Okaaaaaaaaay. Hi guys. It's the Writer of Glory again and boy do I have a dozy for you. This next chapter goes over the events of the classic story of The Wizard of Oz. The problem is I haven't seen that since I was a kid so there is a lot I still don't know and I was therefore like Marth and Ike required to resort to internet resources to get as much info as I can. If I screw anything in the story up I apologize. Last time on Code Name FE: Lucina recovered from her injury and the team is preparing for the journey to the South Pole. What will happen next? Let's find out!
Chapter 26: The bottom of the world
"One day my pet dog Toto and I were swept along with our house by a tornado and sent away from our home in Kansas. It then brought us to this land. To Oz."
"I see. So you are the first person from your world to set foot in Oz." Robin said.
"Actually I was the second. The first was the Wizard of Oz." Dorothy replied.
"Who is that?" Lucina asked.
"He was in charge of the Emerald City before queen Ozma." Scarecrow said.
"So what did you do after you came here?" Robin asked.
"Our house landed in the land of the land of the east where the Munchkins live."
"Oz is divided into five places." Lion explained. "The land of the East, North, West and South with the Emerald City in the centre."
"With the wizard in charge of the city the other four lands were each ruled by a witch. The ones in the North and South are good and caring but the ones in the East and West were wicked and evil." Tin Man explained.
"And you were transported to a land ruled by such a villain?" Lucina asked Dorothy. "Did she try to hurt you?"
"Nope. Our house actually landed right on top of the Wicked Witch of the East killing her."
Robin and Lucina laughed.
"Well I suppose that solved that problem for you didn't it?" Lucina smiled.
"How convenient." Robin added with a chuckle.
"After that the Good Witch of the North and the Munchkins thanked me and gave me these silver shoes. They used to belong to the Wicked Witch of the East. She then told me to follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City and look for the Wizard of Oz to find a way home."
"And on the way there she met me!" Scarecrow said. "I was tied to a pole and she helped me down!"
"And you stayed with her to return the favor?" Lucina asked.
"Well that was part of it. But the thing is back then I wasn't too bright and wanted a brain so Dorothy convinced me to go with her and ask the wizard."
"They later helped me when I was rusted." Tin Man said. "I wanted a heart so I decided to join them in their search for the wizard."
"After that is when they meet me." Lion said. "I was a coward back then so they convinced me to go with them to the Emerald City well."
"I see." Robin said. "But you know, magic isn't the only way to gain courage. Our friend Yarne wasn't known for his courage but he pushed himself for his friends and now he is one of the best warriors our army has to offer."
"He still is easily frightened and is reluctant to fight." Lucina added. "But he is always trying hard to conquer his fear."
"That's good." Lion said. "Courage is meant for protecting people. I'll betcha that's how Yarne feels."
"Perhaps your right." Robin said. "But anyway, you were saying?"
"Eventually we made it to the Emerald City." Dorothy explained. "The wizard said he would help us if we killed the Wicked Witch of the West. On the way there she sent a group of winged monkeys to capture us."
"Winged monkeys?" Robin thought. "Oz just gets stranger and stranger the more I hear of it."
"What did you do?" Lucina asked.
"Lion and I were caught and taken to her castle. She was after my silver slippers but when she managed to get one of them I threw a bucket of water on her which caused her to melt."
"So you killed both of the evil witches. While we were here the civilians of Oz seemed to think highly of you. Now I see why." Robin said.
"Thanks, but looking back I kind of killed both of them by accident didn't I?" Dorothy asked.
"Aw please. I don't think anyone here is going to complain." Lion said.
Everyone laughed.
"Anyway, after that I took the Golden cap she used to summon the monkeys and we regrouped and went back to the Emerald City. Then we went back to the wizard and found out that he was really an ordinary person that wound up in Oz by accident just like me."
"How awful!" Lucina said. "So he couldn't do anything for you?"
"Actually he could!" Scarecrow said as he took off his hat to reveal a bunch off pins in his head.
"What….is that?" Robin asked.
"My brains! He told me that smart people are sharp! These things help a lot!" Scarecrow said putting his hat back on.
"He was also able to make me a heart." Tin Man explain.
"And he gave me a potion of courage." Lion added.
"And he sent you home?" Robin asked Dorothy.
"Well we were plaining to leave together in a hot air balloon but Toto chased a kitten into the crowed and before I could find him and get back the balloon broke loose and floated away with the wizard and left us behind."
"So what did you do?" Lucina asked.
"A Solider with green whiskers told me that the Witch of the South might be able to help so I had the monkeys fly us there and she told us that my slippers can take me anywhere."
"So you really could have left as soon as you got there?" Robin chuckled.
"Yeah. But I'm glad I didn't! Because then I would have never met Scarecrow, Tin man and Lion or help them get what they wanted!"
"Aw thanks Dorothy! You're the best!" Scarecrow said.
"I'll say!" Lion added.
"What a kind hearted soul." Tin Man smiled.
"After that the witch gave the cap to the king of the monkeys freeing them. Some time passed after I got home and queen Ozma allowed me and my relatives and the wizard to live in her palace. Then one day we found out that someone else was sent to Oz in a tornado."
"Who was that?" Robin asked.
"The president."
"What!? What did you do!?"
"I met up with Scarecrow and the others and we went to find the president. We found him on the yellow brick road and helped him to the Emerald city. Then we brought him to queen Ozma and she helped him get back to America."
"We got to be good friends with him." Tin Man said. "He didn't mind our unusual appearances and was always the first to stop and help anyone he noticed was troubled."
"After he got back he decided to create S.T.E.A.M. so he made a rumor that he was murdered and started working on building the team in secret." Lion said.
"So when he asked the four of us for our help of course we agreed." Scarecrow added.
