The growl rumbled from the pit of his stomach. The noise steadily rising as the ground shook. Claws ripped at the soft earth. Long talons curling and un-curling slowly. Scaly lips pulled back to show glistening white teeth. Fangs dripping as the growl broke from his chest. His back arched and tail flicked angrily. The shocking gold of his irises showing bright against the blood red scales. Wings spread wide as he drew in a breath. Lips pulled back to show more teeth. The growl cut off suddenly as he snapped his jaws and leaped forward - letting out a ear splitting roar!

The roar rumbled down the valley. Building up strength and volume - reaching a pitch so loud it made the ground tremble. The dragon snapped his jaws shut - cutting off the roar with a flick of his tail. He glared down the valley with a threatening growl. Gold eyes transfixed on the its prey.

Another dragon stood her ground as she snarled up at him. Her green scales sparkling in the dusk light. White fangs bared and eyes bright with a defiant spark. She spread out her wings with a lash of her tail and held her head up high. Her snarl deepening before she answered him with a roar so powerful the trees swayed away from her wrath.

The red dragon stood his ground. Talons ripping into the already mangled turf under his bulk. He waited until her jaws snapped shut before he leaped forward and up - spreading his wings wide and leaping into the air. She responded swiftly - hunching onto her back legs and springing into the air. The green membranes of her wings expanding as they filled with air. She climbed into the air to meet the red dragon speeding towards her. His red scales ablaze with light from the setting sun, turning him a bright fiery red. His wings beat down with a strength and purpose. His gold eyes never leaving the green dragon climbing towards him.

The green female gained altitude quickly. Her powerful wings beating the air with a vicious power. She launched herself above the red dragon and towered over him, twisting her neck to keep her gaze on him. He rolled in the sky to turn sharply, but his bulk made him slow. The green dragon saw her chance. With a snap of fangs and a deep rumbling growl - she dived, pulling in her wings flat against her body. Her bright emerald eyes fixed on the red dragon.

He was turning with painful slowness, his side becoming exposed to the quickly descending female. Her deadly talons outstretched and her fangs shining. She plummeted towards him with frightening speed. Her jaws opened wide to bite. Then he was gone. He moved with a pace faster then he should. Twisting his body away from her and beating his wings to gain height.

She shot past him, her eyes going wide as she realised she'd been tricked.

The great mass of the red dragon was now above her. She backpedalled quickly and tried to twist away but he caught her in his talons, sinking them deep into her scaly green foreleg. His other foot swiping round, slicing at her wing. She let out a scream, yanking her foreleg from his grasp and locking her own round his body. Wings still beating frantically, she held on to the red dragon. Her sliced wing making it hard for her to stay up. Her tongue flicked from her mouth, lips pulling back in a snarl. Emerald eyes locked onto gold.

Then with an almighty heave, the green dragon pushed the red away and pulled her back legs up. Using her back talons to grip the red dragon's shoulders. He roared in frustration and tried to get away. She responded with a roar of her own. Then folded in her wings. Crouching down to let all her weight rest on his shoulders, her talons digging deep into his flesh through the scaly armour. With a panicked snap, the red dragon tried to stay in the air. Beating his wings with more force. But he tired quickly. Letting his wings collapse in exhaustion, they both went plummeting towards the ground.

His roar ripped through the air. He started to bat her with her claws. Slashing at her scales and tearing at flesh. But she didn't budge, only sinking her claws in deeper and clamping her jaws down on his neck. Forcing her weight down more heavily on his shoulders. Her eyes fixed with determination on the ground rushing towards them. The red dragon couldn't escape. His frightened battering didn't make a difference. The ground was rushing towards his back and every twist he made to get loose only made the green dragon tighten her grip.

Then she released him from her jaws and - snapping out her wings - shoved down with all her strength. The red dragon didn't have time to correct himself before he hit the ground with a bone crunching thud.

Silence fell. The green dragon landed softly, limping slightly from the wounds covering her body.

She stalked silently towards where the Red dragon lay. Halting out of reach, she hunched her muscles and stood still. Her eyes flicking back and forth across the still breathing body of the red dragon. He lay on his side with his unprotected belly exposed to the air. An easy kill if the Green dragon decided to attack.

But she didn't move.

The Red dragon snapped his eyes open. Quickly becoming aware of his position and yelping in fear. He shifted his weight with difficulty and heaved onto his feet. But only just. One of his wings was twisted back at an unnatural angle. Deep gashes covered his shoulders and forelegs. One foreleg dangled uselessly. Many of his red scales were missing and his eyes were now a dull gold. All the fire gone out from their depths.

She snarled at him, low and threatening. He hunched down and snarled back, ears flat against his skull and eyes wide with uncertainty. With an impatient snap, the green female leapt forward and nipped him with her fangs. It was harmless but the threat was clear. The Red scooted back and growled before bowing his head in defeat.

The green dragon kept up her snarl until the massive red male finally turned and made a retreat. Dragging his broken wing along the ground. Limping awkwardly with only three legs to walk on.

The green dragon made a small triumphant sound before leaping forward and biting his tail. The red yelped in fear and pounced away from her. Making his way as fast as he could off the Green Dragons territory.

The Green Dragon stared for a long while after the red dragon. Making absolutely sure he had gone before her frame relaxed. Letting out a soft hum, she turned and headed towards a cave in the valley side. Her hum gathering volume until two small things popped out from behind some rocks in the cave entrance. The two baby dragons called to her with excited little squeaks.

Her contented hum sang across the land as she settled down in her home, watching her babies play in her valley.