassed them all once again, but they were close enough to be able to see each other.