As the tarp was lain, flattened by the terrible storm, a tall and slender being made herself known. A graceful creature with a hidden rage seemed to patiently walk through the ruined settlement. She stood up pride and her slender shoulders stayed sharp and poised. She wore a deep dark and purple robe and gown, that trailed along the drying grass as she took very patient steps towards the cowering peg legged buffoon. There stood a beautiful, yet looming creature, coming off as so patient and somewhat kind. A luxurious gown graced over her shoulders, trailing all the way down until it softly grazed over the dying grass. Once she forcefully rammed her great staff down, trapping the cruel Toon by his trousers, she smirked.

"My LADY! My—Oh, Your Grace, I—"

"Do not even bother with pathetic formalities." she spoke deep and profound, yet there was that feared rage leaking into her voice. "You know why I have come." Maleficent dared him with a stabbing glare from her terrible green eyes.

"Yeah! Right, um… I can see why ya would think that!" Pete whirled into a spiral of nervousness.

She rose a graceful brow at the cat as she took a moment to scan the area. "I do see that you have been through some trouble." she softly said as she picked up something from the grass.

It was a sweet, wrapped in a light blue wrapper. She smiled at him and held it out for him to see.

"What is this that I am holding?"

"A candy, madame…"

"Indeed, it is. But, this is not just any kind of candy, isn't it? You had a certain sickeningly sweet beast in your midst, Pete. One that could… perhaps, weep these sorts of sweets, right out of its eyes? An idiotic, childish Imaginary. One that belongs to me. You could not even contain a single one."

"Lady Maleficent, I-I could … explain!"

"You had one task. One. And you couldn't even control a degenerate child. They are mine and mine alone!"

Right then, her rage surely began to show as she stepped towards Pete against his wishes. As she did, her staff began to glow immensely bright. The swirling abyss. Little did he know that his punishment was going to be something he would never be aware of. The same as the mist she set through the land, she had the power to control the will and minds of her subjects. Pete was not immune. He brought this upon himself. That orb brightened even more and something went on with Pete, looking like he had been hit over the head twice. There was no use for him anymore and she could not let him go loose making even more trouble.

"Away to my fortress with you, you useless sack. Await for my orders."

Pete lamely walked off, mesmerized by her spell. She watched him leave in pure disgust before she angrily turned towards another who has joined her. He was as black as the darkest abyss any soul would never dared to tread and so it would seem that his heart was so as well.

"I should have had them skinned when I had the chance. Billowing buffoons, the lot of them." she paced, truly physically tired.

As for the whole reason for the sky to look and sound so destroyed was the fact that it was a seemingly eternal battle between her and her enemy for twenty five days and nights straight. Her supposed ally waiting silently nearby eventually got down from the mount of his brilliant steed that huffed sharply as he stood in the chilling air.

"At this rate, Your Excellency," this dark figure spoke as he carefully bowed his covered head to her. "…due to this feckless ingrate's imprudence as we were in the midst of battle, your prisoners had fallen into the enemy's hands. Along with the mouse."

His voice was a slick, deep and grating baritone, yet it held a softness, a melancholy and yet it was so monotone as if void of all emotion. This servant, it was unknown if he was even human, or spirit. He sported strong ebony armor as did his wonderful giant Friesian. He had a name.

"Black Rider," the Dark Fairy spoke as she approached him. ", your skill with the sword is admirable. Indeed, those animals were a mere brush off of your shoulder. The battle has left me short and my magic must sleep. Something weakens me. There is still goodness in this forest, near my mountains. I will send my raven to speak to me if they should ever leave the shelter of the Border. Until then, you, my Rider, will bring them to me. The child's touch that has fallen here, the child herself and that mouse. Do whatever you please with any others."

"As you wish, my Queen."

"I will see an end to Yen Sid's rule. We have only begun."

Sarah Jackson soon found herself waking up, after who knew how long she had slept, as if for the first time since she fell into this vast place. Right now, she felt the cool moisture of grass against her along with the warm presence of her friends with her. She gave a moan, feeling a crick in her neck, but she opened her eyes all the way to see the others. Bing Bong was in a sort of a calm, curled position, pillowing his own head in his thick arms with his tail previously almost draped around her. Woody was on the pachyderm's back this time and the image made her want to giggle. The fawns were both cuddled together beside the Imaginary. Everyone looked happy and calm, which provided so much relief for the girl as she stayed beside them and looked around at their surroundings. She had just noticed that they were not in the shade of the trees, rather, they were all under the shade of a giant open wing!

Nonetheless, the Blue Fairy was with them, even now… after having rested for a few hours after such a long time.

The poor girl had to suppress a gasp at the sight of that magnificent sleeping head she had just spotted. This brilliant bird was solely brown in plumage, yet there were sparks of gold beginning to litter the primary feathers around them. She was able to listen to this massive bird breathe so sharply and so deeply. That amber eye opened, staring right at her and her friends. Scared, she scooted closer to the others. On the belt of her jeans though, there was the fox's pouch that housed the precious mouse. Sarah locked her gaze on that eye again when the massive beast gave a shrill sound.

