Yeah, I'm agreed. Vlagg can't be knocked off his feet that easily, though Gervic almost succeeded in part three. And while the guys are preparing for their duel, I'll take the liberty, if not the nerve, to imagine what would happen if the non-canon version were part of the canon and our favorite characters were actually actors. (V, please forgive me. I promise, this is just imagination.)

"Vlagg, come on, go carefully on me like I owe you a large sum of money."
Zudrec and Vlagg had been rehearsing for the fight's opening scene for the third day. It would have been all right, but the dragon had hurt his leg during practice and was now limping. Cougar was very worried, for he didn't want his best friend to be crippled even more.
"Come on, Zu, we're friends," Vlagg muttered, trying not to lean on his sore leg too much. Zudrec crossed his paws on his mighty chest.
"In our canon universe, we're enemies, so come on, don't slow down."
Vlagg took a couple more steps, then collapsed. Cougar looked at him in alarm.
"If you're tired, we can..."
"No! I'm not giving up!"
The dragon tried to get up, but couldn't. Zudrec walked over to him and helped him stand up.
"Are you completely out of your mind? What if you fall off the tower?" he muttered, leading his friend to the bed. Vlagg sat up and looked at the big cat.
"You think I'm weak, don't you?"
Zudrec's eyes become bigger.
"DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT!!!!!"
He hadn't expected to yell himself, but consternation for someone he held dear made the cougar let out a roar. Vlagg looked sadly at Zudrec.
"But I did..."
Zudrec sat down next to his friend and rested his head against his chest.
"It's the annoyance in you that speaks, Vlegg. But you're not a weakling! I know that. You're a cool dragon, you have admirers."
Vlagg smiled embarrassedly.
"We all have fans. And when I read their comments under our movie, my heart fills with pride."
"And to make sure you don't let them down, you try your best?" asked Zudrec. The dragon nodded.
"Yes! Even if my paw is broken!"
"Now that's not good..."
Zudrek shook his head.
"Vlagg, the doctor ordered you to rest, but you're so stubborn... You're acting like that scene where you found out about Gervicusing a potion."
Vlagg's eyes filled with tears.
"I just don't want it to be thought of me that I've given up, that some fracture has put me out of commission. Zuddy, I just can't let them down... After all, I am a dragon, the symbol of this year..."
Cougar gently, like a father, stroked the crying dragon's back.
"You're not. Vlagg, you shouldn't think that. Please don't worry. We're all with you, by your side. Just trust that we can film you later and put you in a movie."
"And that's fair, right?" asked Vlagg. Zudrec nodded and hugged the dragon even tighter.
"Of course it's fair. Now you better get some rest."
And seeing his friend's pleading eyes, he added:
"Okay, okay, we'll try again after your resting. I promise you."

Cue intense dialogue and the extreme close up!

Yeah Vlagg new from the start that Zudrek would get his wish anyway. He was just nmot willing at all to play by the Commanders rules the least. And when Gervic arrives in I would say 2 pages (one for more fight between Herrin and Jokann and the other Zudrec and Vlagg sparing off) it will be really interresting if any fighting at all stops for a conversation (answer: no this battle will rage unabated)

I have a feeling there's going to be a lot of blood. This is the bloodiest part of the whole thing.

Gervic where are You!? Uwu

Simultaneous boss battles? That's going to be interesting.

I can see the next panel quite clearly.
"You have to go through me!" Vlagg brandishes the halberd and points the tip at Zudrec.
Lol!