Cardcaptor Pandora
Episode XXIV
The Wizard of Oz
(Segment One of the Separate Reality Series)

((Did you all think I had fallen off the face of the planet? I do hope you're still reading. I apologize for the long wait, I just got really busy, you know, the usual. But summer's here now, and that will probably help a bit. Hope you enjoy!))

Finally summer was at hand! The school was buzzing with students running about gathering everything they would need for their return home. The train would be leaving in less than four hours...

Pandora, honestly, how much can one girl carry with her? Ron shouted as she lugged her suitcase down the stairs, which seemed to be about to burst at the seams. Harry jumped up to help her. Ron rolled his eyes.

When she came down into the Common Room, Harry pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to her. Professor Everest told me to give this to you. I have no idea what it's about.

Pandora took it and opened it curiously. Hm... she said she wants me to meet her out next to the lake an hour before the train is supposed to leave. How odd.

That'll be cutting it a little close, don't you think?

Yes... But I guess she's got it worked out.

I'll go with you if it'll make you feel any better.

She smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Ron stood up quickly and headed for the door. It was too much for him. He just wanted to find his Pansy, get on the train, and go home.

Pandora followed through with the request in the letter, and was surprised to see her fellow Cardcaptors also there for the same reason. Even Persephone was there, and looked to be quite back to her normal silent dark self.

I wonder what's keeping her, Sydney said.

I don't know, but it's awfully rude for her to keep us waiting, commented Holly.

You should talk about grumbled Lauren.

That comment came from Persephone.

Pandora glanced at Harry and sighed. Who knows...

Rangi suddenly flew out of Pandora's bag in a rage. I knew we should have never trusted that Everest! I can sense the work of a Hogwarts Card right now! She's up to something!

A card? Pandora asked, honestly sensing nothing. Then what would be the point of sending us all here to capture it?

I don't know! She's the evil mastermind! Maybe she just gets perverse enjoyment out of watching the five of you fight it out.

Um, Rangi, Sydney interrupted politely, I really don't think that Professor Everest is that kind of person...

In any case, if we don't leave now, we're going to be late to the train, and then what? Holly said. It must not have been very important or she would have been here by now.

They all agreed, still very curious about the entire situation. But just as they turned to go back the ground began to rumble, and suddenly a giant hole opened up beneath their feet, and there was nowhere else to go but down.

Pandora was terrified at first, but then realized that they weren't exactly falling, but more floating towards the bottom... if there was one. Harry! Sydney! Lauren! she called out, but there was no answer. Holly...? Persephone.....? Nothing. I'm alone.... she thought to herself, just as the atmosphere around her changed from absolute blackness into the starry realm of outer space. But that couldn't be exactly right, or she would be about to die. She felt a sort of presence around her, a presence that slowly began to solidify into something material...

She was inside of a giant robot... a meccha....

She wore a loose green tank top and black spandex shorts, an outfit she normally wouldn't be caught dead in. Her hair, usually soft and silky, now hung rough and jagged around her face. It was absolutely hideous. And as she gazed at the abundance of controls before her, she discovered something amazing. She knew what to do with them.

Pandora! Pandora! Are you alright? came a familiar voice, a voice that rang throughout the small cockpit.

Rangi? Is that you? Where are you?

The voice laughed. I'm right here, Pandora! You're inside of me! I'm Meccha Rangi!

Pandora didn't know whether this was better or worse. Oh... really... well... that's nice.... ^_^;; Um... you're a lot bigger, aren't you? So... do you know exactly what happened to us?

Yeah! We fell down a hole and ended up in outer space!

I realize that much, Rangi. -_- Now can you tell me why this happened?

It was a card!

Rangi! Can you please stop restating the obvious!

Okay... then... I really don't know what happened...

Pandora sighed. Fine then... I guess we'll just fly around until something happens... or until you think of something important.

But something happened sooner than expected. Ahead of her she could make out another gigantic meccha, two actually, who seemed to be in the midst of some sort of battle. One broke away suddenly and flew towards Pandora. She held her shield in front of her and drew her own weapon, not knowing quite what to expect.

A young, whiny voice came over the speaker, Please get her to leave me alone whoever you are! She's a meanie!

Hi, Lauren, Pandora greeted with a smile, flipping on a screen which allowed for visual contact between the two. She saw Lauren who now had her long black braid back, and was wearing a strange outfit like a Catholic priest or something.

