Great spires reached toward the heavens. Their blue conical caps may have been able to hide against the clear blue of the sky if not for the puffy, creamy clouds that floated contently by. But much closer to the ground barely a fleas hiccup of a breeze tempted the golden flags to dance. Birds twittered gaily in the gardens. If one listened closely the only sounds to be heard were the rattlings of tea or cleaning trollies as the castle staff went about their daily business. Not one among them would have had any inkling something was amiss just outside their walls.
"How foolish. The King and his warriors trust their home is adequately protected while they are away. I sense no additional wards since the last time we spied on the castle. This is the same mistake they made years ago when Pete stole that insect's journal. Are you both ready?"
Maleficent turned to Cosmaira and Pete. Cosmaira nodded. Pete cracked his knuckles and chuckled menacingly.
"Just remember the Reality shell I will put over you both will not last forever. We don't know what will happen if you are not outside the barrier of protection when my power fades. It could expel you forcefully. Or perhaps nothing will happen at all. It is possible there are no defenses for keeping the fox within the henhouse. What about you?" Cosmaira looked to Pete. "You recall exactly what your role is?"
"Of course I do! Dat part's easy. Cause a bit o' noisy mayhem on de udder side of the castle. Shout a few tings about finally coming back fer revenge. Dey'll eat that up no question. Dat'll leave de way clear fer Maleficent te nab her future talisman."
"If they somehow manage to subdue you, do not struggle to greatly," Maleficent said. "Imprisonment will be temporary as the entire castle will be mine soon enough."
"Uh, just one ting. Whaddif the queen sends me back de dat place instead?"
"Fool. Was it not I who freed you in the first place?"
"Oh yeah. Den whadder we waitin' for?"
Maleficent nodded to Cosmaira. The Nobody princess closed her eyes. The glass pendent glowed and hovered in front of her. Cosmaira raised her hands to either side of it. Her hands shimmered with white light as her power of Reality amplified within her talisman. Cosmaira held her hands out to her sides. The glowing energy faded from her hands and a narrow dome of the same colored light glistened over Maleficent and Pete for a moment before vanishing.
"I must go back now to continue our other plans. I look forward to seeing what becomes of this Cornerstone of Light."
Title Translation: Evil Woman