From the tree line, it seemed as if Lace had taken charge and thrown himself into the arena, prideful and indignant to those demonic members of the Basin. His voice was taut, as if his vocal had been strung tight within his throat. I knew this was not the time to come barging in, as daft as it were. Though, inside, the fluid fire seemed to build, stretching along my toes and reaching up to claw at my ankles. One hoof lifted before being smashed back to the stony ground, as if the thing had decided to disobey me! Again, the feeling began to swell, molten fury burning into my knees and legs, spiraling up to my shoulders and then my hips. Part of me wanted to scream out, part of me wanted to take Lace’s charge as one of my own, but I refrained. Logic still remained,

Though, as I fought the urge to reveal myself, it became exceedingly difficult. By now, I felt it fuming up and along my back, down my spine and then fueling there before exploding throughout. It felt as if I had lost myself to the red hot passion of a hatred well tended. Everything came lapsing back; Mirage had been stolen from her throne, Solstice, the Foothills leader Svetlana- it was all so overwhelming. Why they had done this never seemed to cross my mind but I knew that they would pay for it, if I had to give my life fin order to have justice fulfilled. One for the many, it only seemed right. However, I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold out, hiding in the shadows like some ghost who was destined to avoid fate.

A large bloodied stallion took the stage, a haggard representation of the Basin, at that. He spoke in harsh tunes as if all power was his, but a lead he was not. Where was the valuable Psyche when she was needed? Where was their lovely lead when they seemed to need her the most? Oh, had I forgotten? These ignorant fools that claimed so much authority had suffered the loss of their own matriarch. The though made me smile and with this I came forth. Dark eyes were wide and alert, though I did not let anger consume me. My pace was even, if not fluid, the power of such a creature my size brimming from the core and expanding outwards. I recognized Leander from the Threshold and new Sultan to the Throat and something about him made me swell- allies. Friends, or whatever existed between our herds, I was hoping that he had convinced his Sultana to take up sword and fight as well.

But I saw no others and it appeared that he had come after the Foothills lead. Altogether, the Basin members equaled six, but this did not deter me. No matter the number, I would fight if the request was given. I thought about Tamira and the things I would do for her in order to keep her safe, I thought about Mirage and The Edge- they were my family now. I would stop at nothing, give my last breath, to see them all returned safely. It was enough to know that justice was sought and fulfilled, that in these remaining hours or perhaps even seconds before all hell would break loose, that I had given something my all.

When at last it seemed that I had come close enough, I paused, taking my stance a few paces behind Lace. He was seething now, no doubt thirsty for vengeance as he looked upon a fallen, pale, dragon- Fajira. Anger seemed to rise again, though I thought it not possible. I was salivating at the lips like a hungry dog, eager for command to seek and destroy. I was even surprised to find Aaron in our presence, sharing words of adamant animosity as if they had always occurred so naturally. From his lips, the words sounded strange, as if such a young colt were not meant to behold the eyes of glorious war, but I did nothing in the way of stopping him. This was just as much his battle as if was mine.

Now it seemed that there were so many that it was hard to train my eye upon just one Basin recruit; a deep steel colored unicorn who took guard over the pitiful Svetlana, an odd brindled draft with goat-like horns who stood foaming from the mouth ready and eager to fight, a creamy colored mare with a tail resembling a cat’s, and a starless girl dressed in bloodied tresses standing over Lace‘s bonded companion. The latter was a curious sight to see. Each of them seemed to possess a feral countenance about them; they were nothing like the well-kept creatures that resided in The Edge. However, each and every one seemed just as much an individual in their own respect. They had not come together in the name of family- no, they merely congregated for the sake of blood. It was something they thirsted for and ultimately fought for. In our own respect, though slightly outnumbered, The Edge was united, one moving, breathing thing that existed solely in the dignity of the collective. Could these primitive monsters say the same?

As I looked around, the world slowing to a mere crawl, I studied us. Perhaps we were foolish, perhaps we came in disadvantage, but we were here with heart. We did not conform to the racist egos of these naïve barbarians. We had not collected in the respect of hatred. Though, it was a feeling I now knew as it brewed in my stomach and coursed up into my mouth like bile now a scream upon the broken air, announcing my arrival. The battle had begun, I was sure of it and I was not going to lay down and watch like some battered old dog. Around me the world flashed by in increments, images of life, of death and finally the only thing left that I could see- my heart. The red maned mare had been right to fend of Kiara because as I charged in, she left an incredible blind spot in which I took advantage, blowing into the brindled stallion with all my might, hooves flashing out and hoping desperately to connect with his tender side. Fight you coward, or set my family free!

No matter what ensued, we could not give up so easily. I took one last free moment to glace at all of us, throwing down the risk of injury, the risk of death, each of us exchanging one silent vow: we would set the prisoners free.

[ooc: I'm sorry, I just got the muse for this... I hope you guys don't mind I get back in.]