"She won't harm you, I assure you…" spoke a new voice from out of the blue.

"Wh-who's there?"

There, just not too far from them, was a man. A strong looking man with bright yet messy ginger hair. He was strange and familiar. His back was huge and his face looked a little screwed up as if someone punched his nose into his face, so painfully. Yet when he looked at her for the first time, there was such a gentle look in his eyes. He looked a little tired but that gentle, weak smile soothed her nerves. He worked on fixing the handle of something sharp. Like a dagger before he put it into his belt. Sarah was a little frozen in her shyness but she slightly waved to him. He nodded at her to encourage her to come out.

"Don't you worry." he spoke with laughter in his voice.

She got the courage to come closer as her friends slept on. He kept his soft gaze on her as she approached, while fixing this strange contraption that laid in front of him. It was long and it took the shape of a wing almost, made out of some kind of hard leather. At his invitation, she sat.

"S-sorry for being weird, I guess…. We all had a hard day."

He shook his head. "There's nothing to be sorry about." he softened at her as he set the contraption aside.

"…w-where are we…?" she had to ask.

They happened to be in the middle of some giant, untouched field. Full of grass and speckled with small flowers and the morning air touched it all with dew. As far as she could make out, there were no mountains and no sign of civilization. Just pure beauty. This kindly Hunchback smiled.

"You and your band of friends happen to be on the Border of the Magic Kingdom." he enlightened.

He handed her a piece of bread that had at least some salmon on it, and she took it.

Sarah was downright confused as she looked back at him. "Huh…?"

He chuckled. "Indeed…"

"I don't get it. Isn't there supposed to be a castle?"

"In the traditional sense." he passively shrugged. "This is an entire kingdom, my lady. Did you expect it to be small?" he smiled.

She nervously laughed. "I guess so, sir." she said, looking down at the bread.

At last she took a bite. It was so delicious, and she had not eaten ever since she left home.

"Th-thanks..."

Her laugh was contagious so he had to smile. Then, he looked thoughtful and eased in a little.

"That ought to hold you over for a bit. Robin has told me much about you. O-of course, I don't want to seem intrusive by asking for your name."

"Oh… Y-yeah. Um, you can call me …" she paused, finding herself safe with this new character, who may or may not have been involved in that scuffle back in the woods. "…Sarah. Sarah Jackson."

He curiously narrowed his thick brow at her. "Really?" his voice rang gently.

"I mean, w-well… I was scared to give m-my real name around Pete, so…"

"…so, you trust me, already?" he genuinely asked with a curious tilt of his head.

"I-I… oh, I don't know… It's strange." she stammered.

He nodded before getting an idea that could calm her down.

"Hence why everyone calls you Jackie." he spoke again. "Alike with mine, perhaps you can guess…."

"I do know you, sir." she smiled. "You're the Hunchback. Of Notre Dame. R-right? Quasimodo."

"Apparently the only one." he warmly said.

This kind and new character to add to her list of discoveries was truly charming her, in a way that she no longer felt threatened or unsure, as she was most of the time before. Even to test Robin as to where his loyalties lied. Something was on her mind though.

"Weren't you there…? In the forest?"

"Was I?" he tested her a little.

"I-I… well, it was so dark in there, but something happened to the hyenas. That were chasing us."

Quasi only kindly smiled as he set his personal rag aside. "Perhaps." he answered. "It was not only I, alone."

Sarah then began to caress the pouch on her belt before looking to her friends. Bing Bong was stirring. Quasimodo noticed them rousing from their well deserved rest and sweetly motioned to the child to go back to them. Sarah went back to the group just as the Imaginary was opening his eyes.

"Hey…" Sarah's voice softly greeted his ears.

"Oh, oh gosh… I did have a dream." the dozy Imaginary mentioned with glee.

Woody slid off his back as he rose up in a rather solemn sort of way. He as well had a dream only, unlike Bing Bong, it was not a pleasant one.

"Did you?" Sarah asked, intrigued. "What was it like?"

"Oh! It was wonderful! There was that sunset we saw, a-and you were there. And you," he pointed to Woody and then lastly to Robin who jumped down from Libertas' wing, happening to be holding a small bag full of collected candy. "and you!"

"Was I now?" the fox chuckled as he sat by them to listen.

Quasimodo watched on as he continued to finish his chore on that contraption. As Bing Bong told his dream, Libertas decided to stand up now and stretch her tired wings. The friends all gasped before Quasimodo confidently went to stroke the great bird along her sharply poised beak. Robin honestly laughed at their reaction.

"That's a normal greeting for the lady." he chuckled.

"I-I'm sorry but, I've never seen an eagle this big before…" Sarah was first to speak.

