The sky dragon breathed deeply. He knew this was it. One of them had to die here, and if it was him, nothing would stand in Koujin's way. But as Soshi knew Koujin had all three treasures in his possession, his chances against the villain were reduced dramatically. As he readied himself, Soshi stared down his adversary, who was merely hovering in the air a few inches above the roof of the castle. As he waited for Koujin to make the first move, Soshi drew strength from everyone he knew was counting on him.
"It ends here Sky Yoshi!" Koujin cackled. "You will die here! I swear it!" On Koujin's words, an extraordinarily bright flash of lightning blinded Soshi for a split second. Koujin moved in and punched Soshi hard with his right hand, which had taken the form of a giant claw, much like Soshi's own, only it glowed with a dark aura. Soshi took the attack head-on, but took off unfazed. He dove for Koujin, fangs and claws bared. The villain saw this coming, however, and swerved out of the way, calling down a beam from the Radiant Ruby above to strike Soshi. The dragon turned sharply in mid-air to avoid it, and spewed a steady stream of fire at the dark lord. Wherever Koujin tried to dodge, Soshi would aim right for him, all the while flying closer and closer. Throughout the attack, Soshi focused power into his wings, causing them to glow. Koujin landed on the roof and began calling down bolts from the three wands above. Soshi stopped his flame and dove straight for Koujin. The villain tried to dodge, but Soshi anticipated this, and turned sharply in mid-air, knocking Koujin in the stomach, full-force.
As he reeled, Soshi circled him, focusing for another attack. Suddenly, a bright yellow beam from below struck him and Soshi felt a surge of electricity course throughout his body. He fell to the ground and got to his feet, still feeling the effects of the blast. Soshi felt movement behind him and turned just in time to see Koujin brandish his sword and slice Soshi in the face. Koujin was aiming for the neck, but Soshi had turned, and instead taken the hit to the face. He stifled the cry of pain; he knew he had to keep fighting. Soshi dived at Koujin once more, kicking him in the chest as hard as he could. Koujin merely took a few steps back and raised his hand. Throughout all this, Koujin had been storing energy into what was now an enormous glowing orb high above the roof. Soshi tried to stop the evildoer from unleashing the attack by breathing another fireball at him. Soshi circled around and slammed himself into Koujin as hard as he could. It was like running into a brick wall. Koujin didn't move, but Soshi skidded to the ground with a groan.
As he looked up, Koujin was not laughing like the tortuous person Soshi had come to know him as. He was scowling. He was truly fighting, not just toying with Soshi. Soshi tried to make himself get up, before it was too late. Koujin, however, brought his hand down swiftly, and the giant orb of energy fell.
An explosion and power rocked the castle wall. As he took the blast, Soshi tried not to black out. He was flying through the air, but it felt like he was being crushed with the force of a million tons. He hit his head on the wall of the castle and fell in a crumpled heap on the stony ground. He saw his adversary protected in a green bubble. He had sustained no injuries from the explosion. Before he could get up, Koujin was on him and dug his claw with all his might into Soshi's limp body. Koujin ripped out his hand taking much of Soshi's skin with it. Soshi howled with pain as the blood began to pool around him. He tried to get up. To keep fighting. Somehow overcome the odds and win. Strengthened only by his will to live, Soshi slowly struggled to his feet. In a moment of blind rage, he broke off into a run at Koujin.
"Can't you see? You can't win! Give up now while you still have a life to protect!" Koujin growled.
"Oh yeah?" Soshi thought. "Just watch." The Shy Yoshi knew he had just one chance. Ignoring the pain as best he could, he flew up to the three wands creating the electrical barrier.
"What are you doing?! Impertinent fool!" Koujin floated up toward Soshi as fast he could.
Soshi reached for the nearest treasure to him: The Essence Emerald. As he grabbed it, a searing pain coursed through his body. But he held on and tried to claim it back. It seemed not to move from its point in the sky. His cry of pain echoed through the night air. After what seemed like an eternity, Soshi managed to break the spell and claim the Emerald. Koujin stared in shock. The electricity that resulted from Soshi touching the Emerald prevented Koujin from getting near without getting shocked himself. Soshi curled his mouth into a slight grin as blood continued to drip off his body. Koujin regained his composure and fired more blasts from his hand and Soshi, who countered with beams of his own from the Emerald. With each one, he thought of Kaller, how he risked his life for Soshi. It was time to return the favor.
Koujin roared. "You may have the Essence Emerald, but I still have two pieces of the treasure under my control. And unlike you, I'm powerful enough to kill you with them alone!" He called down repeated bolts from each of them, coupling the attack with his own. Soshi tried his best to fire back, but he knew he would be overwhelmed sooner or later. Worse, the pain in his back from the wounds Koujin gave him was beginning to be too much to bear.
"You can't dodge them forever, Sky Dragon!" Koujin yelled. Soshi knew it. He needed to gain the upper hand in this battle. Soshi had to keep fighting, against all odds. Just keep fighting…