(A New Encounter)

*Author's Note: A new arc begins! This arc isn't based on any Oz novel but rather an original story created by me but I hope everyone enjoys it! Also, Mary Louise is a character from another Baum series titled Mary Louise*

*January 13th, 1907*

*2:30 pm*

*Topeka, Kansas*

Six months passed since Dorothy saved Oz, and the young girl was sitting in a coffee shop, waiting for someone.

The coffee shop had a rustic interior with plants, flowers, and brown wood, giving off a comfortable vibe.

"I wonder who Mary Louise is and why she wants to interview me. I hope she doesn't get too personal or anything." Dorothy whispered to herself before sipping coffee while waiting for Mary.

Soon after, a young girl entered the coffee shop and sat across from Dorothy, the girl was indeed Mary Louise.

Mary had short brown curly hair, and brown eyes, and she wore a suit that she found comfortable to wear.

"Good Afternoon. My name is Mary Louise Burrows and it's a pleasure to finally meet you, Dorothy." Mary greeted Dorothy with a smile, reaching her hand out for a handshake.

"And I'm Dorothy Gale, it's a pleasure to meet you as well, Mary." Dorothy responded with a smile while accepting the handshake.

After this, Mary took out a pencil and notebook, ready to take notes for the interview as she began to speak.

"Alright, I guess I should tell you about myself before we get things started. As you know already, My name is Mary Louise Burrows, and not just that, I'm a fifteen-year-old detective who solves cases while also interviewing people along the way but that's enough about me, let's interview you, Dorothy." Mary introduced herself to Dorothy in a confident voice while Dorothy nodded with great interest.

"Wonderful, that's quite nice to hear and ask away Mary." Dorothy responded with a smile, eager to start the interview with Mary.

"Alright, first question, How did you end up in this Oz place? I recall that Dion person bringing it up.." Mary asked Dorothy, preparing to take notes of the interview while she waited for an answer.

"Well, It happened when I was only eight years old. I was in my house when a tornado came and swept my old home up in the air." Dorothy answered, sipping on her coffee while Mary jotted down the information in her notes.

"I see, that was roughly seven years ago. Quite interesting indeed." Mary responded while she finished writing down the first set of information before proceeding with the interview.

"Next question. Did you encounter any issues during your first stay in Oz such as creeps?" Mary asked Dorothy, flipping the page in her small notebook as she was ready to hear the answer.

Of course, Dorothy began to answer the question with little trouble.

"Yes, I've encountered quite a few issues, most famously I encountered an evil witch. She was the Wicked Witch of the West, and I defeated her by throwing water on her but it was by accident." Dorothy responded once more while seeing Mary nodding, taking more notes in her notebook.

"An evil witch? Now that's something I don't see every day." Mary responded with a hint of interest in her voice before leaning over to eye Dorothy, preparing for another question.

"Are you sure that Oz is a real place, I mean, anyone could lie about it." Mary asked Dorothy while she waited for an answer.

After this, Dorothy appeared to be offended by Mary's question, crossing her arms as she was ready to respond.

"I'm not lying. Oz is indeed a real place; however, it's been cut off so don't try looking for it. I know what I experienced." Dorothy responded in a stern voice while Mary nodded, jotting more notes in her notebook.

"I see, sorry about that. I'm skeptical when it comes to those things so I can come off as pretty harsh but I mean well, truly I do." Mary apologized to Dorothy while flipping another page in her notebook to continue with the interview.

"It's okay. I'm used to it. It's just that I have friends in Oz, and they're important to me." Dorothy responded with a smile while she waited for more questions.

"Next question, how did you defeat Dion or whoever that creep was? I'm quite curious." Mary asked Dorothy once more while preparing to write down whatever was next.

"Well I used my power and I punched him hard, that's about it. He was also trying to kill those people at the Cliff House." Dorothy responded, gently laughing to herself while Mary tilted her head in confusion.

"Really, that's it? I expected something more fanfare but I'll still take your word, also, that would have been dreadful if he had succeeded in his plan.." Mary responded with a mixture of confusion and curiosity, jotting down more notes in her notebook.

"Who are your parents, if you don't mind me asking?" Mary asked Dorothy once more while waiting for an answer from the girl.

After hearing this, Dorothy thought about the question for a moment before answering it.

