Dimensional Reality: Oz (Chapter 15)

The cavern was vast, reaching farther than she could see.  In this cavern was enough buildings to look like a large town.  Bright, but comfortable light lit the cavern, yet she couldn’t see where the source of the light came from.  Being of all sorts walked by on daily errands.  Poly pulled Dorothy along after her toward a tall building that looked to be in the center of town.  As they walked she saw many of the Ozits stop and stare at her.  Many called on or waved to the Scarecrow, Poly, even to Joseph and Blaze.  Dorothy couldn’t help staring at all she saw around her.  It was a wonderous place.  A place that spoke of needed happiness with so much darkness above them.  Finally they arrived outside the glass double doors of the building.  A group of guards, wearing red, snapped to attention and saluted Poly.  She saluted back and two of the guards opened the doors for them.  Dorothy followed Poly through the doors with Joseph, Blaze, and the Scarecrow not far behind.  They walked through rooms and corridors until they emerged in a wide room, about the size of a school gym.  Once again, all Dorothy could do was stare.  The room was filled with creatures that she had long ago dismissed as fairy tale and story.  She could see a huge lion, stretching and showing long, sharp claws.  He yawned deeply, his sharp rows of teeth gleaming.  This must be the Cowardly Lion, she thought to herself, but he didn’t look very cowardly to her.  Dorothy saw that the Scarecrow had walked off to talk to a girl that looked like she was made out of cotton and patchwork quilt.  Off to another side, three young girls in green talked to two very different men.  One was dressed entirely in shaggy looking clothing and looking quite shaggy himself.  The other was a young man in entirely black and grey and looking somewhat dusty.  Off in another group a large tiger was talking to a little black terrier dog.  An animal that looked totally square, square arms, square legs, head, tail, lay, listening to both of them.  All around the room were all sorts of beings, but they all looked like they had one thing in common.  They all looked like warriors.

  “Everyone! Excuse me, everyone!” Poly voice rang loud and clear in the room.

  Quickly, almost like a drill, everyone stopped their conversations and turned toward Poly.

  “We have some new recruits.  They are a special group though.”

  Joseph stepped forward with Blaze on his shoulder.

  “Joseph of the Enforcers joins us, bringing the Mastari war phoenix, Blaze.”

  Slowly, nervously, Dorothy stepped forward to Joseph’s side.  As soon as she came forward she could hear gasps from the crowd and saw many’s eyes widen. The lion, near the front of the crowd stepped forward.

  “Princess Dorothy?”

  Poly smiled, a little sadly, seeing the happy and eager expression on the Lion’s face.

  “No, Lion this is not Princess Dorothy.  It is a decendant of her bloodline.  The Fates have sent her to us in much the same way that the Princess was sent to Oz long ago.  Joseph has come as her Guardian, as she has agreed to join and fight with us.”

  The Lion walked forward and bowed his head to Dorothy and without word, walked back into the crowd.  Then a small, but loud voice cut through the crowd.

  “I will see the decendant of the House of Gale.”

  The crowd parted at the voice.  There, walking slowly toward her, was the little black dog she had seen talking to the tiger.  Dorothy realized that this must be Toto, the compaion of her great-grandmother.  Toto, who had stayed behind at his master’s wishes, so he would not die by leaving the immortal realm of Oz.  Without concious thought, Dorothy kneeled down.  Toto walked over to her and stood on his hind paws, resting his front paws on her knees.  He leaned forward, his nose briefly touching hers.  He rubbed his muzzle against her cheek for a few moments before leaning back.  Dorothy had never seen an animal cry, didn’t even know that animals could.  Yet, as he drew back, Dorothy could see tears dripping down his small, furry face.

  He spoke again, his gruff voice low, but it carried in the silence of the large room.

  “When Oz was free I ran about and smelled many different things.  Flowers and food, plants and people.  But never has a day gone by since your great-grandmother left, was there a smell I wished to smell again as hers.  Even as your smell is a little different, it is still Dorothy to me.  I thank you.”

  Dorothy leaned forward and hugged Toto.  Then, he slowly walked back to the crowd.  Dorothy stood up slowly, feeling weary after this long, strange day.  Poly walked forward.

  “Do you truly mean to help us?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Then, tomorrow we will begin your training.”

  “Training?”

  “Yes, from this day forward you are a solider of Oz.  But more important, fairy blood runs through your veins.  You must learn to use that magic.  It may turn out to be the key that saves us all.”