FC held his breath as a gust of wind tossed his bangs out of his view and into the air. He narrowed his eyes and grit his teeth as various rogues fell upon the line. Motion he picked up in the corner of his eye made his head snap in the direction of the movement--a young lion was running across the line in a very suspicious manner. FC stepped in the direction and then stopped--his eyes widening when he saw a larger brute come charging toward the gap. "Back to your positions! It's a trap!" he called, his eyes wide with anxiety.

The lioness didn't seem to notice, he was no King afterall. FC grit his teeth and took a step toward where the gap was--stopping when he remembered Iliana was behind him. "Close the gap!" he tried to call out, but as various rogues crashed against the line of Pridelanders, it seemed asthough everyone had their own stuff to take care of. "Iliana, come on!" he called to her, knowing that she'd listen.

He began to bound toward the hole in the line, his heart pounding with determination. This beast was much larger than he was, and much older. His sinewy muscles propelled him foreword and right before he reached the gap, a large lioness crashed into his side, sending him to the ground.

"Oof..." he grunted, his breath completely knocked out of him. He didn't have any time to regain composure though as he felt the rogue's teeth against the back of his neck. "Get--" he paused, summoning all his strength. "OFF me!" his wiry frame lifted from the ground and bucked her off, knocking her only a little ways from him. He bared his fangs at her and swiped his black talons across her face--leaving some nasty scars. Blood welled from his wounds as well as hers. He looked to his side to make sure that Iliana was still beside him, "Come on, we've got to fill the space!" he panted and darted off, knowing very well that the lioness he'd just sliced across the maw was following him. He knew this because her heavy breath and pawsteps sounded behind him.

His sea-green gaze noted the motion of the brute who was nearly upon the gap now..."No!" he snarled, his whole body tingling with a mixture of fear and determination. He had to prove himself to the pride, to Twilight, and most of all he had to protect Iliana.