________________

Dragon stepped back, bewildered, releasing the tail of his newfound brother. What was the lion shouting about?! Bloodlust? What?

Did he mean Baratheon?

Dragon stared between the two only briefly before deciding on a course of action. His hope was that, if he blasted a big wave of flame right between the two, that Baratheon might cower back from the heat and light, and wake up from whatever trance he was in. Or, if Usui was lying, it'd at least split the two up.

He hoped.

He reared back his head, jaws cracking open, feeling the heat within him bubble up easily as soon as he called upon it. Unfortunately, as focused and determined as he was, something went--... wrong. He didn't open his jaws wide enough quite in time, and the belched flame lashed through and over his own snout. Pain roared through him, and at first he only winced--before realizing that the fire was still licking at his skin. The stench of burning flesh filled the air, and Dragon at least had the presence of mind to turn and dive into the water, a billowing hiss of steam pluming up behind him.

OW-OW-OW-OWWW-OW!

________________

Round: 2/5
Attempt: Blast some fire into the air to break them up?
Defense: None
Injuries: None

BARATHEON

"the world is mine for the taking"

---

His teeth sank into Usui's neck but not nearly as tightly as he wanted or maybe it was Dragon who threw off his biting power? Who knew? All Baratheon cared about was that his fangs pulled free of the lion's throat and snapped together on air as he was continuously pulled backwards. Angrily he snarled at the alligator pulling him but dug his claws into the earth, trying to slow himself down. His thrashed his tail and turned back to the lion, roaring in anger. His claws dug in deeper and he tried to walk forward but couldn't, as the dragon seemed intent on getting him to the waves.

However, he felt his chance when the other dragon stopped and opened its mouth. Baratheon pulled his tail free and attempted to run straight towards the lion. The lion did the same as it came for him but as Baratheon opened his jaws again for a bite he found himself crushed. Usui had thrown himself on top of the furred dragon and crushed the little creature beneath his weight. Baratheon thrashed about, scoring deep furrows into the earth but he was firmly held and couldn't get his fangs around to bite the lion. Angrily he began to spit and hiss but he would not be beaten so easily. The creature within had a way to dislodge the lion and with a pull of magic unleashed a spell to hopefully throw the lion away.

Baratheon vs Usui vs Dragon for Dominance
Round III of V


Attacks: Vacuum to throw Usui away.
Defenses: Thrashing about.
Injuries: Puncture wounds in left shoulder and tail. Minor bruises on body from being jumped on.

---

Usui had hoped the croc would be able to do something but unfortunately, he did quite the opposite – releasing Baratheon’s tail and retreating into the water to put out the fire he’d self-ignited. Usui knew then what it was – for he himself, had suffered a critical failure and had completely passed out then after suffering from multiple injuries. The lion hoped that the croc would be better soon to rejoin the fight and help subdue Baratheon. For now, he balanced steadily upon Baratheon’s back, digging into the spot he presumed would be weaker – the hips – and managed to press the pink fluff down, but if only for a minute – for then he was abruptly flung off Baratheon’s back and tossed back onto the land. With a heavy thud he crashed to the ground, causing painful sparks to shoot up his right side. He cast a quick glance towards the croc, believing that it was resourceful enough to manage his own problems, he seemed the type to be able to survive very well, and so Usui scrambled to his paws and prepared to face yet another attack from Baratheon.

He needed to split the dragon from the rest of them or at least, from himself temporarily. Concentrating hard and hoping that whatever “the creature” was, was on his side, the lion attempted a new magic. He squared his shoulders and took in a deep breath, allowing his magic to flow through his paws, brows furrowed as he concentrated hard on how he wanted the crack to be. He would create a fissure – yes, one that was going to separate Baratheon, Dragon and himself – it it failed, he’d dance out of the way.

Round: 3/5
Attempt: Split Baratheon, Usui and Dragon using fissure
Defense: Shoulders squared, head tucked in to protect vitals, claws unsheathed
Injuries: left side of neck scratched and bleeding, two rows of slight bleeding puncture marks along his neck, bruise along right side

________________

Dragon was dazed, yes, to say the least. The pain was always bad when he burned himself, but this was severe, and left his mind reeling, unable to focus for very long at a time.

He crawled forward to peer over the newly-made fissure at Baratheon, wondering if the dragon's wings allowed him to fly right out, or if they were as yet too underdeveloped. But what could he do? He could only speak, and hope to get through to his new brother. If, that was, his voice was even up to it.

"Baratheon! ...New-brother! Dragon! ...Can you hear me? What are you doing?! Calm down! I'll--... I'll find you something to eat!"

His tail swished slowly against the ground, worry gripping him. He'd come here to try and find something special, some sort of treasure, but now he was left instead with a newly-found brother who was losing himself in madness, or so it seemed.

"Baratheon COME ON! HEY!" He let out a hoarse, burned-throat growling squeak, trying to draw the dragon's attention a little. Maybe if his eyes left Usui for a few moments, he'd come back to himself?

