But after their decisive victory over Pagan in 1295–1296, the alliance turned into an intense rivalry, which culminated in the two men fighting a duel on elephant-back about two years later.
To his west and south, he was still hemmed in by Prome (Pyay) and Dala–Twante, ruled by Pagan princes, Thihathu and Kyawswa, respectively.
[7] The frantic fighting among the sons of the fallen king gave petty rulers like Tarabya time to prepare.
He reinforced Pegu's defenses while Thihathu fought his brothers Uzana of Bassein and Kyawswa throughout the Irrawaddy delta.
By the time Thihathu attacked Pegu, Tarabya was well prepared to withstand a long siege.
Tarabya quickly stepped in, and seized the entire Pegu province, including Dala, by the time Kyawswa emerged as king of Pagan on 30 May 1289.
Pagan's hand was forced in 1293 when Wareru received royal recognition and the gift of a white elephant from King Ram Khamhaeng of Sukhothai.
[10] In the dry season of 1295–1296 (also reported as 1293–1294),[note 8] a sizable Pagan army led by Yazathingyan invaded to retake the entire southern coast.
The combined Martaban–Pegu forces went on to dislodge the Pagan army from Dala, and drive the invaders out of the Irrawaddy delta.
The two sides met at the border, and the two lords agreed to fight in single combat on their war elephants.
But when her father ordered Tarabya's execution, she tied her tresses with his and dared executioners to cut off his head.