Claw upon Claw

Claw upon Claw
by Trianna Keylan

The huge red dragon approached Irontail as it growled. Here I go, thought Irontail. The first dragon to challenge my territory.

Irontail snarled back as he retreated, trying out his first trick.

It worked! The red challenger came faster, thinking that Irontail was going to surrender. But he was THINKING. Irontail uttered a little whine as he tucked his tail between his legs. The red giant smiled and laughed, a laugh that was chock-full of growls. Irontail whined again, and leaned backwards, preparing for it.

Wait for it...Wait for it...aaaah -

Irontail roared as he leaped onto the red, ripping with his claws and beating his tail hard on the red's tough scales. He attacked as hard as he could, thinking, Wow, this is easy! I thought it would be really hard!

The red had a trick of his own, however.

Irontail kept on the assault, now hurling his black body against the red's, jarring his bones. All the while his jaws snapped frantically like a rabid dog's. He opened his mouth and let loose a fountain of fire, the flames licking the red dragon's wings.

BAM!

He was suddenly hurling backward. And he felt dizzy. What the - ?

Then he felt himself leave the ground again. He also felt himself hit it again. The shock was over, and now the pain was settling in. Over and over the red threw him, and Irontail was getting up slower and slower. After a few throws, Irontail didn't get up.

He just lay there, exhausted, hurting, and lightheaded. The red came over and stood over him, like a scarlet Grim Reaper. It pulled back its lips in an amused growl, then raised his foreleg. His claws extended with a terrible shhhick.

Irontail thought he was dead when he heard the thud of the claws hitting. He opened one eye, expecting to see a land of clouds and sun. But no! He still saw the red! And it looked ANGRY. It had missed its target.

Irontail gathered his strength and smiled. "Bye,bye," he said happily, then snapped hhis back leg forward.

The red had been so intent on looming over Irontail that he was not balanced well. He went flying when he was kicked. He went twenty feet through the air, then hit the ground and began to drag himself away from Irontail's territory.

I win! he thought triumphantly.

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