She smiled, but looked panicked again almost immediately. That's Persephone! She was going to kill me until you came along!

Pandora looked past Lauren and saw Persephone coming closer. I'm going to talk to her. She switched the communications screen, and now saw Persephone. She was wearing a dark blue top with odd looking baggy white pants. Her black hair was slicked back in a ponytail. Persephone, this is Pandora. Do you have any idea what's going on?

What? You mean your little Rangi can't figure it out?

I'm not little! he growled in his amplified pathetic voice.

We've fallen into a Separate Reality..... Realms where different lives from different times and places collide, creating something entirely out-of-place and out-of-time, and basically makes little to no sense to the person caught in it.

Probably some screwed up Slytherin Card... Lauren mumbled.

No, actually. It's a Ravenclaw Card, Rangi said. She made it because some of the Hogwarts Cards are so difficult to capture that they practically have to be taken out of context.... But you're not ready for these sorts of challenges, and that Everest knew it! She wants you all to be destroyed!

Rangi... maybe you have it all wrong... Pandora whispered. And even if she did do this to hurt us, perhaps we can make the best of it. Now if I can just figure out what being in the middle of a Gundam series has to do with anything....

And then she saw two more Guardian Beast shaped gundams. The group was back together. Now if she could just figure out what had happened to Harry. She hoped he wasn't hurt...

We were on some space colony with a very drawn out name, involving many letters and numbers, Sydney said with a giggle. She looked much the same and wore a pink collared shirt with a purple vest over it. Holly was being much quieter than usual, maybe because she was having some kind of major bad hair day. It was all like sticking straight down one eye. They were at first scared of us because of our gundams, Sydney continued, but then they asked us if we would do something for them.

A mission? Pandora asked. What might that be?

They want peace... but this galaxy has been torn apart by war. They believe that only one person is capable of bringing peace to all. The Wizard of Oz. They want us to find him and make him see the horrible things that are happening to them here, so that maybe he will be willing to help. Then peace would be restored.

Pandora nodded. Mission accepted.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

They flew for a very long time not knowing where they were going and not meeting anyone. They contacted a few of the colonies, but many greeted them with hostility or had no idea what they were talking about. Their first lead came in the midst of a battle...

No! I will not allow you to try and reunite Earth with the colonies! Peace is impossible as long as Earth exists! The colonies deserve freedom, thus Earth will be destroyed! NYAHAHA!

It was Pansy, except she had no idea who they were. When Pandora tried to speak to her, Pansy only drew her saber and began fighting Pandora viciously.

The battle might have gone on forever if another had not intervened.

Pansy, stop this madness! came the concerned voice of Ron Weasley.

No!! They are trying to destroy my master plan!

Yeah, well... You'd better go destroy Earth now, or someone else might get to it first!

Pansy gasped and then scurried away.

Ron!! Are you crazy? We have to stop her! Pandora cried.

He cocked his head to the side on her screen and blinked at her in that confused manner he has. I don't know how you know my name, but I guess it doesn't really matter. And don't worry about Earth, I hid her big ship with the big guns on it. ^_^ I do everything I can to keep her out of trouble, because I love her so much.



But I also love peace, so I can't support her in the things she wants to do, you understand... In fact, I should be getting back to Mr. Potter. I believe he has some people I'm supposed to meet with or something soon...

Mr. Potter...? Pandora asked eagerly.

Yes. He is the headmaster of a school which promotes complete pacifism. Would you like to meet him?



~ * ~ * ~ * ~



Pandora had to restrain herself from pouncing upon Harry joyously. She had never been happier to see anyone in her entire life. But once again, he had no idea who she was. Hello, Mr. Potter. Mr. Weasley was telling us about your school here. Your ideas seem to be similar to those of the colony who sent us on this mission.

A mission? I do not support wars...

It is a mission to end the war and restore peace.

And maybe get us home, Lauren whined. I don't think I like this place very much.

He smiled and said, Very well, I'm listening.

We have heard of someone called the Wizard of Oz, and he is supposedly the only one who can bring order back to this galaxy peacefully.

Harry was silent for a moment, but finally he said, What you have heard is true. But no one has ever seen the Wizard of Oz and lived to tell about it. There are those who were brave enough to speak to him, but rarely would he help them. He expects too much.

