The stegoceratops escaped later that night. Lowery the magician nearly crushed her with his faulty magic when he shrunk her cage, and she insisted that he use the keys he had swiped from the head of the carnival instead. He asked her how she knew he had them, and she couldn't answer.

When the stegoceratops was free, she released the other animals, but she paused before approaching the Mozaraharpy. She knew the creature was dangerous, and there was really no point in releasing her anyway, because she was not real. Still, the inky eyes of the hybrid reptile drew her in closer and closer, until she lowered her head so that her horn touched the lock. It fell to the ground, and the beast rose with a fearsome crow.

"BRAAAK! BRAAAK! BRAAAAAAAAAK!"

The stegoceratops stumbled backwards. The Mozaraharpy was not real, but the danger certainly was. The hideous monster sliced the air with her leathery wings, adjusting her course so that she was headed straight for her savior.

"BRAAAK!"

The stegoceratops lowed in fear. As the Mozaraharpy plunged, she lifted her horns and forced her to retreat. But the hag wasn't scared off for long. She dove again, and the stegoceratops realized that neither one of them would give up. They could very well fight for an eternity.

But their battle was cut short by mortal circumstances.

The head of the carnival had emerged from her trailer to see what the commotion was about. When she realized that her animals had been freed, she let out a furious growl.

"You cow!"

The Mozaraharpy turned her attention to the woman. The stegoceratops' jaw dropped, and she rushed forward to warn her.

"She's after you! She's after you!"

There was nowhere to run. The woman, evil as she was, seemed terrified, and the stegoceratops felt her heart sagging with pity. As the monster sped along the ground, she suddenly leapt up and held it back.

"GO! DON'T RUN, BUT GO!" the stegoceratops pleaded.

The woman sneered.

"Your charity is a ruse. It won't change the way I feel about you."

"I don't care! If you want to see the others again, you must walk away right now!"

The woman chuckled.

"When the worlds split apart once more, I wonder if you'll end up above or below . . ."

The stegoceratops did not reply, because she was struggling to keep the monster pinned to the ground. Thankfully, the woman began to march away, and she was able to release the creature. Free once more, it spread its wing and crowed in fury. The stegoceratops braced herself for an attack. The beast dove, but as it did, its scales began to flake away, dissolving into light. By the time it reached the stegoceratops, nothing remained but a few floating sparks. Lowery the magician gaped in amazement.

"What the hell happened?"

The stegoceratops exhaled.

"She wasn't real, and neither are you. But come with me, anyway. We must find the others."

He scratched his head.

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

She began to lumber away. Lowery watched her, then gave a small shrug.

"Alright. Sounds good to me."