A.N.: A more sobering chapter...

Chapter 21: Enemies until Forever

They reached the rooftop in silence. Vaati appeared reluctant to utter a single word as though forgetting about their climb up the tower would render it nonexistent from history.

The dragon perched on top of one of the four pillars that framed the edge of the roof. It was in full armor, from head to tail, and there were occasional grating sounds as the onyx armor slid past each other. Link wondered if the creature could see at all through the metal that surrounded its head.

The beast raised its wings; the Twilit Dragon Argorok didn't take kindly to intruders on its turf.

"Was the dragon in your monster book?" Link asked as he tried to figure out how to damage the dragon that took to the air.

"No. I don't think the people who wrote the book thought its readers were going to go search for the big ones," Vaati answered. They ducked as the dragon roared over their heads. "We're going to have to ground this one like the Aeralfos."

Link rolled to the side as fire erupted past where he had been standing. "What? You mean with these?" He looked at his clawshot with disbelief.

Vaati shrugged. "It's worth a try."

Link ran behind a pillar to take cover. "Did the Oocca rub off on you? You don't seem very worried."

The dragon had now positioned itself at the center of the roof, apparently preparing to blow them off the edge with its wings. Vaati calmly aimed the clawshot at the dragon's tail and fired. The dragon growled as it sunk a few feet towards the ground; Vaati hovered a few inches from the grass as he swung on the clawshot. "A little assistance, Link?"

Link didn't waste time as he fired his own clawshot at the dragon's hooked tail and yanked the chain. The dragon couldn't handle the additional weight and came crashing down, some of its armor cracking off. Link ran over to the mage and snapped his fingers in front of his face. "Hey, are you all right in there? What's wrong with you?"

Vaati finally gave him his usual glare. "Nothing's wrong, idiot. I just hate using these blasted things," the mage waved the clawshot in front of Link, "and I'm trying not think about them. Ok? The memories associated with these are the worst I've had in the past several hundred years."

"Roooaarrr!" The dragon struggled to get up.

"Well snap out of it or the dragon's going to kill us," Link growled. He raised his head towards the beast that was about to fly again. "Oh no you don't."

Link ran towards the black armor and climbed on top of the dragon's back. He fired the clawshot onto its neck so it wouldn't shake him off and began to chip away the armor with his sword. Argorok screeched and flew into the air.

Vaati nonchalantly watched Argorok carry Link away to the skies. He smirked, "Bye Link."

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Link struggled to hold on as the dragon corkscrewed around the City in the Sky. He cursed himself for thinking Vaati would help him defeat the dragon. That doesn't mean I can't make it difficult for you, boy. The mage's words rang around his head. For the umpteenth time Link wondered what insanity had caused him to take the annoying little thing with him.

The dragon began to crash into the marble pillars that riddled the City, trying to cause the flying rubble to throw Link off its back. Link caught a glimpse of Vaati sitting on the edge of the wind tower rooftop observing the show.

"That little bastard…" Link hissed through clenched teeth. He then saw Vaati point at an area somewhere below where he sat. Link noticed to his horror that Argorok was planning to ram itself into the tower where Vaati was pointing.

Link thought about his options, which were not very many. He could either go along with the dragon in which case he'd probably die, or he could attempt to jump off right before the dragon hit, in which case he'd also probably die. Option two might be more painless, if he fell unconscious during the fall down to Hyrule. Link took a deep breath and removed his clawshot from the dragon's neck.

"What the…?!"

"Rrooooooarrrr!" Crash!

Link collapsed onto the grass as Vaati pulled his clawshot away from Link's tunic. "Why must I always save you?"

Link appeared flabbergasted. "What…you? But…," he wiped sweat from his face, "I don't understand you. You try to kill me one moment and you save me the next."

Vaati remained silent.

Link crawled over to the edge to see what had happened to the dragon. He could see a lifeless tail smashed under a boulder; the dragon had become crazed to pursue a suicide attack. "…You know, sometimes, I think we have the potential to make a great team…"

Still silence.

Link pulled on the grass. "When this ends, are we –"

"What do you think?" Vaati was staring stonily ahead. "We continue where we left off. I'm going to destroy you, or you're going to destroy me." His face was hidden by the bangs that washed over his eyes. "Don't forget I'm only working with you so I can return to power."

Link sighed and picked dirt off of his boot. Vaati was a jerk, but…not really evil. Perhaps a little misguided, but not evil like Ganondorf. Absolute power corrupts absolutely; he wondered if Vaati had become less a villain because he had lost all his abilities. Link chuckled. That's what happens when you go adventuring. Everyone who helps you begins to appear nice.

But no, that wasn't really it. Even when Link had fought Vaati as the raging black eye there was something…sad…about him. Like he was just trying to get back at the world for all the unfairness it had rained on him. Link shook his head. What was he getting all sentimental for? If this continued he really was going to start thinking Tektites wanted to be friends with him.

Link stood up and followed the leaving mage, his purple cape billowing behind him. For now, he figured he shouldn't worry about the battle between them that was probably going to occur after all this was over for good.

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"I knew you two gentlemen would be able to defeat the dragon, gracious yes!" Ooccoo greeted them as they returned from the tower. "You caused us quite a fright when it began to crash into the towers, but I see you're safe." Link nodded, but didn't say anything. "Gracious! But were you two quick! We haven't finished preparing lunch yet." Ooccoo's head turned from the quiet Link to Vaati. "Did something happen between you two? You look quite depressed……gracious yes."

"We're fine. Thank you for your hospitality. We'll be going off now." Link said to his shoes. "If you have any more trouble, please let us know."

Ooccoo stared after the leaving hero in surprise. "Well. I hope the dear is feeling all right. Gracious!" She turned to Vaati who stood silently a few feet away. "Be a good friend and make sure he's taken care of." Ooccoo continued earnestly, "I've been watching you, gracious yes, and you aren't as cold as you pretend to be."

Vaati narrowed his eyes as his face darkened. "I should be leaving." He left the disappointed Ooccoo alone by the pool they had first landed in.

"Well I never." Her beady eyes turned to the clouds in the distance. "If only that gentleman would open up more," she whispered, "gracious yes…"

OXXXXXXXXXO

H-bomber: Yup! He would lose if it was conventional fighting.

I realized the reviewer's corner might not be a good idea if I continue daily updates...so I'll add reviewers for the respective chapters as they appear. Check up if you review, I might have answered on the next chapter :D.