Oz: Crossroad of Legends

"Okay Junnie chun," Catie said very content.

"Okay got it," Sophie said to June. "So ready when you, Irving, and Catie are," Sophie said.

"Ready when you are June and Irvie can't wait to be advised by you," Catie said to Irving

Location: Darkmore Isle

Dimento thought something grabbing his ankle. He looked down and saw the gopher from earlier today grabbing it. "Well now this is certainly unexpected," Dimento said. "If you excuse me everyone I have a rodent promblem to take care of," Dimento said as he warped to a different part of Darkmore Isle

"Now then you better have a good reason for hugging me like this," Dimento said. When all of a sudden Dimento clutched his head because it seemed like an all familiar figure was trying to get his attention. "Well now Dee this is certainly an unwanted interruption," Dimento told Dee.

Location: Deep inside the mind of Dimento

Inside the mind of Dimento lies a fragment of Dimento's personality lying there inside the darkness. He appears to look like a reversed color scheme of Dimento with white where the black was and black where the white of Dimento was. Yet this was the only thing they shared in common, because this figure only cared for one thing. The figure craved destruction and chaos and the death of everything in the universe. It's appetite knows no bound and it's only purpose is too destroy anything and everything in existence. This figure is Dimento though through and through but it's just a part of Dimento.

The thing is the being known as Dimento is also just a fragment of another being of untold and unparalleled destruction. If it wasn't for a family of fortune tellers and highly skilled sorcerers this being if you can call him just a mere being. Well at one time he was a mere being in fact he was a son of a famous magician knownot to entire the masses. After so longood his true name was lost to history and the curse placed upon could only be broken with two specific things. The power of pure light and the power of pure darkness. Enough about though there will be plenty of time to discuss later. Excerpts from Flowmento a bird like version of Dimento another fragment of the original being.

Anyways where we're we oh yes this fragment of Dimento's personality went by the name of Dee.

"Hey Dimento we got some unwanted company," Dee called out to Dimento as a presence could be felt.

"Well then why not keep it entertained?" Dimento who appeared to be a huge smiling mask inside his mind said.

"Hmph well at least I get the chance to flex a little," Dee said. "Well now state your business otherwise I shall erase you from all existence," Dee called out the presence he felt.

The first too arrive to the lobby was Aylassa who after she said her goodbyes to Charlie arrived. Aylassa had her armor she was wearing from two days ago along with her sword which was fashioned after an ice dragon and a frozen chain which could be extended as need be. The Lance strapped to her back was deep blue and had a wavy design running up and down the lance.

Baron arrived next he was holding the bow and raiper Catie forgot on her way to see June. He had his twin elemental swords by his side. His left sword depicted a fire demon and the hilt looked like the demon with the blade looking like the flames it breath. The other sword depicted a wisened older man holding a staff.

Mario arrived with his usual Red Overalls his hammer he was using and the cards of his friends safely tucked away. Bowser arrived in glorious fashion with the bullet bill blaster strapped to his back. A Chain Chomp which is wrapped his shell. Finally he has his magic Wand the Bowser seals tucked away in his shell.

"Well looks like we are already here and ready to go," Baron said.

"Yawn, I am hungry," Ann said as she strolled into the front lobby looking like she just woke up. "What we are ready to go already, good thing I backed before I took a nap," Ann said as she stretched and unpacked her staves and tomes. "Well it's time to make a killing out there, oh after we beat up this dragon maybe he would like to buy some of this new medicine I been working on," Ann said.

"Umm well you certainly haven't changed," Starlow said to Ann.

"Hey Starlow you guys coming along?" Ann asked.

"Nah me, Sam, Jr, Charlie and Kammy are staying behind you guys are going to need to focus on the target," Starlow said.

Ann sighed but she understood why Starlow and the rest stood behind.

Lana just looked over at the Outlanders praying they could take the tree.

Alvis walked to June side, two items in his hands. "June," he says. "Take these."

He gave her the first item. "I don't know if your world possesses this form of technology, so allow me to explain briefly. This is a two-way radio, which allows us to communicate with each other from afar. You press down on this button on the side when you wish to transmit to me -- that is, allow me to hear you. I will be at Queen Glinda's side, so you may also use it to communicate to her through me. Which leads me to the next item."

Alvis held up a silver necklace, adorned with an amethyst gemstone. "With this, Glinda will be able to open portals at the vicinity of the gemstone in this necklace. This allows us to transport people and/or supplies, as well as extract your allies in an emergency. It will also be how we shall transport Cia to the tree's spring.

Any last questions?"

Speaking in her deeper, mysterious voice, Mystic responds. "Of course. I foresee victory in our battle if all goes according to plan. I am certain that our allies will prevail if I support them with my magic." She then returns to normal, cuddling a Sleepy Sheep. "And we need to claim this victory for the cute little sheepies. Oh, and Ann. I wouldn't let Ann get hurt. But mostly sheep."

Japes such as those are not good for morale, lady June.

"Notify me when you are prepared," Alvis said. "We will warp you a short way from the Legion's camp in the mountains surrounding Yggdrasil. They are already prepared to march."

"Aww crap, I forget my playing cards," Irving mumbled.

Alvis nodded at a pair of Angelos that stood off away from the crowd. "Gather around, then," he told the Outlanders. "May fortune ride with you."

The Angelos raised their hands and focused, creating a white light forming on the ground beneath the Outlanders, which eventually shot up and enveloped the group. Alvis stayed a moment to look where the Outlanders once were before gesturing for the remaining soldiers to pick up the carts and then return to their posts.

