"What's that mean?" inquired Button-Bright.
"When using the Cloak and Dagger Spell, it means 'transport.' Otherwise, it means nothing at all."
"After we transport, what do we do?" asked Trot.
"Locate Snalrem and his Cyclopes, and then touch one of them. Both of your powers will be neutralized."
Each of the twelve transported himself or herself to a castle in a former Imperial territory, and the hunt for Snalrem and his helpers began. Dorothy disenchanted Jetpacker just as he was about to transform the King of Quok. In Aurissau, Trot, Cap'n Bill, and Herby each removed the power from a Cyclops. The King of Bilkon had already been enchanted, but Button-Bright caught Hypnos before he could cause any more mischief. Soon, all of the Cyclopes had been disenchanted. Soob, the only member of the Ozian party who still had the power of the spell, carefully searched each of the castles, as well as several hiding places known only to magic-users. However, he could not find Snalrem.
"What's happened?" asked Number Nine, when Soob appeared in the office of the President of Macvelt. The Wizard's assistant was wearing the magical spectacles, so he could see the Sorceror quite plainly, despite Soob's invisibility.
"All of the Cyclopes have been disenchanted, but I cannot find Snalrem," was Soob's reply.
"Well, we could go back to Oz and use the Magic Picture. Or we could see the Wizard of Oz, and use his Searchlight."
"Do you know where the Wizard of Oz is?"
"I think he went to the Red Jinn's Castle, but I really don't want to disturb him at this time of night."
"You're already disturbing us!" yelled out a man in a nearby room of the Presidential building.
"Yeah! Why don't you get out of here?" shouted another man.
"We saved your country, you know!" returned Number Nine.
"Let's go back to Oz. Do you have any way to get back?"
"Let me see." The Wizard's assistant rummaged in his pockets, finally finding what he was looking for. "I have one more Wishing Pill, and once I get to the Emerald City, I can get some more."
"Then let us return to the Emerald City."
So the two travellers magically returned to Ozma's sitting room. Once there, Number Nine told the Magic Picture to show Snalrem. When the country scene faded away, the Picture showed the evil wizard, who was adjusting the controls in a radio tower.
"The Great Radio Tower of Ristill," stated Soob.
"But why is he there?" questioned Number Nine.
"I do not know, but I shall travel there and neutralize his magical power."
Soob transported himself to the Great Radio Tower, where Snalrem had just finished making adjustments. The black wizard announced, "I, Snalrem, shall soon rule your nation. Be prepared for the reunification of the ancient Empire, and the-Who are you?"
Snalrem had noticed Soob, who said, "I am Soob, the creator of the Flying Cloak of Invisibility, the Undefeatable Dagger, and the Cloak and Dagger Spell. Since you have abused my magical powers, I must confiscate them from you."
Soob flew down to the evil magic-user, and touched the wizard's head with his right thumb. The power of the spell exited both magicians, and Soob fell to the floor of the tower. As soon as he had recovered, the Sorceror removed the Magic Belt from Snalrem's waist, fastened it around his own middle, and promptly removed the wizard's power of mobility. While Snalrem made futile attempts to move, Soob used the radio to announce, "Snalrem has been stopped, and your rightful rulers will soon be returned to you. Good night, everyone."
Although Soob had not used the Magic Belt before this night, he was able to use it quite well. After he restored all of the leaders of former Imperial territories to their rightful forms, he transported himself, the Ozites who had accompanied him, Snalrem, and the eleven Cyclopes to the Emerald Palace. He petrified the Cyclopes, so that they would not cause any trouble.
"Can we go to bed now?" questioned Betsy. "I'm very tired."
"Yes, you may go to bed," replied Soob the Sorceror. "However, I have a few more matters to take care of before I can retire for the night."
Using the Magic Belt, Soob transported himself to Snalrem's hut, where he cast a spell. He then picked up the cloak and dagger, and returned to the Emerald Palace.
Most of the Ozites had gone to bed, but Number Nine and the Scarecrow remained in the sitting room. Soob presented the cloak and dagger to these two Ozites. He explained, "The Cloak and Dagger Spell can no longer be used. However, these two items will still work separately. You already know the use of the cloak, and the dagger can make you undefeatable in battle. Keep them safe."
"Thank you, Soob," said Number Nine.
"Will you be returning to your temple tonight?" inquired the straw man.
"If you do not mind, I believe I shall stay here tonight," was the Sorceror's reply.
"Well, you're welcome to stay."
Before he retired for the night, Soob returned the Magic Belt, along with Ozma's other magical treasures, to the safe in the Throne Room. He then cast a spell that filled the hole in the safe door, and magically sealed the safe. He then allowed Number Nine to direct him to a spare bedroom, which was next to the room where the Wizard's assistant was staying.
When Ozma returned to her palace a few days later, she was surprised to find Snalrem and his Cyclopes in her sitting room. After she heard the story that I have just told you, she decided that the wizard and his helpers were better petrified, but she did not want them to remain in her palace. So, when Soob returned to the Temple of Air, which he did after promising that he would someday return to Oz, he took the statues with him, and set them at intervals around the building. Although they did not make very pretty decorations, they reminded him of that eventful night when the Cloak and Dagger Spell was cast for the last time.
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