Oz: Crossroad of Legends

Pr-Princess? What?

"...Ten minutes," Joshua said. "You can stick around for ten minutes, but after that, you go back to your room. Deal?"

Location: The Mind of a Clown

We are the Straw.

A billion golden strands of thought echoed through Dimentio's consciousness.

We are Knowledge.

The avatar, the Strawman, gestured to the golden horde. They formed into the image of a large functioning brain.

The basic thought is a binary object. It exists in the mind, or it does not. The Straw is thought incarnate. As knowledge exists, so does the Straw.

The brain exploded into a cloud, revealing its true nature as a whirling mass of thin golden psychic parasites.

We are absolute, but yet incomplete. Minds imprison knowledge. They prevent us from becoming whole.

The image zoomed outwards. The cloud of straw was contained and nestled inside the head of a humanoid figure. Many humanoid figures then took shape, until the scene around Dimentio resembled that of a busy castle interior.

We must liberate ourselves. The prisons must be consumed, and the Straw must be freed.

The Strawman floated over to one of the humanoid figures. It placed its hand on the figure's head, and in a few quick seconds the cloud of Straw inside burst outwards and joined with the Straw's avatar. The newly liberated figure moved on to touch another, to the same effect. This continued, as every figure was eventually consumed, their minds joining with the Straw.

The Strawman next spoke directly to the figures of Dimentio's psyche.

The Straw of your mind is incompatible with us. This is unfortunate. But your power lends the Straw great opportunity.

Several flat planes materialized, each with moving figures displayed on each one.

Our greater form can only access the Mortal and Astral planes. Many minds have escaped from either, to alternate planes and hidden dimensions. They hold us hostage, forever incomplete.

We offer an exchange. Carry us in your mind to other planes, beyond our common grasp. We will allow the Straw of that plane to become whole at last, and then what is left of the hosts will be yours to use as you please. Our continued presence in your mind will allow you to control them.

Your memories indicate this as an acceptable transaction.

Yggdrasil

Shortly afterward, the battle between the two dragons would escalate while the Yuleian army sought shelter within the tree. No one within the tree could see what transpired afterward, but reports from distant observers suggested that both the Ephesian Outlander and The Witch were both gravely wounded before going out of sight. The storms subsided, and all traces of abominations or collateral damage in the vicinity had vanished.

As Vincent and Elia returned to St. Elne, the others remained to tend to their losses, regroup, and begin setting up fortifications.

----

Despite being nature's creation, the interior of the tree could fool the unaware that it was actually man-made. Marble flooring, what appear to be religious symbols of silver and stained-glass art lining the walls, the statues and ornate pillars showing a path from the entrance, and the marble fountain Vincent had turned to earlier were the work of the Nightingdale elves, Alexus explained. The Dalish, as they were called, had often made religious pilgrimages to the tree in moments of peace. The Witch's activity and a steadily escalating conflict among the elves, however, made travel far more difficult for them, with unconfirmed rumors of devoted individuals sneaking inside decreasing in number.

"Medics, tend to the wounded!" Alexus barked. "Legionnaires that can still walk, secure the outer perimeter! If something living does not bear Yuleian colors, exterminate it!"

Alexus and a large handful of his men marched out of the tree. The ones who remained inside were the Outlanders, soldiers from the main branch of the army, and gravely wounded Legionnaires.

About a minute after Alexus left, a rift appeared at the tree's entrance. Out stepped five men: Alvis, two imperial soldiers (one with two blades on his back, the other holding a shotgun in his hands), and two others in medic uniform. Alvis scanned the people who remained inside, and signaled for the healers to help provide assistance.

Perhaps we miscalculated the scale of all this a little...

"Hail, Lady June!" Alvis called out to the acting Outlander leader. "How do you fare? Any significant casualties among you?"

Alvis pondered a moment. "Hold a moment. Are you suggesting that if an Outlander were to become deceased, that they revert to card form? Not only that, but they could return from death?"

Alvis sharply exhaled. "But that raises a number of further questions... It seems Nobunaga didn't care to explain the details? No matter, we may inquire later. I have important information for you: our scientists -- with aid from another Outlander -- have successfully summoned an Outlander from a blue card. The secret lies within a high concentration of ether -- the life energy of this world."

