Ace had fallen asleep next to the oasis a few hours ago, after drinking a bellyful of water to relieve him from the dry heat that seemed to remain even without the sun’s rays. He swayed gently as he stood, his wings tucked closely to his sides and head low to ground, so far down that the lush grasses that grew around the Throat tickled his bottom lip. He would not have woken this night if he hadn't rocked too far to one side and nearly fell. Stumbling forward to recover, he looked around to make sure no one had seen. Phew, he thought, that would of been embarrassing. No other horses stood near him, he was seemingly alone in next to the oasis. The stallion lowered his dark head to the ground again and was about to shut his eyes when he heard it. He heard a voice, it bellowed out and made him jump “This land now belongs to the Aurora Basin, unless one of you ladies would like to convince me otherwise” His head shot up. We’re being invaded.

The Pegasus unfolded his wings and took to the sky almost immediately, searching for the source of the voice. It was seconds before he saw a bay Unicorn, not far from where he slept on the other side of the oasis. He decided not to fight this challenger, as angry as the jest made him. He flew to the borders of his home to look for other horses that had come to invade his home. The sky was cloudy therefore difficult to see the ground this far up, so dived down a little. Another unicorn was skulking in the shadows, and they entered through one of the unfinished points of the wall. The grullo hovered in the air for a few moments before deciding what to do. He knew one thing: that he would fight for his herd. The last time his herd was attacked, he was but a yearling and could do nothing against the vicious wolves that tore his family to pieces, so he and his best friend fled. Ace would not let his new family, even if he had just joined them, meet the same fate, murdered in their own homeland.

He thrashed his wings and set off towards the mountains. The unicorns from the Aurora Basin may not be used to the rocky, unstable ground beneath them here, and this may provide an advantage. Ace didn't go up into the mountains, but stood on a ledge about six feet up at the base. The Pegasus could easily take off from here, see intruders, and also jump down onto them if need be. The stallion didn't feel nervous, excited maybe, but most of all ready for a fight and shouted out as loud as he could “If you want our land, come and claim it!” he then let out a piercing whinny, challenging any who dared to a fight.

[469 words, 0/4 rounds. Just after midnight, at the base of the Dragon’s Throat Mountains, stood on an outcrop of rock six feet tall, the sky is cloudy. Permission to use magic granted, as long as it doesn't kill Ace]

Descaro marched south, on the heels of his leader, eyes afire in anticipation as for the second time he went to battle with hopes for a better outcome. This time, however, he was the invading force. It lightened the mental strain and sharpened his focus, last time it had been madness and chaos. A battle to protect one's home as well as one’s life. That day they had been beaten and thrown out, branded enemies for daring to speak out against the equality, but never had they lost their faith. The road had been long, hard and testing, but under the guidance of both Mauja and Psyche and with the combined effort by those remnants of the old Edge, they had survived and grown stronger. In the harsh gaze of mountains and battered by blizzards in the realm of time and spark they had festered their hatred and now marched upon soil and dirt to inflict their revenge. Silver hues of the watching moon was marred by ominous clouds that gathered as he entered the coastal land, spiraling horn glittering atop his head as nose wrinkled and he snorted through his trotting gait. Many had already taken up their places, Psyche and d’Artagnan the first to clash with the enemy, his General was also somewhere nearby. The warrior smiled grimly, this was his chance to prove himself worthy on the battlefield, make up for his dismal attempt in the last major battle.

Gaze roved across the land, finally catching the silhouette of a winged stallion atop an outcrop of rocks, the male must have been dark in colour like himself, he was barely visible so far up. Descaro approached the looming rock form and gazed up, frowning before stamping and scrapping his foot along the floor, ears lacing back as he barked an answer to the winged enemy’s challenge. "I accept your challenge, fight me or forfeit your land." He taunted, tail flicking in anticipation as his eyes fixed upon his opponent, heart hammering and awaiting the first move.

Mind drifted back to the last invasion, the dainty form of Iris’s daughter as she fiercely challenged him to do battle. Her wings of flame struck fear deep into his bones and that day he had littered the floor with his blood. Disgraced and worthless. This time he would prove himself better than that, worthy to march under Deimos and aid his herd in completing this challenging mission.

[wc: 411 | 0/4 rounds | No magic/companions to use.
Descaro answers Ace’s challenge and awaits the first attack.]

tablebykite [horse©nightmare-v/bg©phatpuppy]

Ace stood in the silence, scanning the ground with his vigilant sapphire orbs. Though his muscles twitched with excitement, he felt a twinge of anxiety in his chest. He had not sparred with anyone in a few weeks, and was out of practice. Was he really willing to risk his life to fight for a herd he had been in but a few days? He snorted and shook his mane, disgusted with himself that he ever had such a thought. Of course he was. He would not disgrace his new family by fleeing like some foal during a thunderstorm. No. Instead, he would charge head first into it, to face the lightning and harsh winds and whatever else awaited him. Besides, what better way to prove his worth in a new herd than by defeating an opponent whose goal was to take the land from them? With this thought of victory in his mind, he repositioned himself and stood more proudly, his head held high, ready to fight.

He did not have to wait long before a challenger appeared. Another stallion came into view, a horn, larger than he had seen on any unicorn before, adorned his forehead. As he came closer he made out more detailed features. A snip on his nose, more noticeable than Ace’s, the horn on his head was crystal, and he was dark bay (the colour reminded him of the redwood trees in the threshold), or at least in sunlight he would be. When the Unicorn was directly beneath the rock Ace outstretched his wings to make himself feel, and look more dominant. “I accept your challenge, fight me or forfeit your land” he said. Ace let out a loud laugh “Oh yes, I'm going to make it that easy for you” he mocked.

With that remark the grullo Pegasus leapt off the right side of the projection of rock he stood on and shot up into the air, his great wings thrashing furiously to gain height. Adrenaline rushed through the stallion’s veins, and when he felt he was high enough flew forwards, so he could have a good fly up towards the bay and kick him hard or maybe even knock him down, at least that was the plan. After a deep breath, Ace surged downwards, then set course for the other stallion. He kept his wings high above his head so if his opponents horn were to make contact with him, his precious wings would not be injured, or at least too severely. Ace dipped the rear end of his body down, and aimed for his back hooves to hit the Unicorn’s back legs, just above the hock, and have his front hooves kick out and bruise or cut at the stallion’s rump. He realised if he was successful in this, he may hit the ground too, but he had his wings so it was a risk he was willing to take.

[489 words, ¼ rounds. Ace jumps off the ledge and flies off into the sky, then comes back down and flies at Descaro in a rearing position, and tries to have his back hooves hit Descaro’s back legs, and his front ones hit Descaro’s hip/croup]

By request of imi's absence, Descaro defaults to Ace.
Ace receives 1 VP and the Throat Defenders earn 1 point.