(Learning the Basics)

*January 16th, 1907*

*Winkie Country*

Two hours passed as Dorothy rose up from the bed, aching in pain as she did so.

"W-What happened. Last thing I remember was Zorya hitting me with an attack.." Dorothy uttered to herself as she got up from the bed.

Once she got up from the bed, Dorothy made her way downstairs where she saw everyone talking in the foyer of the palace, and to the right, there were Winkies fixing the damaged wall.

"Guys! What happened when I was knocked out?!" Dorothy called out to her friends as she went downstairs toward the foyer, eager to know an answer.

The sound of Dorothy's call caught the attention of Flynn and the others as they looked over to see their friend.

"Dorothy! We're glad you're okay and That Zorya girl defeated you in battle, she was quite strong yet seemed sad.." Scarecrow spoke to Dorothy in a relieved voice while Dorothy let out a sigh.

"I-I see. She was so fast. I didn't even see it coming and I'm supposed to protect my loved ones yet I failed.." Dorothy responded in a sad voice as she looked down to the floor.

Right after those words, Keiko got up, walked over, and placed her hands on Dorothy's shoulders.

"Look, Rose warned you not to engage in combat with her and she knew you were going to lose badly. You may have defeated that Dion creep a while back but that doesn't mean you're on top of things." Keiko reassured Dorothy, reminding her of Rose's warning as Dorothy nodded.

"I'm aware and I should have been more careful next time.." Dorothy responded in agreement while Rose got up from her chair.

Once she got up, she grabbed the sword meant for Dorothy.

"It's time for you to learn how to use this sword. It's the only way to counter Zorya's attacks and the only way to defeat her." Rose spoke to Dorothy in a serious voice as she gave her the sword.

Once the sword was given to Dorothy, Flynn and Keiko decided to come up with a proposal.

"Alright, while Dorothy is learning swordsmanship. Me, Keiko and maybe Betsy can go on ahead and look for the others swords, does that sound good? I'm only asking because I can't risk my sister getting another sword and we wasted enough time as it is." Flynn asked Rose in a determined voice while this was met with a nod of approval from Rose.

"Of course. You didn't need to ask, you guys try to find the other swords while I train this little girl here, okay?" Rose responded to Flynn while simultaneously patting Dorothy in the back.

Soon after, Betsy stepped up, wanting to join Flynn and Keiko.

"Mind if I join, I'd figure that both of you need the extra help." Betsy asked Flynn in hopes of him being allowed to join, and to her relief, he accepted.

"Of course. The more help, the better. We just need to prevent my sister from using the power of the Sword of Oz." Flynn responded while accepting the offer.

Betsy was happy to hear this as she got ready to head out with the others.

Once everyone was set, Flynn, Keiko, and Betsy said their goodbyes before departing Winkie Country to head for Munchkin Country to search for the sword.

"See you guys real soon, we'll be waiting for you." Dorothy thought to herself while seeing her friends disappearing from sight.

Soon after, Dorothy clutched her sword, ready to learn the art of swordsmanship.

"Rose, I'm ready. If I want to defeat Zorya and save Oz, I gotta get stronger." Dorothy spoke to Rose in a motivated voice as she looked at the woman.

After a few seconds of silence, Rose turned over to Scarecrow so she could speak to him.

"Scarecrow, is there a waterfall nearby? It's something important I want Dorothy to do." Rose asked Scarecrow politely as she waited for her answer, hoping he'll say yes.

The question surprised Scarecrow as he nodded his head in confirmation, making Rose smile in the process.

"Yes, it's not too far from here. Just go in that direction and you'll find the waterfall." Scarecrow responded while pointing his finger in the western direction.

"I would show you and Dorothy the way but I must watch over the palace in my friend's place." Scarecrow continued to speak to Rose while this was no problem for the woman.

"No worries, we can find it but thank you very much for the offer. You keep that palace safe, hear me?" Rose advised Scarecrow with a smile as she began walking in the direction provided.

After this, Dorothy hugged Scarecrow as she said her goodbyes.

"We'll be back, and please be safe, okay? If anything happens, call Ozma." Dorothy advised her friend in a warm voice before releasing herself from the hug as she followed Rose.

"Don't worry, Dorothy! I will. I'll keep this palace safe as well." Scarecrow responded back while he waved goodbye.

Unknown to everyone, Alice's cat was watching everything with a smile before disappearing from sight.

*Waterfall*

Dorothy and Rose arrived at the beautiful yellow waterfall, the yellow-colored water rushing down.

"Wow. It's beautiful. It's perfect for my training." Dorothy complimented in an awestruck voice while Rose nodded in agreement.

