Volvagia

Subterranean Lava Dragon: Volvagia is the boss of the Fire Temple, the second dungeon in the adult portion of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Volvagia is a monstrous dragon and was a blight upon Hyrule, specifically Death Mountain, for many years prior to the events of the game. It flies through the air in a blaze of fire and dives unharmed through pools of molten lava. Volvagia is infamous among the Gorons for eating their kind alive, but was eventually defeated and slain by the ancient Hero of the Gorons wielding the Megaton Hammer.

Characteristics
Volvagia is a serpentine creature armored in red scales. It boasts two forelimbs equipped with claws and its cranium is covered, presumably, by a helmet-like exoskeleton. A fiery mane streaming from its neck is capable of inflicting injuries when it whips its head. Although Volvagia lacks wings, it is capable of flight.

The dragon inhabits environments of intense heat filled with molten lava. It spends its time submerged in the lava and will occasionally emerge to assail intruders with its fire breath. Due to its fireproof skin and the presence of only forelimbs, and its fiery breath weapon, it may be that Volvagia is in some way related to its local neighbors, the Dodongo.

Origins
Volvagia was first discovered in ancient times. It was known for its appetite for Gorons and it spread fear and consternation throughout the tribe. Although Volvagia consumed a good portion of the race, it was finally bested by a hero of the Gorons who defeated it with the assistance of the legendary hammer from the Fire Temple. Although little about the hero was known (save that he was an ancestor of Darunia), his legacy as well as Volvagia’s would continue for generations to come.

Reawakening
After an untold number of years, Volvagia is revived during the Imprisoning War by Ganondorf. The ring of clouds surrounding Death Mountain catch fire, reflecting the impending danger. Following this sequence of events, Ganondorf's forces invade Goron City and capture all the Gorons except Darunia, his son, Medigoron, Biggoron, and the shopkeeper. The captured Gorons were imprisoned inside the Fire Temple for Volvagia to feed on. Ganondorf executed the deed to exemplify the fate of the races whom opposed his despotic rule.

Fortunately, Link receives word of Ganondorf's scheme before it could be accomplished. At once, Link heads for the Fire Temple where he meets Darunia directly outside the door to Volvagia's lair. The Goron chieftain tells Link that it is his intent to seal Volvagia inside before it manages to escape, despite not being the holder of the legendary hammer. He beseeches Link to free the other Gorons while he fought with Volvagia. Subsequently, Link ventures through the entire temple, liberates the imprisoned Gorons, and obtains the Megaton Hammer along the way. Then he returns to the room he had last seen Darunia and uses the Boss Key to open the door to Volvagia's pit. Once inside, he finds no sign of Darunia. Suddenly, the path behind him melts, and Volvagia emerges from the volcanic lava.

Battle
Volvagia begins the battle by flying into one of the lava holes on the platform that the battle takes place on. Some of the holes will begin to bubble. On the last bubbling hole, Volvagia bursts out. Link must use the Megaton Hammer to strike his head to stun him. If this is not done quickly enough and Link is too close, Volvagia will inflict damage and go back into the lava hole. After being stunned Volviga is also vulnerable to Link's sword.

Volvagia can fly out of the lava hole and do one of two different methods of attack. For his first tactic, he will fly around and breathe fire on the platform Link is standing on. He is vulnerable to Arrows while flying, if hit it will keep him from making any attempts to breathe fire. For his second tactic, Volvagia will fly up to the top of the room and cause rocks from the ceiling to fall. The best method to minimize damage in this stage is to run around the platform on its outer sides, or to climb down one of the sides. After this tactic, he will repeat the methods he attacks with in the same order.

As the battle progresses, bubbling will occur on multiple holes that Volvagia flies into making it harder to predict where he will emerge. He will be defeated once damaged enough times. After enough damage, Volvagia flies, around the room, roaring in pain and burns into a skeleton. While the rest of his bones shatter, the head lands in front of Link, gasping for his last breathe of air. The head then shrinks in a blue flame. Link is awarded with a Heart Container and is teleported to the Sacred Realm, where he meets Darunia, who is the new Sage of Fire. Darunia thanks Link for everything he's done for his people. The new Fire Sage then bestows the Fire Medallion upon Link.

Video
This clip was provided by lleeoo2010 at YouTube OPzFOyNz1Iw

In the manga
In the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time manga, Volvagia played a notably significant role. As a child, Link purchased the baby Volvagia in Hyrule Castle Town and befriended it. However, seven years later, the dragon was brainwashed by Ganondorf and became destructive. Link reluctantly sliced Volvagia's head off and in its final moments, the dragon's mind returned to normal and remembered him, although he may have come back to life at the end of the manga when Link turned back into a child.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Volvagia bears a striking resemblance to Barba, a dragon boss in The Adventure of Link; not only in appearance, but in name as well. Their names are identical in Japanese and the name Barba is in fact retranslated into Volvagia in the re-release on the Virtual Console.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Many fans believe that Dragon Roost Island from The Wind Waker is Death Mountain post-Great Flood. This theory is furthered by particular carvings within Dragon Roost Cavern. The Cavern bears a striking resemblance to the Fire Temple, and many carvings found throughout the dungeon depict a snake-like dragon greatly resembling Volvagia.