"I don't recall, I don't know much about my father while my mother was briefly around when I was a baby; however, she had to give me away before passing away." Dorothy responded in a serious voice while Mary nodded, jotting down more notes in her notebook as she began to speak once more.

"I see. I don't know much about my father, and I live with my mother and my Grandpa Jim; however, I hope to see him one day." Mary responded before smiling at the final part of her statement.

Of course, Dorothy smiled back, having the same settlements as Mary.

"Alright, let's proceed with the interview, shall we?" Mary spoke to Dorothy before flipping a page from her notebook, ready to ask more questions about Dorothy.

The interview continued to go on as planned with Dorothy answering each question as honestly as possible while Mary jotted down notes.

*2:50 pm*

Mary finished writing down the final sentences on her notes before smiling at Dorothy.

"I must say, you are truly a fascinating person. Meeting a servant boy turned princess, a machine man, and a crazy woman with a head collection is quite interesting indeed." Mary spoke to Dorothy, smiling at her as she and Dorothy shook hands.

"It's been a pleasure. Thank you for conducting this interview. I hope we can meet again, Mary." Dorothy spoke to Mary with a warm smile.

After this, Mary smiled back, waving goodbye as she packed her notebook and pencils.

"Same here, Goodbye." Mary nodded farewell to Dorothy before leaving the coffee shop. Once Mary fully left the coffee shop, Dorothy smiled, knowing that the process went quite well for her.

"What a nice girl.." Dorothy spoke to herself with a smile before eventually leaving the coffee shop, off to take care of more things.

Unknown to Dorothy, a young boy was watching her from a tree, eyeing the young girl as she walked away from the coffee shop.

"I've finally found you, Dorothy." The boy spoke to himself, looking down at Dorothy.

The boy's name was Flynn and he had short black hair and brown eyes, and he wore a blue colored fighting gi with a sword on his back.

"Dorothy is the key.." Flynn spoke to himself, dashing away from the tree to confront Dorothy.

After this, Flynn followed Dorothy, watching her every step during her walk for quite some time before this eventually annoyed her.

Dorothy turned around with an annoyed look on her face, ready to confront her stalker.

"Stop following me, creep!" Dorothy commanded before picking up a rock and throwing it at the tree, hitting Flynn with it.

Soon after, this caused the boy to come crashing down from the tree, making him land on the floor.

"Serves you right. If it's a date then.." Dorothy attempted to speak to Flynn; however, this was interrupted by a slew of shurikens being thrown at her, but luckily, Dorothy dodged them.

After this, Dorothy was annoyed at this attempted assault.

"Seriously?!" Dorothy cried in annoyance when she saw Flynn standing up, hands in the air.

"W-Wait! Let me explain, Dorothy." Flynn pleaded with Dorothy in hopes that the girl would listen to him and luckily, she did.

After hearing the boy call her name, Dorothy was confused at this revelation and she quickly asked him another question.

"Wait, how do you know my name? You must be from Oz, right? But.." Dorothy asked Flynn in a tone of confusion while Flynn began to respond.

"Who doesn't know Dorothy, the girl who liberated the Munchkins and Winkies from the Wicked Witches of the East and West, but I'm not here for that." Flynn responded with a smirk while Dorothy continued to listen.

"Sorry about that little show back there, I was testing you and it seems you've passed. Could we discuss more details at your home, my name is Flynn." Flynn continued to speak to Dorothy while the young girl nodded.

Of course, Dorothy was hesitant to allow this stranger to enter her home; however, she felt like she needed to do this.

"Sure, and my friend is going to be here as well, I hope you don't mind." Dorothy responded, agreeing to talk with the boy while Flynn was more than happy to hear this.

"I don't mind at all, Dorothy." Flynn responded as he and Dorothy began walking back to the farm together.

"Who is this boy? He didn't mention where he came from yet he knows about Oz and the Wicked Witches…but why is he in Kansas and not in Oz.." Dorothy thought to herself, eager to find out everything that was going on.

*Unknown Location*

Meanwhile at an unknown location, a young girl was sitting in darkness, sword in hand and she had a depressed look on her face.

"Darkness will soon cover everything…I need it…the Sword of Oz.." The girl spoke in a sunken voice, gripping her sword while doing so.

Who is this mysterious girl and what does Flynn exactly want?!