We will handle any trials there may be, Pandora said certainly. I'm sure the outcome will be well worth the effort. Especially if he can provide us a way home. Just please tell us where to find him.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

They traveled to a place on Earth, a very sophisticated mansion surrounded by trees and a beautiful garden with fountains. There were guards, but they let the girls pass without much trouble. They were all very confident in their leader.

Tension was in the air as they walked down a long marble corridor towards the chamber where they were to meet with the Wizard.

I do hope the Wizard of Oz is willing to help us, Sydney said sweetly.

I wonder what's so frightening about him, Holly whispered.

Frightened? Who's frightened? Lauren said with a nervous laugh, reaching back and folding her hands behind her head as she walked, something she now seemed to do a lot when she was a little worried about something.

Face it, you're scared, Persephone muttered.

I am not!

Walk walk walk....

Persephone yanked on Lauren's ponytail.

Lauren jumped in the air shouting, Oh my gosh, they're after me, make it stop, make it stop!

Riiiiight you're not scared.

Will you two please stop fighting? Pandora asked. We at least need to be at peace with eachother if we are going to be asking the Wizard of Oz for peace.

When they reached the door it would not open, so Pandora knocked lightly.

Do you dare to make a request of the Wizard of Oz? a familiar voice asked them, but it spoke in such a pleasant tone that they couldn't quite place it. The voice wasn't quite male, but it wasn't female either. It was a strange blend.

Please, we desire peace for the colonies and for Earth. They need your guidance. What must we do to make you see how much you are needed?

There was silence for a moment, then he answered, There are more pressing matters than peace at the moment. For example, will the Earth still be around in fifteen minutes?

But... Ron said he had stopped her....

True, but there are other ways of killing the Earth. What must the Earth have to provide for its inhabitants?

I... don't understand...

What allows the creatures of Earth to survive?

Climate... food....

Yes, and what makes the climate how it is, and the food such as the plants available?

Holly gasped. She's going to destroy the sun!

Very good. That is what you must do, stop her from destroying the sun. If you succeed in that, then I will be able to help you. If you fail... then there will be nothing left to make peace with.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Ten more minutes, and the slow agonizing death of Earth would begin.

Pansy laughed wickedly as the Mobile Dolls which were positioned around the sun continued to ready themselves for the final blow. They would take the sun's energy, and with it, put Earth out of its misery. Her old love, Ron, continued to try to talk her out of it, telling her what a crazy idea it was. But she didn't really care anymore.

She watched the progress of the Dolls carefully. One step out of place, and the entire plan could fall apart.

Nine minutes.

An alert sounded that something was heading for the ship, but she could not find them. She had to assume that her computer was reading something wrong.

Eight minutes.

Something shook the entire ship, like she had somehow wandered into an asteroid field. But there were no asteroids. She fell down with a crash, wondering what was rocking the ship.

Seven minutes.

Six minutes.

I suggest you discontinue this mission of yours, now, a voice said next to her, but there was no body there. Just a voice.

What are you doing?! Pansy shouted. Who are you? Whatever you are, you can't stop me! She was pushed to the ground.

Five minutes.

A shimmer appeared above her, and a person did emerge from it, as if out of thin air. You're the same person I talked to earlier! Pansy shouted. What do you want? You can't stop me now. They're already set to do what they must.

Yes, but you can't stop me from changing that if you're busy fighting for your life.
Pansy narrowed her eyes. You can't do both at once.

Four minutes.

Another shimmer appeared, and from it emerged another girl, younger, and with a long black braid. She had a large sword in her hand and was ready to fight.

Don't kill her, Lauren, Pandora whispered. I don't know what effect it would have on the real Pansy. Lauren responded with a quick nod as Pansy drew her own sword that she carried at her side, and the fight began.

Three minutes.

Pandora scowled at the controls. She hated having to admit that she had no idea what to do.

Would you like some help?

It was Holly with a very serious look on her face. Pandora nodded and let Holly take the lead. Her small fingers moved quickly over all of the buttons and keys. Pandora only hoped it was going to be quick enough. She knew that at the same time Persephone and Sydney were destroying what Mobile Dolls they could, but they would never be able to destroy all of them in time.

Two minutes.

The buttons continued to clack and the swords continued to clash.