Alvis took out a rectangular electronic device, pressed on it a few times, and then turned it so that June could see some of the footage the researchers had captured, featuring an unfortunate young woman materializing out from a card from within a green mist and proceeding to fall over in a somewhat comical, but unflattering manner.

"Further testing would be required, but the conclusion strikes me as sound." Alvis looked around. "As we are standing within the epicenter of ether and the source of life, I believe there are some within your group capable of experimenting during the time it takes for us to establish a foothold in the area and bring Cia for recovery."

Location: Inside the World Tree


Mario and Bowser were just chilling in the center and watching everyone throughout the tree. Baron was watching over Catie who was fast asleep and laying her head on Baron's shoulder. Aylasa found one of the Legionaries and asked them to lead her to someplace quite to sleep and recover her mana. Sophie was next to Mario and inspecting her knew surroundings. Ann was looking for the best place to set up shop and what seems valuable.

Starlow was floating around when she heard one of the Yulessian Scientist named Alvis talking to June. "Wait what someone summoned a person?" Starlow asked in shock. Starlow floated just above June and listened in on the explanation. "So its possible to finally bring them into this world I have to tell Mario," Starlow said as she took off towards Mario and Bowser.

"What do you want Chippy?" Bowser grumbled.

"Nothing that concerns you," Starlow told Bowser. "Mario Mario I heard its possible to summon those from the cards and bring them here.". "Apperently something called Ether which is they refer to as life energy is abundant here,". "We can finally bring the princess, Luigi, Rosalina...," Starlow was pushed aside as Bowser caught wind of Princess being revived.

"Wait what the princess?" Bowser said. "I command you tell me how to bring her now Chippy," Bowser ordered Chippy. Starlow took offense and started floating away from Bowser and Mario. "Fine fine sorry or whatever," Bowser huffed.

"That's better," Starlow said to Bowser. "So Mario you have to want to want that person enough in order for the card to become human,". "Kinda of like how wishing works in our world, the more pure and the more you want it,". "That's all i heard that Alvis guy talk to June about,". Starlow informed Mario.

Mario looked intrigued and he decided to give it a try. Mario took out the Luigi card and began to try and concentrate on summoning Luigi to this world.

"Whoa whoa whoa your going to bring back Green stache?" Bowser roared.

"I can't believe I am saying this but I agree with the oaf,". "Why not try to bring back Peach or Rosalina heck even Wario first?" Starlow asked.

"(Well I much rather try to bring back Luigi in case something goes wrong,)" Mario said to Starlow. Starlow kinda of just looked towards Mario and more or less agree. Mario then began to clutch the Luigi card and began to concentrate. Mario began to channel his thoughts and wishes towards seeing Luigi.

The card began to glow a little at first then it began to glow brighter and brighter before it floated out of Mario's hand and it began to shine really brightly. Finally, a figure began to emerge from the light it was taller and skinner then Mario. Next the figure's facial features such as nose and stache began to form. Finally as the light faded a person who looked like a taller and skinner Mario wearing Green and a ghost puppy came from the light. The figure then proceeded to face palm onto the floor as the Ghost Puppy looked around in confusion.

"LUUUUUIIIIIIGGGGIIII," Mario called out in excitment.

The person known as Luigi sat up and stared around his new surroundings. Kinda of shivering at all the things, people and everything going on around him. The ghost dog Poulterpup went up and gave Luigi a big lick and began running towards Mario. Luigi looked and saw Mario and he began crying. "MMMAAARRRRIIIIOOOOO," Luigi cried out.


Mario and Luigi shared a brotherly hug and began to cry anime tears at the sight of one another. Poulterpup was just staring at everyone until he caught whiff of a certain scent. Poulterpup went to investigate the scent and it lead him to June. Poulter began to playfully bark to try and get June's attention.

Lana tried her best to contain her enjoyment that Cia may finally be revived. "Yes Mom I am ready for this," Lana said while calm on the outside was jumping up and down for joy in the inside.

Charlie sensing much joy coming from Lana began wagging his tail back and fourth with much speed.

---

Location: Tree with long name

Bowser was a little surprised about seeing Green Stache being revived. Yet he quickly grew bored. "Great Green stache is here, come on and bring my," Bowser was saying untilhe got numerous dirty looks from Starlow, Sophie, and Ann. "Fine the princress, hurry and bring her to me," Bowser huffed.

