'Eternal Dragon, Grant my Wish'

'Well, that seemed much simpler than I thought.' Ed thought to himself after Vortigern started to lead them away from the cave. He didn't say another word until they exited, and then, he pointed at a mountain in the distance.

"They say a wish-granting dragon resides on that mountain. I've been watching it, waiting for a chance to get a view of the dragon, but I wasn't successful. I don't know if it's there, or if it's a hoax, but, that should be your best bet. Also, remember that dragons are overwhelmingly stronger than other monsters. Even if it's weaker than you, don't drop your guard."

Emilia and the others listened to Vortigern's words. Legends about the strength of dragons were passed down from old generations, and most of the new generation doesn't even know about the shape of dragons. In fact, out of the younger generation, only Ed saw a dragon before, outside of the Tower of Origin.

'Shenron?' While the others were deep in thought, Ed was thinking of useless things. Still, he regained his focus as he turned back toward Vortigern.

"Thank you for the information. I'll head over there right now since we're low on time. We'll be back with positive results, I hope," Ed said as he patted Mehen's head. The latter immediately grew into his largest size and dropped his head down for the others to climb.

"Hmm, if I'm not mistaken, you're the ninth floor's guardian, Mehen, are you not?" Vortigern said as he looked at the behemoth-sized serpent.

"Maybe…" Mehen hissed in a low voice.

"Ho ho ho…Edward." Vortigern laughed Mehen's answer off before he looked at Ed.

"You…you and your comrades. I can see that you're a monster tamer, and a good one at that," Vortigern stated as he studied the cultivation levels of everyone. "In fact, I don't think I've ever encountered a monster hunter with such a unique group of monsters, and that was as deeply loved by them like you. For that, I commend you. But, what will you do about the dragon if you meet him? Will you turn him into your comrade, like those here, or will you make him your avatar?"

Ed fell into silence as heard Vortigern. He knew what he was being asked, was not actually what was stated. Vortigern indirectly asked him, if he was willing to take the life of the dragon, in order to get stronger. If he was willing to rob the dragon, who was much like his companions, to satisfy his search for power.

"…I will kill him. I'm not hypocritical enough to say that I will to talk him into becoming my comrade, I know he won't agree. Dragons are prideful creatures that won't bend to the will of a human so easily. Plus, I need to get an avatar sooner or later. The sooner, the better."

Everyone fell into silence once again. Vortigern smiled and nodded his head as he watched Ed and the other ride away on Mehen's head. Did he accept Ed's answer? Or did he scorn him for such selfish thinking? No one knew. All they knew was that Ed had a purpose and he was going to go through with it.

"Ed, will you be okay against a dragon? I've never encountered one before, nor has anyone I know ever did. But, the tales of their viciousness reached everyone's ears at least once in their lives. Maybe we should look for another Avatar for you…" Emilia squatted near Ed as her hair danced in the wind.

"I don't know if I can win. But, I can tell you that the tales of the viciousness are not correct, yet they are." Emilia wore a confused look on her face. She couldn't comprehend the nonsense Ed was spouting. It was correct, but not correct. This wasn't a Schrödinger's equation!

"I've met two dragons before." Emilia's face turned into a surprised one after Ed spoke. People never met a dragon in their nearly immortal life. Yet, Ed, who was twenty years old at best, met two of them.

"You don't have to look that surprised. Both of my encounters happened two years, and one year ago. The first one happened when I was coming to the academy. It was a dragon with scales darker than the void of space. It exuded such an overwhelming power, that it suffocated me. Back then, I only had Suika and Raikou as my companions, and I thought that would be my end."

Emilia, Bella, and Ed's companions all listened closely. This was a tale unbeknownst to all. A tale that was shared by only three individuals, and a dragon.

"That day I knew what true strength looked like. What it felt like. However, I survived to tell the tale. Although it wasn't by my strength, but by the mercy of that dragon. It, simply, wasn't interested in me." Ed looked up as he talked, the towering mountain getting bigger, as they got closer to it.

"The second encounter happened on the twelfth floor of the Tower of Origin. There, I fought all the previous bosses, and the twelfth one was also a black scaled dragon. I nearly died before the battle even began, and only won thanks to everyone buying me enough time. If the dragon that resides on this mountain is the first one, then I don't know what I will do. Should I spare it, as it spared me? Or should I kill it? I, truly, do not know what I should do…"

Ed's companions chose not to say anything, and instead sit back and wait. How long has it been since they saw Ed waver? They couldn't recall.

Mehen reached the foot of the mountain and started to climb by twisting around it. It was only possible for Mehen with his incredible length. Everyone else felt their hearts thump as they got closer to the top. They broke through the clouds, to find an opening in the mountain. It appeared to be a dormant volcano.

'This is…' Ed felt nostalgic as he looked at the mountain.

"Merry, if I'm not mistaken. This looks like the mountain where I met you." Ed said as a smile appeared on his face.

"I think so…No it definitely does look like it." Merry fluttered her wings as she flew from her position.

Ed failed to notice Emilia glaring at him, but it was for the best.

Mehen got smaller as all of them stood at the middle of the mountain's opening. They looked around for the dragon, but couldn't find it.

'Oh eternal dragon, come out and grant my wish!' Ed threw his hands in the air as he spoke in his mind. 'Of course, that wouldn't work…' Ed ridiculed himself, as his companions looked at him like he was a weird human being.

Suddenly, from the clouds that existed even further beyond the first ones. A long, serpent-like figure twisted around as it got closer to the mountain.

'It can't be…It's really Shenron!"