From his hiding place, Cobra watched as Bluedancer took one swing at Vortex. His throat burst open. Everything had gone wrong. Not sure what else to do, Cobra lunged out. Bluedancer flew the other way...and right into Ripple, who had come out of his hiding. She was penned in now. Spark looked to lunge, but Cobra held out a wing for him to stop. "This is my fight." He was furious now. Cobra took a swing. Hit. Bluedancer crumpled right into the cage and Ninja pulled the lever. She was trapped. Enraged, Bluedancer banged on the bars. "Hey!" she yelled at the top of her lungs. "You can't do this to me!" They ignored her and bent over Vortex, who was breathing, but very, very softly. "Don't," Vortex sighed, so light on the breeze. He tried again. "Forget me." The world faded from view. He wanted to say, Don't be sad. I'll always be with you guys. But Vortex was far away now.

Back on that clearing, in the Sky Kingdom, Spark bent his claws together. "There's nothing I can do," he said, trying not to cry. "He's gone." Cobra's rage had faded, replaced by just a neutral feeling. He didn't know what he felt. Around him, Ripple was just staring at the sky, Spark was looking at his claws, Moss was sobbing quietly, and Mango hadn't moved for a long time. They stood there for a long time, until it was about sunset. Cobra turned to his friends. An idea was forming. "Well guys," he said. "Let's bring our friend back.".

The End