A carriage traveled down the Brick Route from Central City carrying two old friends and their most valued treasures, their daughters.
"I want to thank you again." the young mother told her companion. "I know this isn't easy."
"No, it isn't." he agreed. "But this will save her from what plagues her dreams." He looked to his daughter, his Rose, as she watched the world passing them by, her red hair held back in an intricate braid so it remained out of her green eyes.. She'd never left Central City after her mother's passing. Back then she was too young to remember. He looked beside the carriage at the Tin Men surrounding them. His newest man had made an impression on the Mystic Man and his daughter. He played with Rose when her father was working and calmed her when she woke screaming from the nightmares until her father could get to her.
"Only until the time is right." His Queen reminded him, pulling her angel into her side. "I pray they are ready."
"They will be." He told her, trying to convince them both. He turned back to his daughter and watched her awhile longer. The circles under her eyes had grown darker in the recent months. Every time she woke screaming after a nightmare, she got a familiar look in her eyes and said, "She's back." Now, not many would know what she had meant, but he did. And he told that valuable information to the only other people who knew the secret. The royal family.
"I'll be sealing their memories with magic, to protect them." She told him. He nodded his understanding as the carriage came to a stop. The four of them climbed out and walked towards a cyborg fixing a tractor. He looked up at their approach, taking note of their appearance and faces. He rose from his work and greeted them.
"Your majesty. Mystic Man. What can I do for you today?" he asked them.
"We need your help." She told him. He ushered them into his home and they explained what they needed for him to do. He agreed and quickly left then alone.
"Do you mind if I have a few moments with Rose, your majesty?" Mystic Man asked his queen, his hand tightening around his daughter's slightly.
"Of course, old friend." She told him with a sorrowful smile. "Be quick." He nodded in understanding and thanks before picking up his young daughter and leaving the house. He looked for a quiet place to speak with her and saw a hill with a lone tree on it. They made their way there in perfect silence. Once at the tree, he sat Rose down on a log and sat next to her.
"Do you understand what's happening, Rose?" he asked her.
"The little wind storm and I are being sent away." She said after a moment.
"Yes, for protection. When the time is right you must return home and find the Queen and I once more." He instructed knowing she wouldn't remember this upon her return.
"Why only us?" Rose asked him. "Why can't you come too?"
"I must prepare for your return home. I'm needed here." He tried explaining to her.
"To stop the woman in my nightmares?" she asked.
"To try and stop her, yes." He corrected her.
"What if you stop her before it's time for us to return home?" she asked.
"Then I will come to collect you and the young princess." He answered wrapping her in his arms and pulling her close to him.
"I don't want to leave." She cried into his side. He couldn't think of anything to say to her to make her understand so he just spent his last few moments holding her as she cried. "I love you daddy."
"I love you too, Rose." He saw his Queen make her way out of the house with Father View. He unwrapped his arms from Rose and took her hand once more before making their way to them. By the time they arrived two Nurture Units were standing before the Queen, smiling lovingly at her daughter. They turned their eyes to his Rose and gave their shared smile to her.
"Rose, come here." The Queen ordered. Rose looked up at her father, who nodded his head at her. She released his hand and moved to stand next to the young princess. The Queen used her magic on both girls to block their memories of the O.Z. knocking them both out. The Nurture Units picked up both girls before the Queen summoned a Traveling Storm carrying them all to safety.