"You know, the last dragon I faced off with was a lot bigger but technically defeating it was pretty much the same principle," Pepper muses. "I'll keep that in mind, although we don't seem to cross paths except by accident or stupidity. I guess it depends on just how much she wants to know about shadow magic."

Going toe to toe with China... it was tempting. Being miserably unable to resist her magic still rankled with Pepper; she had fended off what little intrusion her magic had by clinging to her aggravation with her, but that probably wouldn't lend itself to many future encounters. Still, it was useful information to have, and it made the idea of dealing with her seem a little less daunting. Perhaps China's lack of knowledge about shadow magic would be a way of manipulating her if she continued to seek it out.

"Good for you," Pepper replies, amused. "I'm going to have to have a talk with Skul about Christmas, though."