(Vitality Power)

January 13th, 1907*

*Queen Zixi's Palace*

*Palace Gardens*

One Hour passed since the incident as Dorothy slowly woke up and she saw Flynn, Betsy, and Keiko staring down at her, with Flynn and Betsy looking concerned while Keiko remained stoic.

"Oh, crap. I went berserk, did I? I'm still not used to my Super form. I still need to work on it.." Dorothy spoke to everyone, chuckling to herself while Betsy smiled with relief.

"You did, and Keiko had to take you down but I'm glad you didn't cause enough damage." Betsy responded in a relieved voice as she saw her friend slowly getting up.

After seeing this, Keiko crossed her arms, staring at Dorothy as she began to speak.

"Yeah, that punch caught me off guard, It nearly bruised me; however, I've managed to snap to my senses and calm you down. Also, you need to control your transformation or whatever.." Keiko chimed into the conversation while Dorothy nodded understandably.

"Thank you, and I will. I know I was disappointing in your eyes, but I promise I won't fail you again." Dorothy responded to Keiko, feeling more determined to master her transformation and learn more about swordsmanship.

Soon after, Keiko formed a small smile across her face, feeling that things might just work out with Dorothy.

"That's the spirit. Now. I'm going to teach you a new power system. It's going to help you with your transformation and also, become a good swordswoman." Keiko explained to Dorothy, giving a confident smirk while Dorothy nodded, accepting whatever was coming her way.

"Power system?" Dorothy uttered, feeling intrigued by this new information as she sat down on the ground, paying close attention to whatever Keiko was going to say.

During this, Flynn continued to observe the ongoing events, feeling intrigued to hear how Dorothy was going to process the information given to her.

"It's called Vitality, which means Life. Your strongest virtues, personality traits, and everything else could be turned into power, are you following me?" Keiko explained to Dorothy, hoping that she was clear while Dorothy was confused by this, shaking her head.

"Nope, I'm lost, I'm afraid." Dorothy responded with complete honesty; however, her confused expression also had an intriguing one, hoping to learn more.

This sort of expression made Keiko quite pleased as she began to speak to her.

"Nah, you're good. I was confused at first so I get your sentiments.." Keiko responded, smiling at Dorothy before she took a deep breath, ready to explain the power system once more.

"Okay, so. Your personality, virtues, and everything that makes you, could cause your Vitality to become stronger, for example, I'm The Commander, meaning I fit in the category of people who are bold, outspoken, and quite assertive, in short, I can produce attacks that are quite strong yet elegant at the same time, do you understand now?" Keiko explained to Dorothy, hoping that she would understand the new information given to her was making sense.

"I'm slowly understanding this. I consider myself to be a caring, protective, and strong person, what does that make me?" Dorothy responded, eager to learn more while also getting a grasp of the concept.

Of course, Keiko was happy to explain more.

"The Defender. People like you fall in the category where most of your power comes from the desire to protect your loved ones, a sense of defending them from harm, that could also explain your little show back there." Keiko continued to explain to Dorothy.

After hearing this, Dorothy rubbed her head; however, it was clear she was still getting it but was quite fried from the information.

"I-I see, it's complicated…" Dorothy responded, nervously chuckling to herself while Keiko nodded.

"Told ya. It's pretty much your entire self and personality that dictates your power, and how does this tie back into breathing and heart rates? Well…" Keiko spoke to Dorothy, taking a step back as she pulled out her sword.

Meanwhile, Flynn and Betsy watched everything with great interest while Flynn observed everything.

"Well, you're correct about everyone having Vitality; however, what you didn't tell Dorothy is that only people within Oz, Ix, Ev, etc can channel their virtues, personality, etc into power. Dorothy is exempt because of the star mark on her forehead." Flynn thought to himself, observing the ongoing lesson as he continued to think.

"I didn't pick up on it at first, but it seems Dorothy is using powers that normally someone like Glinda or Locasta might use.." Flynn continued to think to himself with a focused expression on his face, continuing to watch the ongoing lesson.

Back at the lesson, Dorothy watched intensely as Keiko was ready to display her power to her.

Keiko took deep breaths, focusing on her virtues, and maintaining a calm heart rate, feeling her power coursing through her.

"Flower Petals: Lotus Swirl" Keiko spoke, swinging her sword in Dorothy's way, causing the area to produce a fresh, aquatic, and floral scent that had a sweetness to it.

After this, Dorothy smelled the scent, closing her eyes to take it in before speaking.

"Wow…that was wonderful.." Dorothy uttered with a smile while Keiko smiled back.

"You see? My virtues are hard work, intellect, and ambition. This wasn't an offensive attack but rather one created for defense, but the point is that you can turn your virtues, ideals, and other things into power, call it self-expression; however!" Keiko explained to Dorothy, walking closer to her.

"You'll need a sword for it to work, not just any old sword, but one that chooses you, and while we're at it, we're going to control that power of yours for good." Keiko continued to explain, gently flicking Dorothy's forehead while Dorothy stumbled back before smirking, catching her footing.