One minute.

Password?!?! Ugh! I hate computers!

Pandora's heart began to beat insanely fast. What do you have left to do?

If I knew the password they would shut themselves down, and then there would be nothing to worry about! But I don't know what that is!

Thirty seconds.

Lauren yanked Pansy's sword out of her hand with the blade of her own, and pointed them both straight at her where she fell on the ground. Tell... us... the password.

Silence.

Fifteen seconds.

Tell us now!



Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The final second could have taken all of eternity-

-had Persephone wanted it to.

As it was, it lasted about an hour according to Cardcaptor Real Time, just enough time for Sydney and Persephone to call the other three back out, and all together they destroyed every last one of the Mobile Dolls.

They began returning back to the Wizard of Oz after Persephone removed the affects of the Time Card. It didn't take long for them to begin their trek down the long marble corridor again.

That was... very clever Persephone... Pandora said reluctantly.

Yeah, but did you have to wait until the last second?!?! Lauren asked.

Persephone smirked. I was planning on using it all along, but I wanted Pandora to fail at her plan first. Besides, I rather enjoy having the power of Time.

This of course made them all a little more nervous.

Finally they reached the huge door, and Pandora knocked. Wizard of Oz, we have succeeded in the trial. Now please grant us what we ask.

The doors opened without a response from the Wizard's voice, and they were greeted by something much different than they expected. They walked into a very elegant room, and in the center of it was a small table with a vase of beautiful roses on it. On one side of the table sat Professor Everest, and on the other side, Professor Snape. Both had serene expressions on their faces, their lips curved into gentle, natural smiles. It was like seeing people they had known forever as something else entirely different.

I am glad to see that you succeeded in your trial, the voice said. It came from both of them. Their lips moved exactly together, and their expressions remained exactly the same as well. Now I am ready to grant peace to the galaxy, but that will require your help.

Um, excuse me, Mr. Oz, sir, Lauren said, stepping forward and watching them uncomfortably, but do you think you can send us home as well?

The Wizards laughed. You will find your way home eventually, but the time is not now. I will be there to help you along the way though, you can be sure of that. Now, which one of you put in the most work in stopping Pansy from destroying the sun?

Lauren answered, I fought and distracted Pansy while Pandora and Holly tried to shut down the Mobile Dolls on the computer.

Holly answered, I was the only one who could actually use the computer, except what I needed was blocked by a password.

Sydney and Persephone remained silent.

Pandora took a deep breath. I made the plan to get into the ship with Lauren and Holly while Sydney and Persephone took out as many of the Dolls as they could. But my plan failed. It was Persephone who truly saved us all.

Persephone threw a look at her somewhere between confusion, gratitude, and anger. It was always difficult to tell with Persephone.

Both Snape and Everest stood up as if they were one body controlled by one mind, and walked forward in the same manner. Your honesty impresses me, Pandora. You are correct. Persephone is the most deserving to complete this final trial. Persephone watched them distrustingly as they came closer. You must seal us away.

Persephone nodded, her usual cold expression securely on her face. Dark spirits of the West and of the Element Water, your Staff to me, release. Her snake staff appeared in her hand, and the Wizards did not move. I am your Master now, Fight Card. Return!

Before her lay a red-backed Gryffindor Card. She picked it up and flipped it over. Instead of Everest and Snape, there was a man with blond hair and beautiful, intense blue eyes in a blue and white uniform. Next to him was a woman with brown hair tied back into to braided buns who wore large glasses over her fierce eyes and a maroon and white uniform.

Persephone did not have long to admire her new card. The ground beneath their feet seemed to be melting away, and before they knew it they all were falling as they did when they first entered into the Separate Reality.

Don't worry! a voice called out. Pandora recognized it as Rangi's, and was relieved that they hadn't left him behind. No matter what, we'll find eachother! Good luck to all of you! And good job... except for Pandora! Honestly! What were you thinking, you...

But his voice faded as they plunged deeper into the blackness.

Pandora smiled, feeling no fear this time. Perhaps she didn't do as well as she had wished, losing the card to Persephone, but she was satisfied with what had happened. In fact, as she felt the futuristic galaxy which had been hers for such a short while slipping away, she was glad that together they had been able to achieve peace. As the last star twinkled out, she whispered, Mission accomplished.