________________

Round: 3/5
Attempt: Talk Baratheon Down
Defense: None
Injuries: Burned throat/mouth

BARATHEON

"the world is mine for the taking"

---

He'd managed to toss the lion away from him and with a quick shake he was gone to chase the golden feline. His paws thudded into the earth as he ran forward but then everything started to shake. He tried to stay on his feet but only ended up falling to the ground. It wasn't until the ground stopped moving that he was able to get his footing. The young dragon rose to his paws and looked at the scene before him. The ground had been split apart with he, Usui, and Dragon all on separate edges.

Angrily he let out a shrill roar, aimed directly at the lion. However, roars could do nothing except tell how angry he was at this little trick. He wanted that lion... He wanted him now! He began to pace back and forth in front of the hole, head low, tail lashing back and forth while he snorted loudly from his nose. In this state he seamed little more than a caged beast, pacing, trying to figure out a way to get to the food on the other side of the bars.

His ears tilted back, registering the dragon's words. Still, the dragon wasn't bleeding, his words didn't matter. The only thing they rewarded him with was an annoyed his from the Baratheon as he briefly stopped pacing to glare in Dragon's direction. He was beyond understanding what the words meant and it only briefly distracted him before his nose found the scent of blood again and his gaze locked back onto Usui. He didn't pace anymore, he simply stared, desire in his eyes as his feral mind tried to work out how to get the lion.

The solution... was surprisingly simple. Normal Baratheon wouldn't even have dreamed it but this beast knew what he was capable of. The dragon stretched his small wings and after taking a running start leaped. He cleared half of the fissure, then the rest of the way he used his wings to glide over. He was able to make it by using his paws to grab onto the side of the ledge and haul himself up to Usui's side. Now they were here together, trapped due to Usui's move.

With a roar of victory Baratheon launched himself at Usui, fangs bared as he once again went for Usui's throat.


Baratheon vs Usui vs Dragon for Dominance
Round IV of V


Attacks: Lunge for Usui's throat.
Defenses: Ears pinned.
Injuries: Puncture wounds in left shoulder and tail. Minor bruises on body from being jumped on.

---

The earth split successfully separating them for a temporary moment. This allowed Usui to regain his composure, but he sure wasn't going to be able to cast high-level magic with this great outflow of energy and physical injuries. Pale green eyes swung to the croc who seemed to catch hold of the situation but he didn't have the luxury of time to respond. The lion placed his full attention upon Baratheon who (he kind of figured would do so) used his tiny wings to get over the rift, although the cub would never have guessed the manner in which he did so Ah, so Baratheon can't sustain flight with his tiny wings over long distances?" he mentally noted, then crouched down with a snarl as the gliding pink furry dragon snaked towards him. It lunged for his throat but Usui, with his defenses in check, sprung out of the way and escaped harm, though now he was stuck in the fissure with Baratheon.

Perhaps the only way to calm Baratheon down was to musk his own scent. Staying to the side, near the edge of the piece of earth he was on, Usui cast his magnet power. If successful, small bits of metal would zone in on him like a protective armour and cling painfully onto his skin, especially over the abrasions he'd gotten, to stop the bleeding and cut off the smell to Baratheon. Digging his claws into the earth, Usui concentrated hard and attempted to summon this magic of his.

Round: 4/5
Attempt: Summon armour all over his skin (in small pieces so he is still mobile) with the intention of pressing against his skin to stem the blood and mask his blood smell.
Defense: Shoulders squared, head tucked in to protect vitals, claws unsheathed
Injuries: left side of neck scratched and bleeding, two rows of slight bleeding puncture marks along his neck, bruise along right side

________________

Dragon frowned, and began to scurry around the fissures almost the moment he realized he wasn't getting through. As Baratheon ran, leapt and neatly soared over, he was busy running all the way around. As Usui struggled with his magic--and Dragon couldn't tell what he was trying to do with it, and there wasn't much time anyway--he was skidding around the cracks in the earth, gasping for breath as he galloped the last few yards to them.

He didn't slow down, either; he ran straight at Baratheon, hoping that his brother took as little notice of him as he had before, and tried to leap at him as best an alligator can--

Oh--I can jump surprisingly well...

--in an attempt to knock him over to pin him with his weight. He was happily surprised when he didn't fall, or completely miss, but the dragon might still wriggle away before he could get a grip.

He hoped, though, that he'd manage to knock Baratheon flat and squash him down for at least a moment while Usui did--... whatever it was that Usui was doing.

Something with rocks.

________________

Round: 4/5
Attempt: Pin Baratheon Down
Defense: None
Injuries: Burned throat/mouth

BARATHEON

"the world is mine for the taking"

---

He missed the lunge and he angrily turned his head to follow the movements of the lion. He prepared himself to lunge again but something strange happened. The lion attracted rocks all over him and while he wouldn't normally care about rocks the scent of blood was suddenly dulled. Dulled so much so that the dragon stopped for a moment, paws skidding to a halt as he sniffed the air. Behind the haze he primarily used his sense of smell to track the movements of his prey by the scent of their blood trail. However, with no blood trail to follow his enraged self seemed slightly confused. A lion with rocks all over him wasn't nearly as tempting as one that was bleeding or one that had been associated with a dead mouse.