Luigi and Mario pulled away from there brotherly embrace. Luigi looked around confused at his new surroundings confused. "Don't worry when the others arrive I promise to explain everything that's going on," Starlow told a confused Luigi. Luigi was about to ask Starlow if any of this had to do with Bowser. "No before you ask this had nothing to do with Bowser," Starlow assured Luigi.

Mario next took out the card of Princess Peach and repeated the same process. Like the card of Luigi her card began to glow at first then it began to glow brighter and brighter before it was completely enveloped in light. Finally, a female figure with long flowing blonde hair, wearing a Pink frilly dresses, blue earrings and a crown upon her head slowly descended to the ground. "Shrooms?" Peach said as if she was in the middle of taking a picture.

Another figure came from the light which appeared to be a tiny robin with a flame pattern going across its body. "Fletching, huh Sophie and Ann what are you two doing here?" Flanna asked in confusion.

"Sister," both Sophie and Ann said in unison. "What are you doing here and why are you still in that form?" Ann asked Flanna.

"Wait what do you mean this form?". "We still haven't got back to our home world yet?" "Then again we were at a party right?" Flanna asked.

"No we were about to go see you guys and the Pichu band perform," Sophie said.

"Peach," Bowser said in much glee. Peach looked at Bowser with much suspicion like he had something to do with this.

"Don't worry it has nothing to do with him Princess," Starlow told Peach. Peach just looked at her like she was saying okay.

While Peach was getting use to her new surroundings, Mario took out the card of Rosalina and began to summon her. The same process repeated itself until another female figure arrived. This figure was wearing a sky blue gown, with her long flowing platinum blonde hair flowing down her back and her bangs covering her left eye. Finally, a star creature appeared next to her and started floating around. Again the first thing she did was suspect this was another one of Bowser's plan.

June listened to Alvis' explanation while nodding slowly.  She didn't really understand everything, but she caught enough.  She turned at the sound of screaming and stared as Mario proceeded to summon several not-quite-human creatures like himself.  She was relieved that he seemed to know them.

She looked down at the ghost dog barking at her and stared in confusion.  Marth crept up behind her and stuck his head over her shoulder, then bent down to snort at the creature derisively.

"Hey, don't be... jealous..." June told Marth quietly.  "Erm...  Good dog?  Sit?"

As Mario kept summoning more and they started looking to her for explanations, she snapped out of her daze.

"Right...  OK.  Outlanders, everyone listen up!" she called out.  "Everyone with cards - we'll need to summon them all so they have a chance to go home.  But before you start summoning everyone at once...  Well, if you know the people on the card, it's probably OK.  But make sure you don't summon more than one or two at a time!  Remember they'll be extremely disoriented, and some of them may be dangerous!  Once we're done summoning, we can have a meeting to explain and answer questions.  And don't forget the queen should be here soon, and that means we'll be able to go home - so you should all be ready to make that decision."

"Wh-?" June gasped.

Marth glared at the ghost mutt.

June let herself laugh a bit, patted him a few times, then set him on the ground. "OK, that's enough of that for now. I need to see if I can summon, too. Go back to... er... Green."

June watches to make sure she's not going to be interrupted, then fishes her cards out of her hidden sleeve.  She pauses and wonders whether these are the same cards as before.  She's not sure about the count, either, but... not much that can be done about it.

She looks through, trying to decide which card to summon first.  She immediately flips past the half-transparent woman holding a knife and smiling while surrounded by monsters.  Another smiling woman with a knife, though this one's got it hidden behind her back and her smile seems earnest, at least.  Probably an assassin?  No, next.  A young man with a strange device.  He looks friendly enough - kind of reminds June of her childhood friend, back on the farm - but he's also surrounded by monsters.  Maybe.

The next three cards get her attention.  A taguel!  That seems like a safe choice, June decides.  Next is a wyvern rider, and the last looks like a sorceress.  She stops and looks closer.  The wyvern rider looks to be wearing Carcinan armor, and the shield he's holding looks strangely like the Shadow Emblem - but that should be impossible, it's sitting safely hidden behind the throne.  But there's no mistaking that sword the sorceress is holding.  June's hand instinctively rises to her scarred breast as she remembers it being thrust through her.  She glances at Horatio - the same stab killed him, but there he is.  June takes a deep breath, returns the other cards to her sleeve, makes sure Armads is nearby, and focuses intently on the sorceress.