"I'm ready!" Dorothy responded confidently, ready to master everything she's learned today.

Of course, this made Keiko smirk confidently, clapping her hands together.

"Good! Now, before we find you a sword, you must control your Super form, so remember what I've taught you.." Keiko advised Dorothy, taking a few steps back to allow Dorothy to transform once more.

Soon after, the garden became quiet as Dorothy closed her eyes, breathing in and out while maintaining her heart rate.

"I'm a Defender. I want to protect my loved ones…" Dorothy thought to herself, continuing to breathe in and out in hopes of focusing on her power.

Eventually, the wind began to pick up once more as Dorothy's hair slowly spiked up, indicating she was going to transform.

During this, Dorothy thought about all of her friends, her vow to protect them all, and even her past enemies, including the Wicked Witch of the West, Aurora, and Dion.

"I want this to become my power. I'm tired of using borrowed power. I don't want Locasta or any witches' power. I want it to be my power.." Dorothy thought to herself as she continued to look back on her previous adventures until she suddenly heard a familiar voice.

It was The Wicked Witch of the West herself.

"Then quit your whining and turn that darn witch's power into your own, Dorothy!" The Wicked Witch of the West advised Dorothy, surprising the young girl as her eyes widened.

"N-No way, w-why are you giving me advice? H-How.." Dorothy uttered in surprise, looking directly at the witch.

After this, the Wicked Witch cackled at this, speaking once more to Dorothy.

"Don't worry. The other me is still dead; however, I'm a manifestation of your trauma from the time that I've enslaved you. Anywho! You can turn that power into something far more marvelous! Something of your own…Something...powerful." The Wicked Witch of the West advised Dorothy once more, cackling while her evil eye watched intently.

Of course, Dorothy shook her head, rejecting the offer since she knew the Witch's tricks.

"No! I'm not falling for that old trick! I do want this power to be my own; however, I want it to be my power! A power born out of sheer will to protect my loved ones! I'm not going to be tempted by you, vile witch!" Dorothy responded in a defiant voice, remaining steadfast in her beliefs.

Soon after, The Wicked Witch grunted to herself in annoyance, balling her fists as she spoke one final time.

"Foolish girl, you will regret that choice, remember! I'm your trauma so I'll always be watching you!" The Wicked Witch of the West spoke to Dorothy, grinning at her as she slowly disappeared, bringing relief to Dorothy.

"You're wrong! I won't regret it!" Dorothy responded once more, a brilliant flash of light consuming her as she finally transformed into her Super form again.

The familiar purple aura surrounded itself Dorothy while her hair spiked up, indicating her transformation.

Of course, this made Keiko, Flynn, and Betsy smile joyfully.

"Whoa, you did it!" Keiko joyfully congratulated Dorothy, feeling proud of what she saw.

During this, Dorothy smirked confidently, feeling proud of herself.

"The power…It feels good…" Dorothy spoke out with a smile while she heard Betsy clapping for her, feeling proud of her friend.

"You did it! I knew you could do it!" Betsy joyously congratulated her friend while Dorothy looked over, giving her a thumbs up.

Meanwhile, Keiko clapped, walking closer to Dorothy.

"I'm impressed; however, that as the easy step, now, you must find yourself a sword, but we'll do that tomorrow, for now, rest. It's important." Keiko spoke to Dorothy, feeling proud of her as she patted her on the shoulder.

During this, Flynn watched everything with confidence, knowing that things were slowly falling into place.

"Dorothy, you might be the one to save my sister.." Flynn thought to himself, feeling hopeful of their mission to stop Zorya's plans.

*Unknown Location*

Zorya sat on the floor of the same dark room, sipping on a cup of tea with both of her hands.

"Alice, any luck on finding the Sword of Oz?" Zorya asked Alice in a polite voice, waiting for her response as she sipped more tea.

Soon after, a young girl emerged from the shadows, and she was dressed in a black Victorian Lolita dress.

Alice appeared to be sixteen years old. She had black eyeliner and an innocent face.

"No luck. It's sooo hard finding it! I might just die!" Alice responded in a whiny voice, taking out her sword from her back.

Right after doing this, Alice brought her sword to the air, ready to use it.

"Swordy, turn this place into something fun!" Alice commanded the sword in a sing-songy voice, causing the sword to glow for a few seconds until the entire black room turned into a Wonderland.

The Wonderland was a cute and magical land, filled with cute animals, plants, etc, giving off a cute vibe to it.

After this, Zorya looked around at her new surroundings with slight annoyance on her face.

"Try harder.." Zorya responded, continuing to drink her tea while Alice nodded.

"I will!" Alice responded cheerfully, continuing to enjoy sitting in her place of comfort, eager to find the Sword of Oz for Zorya.

Soon after, Alice got up and hugged Zorya from behind, resting her head on her shoulder.

"And once I do, you'll finally be happy, like you always wanted.." Alice whispered in Zorya's ear, remaining by her side as the two girls continued to sit in the wonderland that Alice created.