[The cue stick ruins his plan of pouncing on you and pinning you down, which means he'll duck to the side - it manages to jab him more on the hip than the stomach, that'll bruise later - and try to come in lower. First blood is good but it's not enough.]

At the ready! [He shouts, and there's a flash as Houndoom comes out. It won't do anything but circle yet, but it's definitely prepared to pounce the moment Gold says so. He's hoping the dog's presence will distract you long enough that he can get a deeper cut on you.

Hellhound on one side, knife-wielding Rocket on the other. Enjoy that.]