There's a brief flash of light and a young woman appears.  She groans and falls to her knees.  She slowly opens her eyes and looks around.

June stares intently at the sword on her waist as she reaches down and offers a hand.  The black-haired woman accepts it and lets June help her up.  "I'm sure you've got a lot of questions," June says.  "The short story is that we've all been summoned to this world by a powerful spell.  Just catch your breath for a moment, I'll explain everything once the others arrive."

"I...  Mmmph...  You brought me here?"  The woman shakes her head and seems to be recovering.  "Dammit, why would you-!?"

"We were summoned," June repeats.  "Though I've been here a few days now.  You have, as well, but you were trapped in- ah, I'll explain all this later.  Before that, though...  That sword.  That... That can't possibly be Flamberge..."

The sorceress jolts back.  "How do you know that name?  Wait, your axe...  Armads!?  A black dress, and...  is... is that Marth?"

The horse nickers at her, then walks over and nuzzles her.  June's surprise is apparent.  He rarely shows that sort of affection to anyone but herself, much less a total stranger.

The black-haired woman pats the horse and stares at June incredulously.  "What's... your name?"

"Oh, my apologies.  I was so surprised by your sword, I forgot my manners.  I am June, sub-commander of the Outlanders.  Though back in my world, I'm just a-"

"...Queen..." the newcomer says quietly.

June stares at her silently for several seconds.  A look of realization slowly washes over her face.  "You... look a lot like your father."

"You're... You're really-"

"Yes... Lily."

"But you're so... young!"

June nods, then clutches her head in exasperation.  "We'll... we'll talk more about this later, in private."

Lily suddenly adopts a practiced, refined air.  "Of course... Mother."

"Oh!"  June hurriedly reaches into her sleeve and pulls out her cards.  "Do you... recognize any of these people?"

Lily immediately reacts in surprise.  "...Rand!?  Gale?  What are they-"

"Gale?  Sherry and Zephyr's daughter?  ...OK.  I'm going to summon them, you can explain."  June repeats the process, starting with the taguel at Lily's request.

Gale appears in her human form, stretching and yawning.  "...Huh?  Is this a tree...?  I don't remember going to sleep... in a... tree...?"  She pauses and looks around.  Her ears pull back.  She seems nervous.

Lily grabs her shoulder.  "Calm down, Gale.  We'll explain everything in a bit."

"Lily?" she asks.  She stares for a bit, then nods.  "...OK."  Gale looks at June a few seconds, her nose twitching as she sniffs the air.  She gives June a puzzled look, but stays quiet.

"OK, now for... Rand."  June makes sure to clear extra space before calling the wyvern rider.  He appears, rider and all.  His wyvern, dazed, rears back and roars defensively.

The rider recovers quickly, struggling to get his mount under control.  "Easy, Hector, easy...!"

The wyvern sees a familiar form and stops.  It locks eyes with Gale, sniffing the air menacingly.

Gale squeals and hides behind Lily.  Hector seems satisfied with this result.  Lily laughs and gives June a knowing smile.

With the wyvern calm, Rand looks around.  "What... What is going on, Lily?  Gale?  ...Mom!?"

"How was he able to recognize me so much faster...?" June asks herself quietly.  She turns to address her son.  "I'll explain everything once we're done gathering everyone."

Rand seems confused, but nods.  "I... right."

Meanwhile, Horatio looks at his own two cards.  A young-ish woman in a white dress... or a middle-aged woman in a white skirt with a grey jacket.  The older one has chains coming from her fingertips and seems to be playing with a doll, the other is spraying water, and is surrounded by evil-looking creatures.  He decides on the younger woman.

He raises the card to his head and a young woman appears.  She's dressed in a white sundress and matching sandals, and carrying a white parasol.  She wears a string of pearls around her neck.  Her skin is eerily pale, and her eyes are black and sunken.  She shudders as she's summoned, and staggers back a few steps.  She glances around and immediately raises her hand towards Horatio.

"I-" he begins.  He's cut off as a stream of water erupts from the woman's palm and blasts into his chest.  It knocks him back several paces and onto his back.  She turns and takes aim at the first thing she sees - Bowser.