---

The Outlanders and the two Angelos arrived in a brown, stony clearing. The Angelos gave the Outlanders a minute to readjust to their new surroundings. The tree certainly looked a lot more imposing from this close.

"The Legion camp is that way," one of the Angelos told June, pointing to a trail. "It's the camp with red cloth everywhere, and a few severed heads on some pikes. You can't miss it... Or would you prefer that we escort you?"

"We don't like that guy, so we'll take you up on the offer," the Angelo said. His buddy nodded in agreement. "Quick pointers: don't bother trying to socialize with his Legionaires -- the ones in red -- because they just won't, the only ones there with a sense of humor are the soldiers on loan from the main branch army, try not to visibly react if you're threatened with something, get used to looking up because he's way taller than you, don't mess with his sword, watch your step for the occasional bear trap they may or may not have laid around here, and convince yourself that you're just imagining his murderous aura."

"He also disliked the idea of bringing forth Outlanders," his partner said. "But he respects strength, so who knows? Maybe he'll warm up to you if you beat the dragon."

---

"And that's the gist of it... more or less," Joshua concluded.

Yancy gulped as she held a hand over her chest, running Joshua's explanation and answers to her questioning (only about half of which he could give much of an answer to) through her mind. "Wow... That's..."

"Almost unbelievable, isn't it?" Joshua said. "Like something you'd hallucinate when hitting the Dream Mist?"

"Y-Yeah," Yancy said. "I believe you, but... it's just a lot to take in."

"Hmph! The nerve of these people!" Serperior huffed. "Having the nerve to bring us to another world without the decency of preparing a nice welcoming meal!""

"Serperior, we technically ate a few minutes ago," Togekiss reminded her.

"It's the thought behind it that's important!" Serperior retorted.

"...Can I see those cards, again?" Yancy asked.

Joshua nodded and handed them over. Yancy looked over the cards, her thoughts going to how she had apparently been in a similar state for days, when as far as she was aware, she was still in Realgam up until a few minutes ago.

"To think we were merely flimsy pieces of cardboard just moments ago," Ursaring mused.

"It's probably something more than cardboard if it could materialize us like that," Togekiss said.

"Material composition: Unknown," Golurk confirmed.

Yancy sighed as she returned the product. "So... what do we do now? Call upon everyone else?"

"I... don't think that's such a good idea," Joshua said. I don't know them well enough to tell how they'd react, or if they even want to be around. I'd rather keep them on an as-needed basis, at least until we get a way to return home like the Queen promised."

"...Should we return home?" Yancy asked. "We have friends and family waiting for us, and a war we need to fight on their behalf."

Joshua felt a pang of guilt as she said that. He's well aware that he didn't have much in the way of friends, and he disliked his immediate family, but he hadn't thought about Yancy's thoughts about being brought here. She had more friends and a family she loves and retains a good relationship with. Now, he was twice as desperately hoping the sorceress would hold her end of the bargain when she gets revived.

"...But the people here depend on us too. I just can't stomach the thought of abandoning people who need us, even if we're also needed in our own home. You remember the pact we made with Grant and Meridia, don't you? We pledged to fight on behalf of those too weak to fight or protect themselves. Which do you think would be the right answer?"

"Bah!" Gallade declared. "The answer's obvious! Jump in the war where we don't have to worry about any damn Starbursting! I want to feel the glory of close combat again!"

Serperior answered with a slap with her tail. "That is not... untrue," Ursaring thought to himself.

With so many uncertainties about everything, Joshua thought, it's hard to come to a decision.

"...Tell you what," Joshua said, "to help us decide, how about we see the world some more, first? I can give you a tour through the palace, introduce you to the other 'Outlanders' or the queen, or we can go discover the town together if we have time later -- I haven't even gone down there myself, yet."

A slow, if still slightly uneasy, smile spread across Yancy's face. "Heh... I guess we should be doing something about being in a new world to explore. How about we go see your Pokemon, first? I'm sure our Pokemon would be happy to reunite, and Manaphy and Rotom would be happy to see me."

Joshua smiled. "Not a bad plan. But actually, I think we should introduce you to our 'leader' first; the fact that we know more-or-less what the cards do is rather important. Business, then pleasure, alright?"

"Okay," Yancy said. "I understand."

Joshua held out an open hand, which Yancy took. As their fingers intertwined, all Joshua could think about was how much he missed this touch the past few, uncertain days.

"Be careful Junie," Catie called out. Catie paid no mind to the skulls or arua surrounding the field. She was used to a rather dark atmosphere having spent the past seven years in the cathedral.

Aylassa held pat next to Sophie who was more or less just ready to get the battle started.

Ann was starting to think of cats and fishes and just bored that nothing was happening.

Mario held one hand on his hammer and was on watch but other then that wasn't overly tense because some of the places he been too including the inside of Bowser's gut twice, space, numerous volcanos, etc.

"Gwa ha ha who cares about this legion person," Bowser said. "Please as long as you got the big bad Koopa King on your side you have nothing to fear," Bowser said as he flexed. "I do have to give it to the guy though the skulls are a nice touch but ehhh I seen worse," Bowser said nonchalantly.

"Psst June if worse comes to worse we can always use Bowser as a distraction," Baron whispered to June. "This Alexis guy doesn't sound that intimidating though," Baron told June. "You seen the true face of terror already and her name is Catie," Baron said to June. "Wait maybe we send Catie after Alexus and the dragon and have her tickle them to death," Baron said. "Before you say wait we can't send Catie into such a dangerous place, she has spent the past seven years in my father's palace and he's a high ranking vampire knight but he is actually a real softie at heart," Baron said to June.