What is more vicious? The the sharp hook which becomes of a falcon's beak, or the razor teeth of a lion's jaw?

There's likely an objective answer hidden in this question that the more informed of us can see, but surely anyone can come to the reasonable conclusion that both at once would be the most vicious, most sinister, most horrific choice of them all? Serrated teeth to line a curved beak surely is capable of at least twice the damage than one or the other would have been capable of on their own? Don't worry, combining the two wasn't made clear to be an option-- don't beat yourself up over it. After all, who could imagine such a creature to exist? What foul monster would need a ripping set of canines to go with their already puncturing beak?

Unfortunately, there is an answer, and that answer was burrowed deep into the branches of a tall, dark pine tree. During the day they would be well concealed-- however it was currently night, and that meant they were practically invisible. A large creature most resembling a bird, they were gifted with greasy black feathers which sunk into night's darkness. Running one talon at a time through this monstrous curse of a mouth (likely to maintain its point) the bird's eyes stalked the woods below them; scanning branches, beetles, leaves, frogs, rocks, caterpillars; the eyes passed over the prey reluctantly. They were hungry for something more... filling. The creature closed their eyes and keened their ears, waiting for the subtlest rustle, snap, flap, breath...

~

"SHH! Why you-- would you put that down?!" Bunber hissed at the non compliant cat, who had just picked up a stick and was haphazardly waving it around. Bunber pecked and slapped Whilly's hand, a meaningless effort which only multiplied his giggles.

"It's to protect us!"

"Not if you keep knocking it against trees!"

Another wave of giggles stole Whilly's breath. "It's my weapon!!"

"You have claws and teeth. You don't need a weapon!" Bunber whispered. "What are you, a monkey?!"

Tears streaming from his eyes, Whilly fell to the ground in a paralyzed wheeze. Okay, Bunber thought, appreciating the sudden silence, this is an upgrade.

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A rustle in the trees. Nails scraping against bark.

Bunber's feathers flattened. He twisted and craned his neck, rapidly flicking his head from one place to another, desperately searching for the source of the noise. Whilly's stagnant wheeze finally gave in to booming laughter. "SH!!" Bunber squealed. He desperately hopped onto Whilly's muzzle and clamped it shut. Bunber leaned into a shaky whisper. "There's something here." Whilly went silent, laying dumbfounded on the forest floor.

There was silence; it knew. Bunber spoke directly into Whilly's ear this time. "We can't just lay here, we have to go." Whilly nodded-- a faint smirk still lingering on his face-- and got onto all four feet, beginning to slowly crawl through the forest. The pair came to a root and Whilly gently hopped over it. His paws landed with a loud CRACK onto a twig. Bunber's heart sunk.

A glittering set of jaws came swooping in front of them and snapped. Whilly ducked, Bunber burst into flight, and the beak flew up with nothing in its teeth but a stray feather. The creature swung above the canopy and turned around, spotting Bunber's silhouette frantically flapping away. With a grin and a powerful swish of their wings the creature entered a high-speed chase after their prey.

Down on the forest floor was Whilly, head craned up, peering past the treetops. Whilly spotted the monstrous silhouette soaring in the moonlight. Whilly grabbed his stick and followed behind. The creature was faster than Bunber-- already it was slowly catching up with the little pigeon-- but it wasn't faster than Whilly. The stick now in his mouth, Whilly was sprinting on all fours. Hop, tuck, dodge; he slid past every obstacle, a master of the forest.

The creature was nearly at Bunber's tail, but Whilly was ahead of both of them. He hopped onto a tree and dug his claws into its bark, wriggling up the branches. His frazzled little head popped out the top of the canopy. Bunber was flying in Whilly's direction, the two locked eyes. Whilly held up the stick, Bunber's eyes lit up. With a mutual nod, Bunber swerved downwards and tucked in his wings to form a beautiful backwards roll mid-air. The creature skid to a stop, their prey suddenly out of sight. Faltered, disoriented, at halt... the creature was vulnerable. Whilly took his chance.

BONK!

Bullseye! The stick was flung and knocked the monstrous bird right in the head. With a great fwoosh the creature crashed into the trees. Bunber flew into view and landed on Whilly's head. "Go, go!" he screamed. Whilly's throw was a good shot, but the two could already see the creature begin to stir.

Whilly jumped out of the tree and burst into an agile sprint. "Bet you're glad to have a monkey for a friend!" A giggly grin was smeared across his face.

"Just keep your eyes on the forest." Bunber muttered.