Bing Bong, having been cut off from telling his dream, was full of wonder as the bird was tamed by this brand new person. Then again, he looked worried just like the rest.

"She may look ferocious but she is anything but…" Quasimodo spoke to the group.

Libertas shook the tawny feathers of her head before giving out a low apologetic warble. Sarah was frozen still when she stared shocked into that amber eye. Being such a loyal creature, Bing Bong had no words to say but to basically protectively stay beside the girl's side as Woody dared to approach the bird himself, despite how small he was.

"Stunning," Woody spoke, free from his sadness for the moment. "Is she yours?" he asked the kindly stranger.

The hunchback gave a smirk.

"It's a rather long story, but yes…"

"She's amazing…" Sarah marveled.

At the praise, Libertas turned to face the group but decided to turn gentle rather than forceful. If it wasn't for this animal's involvement, they would still be lost and trapped inside that forest at this very moment. Gammy though was among them and he spent this entire moment hiding like the cowardly fool he was. To those he abused, he was practically ignored, but even he was not immune to the might of this eagle who obeyed every word of the deformed archer. Gammy caught the eye of the Imaginary he had lied to and the dismay in those green eyes then caught the attention of the others. Woody had something to say.

"You've got some nerve, pal."

Quasimodo's peaceful smile disappeared as he observed. Gammy jumped and tried to run from the impassioned cowboy's anger by hiding behind a lone stone nearby. Robin watched but allowed a little bit of justice to be delivered. He trusted that these friends had good judgement.

"N-now-now listen! I know ya'll mad, ya'll mad! Right?"

"Good deduction there…" Woody soured after he ran up behind him and kicked as hard as he could.

Gammy backed away, despite that he was much bigger than Woody.

"I'm sorry, a'right!?"

"I am not the one you should be apologizing to…" Woody softened his tone, becoming sad once more.

Woody pointed at the Imaginary of the group who was as loyal as ever standing by Sarah's side. He shrunk a little when the weasel's attention was turned onto him. "Ah, I see that," Gammy stammered with a trace of regret, surprisingly. "Though I'm purty sure he wants nothin' to do with me."

Stepping in at just the right time, to make the remainder of the journey less tense, Robin did his part by silently encouraging their Imaginary friend to choose the wise choice. Bing Bong was overwhelmed with uncertainty if it was even safe to have him with them. Sarah herself was thinking the same thing. Knowing how protective she had been so far, it was left unquestioned.

"This doesn't feel right…" Bing Bong worriedly expressed as he bravely took a few steps.

"He won't do anything, mate. He made a promise." Robin enlightened.

"Oh, okay…" Bing Bong nodded, feeling a little better.

Gammy stood back up, knowing that he had a mission of his own. If he was allowed passed the forbidden Border then he must have been truly given a chance. Seeing the girl's glare and the protectiveness of the rest, Gammy gave a cough to clear his throat.

"Yeah, I wouldn't be feelin' that great either if - heh, um—well, we got off on the wrong foot." Gammy began, nervously.

He only got this odd, confused and concerned look from the tense elephant who had the support of his friends, whereas he had basically no one on his side. He was considered an enemy by most and here he was a prisoner of war. Or so he thought. Bing Bong truthfully didn't have to say anything if he didn't want to. The mere expression on his face spoke so much.

"I know yer mad 'n all."

"I… I'm n-not mad." Bing Bong surprised everyone by speaking. "Just confused."

Gammy gulped, hoping he didn't say the wrong thing. "A-and I know why you feel that way, kid." he chuckled, uncomfortably. "… I really wasn't very nice t' ya. Like before, I was doin' my job. I was scared back there too, ya know?"

Bing Bong looked a little surprised at that, as did the others.

"I mean, who wouldn't be scared of that huge jerk, huh?"

"I didn't know you were scared too." Bing Bong replied.

"Yeah, well… I'm sorry I… lied to ya and let them throw things at ya."

Sarah did not trust him that much but it was really up to Bing Bong. That scratch was still there as a reminder.

"Are you sure you mean it?" Sarah tested, coming to be by Bing Bong's side.

"He is here with you, in the Magic Kingdom," Quasimodo enlightened. "… there is a reason for this."

"I suppose…" Sarah sighed. "When we first saw you, I didn't know what to think. I mean, hello… all you did was boss us around." she sourly told Gammy, tempted to press Bing Bong away. "I'd get that you were scared."

"Maybe I wasn't spyin' on you behind the cage. Maybe I wanted out too." Gammy sadly added with his paws in both pockets.

"Well… I guess it doesn't matter much anymore but… if the Blue Fairy says its fine for you to be here, then I believe her." Sarah lowly said. "Just no funny business."

"Let's see what Buddy has to say…" Woody cued the poor, confused elephant.

Bing Bong's eyes did look truly sad, which something Sarah did not want to see again. After a moment of thought, he looked sure and he nodded as he was about ready to turn. With a very tiny smile, he spoke again to the regretful weasel.

"It's… it's okay."