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Fear, anger, and confusion all war inside of her as she wakes once more in the clearing. The shadows are just as thick as before -- but seem distracted by a stallion she hadn't noticed before. As they take after him, Fable is able to find the strength she needs to get to her feet and run.

This time, she doesn't even make it to her feet when she wakes before they're on her once more.

This time, there is no more sound of yelling or terrible hoofbeats. No dark shadows loom and rush toward her. The only shapes standing near her now are the familiar, blessedly normal unicorns from the Festival. She recognizes a few faces and coats, but her eyes feel so heavy and tired.

Everyone seems to be speaking in lowered tones, and tension still lies heavy upon the air. Fable can't blame them. The very sanctuary itself has been invaded, molested by those dark.... things. A shiver runs through her at the thought.

How could they enter the Sanctuary? What could this possible mean, now, for their own futures?

There is no trace of them, no answers. It's almost as if they'd never been. Except Fable knows this was no mere dream as much as she might wish that it had been.

Maybe he had not made his move soon enough. Or maybe the heavyset stallion could not move quickly enough. But whatever the case, he was soon overtaken by shadow and shroud- and before the panic can set in and overwhelm him, he's back in the main clearing. Unsure of whether he has gone back in time, or if he's running in some endless loop- Abrax decides again not to stick around and find out.

"Wait for me!"

The cry is pitiful and desperate, but truthfully Abrax doesn't miss a beat. He's too logical to let himself believe he can attempt a rescue and ensure his own safety as well. At the very least, he is grateful that he isn't subjected to that awful time loop and brought back to the beginning again.

The Invader rises to Abrax's challenge- literally. With a strong downward push with his massive wings the beast is airborne and moves quickly towards the star-speckled stallion. Abrax is no match for the winged Invader. The huge stallion swoops low over the attempting-to-flee Abrax, but with a simple down-swoop of his wings Abrax is victim to the claws at the top of wings. Searing pain erupts as two gouges are ripped down his back- shoulder to rump. They are relatively shallow but long and will need tending to in order for the bleeding to cease.

Gazer had spent much of his time alone since arriving at the gala. His time was spent at a distance, listening to the stories from afar. He didn't consider himself an outcast, simply he didn't care much for being in the center of such a large gathering. He had enjoyed himself thus far, but it was all interrupted when they came.

The shrill blood-curdling scream pierced the air and a shiver ran down his spine. Fear grew in the pit of his stomach and threatened to overtake his senses but he couldn't let that happen. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to retain his composure despite the chill and uneasy feeling he felt. If he was going to make it out, he would need his wits about him. Then, before he could make a move, he was faced with one of the shadows. It kept darting in and out of his sight, but he could feel it watching him as it darted in and out of the cover of the trees.

Gazer readied himself, pawing at the ground, ready for the attack that was to come. He would stand his ground. There were young colts and fillies present. They wouldn't be as fast as the adults; easy targets for the invaders. However, if he stood his ground he became an even easier target. His hope was that he would serve as a distraction so that the young could flee to safety in time. Perhaps, if he was lucky enough, he would have enough time to seek safety as well, but not before putting a hurt on those who dared interrupt this fair gathering of Rammalins.


((Edit: Originally I didn't roll cause I wasn't sure how standing my ground was supposed to work but now I'll start rolling since my question was answered.))

Unfortunately, Gazer was just too slow. As he charged at the shadow that pursued the colt they quickly lost him. Then from nowhere, he was blindsided in the head. He was sure he had heard his skull crack from the impact. Everything went dark.

When he regained his senses he was still in the clearing. He hadn't made it far at all when he had pursued the shadow. He didn't know how long he had been laying there, but he knew he had to get up. He had to keep trying.

Gritting his teeth against the pain in his side from his earlier fight, and the throbbing of his head, he got to his feet and chased after the nearest invader he saw. He was determined to show them he was not a quitter and he would not cower in fear before them. They would hold no power over him.