Welcome to Gaia! ::

Things had been going well. The young, who had never attended such a gala before, trotted happily beside the elders of their herds, who had attended many and had a wealth of stories and memories of their own to share. The forest glades echoed with laughter and the sound of happy voices raised in boisterous conversation.

There were places in the midst of the celebration for sober, reflective moments as well. The groves set aside for offerings to Rotona were quieter, quietly cloaking those who waited to pay their respects in a serene embrace. The tidepools forced reflection on most, though here and there, someone still laughed quietly or tossed their manes in amusement.

And yet for all that, there was something in the air. Something that made the hairs in many ears quiver. Was it a scent, cool and fleeting that was somehow out of place? Or a shiver in the bones, like the approach of a quickly approaching storm. Whatever the source, slowly but surely, a feeling of dread trickled over the gathered, settling like damp cloaks on tiny folk, unicorns and their companions alike.



The ominous pressure was broken by blood-chilling screech. They came from all directions, seeming to melt in to being from the shadows between trees. They were quick and they moved together, but not as a herd might. They moved like predators, like a pack, seeking to separate the weak from the rest and take them down.

They were unicorns, like most of those who attended the gala. Unicorns, or they had once been unicorns and had now been twisted into something else. There were recognizable shapes there, horns and wings and familiar hooves, but there was more to them. Twisted shapes that didn't belong in the light of day.

At the head of the invasion -- for what else could it be called -- came a stallion who loomed larger than even the tallest draft. Dark like the stormclouds themselves, his eyes were still bright, almost glowing in contrast to the depth of his hide. His gaze swept over those few unlucky enough to stand close and a cruel grin split his muzzle, revealing teeth as sharp as blades.

Unfurling leathern wings with a snap that echoed through the trees, he reared onto his back hooves and bellowed, "Take them! Take them all!"

Event 2: Gatekeeper's Sanctuary Day 2

- Escape the Invader!





x2 Tracks
x1 Green Marble

*Credit: TiH for event framework*

One look at the invaders, and Lapels knew... she sure as heck wasn't sticking around to see what would happen! Without even a "bye" or a glance around to see who else was around, she turned tail and fled.

Yeah, nope. Lapels was not waiting for anybody, much less a stranger.

With a desperate burst of speed and some risky evasive maneuvers, Lapels was able to make her escape with only a few scrapes and bruises. But while her body was relatively unharmed, her spirit wavered. Frightened by the earlier proximity between the leader and herself, she fell back to the earth, seeking shelter among the foliage.

Talya got to her feet and a quick glance confirmed her guess; more were already coming after her. Gritting her teeth, she once more tried to get her legs to move beneath her, yelling at them to run as she tried to get away. These things were fast; very fast and now she wasn't sure if she could out run them at all! That didn't mean she wouldn't try! The mare intended to give it all she had! Another touch to her side followed, brief and almost nonexistent before---Darkness.

Groaning, she looked around in a daze. Had she blacked out again? These...things must be doing that when the touched her.

The festival is as bright and exciting as it was on the first day, and with the sun up Fable is able to take in details that she hadn't, before, when she'd arrived during the evening the night before. The foals seem especially happy to be here, and the mare can't help the slightest of smiles that graces her expression at one particularly young filly who prances and bounces around -- exclaiming at every new thing she lays her eyes on.

To be so young again, she thinks. Not that she herself is old, mind you, but still.... her own childhood seems far away.

Maybe it's that sudden thought that brings her back to the present. Or maybe it's the chill that runs unchecked down her spine. Whatever it is, Fable feels something is wrong. She can't quite put her hoof on it but there is certainly... .something.

A screech pierces the silence, and Fable jerks her head to the side, eyes falling wide and mouth parting in a soft 'o' of shock and surprise at the vision that unfolds before her. For a few moments she is simply frozen in place. Paralyzed. She's not even sure if what she feels can be entirely labeled as fear. She isn't thinking of it, really. She's never seen anything so terrible in her life -- not even in her dreams.

Then she is running. One of the things tries to attack her, and Fable narrowly avoids it with a shout of dismay and disgust. She doesn't slow down to look back. All of her instincts are screaming at her to run.

As Fable continues to run, her eyes scanning ahead for a path to run to, she hears another mare call out behind her. Her heart wrenches as she hears the deafening roar but she dares not look back or pause in her own escape.

A path ahead of her seems to show her the way out, and Fable makes a desperate attempt to reach it before the pursuers reach her. Just as she is about to enter, however, a shadow rears up in front of her and blocks her path. She's running too quickly to simply stop or change direction easily and before she can even try something black and hideous snaps out at her -- and then nothing.

Her strength seems to fail her again as she opens her eyes once more. More dark shapes loom before her, and Fable feels fear clutch at her heart. How is she not dead by now? Once more they rush upon her, and she doesn't even have a chance.