Chapter 2
Back at the Overtakers' lair, Pain and Panic had just finished delivering their report on their mission. "You numbskulls!" Hades screamed, "I gave you two one simple job, and you screw it up!" "B-But it's not our fault your Gruesomeness!" Pain pleaded. "Yeah," Panic added, "We would have had it if the little monster hadn't blown it up, and the shards went flying everywhere!" Realizing what Panic had said, Hades calmed down. "Well isn't that fortunate… for you," Hades said, "If the crystal is destroyed, we have nothing to worry about." "Don't be so sure Hades," Maleficent said, "I have no doubt in my mind that the boy and his pitiful friends shall attempt to reassemble the crystal." "So, what do we do your Evilness?" Pain asked. "I should think it obvious," Maleficent answered, "We must acquire the shards before those fools have the chance to."
Meanwhile, Timber, Woody, Stitch, and Merlin walked down Main Street. They were heading for City Hall, for that was where the first portal was. "You know Merlin," Timber said, "We can handle this ourselves. You don't need to come with us." "On the contrary my boy," Merlin said, "It's not that I think you can't handle yourselves, I just want to make sure that you know what you're doing with those spell cards and the key." Upon arrival at City Hall, Timber checked the map and said, "Well, according to the map," Timber said, "the portal should be on the left window." "But there's nothing there," Woody said. "Well," Merlin chuckled, "You didn't think I'd leave the portal in plain sight now did you? Now Timber, the key if you please." Timber handed Merlin the key, and the wizard started looking over the window. "Now where did I put that portal," Merlin muttered. "You mean you don't know where it is?!" Woody exclaimed as Stitch simply shook his head. "Don't worry boys," Merlin said, "I came prepared." Merlin produced a small coin-like stone from his sleeve.
"What's that?" Timber asked. "This, my dear boy," Merlin answered, "is the Sorcerer's Crest. While on its own, the Crest little more than a paperweight, it can be used to reveal secrets and even counteract dark magic." Merlin waved the crest over the window, and a small keyhole appeared just right of the center. "Ah, there it is!" Merlin said as he inserted the key into the keyhole. Suddenly, the keyhole expanded into an oval portal. "Shall we then?" Merlin said before jumping into the portal. Timber, Woody, and Stitch followed.
Inside the portal, it looked just like the inside of City Hall, except it looked slightly different. Like it had been drawn for an animated movie. "What is this place?" Timber asked. "City Hall," Merlin answered, "Where else?" "Rolling his eyes, Timber responded, "Well, yeah, but everything is… animated." "Well you see," Merlin explained, "The park is connected to this magical realm, which was imagined by some of Disney's greatest animators and imagineers. It works as a sort of, source of magic for the parks." "So it's kinda like a behind the scenes type of deal, right?" Woody asked. "You could say that," Merlin answered. "Cool," Timber said," So where's the crystal shard?" "I haven't the slightest clue," Merlin said. Timber, Woody, and Stitch looked at Merlin with disbelief. "Once the crystal enters this realm, it chooses its own hiding spot," Merlin explained. Timber, Woody, and Stitch still had a look of shock on their faces. "Worst. Mission. Ever." Stitch commented.
After about an hour of searching City Hall, the group heard a loud bark. "Uh, Merlin?" Timber asked, "Does anyone, or anything, live on this side of the portal?" Merlin thought for a moment. "Not that I know of," Merlin answered, "But no worries. I think I recognize that bark." As Merlin started heading towards the door, Woody looked at Timber and said, "He can recognize a specific bark?" Timber shrugged and followed Merlin as he headed outside. Just outside the door, as a familiar Dalmatian. "Pongo old boy!" Merlin exclaimed as Pongo ran up to lick his face. "Well, at least the bark was friendly," Timber said. Pongo continued to bark with a worried look on his face. "Really?" Merlin asked the dog with concern. "You speak dog?" Timber asked. "You don't?" Merlin responded.
"Pongo says that he called here by something he doesn't recognize. The crystal shard no doubt. He also says that Perdita and the puppies are here too, and that they're being held by Cruella De Vil and her lackeys." "But, how did they all get here?" Timber asked, "I thought that the key was the only way to open the portal here." "Apparently, there is more to this realm than even I know," Merlin answered, "With this knowledge, we should tread cautiously." Timber scratched Pongo's head saying, "Don't worry boy. We'll find Perdita and the pups. Do you know where they're being held?" Pongo perked up a bit and started running down the street, Timber, Woody, Stitch, and Merlin following close behind.