"I agree; however, before we begin, I want you to sit down at that rock, and withstand the waterfall for twenty minutes, alright?" Rose advised Dorothy while pointing at the waterfall.

This order surprised Dorothy as she looked over at the rushing waterfall before looking back at Rose.

"A-Alright. I'll do it. If it means mastering the sword then I'll do what I can!" Dorothy responded as she accepted the offer.

Once she said those words, Dorothy walked over toward the rock, sat on it, and once she said that, she felt the water pouring on her head.

The coldness of the water made Dorothy shiver instantly, her breaths growing rapid, all while Rose watched with her arms crossed.

"Good. Keep sitting there, you must calm your breathing and nerves. It's the only way to make this thing work." Rose advised Dorothy as she sat down on the ground and kept a close eye on her student.

Once everything was said and done, Dorothy continued to sit in the waterfall, feeling the cold water hitting her head as she shivered; however, she continued to press on.

"Damn it! It's cold as hell but I can't let the cold get to me, I must calm down and withstand this waterfall." Dorothy thought to herself as she continued to sit under the waterfall.

During the next twenty minutes, Dorothy slowly calmed her nerves, her breathing growing at a steady pace as she remained still under the waterfall.

"You're doing great! Now remain still for another twenty minutes, okay?" Rose congratulated Dorothy while also advising her to remain still.

This event made Dorothy smile as she remained still, eager to keep a steady and calm heart.

However, Rose smirked and she pulled out a potion bottle from her pocket as she poured some into the water.

"My sister was an expert in potions so it's something I've picked up from her but this baby will make the waterfall flow much faster.." Rose spoke to Dorothy as the waterfall rushed down on Dorothy's head at a much faster pace.

The rushing of the water made Dorothy feel overwhelmed, her once calm demeanor was gone.

"I-It's cold.." Dorothy thought to herself as she shivered due to the waterfall falling much stronger on her head.

Rose's training session gets much more intense, could Dorothy withstand it?

*Munchkin Country*

Flynn, Betsy, and Keiko arrived at the beautiful blue country, ready to search for the sword of this country.

"We should begin searching. I recall the sword being hidden in a cave, guarded by a strong guard." Flynn spoke to Betsy and Keiko as both girls nodded before walking ahead of him.

The trio began walking across the beautiful blue grassfield until they stumbled upon a small village.

The small village contained beautiful blue houses, a market selling food, veggies, and other good things. It was also lively with Munchkins going about their daily lives.

"Alright, we should ask the mayor of this village the exact location of the sword. We can't allow Zorya to get the sword first." Keiko advised Flynn and Betsy as she entered the village alongside them

"Sounds like a good idea. I just hope he sees your good intentions." Betsy responded in a cautious voice as she walked side by side with Keiko and Flynn.

And so, the trio walked around the village, the chattering and bustling voices of the Munchkins consuming the area, and this went on until the trio stumbled upon a building.

The building belonged to the Munchkin mayor of this city, Boq.

"This should be it. This place seems like the mayor's office.." Flynn spoke to the girls as he began walking toward the entrance while Keiko and Betsy followed him.

Once the trio entered the building, they walked across the office before finally stumbling upon Boq typing something in his typewriter.

"I'm busy.." Boq uttered in a professional voice as he continued typing away; however, Keiko began to speak up.

"Good Evening, you're the Mayor, right? My name is Keiko and we came here to ask about the Sword of Munchkin Country.." Keiko greeted Boq in a polite and professional voice as she waited for a response.

Those words caught his attention as he slowly turned around, his expression filled with curiosity.

"Sword of Munchkin Country? Why would you kids need such a thing, explain yourselves at once." Boq responded to Keiko in a stern yet concerned voice as he waited for an answer.

Once Boq spoke those words, Flynn walked over and he began to answer his question.

"Someone is intending to collect the sword for bad purposes. If they collect this sword, then Oz and perhaps Dorothy's world could be in trouble.." Flynn responded to the question in a serious voice as this seemed to make Boq's eyes widened.

"I-I see. Follow me. I shall show you a shortcut. Only the Mayors and King of Munchkin Country know this passage; however, It seems you're friends of Dorothy so I can make an exemption.." Boq responded in a serious voice.

Soon after, Boq motioned his hand for Flynn, Keiko, and Betsy to follow him.

"Thank you very much, Mayor." Flynn responded to Boq, thanking him kindly as he, Keiko, and Betsy followed the mayor to the shortcut.

Once everyone started to walk, Flynn thought of his sister and he vowed to stop her.

"Sister, I will stop your plans, no matter what!" Flynn thought to himself in sheer motivation as he wanted nothing else but to stop his sister's plans.

Our heroes get closer to the Sword of Munchkin Country while Dorothy continues to train under Rose!