Baratheon's body visibly shuddered as again he tried to take control of himself with that momentary lapse in action. His eyes blinked rapidly as he tried to clear away the red haze in his vision, it was working somewhat until he felt himself thrown to the ground beneath an even greater weight than the lion had been. The haze flared up again but again there was no blood smell. No blood... and he wasn't being hurt... just held down. Fortunately for the gator he hadn't been injured in the fight so Baratheon didn't turn on him and was able to once again wrestle control of himself back.

His eyes dulled from bright crimson to pink as he stopped struggling beneath Dragon and lay still, blinking around as if seeing for the first time. He went limp beneath the gator and his eyes, staring up at his two friends, were apologetic as he regained his sanity. "I'm sorry..." He closed his eyes as he expected the worst sort of punishment for his lapse in control. He hadn't meant to do what he did --everything was a reddish blur to his sane self-- but he'd still done it. Still lost control after eating the tiny mouse... It was still his fault.

Baratheon vs Usui vs Dragon for Dominance
Round V of V


Attacks: Regain control of himself.
Defenses: None
Injuries: Puncture wounds in left shoulder and tail. Minor bruises on body from being jumped on.

---

Bits of small metal and metallic minerals left the earth successfully to press against his skin, especially since he’d opened the fissure to allow for the dulled bits to rise to the surface as well. Usui never failed to be fascinated by the formation of his armour, earth’s sweet defense, and looked on grimly as really unsightly pieces linked together to form an armour akin to a chainmail armour, blocking out the blood scent and causing the injured lion pain at the same time. He gritted his teeth and gripped his claws against the earth as the rough-edged metal scraped against the wounds, some small enough to press against the wounded flesh from his puncture wounds. Eyes ablaze, the exhausted gembound was about to dance out of Baratheon’s grip again but then the crocodile gembound jumped back into the scene and held their pink furry friend down. Usui glanced at him gratefully, then looked on tensely as the dragon shuddered and didn’t thrash about. "Get a grip, Baratheon," he muttered, hoping very sincerely that the dragon would finally calm down. Moments passed by and finally, Baratheon awoke to his senses, glancing at them sadly before slumping down. The tawny feline sighed, feeling extremely weary then, and he allowed his muscles to sag. He’d need to keep his magic powered for a while more and hoped it’d last.

Thankfully, Usui’s armour stayed put though it threatened to just fall off into little bits once more. He stayed put, taking precautions, not wishing to approach Baratheon lest he provoke him unknowingly. His pale green eyes were downcast – weary and all the fight had left him – pale green, cold, empty shells not really meeting anyone’s gaze. It still shocked him that the dragon had been serious in wanting to maim him. Perhaps, he was just tired and needed to rest and heal up. "Not your fault, Baratheon, you’ve tried. Good work brother. I…I should get going now, see you around.” Weary voice echoed out, and then the cub looked towards Dragon with a slight nod, entrusting the furry dragon to him. He then turned around and padded away slowly, worn out and wanting to wash off the wounds and pain, and take off the armour out of the dragon’s sight, for even as he walked now the armour cut into his skin, threatening to infect him.

-Exit Usui-

Round: 5/5
Attempt: Maintain his metal armour, pressing against his skin to stem the blood and mask his blood smell.
Defense: None
Injuries: left side of neck scratched and bleeding, two rows of slight bleeding puncture marks along his neck, bruise along right side, pain from metal bits lodging into his wounds (will fall off once his magic wears out)

________________

Dragon peered at his brother, and winced a little at the pain he perceived there. The lion was muttering and stalking off, but Dragon understood that well enough, and thought that maybe the jerk wasn't as jerky as he'd thought. Maybe.

"...Hold on," he told his newfound brother, and then he focused. Baratheon was bleeding from wounds along his shoulder, and Dragon knew that burning things stopped bleeding, so without asking, he took it upon himself to try and fix it. "This is gonna hurt," he added.

He concentrated, grimacing to ignore the agonizing pain of the burns already lining his mouth and throat--he'd learned that he had to just use fire right over it, and push the pain away, and his skin would thicken some more against it. For now he focused on trying to let out a small, concentrated belch of flame, just enough for the heat to sear the blood and coagulate the wound's surface, so long as his brother didn't squirm away. It might also cause slight burning to the wounds themselves, and even scar them, but Dragon released his own flames with a grimace quite soon, hoping that what he'd tried so far had been enough.

Regardless of whether Baratheon moved and avoided the cauterizing flames, Dragon would then step off, sliding backwards into the mud.

"Sorry. It was to stop the bleeding. Are you okay? What happened...?"

He eyed Baratheon with concern.

________________

Round: 5/5
Attempt: Cauterize Baratheon's wounds. Not reaaaally an attack, though.
Defense: None
Injuries: Burned throat/mouth