Of Scales and Fur *Dark and Mutt*

[Phantom]

After the announcements were settled, a very blue dragon laid in the shade of a relatively large tree. The heat of the day had caused it to go to into a state of half-sleep, and the fact that it was bored certainly didn't help it's physical status. It secretly wished that the tournament would begin right here, right now, so that it could have something to do, especially since it's human was busy working right now. And so, as it slept, it waited, it waited for the chance to show it's skills.

[darkwolf117]

Mutt's eye caught the sight of a lounging blue dragon. He tapped Dark on the shoulder and pointed it out to him. "Looks bored," he said. "Shall we see what it's doing?" he asked. He was excited for the coming tournament, and thinking it might be good to get a practice match in beforehand.

"You don't know who that is..." Dark said, already guessing what his Guardian was thinking. "You can't just challenge someone to a fight."

"Actually, I believe you can," Mutt said enthusiastically and without another word, he started bounding towards the lounging dragon on all fours, a habit of his that he got when excited.

"Damn dog," Dark muttered and followed after him with a groan.

[Phantom]

The dragon slept on, unaware of the approaching challengers, the chance it has been waiting for. Luster Dragon stretched it's wings a bit and settled back into a peaceful sleep, not paying any mind to it's surroundings.

[darkwolf117]

"Hey!" Mutt called cheerfully, approaching the sleeping dragon. He tapped it on the shoulder to get its attention, then backed away. "You signing up for the tournament later? I've never done one of these power matches, and was thinking I might need a practice one. Care to have a fight?" he asked cheerfully.

Dark caught up to him finally and addressed the dragon.

"Sorry, he's a little excited about the tournament..." he said. "If you don't want to, you don't have to, of course."

"But come on," Mutt said, grinning. "It'll be fun."

[Phantom]

Luster Dragon was startled, and was about to pummel the person who dared interrupt it's slumber, but saw it was none other than a guardian, a very excited Lycanthrope who was challenging it to a fight. Luster Dragon grinned and nodded, roaring it's acceptance. It stood up and reared on it's hind legs, roaring in defiance. It slammed it's front claws back down and opened it's wings, a thin membrane appearing in them that would surely allow flight. It grinned and stared at it's opponents, waiting for them to make the first move.

[darkwolf117]

"Mutt..." Dark muttered under his breath as the dragon got up, seemingly eager to fight. "You better know what you're doing," he said, as he backed away.

"I'll be fine," Mutt said confidently. "Just back yourself up nice and far," he warned his partner.

Dark groaned and put some distance between them both.

Mutt gave the dragon a grin, then tensed up in a battle stance, clawed paws raised in front of him. He circled around the dragon, ready to dart in upon finding an opening.

"Come on now!" he taunted. "Show me what you got!" With that, Mutt jumped nimbly to the trunk of the tree the dragon had been resting on, claws digging in to hold himself up, then jumped above the dragon, claws slashing towards its head.

[Phantom]

When the Lycanthrope made his taunt, the Luster Dragon roared it's defiance again, but failed to notice his speed until he made his move, his attack making full contact. The force from the attack launched the dragon into a building, crashing into the shielding spell protecting it. As soon as it recovered from being dazed, the dragon stood up and roared again, running toward it's opponent, opening it's mouth to unleash it's sapphire-shard attack.

[darkwolf117]

Mutt crouched to all fours, ready to jump as the dragon bore down on him.

"Mutt!" Dark yelled to get his attention. Mutt got what he was thinking quickly, and agreed. The dragon looked to be preparing some kind of special attack and trying to dodge outright might not be the best idea.

Mutt took a deep breath, filling his lungs to max capacity, then loosed an earsplitting howl that echoed forth at an insanely high pitch, meant to throw the dragon off balance.

[Phantom]

Only one shard escaped from Luster Dragon's mouth when Lycanthrope made his move. The howl blared in the dragon's sensitive ears and it fell in mid run, curling up in a fetal position and crying out in agony. It thrashed about in pain as it covered it's ears, trying to rid itself of the sound, leaving it virtually defenseless.

[darkwolf117]

Though only one shard escaped from the dragon's mouth, Mutt, head raised to loose his Sonic Howl ability, only saw it coming when Dark yelled in his head to look out.

He twisted his body to avoid it, but the crystalline blade cut through his side and he growled in pain. It was a small scratch though, and he didn't lose his footing.

The dragon was down on the ground, disoriented from the howl, and Mutt ran to it. He jumped onto its back and locked one of its wings in his arm. He growled as the wound in his side pained him, but ignored it.

[Phantom]

With it's wing locked in Mutt's grasp, Luster Dragon growled and flapped hard, jumping into the air to try to take-off. It bucked and kicked like a rodeo horse trying to get airborne and roared. The fury of the dragon could be heard for miles as it struggled to get airborne.

[darkwolf117]

Mutt grunted as the dragon struggled and bucked underneath him, trying to throw him off. He was in a bad spot. He couldn't let the dragon get airborne or he'd be a sitting duck. And he certainly needed to be careful not to get thrown off and trampled.

A pained grunt escaped Mutt's mouth as one violent movement from the dragon jarred the wound on his side. He slipped a little and grit his teeth, trying to keep his grip.

Mutt, just get off! Dark yelled in his head. You'll slip sooner or later! Mutt couldn't help but agree with this as his grip deteriorated a bit more from another kick. With a growl, he got his feet to the side of the dragon and kicked off, releasing the wing. He landed about 20 feet away, and started circling around the dragon warily, breathing heavily from exhaustion after the struggle,

[Phantom]

As soon as the Lycan let go, Luster Dragon was shot off into the air and plummeted to the ground, it's wing caught in it's foreclaw. Just before it hit the ground, it freed it's wing, tearing some of the membrane, and climbed upward in a U-shape. Finding a comfortable height, it stopped in mid-air and hovered, glaring at it's opponent and roaring, sending a shower of sapphire-shards raining down on Mutt.

[darkwolf117]

With a good amount of distance to see the shards coming, Mutt dodged them without much trouble. But unfortunately he didn't have a lot of ways of countering. He thought about using his Groundshatter ability, but the dragon would probably be able to dodge as easily as he could dodge the sapphire shards.

You're tired, and I'm sure the Luster Dragon is too, Dark said, talking in Mutt's head again. The battle had spilled pretty far from him, so shouting wasn't convenient. It won't be able to stay up there forever. Be patient.

Mutt chuckled. Good call, he responded. Then, aloud, "Gonna just fly up there?" he called tauntingly to the dragon. "Not gonna be able to get me from that far away!" He slapped his palms to his chest. "Come on already!"

[Phantom]

The Luster Dragon growled again and sent another blast of sapphire shards toward Mutt before diving toward him, claws fully extended. It glared down at him in full, dragonic fury as it prepared to make it's final move. It roared as it careened down quickly toward it's opponent.