Almost as though her kick had blown away a phantom into the mists, Lena disappeared from all Sage's senses. Without hastened steps, the girl's whereabouts slid into the dark abyss of the World's Edge lit only in shining silver light from the mists of stars and the weeping moon above, no sound to betray her location. An ear cocks uneasily as the golden mare swivels about, teal eyes scouring the familiar terrain for any sign of the dark unicorn in the night. The lady's voice peeks out from her lips in taunting words, smooth as a kitten's purr. "Here, kitty kitty," she calls into the mists of the air, feeling the cold settle into her aches and joints, as well as the areas lathered with a fresh layer of sweat.

Nothing but the silence and the melancholy whine of wind through the trees answers her... until, of course, the mongrel jumps from the shadows.

Not having noticed the presence of the fox-like creature from the beginning, Sage is caught completely off guard by its sudden appearance. Unhindered, the small creature leaps and latches onto her chest, teeth sinking in to leave the taste of blood upon the golden coat, small tears forming in the flesh, claws not sharp enough to do more than annoy the mare. Surprised, the golden mare lets out an effeminate squeal in unexpected pain, front end lifting up in a rear, front legs thrashing at the open air and seeking out the figure of her unknown attacker, unable to see the beast under her neck. Never before had Sage felt trapped by the branches of the World's Edge, but now she wished nothing more than to soar into open skies above, the wind moaning once more to remind her of its existence above the complex of shadows. The silver lights in the mist remind the girl that this is still her home, though, and for that, she would fight endlessly - even against foes using the terrain to their best advantage. Cowardice, she would call it, but perhaps it was the smart thing to be doing.

Hooves land on the ground and she begins to push forward, expecting an assault from the bay mare to follow this savagery. First her jaw curves downward, teeth seeking the scruff of the little monster, attempting to clamp down upon it and toss the brat into a nearby tree. Whatever purpose the kitsune had attacked with, it served, for Lena's sudden lurch from the shadows cannot be blocked completely, despite the beauty's suspicion. The villainy of it all makes Sage scowl in the darkness, but she continues to jet forward at the first touch of the black blade. A thick gash settles in first on her left hip and traveling across the flank, over the bruise from an earlier bite, until it breaks away at the tail. More blood decorates the golden pelt, strawberry champagne in the light of the moon, and stinging like alcohol had been poured in the cut as well. Lovely. The pegasus takes this as an opportunity to flare her wings, drop her weight to her front end, and send a powerful kick toward the right shoulder of Lena that should be within her range if the mare continued to run as expected. If not, her skull would work just as well.

Sage is not done yet. If one pair can use the shadows, so can she. Back hooves gracing the loam of the forest, Sage takes the momentary distraction that should be allowed from her kick to weave between the trees. Hoof beats quieted by the soft mosses, the mists above, and the darkness guarding her intents. A soft trot is taken, finding herself dancing about the area she had left, making a half-circle about the forest to try and bring herself toward the back end of Lena, eyes gleaming in silver light during breaks in the shadow.

Then, she lunges, finding an almost direct path through the forests toward the small area where they had been fighting, weaving a couple of times to avoid the branches of trees, feathers brushing against the air, the winds, wings whistling as they begin to flap, not able to be fully extended without bristling against the bark, but that did not matter. Sage tries to draw close to the left side of Lena, preparing to leave about eight feet between the pair before she leaps, shoving her wings down with a final push, front legs extended toward the bay mare's right flank. With any luck, she may be able to knock the girl down or at least ruin her balance. Wings beat carefully, attempting to keep her high enough aloft to sail over, regardless of the outcome.

Surprise.

[ WC: 794; 3/4.
I WAS JUST GOING TO ADD ONE MORE ATTACK AND THEN IDK IT EXPANDED SO RAPIDLY. ]