"Wow. You guys all went through a lot haven't you?" a voice asked.
The team looked to see Henry and the rest of the team come in.
"Oh, hi everyone!" Dorothy smiled. "When did you all get here?"
"Just now." The helmsmen said. "Everyone is ready."
"Where are Marth, Ike and the president?" John asked.
"I think they're on the upper deck." Lucina said.
"I'll go let them know we're ready." Henry said before leaving.
As he approached the deck he heard voices.
"I believe that Henry's potential for good work is far greater than mine. I have done many thing but my time for good deeds is drawing to an end." The president said.
"What do you mean by that?" Ike asked.
"I mean that I believe that each and every one of you has your best works ahead of you." Including you Marth. It is important to leave something for the future like we now know you will from what you told us. Maybe you couldn't stop what happened but thanks to what you left behind your world has a second chance. You shouldn't be guilty. I for one am proud."
"Perhaps your right. Thank you sir." Marth replied.
"Sir, Marth, Ike."
The three men turned around to face Henry.
"The crew is ready to go."
"Good." The president replied. "It's time we put an end to this maddens once and for all. Oh, and Henry?"
"Yes?"
"Great job. I hope I can continue to count on you in the future."
"Yes sir!"
"Despite you age you really are mature yet confident." Marth said. "You are a lot like Roy."
"Is he a friend of yours?" The president asked.
"Yes. He is also another hero from the past according to Robin."
"I see…."
"Sir?"
"Sorry friends but I just remembered that I had to speak to queen Ozma about something before we leave. I will be back soon."
In the middle of the South Pole a group of penguins were dawdling about. One of them looked up to see a giant green hole appear in the sky.
The Liberty come out of the hole with the crew onboard and ready for anything.
"Sir, hail from the war department!" Kathrin said turning to the president.
"On-screen."
A tall bearded man with brown hair appeared on the monitor.
"Mr. President. I hope you're well, sir."
"General Grant. Status report, please."
"Our boys are putting up a terrific fight but our hopes of victory are fading. A great wave of cold is spreading across the globe. Freezing….Freezing everything in its wake."
"Freezing everything!?" Lucina asked.
"What?! How?" Henry asked.
"No idea, but more than half the earth is frozen already." The general responded. "It's only a matter of time before the earth is an icy tomb."
"The aliens must be close to completing the revival of the Shugguth." Robin said.
"How can you tell?" Ike asked.
"According to the Necronomicon the great Shugguth projects an aura of intense cold." Randolph replied.
"General, the cold's source…could it be at the South Pole?" the president asked.
"That seems possible."
"Understood. We'll deal with this problem, General. Hold out as long as you can."
"Yes, sir. Good luck." The general saluted before the screen closed.
The president turned to the helmsmen.
"We haven't a moment to spare. Full speed!"
"Aye, aye!"
The Liberty dashed through the air.
After a ten minute flight Randolph addressed the team.
"We are reading several heat sources under the ice. They have hidden it well, but their base is directly beneath us."
"But where are they?" Califia asked. "Where are their warriors?"
"Maybe they're not at home!" Dorothy said.
"The thicker the walls, the fewer the guards." Fox smiled.
"And overconfidence is the most contagious of all diseases." The president added.
"The same applies to us." Robin pointed out. "Let's not get careless. They could be trying to catch us off guard."
"Robin has a point. We mustn't let our guard down now." Marth said.
"Don't worry. Whatever it is they're doing it won't change what will happen to them when we get down there." Ike said.
"Do we know where the Shugguth is?" Henry asked.
"Well, it's painfully obvious, if you ask me." Randolph replied. "She'll be there."
A vortex of intense cold winds spewed out like a tornado from of the hole on an icy mountain like a frozen volcano.
"SHOO-EE! That looks meaner'n the twister that took us outta Kansas!" Tom said looking out a window.
"We can't go in from de sky.…" Queequeg said.
"Then we'll move in from bellow." The president said. "Time to try out A.B.E.'s new drill."
"Good luck sir. We'll follow you behind in the Liberty." Henry said.
Soon afterword a hatch opened in the Liberty and a gold train rushed out. A.B.E. switched to its humanoid form with a giant drill attached to its hands.
"For too long we have fought this war on their terms." The president said from the controls.
The mechanical solider slammed into the ground burrowing into the frozen earth.
"It is high time we invaded their space."
The drill had no trouble boring into the base.
"How it go down there?" Queequeg asked.
"I'm making good progress. Oz's technology is a wonder!"
In the caverns bellow a group of aliens were keeping watch.
Suddenly the drill came out above them and squashed all of theme.
"Liberty, this is A.B.E. We've reached the enemy base."
A.B.E tuned on its flashlight eyes and looked around.
"What do you think our chances are, sir?"
A.B.E. turned to see the Liberty descend next to it.
"We'll win, son." The president responded to Henry.
"Fortune favors fools and those who fight on the side of liberty."
"What!? They're going to confront this enemy at their base this very moment!?" a blue haired man asked.
"Yes. That is why we summoned you two here." Queen Ozma said. "President Lincoln told me that Marth and Robin believe that you two have great power. We need your help to stop these monsters."
"Can you get us to them?" a red haired man asked.
"We have that taken care of. Right Oz?" The queen smiled turning to an old man dressed in green.
"Indeed. Please come this way."
The two swordsmen followed them.
"Robin, Lucina…Hold on, I'm coming."
"How long has it been since we last meet Marth?"
What will happen to our team? What awaits deeper in the cave? Why is the size of A.B.E. so damn inconsistent? Find out all this (Seriously! One cut scene it comes out of the Liberty and in the next it's suddenly twice its size! How the heck dose that work!?) and more next time!