As Vortex flew, he realized he might never see his friends again. If he didn't get out alive, he would do this for his friends. The IceWing found an area where he could wait for Bluedancer to come. She'll come, he promised himself. She's coming soon. And she did. Unforuanetly for Vortex, she had also brought ten others. Panicked, Vortex tried to start getting going, but someone grabbed him. "Hmmm," Bluedancer said, no expression showing. "Vortex. I never liked you, so I guess it's time to put an end to this." She took a sharp spear from one of her guards and brandished it. Then Bluedancer brought it down...on the dirt. "What?" she muttered, confused. Vortex was gone. Over a strand of trees, Vortex was flying as fast as he could. Bluedancer chased after him, going alone.

Back at the landing point and cage, Spark was tapping his claws nervously. "Where's Vortex?" he murmured. Ripple was hopping around in a circle, clearly anxious. Cobra was the only one not agitated. "He'll come," he promised his friends. I hope so.

Over the Sky Kingdom, Vortex quickened his pace. He was getting tired, but he hoped Bluedancer was too. He risked a glance back. It didn't seem like it. He continued to fly. But Bluedancer was closing the gap. About one hour left. He did some quick calculations and realized it was going to be very close if he and Bluedancer kept up their same paces. He kept going. Thirty minutes passed. Just like his calculations, Bluedancer had closed the gap by about halfway. "Come on," Vortex muttered to himself. "Tire out ever so slightly. Stop to check a bruise. Anything." Bluedancer showed no signs of stopping.

Spark had enchanted a small piece of papyrus to show them where Vortex was. He was marked by a white dot and Bluedancer's was black."He's not very far away," Moss mused. "About fifteen minutes, max," Mango agreed. "Why can't she tire out just a little?" Ripple sighed. "Just a little." The white dot was very close now. "We'd better get in position," Spark said. "Here we go." The mood was tense. Ninja took up a hiding spot behind the cage. "Enchant a lever to appear one foot to the left of Ninja that when pulled, closes the cage," Spark murmured. Ninja nodded as the lever appeared. Cobra quickly healed Spark's soul and they all hid, waiting for Vortex.

Vortex gave one last push for the cage. He could hear Bluedancer's breath on his back. He whirled around. "I can see you were never the greatest flyer," he taunted, trying to bait her now. Vortex was backing up ever so slightly now. Bluedancer growled and took a swipe. Miss. "You're not either," Bluedancer snarled. "Yes, but at least I can make it ten feet without ten guards," Vortex shot back. Enraged, Bluedancer lunged for him. Toward the cage. Fifteen feet to go. As they reached the cage, Vortex slid out of the way, hoping Bluedancer would take the bait. She didn't. She only lunged, raked her claws across Vortex's throat, and the IceWing felt the shadows sweep in.