"Just what is it we're gonna be facing?", Ice thought out loud as he and Red Dragon entered the cave.
"I don't know. But I've got a bad feeling about this...", Red Dragon began. As if on cue, the cave's mouth snapped closed! "Me and my big mouth..."
"Well, who knows? Maybe there's another way out.", Ice said with a small smile. "We just gotta stick together!" Red Dragon nodded as he summoned a small flame into his hand.
"Can't go around blind now can we?" The two journeyed through the cave. Looking for an exit. They soon found one. "Jackpot! We've got a way out!" But before either of them could move, the spirit of a dragon materialized!
"Congratulations. You've found the exit from the cave. However, there is a catch.", the spirit said.
"And what's that?", Ice asked.
"Only ONE of you may exit. Choose wisely." The spirit then faded away. Leaving Ice and Red Dragon shocked by its words.
"Only one of us can leave....", Ice repeated. Red Dragon stare at Ice, and then sighed.
"Ice? Leave me here."
"WHAT?! No! You can help Ace more than I can if you get to leave! I'm not gonna lose my best friend!"
"But Indigo is in serious trouble! She's probably waiting for you Ice! How's she going to feel when she finds out you're not gonna be by Ace's side when you rescue her?!"
"And how can I go the rest of my life knowing I left you here to rot?! You and I are partners Red! I'm not leaving you!"
"Then I'm not leaving your side either.", Red Dragon said with a nod. "Looks like we'll both be staying in this cave for as long as we live." The mouth of the cave re-opened. "...Or not." Ice and Red Dragon walked out of the cave, and found Ace waiting for them. The Dragunity that had addressed Ice approached them holding an item wrapped in cloth to them.
"You have passed the test. Neither one of you would abandon the other, proving you truly have a bond with your dragon. We present you with the Dragon Shield." The Dragunity removed the cloth covering the Dragon Shield. "Use it well." Ice and Red Dragon smiled as Red equipped himself with the shield.
"Ace, climb on!" Ace and Ice got on Red Dragon's back. "Well, Red? Let's pierce the heavens!" Red Dragon took off like a rocket! Soaring past the clouds, and spreading his wings to halt himself once he saw the sky palace. A storm was raging around it.
"Let's ride this storm!", Red Dragon roared as he flew straight at the palace! As he closed in, the winds tried to throw him off-course! But he flew right through them!
"Here comes a Raigeki!", Ace called out! As the massive bolt of thunder struck, Red Dragon was unscathed!
"Hah! It tickles! We're almost at the palace! Just gotta get a little bit closer..." Red Dragon Archfiend poured on the speed, and landed with an impact on the steps of the sky palace! "Now then. Let's storm these monarchs!"